Kinematics (Movements)

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Position ( )
 Position is defined as the location of an object in space with
respect to time.
 It is represented by ‘ ’
 S.I unit for position is ‘meter’ or ‘m’
 Change in position of an object can be mathematically written
is;
𝑥𝑎 𝑥𝑏
𝑥
Note: is a Greek symbol which means ‘change’.

Distance (d)
 Distance is defined as the change in position of an object with respect to
its surrounding.
 Mathematically, it is written as;
 Simply, distance is the length of path between two given points.
 S.I unit for distance is ‘meter’ or ‘m’
 Distance is a scalar quantity.
 It is always positive.
 Tools to measure distance: Measuring tape, meter rule etc.

Displacement (S)
 Displacement is defined as the change in position of an object along a
straight and directed path with respect to its surrounding.
 Mathematically, it is written as; from A to B
 Simply, it’s the distance covered in shortest and straight path
 S.I unit for displacement is ‘meter’ or ‘m’
 Displacement is a vector quantity.
 It can be positive or negative depending on the reference direction.
 Tools to measure displacement: Measuring tape, meter rule etc.

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Types of Speed
 Average Speed : Average speed is the total distance covered over
total time taken.

 Uniform Speed: Speed of an object that remains constant throughout

the journey.

⇒ Cruise control in car

 Instantaneous Speed: Speed of an object at any given instant of time.

⇒ Radar gun (Speed checking camera) noting the speed.

 Variable Speed: Speed of an object in which distance changes

unequally over time.

Types of Velocity
 Average Velocity : Average velocity is the total displacement
covered over total time taken.

 Uniform Velocity: Velocity of an object that remains constant

throughout the journey.

⇒ An object’s velocity will only be regarded as Uniform/Constant, if it’s

magnitude and direction both does not change with time.

 Instantaneous Velocity: Velocity of an object at any given instant of

time.
 Variable Velocity: Velocity of an object in which displacement changes
unequally over time.

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 Kinematics (Movements)

Graphical Analysis
(d-t graph)

• Gradient/Slope of d-t graph shows speed at each point on

curve/line.

• Steeper the slope at any point in d-t graph represents a higher

value of speed at that point.

• Average speed can be found in a speed-time graph by taking the

weighted average of all the speeds.

• Increase in speed is shown by positive slope while decrease in

speed is represented by negative slope.

• An object can have constant speed while its velocity is changing,

but the reverse is not possible.

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Acceleration (a)
 Rate of change velocity of an object is called acceleration.

∵ a ⇒ acceleration; u ⇒ initial velocity; v ⇒ final velocity; t ⇒ time interval

 S.I units: m/s2 or ms-2

 Acceleration is a vector quantity.
 An object only possesses acceleration when there is a change in its
velocity.
 Acceleration is zero only in two cases, when object is;
 At rest i.e.
 Moving with uniform velocity i.e.
 Deceleration: Decrease in change of velocity is called
deceleration.
 Deceleration occurs when brakes are applied (u > v)
 Deceleration slows down object while acceleration
speeds up.
Types of acceleration:
• Uniform acceleration: Increasing velocity at constant rate (v > u)

• Uniform deceleration: Decreasing velocity at constant rate (v < u)

• Positive acceleration: Acceleration pointing towards +ve axis on

graph.

• Negative acceleration: Acceleration pointing towards –ve axis on

graph.

• Instantaneous acceleration: Average acceleration at any specific

instant of time.
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 Kinematics (Movements)

Graphical Analysis
(v-t graph)

• Gradient/Slope of v-t graph shows acceleration at each point on

curve/line.

• Steeper the slope at any point in v-t graph represents a higher

value of acceleration at that point.

• Increase in velocity is shown by positive slope while decrease in

velocity is represented by negative slope.

• Area under the curve/line of v-t graph shows the

distance/displacement covered during that time interval.

• Area under the curve/line of a-t graph shows the change in

velocity during that time interval.

• An object can have constant acceleration while velocity is

changing, but the reverse is not possible.

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