Chapter 3: Linear Kinematics in One-dimension
Chapter Objectives
After this chapter, you will be able to:
- Define the term ‘kinematics’
- Be able to describe movement in one dimension with time, displacement, velocity and acceleration
- Differentiate between vector and scalar variables
- Identify coordinates within a coordinate system
- Graphically analyze movement in one-dimension
- Predict the trajectory of projectiles
In this Chapter we will begin our discussion of kinematics. Remember that kinematics is concerned with the description of motion. The outcome of many sporting events are kinematic measures therefore an understanding of those measures and the way to appropriately report them is mandatory in a biomechanics course. For example, a 100-m winner is determined by the time is takes to complete the distance. A high jumper wins by jumping a longer displacement than his/her opponent. Time and displacement are both kinematic measures. We will also discuss speed, velocity and acceleration as variables used to describe movement. At the end of this chapter you will be able to manipulate these variables to predict the movement of a projectile.
