CHAPTER 2

One-Dimensional Kinematics

2.1. Motion Along the Horizontal Axis

Learning Objectives:
After reading this section, the student should be able to:
▪ define distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration;
▪ distinguish between distance and displacement, and between speed and velocity;
▪ distinguish between instantaneous speed and average speed, and between instantaneous
velocity and average velocity;
▪ solve the distance covered or the elapsed time from the average speed equation;
▪ define acceleration; and
▪ solve for the velocity or the time from the equation of acceleration.

Lesson Target Duration: 2 hours (Day 5, August 10)

Figure 2.1.1 shows a sports car moving in a straight track. The motion of the sports car is an example of a
motion along the horizontal axis. We can describe the motion of the sports car by describing its position at
an initial time 𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 and the position at any final time 𝑡𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 . If the position of the car from a certain
origin is called 𝑥𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 at time 𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 and the position of the car at time 𝑡𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 is at 𝑥𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 , then the
distance covered by this car during the time interval from 𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 to 𝑡𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 is

∆𝑥 = 𝑥𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 − 𝑥𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 Eq. 2.1.1

We read Equation 2.1.1 as “delta 𝑥 equals 𝑥 final minus 𝑥 initial, or the change in position is equal to
the final position minus the initial position”. All measurements of the position are with respect to a certain
origin, 𝑶. If we are to include the direction, then we are referring to the displacement of the sports car,
which is indicated by the blue arrow in Figure 2.1.1.

Figure 2.1.1.

We can use the subscript 𝑖 for initial and 𝑓 for final. The distance covered by the sports car during the
time interval from 𝑡𝑖 to 𝑡𝑓 is

∆𝑥 = 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖

In describing motion, it is often easier to illustrate the origin and positions in a motion diagram. We can use
a model which is a dot or box or anything that is easier to draw to represent the moving object. That is,

25 | CBP Science 2020 | Contributing Author: C.P. Dulpina

instead of drawing the whole moving object, we can use a model. The model can be an idealized particle
which is considered to be a mathematical point with negligible size.

Velocity
In everyday language, we can use speed and velocity interchangeably. However, in physics, speed is a scalar
quantity whereas velocity is a vector quantity. For example, if you want to drive 60 𝑘𝑚 away to reach the
next city within 1 hour, it is not enough to just drive 60 𝑘𝑚 within 1 hour but also, you must head in the
correct direction as well.

Average speed is defined as total distance traveled over the total elapsed time. Referring back to Figure
2.1.1, the average speed of the sports car from initial position to final position is

path length 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 ∆𝑥
Average speed = 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = = Eq. 2.1.2
elapsed time 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖 ∆𝑡

The average speed is expressed in terms of the unit meter per second (𝑚/𝑠) in SI. Also, speed can be
expressed in terms of the unit of length over the unit of time (centimeter/second, feet/second, miles/hour,
kilometers /hour).

Average velocity has both magnitude and direction. Consider again the sports car in Figure 2.1.1, the
average velocity 𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 during a time interval ∆𝑡 is the displacement ∆𝑥 divided by ∆𝑡:
𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 ∆𝑥
𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = Eq. 2.1.3
𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖 ∆𝑡

In describing the average velocity, we have to include the direction; in this case, the average velocity is
along the +𝑥 axis. The unit of the average velocity is the same with the unit of average speed. Equation
2.1.3 is read as “average velocity equals the change in displacement over the change in time or delta 𝑥
over delta 𝑡.”

Instantaneous Velocity
The average velocity does not take into account what happens to the motion at a particular instant of time.
For example, when the speedometer reads 60 𝑘𝑚/ℎ, it does not mean that the car will continue to move
at a speed of 60 𝑘𝑚/ℎ. The reading in the speedometer at a specific time is called the instantaneous
speed. If we take into account the direction together with the instantaneous speed, then we are referring
to the instantaneous velocity of the car. From now on, when we say velocity, we mean the instantaneous
velocity. In the same manner, when we say speed, then we mean the instantaneous speed.

Sample Problem 2.1.1. A sports car starts from rest and moves towards East. At time 𝑡 = 𝟏. 𝟎 𝑠, the
position of the sports car is 𝟐𝟎 𝑚 from the origin. After 𝟓. 𝟎 𝑠, the sports car is at 𝟑𝟎𝟎 𝑚 from the origin.
Find the average speed and the average velocity.

Solution. From the average speed equation

path length 300 𝑚 − 20 𝑚 280 𝑚 𝑚

𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = = = 𝟕𝟎
elapsed time 5.0 𝑠 − 1.0 𝑠 4𝑠 𝑠

and the average velocity is 𝟕𝟎 𝑚/𝑠, eastward.

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Sample Problem 2.1.2. Rima rides her bicycle along a straight road at an average velocity 𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 .
a. Write the equation showing the distance she travels in time 𝑡.
b. If Rima’s average speed is 𝟕. 𝟓 𝑚/𝑠 for a time of 𝟓. 𝟎 𝑚𝑖𝑛, what is the distance travelled?

Solution:
a. The average velocity is given by the equation
𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 ∆𝑥
𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 = =
𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖 ∆𝑡
By doing cross-multiplication, we can have the distance she travelled in time 𝑡,

∆𝑥 = 𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 ∆𝑡
Let 𝑥𝑖 be at the origin so 𝑥𝑖 = 0 and 𝑥𝑓 = 𝑥. Similarly, let time 𝑡𝑖 = 0 and 𝑡𝑓 = 𝑡. Then, we have
the simplified equation
𝑥 = 𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡

b. We are given the following:

▪ Rima’s speed, 𝑣 𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 𝟕. 𝟓 𝑚/𝑠
▪ The time interval, 𝑡 = 𝟓. 𝟎 𝑚𝑖𝑛
The total distance travelled can be solved using the equation obtained in part (a).
𝑚 60 𝑠
𝑥 = (7.5 ) (5 𝑚𝑖𝑛) ( ) = 𝟑𝟕. 𝟓 𝑚
𝑠 1 𝑚𝑖𝑛
Note: We have to convert the time from minutes to seconds to be unit-consistent.

Sample Problem 2.1.3. Gigi rides her bicycle along a straight road at an average velocity 𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 .
a. Write an equation showing the elapsed time when she travels a distance 𝑥.
b. If Gigi’s average velocity is 𝟔 𝑚/𝑠 and she travels a distance of 𝟗𝟎𝟎 𝑚, how long does it take her
to cover this distance?

Solution:
a. We can use the average velocity equation, 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 ∆𝑥
𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 = =
𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖 ∆𝑡

∆𝑥
We can multiply both sides of this equation by ∆𝑡 to get 𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 ∆𝑡 = ∆𝑡
∆𝑡

but ∆𝑡 cancels out, so we have the equation ∆𝑥 = 𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 ∆𝑡

∆𝑥
We divide both sides by 𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 , to obtain the desired equation ∆𝑡 =
𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒

∆𝑥 900 𝑚
b. Substituting the given values, we have ∆𝑡 = = = 𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝑠 = 𝟐 𝑚𝑖𝑛 & 𝟑𝟎 𝑠
𝐯⃗𝑎𝑣𝑒 6 𝑚⁄𝑠

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Acceleration

Figure 2.1.2 shows a car moving along a straight road.

At time 𝑡𝑖 the velocity of the car is 𝑣𝑖 , and at time 𝑡𝑓
the car’s velocity is 𝑣𝑓 . The average acceleration 𝑎
during the time interval ∆𝑡 is the change in velocity
∆𝑣 divided by ∆𝑡, in equation form, we have
Figure 2.1.2.

∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖
𝐚⃗ = = Eq. 2.1.3
∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖

Acceleration is expressed in meter per second per second (𝑚/𝑠 2 ) in SI. The acceleration describes how the
velocity of an object changes with time. If the velocity does not change with time, then the acceleration is
equal to zero.

Sample Problem 2.1.4. Suppose the car in Figure 2.1.2 accelerates from initial velocity 𝑣𝑖 = 𝟓 𝑚/𝑠 to
a final velocity of 𝑣𝑓 = 𝟐𝟎 𝑚/𝑠 in a time interval of 𝟑 𝑠. Find the acceleration of the car.

Solution: Substituting the given values to the acceleration equation (Eq. 2.1.3), we have
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖 𝟐𝟎 𝑠 − 𝟓 𝑠 𝟏𝟓
𝑠 = 𝟏𝟓 (𝑚) (𝟏) = + 𝟓 𝑚
𝐚⃗ = = = =
∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖 𝟑𝑠 𝟑𝑠 𝟑 𝑠 𝑠 𝑠2

The acceleration is along the direction of motion. In this case, we say that the particle is speeding up,
which is obvious from the given initial and final velocities (𝑣𝑓 > 𝑣𝑖 ).

Sample Problem 2.1.5. Consider again the car in Figure 2.1.2. If the car moves with an initial velocity
𝑣𝑖 = 𝟐𝟓 𝑚/𝑠 to a final velocity of 𝑣𝑓 = 𝟏𝟎 𝑚/𝑠 in a time interval of 𝟑 𝑠, find the acceleration of the car.

Solution: Substituting the given values to the acceleration equation (Eq. 2.1.3), we have
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖 𝟏𝟎 𝑠 − 2𝟓 𝑠 −𝟏𝟓
𝑠 = − 𝟏𝟓 (𝑚) (𝟏) = − 𝟓 𝑚
𝐚⃗ = = = =
∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖 𝟑𝑠 𝟑𝑠 𝟑 𝑠 𝑠 𝑠2

The acceleration of the car is opposite to the direction of motion. We can say that the car is slowing down.

Problem 2.1.6. A car starting from rest at one end of a road accelerates uniformly at 𝟑. 𝟎 𝑚/𝑠2 . What is
the speed of the car after it has moved for 𝟏𝟖 𝑠?

Solution: The problem has no given diagram. To visualize what is stated in the problem, we have to make
a rough sketch for the motion of the car.

𝑣𝑖 = 0 (starts from rest) 𝑣𝑓 =? (at 𝑡 = 𝟏𝟖 𝑠)

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Here, we can use a rectangle shape to represent the car. The equation for acceleration states that
∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖
𝐚⃗ = =
∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖

We started measuring the time from the start of motion, so we have 𝑡𝑖 = 0. The equation for the
acceleration will be simplified into
∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖 𝑣𝑓
𝐚⃗ = = =
∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖 𝑡𝑓
And solving for the final velocity, we have
𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑓 = 𝐚⃗ ∆𝑡 = 𝟑. 𝟎 2
(𝟏𝟖 𝑠) = 𝟓𝟒
𝑠 𝑠
Therefore, the final speed of the car is equal to 𝟓𝟒 𝑚/𝑠.

Problem 2.1.7. A school bus slows to a stop with an average acceleration of −𝟐. 𝟎 𝑚/𝑠2 . How much time
does it take for the school bus to stop from a speed of 𝟏𝟎. 𝟎 𝑚/𝑠?

Solution: Again, there is no given diagram in the problem. We have to make a motion diagram for the bus.

𝑣𝑖 = 10.0 𝑚/𝑠 𝑣𝑓 = 0 Stop

Note that the motion of the bus is along the +𝑥-axis while the acceleration is along the −𝑥-axis. The
acceleration is given by the equation
∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖 0 − 𝑣𝑖
𝐚⃗ = = =
∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖 ∆𝑡
Solving for the elapsed time, we have
𝑚 𝑚
−𝑣𝑖 −𝟏𝟎. 𝟎 𝑚/𝑠
∆𝑡 = = =𝟓 𝑚 =𝟓 𝑠 =𝟓𝑠
𝑠
𝐚⃗ −𝟐. 𝟎 𝑚/𝑠2 𝑚 𝟏
𝑠2 ( )
𝑠 𝑠

References

[1] Young, H. D., & Freedman, R. A. (2016). Sears & Zemansky’s University Physics with Modern Physics, 14th
Edition. USA: Pearson Education, Inc.

[2] Walker, J., Halliday, D., & Resnick, R. (2014). Fundamentals of Physics, 10th Edition. USA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

[3] Serway, R. A., & Vuille, C. (2018). College Physics, 11th Edition. USA: Cengage Learning.

29 | CBP Science 2020 | Contributing Author: C.P. Dulpina