Book cover for Physics

Physics

Alan Giambattista, Betty McCarthy Richardson, Robert C. Richardson

ISBN #9780073404530

2nd Edition

2,795 Questions

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Summary
Learning Objectives
Key Concepts
Example Problems
Explanations
Common Mistakes

Summary

This section on motion along a line emphasizes the precise definitions of position, displacement, and velocity in one-dimensional motion. It establishes the difference between distance and displacement and introduces average and instantaneous quantities, along with their graphical interpretations. The use of constant acceleration equations, including free fall, provides tools to solve a wide range of kinematics problems by applying systematic problem-solving strategies and understanding the importance of sign conventions and proper unit handling.

Learning Objectives

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Key Concepts

CONCEPT

DEFINITION

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Example Problems

Example 1

A displacement of magnitude $32 \mathrm{cm}$ toward the east is followed by displacements of magnitude $48 \mathrm{cm}$ to the east and then $64 \mathrm{cm}$ to the west. What is the total displacement?

Example 2

A squirrel is trying to locate some nuts he buried for the winter. He moves $4.0 \mathrm{m}$ to the right of a stone and digs unsuccessfully. Then he moves $1.0 \mathrm{m}$ to the left of his hole, changes his mind, and moves $6.5 \mathrm{m}$ to the right of that position and digs a second hole. No luck. Then he moves $8.3 \mathrm{m}$ to the left and digs again. He finds a nut at last. What is the squirrel's total displacement from its starting point?

Example 3

A runner, jogging along a straight line path, starts at a position $60 \mathrm{m}$ east of a milestone marker and heads west. After a short time interval he is $20 \mathrm{m}$ west of the mile marker. Choose east to be the positive $x$ -direction. (a) What is the runner's displacement from his starting point? (b) What is his displacement from the milestone? (c) The runner then turns around and heads east. If at a later time the runner is $140 \mathrm{m}$ east of the milestone, what is his displacement from the starting point at this time? (d) What is the total distance traveled from the starting point if the runner stops at the final position listed in part (c)?

Example 4

Johannes bicycles from his dorm to the pizza shop that is 3.00 mi east. Darren's apartment is located $1.50 \mathrm{mi}$ west of Johannes's dorm. If Darren is able to meet Johannes at the pizza shop by bicycling in a straight line, what is the distance and direction he must travel?

Example 5

At 3 P.M. a car is located $20 \mathrm{km}$ south of its starting point. One hour later it is $96 \mathrm{km}$ farther south. After two more hours, it is $12 \mathrm{km}$ south of the original starting point. (a) What is the displacement of the car between 3 P.M. and 6 P.M.? (b) What is the displacement of the car from the starting point to the location at 4 P.M.? (c) What is the displacement of the car between 4 P.M. and 6 P.M.?
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