LESSON 1

LINEAR MOTION

Speed and Velocity ,v

Introduction

Speed is the rate of change of distance.

Speed = distance travelled
time taken

Linear motion is the motion a straight line and

the movement in a direction where forwards is positive
and backwards is negative.
Kinematics is the section of physics which studies the
motions of objects without considering the effects that
produce the motion. The study generally involves the
analysis of the position of an object in relation to time.
Dynamics is the section of physics which studies the
causes of motion of an object.

Average speed = total distance traveled

total time taken
Speed is a scalar quantity and the value always
positive.
The unif of speed is metre per second (m s-1)
Velocity is the rate of change of displacement.
Velocity = displacement
time taken
v=s
t
Average velocity = total displacement
total time taken

Distance ,d and Displacement, s

Distance ,d is how far a body travels during a motion
without considering any particular direction or the length
of the path of an object.
Distance is a scalar quantity and the value always
positive.
The unif of distance is metre (m)

Velocity is a vector quantity and the value can be

positive and negative depend on their directions.
The unif of velocity is metre per second (m s-1)

Displacement , s is distance traveled in a particular

direction.
Displacement ,s = final position initial position
Displacement is a vector quantity and the value can be
positive and negative depend on their directions.
The unif of dispacement is metre (m)

If an object moves in a circle with constant speed , it has

different velocities at different points along the circle
because the direction and hence the velocity of the object
is always changing as shown in the following diagram.

Diagram below shows the difference between distance

and displacement.

Acceleration,a and Decelaration(Retardation)

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
Acceleration = change in velocity
time taken
Acceleration = final velocity initial velocity
time taken
a = v - u
t
Negative acceleration is called as deceleration
(retardation)
Acceleration is a vector quantity
The unif of acceleration or deceleration is
metre per second per second (ms-2)

Distance = Length of the road

Displacement = Length of the line AB
If the motion in a straight line and in one direction , the
magnitude of distance is same as the magnitude of
displacement .

Solution
Extra notes

Example 3

1
2
3
4
5

An object accelerates uniformly along a straight line from

a velocity of 10 m s-1 until 25 m s-1 in 5 s.
Calculate
(a)
the acceleration of the object
(b)
the velocity of the object during the first 10 s of
motion
(c)
the time taken to reach a final velocity 50 ms-1

6
7

uniform = constant = same

increasing velocity = acceleration
decreasing velocity (slow down) = deceleration
zero velocity = the object is stationary (at rest)
negative velocity = the object moves in opposite
direction
uniform velocity = zero acceleration
negative acceleration = deceleration
(retardation)

Solution
Example 1
A boy walks finish the following path AB.

Using a ticker timer to analysing the motion

Find
(a) total dinstance traveled
(b) displacement

A ticker timer is connected to an alternating electricity

supply (a.c.) and uses the mains electricity frequency of
50 Hz to make 50 ticks or vibrations every second.
1 tick is the time interval between one dot and the next
dot on the tape.
50 ticks = 1 s
1 tick = 0.02s

Solution

Example 4

Example 2

Based on the ticker tape above calculate

(a) time taken
(b) average volocity
Solution
Figure above shows runner runs 500 m towards east in
2 minutes and 1200m towards north in 4 minutes.
Calculate his
(a) average speed
(b) average velocity
2

Example 5

(a) the acceleration

(b) the average velocity
Solution

The type of motion based on ticker tape or tape chart

(a)

Based on the figure above, calculate the acceleration .

Solution

Example 6

The type of motion is

velocity

The figure above shows a ticker tape contains 5 ticks for

every interval AB.BC.CD and DE .Calculate the
acceleration.

acceleration

(b)

Solution

Example 7
The following figure shows a tape chart.

The type of motion is

velocity

Calcluate
3

acceleration

(c)

(e)

The type of motion is

velocity

The type of motion is

velocity

acceleration

(d)

acceleration

Using a stroboscopic photograph to analysing the

motion
Stroboscopic photograph is the taking of very short
exposure pictures of moving objects using a camera and
a stroboscope.
A stroboscope is a device for making a moving body
intermittently visible in order to make appear stationary.
The moving object appear freeze when the stroboscope
frequency at the same frequency of moving object.
There are two types of stroboscopes:
(i) Mechanical stroboscope
The type of motion is
velocity

acceleration
Stroboscopic fotograph frequency = stroboscope
frequency x number of slits
or
(ii)

f = np

Electronic stroboscope ( multiflash stroboscope )

Stroboscopic fotograph frequency = light

flashes frequency

Example 9
Example 8
The following figure a stroboscopic photograph shows a
trolley down an inclined plane. The photograph is taken by by
using a camera and an electronic stroboscope produces 20
flashes per second.

The following figure a stroboscopic photograph shows a

metal ball moves along a horizontal plane. The
photograph is taken by by using a camera and a
mechanical stroboscope rotates with frequency 5 Hz.

(a) State the type of motion of the metal ball.

(b) What is the stroboscopic fotograph frequency
(c) What is the time intervals between one image and
the next.
(d) What is the number of images in 30 seconds.
(e) Calculate the average velocity of the metal ball
(a)
(b)
(c)

Solution

(d)

State the type of motion of the trolly.

What is the stroboscopic fotograph frequency
What is the time intervals between one image and
the next.
Calculate
(i) the initial velocity
(ii) the final velocity
(iii) the acceleration

Solution

Using Equations of Linear Motion with Uniform

Acceleration
The various equations of linear motions of an object
with uniform acceleration are given as follows:
v = u + at
s=

.(1)

u + v t ..(2)
2

s = ut + at2 ..(3)
v2 = u2 + 2as

..(4)

Where s :
u :...
v :...
a :
t :
Extra notes:

Example 12

moves from rest :

finally it stops/brakes:..
released from a height / fall freely from
rest :
thrown vertically upwards:..
at maximum height :.

A construction worker accidentally knocks a brick from a

building so that it falls in 4 s to the ground. Calculate
(a) the velocity of the brick as it hits the ground
(b) the distance fallen of the brick
Solution

Example 10
A car accelerates from rest to 25 m s-1 in 4 s.
Find the acceleration of the car.
Solution

Example 1
A bus accelerates uniformly along a straight line from a
velocity 20 ms-1 until 30 ms-1 in 5 s.
Calculate,
(a) the acceleration
(b) the total displacement travelled by the bus

Solution
6

TUTORIAL 1

1
A car moves with a constant velocity. The accelerationof
the car is
A
C
2

B
D

A
B
C
D

decreased
uniformly
7

Deceleration means the velocity of an object is

A
C

increased
zero

negative
increased

B
D

A tick on the ticker tapes is

positive
decreased

The frequency of a ticker timer is 50 Hz. The time

interval between two consecutive dots is
A
C
E

The following figure shows an object moves with a

constant speed 5 m s-1 in a circle.

the speed of the ticker timer

the frequency of the ticker timer
the dinstace between two consecutive dots
the time interval between two consecutive dots

0.60 s
0.32 s
0.20 s

B
D

0.44 s
0.30 s

Figure shows the ticker tape for the motion of a trolly.

Which of the following statement is true?

The object is also moves with
A
B
C
4

an acceleration
zero acceleration
constant velocity

B
C

The figure shows a path of a moving object.

The volcity between in region DE is same as the

velocity in region A B
Frequency in region BC is greater than frekuency
in region DE
The time in region AB is same as the time in region
DE
The velocity between in region CD is low

If AB = 5m , BC = 5m and CD = 7m ,find the total

displacement of the object if it moves from A to D.

Based on the figure above , calculate the average

velocity.

A
C
E

A
C
E

3m
13 m
20 m

B
D

7m
17 m

Ali rides a motocycle with a constant speed 30 km j-1 .

Bakar runs at a dinstace 100 m in 15 s. Chan rides a
bicycle at dinstance 240 km in 10 hours.
Which comparison is true?
A
B
C
D
E

10

Speed of Ali = speed of Bakar

Speed of Ali = speed of Bakar = speed of Chan
Speed of Ali > speed of Bakar
Speed of Ali =speed of Chan > speed of Bakar
Speed of Bakar = Speed of Chan < speed of Ali

B
D

0.3 ms-1
0.5 ms-1

What is the average velocity between PQ in the above

figure ?
A
B
E

0.2 ms-1
0.4 ms-1
0.5 ms-1

85 cms-1
200 cms-1
500 cms-1

B
C

170 cms-1
240 cms-1

11

At the beginning of motion

A
B
C
What is the final velocity as shown in figure above?
A
C
E

13

120 cms-1
267 cms-1

16

Which of the following shows an object moving with

decreasing acceleration ?

2 ms-2
5 ms-2
10 ms-2

B
D

17

The following figure is a stroboscopic photograph shows

a ball moves on a smooth table.

4 ms-2
8 ms-2

Based on the figure above , calculate the acceleration.

A
C
E

15

B
D

the acceleration
increases
the acceleration
increases
the acceleration
unchanged
the acceleration
unchanged

Based on the figure above , calculate the acceleration.

A
C
E

14

40 cms-1
150 cms-1
420 cms-1

the velocity
unchanged
the velocity
increases
the velocity
increases
the velocity
unchanged

At the end of motion

-5 ms-2
- 500 ms-2
500 ms-2

B
D

- 50 ms-2
50 ms-2

Which of the following is true?

A
B
C
D

The following figure shows a tape chart.

18

A stroboscope has 4 slits and rotates with frequency 5

Hz. The time intervals between two successive images
is
A
C
E

Based on figure , which of the following is true?

The acceleration is constant

The velocity is increasing
The acceleration is zero
The velocity is zero

40.0 s
1.0 s
0.05 s

B
D

2.0 s
0.4 s

19

The following figure a stroboscopic photograph shows

an ice cube moves along a horizontal plane. The
photograph is taken by using a camera and a mechanical
stroboscope has 2 slits and rotates with frequency 25
Hz.

22

A
C
E
23

20

5 cms-1
100 cms-1
500 cms-1

B
D

25 cms-1
250 cms-1
24

The following figure a stroboscopic photograph shows a

ball moves along a horizontal plane. The photograph is
taken by by using a camera and an electronic
stroboscope produces 50 flashes per second.

A
C
E
21

0. 5 ms-1
1.5 ms-1
3.0 ms-1

B
D

1.0 ms-1
2.0 ms-1

26

The following figure a stroboscopic photograph shows a

a boy down an inclined plane. The photograph is taken
by by using a camera and an electronic stroboscope
produces 4 flashes per second.

6ms-2
24 ms-2
48 ms-2

B
D

5000 ms-1
7300 ms-1

16 cm
28 cm
42 cm

B
D

24 cm
30 cm

4.5 s
13.5 s
22.4 s

B
D

9.0 s
18.0 s

1000 m
3000 m
5000 m

B
D

2000 m
4000 m

5 ms -2
3 ms-2
1 ms-2

B
D

4 ms-2
2 ms-2

A lorry start from rest and accelerates at 10 ms-2. What

is the velocity of the lorry after travels for a distance

20m ?

The acceleration of the boy is

A
C
E

B
D

A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly . If the

distance reached is 900 m after travels in 30 s, calculate
the acceleration of the car.
A
C
E

28

4800 ms-1
6800 ms-1
7500 ms-1

A aeroplane accelerates at 40 ms-2 in 10 s to take off.

What is the minimum length of the runway on the
airfield ?
A
C
E

27

20ms-1
28 ms-1

A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly and

after travels at distance 45m the velocity of the car is
20 ms-1 . What is the time taken?
A
C
E

Calculate the average velocity of the ball.

B
D

A trolley starts from rest and is uniformly accelerated to

speed of 12 cms-1 in 5 . What is the distance travelled
by the trolley?
A
C
E

25

16 ms-1
24 ms-1
32 ms-1

A rocket starts at velocity 2500 ms-1 and accelerates

uniformly upwards at 20 ms-2 . What is the velocity of
the rocket after 4 minutes.
A
C
E

What is the velocity of the ice cube?

A
C
E

A cyclist riding at a velocity 8 ms-1 and is accelerating

with 4 ms-2 . What is the velocity of the cyclist after 5 s .

12 ms-2
32 ms-2

A
C
E
9

10 ms-1
40 ms-1
100 ms-1

B
D

20ms-1
80 ms-1

29

A car travels with a velocity 15 ms-1 . It then accelerates

uniformly and travels a distance of 12.5 m. If the velocity
reached is 10 ms-1 find the acceleration of the car.
A
C
E

30

B
D

(a) Compare the speeds of the

8 ms
16 ms-2

(i)

10 s
6s
2s

B
D

5 ms-1
15 ms-1
30 ms-1

B
D

8.45 m
15.00 m
31.25m

B
D

student P dan student Q

..............
(ii) student R dan student S
..............
(b) State the relationship between
(i) the speed and the distance in table (a)
..............

8s
4s

........................................
(ii) the speed and the distance in table (b)
..............

10 ms-1
20ms-1

.......................................
(c) Based on the relationship in (b),state the definition
of speed.

A coconut falls vertically to the ground. If the coconut

takes 1.5 s to fall to the ground, calculate the height from
which it fell.

37 Figure (a) shows a ticker tape for the motion of a trolly .

Figure (b) shows a stroboscopic photograph for the
motion of a glider .

11.25 m
22.50 m

A metal sphere falls 125m vertically to the ground. What

is the time the metal sphere takes to reach the ground?
A
C
E

35

4 ms
12 ms-2
20 ms-2

The table (a) and (b) shows the distances travelled and
the times taken for four students in a competition
Student
Distance/m
Time/ s
P
100
20
Q
120
20
Table (a)
Student
Distance/ m
Time/ s
R
100
20
S
100
15
Table (b)

-2

A stone fall freely from rest through a height of 5 m. What

is the velocity of the stone when it hits the ground.

A
C
E
34

-2

A lorry moves with a velocity 20 ms . After the brakes of

the car is applied it moves for a distance 4 m before
coming to rest. What is the time taken before it stops?

A
C
E
33

2.5 ms-2
5.0 ms-2

-1

A
C
E
32

B
D

A car moves with a velocity 40 ms-1 . After the brakes of

the car is applied ,it moves 100 m more before coming
to rest. Calculate the deceleration of the car.
A
C
E

31

5.0 ms-2
2.5 ms-2
7.5 ms-2

36

2s
5s
10 s

B
D

4s
8s

(b)

A ball is thrown vertically upwards from the ground with

a velocity of 20 ms-1. Calculate the maximum height
reached.

(a) Observe the figure (a) and (b) and state two
similarities between the postions of the ticks on the
ticker tape and the images on the stroboscopic
photograph.

A
C
E

60 m
30 m
10 m

B
D

40 m
20 m

10

(b) Relate the similarities in (a) to explain a concept of

motion.

39

The following equation shows the equations of linear

motion of an object with uniform acceleration.
v = u + at
(a) (i) What is meant by the symbol of a

......
(ii) Give the definition of the symbol of a

(c) What will happen to the ticker timer if it is

connected to a d.c. supply ?

.................................................................................
(b) (i) What is the information can you get from
the term of at

(d) What will happen to the motion of the glider if the

slope of the declined plane is increased?
38

.......
(ii) What is the S.I. units for the term of at

The following figure shows a tape chart . The chart is

produced by the motion of a trolly.The ticker timer used a
supply voltage 12 V a.c. at 50 Hz.

(c) The above equation can also be used for an object

in state of free-fall. A stone fall freely to the ground
from rest in 4 s.
(i) What is meant by fall freely?
.......
(ii) Calculate the velocity of the stone when it hits
the ground.
40

Each figure below shows two positions of a student on a

swing. The initial position in each figure is different.

(a) Describe the type of motion is shown in the tape

chart.
...........................................................................................

Observe the positions of each of the swing in each

diagram and the appearance of the student when she
swings.
Based on the observations:

...........................................................................................
(b) What ishe time interval between two consecutive
dots ?

(a) State one suitable inference that can be made.

(b) State one apporopriate hypothesis for an
investigation.
(c) With the use of apparatus such as trolley, ticker
timer and other apparatus , describe an
experimental framework to test your hypothesis.
In your description , state clearly the following:
(i) Aim of the experiment
(ii) Variables in the experiment
(iii) List of apparatus and materials
(iv) Arrangement of the apparatus
(v)
The procedure of the experiment which
include the method of controlling the
manipulated variable and the method of
measuring the responding variable.
(vi) Way you wouldtabulate the data
(vii) Way you would analysis the data

...........................................................................................
(c) Calculate
(i) the minimum velocity
(ii)

the maximum velocity

(iii) the average velocity.

(iv)

the acceleration.

11