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3 - Kinematics

Speed and velocity are defined, with speed being a scalar quantity describing magnitude and velocity being a vector quantity requiring both magnitude and direction. Displacement is the distance travelled in a straight line and is also a vector. Average speed is defined as total distance divided by time, while average velocity is defined as displacement divided by time. Instantaneous velocity and acceleration are the limits of average velocity and acceleration over an infinitesimally short time interval. Motion under constant acceleration can be described using kinematic equations relating variables such as displacement, velocity, acceleration, initial velocity, and time.

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60 views1 page

3 - Kinematics

Speed and velocity are defined, with speed being a scalar quantity describing magnitude and velocity being a vector quantity requiring both magnitude and direction. Displacement is the distance travelled in a straight line and is also a vector. Average speed is defined as total distance divided by time, while average velocity is defined as displacement divided by time. Instantaneous velocity and acceleration are the limits of average velocity and acceleration over an infinitesimally short time interval. Motion under constant acceleration can be described using kinematic equations relating variables such as displacement, velocity, acceleration, initial velocity, and time.

Uploaded by

Abbas Haider
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Topic 3 Kinematics

Summary

Speed is a scalar quantity and is described by magnitude only. Velocity is a vector quantity and requires
magnitude and direction.
Displacement is the distance travelled in a straight line in a specified direction and is a vector quantity.
Average speed is defined by: (distance travelled)/(time taken)
Average velocity is defined by: (displacement)/(time taken) or x/t
The instantaneous velocity is the average velocity measured over an infinitesimally short time interval.
Average acceleration is defined by: (change in velocity)/(time taken) or v/t
Acceleration is a vector. Instantaneous acceleration is the average acceleration measured over an
infinitesimally short time interval.
The gradient of a displacementtime graph gives the velocity.
The gradient of a velocitytime graph gives the acceleration.
The area between a velocitytime graph and the time axis gives the displacement.
The equations for a body moving in a straight line with uniform acceleration are:
v = u + at
s = ut + at

s = vt at
2
2
v = u + 2as
2

Objects falling freely near the surface of the Earth in the absence of air resistance, experience the same
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acceleration, the acceleration of free fall g, which has the value g = 9.81 m s .
The motion of projectiles is analysed in terms of two independent motions at right angles. The horizontal
component of the motion is at a constant velocity, while the vertical motion is subject to a constant
acceleration g.

Definitions and formulae

Displacement is the shortest distance between two points in a particular direction (i.e. distance is a straight
line in a particular direction).
Average speed is the total distance/total time taken.
Velocity = rate of change of displacement or change in displacement divided by the time taken.
Acceleration = change in velocity/time taken.
Velocity is the gradient of a displacementtime graph.
Displacement is the area under a velocitytime graph.
Acceleration is the gradient of a velocitytime graph.
Equations for constant acceleration: recall and use
v = u + at, s = (u + v)/2t,

s = vt at and use s = ut + at , v = u + 2as


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