Straight-Line Motion, Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration Explained | Chapter 2 of University Physics
Straight-Line Motion, Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration Explained | Chapter 2 of University Physics In Chapter 2 of University Physics, we develop the core kinematic tools needed to describe motion along a single axis. We introduce displacement, average and instantaneous velocity, average and instantaneous acceleration, and learn to interpret x–t , v–t , and a–t graphs. You’ll also see how the four constant-acceleration equations apply to free‐fall problems and how integration generalizes motion analysis when acceleration varies. Key Kinematic Quantities Displacement (∆x) – Vector change in position along the x-axis. Average Velocity (v̄ₓ) – ∆x ÷ ∆t, direction-sensitive. Instantaneous Velocity (vₓ) – dx/dt; slope of the x–t graph. Average Acceleration (āₓ) – ∆vₓ ÷ ∆t. Instantaneous Acceleration (aₓ) – dvₓ/dt; slope of the v–t graph. Graphical Analysis of Motion Position-time ( x–t ) graphs reveal velocity as their slope, while velocity-time ( v–...