2. All previous motion has been
expressed in one dimension
Our position functions are ¡
x
y
3. Now we can express motion in two
and three dimensions
x
y
z
4. To understand motion in 2/3 dimensions,
distance, velocity and acceleration need to
be divided into 3 directions: x, y and z
x y z
d dx dy dz
These can be grouped in two ways ¡
5. x y z
d dx dy dz
v vx vy vz
a ax ay az
Each displacement, velocity and
acceleration vector can be divided into
their x, y and z components ¡
d = (dx , dy , dz)
v = (vx , vy , vz)
a = (ax , ay , az)
6. x y z
d dx dy dz
v vx vy vz
a ax ay az
¡or, a position function can be found
for each dimension: x, y and z.
x(t) = ?axt2
+ vxt + dx
y(t) = ?ayt2
+ vyt + dy
z(t) = ?azt2
+ vzt + dz
7. y
x
z
¡ñ
What is the position function for each dimension
¡ñ
Divide each vector, (d, v and a) into it¡¯s component for
A ball is thrown horizontally from a height of 10
metres and at a velocity of 15 metres per second
10. Problem
The motion of a creature can be described in 3 dimensions
by the following equations for the position in the x, y and z
directions:
x(t) = 3t
2
+ 5
y(t) = -t
2
+ 3t ¨C 2
z(t) = 2t + 1
19. Position function:
y(t) = -
1
/2gt
2
+ v.sin(??t
Distance travelled occurs when height (y)=0
0 = -
1
/2gt
2
+ v.sin(??t
The time (t) when height (y)=0:
t1(-
1
/2gt2 + v.sin(??) = 0 t1= 0
1
20. We can now find the distance travelled by ¡
substituting ¡®t2¡¯ into the ¡®x¡¯ position function.
x(t) = v.cos(??t
x(t2) = v.cos(???(2v.sin(???
???????????????????????g
= v
2
.2cos(?)sin(??
21. Problem 2
What is the speed (m/sec) needed for a stunt
driver to launch from a 20 degree ramp to land
15 m away? What is his maximum height?