1

MOTION IN A STRAIGHT LINE

CLASS XI (NCERT)
SHORT NOTES
1. Scalars and Vectors:

 Scalars: Scalars are physical quantities that have magnitude only, such as
distance, speed, and time. They are described using numerical values and
appropriate units.

 Vectors: Vectors are physical quantities that have both magnitude and
direction, such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration. Vectors are
represented graphically as arrows, with the length of the arrow indicating
magnitude, and the direction indicating the direction of the quantity.

2. Position, Displacement, and Distance:

 Position: Position refers to the location of an object with respect to a reference

point. It is usually measured in terms of distance and direction from the
reference point.

 Displacement: Displacement is the change in position of an object in a

particular direction. It is a vector quantity and is represented by the symbol Δx.

 Distance: Distance is the total length traveled by an object irrespective of

direction. It is a scalar quantity and is always positive.

3. Average and Instantaneous Velocity:

 Average Velocity: Average velocity is defined as the ratio of the total

displacement of an object to the total time taken. It is a vector quantity and is
represented by the symbol vavg. The formula for average velocity is: v_avg =
Δx / Δt.

 Instantaneous Velocity: Instantaneous velocity is the velocity of an object at a

specific instant of time. It is calculated by taking the derivative of the position
function with respect to time. Mathematically, instantaneous velocity is the limit
of average velocity as the time interval approaches zero.

4. Average and Instantaneous Speed:

 Average Speed: Average speed is the ratio of the total distance traveled by an
object to the total time taken. It is a scalar quantity and is represented by the
symbol v avg. The formula for average speed is: v_avg = total distance / total
time.
 Instantaneous Speed: Instantaneous speed is the magnitude of instantaneous
velocity. It is the absolute value of the velocity vector and represents the speed
at a particular instant.
 2

5. Acceleration:

 Acceleration: Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.

It is a vector quantity and is represented by the symbol a. The formula for
acceleration is: a = Δv / Δt, where Δv is the change in velocity and Δt is the
change in time. Acceleration can be positive (when velocity increases) or
negative (when velocity decreases).

6. Equations of Motion: The chapter introduces three equations of motion for

uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion. These equations relate displacement
(Δx), initial velocity (u), final velocity (v), acceleration (a), and time (t):

 First equation: v = u + at
 Second equation: Δx = ut + (1/2)at²
 Third equation: v²= u²+ 2aΔx

Graphical Representations:

7. Position-Time Graph: A position-time graph, also known as a displacement-

time graph, represents the change in position or displacement of an object with
respect to time. The position is plotted on the y-axis, and time is plotted on the
x-axis. The graph can have different shapes and characteristics depending on
the motion of the object:

 Constant Velocity: If an object is moving with a constant velocity, the position-

time graph will be a straight line with a non-zero slope. The slope of the line
represents the velocity of the object.

 Uniform Acceleration: If an object is undergoing uniform acceleration, the

position-time graph will be a curve, typically a parabolic shape. The steeper the
curve, the greater the acceleration. The position-time graph will be concave
upward for positive acceleration and concave downward for negative
acceleration.
 3
8. Velocity-Time Graph: A velocity-time graph represents the change in velocity
of an object with respect to time. The velocity is plotted on the y-axis, and time
is plotted on the x-axis. The graph can have different shapes and
characteristics depending on the motion of the object:

 Constant Velocity: If an object is moving with a constant velocity, the velocity-

time graph will be a straight line parallel to the x-axis. The slope of the line
represents zero acceleration.

 Uniform Acceleration: If an object is undergoing uniform acceleration, the

velocity-time graph will be a straight line with a non-zero slope. The slope of the
line represents the acceleration of the object.

9. Acceleration-Time Graph: An acceleration-time graph represents the change

in acceleration of an object with respect to time. The acceleration is plotted on
the y-axis, and time is plotted on the x-axis. The graph can have different
shapes and characteristics depending on the motion of the object:

 Constant Acceleration: If an object is experiencing constant acceleration, the

acceleration-time graph will be a horizontal line parallel to the x-axis. The value
of the acceleration will remain constant throughout.

 Changing Acceleration: If an object's acceleration is changing, the

acceleration-time graph will have a non-zero slope. The slope represents the
rate at which acceleration is changing with time.
 4
10. Relative Velocity. Relative velocity refers to the velocity of an object or
observer as measured with respect to another object or observer. It describes
the motion of an object or observer in relation to a frame of reference.

There are two scenarios to consider:

 Objects Moving in the Same Direction : If objects A and B are moving in

the same direction, the relative velocity of B with respect to A is given by:

Relative velocity of B with respect to A = Velocity of B - Velocity of A

The resulting relative velocity will depend on whether object B is moving faster,
slower, or at the same speed as object A.

 Objects Moving in Different Directions: If objects A and B are moving in

different directions, the relative velocity of B with respect to A is given by:

Relative velocity of B with respect to A = Velocity of B + Velocity of A

In this case, the resulting relative velocity will depend on the direction and
magnitude of the velocities of objects A and B.