Motion CBSE Class 9 Science Notes Chapter 8

Do you know why sometimes an object appears to be moving for one person and stationery for another? Do you know what causes the sunrise and sunset? How do you infer that the air is moving? All the answers to such questions can be found in the online revision notes CBSE Class 9 Science Chapter 8 Motion. This chapter teaches you what is motion in a straight line, motion in rotation and motion due to vibration. You will also learn how to express the motion through a graph and simple equations. 

The revision notes for CBSE Class 9 Science Chapter 8 Motion can benefit you in many ways such as: 

• Revising the chapter in just 15 minutes before the exam 
• Understanding all the important concepts, diagrams, graphs and equations
• Understanding all the theoretical concepts of the chapter 
• Preparing the chapter for the exams 
• Understanding important definitions in simplified language 
• Memorising concepts in a simple, pointwise format 

The main topics included in the Science revision notes for Class 9 Motion include motion along a straight line, uniform and non-uniform motion, speed, velocity, rate of change of velocity, graphical representation of motion, equations of motion, and uniform circular motion. 

Free Revision Notes for CBSE Class 9 Science Chapter 8 Motion 

Revision Notes on Motion

• A Reference Point is used to describe the location of an object. An object can be referred to through many reference points.
• Origin – The reference point that is used to describe the location of an object is called Origin.
• For Example, a new restaurant is opening shortly at a distance of 5 km north of my house. Here, the house is the reference point that is used for describing where the restaurant is located.

What is motion?

If the location of an object changes with time the object is said to be in motion.

Motion in a Straight Line

Distance – The distance covered by an object is described as the total path length covered by an object between two endpoints.

Distance is a numerical quantity. We do not mention the direction in which an object is travelling while mentioning the distance covered by that object.

Figure 1 – Distance and Displacement

According to figure 1 given above, if an object moves from point O to point A then the total distance travelled by the object is given as 60 km.

Displacement – The shortest possible distance between the initial and final position of an object is called Displacement.

Consider figure 1 given above, here the shortest distance between O and A is 60 km only. Hence, displacement is 60 km.

Displacement depends upon the direction in which the object is travelling.

Displacement is denoted by Δx.

Zero Displacement – When the first and last positions of an object are the same, the displacement is zero.

For Example, consider the diagrams given below.

Figure 2 – Example for zero displacement

Displacement at point A = 0 because the shortest distance from A to A is zero.

Negative Displacement and Positive Displacement

Figure 3 – Example for negative and positive displacement

Here, displacement of object B is negative

ΔB = Bf − B0 = 7–12 = – 5

A negative sign indicates the opposite direction here.

Also, displacement of object A is positive

ΔA = Af − A0 = 7– 0 = 7

What are Scalar and Vector Quantities?

• A scalar quantity describes a magnitude or a numerical value.
• A vector quantity describes the magnitude as well as the direction.
• Hence, distance is a scalar quantity while displacement is a vector quantity.

How is distance different from displacement?

What is uniform motion?

When an object travels equal distances in equal intervals of time the object is said to have a uniform motion.

What is non-uniform motion?

When an object travels unequal distances in equal intervals of time the object is said to have a non-uniform motion.

• The speed of an object is defined as the distance travelled by the object per unit of time. 

• Average Speed – If the motion of the object is non-uniform then we calculate the average speed to signify the rate of motion of that object.

For Example, If an object travels 10m in 3 seconds and 12m in 7 seconds. Then its average speed would be:

Total distance travelled = 10 m + 12 m = 22m

Total Time taken = 3s + 7s = 10s

Average speed = 22/10 = 2.2 m/s

• To describe the rate of motion in a direction the term velocity is used. It is defined as the speed of an object in a particular direction.

Average Velocity (in case of uniform motion)-

Average Velocity = (Initial Velocity + Final Velocity)/2

Average Velocity (in case of non-uniform motion)-

Average Velocity = Total Displacement / Total Time taken

What are instantaneous speed and instantaneous velocity?

The magnitude of speed or velocity at a particular instance of time is called Instantaneous Speed or Velocity.

Figure 4 - Instantaneous Speed / Velocity 

Uniform Motion – In the case of uniform motion the velocity of an object remains constant with change in time. Hence, the rate of change of velocity is said to be zero.

Non-uniform Motion – In the case of non-uniform motion the velocity of an object changes with time. This rate of change of velocity per unit time is called Acceleration.

Uniform Acceleration – An object is said to have a uniform acceleration if

• It travels along a straight path 
• Its velocity changes (increases or decreases) by equal amounts in equal time intervals

Non - Uniform Acceleration – An object is said to have a non-uniform acceleration if

• Its velocity changes (increases or decreases) by unequal amounts in unequal time intervals

Acceleration is also a vector quantity. The direction of acceleration is the same if the velocity is increasing in the same direction. Such acceleration is called Positive Acceleration.

The direction of acceleration becomes opposite to that of velocity if velocity is decreasing in a direction. Such acceleration is called Negative Acceleration.

De-acceleration or Retardation – Negative acceleration is also called De-acceleration or Retardation

Graphical Representation of Motion

1. Distance – Time Graph

It represents a change in position of the object with respect to time.

The graph in case the object is stationary (means the distance is constant at all time intervals) – Straight line graph parallel to x = axis

Figure 5 - Distance-time Graph in case of Stationary object

The graph in case of uniform motion – Straight line graph

Figure 6 - Distance-time Graph in Uniform Motion

The graph in case of non-uniform motion – Graph has different shapes

Figure 7- Distance-time Graph in Non-Uniform Motion 

2. Velocity – Time Graphs

Constant velocity – Straight line graph, velocity is always parallel to the x-axis

Uniform Velocity / Uniform Acceleration – Straight line graph

Non-Uniform Velocity / Non-Uniform Acceleration – Graph can have different shapes

Calculating Displacement from a Velocity-time Graph

Consider the graph given below. The area under the graph gives the distance travelled between a certain interval of time. Hence, if we want to find out the distance travelled between time intervals t1 and t2, we need to calculate the area enclosed by the rectangle ABCD where the area (ABCD) = AB * AC.

Similarly, to calculate distance travelled in a time interval in the case of uniform acceleration, we need to find out the area under the graph, as shown in the figure below.

To calculate the distance between time intervals t1 and t2 we need to find out the area represented by ABED.

Area of ABED = Area of the rectangle ABCD + Area of the triangle ADE = AB × BC + 1/ 2 * (AD × DE)

Equations of Motion

The equations of motion represent the relationship between an object's acceleration, velocity and distance covered if and only if,

• The object is moving on a straight path
• The object has a uniform acceleration

Three Equations of Motion

1. The Equation for Velocity – Time Relation

v = u + at

2. The Equation for Position – Time Relation 

s = ut + 1/2 at2

3. The Equation for the Position – Velocity Relation

2a s = v2 – u2

Where

u: initial velocity

a: uniform acceleration

t: time

v: final velocity

s: distance travelled in time t

Deriving the Equations of Motion Graphically

Figure 12

Study the graph above. The line segment PN shows the relation between velocity and time. 

Initial velocity, u can be derived from velocity at point P or by the line segment OP

Final velocity, v can be derived from velocity at point N or by the line segment NR

Also, NQ = NR – PO = v – u

Time interval, t is represented by OR, where OR = PQ = MN

1. Deriving the Equation for Velocity – Time Relation

Acceleration = Change in velocity / time taken

Acceleration = (final velocity – initial velocity) / time

a = (v – u)/t

so, at = v – u

v = u + at

2. Deriving Equation for Position – Time Relation

We know that, distance travelled by an object = Area under the graph

So, Distance travelled = Area of OPNR = Area of rectangle OPQR + Area of triangle PQN

s = (OP * OR) + (PQ * QN) / 2

s = (u * t) + (t * (v – u) / 2)

s = ut + 1/2 at2           [because at = v – u]

3. Deriving the Equation for Position – Velocity Relation

We know that, distance travelled by an object = area under the graph

So, s = Area of OPNR = (Sum of parallel sides * height) / 2

 s = ((PO + NR)* PQ)/ 2 = ( (v+u) * t)/ 2

2s / (v+u) = t [equation 1]

Also, we know that, (v – u)/ a = t [equation 2]

On equating equations 1 and 2, we get,

2s / (v + u) = (v – u)/ a

2as = (v + u) (v – u) 

2 a s = v2 – u2

Uniform Circular Motion

If an object moves in a constant velocity along a circular path, the change in velocity occurs due to the change in direction. Therefore, this is an accelerated motion. Consider the figure given below and observe how the directions of an object vary at different locations on a circular path.

Uniform Circular Motion – When an object travels in a circular path at a uniform speed the object is said to have a uniform circular motion.

Non-Uniform Circular Motion – When an object travels in a circular path at a non-uniform speed the object is said to have a non-uniform circular motion

Examples of uniform circular motion:

• The motion of a satellite in its orbit
• The motion of planets around the sun

Velocity of Uniform Circular Motion

Velocity = Distance/ Time = Circumference of the circle / Time

v = 2πr/ t

where

v: velocity of the object

r: radius of the circular path

t: time taken by the object

CBSE Class 9 Revision Notes for Chapter 8 Motion FAQs

1. Why are revision notes important for CBSE Class 9 Motion Chapter? 

Revising the chapter again and again from the textbook might be overwhelming for some students. Many students just read the chapter once and never revise it because of the lengthy text given in the textbook. The CBSE revision notes help you segregate all the important definitions and concepts pointwise which makes it easier for you to memorise concepts and revise them before exams. 

2. How can askIITians help me prepare the Class 9 Chapter 8 Motion for exams? 

You can refer to our free online revision notes for Chapter 8 Motion. These notes will help you understand all the concepts of the chapter pointwise. We have also created study resources like NCERT Solutions, mind maps, flashcards, extra questions, NCERT Exemplar solutions, etc to help you memorise every concept of this chapter thoroughly. 

3. Are there any tips to master the concept of Motion in Class 9? 

• Read the NCERT chapter carefully and take note of all the important terms and definitions. 
• Refer to our online revision notes for this chapter and memorise the concepts in simplified language. 
• Solve all the NCERT questions of the chapter along with NCERT Exemplar problems to strengthen your conceptual understanding. 
• In case of any doubts, consult our teachers or join our CBSE coaching for Class 9 Science. 

4. How askIITians helps students prepare for the Class 9 Science final exam? 

askIITians is an online learning platform where students can enrol in online, live interactive coaching sessions for class 9 Science. Our experts use the best teaching methodologies to explain the concepts to the students. We also provide different study materials such as class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 notes for Science to help students strengthen their concepts and prepare well for school and competitive exams.