PHYSICS

THEORY NOTE
MOTION IN A STRAIGHT LINE
POSITION POINT OBJECT
 A reference point and a set of axes are needed  If the size of the body is very small compared
to specify the position of a body. to the distance covered then the body is
 Here we consider a rectangular coordinate considered as point object.
system consisting of three mutually ONE DIMENSIONAL MOTION
perpendicular axes. (X, Y, Z).  Motion of a body restricted to move in straight
 This coordinate system along with a clock line is known as one dimensional motion.
(time) constitutes a frame of reference.  Examples
REST 1. Motion of a train along straight railway
 Position of an object does not change w.r.t the track
surroundings during the passage of time. 2. A falling object
 Depends on frame of reference. TWO DIMENSIONAL MOTION

 Passengers in a bus is in motion with respect  Motion of a body restricted to move along a
to an observer on the ground but at rest w.r.t surface is known as two dimensional motion
the co passengers.  Examples
MOTION 1. An ant moving on a table top.
 Position of an object changes w.r.t the 2. Bus moving along a "Zig Zag" level
surroundings during the passage of time. road.
 Depends on frame of reference. 3. An arrow shot from a bow (projectile

MECHANICS motion).

 Branch of physics which deals with the 4. Earth revolving round the sun (Circular

condition of rest or motion of a body. motion).

 Statics-Branch of physics which deals with THREE DIMENSIONAL MOTION

the condition of rest of a body.  Motion of a body free to move through space

 Kinematics-Branch of physics which deals is known as three dimensional motion.

with the condition of motion of a body without  Examples;

considering the cause of motion. 1. Kite flying

 Dynamics-Branch of physics which deals with 2. An aero plane flying

the condition of motion of a body considering DISTANCE

the cause of motion.  Actual path travelled by the object.

 Scalar quantity. [no direction][just add]

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 PHYSICS

 It can be zero and positive but not negative. Downward (-k)

DISPLACEMENT
DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS
 Shortest distance between initial and final iˆ + ˆj
 North east by
point. 2
 Vector quantity. − iˆ + ˆj
 North west by
 Its direction is from initial to final. 2
iˆ − ˆj
 It can be zero, positive and negative.  South east by
2
DIRECTIONS USING VECTORS
− iˆ − ˆj
 South west by
 iˆ represents x direction 2

Displacement 7 iˆ meter represents 7m SPEED

displacement in x direction.  Rate of change of position with respect to time
 ĵ Represents y direction.  x → position
Displacement 5 ĵ meter represents 5m x → change in position
dx → small change in position
displacement in y direction.
t → time
 k̂ Represents z direction. t → change in time
If a body has a displacement of 3m in positive x dt → small change in time
direction, then 4m in negative y direction and 5m
 Speed
in positive z direction, then the total displacement
dx
is 3 î - 4ĵ + 5k̂
v=
dt
MAGNITUDE OF A VECTOR  Scalar quantity. [no direction][just add]

 If a vector is given by A = aî + bĵ + ck̂ then its  It can be zero and positive but not negative.
 Its SI unit is m/s
magnitude is given by a 2 + b2 + c2
 Another unit of speed is km/h
 East can be represented by + iˆ
 To convert km/h into m/s multiply by 5/18
Similarly west by - iˆ
km 1000m 5
1 = = m/s
North by + ĵ South by − ĵ h 3600s 18

Upward by + k̂ Downward by − k̂ 72
km 5
= 72  m / s = 20m / s
h 18
Upward (+k) UNIFORM SPEED
N(+j)  When a body covers equal distance in equal
intervals of time then the body is said to be in
W(-i) E(+i)
uniform speed.

S(-j)  Constant speed means uniform speed.

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 PHYSICS

dt = 2s dt = 2s dt = 2s dt = 2s dt = 2s INSTANTANEOUS SPEED


dx =8m dx =8m dx =8m dx =8m dx =8m
 Speed of a body at a particular instant.
dx
 Actually gives the instantaneous speed.
dt
dx
 Here speed =
dx 8
= = 4m / s  Instantane ous speed =
dt 2 dt

Here total distance = 40m AVERAGE SPEED

Total time = 10s  Average speed of a body is given by
Uniform speed = 40/10=4m/s. Total distance
Average speed =
Total time
 Equation of uniform speed can be
 In uniform motion
dx
Uniform speed =
dt Average speed = Instantaneous speed
x
Uniform speed = VELOCITY
t
 Rate of change of position with respect to time
Distance
Uniform speed =
Time  Velocity
VARIABLE SPEED dx
v=
dt
 When a body covers unequal distance in equal
 Vector quantity.
intervals of time then the body is said to be in
non-uniform speed.  Its direction is in the direction of motion.

 Variable speed means non uniform speed.  It can be zero, positive and negative.
 Its SI unit is m/s
dt = 2s dt = 2s dt = 2s dt = 2s dt = 2s


dx =1m dx = 5m dx = 3m dx = 6m dx = 9m
UNIFORM VELOCITY
 When a body covers equal distance in equal
intervals of time without any change in
direction then the body is said to be in uniform
 Equation of variable speed is
velocity.
dx
Variable speed =
dt  Constant velocity means both magnitude and
 Do not use these equations to find variable direction are constants.
speed  For a body moving with constant velocity
x Distance = Displacement
Variable speed = → Incorrect
t Because no change in direction.
Distance
Variable speed = → Incorrect  Equation of uniform velocity can be
Time

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 PHYSICS

dx Speed
Uniform velocity = 2. 1
dt Velocity
x
Uniform velocitry = AVERAGE VELOCITY AND SPEED
t
PROBLEMS
Distance Displacement
Uniform velocity = =
Time Time  A body covers first half of the distance with a

VARIABLE VELOCITY velocity v1 and the second half with a velocity v 2 .

 When a body covers unequal distance in equal Find the average velocity of the motion.
Solution
intervals of time then the body is said to be in
non-uniform velocity.
 Variable velocity means non uniform velocity.
 Equation of variable velocity is
dx
Variable velocity =
dt S
Then for first half t 1 = and for second half
 Do not use these equations to find variable 2v1

velocity S
t2 =
2v 2
x
Variable velocity = → Incorrect
t Total displacement
 Average velocity =
Distance total time
Variable velocity = → Incorrect
Time S S 1
= = =
t1 + t 2 S S 1 1
INSTANTANEOUS VELOCITY + +
2v1 2v 2 2v1 2v 2
 Velocity of a body at a particular instant.
2v1 v 2
=
 Actually
dx
gives the instantaneous velocity v1 + v 2
dt
 A body covers first half of the time with a
dx
 Instantane ous velocity = velocity v1 and the second half with a velocity v 2 .
dt
Find the average velocity of the motion.
 Speedometer reads instantaneous speed not
Solution
instantaneous velocity
AVERAGE VELOCITY
 Average velocity of a body is given by
Total displacement
Average velocity =
Total time
 In uniform motion Then for first half s1 =
v1 t
and for second half
2
Average velocity = Instantaneous velocity
v2t
Note s2 =
2
Distance
1. 1
Displacement

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 PHYSICS

Total displacement n 1 1 1
 Average velocity = = + + .......
total time v avg v1 v 2 v3
v1 t v 2 t
+
s1 + s 2 2 = v1 + v 2
ACCELERATION
= = 2
t t 2  Rate of change of velocity with respect to time
v → change in velocity
Time average speed
 When particle moves with different uniform speed dv → small change in velocity
t → time
1 ,  2 ,  3 ... etc in different time intervals t1 , t 2 ,
t → change in time
t3 , ... etc respectively, its average speed over the
dt → small change in time
total time of journey is given as
 Acceleration
Total distance covered
vav = dv
Total time elapsed a=
dt
d 1 + d 2 + d 3 + ......
=  Vector quantity.
t1 + t 2 + t 3 + ......
 Its direction is in the direction of force.
1t1 +  2 t 2 +  3 t 3 + ......
= Or
t1 + t 2 + t 3 + ......
In the direction of change in velocity.
 When particle moves with different uniform speed
 It can be zero, positive and negative.
1 ,  2 ,  3 ... etc in n equal intervals of time, then
 Its SI unit is m/s2
1 +  2 +  3 + ......
vavg = UNIFORM ACCELERATION
n
Distance averaged speed  Velocity changes at a constant rate.

 When a particle describes different distances d 1 ,  Uniform acceleration means constant

d 2 , d 3 , ...... with different time intervals t1 , t 2 , t 3 ,

acceleration.

...... with speeds v1 , v 2 , v 3 ...... respectively then the dt = 2s dt = 2s dt = 2s

speed of particle averaged over the total distance
can be given as
  
dv = 4m/s dv = 4m/s dv = 4m/s
Total distance covered
 av =  Equation of uniform acceleration can be
Total time elapsed
dv
d 1 + d 2 + d 3 + ...... Uniform acceleration =
= dt
t1 + t 2 + t 3 + ......
v v - u
Uniform acceleration = =
d 1 + d 2 + d 3 + ...... t t
=
d1 d 2 d 3 v → Final velocity
+ + + ......
1 2 3 u → Initial velocity

 When a particle describes n equal distances with VARIABLE ACCELERATION

different time intervals t1 , t 2 , t 3 , ...... with speeds  Velocity changes at a variable rate.
v1 , v 2 , v 3 ...... respectively then the speed of particle  Variable acceleration means non uniform
averaged over the total distance can be given as acceleration.

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 PHYSICS

 Equation of variable acceleration is  Acceleration  0, Force  0

dv  Equations used
Variable acceleration =
dt dx dv
v= , a=
 Do not use these equations to find variable dt dt
acceleration  E.g. Car racing
v UNIFORMLY ACCELERATED MOTION
Variable acceleration = → Incorrect
t
 Acceleration constant.
Velocity
Variable acceleration = → Incorrect
Time  Force constant.

INSTANTANEOUS ACCELERATION  Velocity changes at a constant rate.

 Acceleration of a body at a particular instant.  Equations used

1
 Actually
dv
gives the instantaneous v = u + at, s = ut + at 2 , v 2 = u 2 + 2as
dt 2

acceleration.  E.g. Motion under gravity.

dv NON-UNIFORMLY ACCELERATED
 Instantane ous acceleration =
dt MOTION
AVERAGE ACCELERATION   Acceleration variable.  Force variable.
 Average acceleration of a body is given by  Velocity changes at a variable rate.
Total change in velocity dx dv
Average velocity =  Equations used v = , a=
Total time dt dt

UNIFORM MOTION KINEMATIC EQUATIONS FOR

 In uniform motion a body covers equal UNIFORMLY ACCELERATED MOTION

distance in equal intervals of time. 1. v = v 0 + at

 Velocity remains constant in magnitude and 1 2 1

2. x = x 0 + v 0 t + at or s = v 0 t + at 2
direction. 2 2

 Acceleration = 0, Force = 0 3. v 2 = v 02 + 2as

 In uniform motion distance equals 1

4. s nth = v 0 + a(n - )
displacement. 2
v + u
 Equation used v =
s 5. s =  t
t  2 

 E.g. A car moving on a straight road with v+u

6. v avg =
2
constant velocity.
GRAPH
NON UNIFORM MOTION
dx
 In non-uniform motion a body covers unequal  v= →Slope of position time graph gives
dt
distance in equal intervals of time.
velocity.
 Velocity changes in magnitude or direction.

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 PHYSICS

→ Area under velocity time graph gives

x
change in position or displacement 2.
dv
 a= →Slope of velocity time graph gives
dt O t

acceleration. • Slope of position time graph gives velocity.

→ Area under acceleration time graph gives • Velocity = Slope = Constant = tan
change in velocity • Body is in uniform motion.
 x α t → Position is independent of time
0
• Acceleration = 0. Force = 0
x-t graph is a straight line parallel to the time s
• Equation used v =
axis t
v α t 0 →Velocity is independent of time • Slope = Positive
v-t graph is a straight line parallel to the time • Body is moving away from the origin.
x
axis 3.
a α t 0 →Acceleration is independent of time

a-t graph is a straight line parallel to the time O t

axis • Slope of position time graph gives

 x α t → x-t graph is a straight line inclined to velocity.
the axes • Velocity = Slope = Constant = tan
v α t → v-t graph is a straight line inclined to • Body is in uniform motion.
the axes • Acceleration = 0, Force = 0
a α t →a-t graph is a straight line inclined to s
• Equation used v =
t
the axes
• Slope = Negative
 x α t 2 →x-t graph is a parabola
• Body is moving towards the origin.
v α t 2 →v-t graph is a parabola
4. x
a α t 2 →a-t graph is a parabola 15

10 A B
POSITION TIME GRAPH
5 C
1. x
0
10 20 30 40 t
OA Time (s)
O t
• Body is in uniform motion.
• Slope of position time graph gives velocity.
• Moves away from the origin with constant
• Here slope = 0. Therefore v=0
velocity 1 m/s (slope)
• Body is at rest.
AB
• Acceleration = 0. Force = 0
• Body is at rest for next 10 second.

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 PHYSICS
BC • Here slope = 0. Therefore a=0
• Body changes its direction. • Body is in uniform motion.
• Slope is negative, therefore velocity is • Acceleration = 0, Force = 0
negative. s
• Equation used v =
• Body returns to the origin with constant t

velocity. • Area under v-t graph gives displacement.

5. x
• Area = Displacement
= S = Length x Breadth = vt

O
• Position
x
time graph of this v-t graph is
t

• Slope of position time graph gives velocity.

• Here slope increases. O t

• Velocity increases, Accelerated motion. 2. v

• Non uniform motion.

• v  constant, a  0, F  0 O t

dx dv • Slope of velocity time graph gives

• Equations used v = ,a =
dt dt acceleration.
• Slope = Positive • Here slope = Constant. Therefore a=constant
• Body is moving away from the origin. • Velocity increases.
6. x • Body is in uniformly accelerated motion.
• Acceleration = Constant, Force = Constant
O t • Equations used
• Slope of position time graph gives velocity. 1 2 2
v = u + at, s = ut + at , v = u 2 + 2as
• Here slope decreases, Velocity decreases 2

• Decelerated motion, Non uniform motion. • Area under v-t graph gives displacement.

• v  constant, a  0, F  0 • Graph starts from origin implies initial

dx dv velocity = 0
• Equations used v = ,a =
dt dt • Velocity = Positive , Slope = Positive
• Slope = Positive Therefore accelerated motion
• Body is moving away from the origin. • Position time graph of this v-t graph is
x
VELOCITY TIME GRAPH
1. v
O t
v
3.
O t

• Slope of velocity time graph gives O t

acceleration.

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 PHYSICS

• Slope of velocity time graph gives • Area under v-t graph gives displacement.
acceleration. • Velocity = Positive , Slope = Positive
• Here slope = Constant. Therefore a=constant Therefore accelerated motion
• Velocity decreases. 6. v

• Body is in uniformly decelerated motion.

• Acceleration = Constant, Force = Constant O t

• Equations used • Slope of velocity time graph gives

1 2 2 acceleration.
v = u + at, s = ut + at , v = u 2 + 2as
2 • Here slope = decreases. Therefore
• Area under v-t graph gives displacement. a=decreases
• Initial velocity  0, Velocity = Positive • Velocity increases.
Slope = Negative, Therefore retarded motion • Body is in non-uniformly decelerated
• Position time graph of this v-t graph is motion.
x
• Acceleration = Variable, Force = variable
dx dv
v O t • Equations used v = ,a =
dt dt
4.
D B • Area under v-t graph gives displacement.

C • Velocity = Positive ,Slope = Positive
A
Therefore accelerated motion
O t1 t2 ACCELERATION TIME GRAPH
Time
a
1.
• Here graph does not pass through origin.
• Here initial velocity is not zero O t
• Constant acceleration
5. v • Variable velocity. Force = Constant
• Equations used
O t 1 2 2
v = u + at, s = ut + at , v = u 2 + 2as
• Slope of velocity time graph gives 2
acceleration. • Area under graph gives change in velocity.
• Here slope = Increases. Therefore 2. a

a=increases, Velocity increases.

• Body is in non-uniformly decelerated O t

motion. • Acceleration increases, Variable velocity.

• Acceleration = Variable, Force = variable • Force = variable
dx dv dx dv
• Equations used v = ,a = • Equations used v = ,a =
dt dt dt dt

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 PHYSICS

• Area under graph gives change in velocity. • Displacement S = +h

MOTION UNDER GRAVITY u = + u, a = + g, S = + h, t = ?
1 2 1
 It is an example for uniformly accelerated S = ut + at  h = ut + gt 2
2 2
motion. 1 2
ut + gt − h = 0
2
 Gravity is always acting downward. Solve this quadratic equation to find t
 Acceleration due to gravity g = 9.8 m/s2  10
• Striking velocity
2
m/s
u = + u, a = +g, S = + h, v = ?
 Air resistance is neglected. v 2 = u 2 + 2as
BODY DROPPED FROM A CERTAIN v 2 = u 2 + 2gh  v = u 2 + 2gh
HEIGHT
BODY THROWN VERTICALLY UPWARD
• Time of flight v=0

• Downward direction is taken

u=0 • Upward direction is taken as
as positive. h
u positive and downward direction
• As body starts from rest u = 0
as negative.
h • As acceleration is downward
• As acceleration is downward a =
a = +g
-g
• Displacement S = +h
• Velocity at the highest point is zero
v • Time of flight
• Upward motion is retarded and downward
u = 0, a = +g, S = + h, t = ?
motion is accelerated.
1
S = ut + at 2 • Maximum height reached is h
2
1 2h • Time of ascend
h = gt 2  t =
2 g u = + u, a = −g, v = 0 (highest point ), t = ?
Striking velocity u
v = u + at  0 = u - gt  t ascend =
g
u = 0, a = +g, S = + h, v = ?
v 2 = u 2 + 2as • Total time of flight
v 2 = 2gh  v = 2gh Considering total motion
u = + u, a = −g, S = 0, t = ?
BODY THROWN VERTICALLY
1 2 1
DOWNWARD FROM A CERTAIN HEIGHT S = ut + at  0 = ut − gt 2
2 2
u0 Time of flight 1 2u
ut = gt 2  t total =
2 g
• Downward direction is taken
as positive. • Time of descend
h
• As body starts from rest u  0 Time of descend = Total time - Time of ascend
2u u u
• As acceleration is downward = − =
g g g
a = +g
v

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 PHYSICS
u  “The distances traversed, during equal
t descend = ,  t ascend = t descend
g intervals of time, by a body falling from rest,
• Maximum height stand to one another in the same ratio as the
u = + u, a = −g, v = 0 (highest point ), S = + h odd numbers beginning with unity [namely, 1:
2
v 2 = u 2 + 2as  0 = u 2 − 2gh  h =
u 3: 5: 7…...].”
2g
 In another words
• Striking velocity When a body starts from rest and moves with
u = +u, a = −g, S = 0, v = ? constant acceleration then the ratio of the
v+u v+u distance travelled in equal intervals of time will
S= t  0 =  t
 2   2  be 1: 3: 5: 7…..
v+u STOPPING DISTANCE
  t = 0  v = -u
 2 
 When a moving vehicle is stopped with
• Body strikes the ground with the initial constant retardation its final velocity will be
velocity with reversed direction. zero and the stoping distance will be
BODY THROWN VERTICALLY UPWARD calculated as
FROM A CERTAIN HEIGHT → motion

• Upward direction is taken as positive and u=0 →

Retarding force 
v=0
downward direction as negative.
u = + u, a  −a, v = 0, S = ?
• As acceleration is downward a = -g
v 2 = u 2 + 2as
• Height of the building is h
0 = u 2 − 2as
• When the body reaches the ground S = -h u2
s=
2a

Time of flight RELATIVE VELOCITY

u = + u, a = −g, S = − h, t = ?  The relative velocity of an object 2 with respect to
1 2 1 object 1, when both are in motion, is the time rate
S = ut + at  -h = ut − gt 2
2 2 of change of position of object 2 with respect to
1
- ut + gt 2 − h = 0 that of object 1.
2
Solve this quadratic equation to find t  Relative velocity of object 2 w.r.t. object 1,

Striking velocity v 21 = v 2 - v1
u = + u, a = −g, S = −h, v = ?  Similarly, relative velocity of object 1 w.r.t. object
v 2 = u 2 + 2as  v 2 = u 2 + 2gh 2, v12 = v1 - v 2
 v = u 2 + 2gh  When the two objects move with same velocity
in the same direction. That is v1 = v2 and relative
velocity, v2 – v1 =0
 When v2 > v1 or relative velocity (v2 – v1 )is
GALILEO’S LAW OF ODD NUMBERS
positive. The relative separation x2 - x1 increases

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 PHYSICS
by the amount (v2 – v1) after every second.
 When v2 < v1 or relative velocity (v2 – v1) is
negative. Initially the object 2 is ahead of object 1
and x2 - x1 is positive. The relative separation x2 –
x1 first decreases till the two objects meet at the
position x1(t) = x2(t). Then the separation x2 - x1
becomes negative. The object 1 overtakes the
object 2 and the relative separation between them
again begins to increase.

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