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KEYFACTS - FORCES AND MOTION

. (Units 2.01, 2.02 and 2.05)
Vector: A physical quantity which possesses both magnitude and direction is
called a vector quantity.

e.g.: displacement, velocity, force, weight, acceleration etc.

Scalar: A physical quantity which possesses only magnitude is called a scalar

quantity.

e.g.: density, mass, volume, time, speed etc.

Differences between:

VECTORS
1) It possesses both magnitude and
direction
2) It can be represented geometrically
by a directed line segment.
3) Vectors cannot be added or
multiplied according to the rules of
ordinary algebra.
SCALARS
1) It possesses only magnitude
2) It cannot be represented
geometrically.
3) Scalars can be added or multiplied
according to the rules of ordinary
algebra.

When a body does not change its position with respect to its surroundings with
time it is said to be at rest.

When a body changes its position with respect to its surroundings with time it is
said to be in motion.

Distance

It is the actual length of the path travelled by a body, irrespective of the direction
in which it travels.

SI unit: metre (m)

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Displacement
It is the distance between the initial and final position of a moving body.

SI unit: metre (m)

Difference between:

DISTANCE DISPLACEMENT
1) It is the actual path travelled by a 1) It is the distance covered in a given
body. direction.
2) It is a scalar quantity 2) It is a vector quantity
3) Distance covered is always positive 3) Displacement may be positive, zero
or negative
4) Distance covered is equal to or 4) Displacement may be equal to or less
greater than the displacement than the distance

Speed: It is the distance covered by a body in unit time.

𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑
i.e. speed =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛

𝑑
[𝑠 = ]
𝑡

SI unit: metre per second (m/s)

Velocity: It is the rate of change of displacement.

𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
Velocity =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

𝑠
[𝑉 = ]
𝑡

SI unit: metre per second (m/s)

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Difference between:

SPEED VELOCITY
1) It is defined as the rate of change of 1) It is defined as the rate of change of
distance displacement
2) It is a scalar quantity 2) It is a vector quantity
3) Speed of a body is always positive 3) Velocity of a may be positive, zero or
negative.

Acceleration: It is the rate of change of velocity.

𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
i.e. acceleration =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛

𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦−𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

=
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛

𝑣−𝑢
[𝑎 = ]
𝑡

SI unit: metre per second squared (m/s2)

NOTE:

1. If the velocity increases with time, the acceleration is said to be positive.

2. If the velocity decreases with time, the acceleration is said to be negative.
3. Negative acceleration is called retardation or deceleration.

In general,
1. If a body moves with uniform velocity, its acceleration is zero.
2. If a body starts from rest, its initial velocity is zero.
3. If a body comes to rest, its final velocity is zero.

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GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION
In a graph, the independent quantity is taken on the X-axis and the dependent
quantity is taken on the Y-axis.

In a velocity – time graph:

1. The displacement is given by the area under the graph.
2. The acceleration is given by the slope of the of the V-t graph.

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In a displacement – time graph:
1. The distance covered can be read directly from the graph.
2. The velocity is given by the slope of the d-t graph.

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Summary of motions

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