You are on page 1of 51

KINEMATICS OF

A PARTICLE
MOVING IN A
STRAIGHT LINE

Introduction
This chapter you will learn the SUVAT
equations
These are the foundations of many of
the Mechanics topics
You will see how to use them to use
many types of problem involving motion

TEACHINGS FOR
EXERCISE 2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You will begin by learning two of the
SUVAT equations

s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

Multiply by t

Replace with the


appropriate letters.
Change in velocity =
final velocity initial
velocity

Add u

This is the
usual form!

Replace
with the
appropriate
letters

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You will begin by learning two of the
SUVAT equations

You need to consider using negative numbers in


some cases
Positive direction

s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

2.5ms-1

6ms-1

Q
4m

3m

If we are measuring displacements from O, and left to right


is the positive direction

For particle P:
The particle is to the left of
the point O, which is the
negative direction
The particle is moving at 2.5ms1
in the positive direction

The particle is to
the right of the
point O, which is
the positive
direction

The particle is moving at 6ms-1


in the negative direction

For particle Q:

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A particle is moving in a straight line from A to B with constant
acceleration 3ms-2. Its speed at A is 2ms-1 and it takes 8 seconds to
move from A to B. Find:
a) The speed of the particle at B
b) The distance from A to B

You will begin by learning


two of the SUVAT
equations
s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

2ms-1

Start with a
diagram

Fill in the
values you
know

Write out suvat and


fill in what you know
For part a) we need
to calculate v, and we
know u, a and t

Remember to
include units!

You always need to set up the question in this


way. It makes it much easier to figure out what
equation you need to use (there will be more to
learn than just these two!)

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A particle is moving in a straight line from A to B with constant
acceleration 3ms-2. Its speed at A is 2ms-1 and it takes 8 seconds to
move from A to B. Find:
a) The speed of the particle at B 26ms-1
b) The distance from A to B

You will begin by learning


two of the SUVAT
equations
s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

2ms-1

Fill in the
values you
know

For part b) we need


to calculate s, and we
know u, v and t

Show
calculations
Remember
the units!

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A cyclist is travelling along a straight road. She accelerates at a
constant rate from a speed of 4ms-1 to a speed of 7.5ms-1 in 40
seconds. Find:
a) The distance travelled over this 40 seconds
b) The acceleration over the 40 seconds

You will begin by learning


two of the SUVAT
equations
s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

4ms-1

7.5ms-1

Sub in the
values you
know

Draw a diagram
(model the cyclist as
a particle)
Write out suvat and
fill in what you know
We are calculating s,
and we already know
u, v and t

Remember
units!

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A cyclist is travelling along a straight road. She accelerates at a
constant rate from a speed of 4ms-1 to a speed of 7.5ms-1 in 40
seconds. Find:
a) The distance travelled over this 40 seconds 230m
b) The acceleration over the 40 seconds

You will begin by learning


two of the SUVAT
equations
s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

4ms-1

7.5ms-1

Sub in the
values you
know

Draw a diagram
(model the cyclist as
a particle)
Write out suvat and
fill in what you know
For part b, we are
calculating a, and we
already know u, v and
t

Subtract 4
Divide by
40

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A particle moves in a straight line from a point A to B with constant
deceleration of 1.5ms-2. The speed of the particle at A is 8ms -1 and the
speed of the particle at B is 2ms-1. Find:
a) The time taken for the particle to get from A to B
b) The distance from A to B

You will begin by learning


two of the SUVAT
equations
s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

8ms-1

2ms-1
Draw a diagram

Sub in the
values you know

Write out suvat and


fill in what you know
As the particle is
decelerating, a is
negative

Subtract 8
Divide by -1.5

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A particle moves in a straight line from a point A to B with constant
deceleration of 1.5ms-2. The speed of the particle at A is 8ms -1 and the
speed of the particle at B is 2ms-1. Find:
a) The time taken for the particle to get from A to B 4 seconds
b) The distance from A to B

You will begin by learning


two of the SUVAT
equations
s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

8ms-1

2ms-1
Draw a diagram

Sub in the
values you know

Write out suvat and


fill in what you know
As the particle is
decelerating, a is
negative

Calculate the
answer!

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
After reaching B the particle continues to move along the straight line
with the same deceleration. The particle is at point C, 6 seconds after
passing through A. Find:
a) The velocity of the particle at C
b) The distance from A to C

You will begin by learning


two of the SUVAT
equations
s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

8ms-1

2ms-1

Update the
diagram

Write out
suvat using
points A and C

Sub in the
values
Work it
out!

As the velocity is negative, this means the


particle has now changed direction and is
heading back towards A! (velocity has a
direction as well as a magnitude!)
The velocity is 1ms-1 in the direction C to A

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
After reaching B the particle continues to move along the straight line
with the same deceleration. The particle is at point C, 6 seconds after
passing through A. Find:
a) The velocity of the particle at C - -1ms-1
b) The distance from A to C

You will begin by learning


two of the SUVAT
equations
s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

8ms-1

2ms-1

Update the
diagram

Write out
suvat using
points A and C

Sub in the
values
Work it
out!

It is important to note that 21m is the distance from A to C


only
The particle was further away before it changed
direction, and has in total travelled further than 21m

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You will begin by learning
two of the SUVAT
equations
s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

A car moves from traffic lights along a straight road with constant
acceleration. The car starts from rest at the traffic lights and 30
seconds later passes a speed trap where it is travelling at 45 kmh -1. Find:
a) The acceleration of the car
b) The distance between the traffic lights and the speed-trap.
0ms-1

45kmh-1
Draw a diagram

Lights

Trap

Standard units to use are metres and seconds, or kilometres and hours
In this case, the time is in seconds and the speed is in kilometres
per hour
We need to change the speed into metres per second first!

Multiply by 1000 (km to m)

Divide by 3600 (hours to seconds)

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You will begin by learning
two of the SUVAT
equations
s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

A car moves from traffic lights along a straight road with constant
acceleration. The car starts from rest at the traffic lights and 30
seconds later passes a speed trap where it is travelling at 45 kmh -1. Find:
a) The acceleration of the car
b) The distance between the traffic lights and the speed-trap.
0ms-1

Draw a diagram
Lights

45kmh-1 = 12.5ms-1

Trap

Write out suvat and


fill in what you know

Sub in the
values
Divide by
30

You can use


exact answers!

2A

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A car moves from traffic lights along a straight road with constant
acceleration. The car starts from rest at the traffic lights and 30
seconds later passes a speed trap where it is travelling at 45 kmh -1. Find:
a) The acceleration of the car
b) The distance between the traffic lights and the speed-trap.

You will begin by learning


two of the SUVAT
equations

0ms-1

s = Displacement (distance)
u = Starting (initial) velocity
v = Final velocity
a = Acceleration
t = Time

45kmh-1 = 12.5ms-1
Draw a diagram

Lights

Trap

Write out suvat and


fill in what you know

Sub in
values
Work it
out!

2A

TEACHINGS FOR
EXERCISE 2B

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can also use 3 more formulae linking
different combination of SUVAT, for a
particle moving in a straight line with
constant acceleration

Subtract u

Divide by a

Replace t with the


expression above

Multiply numerators and


denominators

Multiply by 2a

Add u2

This is the way it is


usually written!

2B

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can also use 3 more formulae linking
different combination of SUVAT, for a
particle moving in a straight line with
constant acceleration

Replace v with u + at
Group terms on the
numerator
Divide the numerator
by 2
Multiply out the
bracket

2B

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can also use 3 more formulae linking
different combination of SUVAT, for a
particle moving in a straight line with
constant acceleration

Subtract at

Replace u with v - at
from above
Multiply out the
bracket
Group up the at2
terms

2B

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A particle is moving in a straight line from A to B with constant
acceleration 5ms-2. The velocity of the particle at A is 3ms-1 in the
direction AB. The velocity at B is 18ms -1 in the same direction. Find the
distance from A to B.

You can also use 3 more formulae


linking different combination of
SUVAT, for a particle moving in
a straight line with constant
acceleration

3ms-1

Draw a diagram

18ms-1

Replace v, u and a

Write out suvat


with the
information given
We are
calculating s,
using v, u and a

Work out terms


Subtract 9
Divide by 10

2B

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A car is travelling along a straight horizontal road with a constant
acceleration of 0.75ms-2. The car is travelling at 8ms-1 as it passes a
pillar box. 12 seconds later the car passes a lamp post. Find:
a) The distance between the pillar box and the lamp post
b) The speed with which the car passes the lamp post

You can also use 3 more formulae


linking different combination of
SUVAT, for a particle moving in
a straight line with constant
acceleration

8ms-1

Pillar
Box

Draw a diagram

Write out suvat


with the
information given

Lamp
Post

We are
calculating s,
using u, a and t

Replace u, a
and t
Calculate

2B

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A car is travelling along a straight horizontal road with a constant
acceleration of 0.75ms-2. The car is travelling at 8ms-1 as it passes a
pillar box. 12 seconds later the car passes a lamp post. Find:
a) The distance between the pillar box and the lamp post 150m
b) The speed with which the car passes the lamp post

You can also use 3 more formulae


linking different combination of
SUVAT, for a particle moving in
a straight line with constant
acceleration

8ms-1

Pillar
Box

Draw a diagram

Lamp
Post

Write out suvat


with the
information given
We are
calculating v,
using u, a and t

Replace u, a
and t
Calculate

Often you can use an answer you have calculated later


on in the same question. However, you must take care
to use exact values and not rounded answers!

2B

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can also use 3 more formulae
linking different combination of
SUVAT, for a particle moving in
a straight line with constant
acceleration

A particle is moving in a straight horizontal line with constant


deceleration 4ms-2. At time t = 0 the particle passes through a point O
with speed 13ms-1, travelling to a point A where OA = 20m. Find:
a) The times when the particle passes through A
b) The total time the particle is beyond A
c) The time taken for the particle to return to O

We have 2 answers. As the


acceleration is negative, the
particle passes through A, then
changes direction and passes
through it again!

Draw a diagram

13ms-1

Replace s, u
and a

Write out suvat


with the
information given
We are
calculating t,
using s, u and a

Simplify terms
Rearrange and set equal to 0
Factorise (or use the quadratic formula)

2B

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can also use 3 more formulae
linking different combination of
SUVAT, for a particle moving in
a straight line with constant
acceleration

A particle is moving in a straight horizontal line with constant


deceleration 4ms-2. At time t = 0 the particle passes through a point O
with speed 13ms-1, travelling to a point A where OA = 20m. Find:
a) The times when the particle passes through A 2.5 and 4 seconds
b) The total time the particle is beyond A
c) The time taken for the particle to return to O

Draw a diagram

13ms-1

The particle passes through A at 2.5


seconds and 4 seconds, so it was
beyond A for 1.5 seconds

Write out suvat


with the
information given
We are
calculating t,
using s, u and a

2B

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A particle is moving in a straight horizontal line with constant
deceleration 4ms-2. At time t = 0 the particle passes through a point O
with speed 13ms-1, travelling to a point A where OA = 20m. Find:
a) The times when the particle passes through A 2.5 and 4 seconds
b) The total time the particle is beyond A 1.5 seconds
c) The time taken for the particle to return to O

You can also use 3 more formulae


linking different combination of
SUVAT, for a particle moving in
a straight line with constant
acceleration

Draw a diagram

13ms-1

The particle
returns to O
when s = 0

Replace s, u and a

The particle is at O when t = 0


seconds (to begin with) and is
at O again when t = 6.5 seconds

Write out suvat


with the
information given

Simplify
Rearrange
Factorise

2B

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A particle is travelling along the x-axis with constant deceleration
2.5ms-2. At time t = O, the particle passes through the origin, moving in
the positive direction with speed 15ms -1. Calculate the distance
travelled by the particle by the time it returns to the origin.

You can also use 3 more formulae


linking different combination of
SUVAT, for a particle moving in
a straight line with constant
acceleration

15ms-1

Draw a diagram

The total distance


travelled will be double the
distance the particle
reaches from O (point X)
At X, the velocity is 0

Replace v,
u and a

Simplify

We are
calculating s,
using u, v and a

Add 5s
Divide by 5
45m is the distance from O
to X. Double it for the total
distance travelled

2B

TEACHINGS FOR
EXERCISE 2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can use the formulae for constant acceleration to model an object moving vertically in a
straight line under the influence of gravity
Gravity causes objects to fall to the earth! (as you probably already know!)
The acceleration caused by gravity is constant (if you ignore air resistance)
This means the acceleration will be the same, regardless of the size of the object
On Earth, the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8ms -2, correct to 2 significant figures.
When solving problems involving vertical motion you must carefully consider the direction. As
gravity acts in a downwards direction:
An object thrown downwards will have an acceleration of 9.8ms -2
An object thrown upwards will have an acceleration of -9.8ms -2
The time of flight is the length of time an object spends in the air. The speed of projection is
another name for the objects initial speed (u)

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A ball is projected vertically upwards from a point O with a speed
of 12ms-1. Find:
a) The greatest height reached by the ball
b) The total time the ball is in the air
0ms-1

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

Draw a diagram

At its highest point, the


velocity of the ball is 0ms-1

12ms-1

As the ball has been projected


upwards, gravity is acting in the
opposite direction and hence the
acceleration is negative
We are calculating s, using u, v and a

Replace v, u and a

Simplify
Add 19.6s

Divide and round to 2sf (since


gravity has been given to 2sf)

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line

A ball is projected vertically upwards from a point O with a speed


of 12ms-1. Find:
a) The greatest height reached by the ball 7.4m
b) The total time the ball is in the air
0ms-1

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

12ms-1

Draw a diagram

For the total time the ball is


in the air, the displacement
(s) will be 0

Also, we will not know v (yet!)


when the ball strikes the
ground

We are calculating t, using s, u and a

Replace s, u and a

Factorise
Choose the
appropriate answer!

So the ball will be in the air for 2.4 seconds

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A book falls off the top shelf of a bookcase. The shelf is 1.4m
above the ground. Find:
a) The time it takes the book to reach the floor
b) The speed with which the book strikes the floor

0ms-1

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

1.4m

Draw a diagram

The books initial speed will


be 0 as it has not been
projected to begin with

As the books initial movement is


downwards, we take the
acceleration due to gravity as
positive

We are calculating t, using


s, u and a

Replace s, u and a

Simplify

Divide by 4.9

Find the positive


square root

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A book falls off the top shelf of a bookcase. The shelf is 1.4m
above the ground. Find:
a) The time it takes the book to reach the floor 0.53 seconds
b) The speed with which the book strikes the floor

1.4m

0ms-1

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

Draw a diagram

The books initial speed will


be 0 as it has not been
projected to begin with

As the books initial movement is


downwards, we take the
acceleration due to gravity as
positive
We are calculating v, using
s, u and a
Replace s, u
and a
Calculate
Find the positive
square root

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A ball is projected upwards from a point X which is 7m above the
ground, with initial speed 21ms-1. Find the time of flight of the
ball.
Draw a diagram

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

The balls flight will last until it


hits the ground
We want the ball to be 7m lower
than it starts (in the negative
direction)
Hence, s = -7

7m

21ms-1

The ball is projected upwards, so


the acceleration due to gravity is
negative

Replace s, u
and a

We are calculating t,
using s, u and a

Simplify

Rearrange and set equal to 0

We will need the quadratic formula


here, so write down a, b and c

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A ball is projected upwards from a point X which is 7m above the
ground, with initial speed 21ms-1. Find the time of flight of the
ball.
Draw a diagram

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

21ms-1

7m

The balls flight will last until it


hits the ground
We want the ball to be 7m lower
than it starts (in the negative
direction)
Hence, s = -7
The ball is projected upwards, so
the acceleration due to gravity is
negative

Replace a, b and c
(using brackets!)
Calculate and be careful with
any negatives in the previous
step!)

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A particle is projected vertically upwards from a point O with initial
speed u ms-1. The greatest height reached by the particle is 62.5m
above the ground. Find:
a) The speed of projection
b) The total time for which the ball is 50m or more above the ground

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

62.5m

Draw a diagram

The maximum height is 62.5m


At this point the balls velocity
is 0ms-1

u ms-1

The ball is projected upwards, so


the acceleration due to gravity is
negative

We are calculating u,
using s, v and a
Replace v, a and s

Simplify
Rewrite
Find the positive square root

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A particle is projected vertically upwards from a point O with initial
speed u ms-1. The greatest height reached by the particle is 62.5m
above the ground. Find:
a) The speed of projection 35ms-1
b) The total time for which the ball is 50m or more above the ground

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

62.5m

Draw a diagram

50m

The ball will pass the 50m mark


twice we need to find these two
times!

u ms-1

We are calculating t,
using s, u and a

Replace s, u and a

Simplify

Rearrange, and set equal to 0

We will need the quadratic


formula, and hence a, b and c

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A particle is projected vertically upwards from a point O with initial
speed u ms-1. The greatest height reached by the particle is 62.5m
above the ground. Find:
a) The speed of projection 35ms-1
b) The total time for which the ball is 50m or more above the ground

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

62.5m

Draw a diagram

50m

The ball will pass the 50m mark


twice we need to find these two
times!

u ms-1

We are calculating t,
using s, u and a

Sub these into the


Quadratic formula
We get the two times the ball
passes the 50m mark
Calculate the difference
between these times!

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A ball, A, falls vertically from rest from the top of a tower 63m high.
At the same time as A begins to fall, another ball, B, is projected
vertically upwards from the bottom of the tower with velocity 21ms -1.
The balls collide. Find the height at which this happens.

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

63m

s1
s2

21ms-1

Sub in s, u,
a and t for
Ball A

Simplify

Draw a diagram
In this case we need to consider
each ball separately.
We can call the two distances
s1 and s2
The time will be the same for
both when they collide, so we
can just use t
Make sure that acceleration
is positive for A as it is
travelling downwards and
negative for B as it is
travelling upwards
Sub in s, u,
a and t for
Ball B
Simplify

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A ball, A, falls vertically from rest from the top of a tower 63m high.
At the same time as A begins to fall, another ball, B, is projected
vertically upwards from the bottom of the tower with velocity 21ms -1.
The balls collide. Find the height at which this happens.

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

63m

s1
s2

1)
2)

Draw a diagram
In this case we need to consider
each ball separately.
We can call the two distances
s1 and s2
The time will be the same for
both when they collide, so we
can just use t
Make sure that acceleration
is positive for A as it is
travelling downwards and
negative for B as it is
travelling upwards

21ms-1

Add the two equations together


(this cancels the 4.9t2 terms)
s1 + s2 must be the height of the
tower (63m)

Divide by 21

So the balls collide


after 3 seconds

2C

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A ball, A, falls vertically from rest from the top of a tower 63m high.
At the same time as A begins to fall, another ball, B, is projected
vertically upwards from the bottom of the tower with velocity 21ms -1.
The balls collide. Find the height at which this happens.

You can use the formulae for constant


acceleration to model an object moving
vertically in a straight line under the
influence of gravity

63m

s1
s2

2)

21ms-1

Draw a diagram

In this case we need to consider


each ball separately.
We can call the two distances
s1 and s2
The time will be the same for
both when they collide, so we
can just use t
Make sure that acceleration
is positive for A as it is
travelling downwards and
negative for B as it is
Sub in t = 3 (we use this
travelling upwards
equation since s2 is the
height above the ground)

2C

TEACHINGS FOR
EXERCISE 2D

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can represent the motion of an
object on a speed-time graph,
distance-time graph or an accelerationtime graph

Final velocity v

v-u

Initial velocity

t
u

On a speed-time graph,
the Area beneath it is
the distance covered!

t
Time taken

On a speed-time graph,
the gradient of a section
is its acceleration!

2D

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can represent the motion of an
object on a speed-time graph,
distance-time graph or an accelerationtime graph
Gradient of a speed-time graph =
Acceleration over that period

A car accelerates uniformly at 5ms-2 from rest for 20 seconds.


It then travels at a constant speed for the next 40 seconds, then
decelerates uniformly for the final 20 seconds until it is at rest
again.
a) Draw an acceleration-time graph for this information
b) Draw a distance-time graph for this information

Acceleration
(ms-2)
5

Area under a speed-time graph = distance


travelled during that period

20

40

60

80

Time (s)

For now, we assume the


rate of acceleration
jumps between different
rates

-5
Distance
(m)

As the speed increases the


curve gets steeper, but with
a constant speed the curve is
straight. Finally the curve
gets less steep as
deceleration takes place
20

40

60

80

Time (s)

2D

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
The diagram below shows a speed-time graph for the motion of a cyclist
moving along a straight road for 12 seconds. For the first 8 seconds, she
moves at a constant speed of 6ms-1. She then decelerates at a constant
rate, stopping after a further 4 seconds. Find:
a) The distance travelled by the cyclist
b) The rate of deceleration of the cyclist

You can represent the motion


of an object on a speed-time
graph, distance-time graph or
an acceleration-time graph
Gradient of a speed-time graph =
Acceleration over that period

v(ms-1)

Area under a speed-time graph =


distance travelled during that
period

6
0

12

12 t(s)

Sub in the appropriate values


for the trapezium above
Calculate

2D

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can represent the motion
of an object on a speed-time
graph, distance-time graph or
an acceleration-time graph

The diagram below shows a speed-time graph for the motion of a cyclist
moving along a straight road for 12 seconds. For the first 8 seconds, she
moves at a constant speed of 6ms-1. She then decelerates at a constant
rate, stopping after a further 4 seconds. Find:
a) The distance travelled by the cyclist 60m
b) The rate of deceleration of the cyclist

Gradient of a speed-time graph =


Acceleration over that period

v(ms-1)

Area under a speed-time graph =


distance travelled during that
period

-6
0

12 t(s)

Sub in the appropriate values


for the trapezium above

Calculate

2D

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can represent the motion
of an object on a speed-time
graph, distance-time graph or
an acceleration-time graph
Gradient of a speed-time graph =
Acceleration over that period
Area under a speed-time graph =
distance travelled during that
period

A particle moves along a straight line. It accelerates uniformly from rest


to a speed of 8ms-1 in T seconds. The particle then travels at a constant
speed for 5T seconds. It then decelerates to rest uniformly over the
next 40 seconds.
a) Sketch a speed-time graph for this motion
b) Given that the particle travels 600m, find the value of T
c) Sketch an acceleration-time graph for this motion
-1
v(ms )
5T
8

Sub in
values

5T
6T + 40

40

t(s)

Simplify
fraction

Divide
by 8
Subtract 20
Divide by 5.5

2D

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
You can represent the motion
of an object on a speed-time
graph, distance-time graph or
an acceleration-time graph
Gradient of a speed-time graph =
Acceleration over that period

A particle moves along a straight line. It accelerates uniformly from rest


to a speed of 8ms-1 in T seconds. The particle then travels at a constant
speed for 5T seconds. It then decelerates to rest uniformly over the
next 40 seconds.
a) Sketch a speed-time graph for this motion
b) Given that the particle travels 600m, find the value of T 10 seconds
c) Sketch an acceleration-time graph for this motion
-1
v(ms )
a(ms-2)
8
0.8

Area under a speed-time graph =


distance travelled during that
period
0

10
T

5T
50

40

t(s)

-0.2

20

40

60

80

100

t(s)

First section

Last section

2D

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A car C is moving along a straight road with constant speed 17.5ms -1. At
time t = 0, C passes a lay-by. Also at time t = 0, a second car, D, leaves the
lay-by. Car D accelerates from rest to a speed of 20ms -1 in 15 seconds and
then maintains this speed. Car D passes car C at a road sign.
a) Sketch a speed-time graph to show the motion of both cars
b) Calculate the distance between the lay-by and the road sign

You can represent the motion


of an object on a speed-time
graph, distance-time graph or
an acceleration-time graph
Gradient of a speed-time graph =
Acceleration over that period

v(ms-1)
20
17.5

Area under a speed-time graph =


distance travelled during that
period

T - 15

D
C

17.5
0

15

At the road sign, the cars have


covered the same distance in the
same time

20

We need to set up simultaneous


equations using s and t

T t(s)

Let us call the time when the


areas are equal T

Sub in
values

Sub in
values
Simplify
fraction
Multiply
bracket

2D

Kinematics of a Particle moving in a


Straight Line
A car C is moving along a straight road with constant speed 17.5ms -1. At
time t = 0, C passes a lay-by. Also at time t = 0, a second car, D, leaves the
lay-by. Car D accelerates from rest to a speed of 20ms -1 in 15 seconds and
then maintains this speed. Car D passes car C at a road sign.
a) Sketch a speed-time graph to show the motion of both cars
b) Calculate the distance between the lay-by and the road sign

You can represent the motion


of an object on a speed-time
graph, distance-time graph or
an acceleration-time graph
Gradient of a speed-time graph =
Acceleration over that period

v(ms-1)
20
17.5

Area under a speed-time graph =


distance travelled during that
period

D
C

At the road sign, the cars have


covered the same distance in the
same time
We need to set up simultaneous
equations using s and t

Set these
equations equal to
each other!

15

T t(s)

Let us call the time when the


areas are equal T

Subtract
17.5T
Add
150
Divide
by 2.5

Sub
in T
Calculate!

2D

Summary
This chapter we have seen how to solve problems involving
the motion of a particle in a straight line, with constant
acceleration
We have extended the problems to vertical motion
involving gravity
We have also seen how to solve problems involving the
motion of two particles
We have also used graphs to solve some more complicated
problems

You might also like