Summary of Chapter 1

▪ Significant Figures: Final answers should be

expressed with number of significant
figures of the given
quantities.

▪ Scientific Notation:
▪ Conversion of Units: Know the connecting
conversion factors
▪ Dimension Analysis:
1. Neglect/remove constants.
2. Arrange equation according to the target variable.
3. Plug in the given units of other variables.
1 𝑘 𝑘 𝑘
𝑓= →𝑓= → 𝑓2 = → 𝑘 = 𝑓 2 𝑚 → 𝑘 = [𝑠 −1 ]2[𝑘𝑔]
2 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 1

1
Summary of Chapter 2
▪ Graphical Representation (Scalar vs. Vectors):
1. Scalar: Line
2. Vector: Line with arrowhead
▪ Ways to write down a vector:
1. Magnitude-direction(angle) form
2. Unit-vector form
▪ Converting one form to the other, we use the following:
▪ Magnitude-direction form to unit-vector form

▪ Unit-vector form to magnitude-direction form

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 2

2
Summary of Chapter 2
▪ Ways to add vectors:
1. Tail-to-head method (graphical method)

2. Component method (computational method)

▪ 𝑅 = 𝐴Ԧ + 𝐵 = 𝑅𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝑅𝑦 𝑗Ƹ = 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 𝑖Ƹ + 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 𝑗Ƹ
▪ 𝑅𝑥 = 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥
▪ 𝑅𝑦 = 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 3

3
 PHYSICS 71 – ELEMENTARY PHYSICS I
CHAPTER 3 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE
LECTURE
Displacement, Time,
03 and Velocity

U n iv e r s it y o f t h e P h ilip p i n e s D ilim a n
C o lle g e o f S c ie n c e
N a t io n a l I n s t it u t e o f P h y s ic s

We are now on the second chapter of our main reference. Describing the motion of objects
would require us to define several quantities that define its location, and its change over
time. In this lecture, we define some basic concepts related to the kinematics of one-
dimensional motion.

4
 Objectives
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
□ Define distance, average speed and
instantaneous speed.
□ Define displacement, average velocity and
instantaneous velocity.
□ Describe motion in one dimension in terms of
the kinematical quantities above.

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 5

5
 Kinematics in 1D
Mechanics – study of the relationships among forces,
matter and motion.
▪ Kinematics – mathematical description of motion
▪ Dynamics – effects that forces have on motion

Idealization – treat objects as point particles

Basic quantities in Kinematics

Displacement Δ𝑥Ԧ Acceleration 𝑎Ԧ

Velocity 𝑣Ԧ Time 𝑡

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 6

Broadly speaking, mechanics is a study that describes the motion of objects. We can
roughly divide it into two.

The kinematics of objects would refer to the mathematical treatment of motion (how it
moves). Does it move with constant velocity? Does it accelerate? Is it static?

The dynamics of objects, on the other hand, refers to the forces that bring objects into
motion, sustain it, or that eventually stop it.

In the first part of Physics 71, we will focus on the kinematics of point particles. This is one
of the peculiar idealizations in physics, wherein objects, even if they are voluminous, would
effectively be considered as a point particle in this analysis. Later, you will realize why this
idealization works. Some basic quantities that you may have already encountered are
displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time.

6
 Position y
𝑥1
𝒫(1,1)

𝑋റ = 𝒪𝒫
x
𝒪 𝑥2
▪ The position of an object is described by a vector that
points from a common reference point to the actual
location of the object in space.
▪ Say, our location is at the point (x,y) = (1,1), our
position can be described by the vector X = 1,1

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 7

Before anything else, let us clarify what we mean by an object’s position. A position is
always measured with respect to a reference point. You cannot simply tell someone that an
object is located 5 KM… 5 KM with respect to what? Or, if you were given a coordinate, you
have to know where the (0,0) or (0,0,0) point is.

The position vector points from the reference point to the location of the object of
interest.

Of course, it follows that the position vector ultimately depends on where the reference
point is in space, with respect to the object’s location.

7
 Displacement

Displacement

▪ The displacement is a vector that points from an

object's initial position to its final position

Δ𝑥Ԧ = 𝑥Ԧ2 − 𝑥Ԧ1

▪ Its magnitude is the shortest directed distance
between the two positions. In 1D, the vector sign is
implied:
Δ𝑥 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1
Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 8

Now that we know the concept of a position vector, we can now define what the
displacement of an object is.

The displacement of an object is essentially the difference between its final and initial
position vectors. From our previous lesson, the resultant is essentially a vector that points
from the initial location of an object, to its final location.

Its magnitude is the shortest directed distance between those two positions.

This can be calculated by using the distance formula in Euclidean geometry,

𝑥റ2 − 𝑥റ1 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 (in 1D)

𝑥റ2 − 𝑥റ1 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 2 + 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 2 (in 2D)
𝑥റ2 − 𝑥റ1 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 2 + 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 2 + 𝑧2 − 𝑧1 2 (in 3D)

8
 Displacement vs Distance

Distance

Displacement

Non-zero Distance
Zero Displacement

▪ Distance - total length of the path taken (scalar)

▪ Displacement only depends on the starting and final
position, not on the actual path taken. (vector)

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 9

How are distance and displacement related?

The distinction between the distance and displacement between two points along an
object’s trajectory can be quite confusing.

Say you moved between two points in your room, near your door and beside your window.
If you take a zig-zag route from the door to your window, the distance you travelled refers
to the total length of the zig-zag path you took.

However, the displacement just refers to the shortest directed distance between your door
and window.

This implies that, if you move from your door to your window and back, you will end up
with zero effective displacement, and a non-zero distance.

Distance is a scalar quantity. Displacement is a vector quantity.

9
 Time
▪ Time states when and how long the motion occurs
▪ Time is an important scalar quantity that describes
motion.
▪ It is used in referring to a specific time an object is at
a particular point.

▪ Time interval:

Δ𝑡 = 𝑡2 − 𝑡1
Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 10

Time is an important quantity in physics. It gives us an idea as to how fast something

progresses over a certain period.

10
 Average Velocity

▪ Idealize!

STOP! Time interval: Δ𝑡 = 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖

t = ti t = tf

x=0m x = xi x = xf

Displacement: Δ𝑥Ԧ = 𝑥Ԧ2 − 𝑥Ԧ1

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 11

The average velocity of an object refers to the time rate change of an object’s position
between its initial and final positions. It does not take into consideration whether you
moved back and forth between those two points, within the time interval you recorded.

11
 Average Velocity
t1 = 1.0 s t2 = 4.0 s

x=0m 14 m 71 m
P1 P2

▪ Average velocity – rate of displacement (change in

position) over a time interval. (Units of m/s )

𝑥2 − 𝑥1 Δ𝑥
𝑣av−x = =
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 Δ𝑡
▪ EXERCISE: Calculate the velocity for the figure above.
▪ ANSWER: 19 m/s

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 12

In one dimension, the average velocity is just defined by the difference between the initial
and position divided by the time it took for the motion to take place.

The base units for the average velocity is [m]/[s].

12
 Average Velocity vs Average Speed
▪ Average speed

distance
ave speed =
time interval

EXAMPLE

In two seconds, an object took the following path:

10 m

8m

Calculate the average velocity and the average speed.

▪ Average speed ≠ Magnitude of average velocity

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 13

The emphasis on definition for average velocity becomes clearer as we consider the
average speed of an object.

The average speed of an object refers to the time rate of change of its motion along the
total distance traversed by the object. One distinct difference between the two is the way
we calculate them.

Let us work on the example provided. Say an object traversed a length of 18 [m] but ended
up 2 [m] away to the left of its initial position. In this example, the displacement of the
object is 2 [m] to the right; while the distance that it travelled is 18 [m]. Hence, the average
velocity of the object (a vector) is 1 [m]/[s] to the right. On the other hand, the average
speed of the object is 9 [m]/[s].

13
 QUIZ
▪ Starting from a pillar, you run 315 m east (taken to
be the +x direction) at an average speed of 5.00
m/s, and then run 285 m west at an average speed
of 4.20 m/s to a post. Calculate:

a) Your total distance travelled

b) Your net displacement
c) The time for your eastward trip
d) The time it took for your westward trip
e) The total time of your entire trip
f) Average speed of your entire trip
g) Average velocity of the entire trip

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 14

14
 QUIZ
▪ Starting from a pillar, you run 315 m east (taken to
be the +x direction) at an average speed of 5.00
m/s, and then run 285 m west at an average speed
of 4.20 m/s to a post. Calculate:

a) Your total distance travelled ▪ 600. m

b) Your net displacement ▪ 30.0 m 𝑖Ƹ
c) The time for your eastward trip ▪ 63.0 s
d) The time it took for your westward trip ▪ 67.9 s
e) The total time of your entire trip ▪ 130.9 s
f) Average speed of your entire trip ▪ 4.58 m/s
g) Average velocity of the entire trip ▪ 0.229 m/s 𝑖Ƹ

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 15

Answers:
a) 600 m
b) 30 m 𝑖Ƹ
c) 63.0 s
d) 67.9 s
e) 130.9 s
f) 600 m / 130.9 s = 5 m/s
g) 30 m/130.9 s = 0.2 m/s 𝑖Ƹ

15
 Position-Time Graph
position
𝑥 𝑥1 - position at time 𝑡1
𝑥2 𝑥2 - position at time 𝑡2
Note: The curve in an x-t graph does
not represent the object's path in
space.
𝑥1
time

𝑡1 𝑡2 𝑡
Average Velocity – slope of the line connecting 𝑥1 and 𝑥2

𝑥2 − 𝑥1 Δ𝑥
𝑣av = =
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 Δ𝑡
Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 16

An essential tool in reporting the motion of an object is through its position-time graph. It
represents the time progression of an object’s position. Note, however that it only shows
the position of the object and does not necessarily give us the trajectory (path) of the
object.

In the illustration above, the position 𝑥 is time-parametrized, hence 𝑥(𝑡). The slope of the
line connecting two points in the function (𝑥1 , 𝑡1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑡2 ) is the average velocity of the
object within the time interval [𝑡1 , 𝑡2 ]. In this illustration, it is clearer that the time rate
change of the position corresponds to an object’s velocity.

16
 Instantaneous Velocity
position
𝑥
𝑥2
tangent line 𝑡3
𝑡2

𝑡1

time

𝑡2 𝑡
Instantaneous Velocity – velocity at a specific instant in
time. It is the slope of the tangent line in the x-t graph:
Δ𝑥
𝑣 = lim
Δ𝑡→0 Δ𝑡

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 17

Mathematical aside: You will encounter the formal definition of the derivative of some
function 𝑓(𝑥) in Math 21. It is defined as:
𝑓 𝑥+ℎ −𝑓 𝑥
𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ

Essentially, the expression that you wish to take the limit of is the slope of the line
connecting (𝑥, 𝑓(𝑥)) and (𝑥 + ℎ, 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ)). As you make ℎ approach zero, it is if you’re
bringing the two points closer together, until the line connecting them appear as a tangent
line to the curve at (𝑥, 𝑓(𝑥)). The slope of that tangent line is the derivative of the function
at 𝑥.

Physics: We have expressed the average velocity as the slope of the line connecting two
points along the 𝑥(𝑡) curve. Say there is a finite time period 𝑡𝑜 between these points. We
can express the instantaneous velocity at time 𝑡 as,

𝑥 𝑡 + 𝑡𝑜 − 𝑥 𝑡
𝑥 ′ 𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 = lim
𝑡𝑜→0 𝑡𝑜

In the same manner as in the aside above, the INSTANTANEOUS velocity 𝑣 at time 𝑡 would
refer to the slope of the line tangent to the 𝑥 𝑡 at 𝑡.

17
 Velocity-Time Graph
velocity
𝑣
𝑣2
𝑣1 - velocity at time 𝑡1
𝑣2 - velocity at time 𝑡2

𝑣1
time
𝑡1 𝑡2 𝑡
Average Acceleration – slope of the line joining 𝑣1 and 𝑣2

𝑣2 − 𝑣1 Δ𝑣
𝑎av = =
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 Δ𝑡
Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 18

We can also the define the average acceleration, which refers to the time rate change of
velocity. In the same way, we define the average acceleration as the slope of the line
connecting the points 𝑡1 , 𝑣 𝑡1 and 𝑡2 , 𝑣 𝑡2 . Notice how velocity can be negative,
which implies how it is directed. In 1D motion, negative velocity indicates motion in the
direction opposite to the assigned positive direction.

18
 Velocity-Time Graph
velocity
𝑣
𝑣2
𝑡3
𝑡2

𝑡1

time
𝑡2 𝑡
Instantaneous Acceleration – acceleration at a specific
instant in time. Slope of the tangent line in the v-t graph:

Δ𝑣
𝑎 = lim
Δ𝑡→0 Δ𝑡

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 19

The INSTANTANEOUS acceleration 𝑎 at time 𝑡 would refer to the slope of the line tangent
to the 𝑣 𝑡 at 𝑡.

19
 Practice:
Draw the corresponding x-t and v-t graphs:

Object Object moving with Object moving with

at rest constant velocity constant acceleration

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

𝑡 𝑡 𝑡

𝑣 𝑣 𝑣

𝑡 𝑡 𝑡

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 20

Object at rest: 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑐 [CONSTANT] where 𝑐 is a constant. 𝑥 ′ 𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 = 0 [ZERO]

Object moving with constant velocity: 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑐𝑡 + 𝑏 [LINEAR] where 𝑏 and 𝑐 are constants.
𝑥 ′ 𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑐 [CONSTANT]

Object moving with constant acceleration: 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑐𝑡 2 + 𝑏𝑡 + 𝑎 [QUADRATIC], where 𝑎, 𝑏

and 𝑐 are constants. 𝑥 ′ 𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑐𝑡 + 𝑏 [LINEAR] (factor of 2 “absorbed” to c). 𝑥 ′′ 𝑡 =
𝑎 𝑡 = 𝑐 [CONSTANT]

20
 Conceptual Questions
Given the following x-t plots, answer the questions
below:

𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥

𝑡 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡

A B C D

B 1. Which pertains to an object with constant speed?

A 2. Which pertains to an object that reverses direction?

D 3. Which pertains to an object that starts slowly and

then speeds up?

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 21

All of these plots are 𝑥(𝑡) plots. The first derivative represents the velocity function. The
second derivative represents the acceleration function.

What are some interesting features of each plot?

A – steadily increasing, then peaks, then decreases after the peak (an indication of a turn-
around after momentarily stopping)
B – steadily increases over the whole period (an indication of constant velocity motion)
C – two regions with different slopes, one steeper than the other (Recall: the steepness of
the function (or the slope) refers to its first derivative. Steeper x-t plot, higher velocity
magnitude, an indication of a gradual change in velocity, from a faster rate to a slower one)
D – two regions with different slopes, later part is steeper (indication of a gradual change in
velocity, from a slower rate to a faster one)

21
 Conceptual Questions
In which of the labelled points is the velocity of an
object:
IV 1. Zero?
I 2. Constant and positive?
V 3. Constant and negative?
II 4. Increasing in
magnitude?
III 5. Decreasing in
magnitude?

At which of the labeled points (I, II, III, IV and V) is

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 22
the velocity of an object:
2. Zero?
3. Constant andplot.
This is a 𝑥(𝑡) positive?
The slope of the tangent line at each point is the instantaneous velocity
4. Constant and negative?
of the object.
5. Increasing in magnitude?
I - The slope of the line tangent to point is constant and positive. It has a constant and
6. Decreasing in magnitude?
positive velocity. 33

II – The behavior about this point is not linear. We are not sure whether it is quadratic in
nature. But we do know that the slope of the tangent lines to points in its neighborhood is
increasing in magnitude.
III – The behavior about this point is not linear as well. However, unlike that of II, the object
appears to slow down (evident from the slow progression of 𝑥 in 𝑡 about the time interval
t ∈ [3,5])
IV – Tangent line to this point is flat, hence zero slope (indication of zero velocity)
V – Tangent line to the point has negative constant slope.

22
 QUIZ
1. At which point(s) does the object have the
highest displacement?

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 23

23
 QUIZ
2. At which point(s) is the object at rest?

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 24

24
 QUIZ
3. At which point(s) is the object fastest?

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 25

25
 ANSWERS
1. At which point(s) does the object have the
highest displacement?

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 26

26
 ANSWERS
2. At which point(s) is the object at rest?

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 27

27
 ANSWERS
3. At which point(s) is the object fastest?

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 28

28
Credits/References
▪ University Physics 13th Ed, H. Young and R. Freedman
Pearson Education 2014
▪ PowerPoint Lectures for University Physics 13th Ed,
Wayne Anderson
Pearson Education 2012
▪ Physics 71 Lectures by J Vance, M Flores, A Lacaba, PJ
Blancas, G Pedemonte, DL Sombillo, K Agapito

▪ Annotations by: Mark Ivan Ugalino

▪ Edited by: Rene L. Principe Jr.

Lecture 03 - Displacement, Time and Velocity 29

29