Using Calculus in Kinematics

The constant acceleration equations only work when acceleration is CONSTANT.

Acceleration is constant only when:

1 - It is a constant value (such as 9.8 m/s2 )
2 - Position d varies directly with t2 (d t2 as in d = vot + at2)
3 - Velocity v varies directly with t (vt as in vf = vo+ at )
For the following problems, determine whether you can use a constant acceleration equation or you
must use calculus because acceleration is not constant, and solve the problem appropriately.
1. A particle moving along the x-axis has its position described by the function x = (2t 3 t + 1)m,
where t is time in seconds. At time t = 4 seconds, what are the particles:
a. Position
b. Velocity
c. Acceleration
2. A particle moving along the x-axis has its velocity described by the function v = (3t 2)m/s, where
time t is measured in seconds. Its initial position is x o= 2m at t0= 0sec.
At time t = 2 seconds, what are the particles:
a. Position
b. Velocity
c. Acceleration
3. A particles velocity along the x-axis is given by the function v = (t 2 - 4t +2)m/s.
a. Construct a velocity-time graph for the interval between 0 and 4 seconds, plotting every
value at 0.5 second increments.
b. Determine the instantaneous acceleration at t =2.0 seconds by finding the slope of a line
tangent to your plotted curve at that time.
c. Determine the instantaneous acceleration at t = 2.0 seconds by evaluating the derivative of
the function at t = 2.0 seconds. Compare this to your result from part b
d. Determine the particles displacement between 0 and 4 seconds by finding the area under
the velocity-time graph curve you plotted.
e. Now determine the particles displacement from 0 4 seconds by integrating the velocity
function. Compare your answer to the answer you got from part d. Why might this be
different from the area you found?
4. A particle moves along an x-axis. Its position coordinate is given by x(t) = 54t 2.0 t3. What is
the acceleration of the particle at the moment when its velocity is zero?
5. A car is moving with a velocity of 10 m/s. It starts slowing down with an acceleration
a = - 2t. What distance did it travel in 5 s?
6. The position of a particle moving along the x-axis is given by the function x = (2t3- 24t + 12)m.
a. At what time or times is the velocity of the particle zero m/s?
b. What are the particles position and acceleration at that/those time/times?

7. An object starts from rest at x = 0m at time t = 0sec. Five seconds later, at t = 5 sec, the object
is observed to be at x = 40 m and to have a velocity v x = 11m/s .
a. Was the objects acceleration uniform (constant) or not? Justify your answer.
b. Sketch the velocity-time graph implied by these data. Is the graph a straight line or a curve
up or a curve down?
8. A particles velocity is described by the function vx= kt2 m/s where k is a constant and t is in
seconds. The particles position at t0 = 0 sec is x0 = -9m, and at t1 = 3 sec is x1 = +9m.
Determine the value of the constant k and give its units.
9. A particles acceleration is described by the function ax = (10 t) m/s2, where t is in seconds.
Its initial conditions are x0 = 0m, and v0x= 0 m/s at t = 0sec.
a. At what time is the velocity again zero?
b. What is the particles position at that time?

ANSWERS
1. 125m, 95m/s, 48m/s2
2. 10 m, 12 m/s, 12 m/s2
3.
0 m/s2, 0 m/s2 , -1.3 m, -2.6m + C

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

-36m/s2
8.3 m
2 sec, - 20m , 24m/s2
No. Constant accel. equation doesnt work. Gives curve down graph
K = 2 m/s3
20 sec, 667 m