2. Kinematics - Students Free Notes

2. Kinematics

Draw speed-time graphs for zero acceleration, uniform acceleration, and uniform deceleration. Also, show that the area under a speed-time graph represents the distance covered by the body.

Let’s first describe and draw the speed-time graphs for the three different types of motion: zero acceleration, uniform acceleration, and uniform deceleration. 1. Zero Acceleration (Constant Speed): In this case, the speed of the object remains constant over time. Since acceleration is zero, the graph will be a horizontal line. Graph: A straight horizontal line … Read more

Draw distance-time graphs for rest, uniform speed, increasing speed, and decreasing speed.

Rest: The distance-time graph will be a horizontal line because the distance remains constant over time. Uniform Speed: The distance-time graph will be a straight line with a constant positive slope. Increasing Speed: The distance-time graph will be a curve that gets steeper as time progresses. Decreasing Speed: The distance-time graph will be a curve … Read more

What are freely falling bodies? What is gravitational acceleration? Write down sign conventions for gravitational acceleration. Write three equations of motion of a freely falling body.

Freely Falling Bodies: A freely falling body is an object that is falling under the influence of gravity only, without any resistance from air or other forces. This means that the only force acting on the body is the gravitational force, which pulls the object downward toward the Earth’s surface. In real-world conditions, air resistance … Read more

Differentiate between speed and velocity. Also, define average speed, uniform and variable speeds, average velocity, uniform and variable velocities.

Speed: Speed is a scalar quantity that refers to the rate at which an object covers distance. It is calculated as the total distance traveled divided by the time taken. Speed does not have a direction. Example: A car traveling at 60 km/h. Velocity: Velocity is a vector quantity that refers to the rate at … Read more

Define the term position. Differentiate between distance and displacement.

Position: Position is a vector quantity that defines the location of an object in a given reference frame. It specifies the object’s location relative to a reference point (origin). Position is described by coordinates in space (e.g., (x, y) in 2D or (x, y, z) in 3D). Distance: Distance is a scalar quantity that represents … Read more

What are scalars and vectors? Give examples. How are vectors represented symbolically and graphically?

Scalars are physical quantities that are described by only their magnitude. They do not have a direction. Examples include: Speed: The rate at which an object covers distance (e.g., 60 km/h). Temperature: A measure of the heat or cold of a substance (e.g., 30°C). Mass: The amount of matter in an object (e.g., 5 kg). … Read more

Differentiate between rest and motion. With the help of an example, show that rest and motion are relative to an observer.

Rest and motion are two fundamental concepts in the study of mechanics. They are relative terms, meaning their meaning depends on the frame of reference from which they are observed. Rest refers to the state of an object when it does not change its position with respect to its surroundings over time. In simpler terms, … Read more

A 100 g ball is just released (from rest) and another is thrown downward with a velocity of 10 m/s. Which will have greater acceleration? (Neglect air resistance)

When a 100 g ball is released from rest and another is thrown downward with a velocity of 10 m/s, both balls experience the same acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²). This is because the acceleration due to gravity is constant for all objects near Earth’s surface, regardless of their mass or initial velocity. While … Read more

If two stones of 10 kg and 1 kg are dropped from a 1 km high tower, which will hit the ground with greater velocity? Which will hit the ground first? (Neglect air resistance)

When two stones, one of 10 kg and the other of 1 kg, are dropped from a height of 1 km, they will hit the ground with the same velocity, assuming no air resistance. This is because the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²) acts equally on both stones, regardless of their mass. The difference … Read more