Linear Kinematics

Chapter 3
Definition of Kinematics
Kinematics is the description of motion.
Motion is described using position, velocity
and acceleration.
Position, velocity and acceleration are all
vector quantities.
Velocity
Velocity is defined as the rate of change in position,
or the slope of the position time graph. The units
for velocity are m/s.
=

Relationship between Slope and Velocity
If the slope is
horizontal the
velocity must be
zero.
If the slope is
upward the velocity
must be positive.
If the slope is
downward the
velocity must be
negative.
Notice that point 1
has less slope than
point 2 & 3,
compare there
velocities.

Taking a Derivative
The process of evaluating the slope to get the
rate of change is called taking a derivative.
The rules for estimating velocity from position
are:
1. If the slope is horizontal, the velocity is 0.
2. If the slope is positive (up), the velocity is
positive.
3. If the slope is negative (down), the velocity is
negative.
Acceleration
Acceleration is defined as the rate of change in
velocity, or the slope of the velocity time graph.
The units for acceleration are m/s
2
.
=

If the slope of
velocity is horizontal
the acceleration
must be zero.
If the slope of
velocity is upward
the acceleration
must be positive.
If the slope of
velocity is
downward the
acceleration must
be negative.
Acceleration is the Derivative of Velocity
The rules for estimating acceleration from
velocity are:

1. If the slope of velocity is horizontal, the
acceleration is 0.
2. If the slope of velocity is positive (up), the
acceleration is positive.
3. If the slope of velocity is negative (down), the
acceleration is negative.
Integration
Integration is the mathematical process of getting
the area underneath a curve.
Integration of acceleration gives the change in
velocity.
Integration of velocity gives the change in position.
The integral sign can be interpreted as get the area
underneath the curve.

1
0


The change in velocity over the
interval from t0 to t1 is equal to
the area underneath the
acceleration time curve.
Integration of Acceleration
There are several methods of integration. Determining the area of a rectangle
is one method of integration. Area = (Height Width) + Initial Value
=
2
0


V = Height x Width

V = (2 m/s
2
)(2 s)

V = 4 m/s

Over the interval
from t = 0 to t = 2 s
the velocity must
change by +4 m/s.
Area = 4 m/s,
velocity changes
by 4 m/s.
Integration of Acceleration
=
5
2


V = Height x Width

V = (3 m/s
2
)(3 s)

V = 9 m/s

Over the interval
from t = 2 to t = 5 s
the velocity must
change by 9 m/s.
Area = 9 m/s,
velocity changes
by 9 m/s.
Integration of Acceleration
=
7
5


V = Height x Width

V = (4 m/s
2
)(2 s)

V = 8 m/s

Over the interval
from t = 5 to t = 7 s
the velocity must
change by +8 m/s.
Area = 8 m/s,
velocity changes
by 8 m/s.
Integration of Velocity
The integration of velocity gives the change in position.
=
2
0


P = Height x Width

P = (3 m/s)(2 s)

P = 6 m

Over the interval
from t = 0 to t = 2 s
the position must
change by 6 m.
Area = 6 m,
position changes
by 6 m.
Integration of Velocity
The integration of velocity gives the change in position.
=
5
2


P = Height x Width

P = (2 m/s)(3 s)

P = +6 m

Over the interval
from t = 2 to t = 5 s
the position must
change by +6 m.
Area = +6 m,
position changes
by +6 m.
Integration of Velocity
The integration of velocity gives the change in position.
=
8
5


P = Height x Width

P = (4 m/s)(3 s)

P = 12 m

Over the interval
from t = 5 to t = 8 s
the position must
change by 12 m.
Area = 12 m,
position changes
by 12 m.
Evaluate slope to estimate velocity
Evaluate area to estimate position
A zero
for
velocity
is a local
max or
min in
position
=

=(B3 B2)/0.1
Computing Velocity from Position in Excel
Excel Filename: Get Vel & Accel Data Set 1.xls
=

=(C4 C3)/0.1
Computing Acceleration from Velocity in Excel
Excel Filename: Get Vel & Accel Data Set 1.xls
=

Integration of Acceleration in Excel
=

= ( ) +

Velocity Final = (Acceleration Time) + Velocity Initial
The general equation for integration is:

Area = (Height Width) + Initial Value
Integration of Acceleration in Excel

= ( ) +

Area = (Height Width) + Initial Value
=(D4 * 0.1) + E3
Integration of Velocity in Excel
=

= ( ) +

Position Final = (Velocity Time) + Position Initial
The general equation for integration is:

Area = (Height Width) + Initial Value
Integration of Velocity in Excel

= ( ) +

Area = (Height Width) + Initial Value
=(E3 * 0.1) + F2
Relationship between Acceleration & Velocity
Relationship between Velocity & Position
What Does The Initial Value Do?

= ( ) +

Area = (Height Width) + Initial Value
The initial value tells you where to start. It simply
moves the curve up or down on the Y axis.