Chapter 3

Motion along a straight line

Johan van Lierop

PHYS1050

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Kinematics in 1D

kin·e·mat·ics – noun, (used with a singular verb) Physics.

the branch of mechanics that deals with pure motion, without reference to the
masses or forces involved in it

The classification and comparison of motions is

challenging. What do you measure and how do you
compare to other measurements?
We begin to answer this by focusing our attention
by examining motion in the following ways:

I straight line motion

I concern ourselves only with whether the motion changes, e.g. speed up, slow down, stop or
reverse direction, and how time is used to describe the changes in motion.
I point–like objects will be described where the moving object behaves like a particle; the
rigid body approximation, i.e. no shape deformation.

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Location, location, location

To measure a location we need to define it relative

to a reference point and a coordinate system.

displacement is the change in position, e.g. from x1 to x2 , i.e. ∆x = x2 − x1

displacement is a vector quantity with direction and magnitude
magnitude: distance between original and final positions
direction: ± for motion along a single axis
Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Velocity and speed

A graph of position, x, as a function of time, t, x(t):

x(t) is NOT x × t

The average velocity, vavg , is described by

∆x x2 − x1
vavg = v̄ = = [vavg ] = m/s
∆t t2 − t1
In general (implicit in 1D) vavg contains magnitude and direction information.
(N.B. v̄ 6= ~
v)
Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line
Velocity and speed (con’t)

The average speed, savg , identifies the total

distance traveled independent of the direction.

total distance
savg = [savg ] = m/s
∆t
savg is a measure of “how fast” something is
going, and is not a vector.

∆x dx
The (instantaneous) velocity, v , is v = lim = [v ] = m/s
∆t→0 ∆t dt
Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Velocity and speed (con’t)

velocity part 1
velocity part 2
The video encyclopedia of physics demonstrations, R. Berg et al., Education Group & Associates (Los Angeles, CA), 2000.

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Velocity and speed (con’t)

velocity addingpart 1
velocity addingpart 2
The video encyclopedia of physics demonstrations, R. Berg et al., Education Group & Associates (Los Angeles, CA), 2000.

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Problem:
Traffic shock wave

traffic shock wave

An abrupt slowdown in concentrated traffic can travel as a pulse, termed a shock wave, along the
line of cars, either downstream (in the traffic direction), upstream, or it can be stationary.
Consider a uniformly spaced line of cars moving at a speed of 25.0 m/s toward another uniformly
spaced line of cars moving a speed of 5.00 m/s. Assume that each faster car adds a length of
12.0 m (car length plus a buffer zone) to the line of slow cars when it joins the line, and assume
they slow abruptly.

a) For what separation distance between cars does the shock wave remain stationary? If the
separation is twice that amount, what are the (b) speed and (c) direction (upstream or
downstream) of the shock wave?

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Acceleration
Acceleration describes the change in a particle’s velocity with time. The
average acceleration, aavg , over a time is denoted by:
v2 − v1 ∆v
aavg = = [aavg ] = m/s · 1/s = m/s2
t2 − t1 ∆t

The (instantaneous) acceleration is

dv
a = [a] = m/s2
dt
 
d dx d 2x
= =
dt dt dt 2

acceleration
Acceleration is also a vector, describing the
magnitude and direction of the time rate of
change of the velocity of a particle.

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Acceleration (con’t)

accelerationpart 1 accelerationpart 2
The video encyclopedia of physics demonstrations, R. Berg et al., Education Group & Associates (Los Angeles, CA), 2000.

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Acceleration (con’t)

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Problem:

The position of a particle moving along the x axis depends on the time
according to the equation x = ct 2 − bt 3 , where x is in metres and t in seconds.
What are the units of (a) constant c and (b) constant b? Let their numerical
values be 3.0 and 2.0, respectively. (c) At what time does the particle reach its
maximum positive x position? From t = 0.0 s to t = 4.0 s, (d) what distance
does the particle move and (e) what is its displacement? Find its velocity at
times (f) 1.0 s, (g) 2.0 s, (h) 3.0 s and (i) 4.0 s. Find its acceleration at times
(j) 1.0 s, (k) 2.0 s, (l) 3.0 s and (m) 4.0 s.

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Constant acceleration – a special case

When the acceleration is constant (over time), we can derive a series of equations that
will describe the 1D motion.
These equations are valid only for constant acceleration (or when a ∼ constant).
v − v0
We have a = aavg = ⇒ v = v0 + at, and we can rewrite the average velocity
t −0
x − x0
to be vavg = ⇒ x = x0 + vavg t, where v0 and x0 are the velocity and position
t −0
at t = 0.

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Constant acceleration – a special case (con’t)

Notice that the velocity (when the acceleration is constant) is linear in time,
i.e. we established v = v0 + at. Thus, we can determine an average velocity
vavg = 21 (v0 + v ) (the average velocity between time t = 0 and time t). So,

1 1
v0 + v = vavg ⇒ v = 2vavg − v0
2 2
1
(2vavg − v0 ) = v0 + at ⇒ vavg = v0 + at
2
And since we have figured that x = x0 + vavg t, we can use the above vavg
expression to establish
1
x − x0 = v0 t + at 2
2
Also, with v = v0 + at and x − x0 = v0 t + 12 at 2 , we can combine these
expressions
v − v0  v − v 2
0
t = ⇒ t2 = so that
a a
 v − v  1  v − v 2
0 0
x − x0 = v0 + a
a 2 a
⇒ v2 = 2
v0 + 2a(x − x0 )

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Constant acceleration – a special case (con’t)

In addition, with v = v0 + at and x − x0 = v0 t + 12 at 2 we can write

v − v0
a =
t
⇓
1  v − v0  2 1 1 1
x − x0 = v0 t + t = v0 t + vt − v0 t = (v0 + v )t
2 t 2 2 2
and we can recast x − x0 = v0 t + 21 at 2 with v = v0 + at since

1 2
v0 = v − at ⇒ x − x0 = v − at + at
2
resulting in
1 2
x − x0 = vt − at
2

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Constant acceleration – a special case (con’t)

Equation Missing quantity

v = v0 + at x − x0
x − x0 = v0 t + 12 at 2 v
v 2 = v02 + 2a(x − x0 ) t
x − x0 = 12 (v0 + v )t a
x − x0 = vt − 12 at 2 v0

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Constant acceleration – a different approach
Another (actually simpler) way to work out what the appropriate equations of motion are for
motion along a straight line with constant acceleration is to use the calculus.

dv
We know that a = ⇒ dv = a dt
dt
Z Z
dv = a dt and a is constant so
Z Z
dv = a dt ⇒ v = at + C

And to figure out what C is, we know that at t = 0

v = v0 , which tells us v0 = (a)(0) + C = C and we find
v = v0 + at

We also know that

Z Z Z Z Z
dx 1 2 0
v = ⇒ dx = v dt ⇒ dx = v dt = (v0 +at) dt = v0 dt+a t dt ⇒ x = v0 t+ at +C
dt 2
and to work out C 0 , we know that at t = 0 x = x0 so that C 0 = x0 and we find
x − x0 = v0 t + 12 at 2
Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Problem:

You are arguing over a cell phone while trailing an unmarked police car by 25 m;
both your car and the police car are travelling at 110 km/h. Your arguement
diverts your attention from the police car for 2.0 s. At the beginning of that
2.0 s, the police officer begins braking suddently at 5.0 m/s2 . (a) What is the
separation between the two cars when your attention finally returns? Suppose
that you take another 0.40 s to realize your danger and begin braking. (b) If
you too brake at 5.0 m/s2 , what is your speed when you hit the police car?

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Free–fall acceleration – up/down straight line motion

If we can eliminate the effects of air drag, the acceleration of an object (up or
down) is a constant rate, g , the free-fall acceleration. This acceleration is
independent of the mass, density or shape; it is the same for all objects.
The previous equations of motion describe free-fall near the Earth’s surface (i.e.
vertical flight – neglecting air).
8 the directions of motion are along y , the vertical axis, instead of the x axis
8 positive y values represent upwards
8 ⇒ free-fall acceleration is negative, i.e. downwards on the y axis: a = −g
8 The free-fall acceleration near Earth’s surface is a = −g = −9.8 m/s2 , and the magnitude
of the acceleration is g = 9.8 m/s2 . g 6= −9.8 m/s2

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Free–fall acceleration (cont’d)

free fall & drag viscous drag

free fall part 1 free fall part 2
The video encyclopedia of physics demonstrations, R. Berg et al., Education Group & Associates (Los Angeles, CA), 2000.

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Summary: Motion along a straight line

X The position, x (or y ) of a particle on an axis locates it with respect to the origin.
X The displacement, ∆x = x2 − x1 of a particle is the change in its position. It is a vector.
X The average velocity is vavg = ∆x/∆t. It is a vector.
X The average speed is savg = total distance/∆t
X The instantaneous velocity is v = dx/dt. It is a vector. Speed is the magnitude of the
velocity (s = |v |)
X The average acceleration is aavg = ∆v /∆t. It’s algebraic sign denotes the direction of aavg .
It is a vector.
X The instantaneous acceleration is a = dv /dt = d 2 x/dt 2 . It is a vector.
X To the describe the motion of a particle with constant acceleration (N.B. if not starting at
t = 0, replace t with (t − t0 ) in the equations):

v = v0 + at
1 2
x − x0 = v0 t + at
2
2 2
v = v0 + 2a(x − x0 )
1
x − x0 = (v0 + v )t
2
1 2
x − x0 = vt − at
2

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line

Summary & forecast

I Watchwords: displacement, velocity (speed) and acceleration – become

very comfortable with these ideas, you will need to know them!
I Interpreting graphs.
I Derivatives – v from ∆x/∆t from an x(t) graph, etc.
I The (special) case of constant acceleration – to be continued...
I Review your knowledge of trig.
I Read ahead: Chapter 4 Motion in Two and Three Dimensions – up to at
least 4.3
I Review the lecture notes and go through ALL the example problems in the
text.
I Become familiar with the the (basic) equations. Know how to derive of
the equations of motion.
I Problems to try: Honestly, as many of the end of chapter ones you can.
You NEED to be very comfortable with this material.

Johan van Lierop PHYS1050 Chapter 3 Motion along a straight line