Chapter: 2

Motion in a Straight Line

Content
• Frame of reference,
• Motion in a straight line,
• Elementary concepts of differentiation and integration
• uniform and nonuniform motion
• instantaneous velocity
• uniformly accelerated motion,
• velocity - time and position-time graphs.
• Relations for uniformly accelerated motion (graphical treatment).
Mechanics
Mechanics is the branch of Physics dealing with the study of motion when subjected to forces
or displacements, and the subsequent effects of the bodies on their environment.
Kinematics & Dynamics
Traditionally, motion studies have been divided into two categories: kinematics and
dynamics. Kinematics is the study of motion without regard to forces that cause it;
Dynamics is the study of motions that result from forces.
Rest
An object is said to be at rest if it does not change its position with respect to its surroundings
with time.
Motion
An object is said to be in motion if the position changes with respect to it surrounding and
time. There are mainly four types of motion
• Translational
• Rotational
• Periodic
• Non-Periodic
Frame of Reference
In order to know the change in position of an object, a reference point is required. Here we
take three axis co-ordinate system (x, y, & z). In this co-ordinate system the reference point is
denoted by O, which is known as Origin.
Such a coordinate system consist of a time frame is called Frame of reference.

Elementary concepts of differentiation and integration

Distance & Displacement

• Distance: Total path length covered by an object during its motion is called Distance
• Displacement: Total shortest distance between initial and final point is called
Displacement
Uniform & Non-Uniform Motion
• The motion of an object in which the object travels in a straight line and its velocity
remains constant along that line as it covers equal distances in equal intervals of time
is called Uniform Motion. If a body is in uniform motion, then the net external force
on the body is zero.
• The motion of an object in which the object travels with varied speed and it does not
cover same distance in equal time intervals, is called Non-Uniform Motion.
Uniform Accelerated Motion Acceleration.
In mechanics, acceleration is the rate of change of the velocity of an object with respect to
time. Accelerations are vector quantities
Uniform Accelerated Motion
A body under constant acceleration is uniformly accelerated motion.
Average Speed & Average Velocity
• The average speed of a body in a certain time interval is the distance covered by the
body in that time interval divided by time. So, if a particle covers a certain distance s
in a time t1 to t2, then the average speed of the body is:

• The average velocity of a body in a certain time interval is given as the displacement
of the body in that time interval divided by time. So if a particle covers a certain
displacement AB in a time t1 to t2, then the average velocity of the particle is:

Instantaneous velocity & Instantaneous Speed

• Instantaneous Velocity
In simple words, the velocity of an object at that instant of time. Instantaneous
velocity definition is given as “The velocity of an object under motion at a specific
point of time.” If the object possesses uniform velocity, then the instantaneous
velocity may be the same as its standard velocity.

• Instantaneous Speed
The instantaneous speed at any given time is the magnitude of instantaneous velocity
at that time.
Velocity - time & Position-time graphs .

Equation of Motion using Graphs

Let an object is moving with uniform acceleration.
Let the initial velocity of the object = u
Let the object is moving with uniform acceleration, a.
Let object reaches at point B after time, t and its final velocity becomes, v
Draw a line parallel to x-axis DA from point, D from where object starts moving.
Draw another line BA from point B parallel to y-axis which meets at C on y-axis.
Distance covered by the object in the given time ‘t’ is given by the area of the trapezium
ABDOE Let in the given time, t the distance covered by the moving object S = The area of
trapezium, ABDOE.
The above expression gives the distance covered by the object moving with uniform
acceleration. This expression is known as second equation of motion.

The distance covered by the object moving with uniform acceleration is given by the area of
trapezium ABDO, Therefore, Area of trapezium ABDOE.

After substituting the value of t from equation (iv) in equation (iii)

This expression is known as third equation of motion.

Under gravity the equation of motion will be

• 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑔𝑡
1
• 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑔𝑡 2

• 𝑣 2 − 𝑢2 = 2𝑔𝑠

Consider g value as negative when motion is in opposite direction of gravity, similarly

consider the g value as positive when motion is in the direction of gravity.