Physics Section 2.1 Describe motion in terms of frames of reference, displacement and graphs A frame of reference is a system for specifying the precise location of objects in space and time. An object is at rest (not moving) if its position does not change with respect to a fixed frame of reference. An object that changes its position is said to have a displacement. A displacement is a change in position in a particular direction. displacement Δx = xf – xi Δx = displacement (m) xi = initial position xf = final position ∆x = 7 cm – 2 cm = 5 cm right
Difference between velocity and speed average velocity vav= Δx = displacement = xf – xi Δt time tf – ti vav = average velocity (m/s) Δt = change in time (s) average speed = distance (no direction) time
Practice problems Savannah walks with an average velocity of .98 m/s eastward. If it takes her 34 minutes to walk to the store, what is her displacement? 2. Davin drives his car with an average velocity of 48.0 km/h to the east. How long will it take him to drive 144 km on a straight highway?
Constant velocity Variable velocity Velocity Graphs The slope of the position-time graph is the velocity. The instantaneous velocity is the slope of the line tangent to the curve at a specific point. (time) Constant velocity Variable velocity
assignment Page 47 Problems 1 - 6