Understanding One-

Dimensional and Two-

Dimensional Motion
 One – Dimensional
Motion
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- refers to the motion of an
object along a straight line
(either on x or y – axis)
characterized by position,
velocity, acceleration and
time.
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 1. Position (x or y – axis)

- location or placement of an object

at a specific time (either horizontal
Factors that for x-axis and vertical for y-axis).
affect One- - being measured or explained using
Dimensional a frame of reference.
Motion 2. Displacement (Δx/ Δy)

- refers to the change in position

Formula: Δx=xf​−xi​; Δy=yf​−yi​

3. Velocity

- rate of change of displacement over time

Types of Velocity:

- Average Velocity = Δdisplacement​/ Δtime or simply displacement/ time

- Instantaneous Velocity – velocity at a specific time

4. Acceleration

- rate of change of velocity over time on a straight line

Average acceleration = Δvelocity / Δtime

- acceleration is constant in y-axis due to gravity and may differ on the x - axis
Other Kinematic Equations for
Motion
For Constant Acceleration (moving on the x-axis):

- v​=​+at

- +

-
Motion Graph
Position – time graph:

- Slope represents velocity

Velocity – time graph:

- slope represents acceleration

- area represents displacement

Acceleration – time graph:

- slope represents “Jerk”

- area represents velocity

Free fall as One-dimensional motion
- an object moving vertically affected by the gravity assuming
that air resistance is not present.
-During free fall, an object experiences constant acceleration due
to gravity sometimes being represented using “g” with a value
approximately equal to – 9.8 m/
-The direction of acceleration due to gravity is always
downwards.
- though sometimes acceleration due to gravity may differ
depending on the altitude, but we most of the time use the
Kinematic Equations for Free fall
- v​=​+gt

- +

-
Sample Problem
A ball is thrown from the top of the building with an initial
velocity of 20 m/s straight upward, at an initial height of 50 m
above the ground. The ball just misses the edge of the roof on
its way down as shown in the diagram. Determine:

A. the time needed for the ball to reach a maximum height

B. the maximum height

C. the time needed for the ball to return to the height from
which it was thrown and the velocity of the ball at that instant.

D. the time needed for the ball to reach the ground

E. the velocity and position of the ball at 5s (neglect air

resistance)
Step 1: Identify the given
Given:

- initial height - 50 m (above ground)

- initial velocity – 20 m/s

- acceleration due to gravity = - 9.8 m/

Solution for Unknown A:
- we know that as the object thrown reach its maximum height, the velocity is
always 0 m/s (the object is at rest for a brief period), we can use the equation:

Where:

v = 0 m/s

g = -9.8 m/
Substitute the given to your
formula:

-20 m/s[ 0 = 20 m/s + (-9.8 m/ )t ] – 20m/s

[- 20 m/s = (- 9.8 m/ )t ]

t=

t = 2.04 s
Solution for unknown B:
Given:

g = -9.8 m/

t = 2. 04 s

Formula: (Since we are solving for the maximum height or the displacement on
the y – axis, we may use the formula)

+
Substitute:
+

= (20 m/s)(2.04s) +
Note: If the problem
= 40.8 m + ()(4.1616
requires to include the
= 40.8 m + (-40.78368 m) height of the building
for the maximum
= 40.8 m – 20.39184m height reached by the
ball, then add 20.4 m +
= 20.4 m 50 m (height of the
building) = 70.4 m
Solution for Unknown C.a
+

Note: On the initial position (before the ball was thrown), y = 0m

0 m = (20 m/s)t +

= (20 m/s)t – (4.9

factor out “t” to
= (20 m/s – 4.9 t ) t eliminate the square
and then divide by t
- 20 m/s[= 20 m/s – 4.9 t]- 20m/s

-20 m/s = – 4.9 t

t=
t = 4.08 s
Solution for unknown C.b

= 20 m/s – 39.984 m/s

= -19.984 m/s or – 20 m/s

Solve for Unknown D
We will use y = – 50 m, since the direction is towards the ground.

- 50 m = +

0 = 50 m + (20 m/s)t – (4.9 m/

Rearrange and solve using quadratic equation:

- (20 m/s)t – 50 m = 0
 =

= 5.83 s
Unknown E.a
Unknown E.b
+

(5s) +

(25

= - 22. 5 m
Two – Dimensional
Motion
 - is a motion of an object where it refers to the
Two – movement of an object both horizontal and
Dimensional vertical at the same time unlike one-
Motion dimensional which only involves movement
along a straight line either on the x or y – axis.
Two – dimensional includes:
1. Coordinates (we often use coordinate system involving the x and y axis to
describe the object’s position.)

2. Displacement

3. Velocity

4. Acceleration (refers to the rate of change of velocity in either x and y axis or

both components)

5. Projectile Motion – object being thrown at an angle (different from free fall)
Difference between Free fall and
Projectile Motion
Free Fall Projectile Motion
Definition Motion affected by gravity Motion launched/ thrown at
neglecting air resistance an angle
Path Straight downward Parabolic
Axis/ Components Vertical Motion Both Vertical and
Horizontal
Acceleration Constant downward Vertical acceleration
acceleration (down) with constant
horizontal velocity
Initial Start Can start from rest or with Needs to be launched with
some velocity going some velocity, either at an
downward angle or straight across.
Example Throwing a ball upward or Shooting a basketball,
dropping a ball slingshot, diving off a
board