Motion Diagrams

Chapter 1.1

Course Outline:
Part I: Newtons Laws
"1. Review of motion concepts
"2. Kinematics in 1D
3. Vectors and coordinate systems
"4. Kinematics in 2D
"5-7. Newtons Laws (1,2 & 3) in 1D
"8. Newtons Laws in 2D

Course Outline:
Part II: Conservation Laws
"9. Conservation of Momentum
"10. Conservation of Energy
11. Work-Energy Theorem
"
Part III: Newtonian Mechanics
12: Torque

Chapter 1 Review of Motion Concepts:

1.1 Motion diagrams
1.2 Particle Model
1.3 Position and Time
1.4 Velocity
1.5 Acceleration
1.6 Describing motion in 1D
1.7 Solving physics problems easily
1.8 Units and significant figures
" "

Motion Diagrams
Chapter 1.1
Spoiler:
Use pictures to represent motion!

Which of the following are motion

diagrams?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

F) None of them
G) B, C and D
H) All of them.

Motion Diagrams
A composite photo showing an objects position at
several equally spaced instants of time
Motion diagrams can be for:
- one dimensional motion (1D)
- two dimensional motion (2D)
We wont worry about 3D motion in this class.
Motion diagrams are based on

equally spaced instants of time

Frames from a Movie:

Now imagine collapsing
or superposing the
images

 a motion diagram for the car!

What can you say about the

skateboarders speed?

A) Slowing down
B) Constant velocity
C) Speeding up

What can you say about the

runners speed?

A) Slowing down
B) Constant velocity
C) Speeding up

What can you say about the cars

speed?

A) Slowing down

B) Constant velocity
C) Speeding up
(Note: Need to assume the car is moving to the right!)

What can you say about the ball

given the motion diagram below?

A) The ball isnt moving

B) The ball is moving
C) Nothing

What can you say about the ball

given the motion diagram below?
y
x

" "Answer:
There is no motion in the plane of
observation (ie. In the x or z
directions) We will not work in 3D!
" "

What can you say about the ball

given the motion diagram below?

" "Answer:
Sufficient to say: The ball is not
moving, since at most we are
working in 2D.
" "

What can you say about the ball

given the motion diagram below?

A) The ball isnt moving

B) The ball is moving
C) Nothing

Operational Definitions
(i.e., Defining a concept in terms of a procedure)

Using motion diagrams, what would be the

operational definition of:

Constant speed
Speeding up
Slowing down
At rest

1.1 Motion Diagrams

4 basic types:
constant speed
Speeding up
Slowing down
At rest

1.1 Motion Diagrams

What about 2 dimensions?
y

(0,0)

First, define
Coordinate
System.

1.1 Motion Diagrams

What about 2 dimensions?
Constant speed in x dimension!

1.1 Motion Diagrams

What about 2 dimensions?
y

Slowing down while going up

1.1 Motion Diagrams

What about 2 dimensions?
y

Speeding up while going down

1.1 Motion Diagrams

Need to know:

These diagrams depict the motion

of an object in 2 dimensions.

" Each snap-shot of the object is

taken at exactly the same time
interval.

Other Questions?
" "

Which of the following are motion

diagrams?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

F) None of them
G) B, C and D
H) All of them.

Questions?