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
Scalars and vectors

We discussed two types of physical quantities:

o Scalars: completely specified by a number, which can be positive or negative, and a

unit of measure. Example: path length, speed, temperature etc..

o Vectors: requires both a magnitude and a direction in space. Example: displacement,

velocity etc..
Unit vector: To specify vectors mathematically, we introduce a “unit vector” – a vector
whose sole purpose is to define a direction in space.
Summary: