1-D Kinematics

PART 1

Restrictions
All motion is along a straight line only. We dont care WHY an object moves. In kinematics, we will only examine HOW it moves. The moving object is considered to move like a particle (no rolling).

Magnitude & Scalars

The magnitude of a measurement is its size

Ex: the number of miles between Socorro and Albuquerque is a magnitude

A scalar is a quantity that has only magnitude

Vectors

A vector has both magnitude & direction

Ex: the displacement vector from Socorro to Albuquerque is 70 miles long and points due north

Vectors are equal if and only if they have the same magnitude and the same direction

Ex: the displacement vector from Socorro to Albuquerque is not equal to the displacement vector from Albuquerque to Socorro because the direction of the vectors is different

Distance vs. Displacement

Distance is a scalar quantity (it has magnitude only). Displacement is a vector quantity and is always relative to the origin.

Distance vs. Displacement

Stand in one of tiles on the floor (leave a good amount of room between you and your neighbor.)

This is your origin. Determine +/directions.

Move 3 tiles to the right. Move 2 tiles forward. Move 5 tiles to the left. Move 2 tiles backward.

Distance vs. Displacement

What is your displacement?

What is the total distance you traveled? Displacement is noted x. x = x x0

Scalar or Vector?

The acceleration of a plane as it takes off? The number of passengers on the plane The duration of the flight The displacement of the flight The amount of fuel required for the flight The odometer reading in your car The speedometer reading in your car

Vector
Vector Vector Vector Vector Vector Vector

Scalar
Scalar Scalar Scalar Scalar Scalar Scalar

Speed vs. Velocity

Average Speed (scalar)
Distance Traveled Total time

Average Velocity (vector)

Displacement Total time

Velocity has a direction!!

x v t

x v t

Try it
Calculate the average speed and average velocity of a complete roundtrip in which the outgoing 200 km is covered at 90 km/h, followed by a one-hour lunch break, and the return 200 km is covered at 50 km/h.
Average speed = 60 km/h Average velocity = 0

Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
Units: m/s2
Average Acceleration (vector)
Velocity Total time

v a t

The Kinematics Equations

The Kinematics equations are based on two very important assumptions: 1. Constant acceleration. Many situations exhibit uniform (constant) acceleration. Since acceleration is constant, the average and instantaneous acceleration are equal:

a a

2.

t0 = 0. Since we can create our own reference system, we might as well make it an easy one.

Kinematics Equations

v v0 at

v0 v v 2

1 2 x x0 v0t at 2

v v0 2ax
2 2

No time

Try it

A car slows down from 25 m/s to rest in a distance of 85 m. What was its acceleration, assumed constant?

a = -3.7 m/s2

Try some more

1.

A light plane must reach a speed of 30.0 m/s for takeoff. How long a runway is needed if the acceleration is 3.0 m/s2?
x = 1.5 x 102 m

2.

A car traveling at 45 km/h slows down at a constant 0.50 m/s2 just by letting up on the gas. Calculate (a) the distance the car coasts before it stops, (b) the time it takes to stop, and (c) the distance it travels during the first and fifth seconds.
(a) 160 m (b) 25 s (c) 12 m, 10 m

Falling Objects

When gravity acts on an object, what happens?

The object falls

We call this free fall An object is in free fall when it is affected only by gravity
astronauts

Falling Objects

Conveniently, you can use the same kinematics equations with falling objects (your system is just vertical instead of horizontal). Replace position x with position y Is the acceleration in vertical motion constant or changing?

g = 9.81 m/s2

Kinematics Equations
Horizontal Motion Vertical Motion

v v0 at
1 2 x x0 v0t at 2

v v0 gt
1 2 y y0 v0t gt 2

v v0 2ayx
2 2

v v0 2timey No g
2 2

Gravity

What is the direction of gravity?

Toward the center of the planet.

What is the sign (+/-) of gravity? The sign of g is often debated. The key is to always draw a picture, label your coordinate system and stick with it.

If you call up the positive (+y) direction, what sign does gravity have? What if you decide down is positive?

Questions
1.

2. 3.

4.

Will a Nerf ball and a softball fall at the same rate? How about a feather and a rock? Are acceleration and velocity always in the same direction? If you throw an object up in the air and catch it again, what is the velocity at the top of its arc? What is its acceleration?

King Kong

Exhausted by hours of batting away planes, King Kong topples off the Empire State Building. Calculate (a) how long it will take the big ape to reach the ground (assume a straight path, h = 380 m), and (b) his velocity just before landing.
1. 2.

3.
4.

Draw a picture. Label coordinates (axis) List known variables Determine what youre looking for (a) t = 8.8 s (b) v = 86 m/s Do we need to know King Kongs weight?

More Good Stuff

1.

A stone is dropped from the top of a cliff. It is seen to hit the ground below after 3.50 s. How high is the cliff?
y = 60.1 m

2.

A stone is thrown vertically upward with a speed of 20.0 m/s. (a) How fast is it moving when it reaches a height of 12 m? (b) How long is required to reach this height? (c) Why are there two answers to (b)?
(a) v = 13 m/s (b) t = 0.73 s, 3.3 s

(c) the motion follows a parabolic path