1-Dimensional Motion

AP Physics C Style
Definitions

 Particle:
 Has position, but not volume.
 Position of a particle:
 A point; i.e. (x) or (x,y) or (x,y,z)
 Distance:
 Length of path traveled by particle.
 Displacement:
 Change in position (Dx = x2 – x1)
Position

 An object’s position is its location at a given

point in time.
 The vector from the origin to the object’s
position is known as the position vector, r.
 In one-dimension, position is given by the x-
coordinate.
Displacement r  rf  ri

 As an object moves, its position changes.

This change in position is called
displacement, ∆r.
 In one dimension, position is given by the x-
coordinate, and displacement by ∆x.
Distance vs Displacement

B 100 m

displacement
50 m

distance
A
Average Speed

savg = d/t
where:
s is rate (speed)
d is distance
t is elapsed time
 Average Velocity
x B
A Dx vavg 
x
t
Dt
t
slope of the line connecting A and B.

vavg is average velocity

∆x is displacement (x2-x1)
∆t is elapsed time (t -t )
Average Velocity

x A
Dx B vavg 
x
t
Dt
t

still determined by the slope of the line

connecting A and B.
Ex 1: Calculating Average Velocity
Find average velocity between 1 s and 6 s.
Ex 1: Calculating Average Velocity
Find average velocity between 1 s and 6 s.
x x f  xo
vavg  
t t f  to

x 6 m  2.5 m
vavg  
t 6 s 1s

vavg  0.7 ms
 Instantaneous Velocity

x x
v  lim
t 0 t
B
dx
v
t dt
Velocity of a particle at an exact instant of time.
determined by the slope of the tangent to a
curve at a single point.
derivative of position with respect to time.
Acceleration
Speeding up
Slowing down.
Turning.
Has magnitude and
direction.

Acceleration is the rate at which velocity

changes.
Slope of velocity-time graph = acceleration.
Area under acceleration-time graph = ∆velocity.
What do the “signs”( + or -) mean?
Quantity Positive Negative
Displacement You are traveling You are traveling
north, east, right, or south, west, left, or
in the +x or +y in the –x or –y
direction. direction.
Velocity The rate you are The rate you are
traveling north, east, traveling south,
right, or in the +x or west, left, or in the
+y direction. –x or –y direction.
Acceleration Your velocity(speed) Your velocity(speed)
is increasing in a is decreasing in a
positive direction or positive direction or
your speed is your speed is
decreasing in a increasing in a
negative direction. negative direction.
Average Acceleration

Net change in velocity during time interval.

v: change in velocity v
aavg 
t: change in time t
Instantaneous Acceleration

 Acceleration at a particular instant of time

 Slope of tangent line to a velocity-time curve

v dv
a  lim a
t 0 t dt

Derivative of velocity with respect to time.

Acceleration from Graph
v Instantaneous
acceleration is
represented by the
slope of a tangent to the
curve on a v/t graph.
Average acceleration is
represented by the
slope of a line
connecting two points
on a v/t graph. t
Acceleration from Graph
Instantaneous
acceleration is
zero where
x slope is
Instantaneous
acceleration is
constant
positive where
curve is concave
up
Instantaneous
acceleration is
negative where
curve is concave
down
Calculating Acceleration
v
aavg 
t
v dv d x 2
a  lim   2
t  0 t dt dt
Polynomial Derivatives

dx
If x  At n
then v  Ant n 1

dt

Ex 2: Derivatives
Given x  t   2  4t  2t  3t
2 3

Find v(t), a(t).

Ex 2: Derivatives
Given x  t   2  4t  2t  3t
2 3

Find v(t), a(t).

dx
v t    4  4t  9t 2
dt
dv
a t   4  18t
dt
Derivative Rules to know for
AP Physics C
Derivatives
Slope of tangent line on graph
x,t graph  v
v,t graph  a

DVA Integrals
Area under curve on graph
a,t graph  v
v,t graph  x
Ex 3: Estimate the net change in velocity
from 0 s to 4.0 s

a (m/s2)

1.0

2.0 4.0 t (s)

-1.0
Ex 4: Estimate the net displacement from

0 s to 4.0 s

v (m/s)

2.0

2.0 4.0 t (s)

 Calculating Displacement
Area under velocity-time graph = displacement
dx
v m
s  v t 
dt
x t
 dx   v  t  dt
xo to

x t
x|   v  t  dt
xo to

t
x  xo   v  t  dt
to

t
x   v  t  dt
to
 Calculating Velocity
Area under acceleration-time graph = velocity
dv
a  
m
s2
a t 
dt
v t
 dv   a  t  dt
vo to

x t
v|   a  t  dt
xo to

t
v  vo   a  t  dt
to

t
v   a  t  dt
to
Integral Rules to know for AP Physics C
Demo

x(m)

0 t(s)
-2

You are a particle.

Move as the graph describes.
Demo
v (m/s)

.2

0 t (s)
-.2

You are a particle.

Move as the graph describes.
 Demo
x (m)

0 t(s)
2 4 6
-2

You are a particle.

Move as the graph describes.
Summary:
Constant position graphs

x v a

t t t

Position Velocity Acceleration

vs vs vs
time time time
Summary:
Constant velocity graphs

x v a

t t t

Position Velocity Acceleration

vs vs vs
time time time
Summary:
Constant acceleration graphs

x v a

t t t

Position Velocity Acceleration

vs vs vs
time time time
 Kinematics Equations
a  constant
dv dx
a v  at  vo
dt dt
dv  a dt dx   at  vo  dt
 dv  a  dt  dx    at  v  dto
v  at  c
x  12 at 2  vot  c
v|  at  c
t 0
x|  12 at 2  vot  c
c  vo t 0
c  xo
v  at  vo x  2 at  vo t  xo
1 2
 Kinematics Equations
a  constant

x  12 at 2  vot  xo v  vo
t
a
2a  x  xo   v 2  vo 2
2
 v  vo   v  vo 
x  a
1
2   vo   xo
 a   a 
v 2  vo 2  2a  x  xo 
1  v  vo 
 o o
2
x v  v  v   xo
2a  a 
1  v  vo 
 x  xo    v  vo   vo 
2

2a a 
 
2a  x  xo    v  vo   2vo  v  vo 
2

2a  x  xo   v 2  2vv o vo 2  2vvo  2vo 2

Kinematic Equations
v  vo  at
x  xo  vot  at
1
2
2

v  vo  2a  x  xo 
2 2
Ex 5: Acceleration Not Constant
Given the position function, x  10t 3
 5t 2
 t (x in m),
a) Find the velocity of the object.
b) What is the acceleration at t = 3 s?
Ex 5: Acceleration Not Constant
Given the position function, x  10 t 3
 5t 2
 t (x in m),
a) Find the velocity of the object.
b) What is the acceleration at t = 3 s?
x  t   10t 3  5t 2  t dv
a t   60t  10
dx dt
v t   30t  10t  1
2

dt a  3  60  3  10
v  t   30t 2  10t  1 a  3  190 sm2
 Ex 6: Speed vs. Velocity
A quarterback throws a pass to a defender on the other team
who intercepts the football. Assume the defender had to run 50
m away from the quarterback to catch the ball, then 15 m
towards the quarterback before he is tackled. the entire play
took 8 seconds.
a) Find the defender’s average speed.
b) Find the defender’s average velocity.
 Ex 6: Speed vs. Velocity
A quarterback throws a pass to a defender on the other team
who intercepts the football. Assume the defender had to run 50
m away from the quarterback to catch the ball, then 15 m
towards the quarterback before he is tackled. the entire play
took 8 seconds.
a) Find the defender’s average speed.
b) Find the defender’s average velocity.

d 65m
s   8.125 m / s
t 8s

x 35m  0m
v   4.38 m / s
t 8s  0 s
 Ex 7: Average Acceleration
A truck accelerates from 10 m/s to 30 m/s in 2.0 s. What is the
acceleration?
Suppose the same truck then slows down to 5 m/s in 4 s. What
is the acceleration?
 Ex 7: Average Acceleration
A truck accelerates from 10 m/s to 30 m/s in 2.0 s. What is the
acceleration?
Suppose the same truck then slows down to 5 m/s in 4 s. What
is the acceleration?

v 30m / s  10m / s 20m / s

a    10 m / s / s or m / s 2
t 2s  0s 2s

v 5m / s  30m / s  25m / s
a    12.5 m / s / s or m / s 2
t 4s  0s 2s
Ex 8: Boat
A boat moves slowly out of a marina (so as to not leave a wake)
with a speed of 1.50 m/s. As soon as it passes the breakwater,
leaving the marina, it throttles up and accelerates at 2.40 m/s2.
a) How fast is the boat moving after accelerating for 5 s?
b) How far did the boat travel during that time?
Ex 8: Boat
A boat moves slowly out of a marina (so as to not leave a wake)
with a speed of 1.50 m/s. As soon as it passes the breakwater,
leaving the marina, it throttles up and accelerates at 2.40 m/s2.
a) How fast is the boat moving after accelerating for 5 s?
b) How far did the boat travel during that time?

v f  vo  at


v f  1.50 ms  2.40 sm2   5 s
v f  13.5 m
s
x  xo  vot  at 1
2
2

x   1.5 m
s   5 s  1
2  2.40   5 s 
m
s2
2

x  37.5 m
Ex 9: Aircraft Carrier
A fighter jet starts at rest on an
aircraft carrier. The jet travels
93.6 m until it takes off at 77.3 m/s.
a) What was the jet’s acceleration?
b) How long did it take the jet to take off?
Ex 9: Aircraft Carrier
A fighter jet starts at rest on an
aircraft carrier. The jet travels
93.6 m until it takes off at 77.3 m/s.
a) What was the jet’s acceleration? v f  vo  at
b) How long did it take the jet to take off?
x  vot  12 at 2
v
a) f
2
 vo  2a x
2
b) v f  vo  at
v f 2  vo 2  2a x
vf 2 vf
a t
2x a
vo  0
 77.3  m
2
t
 77.3 ms 
v f  77.3 ms
 31.9 
s2
a m
2  93.6 m  s2
x  93.6 m
a  31.9 sm2 t  2.42 s
31.9 sm2 g
a   3.25 g
1 9.81 s 2
m
Ex 10: Car – 3 Segments
A car starts at rest. It accelerates at 16 m/s2 for 15 s. The car
continues at a constant velocity for 70 s. Then its slows down at
– 24 m/s2 until it comes to rest. Find total time and distance
traveled by the car.
t1  15 s t2  75 s t3  ? v f  vo  at
x1  ? x2  ? x3  ? x  vo t  12 at 2
vo  0 v1  ? v2  ? v3  0
a1  16 s 2
m a2  0 a3  24 s2
m
v f 2  vo 2  2a x

segment 1:
x  vot  12 at 2 v f  vo  at

x1  1
2  
16 sm2  15 s 
2
 
v1  16 sm2  15 s 

x1  1800 m v1  240 ms

Ex 10: Car – 3 Segments
A car starts at rest. It accelerates at 16 m/s2 for 15 s. The car
continues at a constant velocity for 70 s. Then its slows down at
– 24 m/s2 until it comes to rest. Find total time and distance
traveled by the car.
t1  15 s t2  75 s t3  ? v f  vo  at
x1  1800 m x2  ? x3  ? x  vo t  12 at 2
vo  0 v1  240 ms v2  240 ms v3  0
a1  16 sm2 a2  0 a3  24 s2
m
v f 2  vo 2  2a x

segment 2:
x  vxt

x2   240 ms   15 s 
x2  3600 m
Ex 10: Car – 3 Segments
A car starts at rest. It accelerates at 16 m/s2 for 15 s. The car
continues at a constant velocity for 70 s. Then its slows down at
– 24 m/s2 until it comes to rest. Find total time and distance
traveled by the car.
t1  15 s t2  75 s t3  ? v f  vo  at
x1  1800 m x2  3600 m x3  ? x  vo t  12 at 2
vo  0 v1  240 ms v2  240 ms v3  0
a1  16 sm2 a2  0 a3  24 s2
m
v f 2  vo 2  2a x

segment 3:
v f 2  vo 2  2a x v f  vo  at
 v2 2  vo
x3  t
2a a
 240 s 
m 2
  240 ms 
x3  t3 

2 24 sm2  24 sm2 
x3  1200 m t3  10 s
Ex 10: Car – 3 Segments
A car starts at rest. It accelerates at 16 m/s2 for 15 s. The car
continues at a constant velocity for 70 s. Then its slows down at
– 24 m/s2 until it comes to rest. Find total time and distance
traveled by the car.
t1  15 s t2  75 s t3  10 s v f  vo  at
x1  1800 m x2  3600 m x3  1200 m x  vo t  12 at 2
vo  0 v1  240 ms v2  240 ms v3  0
a1  16 sm2 a2  0 a3  24 s2
m
v f 2  vo 2  2a x

t  15 s  75 s  10 s
t  100 s

x  1800 m  3600 m  1200 m

x  6600 m
Ex 11: Train
 A train goes from one station to the next on
a straight section of track, accelerating from
rest at 1.2 m/s2 for 22 s. It then proceeds at
constant speed for 900 m before slowing down at
2.3 m/s2 until it stops at the station.
 a) What is the distance between the stations?
b) How much time does it take the train to go between the stations?
Ex 11: Train
 A train goes from one station to the next on
a straight section of track, accelerating from
rest at 1.2 m/s2 for 22 s. It then proceeds at
constant speed for 900 m before slowing down at
2.3 m/s2 until it stops at the station.

vo  0 ms v1  26.4 ms v2  v1  26.4 ms v3  0 ms

x1  290.4 m x2  900 m x3  151.513 m

t1  22 s t2  34.091 s t3  11.478 s

a) What is the distance between the stations?

x  290.4 m  900 m  151.513 m  1341.9 m

b) How much time does it take the train to go between the

stations?
t  22 s  34.091 s  11.478 s  67.569 s
Ex 12: Freefall – Find Velocity
A ball, initially at rest, is dropped from 20 m.
a) What is the ball’s final velocity just before it hits the ground?
b) How long was the ball in the air?
Ex 12: Freefall – Find Velocity
A ball, initially at rest, is dropped from 20 m.
a) What is the ball’s final velocity just before it hits the ground?
b) How long was the ball in the air?
vo  0 ms y   20 m v f  voy  gt
vf  ? y  voy t  12 gt 2

v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y

v fy  2 g y


v fy  2 9.8 sm2    20 m 
v fy  19.8 ms
Ex 12: Freefall – Find Velocity
A ball, initially at rest, is dropped from 20 m.
a) What is the ball’s final velocity just before it hits the ground?
b) How long was the ball in the air?
vo  0 ms y   20 m v fy  19.8 ms v f  voy  gt

y  voy t  12 gt 2 y  voy t  12 gt 2

2y v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y
t 
g

2   20 m 
t 
 9.8 
m
s2

t  2.02 s
Ex 13: Freefall with initial upward velocity
A ball, initially at moving at 15 m/s upward, is released from
20 m.
a) What is the ball’s final velocity just before it hits the ground?
b) How long was the ball in the air?
Ex 13: Freefall with initial upward velocity
A ball, initially moving at 15 m/s upward, is released from 20 m.

a) What is the ball’s final velocity just before it hits the ground?
b) How long was the ball in the air?
 voy  gtto fall?
c) What mheight does the ball reach before itv f begins
vo  15 s y   20 m
y  voy t  12 gt 2
vf  ?
v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y
v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y

v fy  voy 2  2 g y

v fy  
 15 ms   2 9.8 sm2
2
   20 m 
v fy   24.8 ms
Ex 13: Freefall with initial upward velocity
A ball, initially at moving at 15 m/s upward, is released from
20 m.
a) What is the ball’s final velocity just before it hits the ground?
b) How long was the ball in the air?
c) What height does the ball reach before it begins to fall?
v f  voy  gt
vo  15 m
s y   20 m v fy  24.8 m
s
y  voy t  12 gt 2
y  voy t  12 gt 2
v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y
1
2 gt 2  voy t  y  0

 4.9  t   15  t   20 m   0
m
s2
2 m
s

t  4.07 s or t   1.00 s
Ex 13: Freefall with initial upward velocity
A ball, initially at moving at 15 m/s upward, is released from
20 m.
a) What is the ball’s final velocity just before it hits the ground?
b) How long was the ball in the air?
c) What height does the ball reach before it begins to fall?
vo  15 ms v f  0 ms hmax  ? v f  voy  gt
y  voy t  12 gt 2
v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y
v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y
voy 2
y 
2g hmax  yo  y

y 
 15 m 2
s hmax  20 m  11 m

2 9.8 sm2  hmax  31.5 m
y  11.5 m
Ex 14: Rocket Launch
A model rocket is launched vertically with an engine that is
ignited at time t = 0. The engine provides a force that give the
rocket an upward acceleration of 32 m/s2 for 2.2 s. Upon
reaching its maximum height, the rocket deploys a parachute.
a. Determine the speed of the rocket after the 2.2 s firing
of
the engine.
b. What maximum height will the rocket reach?
c. At what time after t = 0 will the maximum height be
reached?
Ex 14: Rocket Launch
v12  vo 2  2ay1 v2 2  v12  2 g y2

v1  vo  a t1 v2  v1  g t2

a1  32 sm2 a2   9.8 sm2 a3   9.8 sm2

y1  77.44 m y2  252.87 m

vo  0 ms v1  70.4 ms v2  0 ms

t1  2.2 s t2  7.184 s

a. Speed of rocket after 2 s firing engine.


v1  0 ms  32 sm2   2.2 s   70.4 m
s

b. What maximum height will the rocket reach?

y  y1  y2  330.3 m
c. At what time after t = 0 will the maximum height be reached?
t  t1  t2  9.4 s
Ex 15: Freefall with initial downward velocity
A ball, thrown downward at 15 m/s, is released from 20 m.
a) What is the ball’s final velocity just before it hits the ground?
b) How long was the ball in the air?
c) What height does the ball reach before it begins to fall?
Ex 12: Freefall with initial downward velocity
A ball, thrown downward at 15 m/s, is released from 20 m.
a) What is the ball’s final velocity just before it hits the ground?
b) How long was the ball in the air?
v f  voy  gt
vo  15 ms y   20 m
y  voy t  12 gt 2
vf  ?
v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y
v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y

v fy  voy 2  2 g y

v fy  
 15 ms   2 9.8 sm2
2
   20 m 
v fy   24.8 ms
Ex 12: Freefall with initial downward velocity
A ball, thrown downward at 15 m/s, is released from 20 m.
a) What is the ball’s final velocity just before it hits the ground?
b) How long was the ball in the air?
v f  voy  gt
vo  15 ms y   20 m v fy  24.8 ms
y  voy t  12 gt 2
y  voy t  12 gt 2
v fy 2  voy 2  2 g y
1
2 gt 2  voy t  y  0

 4.9  t   15  t   20 m   0
m
s2
2 m
s

t   4.07 s or t  1.00 s
Ex 13: Block Down Ramp
A block, starting at rest, slides down an incline with a constant
acceleration. The block reaches a specific point at 5 s. For the
next 5 s, the block travels 90 m. How far did the block travel in
the first 5 s? Assume negligible friction.
Ex 13: Block Down Ramp - Graphical
A block, starting at rest, slides down an incline with a constant
acceleration. The block reaches a specific point at 5 s. For the
next 5 s, the block travels 90 m. How far did the block travel in
the first 5 s? Assume negligible friction. v  v  at
f o
vo  0 m
t1  5 s t2  10 s
s
x  vot  12 at 2
v2
v f 2  vo 2  2a x

v1
Area  x2  x1

Area  x1  xo

t1 t2
 x2  x1   3  x1  xo  x1  13  90 m 
1
3  x2  x1   x1 x1  30 m
Ex 13: Block Down Ramp - Analytical
A block, starting at rest, slides down an incline with a constant
acceleration. The block reaches a specific point at 5 s. For the
next 5 s, the block travels 90 m. How far did the block travel in
the first 5 s? Assume negligible friction. v  v  at
f o
vo  0 m
s t1  5 s t2  10 s
x  vo t  12 at 2
(0,
tx1)  vot  12 at 2 v f  vo  at v f 2  vo 2  2a x

x1  a  5  v1  a  5 
1 2
2

x1  12.5a v1  5a
Ex 13: Block Down Ramp - Analytical
A block, starting at rest, slides down an incline with a constant
acceleration. The block reaches a specific point at 5 s. For the
next 5 s, the block travels 90 m. How far did the block travel in
the first 5 s? Assume negligible friction. v  v  at
f o
vo  0 m
s t1  5 s t2  10 s
x  vo t  12 at 2
x1  12.5a v1  5a
v f 2  vo 2  2a x
(t1,
t2x)  vot  12 at
2

90  5a  5   a  5 
1 2
2

90  25a  12.5a (0,

37.5a  90 x1 t1)12.5a
37.5a  90 x1  12.5  2.4 
a  2.4 sm2 x1  30 m
Ex 14: Ball Drop & Ball Thrown Up
Ball 1 is thrown up, from the ground, at a velocity of 25 m/s.
Ball 2 is dropped, starting at rest, from a height of 20 m. Both
balls are released at the same time. At what height will the
balls pass each other?
Ex 14: Ball Drop & Ball Thrown Up
Ball 1 is thrown up, from the ground, at a velocity of 25 m/s.
Ball 2 is dropped, starting at rest, from a height of 20 m. Both
balls are released at the same time. At what height will the
balls pass each other?
v f  vo  gt
Ball 1: Ball 2:
v1o  25 m
v2 o  0 m y  vo t  12 gt 2
s s

y1  y y2  y  20 v f 2  vo 2  2 g y

Balls pass each other at same height y and at the same time,
t.y  vo t  12 gt 2 y  vo t  12 gt 2
y  25t  12 gt 2 y  20   12 gt 2
25t  12 gt 2  20   12 gt 2
25t  20 y 1
2  9.8   0.8 s 
m
s2
2
 20
t  54 s y  16.9 m
Ex 14: Ball Drop & Ball Thrown Up
Ball 1 is thrown up, from the ground, at a velocity of 25 m/s.
Ball 2 is dropped, starting at rest, from a height of 40 m. Ball 2
is dropped 1 s after ball 1 is thrown. At what height will the balls
pass each other?
v f  vo  gt
Ball 1: Ball 2:
v1o  25 m
v2 o  0 m y  vo t  12 gt 2
s s
t2  t1  1
y1  y y2  y  40 v f 2  vo 2  2 g y
Balls pass each other at the same height
y.y  v t  1 gt 2 y  v t  1 gt 2
o 2 1 o 2 2

y  40   g  t1  1
2
y  25t  gt 1
2 1
2 1
2

25t1  12 gt12   12 g  t12  2t1  1  40

25t1  12 gt12   12 gt12  gt1  12 g  40
Ex 14: Ball Drop & Ball Thrown Up
Ball 1 is thrown up, from the ground, at a velocity of 25 m/s.
Ball 2 is dropped, starting at rest, from a height of 40 m. Ball 2
is dropped 1 s after ball 1 is thrown. At what height will the balls
pass each other?
v f  vo  gt
y  25t  gt
1
2 1
2

25t1  gt1  g  40
1
2 y  vo t  12 gt 2
25t1  gt1   12 g  40
v f 2  vo 2  2 g y
 25  g  t1   12 g  40
 12 g  40  12  9.8   40
t 
1 
25  g 25  9.8
t1  2.31 s
y  25  2.31  12 g  2.31
2

y  31.6 m
 Examples
A stone is dropped at rest from the top of a cliff. It is
observed to hit the ground 5.78 s later. How high is the cliff?

v f  vo  at


v f  1.50 ms  2.40 sm2   5 s
v f  13.5 m
s
x  xo  vot  at 1
2
2

x   1.5 m
s   5 s  1
2  2.40   5 s 
m
s2
2

x  37.5 m
 Examples
A stone is dropped at rest from the top of a cliff. It is
observed to hit the ground 5.78 s later. How high is the cliff?

What do I
know? Which variable is NOT giv
What do I
want?

v = 0 m/s NOT
oy y = ?asked for?
g = -9.8 m/s
Final Velocity!
2

y =0 m o

t = 5.78 s y  yo  voyt  1 gt 2
2
y  (0)(5.78)  4.9(5.78) 2
y
-163.7 m
H =163.7m