NOTE

 Velocity (v = ds/dt) is
o positive when s increases (object moving forward), and
o negative when s decreases (object moving backward).

Rectilinear Motion
 Assume that the object is moving along a
coordinate axis.
 The position of the object is a function of time t and
is often denoted by s(t).

 The rate of change of position with respect to time

is the object’s velocity v(t).

 The rate of change of velocity with respect to time

is its acceleration a(t).

 v(t) = s’(t) and a(t) = v’(t)

 The object is said to be stationary when v(t) = 0.

Motion of an object along a straight line

EXAMPLE
 An object moves along a line in such a way that its
position at time t is s(t) = t3 – 6t2 + 9t + 5.
 a) Find the velocity and acceleration
of the object at time t.
 b) When is the object stationary?
 SOLUTION
 s(t) = t3 – 6t2 + 9t + 5
 a) The velocity is
 v(t) = s’(t) = 3t2 – 6(2t) + 9 + 0
 = 3t2 – 12t + 9
 and the acceleration is
 a(t) = v’(t) = 3(2t) – 12 + 0
 = 6t – 12
 b) The object is stationary when
 v(t) = 3t2 – 12t + 9 = 0
 (3t – 3) (t – 3) = 0
 t = 1, 3