Grade 11 → Mechanics → dynamics ↓
Motion in two and three dimensions
Motion is a fundamental concept in physics. It helps us describe how objects move in space over time. While one-dimensional motion gives information about motion in a straight line, real-world scenarios often involve motion that occurs in two or three dimensions. In this lesson, we will explore motion in two and three dimensions using simple language and examples. We will touch on vectors, coordinate systems, velocity, acceleration, and projectile motion, which are essential components of motion in two and three dimensions.
Vectors and coordinate systems
Before diving into motion in two and three dimensions, it is necessary to understand vectors and coordinate systems because motion is often described using them. A vector is a quantity that has both magnitude (size) and direction. Examples of vector quantities include displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
Coordinate systems help us visualize motion. The most common coordinate system is the Cartesian coordinate system, which uses perpendicular axes, represented as x, y,
and z
axes. In two dimensions, motion is described using x
and y
axes.
| y | / | /θ |/____ x
Motion in two dimensions
When we talk about motion in two dimensions, we usually mean motion on a plane. An example of this is a car moving on a flat road or an athlete running on a track. Movements in the horizontal and vertical directions are mapped onto x
and y
axes.
Two-dimensional displacement
Displacement in two dimensions is often represented as a straight line from one point to another on a plane. Consider a bird flying from point A
to point B
on a map, represented as coordinates. If A
is at (x₁, y₁)
and B
is at (x₂, y₂)
, then the displacement vector Δr
from A
to B
is:
Δr = (x₂ - x₁)i + (y₂ - y₁)j
Velocity in two dimensions
Just like displacement, velocity has two components: horizontal and vertical. The velocity vector can be given as:
v = vₓi + vᵧj
where vₓ
is the velocity component in x
direction and vᵧ
is the velocity component in y
direction.
Acceleration in two dimensions
Similarly, acceleration in two dimensions also has horizontal and vertical components. The acceleration vector is:
a = aₓi + aᵧj
Where aₓ
is the acceleration in x
direction and aᵧ
is the acceleration in y
direction.
Projectile motion
Projectile motion is a common example of motion in two dimensions. It occurs when an object is thrown or released into the air and moves only under the influence of gravity. The path taken by a projectile is called its trajectory. For a projectile launched at an angle θ
with initial velocity v₀
, its motion can be analyzed as follows:
The horizontal component of velocity is v₀ cos(θ)
and the vertical component is v₀ sin(θ)
. Horizontal motion is constant velocity motion, while vertical motion is uniformly accelerated motion due to gravity.
The horizontal position x
and vertical position y
at time t
can be given as follows:
x = (v₀ cos(θ)) * t
y = (v₀ sin(θ)) * t - (1/2)gt²
Motion in three dimensions
In reality, objects often move in three-dimensional space, requiring us to describe motion using three axes: x
, y
, and z
. Examples include airplanes flying in the sky and bees buzzing in a garden.
Three-dimensional displacement
Displacement in three dimensions involves three components, one for each axis. If an object moves from a point (x₁, y₁, z₁)
to another point (x₂, y₂, z₂)
, its displacement vector is:
Δr = (x₂ - x₁)i + (y₂ - y₁)j + (z₂ - z₁)k
Velocity in three dimensions
The velocity vector in three dimensions can be described as follows:
v = vₓi + vᵧj + vzk
where vₓ
, vᵧ
and vz
are the velocity components corresponding to x
, y
and z
axes, respectively.
Acceleration in three dimensions
Like displacement and velocity, acceleration also has three components in three-dimensional space. The acceleration vector is given by:
a = aₓi + aᵧj + azk
Example of motion in three dimensions
Suppose a drone is flying from point (0, 0, 0)
to point (3, 4, 5)
. Its displacement vector is:
Δr = (3 - 0)i + (4 - 0)j + (5 - 0)k = 3i + 4j + 5k
Conclusion
Understanding motion in two and three dimensions is crucial to describing and analyzing the motion of objects in the real world. By breaking down motion into its vector components and applying these principles, we can gain deep insights into the mechanics that govern our universe. Whether it's a car driving down a curved road or a cupcake being thrown across the room for fun, these fundamental concepts give us the tools to handle complex motion scenarios with precision.