AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1.

Kinematics Date:

Unit 1 –
Kinematics
I. One Dimensional Motion
1. Position, Displacement, and Velocity

by
 AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics Date:

1. Position, Velocity, and Acceleration Vector or Scaler?

1.1 Position: Where is the object? Scalar Quantity

− the location of the object at a given moment in time –
Vector quantity unit: meter (m)
2
Vector Quantity
Albert’s Position:

Issac’s Position:

Gallilei’s Position:

Issac’s Position:

Gallilei’s Position:
 AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics Date:

1.2. Displacement vs. Distance

Albert’s Displacement:

Albert’s Displacement:

Albert’s Distance:

Albert’s Displacement:

Albert’s Distance:

Displacement Distance

• the change in the object’s position • total amount the object has traveled

• Vector quantity • Scalar quantity

• unit: meter (m) • unit: meter (m)

• ∆x = x f − x 0
 AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics Date:

Review Questions

1. A ball is thrown straight up from a point 2 m above the ground. The ball reaches a maximum height of 3
m above its starting point and then falls 5 m to the ground. When the ball strikes the ground, what is its
displacement from its starting point?

(A) Zero
4 (B) 5 m below
(C) 2 m below
(D) 3 m above

2. Persons X, Y, and Z walk along a circular path of radius 50 m. Person X walks halfway around the path,
Person Y walks 3/4 of the way around the path, and Person Z walks completely around the path. Which of
the following correctly lists the walkers in order of the magnitudes of their displacement vectors from the
least to the greatest?

(A) X < Y < Z

(B) X < Z < Y
(C) Y < X < Z
(D) Z < Y < X
 AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics Date:

1.3. Velocity vs. Speed

Albert’s Displacement: 12 m to +x-direction or to the right x f − x 0 = +12 m

Albert’s Velocity:

Albert’s Displacement: 12 m to −x-direction or to the left x f − x 0 = −12 m

Albert’s Velocity:

Albert’s Distance: 12 m
Albert’s Speed:

Albert’s Displacement: 4 m to −x-direction or to the left x f − x 0 = −4 m

Albert’s Velocity:

Albert’s Distance: 24 m
Albert’s Speed:
 AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics Date:

Velocity Speed

• the change in position (Displacement) of a • the distance of a moving object with respect to
moving object with respect to time time
• Vector quantity • Scalar quantity

• unit: meter per second (m/s) • unit: meter per second (m/s)
6
Displacement Distance
• Average Velocity = • Speed =
Time Time

 ∆x
υ ave =
∆t

Review Questions

3. The speed of sound in water is about 1480 meters per second. A diver sees a flare of an explosion and 5
seconds later hears the explosion sound from that flare. The distance between the diver and the location of
the explosion is most nearly

(A) 148 m
(B) 296 m
(C) 1,480 m
(D) 7,400 m

4. A car traveled 400 meters East in 80 seconds, and then it traveled 300 meters south in 70 seconds. The
magnitude of the average speed and velocity of the truck was most nearly

Average Speed Average Velocity

(A) 9.3 m/s 9.3 m/s
(B) 4.7 m/s 9.3 m/s
(C) 4.7 m/s 4.7 m/s
(D) 4.7 m/s 3.3 m/s
AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics

1.4 Position vs. Time Graph

Time (s) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Position of Runner
Position of Biker
Position of Car

Position
of
Runner
Motion
Position
Diagram
of Biker
Position
of Car 7
AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics

Position vs. Time Graph

Absolute Value of Slope = the magnitude of Velocity (or Speed)

Sign of Slope = Direction of Motion (or Direction of Velocity)

8
AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics

Average Velocity between t 0 and t f Instantaneous Velocity at time t 0 and t f

Slope of straight line between two points Slope of Tangential line at t 0 and t f , respectively
x f − x0 The x component of an object’s instantaneous
υave = velocity is the derivative of the object’s x coordinate
t f − t0 with respect to time:
dx
υx =
dt

Average Velocity between 10 s and 90 s:

Instantaneous Velocity at 10 s:

Instantaneous Velocity at 90s:

Instantaneous Velocity
The altitude of a rocket in the first 30-seconds of its ascent is given by y = at2, where the constant a is 2.00
m/s2. Find a general expression for the rocket’s velocity as a function of time and from it the instantaneous
velocity at t = 20 s. Also find an expression for the average velocity, and compare your two velocity
expressions.
9
AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics

Position vs. Time Graph → Velocity vs. Time Graph

Review Questions

Questions 1-2
The graphs below show position x plotted as a function of time t for each of three objects constrained to
move along a straight, level path.

1. In which of the graphs is the magnitude of the

velocity of the object increasing?

(A) II only
(B) III only
(C) I and II
(D) I and III

2. In which of the graphs is the acceleration of the

object zero?

(A) I only
(B) III only
(C) I and II only
(D) II and III only
10
AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics

3. The position x as a function of time t for an object

moving in a straight line is shown in the graph
above. Which of the following best describes the
object’s speed and direction of motion during the
time interval shown?

Speed Direction of Motion

(A) Decreasing Positive
(B) Increasing Positive
(C) Constant Positive
(D) Decreasing Negative
(E) Increasing Negative

4. The graph above represents position x versus

time t for an object being acted on by a constant
force. The average speed during the interval
between 1 s and 2 s is most nearly

(A) 2 m/s
(B) 4 m/s
(C) 5 m/s
(D) 6 m/s
(E) 8 m/s
11
AP Physics C Mechanics Unit 1. Kinematics

3. If a particle moves in such a way that its position x

is described as a function of time t by x = t3/2, then
its velocity is proportional to

(A) t2
(B) t3/2
(C) t
(D) t1/2
(E) t0 (i.e., kinetic energy is constant)

4. The position x of an object is given as a function of

time t by the equation x = 8 + 4t − 6t3, where x is in
meters and t is in seconds. What is the maximum
positive velocity attained by this object?

(A) 4 m/s
(B) 8 m/s
(C) 18 m/s
(D) 36 m/s
(E) There is no maximum positive velocity because
the object never moves in the positive direction.

12