Summary

Position: A position vector is a vector which represents the position of point P in space in relation
to an arbitrary reference origin say O. To denote the position of point in space vector can be draw
from the origin O to point P.
Mathematically we can write

r xi yj zk
Velocity: Velocity can be defined as the displacement covered by a body in unit time.
Mathematically:

r
v
t

The unit of velocity is m/s and it is a vector quantity.

Average velocity: Average Velocity is displacement over total time. The average velocity can be
defined as the total displacement covered divided by the total time interval. Its unit is the same
as velocity and it is a vector quantity.
Mathematically we can write

r r r
v 2 1
t 2 t1 t

t is always > 0 so the sign of v depends only on the sign of

x.

Instantaneous velocity: Instantaneous velocity can be defined as the velocity of an object in

motion at a specific point in time such that t.

v lim t 0
t

It is vector quantity.

Instantaneous speed: Instantaneous speed refers to the speed of an object at a specific point in
time. Basically instantaneous speed is the magnitude of the velocity at any instant is called
Instantaneous speed.
Acceleration: The average acceleration can be defined as the rate of change of velocity.
Mathematically:

v
a
t
It is vector quantity.
Average acceleration: The average acceleration can be defined as the rate at which velocity
changes or the total velocity divided by the total time interval.
It is vector quantity. The component of acceleration which is parallel to the direction of the
instantaneous velocity affects the speed, while the component of perpendicular to affects the
direction of motion.
Projectile motion: A projectile is some object thrown in air or space. In projectile motion the
horizontal components of velocity remain constant while the vertical components of velocity
changing. The path of the projectile motion is a parabola. Projectile Motion is the free fall
motion of any body in a horizontal path with constant velocity. The projectile motion is a two
dimensional motion.
Uniform circular motion: The circular motion can be defined as the motion of an object in a
circle where the acceleration is always directed towards the center but the velocity is tangential
to the circle.
Mathematically
v2

arad
R

Nonuniform : In nonuniform circular motion the speed is not constant.

Relative velocity: The relative velocity is the velocity of an object or observer B in the rest frame
of another object or observer A.