Integrating Velocity: Questions on Displacement & Position

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    Integrating Velocity
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SUMMARY

Integrating velocity yields the displacement of an object, which is defined as the accumulated area under the velocity-time graph. In one-dimensional motion, this results in a scalar displacement, while in multi-dimensional scenarios, each coordinate is integrated separately to produce a displacement vector. To determine the exact position at a given time, one must add the calculated displacement to the initial position, using limits during integration to specify the time interval. Thus, knowing both the starting position and the displacement allows for the accurate calculation of the current position.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic calculus concepts, specifically integration.
  • Familiarity with kinematic equations and definitions of displacement and position.
  • Knowledge of vector mathematics for multi-dimensional motion.
  • Ability to interpret velocity-time graphs.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of definite integrals in calculus.
  • Learn about kinematic equations in one and two dimensions.
  • Explore vector integration techniques for multi-dimensional motion.
  • Practice interpreting and analyzing velocity-time graphs to determine displacement and position.
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in understanding the relationship between velocity, displacement, and position in motion analysis.

opus
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Please see the attached image which are of my notes. In integrating acceleration, I have no confusions. But I have a specific question about integrating velocity.

When we integrate velocity, do we get the displacement of ##x##, or do we get it's position at a certain time?
I want to say it's the displacement as it's directly in the definition in green and integration is basically accumulated area. But I want to be sure.
Thank you.
 

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Yes it's the displacement. If the velocity is a scalar (one-dimensional motion) it's a simple positive or negative displacement. If it's a 2D or 3D velocity vector, we integrate each coordinate separately and get an overall 3D displacement vector as the result. Adding the displacement vector to the starting point in an affine sense gives us the position at the end of the journey.
 
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Ok thank you, so then is it possible to find exactly the position of ##x## when we have the graph of velocity?
 
opus said:
Ok thank you, so then is it possible to find exactly the position of ##x## when we have the graph of velocity?

If you know the starting position and you know the displacement, then you know the current position.
 
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Understood! Thank you.
 
opus said:
Please see the attached image which are of my notes. In integrating acceleration, I have no confusions. But I have a specific question about integrating velocity.

When we integrate velocity, do we get the displacement of ##x##, or do we get it's position at a certain time?
I want to say it's the displacement as it's directly in the definition in green and integration is basically accumulated area. But I want to be sure.
Thank you.
Actually during integration we set two limits t1 and t2 so that we get the displacement between the 2 time interval. After integration we gets the equation of displacement(with respect to time) of a particle . And when we sets the limit we get the displacement during that particular time interval. To find the actual position from origin you have to put t1=0. So we get its position as well as displacement from the origin. Thank you
 
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Excellent thank you.
 

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