9/26/2023

TROY PHYSICS at HUST

General Physics 2252

Instructor: Asso. Prof. Thoan Nguyen-Hoang

Office: 107B – C9
Office hours: 10:00-12:00 am Tues.,Thurs.
Telephone: 0914566144
Email: [email protected]

TEAMS CODE: 2e15qcg

Course Information: Materials

• Primary Textbook: “College Physics” Volume 1, 9th edition by

Raymond A. Serway, and Chris Vuille.
Lecture Note will be provided after each lesson.
• Lab Material: “Physics Laboratory Manual ”, handout

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Course Information: Evaluation and Grading

- Attendance, Assignments and homeworks: 20%

- Midterm exam 1: 15% (week 5: chapters 1, 2, 3)

- Midterm exam 2: 15 % (week 10: chapters 4, 5)

- Lab. Reports : 10 %

- Final exam : 40% (week 15)

- Grade A: 90% – 100%

- Grade B: 80% – 89%
- Grade C: 70% – 79%
- Grade D: 60% – 69%
- Grade F: 59% or lower

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Course Information: Homework

• Homework problem assignment:

List of Homeworks
2nd week:
Chapter 1: Units, Estimation, Dimensional analysis, Coordinate system, Uncertainty in
Measurement, Trigonometry: (1) -39, 43, 55
Chapter 2: Motion in one dimension: (2) - 6, 11, 18, 20, 21, 33, 37, 47, 59
4th week:
Chapter 3: Vectors and Two-dimensional motion: (3) - 14, 23 , 41, 58
Chapter 4: The laws of Motion (4) -7,15,21, 38,41
6th week:
Chapter 7: Rotation Motion and the Law of Gravity: (7) – 3, 4, 14, 15, 25, 27, 34, 63,70
…
• Due date: The week after finishing each chapter.

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Lesson 1
• Brief Introduction to Physics
• Chapter 1 – Measurements
1.1. Quantities
1.2. SI units
1.3. Significant figures
1.4. Measurements
1.5. Micrometer
1.6. Vernier caliper
• Chapter 2 – Motion in one dimension
2.1. Motion
2.2. Position and displacement
2.3. Average velocity and average speed
2.4. Instantaneous velocity and speed
2.5. Acceleration
2.6. Constant acceleration: A special case
2.7. Free fall acceleration

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 7

Introduction: Physics and Mechanics

• Physics deals with the nature and properties of matter and energy.
Common language is mathematics. Physics is based on
experimental observations and quantitative measurements.
• The study of physics can be divided into six main areas:
• Classical mechanics => Physics I (Phys. 2252)
• Electromagnetism – Physics II
• Optics – Physics III
• Relativity
• Thermodynamics => Physics I (Phys. 2252)
• Quantum mechanics
• Classical mechanics deals with the motion and equilibrium of
material bodies and the action of forces.

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Introduction: Classical Mechanics

• Classical mechanics deals with the motion of objects

• Classical Mechanics: Theory that predicts qualitatively &
quantitatively the results of experiments for objects that are NOT…
too small: atoms and subatomic particles – Quantum Mechanics
too fast: objects close to the speed of light – Special Relativity
too dense: black holes, the early Universe – General Relativity
• Classical mechanics concerns the motion of objects that are large
relative to atoms and move at speeds much slower than the speed
of light (i.e. nearly everything!)

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 9

Chapter 1. Physical quantities & Measurement technique

1.1. Quantities
1.2. SI units
1.3. Significant figures
1.4. Measurements
1.5. Micrometer
1.6. Vernier caliper

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1.1. Quantities

• To be quantitative in Physics requires measurements

• How tall is Ming Yao? How about his weight?
• Height: 2.29 m (7 ft 6 in)
• Weight: 141 kg (310 lb)

• Number + Unit

“thickness is 10.” has no physical

meaning

Both numbers and units necessary for

any meaningful physical quantities

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 11

1.1. Quantities

A physical quantity is a feature of something that can be measured.

• Examples: length, mass, weight, . . .

• Every quantity has a numerical value and a unit.
• Large and small quantities are usually expressed in
scientific notation − a simple number multiplied by a power
of ten.
0.00000012 = 0.12×10−6 = 1.2×10−7 = 12×10−8
34000000000000000000000000000000000000=34×1036

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Type Quantities

• Many things can be measured: distance, speed, energy,

time, force ……
• These are related to one another: speed = distance / time
• Choose basic quantities (DIMENSIONS):
• LENGTH
• MASS
• TIME, ….
• Define other units in terms of these.

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 13

1.1. Quantities: … scalar and vectors

• Physical quantities are classified into scalars and vectors.

A scalar has magnitude only.
A vector has both magnitude and direction.
♣ Underline the following quantities which are vectors.
speed, velocity, force, pressure, acceleration, mass
speed, velocity, force, pressure, acceleration, mass
• The resultant of two scalars is the sum of their magnitudes.
• To find the resultant of two vectors, we use the parallelogram law or
the triangle law.

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Chapter 1. Physical quantities & Measurement technique

1.1. Quantities
1.2. SI units
1.3. Significant figures
1.4. Measurements
1.5. Micrometer
1.6. Vernier caliper

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 15

1.2. SI Unit
• There are many unit systems:
FPS (foot-pound-second), CGS (centimeter, gram, second)
MKS (meter-kilogram-second). The MKS is also called the SI.
• In SI, there are 7 base quantities and seven base units.
Length meter m
Mass kilogram kg
Time second s
Electric Current ampere A
Thermodynamic kelvin K
Temperature
Luminous Intensity candela cd
Amount of Substance mole mol
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1.2. SI Unit
Prefixes for SI Units (Multiples)
 3,000 m = 31,000 m 10x Prefix Symbol
= 3103 m = 3 km x=18 exa E
 1,000,000,000 = 109 = 1G
15 peta P
 1,000,000 = 106 = 1M
12 tera T
 1,000 = 103 = 1k
9 giga G
 141 kg = ? g 6 mega M
 1 GB = ? Byte = ? MB 3 kilo k
2 hecto h
1 deca da

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 17

2. SI Unit
Prefixes for SI Units (submultiples)
10x Prefix Symbol  0.003 s = 3  0.001 s
x=-1 = 310-3 s = 3 ms
deci d
 0.01 = 10-2 = centi
-2 centi c
 0.001 = 10-3 = milli
-3 milli m  0.000 001 = 10-6 = micro
-6 micro µ  0.000 000 001 = 10-9 = nano
-9 nano n  0.000 000 000 001 = 10-12
-12 pico p = pico = p
 1 nm = ? m = ? cm
-15 femto f
 3 cm = ? m = ? mm
-18 atto a

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1.2. SI Unit
Derived Quantities and Units
• For a quantity apart from the base quantities, its unit is a combination
of the base units, called a derived unit.
• Some derived units have their own names.
For example, the unit of force is newton (N = kg.m.s−2 ).
the unit of energy is Joule (J =kg.m2.s-2)
• Quantities which don’t have a named unit are expressed in terms of
other units.
For example, the unit of speed is meter-per-second (m.s−1).
the unit of acceleration is meter-per-second square (m.s−2).
• Different units can be multiplied together or divided by one another.
But they can never be added or subtracted.

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 19

1.2. SI Unit
Derived Quantities and Units
• Multiply and divide units just like numbers
• Derived quantities: area, speed, volume, density ……
• Area = Length  Length SI unit for area = m2
• Volume = Length  Length  Length SI unit for volume = m3
• Speed = Length / time SI unit for speed = m/s
• Density = Mass / Volume SI unit for density = kg/m3

• In 2008 Olympic Game, Usain Bolt sets world record at 9.69 s in

Men’s 100 m Final. What is his average speed ?

100 m 100 m
speed     10.32 m/s
9.69 s 9.69 s

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Other Unit System

• U.S. customary system: foot, slug, second

• CGS system: cm, gram, second
• We will use SI units in this course, but it is useful to know
conversions between systems.
• 1 mile = 1609 m = 1.609 km 1 ft = 0.3048 m = 30.48 cm
• 1 m = 39.37 in. = 3.281 ft 1 in. = 0.0254 m = 2.54 cm
• 1 lb = 0.465 kg 1 oz = 28.35 g 1 slug = 14.59 kg
• 1 day = 24 hours = 24 * 60 minutes = 24 * 60 * 60 seconds

• More can be found in Appendices A & D in your textbook.

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 21

Dimensions, Units and Equations

• Quantities have dimensions:
• Length – L, Mass – M, and Time - T
• Quantities have units: Length – m, Mass – kg, Time – s
• To refer to the dimension of a quantity, use square
brackets, e.g. [F] means dimensions of force.

Quantity Area Volume Speed Acceleration

Dimension [A] = L2 [V] = L3 [v] = L/T [a] = L/T2
SI Units m2 m3 m/s m/s2

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Dimensional Analysis
• Necessary either to derive a math expression, or equation or to
check its correctness.
• Quantities can be added/subtracted only if they have the same
dimensions.
• The terms of both sides of an equation must have the same
dimensions.

• a, b, and c have units of meters, s = a, what is [s] ?

• a, b, and c have units of meters, s = a + b, what is [s] ?
• a, b, and c have units of meters, s = (2a + b)b, what is [s] ?
• a, b, and c have units of meters, s = (a + b)3/c, what is [s] ?
• a, b, and c have units of meters, s = (3a + 4b)1/2/9c2, what is [s] ?

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 24

Chapter 1. Physical quantities & Measurement technique

1.1. Quantities
1.2. SI units
1.3. Significant figures
1.4. Measurements
1.5. Micrometer
1.6. Vernier caliper

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1.3. Significant figures

Examples: 0012304.005
12.300
120300
♣ The five rules
1. All non-zero digits are significant.
2. Zeros between two non-zero digits are significant.
3. Leading zeros are not significant.
4. Trailing zeros in a number containing a decimal point are
significant.
5. The significance of trailing zeros in a number not containing a
decimal point needs to be indicated when it is necessary.
For examples: 120300, 120300, 120300 (4sf).

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 26

1.4. Measurements
1.4.1. Precision and accuracy
A measurement which is precise may be not accurate.

precise precise inprecise

accurate inaccurate inaccurate
Accuracy refers to the closeness of the measured value to the
"true value".

Precision refers to the closeness of different measurements to

each other.

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Chapter 1. Physical quantities & Measurement technique

1.1. Quantities
1.2. SI units
1.3. Significant figures
1.4. Measurements
1.5. Micrometer
1.6. Vernier caliper

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1.4. Measurements

• The result of a physical measurement has two components:

the average value (the best estimate possible value),
the uncertainty (a range of values within which you expect the
true value to lie).
• For example, when you measure the width L of a table:
The average:
𝐿 = 95.38 𝑐𝑚
∆Li = |⟨L⟩ − Li |
⟨∆L⟩ = 0.304 cm
L = (95.38 ± 0.30) cm

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1.4. Measurements
1.4.2. Two rules in writing the results
• Take no more than two significant figures for the uncertainty.
• Take the same position for the least significant figure in the average
value and the uncertainty

1.4.2. Percentage uncertainty

actual uncertainty
𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒚 =
average value

• For example:

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 30

1.4. Measurements
1.4.4. Combining uncertainties in indirect measurements
• For quantities which are added or subtracted, we add the actual
uncertainties.
𝐴 = 𝐵 + 2𝐶 − 3𝐷
→ 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑑𝐵 + 2𝑑𝐶 − 3𝑑𝐷
→ ∆𝐴 = ∆𝐵 + 2∆𝐶 + 3∆𝐷
• For quantities which are multiplied together or divided by one
another, we add the percentage uncertainties.
𝐴 = → 𝑙𝑛𝐴 = 𝑙𝑛𝐵 + 2𝑙𝑛𝐶 − 3𝑙𝑛𝐷

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1.4. Measurements
1.4.5. Two of error
• A systematic error results in readings which are always above or
always below the true value. For examples, zero error and
incorrectly calibrated scale.

zero
error

Standard/
corrected scale

Incorrectly
calibrated
scale

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 32

1.4. Measurements
1.4.5. Two of error
• A systematic error results in readings which are always above or
always below the true value. For examples, zero error and
incorrectly calibrated scale.
• A random error results in readings which are scattered about the
true values. An example is parallax error, which is caused by
incorrect viewing angle.

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Chapter 1. Physical quantities & Measurement technique

1.1. Quantities
1.2. SI units
1.3. Significant figures
1.4. Measurements
1.5. Micrometer
1.6. Vernier caliper

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 34

1.5. Micrometer
• Full name: micrometer screw gauge

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1.5. Micrometer
• Reading

• The smallest division on the barrel scale is 0.50 mm, and on the
thimble scale is 0.01 mm.
• The reading on the micrometer in the figure is
12.40 mm

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1.5. Micrometer
• Reading

• The reading on the micrometer in the figure is

12.40 mm.

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1.5. Micrometer
• Reading

• Even when the reading is zero, we

somehow see the zero mark on the barrel.

• State the reading:

6.05 mm.

5.96 mm.

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1.5. Micrometer
• Reading

6.62 mm 8.39 mm

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1.5. Micrometer
• What is the reading in the following micrometer?

12.93 mm

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1.5. Micrometer No zero error

1.5. 4. Determine zero error
when the two measuring faces are in
contact.
If the zero mark on the thimble lines up
with the index line on the barrel, there is positive zero error
no zero error. +0.02 mm
The zero mark before the index line
means a positive zero error.
The zero mark after the index line means
a negative zero error.
Negative zero error
- 0.03 mm
actual size = reading - zero error

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1.5. Micrometer
An example

+0.02 mm 2.37 mm

2.37 – 0.02 = 2.35 mm

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 42

Chapter 1. Physical quantities & Measurement technique

1.1. Quantities
1.2. SI units
1.3. Significant figures
1.4. Measurements
1.5. Micrometer
1.6. Vernier caliper

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1.6. Vernier caliper

1 Outside large jaws (prongs) 5 Imperial main scale

2 Inside small jaws 6 Metric vernier scale
3 Depth rod (probe) 7 Imperial vernier scale
4 Metric main scale 8 Retainer

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1.6. Vernier caliper

1.6.1. Reading

reading = on main scale + on vernier scale

= 11 mm + 0.65 mm
= 11.65 mm

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1.6. Vernier caliper

Reading

reading = on main scale + on vernier scale

= 11 mm + 0.65 mm
= 11.65 mm

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1.6. Vernier caliper

Reading

27

0.75

27.75

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1.6. Vernier caliper

Reading

15.24 mm

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1.6. Vernier caliper

1.6.3. Zero error
• Consider when the two outside jaws are in contact

= - 0.2 mm

=+ 0.3 mm

actual size = reading - zero error

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Chapter 1. => Summary

• The three fundamental physical dimensions of mechanics are

length, mass and time, which in the SI system have the units meter
(m), kilogram (kg), and second (s), respectively
• The method of dimensional analysis is very powerful in solving
physics problems.
• Units in physics equations must always be consistent. Converting
units is a matter of multiplying the given quantity by a fraction,
with one unit in the numerator and its equivalent in the other units
in the denominator, arranged so the unwanted units in the given
quantity are cancelled out in favor of the desired units.

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 50

Chapter 2.
Motion along a straight line
Linear motion (displacement, velocity, and
acceleration) in one dimension

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Physics 2252: Mechanics Lecture 2

Chapter 2. Motion along a straight line
2.1. Motion
2.2. Position and displacement
2.3. Average velocity and average speed
2.4. Instantaneous velocity and speed
2.5. Acceleration
2.6. Constant acceleration: A special case
2.7. Free fall acceleration

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2.1. Motion

• Everything moves! Motion is one of the main topics in Physics I

• In the spirit of taking things apart for study, then putting them back together, we
will first consider only motion along a straight line.
• Simplification: Consider a moving object as a particle, i.e. it moves like a
particle —a “point object”

Hanoi

Newyork

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Four Basic Quantities in Kinematics

• Any motion involves three concepts

• Displacement
• Velocity
• Acceleration
• These concepts can be used to study objects in motion.

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2.2. One Dimensional Position x, …..

• Motion can be defined as the change of position over time.

• How can we represent position along a straight line?
• Position definition:
• Defines a starting point: origin (x = 0), x relative to origin
• Direction: positive (right or up), negative (left or down)
• It depends on time: t = 0 (start clock), x(t=0) does not have to be zero.
• Position has units of [Length]: meters.

x = + 2.5 m

x=-3m

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2.2. ….. and Displacement

• Displacement is a change of position in time.

• Displacement: 𝜟𝒙 = 𝒙𝒇 (𝒕𝒇 ) − 𝒙𝒊 (𝒕𝒊 )
• f stands for final and i stands for initial.
• It is a vector quantity.
• It has both magnitude and direction: + or - sign
• It has units of [length]: meters.

x1 (t1) = + 2.5 m
x2 (t2) = - 2.0 m
Δx = -2.0 m - 2.5 m = -4.5 m

x1 (t1) = - 3.0 m
x2 (t2) = + 1.0 m
Δx = +1.0 m + 3.0 m = +4.0 m
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Distance and Position-time graph

• Displacement in space
B
From A to B: Δx = xB – xA = 52 m – 30 m = 22 m C
A
From A to C: Δx = xc – xA = 38 m – 30 m = 8 m
D
• Distance is the length of a path followed by a particle
E
from A to B: d = |xB – xA| = |52 m – 30 m| = 22 m
F
from A to C: d = |xB – xA|+ |xC – xB| = 22 m + |38 m – 52 m| = 36 m
• Displacement is not Distance.

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2.3. Velocity

• Velocity is the rate of change of position.

• Velocity is a vector quantity.
• Velocity has both magnitude and direction.
displacement
• Velocity has a unit of [length/time]: meter/second.
• We will be concerned with three quantities, defined as: distance
Average velocity
x x f - xi
vavg  
t t
Average speed
total distance
savg 
t
Instantaneous
x dx
velocity v  lim 
t  0 t dt

displacement

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2.3.1. Average Velocity

• Average velocity
𝜟𝒙 𝒙𝒇 𝒙𝒊
𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒈 = 𝜟𝒕
= 𝜟𝒕
is the slope of the line segment between end points on a graph.
• Dimensions: length/time (L/T) [m/s].
• SI unit: m/s.
• It is a vector (i.e. is signed), and displacement direction sets its
sign.

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2.3.2. Average Speed

• Average speed:
total distance
𝒔avg =
𝜟𝒕
• Dimension: length/time, [m/s].
• Scalar: No direction involved.
• Not necessarily close to Vavg:

For example:
• Savg = (6m + 6m)/(3s+3s) = 2 m/s
• Vavg = (0 m)/(3s+3s) = 0 m/s

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Graphical Interpretation of Velocity

• Velocity can be determined from
a position-time graph
• Average velocity equals the
slope of the line joining the
initial and final positions. It is a
vector quantity.
• An object moving with a
constant velocity will have a
graph that is a straight line.

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2.4. Instantaneous Velocity

• Instantaneous means “at some given instant”. The instantaneous

velocity indicates what is happening at every point of time.
• Limiting process:
• Chords approach the tangent as Δt => 0
• Slope measure rate of change of position

• Instantaneous velocity: 𝑣 = lim =

→
• It is a vector quantity.
• Dimension: length/time (L/T), [m/s].
• It is the slope of the tangent line to x(t).
• Instantaneous velocity v(t) is a function of time.

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Uniform Velocity

• Uniform velocity is the special case of constant velocity

• In this case, instantaneous velocities are always the same, all the
instantaneous velocities will also equal the average velocity
𝜟𝒙 𝒙𝒇 𝒙𝒊
• Begin with 𝒙𝒇 = 𝒙𝒊 + 𝒗𝒙 𝜟𝒕 then 𝒗𝒙 = =
𝜟𝒕 𝜟𝒕

Note: we are plotting

x v
velocity vs. time
x(t)
v(t)
xf vx

xi
0 t 0 t
ti tf

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2.5. Acceleration

• Changing velocity (non-uniform) means an acceleration is present.

• Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
• Acceleration is a vector quantity.
• Acceleration has both magnitude and direction.
• Unit (a dimensions): length/time2: [m/s2].
• Definition:
𝜟𝒗 𝒗𝒇 𝒗𝒊
• Average acceleration: 𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒈 = =
𝜟𝒕 𝒕𝒇 𝒕𝒊

𝜟𝒗 𝒅𝒗 𝒅 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝟐 𝒙
• Instantaneous acceleration: 𝒂 = lim = = ( ) =
𝜟𝒕→𝟎 𝜟𝒕 𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕𝟐

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Average Acceleration

Note: we are plotting

• Average acceleration velocity vs. time
𝜟𝒗 𝒗𝒇 𝒗𝒊
𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒈 = =
𝜟𝒕 𝒕𝒇 𝒕𝒊

• Velocity as a function of time

𝒗𝒇 (𝒕) = 𝒗𝒊 + 𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒈 𝜟𝒕
• Positive or negative acceleration:
• When the sign of the velocity and the acceleration are the same (either
positive or negative), then the speed is increasing
• When the sign of the velocity and the acceleration are in the opposite
directions, the speed is decreasing (deacceleration)
• Average acceleration is the slope of the line connecting the initial
and final velocities on a velocity-time graph.

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 67

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Instantaneous and Uniform Acceleration

• The limit of the average acceleration as the time interval goes to
𝜟𝒗 𝒅𝒗 𝒅 𝒅𝒙 𝒅𝟐 𝒙
zero 𝒂 = lim = = ( )= 𝟐
𝜟𝒕→𝟎 𝜟𝒕 𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕

• When the instantaneous accelerations are always the same, the

acceleration will be uniform. The instantaneous acceleration will be
equal to the average acceleration
• Instantaneous acceleration is the
slope of the tangent to the curve
of the velocity-time graph

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 68

Relationship between Acceleration and

Velocity (First Stage)
• Velocity and acceleration are in the same
direction
• Acceleration is uniform (blue arrows
maintain the same length)
• Velocity is increasing (red arrows are getting
longer)
• Positive velocity and positive acceleration
𝒗𝒇 (𝒕) = 𝒗𝒊 + 𝒂𝒕

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 69

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Relationship between Acceleration and Velocity (Second Stage)

• Uniform velocity (shown by red arrows maintaining the same size)

• Acceleration equals zero

v f (t )  vi + at

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 70

Relationship between Acceleration and

Velocity (Third Stage)
• Acceleration and velocity are in opposite directions
• Acceleration is uniform (blue arrows maintain the same length)
• Velocity is decreasing (red arrows are getting shorter)
• Velocity is positive and acceleration is negative
v f (t )  vi + at

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 71

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Kinematic Variables: x, v, a

• Position is a function of time: 𝑥 = 𝑥(𝑡)

• Velocity is the rate of change of position.
𝜟𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝒗 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 =
𝜟𝒕→𝟎 𝜟𝒕 𝒅𝒕
• Acceleration is the rate of change of
velocity.
𝜟𝒙𝒗 𝒅𝒗
𝒂 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 =
𝜟𝒕→𝟎 𝜟𝒕 𝒅𝒕
𝒅 𝒅
𝒅𝒕 𝒅𝒕
• 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 → 𝑽𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 → 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
• Graphical relationship between x, v, and a
This same plot can apply to an elevator that is initially
stationary, then moves upward, and then stops. Plot
v and a as a function of time.

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 72

2.6. Special Case: Motion with Uniform Acceleration

(our typical case)
• Acceleration is a constant: 𝒂 = 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝑡
• Kinematic Equations (which we will
derive in a moment)
𝒗 = 𝒗𝟎 + 𝒂𝒕 (1)
𝟏
𝜟𝒙 = 𝒗̄ 𝒕 = (𝒗𝟎 + 𝒗)𝒕
𝟐
Or:
𝟏
𝜟𝒙 = 𝒗𝟎 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐 (2)
𝟐
and
𝒗𝟐 = 𝒗𝟎 𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂𝜟𝒙 (3)

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 73

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2.6. Motion with Uniform Acceleration

Derivation of the Equation (1)
• Given initial conditions:
a(t) = constant = a, v(t = 0) = v0, x(t = 0) = x0
• Start with definition of average acceleration:
𝜟𝒗 𝒗 𝒗𝟎 𝒗 𝒗𝟎 𝒗 𝒗𝟎
𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒈 = = = = =𝒂
𝜟𝒕 𝒕 𝒕𝟎 𝒕 𝟎 𝒕
• We immediately get the first equation: 𝒗 = 𝒗𝟎 + 𝒂𝒕
• Shows velocity as a function of acceleration and time
• Use when you don’t know and aren’t asked to find the displacement

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 74

2.6. Motion with Uniform Acceleration

Derivation of the Equation (2)
• Given initial conditions:
• a(t) = constant = a, v(t = 0) = v0, x(t = 0) = x0
• Start with definition of average velocity:
𝒙 𝒙𝟎 𝜟𝒙
𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒈 = =
𝒕 𝒕
• Since velocity changes at a constant rate, we have
𝟏
𝜟𝒙 = 𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒈 𝒕 = (𝒗𝟎 + 𝒗)𝒕
𝟐
• Gives displacement as a function of velocity and time
• Use when you don’t know and aren’t asked for the acceleration

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 75

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2.6. Motion with Uniform Acceleration

Derivation of the Equation (3)
• Given initial conditions:
• a(t) = constant = a, v(t = 0) = v0, x(t = 0) = x0

• Start with the two just-derived equations:

𝟏
𝒗 = 𝒗𝟎 + 𝒂𝒕 and 𝜟𝒙 = 𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒈 𝒕 = (𝒗𝟎 + 𝒗)𝒕
𝟐
• We have
𝟏 𝟏
𝜟𝒙 = (𝒗𝟎 + 𝒗)𝒕 = (𝒗𝟎 + 𝒗𝟎 + 𝒂𝒕)𝒕
𝟐 𝟐
𝟏
Then, 𝜟𝒙 = 𝒙 − 𝒙𝟎 = 𝒗𝟎 𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐
• Gives displacement as a function of all three quantities: time, initial
velocity and acceleration
• Use when you don’t know and aren’t asked to find the final velocity

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 76

2.6. Motion with Uniform Acceleration

Derivation of the Equation (4)
• Given initial conditions:
• a(t) = constant = a, v(t = 0) = v0, x(t = 0) = x0
• Rearrange the definition of average acceleration
𝜟𝒗 𝒗 𝒗𝟎
𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒈 = = = 𝒂
𝜟𝒕 𝒕
𝒗 𝒗𝟎
to find the time 𝒕 =
𝒂
• Use it to eliminate t in the second equation:
Δ𝑥 = (𝑣 + 𝑣)𝑡 = (𝑣 + 𝑣 )(𝑣 − 𝑣 ) =
rearrange to get
𝒗𝟐 = 𝒗𝟎 𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂𝜟𝒙 = 𝒗𝟎 𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂(𝒙 − 𝒙𝟎 )

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 77

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2.6. Motion with Uniform Acceleration

Problem-Solving Hints
• Read the problem
• Draw a diagram
• Choose a coordinate system, label initial and final points, indicate a positive
direction for velocities and accelerations

• Label all quantities, be sure all the units are consistent

• Convert if necessary v  v0 + at
• Choose the appropriate kinematic equation
x  v0t + 12 at 2
• Solve for the unknowns
2
• You may have to solve two equations for two unknowns v 2  v0 + 2ax
• Check your results

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 78

2.7. Free Fall Acceleration

• Earth gravity provides a constant acceleration. Most important case

of constant acceleration.
• Free-fall acceleration is independent of mass.
y
• Magnitude: |a| = g = 9.8 m/s2
• Direction: g always downward, so ag is negative if we define “up”
as positive,
a = -g = -9.8 m/s2
• Try to pick origin so that xi = 0

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 80

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An example: Free Fall for Rookie

A stone is thrown from the top of a building with an initial velocity of 20.0 m/s
straight upward, at an initial height of 50.0 m above the ground. The stone just
misses the edge of the roof on the its way down. Determine
(a) the time needed for the stone to reach its maximum height.
(b) the maximum height.
(c) the time needed for the stone to return to the height from which it was thrown
and the velocity of the stone at that instant.
(d) the time needed for the stone to reach the ground
(e) the velocity and position of the stone at t = 5.0 s

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 81

Summary: motion in a straight line

• This is the simplest type of motion

• It lays the groundwork for more complex motion
• Kinematic variables in one dimension
• Position x(t) m L
• Velocity v(t) m/s L/T
• Acceleration a(t) m/s2 L/T2
• All depend on time
• All are vectors: magnitude and direction vector:
• Equations for motion with constant acceleration: missing quantities
• v  v0 + at x – x0

• x - x0  v0t + 12 at 2 v
2 2
• v  v0 + 2 a ( x - x0 ) t

•
x - x0  (v + v0 )t
1
2 a
• x - x0  vt - at 1 2 v0
2

Nguyễn Hoàng Thoan - SEP 82

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