Republic of the Philippines

PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY

Goa, Camarines Sur

College of Engineering and Technology

Module 2
POSITION, VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION

Name of Student: _________________________________ Week No: ____________

Course Code: E-7 Name of Faculty: ENGR. JOHN KEVIN C. GAVICA
Course Title: DYNAMICS OF RIGID BODIES

I. OBJECTIVES:
- Discuss the kinematics of a particle such as particle’s position, velocity and acceleration.
- Differentiate kinematics and kinetics.
- Discuss the motion of a particle and relative motion.

II. LESSON
A. INTRODUCTION
A particle is a mass point; it possesses a mass but has no size. The particle is an approximate model
of a body whose dimensions are negligible in comparison with all other dimensions that appear in the
formulation of the problem. For example, in studying the motion of the earth around the sun, it is permissible
to consider the earth as a particle, because its diameter is much smaller than the dimensions of its orbit.

A body is said to be rigid if the distance between any two material points of the body remains
constant, that is, if the body does not deform. Because anybody undergoes some deformation when loads
are applied to it, a truly rigid body does not exist. However, in many applications the deformation is so small
(relative to the dimensions of the body) that the rigid-body idealization is a good approximation.

Kinematics - is the study of the geometry of motion. It is not concerned with the causes of motion.

Kinetics - deals with the relationships between the forces acting on the body and the resulting
motion.

B. BASIC CONCEPTS
• Position
The straight-line path of a particle will be defined using a single coordinate axis s, Fig. a. The origin O on
the path is a fixed point, and from this point the position coordinate s is used to specify the location of the particle
at any given instant. The magnitude of s is the distance from O to the particle, usually measured in meters (m) or
feet (ft), and the sense of direction is defined by the algebraic sign on s. Although the choice is arbitrary, in this case
s is positive since the coordinate axis is positive to the right of the origin. Likewise, it is negative if the particle is
located to the left of O. Realize that position is a vector quantity since it has both magnitude and direction. Here,
however, it is being represented by the algebraic scalar s, rather than in boldface s, since the direction always remains
along the coordinate axis.

• Displacement
The displacement of the particle is defined as the change in its position. For example, if the particle
moves from one point to another, Fig. b, the displacement is
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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

• Velocity
If the particle moves through a displacement s during the time interval t, the average velocity of the particle
during this time interval is

If we take smaller and smaller values of t, the magnitude of s smaller and smaller. Consequently, the
instantaneous velocity is a vector defined as v

• Acceleration
Provided the velocity of the particle is known at two points, the average acceleration of the particle
during the time interval t is defined as

Substituting the value of v into this result, we can also write

Both the average and instantaneous acceleration can be either positive or negative. In particular, when the
particle is slowing down, or its speed is decreasing, the particle is said to be decelerating.
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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

Constant Acceleration, a = ac

Velocity as a Function of Time. Integrate ac = dv/dt, assuming that initially v = v0 when t = 0.

EQ. 1

Position as a Function of Time. Integrate v = ds/dt = v0 + act, assuming that initially s = s0 when t = 0.

EQ. 2

Example 2.1.

If it takes 3 s for a ball to strike the ground when it is released from rest, determine the height in meters of the building
from which it was released. Also, what is the velocity of the ball when it strikes the ground?

Solution:

Kinematics:
𝑣0 = 0, 𝑎𝑐 = 𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 , 𝑡 = 3 s and 𝑠 = ℎ

1
(+↓) 𝑠 = 𝑠0 + 𝑣0 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡 2
2
1
ℎ = 0 + 0 + (9.81)(3)2
2
𝒉 = 𝟒𝟒. 𝟏 𝐦

(+→) 𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡
𝑣 = 0 + (9.81)(3) = 𝟐𝟗. 𝟒𝟑 𝐦/𝐬

Example 2.2.

A train starts from rest at station A and accelerates at 0.5 𝑚/𝑠 2 for 60 s. Afterwards it travels with a constant
velocity for 15 min. It then decelerates at 1 𝑚/𝑠 2 until it is brought to rest at station B. Determine the distance
between the stations.
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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

Solution:

Kinematics: For stage (1) motion, 𝑣0 = 0, 𝑠0 = 0, 𝑡 = 60 𝑠, and 𝑎𝑐 = 0.5 𝑚/𝑠 2 . Thus,

1
(+→) 𝑠 = 𝑠0 + 𝑣0 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡 2
2
1
𝑠1 = 0 + 0 + (0.5)(60)2 = 900 m
2

(+→) 𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡
𝑣1 = 0 + (0.5)(60) = 30 m/s

For stage (2) motion, 𝑣0 = 30 m/s, 𝑠0 = 900 m, 𝑎𝑐 = 0, and 𝑡 = 15(60) = 900 s. Thus,

1
(+→) 𝑠 = 𝑠0 + 𝑣0 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡 2
2
𝑠2 = 900 + 30(900) + 0 = 27,900 m

For stage (3) motion, 𝑣0 = 30 m/s, 𝑣 = 0, 𝑠0 = 27,900 m, and 𝑎𝑐 = −1 𝑚/𝑠 2 . Thus,

(+→) 𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡
0 = 30 + (−1)t
t = 30 s

1
+→ 𝑠 = 𝑠0 + 𝑣0 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑐 𝑡 2
2
1
𝑠3 = 27,900 + 30(30) + (−1)(30)2
2
𝒔𝟑 = 𝟐𝟖, 𝟑𝟓𝟎 𝐦 = 𝟐𝟖. 𝟒 𝐤𝐦

Velocity as a Function of Position. Either solve for t in Eq. 2 and substitute into Eq. 3, or integrate v dv = ac ds,
assuming that initially v = v0 at s = s0.

EQ. 3

The algebraic signs of s0, v0, and ac, used in the above three equations, are determined from the positive
direction of the s axis as indicated by the arrow written at the left of each equation. Remember that these
equations are useful only when the acceleration is constant and when t = 0, s = s0, v = v0. A typical example
of constant accelerated motion occurs when a body falls freely toward the earth. If air resistance is neglected
and the distance of fall is short, then the downward acceleration of the body when it is close to the earth is
constant and approximately 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2 or 32.2 𝑓𝑡/𝑠 2 .

Example 2.3.
Tests reveal that a normal driver takes about 0.75 s before he or she can react to a situation to avoid a
collision. It takes about 3 s for a driver having 0.1% alcohol in his system to do the same. If such drivers are traveling
on a straight road at 30 mph (44 𝑓𝑡/𝑠) and their cars can decelerate at 2 𝑓𝑡/𝑠 2 , determine the shortest stopping
distance d for each from the moment they see the pedestrians. Moral: If you must drink, please don’t drive!
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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

Solution:

Stopping Distance: For normal driver, the car moves a distance of 𝑑 ′ = 𝑣𝑡 = 44(0.75) = 33.0 ft before he or
she reacts and decelerates the car. The stopping distance can be obtained using EQ. 3 with 𝑠0 = 𝑑 ′ = 33.0 ft and
𝑣 = 0.

(+→) 𝑣 2 = 𝑣0 2 + 2𝑎𝑐 (𝑠 − 𝑠0 )
02 = 442 + 2(−2)(𝑑 − 33.0)
𝒅 = 𝟓𝟏𝟕 𝐟𝐭

For a drunk driver, the car moves a distance of 𝑑 ′ = 𝑣𝑡 = 44(3) = 132 ft before he or she reacts and decelerates
the car. The stopping distance can be obtained using EQ. 3 with 𝑠0 = 𝑑 ′ = 132 ft and 𝑣 = 0.

(+→) 𝑣 2 = 𝑣0 2 + 2𝑎𝑐 (𝑠 − 𝑠0 )
02 = 442 + 2(−2)(𝑑 − 132)
𝒅 = 𝟔𝟏𝟔 𝐟𝐭

C. PARTICLE MOTION
Particle motion can be described in several ways, and the choice of the most convenient way
depends a great deal on experience and on how the data are given. Figure 3.1 below shows a particle P
moving along some general path in space.

Figure 3.1

If the particle is confined to a specific path, like a bead sliding along a fixed wire, its motion is said to
be constrained. If there are no physical guides such as the wire, the motion is said to be unconstrained.
D. CHOICE OF COORDINATES
The position of particle P at any time t can be described by specifying its rectangular coordinates x,
y, z, its cylindrical coordinates r, θ, z, or its spherical coordinates R, θ, Φ. The motion of P can also be
described by measurements along the tangent t and normal n to the curve.
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PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

E. RELATIVE MOTION
When we say an object is at rest, it means it is at rest relative to the surface of the earth. When we
say an automobile is moving at a certain speed, it means that the motion is taking place at a certain speed
relative to the road. What we’re doing is referring the motion (or lack thereof) to a frame of reference, usually
thought as fixed on the earth, in which the motion is measured. The frame of reference is usually in the form
of coordinate axes which the motion occurs.

III. LEARNING ACTIVITY

Solve two problems of your choice that pertains to the current topic. Show all necessary solutions (given,
required, and solution) and box all final answers.

IV. LEARNING ASSESSMENT

A. Solve the following problems. Show all necessary solutions (given, required, and solution) and box all
final answers.

1. Car B is traveling a distance d ahead of car A. Both cars are traveling at 60 𝑓𝑡/𝑠 2 when the driver of B
suddenly applies the brakes, causing his car to decelerate at 12 𝑓𝑡/𝑠 2 It takes the driver of car A 0.75 𝑠 to
react (this is the normal reaction time for drivers). When he applies his brakes, he decelerates at 15 𝑓𝑡/𝑠 2 .
Determine the minimum distance d between the cars so as to avoid a collision.

2. A ball is thrown vertically upward with a speed of 15 𝑚/𝑠 2 . Determine the time of flight when it returns to
its original position.

B. Essay. Answer the following questions.

3. What is the difference between constrained motion and unconstrained motion? Give an example
describing each.
4. Why do we need to refer to a frame of reference when dealing with motion?

V. REFERENCES
• Hibbeler, Russell C. (2021). Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics (15th ed.). Pearson Prentice Hall.
• Meriam, J.L. and Kraige, L.G. (2018). Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics (9th ed.). Wiley
• Pytel, Andrew and Kiusalaas, Jaan. (2017). Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics (4th ed.). Cengage
Learning.
• Relative Velocity – Basic Introduction. (2021). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_39hCnqbNXM. The
Organic Chemistry Tour.
 Republic of the Philippines
PARTIDO STATE UNIVERSITY
Goa, Camarines Sur

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Approved:

ENGR. JOHN KEVIN C. GAVICA ENGR. RAMON R. REYES, JR. MORIEL L. PRADO, Ph.D., S.E.
FACULTY PROGRAM DIRECTOR DEAN