Model: A Particle Under Constant Velocity

Constant velocity indicates the instantaneous velocity at any instant during a

time interval is the same as the average velocity during that time interval.
▪ vx = vx, avg
▪ The mathematical representation of this situation is the equation.

▪ Common practice is to let ti = 0 and the equation becomes: xf = xi + vx t

(for constant vx)

Section 2.3
Particle Under Constant Velocity, Graph

The graph represents the motion of a

particle under constant velocity.
The slope of the graph is the value of
the constant velocity.
The y-intercept is xi.

Section 2.3
Model: A Particle Under Constant Speed

A particle under constant velocity moves with a constant speed along a straight
line.
A particle can also move with a constant speed along a curved path.
This can be represented with a model of a particle under constant speed.
The primary equation is the same as for average speed, with the average speed
replaced by the constant speed.

Physlets: http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/classroom.html

Section 2.3
Average Acceleration

Acceleration is the rate of change of the velocity.

Dimensions are L/T2

SI units are m/s²
In one dimension, positive and negative can be used to indicate direction.

Section 2.4
Instantaneous Acceleration

The instantaneous acceleration is the limit of the average acceleration as Δt

approaches 0.

The term acceleration will mean instantaneous acceleration.

▪ If average acceleration is wanted, the word average will be included.

Section 2.4
Instantaneous Acceleration – graph
The slope of the velocity-time graph is
the acceleration.
The green line represents the
instantaneous acceleration.
The blue line is the average
acceleration.

Section 2.4
Graphical Comparison

Given the displacement-time graph (a)

The velocity-time graph is found by
measuring the slope of the
position-time graph at every instant.
The acceleration-time graph is found by
measuring the slope of the velocity-time
graph at every instant.

Section 2.4
Acceleration and Velocity, Directions

When an object’s velocity and acceleration are in the same direction, the object
is speeding up.
When an object’s velocity and acceleration are in the opposite direction, the
object is slowing down.

Section 2.4
Acceleration and Force

The acceleration of an object is related to the total force exerted on the object.
▪ The force is proportional to the acceleration, Fx ∝ ax .
▪ Assume the velocity and acceleration are in the same direction.
▪ The force is in the same direction as the velocity and the object speeds
up.
▪ Assume the velocity and acceleration are in opposite directions.
▪ The force is in the opposite direction as the velocity and the object slows
down.

Section 2.4
Notes About Acceleration

Negative acceleration does not necessarily mean the object is slowing down.
▪ If the acceleration and velocity are both negative, the object is speeding up.
The word deceleration has the connotation of slowing down.
▪ This word will not be used in the text.

Section 2.4
Motion Diagrams
A motion diagram can be formed by imagining the stroboscope photograph of
a moving object.
Red arrows represent velocity.
Purple arrows represent acceleration.

Section 2.5
Constant Velocity

Images are equally spaced.

The car is moving with constant positive velocity (shown by red arrows
maintaining the same size).
Acceleration equals zero.

Section 2.5
Acceleration and Velocity, 3

Images become farther apart as time increases.

Velocity and acceleration are in the same direction.
Acceleration is uniform (violet arrows maintain the same length).
Velocity is increasing (red arrows are getting longer).
This shows positive acceleration and positive velocity.

Section 2.5
Acceleration and Velocity, 4

Images become closer together as time increases.

Acceleration and velocity are in opposite directions.
Acceleration is uniform (violet arrows maintain the same length).
Velocity is decreasing (red arrows are getting shorter).
Positive velocity and negative acceleration.

Section 2.5
Acceleration and Velocity, final

In all the previous cases, the acceleration was constant.

▪ Shown by the violet arrows all maintaining the same length
The diagrams represent motion of a particle under constant acceleration.
A particle under constant acceleration is another useful analysis model.

Section 2.5
Kinematic Equations
The kinematic equations can be used with any particle under uniform
acceleration.
The kinematic equations may be used to solve any problem involving
one-dimensional motion with a constant acceleration.
You may need to use two of the equations to solve one problem.
Many times there is more than one way to solve a problem.

Section 2.6
Kinematic Equations, 1

For constant ax,

Can determine an object’s velocity at any time t when we know its initial
velocity and its acceleration
▪ Assumes ti = 0 and tf = t
Does not give any information about displacement

Section 2.6
Kinematic Equations, 2

For constant acceleration,

The average velocity can be expressed as the arithmetic mean of the initial and
final velocities.
▪ This applies only in situations where the acceleration is constant.

Section 2.6
Kinematic Equations, 3

For constant acceleration,

This gives you the position of the particle in terms of time and velocities.
Doesn’t give you the acceleration

Section 2.6
Kinematic Equations, 4

For constant acceleration,

Gives final position in terms of velocity and acceleration

Doesn’t tell you about final velocity

Section 2.6
Kinematic Equations, 5

For constant a,

Gives final velocity in terms of acceleration and displacement

Does not give any information about the time

Section 2.6
When a = 0

When the acceleration is zero,

▪ vxf = vxi = vx
▪ xf = xi + vx t
The constant acceleration model reduces to the constant velocity model.

Section 2.6
Kinematic Equations – summary

Section 2.6