Linear Kinematics

Objectives: Define the idea of spatial reference frames Introduce the concepts of position, displacement, distance, velocity, and speed Learn how to compute displacement, velocity, and speed Learn the difference between average, instantaneous, and relative velocity

Linear Kinematics
Kinematics The form, pattern, or sequencing of movement with respect to time Forces causing the motion are not considered Linear Motion All parts of an object or system move the same distance in the same direction at the same time Linear Kinematics The kinematics of particles, objects, or systems undergoing linear motion

Spatial Reference Frames

A spatial reference frame is a set of coordinate axes (1, 2, or 3), oriented perpendicular to each other. It provides a means of describing and quantifying positions and directions in space

1-dimensional (1-D) Reference Frame

Quantifies positions and directions along a line
origin unit of measure label x (m) -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 direction 0 1 2 3 4 + direction 5

x = 2m

2-D Reference Frame

Quantifies positions and directions in a plane y (m)
+y direction y direction 2

(x,y) = (1 m, 2 m)

unit of measure

90
-2 origin

=63
(0,0) 2 +x direction x direction

label

x (m)

3-D Reference Frame

Quantifies positions and directions in space z (m)
2

(x,y,z) = (1.5m, 2m, 1.8m)

(0,0,0)

=36
y (m)
2

=53 x (m)
2

Reference Frames & Motion

The position or motion of a system does not depend on the choice of reference frame But, the numbers used to describe them do Always specify the reference frame used!
x2 y2 (m ) 1
1

x1 (m) 1

(m )

y1 (m)

Selecting a Reference Frame

Use only as many dimensions as necessary Align reference frame with fixed, clearly-defined, and physically meaningful directions. (e.g. compass directions, anatomical planes) Common 2-D conventions: Sagittal plane: +X = anterior; +Y = upward Transverse plane: +X = left; +Y = upward Horizontal plane: +X = anterior; +Y = left The origin should also have physical meaning. 2-D examples: X=0 Y=0 initial position ground height

Position
The location of a point, with respect to the origin, within a spatial reference frame Position is a vector; has magnitude and direction Or, specify position by the coordinates of the point Position has units of length (e.g. meters, feet)
y (m) 2

(x,y) = (1m, 2m)

Points position is: distance of 2.24m at an angle of 63 above the +x axis, or (x,y) position of (1m, 2 m) x (m) 2

2.24m
origin (0,0)

=63

Linear Displacement
Change (directed distance) from a points initial position to its final position Displacement is a vector; has magnitude and direction Displacement has units of length (e.g. meters, feet)

y (m) initial position displacement

1

pinitial pfinal
1

final position x (m)

Computing Displacement
Compute displacement (p) by vector subtraction p = pfinal pinitial y (m)
1

initial position

pinitial
1

pfinal

final position

x (m) pinitial

pinitial

Describing Displacement
Can describe displacement by: Magnitude and direction
(e.g. 2.23m at 26.6 below the +x axis)

Components (change) along each axis

(e.g. 2m in the +x direction, 1m in the y direction)

y (m) 1

pinitial pfinal
1

p
-1

px

py

x (m)

Distance
The length of the path traveled between a points initial and final position Distance is a scalar; it has magnitude only Has units of length (e.g. meters, feet) Distance (Magnitude of displacement)

Displacement = 64 m West E Distance = 200m N

Example Problem #1
A box is resting on a table of height 0.3m. A worker lifts the box straight upward to a height of 1m. He carries the box straight backward 0.5m, keeping it at a constant height. He then lowers the box straight downward to the ground. What was the displacement of the box? What distance was the box moved?

Linear Velocity
The rate of change of position Velocity is a vector; has magnitude and direction

velocity =

change in position displacement = change in time change in time

Shorthand notation:

v =

pfinal pinitial tfinal tinitial

p t

Velocity has units of length/time (e.g. m/s, ft/s)

Computing Velocity
direction of velocity = direction of displacement magnitude of velocity = magnitude of displacement change in time component of velocity = component of displacement change in time

y
p

p py x

y
p / t

V = p / t vy = py / t x

px

vx = px / t

Speed
The distance traveled divided by the time taken to cover it Equal to the average magnitude of the instantaneous velocity over that time. speed = distance change in time

Speed is a scalar; has magnitude only Speed has units of length/time (e.g. m/s, ft/s)

Speed vs. Velocity

Displacement = 64 m West N Distance = 200m

Assume a runner takes 25 s to run 200 m: Speed = 200 m 25 s Velocity = 64 m West 25 s

= 8 m/s

= 2.6 m/s West

Example Problem #2
During the lifting task of example problem #1, it takes the worker 0.5s to lift the box, 1.3s to carry it backward, and 0.6s to lower it. What were the average velocity and average speed of the box during the first, lifting phase of the task? What were the average velocity and average speed of the box for the task as a whole?

Velocity as a Slope
Graph x-component of position vs. time x-component of velocity from t1 to t2 = slope of the line from px at t1 to px at t2

px (m)

Slope : px / t = vx px t t1 t2 time (s)

Average vs. Instantaneous Velocity

The previous formulas give us the average velocity between an initial time (t1) and a final time (t2) Instantaneous velocity is the velocity at a single instant in time Can estimate instantaneous velocity using the central difference method: v (at t1) = p (at t1 + t) p (at t1 t) 2 t

where t is a very small change in time

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Instantaneous Velocity as a Slope

Graph of x-component of position vs. time slope = instantaneous x-velocity at t1 px (m) slope = average x-velocity from t1 to t2 t t1 t2 time (s)

Estimating Velocity from Position

px (m) Identify points with zero slope = points with zero velocity Portions of the curve with positive slope have positive velocity (i.e. velocity in the + direction) Portions of the curve with negative slope have negative velocity (i.e. velocity in the direction)

time (s) vx (m/s) 0

time (s)

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Relative Position
Find the position of one point or object relative to another by vector subtraction of their positions p(2 relative to 1) = p2 p1
y (m)

p2 = p1 + p(2 relative to 1)
object 2

p2
1

p(2 relative to 1) p1
object 1
x (m)

Relative Velocity
Apparent velocity of a second point or object to an observer at a first moving point or object Compute by vector subtraction of the velocities v(2 relative to 1) = v2 v1
vy (m/s)

object 2
1

v2 = v1 + v(2 relative to 1)
object 1
vx (m/s)

v(2 relative to 1) v2
1

v1

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Example Problem #3
A runner on a treadmill is running at 3.4 m/s in a direction 10 left of forward, relative to the treadmill belt (resulting in a forward velocity of 3.3 m/s and a leftward velocity of 0.6 m/s, relative to the belt). The treadmill belt is moving backward at 3.6 m/s. What is the runners overall velocity?

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