CBSE Class 11 · Physics
Motion in a Straight Line
Official NCERT chapter from Physics Part I–II (book code keph1). ExamMaster notes are original teaching at CBSE Class 11 depth.
This lesson follows the official chapter “Motion in a Straight Line” in Physics Part I–II. The words below are ExamMaster’s teaching, not a paste from the book. Use the NCERT chapter for the classroom sequence; use these notes to hold the idea without copying exercises or figures.
- CBSE Class 11
- Medium level
- 8 concepts
1A definition is a test you can run
Straight-line motion is a test: a change of position on one agreed axis plus a signed displacement. Distance is the walk; displacement is start-to-now with a sign. 4 m forward then 4 m back is 8 m distance and 0 displacement.
Calling every walk “displacement 8 m” is the sign-steal.
Figure. One cart on a straight track, one net force. The test is F = ma: 6 kg and 4 m/s² demand 24 N. The force and acceleration arrows are labelled, not drawn on one scale.
How it works
- Agree the line and the positive wayThe axis.
- Name walk-length versus signed changeThe two measures.
- Then the word motion has contentThe definition ran.
2Name the given before the unknown
The given are u, a, t or the two positions. The unknown is v or s. Copy the signs before you add. For u=5 m/s, a=2 m/s², t=4 s: v=13 m/s, s=36 m if a is constant.
Taking 5 m/s as already the finish is a silent given.
Figure. Write the given mass and acceleration before asking for F. 2 kg and 5 m/s² go in first; F = ma is last and equals 10 N.
How it works
- Copy u, a, t or the positionsThe given.
- Name v or sThe unknown.
- Then pick v=u+at or s=ut+½at²Given first.
u=5 m/s, a=2 m/s², t=4 s
Constant a on a line. Find v and s.
- v=u+at5+8=13 m/s
- s=ut+½at²20+16=36 m
- Check v²=u²+2as169=25+144
Pro tip. Constant a; pick the equation that holds the unknown.
3One worked case is enough at this class
One constant-a case is enough. A page of the same 5-2-4 clone does not add a new sign-story.
Ten twins of 36 m are still one idea.
Figure. A v–t graph of constant a = 4 m/s² from rest. The series starts at the origin (t = 0, v = 0) and reaches v = 12 m/s at t = 3 s. Slope is rise 12 over run 3. The 3 kg cart that makes this slope needs F = 12 N. Arrows in other figures are not this graph.
How it works
- Run one line-caseThe case.
- A second only as a checkOptional.
- StopThis class.
4A miss: swapping the school name for the picture
A race-photo is a setting. The science is a line, signs, and a constant-a pack. A cheer is not v.
A curved track is the next chapter’s plane, not this line.
Figure. Action and reaction sit on two objects and have equal length here. Drawing F and −F on one free-body as if they cancel is the miss. The two pair arrows are to scale with each other; they are not to scale with the one-body arrows.
How it works
- Keep the race as a storyA setting.
- Write the axis and u, a, tThe science.
- Then v or sDo not swap.
5Check by the opposite action or the opposite test
Check v with a second kinematic equation, or check displacement by walking the signed changes back. Adding 5+2+4 as if they were one kind is not a check.
A distance that ignores the return is not the opposite test for displacement.
Figure. The opposite test of F = ma is a = F/m. 12 N on 3 kg gives a = 4; multiplying back by 3 kg must rebuild 12 N. A check that fails means the first step was wrong.
How it works
- State 13 m/s or 0 displacementThe claim.
- Rebuild with the other equation or the signed walkThe check.
- Mend if they disagreeHonest.
6Keep the claim at this chapter, not the next
This chapter’s claim stops at one axis. It does not steal plane-vectors or projectiles, and it does not start Newton’s laws.
A page that already “adds two perpendicular vs” here misses motion in a plane.
Figure. This chapter’s motion is along one straight line. Position is a mark on that line; x = 3 m is the displacement from the origin, not a path in a plane. The next chapter is the plane.
How it works
- Keep one line and the kinematic packThis chapter.
- Leave two directions for the plane chapterThe next map.
- Do not treat the map as already answeredClaim-size.
7The story is the hook; the test is the idea
A bus-story is the hook (it sped up). The test is still constant-a equations or a signed displacement. A story with no axis is a poster.
“It went fast” with no u, a, t is the miss.
Figure. The story (someone pushed) is the hook. The test is the measured pair: 2 kg and 6 m/s², which demand 12 N. A push with no numbers is not yet the idea.
How it works
- Hear the busThe hook.
- Write the axis and the numbersThe test.
- Then v or sThe idea.
8Units or labels must match before you compare
Units or labels must match before you compare: 13 m/s is not “13” next to a 36 m. v-labels and s-labels are different kinds. A graph’s slope is m/s only if the axes are position and time as taught.
Calling the 36 a speed because it is larger is a unit-swap.
Figure. 12 N may be compared with kg m/s² because those labels name the same unit. Comparing 12 N with 2 kg mixes force and mass. Match labels before you compare.
How it works
- Write v with m/s and s with mThe labels.
- Refuse a raw-digit compare across kindsThe match.
- Then read a graph only after axes are namedHonest.
5 m/s with a=2 m/s² for 4 s gives v
- 13 m/s
- 36 m/s
- 9 m/s
u+at=5+8.
Notes
- Mapped to the official NCERT chapter “Motion in a Straight Line”. Original teaching only — no textbook sentences.
- Science here is Physics, Chemistry and Biology ideas at this class, never a language or social-science chapter.
Formulas
- v=u+at
- s=ut+½at²
- v²=u²+2as (constant a, one line)
Recap
Hold these pegs from the official chapter “Motion in a Straight Line”. The wording is ExamMaster’s teaching, not a textbook recap.
- A definition is a test you can run
- Straight-line motion is a test: a change of position on one agreed axis plus a signed displacement.
- Name the given before the unknown
- The given are u, a, t or the two positions.
- One worked case is enough at this class
- One constant-a case is enough. A page of the same 5-2-4 clone does not add a new sign-story.
- A miss: swapping the school name for the picture
- A race-photo is a setting. The science is a line, signs, and a constant-a pack. A cheer is not v.
- Check by the opposite action or the opposite test
- Check v with a second kinematic equation, or check displacement by walking the signed changes back.
- Keep the claim at this chapter, not the next
- This chapter’s claim stops at one axis. It does not steal plane-vectors or projectiles, and it does not start Newton’s laws.
Practise Motion in a Straight Line
Reading is free and needs no account. Practice, mocks and progress live in the app.
- A 4-question practice set that ends the chapter
- 1 quick check with worked explanations
- Timed mocks scored with the real marking scheme
- Readiness tracked per topic, kept on your device