1. Motion in One Dimension (Linear)
The simplest form of motion
Complex motion can be broken down into one-dimensional motion
Motion takes place over time and depends upon a frame of reference

2. Displacement A change in position (xf – xi) = ∆x [units = m]
Not the same as “distance”
Displacement has direction
The sign (positive or negative) indicates the direction within the frame of reference

3. Velocity
Average velocity is displacement (change in position) divided by time
vavg = ∆x/∆t = (xf – xi)/(tf – ti) [units = m/sec]
Not the same as “speed” (which is “distance”/time)
Velocity is the slope of a line/curve in a time-distance graph
Instantaneous velocity is not necessarily equal to average velocity
The sign (positive or negative) indicates the direction

4. Vectors
Magnitude and direction – displacement, velocity, acceleration (oh, yeah!)
Represented graphically as an arrow (from tail to tip)
When two or more vectors are involved
a “resultant” vector can be found
by adding the individual vectors together – the new tail starts at the old tip
vectors can be moved parallel to themselves
vectors can be added in any order
vector subtraction = the addition of an opposite vector