Position and Velocity Notes

Position

• Position describes the specific location of an object relative to a reference point.
• It is commonly measured in units such as meters ($m$) or kilometers ($km$).
• Examples:
  • A car located $50\,m$ east of a stop sign.
  • A student standing $3\,m$ from the classroom door.

Velocity

• Velocity is defined as the speed of an object in a specific direction.
• Formula: $v = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$
• Variables:
  • $v$: velocity ($m/s$)
  • $\Delta x$: change in position or displacement
  • $\Delta t$: time elapsed
• Key Characteristics:
  • Includes both magnitude (speed) and direction.
  • Can be positive or negative depending on the direction of travel.
  • A change in direction results in a change in velocity, even if speed remains constant.
• Examples: $20\,m/s$ east, $15\,m/s$ west, or $5\,m/s$ north.

Comparison: Position vs. Velocity

• Position: Tells where an object is located compared to a reference point.
• Velocity: Tells how fast and in what direction an object is moving.