Chapter 2: Motion in One Dimension

Discussed by Dr Mukesh Kumar [mukesh.kumar@wits.ac.za]

Phys1000/32

2.1 From reality to model

2.2 Position and displacement
2.3 Representing motion
2.4 Average speed and average velocity

2.5 Scalars and vectors

2.6 Position and displacement vectors
2.7 Velocity as a vector
2.8 Motion at constant velocity
2.9 Instantaneous velocity
Motion at constant velocity

The 𝑥 component of the displacement during any time interval is given by the area under
the 𝑣𝑥 (𝑡) curve between the beginning and the end of the time interval.
Example.4: Figure below shows the position-versus-time graph for part of the motion of an
object moving at constant velocity.

(a) What is the 𝑥 component of the object’s velocity?

(b) Write an expression for 𝑥(𝑡), the 𝑥 coordinate of the position of the object at an
arbitrary time 𝑡.

(c) What is the 𝑥 coordinate of the object’s position at 𝑡 = 25 s?