1D KINEMATICS -
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY NOTES
Core Concepts in One-Dimensional Motion
Basic Motion Descriptors
1. Scalar vs Vector Quantities
| Scalar Quantities | Vector Quantities | |------------------|-------------------| | • Speed
| • Velocity | | • Distance | • Displacement | | • Time | • Acceleration | | Has
magnitude only | Has both magnitude and direction |
2. Distance vs Displacement
Initial Position (A) -----> Movement -----> Final Position (B) -
Distance: Total path length traveled - Displacement: Straight line from
start to end (Vector) - Example: Walking 3km east, then 2km west - Distance
= 5km - Displacement = 1km east
Speed and Velocity
Speed Types
1. Average Speed Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time
2. Instantaneous Speed
◦ Speed at a specific moment
◦ Shown by speedometer reading
Velocity Concepts
Velocity = Displacement / Time - Average Velocity: v₍ₐᵥ₎ = (Final
Position - Initial Position) / Time taken - Instantaneous Velocity:
Velocity at a specific instant
Motion Graphs
1. Position-Time (p-t) Graphs
Position-Time Graph
| Graph Shape | Meaning | |------------|---------| | Horizontal line | Object at rest |
| Straight upward slope | Constant positive velocity | | Straight downward
slope | Constant negative velocity | | Curved line | Changing velocity |
2. Velocity-Time (v-t) Graphs
Velocity-Time Graph
| Feature | Physical Meaning | |---------|-----------------| | Slope | Acceleration | |
Area under curve | Displacement | | Horizontal line | Constant velocity | |
Straight slope | Constant acceleration |
⚡ Acceleration
Types of Acceleration
1. Positive Acceleration
◦ Velocity increases with time
◦ Example: Car speeding up
2. Negative Acceleration (Deceleration)
◦ Velocity decreases with time
◦ Example: Braking car
3. Zero Acceleration
◦ Constant velocity
◦ Example: Car at cruise control
Acceleration Formula
a = (v - u)/t where: a = acceleration v = final velocity u =
initial velocity t = time taken
Free Fall Motion
Key Concepts
• Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s²
• All objects fall with same acceleration (in vacuum)
• Air resistance affects real-world scenarios
Free Fall Equations
1. Velocity: v = u + gt
2. Distance: s = ut + ½gt²
3. Velocity-Distance: v² = u² + 2gs
Important Notes:
• Upward motion: g is negative (-9.8 m/s²)
• Downward motion: g is positive (+9.8 m/s²)
Problem-Solving Framework
1. Identify Given Information
◦ Initial conditions (u, s₀)
◦ Final conditions (v, s)
◦ Time interval (t)
◦ Acceleration (a)
2. Choose Appropriate Equation
◦ v = u + at
◦ s = ut + ½at²
◦ v² = u² + 2as
3. Solve Step by Step
◦ Write known values
◦ Substitute into equation
◦ Solve for unknown
Common Misconceptions
1. Heavier objects fall faster All objects fall at same rate in vacuum
2. No acceleration means no motion No acceleration means constant
velocity
3. Distance and displacement are same Distance ≥ Displacement
always
Quick Reference Formulas
| Quantity | Formula | |----------|---------| | Average Speed | v₍ₐᵥ₎ = Total Distance/
Total Time | | Average Velocity | v₍ₐᵥ₎ = Displacement/Time | | Acceleration | a
= (v - u)/t | | Distance | s = ut + ½at² | | Final Velocity | v = u + at |
Practice Tips
1. Always draw diagrams for motion problems
2. Write down given values with units
3. Choose appropriate equation based on known values
4. Check units in final answer
5. Verify if answer makes physical sense
