Motion in a Straight Line

In Physics, when the position of an object changes over a period of time is known as Motion. Mathematically the Motion is described in terms of displacement, distance, velocity, speed, acceleration, and time. By attaching the frame of reference, the Motion of a body is observed. Further, based on the change in position of the body relative to the frame, the Motion is measured. 

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The students are also provided with access to free resources which can help them learn, revise, practice, and score good marks in the exam. Also, it is designed keeping in mind the current syllabus of the respective boards as per the curriculum.

What is Motion in a Straight Line?

The main aspects of Motion in a Straight Line is discussed in this course by including the difference between the distance and displacement, average velocity and speed, Acceleration along with the exercise of discussion.  Further, solving the problem will grant students a holistic idea about the mechanics of Motion in a Straight Line.

The student should accumulate the knowledge and skills through this designed course. In each section, various ideas are explained in a simplified manner for the understanding of the student. 

Types of Linear Motion

The two types of Linear Motion can be stated as follows:

1. Uniform Linear Motion

2. Non-Uniform Linear Motion

A body is known to be in uniform Motion if it covers equal distance in an equal Motion time-span. Here, the Motion is with zero Acceleration and constant velocity.

Whereas, a body is known as non-uniform if it covers an unequal distance in an equal period. It comprises non-zero Acceleration and variable velocity

Equations of Motion along a Straight Line

Calculus is the best way to derive the equation governing the Motion in a Straight Line. If the value of the three relations velocity-time, distance-time, and Acceleration-time is known in the mathematical form, the value of the others can be obtained by differentiation or integration

Since

\[\frac{d}{dt}\] (distance) = velocity (v)

and

\[\frac{v}{vt}\] (velocity) = Acceleration (a)

There is another method known as the graphical method, which can be used if a precise mathematical relation cannot be obtained. The below figure shows the graphical representation Motion of a horse during a race and how the significant features of each graph are related to others.

Motion in a Straight Line Formulas

Constant Acceleration

This segment should be entitled "One-dimensional equations of Motion for constant Acceleration" for the sake of precision, as it will be a nightmare for a stylistic till let me begin this section with the following relations.

Velocity-time

During a uniform Acceleration, the Line of Motion is Straight; the longer the Acceleration greater will be the change in velocity. Hence the relation between velocity and time will be simple during the uniform Acceleration.

a= ∆v / ∆t

Enlarge ∆v to v − v₀ and condense ∆t to t.

a= (v−v₀) / t

Then resolve for v as a function of t.

v = v₀ + at 

The second equation of Motion is written like a polynomial - a constant term (s₀), followed by a first-order term (v₀t) and followed by a second-order term (½at²). Since the maximum order is 2, it's more accurate to call it a quadratic.

∆s = v₀t + ½at² 

The third equation of Motion - In this once again, the symbol s0 is the initial stance, and s is the position some time t later. If you prefer, you may pen the equation using ∆s — the change in stance, displacement, or distance as the situation merits.

v² = v₀² + 2a∆s 

Indeed, a quick solution, it wasn't that difficult compared to the first two derivations. It, however, worked because Acceleration was constant in time and space.

Below are the formulas of Motion in a Straight Line:

v =u + at

s=ut+1/2at²

v² = u² + 2as

Linear Motion Definition

A one-dimensional gesture along a Straight Line and which can be described by using only one longitudinal dimension is known as Linear Motion or rectiLinear Motion. The Linear Motion is divided into two types: one is uniform Linear Motion with constant velocity or zero Acceleration, and the second one is non-uniform Linear Motion with a variety of velocity or non-zero Acceleration. The movement of a particle along the Line can be described by its position, which varies with time. For example, an athlete running 100m along a Straight track is known as Linear Motion.

It is one of the most basic Motions. As per Newton's first law of Motion, any object that doesn't feel any net force will continue to go in a Straight Line with a perpetual velocity until it is subjected to a net force. In everyday circumstances, external forces such as friction and gravity can cause a change in the direction of its Motion; hence its Motion cannot be described as Linear.  

Important Questions for Motion in a Straight Line

Here are a few questions from the topic Motion in a Straight Line that will help the students to prepare well from the perspective of the final exams.

1. Out of the following examples of Motion, which of the body can be considered approximately a point object:

1. A tumbling beaker which is slipped off the edge of a table

2. A monkey sitting on the top of a smoothly cycling man who is on a circular track.

3. A railway carriage moving between two stations without jerks. 

4. A spin ball of cricket that turns sharply on hitting the ground

2. The position-time (denoted by x-t) graphs for two children namely ‘A’ and ‘B’ who are returning from their school O to their homes P and Q respectively. Choose the correct answers in the brackets as follows;

1. (A/B) lives near to the school than (B/A)

2. (A/B) overtakes (B/A) on the road to school (once/twice)

3. (A/B) walks faster than (B/A)

4. A and B both reach their home at the (same/different) time

5. (A/B) starts walking from the school earlier than (B/A)