Kinematics

Part I: Motion in 1 Dimension

Lana Sheridan

De Anza College

Jan 7, 2020
Last time

• introduced the course

Overview

• basic ideas about physics

• units and symbols for scaling units

• dimensional analysis

• motion in 1-dimension

• kinematic quantities

• graphs
What is Physics?
Physics is the science of fundamental interactions of matter and
energy.
What is Physics?
Physics is the science of fundamental interactions of matter and
energy.

Physicists (and others who use physics) want to predict accurately

how an object or collection of objects will behave when interacting.

Why?
• to better understand the universe
• to build new kinds of technology (engines, electronics,
imaging devices, mass manufacturing, energy sources)
• to build safer and more efficient infrastructure
• to go new places and explore
• to prepare for the future
What is Physics?

Physics is the science of fundamental interactions of matter and

energy.

How is it done? Make a simplified model of the system of interest,

then apply a principle to make a quantitative prediction.
What is Physics?

Physics is the science of fundamental interactions of matter and

energy.

How is it done? Make a simplified model of the system of interest,

then apply a principle to make a quantitative prediction.

(Philosophy) moral of the story: Physics is not about explaining

how the world actually is. It is about finding models that make
correct predictions.
What is Physics?

Theory
A refined quantitative model for making predictions that has been
verified by multiple groups of researchers and is understood to
have some regime of validity.
What is Physics?

Theory
A refined quantitative model for making predictions that has been
verified by multiple groups of researchers and is understood to
have some regime of validity.

eg. Newtonian Mechanics - very accurately predicts the motion of

billiard balls and the motion of planets,
• but not the perihelion precession of Mercury,
• and not the behavior of electrons in atoms.
What is Physics?

Theory
A refined quantitative model for making predictions that has been
verified by multiple groups of researchers and is understood to
have some regime of validity.

eg. Newtonian Mechanics - very accurately predicts the motion of

billiard balls and the motion of planets,
• but not the perihelion precession of Mercury,
• and not the behavior of electrons in atoms.
Valid when
• v << c,
• gravitational fields are not too strong,
• distances are much bigger than `p (Planck length), etc.
What Other Physical Theories Do You Know Of?

?
Newtonian Mechanics

This course will only cover Newtonian Mechanics.

• We will look at motion from knowing the acceleration and

object experiences.

• We will analyze forces to consider what acceleration an object

will experience.

• We will also consider the energy of a system to find its

motion.

There are other ways of doing this analysis: Lagrangian Mechanics

and Hamiltonian Mechanics. They are not covered in the course.
Quantities, Units, Measurement
If we want to make quantitative statements we need to agree on
measurements: standard reference units.

We will mostly use SI (Système International) units:

Length meter, m
Mass kilogram, kg
Time second, s

These base units are defined in terms of fundamental physical

phenomena - things anyone, anywhere could in principle observe
consistently.
Quantities, Units, Measurement
If we want to make quantitative statements we need to agree on
measurements: standard reference units.

We will mostly use SI (Système International) units:

Length meter, m
Mass kilogram, kg
Time second, s

These base units are defined in terms of fundamental physical

phenomena - things anyone, anywhere could in principle observe
consistently.

Make sure you include the appropriate units in your answer when
you get a number!

Also, units can be helpful for checking that your equation is

correct.
SI Units Definition Summary

1
Figure by Emilio Pisanty.
SI Units Definition Summary

1
Figure by Emilio Pisanty.
Scale of Units
Scale Prefix Symbol
1021 zetta Z
1015 peta P
1012 tera- T
109 giga- G
106 mega- M
103 kilo- k
102 hecto- h
101 deka- da
100 — —
10−1 deci- d
10−2 centi- c
10−3 milli- m
10−6 micro- µ
10−9 nano- n
10−12 pico- p
10−15 femto- f
Scale of Units

You need to know for this course:

Scale Prefix Symbol

103 kilo- k
100 — —
10−1 deci- d
10−2 centi- c
10−3 milli- m
Units are Useful: Dimensional Analysis

Considering the units or dimensions of each term on both sides of

an equation can sometimes help spot faulty equations right away.

1
Serway & Jewett, Page 16, # 9.
Units are Useful: Dimensional Analysis

Considering the units or dimensions of each term on both sides of

an equation can sometimes help spot faulty equations right away.

Which of the following equations are dimensionally correct?

(1) vf = vi + ax

(2) y = (2 m) cos(kx), where k = 2 m−1 .

1
Serway & Jewett, Page 16, # 9.
Units are Useful: Dimensional Analysis

(1) Units of vf = vi + ax:

[ms−1 ] = [ms−1 ] + [ms−2 ] × [m]

Units are Useful: Dimensional Analysis

(1) Units of vf = vi + ax:

[ms−1 ] = [ms−1 ] + [ms−2 ] × [m]

[ms−1 ] = [ms−1 ] + [m2 s−2 ]

No. (1) is not dimensionally correct.

Units are Useful: Dimensional Analysis

(2) Units of y = (2 m) cos(kx)

[m] = [m] × cos([m−1 ] × [m])

[m] = [m]

Yes. (2) is dimensionally correct.

Kinematics: Motion in 1 Dimension

First we consider particles constrained to move only along a

straight line, forwards or backwards.
Vectors
scalar
A scalar quantity indicates an amount. It is represented by a real
number. (Assuming it is a physical quantity.)
Vectors
scalar
A scalar quantity indicates an amount. It is represented by a real
number. (Assuming it is a physical quantity.)

vector
A vector quantity indicates both an amount and a direction. It is
represented by a real number for each possible direction, or a real
number and (an) angle(s). (Assuming it is a physical quantity.)
Notation for Vectors

In the lecture notes vectors are represented using bold variables or

bold variables with over-arrows.

Example:
k is a scalar
~x (or x) is a vector

In the textbook and in writing, vectors are often represented with

an over-arrow: ~x

The magnitude of a vector, ~x is written:

|~x| = x
Position

Some Quantities
position ~r (component: x)
#»
displacement ∆r (component: ∆x)

distance d

Going between 2 points:

Distance is the length of a path that connects the two points.

Displacement is the length, together with the direction, of a

straight line that connects the two points.
Position

Some Quantities
position ~r (component: x)
#»
displacement ∆r (component: ∆x)

distance d

Position and displacement are vector quantities.

Position and displacement can be positive or negative
numbers.
Distance is a scalar. It is always a positive number.
Position

Some Quantities
position ~r (component: x)
#»
displacement ∆r (component: ∆x)

distance d

Position and displacement are vector quantities.

Position and displacement can be positive or negative
numbers.
Distance is a scalar. It is always a positive number.

Units: meters, m
 Table 2.1 Position of origin of coordinates (see Fig. 2.1a). It continues moving to the left and is more than
the Car at Various Times 50 m to the left of x 5 0 when we stop recording information after our sixth data
Position
Position
! 0
vs. 30Time Graphs
t (s) x (m) point. A graphical representation of this information is presented in Figure 2.1b.
Such a plot is called a position–time graph.
" 10 52 Notice the alternative representations of information that we have used for the
% 20 38 motion of the car. Figure 2.1a is a pictorial representation, whereas Figure 2.1b is a
$ 30 0 graphical representation. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the same information.
& 40 237
Using an alternative representation is often an excellent strategy for understanding
# 50 253
the situation in a given problem. The ultimate goal in many problems is a math-

The car moves to

the right between
positions ! and ".

! " x (m)
60 "
x (m) "x %
40
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
!
20 "t
# & $ %
0
$
x (m)
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 !20

The car moves to &

!40
the left between #
positions % and #. !60 t (s)
0 10 20 30 40 50

a b

Figure 2.1 A car moves back and forth along a straight line. Because we are interested only in the
car’s translational motion, we can model it as a particle. Several representations of the information
about the motion of the car can be used. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the information.
(a) A pictorial representation of the motion of the car. (b) A graphical representation (position–time
graph) of the motion of the car.
1
Figures from Serway & Jewett
 Table 2.1 Position of origin of coordinates (see Fig. 2.1a). It continues moving to the left and is more than
the Car at Various Times 50 m to the left of x 5 0 when we stop recording information after our sixth data
Position
Position
! 0
vs. 30Time Graphs
t (s) x (m) point. A graphical representation of this information is presented in Figure 2.1b.
Such a plot is called a position–time graph.
" 10 52 Notice the alternative representations of information that we have used for the
% 20 38 motion of the car. Figure 2.1a is a pictorial representation, whereas Figure 2.1b is a
$ 30 0 graphical representation. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the same information.
& 40 237
Using an alternative representation is often an excellent strategy for understanding
# 50 253
the situation in a given problem. The ultimate goal in many problems is a math-

The car moves to

the right between
positions ! and ".

! " x (m)
60 "
x (m) "x %
40
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
!
20 "t
# & $ %
0
$
x (m)
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 !20

The car moves to &

!40
the left between #
positions % and #. !60 t (s)
0 10 20 30 40 50

a b

Figure 2.1 A car moves back and forth along a straight line. Because we are interested only in the
car’s translational motion, we can model it as a particle. Several representations of the information
about the motion of the car can be used. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the information.
(a) A pictorial representation of the motion of the car. (b) A graphical representation (position–time
graph) of the motion of the car.
1
Figures from Serway & Jewett
 Table 2.1 Position of origin of coordinates (see Fig. 2.1a). It continues moving to the left and is more than
the Car at Various Times 50 m to the left of x 5 0 when we stop recording information after our sixth data
Position
Position
! 0
vs. 30Time Graphs
t (s) x (m) point. A graphical representation of this information is presented in Figure 2.1b.
Such a plot is called a position–time graph.
" 10 52 Notice the alternative representations of information that we have used for the
% 20 38 motion of the car. Figure 2.1a is a pictorial representation, whereas Figure 2.1b is a
$ 30 0 graphical representation. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the same information.
& 40 237
Using an alternative representation is often an excellent strategy for understanding
# 50 253
the situation in a given problem. The ultimate goal in many problems is a math-

The car moves to

the right between
positions ! and ".

! " x (m)
60 "
x (m) "x %
40
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
!
20 "t
# & $ %
0
$
x (m)
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 !20

The car moves to &

!40
the left between #
positions % and #. !60 t (s)
0 10 20 30 40 50

a b

Figure 2.1 A car moves back and forth along a straight line. Because we are interested only in the
car’s translational motion, we can model it as a particle. Several representations of the information
about the motion of the car can be used. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the information.
(a) A pictorial representation of the motion of the car. (b) A graphical representation (position–time
graph) of the motion of the car.
1
Figures from Serway & Jewett
 Table 2.1 Position of origin of coordinates (see Fig. 2.1a). It continues moving to the left and is more than
the Car at Various Times 50 m to the left of x 5 0 when we stop recording information after our sixth data
Position
Position
! 0
vs. 30Time Graphs
t (s) x (m) point. A graphical representation of this information is presented in Figure 2.1b.
Such a plot is called a position–time graph.
" 10 52 Notice the alternative representations of information that we have used for the
% 20 38 motion of the car. Figure 2.1a is a pictorial representation, whereas Figure 2.1b is a
$ 30 0 graphical representation. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the same information.
& 40 237
Using an alternative representation is often an excellent strategy for understanding
# 50 253
the situation in a given problem. The ultimate goal in many problems is a math-

The car moves to

the right between
positions ! and ".

! " x (m)
60 "
x (m) "x %
40
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
!
20 "t
# & $ %
0
$
x (m)
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 !20

The car moves to &

!40
the left between #
positions % and #. !60 t (s)
0 10 20 30 40 50

a b

Figure 2.1 A car moves back and forth along a straight line. Because we are interested only in the
car’s translational motion, we can model it as a particle. Several representations of the information
about the motion of the car can be used. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the information.
(a) A pictorial representation of the motion of the car. (b) A graphical representation (position–time
graph) of the motion of the car.
1
Figures from Serway & Jewett
 Table 2.1 Position of origin of coordinates (see Fig. 2.1a). It continues moving to the left and is more than
the Car at Various Times 50 m to the left of x 5 0 when we stop recording information after our sixth data
Position
Position
! 0
vs. 30Time Graphs
t (s) x (m) point. A graphical representation of this information is presented in Figure 2.1b.
Such a plot is called a position–time graph.
" 10 52 Notice the alternative representations of information that we have used for the
% 20 38 motion of the car. Figure 2.1a is a pictorial representation, whereas Figure 2.1b is a
$ 30 0 graphical representation. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the same information.
& 40 237
Using an alternative representation is often an excellent strategy for understanding
# 50 253
the situation in a given problem. The ultimate goal in many problems is a math-

The car moves to

the right between
positions ! and ".

! " x (m)
60 "
x (m) "x %
40
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
!
20 "t
# & $ %
0
$
x (m)
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 !20

The car moves to &

!40
the left between #
positions % and #. !60 t (s)
0 10 20 30 40 50

a b

Figure 2.1 A car moves back and forth along a straight line. Because we are interested only in the
car’s translational motion, we can model it as a particle. Several representations of the information
about the motion of the car can be used. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the information.
(a) A pictorial representation of the motion of the car. (b) A graphical representation (position–time
graph) of the motion of the car.
1
Figures from Serway & Jewett
 Table 2.1 Position of origin of coordinates (see Fig. 2.1a). It continues moving to the left and is more than
the Car at Various Times 50 m to the left of x 5 0 when we stop recording information after our sixth data
Position
Position
! 0
vs. 30Time Graphs
t (s) x (m) point. A graphical representation of this information is presented in Figure 2.1b.
Such a plot is called a position–time graph.
" 10 52 Notice the alternative representations of information that we have used for the
% 20 38 motion of the car. Figure 2.1a is a pictorial representation, whereas Figure 2.1b is a
$ 30 0 graphical representation. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the same information.
& 40 237
Using an alternative representation is often an excellent strategy for understanding
# 50 253
the situation in a given problem. The ultimate goal in many problems is a math-

The car moves to

the right between
positions ! and ".

! " x (m)
60 "
x (m) "x %
40
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
!
20 "t
# & $ %
0
$
x (m)
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 !20

The car moves to &

!40
the left between #
positions % and #. !60 t (s)
0 10 20 30 40 50

a b

Figure 2.1 A car moves back and forth along a straight line. Because we are interested only in the
car’s translational motion, we can model it as a particle. Several representations of the information
about the motion of the car can be used. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the information.
(a) A pictorial representation of the motion of the car. (b) A graphical representation (position–time
graph) of the motion of the car.
1
Figures from Serway & Jewett
 Table 2.1 Position of origin of coordinates (see Fig. 2.1a). It continues moving to the left and is more than
the Car at Various Times 50 m to the left of x 5 0 when we stop recording information after our sixth data
Position
Position
! 0
vs. 30Time Graphs
t (s) x (m) point. A graphical representation of this information is presented in Figure 2.1b.
Such a plot is called a position–time graph.
" 10 52 Notice the alternative representations of information that we have used for the
% 20 38 motion of the car. Figure 2.1a is a pictorial representation, whereas Figure 2.1b is a
$ 30 0 graphical representation. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the same information.
& 40 237
Using an alternative representation is often an excellent strategy for understanding
# 50 253
the situation in a given problem. The ultimate goal in many problems is a math-

The car moves to

the right between
positions ! and ".

! " x (m)
60 "
x (m) "x %
40
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60
!
20 "t
# & $ %
0
$
x (m)
!60 !50 !40 !30 !20 !10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 !20

The car moves to &

!40
the left between #
positions % and #. !60 t (s)
0 10 20 30 40 50

a b

Figure 2.1 A car moves back and forth along a straight line. Because we are interested only in the
car’s translational motion, we can model it as a particle. Several representations of the information
about the motion of the car can be used. Table 2.1 is a tabular representation of the information.
(a) A pictorial representation of the motion of the car. (b) A graphical representation (position–time
graph) of the motion of the car.
1
Figures from Serway & Jewett
Summary

• some quantities for describing motion: position ~r, velocity ~v,

time t
• position, displacement, and velocity are vector quantities
(have signs)
• distance and speed are scalar quantities (always positive)
• we can plot these quantities against time

Quiz Friday, start of class

(Uncollected) Homework
Serway & Jewett,
• Ch 1, onward from page 14. Problems: 9, 45, 57, 67, 71
• Ch 2, onward from page 49. Obj. Q: 1; CQ: Concep. Q: 1;
Probs: 1, 3, 7, 11