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9. MOTION
Motion is relative. That is, an object which is in motion for one person may be at rest for another person.
In order to state whether a body is in motion or rest we need a reference point or reference body. Reference
body is the object with respect to which the state of rest or motion of an object is described.
If the position of an object changes with respect to the reference body then the body is said to be in motion.
Distance and displacement.
Distance is the length of the path. Displacement is the straight line distance
between initial position and final position. Unit of distance and displacement is
metre (m).
Suppose an object moves from A to B and then from B to C.
Here path length is AB + BC = 3+4 = 7m
So distance is 7 m.
But the straight line distance from initial position A and final position C is only 5m.
Therefore displacement of the object is 5m.
Displacement never be greater than distance. But it may be equal to distance.
Example: If an object moves in the same direction, its distance and displacement will be equal.
Vector quantities and scalar quantities.
Physical quantities having both direction and magnitude are called vector quantities. Displacement is a vector
quantity.
Physical quantities having only magnitude are called scalar quantities. Distance is a scalar quantity.
Speed and Velocity.
Speed is the distance travelled in unit time (in one second).
Speed = distance/time. Speed is a scalar quantity.
Velocity is the displacement in unit time.
Velocity = displacement/time.
Velocity is a vector quantity. Unit of speed and velocity is same and is m/s.
Suppose in the Figure.1, if the object takes 10 second to travel from A to C,
Its speed = 7/10 = 0.7 m/s and Velocity = 5/10 = 0.5 m/s
If an object moves in the same direction, velocity and speed will be equal.
Uniform speed and non uniform speed.
If an object travels equal distance in equal interval of time, the speed is said to be uniform.
The distance travelled by a car is depicted below.

It is seen that it travels same distance (10m) in equal interval (2s) of time. And hence its speed is uniform and
is 10/2 = 5 m/s.
The movement of hands of a clock is an example for an object having uniform speed.
If an object covers different distance in equal intervals of time, it is said to have non uniform speed.
A ball rolls along the floor, freely falling body etc are examples for non uniform speed.
Average speed.
In the case of a vehicle runs along a road, its speed will be different at different time. It can be under stood from
speedometer. In this situation the average speed is calculated for getting idea about its speed.
Average speed = total distance travelled/total time.
Uniform velocity and non uniform velocity.
If a body has equal displacement in the same direction in equal interval of time, its velocity is said to be
uniform.
Examples for uniform motion: 1.Train travels along a straight track with same speed.
2. Light travels through vacuum.
If either speed or direction changes, the velocity is non uniform.

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It is noted that, velocity may not be uniform even if speed is uniform.
For example, the speed of the hands of a clock is uniform, but its velocity is non uniform as its direction of
motion keeps on changing.
Acceleration.
Rate of change in velocity is acceleration. It is noted that acceleration is non zero only if its velocity is non
uniform.
Acceleration, a = change in velocity/time = (final velocity – initial velocity)/ time = (v – u)/t
Acceleration is a vector quantity. Its unit is m/s2.
Freely falling of an object is an example for accelerated motion. This acceleration is due to the gravitational
force of earth. Acceleration of freely falling object is called acceleration due to gravity. It is represented by
the letter ‘g’.
Sample Question.:1. Velocity of a moving object at the points A and B are marked below. If it takes 4 seconds
to reach B from A, calculate its acceleration.
Initial velocity u = 8 m/s
Final velocity, v = 20 m/s
Time = 4 s
Acceleration, a = (v-u)/t = (20 – 8)/4 = 12/4 = 3 m/s2
Sample Question.2. A food packet dropped from a helicopter reaches the ground in 5 s. If the velocity with
which it hits the ground is 50 m/s, what is its acceleration?
Initial velocity u = 0
Final velocity v = 50 m/s
Time t = 5 s
Acceleration, a = (v-u)/t = (50 – 0)/5 = 10 m/s2
Retardation.
Negative acceleration is called retardation. When velocity of an object decreases with time, its acceleration
will be negative.
Situations for negative acceleration:
i. A ball rolling on a level ground.
ii. Motion of a vehicle when break is applied.
iii. A stone projected up.

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Practice Questions.
1.The object with respect to which the state of rest or motion of an object described is called .........
2. Acceleration of a body having uniform velocity is ........
3. Initial velocity of freely falling body is ......
4. A stone that thrown vertically up returned to the hand after raising 10 m. Find distance and displacement.
5. “Distance is always greater than displacement" Comment to this statement.
6. When is the distance and displacement become equal?
7. An object travels from P and reaches R via Q with uniform speed. If it takes
10 s for the travel,
a. Calculate the distance covered by the object.
b. What is its displacement? c. Find its speed and velocity.
d. Is the velocity of the object uniform? Justify your answer.
8. Give a few examples for vector quantities.
9. Write down one difference and one similarity between velocity and speed.
10. Give two examples for uniform speed.
11. A car is travelling along a circular path with uniform speed. Is its velocity uniform? Why?
12. If the displacement of a person travelling from A to B is 100 m, which of the following is not likely to be
his distance. Why? 80m, 100 m, 150 m, 160 m.
13. Check whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. Correct the false ones.
a. Distance never be greater than displacement.
b.If an object keeps on moving in the same direction, distance and displacement will be equal.
c. If velocity is uniform, speed will definitely be uniform.
d. The velocity of a body may not be uniform even if it moves with uniform speed.
e. The magnitude of distance and displacement never be equal.
f.Units of velocity and speed are same.
g.The magnitude of velocity and speed of an object will be equal if it moves without changing its direction.
h. The movement of an object along a circular path with uniform speed is an accelerated motion.
14. "Distance and displacement of an object moves along a straight line will always be equal.” Comment to this
statement.
15. .... and .... are the devices that make change in velocity of vehicle.
16. Rate of change in velocity is called .....
17. a. Write down the equation for finding out acceleration. b. What is the unit of acceleration?
18. Give two situations where acceleration occurs.
19. A stone falls freely from height reached the ground in 5 s. Calculate its acceleration if it hit the ground
with the velocity of 50 m/s.
20. If a body is thrown up, the velocity when it reaches the top most position is ......
21. What is retardation? Give a situation where retardation occurs.
22. Name the device which makes retardation in vehicle.
23. What is acceleration due to gravity? Which is the letter used to represent it?
24.If acceleration is negative, its speed and velocity .... (increases/decreases)
25. Give four situations that cause road accidents.
26. List out the precautions to be taken by the pedestrians for minimising road accidents.
27. Find out the strange one from the following. How is it differ from others?
(speed, velocity, acceleration, displacement)
28. A lorry travelling with a velocity of 30 m/s came to rest in 10 s. What is its acceleration?
29. What is the displacement of the car in 30 s if it is travelling with uniform velocity of 15 m/s?
30.A car travelled the first 400 m distance with a speed of 8 m/s, the next 1200 m with a speed of 10 m/s
and the last 360 m with a speed of 12 m/s along a straight road.
a. What is the total distance covered by the car? b. How long did it take to complete the travel?
c. Calculate average speed of the car.
31.”All objects having uniform speed need not have uniform velocity.” Describe with the help of example.

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Practice Questions with Answer.
1.The object with respect to which the state of rest or motion of an object described is called .........
Ans. Reference body.
2. Acceleration of a body having uniform velocity is ........ Ans. Zero.
3. Initial velocity of freely falling body is ...... Ans. Zero.
4. A stone that thrown vertically up returned to the hand after raising 10 m. Find distance and
displacement. Ans. Distance = 10+10 = 20 m Displacement = 0
5. “Distance is always greater than displacement" Comment to this statement.
Ans. The statement is wrong. If an object moves in the same direction, the magnitude of distance and
displacement will be equal.
6. When is the distance and displacement become equal?
And. Distance and displacement will be equal if the object moves without changing its direction.
7. An object travels from P and reaches R via Q with uniform speed. If it takes 10 s for the travel,
a. Calculate the distance covered by the object.
b. What is its displacement? c. Find its speed and velocity.
d. Is the velocity of the object uniform? Justify your answer.
Ans.a. Distance =140 m. b. Displacement = 110 m
c. i.Speed = distance/time = 140/10 = 14 m/s
ii. Velocity = displacement/time = 110/10 = 11 m/s
d. No. As the direction of motion changes at Q, the velocity is not uniform.
8. Give a few examples for vector quantities. Ans. Displacement, velocity, acceleration.
9. Write down one difference and one similarity between velocity and speed.
Ans.i. Similarity:- The unit of both velocity and speed is m/s.
ii. Difference: Velocity is a vector quantity but speed is a scalar quantity.
10. Give two examples for uniform speed.
Ans. i.The movement of the tip of the hand of a watch. ii. Speed of light travels through vacuum.
11. A car is travelling along a circular path with uniform speed. Is its velocity uniform? Why?
Ans. The velocity of the car is not uniform. Because its direction of motion keeps on changing.
12. If the displacement of a person travelling from A to B is 100 m, which of the following is not
likely to be his distance. Why? 80m, 100 m, 150 m, 160 m.
Ans. 80 m. Because distance never be less than displacement.
13. Check whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. Correct the false ones.
a. Distance never be greater than displacement.
b.If an object keeps on moving in the same direction, distance and displacement will be equal.
c. If velocity is uniform, speed will definitely be uniform.
d. The velocity of a body may not be uniform even if it moves with uniform speed.
e. The magnitude of distance and displacement never be equal.
f.Units of velocity and speed are same.
g.The magnitude of velocity and speed of an object will be equal if it moves without changing its
direction.
h. The movement of an object along a circular path with uniform speed is an accelerated motion.
Ans.a. False. Displacement never be greater than distance. b. True. c. True. d. True.
e. False. Magnitude of distance and displacement will be same if it travels in the same direction.
f. True. g. True. h. True.
14. "Distance and displacement of an object moves along a straight line will always be equal.”
Comment to this statement.
Ans. The distance and displacement in respect of a body moves along a straight line may or may not be
equal. For example, in the case of a body thrown vertically up and returned back, magnitude of
distance and displacement is different though it is moved along straight line.

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15. .... and .... are the devices that make change in velocity of vehicle. Ans. Accelerator, Brake.
16. Rate of change in velocity is called ..... Ans. Acceleration.
17. a. Write down the equation for finding out acceleration. b. What is the unit of acceleration?
Ans. a. Acceleration = (final velocity – initial velocity)/time = (v – u)/t
b. The unit of acceleration is m/s2.
18. Give two situations where acceleration occurs.
Ans. i. Freely falling stone. ii. A ball rolls down along an inclined plane.
19. A stone falls freely from height reached the ground in 5 s. Calculate its acceleration if it hit the
ground with the velocity of 50 m/s.
Ans. Initial velocity of the stone ,u = 0 Final velocity ,v = 50 m/s Time , t = 5 s
Acceleration, a = (v – u)/t = (50 – 0)/5 = 50/5 = 10 m/s2.
20. If a body is thrown up, the velocity when it reaches the top most position is ...... Ans. Zero.
21. What is retardation? Give a situation where retardation occurs.
Ans. The negative acceleration is called retardation. Example:- The motion of a stone thrown up.
22. Name the device which makes retardation in vehicle. Ans. Brake.
23. What is acceleration due to gravity? Which is the letter used to represent it?
Ans. The acceleration produced in a freely falling object due to the gravitational force of earth is called
acceleration due to gravity. It is represented by the letter 'g'.
24.If acceleration is negative, its speed and velocity .... (increases/decreases) Ans. decreases.
25. Give four situations that cause road accidents.
Ans.i. Over speed ii. Mixing drink with drive.
iii. Using phone while driving. iv. Negligence in using indicators.
26. List out the precautions to be taken by the pedestrians for minimising road accidents.
Ans.i. Walks only along the right side of the road. ii. Cross roads only at the zebra crossing.
iii. Before crossing the road, make sure there is no vehicle coming from both sides.
iv.Walk only along the footpath.
27. Find out the strange one from the following. How is it differ from others?
(speed, velocity, acceleration, displacement)
Ans. Speed. All others are vector quantities.
28. A lorry travelling with a velocity of 30 m/s came to rest in 10 s. What is its acceleration?
Ans. Acceleration, a = (final velocity – initial velocity)/time = (v – u)/t = ( 0 – 30)/10 = -3 m/s 2
29. What is the displacement of the car in 30 s if it is travelling with uniform velocity of 15 m/s?
Ans. Velocity = displacement/time
Or Displacement = velocity x time = 15x30 = 450 m.
30.A car travelled the first 400 m distance with a speed of 8 m/s, the next 1200 m with a speed of
10 m/s and the last 360 m with a speed of 12 m/s along a straight road.
a. What is the total distance covered by the car? b. How long did it take to complete the travel?
c. Calculate average speed of the car.
Ans. a. Total distance = 400 +1200+ 360 = 1960 m.
b. i. Time required for first 400 m travel = 400/8 = 50 s
ii. Time for the next 1200 m = 1200/10 = 120 s
iii. Time for the last 360 m distance = 360/12 = 30 s
Total time of travel = 50+120+30 = 200 s
c. Average speed of the car = 1960/200 = 9.8 m/s.
31.”All objects having uniform speed need not have uniform velocity.” Describe with the help of
example.
Ans. The statement is correct. For example, the speed of the hands of a watch is uniform. But its
velocity is non uniform as its direction keeps on changing.

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