Motion
What is motion?
If the location of an object changes with time, the object is said to be in motion.
Motion in a Straight Line
Distance – The distance covered by an object is described as the total path length covered by an object between two endpoints.
Distance is a numerical quantity. We do not mention the direction in which an object is travelling while mentioning about the distance covered by that object.
Distance and Displacement
According to the figure 1 given above, if an object moves from point O to point A then total distance travelled by the object is given as 60 km.
Displacement – The shortest possible distance between the initial and final position of an object is called Displacement.
Consider the figure 1 given above, here the shortest distance between O and A is 60 km only. Hence, displacement is 60 km.
Displacement depends upon the direction in which the object is travelling.
Displacement is denoted by Δx.
Δx = xf − x0 Where, xf = Final position on the object x0 = Initial position of the object |
Zero Displacement – When the first and last positions of an object are same, the displacement is zero.
For Example, consider the diagrams given below.
Example for zero displacement
Displacement at point A = 0 because the shortest distance from A to A is zero.
Negative Displacement and Positive Displacement
Example for negative and positive displacement
Here, displacement of object B is negative
ΔB = Bf − B0 = 7–12 = – 5
A negative sign indicates the opposite direction here.
Also, displacement of object A is positive
ΔA = Af − A0 = 7– 0 = 7
What are Scalar and Vector Quantities?
A scalar quantity describes a magnitude or a numerical value.
A vector quantity describes the magnitude as well as the direction.
Hence, distance is a scalar quantity while displacement is a vector quantity.
How is distance different from displacement?
Distance |
Displacement |
Distance provides the complete details of the path taken by the object |
Displacement does not provide the complete details of the path taken by the object |
Distance is always positive |
Displacement can be positive, negative or zero |
It is a scalar quantity |
It is a vector quantity |
The distance between two points may not be unique |
Displacement between two points is always unique |
What is uniform motion?
When an object travels equal distances in equal intervals of time the object is said to have a uniform motion.
What is non-uniform motion?
When an object travels unequal distances in equal intervals of time the object is said to have a non-uniform motion.
Speed of an object is defined as the distance traveled by the object per unit time.
SI Unit: Meter (m) Symbol of Representation: m/s or ms-1 Speed = Distance/Time |
Average Speed – If the motion of the object is non-uniform then we calculate the average speed to signify the rate of motion of that object.
For Example, If an object travels 10m in 3 seconds and 12m in 7 seconds. Then its average speed would be:
Total distance travelled = 10 m + 12 m = 22m
Total Time taken = 3s + 7s = 10s
Average speed = 22/10 = 2.2 m/s
To describe the rate of motion in a direction the term velocity is used. It is defined as the speed of an object in a particular direction.
Velocity = Displacement/Time SI Unit: Meter (m) Symbol of Representation: M/s or ms-1 |
Average Velocity (in case of uniform motion)-
Average Velocity = (Initial Velocity + Final Velocity)/2
Average Velocity (in case of non-uniform motion)-
Average Velocity = Total Displacement / Total Time taken
Uniform Motion – In case of uniform motion the velocity of an object remains constant with change in time. Hence, the rate of change of velocity is said to be zero.
Non-uniform Motion – In case of non-uniform motion the velocity of an object changes with time. This rate of change of velocity per unit time is called Acceleration.
Acceleration= Change in velocity/ Time taken SI Unit: m/s2 |
Uniform Acceleration – An object is said to have a uniform acceleration if:
It travels along a straight path
Its velocity changes (increases or decreases) by equal amounts in equal time intervals
Non - Uniform Acceleration – An object is said to have a non-uniform acceleration if:
Its velocity changes (increases or decreases) by unequal amounts in unequal time intervals
Acceleration is also a vector quantity. The direction of acceleration is the same if the velocity is increasing in the same direction. Such acceleration is called Positive Acceleration.
The direction of acceleration becomes opposite as that of velocity if velocity is decreasing in a direction. Such acceleration is called Negative Acceleration.
De-acceleration or Retardation – Negative acceleration is also called De-acceleration or Retardation
Graphical Representation of Motion
1. Distance – Time Graph
It represents a change in position of the object with respect to time.
The graph in case theobject is stationary (means the distance is constant at all time intervals) – Straight line graph parallel to x = axis
Distance-time Graph in case of Stationary object
The graph in case of uniform motion – Straight line graph
Distance-time Graph in Uniform Motion
The graph in case of non-uniform motion – Graph has different shapes
Distance-time Graph in Non-Uniform Motion
2. Velocity – Time Graphs
Constant velocity – Straight line graph, velocity is always parallel to the x-axis
Uniform Velocity / Uniform Acceleration – Straight line graph
Non-Uniform Velocity / Non-Uniform Acceleration – Graph can have different shapes
Calculating Displacement from a Velocity-time Graph
Consider the graph given below. The area under the graph gives the distance traveled between a certain interval of time. Hence, if we want to find out the distance traveled between time interval t1 and t2, we need to calculate the area enclosed by the rectangle ABCD where area (ABCD) = AB * AC.
Similarly, to calculate distance traveled in a time interval in case of uniform acceleration, we need to find out the area under the graph, as shown in the figure below.
To calculate the distance between time intervals t1 and t2 we need to find out area represented by ABED.
Area of ABED = Area of the rectangle ABCD + Area of the triangle ADE = AB × BC + 1/ 2 * (AD × DE)
Equations of Motion
The equations of motion represent the relationship between an object's acceleration, velocity and distance covered if and only if,
The object is moving on a straight path
The object has a uniform acceleration
Three Equations of Motion
1. The Equation for Velocity – Time Relation
v = u + at
2. The Equation for Position – Time Relation
s = ut + 1/2 at2
3. The Equation for the Position – Velocity Relation
2a s = v2 – u2
Where,
u: initial velocity
a: uniform acceleration
t: time
v: final velocity
s: distance traveled in time t
Deriving the Equations of Motion Graphically
Study the graph above. The line segment PN shows the relation between velocity and time.
Initial velocity, u can be derived from velocity at point P or by the line segment OP
Final velocity, v can be derived from velocity at point N or by the line segment NR
Also, NQ = NR – PO = v – u
Time interval t is represented by OR, where OR = PQ = MN
1. Deriving the Equation for Velocity – Time Relation
Acceleration = Change in velocity / time taken
Acceleration = (final velocity – initial velocity) / time
a = (v – u)/t
so, at = v – u
v = u + at
2. Deriving Equation for Position – Time Relation
We know that, distance travelled by an object = Area under the graph
So, Distance travelled = Area of OPNR = Area of rectangle OPQR + Area of triangle PQN
s = (OP * OR) + (PQ * QN) / 2
s = (u * t) + (t * (v – u) / 2)
s = ut + 1/2 at2 [because at = v – u]
3. Deriving the Equation for Position – Velocity Relation
We know that, distance travelled by an object = area under the graph
So, s = Area of OPNR = (Sum of parallel sides * height) / 2
s = ((PO + NR)* PQ)/ 2 = ( (v+u) * t)/ 2
2s / (v+u) = t [equation 1]
Also, we know that, (v – u)/ a = t [equation 2]
On equating equations 1 and 2, we get,
2s / (v + u) = (v – u)/ a
2as = (v + u) (v – u)
2 a s = v2 – u2
Uniform Circular Motion
If an object moves in a constant velocity along a circular path, the change in velocity occurs due to the change in direction. Therefore, this is an accelerated motion. Consider the figure given below and observe how directions of an object vary at different locations on a circular path.
Uniform Circular Motion – When an object travels in a circular path at a uniform speed the object is said to have a uniform circular motion.
Non-Uniform Circular Motion – When an object travels in a circular path at a non-uniform speed the object is said to have a non-uniform circular motion
Examples of uniform circular motion:
The motion of a satellite in its orbit
The motion of planets around the sun
Velocity of Uniform Circular Motion
Velocity = Distance/ Time = Circumference of circle / Time
v = 2πr/ t
where,
v: velocity of the object
r: radius of the circular path
t: time taken by the object