⏱️

Measurement of Time and Motion

Jun 13, 2025

Overview

This lecture covers the measurement of time and different types of motion, including ancient and modern timekeeping devices, concepts of periodic and oscillatory motion, speed, and reading distance-time graphs.

Measurement of Time

  • Early humans measured time using periodic natural events like sunrise-to-sunrise and new moon-to-new moon.
  • Ancient devices include the sundial (uses shadows), water clock (water flow), and sand clock (flowing sand).
  • Modern devices for measuring time are wall clocks, table clocks, and digital clocks.
  • A day is divided into 24 hours, 1 hour into 60 minutes, and 1 minute into 60 seconds.
  • The SI basic unit of time is the second.

Periodic and Oscillatory Motion

  • Periodic motion repeats itself after equal intervals of time; the pendulum is a classic example.
  • Oscillatory motion means to-and-fro movement between two positions; each complete cycle is one oscillation.
  • The mean position is the central, resting point; extreme positions are the farthest points reached.
  • Time period: time taken to complete one oscillation.

Types of Motion

  • Uniform motion: Equal distances covered in equal intervals of time; speed remains constant.
  • Non-uniform motion: Distances covered are not equal in equal time intervals; speed varies.
  • Circular motion: An object moves along a circular path.
  • Oscillatory motion is a type of periodic motion.

Speed and Its Measurement

  • Speed is the distance covered by an object per unit time (speed = distance/time).
  • The SI unit of speed is meter per second (m/s), but kilometers per hour (km/h) is also common.
  • Speedometer measures instantaneous speed; odometer measures total distance covered.
  • Instantaneous speed is the speed at a specific moment.
  • Average speed = total distance/total time, used when speed varies.
  • To compare speeds, always convert units (e.g., km/h to m/s using: value × 5/18).

Distance-Time Graphs

  • Distance-time graphs visually represent motion; uniform motion is shown by a straight line.
  • Slope of the distance-time graph gives speed.
  • In non-uniform motion, the graph is not a straight line, indicating changing speed.
  • Data for graphs can be collected using odometer readings at regular time intervals.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Periodic Motion — Motion that repeats at regular time intervals.
  • Oscillation — A single to-and-fro movement.
  • Time Period — Time to complete one oscillation.
  • Uniform Motion — Equal distances in equal time intervals.
  • Non-uniform Motion — Unequal distances in equal time intervals.
  • Speed — Distance covered per unit time.
  • Instantaneous Speed — Speed at a specific moment.
  • Average Speed — Total distance divided by total time.
  • Speedometer — Device measuring current speed.
  • Odometer — Device showing total distance traveled.
  • Relative Motion — Motion of an object compared to another.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Complete the homework: Solve the question on drawing and interpreting a distance-time graph.
  • Review types of motion and key definitions.
  • Prepare any questions for the upcoming doubt-solving session.
  • Join the class Telegram for notes and updates.