Kinematics: Distance vs. Displacement

Kinematics is the study of motion without regard to its causes. This unit covers the motion of objects in one and two dimensions, utilizing graphs and equations to describe position, velocity, and acceleration. Kinematics: Distance vs. Displacement turns that idea into something you can manipulate directly and watch respond.

Kinematics is the study of motion without regard to its causes. This unit covers the motion of objects in one and two dimensions, utilizing graphs and equations to describe position, velocity, and acceleration. It focuses on Scalar vs. Vector Quantities, Position, Velocity, and Acceleration, Kinematic Equations for Constant Acceleration, Motion Graphs (x-t, v-t, a-t), Projectile Motion, Relative Motion from the “Unit 1: Kinematics” section.

You can drag elements directly on the canvas; toggles show or hide layers so you can compare cases; the “Reset Path” button run actions or reset the demo. Every change updates the visualization in real time, so you can see exactly how each variable affects the outcome.

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores the fundamental principles of motion, force, and energy. Students develop a deep understanding of physics through inquiry-based i… This demo is the interactive piece for the “Unit 1: Kinematics” section. Open the full AP Physics 1 course wiki at https://www.getlykke.com/explore/public/ap-physics-1-e5a379b9-a3e5-451c-b409-f72cb259d0e4 for notes, flashcards, quizzes and the other demos.

You'll build intuition for Scalar vs. Vector Quantities, Position, Velocity, and Acceleration, Kinematic Equations for Constant Acceleration, Motion Graphs (x-t, v-t, a-t), Projectile Motion, Relative Motion — and, crucially, see how they behave when you change the inputs, which is hard to get from a textbook or lecture on AP Physics 1 alone.