POINTS TO PONDER
1. The path length traversed by an object between two points is, in general, not
the same as the magnitude of displacement. The displacement depends only on the end
points; the path length (as the name implies) depends on the actual path. The two
quantities are equal only if the object does not change its direction during the
course of motion. In all other cases, the path length is greater than the magnitude
of displacement.
2. In view of point 1 above, the average speed of an object is greater than or
equal to the magnitude of the average velocity over a given time interval. The two
are equal only if the path length is equal to the magnitude of displacement.
3. The vector equations (3.33a) and (3.34a) do not involve any choice of axes. Of
course, you can always resolve them along any two independent axes.
4. The kinematic equations for uniform acceleration do not apply to the case of
uniform circular motion since in this case the magnitude of acceleration is
constant but its direction is changing.
5. An object subjected to two velocities v1 and v2 has a resultant velocity v = v1
+ v2. Take care to distinguish it from velocity of object 1 relative to velocity of
object 2 : v = v − v .
12 1 2
Here v1 and v2 are velocities with reference to some common reference frame.
6. The resultant acceleration of an object in circular motion is towards the centre
only if
the speed is constant.
7. The shape of the trajectory of the motion of an object is not determined by the
acceleration
alone but also depends on the initial conditions of motion ( initial position and
initial velocity). For example, the trajectory of an object moving under the same
acceleration due to gravity can be a straight line or a parabola depending on the
initial conditions.
