GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

General Physics 1
Lesson 2: Kinematics: Motion in One Vector
Dimension
• Physical quantities have both
What is kinematics? magnitude and direction.

• Kinematics is the study of motion For Example

of a system of bodies without
directly considering the forces or • 20 m/s northeast
potential fields affecting the
motion. In other words, kinematics
examines how the momentum and
energy are shared among
interacting bodies.

• Kinematics is the science of

describing the motion of objects
using words, diagrams, numbers,
graphs, and equations.
Kinematics is a branch of Distance VS Displacement
mechanics. The goal of any study
of kinematics is to develop
sophisticated mental models that Distance
serve to describe (and ultimately,
explain) the motion of real-world • is a scalar quantity that refers
objects. to "how much ground an object
has covered" during its motion
Scalar VS Vector
3 km
Scalar
Displacement
• physical quantities that are
unaffected by changes to a vector • is a vector quantity that refers
space basis. Scalars are often to "how far out of place an
accompanied by units of object is"; it is the object's
measurement overall change in position.
• In simple terms, distance with
For example: direction

• Mass – 10 kg 3 km north
• Area – 12 𝑓𝑡 2
• Volume – 3 𝑐𝑚3
• Speed – 10 m/s A scenario to differentiate Distance
and Displacement
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension
A physics teacher walks
- 4 meters East,
- 2 meters South,
- 4 meters West, and;
- finally, 2 meters North.
Even though the physics teacher has
walked a total distance of 12 meters, her
displacement is 0 meters. During the
course of her motion, she has "covered
12 meters of ground" (distance = 12 m).
Yet when she is finished walking, she is
not "out of place" - i.e., there is no
displacement for her motion
(displacement = 0 m).
Displacement, being a vector quantity,
must give attention to direction.
- The 4 meters east cancels the 4
meters west;
- and the 2 meters south cancels
the 2 meters north.
Vector quantities such as
displacement are direction aware.
Scalar quantities such as distance are
ignorant of direction. In determining
the overall distance traveled by the
physics teachers, the various
directions of motion can be ignored.
Indicating Direction of Displacement
Direction can be indicated by sign,
degrees, or geographical directions
When sign is used, it follows the
conventions of a standard graph
Positive Right Up
Negative Left Down
Consider these examples!
NOTE: Symbol/s used for distance
and displacement vary from book to
book. Also, in formula/s utilized.
#1. The diagram below shows the
position of a cross-country skier at
various times. At each of the indicated
times, the skier turns around and
reverses the direction of travel. In other
words, the skier moves from A to B to C
to D.
Use the diagram to determine the
resulting displacement and the
distance traveled by the skier.
For distance:
d = AB + BC + CD
d = 180m + 140m + 100,
d = 420 m
The distance covered by the skier is
420m.
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension
For displacement:
Reference: see the table above
AB – going right – means positive
BC – going left – means negative
CD – going right – means positive
s = AB – BC + CD
s = 180m – 140m + 100m
s = 140m
Therefore, the displacement is 140m,
rightward.
The direction will be based on the table
above. Since the value is positive, it is
going rightward.
#2. Consider a football coach pacing
back and forth along the sidelines. The
diagram below shows several of coach's
positions at various times. At each
marked position, the coach makes a "U-
turn" and moves in the opposite direction.
In other words, the coach moves from
position A to B to C to D.
What is the coach's resulting
displacement and distance of travel in
yards?
For displacement
Reference:
AB – going left – negative
BC – going right – positive
CD – going left - negative
s = -AB + BC – CD
s = -35yds + 20yds – 40yds
s = -55yd
Therefore, the displacement is -55
yards, left.
For distance
d = AB + BC + CD
d = 35yds + 20yds + 40yds,
d = 95 yds
The distance covered by the coach is 95
yards.
#3. What is the displacement of the
cross-country team if they begin at the
school, run 10 miles and finish back at
the school?
Ans. The displacement of the runners is
0 miles. While they have covered a
distance of 10 miles, they are not "out of
place" or displaced. They finish where
they started. Round-trip motions always
have a displacement of 0.
Illustration:
10 miles
10 miles
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension
The distance cover is 20 miles. From
school to a certain destination. Then
back to school.
d = 10mi + 10mi
d = 20 mi
Meanwhile, the displacement is 0.
School to the destination – either +/-
Destination back to school – opposite
sign of the aforementioned.
s = 10 mi – 10 mi
s=0
#4. What is the distance and the
displacement of the race car drivers in
the Indy 500?
Trivia: Indy 500 drivers race 200 laps,
counterclockwise around the circuit, for a
distance of 500 miles (800 km). Since its
inception in 1911, the race has always
been scheduled on or around Memorial
Day.
Ans. The displacement of the cars is
somewhere near 0 miles since they
virtually finish where they started. Yet the
successful cars have covered a distance
of 500 miles.
Reference Frame
- A “frame of reference” is a
standard relative to which motion
and rest may be measured; any
set of points or objects that are at
rest relative to one another
enables us, in principle, to
describe the relative motions of
bodies.
- A frame of reference is therefore a
purely kinematical device, for the
geometrical description of motion
without regard to the masses or
forces involved
- “Motion is Relative”
- When we say an object is moving,
we mean it is moving relative to
something else (reference frame)
Juan
GROUND
In the illustration above, the reference
frame is the ground. Juan is moving
5mph eastward relative to the ground
Juan Clara
GROUND
Additionally, Clara’s reference frame in
the illustration above is still the ground.
However, she is faster than Juan.
If we try to find out the velocity of Clara
relative to Juan,
𝑉𝐶𝐺 = velocity of Clara relative to the
ground
𝑉𝐽𝐺 = velocity of Juan relative to the
ground
𝑉𝐶𝐽 = velocity of Clara relative to the
John
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

𝑽𝑪𝑱 = 𝑽𝑪𝑮 − 𝑽𝑱𝑮

𝑉𝐶𝐽 = 7𝑚𝑝ℎ − 5𝑚𝑝ℎ

𝑉𝐶𝐽 = +2𝑚𝑝ℎ To determine the velocity of each James

and Marie relative to the ground, we need
But the velocity of Juan relative to Clara, to take into account the velocity of
James and Marie relative to the
moving train.
𝑉𝐶𝐺 = velocity of Clara relative to the
ground J: James
𝑉𝐽𝐺 = velocity of Juan relative to the M: Marie
T:Train
ground G: Ground
𝑉𝐽𝐶 = velocity of Juna relative to the
Juan
For James:
𝑽𝑱𝑪 = 𝑽𝑱𝑮 − 𝑽𝑪𝑮
𝑉𝐽𝑇 = +3𝑚𝑝ℎ
𝑉𝐽𝐶 = 5𝑚𝑝ℎ − 7𝑚𝑝ℎ
For Marie:
𝑉𝐽𝐶 = −2𝑚𝑝ℎ
𝑉𝑀𝑇 = −4𝑚𝑝ℎ

#1. James and Marie are on a train that

is moving east at 50mph relative to the (a) What is James’ velocity with
ground. James is walking east at 3mph respect to the ground?
and Marie is walking west at 4mph.
𝑽𝑱𝑻 = 𝑽𝑱𝑮 − 𝑽𝑻𝑮
(a) What is James’ velocity with
respect to the ground? 3𝑚𝑝ℎ = 𝑉𝐽𝐺 − 50𝑚𝑝ℎ
(b) What is Marie’s velocity with
respect to the ground?
Addition property of Equality
(c) What is James’ velocity with
respect to Marie?
(d) What is Marie’s velocity with 𝑉𝐽𝐺 = +53𝑚𝑝ℎ
respect to James?

(b) What is Marie’s velocity with

respect to the ground?
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

Speed VS Velocity
𝑽𝑴𝑻 = 𝑽𝑴𝑮 − 𝑽𝑻𝑮
Speed

−4𝑚𝑝ℎ = 𝑉𝑀𝐺 − 50𝑚𝑝ℎ - Speed is the time rate at which an

object is moving along a path
- Speed is scalar quantity.
Addition property of Equality
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑉𝑀𝐺 = +46𝑚𝑝ℎ 𝑆̅ =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

For (a) and (b), to an observer that is on
the ground, James will appear to be
moving faster than the train. Meanwhile,
Marie will appear to be moving slower
than the train.
(c) What is James’ velocity with
respect to Marie?
𝑽𝑱𝑴 = 𝑽𝑱𝑮 − 𝑽𝑴𝑮
̅
𝑺 = |𝑽|
Speed is the absolute value of velocity.
Means, speed will always be positive.
Velocity
- Velocity is the rate and direction of
an object's movement
- Velocity is vector quantity
- Basically, speed with direction.

𝑉𝐽𝑀 = 53𝑚𝑝ℎ − 46𝑚𝑝ℎ 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝑉̅ =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑉𝐽𝑀 = 7𝑚𝑝ℎ
Illustrating examples:
(d) What is Marie’s velocity with
respect to James?
#1.
𝑽𝑴𝑱 = 𝑽𝑴𝑮 − 𝑽𝑱𝑮

𝑉𝐽𝑀 = 46𝑚𝑝ℎ − 53𝑚𝑝ℎ

In the illustration,
𝑉𝐽𝑀 = −7𝑚𝑝ℎ S = 30 mph
V = 30 mph / east

#2.

S = 40 mph
V = - 40 mph / west (Negative since the
direction is towards west)
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

Therefore, the number of miles the car

Application (Word Problem) ̅̅̅̅
will travel is 136. 36
Speed VS Velocity

#1. A car travels a distance of 300 miles #3. A train is moving at 45 km/hr, how
in 6 hours. What is the average speed of long will it take for the train to travel a
the car? distance of 20 miles?
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 Given:
𝑆̅ =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
d = 20 miles
300𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠 s = 45 km/hr
𝑆̅ =
6 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 t=?

𝑆̅ = 50𝑚𝑖/ℎ𝑟 First, convert the given distance

which is in miles to km.
𝑆̅ = 50𝑚𝑝ℎ

20𝑚𝑖 1.609𝑘𝑚
× = 32.18 𝑘𝑚
#2. A car travels at an average speed of 1 1. 𝑚𝑖
40 ft/s, how many miles will it travel in 5
hours?
Now solve for the time (t)
Given:
𝑑 = 𝑠𝑡
s = 40ft/s
t = 5 hrs Multiplication property of equality
d=?
𝑑
First, convert ft/s to mi/hr (mph) to 𝑡=
𝑠
solve the problem.
32.18𝑘𝑚
40𝑓𝑡
×
1𝑚𝑖
×
3600𝑠
̅̅̅̅ 𝑚𝑝ℎ
= 27. 27 𝑡=
𝑠 528𝑓𝑡 1ℎ𝑟 45 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

Formula of the distance 𝑡 = 0.7151̅hrs

𝑑 = 𝑠𝑡 To better understand the time, let’s

convert it to minutes. (discretion)
27.27𝑚𝑖 5ℎ𝑟𝑠
𝑑= × Multiply the result by 60 to convert it to
ℎ𝑟 1 minutes
̅̅̅̅ 𝑚𝑖
𝑑 = 136. 36 𝑡 ≈ 42.9 𝑚𝑖𝑛
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

Three basic kinematics equations Factor out 𝒂 since we are integrating

with respect to 𝒕
𝑽 = 𝑽𝒐 + 𝒂𝒕
𝒂 ∫ 𝒅𝒕 = ∫ 𝒅𝑽
𝟏
𝜟𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐 𝒂𝒕 + 𝑪 = 𝑽

𝑽 = 𝑽𝒐 𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂𝜟𝒙 Determine the value of C

where: Given the condition

𝑡 = 0, 𝑉 = 𝑽𝒐
a: acceleration
t: time The final velocity (𝑉) is equal to the
V: final velocity initial velocity (𝑽𝒐 ) since the body is at
𝑉0 : initial velocity rest.
𝛥𝑥: displacement
𝜟𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝒙𝟎 𝒂𝒕 + 𝑪 = 𝑽
x: final point
Substitute the given value in the
𝑥𝑜 : initial point condition
NOTE: We can only use these 𝒂(𝟎) + 𝑪 = 𝑽𝒐
equations, IF the acceleration of the
body is constant. 𝑪 = 𝑽𝒐

𝑎: is constant Going back to this equation

Otherwise, we cannot use the 𝒂𝒕 + 𝑪 = 𝑽

equations.
𝑽 = 𝑽𝒐 + 𝒂𝒕
How are the equations derived.
For the (2) equation.
For the (1) equation.

𝑽 = 𝑽𝒐 + 𝒂𝒕 𝟏
𝜟𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐
𝒅𝑽
𝒂= 𝒅𝒙
𝒅𝒕 𝑽=
𝒅𝒕
∫ 𝒂𝒅𝒕 = ∫ 𝒅𝑽 𝑽𝒅𝒕 = 𝒅𝒙
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

𝟏 𝟐
𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕 + 𝒙𝟎
𝟐
But V on the (1) equation is…
apply addition property of equality to
𝑽 = 𝑽𝒐 + 𝒂𝒕 transfer 𝒙𝟎

Substitute the value of V on the

equation 𝟏 𝟐
𝒙 − 𝒙 𝟎 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕
𝑽𝒅𝒕 = 𝒅𝒙 𝟐
𝟏
(𝑽𝒐 + 𝒂𝒕)𝒅𝒕 = 𝒅𝒙 𝜟𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐
Integrate both sides of the equation
For the (3) equation.
∫(𝑽𝒐 + 𝒂𝒕)𝒅𝒕 = ∫ 𝒅𝒙
𝑽 = 𝑽𝒐 𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂𝜟𝒙

∫ 𝑽𝒐 𝒅𝒕 + ∫ 𝒂𝒕𝒅𝒕 = ∫ 𝒅𝒙
Recall the (1) equation

𝑽𝒐 ∫ 𝒅𝒕 + 𝒂 ∫ 𝒕𝒅𝒕 = ∫ 𝒅𝒙 𝑽 = 𝑽𝒐 + 𝒂𝒕

Express the (1) equation in terms of t

𝟐
𝒕
𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂 ( ) + 𝒄 = 𝒙 𝑽 = 𝑽𝒐 + 𝒂𝒕
𝟐
𝑽 − 𝑽𝒐 = 𝒂𝒕
𝟏 𝑽 − 𝑽𝒐
𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐 + 𝒄 =𝒕
𝟐 𝒂

Determine the value of C 𝑽 − 𝑽𝒐

𝒕=
𝒂
Given at t = 0, x = 𝒙𝟎
Plug the value of t in (2) equation
Substitute the value
𝟏 𝟐 𝟏
𝒙𝟎 = 𝑽𝒐 (𝟎) + 𝒂(𝟎) + 𝒄 𝜟𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐 𝟐
𝑽 − 𝑽𝒐 𝟏 𝑽 − 𝑽𝒐 𝟐
𝒙𝟎 = 𝒄 𝜟𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 ( ) + 𝒂( )
𝒂 𝟐 𝒂
𝑽 − 𝑽𝒐 𝟏 (𝑽 − 𝑽𝒐 )𝟐
𝜟𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 ( ) + 𝒂( )
𝒂 𝟐 𝒂𝟐
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

The problem is asking for the distance

𝟐 which is the 𝑥 in the given formulas.
𝑽 − 𝑽𝒐 𝟏 (𝑽 − 𝑽𝒐 )
𝜟𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 ( )+ ( )
𝒂 𝟐 𝒂 We will be using (2) equation to find the
value of 𝑥
𝑽𝒐 𝑽 𝑽𝒐 𝟐 𝟏
𝜟𝒙 = − + (𝑽𝟐 − 𝟐𝑽𝑽𝒐 + 𝑽𝒐 𝟐 )
𝒂 𝒂 𝟐𝒂 𝟏
𝜟𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝑽𝒐 𝑽 𝑽𝒐 𝟐 𝑽𝟐 𝟐𝑽𝑽𝒐 𝑽𝒐 𝟐 𝟐
𝜟𝒙 = − + − +
𝒂 𝒂 𝟐𝒂 𝟐𝒂 𝟐𝒂

Simplify – eliminate similar terms where 𝜟𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝒙𝒐

𝟏
𝑽𝒐 𝟐 𝑽𝟐 𝑽𝒐 𝟐 𝒙 − 𝒙𝒐 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝜟𝒙 = − + + 𝟐
𝒂 𝟐𝒂 𝟐𝒂
Since the body (plane) starts at rest.
Our initial point is 0 and initial velocity
𝑽𝟐 𝑽𝒐 𝟐 is 0.
𝜟𝒙 = − +
𝟐𝒂 𝟐𝒂
𝒙𝒐 = 𝟎
𝑽𝟎 = 𝟎
𝑽𝟐 𝑽𝒐 𝟐
𝟐𝒂 [𝜟𝒙 = − ] 𝟐𝒂
𝟐𝒂 𝟐𝒂 𝟏
𝒙 − 𝟎 = (𝟎)𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐
𝟐𝒂𝜟𝒙 = −𝑽𝒐 𝟐 + 𝑽𝟐
𝟏 𝟐
Addition property of equality 𝒙= 𝒂𝒕
𝟐
𝑽𝟐 = 𝑽𝒐 𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂𝜟𝒙 𝟏
𝒙= (𝟑. 𝟐 𝒎/𝒔𝟐 )(𝟑𝟐. 𝟖𝒔)𝟐
𝟐
Let’s Have Some Examples!
𝟏
Applying the formulas 𝒙= (𝟑. 𝟐 𝒎/𝒔𝟐 )(𝟏𝟎𝟕𝟓. 𝟖𝟒𝒔𝟐 )
𝟐
#1. An airplane accelerates down a
runway at 3.20m/𝑠 2 for 32.8 s until is 𝟏
finally lifts off the ground. Determine the 𝒙= (𝟑. 𝟐 𝒎/𝒔𝟐 )(𝟏𝟎𝟕𝟓. 𝟖𝟒𝒔𝟐 )
𝟐
distance travelled before takeoff.
𝒙 = 𝟏𝟕𝟐𝟏. 𝟑𝟒𝟒𝒎
Given:
Therefore, before the plane finally takes
𝑎 = 3.2𝑚/𝑠 2 off the ground, it travels 1721. 344
𝑡 = 32.8 𝑠 meters.
GENERAL PHYSICS 1 | Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

#2. A cart starts from rest and 𝟐𝒙

accelerates uniformly over a time of 5.21 =𝒂
𝒕𝟐
seconds for a distance of 110m.
Determine the acceleration of the car.
𝟐𝒙
𝒂=
Given: 𝒕𝟐

𝑉0 = 0 𝟐(𝟏𝟏𝟎𝒎)
𝑡 = 5.21𝑠 𝒂=
(𝟓. 𝟐𝟏𝒔)𝟐
𝑥 = 110𝑚

The problem is asking for the distance 𝒂 = 𝟖. 𝟏 𝒎/𝒔𝟐

which is the 𝑎 (acceleration) in the given
formulas.
TRY THIS ONE! Practice problem
We will be using (2) equation to find the
value of 𝑥
A bike uniformly accelerates from rest to
𝟏 a speed of 7.10 m/s over a distance of
𝜟𝒙 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐 35.4m. Determine the acceleration of the
𝟐 bike.
where 𝜟𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝒙𝒐
ANSWER: 0.712 m/𝒔𝟐
𝟏
𝒙 − 𝒙𝒐 = 𝑽𝒐 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐
------------------------------------------------------
Since the body (plane) starts at rest.
Our initial point is 0 and initial velocity James 1:19
is 0. This you know, my beloved brethren. But
everyone must be quick to hear, slow to
𝒙𝒐 = 𝟎 speak and slow to anger
𝑽𝟎 = 𝟎

𝟏
𝒙 − 𝟎 = (𝟎)𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐
𝟏 𝟐
𝒙= 𝒂𝒕
𝟐
Find 𝒂 using the formula

𝟏 𝟐
𝒙= 𝒂𝒕
𝟐
𝟐𝒙 = 𝒂𝒕𝟐