What is kinematics?

 Kinematics is the analysis of the motion of a particle linking the three vector
quantities displacement, velocity and acceleration – see below
 Motion is in a straight line – think of the particle as moving along a number line
o The number line has a fixed point O (the origin)
o The number line has both negative and positive values
o The particle can move in both directions along the number line
 Note that in kinematics, a particle is an object – it could be a football, a car, a train – anything that
has motion. A particle is modelled as taking up a single point in space

 Ensure you are familiar with Differentiation – Basics and

Differentiation – Turning Points before continuing
 It may be wise to look at Differentiation – Problem Solving too

What is displacement; isn’t it the same as distance?

 Displacement is a vector quantity, so it can be negative

o Distance is always positive
 Displacement is measured from the fixed point O
 The letter s is used for displacement
o It is usually measured in metres (m)
 If s = 4 then the distance from the origin is 4 m and the particle is 4 m “in front of” the origin
 If s =-5 then the distance from the origin is 5 m and the particle is 5 m “behind” the origin
 The + or – indicates the particle’s position relative to the origin
 Displacement is a function of time, t, where time is usually measured in seconds
o eg. s = 3t3 – 2t + 1
At time t = 0, s = 1
At time t = 2, s = 21
What is velocity; isn’t it the same as speed?

 Velocity is a vector quantity, so it can be negative

o Speed is always positive
 The letter v is used for velocity
o It is usually measured in metres per second (m/s)
 If v = 3 then the speed of the particle is 3 m/s and it is moving in the positive direction
 If v = -6 then the speed of the particle is 5 m/s and it is moving in the negative direction
 The + or – indicates the particle’s direction of motion
 Velocity is a function of time, t, and is the rate of change of displacement
o To find v, differentiate s, ie. v = ds/dt
If s = t3 – 2t2
then v = ds/dt = 3t2 – 4t
 If velocity is zero then the particle is stationary (not moving)
What is acceleration?

 Acceleration is a vector quantity, so it can be negative

o The magnitude of acceleration is always positive
 The letter a is used for acceleration
o It is usually measured in metres per square second (m/s2)
 If a = 1 then the magnitude of acceleration is 1 m/s 2 and the particle is accelerating (velocity
increasing)
 If a = -6 then the magnitude of acceleration is 6 m/s 2 and the particle is decelerating (velocity
decreasing)
 The + or – indicates whether the particle is accelerating or decelerating

 Acceleration is a function of time, t, and is the rate of change of velocity

o To find a, differentiate v, ie. a = dv/dt
If v = 3t2 – 4t
then a = dv/dt = 6t – 4
 If acceleration is zero then the particle is moving at a constant velocity
How do I solve kinematics problems?

 Be clear about how the three quantities are related through differentiation
o v = ds/dt
o a = dv/dt
 There are some key phrases to look out for
o “… initial …” / “… initially …”
This means at the start, so when t = 0
o “… at rest …”
This means the particle is stationary
so v = 0
o “… instantaneously …”
This means at some point in time, for some value of t
 For example,
“Find the value(s)s of t for which the particle is instantaneously at rest”
o means find the time(s) when v = 0,
o ie. solve the equation v = 0
Exam Tip

Displacement, velocity and acceleration can all be negative

whereas distance, speed and magnitude of acceleration are always positive.