1

Chapter 2: Motion in One Dimension

2.1: Position , displacement, velocity and speed

Position: is the location of the

particle with respect to a chosen
reference point that we consider to
be the origin of a coordinate system.
Position of the body, x1, x2, x3, . . . . . . .

Displacement(x) : is the change in position during some time

interval.
x = (xf -xi).

Xf : final position
Xi: initial position
(Displacement, x, is a vector quantity). 2
𝑣𝑎𝑣 < 𝑠𝑎𝑣
 Example:
Find the displacement (∆x) and average velocity (vavg) for the truck
shown below in the two figures. Suppose that in both cases truck
covers the distance in 10 seconds (∆t =10 s):
x = x f − xi = 80 m − 10 m
= + 70 m

x + 70m
v avg = = = + 7m s
t 10s

x = x f − xi = 20 m − 80 m
= − 60 m

x − 60m
v avg = = = − 6m s
t 10s
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 Example 2.1 (Page 24):
Find the displacement, average velocity, and average speed of the car
in Figure 2.1a between positions A and F.
From the position–time graph given in Figure 2.1b,(Page 20)
notice that xA =30 m at tA = 0 s and xF = −53 m at tF =50 s

Δ𝑥 = 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 Δ𝑡 = 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
= −53𝑚 − 30𝑚
= −83 𝑚
= 50 𝑠 − 0 𝑠 = 50 𝑠

Δ𝑥 −83𝑚
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = = −1.7 𝑚Τ𝑠
Δ𝑡 50𝑠

totaldistance = 22𝑚 + 105𝑚

= 127 𝑚
d 127𝑚
𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = = 2.5 𝑚Τ𝑠
Δ𝑡 50𝑠
 Graphical Interpretation of Average Velocity

• Velocity can be determined from a position-time graph

• Average velocity equals the slope of the line joining the
initial and final positions

• Example:

x + 40m
v avg = =
t 3.0 s
= + 13.3 m s

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2.2: Instantaneous Velocity (𝑣𝑥 ) and Speed
The instantaneous velocity (𝑣𝑥 ) of a particle at a particular instant is the
velocity at that instant (𝑡 → 0)
∆𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑣𝑥 = lim =
∆𝑡→0 ∆𝑡 𝑑𝑡
The instantaneous velocity (𝑣𝑥 ), is the slope of the tangent of the
position-time graph at that particular instant of time.
(Velocity (𝑣𝑥 ) is a vector quantity).

The instantaneous speed of a particle is defined as the magnitude

of its instantaneous velocity.
𝑠𝑥 = 𝑣𝑥
As with average speed, instantaneous speed has no direction
(scalar quantity).
Quick Quiz 2.2 ( page 26) , (b)
Evaluating the derivation of a function (page 35)
suppose a function (x) is proportional to some power of (t), such as:

𝑥 = 𝐴 𝑡𝑛

where (A) and (n) are constants, the derivation of (x) with respect to (t) is:

𝑑𝑥
= 𝐴 𝑛 𝑡 𝑛−1
𝑑𝑡
Also:
𝑑
𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 = 0
𝑑𝑡
Example:
𝑥 = 40 – 5 𝑡2

𝑣𝑥 = (d𝑥/d𝑡) = 0 – 10 𝑡 = − 10 𝑡
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Example 2.3 (Page 27): Average and Instantaneous Velocity:
A particle moves along the x - axis. Its position varies with time according to the expression
𝒙 = − 𝟒𝒕 + 𝟐𝒕𝟐 , where (x) is in meters and (t) is in seconds.
(A) Determine the displacement (∆x) of the particle in the time Interval:
(𝒕 = 0 to t = 1 s).
From 𝑡 = 0 to t = 1
at (𝑡𝑖 = 0 s):𝑥𝑖 = – 4 (0) + 2 (0)2 = 0 m
at (𝑡𝑓 = 1 s): 𝑥𝑓 = – 4 (1) + 2 (1)2 = – 2 m

∆𝑥 = 𝑥𝑓 - 𝑥𝑖 = –2 – 0 = – 2m
(negative 𝑥-direction)

(B) Calculate the average velocity (vavg) during this time interval.
From 𝑡𝑖 = 0 to 𝑡𝑓 = 1, ∆𝑡 = 1 – 0 = 1 and ∆𝑥 = – 2 ➔ 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑔 = (𝑥 /𝑡) = (– 2/1) = – 2 m/s

(C) Find the instantaneous velocity (v) of the particle at (𝑡 = 2.5 s).
𝑥 = – 4𝑡 + 2 𝑡2
➔ 𝑣 = (d𝑥/d𝑡) = – 4 + 4𝑡
➔ 𝑣 (𝑡 = 2.5 𝑠) = – 4 + 4 (2.5) = – 4 + 10 = 6 m/s
Example 2.4 (Page 29)
A kinesiologist is studying the biomechanics of the human body. (Kinesiology is the
study of the movement of the human body. Notice the connection to the word
kinematics.) She determines the velocity of an experimental subject while he runs
along a straight line at a constant rate. The kinesiologist starts the stopwatch at the
moment the runner passes a given point and stops it after the runner has passed
another point 20 m away. The time interval indicated on the stopwatch is 4.0 s.

(a) What is the runner’s velocity?

(b) If the runner continues his motion after the stopwatch is stopped, what is his position
after 10 s have passed?

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2.3: Accelerations:
Accelerating (𝑎) occurs when the velocity of a particle changes with time.
Average acceleration (ഥ𝒂𝒙 𝒐𝒓 𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑔 ): is the change in velocity over the time
interval. 𝑣𝑥𝑓− 𝑣𝑥𝑖 ∆𝑣𝑥
𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑔 ≡ 𝑎ത𝑥 = =
𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖 ∆𝑡

The instantaneous acceleration is when (t →0):

∆𝑣𝑥 𝑑𝑣𝑥
𝑎𝑥 = lim =
∆𝑡→0 ∆𝑡 𝑑𝑡

or In terms of the position function,

𝑑𝑣𝑥 𝑑 𝑑𝑥 𝑑2 𝑥
𝑎𝑥 = = = 2
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

The SI units for acceleration are m/s2. Acceleration is a vector quantity

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Example 2.6 (Page 34): Average and Instantaneous Acceleration

The velocity of a particle moving along the x-axis varies in time according to the
expression vx = (40 – 5t2 ) m/s, where (t) is in seconds.

(A) Find the average acceleration in the time interval (t = 0 to t = 2.0 s).
vx = (40 – 5t2 ) m/s

vi (t = 0) = 40 – 5(0)2 = 40 m/s
vf (t = 2) = 40 – 5(2)2 = 40 – 20 = 20 m/s
v = vf – vi = 20 – 40 = – 20 m/s
Average acceleration (𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑔 ) = (v / t) = (– 20 / 2) = – 10 m/s2

(B) Determine the instantaneous acceleration (a) at (t = 2.0 s)

a = (dv/dt) = (d/dt) (40 – 5t2 )

=0–5×2t
= – 10 t
At ( t = 2 s) a= – 10 × 2 = – 20 m/s2 12
Motion Diagrams

velocity = constant
acceleration = zero

(Speeding up)
velocity = increased
acceleration = constant
(v) , (a) in the same direction

(Slowing down)
velocity = decreased
acceleration = constant
(v) , (a) in the opposite direction

If v = constant then a=0

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2.5 One-Dimensional Motion with Constant Acceleration (page 36 )

We take ti 0 , tf t
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Example (P.2.28)(page 53)

A truck covers 40.0 m in 8.50 s while smoothly slowing down to a

final speed of 2.80 m/s.
(a) Find its original speed (vi).
(b) Find its acceleration (a).

(xi = 0), (xf = 40 m), (t = 8.5 s) , (vf = 2.8 m/s)

𝟏
(a) xf = xi + 𝟐 (vi + vf) t
𝟏
40 = 0 + (vi + 2.8) (8.5)
𝟐
vi = 6.61 m/s

(b) vf = vi + a t
2.8 = 6.61 + a (8.5)
a = − 0.448 m/s2
Example 2.4 (Page 29) 15
Example 2.7 (Page 38)
A jet lands on an aircraft carrier at a speed of 140 mi/h (≈ 63 m/s).

(A) What is its acceleration (assumed constant) if it stops in 2.0 s due to an arresting
cable that snags the jet and brings it to a stop?

(vi = 63 m/s), (vf = 0 m/s ) , (t = 2 s)

𝑣𝑓− 𝑣𝑖 , 𝑎=
0−63 m/s
= −31.5 m/s2
𝑎= 2 𝑠
𝑡
(B) If the jet touches down at position xi = 0, what is its final position?

xf = xi + ½ (vi + vf) t , xf = 0 + ½ (63 + 0) (2) = 63 m

Example 2.8 (Page 39)

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2.7: Freely-Falling Objects
All objects moving under the influence of only gravity (g) are said to be in free
fall (Objects thrown upward or downward and those released from rest )

In the absence of the effects of air, all objects dropped or thrown near Earth's
surface have a certain constant acceleration toward Earth.

This acceleration is called free-fall acceleration and it is due to Earth's gravity and
indicated by (g).

g is always directed downward and has a magnitude of 9.8 m/s2 .

The value of g varies slightly from place to place on Earth's surface.

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Equations of motion for free fall
Equations for free-fall = Equations for motion with constant acceleration(g)

a = −g =−9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 , xi yi , xf yf

• We typically choose yi = 0 , so:

• 𝒗𝒇 = 𝒗𝒊 − 𝒈𝒕
𝟏
• 𝒚𝒇 = 𝒗𝒊 𝒕 − 𝒈𝒕𝟐
𝟐
• 𝒗𝟐𝒇 = 𝒗𝟐𝒊 − 𝟐𝒈𝒚𝒇

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 Cases of Free Fall
Object Dropped Object Thrown Downward Object Thrown Upward

• Initial velocity is upward, so positive

Initial velocity is zero Initial velocity ≠ 0 vi ≠ 0 ( positive)
(vi = 0) vi ≠ 0 (negative)
• The instantaneous velocity at the
maximum height is zero(v = 0)

ay = −g ay = −g ay = −g
everywhere in the motion

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Quick Quiz 2.7 (page 41): A ball is thrown upward. While the ball is in free fall,
does its acceleration:

(a) increase (b) decrease (c) increase and then decrease

(d) decrease and then increase (e) remain constant?

(Answer e, ay = -g)
Quick Quiz 2.7 (page 41): After a ball is thrown upward and is in the air, its speed
(vy):

(a) increases (b) decreases (c) increases and then decreases

(d) decreases and then increases (e) remains the same
(Answer d)
Quick Quiz 2.6 (page 38)

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Example (P. 2.40): A golf ball is released from rest from the top of a
very tall building, Calculate:
(a) the position (yf)
(b) the velocity (vf) of the ball after one second (t = 1 s).

(yf = ?), (yi = 0 m), (vi = 0 m/s), (a = − g = − 9.8 m/s2), (t = 1 s)

(a) yf = yi + vi t - ½ g t2
yf = 0 + (0) (1) - ½ ( 9.8) (1)2
yf = − 4.9 m

(b) vf = vi - g t
vf = 0 - (9.8) (1)
vf = − 9.8 m/s
Example 2.10 (page 42)
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 Chapter 2 -Question

1. Which of the following statements is true?

A) The velocity (v) is a scalar quantity, while the speed (s) is a vector quantity
B) The velocity (v) is a vector quantity, while the speed (s) is a scalar quantity
C) Both (v and s) are vector quantities
D) Both (v and s) are scalar quantities

2. A particle moves along the x - axis. Its position varies with time according to the expression:
(x = − 4 t + 2 t2) where (x) is in meters and (t) is in seconds. The velocity (v) at the (t = 1s) is:
A) 20 m/s B) 30 m/s C) 40 m/s D) zero m/s
x=−4t+2t 2

v = (dx/dt) = − 4 ( 1) t1 − 1 + 2 ( 2 ) t2 − 1
v=−4(1)+2(2)t
v=−4+4t
At (t =1),v = − 4 + 4 (1) = − 4 + 4 = zero m/s

3. A car, initially at rest, travels 20 m in 4 s along a straight line with constant acceleration. The
acceleration of the car is:
A) 0.4 m/s2 B) 1.3 m/s2 C) 2.5 m/s2 D) 4.9 m/s2

𝒙𝒊 = 0 m, 𝒙𝒇 = 20 m, 𝒗𝒊 = 0 m/s 𝒕 = 4 s, 𝒂=?
𝟏
𝒙𝒇 = 𝒙𝒊 + 𝒗𝒊 𝒕 + 𝒂 𝒕𝟐
𝟐
𝟏
𝟐𝟎 = 𝟎 + 𝟎 (𝟒) + 𝒂 (𝟒)𝟐
𝟐 22
𝟏 𝟐𝟎 ( 𝟐) 𝟒𝟎
𝟐𝟎 = 𝒂 (16) ➔ 𝒂= = = 2.5 m/s2
𝟐 𝟏𝟔 𝟏𝟔
4. The position of a particle moving along the x - axis is given by x = (– 4t + 2 t2) m, where (t) is in s. What
is the displacement (x) during the time interval (t = 1.0 s) to (t = 3.0 s)?
A) 8 m B) 10 m C) 20 m D) 30 m
x = (– 4t + 2 t ) 2

x(t = 1.0 s) = – 4(1) + 2 (1)2 = – 4 + 2 = – 2 m

x(t = 3.0 s) = – 4(3) + 2 (3)2 = – 12+ 18 = 6 m
(x) = 𝒙𝒇 - 𝒙𝒊 =6 – ( – 2) = 6 + 2 = 8 m

5. A car moving with an initial velocity of 25 m/s has a constant acceleration of 3 m/s2. After 6 seconds its
velocity will be:
A) 7 m/s B) 7 m/s C) 43 m/s D) 20 m/s
𝒗𝒊 = 25 m/s, 𝒂 = 3 m/s2, 𝒕 = 6 s, 𝒗𝒇 = ?
𝒗𝒇 = 𝒗𝒊 + 𝒂𝒕
𝒗𝒇 = 𝟐𝟓 + 𝟑 (𝟔) = 25 + 18 = 43 m/s

6. After a ball is thrown upward and is in the air, its speed:

A) increases B) decreases C) remains the same D) decreases and then increases

7. A ball is thrown vertically into the air. The acceleration of the ball at its highest point is:
A) zero B) g, down C) g, up D) 2g, down

8. An object is thrown straight up from ground level with a speed of 50 m/s. If g = 10 m/s2 its distance (𝒚𝒇 )
above ground level 1.0 s later is:
A) 40 m B) 45 m C) 50 m D) 55 m
𝒚𝒇 =?, 𝒗𝒊 = 𝟓𝟎 𝒎/𝒔, 𝒕 = 𝟏. 𝟎 𝒔, g = 10 m/s 2
𝟏 𝟏 23
𝒚𝒇 = 𝒗𝒊 𝒕 − 𝒈𝒕𝟐 = (𝟓𝟎)(𝟏) − 𝟏𝟎 (𝟏)2 = 50 − 5 = 45 m
𝟐 𝟐
9. A particle moving at a constant speed in a circular path. If the speed is 5.00 m/s and the radius of the path
is 10.0 m, calculate the time interval required to complete one trip around the circle:

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Practice Problems

25
Practice Problems

26
 Home work
1. A particle moves along the x - axis. Its position varies with time according to the
expression 𝒙 = 𝟐𝟎𝒕𝟑 + 𝟓𝒕𝟑 , where (x) is in meters and (t) is in seconds.
(a) Determine the displacement (∆x) of the particle in the time Interval:
(t = 2 s to t = 4 s).
(b) Calculate the average velocity (vavg) during this time interval.

(c) Find the instantaneous velocity (v) of the particle at (𝑡 = 2.5 s).

2. An electron in a cathode-ray tube accelerates uniformly

from 2× 104 m/s to 6 × 106 m/s over 1.50 cm.
(a) In what time interval does the electron travel this1.50 cm?
(b) What is its acceleration?

3. A baseball is hit so that it travels straight upward after being struck by the bat. A
fan observes that it takes 3.00 s for the ball to reach its maximum height. Find
(a) the ball’s initial velocity and
(b) the height it reaches