Chapter 7: Motion
7.1 Describing Motion
Key Concepts:
● Motion is the change in position of an object over time.
● A reference point (origin) is required to describe the position of an object (e.g., a school
2 km north of a railway station).
Definitions:
● Distance: Total path covered by an object (scalar quantity).
● Displacement: Shortest straight-line distance between the initial and final positions of an
object (vector quantity).
Key Formula: Displacement (magnitude) ≤ Distance
Example: A car moves 60 km east and then 40 km west.
● Distance = 60 km + 40 km = 100 km
● Displacement = 60 km - 40 km = 20 km (east)
Additional Points:
● Distance involves only magnitude, while displacement includes magnitude and direction.
7.1.1 Motion Along a Straight Line
● The simplest type of motion is along a straight line.
● Terms used to describe this motion:
○ Path Length: Total distance covered.
○ Displacement: Straight-line distance from the initial to the final position.
Key Observation:
● The magnitude of displacement can be equal to the distance but never greater.
● If an object returns to its starting point, displacement is zero, but distance is not.
7.1.2 Uniform and Non-Uniform Motion
Uniform Motion:
● An object covers equal distances in equal intervals of time.
● Example: A car traveling 10 m every second.
Non-Uniform Motion:
● An object covers unequal distances in equal intervals of time.
● Example: A person jogging in a park or a car in heavy traffic.
7.2 Measuring the Rate of Motion
Speed:
● Definition: Distance traveled per unit time (scalar quantity).
● Formula:
Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time
● Units:
○ SI unit: meters per second (m/s)
○ Other units: kilometers per hour (km/h)
Example: A car travels 100 km in 2 hours. Average speed = 100 km / 2 h = 50 km/h.
Velocity:
● Definition: Speed with direction (vector quantity).
● Formula:
Average Velocity = Displacement / Time
● Units: Same as speed (m/s or km/h).
Difference Between Speed and Velocity:
● Speed has no direction, while velocity does.
● Velocity can be negative if the object moves in the opposite direction.
7.3 Rate of Change of Velocity
Acceleration:
● Definition: Change in velocity per unit time.
● Formula:
Acceleration (a) = (Final Velocity - Initial Velocity) / Time
● Units: meters per second squared (m/s²).
● Acceleration can be:
○ Positive: Velocity increases.
○ Negative: Velocity decreases (deceleration).
Uniform Acceleration:
● Velocity changes at a constant rate.
● Example: Free fall of an object under gravity.
Non-Uniform Acceleration:
● Velocity changes at a variable rate.
● Example: A car accelerating in traffic.
Example: A car’s velocity changes from 0 to 20 m/s in 5 seconds. Acceleration = (20 - 0) / 5 = 4
m/s².
7.4 Graphical Representation of Motion
Distance-Time Graphs:
● Shows how distance changes with time.
● Slope : Speed
● Area : doesn’t give anything :
Velocity-Time Graphs:
● Shows how velocity changes with time.
● Area : gives the displacement of the object.
● Slope : Acceleration
7.5 Equations of Motion
For motion with uniform acceleration, the following equations are used:
1. v = u + at (Velocity-Time Relation)
2. s = ut + ½ at² (Position-Time Relation)
3. v² = u² + 2as (Position-Velocity Relation)
Where:
● u = Initial velocity
● v = Final velocity
● a = Acceleration
● t = Time
● s = Displacement
Example: A car starts from rest (u = 0) and accelerates uniformly at 2 m/s² for 5 seconds.
1. Final velocity: v = u + at = 0 + (2 × 5) = 10 m/s
2. Displacement: s = ut + ½ at² = 0 + ½ (2 × 5²) = 25 m
7.6 Uniform Circular Motion
Definition:
● Motion of an object in a circular path at constant speed.
● Although speed is constant, the direction changes continuously, resulting in acceleration.
Formula:
● Speed = Circumference / Time
● Speed = 2πr / T
Where:
● r = Radius of the circle
● T = Time period
Examples:
● Motion of satellites, the Earth around the Sun, and vehicles on a circular track.
