Motion

Physics makes models that approximate reality with math. Physics models
have made amazing progress, but so far no model perfectly matches reality.

x = 18.6
y = 1.7

Vx = 0.5
Vy = -1.8

This model approximates particle motion and collisions. It gives each particle
a position and velocity. Every second, a particle's velocity is added to its
position. Also, since this is a 2-D model, the calculations are repeated in the
horizontal and vertical.

Position
We use the symbol x for position with meters for units. You might be used to
using x in other ways, but in physics it is reserved for position.

To represent a displacement we subtract the initial position from the final

position. We use the Δ symbol to show change.

Δx = xf − xi
Δx = change in position, displacement [m, meters] vector
xi = initial position [m, meters] vector
 xf = final position [m, meters] vector

26 m = Δx

Example: Mount Everest is 8848 m above sea level. The base camp, where
most mountain climbers begin their trek, is 5150 m above sea level. What is
the vertical distance between the base camp and the peak?
solution

Example: Convert your answer from the previous problem into miles and
kilometers. Which is easier to convert?
1 mile = 1609 meters
1 kilometer = 1000 meters
solution

Distance traveled refers to the length of a path.

Displacement is a change in position. The path taken is irrelevant.

My school is only 1.5 km from where I live. I'm able to ride my bike most days.
One morning I had biked half a kilometer before I realized I forgot my lunch.
So, I rode home, grabbed my lunch, and rushed to school.

Example: What's my displacement?

solution

Example: What's my distance traveled?

solution

Time
We keep track of time in the same way as position. We use t as the symbol
with seconds as our main unit.

Δt = tf − ti
Δt = change in time, time period [s, seconds]
ti = initial time [s, seconds]
tf = final time [s, seconds]

0 s = Δt
Example: School ends at 2:30 PM. I got home today at 2:49 PM. How long did
it take me to get home in minutes?
solution

Example: My school starts early at 7:30 am. Each class is 1 hour long with 3
minutes between classes. What time is it at the end of the second period?

You can probably solve this in your head, but try using Δt = tf - ti for practice.
solution

Velocity
Velocity measures how much position changes, Δx, over a period of time, Δt.

Δx
vavg =
Δt
Δx = change in position, displacement [m, meters] vector
Δt = time period [s, seconds]
v = average velocity [m/s, meters per second] vector
 26 m = Δx
0 s = Δt
-8 m/s = v

Example: A car is traveling at an average of 2 m/s for 80 seconds. How far

does the car travel?
solution

Question: Why are we solving for average velocity? Why not just velocity?
answer

Example: Someone tells you they can run 10 km in about an hour. What
velocity is that in m/s? Is that fast? (1 m/s is walking speed)
solution

Example: Google maps says Las Vegas is 4 hours away from Los Angeles.
Google says it is 270 miles away. How fast does google think I will drive?
Answer this one in miles/hour.
solution
Question: Imagine you are in a plane with your eyes closed. Can you feel when
the plane is increasing or decreasing altitude? What does it feel like?
answer

Example: If I walk at a speed of 1.2 m/s how long will it take for me to walk
2 km?
solution
position (m)

time (s)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Question: This graph shows position vs. time. What does its slope represent?
answer

Acceleration
Acceleration is a measure of how much velocity changes (Δv) over a period of
time (Δt).
 Δv
aavg =
Δt
Δv = change in velocity [m/s] = vf − vi vector
Δt = time period, change in time [s, seconds]
a = acceleration [m/s²] vector

26 m = Δx
0 s = Δt
-0 m/s = v
-9.8 m/s² = a

Example: A basketball falls off a table and hits the floor in 0.45 s. The ball has
a velocity of 4.43 m/s right before it hits the ground. What is the acceleration
of the basketball as it falls?
solution

Example: A Tesla can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.28 s. What is the
acceleration in m/s²? (1 mile = 1609 meters)
solution
Example: I start a velocity of 1 m/s. I speed up to 3 m/s over 10 seconds.
What is my acceleration?
solution
velocity (m/s)

time (s)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Question: This graph shows velocity vs. time. What does its slope represent?
answer

Graphing Motion
Velocity is the slope of the position vs. time graph.
Acceleration is the slope of the velocity vs. time graph.

If the acceleration is positive, the velocity increases with time.

If the velocity is positive the position increases with time.

0.50 2
Δx = 2
Δt v = 0.50Δt
 position (m)

velocity (m/s)
2 2

1 1

time (s) time (s)

-2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2

-1 -1

-2 -2

acceleration = 0.5 m/s²

accel (m/s²)
2

time (s)
-2 -1 1 2

-1

-2
velocity (m/s)

time (s)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Graph: Use this graph of velocity vs. time to determine acceleration.

solution
Graph: Sketch the position vs. time and velocity vs. time graphs for an object
falling for 10 s. For your sketch, just make sure your graphs have the right
shape.
hint
solution

Graph: Draw the position vs. time and velocity vs. time graphs for an object
moving at 2 m/s for 10 s.
solution

Acceleration doesn't have to be constant. In the graphs below, acceleration is

increasing. The change in acceleration over time is called jerk.
position (m)

velocity (m/s)

2 2

1 1

time (s) time (s)

-2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2

-1 -1

-2 -2

jerk = 0.5 m/s³

 accel (m/s²)

jerk (m/s³)
2 2

1 1

time (s) time (s)

-2 -1 1 2 -2 -1 1 2

-1 -1

-2 -2

A large jerk can cause you to stumble. A jerk could come from a short lasting
push or pull. It could come from a car starting to break, or accelerate. Falling
causes a jerk. Jumping. Bouncing. Any change in acceleration.

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