Rectilinear Kinematics

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Rectilinear Motion

Position
RECTILINEAR MOTION refers to motion along a straight line.
A position specifies the location of the particle on the line. The origin
O on the path is a fixed point, and from this point s is used to specify the
location of the particle at any given instant.
The is a vector quantity since it has both magnitude and direction.
Displacement
The displacement is of the particle is defined as the change in its
position . In this case
to the right of its initial position. If the final position were to the left of
its initial position, would be negative.
The is also a vector quantity, and it should be distinguished from the
distance the particle travels. Specifically, the distance traveled is a
positive scalar that represents the total length of path over which the
particle travels.

Velocity
The average velocity vavg is a vector quantity, defined as the
displacement divided by the time interval vavg s t.
t s
becomes smaller and smaller.
Consequently, the instantaneous velocity is a vector defined as:
Velocity
Occasionally, the term average speed (vsp)avg is used. The (vsp)avg is
always a positive scalar and is defined as the total distance traveled by
a particle sT t.

For example below, (vsp)avg = sT t , however vavg = - s t.

Acceleration
The average acceleration aavg t is
also a vector quantity, defined as the change in its velocity divided by
the time interval aavg v t.
The instantaneous acceleration at time t is a vector that is found by
t and corresponding smaller and
v, so:
Rectilinear Motion Equations
In summary, the time t, position , velocity , and acceleration
are related by three differential equations:

Rectilinear Motion Equations


If the , then the differential equations relating
time, position, velocity, and acceleration can be integrated.
EXAMPLE 12.2

A small projectile is fired vertically downward into a fluid medium


with an initial velocity of 60 m/s. Due to the drag resistance of the
fluid the projectile experiences a deceleration of a = (-0.4v3) m/s2,
where v is in m/s. Determine the projectile's velocity and position 4 s
after it is fired.

EXAMPLE 12.3
During a test a rocket travels upward at
75 m/s, and when it is 40 m from the
ground its engine fails. Determine the
maximum height sB reached by the
rocket and its speed just before it hits the
ground. While in motion the rocket is
subjected to a constant downward
acceleration of 9.81 m/s2 due to gravity.
Neglect the effect of air resistance.
EXAMPLE 12.4

A metallic particle is subjected to the influence of a magnetic field as


it travels downward through a fluid that extends from plate A to plate
B, Fig. 12-5. If the particle is released from rest at the midpoint C, s =
100 mm, and the acceleration is a = (4s) m/s2, where s is in meters,
determine the velocity of the particle when it reaches plate B, s = 200
mm, and the time it takes to travel from C to B.

EXAMPLE 12.5

A particle moves along a horizontal path with a velocity of


v = (3t2 - 6t) m/s, where t is the time in seconds. If it is initially
located at the origin 0, determine the distance traveled in 3.5 s, and
the particle's average velocity and average speed during the time
interval.
Rectilinear Kinematics:
Erratic Motion

Graphical Solution
When a particle has erratic or changing
motion then its a, v, s, and t cannot be
described by a single continuous
mathematical function along the entire path.
For this reason, it is convenient to represent
the motion as a graph.
If one of these graphs is given, then the
others can be established using the
differential relations between a, v, s, and t.
Since , then slope of the s-t graph (a)
is velocity,.
Since , then slope of the v-t graph (b)
is acceleration,.
Since , then for v-t graph (b),
area under the graph is displacement s.
Since , then for a-t graph (c),
area under the graph is change of velocity v.
EXAMPLE 12.7

The car in Fig. 12-14a starts from rest and travels along a straight
track such that it accelerates at 10 m/s2 for 10 s, and then decelerates
at 2 m/s2. Draw the v-t and s-t graphs and determine the time
needed to stop the car. How far has the car traveled?

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