Chapter 4: Describing Motion Around Us
From butterflies flitting to planets orbiting — learn to describe, calculate and graph motion like a scientist!
🚀 Speed & Velocity
📈 Acceleration
📊 Motion Graphs
🔢 Kinematic Equations
⭕ Circular Motion
Introduction — Types of Motion (गति के प्रकार)
Everything in nature is in motion — from massive stars to tiny subatomic particles. A butterfly flitting, a snake slithering, a horse galloping, a falling raindrop, rising ocean tides — motion is everywhere! Scientists study complex motions by first understanding simplified, idealised types.
Motion in a straight line. Also called motion in one dimension. Examples: car on a straight highway, falling stone, swimming race.
Motion along a circular path. Examples: merry-go-round, Earth around Sun, ceiling fan blade tip.
Back-and-forth motion about a fixed point. Examples: pendulum of a clock, guitar string, swing.
Motion in two dimensions. Examples: overtaking car, kicked football, satellite in orbit.
In this chapter, we focus on linear motion (motion in a straight line) and uniform circular motion. We learn to describe motion using numbers, equations AND graphs!
The concept that speed = distance ÷ time was well-established in ancient India! The treatise Aryabhatiya by Aryabhata (5th century CE) contains motion problems. The Ganitakaumudi (14th century CE) by Narayana Pandita also has problems on relative speed — Example: two postmen walking towards each other!
Position, Distance & Displacement (स्थिति, दूरी और विस्थापन)
🎯 Reference Point & Position
To describe where an object is, we first need a reference point (also called the origin O). The position of an object is described by its distance AND direction from the reference point.
Motion: If the position of an object changes with time (relative to reference point).
Rest: If the position does NOT change with time (relative to reference point).
📏 Distance vs Displacement — The Most Important Difference!
The total path length covered by an object. No direction — only a number value. Always positive (≥ 0). It is a scalar quantity. SI unit: metre (m).
The net change in position — shortest straight line from start to end. Has both direction AND magnitude. Can be zero, positive or negative. It is a vector quantity. SI unit: metre (m).
Magnitude of displacement is always ≤ total distance travelled. They are equal ONLY when the object moves in one direction without turning back. If the object returns to start, displacement = 0 but distance ≠ 0!
🏃 Worked Example — Athlete on a Track
Total distance travelled = OA + AB = 100 m + 60 m = 160 m
Displacement = OB = 40 m in the positive (+) direction = +40 m
Notice: distance (160 m) ≠ magnitude of displacement (40 m) because athlete turned back!
The fuel used by a vehicle depends on the total distance travelled — NOT displacement. This is why GPS navigation apps show “distance to destination” (displacement-like), but your fuel gauge depletes based on total path driven!
Average Speed & Average Velocity (औसत चाल और औसत वेग)
⚡ Average Speed (औसत चाल)
Average speed tells us how fast or slow an object moves — but gives NO information about direction.
vavg = d / t
| SI Unit: m s⁻¹ (metres per second)
Equal distances in equal time intervals. Constant speed. Position-time graph is a straight line.
Unequal distances in equal time intervals. Changing speed. Position-time graph is a curve.
🧭 Average Velocity (औसत वेग)
Velocity tells us both how fast AND in which direction an object moves. It is the rate of change of position.
vav = s / t
| SI Unit: m s⁻¹
Direction: Same as direction of displacement (+) or (−)
Speed = scalar (only magnitude, no direction) | calculated from distance
Velocity = vector (magnitude + direction) | calculated from displacement
Average speed and magnitude of average velocity are equal ONLY if the object moves in ONE direction without turning back.
🏊 Worked Example — Swimming Pool
Total distance = 25 + 25 = 50 m | Displacement = 0 m (returned to start)
Average Speed = 50 m ÷ 50 s = 1 m s⁻¹
Average Velocity = 0 m ÷ 50 s = 0 m s⁻¹
Speed is NOT zero but velocity IS zero — because he came back to the start!
To convert km h⁻¹ to m s⁻¹: multiply by 5/18
To convert m s⁻¹ to km h⁻¹: multiply by 18/5
Example: 36 km h⁻¹ = 36 × 5/18 = 10 m s⁻¹ | 15 m s⁻¹ = 15 × 18/5 = 54 km h⁻¹
Average Acceleration (औसत त्वरण)
When a vehicle speeds up from rest and you feel pushed back, or when it brakes and you lurch forward — you’re experiencing acceleration! Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
a = (v − u) / (t₂ − t₁)
where u = initial velocity, v = final velocity
SI Unit: m s⁻² (metres per second squared)
Velocity is INCREASING. Acceleration is in the SAME direction as velocity. Example: Car pressing accelerator.
Velocity is DECREASING. Acceleration is OPPOSITE to velocity direction. Example: Car pressing brake.
A bus moving at constant 60 km/h on a straight highway has zero acceleration even though it’s fast! Acceleration depends on CHANGE in velocity, not on how fast the object moves. Constant velocity = zero acceleration!
🚌 Worked Example — Bus on Highway
(i) Acceleration while speeding up:
a = (15 − 10) / 10 = 5/10 = +0.5 m s⁻² (positive → in direction of motion)
(ii) Brakes pressed, bus stops in 5 s (u = 15 m s⁻¹, v = 0):
a = (0 − 15) / 5 = −15/5 = −3 m s⁻² (negative → opposite to motion)
🌍 Free Fall — Constant Acceleration due to Gravity
When an object falls freely from a height, its velocity increases by 9.8 m s⁻¹ every second. This constant acceleration is caused by Earth’s gravitational force and is denoted by g = 9.8 m s⁻². It acts downward (in the direction of motion while falling).
| Time (s) | Velocity (m s⁻¹) | Acceleration between intervals (m s⁻²) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | — |
| 1 | 9.8 | (9.8−0)/1 = 9.8 |
| 2 | 19.6 | (19.6−9.8)/1 = 9.8 |
| 3 | 29.4 | (29.4−19.6)/1 = 9.8 |
| 4 | 39.2 | (39.2−29.4)/1 = 9.8 |
Constant acceleration = 9.8 m s⁻² at every interval → Free fall has constant acceleration!
Graphical Representation of Motion
Graphs give us a powerful visual picture of motion. From graphs we can identify if motion is uniform or non-uniform, and calculate velocity, acceleration and displacement without equations!
All graphs here are for motion in ONE direction only. In this case: distance = displacement magnitude, and speed = velocity magnitude. Time is always on the x-axis!
📈 Position-Time Graph (स्थिति-समय ग्राफ)
Shows how position changes with time. Time on x-axis, Position on y-axis.
1. Position at any instant → read y-value at that time.
2. Velocity = slope of the graph = (change in position) ÷ (change in time) = BC/CA in triangle ABC.
Steeper slope = higher velocity!
📉 Velocity-Time Graph (वेग-समय ग्राफ)
Shows how velocity changes with time. Time on x-axis, Velocity on y-axis.
1. Velocity at any instant → read y-value at that time.
2. Acceleration = slope of the v-t graph = (change in velocity) ÷ (change in time)
3. Displacement = area enclosed between the line and the time axis
For constant velocity: Area = rectangle = v × t = displacement
For uniformly changing velocity: Area = trapezium = ½ × (u + v) × t = displacement
Or split into: rectangle (lower part) + triangle (upper part)
Kinematic Equations (गतिकी समीकरण)
For motion in a straight line with constant acceleration, three magical equations connect five quantities: displacement (s), time (t), initial velocity (u), final velocity (v), and acceleration (a).
(Derived from definition of acceleration)
(Derived from area under v-t graph)
(Derived by eliminating t from Eq. 1 and Eq. 2)
These equations work ONLY when acceleration does not change during the motion. If acceleration is zero (constant velocity), still valid — just put a = 0. The signs of u, v, a, s indicate directions!
| Equation | Quantities Involved | Use When… |
|---|---|---|
| v = u + at | v, u, a, t | Displacement (s) is not needed |
| s = ut + ½at² | s, u, a, t | Final velocity (v) is not needed |
| v² = u² + 2as | v, u, a, s | Time (t) is not needed |
🚗 Worked Example — Car Braking
(i) u = 54 km h⁻¹ = 15 m s⁻¹
Using v² = u² + 2as: 0 = (15)² + 2×(−4)×s → s = 225/8 = 28.1 m
(ii) u = 108 km h⁻¹ = 30 m s⁻¹
Using v² = u² + 2as: 0 = (30)² + 2×(−4)×s → s = 900/8 = 112.5 m
Double the speed → 4× the stopping distance! (s ∝ u²)
📝 Step-by-Step Problem Solving Strategy
- List all given values — identify u, v, a, s, t from the problem
- Convert units — always convert km/h to m/s (multiply by 5/18)
- Identify unknown — what are you solving for?
- Choose equation — pick the one that has the unknown + 3 known values
- Substitute and solve — watch signs! Deceleration/braking → a is negative
- Write answer with units — m, m s⁻¹, or m s⁻²
Motion in a Plane — Uniform Circular Motion (समान वृत्तीय गति)
When an object moves in a 2D plane (two dimensions), we call it motion in a plane. Examples: a kicked football, a satellite orbiting Earth, a vehicle making a turn.
🎠 Circular Motion Basics
When an object moves along a circular path, its motion is called circular motion. For one complete revolution around a circle of radius R:
= Circumference = 2πR
(This is the actual path length travelled)
= Zero!
(Object returns to same starting point)
vav = 2πR / T
where T = time period (time for one revolution), R = radius
Average Velocity for one complete revolution = 0 (displacement = 0)
🔄 Uniform Circular Motion (समान वृत्तीय गति)
When an object moves in a circular path at constant speed, it is called uniform circular motion.
In uniform circular motion, the speed is constant but the direction of velocity changes continuously. Since velocity (direction) changes, there IS acceleration — even though speed doesn’t change! This is a very common exam question.
Speed (magnitude of velocity) is constant throughout. Same value at every point on the circle.
Direction of velocity changes continuously. Velocity is always tangent to the circle at that point. Therefore acceleration ≠ 0!
If a marble is moving in a circular ring and the ring is suddenly lifted, the marble immediately moves in a STRAIGHT LINE (tangent to the circle at that point). This shows that circular motion requires a continuous force — without it, the object continues in a straight line. You’ll learn WHY in the next chapter (Newton’s Laws)!
Earth revolving around the Sun (approximately), a satellite in a circular orbit, the tip of a clock hand, a stone being whirled on a string, a car taking a circular turn at constant speed — all are examples of (approximately) uniform circular motion!
Quick Revision Summary
Important Exam Questions with Answers
(1) Always draw a number line for distance/displacement problems. (2) Convert km/h → m/s BEFORE using any formula. (3) For kinematic equations: list u, v, a, s, t — find the 3 known and 1 unknown, then pick the right equation. (4) In graph questions: slope of x-t = velocity; slope of v-t = acceleration; area under v-t = displacement. (5) Remember: circular motion at constant speed STILL has acceleration — direction changes!

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