<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Description of motion

The purpose of this chapter is to describe motion, and now that we understand the definitions of displacement, distance, velocity, speed and acceleration, we are ready to start using these ideas to describe how an object is moving. There are many ways of describing motion:

  1. words
  2. diagrams
  3. graphs

These methods will be described in this section.

We will consider three types of motion: when the object is not moving (stationary object), when the object is moving at a constant velocity (uniform motion) and when the object is moving at a constant acceleration (motion at constant acceleration).

Stationary object

The simplest motion that we can come across is that of a stationary object. A stationary object does not move and so its position does not change, for as long as it is standing still. An example of this situation is when someone is waiting for something without moving.The person remains in the same position.

Lesedi is waiting for a taxi. He is standing two metres from a stop street at t = 0 s. After one minute, at t = 60 s , he is still 2 metres from the stop street and after two minutes, at t  = 120  s , also 2 metres from the stop street. His position has not changed. His displacement is zero (because his position is the same), his velocity is zero (because his displacement is zero) and his acceleration is also zero (because his velocity is not changing).

We can now draw graphs of position vs. time ( x vs. t ), velocity vs. time ( v vs. t ) and acceleration vs. time ( a vs. t ) for a stationary object. The graphs are shown in [link] . Lesedi's position is 2 metres from the stop street. If the stop street is taken as the reference point, his position remains at 2 metres for 120 seconds. The graph is a horizontal line at 2 m.The velocity and acceleration graphs are also shown. They are both horizontal lines on the x -axis. Since his position is not changing, his velocity is 0m·s-1 and since velocity is not changing, acceleration is 0m·s-2 .

Graphs for a stationary object (a) position vs. time (b) velocity vs. time (c) acceleration vs. time.
Gradient

The gradient of a line can be calculated by dividing the change in the y -value by the change in the x -value.

m = ΔyΔx

Since we know that velocity is the rate of change of position, we can confirm the value for the velocity vs. time graph, by calculating the gradient of the x vs. t graph.

The gradient of a position vs. time graph gives the velocity.

If we calculate the gradient of the x vs. t graph for a stationary object we get:

v=ΔxΔt=xf-xitf-ti=2m-2m120s-60s(initial position=final position)=0m·s-1(for the time that Lesedi is stationary)

Similarly, we can confirm the value of the acceleration by calculating the gradient of the velocity vs. time graph.

The gradient of a velocity vs. time graph gives the acceleration.

If we calculate the gradient of the v vs. t graph for a stationary object we get:

a=ΔvΔt=vf-vitf-ti=0m·s-1-0m·s-1120s-60s=0m·s-2

Additionally, because the velocity vs. time graph is related to the position vs. time graph, we can use the area under the velocity vs. time graph to calculate the displacement of an object.

Questions & Answers

how to create a software using Android phone
Wiseman Reply
how
basra
what is the difference between C and C++.
Yan Reply
what is software
Sami Reply
software is a instructions like programs
Shambhu
what is the difference between C and C++.
Yan
yes, how?
Hayder
what is software engineering
Ahmad
software engineering is a the branch of computer science deals with the design,development, testing and maintenance of software applications.
Hayder
who is best bw software engineering and cyber security
Ahmad
Both software engineering and cybersecurity offer exciting career prospects, but your choice ultimately depends on your interests and skills. If you enjoy problem-solving, programming, and designing software syste
Hayder
what's software processes
Ntege Reply
I haven't started reading yet. by device (hardware) or for improving design Lol? Here. Requirement, Design, Implementation, Verification, Maintenance.
Vernon
I can give you a more valid answer by 5:00 By the way gm.
Vernon
it is all about designing,developing, testing, implementing and maintaining of software systems.
Ehenew
hello assalamualaikum
Sami
My name M Sami I m 2nd year student
Sami
what is the specific IDE for flutter programs?
Mwami Reply
jegudgdtgd my Name my Name is M and I have been talking about iey my papa john's university of washington post I tagged I will be in
Mwaqas Reply
yes
usman
how disign photo
atul Reply
hlo
Navya
hi
Michael
yes
Subhan
Show the necessary steps with description in resource monitoring process (CPU,memory,disk and network)
samuel Reply
What is software engineering
Tafadzwa Reply
Software engineering is a branch of computer science directed to writing programs to develop Softwares that can drive or enable the functionality of some hardwares like phone , automobile and others
kelvin
if any requirement engineer is gathering requirements from client and after getting he/she Analyze them this process is called
Alqa Reply
The following text is encoded in base 64. Ik5ldmVyIHRydXN0IGEgY29tcHV0ZXIgeW91IGNhbid0IHRocm93IG91dCBhIHdpbmRvdyIgLSBTdGV2ZSBXb3puaWFr Decode it, and paste the decoded text here
Julian Reply
what to do you mean
Vincent
hello
ALI
how are you ?
ALI
What is the command to list the contents of a directory in Unix and Unix-like operating systems
George Reply
how can i make my own software free of cost
Faizan Reply
like how
usman
hi
Hayder
The name of the author of our software engineering book is Ian Sommerville.
Doha Reply
what is software
Sampson Reply
the set of intruction given to the computer to perform a task
Noor
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Siyavula textbooks: grade 10 physical science [caps]. OpenStax CNX. Sep 30, 2011 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col11305/1.7
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Siyavula textbooks: grade 10 physical science [caps]' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask