1.

5 Position Vector, Velocity Vector and Acceleration Vector

After knowing the basics of kinematics and motion equations, its time we consider motion as a
function of time. Meaning the position, velocity, and acceleration will be described not only in
vector notation but also in quantities that vary as time varies. The motion graphs below show
the motion of a body thrown upward as a function of time.

Each of the motion graphs above can be represented by a function equation h(t), v(t), and a(t).
Looking closely at the graph, the position h(t) of the object thrown upward is a parabola which
can be represented by a quadratic equation. Getting the first derivative of this function will lead
to a linear function v(t), and the second derivative is a constant a(t).
So gather now your basic differential formulas and get ready to describe the motion of a body
in terms of the position vector, velocity vector, and acceleration vector.
Position Vector

 refers to the exact position of a particle which is usually illustrated using a vector arrow
that starts from the origin to a certain point in space.
 In two dimensions, the location of a particle is specified by its position vector
Examples:

A particle's motion is described by the equation below. Where is the particle at t = 1.72
seconds?

Velocity Vector

 as ∆𝑡 becomes smaller and smaller, the direction of the displacement approaches that
of the line tangent to the path at point A.
Getting the first derivative of the position vector as a function of time, the velocity of the
particle in the problem above can be solved.

 A particle's motion is described by the equation below. What is the particle's velocity at t =
1.72 seconds?

Acceleration Vector

 the rate at which the velocity is changing.

can be expressed as:

Getting the second derivative of the position vector as a function of time, the acceleration of
the particle in the problem above can be solved.

 A particle's motion is described by the equation below. What is the particle's velocity at t =
1.72 seconds?
Examples: