Class 9 Science Describing Motion Around Us Notes

Chapter 4: Describing Motion Around Us

🔹 1. What is Motion?

  • An object is said to be in motion if it changes its position with respect to time and surroundings.
  • Example: A moving car, flying bird

🔹 2. What is Rest?

  • An object is at rest if its position does not change with respect to time and surroundings.
  • Rest and motion are relative terms

Motion in a Straight Line (Rectilinear Motion)

  • Motion in a straight line is called rectilinear motion.
  • In this type of motion, an object moves along a straight path.

Examples

  • A car moving on a straight road
  • A train moving on a straight track
  • A person walking in a straight line

Important Terms

TermMeaning
DistanceTotal path covered by an object
DisplacementShortest distance between initial and final position
SpeedDistance travelled per unit time
VelocityDisplacement per unit time in a given direction
AccelerationRate of change of velocity

🔹 3. Types of Motion

Rectilinear Motion

  • Motion in a straight line
  • Example: Train on straight track

Circular Motion

  • Motion along a circular path
  • Example: Clock hands, Earth around Sun

Periodic Motion

  • Motion repeated at regular intervals
  • Example: Swing, pendulum

Random Motion

  • No fixed path
    👉 Example: Dust particles in air

Types of Motion

Type of MotionMeaningExample
Rectilinear MotionMotion in a straight lineA car moving on a straight road
Circular MotionMotion along a circular pathHands of a clock
Rotational MotionMotion around an axisEarth rotating on its axis
Periodic MotionMotion repeated at regular intervalsPendulum of a clock
Oscillatory MotionTo and fro motion about a mean positionSwing moving back and forth
Random MotionMotion without a fixed pathMovement of insects
Uniform MotionObject covers equal distances in equal intervals of timeTrain moving at constant speed
Non-uniform MotionObject covers unequal distances in equal intervals of timeBus moving in traffic

4. Distance and Displacement

Distance

  • Total path covered by an object
  • Scalar quantity (only magnitude)
  • SI unit meter (m)

Displacement

  • Shortest straight-line distance between initial and final position
  • Vector quantity (magnitude + direction)
  • SI unit meter (m)

Key Difference:

  • Distance ≥ Displacement always

Difference Between Distance and Displacement

BasisDistanceDisplacement
MeaningTotal path travelled by an objectShortest path between initial and final position
Type of QuantityScalar quantityVector quantity
DirectionNo directionHas direction
ValueAlways positiveCan be positive, negative, or zero
Depends OnActual path travelledInitial and final positions only
ExampleWalking around a parkStraight line from start to end point

🔹 5. Speed

Speed

  • Speed is the distance travelled by an object in a unit time.
  • speed is scalar quantity
  • SI unit : metre per second (m/s)
  • Example A car moving at 60 km/h,

Formula of Speed

Speed=DistanceTime\text{Speed} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}}

Where:

  • Distance = Total path travelled
  • Time = Time taken to travel

6. Types of Speed

Type of SpeedMeaning
Uniform SpeedEqual distances covered in equal intervals of time
Non-uniform SpeedUnequal distances covered in equal intervals of time
Average SpeedTotal distance ÷ Total time
Instantaneous SpeedSpeed at a particular instant

🔹 7. Velocity

  • Velocity is the rate of change of displacement with respect to time.
  • In simple words, it is the speed in a given direction.
  • metre per second (m/s)
  • vector quantity
  • it can be +ve, -ve or zero

Formula of Velocity

Velocity=DisplacementTime\text{Velocity} = \frac{\text{Displacement}}{\text{Time}}

Where:

  • Displacement = Shortest distance in a particular direction
  • Time = Time taken

Types of Velocity

TypeMeaning
Uniform VelocityConstant speed in a fixed direction
Non-uniform VelocityChanges in speed or direction
Average VelocityTotal displacement ÷ total time

Example

  • A car moving 10 m east in 2 seconds has velocity = 5 m/s east
  • If direction changes, velocity also changes even if speed is same

Difference Between Speed and Velocity

BasisSpeedVelocity
MeaningDistance travelled per unit timeDisplacement per unit time in a given direction
NatureScalar quantityVector quantity
DirectionNo directionHas direction
Depends onDistanceDisplacement
Can be negative?NoYes (depends on direction)
Change in directionDoes not affect speedAffects velocity
FormulaSpeed=DistanceTime\text{Speed} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}}Velocity=DisplacementTime\text{Velocity} = \frac{\text{Displacement}}{\text{Time}}
ExampleA car moving at 40 km/hA car moving 40 km/h north

🔹 8. Acceleration

  • Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time.
  • It tells us how quickly the velocity of an object is increasing or decreasing.
  • SI Unit of Acceleration : metre per second squared (m/s²)
  • Acceleration is a vector quantity (has direction).
  • It can be positive, negative, or zero.
  • Zero acceleration means velocity is constant.
  • Example : A bike increases its speed from 0 m/s to 20 m/s in 5 seconds, it is accelerating.

Formula of Acceleration

a=vuta = \frac{v – u}{t}

Where:

  • a = acceleration
  • v = final velocity
  • u = initial velocity
  • t = time taken

Types of Acceleration

TypeMeaningExample
Positive AccelerationVelocity increases with timeA car speeding up
Negative Acceleration (Retardation/Deceleration)Velocity decreases with timeA moving car applying brakes
Uniform AccelerationEqual change in velocity in equal time intervalsFreely falling object (ideal case)
Average accelerationchange in velocity divided by time intervalused when acceleration is not constant

🔹 9. Graphical Representation of Motion

Position -Time Graph

  • Straight line → uniform motion
  • Curved line → non-uniform motion
  • A position–time graph shows how the position of an object changes with time.
  • It helps us understand the motion of an object easily.
  • X-axis (horizontal) → Time (t), Y-axis (vertical) → Position (distance or displacement)
  • slope = speed (distance time graph)
  • slope = velocity (displacement time graph)
position time graph
position time graph

Position–Time Graph Comparison (Tab Form)

CaseNature of MotionShape of GraphSpeedExample
Object at RestNo motionStraight horizontal lineZeroBook kept on table
Uniform MotionConstant speedStraight slanting lineConstantCar moving at steady speed
Non-uniform MotionChanging speedCurved lineChangingBus in traffic
Acceleration (speeding up)Speed increases with timeCurve becoming steeperIncreasingBicycle speeding up
Deceleration (slowing down)Speed decreases with timeCurve becoming less steepDecreasingCar applying brakes

📊 Velocity-Time Graph

  • A velocity–time graph shows the change in velocity with time.
  • Time is shown on the X-axis.
  • Velocity is shown on the Y-axis.
  • The slope of the graph gives acceleration.
  • Types of Velocity–Time Graphs
    • Constant Velocity → Horizontal straight line
    • Increasing Velocity → Upward sloping line
    • Decreasing Velocity → Downward sloping line
  • a=vuta=\frac{v-u}{t}
  • Area under velocity-time graph = displacement
  • Area under speed-time graph = distance
velocity time graph
velocity time graph
  1. Constant Velocity – Acceleration = zero
  2. Uniform Acceleration – Acceleration is in the direction of velocity
  3. Uniform Retardation – Acceleration is in the opposite direction of velocity
  4. Non-Uniform Acceleration – Acceleration increasing
  5. Non-Uniform Acceleration – Acceleration decreasing

🔹 10. Uniform Motion vs Non-uniform Motion

Uniform MotionNon-uniform Motion
Equal speedChanging speed
Constant velocityVariable velocity

🔹 11. Equations of Motion or kinematic equations

  • These equation is only applicable when acceleration is constant.
  • v = u + at
  • s = ut + ½at²
  • v² = u² + 2as

Where:
u = initial velocity
v = final velocity
a = acceleration
s = distance


🔹 12. Types of Motion

Type of MotionMeaningDimensions InvolvedExample
1D MotionMotion along a straight lineOne dimensionTrain on a straight track
2D MotionMotion in a planeTwo dimensionsThrowing a ball
3D MotionMotion in spaceThree dimensionsFlying airplane

13. Uniform Circular Motion

  • Motion of an object in a circular path with constant speed
  • Ex.- Satellite around Earth, stone tied to a string, fan blades
  • Characteristics :
    • Speed remains constant,
    • but direction keeps changing;
    • due to changing direction velocity is not constant;
    • so acceleration is present towards the center (centripetal acceleration)
    • direction of velocity-tangent at that point
  • Formula for centripetal acceleration :
  • ac=v2ra_c = \frac{v^2}{r}
    • Where:
    • aca_cac​ = centripetal acceleration
    • vvv = speed of object
    • rrr = radius of circular path
QuantityFormulaMeaning
Average speed in circular motion= circumference / timeDistance per time
Average velocity (1 full round)0Displacement per time

14. Comparision of Graphs

PropertyDistance–Time GraphDisplacement–Time GraphSpeed–Time GraphVelocity–Time Graph
Slope of graphSpeedVelocityAccelerationAcceleration
Area under graphNo physical significanceNo physical significanceDistance travelledDisplacement
Horizontal lineObject at restObject at restConstant speedConstant velocity
Positive slopeDistance increasingPositive velocityPositive accelerationPositive acceleration
Negative slopeNot possibleNegative velocityNegative acceleration (retardation)Negative acceleration
Zero slopeObject at restObject at restZero acceleration (constant speed)Zero acceleration (constant velocity)
Steeper slopeGreater speedGreater velocityGreater accelerationGreater acceleration
Can graph lie below X-axis?NoYesNoYes
Quantity obtained from slopeSpeedVelocityAccelerationAcceleration
Quantity obtained from areaNoneNoneDistanceDisplacement

Chapter 4: Describing Motion Around Us — MCQs (1–120)


🔹 Basic Concepts of Motion (1–30)

  1. Motion is defined as: A. change in shape B. change in position C. change in mass D. change in color
  2. Rest means: A. no change in position B. moving fast C. circular motion D. acceleration
  3. Motion is always measured with respect to: A. time B. reference point C. speed D. force
  4. Rest and motion are: A. absolute B. relative C. fixed D. constant
  5. Example of motion: A. tree B. moving car C. stone D. wall
  6. Example of rest: A. flying bird B. parked car C. running train D. flowing river
  7. Motion in straight line is called: A. circular B. rectilinear C. periodic D. random
  8. Motion along circular path is: A. rectilinear B. circular C. random D. oscillatory
  9. Repeated motion is: A. circular B. periodic C. rectilinear D. random
  10. Dust particles show: A. rectilinear B. random C. circular D. periodic motion
  11. SI unit of distance is: A. km B. m C. cm D. mm
  12. Distance is a: A. vector B. scalar C. force D. velocity
  13. Displacement is a: A. scalar B. vector C. mass D. time
  14. Distance is always: A. less than displacement B. equal or greater than displacement C. negative D. zero
  15. Displacement depends on: A. path B. direction C. time only D. mass
  16. Distance depends on: A. shortest path B. actual path C. direction D. force
  17. SI unit of displacement is: A. m B. km C. cm D. mm
  18. Zero displacement means: A. object moved B. no change in position C. fast motion D. circular motion
  19. Distance covered is always: A. zero B. positive C. negative D. vector
  20. Displacement can be: A. only positive B. positive or negative C. only zero D. only scalar
  21. Motion in a pendulum is: A. random B. periodic C. circular D. rectilinear
  22. Earth revolving around sun is: A. random B. circular C. rectilinear D. oscillatory
  23. A moving train on straight track shows: A. circular motion B. rectilinear motion C. random motion D. periodic motion
  24. A moving fan blade shows: A. rectilinear B. circular C. random D. oscillatory
  25. SI unit of time is: A. minute B. hour C. second D. day
  26. Motion of a ceiling fan is: A. random B. circular C. rectilinear D. periodic only
  27. A body is at rest if: A. moving fast B. position unchanged C. accelerating D. rotating
  28. Motion depends on: A. color B. reference point C. shape D. size
  29. A moving object may appear at rest to: A. all observers B. moving observer C. fixed observer D. none
  30. Reference point is also called: A. origin B. motion point C. rest point D. speed point

🔹 Speed, Velocity & Acceleration (31–70)

  1. Speed = A. distance/time B. displacement/time C. force/time D. mass/time
  2. Velocity = A. distance/time B. displacement/time C. speed×time D. force/mass
  3. Speed is a: A. vector B. scalar C. force D. displacement
  4. Velocity is a: A. scalar B. vector C. mass D. energy
  5. SI unit of speed is: A. m/s B. m²/s C. kg/m D. N
  6. Uniform speed means: A. changing speed B. constant speed C. zero speed D. negative speed
  7. Non-uniform speed means: A. constant speed B. changing speed C. zero motion D. circular motion only
  8. Acceleration = A. speed/time B. change in velocity/time C. distance/time D. force/time
  9. SI unit of acceleration: A. m/s B. m/s² C. km/s D. N/m
  10. Positive acceleration means: A. speed decreases B. speed increases C. no motion D. circular motion
  11. Negative acceleration is called: A. velocity B. deceleration C. speed D. force
  12. If velocity is constant, acceleration is: A. zero B. infinite C. negative D. positive
  13. Speed depends on: A. distance & time B. mass C. force D. shape
  14. Velocity depends on: A. direction B. color C. weight D. size
  15. Displacement/time gives: A. speed B. velocity C. force D. mass
  16. Distance/time gives: A. velocity B. speed C. acceleration D. force
  17. Acceleration occurs when: A. velocity changes B. mass changes C. time stops D. distance is zero
  18. A body moving in circle has: A. constant velocity B. changing velocity C. zero velocity D. constant speed only
  19. Uniform motion means: A. changing speed B. equal distance in equal time C. no motion D. circular motion
  20. Non-uniform motion means: A. equal distance B. unequal speed C. no motion D. rest
  21. Velocity can be: A. only positive B. positive or negative C. only zero D. only scalar
  22. Speed is always: A. negative B. positive C. zero only D. vector
  23. Acceleration can be: A. only positive B. positive or negative C. only zero D. scalar only
  24. Retardation means: A. increase in speed B. decrease in speed C. no motion D. circular motion
  25. Motion of car in traffic is: A. uniform B. non-uniform C. no motion D. circular
  26. A freely falling body has: A. zero acceleration B. constant acceleration C. variable speed only D. no motion
  27. Gravity produces: A. no motion B. acceleration C. rest D. force only
  28. SI unit of velocity is: A. m/s B. m/s² C. km² D. N
  29. Speedometer measures: A. acceleration B. speed C. force D. distance
  30. Odometer measures: A. speed B. distance C. force D. velocity
  31. Acceleration is change in: A. distance B. velocity C. force D. mass
  32. Negative acceleration reduces: A. mass B. speed C. time D. distance
  33. If object is at rest, speed is: A. 1 B. 0 C. infinite D. negative
  34. Circular motion has: A. constant velocity B. changing direction C. no motion D. no speed
  35. Velocity is defined with: A. only magnitude B. magnitude and direction C. only time D. only distance
  36. Speed is always: A. vector B. scalar C. force D. acceleration
  37. Acceleration depends on: A. velocity change B. mass only C. force only D. distance only
  38. Motion in a straight line is: A. circular B. rectilinear C. random D. periodic
  39. Speed is independent of: A. distance B. direction C. time D. magnitude
  40. Velocity changes if: A. direction changes B. mass changes C. time stops D. distance is zero

🔹 Graphs & Advanced Concepts (71–120)

  1. Distance-time graph slope gives: A. speed B. force C. mass D. acceleration
  2. Velocity-time graph slope gives: A. speed B. acceleration C. distance D. mass
  3. Area under velocity-time graph gives: A. acceleration B. displacement C. speed D. force
  4. Straight line in distance-time graph shows: A. rest B. uniform motion C. acceleration D. circular motion
  5. Curved graph shows: A. uniform motion B. non-uniform motion C. rest D. zero speed
  6. Flat line in distance-time graph means: A. motion B. rest C. acceleration D. velocity
  7. Slope in graph represents: A. direction B. rate of change C. mass D. force
  8. Distance-time graph for rest is: A. straight slant B. horizontal line C. curve D. circle
  9. Velocity-time graph for uniform motion is: A. curve B. straight horizontal line C. zigzag D. circle
  10. Acceleration is zero when velocity is: A. changing B. constant C. negative D. zero only
  11. Motion can be described using: A. graphs B. colors C. smell D. taste
  12. Motion in space is relative to: A. object B. reference point C. force D. mass
  13. Displacement can be zero even if distance is: A. zero B. non-zero C. negative D. infinite
  14. Round trip displacement is: A. zero B. distance C. speed D. acceleration
  15. Speed has no: A. magnitude B. direction C. time D. unit
  16. Velocity has: A. no direction B. direction C. no time D. no magnitude
  17. Acceleration is rate of change of: A. speed B. velocity C. distance D. mass
  18. A car moving in circle has: A. constant velocity B. changing direction C. no speed D. rest
  19. Motion of Earth is: A. random B. circular C. rectilinear D. stationary
  20. Motion of pendulum is: A. random B. periodic C. circular D. straight
  21. Uniform motion graph is: A. curve B. straight line C. circle D. zigzag
  22. Non-uniform motion graph is: A. straight B. curve C. flat D. horizontal
  23. Acceleration is zero when: A. velocity changes B. velocity constant C. distance changes D. force applied
  24. Velocity is zero when object is: A. moving B. at rest C. accelerating D. rotating
  25. Distance-time graph slope is: A. velocity B. speed C. acceleration D. force
  26. Motion in zigzag path is: A. rectilinear B. random C. circular D. periodic
  27. A moving fan shows: A. rectilinear B. circular C. random D. straight
  28. SI unit of acceleration is derived from: A. speed B. velocity/time C. force D. mass
  29. Motion depends on: A. observer B. color C. weight D. size
  30. Speed is ratio of: A. time/distance B. distance/time C. force/mass D. velocity/time
  31. Velocity is ratio of: A. displacement/time B. distance/time C. force/time D. mass/time
  32. Acceleration increases when: A. velocity changes faster B. time increases C. distance decreases D. mass decreases
  33. Motion of bicycle is: A. uniform always B. non-uniform mostly C. circular D. rest
  34. Graph shows motion in: A. numbers B. visual form C. sound D. smell
  35. Slope indicates: A. direction B. steepness C. mass D. force
  36. Faster motion has: A. low speed B. high speed C. zero speed D. negative speed
  37. Slower motion has: A. high speed B. low speed C. zero time D. no distance
  38. Rest means: A. motion B. no motion C. acceleration D. force
  39. Motion of planets is: A. random B. circular C. straight D. no motion
  40. Speed is measured by: A. thermometer B. speedometer C. barometer D. ammeter
  41. Distance cannot be: A. zero B. negative C. positive D. large
  42. Displacement can be: A. negative B. positive or negative C. zero only D. none
  43. Motion is always relative to: A. sun B. observer C. earth D. air
  44. Graph helps to understand: A. smell B. motion C. color D. sound
  45. Acceleration is zero in: A. uniform motion B. rest C. both A and B D. circular motion
  46. Uniform speed means: A. changing B. constant C. zero D. random
  47. Velocity includes: A. only magnitude B. magnitude and direction C. only direction D. none
  48. Motion of train is: A. always uniform B. often non-uniform C. circular D. random
  49. Free falling object has: A. zero acceleration B. constant acceleration C. no motion D. random motion
  50. Displacement is: A. scalar B. vector C. force D. mass

Answer Key (1–120)

QAQAQAQAQA
1B21B41B61B81B
2B22B42A62B82B
3B23B43A63B83B
4B24B44A64B84A
5B25C45B65B85B
6B26B46B66B86B
7B27B47A67A87B
8B28B48B68B88B
9B29B49B69B89B
10B30A50B70A90B
11B31B51B71B91B
12B32B52B72B92B
13B33B53B73B93B
14B34B54B74B94B
15B35B55B75B95A
16B36B56B76B96B
17B37B57B77B97B
18B38B58A78B98B
19B39B59B79C99A
20B40B60B80B100C

Graph-Based MCQs (1–50)


🔹 Distance–Time Graph (1–25)

  1. Slope of distance–time graph gives: A. acceleration B. speed C. force D. mass
  2. A straight line in distance–time graph shows: A. rest B. uniform motion C. acceleration D. random motion
  3. A horizontal line in distance–time graph shows: A. motion B. rest C. acceleration D. velocity
  4. Curved distance–time graph shows: A. uniform motion B. non-uniform motion C. rest D. zero speed
  5. Steeper slope means: A. slow speed B. high speed C. no speed D. rest
  6. Less steep slope means: A. higher speed B. lower speed C. no motion D. acceleration
  7. Distance–time graph cannot be: A. straight B. curved C. horizontal D. circular
  8. If distance increases uniformly, graph is: A. curve B. straight line C. zigzag D. circle
  9. If object is at rest, graph is: A. upward line B. horizontal line C. curve D. slope
  10. Distance-time graph is always: A. straight B. graphical representation C. force diagram D. vector
  11. Uniform motion is shown by: A. curved line B. straight line C. circle D. zigzag
  12. Non-uniform motion is shown by: A. straight line B. curved line C. horizontal line D. no graph
  13. Slope of graph represents: A. mass B. speed C. force D. time
  14. If slope is zero, object is: A. moving fast B. at rest C. accelerating D. rotating
  15. Equal distance in equal time gives: A. curved graph B. straight line C. no graph D. circle
  16. Distance-time graph shows relation between: A. speed & force B. distance & time C. mass & velocity D. force & time
  17. Graph for constant speed is: A. curve B. straight line C. zigzag D. circle
  18. Increasing slope means: A. decreasing speed B. increasing speed C. no speed D. rest
  19. Decreasing slope means: A. acceleration B. deceleration C. rest D. uniform motion
  20. Horizontal line means: A. motion B. rest C. acceleration D. force
  21. A graph with changing slope shows: A. uniform motion B. non-uniform motion C. rest D. no time
  22. Distance-time graph is plotted with: A. time on x-axis B. distance on x-axis C. force on x-axis D. mass on x-axis
  23. Distance is plotted on: A. x-axis B. y-axis C. both D. none
  24. Time is plotted on: A. x-axis B. y-axis C. both D. none
  25. Straight line graph indicates: A. changing speed B. constant speed C. no motion D. circular motion

🔹 Velocity–Time Graph (26–50)

  1. Slope of velocity-time graph gives: A. speed B. acceleration C. force D. mass
  2. Area under velocity-time graph gives: A. acceleration B. displacement C. speed D. force
  3. Straight horizontal line in v–t graph shows: A. acceleration B. uniform velocity C. rest D. force
  4. Rising line in v–t graph shows: A. deceleration B. acceleration C. rest D. constant speed
  5. Falling line in v–t graph shows: A. acceleration B. deceleration C. rest D. force
  6. Zero slope in v–t graph means: A. acceleration B. no acceleration C. force D. mass
  7. Curved v–t graph shows: A. uniform motion B. non-uniform acceleration C. rest D. no motion
  8. Velocity-time graph is used to find: A. force B. acceleration C. color D. mass
  9. Uniform velocity is shown by: A. curved line B. horizontal straight line C. circle D. zigzag
  10. Acceleration increases when slope: A. decreases B. increases C. becomes zero D. negative
  11. Deceleration is shown by: A. rising graph B. falling graph C. horizontal graph D. circle
  12. Area under graph represents: A. speed B. displacement C. force D. mass
  13. Velocity-time graph axes are: A. distance-time B. velocity-time C. force-time D. mass-time
  14. Time is always on: A. y-axis B. x-axis C. both D. none
  15. Velocity is on: A. x-axis B. y-axis C. both D. none
  16. Constant acceleration graph is: A. straight line B. curve C. horizontal D. zigzag
  17. Zero velocity means graph lies on: A. x-axis B. y-axis C. curve D. slope
  18. Increasing velocity shows: A. downward slope B. upward slope C. horizontal line D. circle
  19. Decreasing velocity shows: A. upward slope B. downward slope C. horizontal D. no graph
  20. Flat v–t graph means: A. acceleration B. constant velocity C. rest D. force
  21. Steep slope in v–t graph means: A. low acceleration B. high acceleration C. rest D. zero speed
  22. Velocity-time graph is also called: A. motion graph B. speed graph C. force graph D. mass graph
  23. Acceleration is: A. slope of distance graph B. slope of velocity graph C. area under distance graph D. none
  24. Displacement from graph is: A. slope B. area under curve C. height D. width
  25. Motion graphs help to study: A. force only B. motion behavior C. color change D. mass only

Answer Key (Graph-based MCQs 1–50)

QAQAQAQAQA
1B11B21B31B41A
2B12B22A32B42A
3B13B23B33B43B
4B14B24A34B44B
5B15B25B35B45B
6B16B26B36B46B
7D17B27B37B47A
8B18B28B38B48B
9B19B29B39B49B
10B20B30B40B50B