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1.2.B—Describe the average velocity and acceleration of an object

Syllabus
2024
Objective
1.2
Level

1.2.B—Describe the average velocity and acceleration of an object

Describe the average velocity and acceleration of an object.

  • Averages of velocity and acceleration are calculated considering the initial and final states of an object over an interval of time.
  • Average velocity is the displacement of an object divided by the interval of time in which that displacement occurs. Relevant equation: 
  • Average acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the interval of time in which that change in velocity occurs. Relevant equation:  AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Course and Exam Description Kinematics UNIT 1
  • An object is accelerating if the magnitude and/or direction of the object’s velocity are changing.
  • Calculating average velocity or average acceleration over a very small time interval yields a value that is very close to the instantaneous velocity or instantaneous acceleration. AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Course and Exam Description Kinematics UNIT 1
ConceptAP Physics 1: Algebra-Based