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Displacement and Velocity in Physics

The document defines displacement, average velocity, instantaneous velocity, average acceleration, and instantaneous acceleration. It provides equations for calculating these variables in both 1D and 2D situations. An example problem is also included that calculates the position, velocity, and acceleration of a particle at a given time using its initial position, velocity, and constant acceleration.

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condoleeza smith
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148 views9 pages

Displacement and Velocity in Physics

The document defines displacement, average velocity, instantaneous velocity, average acceleration, and instantaneous acceleration. It provides equations for calculating these variables in both 1D and 2D situations. An example problem is also included that calculates the position, velocity, and acceleration of a particle at a given time using its initial position, velocity, and constant acceleration.

Uploaded by

condoleeza smith
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Displacement (s) – the change in position of

a body

s = ∆r
(r)final – (r)initial
where r = position of body

Example 1

In 1-D: (i.e. or direction)

At time t1

x1 = 15 m

At time t2

x2 = 30 m

Displacement, s = ∆x
= x2 – x1
= (30 -15) m
= 15 m
s = ∆r
= (r)final – (r)initial
= rf - ri
where r = position of body
Example 1

In 2-D: At t2
j 5

s = ∆r
= r2 – r1
3 5 i = (5i + 5j) - (3i – 7j)
s = 2i + 12j m

-7

At t1
Average Velocity: ratio of the Instantaneous Velocity: velocity at an instant
displacement to the time taken
v = ∆r = dr = d(xi+yj) = vxi+ vyj
v = s = ∆r ∆t dt dt
∆t ∆t t→0
Unit: ms-1 Unit: ms-1
(iv) From 2-D Example (iii) Body moving in a circle

s = 2i + 12j r – position vector


If ∆t = 2s v v – instantaneous
r velocity
Average Velocity v = s = 2i + 12j
∆t 2

= (i + 6j) ms-1
Average Acceleration: ratio of the change in velocity to the time
taken

a = ∆v = ∆vx i + ∆vy j + ∆vz k


∆t ∆t ∆t ∆t

Unit: ms-2

Instantaneous Acceleration: the acceleration at an instant


or given time.

a= ∆v = dv = d(vx i + vy j) = axi+ ayj


∆t dt dt
t→0
Unit: ms-2
Class Question 2

The position of a particle is given by r = i+4t2j+tk. What is its a) position b)


velocity and c) acceleration after t = 4 sec? Give your answers in vector
notation.

a) At t = 4s c) a = dv = d (8tj + k)
dt dt
r = i + 4t2j + tk
= i + 4(4)2j + 4k = 8j ms-2
= (i + 64j + 4k) m
At t = 4s
b) v = dr = d (i + 4t2j + tk)
dt dt a = 8j ms-2

= (8tj + k) ms-1

At t = 4s

v = 8(4)j + k
= (32j + k) ms-1
In 1- D:
x direction
y direction
Motion in or

v = u + at
where v = final velocity
u = initial velocity
a = acceleration
t = time

v2 = u2 + 2as
where s = displacement

s = ut + ½ at2
In 2-D: y – direction
y
Motion in
x vy = uy + ayt
vy2 = uy2 + 2ayy
y = uyt + ½ ayt2

x – direction y = displacement
in the ‘y’ direction
vx = ux + axt
vx2 = ux2 + 2axx
x = uxt + ½ axt2

x = displacement
in the ‘x’ direction
Class Question 3

A particle is initially located at r = (2i+2j) m and has initial velocity, u = (-2i+4j) ms-1 .
It undergoes a constant acceleration of a = (-2i+3j) ms-2.

r initial (ri) = (2i+2j) m


u = ( -2i+4j ) ms-1
a = ( -2i+3j ) ms-2
t = 2s

a) What is the particle’s velocity after 2 seconds? (Give in vector notation)?

v = u + at
= (-2i + 4j) + (-2i + 3j) (2)
= (-2i + 4j) + (-4i + 6j)
= (-6i + 10j ) ms-1
b) Also where is it located? r initial (ri) = (2i+2j) m
u = ( -2i+4j ) ms-1
Displacement s = ut + ½ at2 a = ( -2i+3j ) ms-2
= ( -2i+4j ) (2) + ½ ( -2i+3j ) (2)2 t = 2s
= ( -4i + 8j ) + ½ ( -8i + 12j )
= ( -4i + 8j ) + ( -4i + 6j )
= ( -8i + 14j ) m

s = rfinal – rinitial
rfinal = s + rinitial
= ( -8i + 14j ) + (2i+2j)
= ( -6i + 16j ) m

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