Module 5: Describing Motion
I. Introduction
The concept of motion is a change in an object's position over time relative to a
reference point. This change can be described using several key concepts: distance,
displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration. Understanding motion also
involves recognizing the influence of forces.
II. Summary
Describing motion involves understanding key concepts in physics: distance
measures the total path traveled, while displacement is the straight-line change
in position. Speed is how fast an object moves, while velocity includes direction.
Average speed is total distance divided by total time, whereas average velocity
uses displacement instead. Instantaneous speed is the speed at a specific
moment, compared to average speed over a period. Acceleration is the rate of
change of velocity, with uniform acceleration equations used when acceleration
is constant. The area under a velocity-time graph gives displacement, and the
area under an acceleration-time graph gives change in velocity. Velocity-time
graphs show how velocity changes over time, while acceleration-time graphs
show changes in acceleration.
III. Formulas
Distance Travelled
Speed =
Time of Travel
ΔPosition
Velocity =
Time
Distance
Average Speed =
Time
Displacement
Average Velocity =
Time
ΔVelocity V final – V original
Acceleration = =
Time Time
Uniform Acceleration Equations
[1] vf = vi + at [2] d = v it + 1/2at2 [3] v 2 = vi2
+ 2ad
Where:
vf = final velocity
vi = initial velocity
d = displacement
a = acceleration
t = time interval
IV. Real-Life Applications and Examples
Physics and Engineering- Newton's Laws of Motion, gravity, friction,
trajectory of projectiles, and air resistance
Transportation and Vehicle Design- braking distances, turning capabilities,
and acceleration.
Everyday Life- Walking, running, reaching and lifting
V. Sample Problems
A student walks 120 meters east and then 50 meters west. What are the
distance and displacement? Answer: Distance = 170 m, Displacement = 70
m east.
A car travels 60 kilometers north in 1.5 hours and then 40 kilometers
south in 1 hour. What are the average speed and average velocity? Answer:
Average speed = 40 km/h, Average velocity = 8 km/h north.
A car starts from rest and accelerates at 3 meters per second squared for
6 seconds. What are its final velocity and displacement? Answer: Final
velocity = 18 m/s, Displacement = 54 m.
VI. Word Bank
Acceleration- is the rate of change of the velocity of an object with respect
to time.
Average Acceleration- is the change in velocity divided by an elapsed
time.
Constant Acceleration- the velocity of the particle changes at a constant
rate
Displacement- a vector quantity that refers to "how far out of place an
object is"; it is the object's overall change in position. Distance is a scalar
quantity that refers to "how much ground an object has covered" during
its motion.
Velocity- is the rate of change of its position with respect to a frame of
reference, and is a function of time Average Velocity is its total
displacement divided by the total time taken.
Instantaneous Velocity- is the velocity the body has at a specific time in a
particular point of its trajectory.