Chapter 2-Section 1

1-Dimensional Kinematics
The motion of automobiles, Hot
Wheel cars, and rockets are
used to illustrate the physics of
position, velocity, acceleration,
and kinematic graphing.

Kinematics
Kinematics is the science of describing the
motion of objects using words, diagrams,
numbers, graphs, and equations.

Motion

Motion happens all around us.

One dimensional motion is the
simplest form of motion.
The object can only move in one
dimension

forward and backward

left and right
up and down

Motion

Motion takes place over time and

depends on a frame of reference.
Frame of Reference a coordinate
system for specifying the precise
location of objects in space
The choice of a reference point is
arbitrary, but once chosen, the same
point must be used throughout the
problem.

Distance and
Distance and displacement are two
Displacement

quantities which may seem to mean the

same thing, yet they have distinctly
different meanings and definitions.
Distance is a scalar quantity which refers
to "how much ground an object has
covered" during its motion.
Displacement is a vector quantity which
refers to "how far out of place an object
is"; it is the object's change in position.

Distance and
To
test your understanding of this
Displacement

distinction, consider the motion depicted

in the diagram below. A physics teacher
walks 4 meters East, 2 meters South, 4
meters West, and finally 2 meters North.

Distance traveled = 12 m

Displacement = 0 m

Distance and
Displacement

The diagram below shows the position of a cross-country skier

at various times. At each of the indicated times, the skier turns
around and reverses the direction of travel. In other words, the
skier moves from A to B to C to D. Use the diagram to
determine the distance traveled by the skier and the resulting
displacement during these three minutes.

Distance traveled =

420 m

Displacement = 140 m

Seymour Butz views football games from under the

bleachers. He frequently paces back and forth to get the best
view. The diagram below shows several of Seymour's
positions at various times. At each marked position, Seymour
makes a "U-turn" and moves in the opposite direction. In
other words, Seymour moves from position A to B to C to D.
What is Seymour's resulting displacement and distance of
travel?

Distance = 95 yards

Displacement = 55yards

Displacement
x = xf xi
Displacement = change in position
Displacement = final position initial position

Speed and Velocity

Speed is a scalar
quantity which refers to
"how fast an object is
moving.
Velocity is a vector
quantity which refers to
"the rate at which an
object changes its
position."

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Average Speed and

Velocity

Average speed is the total distance traveled

divided by the time interval

Average velocity is the total displacement

traveled divided by the time interval during which
the displacement occurred

While on vacation, Lisa Carr traveled a

total distance of 440 miles. Her trip took
8 hours. What was her average speed?
Ave speed = distance traveled
time of travel
Ave speed = 440 mi
8h
Ave speed = 55 mi /
h

Problem
A car travels from city A to city B
(100km). If the first half of the
distance is driven at 50 km/h and
the second half is driven at 100
km/h , what is the average velocity
for the trip?

100 km
V = 50 km/h

B
V = 100 km/h

t = d/s
t = 50 km
50 km/h
t=1h

t = d/s
t = 50 km
100 km/h
t = 0.5 h

Ave. velocity = displacement

time
Ave velocity = 100 km
1.5 h

67 km/h

Velocity
Constant Velocity velocity is

unchanging
Instantaneous Velocity the velocity of
an object at some instant (or specific
point in its path) (slope)

Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs

Homework

The Meaning of Shape for a

position-time Graph

The specific features of the motion of objects are demonstrated

by the shape and the slope of the lines on a position vs. time
graph.
If the positiontime data for
such a car were
graphed, the
resulting graph
would look like
the graph at the
right.

If the position-time
data for such a car
were graphed, the
resulting graph would
look like the graph at
the right.

The position vs. time graphs for the two types of motion
constant velocity and changing velocity

Positive constant velocity

Positive changing velocity

The Principle of Slope for a pt Graph

The slope of the line on a position-time

graph reveals useful information about
the velocity of the object. It's often
said, "As the slope goes, so goes the
velocity."

Let me test your understanding

Match the slope with the velocity
Positive slope
Constant slope
Small slope

Small velocity
Positive velocity

Constant velocity

Answers :
Positive slope

Positive velocity

Constant slope

Constant velocity

Small slope

Small velocity

Slow rightward,
Constant velocity

Fast, rightward,
Constant velocity

Fast, leftward
Constant velocity

Slow , leftward
Constant velocity

Leftward velocity,
Slow to fast

Leftward velocity,
Fast to slow

The Passing Lane

Constant Positive Velocity

Constant Negative Velocity