Kinematics
Jessica Yan
August 26 2024
§1 Definitions
Displacement ∆x = xf − xi where xi and xf are the initial and final positions of the
object. This is different from distance.
∆x
Average velocity vavg = ∆t
d
Average speed savg = ∆t
∆v
Average acceleration = aavg = ∆t .
∆x dx
R R t1
Instantaneous velocity: v(t) = lim∆t→0 ∆t = dt ⇐⇒ ∆x = dx = t2 v(t) dt
s(t) = |v(t)|. Speed is a scalar quantity, with only magnitude, but velocity is a vector
quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
d2 x
Rt
Instantaneous acceleration: a(t) = lim∆t→0 ∆v dv
R
∆t = dt = dt2 ⇐⇒ ∆v = dv = t21 a(t) dt
The position vector: r = xî + y ĵ.
The angle between two velocities can be found with their dot product
v1 · v2
v1 · v2 = |v1 ||v2 | cos θ =⇒ θ = arccos .
|v1 ||v2 |
Problem 1.1. An object moving in a straight line has a velocity v in meters per second
that varies with time t in seconds according to the function v(t) = 4 + 0.5 t2 . (a) Find
the instantaneous acceleration of the object at t = 2 seconds. (b) Find the displacement
of the object between t = 0 and t = 6 seconds.
§2 Kinematic Equations for Uniform Acceleration
• vf = v0 + at
• ∆x = v0 t + 21 at2
• vf2 = v02 + 2a∆x
• ∆x = 12 (v0 + vf )t
Free fall: gravity is the only force acting on the object.
Problem 2.1. An object is released from rest at a height h. It travels 0.4h during the
first second of its descent. Determine the average velocity of the object during its entire
descent.
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Jessica Yan (August 26 2024) Kinematics
§3 Projectile Motion
Projectile motion is the motion of an object projected into the air, subject only to
acceleration as a result of gravity. Examples of projectile motion: throwing a ball, firing
a canon. The trajectory is always parabolic.
The kinematic formulas can be applied separately on the x and y components of motion
because they are all independent of each other except for time. ay = −g due of gravity,
but since that is the only force acting on the object and accelerating it, ax = 0, and
vx0 = vxf = v0 cos θ.
When a projectile begins and ends at the same vertical level, ∆y = 0, we can find the
maximum height, range, and total time in air. When θ = 45◦ , horizontal distance is
maximized.
v 2 sin2 θ
• H= 2g
v 2 sin(2θ)
• R= g
• t= 2v sin θ
g
(These can be derived from the kinematic formulas.)
Problem 3.1. A stone thrown horizontally from the top of a 24-meter tower hits the
ground at a point 18 meters from the base of the tower. (Ignore air resistance.) Find the
speed with which the stone was thrown and the speed of the stone just before it hits the
ground
§4 Relative Motion
Frame of reference: The coordinate system.
Inertial reference frames: Two reference frames are inertial reference frames when
acceleration is the same in both so aBA = 0 or apB = apA .
rpB = rpA + rAB
vpB = vpA + vAB
apB = apA + aAB
Problem 4.1. A plane flies at an airspeed of 250 km/h. A wind is blowing at 80 km/h
toward the direction 60° east of north. (a) In what direction should the plane head in
order to fly due north relative to the ground? (b) What is the speed of the plane relative
to the ground?
