20 Motion along a Straight Line

1. (a) Distance OA = 5 m (c) s , 0

Distance OB = 2 m t2 – 4t , 0
(b) Displacement of A from O = 5 m t(t – 4) , 0
s
Displacement of B from O = –2 m

2. (a) Displacement after 5 seconds

= 52 + 3(5) t
0 4
= 40 m
(b) Distance travelled in the first 4 seconds
= s4 – s0 0 , t , 4 is the time when the particle is on the
= [42 + 3(4)] – (0) left of O.
= 28 m
(d) s . 0
(c) s5 – s3 Based on diagram in (c),
= [52 + 3(5)] – [32 + 3(3)] t . 4 is the time when the particle is on the right
= 22 m of O.
(d) Distance travelled during the 3rd second
= s3 – s2 4. (a) s = t(t – 4)
= [32 + 3(3)] – [22 + 3(2)] = t2 – 4t
=8m
t 0 2 4 5
s 0 – 4 0 5
3. (a) s = t2 – 4t
When s = 0, s
t2 – 4t = 0
t(t – 4) = 0 5
t = 0, 4
After 4 seconds, the particle returns to O. t
0 2 4 5
(b) When s = – 4, –4
– 4 = t2 – 4t

t – 4t + 4 = 0
2

(t – 2)2 = 0 (b) (i) The furthest distance on the left is 4 m from

t = 2 O.
After 2 seconds, the particle is at 4 m on the left
of O. (ii) Total distance travelled in the first 5 seconds
=2×4+5
= 13 m


 (iii) The displacement after 5 seconds is 5 m on (c) When t = 1,
the right of O. v = 2(1) + 6
(iv) The time when the particle passes through =8
O again is 4 s. Therefore, the particle is moving towards right.

(v) t . 4 is the time interval when the particle

7. (a) s = 3t2 – 12t
is on the right-hand side of O. ds
v = —–
dt
5. (a) s = t2 – 9 = 6t – 12
t=0 (b) Initial velocity = 6(0) – 12
A O
= –12 m s–1
When t = 0, s = –9 Its direction of motion is towards left.
OA = 9 m
(c) When v = 0,
(b) s = 0 6t – 12 = 0
t2 – 9 = 0 t = 2
(t + 3)(t – 3) = 0 Substitute t = 2 into s = 3t2 – 12t,
t = 3, t = –3 is ignored s = 3(2)2 – 12(2)
= –12 m
(c) s , 0
t2 – 9 , 0 When the particle is instantaneous at rest, the time
(t + 3)(t – 3) , 0 is 2 s and the displacement is 12 m on the left of
s O.
(d) v , 0
6t – 12 , 0
t t , 2
–3 0 3
The time interval is 0 < t , 2 when particle is
moving towards left.

0 < t , 3 is the time interval when the particle
8. (a) v = t(t – 4)
is on the left-hand side of O.
t 0 2 4
(d) s = 42 – 9
=7m v 0 – 4 0

(e) s4 – s3 v
= (42 – 9) – (32 – 9)
=7m 0
t
2 4
(f) s = t – 9
2

s
–4
7
(b) (i) Minimum velocity is – 4 m s–1.
t
0 3 4 (ii) The time interval when the particle moves
towards left is 0 , t , 4.
–9 (iii) The distance travelled in the first 4 seconds

=2×4
=8m
6. (a) v = 2t + 6
Initial velocity = 2(0) + 6
= 6 m s–1 9. (a) v = –3t2 + 8t

(b) When v = 10, ∫

s = v dt
10 = 2t + 6
2t = 4 = ∫ (–3t + 8t) dt
2

t = 2 = –t3 + 4t2 + c
After 2 seconds passing through O, its velocity is
10 m s–1.


 When t = 0, s = 0 v
\c=0 1
5–
s = –t3 + 4t2 3

(b) When v = 0, t
–3t2 + 8t = 0 0 4
– 8 3
–
t(–3t + 8) = 0 –3 3 3
8
t = 0, —
3
The time when the particle stops instantaneously 10. (a) v = t3 – 4t
8 s. When v = 0,
for the second time is — t3 – 4t = 0
3
t(t2 – 4) = 0
(c) v . 0 t = 0, t 2 = 4
–3t2 + 8t . 0 t = 2, t = –2 is ignored
t(–3t + 8) . 0 After 2 seconds, the particle stops instantaneously.
v
(b) The distance travelled in the first 3 seconds
2 3
= ∫ v dt + ∫ v dt
0 2

2 2
0 8
–
3
t ∫
0
v dt = ∫
0
(t3 – 4t) dt
2

Time interval when the particle travelled in the
3
= —–t 4 – 2t2
4 0
4
8.
32 
4
4
right direction is 0 , t , — = —– – 2(2)2 – (0)
3 4
8
— = – 4
(d) Distance travelled = ∫
3
v dt 3

3
t 4 – 2t2
4
3

= ∫
8
—
3
(–3t2 + 8t) dt
∫
2
v dt = —–
4 2

3
3  – 2(3)2 – —–
2 4 – 2(2)2
4 3 4
0 4
8
— = —–
= 3–t + 4t 4
3 2 3 4 4
0
1
= 6— m
31 2
8 3+4—
1 2 4 – (0)
2
= –— 8 4
3 3
The distance travelled in the first 3 seconds
13
= 9—– m
= 4 + 6—1
27
4
(e) The maximum distance of the particle is when 1
= 10— m
8.
v = 0, that is, t = — 4
3
(c) v , 0
Maximum distance = –t3 + 4t2
t3 – 4t , 0
1 2
8 3+4—
1 2
2
=–— 8 t(t2 – 4) , 0
3 3 From the graph,
13
= 9—– m 0 , t , 2 is the time interval when the particle
27 is moving towards left.
(f) v = –3t2 + 8t
(d) When t = 5,
4 8 Velocity, v = 53 – 4(5)
t 0 — — 3
3 3 = 105 m s–1
1
5—
v 0 0 –3
3 11. (a) s = t3 – 2t2 + t
ds
Velocity, v = —–
dt
= 3t2 – 4t + 1


 dv v
(b) Acceleration, a = —–
dt
= 6t – 4 5

(c) When v = 0,
3t2 – 4t + 1 = 0 1
t
(3t – 1)(t – 1) = 0 0 1 1 2
–
t = —1 , 1 3

3
The acceleration of the particle when it stops at (h) a = 6t – 4
second time 2
t 0 — 2
= 6(1) – 4 3
= 2 m s–2 a – 4 0 8
(d) When a = 8, a
6t – 4 = 8
8
t = 2
The displacement when a = 8
= 23 – 2(2)2 + 2
t
= 2 m on the right of O 0 2
– 2
–4 3
(e) Minimum velocity is when a = 0.
6t – 4 = 0
4 (i) Distance travelled for the first second
t = — 1
—
1
6
∫
= v dt + 1 v dt ∫ 
3

2
= — 0 —
3

3
v
Minimum velocity
= 3t2 – 4t + 1 1

1 2 1 2
2
2 –4—
=3— 2 + 1
3 3 t
1 0 1 1
=–—ms–1 –
3
3

1
— 1
—
(f) s = t3 – 2t2 + t
∫ v dt = ∫
3 3
(3t2 – 4t + 1) dt
t 0 1 2 0 0
1
—
s 0 0 2 = 3t3 – 2t2 + t4 3
0

31—13 2 1 2 4
3
s
= 1 2+—
–2— 1 – (0)
3 3
2
4 m
= —–
27
1

∫
1
0
t 1
v dt = 3t3 – 2t2 + t4 —1
1 2 —
3 3

31—13 2 1 2 4
3


= [13 – 2(1)2 + 1] – 1 2+—
–2 — 1

3 3
(g) v = 3t – 4t + 1
2
= 0 – —– 4
27
1 2
= (3t – 1)(t – 1)
= – —–4
1 27
t 0 — 1 2
3
Distance travelled in the first second
v 1 0 0 5 4 + —– 4
= —–
27 27
8 m
= —–
27


 12. (a) a = 6t 13. (a) v = 6t – 10
dv
∫
v = a dt a = —–
dt
a=6
= ∫ 6t dt
= 3t2 + c
∫
(b) s = v dt
Given t = 0, v = 12,
\ c = 12 s = ∫ (6t – 10) dt
v = 3t2 + 12 s = 3t2 – 10t + c
Given t = 0, s = 0, \ c = 0,
∫
(b) s = v dt \ s = 3t2 – 10t
(c) s , 0
= ∫ (3t + 12) dt
2
3t2 – 10t , 0
= t3 + 12t + c t(3t – 10) , 0
Given t = 0, s = 0, s
\c=0
s = t3 + 12t
(c) (i) Displacement = 13 + 12(1)
t
= 13 m on the right of O 0 10
–
3
(ii) Velocity = 3(1)2 + 12

= 15 m s–1
Therefore, the time interval for particle on the
(iii) Acceleration = 6(t) 10 .
= 6(1) left of O is 0 , t , —–
3
= 6 m s–2 (d) v , 0
(d) When v = 24, 6t – 10 , 0
3t2 + 12 = 24 10
t , —–
3t2 = 12 6
t2 = 4 5
t , —
t = 2, t = –2 is ignored 3
Therefore, the time interval when the particle is
Acceleration when v = 24
moving towards direction of left is 0 < t , — 5.
=6×2
3
= 12 m s–2
(e) v = 0 when s is the maximum
(e) (i) s = t3 + 12t 6t – 10 = 0
Distance travelled after 2 s = 23 + 12(2) 5
t = —
= 32 m 3
(ii) s2 = 32 m Maximum displacement on the left
s1 = 13 + 12(1)
= 13 m =3—
3
1 2
5 2 – 10 —
5
3
1 2
Distance travelled during the second 25
= —– – —–50
second 3 3
= s2 – s1 25 m
= – —–
= 32 – 13 3
= 19 m (f) Distance travelled from t = 3 to t = 5
5
(iii) s = t + 12t
3 =∫ 3
v dt
= 43 + 12(4) 5
= 112 m = ∫ (6t – 10) dt
3

3
5
= 3t2 – 10t4
3
= [3(5)2 – 10(5)] – [3(3)2 – 10(3)]
= 25 – (–3)
= 28 m


 (g) (i) v = 6t – 10 (b) v = t2 – 8t – 20, 0 < t < 10
v v

(4, 14)
t
0 10
B
t –20
0 5 4
–
3
–10 A

Total distance travelled in the first 4 Total distance travelled in the first 10 seconds
10
seconds = ∫ v dt
11 × 10 × —
5 + —
2 1
1 × 14 × —
7
2
0
= — 10
2 3 2 3 = ∫ (t2 – 8t – 20) dt
0
25 49
= —– + —–
3
1 t3 – 4t2 – 20t
4
10
3 3 = —
74 3 0
= —–
3
3
10 – 4(10)2 – 20(10) – (0)
4
3
= —–
74 3
—–
3 = –266—2 m
Average speed = ——
4 3
1
= 6— m s–1 \ Distance travelled in the first 10 seconds is
6 2 m.
266—
3
Total displacement
(ii) Average velocity = ————————
Time 2. (a) v = t(10 – 3t)
=— 8
= 10t – 3t2
4
dv
= 2 m s–1 For maximum velocity, —– = 0
dt
10 – 6t = 0
10
t = —–
6
5
t = —
3

1 2 1 2
2
Maximum velocity = 10 — 5 –3—5
1. (a) (i) Minimum velocity is when a = 0, 3 3
2t – 8 = 0 50 – —–
75
t = 4 = —–
3 9
1
∫
v = a dt = 8— m s–1
3

= ∫ (2t – 8) dt ∫
(b) s = v dt
= t – 8t + c
2
= ∫ (10t – 3t ) dt 2

Given t = 0, v = –20
= 5t2 – t3 + c
\ c = –20
v = t2 – 8t – 20 Given t = 0, s = 0
\c=0
Minimum velocity = 42 – 8(4) – 20
s = 5t2 – t3
= –36 m s–1
(ii) v = t2 – 8t – 20 When s = 0,
when t = n, v = 0 5t2 – t3 = 0
\ n2 – 8n – 20 = 0 t2(5 – t) = 0
(n – 10)(n + 2) = 0 t = 0, 5
\ n = 10, n = –2 is ignored since n is time After 5 seconds, the particle passes through O
again.


 (c) Distance travelled during the 2nd second (c) The total distance travelled during the first
= s2 – s1 7 seconds
= [5(2)2 – (2)3] – [5(1)2 – (1)3] 1 7
= 12 – 4 = ∫ 0

v dt + ∫
1
v dt
=8m
1 1

(d) When particle reverses the direction,

∫
0
v dt = ∫
0
(–t2 + 8t – 7) dt
v = 0 t3 + 4t2 – 7t 1
10t – 3t2 = 0 3
= – –—
3 0
4
t(10 – 3t) = 0
10
t = 0, —–
1 1
= – — + 4 – 7 – (0)
3
2
3 1
10 = – 3—
The time is —– s before the particle reverses its 3
3
direction. t3 + 4t2 – 7t 7
3 4
7
∫
1
v dt = – –—
3 1
3. (a) v= –t + 8t – 7
373 + 4(7)2 – 7(7) – – —
1 +4–7
4 1 2
2
= – —–
(i) Initial velocity 3 3
= – (0)2 + 8(0) – 7 = 36
= –7 m s–1
Total distance travelled = 3—1 + 36
(ii) v . 0 3
–t2 + 8t – 7 . 0 1 m
= 39—
(–t – 1)(t – 7) . 0 3
v
4. (a) vQ = 2t2 – 4t – 16
dvQ
—— = 4t – 4
t dt
0 1 7
dvQ
–7 vQ is minimum when —— = 0,
dt
4t – 4 = 0
t = 1
Therefore, the time interval during which the
particle moves towards right is 1 , t , 7. Therefore, the minimum velocity of Q
= 2(1)2 – 4(1) – 16
(iii) a , 0 = –18 m s–1
–2t + 8 , 0
–2t , –8 (b) Particle Q stops at C,
t . 4 \ vQ = 0
Therefore, the time interval during which 2t2 – 4t – 16 = 0
the acceleration is negative is t . 4. t2 – 2t – 8 = 0
(t – 4)(t + 2) = 0
(b) v = –t2 + 8t – 7 t = 4, t = –2 is ignored
= (–t + 7)(t – 1) vQ = 2t2 – 4t – 16
t 0 1 7
v –7 0 0
∫
sQ = (2t2 – 4t – 16) dt

=— 2 t3 – 2t2 – 16t + c
v 3
Given t = 0, SQ = 0, \ c = 0
t
2 t3 – 2t2 – 16t
sQ = —
0 1 7 3
–7 When t = 4,
2 (4)3 – 2(4)2 – 16(4)
BC = —
3
= –53— 1 m
3


 1
AC = 60 – 53— Displacement from O = 3(2)2 – 12(2)
3 = –12
2
= 6— m Therefore, the maximum distance from O is
3 12 m.
(c) When Q at C, t = 4
(e) When s = 15,
Displacement of P = 4 × 3
3t2 – 12t = 15
= 12 m
3t2 – 12t – 15 = 0
Difference in distance between P and Q t2 – 4t – 5 = 0
2 (t + 1)(t – 5) = 0
= 12 – 6—
3 t = 5, t = –1 is ignored
= 5—1 m The velocity = 6(5) – 12
3 = 18 m s–1

2. (a)
P Q

A C B
60 m
sP = t 2 + 4t , sQ = t 2 – 8t
1. (a) s = 3t2 – 12t
Displacement = s1 – s0
sP = t2 + 4t, sQ = t2 – 8t
= [3(1)2 – 12(1)] – (0)
Assume P and Q meet at C after k seconds.
= –9
Distance travelled by P + Distance travelled by
The distance travelled in the first second is 9 m.
Q = 60
(b) s , 0 (k2 + 4k) + (8k – k2) = 60
3t2 – 12t , 0 12k = 60
3t(t – 4) , 0 k = 5
s Substitute t = 5 into sP = t2 + 4t,
sp = 52 + 4(5)
= 45 m
t The two particles meet after 5 seconds they pass
0 4
through A and B respectively and it is at 45 m on
the right of A.
(b) When Q reverses, vQ = 0
Therefore, the time interval for the particle to be 2t – 8 = 0
on the left of O is 0 , t , 4. t = 4

(c) When particle passes through O again, s = 0 Substitute t = 4 into sQ = t2 – 8t,

3t2 – 12t = 0 sQ = 42 – 8(4)
3t(t – 4) = 0 = –16 m
t = 4, t = 0 is ignored After 4 seconds, particle Q passes through B, it
reverses its direction at a distance of 16 m on the
ds
v = —– left of B.
dt
= 6t – 12 (c) Velocity of object P, vP = 2t + 4
The velocity when the particle passes through O When t = 4,
again vP = 2(4) + 4
= 6(4) – 12 = 12 m s–1
= 12 m s–1
(d) sQ = t2 – 8t
(d) Maximum distance is when v = 0,
6t – 12 = 0 t 0 8 10
t = 2 s 0 0 20


 s Distance travelled during the first 2 seconds
4
—
2
∫
= v dt + 4 v dt ∫ 
3
20
0 —
3

4
— 4
—

∫ v dt = ∫
3 3
t (4t – 3t2) dt
0 8 10 0 0
4
= 32t2 – t34 3
—

0
(e) vQ , 0
3 1 2 1 2 4 – (0)
4 2– — 3
= 2— 4
2t – 8 , 0 3 3
t , 4 5 m
= 1—–
0 < t , 4 is the time interval for object Q moves 27
in the direction of left. 2

∫ v dt = 32t2 – t34—4
2
4
— 3
3

3. (a) v = t(4 – 3t) 4 2– —
3 1 2 1 24
3
= [2(2)2 – 23] – 2 — 4
v = 4t – 3t2 3 3
When the particle reverses, v = 0 = –1—–5 m
4t – 3t2 = 0 27
t(4 – 3t) = 0 Total distance travelled in the first 2 seconds
t = —4 , t = 0 is ignored 5 ×2
= 1—–
3 27
Given v = 4t – 3t2, 10 m
= 2—–
a = 4 – 6t 27

4,
At t = — (d) The average velocity in the first 2 seconds
3 Displacement
= —————––
a = 4 – 6 —4
3
1 2 Time
= – 4 m s–2 When t = 2, s = 2(2)2 – 23
=0

∫
(b) s = (4t – 3t2) dt Therefore, the average velocity is 0 m s–1.
= 2t2 – t3 + c
Given t = 0, s = 0, \ c = 0 4. (a) v = t2 – 6t – k
s = 2t2 – t3 Given v = 0, when t = 3
When t = 1, s = 2(1)2 – (1)3 0 = 32 – 6(3) – k
= 1 m k = –9
Distance travelled during the first second is (b) v = t2 – 6t + 9
1 m. When t = 0, v = 9 m s–1
The velocity at O is 9 m s–1.
(c) v = t(4 – 3t)
t (c) Distance travelled during the third second
4
0 — 2 3
3 = ∫ 2
v dt
v 0 0 – 4 3
= ∫ (t2 – 6t + 9) dt
v 2
3
t3 – 3t2 + 9t
= —–
3
3 4
2
t
0
3
3 – 3(3)2 + 9(3) – —–
23 – 3(2)2 + 9(2)
4 3 4
4 2 3
–
3 = —–
3 3
–4
1
=—m
3


 5. (a) (i) a = 2t – 3 = —–3
53 – —
3 2
4
3 (5)2 – 10(5) – (0)
∫
v = a dt
5
= – 45—
= ∫ (2t – 3) dt 6
= t2 – 3t + c Distance from t = 5 to t = 6
6

Given t = 0, v = –10, \ c = –10

= ∫
5
v dt

v = t2 – 3t – 10 t3 – —
3 4
6
= —– 3 t2 – 10t
For minimum velocity, a = 0 3 2 5
2t – 3 = 0
3
6 –—
3 (6)2 – 10(6)
4
3
3 = —–
t = — 3 2
2
Minimum velocity = t2 – 3t – 10 – —–
3
3
53 – —
3 (5)2 – 10(5)
2
4
= —
2
1 2 1 2
3 23— 3 – 10
2 5
= 3— m
9 9 6
= — – — – 10 5 + 3—
5
4 2 Total distance travelled = 45—
1 6 6
= –12— m s–1 2 m
(ii) a , 0 4 = 49—
3
2t – 3 , 0
3 6. (a) a = 10 m s–2
t , —

2
The time interval for particle to decelerate
∫
v = 10 dt
v = 10t + c
3.
is 0 < t , —
2 Given t = 2, v = –15, \ c = –35
(b) (i) v = t – 3t – 10
2 v = 10t – 35
= (t – 5)(t + 2) (i) At point O, t = 0,
1 Its velocity = 10(0) – 35
t 0 2— 5 6 = –35 m s–1
2

v –10
1
–11— 0 8
∫
(ii) s = (10t – 35) dt
4 s = 5t2 – 35t + c
v Given t = 0, s = 0, \ c = 0
s = 5t2 – 35t
8
When v = 25,
t 10t – 35 = 25
0 5 6 t = 6
–10 The displacement of the particle
�1 –11–
2–,
2
1
4 � = 5(6)2 – 35(6)
= –30 m

= 30 m on the left of O
(ii) Distance from t = 0 to t = 5
5
= ∫ v dt
0
5
= ∫ (t – 3t – 10) dt
2

t3 – —
3 4
5
= —– 3 t2 – 10t
3 2 0

10
(b) When particle reverses its direction, v = 0 (c) At O, s = 0
10t – 35 = 0 5t2 – 35t = 0
35 5t(t – 7) = 0
t = —–
10 t = 0, 7
t = —7 Velocity when the particle at O again
2 = 10(7) – 35
s = 5t2 – 35t = 35 m s–1

=5— 1 2
2
1 2
7 2 – 35 —
7
2
= – 61—1
4
1 m.
\ The distance travelled is 61—
4

11