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Kinematics – Notes
by Organizer | Physics
Table of Contents
 Q1. Define kinematics?
 Q2. Difference between rest and motion?
 Q3. Define the surroundings?
 Q4. List the types of motion?
 Q5. Describe translator motion with the help of examples?
 Q6. Describe the different types of translator motion?
 Q7. Describe rotatory motion with the help of examples?
 Q8. Can you point out some differences in circular and rotatory motion?
 Mini Exercise
 When a body is said to be at rest?
 Give an example of a body that is at rest and is in motion at the same time.
 Mention the type of motion in each of the following:
 Q9. Describe vibratory motion with the help of examples?
 Q10. Differentiate between scalars and vectors?
 Q11. How can vector quantities be represented graphically?
 Q12. Define the term position?
 Q13. Explain the difference between distance and displacement?
 Q14. What is the difference between speed and velocity?
 DO YOU KNOW
 Q15. Define uniform speed.
 Q16. Define variable speed?
 Q17. Define average speed?
 Q18. Define uniform velocity?
 Q19. Define the variable velocity?
 Q20. Define average velocity?
 Q21. Define acceleration?
 USEFUL INFORMATION
 Q22. Define uniform acceleration?
 Q23. Differentiate between positive and negative acceleration?
 DO YOU KNOW
 Q24. What do you mean by the graph, variables, independent quantity and dependent
quantity?
 Q25. What is the purpose of the distance-time graph? How it is plotted?
 Q26. Sketch a distance-time graph for a body at rest. How will you determine the speed of a
body from this graph?
 Q27. Plot and interpret a distance-time graph for a body moving with constant speed?
 Q28. Sketch a distance-time graph for a body moving with variable speed?
 Q29. What do you mean by the speed-time graph?
 Q30. Sketch a speed-time graph for a body moving with constant speed?
 OR
 What would be the shape of a speed-time graph of a body moving with constant speed?
 Q31. Sketch a speed-time graph for a body moving with uniformly changing speed?
 OR
 What would be the shape of a speed-time graph of a body moving with uniformly changing
speed?
 Q32. Sketch a speed-time graph for distance travel by a moving object?
 OR
 What would be the shape of a speed-time graph for distance travel by a moving object?
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 Q33. Describe the purpose of different equations of motion?

 Q34. Derive the first equation of motion for uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion.
 OR
 Which equation of motion establishes the relationship between vf, vi, a and t, drive relation
between these quantities.
 OR
 Prove that vf = vi + at.
 OR
 Derive the equation of motion which is independent of distance S.
 Q35. Derive the second equation of motion for uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion.
 OR
 Which equation of motion establishes the relationship between S, a, Vi and Vf?
 OR
 Derive the equation of motion which is independent of t.
 OR
 Derive the second equation of motion?
 OR
 Prove that S = v1 t + ½ at2
 Q36. Derive the third equation of motion for uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion.
 OR
 Which equation of motion establishes the relationship between S, a, Vi and Vf?
 OR
 Derive the equation of motion which is independent of t.
 OR
 Derive the third equation of motion?
 OR
 Prove that 2aS = vf2 – vi2
 USEFUL INFORMATION
 Q37. Drop an object from some height and observe its motion. Does its velocity increase,
decrease or remain constant as it approaches the ground?
 Q38. Explain the motion of freely falling bodies?
 Q39. Write equations of motion for bodies moving under gravity?
 SUMMARY

Notes
Q1. Define kinematics?
Ans: Kinematics:
Kinematics is the study of the motion of an object without discussing the cause of motion.

Q2. Difference between rest and motion?

Ans: Difference between rest and motion:
Rest:
A body is said to be at rest if it does not change its position with respect to its surroundings.
Motion:
A body is said to be in motion if it changes its position with respect to its surroundings.
The state of rest or motion of a body is relative. For example, a passenger sitting in a moving bus
is at rest because he/she is not changing his/her position with respect to other passengers or
objects on the bus. But to an observer outside the bus, the passengers and the objects inside the
bus are in motion.

Q3. Define the surroundings?

Ans: Surroundings:
Surroundings are the places in their neighbourhood where various objects are present. Similarly

Q4. List the types of motion?

Ans: Types of motion:
There are three types of motion.
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1. Translatory motion (linear, random and circular)

2. Rotatory motion
3. Vibratory motion (to and fro motion)

Q5. Describe translator motion with the help of examples?

Ans: Translatory motion:
In translational motion, a body moves along a line without any rotation. The line may be straight
or curved.
Examples:
Riders moving in a Ferris wheel are also in translational motion. Their motion is in a circle without
rotation.

Q6. Describe the different types of translator motion?

Ans: Types of translator motion:
Translator motions can be divided into linear motion, circular motion and random motion.
 Linear motion:
The straight-line motion of a body is known as its linear motion.
Examples:
The motion of objects such as a car moving on a straight and level road is linear motion.
Aeroplanes flying straight in air and objects falling vertically down are also the example of linear
motion.
 Circular motion:
The motion of an object in a circular path is known as circular motion
Examples:
A stone tied at the end of a string can be made to whirl. The stone moves in a circle and thus has
circular motion.
A toy train moving on a circular track. A bicycle or a car moving along a circular track possesses
circular motion. The motion of the Earth around the Sun and the motion of the moon around the
Earth are also examples of circular motions.
 Random motion:
The disordered or irregular motion of an object is called random motion.
Examples:
The motion of insects and birds are irregular. Thus, the motion of insects and birds is random
motion.
The motion of dust or smoke particles in the air is also random motion.
The Brownian motion of a gas or liquid molecules along a zig-zag path is also an example of
random motion.
Q7. Describe rotatory motion with the help of examples?
Ans: Rotatory motion:
The spinning motion of a body about its axis is called its rotatory motion.
Examples:
The top spins about its axis passing through it and thus it possesses rotatory motion. An axis is a
line around which a body rotates. In a circular motion, the point about which body moves about
which a body goes around is outside the body. In rotatory motion, the line, around which a body
moves about, is passing through the body itself.
The motion of a wheel about its axis and that of a steering wheel are the examples of rotatory
motion. The motion of the Earth around the Sun is circular and not the spinning motion. However,
the motion of Earth about its geographic axis that causes day and night is rotatory.

Q8. Can you point out some differences in circular and rotatory
motion?
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Ans: Differences in circular and rotatory motion:

Any turning as if on an axis is rotatory motion. Any rotatory motion where the radius of gyration
length and the axis of rotation are fixed is circular motion. And that’s the difference. Circular
motion is just a special case of rotatory motion. That is, there is no fixed axis and radius restriction
for rotatory motion, but there is for circular motion.
For example, all planets have rotatory motion around their suns. But most of the orbits are
elliptical, so the rotation axis (there are two in an ellipse) and radii of gyration vary as they trek
around. So most, if not all, planets do not have circular motion.
Note:
Gyration length:
A length that represents the distance in a rotating system between the point about which it is
rotating and the point to or from which a transfer of energy has the maximum effect.

Mini Exercise

1. When a body is said to be at rest?

Ans: A body is said to be at rest if it does not change its position concerning its surroundings.

2. Give an example of a body that is at rest and is in motion at

the same time.
Ans: Motion and rest are relative concepts. There is no absolute rest. We can define the state of
rest or motion only concerning another object or a point in space taken as reference.
Examples:
 A person inside a train considers himself to be at rest concerning the fellow passengers or
the walls of the train. But when he looks outside, he finds himself to be in motion
concerning the trees outside.
 A passenger sitting in a moving bus is at rest because he/she is not changing his/her
position with respect to other passengers or objects inside the bus. But to an observer
outside the bus, the passengers and the objects inside the bus are in motion.

3. Mention the type of motion in each of the following:

 A ball moving vertically upward.
Ans: Linear motion.
 A child moving down a slide.
Ans: Linear motion.
 Movement of a player in a football ground.
Ans: Random motion.
 The flight of a butterfly.
Ans: Random motion.
 An athlete running in a circular track.
Ans: Circular motion.

 The motion of a wheel.

Ans: Circular motion.
 The motion of a cradle.
Ans: Vibratory motion.

Q9. Describe vibratory motion with the help of examples?

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Ans: Vibratory motion:

To and fro motion of a body about its mean position is known as vibratory motion.
Examples:
Consider the motion if a baby about in a swing. As it is pushed, the swing moves back and forth
about its mean position. The motion of the baby repeats from one extreme to the other extreme
with the swing. Such type of motion is called vibratory motion.
To and fro motion of the pendulum of a clock about its mean position, it is called vibratory motion.
A baby in a cradle moving to and fro, to and fro motion of the hammer of a ringing electric bell and
the motion of the string of a sitar are some of the examples of vibratory motion.

Q10. Differentiate between scalars and vectors?

Ans: Differentiate between scalars and vectors

Scalars Vectors

A scalar quantity is described completely by its A vector quantity is described completely by

magnitude only. magnitude and direction
Examples: Examples of scalars are mass, length, Examples: Examples of vectors are velocity,
time, speed, volume, work, energy, density, displacement, force, momentum, torque, weight,
power, electric charge, pressure, area, temperature. electric potential etc.

Q11. How can vector quantities be represented graphically?

Ans: Representation of vectors (Symbolic representation of a vector):
To differentiate a vector from a scalar quantity we generally use bold letters to represent vector
quantities, such as F, a, d or a bar or arrow over their symbols such as
Vector representation/Graphical representation of a vector:
A straight line is drawn with an arrow head at one end. The length of the line according to some
suitable scale, represents the magnitude and the arrow head gives the direction of the vector.

Q12. Define the term position?

Ans: Position:
The term position describes the location of a place or a point concerning some reference point
called the origin.
For example:
You want to describe the position of your school from your home. Let the school be represented by
S and home by H. The position of your school from your home will be represented by a straight-
line HS in the direction from H to S.

Q13. Explain the difference between distance and displacement?

Ans. Difference between distance and displacement:

Distance Displacement

Length of a path between two points is called the Displacement is the shortest distance between two
distance between those points. points which has magnitude and direction.
Distance is a scalar quantity. Displacement is a vector quantity.
Distance is denoted by “S” Displacement is denoted by “d”
S = vt D = vt
Its SI unit is metre (m). Its SI unit is metre (m).

Distance S (dotted line) and displacement d(dark

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line) from points A to B,

Q14. What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Ans. Difference between speed and velocity:

Speed Velocity

The distance covered an object in unit time is by

The rate of displacement of a body is called its
called its speed.
velocity.
Distance = speed x time
V = d/t or d = vt
Or S = vt

Speed is a scalar quantity. Velocity is a vector quantity.

Sl unit of velocity is the same as speed i.e. metre
Sl unit of speed is metre per second. (ms-1)
per second. (ms-1)

DO YOU KNOW
Which is the fastest animal on the earth?
Falcon can fly at a speed of 200 kmh-1
Cheetah can run at a speed of 70 kmh-1

A LIDAR gun is light detection and ranging

speed. It uses the time taken by a laser pulse to
make a series of measurements of a vehicle’s A paratrooper attains a uniform velocity called terminal
distance from the gun. The data is then used to velocity with which it comes to the ground.
calculate the vehicle’s speed.

Q15. Define uniform speed.

Ans. Uniform speed:
A body has uniform speed if it covers equal distances in equal intervals of time however short the
interval may be.

Q16. Define variable speed?

Ans. variable speed:
If a body covers unequal distances in equal interval of time, however, small the interval
may be, the speed of the body is said to be variable.

Q17. Define average speed?

Ans. Average speed:
The ratio between distance and total time has taken is known as average speed.

Q18. Define uniform velocity?

Ans. Uniform velocity:
A body has uniform velocity if it covers equal displacement in equal intervals of time however
short the interval may be.

Q19. Define the variable velocity?

Ans. variable velocity:
If speed or direction changes with time then the velocity of such a body is said to be variable.

Q20. Define average velocity?

Ans. Average velocity:
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The ratio between displacement and time is known as the average velocity

Q21. Define acceleration?

Ans. Acceleration:
Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity of a body.
Unit of acceleration:
SI unit of acceleration is metre per second squared (ms -2)

USEFUL INFORMATION

Acceleration of a moving object is in the direction of the velocity of its velocity is increasing.
Acceleration of the object is opposite to the direction of velocity if its velocity is decreasing.

Q22. Define uniform acceleration?

Ans. Uniform acceleration:
A body has uniform acceleration if it has equal changes in velocity in equal intervals of time
however short the interval may be.

Q23. Differentiate between positive and negative acceleration?

Ans: Positive acceleration:
Acceleration of a body is positive if its velocity increases with time. The direction of this
acceleration is the same in which the body is moving without a change in its direction.
Negative acceleration/Deceleration or retardation:
Acceleration of a body is negative if the velocity of the body decreases. The direction of
negative acceleration is opposite to the direction in which the body is moving. Negative
acceleration is also called deceleration or retardation.

DO YOU KNOW
A graph may also be used in everyday life such as to show year-wise growth/decline of export,
month-wise rainfall, a patient’s temperature record or runs per over scored by a team and so on.

Q24. What do you mean by the graph, variables, independent

quantity and dependent quantity?
Ans: Graph:
The graph is a pictorial way of presenting information about the relationship between various
quantities.
Variables:
The quantities between which a graph is plotted are called the variables.
Independent quantity:
One of the quantities is called independent quantity.
Dependent quantity:
The values of which varies with the independent quantity are called dependent quantity.

Q25. What is the purpose of the distance-time graph? How it is

plotted?
Ans: Distance-time graph:
It is useful to represent the motion of objects using graphs. The terms distance and displacement
are used interchangeably when the motion is in a straight line. Similarly, if the motion in a straight
line then speed and velocity are also used interchangeably
Note:
In a distance-time graph, time is taken along the horizontal axis while the vertical axis shows the
distance covered by the object.

Q26. Sketch a distance-time graph for a body at rest. How will you
determine the speed of a body from this graph?
Ans: Object at rest:
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In the graph shown in the figure, the distance moved by the object with time is zero. That is, the
object is at rest. Thus, a horizontal line parallel to the time axis on a distance-time graph shows
the speed of the object is zero.

Q27. Plot and interpret a distance-time graph for a body moving

with constant speed?
Ans: Object moving with constant speed:
The speed of an object is said to be constant if it covers equal distances in equal intervals
of time. The distance-time graph as shown in the figure is a straight line.
Its slope gives the speed of the object.
Consider two points A and B on the graph.
Speed of the objects = slope of line AB
The speed found from the graph is 2 ms-1

Q28. Sketch a distance-time graph for a body moving with variable

speed?
Ans: Object moving with variable speed:
When an object does not cover equal distances in equal intervals of time then its speed is
not constant. In this case, the distance-time graph is not a straight line as shown in the figure. The
slope of the curve at any point can be found from the slope of the tangent at that point. For
example.
Thus, the speed of the object at P is 3 ms-1
Note:
The speed is higher at instants when the slope is greater, speed is zero at instants when the slope
is horizontal.

Q29. What do you mean by the speed-time graph?

Ans: speed-time graph:
In a speed-time graph, time is taken along x-axis and speed is taken along the y-axis.

Q30. Sketch a speed-time graph for a body moving with constant

speed?
OR
What would be the shape of a speed-time graph of a body moving
with constant speed?
Ans: Object moving with constant speed
When the speed of an object is constant (4ms -1) with time, then the speed-time graph will
be a horizontal line parallel to time-axis along the x-axis.
A straight line parallel to time-axis represents the constant speed of the object.

Q31. Sketch a speed-time graph for a body moving with uniformly

changing speed?
OR
What would be the shape of a speed-time graph of a body moving
with uniformly changing speed?
Ans: object moving with uniformly changing speed (uniform acceleration):
Let the speed of an object be changing uniformly. In such a case speed is changing at a
constant rate. Thus, its speed-time graph would be a straight line such.
A straight line means that the object is moving with uniform acceleration. The slope of the line
gives the magnitude of its acceleration.
Speed-time graph gives a negative slope. Thus, the object has deceleration of 0.4ms -2.

Q32. Sketch a speed-time graph for distance travel by a moving

object?
OR
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What would be the shape of a speed-time graph for distance travel

by a moving object?
Ans: Distance travelled by a moving object:
The area under a speed-time graph represents the distance travelled by the object. If the motion
is uniform then the area can be calculated using the appropriate formula for geometrical shapes
represented by the graph.

Q33. Describe the purpose of different equations of motion?

Ans: Equations of motion:
There are three basic equations of motion for bodies moving with uniform acceleration.
These equations relate initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, time and distance covered by a
moving body.

Q34. Derive the first equation of motion for uniformly accelerated

rectilinear motion.
OR
Which equation of motion establishes the relationship between
vf, vi, a and t, drive relation between these quantities.
OR
Prove that vf = vi + at.
OR
Derive the equation of motion which is independent of distance S.
Ans: Suppose a body is moving with initial velocity v i, and after time t its velocity becomes v f.
Then acceleration a is given by
Or Vf – Vi = at
Vf = Vi + at
Second Method (Graphical method):
The first equation of motion:
Speed-time graph for the motion of a body is shown in the figure. The slope of line
AB gives the acceleration of a body.
As
BD = Vf, CD = Vi and OD = t
Hence
Or Vf – Vi = at
Vf = Vi + at

Q35. Derive the second equation of motion for uniformly

accelerated rectilinear motion.
OR
Which equation of motion establishes the relationship between S, a,
Vi and Vf?
OR
Derive the equation of motion which is independent of t.
OR
Derive the second equation of motion?
OR
Prove that S = v1 t + ½ at2
Ans: Suppose a body is moving with initial velocity v i and after a certain time t its velocity
becomes vf then the total distance S covered in time t, is given by
S = vav x t
)xt …………………..(1)
From the first equation of motion. Vf = Vi + at
Putting the value of Vf in equation (1).
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)xt
)xt
)

S = V.t + ½ at2
Second Method (Graphical method):
The second equation of motion:
In the speed-time graph shown in the figure, the total distance S travelled by the body is equal to
the total area OABD under the graph. That is
Total distance S = area of (rectangle OACD + triangle ABC)
Area of rectangle OACD = OA x OD
= Vi x t
Area of triangle ABC = ½ (AC x BC)
= ½ t x at

Since Total area OABD = area of rectangle OACD + area of triangle ABC
Putting values in the above equation, we get
S = Vit + ½ t x at
S = Vit + ½ at2

Q36. Derive the third equation of motion for uniformly accelerated

rectilinear motion.
OR
Which equation of motion establishes the relationship between S, a,
Vi and Vf?
OR
Derive the equation of motion which is independent of t.
OR
Derive the third equation of motion?
OR
Prove that 2aS = vf2 – vi2
Ans: Suppose a body is moving with initial velocity v i and after a certain time t its velocity
becomes vf then the total distance S covered in time t, is given by
S = vav x t
)xt …………………..(1)
From the first equation of motion find the value of t.
Vf = Vi + at or
Putting the value of Vf in equation (1).
2aS = (vf + vi) x (vf – vi) by using formula (a + b)(a – b) = a 2 – b2
2aS = vf – vi
2 2

Second Method (Graphical method)

Third equation of motion:
In speed-time graph shown in figure, the total distance S travelled by the body is
given by the total area OABD under the graph.
Total area OABD =
Or 2S = (OA + BD) x OD

Multiply both sides by BC/OD, we get: (BC/OD = a)

2S x = (OA + BD) X OD X
2S x = (OA + BD) X BC …………………….(1)
Putting the value in the above equation (1), we get
2S x a = (Vi + Vf) x (Vf – Vi)
2aS = Vf2+ Vi2

USEFUL INFORMATION
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 To convert ms-1 to kmh-1

1 ms = 0.001km x 3600 = 3.6 kmh-1
-1

Thus, multiply speed in ms-1 by 3.6 to get speed in kmh-1 e.g.,

20 ms-1= 20 x 3.6 kmh-1=72 kmh-1
 To convert kmh-1 to ms-1
1 kmh = ms-1-1

Thus, multiply speed in kmh-1 by to get speed in ms-1 e.g.

50 kmh-1 = 50 x ms-1 = 13.88 ms-1
 To convert ms-2 to kmh-2
Multiply acceleration in ms-2 by = 12960 to get its value in kmh-2
 To convert kmh-2 to ms-2
Divide acceleration in kmh-2 by 12960 to get its value in ms-
Q37. Drop an object from some height and observe its motion. Does
its velocity increase, decrease or remain constant as it approaches
the ground?
Ans: Velocity of an object will increase due to earth gravity. That is why for bodies falling freely g
is positive.

Q38. Explain the motion of freely falling bodies?

Ans: Motion of freely falling bodies:
The acceleration of freely falling bodies is called gravitational acceleration.
It is denoted by g. On the surface of the Earth, its value is approximately 10 ms -2.
For bodies falling down freely, g is positive and is negative for bodies moving up.
Galileo was the first scientist to notice that all the freely falling objects have the same acceleration
independent of their masses. He dropped various objects of different masses from the leaning
tower of Pisa. He found that all of them reach the ground at the same time.

Q39. Write equations of motion for bodies moving under gravity?

Ans: Equations of motion for bodies moving under gravity:
1. Vf = Vi + gt
2. h = Vit + ½ gt2
 2gh = Vf2 = Vi2

SUMMARY

1. Rest: A body is said to be at rest if it does not change its position concerning its
surroundings.
2. Motion: A body is said to be in motion if it changes its position with respect to its
surroundings.
3. Rest and motion are always relative. There is no such thing as absolute rest or absolute
motion.
4. Motion can be divided into the following three types:
Translatory motion: In which a body moves without any rotation.
Rotatory motion: In which a body spins about its axis.
Vibratory motion: In which a body moves to and fro about its mean position.
5. Scalars: Physical quantities which are described by their magnitude only are known as
scalars.
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6. Vectors: Physical quantities which are described by their magnitude and direction are
known as vectors.
7. Position: Position means the location of a certain place or object from a reference point.
8. Speed: The distance travelled in any direction by a boy in unit time is called speed.
9. Uniform speed: if the speed of a body does not change with time then its speed is uniform.
10. Average speed: Average speed of a body is the ratio of the total distance covered to the
total time taken
11. Velocity: We define velocity as the rate of change of displacement or speed in a specific
direction.
12. Average velocity: Average velocity of a body is defined as the ratio of its net displacement
to the total time.
13. Uniform velocity: If a body covers equal displacements in equal intervals of time, however
small the interval may be, then its velocity is said to be uniform.
14. Acceleration: The rate of change of velocity of a body is called acceleration.
15. Uniform acceleration: A body has uniform acceleration if it has equal changes in its velocity
in equal intervals of time, however small the interval may be.
16. Graph: Graph is a pictorial way of describing information as to how various quantities are
related to each other.
17. The slope of the distance-time graph gives the speed of the body.
18. Distance-time graph: Distance-time graphs provide useful information about the motion of
an object. The slope of the displacement-time graph gives the velocity of the body.
19. Distance covered by a body is equal to the area under the speed-time graph.
20. Speed-time graph: Speed-time graph is also useful for studying motion along a straight line.
21. Velocity-time graph: The distance travelled by a body can also be found from the area
under Velocity-time graph if the motion is along a straight line.
22. Equations of motion for uniformly accelerated motion are:
 Vf = Vi + at
 S = Vit + ½ at2
 2aS = Vf2 = Vi2
23. Acceleration due to gravity: When a boy is dropped freely it falls with an acceleration
towards the earth. This acceleration is called acceleration due to gravity and is denoted by
g. the numerical value of g is approximately 10 ms -2 near the surface of the Earth.