What is Motion: Definition and 1000 Discussions

In physics, motion is the phenomenon in which an object changes its position over time. Motion is mathematically described in terms of displacement, distance, velocity, acceleration, speed, and time. The motion of a body is observed by attaching a frame of reference to an observer and measuring the change in position of the body relative to that frame with change in time. The branch of physics describing the motion of objects without reference to its cause is kinematics; the branch studying forces and their effect on motion is dynamics.
If an object is not changing relatively to a given frame of reference, the object is said to be at rest, motionless, immobile, stationary, or to have a constant or time-invariant position with reference to its surroundings. As there is no absolute frame of reference, absolute motion cannot be determined. Thus, everything in the universe can be considered to be in motion.Motion applies to various physical systems: to objects, bodies, matter particles, matter fields, radiation, radiation fields, radiation particles, curvature, and space-time. One can also speak of motion of images, shapes, and boundaries. So, the term motion, in general, signifies a continuous change in the positions or configuration of a physical system in space. For example, one can talk about the motion of a wave or about the motion of a quantum particle, where the configuration consists of probabilities of occupying specific positions.
The main quantity that measures the motion of a body is momentum. An object's momentum increases with the object's mass and with its velocity. The total momentum of all objects in an isolated system (one not affected by external forces) does not change with time, as described by the law of conservation of momentum. An object's motion, and thus its momentum, cannot change unless a force acts on the body.

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  1. C

    Raindrop free falling -- calculate the velocity and time

    Homework Statement Raindrops fall from a broken gutter at 1.0 s intervals to the ground , 19.6 m below Neglecting air resistance and taking g as 9.81 calculate the time for each drop to reach the ground velocity of the drops as they reach the ground speed of drop at the height of 14.7 m I...
  2. jha192001

    Magnetic Field and a Charged Particle -- relative motion question

    Here's a experiment. There is a magnetic field vertically downward and a charged particle is kept inside it. Simple. Does it experience a force? Now if we move a speed of 2m/s relative to the frame of rest charged particle. Then it must experience a force right?(Becuz now its velocity is not...
  3. S

    Airplane's motion relative to the ground involving wind speed

    Homework Statement Plane is 300miles E of chicago and it leaves flying east at 500mph. Wind is blowing 50mph south. What is planes ground speed? Where is plane 0.6 hours later when pilot expects to land in cleveland? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution This is how I set it up I want...
  4. J

    Rotational motion: Conservation of energy doesn't work....

    http://www.animations.physics.unsw.edu.au/jw/rotation.htm#rolling I have set up an apparatus similar to what the above link says (the first bit about brass object with shaft). So basically, the shaft is in contact when the brass is first rolling, then it suddenly accelerates when the edge of...
  5. M

    Why is 'the velocity' in circular motion changing?

    Why is the velocity in circular motion changing, why not constant?
  6. Jacquelyn

    Uniform Circular Motion and Projectile Motion Help

    Homework Statement A 60 g ball is tied to the end of a 40-cm-long string and swung in a vertical circle. The center of the circle is 150 cm above the floor. The ball is swung at the minimum speed necessary to make it over the top without the string going slack. If the string is released at the...
  7. J

    How Far Will the Glasses Land from the Stopped Bicycle?

    Homework Statement A m=77.39 kg person on a bike is riding at v0,b=11.83 m/s. Suddenly, he sees a child running across his path! He applies the brakes that provide a deceleration of a= -4.192 m/s2. His glasses were not attached properly to his face, so they fly away and land on the pavement...
  8. jamiebean

    Net force on an object and its motion....

    Every object continues in a state of rest or of uniform speed in a straight line by zero net force. is this statement correct?
  9. J

    Projectile motion with only distance, an angle and a ratio

    Homework Statement launch angle of θ=41.86°. The distance to the wall is d=11.06 m, and it strikes the wall with speed that is a fraction f=0.925 of the initial speed, while it is still gaining height (i.e., it has not the highest point of the trajectory). What is the initial velocity? Express...
  10. thebosonbreaker

    Simple Harmonic Motion: why sin(wt) instead of sin(t)?

    Hello, I have recently been introduced to the topic of simple harmonic motion for the first time (I'm currently an A-level physics student). I feel that I have understood the fundamental ideas behind SHM very well. However, I have one question which has been bugging me and I can't seem to find a...
  11. Muthumanimaran

    Comparing cicular motion to the motion of a pendulum

    The coordinates of the mass 'm' is $$x=R\cos(\omega{t})+R\cos(\omega{t}+\phi)$$ $$y=R\sin(\omega{t})+R\sin(\omega{t}+\phi)$$ Where $\phi$ is the angle of the particle with respect to coordinate system attached to the circle with origin at center of the circle. Since particle is not acted upon...
  12. T

    Projectile motion with non-uniform gravity.

    I am trying to answer a question about projectile motion were the change in height is that significant that the gravity cannot be assumed constant.
  13. DracoMalfoy

    Projectile Motion Kinematics: A catapult launches a rock....

    Homework Statement A catapult launches a rock with an initial velocity of 50m/s at 35 degrees above the horizontal. The rock must clear 3.5m at 10m away in order to make it over a castle wall to get to the enemy. Do the knights succeed? By how much do they clear the wall or miss clearing the...
  14. DracoMalfoy

    Projectile Motion Kinematics: Finding maximum height

    Homework Statement A ball is kicked with an initial speed of 20m/s at an angle of 50° above the horizontal. What maximum height does the ball reach? Homework Equations Vfx=VicosΘ Δx=VicosΘt Vfy=(VisinΘ)+ay⋅t (Vfy)^2=(VisinΘ)^2+2ay⋅Δy Δy=1/2(Vfy+(VisinΘ))⋅t The Attempt at a Solution I...
  15. Amitayas Banerjee

    What is the Lagrangian, equations of motion for this system?

    <<Moderator's note: Moved from a technical forum, no template.>> Description of the system: The masses m1 and m2 lie on a smooth surface. The masses are attached with a spring of non stretched length l0 and spring constant k. A constant force F is being applied to m2. My coordinates: Left of...
  16. DracoMalfoy

    Kinematics: Motion in One Direction: Car Chase

    Homework Statement A car traveling at a constant speed of 24.0m/s passes a trooper hidden behind a billboard. One second after the speeding car passes the billboard, the trooper sets off in a chase with a constant acceleration of 3.0m/s^2. A) How long does it take the trooper to overtake the...
  17. Aleoa

    Uniform circular motion and conservation of energy

    A point mass in an uniform circular motion is continuously changing the velocity direction. To do it, it continuously need force (energy). If we don't give any energy to the system it will anyhow continues its uniform circular motion. How it's possible, who gives the energy ? (It's seems a...
  18. DracoMalfoy

    Motion in One Dimension: The Tortoise and The Hare Race

    Homework Statement A turtle and a rabbit engage in a footrace over a distance of 4.00km. The rabbit runs 0.500km and then stops for a 90min nap. Upon awakening, he remembers the race and runs twice as fast. Finishing the course in a total time of 1.75h, the rabbit wins the race. A) Calculate...
  19. A

    Projectile motion of a cannon ball versus time

    Homework Statement A cannon is inclined about the horizontal by an angle of 45° and it launches projectiles with initial velocity of ##v_p=300m/s##. A small airplane moves horizontally with a constant velocity of ##-100m/s##(so it is directed to the cannon) at high of ##500m##. If at ##t=0s##...
  20. S

    Air resistance in projectile motion

    In lower-division physics classes, air resistance is usually ignored to make the mathematics of projectile motion easier to understand. When air resistance is included, it's often stated that at lower velocities, air resistance is proportional to the velocity of the object, Fair ∝ kv At...
  21. RpWinter

    Solving the differential equation of planetary motion

    Hey, this is how i tried solving the differential equation The solution however does not match the general solution of the equation. Also differentiating it twice does not give me the previous equation. Please tell me if i did some mistake while solving. I already know how to solve by finding...
  22. O

    Please help prove this fact about a ball falling....

    Why is the time it takes for a vertically thrown ball to reach max height the same as the time it takes for the same ball to fall from max height to ground level? I agree with this logically but I can’t prove it mathematically... Can you please show me the mathematical proof for this fact...
  23. AkshayM

    Projectile Motion and acceleration of particle

    Homework Statement If a particle moves in X-Y plane with acceleration non zero in X and Y , the particle will not move in a parabolic path True or False ? Homework Equations X = UxT + 1/2(Ax)T^2 Y= UyT + 1/2 (Ay)T^2The Attempt at a Solution The equation of trajectory that i came up with...
  24. Cryo

    A Electromagnetism for Media in Arbitrary Motion

    Hello To develop one interesting idea I need to be able to do calculations on (1) scattering of light from bodies in arbitrary motion, possibly at relativistic speeds; (2) Propagation of light in electromagnetic media that are in arbitrary motion (possibly relativistic). For example, I would...
  25. A

    Finding the Scalar Triple Product of Three Vectors

    Homework Statement The edges of a parallelopiped are given by the vectors (2î + 3j^+ 4k^), 4j^ and (5j^ + mk^). What should be the value of m inorder that the volume of the parallelopiped be 24? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Volume of the parallelopiped is the scalar triple...
  26. L

    I'm having a comprehension issue with a 2-D motion problem.

    1. Problem Statement A 2 kilogram block rests at the edge of a platform that is 10 meters above level ground. The block is launched horizontally from the edge of the platform with an initial speed of 3 meters per second. Air resistance is negligible. The time it will take for the block to reach...
  27. P

    Projectile Motion: Initial Velocity Derivation

    Hey guys, I am working on a school project and have fired some water rockets at different angles. I am now trying to compare theoretical results vs experimental results. But I am struggling to produce an accurate mathematical model. I have attached my attempt to this post. It is quite long and...
  28. M

    How to measure arm trajectory?

    I am not sure in which section this question should belong so I am placing it here for now. I have no experience in physics and body motion so appreciate some patience with my question. the information i have are pixel coordinates of the head, shoulder, elbow, hand, knee, hips and leg of 2...
  29. S

    Object within a Pan Spring Motion

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Spring motion equations ##\omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m}}## ##KE = \frac{1}{2}k \Delta x^2## ##F = -k \Delta x## ##T = \frac{1}{f}## ##f = \frac{\omega}{2 \pi}## The Attempt at a Solution Part a is straightforward I believe. Simply combine the masses as m+M...
  30. Boltzman Oscillation

    How does a the vertical force of gravity end in horizontal motion?

    When a stream of water falls perfectly vertical, some water hitting the surface will disperse horizontally. What is the force that causes this? References would be awesome!
  31. HCverma

    What does it mean by 'a is constant' in motion..........'?

    Motion in a straight line has three formulas 1. v = u + at 2. v^2 - u^2 = 2as 3. s = ut + 1/2 at^2 These three formulas are applicable when a is constant. Now my question is 'what does it mean by 'when a is constant'? Could you please explain it?
  32. Krushnaraj Pandya

    The mass of a photon in motion

    Homework Statement Find the mass of photon in motion. Homework Equations E=hf p=hf/c The Attempt at a Solution I just started studying modern physics and am aware of the above two equations. However equating E to 1/2mv^2 gives a different (wrong) answer while equating p to mv gives the...
  33. Ennio

    Formulating the kinetic energy of an object - helical motion

    Hi guys, I need your support to formulate the kinetic energy of an object: - having mass m [Kg] - rotating with angular velocity o [rad/sec] referred to an axis t [m] distant (and parallel) to the symmetry axis of the object - moving along the direction of its symmetry axis with a costant...
  34. V

    Direction of friction in circular motion

    Homework Statement I can't understand why friction acts radially inwards when a body is rotating on a rough turntable. If the friction is removed, the body would move tangentially, hence it has slipping tendency tangential, not radially outwards, then shouldn't friction act tangentially...
  35. I

    How is the motion of an electron around nucleus?

    How electron revolves around orbitals? Is the velocity uniform or accelerated?
  36. Jozefina Gramatikova

    Simple harmonic motion - damping introduced

    Homework Statement Homework Equations [/B]The Attempt at a Solution I can solve everything but d). Please help
  37. Zubair Ahmad

    Simple Harmonic Motion: What is Superposition of SHM?

    What does superposition of SHM means physically.. I mean how is it that two shms superpose on same system?
  38. A

    Simple harmonic motion of charged particles

    Homework Statement Two identical particles, each having charge +q, are fixed in space and separated by a distance d. A third particle with charge -Q is free to move and lies initially at rest on the perpendicular bisector of the two fixed charges a distance x from the midpoint between the two...
  39. C

    Air resistance - freefall and horizontal projectile motion

    We have two identical balls sitting at the same height. One of them is released without applying any force (it falls freely) and the other one is given a non-zero horizontal velocity. Which of them will hit the ground first? The force of air resistance is proportional to the square of the...
  40. L

    What Calculations Determine the Volleyball's Trajectory in Projectile Motion?

    The volleyball player serves the ball from pt.A w/ an initial Vo at angle theta to the horizontal. If the ball just cleared the net at pt. C and landed on the base at line B. Determine the value of theta. Determine the value of Vo. Determine the time reach to the highest point at the...
  41. Beth N

    Circular motion: normal force on a loop

    Homework Statement A 180lb pilot flies a verticle loop with radius 2000 ft at 350 mi/h. With what force does the seat fress upward against him at the bottom of the loop? Problem 6.21 Homework Equations ##F=ma## ##F_c=\frac {mv^2} {r} ## The Attempt at a Solution There seems to be a...
  42. babaliaris

    Uniform Circular Motion and Centripetal Acceleration (non-intuitive)

    I'm in the chapter of Uniform Circular Motion and I have a hard time understating centipetal acceleration. Until now I knew that acceleration describes "how fast velocity changes in magnitude" except projectile motion because when it reaches maximum height then g is going to change the direction...
  43. HCverma

    In the circular motion below, what will be the velocity?

    Homework Statement In circular motion what will be the change in velocity if initial velocity and final velocity is 2 m/s? From the left, in the 3rd diagram, if initial velocity and final velocity is 2 m/ s then what is the change in velocity? t = 5 s Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a...
  44. HCverma

    In circular motion, What does it mean s = r.θ?

    In the circular motion, What does it mean by this equation s = r.θ?
  45. T

    Solving Force and Motion: Pulling 25.0 kg Sled 25m

    << Mentor Note -- New poster has been reminded to use the Homework Help Template when posting schoolwork questions >> A 25.0 kg sled is pulled (assume frictionless) with a force of 15.0 N at an angle of 20 degrees above the horizontal. (a.) How long will it take to pull the sled 25m? (b.) How...
  46. Beth N

    Projectile Motion: time it takes for projectile to hit truck

    Homework Statement Problem: 5. 37 [/B] With reference to the figure below, the projectile is fired with an initial velocity ##v_0=35 m/s ## at θ=23°. Truck is moving along X with constant speed of 15m/s At instant projectile is fired, back of truck is at x=45m Find time for the projectile to...
  47. MathematicalPhysicist

    A Given a Metric, find the constants of motion

    I have another question, if I am given a metric and I want to find the constants of motion of that system, then how do I do it? Thanks!
  48. Jozefina Gramatikova

    Understanding Simple Harmonic Motion: Explaining x=Acos(wt+phi)

    Homework Statement x=Acos(wt+phi) Homework Equations can somebody explain to me please when phi=0. I saw many different questions with many solutions and I can't understand when we have just x=Acos(wt) and when x=Acos(wt+phi) The Attempt at a Solution
  49. F

    B Motion vs Time: Does Time Affect Motion?

    Why Space/TIME? I feel Motion affects Time, not the contrary. Thanks for claritication (no Math please).
  50. I

    In projectile motion, why we take y-component for 'TF'?

    In projectile motion, we have two components one is x and another is y. x = u cosθ and y = u sinθ But why do I take the' y' component for calculating the 'time of flight' not the 'x' component? y = ut sinθ - 1/2 gt^2, t = 2u sinθ / g
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