AP Physics 1 – Unit 1

KINEMATICS IN ONE AND TWO DIMENSIONS

Learning Objectives:

3.A.1.1: I can express the motion of an object using narrative, mathematical, and graphical
representations. [SP 1.5, 2.1, 2.2]

3.A.1.2: I can design an experimental investigation of the motion of an object. [SP 4.2]

3.A.1.3: I can analyze experimental data describing the motion of an object and is able to
express the results of the analysis using narrative, mathematical, and graphical
representations. [SP 5.1]
Vectors
Scalars
A SCALAR is ANY quantity in Scalar Magnitude
physics that has Example
MAGNITUDE, but NOT a Speed 20 m/s
direction associated with it.
Magnitude – A numerical Distance 10 m
value with units.
Age 15 years

Heat 1000
calories
Vectors
A VECTOR is ANY quantity in Vector Magnitude
physics that has BOTH & Direction
MAGNITUDE and DIRECTION. Velocity 20 m/s, N
Acceleration 10 m/s/s, E
Force 5 N, West

   Vectors are typically illustrated by drawing

v , x, a, F an ARROW above the symbol. The arrow is

used to convey direction and magnitude.
 Applications of Vectors
VECTOR ADDITION – If 2 similar vectors point in the SAME direction, add
them.

Example: A man walks 54.5 meters east, then another 30 meters east.
Calculate his displacement relative to where he started?
54.5 m, E + 30 m, E Notice that the SIZE of
the arrow conveys
MAGNITUDE and the way
84.5 m, E it was drawn conveys
DIRECTION.
Applications of Vectors
VECTOR SUBTRACTION - If 2 vectors are going in opposite
directions, you SUBTRACT.

Example: A man walks 54.5 meters east, then 30 meters west.

Calculate his displacement relative to where he started?

54.5 m, E

30 m, W

24.5 m, E
 Non-Collinear Vectors
When 2 vectors are perpendicular, you must use the
A man walks 95 km, East then 55 km,
Pythagorean theorem. north. Calculate his RESULTANT
DISPLACEMENT.
The hypotenuse in Physics is Finish
called the RESULTANT.
c2  a 2  b2  c  a 2  b2
55 km, N c  Resultant  952  552
Vertical
Component
c  12050  109.8 km
Horizontal Component

95 km,E
Start
The LEGS of the triangle are called the COMPONENTS
 But… what about direction?
In the previous example, DISPLACEMENT was asked for and since
it is a VECTOR we should include a DIRECTION on our final
answer.
N

W of N E of N
N of E
N of W
W E
N of E S of W S of E

NOTE: When drawing a right triangle that

conveys some type of motion, you MUST draw W of S E of S
your components HEAD TO TOE. S
But… what about the angle?
Just putting North of East on the answer is NOT specific enough for the
direction. We MUST find the VALUE of the angle.

To find the value of the angle

we use a Trig function called
TANGENT.
109.8 km
55 km, N
opposite side 55
Tan     0.5789
q N of E adjacent side 95
95 km,E   Tan 1 (0.5789)  30

So the COMPLETE final answer is : 109.8 km, 30 degrees North of East

What if a component is missing?
Suppose a person walked 65 m, 25 degrees East of North. What were his
horizontal and vertical components?
The goal: ALWAYS MAKE A RIGHT TRIANGLE!
H.C. = ?

To solve for components, we often use the trig

V.C = ? functions sine and cosine.
25 65 m
adjacent side opposite side
cosine  sine 
hypotenuse hypotenuse
adj  hyp cos  opp  hyp sin 

adj  V .C.  65 cos 25  58.91m, N

opp  H .C.  65 sin 25  27.47m, E
 Example:
A bear, searching for food wanders 35 meters east then 20 meters north. Frustrated, he wanders
another 12 meters west then 6 meters south. Calculate the bear's displacement.
- 23 m, E
=

12 m, W
- =
14 m, N
6 m, S
20 m, N
R  14 2  232  26.93m
14
35 m, E R 14 m, N Tan    .6087
23
q
  Tan 1 (0.6087)  31.3
23 m, E
The Final Answer: 26.93 m, 31.3 degrees NORTH of EAST
 Example:
A boat moves with a velocity of 15 m/s, N in a river which flows with
a velocity of 8.0 m/s, west. Calculate the boat's resultant velocity
with respect to due north.

Rv  82  152  17 m / s
8.0 m/s, W
8
15 m/s, N
Tan    0.5333
Rv q 15
  Tan (0.5333)  28.1
1 

The Final Answer : 17 m/s, @ 28.1 degrees West of North

 Example:
A plane moves with a velocity of 63.5 m/s at 32 degrees South of East. Calculate the plane's
horizontal and vertical velocity components.

adjacent side opposite side

cosine  sine 
H.C. =? hypotenuse hypotenuse
32 adj  hyp cos  opp  hyp sin 
V.C. = ?

63.5 m/s
adj  H .C.  63.5 cos 32  53.85 m / s, E
opp  V .C.  63.5 sin 32  33.64 m / s, S
 Example:
A storm system moves 5000 km due east, then shifts course at 40 degrees
North of East for 1500 km. Calculate the storm's resultant displacement. adjacent side opposite side
cosine  sine 
1500 km hypotenuse hypotenuse
V.C.
adj  hyp cos opp  hyp sin 

5000 km, E H.C.

adj  H .C.  1500 cos 40  1149.1 km, E
opp  V .C.  1500 sin 40  964.2 km, N

5000 km + 1149.1 km = 6149.1 km R  6149.12  964.2 2  6224.14 km

964.2
Tan    0.157
6149.1
R
964.2 km   Tan 1 (0.364)  8.91
q
6149.1 km The Final Answer: 6224.14 km @ 8.91
degrees, North of East
Kinematics
IN ONE DIMENSION
Learning Objectives:
BIG IDEA 3. The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.

3.A.1.1: I can express the motion of an object using narrative, mathematical, and graphical
representations. [SP 1.5, 2.1, 2.2]

3.A.1.2: I can design an experimental investigation of the motion of an object. [SP 4.2]

3.A.1.3: I can analyze experimental data describing the motion of an object and is able to express the
results of the analysis using narrative, mathematical, and graphical representations. [SP 5.1]
The Important Variables
Kinematics is a way of describing the motion of objects without
describing the causes. You can describe an object’s motion:
In words Mathematically Pictorially Graphically
Symbol Variable Units
t Time s
a Acceleration m/s/s
x or y Displacement m
vo Initial velocity m/s
v Final velocity m/s
g or ag Acceleration due to m/s/s
gravity
Kinematic Equations
There are 3 major kinematic
equations than can be used v  vo  at
to describe the motion in
DETAIL. All are used when x  xo  vot  1 at 2
the acceleration is 2
CONSTANT.
v  vo  2a ( x  xo )
2 2
Kinematic #1

v v  vo
a  v  vo  at
t t
v  vo  at
Kinematic #1
Example: A boat moves slowly out of a marina (so as to not leave a
wake) with a speed of 1.50 m/s. As soon as it passes the breakwater,
leaving the marina, it throttles up and accelerates at 2.40 m/s/s.

a) How fast is the boat moving after accelerating for 5 seconds?

What do I What do I
know? want? v  vo  at
vo= 1.50 m/s v=?
a = 2.40 m/s/s
v  (1.50)  (2.40)(5)
t=5s v  13.5 m/s
Kinematic #2
x  xo  vox t  1 at 2
2
b) How far did the boat travel during that time?

x  xo  voxt  1 at 2
2
x  0  (1.5)(5)  1 (2.40)(52 )
2
x  37.5 m
Making sense yet?
13.5 m/s
A  bh  A  (5)(1.5)
A  7.50 m

1 1
A  bh  (5)(12)
2 2
A  30 m
1.5
m/s

Total displacement = 7.50 + 30 = 37.5 m = Total AREA under the line.

Important Note:
x  xo  vox t  1 at 2
2

x  xo  vox t  1 att
A = HB 2
x  xo  vox t  1 vt
2

Most of the time, xo=0, but if it is not

don’t forget to ADD in the initial position A=1/2HB
of the object.
Kinematic #3
v  v  2a( x  xo )
2 2
o

Example: You are driving through town at 12 m/s when suddenly a ball rolls
out in front of your car. You apply the brakes and begin decelerating at
3.5 m/s/s. How far do you travel before coming to a complete stop?

What do I What do I
know? want? v 2  vo2  2a ( x  xo )
vo= 12 m/s x=? 0  12 2  2(3.5)( x  0)
a = -3.5 m/s/s  144  7 x
V = 0 m/s x 20.57 m
 Common Problems
I don’t know which equation to Equation Missing Variable
choose!!!

x
v  vo  at
v
x  xo  voxt  1 at 2
2
t
v  v  2a( x  xo )
2 2
o
Kinematics for the Vertical direction
All 3 kinematics can be used to analyze one dimensional
motion in either the X direction OR the y direction.

v  vo  at  v y  voy  gt
x  xo  voxt  1 at  y  yo  voy t 
2 1 gt 2
2 2
v  vox  2a ( x  xo )  v y  voy  2 g ( y  yo )
2 2 2 2
The acceleration due to gravity
The acceleration due to gravity is a special constant that exists in a
VACUUM, meaning without air resistance. If an object is in FREE FALL,
gravity will CHANGE an objects velocity by 9.8 m/s every second.

g  a g  9.8 m / s 2

The acceleration due to gravity:

•ALWAYS ACTS DOWNWARD
•IS ALWAYS CONSTANT near the surface of
Earth
 Example:
A stone is dropped at rest from the top of a cliff. It is
observed to hit the ground 5.78 s later. How high is the cliff?

What do I What do I Which variable is NOT given and

know? want? NOT asked for?
Final Velocity!
v = 0 m/s
oy y=?
g = -9.8 m/s2 y  yo  voy t  1 gt 2
2
yo=0 m
y  (0)(5.78)  4.9(5.78) 2
t = 5.78 s
y  -163.7 m
H =163.7m
Example:
A pitcher throws a fastball with a velocity of 43.5 m/s. It is determined that
during the windup and delivery the ball covers a displacement of 2.5 meters.
This is from the point behind the body when the ball is at rest to the point of
release. Calculate the acceleration during his throwing motion.

What do I What do I Which variable is NOT given and

know? want? NOT asked for?
TIME
vo= 0 m/s a=?
v 2  vo2  2a ( x  xo )
x = 2.5 m
v = 43.5 m/s 43.5  0  2a(2.5  0)
2 2

a 378.5 m/s/s
 Example:
How long does it take a car at rest to cross a 35.0 m intersection after
the light turns green, if the acceleration of the car is a constant 2.00
m/s/s?

What do I What do I Which variable is NOT given and

know? want? NOT asked for?
Final Velocity
vo= 0 m/s t=?
x = 35 m x  xo  voxt  1 at 2
2
a = 2.00 m/s/s
35  0  (0)  1 (2)t 2
2
t  5.92 s
Example:
A car accelerates from 12.5 m/s to 25 m/s in 6.0 seconds.
What was the acceleration?
What do I What do I Which variable is NOT given and
know? want? NOT asked for?

vo= 12.5 m/s a=? DISPLACEMENT

v = 25 m/s
t = 6s
v  vo  at
25  12.5  a (6)
a 2.08 m/s/s
Projectile Motion
KINEMATICS IN TWO DIMENSIONS
Learning Objectives:
BIG IDEA 3. The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.
3.A.1.1: I can express the motion of an object using narrative, mathematical, and graphical
representations. [SP 1.5, 2.1, 2.2]

3.A.1.2: I can design an experimental investigation of the motion of an object. [SP 4.2]

3.A.1.3: I can analyze experimental data describing the motion of an object and is able to express the
results of the analysis using narrative, mathematical, and graphical representations. [SP 5.1]
What is a projectile?
Projectile -Any object which projected by some means and continues to move
due to its own inertia (mass).
Projectiles move in two dimensions.
Since a projectile moves in 2-
dimensions, it therefore has 2
components just like a resultant
vector.
Horizontal and Vertical
Horizontal “velocity” component
NEVER changes, covers equal displacements in equal
time periods. This means the initial horizontal velocity
equals the final horizontal velocity

In other words, the horizontal velocity

is CONSTANT. BUT WHY?

Gravity DOES NOT work horizontally to

increase or decrease the velocity.
 Vertical “velocity” component
Changes (due to gravity), does NOT cover equal displacements in equal time
periods.

Both the MAGNITUDE and DIRECTION change. As the

projectile moves up the MAGNITUDE DECREASES and its
direction is UPWARD. As it moves down the MAGNITUDE
INCREASES and the direction is DOWNWARD.
Combining the components
Together, these components
produce what is called a
trajectory or path. This path
is parabolic in nature.

Component Magnitude Direction

Horizontal Constant Constant
Vertical Changes Changes
Horizontally launched projectiles.
Projectiles which have NO upward trajectory and NO initial VERTICAL
velocity.
vox  vx  constant

v oy  0 m / s
 Horizontally launched projectiles.
To analyze a projectile in 2 dimensions we need 2
equations. One for the “x” direction and one for the “y”
direction. And for this we use kinematic #2.

x  vox t  1 at 2
2
x  vox t y  1 gt 2
2
Remember that since the
projectile is launched
Remember, the velocity is horizontally, the INITIAL
CONSTANT horizontally, so that VERTICAL VELOCITY is equal to
means the acceleration is ZERO.
ZERO!
Horizontally launched projectiles
Example: A plane traveling with a What do I What I want to
horizontal velocity of 100 m/s is 500 know? know?
m above the ground. At some point
the pilot decides to drop some vox=100 m/s t=?
supplies to designated target below.
(a) How long is the drop in the air? y = 500 m x=?
(b) How far away from point where it
was launched will it land? voy= 0 m/s
g = -9.8 m/s/s

y  1 gt 2  500  1 (9.8)t 2
2 2
x  voxt  (100)(10.1)  1010 m
102.04  t 2  t  10.1 seconds
Vertically launched projectiles
NO Vertical Velocity at the top of the trajectory.

Vertical Vertical Velocity

Velocity increases on the
decreases on way down,
the way
upward Horizontal Velocity is
constant
Component Magnitude Direction
Horizontal Constant Constant
Vertical Decreases up, 0
@ top, Increases
Changes
down
Vertically launched projectiles
Since the projectile was launched at a angle, the velocity
MUST be broken into components!!!

vox  vo cos 
vo voy
voy  vo sin 
q
vox
Vertically launched projectiles
There are several things you must
consider when doing these types of
projectiles besides using components.
If it begins and ends at ground level,
the “y” displacement is ZERO: y = 0
Vertically launched projectiles
You will still use kinematic #2, but YOU MUST use
COMPONENTS in the equation.

vo voy x  voxt 1
y  voyt  gt
2
2

q
vox vox  vo cos 
voy  vo sin 
Example:
A place kicker kicks a football with a velocity of 20.0 m/s and at an
angle of 53 degrees.
(a) How long is the ball in the air?
(b) How far away does it land?
(c) How high does it travel?
vox  vo cos 
/s
0.
0
m
vox  20 cos 53  12.04 m / s
= 2
voy  vo sin 
v o

q = 53
voy  20sin 53  15.97 m / s
Example:
A place kicker kicks a football
with a velocity of 20.0 m/s What I know What I want
and at an angle of 53 to know
degrees. vox=12.04 m/s t=?
voy=15.97 m/s x=?
(a) How long is the ball in the
air? y=0 ymax=?
g = - 9.8
m/s/s
y  voy t  1 gt 2  0  (15.97)t  4.9t 2
2
15.97t  4.9t 2  15.97  4.9t
t  3.26 s
Example:
A place kicker kicks a football What I know What I want
with a velocity of 20.0 m/s to know
and at an angle of 53 vox=12.04 m/s t = 3.26 s
degrees. voy=15.97 m/s x=?
(b) How far away does it y=0 ymax=?
land? g = - 9.8
m/s/s

x  voxt  (12.04)(3.26)  39.24 m

 Example:
A place kicker kicks a football What I know What I want
with a velocity of 20.0 m/s and to know
at an angle of 53 degrees. vox=12.04 m/s t = 3.26 s
voy=15.97 m/s x = 39.24 m
(c) How high does it travel? y=0 ymax=?
g = - 9.8
m/s/s
CUT YOUR TIME IN HALF! y  voy t  1 gt 2
2
y  (15.97)(1.63)  4.9(1.63) 2
y  13.01 m