Motion in 2 to 3

Dimensions: Position and

Velocity Vectors
OBJECTIVES
• At the end of the session, you are expected to be able to:
• Extend the definition of position and velocity to 2D and 3D using vector
representation (STEM_GP12KIN-Ic-21);
• Sketch a position vector, r, of two to three components;
• Sketch the trajectory of a particle given its position vector as a function of
time; and
• Sketch a velocity vector, v, of two to three components.
Assignment (1/2 CW)
1. READ: Introduction to Physics by Glover & Sugon, Jr. 2017, Chapter 4
section 4.3, pp. 71-72.
• What acceleration component/s is/are present for a body which is speeding
up in a straight line?
• …slowing down in a straight line?
• … making a turn at constant speed?
• …making a turn while slowing down?

2. A squirrel has x- and y-coordinates (1.1 m, 3.4 m) at time t1 = 0 and

coordinates (5.3 m, -0.5 m) at time t2 = 3.0 s. For this time interval, find (a) the
components of the average velocity, and (b) the magnitude and direction of the
average velocity.
Review
Motivation
In the past lessons, we have encountered position and velocity as
vectors in one dimension or ina straight line only.

In today’s session, we will learn about position and velocity

vectors in two to three dimensions.

We will also discuss and learn how to sketch actual trajectory or path of
a particle in motion and indicate the velocity vectors at any instant of its
trajectory and how to determine relative velocities.
POSITION
VECTORS
If the particle is at a point P at a
certain instant, the position vector r
of the particle at this instant is a
vector that goes from the origin of
the coordinate system to point P.
VELOCITY VECTORS
We define the average velocity vav
during this interval in the same way we
did in Chapter 2 for straight-line motion,
as the displacement divided by the time
interval.
VELOCITY VECTORS
Both position r and instantaneous
velocity v are now vectors.
At every point along the path, the
instantaneous velocity vector is
tangent to the path at that point
VELOCITY VECTORS
It’s often easiest to calculate the instantaneous velocity vector by using
components.
VELOCITY VECTORS
Calculating Average and Instantaneous
Velocity
SEATWORK