Motion in a Straight Line Class 11 Physics Notes | CBSE Chapter 3

These Class 11 Physics notes for Chapter 3, 'Motion in a Straight Line,' explain fundamental concepts of motion. It defines rest and motion as relative, and categorizes motion into one, two, and three-dimensional based on changing coordinates. The notes differentiate between path length and displacement, highlighting that path length is always greater than or equal to the magnitude of displacement. Key concepts like average speed, instantaneous speed, velocity, and acceleration are defined with their units and dimensional formulas. The text also explains positive and negative acceleration (retardation). Formulas for uniformly accelerated motion and the concept of free fall under gravitational acceleration (g) are introduced. Finally, relative motion and relative velocity are explained, including formulas for objects moving in the same or opposite directions. These notes are ideal for quick revision of core mechanics principles for exams.

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Motion in a Straight Line Class 11 Notes Physics Formulas pdf

Motion:-

Rest and Motion are relative terms, nobody can exist in a state of absolute rest or of absolute motion.

One dimensional motion:-

The motion of an object is said to be one dimensional motion if only one out of three coordinates specifying the position of the object change with time. In such a motion an object move along a straight line path.

Two dimensional motion:-

The motion of an object is said to be two dimensional motion if two out of three coordinates specifying the position of the object change with time. In such motion the object moves in a plane.

Three dimensional motion:-

The motion is said to be three dimensional motion if all the three coordinates specifying the position of an object change with respect to time ,in such a motion an object moves in space.

Path length :-

The path length traversed by an object between two points is not the same as the

magnitude of displacement always. The displacement depends only on the end points;

whereas the path length depends on the actual path. The two quantities are equal only if

the object does not change its direction during the course of its motion. In all other cases,

the path length is greater than the magnitude of displacement.

Average speed :-

The average speed of an object is greater than or equal to the magnitude of the averagevelocity over a given interval of time. The two are equal only if the path length is equal to

the magnitude of the displacement.

Displacement

A displacement is the shortest distance from the initial to the final position of a point P. Thus, it is the length of an imaginary straight path, typically distinct from the path actually travelled by P. A displacement vector represents the length and direction of this imaginary straight path.

The magnitude of displacement is less than or equal to the actual distance travelled

by the object in the given time interval.

Displacement ? Actual distance

Speed

It is rate of change of distance covered by the body with respect to time.

Speed = Distance travelled /time taken

Speed is a scalar quantity .

Its unit is meter /sec.

Dimensional formula of speed is

[M0L1 T -1 ] . It is positive or zero but never negative.

Uniform Speed:-

If an object covers equal distances in equal intervals of time than the speed of the moving object is called uniform speed. In this type of motion, position – time graph is always a straight line.

Instantaneous speed:-

The speed of an object at any particular instant of time is called instantaneous speed. In this measurement, the time ?t?0. When a body is moving with uniform speed its instantaneous speed = Average speed = uniform speed.

Velocity:-

The rate of change of position of an object in a particular direction with

respect to time is called velocity. It is equal to the displacement covered by an

object per unit time.

Velocity =Displacement /Time

Velocity is a vector quantity

its SI unit is meter per sec.

Its dimensional formula is [M0L1 T -1 ].

It may be negative, positive or zero.

When a body moves in a straight line then the average speed and average velocity

are equal.

Acceleration:-

The rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time is

called its acceleration.

Acceleration = Change in velocity /time taken

It is a vector quantity,

Its SI unit is meter/ sec2

Its dimension is [M0L1 T -2 ].

It may be

positive ,negative or zero.

Positive Acceleration:-

If the velocity of an object increases with time, its acceleration is positive .

Negative Acceleration :-

If the velocity of an object decreases with time, its

acceleration is negative . The negative acceleration is also called retardation or

deacceleration.

Formulas of uniformly accelerated motion along straight line:

Free fall :-

In the absence of the air resistance all bodies fall with the same acceleration towards earth from a small height. This is called free fall. The acceleration with which a body falls is called gravitational acceleration (g).Its value is 9.8 m/sec2 .

Relative Motion:-

The rate of change of distance of one object with respect to the

other is called relative velocity. The relative velocity of an object B with respect to the

object A when both are in motion is the rate of change of position of object B with

respect to the object A.

Relative velocity of object A with respect to object B, VAB = VA - VB When both objects are move in same direction, then the relative velocity of object B

with respect to the object A,

VBA =

VB - VA When the object B moves in opposite direction of object A .

VBA =

VB + VA

Frequently asked questions

What is motion in a straight line?

Motion in a straight line, or one-dimensional motion, occurs when only one of the three coordinates specifying an object's position changes with time.

What is the difference between path length and displacement?

Path length is the total distance covered by an object, while displacement is the shortest distance between the initial and final positions. Path length is always greater than or equal to the magnitude of displacement.

What is average speed?

Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken. It is always greater than or equal to the magnitude of average velocity.

Define acceleration.

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time. It is a vector quantity with SI units of meter per second squared.

What is negative acceleration?

Negative acceleration, also known as retardation or deceleration, occurs when the velocity of an object decreases with time.

What is free fall?

Free fall is the motion of an object falling towards Earth under gravity, in the absence of air resistance. The acceleration during free fall is gravitational acceleration (g).

How is relative velocity calculated?

The relative velocity of object B with respect to object A is given by VAB = VA - VB. If they move in opposite directions, it becomes VBA = VB + VA.

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