Motion in One

Dimension
Frame of reference, distance and
displacement
 One-dimensional motion is the
simplest form motion
One way to simplify the concept of motion is to
consider only the kinds of motion that take place
in one direction.

An example would be the motion of a commuter

train on a straight track. On a straight track, the
train can only move forward or backward.
(Physics Serway/Faughn pg 36 - Holt)
 Frame of Reference
Physicists usually choose a frame of reference
against which changes in position can be
measured.

The frame of reference selected remains fixed

for the problem in
question and has an origin or
starting point from which motion is
measured.
If an object is at rest (not moving), its position
does not change with respect to a fixed frame
of reference.

For example, the benches on the platform of

one subway station never move down the
tracks to another station. (pg37)
 Distance and Displacement
• Distance – the length of actual travel or
how much an object has moved.

• Displacement – the length of a straight

line drawn from the object’s initial (starting)
position to the object’s final position.
Distance is the total length of the object’s
movement, while displacement is the
shortest distance between initial position
and final position).
(pg37)
Positive and negative displacement

In the Physics text, unless otherwise

stated, towards the right or east will be
considered the positive direction, and left
or west will be negative.