1. Kinematics
1-D Motion

2. Mechanics The study of the motion of objects
Kinematics
Mechanics
The study of the motion of objects
Kinematics – the science of describing the motion of objects using words, diagrams, numbers, graphs, and equations

3. Scalars vs. Vectors Kinematics Scalars
Quantities that are fully described by a magnitude alone
Ex. Speed, distance
Vectors
Quantities that are fully described by both a magnitude and a direction
Ex. Velocity, displacement, acceleration

5. Distance vs. Displacement
Kinematics
Distance vs. Displacement
Distance
Scalar Quantity
How much ground an object has covered (path taken)
Displacement
Vector Quantity
How far out of place an object is (i.e. overall change in position)

6. What’s the distance? What’s the displacement?
Kinematics
What’s the distance? What’s the displacement?

7. Speed vs. Velocity ∆ Distance ∆ Time Displacement Time Kinematics
Scalar Quantity
How fast an object is moving
Average Speed =
Velocity
Vector Quantity
The rate at which an object changes its position (i.e. speed with a direction)
Average Velocity =
∆ Distance
∆ Time
Displacement
Time

8. Average vs. Instantaneous
Kinematics
Average vs. Instantaneous
Average
The average of all the instantaneous measurements
Average Speed =
Instantaneous
The measurement at any given time
Instantaneous Speed =
∆Distance
∆Time
Distance
Time

9. Acceleration Vector Quantity (magnitude & direction)
Kinematics
Acceleration
Vector Quantity (magnitude & direction)
The rate at which an object changes its velocity
This does not mean if an object is going fast but rather if it is speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction
Average Acceleration =
∆Velocity
Time

10. Kinematics
Acceleration

11. Position vs. Time Velocity vs. Time
Kinematic Graphs
Position vs. Time
Velocity vs. Time

12. Position vs. Time Graphs
Kinematics
Position vs. Time Graphs
Slope = Velocity
Straight line = Constant Velocity,
No acceleration
Curved line = Changing Velocity,
Accelerating
Horizontal (Flat) line = Not moving,
velocity is 0 m/s

13. Position vs. Time Graphs
Kinematics
Position vs. Time Graphs

14. Velocity vs. Time Graphs
Kinematics
Velocity vs. Time Graphs
Slope = Acceleration
Straight line = Constant acceleration
Upward sloping line = positive acceleration
Downward sloping line = negative acceleration
Horizontal (Flat) Line = Constant velocity,
acceleration is 0 m/s2

15. Velocity vs. Time Graphs
Kinematics
Velocity vs. Time Graphs

16. Kinematics
Kinematics Graphs

17. Kinematics
Kinematics Graphs
p (m)
v (m/s)
a (m/s2)

18. Kinematics
Free Fall
Any object that is being acted upon only by the force of gravity is said to be in a state of free fall.
Always assume no air resistance, unless told otherwise
Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s2
downward
ΔVf = gt d = ½gt2