College Physics

Topic 2-Motion in One Dimension

University: Anhui University of Chinese Medicine

Instructor: Wenjun Zhang (张文俊), Ph D
Office: Room 520 in B7
Email: wenjun@[Link]
I. Title: College Physics, Written by RA Serway et al.
 Topic 2—Motion in One Dimension

The study of motion and of physical concepts such as force and mass
is called dynamics.

Kinematics: Describes motion while ignoring the external agents that

might have caused or modified the motion

For now, will consider motion in one dimension Along a straight line
Motion represents a continual change in an object’s position.
 Types of Motion
Translational
▪ An example is a car traveling on a highway.
Rotational
▪ An example is the Earth’s spin on its axis.
Vibrational
▪ An example is the back-and-forth movement of a
pendulum.
 Particle Model
We will use the particle model.
▪ A particle is a point-like object; has mass but infinitesimal size
If the shape of object can be ignored in the motion system, this
object can be set as particle.
 2.1 Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
2.1.1 Displacement
The object’s position is its location
with respect to a chosen reference
point.
▪ Consider the point to be the
origin of a coordinate system.
Only interested in the car’s
translational motion, so model as a
particle
 Position-Time Graph
The position-time graph shows
the motion of the particle (car).

The smooth curve is a guess as

to what happened between the
data points.
 Data Table
The table gives the actual data
collected during the motion of
the object (car).

Positive is defined as being to

the right.
 Representations of the Motion of Car
Various representations include:
◆ Pictorial

◆ Graphical

◆ Tablular

◆ Mathematical

The goal in many problems

Using alternative representations is often an excellent strategy for
understanding the situation of a given problem.
◆ For example, compare the different representations of the

motion.
 Displacement
Displacement is defined as the change in position during some
time interval.
◆ Represented as Δx

Δx ≡ 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖
◆ SI units are meters (m)

◆ Δx can be positive or negative

Different than distance

◆ Distance is the length of a path followed by a particle.
 Distance vs. Displacement – An Example

Assume a player moves from

one end of the court to the other
and back.
Distance is twice the length of
the court
◆ Distance is always positive

Displacement is zero
◆ Δx=x f − x i = 0 since x f = x i
 Vectors and Scalars
Vector quantities need both magnitude (size or numerical value)
and direction to completely describe them.

Will use + and – signs to indicate vector directions in this chapter

Scalar quantities are completely described by magnitude only.
 2.1.2 Velocity

The average velocity is rate at which the displacement occurs.

x xf − xi
v x,avg  =
t t
◆ The x indicates motion along the x-axis.
The dimensions are length / time [L/T]
The SI units are m/s
Is also the slope of the line in the position – time graph
 Average Speed
Speed is a scalar quantity.
⚫ Has the same units as velocity
𝑑
⚫ Defined as total distance / total time: vavg ≡
𝑡

The speed has no direction and is always expressed as a

positive number.
Neither average velocity nor average speed gives details
about the trip described.
 Average Speed and Average Velocity
The average speed is not the magnitude of the average velocity.
• For example, a runner ends at her starting point.
• Her displacement is zero.
• Therefore, her velocity is zero.
• However, the distance traveled is not zero, so the speed is not
zero.
Δ𝑥 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖
𝑣ҧ = =
Δ𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
SI unit: meter per second (m/s)
In general, the average velocity of an object during the time
interval Δ𝑡 is equal to the slope of the straight line joining the
initial and final points on a graph of the object’s position versus
time.
 Instantaneous Velocity, graph
Instantaneous Velocity:
The limit of the average velocity as the
time interval becomes infinitesimally
short, or as the time interval approaches
zero.
The instantaneous velocity indicates what
is happening at every point of time.
The instantaneous velocity is the slope of
the line tangent to the x vs. t curve.
This would be the green line.
The light blue lines show that as Δt gets
smaller, they approach the green line.
 A Note About Slopes
The slope of a graph of physical data represents the ratio of
change in the quantity represented on the vertical axis to the
change in the quantity represented by the horizontal axis.
The slope has units
• Unless both axes have the same units
The general equation for instantaneous velocity is:
Δ𝑥 d𝑥
𝑣𝑥 = lim =
Δ𝑡→0 Δ𝑡 d𝑡
The instantaneous velocity can be positive, negative, or zero.
 Instantaneous Speed
The instantaneous speed is the magnitude of the instantaneous
velocity.
The instantaneous speed has no direction associated with it.

Vocabulary Note
“Velocity” and “speed” will indicate instantaneous values.
Average will be used when the average velocity or average speed
is indicated.
A train moves slowly along a straight portion of track according to
the graph of position vs. time in Figure. Find (a) the average
velocity for the total trip, (b) the average velocity during the first
4.00s of motion, (c) the average velocity during the next 4.00s of
motion, (d) the instantaneous velocity at t=2.00s, and (e) the
instantaneous velocity at t=9.00 s.
SOLUTION
(a) Find the average velocity from Ⓞ to Ⓒ.
Calculate the slope of the dashed blue line:
Δ𝑥 10.0m
𝑣ҧ = = = +0.833m/s
Δ𝑡 12.0s
(b) Find the average velocity during the first 4 seconds
of the train’s motion.
Again, find the slope:
Δ𝑥 4.00m
𝑣ҧ = = = +1.00m/s
Δ𝑡 4.00s
(c) Find the average velocity during the next 4 seconds.
Here, there is no change in position as the train moves
from Ⓐ to Ⓑ, so the displacement Dx is zero:
Δ𝑥 0m
𝑣ҧ = = = 0m/s
Δ𝑡 4.00s
(d) Find the instantaneous velocity at t = 2.00 s.
This is the same as the average velocity found in (b), because
the graph is a straight line:
𝑣 = 1.00 m/s
(e) Find the instantaneous velocity at 𝑡 = 9.00 s.
The tangent line appears to intercept the x-axis at (3.0 s, 0 m) and
graze the curve at (9.0 s, 4.5 m). The instantaneous velocity at 𝑡
= 9.00s equals the slope of the tangent line through these points:
Δ𝑥 4.5m − 0m
𝑣ҧ = = = 0.75m/s
Δ𝑡 9.0s − 3.0s
 Analysis Models
Analysis models are an important technique in the solution to
problems.
An analysis model is a description of:
• The behavior of some physical entity, or
• The interaction between the entity and the environment.
Try to identify the fundamental details of the problem and attempt
to recognize which of the types of problems you have already
solved could be used as a model for the new problem.
 Analysis Models, cont
Based on four simplification models
• Particle model
• System model
• Rigid object
• Wave
Problem approach
• Identify the analysis model that is appropriate for the problem.
• The model tells you which equation to use for the mathematical
representation.
 Model: A Particle Under Constant Velocity
Constant velocity indicates the instantaneous velocity at any
instant during a time interval is the same as the average
velocity during that time interval.
• 𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣𝑥,𝑎𝑣𝑔
• The mathematical representation of this situation is the
equation.
Δ𝑥 𝑥𝑓 −𝑥𝑖
𝑣𝑥 = = or 𝑥𝑓 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑣𝑥 Δ𝑡
Δ𝑡 Δ𝑡
• Common practice is to let ti = 0 and the equation becomes:
𝑥𝑓 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑣𝑥 𝑡 (for constant 𝑣𝑥 )
Particle Under Constant Velocity, Graph
The graph represents the motion of a particle under constant
velocity.
The slope of the graph is the value of the constant velocity.
The y-intercept is 𝑥𝑖 .
 Model: A Particle Under Constant Speed

A particle under constant velocity moves with a constant speed

along a straight line.
A particle can also move with a constant speed along a curved
path.
This can be represented with a model of a particle under constant
speed.
The primary equation is the same as for average speed, with the
average speed replaced by the constant speed.
𝑑
𝑣=
Δ𝑡
 2.1.3 Acceleration

Acceleration is the rate of change of the velocity.

Δ𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑥𝑓 − 𝑣𝑥𝑖
𝑎𝑥,𝑎𝑣𝑔 ≡ =
Δ𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
Dimensions are L/T2
SI units are m/s²
In one dimension, positive and negative can be used to indicate
direction.
 Instantaneous Acceleration
The instantaneous acceleration is the limit of the average
acceleration as Δ𝑡 approaches 0.
Δ𝑣𝑥 𝑑𝑣𝑥 𝑑2 𝑥
𝑎𝑥 = lim = = 2
Δ𝑡→0 Δ𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
The term acceleration will mean instantaneous acceleration.
• If average acceleration is wanted, the word average will be
included.
Instantaneous Acceleration – graph

The slope of the velocity-time

graph is the acceleration.
The green line represents the
instantaneous acceleration.
The blue line is the average
acceleration.
 Graphical Comparison
Given the displacement-time
graph (a)
The velocity-time graph is found
by measuring the slope of the
position- time graph at every
instant.
The acceleration-time graph is
found by measuring the slope of
the velocity-time graph at every
instant.
 Acceleration and Velocity, Directions
When an object’s velocity and acceleration are in the same
direction, the object is speeding up.
When an object’s velocity and acceleration are in the opposite
direction, the object is slowing down.
The minus sign indicates that the acceleration vector is also in the
negative x-direction.
 Acceleration and Force
The acceleration of an object is related to the total force exerted
on the object.
• The force is proportional to the acceleration, 𝐹𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥.
• Assume the velocity and acceleration are in the same direction.
The force is in the same direction as the velocity and the
object speeds up.
• Assume the velocity and acceleration are in opposite
directions.
The force is in the opposite direction as the velocity and the
object slows down.
 Notes About Acceleration
Negative acceleration does not necessarily mean the object is
slowing down.
If the acceleration and velocity are both negative, the object is
speeding up.
The word deceleration has the connotation of slowing down.
This word will not be used in the text.
 2.2 Motion Diagrams

A motion diagram can be formed by imagining the stroboscope

photograph of a moving object.
Red arrows represent velocity. Purple arrows represent
acceleration.
 Constant Velocity

Images are equally spaced.

The car is moving with constant positive velocity (shown by red
arrows maintaining the same size).
Acceleration equals zero.
 Acceleration and Velocity

Images become farther apart as time increases. Velocity and

acceleration are in the same direction.
Acceleration is uniform (violet arrows maintain the same length).
Velocity is increasing (red arrows are getting longer).
This shows positive acceleration and positive velocity.
 Acceleration and Velocity

Images become closer together as time increases. Acceleration and

velocity are in opposite directions.
Acceleration is uniform (violet arrows maintain the same length).
Velocity is decreasing (red arrows are getting shorter). Positive
velocity and negative acceleration.
2.3 One-Dimensional Motion with Constant Acceleration

In all the previous cases, the acceleration was constant.

Shown by the violet arrows all maintaining the same length
The diagrams represent motion of a particle under constant
acceleration.
A particle under constant acceleration is another useful analysis
model.
 Kinematic Equations
• The kinematic equations can be used with any particle under
uniform acceleration.
• The kinematic equations may be used to solve any problem
involving one- dimensional motion with a constant acceleration.
• You may need to use two of the equations to solve one problem.
• Many times there is more than one way to solve a problem.
 Kinematic Equations

For constant ax,

𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑡
Can determine an object’s velocity
at any time t when we know its
initial velocity and its acceleration
Assumes 𝑡𝑖 = 0 and 𝑡𝑓 = t
Does not give any information
about displacement
 Kinematic Equations
For constant acceleration,
𝑣0 + 𝑣
𝑣ҧ =
2
The average velocity can be expressed as the arithmetic mean of
the initial and final velocities.

Expression for the displacement of an object as a function of time

𝑣0 + 𝑣
Δ𝑥 = 𝑣𝑡ҧ = 𝑡
2
This gives you the position of the particle in terms of time and
velocities. Doesn’t give you the acceleration.
1 2
Δ𝑥 = 𝑣0 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡
2
Gives final position in terms of velocity and acceleration
Doesn’t tell you about final velocity
 Kinematic Equations

For constant a,
1 𝑣 − 𝑣0 𝑣 2 − 𝑣0 2
Δ𝑥 = 𝑣 + 𝑣0 =
2 𝑎 2𝑎
𝑣 2 = 𝑣0 2 + 2𝑎Δ𝑥
Gives final velocity in terms of acceleration and displacement
Does not give any information about the time
When the acceleration is zero,
𝑣 = 𝑣0
𝑥 = 𝑥0 + 𝑣𝑡
The constant acceleration model reduces to the constant velocity
model.
Kinematic Equations – summary

Equations for Motion in a straight Line Under Constant Acceleration

 Graphical Look at Motion: Displacement – Time curve

The slope of the curve is the

velocity.
The curved line indicates the
velocity is changing.
Therefore, there is an
acceleration.
Graphical Look at Motion: Velocity – Time curve
and Acceleration – Time curve

The slope gives the acceleration.

The straight line indicates a constant acceleration.
The zero slope indicates a constant acceleration.
 Problem-solving strategy
Motion in one Dimension at Constant Acceleration
The following procedure is recommended for solving problems
involving accelerated motion.
1. Read the problem.
2. Draw a diagram, choosing a coordinate system, labeling initial
and final points, and indicating directions of velocities and
accelerations with arrows.
3. Label all quantities, circling the unknowns. Convert units as
needed.
4. Equations from Table 2.4 should be selected next. All
kinematics problems in this topic can be solved with the first two
equations, and the third is often convenient.
5. Solve for the unknowns. Doing so often involves solving two
equations for two unknowns.
6. Check your answer, using common sense and estimates.
 A race car starting from rest accelerates at a constant rate of 5.00
m/s2 . (a) What is the velocity of the car after it has traveled 100
ft? (b) How much time has elapsed? (c) Calculate the average
velocity two different ways.

SOLUTION
(a) Convert units of Dx to SI, using
the information in the inside front
cover.
1m
100ft = 100ft = 30.5m
3.28ft
Write the kinematics equation for
𝑣 2 (step 4):
𝑣 2 = 𝑣0 2 + 2𝑎Δ𝑥
Solve for v, taking the positive
square root because the car moves to
the right (step 5):
𝑣 = 𝑣0 2 + 2𝑎Δ𝑥 = 17.5m/s
(b) How much time has elapsed? Apply the first equation of
Table 2.4:
𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑡
𝑡 = 3.5𝑠
(c) Calculate the average velocity in two different ways. Apply
the definition of average velocity, Equation:
𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖
𝑣ҧ = = 8.71m/s
𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
Apply the definition of average velocity:
𝑣0 + 𝑣
𝑣ҧ = = 8.75m/s
2
 2.4 Freely Falling Objects

Galileo Galilei
• 1564 – 1642
• Italian physicist and astronomer
• Formulated laws of motion for
objects in free fall
• Supported heliocentric universe
 Freely Falling Objects
A freely falling object is any object moving freely under the
influence of gravity alone.
It does not depend upon the initial motion of the object.
• Dropped – released from rest
• Thrown downward
• Thrown upward
Acceleration of Freely Falling Object
The acceleration of an object in free fall is directed downward,
regardless of the initial motion.
• The magnitude of free fall acceleration is g = 9.80 m/s2.
• g decreases with increasing altitude
• g varies with latitude
• 9.80 m/s2 is the average at the Earth’s surface
• The italicized g will be used for the acceleration due to gravity.
• Not to be confused with g for grams
 Acceleration of Free Fall, cont.
We will neglect air resistance.
Free fall motion is constantly accelerated motion in one dimension.
• Use model of a particle under constant acceleration
Let upward be positive
Use the kinematic equations
• With 𝑎𝑦 = −𝑔 = −9.80m/s2
• Note displacement is in the vertical direction
 Free Fall – An Object Dropped

Initial velocity is zero

Let up be positive
Use the kinematic equations
• Generally use y instead of x since vertical
Acceleration is vo= 0
• 𝑎𝑦 = −𝑔 = −9.80 m/s2 a = -g
 Free Fall – An Object Thrown Downward

𝑎𝑦 = -g = -9.80 m/s2
Initial velocity ≠ 0
• With upward being positive, initial
velocity will be negative.
𝑣0 ≠ 0
𝑎 = −𝑔
 Free Fall – Object Thrown Upward
Initial velocity is upward, so positive
The instantaneous velocity at the maximum v=0
height is zero.
𝑎𝑦 = −𝑔 = −9.80m/s2 everywhere in the
vo≠ 0
motion
a = -g
The motion may be symmetrical.
• Then t up = t down
• Then v = - v0
The motion may not be symmetrical.
• Break the motion into various parts.
• Generally up and down
 Free Fall Example
Initial velocity at A is upward (+) and
acceleration is -g (-9.8 m/s2).
At B, the velocity is 0 and the
acceleration is -g (-9.8 m/s2).
At C, the velocity has the same
magnitude as at A, but is in the opposite
direction.
The displacement is –50.0 m (it ends up
50.0 m below its starting point).
 General Problem Solving Strategy
In addition to basic physics concepts, a valuable skill is the
ability to solve complicated problems.
Steps in a general problem solving approach:
• Conceptualize
• Categorize
• Analyze
• Finalize
 Problem Solving – Conceptualize
Think about and understand the situation.
Make a quick drawing of the situation.
Gather the numerical information.
• Include algebraic meanings of phrases.
Focus on the expected result.
• Think about units.
Think about what a reasonable answer should be.
 Problem Solving – Categorize
Simplify the problem.
• Can you ignore air resistance?
• Model objects as particles
Classify the type of problem.
• Substitution
• Analysis
Try to identify similar problems you have already solved.
• What analysis model would be useful?
 Problem Solving – Analyze
Select the relevant equation(s) to apply.
Solve for the unknown variable. Substitute appropriate numbers.
Calculate the results.
• Include units
Round the result to the appropriate number of significant figures.
 Problem Solving – Finalize
Check your result.
• Does it have the correct units?
• Does it agree with your conceptualized ideas?
Look at limiting situations to be sure the results are reasonable.
Compare the result with those of similar problems.

Some Final Ideas

When solving complex problems, you may need to identify
sub-problems and apply the problem-solving strategy to each
sub-part.
These steps can be a guide for solving problems in this course.
PROBLEM A rocket moves
straight upward, starting from
rest with an acceleration of
129.4 m/s2. It runs out of fuel at
the end of 4.00s and continues
to coast upward, reaching a
maximum height before falling
back to Earth. (a) Find the
rocket’s velocity and position at
the end of 4.00s. (b) Find the
maximum height the rocket
reaches. (c) Find the velocity
the instant before the rocket
crashes on the ground.
SOLUTION
(a) Phase 1: Find the rocket’s velocity and position after 4.00 s.
Write the velocity and position kinematic equations:
𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑡 1
1 2
Δ𝑦 = 𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 𝑣0 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2

Adapt these equations to phase 1, substituting 𝑎 = 29.4 m/s2,

𝑣0 = 0, and 𝑦0 = 0:
𝑣 = 29.4m/s2 𝑡 3
1
𝑦 = 29.4m/s2 𝑡 2 = 14.7m/s2 𝑡 2 4
2
The rocket’s velocity v and position y at the time of burnout.
These will be called 𝑣𝑏 and 𝑦𝑏 , respectively.
𝑣𝑏 = 118m/s and 𝑦𝑏 = 235m
(b) Phase 2: Find the maximum height the rocket attains.
Adapt Equations (1) and (2) to phase 2, substituting 𝑎 = 29.8m/s2,
𝑣0 = 𝑣𝑏 = 118 m/s, and 𝑦0 = 𝑦𝑏 = 235 m:
𝑣 = −9.8m/s2 𝑡 + 118m/s(5)
− 4.9m/s2 𝑡 2 𝑦 = 235𝑚 + 118 m/s 𝑡 − 4.9m/s2 𝑡 2 6
Substitute v=0 (the rocket’s velocity at maximum height) in
Equation (5) to get the time it takes the rocket to reach its
maximum height:
0 = (−9.8m/s 2 )t + 118m/s → 𝑡 = 12.0s
Substitute t =12.0 s into Equation (6) to find the rocket’s maximum
height: 𝑦max = 945m
(c) Phase 2: Find the velocity of the rocket just prior to impact.
Find the time to impact by setting y 5 0 in Equation (6) and using
the quadratic formula:
0 = 235𝑚 + 118 m/s 𝑡 − 4.9m/s2 𝑡 2 → 𝑡 = 25.9s
𝑣 = −9.8m/s2 25.9s + 118m/s = −136m/s
 homework
• Page 55, problem 6
• Page 57, problem 49