Kinematics is the study of motion—more specifically, the analysis and measurement of motion.

In this series of lessons, we will examine various aspects of motion in one dimension. Before we begin, it is helpful to see where kinematics fits within the broader context of classical mechanics.

The video below introduces the concept of mechanics, connecting kinematics (the analysis of motion) with dynamics (the study of the forces that cause motion).

This next video provides an introduction to the fundamentals of kinematics by examining its core variables:

• Distance vs. Displacement: Distance is a scalar measuring total ground covered, whereas displacement is a vector indicating straight-line distance and direction from start to finish.
• Speed vs. Velocity: Speed is a scalar describing how fast an object moves, while velocity is a vector incorporating both speed and direction.
• Acceleration: The rate at which velocity changes over time, whether speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction.

We will also look at how to determine average velocity and apply these foundational concepts to describe motion.

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