Summary of Chapter 1

• Significant Figures: Final answers should be expressed w/ number

of significant figures of the given quantities.
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
• Scientific Notation: 5 s.f. 2 s.f.
3 s.f.
• Conversion of Units: Know the connecting conversion factors

• Dimension Analysis:
1. Neglect/remove constants.
2. Arrange equation according to the target variable.
3. Plug in the given units of other variables.
Example
1 𝑘 𝑘 𝑘
𝑓= →𝑓= →𝑓 2 = →𝑘 = 𝑓 2 𝑚 →𝑘 = [𝑠 −1 ]2 [𝑘𝑔]
2 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 1

1
 Summary of Chapter 2
• Graphical Representation (Scalar vs. Vectors):
1. Scalar: Line
2. Vector: Line w/ arrowhead
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
• Ways to write down a vector:
1. Magnitude-direction(angle) form

2. Unit-vector form

• Converting one form to the other, we use the following:

1. Magnitude-direction form to unit-vector form y

2. Unit-vector form to magnitude-direction form 𝜃

x

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 2

2
 Summary of Chapter 2
• Ways to add vectors:
1. Tail-to-head method (graphical method)
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

2. Component method (computational method)

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 3

3
 PHYSICS 71
Chapter 3 Motion along a Straight Line
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

03 Displacement, Time and

Velocity

National Institute of Physics

College of Science
University of the Philippines Diliman
Annotated by: Mark Ivan Ugalino

We are now on the second chapter of our main reference. Describing the motion of
objects would require us to define several quantities that define its location, and its
change over time. In this lecture, we define some basic concepts related to the
kinematics of one-dimensional motion.

4
 Objectives
At the end of this session, you should be able to:
• Define distance, average speed and instantaneous
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
speed.
• Define displacement, average velocity and
instantaneous velocity.
• Describe motion in one dimension in terms of the
kinematical quantities above.

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 5

5
 Kinematics in 1D
Mechanics – study of the relationships among forces,
matter and motion.
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
• Kinematics – mathematical description of motion
• Dynamics – effects that forces have on motion

Idealization – treat objects as point particles

Basic quantities in Kinematics

• Displacement Δ𝑥Ԧ • Acceleration 𝑎Ԧ

• Velocity 𝑣Ԧ • Time 𝑡

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 6

Broadly speaking, mechanics is a study that describes the motion of objects. We can
roughly divide it into two.

The kinematics of objects would refer to the mathematical treatment of motion (how
it moves). Does it move with constant velocity? Does it accelerate? Is it static?

The dynamics of objects, on the other hand, refers to the forces that bring objects
into motion, sustain it, or that eventually stop it.

In the first part of Physics 71, we will focus on the kinematics of point particles. This is
one of the peculiar idealizations in physics, wherein objects, even if they are
voluminous, would effectively be considered as a point particle in this analysis. Later
on, you will realize why this idealization works. Some basic quantities that you may
have already encountered are displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time.

6
 Position
𝑥1
𝒫 (1,1)
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

𝑋റ = 𝒪𝒫
𝒪 𝑥2
• The position of an object is described by a vector that
points from a common reference point to the actual
location of the object in space.
• Say, our location is at the point (x,y) = (1,1), our position
can be described by the vector 𝑋 = 1,1

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 7

Before anything else, let us clarify what we mean by an object’s position. A position is
always measured with respect to a reference point. You cannot simply tell someone
that an object is located 5 KM… 5 KM with respect to what? Or, if you were given a
coordinate, you have to know where the (0,0) or (0,0,0) point is.

The position vector points from the reference point to the location of the object of
interest.

Of course, it follows that the position vector ultimately depends on where the
reference point is in space, with respect to the object’s location.

7
 Displacement
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

Displacement

• The displacement is a vector that points from an object's

initial position to its final position
Δ𝑥Ԧ = 𝑥Ԧ2 − 𝑥Ԧ1
• Its magnitude is the shortest directed distance between
the two positions. In 1D, the vector sign is implied:
Δ𝑥 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1
03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 8

Now that we know the concept of a position vector, we can now define what the
displacement of an object is.

The displacement of an object is essentially the difference between its final and initial
position vectors. From our previous lesson, the resultant is essentially a vector that
points from the initial location of an object, to its final location.

Its magnitude is the shortest directed distance between those two positions.

This can be calculated by using the distance formula in Euclidean geometry,

𝑥റ2 − 𝑥റ1 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 (in 1D)

𝑥റ2 − 𝑥റ1 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 2 + 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 2 (in 2D)
𝑥റ2 − 𝑥റ1 = 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 2 + 𝑦2 − 𝑦1 2 + 𝑧2 − 𝑧1 2 (in 3D)

8
 Displacement vs Distance
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
Distance

Displacement

Non-zero Distance
Zero Displacement

• Distance - total length of the path taken (scalar)

• Displacement only depends on the starting and final
position, not on the actual path taken. (vector)

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 9

How are distance and displacement related?

The distinction between the distance and displacement between two points along an
object’s trajectory can be quite confusing.

Say you moved between two points in your room, near your door and beside your
window. If you take a zig-zag route from the door to your window, the distance you
travelled refers to the total length of the zig-zag path you took.

However, the displacement just refers to the shortest directed distance between your
door and window.

This implies that, if you move from your door to your window and back, you will end
up with zero effective displacement, and a non-zero distance.

Distance is a scalar quantity. Displacement is a vector quantity.

9
 Time
• Time states when and how long the motion occurs
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
• Time is an important scalar quantity that describes
motion.
• It is used in referring to a specific time an object is at a
particular point.

• Time interval:
Δ𝑡 = 𝑡2 − 𝑡1

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 10

Time is an important quantity in physics. It gives us an idea as to how fast something

progresses over a certain period.

10
 Average Velocity
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
• Idealize!

STOP!
Time interval: Δ𝑡 = 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
t = ti t = tf
+

x=0m x = xi x = xf

Displacement: Δ𝑥Ԧ = 𝑥Ԧ2 − 𝑥Ԧ1

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 11

The average velocity of an object refers to the time rate change of an object’s
position between its initial and final positions. It does not take into consideration
whether you moved back and forth between those two points, within the time
interval you recorded.

11
 Average Velocity
t1 = 1.0 s t2 = 4.0 s
+
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

x=0m 14 m 71 m
P1 P2
• Average velocity – rate of displacement (change in
position) over a time interval.
𝑥2 − 𝑥1 Δ𝑥
𝑣av−x = =
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 Δ𝑡
• Units of m/s
• Exercise: Calculate the velocity for the figure above.
• ANS: 19 m/s

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 12

In one dimension, the average velocity is just defined by the difference between the
initial and position divided by the time it took for the motion to take place.

The base units for the average velocity is [m]/[s].

12
 Average Velocity vs Average Speed
• Average speed
distance
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
ave speed =
time interval

Ex: In two seconds an object took the following path:

10 m

8m

Calculate the average velocity and the average speed.

• Average speed ≠ Magnitude of average velocity

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 13

The emphasis on definition for average velocity becomes clearer as we consider the
average speed of an object.

The average speed of an object refers to the time rate of change of its motion along
the total distance traversed by the object. One distinct difference between the two is
the way we calculate them.

Let us work on the example provided. Say an object traversed a length of 18 [m], but
ended up 2 [m] away to the left of its initial position. In this example, the
displacement of the object is 2 [m] to the right; while, the distance that it travelled is
18 [m]. Hence, the average velocity of the object (a vector) is 1 [m]/[s] to the right.
On the other hand, the average speed of the object is 9 [m]/[s].

13
 Exercise
• Starting from a pillar, you run 315 m east (taken to be the
+x direction) at an average speed of 5.00 m/s, and then
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
run 285 m west at an average speed of 4.20 m/s to a
post. Calculate:
a) Your total distance travelled 600. m
b) Your net displacement 30.0 m 𝑖Ƹ
c) The time for your eastward trip 63.0 s
d) The time it took for your westward trip 67.9 s
e) The total time of your entire trip 130.9 s
f) Average speed of your entire trip 4.58 m/s
g) Average velocity of the entire trip 0.229 m/s 𝑖Ƹ

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 14

Answers:
a) 600 m
b) 30 m 𝑖Ƹ
c) 63.0 s
d) 67.9 s
e) 130.9 s
f) 600 m / 130.9 s = 5 m/s
g) 30 m/130.9 s = 0.2 m/s 𝑖Ƹ

14
 Position-Time Graph
position
𝑥 𝑥1 - position at time 𝑡1
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
𝑥2 𝑥2 - position at time 𝑡2
Note: The curve in an x-t
graph does not represent the
𝑥1 object's path in space.

time

𝑡1 𝑡2 𝑡

Average Velocity – slope of the line connecting 𝑥1 and 𝑥2

𝑥2 − 𝑥1 Δ𝑥
𝑣av = =
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 Δ𝑡
03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 15

An essential tool in reporting the motion of an object is through its position-time

graph. It represents the time progression of an object’s position. Note, however that
it only shows the position of the object and does not necessarily give us the
trajectory (path) of the object.

In the illustration above, the position 𝑥 is time-parametrized, hence 𝑥(𝑡). The slope
of the line connecting two points in the function (𝑥1 , 𝑡1 ) and (𝑥2 , 𝑡2 ) is the average
velocity of the object within the time interval [𝑡1 , 𝑡2 ]. In this illustration, it is clearer
that the time rate change of the position corresponds to an object’s velocity.

15
 Instantaneous Velocity
position
𝑥
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
𝑥2
tangent line 𝑡3
𝑡2

𝑡1
time

𝑡2 𝑡

Instantaneous Velocity – velocity at a specific instant in

time. It is the slope of the tangent line in the x-t graph:
Δ𝑥
𝑣 = lim
Δ𝑡→0 Δ𝑡
03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 16

Mathematical aside: You will encounter the formal definition of the derivative of
some function 𝑓(𝑥) in Math 21. It is defined as:
𝑓 𝑥+ℎ −𝑓 𝑥
𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = lim
ℎ→0 ℎ

Essentially, the expression that you wish to take the limit of is the slope of the line
connecting (𝑥, 𝑓(𝑥)) and (𝑥 + ℎ, 𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ)). As you make ℎ approach zero, it is if
you’re bringing the two points closer together, until the line connecting them appear
as a tangent line to the curve at (𝑥, 𝑓(𝑥)). The slope of that tangent line is the
derivative of the function at 𝑥.

Physics: We have expressed the average velocity as the slope of the line connecting
two points along the 𝑥(𝑡) curve. Say there is a finite time period 𝑡𝑜 between these
points. We can express the instantaneous velocity at time 𝑡 as,

𝑥 𝑡 + 𝑡𝑜 − 𝑥 𝑡
𝑥 ′ 𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 = lim
𝑡𝑜 →0 𝑡𝑜

In the same manner as in the aside above, the INSTANTANEOUS velocity 𝑣 at time 𝑡
would refer to the slope of the line tangent to the 𝑥 𝑡 at 𝑡.

16
 Velocity-Time Graph
velocity
𝑣
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
𝑣2
𝑣1 - velocity at time 𝑡1
𝑣2 - velocity at time 𝑡2

𝑣1
time
𝑡1 𝑡2
𝑡

Average Acceleration – slope of the line joining 𝑣1 and 𝑣2

𝑣2 − 𝑣1 Δ𝑣
𝑎av = =
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 Δ𝑡
03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 17

We can also the define the average acceleration, which refers to the time rate change
of velocity. In the same way, we define the average acceleration as the slope of the
line connecting the points 𝑡1 , 𝑣 𝑡1 and 𝑡2 , 𝑣 𝑡2 . Notice how velocity can be
negative, which implies how it is directed. In 1D motion, negative velocity indicates
motion in the direction opposite to the assigned positive direction.

17
 Velocity-Time Graph
velocity
𝑣
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
𝑣2
𝑡3
𝑡2

𝑡1
time
𝑡2
𝑡

Instantaneous Acceleration – acceleration at a specific

instant in time. Slope of the tangent line in the v-t graph:
Δ𝑣
𝑎 = lim
Δ𝑡→0 Δ𝑡
03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 18

The INSTANTANEOUS acceleration 𝑎 at time 𝑡 would refer to the slope of the line
tangent to the 𝑣 𝑡 at 𝑡.

18
 Practice:
Draw the corresponding x-t and v-t graphs:
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
𝑥 𝑣
• Object at rest

𝑡 𝑡

• Object moving with constant velocity 𝑥 𝑣

𝑡 𝑡
• Object moving with constant acceleration
𝑥 𝑣

𝑡 𝑡
03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 19

Object at rest: 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑐 [CONSTANT] where 𝑐 is a constant. 𝑥 ′ 𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 = 0 [ZERO]

Object moving with constant velocity: 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑐𝑡 + 𝑏 [LINEAR] where 𝑏 and 𝑐 are

constants. 𝑥 ′ 𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑐 [CONSTANT]

Object moving with constant acceleration: 𝑥 𝑡 = 𝑐𝑡 2 + 𝑏𝑡 + 𝑎 [QUADRATIC], where

𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are constants. 𝑥 ′ 𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑐𝑡 + 𝑏 [LINEAR] (factor of 2 “absorbed” to
c). 𝑥 ′′ 𝑡 = 𝑎 𝑡 = 𝑐 [CONSTANT]

19
 Conceptual Questions
Given the following x-t plots, answer the questions below:
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

𝑡 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡

A B C D
a) Which pertains to an object with constant speed?
B
b) Which pertains to an object that reverses direction?
A
c) Which pertains to an object that starts slowly and then
speeds up?
D
03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 20

All of these plots are 𝑥(𝑡) plots. The first derivative represents the velocity function.
The second derivative represents the acceleration function.

What are some interesting features of each plot?

A – steadily increasing, then peaks, then decreases after the peak (an indication of a
turn-around after momentarily stopping)
B – steadily increases over the whole period (an indication of constant velocity
motion)
C – two regions with different slopes, one steeper than the other (Recall: the
steepness of the function (or the slope) refers to its first derivative. Steeper x-t plot,
higher velocity magnitude, an indication of a gradual change in velocity, from a faster
rate to a slower one)
D – two regions with different slopes, later part is steeper (indication of a gradual
change in velocity, from a slower rate to a faster one)

20
 Conceptual Questions
In which of the labelled points is the velocity of an object:
1. Zero? IV
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

2. Constant and positive?

I
3. Constant and negative?
V
4. Increasing in magnitude?
At which of the labeled points (I, II, III, IV and V) is
the velocity of an object: II
2. Zero? 5. Decreasing in
3. Constant and positive?
4. Constant and negative? magnitude?
III
5. Increasing in magnitude?
6. Decreasing in magnitude? 3303 Displacement, Time and Velocity 21

This is a 𝑥(𝑡) plot. The slope of the tangent line at each point is the instantaneous
velocity of the object.

I - The slope of the line tangent to point is constant and positive. It has a constant
and positive velocity.
II – The behavior about this point is not linear. We are not sure whether it is quadratic
in nature. But we do know that the slope of the tangent lines to points in its
neighborhood is increasing in magnitude.
III – The behavior about this point is not linear as well. However, unlike that of II, the
object appears to slow down (evident from the slow progression of 𝑥 in 𝑡 about the
time interval t ∈ [3,5])
IV – Tangent line to this point is flat, hence zero slope (indication of zero velocity)
V – Tangent line to the point has negative constant slope.

21
 Quiz: 30 seconds per problem
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 22

22
 Quiz: 30 seconds per problem
At which point(s) does the object have the highest
1. displacement?
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 23

23
 Quiz: 30 seconds per problem
At which point(s) is the object at rest?
2.
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 24

24
 Quiz: 30 seconds per problem
At which point(s) is the object fastest?
3.
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 25

25
 Quiz: 30 seconds per problem
At which point(s) does the object have the highest
1. displacement?
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 26

26
 Quiz: 30 seconds per problem
At which point(s) is the object at rest?
2.
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 27

27
 Quiz: 30 seconds per problem
At which point(s) is the object fastest?
3.
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 28

28
 Credits/References
• University Physics 13th Ed, H. Young and R. Freedman
Pearson Education 2014
𝑃ℎ𝑦𝑠𝑖𝑐𝑠 71
• PowerPoint Lectures for University Physics 13th Ed, Wayne Anderson
Pearson Education 2012
• Physics 71 Lectures by J Vance, M Flores, A Lacaba, PJ Blancas,
G Pedemonte, DL Sombillo, K Agapito
• Background:
http://www.wallpaperup.com/uploads/wallpapers/2012/10/03/17896/fa
2f7d0c52d227b7c117099395fdce6f.jpg

03 Displacement, Time and Velocity 29

29