Physics 71 Lecture Notes

Topic 1.03: Kinematics in 1D

(Displacement and Velocity)

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

Description of motion the

location of an object is specified
at all time.

Coordinate system

Position vector

Time

Displacement vector
Description of motion the
location of an object is specified
at all time.

Coordinate system

Position vector

Time

The displacement is a vector that points from an object's initial

position to its final position and has a magnitude that equals the
shortest distance between the two positions. S.I. unit is meter, [m].
x = x x0

The time will tell you which position vector is the initial position
and the final position.
Note: The magnitude of the displacement is not always equal to
the total distance covered by a moving object.

Speed and velocity

Example:
A honeybee leaves the hive and travels a total distance of 2 [km]
before returning to the hive. What is the magnitude of the
displacement vector of the bee?

The displacement vector is zero.

x =0

The magnitude of the displacement is only equal to the distance

traveled if the motion is in a straight line and in one direction.

Average speed is the distance covered in a certain time interval:

distance
ave . speed =
elapsed time
Average velocity is the defined as the net displacement over the
time interval.
x = x x 0
v ave =

tt 0
t
The SI unit of average speed and average velocity is [m/s].

Speed and velocity

Example:
An 18-year-old runner can complete a 10.0-km course with an average speed
of 4.39 [m/s]. A 50-year-old runner can cover the same distance with an
average speed of 4.27 [m/s]. How much later (in seconds) should the younger
runner start in order to finish the course at the same time as the old runner?

Solution: v 18 yo =4.39[m/ s]
| x|=10 [km ]=10 000[ m]
v 50 yo =4.27[ m/ s]
Note: both runner will have to cover the same distance
delay= t 50 yo t 18 yo
=

| x| | x|

v 50 yo v 18 yo

10 000[ m] 10 000[ m]

4.27[ m/ s] 4.39[ m/ s]

=64[ s]

Speed and velocity

Example: Exercise 2.4 of University Physics 13th ed.
Starting from a pillar, you run 200 [m] east at an average speed of
5.0 [m/s] and then run 280 [m] west at an average speed of 4.0 [m/s]
to a post. Calculate (a) your average speed from pillar to post and (b)
your average velocity from pillar to post.

Solution: Set east to be the positive x-axis

v 1 =5.0 [m/ s]
x 1 =+200[ m] ^i
v 2=4.0[ m/ s]
x 2 =280[ m] ^i
(a) For the average speed, we need to know the total distance
traveled and the elapsed time.
total distance=| x 1|+| x 2| =200[m]+280[ m]=480[m]
time elapsed = t 1 + t 2
v1
v2
=
+
| x1| | x2|
=110[ s]

E3. Solve for the time elapsed using

the given information.

Speed and velocity

Solution: Set east to be the positive x-axis
v 1 =5.0 [m/ s]
x 1 =+200[ m] ^i
v 2=4.0[ m/ s]
x 2 =280[ m] ^i
(a) For the average speed, we need to know the total distance
traveled and the elapsed time.
total distance
total distance=480[ m]
ave . speed =
time elapsed
time elapsed =110[ s]
480[ m]
=
=4.36[ m/ s]
110[ s]
(b) For the average velocity
x = x 2 x 0
v ave =

t 2 t 0
t
Initial position vector: x 0 =0
80[ m] ^i 0
Final position vector: x 2 = 80[ m] ^i
=
110[ s]
=0.73[m/ s] ^i
The average velocity is 0.73 [m/s] westward.

Speed and velocity

Example: Problem 2.59 of University Physics 13th ed.
Earthquakes Analysis:
In the earths crust, the P-waves
travel at around 6.5 [km/s], while
the S-waves move at about 3.5
[km/s]. If the time delay is 33 [s],
how far from the seismic station
did the earthquake occur?
v P =6.5[ km/ s]
v S =3.5[ km/ s]

t delay =33[ s]

x=?

Speed and velocity

Example: Problem 2.59 of University Physics 13th ed.

Earthquakes Analysis:
t delay =33[ s]
v P =6.5[ km/ s]
x=?
v S =3.5[ km/ s]
Note: S-wave is slower, then it will
take more time for the S-wave to
arrive at the station.
t delay = t S t P
We use the definition of average
x x
speed.
t delay =

vS
vP
E4. Solve for x in terms of the known
symbols.

vS vP
x=
t delay
v P v S

(6.5 [km / s])(3.5[km / s ])

(33[s ]);
6.5 [km / s ]3.5 [km / s ]

x=250[ km]