Chapter 2 Kinematics of Linear Motion 27

MATRICULATION PHYSICS Semester 1

Kinematics is the topic dealing with the science of motion. Kinematics explain motion of objects using words, diagrams, numbers, graphs, and equations. The goal of any study of kinematics is to develop sophisticated working models which serve us in describing (and ultimately, explaining) the motion of real-world objects. This chapter is concentrated on vector and scalar, distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration that ultimately describes motion of objects.

2.1 Linear Motion A Motion of Objeets

Distance and Displacement Distance and displacement are two quantities which may seem to mean the same thing, yet have distinctly different definitions and meanings. Distance is a scalar quantity which refers to length measured along the path line between two points. Displacement is a vector quantity which refers to the shortest distance of final position from the initial position of a moving object. In other words, it is the object's change in position. Figure 2.1 below can be used to differentiate between distance and displacement.

2C h a p t e r Kinematics of Linear

Motion

Figure 2.1 ►

Difference between distance and displacement