Describing Motion Around Us

Grade 9 Science Study Notes | Detailed Print - Friendly Version

Note: These notes are expanded from the previous chapter so the topic is easier to understand,
revise, and use for exam preparation.

1. Introduction to Motion
Motion means a change in the position of an object with time. We notice motion when a bus moves on a
road, a ball rolls on the ground, a fan rotates, or the Earth moves around the Sun.

• An object is in motion if its position changes with time compared with a reference point.

• An object is at rest if its position does not change with time compared with the same reference point.

• Motion is always described using position, direction, time, and a reference point.

Exam tip: Always mention the reference point when explaining rest or motion. Without a reference point, the
answer is incomplete.

Rest, Motion, and Relative Terms

Term Student-friendly meaning Example

Position does not change with A book kept on a table is at rest

Rest
time relative to a chosen point. relative to the table.

Position changes with time A cyclist moving past a tree is in

Motion
relative to a chosen point. motion relative to the tree.

The same object may be at rest A passenger is at rest relative to

Relative motion for one observer and in motion the bus but moving relative to a
for another. person standing on the road.

Quick Revision Summary: Rest and motion are relative. The same object can be described differently by
different observers.

Reference Point, Origin, and Position

A reference point is a fixed point used to describe the location of an object. In mathematics and physics, the
starting point is often called the origin and is marked as 0 on a number line.

• Position tells where an object is located compared with the origin.

• Direction is important. To the right of origin may be taken as positive (+), and to the left as negative (-). In
another problem, upward may be positive and downward negative.

• A sign convention is the rule used to decide which direction is positive and which is negative.
Example: If a student walks 5 m east from the origin and east is positive, position = +5 m. If the student
walks 3 m west, position = -3 m.
Figure: Reference point, origin, and number line
2. Types of Motion

Type of motion Meaning Examples

Train on a straight track, car on a

Linear motion Motion along a straight line.
straight road.

Stone tied to a string, hands of a

Circular motion Motion along a circular path.
clock.

To-and-fro motion about a mean

Oscillatory motion Swing, pendulum, vibrating ruler.
position.

Motion in two directions on a flat Football kicked across a field,

Motion in a plane
surface. boat moving on water.

This chapter mainly focuses on motion in a straight line because it is the simplest way to learn distance,
displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Quick Revision Summary: Know the main types of motion: linear, circular, oscillatory, and motion in a plane.

3. Distance and Displacement

Distance is the total length of the actual path travelled by an object. Displacement is the shortest straight-
line change in position from starting point to ending point, with direction.
Figure: Distance and displacement
 Distan Displacem
ce ent

Point
 Shortest
Total
change
path
Meaning from initial
covere
to final
d
position

Type Scalar Vector

No
directi
Direction is
Direction on
needed
neede
d

Always Can be
positiv positive,
Value
e or negative, or
zero zero

Depends
Depen
only on
ds on
Path dependence start and
actual
end
path
positions

Walkin Final
g3m position is
east 1 m west,
then 4 so
Example
m west displaceme
gives nt = -1 m if
distanc east is
e7m positive

Examples
• A runner completes one full round of a circular track and returns to the start. Distance = circumference of
the track, but displacement = 0.

• A student walks 6 m north. Distance = 6 m and displacement = 6 m north.

• If an object does not move, distance = 0 and displacement = 0.

Scalar and Vector Quantities

Quantity type Meaning Examples

Distance, speed, time, mass,

Scalar Has magnitude only.
temperature.

Displacement, velocity,
Vector Has magnitude and direction.
acceleration, force.

Exam tip: If direction is important, the quantity is usually a vector.

Quick Revision Summary: Distance is the actual path length, while displacement is the shortest directed
change in position.

4. Uniform and Non-uniform Motion

Figure: Uniform vs non-uniform motion

Uniform motion means an object covers equal distances in equal intervals of time. For
example, if a toy car covers 2 m every second, it is in uniform motion. Non-uniform motion
means an object covers unequal distances in equal intervals of time. For example, a bus
moving in traffic may speed up, slow down, and stop.
Point Uniform Motion Non-uniform Motion

Distance covered Equal distance in equal time Unequal distance in equal time

Speed Constant Changes with time

Graph Straight sloping distance-time graph Curved distance-time graph

Example Car moving steadily at 40 km/h Car moving in city traffic

Quick Revision Summary: Uniform motion covers equal distances in equal time intervals; non-uniform
motion does not.

5. Speed and Velocity

Speed tells how fast distance is covered. Velocity tells how fast displacement changes in a particular
direction.

Speed = Distance / Time

Velocity = Displacement / Time

 Point Speed Velocity

Quantity type Scalar Vector

Based on Distance Displacement

Direction Not required Required

Can be negative? No Yes, depending on direction

SI unit m/s m/s

Example 20 m/s 20 m/s east

Average Speed and Instantaneous Speed

• Average speed = Total distance / Total time.

• Instantaneous speed is the speed at a particular moment, like the reading on a speedometer.

• Average velocity = Total displacement / Total time.

Example: If a car travels 120 km in 3 hours, average speed = 120 / 3 = 40 km/h.

Quick Revision Summary: Speed uses distance and has no direction; velocity uses displacement and includes
direction.

6. Acceleration, Retardation, and Units

Acceleration means the rate of change of velocity with time. It happens when speed changes, direction
changes, or both change.

Acceleration = Change velocity / Time

Acceleration = (Final velocity - Initial velocity) / Time

• If velocity increases, acceleration is positive in the direction of motion.

• If velocity decreases, acceleration is called retardation or deceleration.

• SI unit of acceleration is m/s², written in plain text as m/s^2.

• Retardation is acceleration opposite to the direction of motion, so it is often written with a negative sign.
 Quantity Symbol SI unit Common unit

Distance / Displacement s or d metre (m) km, cm

Time t second (s) min, h

Speed / Velocity v m/s km/h

Acceleration a m/s^2 cm/s^2

Quick Revision Summary: Acceleration is change in velocity per unit time; retardation means acceleration
opposite to motion.

7. Graphical Representation of Motion

Figure: Distance-time graph and velocity-time graph

Distance-Time Graph
• Time is shown on the x-axis and distance on the y-axis.

• A straight sloping line shows uniform speed.

• A curved line shows non-uniform speed.

• A horizontal line shows the object is at rest because distance is not changing with time.
Speed from slope: Speed = Change in distance / Change in time. A steeper distance-time graph means
greater speed.

Velocity-Time Graph
• Time is shown on the x-axis and velocity on the y-axis.

• A horizontal line means constant velocity and zero acceleration.

• A straight sloping line means uniform acceleration.

• Acceleration from slope: Acceleration = Change in velocity / Change in time.

• Distance or displacement from area: The area under a velocity-time graph gives displacement. If velocity is
always positive, it also gives distance.

For a rectangle under a velocity-time graph: Area = length × breadth = time × velocity. For a triangle: Area =
1/2 × base × height.

Quick Revision Summary: Graph slopes show speed or acceleration, and area under a velocity-time graph
gives displacement.

8. Equations of Uniformly Accelerated Motion

These equations are used when acceleration is constant. Symbols: u = initial velocity, v = final velocity, a =
acceleration, t = time, s = displacement.

v = u + at

s = ut + 1/2 at^2

v^2 - u^2 = 2as

Figure: Velocity-time graph for equations of motion
Simple Derivation Idea from Graphs
• In a velocity-time graph with uniform acceleration, the line is straight.

• Slope of the line gives acceleration, so a = (v - u) / t. Rearranging gives v = u + at.

• Displacement equals area under the velocity-time graph. The area is a rectangle plus a triangle, giving s =
ut + 1/2 at^2.

• Combining the first two equations gives v^2 - u^2 = 2as.

Quick Revision Summary: Use v = u + at, s = ut + 1/2 at^2, and v^2 - u^2 = 2as only when acceleration is
constant.

9. Uniform Circular Motion

Uniform circular motion means motion in a circle at constant speed. Even when speed is constant, velocity
changes because direction changes at every point on the circle.

• Velocity is a vector, so changing direction means changing velocity.

• Since velocity changes, there is acceleration. This acceleration is directed towards the centre and is called
centripetal acceleration.

• Examples include a stone tied to a string, a satellite moving around Earth, and a point on a rotating wheel.

Exam answer: Uniform circular motion is accelerated motion because the direction of velocity changes
continuously, even if speed remains constant.
Figure: Uniform circular motion

Quick Revision Summary: Uniform circular motion has constant speed but changing velocity, so centripetal
acceleration acts toward the centre.

10. Sign Convention and Common Mistakes

• Choose one positive direction before solving. Opposite direction is negative.

• If acceleration is opposite to motion, write it as negative.

• Do not confuse distance with displacement. Distance depends on path; displacement depends on start and
end points.

• Do not write speed with direction. Write velocity with direction.

• Always convert km/h to m/s when SI units are required: multiply by 5/18. To convert m/s to km/h, multiply
by 18/5.

• Use the correct formula and write units in every numerical answer.

11. Solved Numerical Examples

Example 1: Average Speed
Question: A student walks 80 m in 40 s. Find average speed.
Step 1: Formula: Average speed = Total distance / Total time.

Step 2: Substitute: Average speed = 80 / 40.

Step 3: Answer: Average speed = 2 m/s.

Example 2: Average Velocity

Question: A car moves 100 m east and then 40 m west in 20 s. Find average velocity, taking east as positive.

Step 1: Displacement = +100 m - 40 m = +60 m.

Step 2: Average velocity = Displacement / Time = 60 / 20.

Step 3: Answer: Average velocity = 3 m/s east.

Example 3: Acceleration
Question: A train increases velocity from 10 m/s to 30 m/s in 5 s. Find acceleration.

Step 1: Formula: Acceleration = (v - u) / t.

Step 2: Substitute: a = (30 - 10) / 5 = 20 / 5.

Step 3: Answer: a = 4 m/s^2.

Example 4: Retardation
Question: A bicycle slows from 12 m/s to 4 m/s in 4 s. Find acceleration.

Step 1: a = (v - u) / t = (4 - 12) / 4.

Step 2: a = -8 / 4 = -2 m/s^2.

Step 3: Answer: Acceleration = -2 m/s^2, so retardation = 2 m/s^2.

Example 5: Equation of Motion

Question: A body starts from rest and accelerates at 2 m/s^2 for 5 s. Find distance travelled.

Step 1: Given u = 0, a = 2 m/s^2, t = 5 s.

Step 2: Formula: s = ut + 1/2 at^2.

Step 3: s = 0 × 5 + 1/2 × 2 × 5^2 = 25 m.

Answer: Distance travelled = 25 m.

12. Formula Sheet

Figure: Formula flowchart

Formula Use

Speed = Distance / Time Use when total distance and total time are given.
 Velocity = Displacement / Time Use when direction or change in position is important.

Acceleration = (v - u) / t Use when velocity changes in a given time.

v = u + at Find final velocity when acceleration and time are known.

s = ut + 1/2 at^2 Find displacement when acceleration is constant.

v^2 - u^2 = 2as Use when time is not given.

km/h to m/s = multiply by 5/18 Convert speed to SI unit.

m/s to km/h = multiply by 18/5 Convert speed to common road unit.

Quick Revision Summary: Select formulas by identifying the known quantities and the required unknown
before substituting values.

13. Quick Revision Summary

• Motion is change in position with time relative to a reference point.

• Distance is scalar; displacement is vector.

• Speed uses distance; velocity uses displacement and direction.

• Acceleration is change in velocity per unit time.

• Uniform circular motion is accelerated because direction changes continuously.

• Distance-time graph slope gives speed. Velocity-time graph slope gives acceleration and area gives
displacement.

• For constant acceleration, use v = u + at, s = ut + 1/2 at^2, and v^2 - u^2 = 2as.

14. Major Section Final Chapter Summary

Describing motion helps us explain how objects change position with time. The ideas of reference point,
origin, direction, and sign convention make motion easier to measure. Distance and speed describe how
much path is covered, while displacement and velocity include direction. Acceleration describes change in
velocity and may be positive or negative. Graphs show motion visually: slopes give speed or acceleration,
and area under a velocity-time graph gives displacement. The three equations of uniformly accelerated
motion help solve numerical problems when acceleration is constant. Uniform circular motion is an
important case where speed may be constant but velocity changes because direction changes.

15. Important Questions for Revision

A. Short Answer Questions
• Define motion and rest with one example each.

• Why are rest and motion called relative terms?

• What is a reference point? Why is it important?

• Differentiate between distance and displacement.

• What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?

• Write the difference between speed and velocity.

• What is acceleration? Give its SI unit.

• Why is uniform circular motion called accelerated motion?

B. Numerical Practice
• A car travels 150 km in 3 h. Find average speed.

• A body moves from +2 m to -6 m in 4 s. Find displacement and average velocity.

• A scooter increases velocity from 5 m/s to 25 m/s in 10 s. Find acceleration.

• A train starting from rest accelerates at 3 m/s^2 for 8 s. Find final velocity.

• A ball moving at 20 m/s stops in 5 s. Find retardation.

C. Graph-Based Questions
• Draw a distance-time graph for an object at rest.

• What does the slope of a distance-time graph represent?

• What does the slope of a velocity-time graph represent?

• How do you find displacement from a velocity-time graph?

• A velocity-time graph is a horizontal line. What does it show?

D. Assertion-Reason Questions
• Assertion: Displacement can be zero even when distance is not zero. Reason: Displacement depends only
on initial and final positions.

• Assertion: Speed is a scalar quantity. Reason: Speed has magnitude but no direction.

• Assertion: Uniform circular motion is accelerated. Reason: Direction of velocity changes continuously.

• Assertion: Retardation is negative acceleration. Reason: It acts opposite to the direction of motion.

E. Case-Based Question
Case: A student walks 4 m east, then 3 m west, in 7 seconds. East is taken as positive. Questions: (1) Find
total distance. (2) Find displacement. (3) Find average speed. (4) Find average velocity. (5) Explain why
distance and displacement are different here.
Key Terms Remember
Term Grade 9 definition

Motion Change in position of an object with time

compared with a reference point.

Rest No change in position with time compared with a

reference point.

Reference point A fixed point used to describe an object’s position.

Origin The starting point, usually marked 0, from which

position is measured.

Position Location of an object compared with the origin or

reference point.

Distance Total length of the actual path travelled.

Displacement Shortest straight-line change from start to end, with

direction.

Scalar Quantity with magnitude only.

Vector Quantity with magnitude and direction.

Speed Distance travelled per unit time.

Average speed Total distance divided by total time.

Instantaneous speed Speed at a particular moment.

Velocity Displacement per unit time in a stated direction.

 Average velocity Total displacement divided by total time.

Acceleration Rate of change of velocity with time.

Retardation Negative acceleration or slowing down.

Uniform motion Motion covering equal distances in equal time

intervals.

Non-uniform motion Motion covering unequal distances in equal time

intervals.

Distance-time graph Graph showing distance on y-axis and time on x-

axis.

Velocity-time graph Graph showing velocity on y-axis and time on x-

axis.

Uniform circular motion Motion in a circle at constant speed.

Centripetal acceleration Acceleration directed toward the centre of a circular

path.

16. Visual Study Suggestions

• Number line diagram: Mark origin 0, positive direction to the right, negative direction to the left, and show
positions like +5 m and -3 m.

• Distance-displacement path diagram: Draw a curved path from A to B for distance and a straight arrow
from A to B for displacement.

• Distance-time graph: Draw time on x-axis and distance on y-axis; show rest as a horizontal line and uniform
speed as a straight sloping line.

• Velocity-time graph: Draw slope for acceleration and shade the area under the graph to show
displacement.

• Uniform circular motion diagram: Draw a circle, mark velocity arrows tangent to the circle, and acceleration
arrows towards the centre.
• Formula triangle: Put Distance at the top and Speed and Time at the bottom for Speed = Distance / Time.

• Flowchart: Reference point → Position → Distance/Displacement → Speed/Velocity → Acceleration →

Graphs → Equations of motion.

• Mind map: Put Motion in the centre and make branches for types, quantities, graphs, formulas, units, and
mistakes.

Source links: NCERT Class 9 Science, Chapter: Motion; NIST SI units reference ([Link]
units); Britannica overview of motion ([Link]