General Physics 1

Kinematics
Position, Velocity, and Speed
A particle’s position is the location of the particle with respect to
a chosen reference point that we can consider to be the origin of
a coordinate system.
Position, Velocity, and Speed
We are interested only in the car’s translational motion so we
can model it as a particle. Position–time graph for the motion of
the “particle.”
Position, Velocity, and Speed
The displacement of a particle is defined as its change in
position in some time interval. As it moves from an initial
position xi to a final position xf , the displacement of the particle
is given by xf - xi . We use the Greek letter delta (Δ) to denote the
change in a quantity. Therefore, we write the displacement, or
change in position, of the particle as

∆𝑥 = 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖
Distance is the length of a path followed by a particle.
Position, Velocity, and Speed
A cyclist travels around a 500-m circular track 10 times.
What is the distance travelled, and what is the cyclist’s
final displacement?
Position, Velocity, and Speed
The smooth curve drawn through the six points in the graph is only a
possibility of the actual motion of the car. We only have information
about six instants of time—we have no idea what happened in
between the data points. The smooth curve is a guess as to what
happened, but keep in mind that it is only a guess.
A common way of comparing
the different motions is to
divide the displacement ∆𝑥 that
occurs between two clock
readings by the length of that
particular time interval ∆𝑡.
The blue line that connects A
and B is a slope that represents
average speed.
Position, Velocity, and Speed
Average Speed and Average Velocity

The average speed is NOT the magnitude of the average velocity.

For example, a runner ends at her starting point.
Her displacement is zero. Therefore, her velocity is zero.
However, the distance traveled is not zero, so the speed is
not zero.
Average Velocity is defined as the particle’s
displacement divided by the time interval during
which that displacement occurs.
Average Speed the total distance traveled divided by the total time
interval required to travel that distance.
Position, Velocity, and Speed
Find the displacement, average velocity, and average speed of the car
between positions A and F.

Exercise…
Determine the displacement,
average velocity, and average
speed of the car between
positions B and E.
Instantaneous Velocity and Speed
Often we need to know the velocity of a particle at a particular instant
in time, rather than the average velocity over a finite time interval.

The line between the points becomes steeper and steeper, and as the
two points become extremely close together, the line becomes a
tangent line to the curve, indicated by the green line.
Instantaneous Velocity and Speed
The slope of this tangent line represents the velocity of the car at the
moment we started taking data, at point A.

The instantaneous velocity vx

equals the limiting value of
the ratio ∆𝑥 / ∆𝑡 as ∆ 𝑡
approaches zero:

In calculus notation, this limit

We use the word velocity to
designate instantaneous velocity.
When it is average velocity we are
interested in, we shall always use
the adjective average.
is called the derivative of x
with respect to t, written
dx/dt:
Sample Problem
A particle moves along the x axis. Its position varies with time
according to the expression x = -4t + 2t2 where x is in meters and t is in
seconds. The position–time graph for this motion is shown below.
1. Determine the displacement of
the particle in the time interval
t=0 to t=1s.

2. Calculate the average velocity

during that time interval.

3. Find the instantaneous velocity

of the particle at t = 2.5 s.
Exercise…
A particle moves along the x axis. Its position varies with time
according to the expression x = -4t + 2t2 where x is in meters and t is in
seconds. The position–time graph for this motion is shown below.
1. Determine the displacement of
the particle in the time interval
t=1s to t=3s.

2. Calculate the average velocity

during that time interval.

3. Find the instantaneous velocity

of the particle at t = 2 s.
Acceleration
When the velocity of a particle changes with time, the particle is
said to be accelerating.
The average acceleration of the particle is defined as the change in
velocity Δvx divided by the time interval Δt during which that change
occurs.

In some situations, the value of the average acceleration may be

different over different time intervals. It is therefore useful to define
the instantaneous acceleration as the limit of the average
acceleration as Δt approaches zero. The instantaneous acceleration
equals the derivative of the velocity with respect to time.
Acceleration
The term acceleration will mean
instantaneous acceleration. If
average acceleration is wanted,
the word average will be included.

The slope of the blue straight line

connecting A and B is the average
acceleration in the time interval tf
to ti.

The slope of the green line is equal

to the instantaneous acceleration
at point B.
Acceleration
When the object’s velocity and acceleration are in the same
direction, the object is speeding up. On the other hand, when the
object’s velocity and acceleration are in opposite directions, the
object is slowing down.
Keep in mind that negative acceleration does not necessarily mean
that an object is slowing down. If the acceleration is negative, and
the velocity is negative, the object is speeding up.
In one-dimensional motion, the acceleration equals the second
derivative of x with respect to time.
Sample Problem
The velocity of a particle moving along the x axis varies in time
according to the expression vx=(40 - 5t2) m/s, where t is in seconds.

1. Find the average acceleration in the

time interval t=0 to t=2s.
2. Determine the acceleration at t=2.0 s.
Sample Problem
The velocity of a particle moving along the x axis varies in time
according to the expression vx=(40 - 5t2) m/s, where t is in seconds.
We find the velocities at ti=tA=0 and
tf=tB=2.0 s by substituting these values of
t into the expression for the velocity:

Exercise…
Solve the average acceleration
at t=1s & t=3s and acceleration
at t=3.5 s.
Motion Diagram
Graphical Relationships
Describe the motion of a particle in the following graphs:
x v a

t t t

x v a

t t t
Graphical Relationships
Exercise… 1. Describe the motion of the car in
1. The table below shows the motion the following points:
of a car traveling the straight a. A to B
highway. b. C to D
Velocity (m/s) Time (s) c. D to E
A 0 0
B 5 3 2. Compare the acceleration of the
C 15 5 car in the following segments:
D 10 7 a. A to B and B to C
E 10 9 b. C to D and E to F
F 5 11
c. C to D and F to G
G 0 16

2. In a graphing paper, plot the

velocity against the time on the
line graph. Plot the values of the
velocity along the vertical axis (y)
and the time along the horizontal
axis (x). Label the line graph
completely and properly.
Graphical Relationships
Velocity and Time Graph
16
C
14

12
E
10
Velocity (m/s)

D
8

6
B F
4

0A
G
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Time (s)
Graphical Relationships
Exercise… Velocity vs Time Graph

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Graphical Relationships
(a) Position–time graph for an
object moving along the x
axis.
(b) The velocity–time graph for
the object is obtained by
measuring the slope of the
position–time graph at each
instant.
(c) The acceleration–time graph
for the object is obtained by
measuring the slope of the
velocity–time graph at each
instant.
Exercise…
Make a Graphical Story
One-Dimensional Motion
with Constant Acceleration
A very common and simple type of one-dimensional motion is that
in which the acceleration is constant. When this is the case, the
average acceleration over any time interval is numerically equal to
the instantaneous acceleration ax at any instant within the interval,
and the velocity changes at the same rate throughout the motion.
One-Dimensional Motion
with Constant Acceleration

Remember that these equations of kinematics cannot be used in a

situation in which the acceleration varies with time. They can be
used only when the acceleration is constant.
Sample Problem
A jet lands on an aircraft carrier at 63 m/s. What is its acceleration
(assumed constant) if it stops in 2.0 s due to an arresting cable that
snags the airplane and brings it to a stop? If the plane touches down at
position xi=0, what is the final position of the plane?
Exercise Problem
1. A particle moves along the x axis according to the equation
x=2.00+3.00t-1.00t2, where x is in meters and t is in seconds. At
t=3.00 s, find (a) the position of the particle, (b) its velocity, and (c)
its acceleration.
2. A truck covers 40.0 m in 8.50 s while smoothly slowing down to a
final speed of 2.80 m/s. (a) Find its original speed. (b) Find its
acceleration.
3. For many years Colonel John P. Stapp held the world’s land speed
record. On March 19, 1954, he rode a rocket-propelled sled that
moved down a track at a speed of 632 mi/h. He and the sled were
safely brought to rest in 1.40 s. Determine (a) the negative
acceleration he experienced and (b) the distance he traveled
during this negative acceleration.
4. An electron in a cathode ray tube (CRT) accelerates from 2.00 X 104
m/s to 6.00 X 106 m/s over 1.50 cm. (a) How long does the electron
take to travel this 1.50 cm? (b) What is its acceleration?
Freely Falling Objects

Activity
Free Fall Demo
Freely Falling Objects
A freely falling object is any object moving freely under the
influence of gravity alone, regardless of its initial motion. Objects
thrown upward or downward and those released from rest are all
falling freely once they are released. Any freely falling object
experiences an acceleration directed downward, regardless of its
initial motion.

For example, without any

resistance, a feather will be as
fast as a stone when falling
because they fall with the
same amount of time, given
that they are released from
the same height.
Freely Falling Objects
Free Fall – An Object Dropped

vi = 0 ✓ Initial velocity is zero

✓ Use the kinematic equations
Generally use y instead of x
since it is vertical
✓ Acceleration is ay = g = -9.80
m/s2

ay = g = - 9.8 m/s2
Freely Falling Objects
Free Fall – An Object Thrown Downward

vi ≠ 0 ✓ ay = g = -9.80 m/s2
vi = negative ✓ Initial velocity ≠ 0
✓ With upward being positive,
initial velocity will be negative.

ay = g = - 9.8 m/s2
Freely Falling Objects
Free Fall – Object Thrown Upward
vmax height = 0 ✓ Initial velocity is upward, so
positive
✓ The instantaneous velocity at the
maximum height is zero.
✓ ay=g=-9.80 m/s2 everywhere in
the motion
✓ The motion may be symmetrical.
Then tup = tdown
Then vi = -vf
✓ The motion may not be
vi ≠ 0
vi = positive vf = negative symmetrical.
Break the motion into various
ay = g = - 9.8 m/s2 parts.
Generally up and down
Freely Falling Objects
Free Fall – Object Thrown Upward
➢ Initial velocity at A is upward (+) and
acceleration is g (-9.8 m/s2).
➢ At B, the velocity is 0 and the
acceleration is g (-9.8 m/s2).
➢ At C, the velocity has the same
magnitude as at A, but is in the
opposite direction.
➢ The displacement is –50.0 m (it ends up
50.0 m below its starting point).
Sample Problem
1. A one-euro coin is dropped from the Leaning Tower of Pisa and
falls freely from rest. What are its position and velocity after 1.0 s,
2.0 s, and 3.0 s?
2. A stone is thrown downward with an initial velocity of 1.68 m/s
and it reaches the ground in just 0.95s.
a) How high is the stone before it was thrown?
b) What is its final velocity upon hitting the ground?
3. How fast a coin be thrown upward to reach a maximum height of
16m? How long will it take to return to its original place?
4. You throw a ball vertically upward from the roof of a 60-m tall
building. The ball leaves your hand at a point even with the roof
railing with an upward speed of 15.0 m/s. On its way back down, it
just misses the railing. Find (a) the maximum height reached; (b)
the time it takes to reach the ground; and (c) the velocity of the
ball when it reaches the ground.
Exercise Problem
1. A ball is thrown directly downward, with an initial speed of 8.00
m/s, from a height of 30.0 m. After what time interval does the ball
strike the ground and with what velocity?
2. An object is thrown downward at 5 m/s from an altitude of 100 m.
How long will it take to reach the ground and with what speed?
3. An arrow is shot vertically upward and returns to its original level
after 12 seconds. How high will it reach? What is the speed of the
arrow when it is released?
4. A climber, standing at the edge a 50-m high cliff, throws a stone
upward with a speed of 4.5 m/s. How long will it take for the stone
to reach its maximum height? How high will the stone reach
relative to the base of the cliff? How long will it take to reach the
ground/base of the cliff? What will be the speed of the stone when
it reaches the ground/base of the cliff?
Motion in Two or Three Dimension

Displacement Vector

What is the displacement from

r1 = -3i + 2j + 5k to r2 = 9i +2j + 8k?
Motion in Two or Three Dimension

average velocity
instantaneous
velocity
components of
instantaneous velocity
Motion in Two or Three Dimension
Motion in Two or Three Dimension
A rabbit runs across a parking lot on which a set of coordinate
axes has been drawn. The rabbit’s path is such that the
components of its position with respect to an origin of
coordinates are given as function of time by x = -0.31t2 + 7.2t +
28 and y = 0.22t2 – 9.1t + 30, with t in seconds and x and y in
meters. The rabbit’s position vector is r(t) = x(t)i + y(t)j.
1. What is the magnitude and direction of the rabbit’s position
vector at t = 15 s?
2. What is the magnitude and direction of the rabbit’s velocity
at t = 15 s?
3. What is the magnitude and direction of the rabbit’s
acceleration at t = 15 s?
Exercise…
What is the position, velocity and acceleration of the rabbit at t = 10 s?
Projectile Motion

✓ constant-velocity motion in the horizontal direction (vx)

✓ free-fall motion in the vertical direction (vy)
Projectile Motion

A plane drops a package of

supplies to a party of explorers,
as shown in the figure. If the
plane is traveling horizontally at
40.0 m/s and is 100 m above the
ground, where does the package
strike the ground relative to the
point at which it is released?
What is the velocity of the
package when it it’s the ground?
Projectile Motion
A long-jumper leaves the ground
at an angle of 20.0° above the
horizontal and at a speed of 11.0
m/s.
a. What is the maximum height
reached?
b. How far does he jump in the
horizontal direction?
Projectile Motion
A stone is thrown from the top
of a building upward at an
angle of 30.0° to the horizontal
with an initial speed of 20.0
m/s, as shown in the figure. If
the height of the building is
45.0 m, how long does it take
the stone to reach the ground?
What is the range of the stone?
What is the velocity of the
stone just before it strikes the
ground?
Exercise Problems
1. In a local bar, a customer slides an empty beer mug down the
counter for a refill. The bartender is momentarily distracted and
does not see the mug, which slides off the counter and strikes the
floor 1.40 m from the base of the counter. If the height of the
counter is 0.860 m, (a) with what velocity did the mug leave the
counter, and (b) what was the direction of the mug’s velocity just
before it hit the floor?
2. A bullet is fired from a gun mounted at an angle of 35o. If the muzzle
velocity is 420 m/s, determine a) the maximum height reached, b)
the time of flight, and c) range when the bullet strikes the ground at
the same level.
3. An archer, on top of a 30-m high building, shoots an arrow with a
velocity of 45.0 m/s at an angle of 50.0° with the horizontal. How
high will the arrow reach above the ground? How far from the base
of the building will the arrow reach? What is the velocity of the
arrow when it reaches the ground?
Uniform Circular Motion

When a particle moves in a

circle with constant speed, the
motion is called uniform
circular motion.
Uniform Circular Motion
The acceleration vector is
perpendicular to the path and
hence directed inward, toward
the center of the circular path.
This causes the direction of the
velocity to change. Because the
acceleration in uniform circular
motion is always directed toward
the center of the circle, it is
sometimes called centripetal
acceleration.
Uniform Circular Motion
We can also express the magnitude of the acceleration in
uniform circular motion in terms of the period T of the motion,
the time for one revolution (one complete trip around the
circle). In a time T the particle travels a distance equal to the
circumference 2πR of the circle, so its speed is
Uniform Circular Motion
1. In one model of the hydrogen atom, an electron orbits a
proton in a circle of radius 5.28 x 10-11 m with a speed of
2.18 x 106 m/s. What is the acceleration of the electron in
this model? What is the period of the motion?
2. A magnetic field can force a charged particle to move in a
circular path. Suppose an electron experiences an
acceleration of 3.0 x 1014 m/s2 in a particular magnetic
field. What is the speed of the electron if the radius of its
circular path is 15 cm? what is the period of the motion?
3. A sprinter runs at 9.2 m/s around a circular track with
centripetal acceleration of 3.8 m/s2. What is the track
radius? What is the period of the motion?
Freely Falling Objects

Activity
Parachute