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8

8A Differentiation and displacement,


velocity and acceleration
8B Using antidifferentiation
8C Motion under constant acceleration
8D Velocitytime graphs
8E Applying differential equations to
rectilinear motion

Kinematics
areaS oF STUdy

The application of differentiation,


antidifferentiation and solution of differential
equations to rectilinear motion of a single

particle, including the different derivative forms


for acceleration
d 2 x dx
dv d 1 2
a= 2 =
=v
=
v
dt
dx dx 2
dt
Velocitytime graphs and their use.
eBook plus

8a

Digital doc

differentiation and
displacement, velocity
and acceleration

10 Quick Questions

introduction
The motion of stellar and earthly objects like the sweeping movement of a planet, the curving
path of a thrown javelin, the acceleration of a stone dropped into a river and the graceful turnings
of a ballet dancer have intrigued people for centuries. Consequently, the study of the motion
of bodies, objects and particles termed kinematics has grown until now it is fundamental
to most sciences. This chapter will deal with motion in a straight line only rectilinear motion
and all objects considered will be treated as points for mathematical convenience; that is, the
objects do not rotate or change shape. First, some basic concepts are reviewed and explained.

position
The position of a particle moving in a straight line measures
its location from a fixed point of reference, usually the
origin O on the line. Positions to the right of O are usually
taken as positive. The point P in this diagram has a position
coordinate x.

x
O

Positive
direction

displacement
The displacement of a particle is its change in position relative
to a fixed point. Displacement gives both the distance and
direction that a particle is from a fixed point.

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maths Quest 12 Specialist mathematics for the Casio Classpad

F
2

S
0

For example, a particle that moves from S to F via A is shown here on a positiontime line.
The distance travelled from S to F is 10 units. The displacement of S to F is 2.

Velocity
x2

Change in
position
x

x1
Change in
time
t

Position

The average velocity of a particle is the rate of change of


its position with respect to time. This can be illustrated on a
positiontime graph. For this curve the position x at time t is
shown. The curve x(t) is shown at right.
change in position
Average velocity =
change in time
x x
= 2 1
t2 t1

t1

t2

Time
x
=
t
The instantaneous velocity, v(t), at time t is defined as the limiting value of the average
velocity as t approaches zero. That is, it is the gradient of a displacementtime graph
x
v (t ) = lim
or
t 0 t
dx
or
v (t ) =
dt

Units of velocity
The units of velocity are most commonly cm/s, m/s, or km/h.
Note: 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h (verify this).

Speed
Instantaneous speed is the magnitude of instantaneous velocity and is always positive;
that is, |v(t)|.
distance travelled
Average speed =
time taken
Note that distance travelled is not necessarily the same as displacement.
Worked Example 1

A particle moves in a straight line, left and right of an origin O. The position, x(t), of the particle at
any time, t (seconds), is given by:
x(t) = t2 2t 8
Assume that the negative direction is to the left of the origin.
Find:
a the initial position of the particle
b the position after 2 seconds
c the position after 3 seconds
d the average velocity during the third second
e the velocity at any time t
f the initial velocity
g the velocity after 2 seconds
h when and where the particle is stationary.
Hence, sketch a positiontime line.
Think
a

Write

The initial position occurs when t = 0.


Find x when t = 0.

State its position.

x(t) = t2 2t 8
When t = 0, x(0) = 02 2(0) 8

= 8

The initial position is 8 cm, or 8 cm


left of 0.

Chapter 8 Kinematics

369

Find x when t = 2.

State its position.

Find x when t = 3.

State its position.

Average velocity =

change in position
change in time

e Since velocity is the rate of change of position,

differentiate x with respect to t.


f Initial velocity when t = 0.

Find v when t = 0.

g Find v when t = 2.

1
2

The particle is stationary when the velocity


is zero. Find t when v = 0.

Factorise the LHS.


Solve for t.
Evaluate x when t = 1.

State the answers.

b x(2) = 22 2(2) 8

= 8
The position after 2 seconds is 8 cm,
or 8 cm left of the origin.
c x(3) = 32 2(3) 8
= 5
The position after 3 seconds is 5, or 5 units
to the left of the origin.

d Average velocity during the third second

x (3) x(
x (2)
3 2
( 5) ( 8) cm
=
1s
= 3 cm/s
=

dx
= 2t 2
dt
or v = 2t 2
f When t = 0, v(0) = 2(0) 2

= 2
Initial velocity is 2 cm/s
or 2 cm/s to the left.
g When t = 2, v(2) = 2(2) 2

=2
Velocity after 2 seconds is 2 cm/s to the right.
e

h The particle is stationary when

v = 2t 2 = 0.

2(t 1) = 0
t= 1
x(1)= 12 2(1) 8
= 9
The velocity is 0 whent= 1 s and its
displacement from O is 9 cm, or 9 cm to the
left of O.

Verify using the graph of x(t) on a CAS


calculator.
For the displacementtime line:
(a) list useful information:
position at t = 0, 1, 2 and 3.

v = 0 when t = 1
so the particle turns at t = 1 s
(b) sketch the positiontime line.

370

maths Quest 12 Specialist mathematics for the Casio Classpad

x(0)= 8,
x(1) = 9,
x(2) = 8,
x(3) = 5,
v(1) = 0
t =2 s
t =3 s
t= 0
9 8
5
(cm)

t = 1s

0x

Worked Example 2

The displacement, x(t), of a particle moving in a horizontal straight line from an origin O, at any
time t is given by:
x( t ) = t 3

1 2
t
2

2 t + 1 cm

Find:
a the initial displacement
b when and where the velocity of the particle is 0
c the average velocity of the particle during the first 2 seconds of motion
d the average speed in the first 2 seconds.
Think
a

Write

Find x when t = 0.

a x (t ) = t 3

1 2
t
2

2t + 1

x(0) = (0)3 12 (0)2 2(0) + 1


=1

State the initial position.

Differentiate x to find v.

Set v = 0.

Factorise the LHS.

Solve for t, giving solutions only where t 0.

The particle is initially at x = 1


or 1 cm right of O.
dx
dt
= 3t2 t 2

b v (t ) =

When v = 0, 3t2 t 2 = 0.
(3t + 2)(t 1) = 0
t=

2
3

or t = 1

Therefore t = 1 is the only solution, since


t 0.
5

x(1) = (1)3 12 (1)2 2(1) + 1

Evaluate x(1).

=
6

1
2

The velocity is 0 when t = 1 s and the

State the answers.

position is

Verify using a graph of x(t) on a graphics or


CAS calculator.

Evaluate x when t = 2.

c x(2) = 23

1
2

cm or 2 left of O.

1
(2)2
2

2(2) + 1

=3
2

Substitute the values into the average velocity


rule.
Average velocity =

Evaluate.

change in position
change in time

Average velocity =

x (2) x (0)
20

31
2

2
2

=1

Chapter 8 Kinematics

371

State the solution.

Sketch a positiontime line for the first


2 seconds of motion.

The average velocity in the first 2 seconds


is 1 cm/s to the right.
d

t =1 s
1

t =2 s

t =0
O

x (cm)

Origin
2

Calculate the distance travelled in the first


2 seconds.

Calculate the average speed.

Distance travelled = 5 cm
Average speed =

5
2

= 2.5
Hence, the average speed for the first
2 seconds is 2.5 cm/s.

Note: The distance travelled, and also the average speed, can be calculated without a line
sketch, providing the time(s) when the velocity is found and the appropriate positions found
are given.
That is, in part d above: distance = |x(2) x(1)| + |x(1) x(0)|


= | 3 1 | + | 1 1|
2

= | 3 12 | + | 1 12 |

= 3 12 + 1 12

=5

The average acceleration, a, of a particle during a time


interval t2 t1 is the rate of change of its velocity with respect
to time.
v v
That is, average acceleration = 2 1
t2 t1

v

=
t
The instantaneous acceleration, a, at time t is the limiting
value of the average acceleration as t approaches 0. That is, it
is the gradient of a velocitytime graph, or

a = lim

a=

t 0

dv
dt

v
t

Velocity

Acceleration

v2
Change in
velocity
Change v
in time
t

v1

t1

t2
Time

Units of acceleration
The units of acceleration match their corresponding velocities and are usually expressed
as cm/s2 or m/s2.
Note: The downward acceleration due to gravity is g = 9.8 m/s2. For objects travelling through
the air, air resistance is ignored unless it is specified in a given problem.

372

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

Symbols and units


Throughout this chapter the following symbols and units are used for kinematic variables.
Symbols

Common units

Displacement: x
Velocity: v or

dx
or x
dt

Acceleration: a or
or

d2x
dt 2

dv
dt

or
x

cm

km

cm
s

m
s

km
h

cm
s2

m
s2

km
h2

WorKed example 3

The position of a particle moving in a straight line is given by:


x(t) = 2t3 + t loge (t) 4, t > 0.
Find:
a the velocity at any time t
b the acceleration at any time t.
ThinK
a

WriTe

To determine the velocity at any


time, differentiate x with respect
to t, using a CAS calculator by
completing the following steps.
Define the function x(t). To do this,
on the Main screen, tap:
Action
Command
Dene
Complete the entry line as:
Define x(t) = 2t3 + t ln(t) 4
Then press E.

Differentiate x with respect to t. To


do this on the soft keyboard, tap:
)
Complete the entry line as:
d
( x (t))
t
dt
Then press E.

Write the solution using the correct


notation and variables.

The velocity at any time is given as:


v(t) = loge (t) + 6t2 +1.

Chapter 8

Kinematics

373

To determine the acceleration at any


time, differentiate the velocity with
respect to t. To do this, complete the
entry line as:
d
( In(t
(t ) + 6t 2 + 1)
dt
Then press E.
Write the solution using the correct
notation and variables.

b See the screen above.

The acceleration at any time is given as:


1
a(t ) = 12t + .
t

WorKed example 4

Find the acceleration in terms of x if x(t) = sin (2t) cos (2t).


ThinK

WriTe

To find the acceleration given the position, on


the Main screen, complete the entry line as:
d2
(s (2t ) cos (2tt))
(sin
dt 2
Then press E.
Note: The second derivative template is
located on the soft keyboard, ) and -.

Write the solution in terms of x.

a(t) = 4 cos (2t) 4 sin (2t)


a(t) = 4 (sin (2t) cos (2t))
But x = sin (2t) cos (2t)
a(x) = 4x

remember

1. Position gives the location of a particle relative to a reference point (usually the
origin). The variable used is x.
2. Displacement is change in position x or s.
dx
is the time rate of change of position or the rate of
3. Instantaneous velocity, v or
or x,
dt
displacement.
x s displacement
= =
4. Average velocity (during time interval t) =
.
t t
time
distance travelled
5. Speed =
time taken
d2x
dv
6. Instantaneous acceleration, a or
x or 2 or , is the time rate of change of velocity.
dt
dt

374

maths Quest 12 Specialist mathematics for the Casio Classpad

8a

Differentiation and displacement, velocity


and acceleration
1

Match the sketch of the displacementtime line below to each of the following objects
moving in a straight line, where x is the displacement from O (the origin) at time t and is
given by:
a x = t2 3t + 2
b x = t2 2t 3
2
c x = 2t t 3
d x = 3t2 7t + 2
t =2
t =3
t
t
=
2
=
3
t
=
4

ii

i
t =1

t =1

t =0
4321 O 1 2 3 4 5 x

iii

t =2
t =1

t =3
t=4
t =0
O 1 2 3 4 5 6 x

t =0
21 O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 x

iv

t =1
t =2
t =0
3 2 1 O 1 2 3 4 5 x

For each of the following positiontime lines, state:



i the displacement of F from O
ii the displacement of F from S
iii the distance travelled to get from S to F.

b
a
F
S
O 1

F
S
2 1 O 1 2 3 4 5 6 x

S
6 5 4 3 2 1 O 1 2 x

F
S
5 4 3 2 1 O 1 2 3 4 x

In each case in question 2 it takes 4 seconds to get from S to F. For each case, find:
i the average speed
ii the average velocity.

4 MC Use the positiontime graph at right.


a The average speed in the first 6 seconds is:
A 3 m/s
C 3 m/s
E 7 m/s

B 5 13 m/s
D 7 m/s

b The average velocity in the first 6 seconds is:


A 3 m/s
C 3 m/s
E 7 m/s

(2, 20)
Metres

Exercise

8
0

Seconds
(6, _10)

B 5 3 m/s
D 7 m/s

5 The positiontime graph for a particle travelling in a straight line is shown below.
Use the graph to:
x
a state the position when
(10, 24)
i t = 3
ii t = 12
(12, 18)
b state the time when the displacement is
(7, 10)
i 24
ii 0
0
c find the average velocity from
t
5
10
i t = 3 to t = 7
ii t = 3 to t = 12
(3, 6)
10
d find the average speed from
i t = 3 to t = 7
ii t = 3 to t = 12.

Chapter 8 Kinematics

375

6 WE1 A particle moves in a straight line, left and right of an origin O. The position, x(t), of the
particle at any time, t (seconds), is given by:
a x(t) = 3t2 12
b x(t) = t3 12t + 2
c x (t ) = 4t
t +1
2t
d x (t ) =
e x(t) = et 5t 4
f x(t) = sin (4t)
t +1
For the above find:
i the initial position
ii the position after 3 seconds
iii the position after 4 seconds
iv the average velocity during the fourth second
v the velocity at any time t
vi the initial velocity
vii the velocity after 3 seconds
viii when and where, if at all, the particle is stationary.
Give answers correct to 2 decimal places where appropriate.
7 WE2 The position, x(t) m, of a particle moving in a horizontal straight line from an origin O,
at any time t s is given by:
x(t) = (5 t)(t + 1), 0 t 5
a Find the initial position.
b Find when and where the velocity is 0.
c Find the average velocity of the particle during the first 4 seconds.
d Sketch a positiontime graph for the particle.
e Find the average speed in the first 4 seconds by first sketching a positiontime line.
8 For each of the following positiontime rules, where x cm is the position at any time t seconds, find:
i the position after 3 seconds ii when, if at all, the velocity is 0
iii the distance travelled in the first 3 seconds.
a x = 2t2 8
b x = t3 6t2 + 9t + 1
c x = t 4 loge (t + 1) 2
t
t
d x = 1 cos
e x = 4 + tan 1
2
3
(Where appropriate, round answers to 2 decimal places.)
9 WE3 For each of the following, find i the velocity and ii the acceleration at any time t.
a x = t3 + 2t2 5t

b x = 4t t + 2

d x = t2 loge (t + 3)

e x = sin

t
3

c x = et + 2e

f x = t(5 t)(t + 2)

10 The height of a projectile h metres above the ground t seconds after it is fired vertically into the
air from a tower is given by:
h = 50 + 30t 5t2
Find:
a the average velocity during the first 2 seconds
b the time it takes to reach its greatest height
c the greatest height
d the acceleration at any time.
11 The position of an object relative to a reference point O is given by:
1

x = 3 t 3 3t 2 + 8t , t [0, 5], where x is in metres and t is in seconds.


a Find the initial position, velocity and acceleration.
b Find when and where the object is at rest.
376

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

c Find when and where the acceleration is 0.


d Sketch i the velocitytime graph and ii the accelerationtime graph.
12 The displacement from O of a particle travelling in a straight line is:
x = t3 6t2 + 11t 6, where x is in cm and t is in seconds.
a At what time does it pass through the origin?
b Find the velocity at any time.
c When is the velocity 0?
d Find the minimum velocity.
e Sketch the velocitytime graph for the first 4 seconds.
f Find the distance travelled in the first second.
13 An object travelling in a straight line has its displacement from the origin given by:
x = 2 cos (3t 1) + 3
a Find the minimum and maximum displacement.
b Find when the velocity is first equal to 0.
c How long after it is first at rest is it next at rest?
d Find the acceleration in terms of the displacement.
14 Find the velocity and acceleration at any time t for each of the following:
a x = 40 5t2 + 2t t3

t
b x = 8 sin
4

c x = 2 + loge (t + 1)

d x = 3et + 2et

e x = 5t4 2t3 + 4t

f x = 2t cos (3t)

g x = 8t 10 1 e

1
2

h x =

t +1
t2

15 WE4 If the position of an object moving in a straight line is given by:


x = 2 sin (3t) + 3 cos (3t), find:
a the velocity and acceleration at any time t
b the initial position, velocity and acceleration
c the acceleration in terms of x
d the maximum displacement from the origin.
16 A body is projected vertically upward so that its height, h metres, at any time tseconds is
given by:
1

h = 200 1 e 4 40t

Find:
a the velocity and acceleration at any time t
b the initial height, velocity and acceleration
c the maximum height reached
d the acceleration in terms of the velocity.

8b

Using antidifferentiation
If the acceleration, a, of a particle is known in terms
of time t, then the velocity, v(t), can be found by
antidifferentiation. Thus,
v (t ) =

a dt + c1

where c1 is a constant due to integration; generally it is


the initial velocity, v(0).

Differentiate
Displacement
(or position)

Differentiate

Velocity

Acceleration

Antidifferentiate Antidifferentiate

Chapter 8 Kinematics

377

Similarly, the position, x(t), can be found by antidifferentiating velocity with respect to time:
x (t ) =

v dt + c2

where c2 is a constant due to integration; generally it is the initial position, x(0).


The constant of antidifferentiation can be determined if initial conditions are given.

v( t ) = a dt + c1

x( t ) = v dt + c2

Worked Example 5

The velocity of an object which is initially 3 metres left of O is given by:


v(t) = 3t2 2t 5 m/s
Find:
a the displacement from O at any time t
b the acceleration at any time t
c when the object is at rest
d the distance travelled in the first second
e the acceleration when the velocity is 0.
Think
a

Write

Antidifferentiate with respect to t, to find x.

a v(t) = 3t2 2t 5

x(t) = (3t2 2t 5) dt + c
= t3 t2 5t + c

Substitute the initial condition t = 0 and x = 3


into the equation.

Solve the equation for c.

State the rule for x.


.

b Find the acceleration v(t) by differentiation.

That is, v(t ) =


c

378

d
[v (t )].
dt

When t = 0, x = 3.
3 = 03 02 5(0) + c
3

=c

x(t) = t3 t2 5t 3
d
(3t 2 2t 5)
dt
.
v(t) = 6t 2

b v(t ) =

Object is at rest when v(t) = 0.

Factorise the LHS.

Solve for t.

t = 35 or t = 1, but the domain is


t 0, so only the first solution is valid.

State the answer (t cannot be negative).

The object is at rest after 1 23 seconds.

Verify using the graph of the velocity function


on a CAS calculator.

The velocity is always negative during the first


second and so the distance travelled will equal
the magnitude of the displacement during the
first second. The object is always moving to
the left during the first second.

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

c v(t) = 3t2 2t 5 = 0

(3t 5)(t + 1) = 0

d At t = 0, v = 5 m/s and at t = 1,

v = 4 m/s. Also, v 0 during the first


second. Thus, the distance travelled will
equal the magnitude of the displacement
during the first second.

x(t) = t3 t2 5t 3
Distance travelled
=|x(1) x(0) |
=|(13 12 5 3) (3)|
= |5 |
=5
The object moves 5 m to the left during
the first second.

The displacement is given by


x(t) = t3 t2 5t 3.
The distance is thus x(1) x(0).

Find when the velocity is 0 by solving v(t) = 0


as in part c .

e v(t) = 3t2 2t 5 = 0

(3t 5)(t + 1) = 0

t = 35 or t =1, but the domain is

Accept only positive solutions.

t 0, so only t = 35 is valid.

dv
dt
v(t) = 3t2 2t 5
a(t) = 6t 2
a=

Substitute the solution into the equation for


acceleration.

When t = 35 , a = 6 35 2.
4

Evaluate for a.

State the answer.

a = 10 2
=8
When the velocity is 0, the acceleration is
8 m/s2.

WorKed example 6

eBook plus

The acceleration of a particle moving in a straight line is given by:


dv
= 5 e t 6 t + 4 cm/s2, where v is the velocity at any time.
dt
If the particle starts at the origin with a velocity of 1 cm/s, find:
a the velocity at any time t
b the displacement x(t) from the origin at any time t
c the displacement from the origin after 1 second.
ThinK
a

Tutorial

int-0401
Worked example 6

WriTe

Antidifferentiate the acceleration,

dv
, to find v.
dt

dv
= 5et 6t + 4
dt

v (t ) = (5et 6t + 4) dt + c
= 5et 3t2 + 4t + c
2

Substitute the initial condition v =1


when t =0.

Solve for the constant of antidifferentiation.

State the velocity.

Antidifferentiate v with respect to t.

When

t = 0, v =1.
= 5e0 3(0)2 + 4(0) + c

1
1

=5+c
c =6

Therefore, v(t)= 5et 3t2 + 4t 6


b

x (t ) = (5et 3t 2 + 4t 6) dt
= 5et t3 + 2t2 6t + c

Chapter 8

Kinematics

379

2
3
4

1
2
3
4

Substitute the initial condition


x = 0 when t = 0.
Solve for the constant of antidifferentiation.

t = 0, x = 0.
0 = 5e0 (0)3 + 2(0)2 6(0) + c
0=5+c
c =5
Therefore, x(t) = 5et t3 + 2t2 6t 5
c x(1) = 5e1 (1)3 + 2(1)2 6(1) 5
= 5e 1 + 2 6 5
= 5e 10
Therefore, the displacement from O after
1 second is approximately 3.59 cm.
When

State the displacement.


Substitute t = 1 into the rule for x.
Evaluate.
Give an approximate answer correct to a useful
number of decimal places.
Verify, using a graph of x(t) on a graphics calculator.

WorKed example 7

The acceleration of a body travelling in a straight line is given by:


a(t) = 6t 2 m/s2; when t = 0, x = 0 and v = 1.
a Find the displacement at any time t.
b Find the distance travelled in the first 3 seconds.
ThinK
a

2
3

WriTe

To determine the displacement at


any time t, first find the velocity by
antidifferentiating a with respect
to t, using a CAS calculator by
completing the following steps. To
do this, on the Main screen, complete
the entry line as:
Define a(t) = 6t 2
(a(t ))dt
Press E after each entry.
To find the constant of integration,
complete the entry line as:
Define v(t) = 3t2 2t + c
solve(v(0) = 1, c)
Press E after each entry.
State the velocity at any time.

v(t) = 3t2 2t 1

Antidifferentiate v to find the


displacement x, completing the
entry line as:

(3t 2 2t 1))dt
Then press E.
The constant of integration can be
found by completing the entry lines
as:
Define x(t) = t3 t2 t + d
solve(x(0) = 0, d )
Press E after each entry.

380

maths Quest 12 Specialist mathematics for the Casio Classpad

State the displacement at any time t.

To find when the object might have


changed direction, find t when v = 0.
Complete the entry line as:
Define x(t) = t3 t2 t
Define v(t) = 3t2 2t 1
solve(v(t) = 0, t)
Press E after each entry.
1
Since t , t = 1
3
Complete the entry line as:
x(0)
x(1)
x(3)
Press E after each entry.

Write the solution given that


Distance = |x(3) x(0) | + |x(1) x(0) |.

x(t) = t3 t2 t
b

Solving v(t) = 0, for t gives

1
t = 0 as t
3
x(0) = 0
x(1) = 1
x(3) = 15
Distance =|15 1 |+| 10 |= 17
Therefore the body travels 17 m in the first
3 seconds of motion.

remember

1. v(t) = a dt + c. The instantaneous velocity can be found by antidifferentiating the


instantaneous acceleration. The value of c is found by knowing the velocity at a
specific time, usually at time t = 0.

2. x(t) = v dt + c. The displacement and hence the position can be found by


antidifferentiating the instantaneous velocity. The value for c is found by knowing the
position at a specific time, usually at time t = 0.
exerCiSe

8b

Using antidifferentiation
A CAS calculator may be used to assist in calculations, or verify answers in the following
exercise where appropriate.
1 We 5 The velocity of an object which is initially 2 m right of O is given by:
v(t) = 6t2 2t 8 m/s
Find:
a the position x(t) from the origin at any time t
b the acceleration
x at any time t
c when the object is at rest
d the distance travelled in the first second
e the acceleration when the velocity is 0.

Chapter 8

Kinematics

381

2 The velocity of an object moving in a straight line, which is initially positioned at x= 1, is


given by:
dx
= 2t 2 9t + 4 cm/s
dt

Find:
a the position at time t
b the acceleration at time t
c when the object is at rest
d the distance travelled during t = 3 to t = 5
e the average speed during the time interval t = 3 to t = 5
f the average velocity during the time interval t = 3 to t = 5.

3 The acceleration of a body moving in a straight line is given by:


a(t) = 6 12t m/s2
Initially, the body is at rest at x = 4. Find:
a the velocity at any time
b the position at any time
c the time and position when the velocity is 0
d the distance travelled in the first 3 seconds.
4 WE6 The acceleration of a particle travelling in a straight line is given by:
dv
= 4 e 2t 2t + 3 cm/s2
dt
If the particle starts from the origin with a velocity of 2 cm/s, then find:
a the velocity at any time t
b the displacement from the origin at any time t
c the displacement from the origin after 3 seconds (correct to 2 decimal places).
5 MC A particle travelling in a straight line has an initial velocity of 1 m/s and initial
displacement of 2 m. The acceleration of the particle is given by:

x = 6t 2
a The particle is stationary when t is equal to:
A

1
3

B 2 s

1
3

D 3 s

E 1 s

b The particle is at the origin when t is equal to:


A 0 s
B 2 s
C 1 s
D 3 s
6 MC If the velocity of a body moving in a straight line is:
x = t2 + 2t 3 cm/s
then the distance, in cm, travelled in the first 2 seconds is equal to:
2

A 1 3

B 2 3

C 4

D 1

E 1 s

E 3

7 A body is travelling in a straight line with a velocity given by:


dx
t
m/s
= 2
dt
t +1
If the body starts at the origin, find:
a the initial velocity
b the position at any time
c the acceleration at any time
d the maximum velocity
e the minimum acceleration.
8 The acceleration of a stone falling from rest from a height of 100 m is given by:
t

x = 10 e m/s2
a Find the velocity at any time t.
b Sketch a velocity versus time graph.
c Estimate the time taken, to the nearest second, to reach the ground.

382

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

9 The velocity of a particle is given by:


dx
4
m/s
=
dt 1 + t 2
where the initial displacement from the origin is 1. Find:
a the position at any time t
b the maximum velocity and when it occurs
c the acceleration at any time t
d the acceleration when t = 1.
10 The acceleration of a particle is:
a(t) = 4 sin 2t where t = 0, v =2 and x = 0
Find:
a the velocity at any time t
b the position at any time t
c the acceleration in terms of the position x d the acceleration in terms of the velocity v.
11 For each acceleration given below, find:
i the velocity
ii the position at any time t.
a
x = 6t 4; when t = 0, x = 1 and x = 0
b x = 3t + 4; when t = 0, x = 6 and x = 0.8
t
c dv = 2e 2 ; when t = 0, v =1 and x = 0
dt
dv
t
,

d dt =
3 , 0 t < 2; when t = 0, v = 1 and x = 2
(4 t 2 ) 2

e a=
f

a=

3
; when t = 0, v = 0 and x = 5
(t + 1)2
et
; when t = 0, v = 0. Find the velocity only.
et + 1

12 A missile is fired vertically up from the ground


with an initial velocity of 20 m/s. The acceleration
at any time is given by:

x = 10 +

t m/s2
2

Find:
a the height of the missile after 2 seconds
b the height of the missile after 4 seconds
c the direction the missile is travelling when t = 4.

u = 20 m/s

13 The velocity of a tram travelling on a straight line between two stops is given by:
t
v = 16 sin m/s
30

Find:
a the time lapse between stops
b the distance travelled between stops
c the maximum velocity of the tram and when it occurs.
14 We 7 The acceleration of a body travelling in a straight line is given by:

x=

12
cm/s2
(2t + 1)3

and x = 0 cm and x = 0 cm/s when t = 0.


a Find the position at any time t.
b Find the distance travelled in the first 2 seconds.

Chapter 8

Kinematics

383

15 The acceleration of an object starting at rest from the origin is dv = 3 + v, where v is the velocity.
dt
a Find the velocity as a function of time.
b Find the position as a function of time.

dx
4 x2
16 The velocity of a particle starting at the origin is given by
, where x is the
=
dt
3
displacement.
a Find x as a function of t.
b Find the maximum displacement from O.

8c

Motion under constant acceleration


If the acceleration is constant, mathematical formulas can be derived for particles travelling in
straight lines. Suppose a particle is travelling in a straight line with constant acceleration a. If it
is initially at the origin and has an initial velocity of u:
dv
Then
= a where v is the velocity at any time t
dt
v=u
v=?
so
v = a dt + c
x=0
x = ? (or s = ?)
t=0
t=?

v = at + c
x
When
t = 0, v = u
O

u=a0+c

c=u
Therefore,
v = u + at.
[1]
We can further write the displacement in terms of v.
dx
Thus:
v=
dt
dx

= u + at
dt

Thus:

x = (u + at ) dt

x = ut + 12 at 2 + c1
When t = 0, x = 0, indicating that the object starts at the origin.
1

0 = u(0) + 2 (0)2 + c1

Thus:

c1 = 0


Therefore,

x = ut + 2 at 2, which is usually written as:


1


s = ut + 2 at 2, where s is the displacement
From equation [1]:

at = v u
Transposing to make a the subject gives:
vu

a=
t
Substituting into equation [2]:
t2

s = ut + 12 (v u)
t

s = ut + 12 (v u)t

[2]

= ut + 12 vt 12 ut

x = 12 (u + v )t

[3]

Here the distance travelled in a time, t, is equal to the average speed during that time interval,
1
(u + v ) ,
2

384

multiplied by the magnitude of the time interval t; this is a familiar result.

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

By making t the subject from equation [1] we get:


vu
t=
a
Substituting into equation [2]:
(v u) 1 (v u) 2
s=u
+ 2a
a
a2
2
2uv 2u + (v u)2
s=
2a
2uv 2u 2 + v 2 2uv + u 2
s=
2a

2as = v2 u2
or
v2 = u2 + 2as

[4]

The four formulas below can be applied to practical problems involving motion in a
straight line with constant acceleration a.
1. v = u + at
1

3. s = 2 ( u + v) t

2. s = ut + 2 at 2
4. v2 = u2 + 2as

Notes
1. Retardation or deceleration implies that the acceleration is negative.
2. Remember that acceleration due to gravity is g = 9.8 m/s2 upwards.
3. The variable s is the displacement of the object. This is not necessarily the distance
travelled by the object.
WorKed example 8

eBook plus

A particle moves from rest with a constant acceleration, reaching a speed of


20 m/s in 8 seconds. Find:
a the acceleration
b the distance travelled by the particle.
ThinK
a

Tutorial

int-0402
Worked example 8

WriTe

List the given information and what has to be


found.

Select an appropriate formula to solve the problem.

Substitute u = 0, v = 20, and t = 8 into the formula.

Solve the equation for a.

a Given:

u=0
v = 20 m/s
t=8
Require: a = ?
v = u + at

Substitute u = 0, v = 20 and t = 8.
20 = 0 + 8a
a=

20
8

= 2.5
5

State the solution.


List the given information and what has to be
found.

Select an appropriate formula to solve the


problem.

Therefore, the acceleration is 2.5 m/s2.


b Given:
u=0
v = 20
t=8
Require: s = ?
1

s = 2 (u + v )t

Chapter 8

Kinematics

385

Substitute u = 0, v = 20 and t = 8 into the formula.

Calculate s.
State the solution.

s = 12 (0 + 20)8


s = 80
Therefore, the particle travels 80 metres.

Worked Example 9

A ball is thrown vertically upward from a platform 16 metres above the ground and has an initial
velocity of 24.5 m/s. Find:
a the maximum height above the platform that the ball reaches
b the time taken to reach the maximum height
c the time taken for the ball to fall to the ground from the maximum height
d the total time the ball is in the air
e the speed of the ball when it returns to the level of the platform
f the speed of the ball when it hits the ground.
Think
a

Write

Sketch a diagram of the motion of


the ball.
Consider up to be positive and
down to be negative.

v=0
a = 9.8 m/s2

Platform
t=0
16 m u = 24.5
Ground
2

At its maximum height the velocity


of the ball, v, is 0.

v = 0 at the balls maximum height.

List what is given and what has to


be found.

Given: u = 24.5

v=0

a = 9.8
Require: s = ?

Select an appropriate formula.


Using a CAS calculator to solve the
equation for s, the displacement,
complete the entry line as:
solve(02 = (24.5)2 + 2 -9.8 s, s)
Then press E.

Write the solution.

Solving 02 = 24.52 + 2 (-9.8) s for


s gives s = 30.625 m.
Therefore, the maximum height reached above the
platform is 30.625 metres.

386

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

v2 = u2 + 2as

List the given information and what


has to found.

Select an appropriate formula.

Using a CAS calculator, solve the


equation for t. Complete the entry
line as:
solve(0 = 24.5 9.8 t, t)
Then press E.

State the solution.

Sketch another diagram for the ball


falling from its maximum height.

b u = 24.5

a = 9.8
v=0
t=?

v = u + at

Solving 0 = 24.5 9.8 t for t gives t = 2.5.


Therefore, the ball takes 2.5 seconds to reach its
maximum height.
c

Max. height
u=0
30.625 m
Platform
a = 9.8 m/s2
16 m
Ground

List the given information and what


has to be found.
Both a and s are negative as their
direction is downwards.

Select an appropriate formula.

Using a CAS calculator, solve the


equation for t. Complete the entry
line as:
1
solve(46.625 = 0 t + 2 9.8 t, t)
Then press E.

Given: u = 0
a = 9.8
s = (30.625 + 16)

= 46.625
Require: t = ?
s = ut + 12 at 2

Chapter 8

Kinematics

387

Write the solution.

Add the time travelling up to the


time travelling down.
State the answer.

2
3

388

List the given information and what


has to be found.

Select an appropriate formula.


Using a CAS calculator to solve the
equation for v, complete the entry
line as:
solve(v2 = 02 + 2 -9.8 -30.625, v)
Then press E.

Write the solution.

List the information and what has


to be found.

Select an appropriate formula.

Using a CAS calculator to solve for v,


complete the entry line as:
solve(v2 = 02 + 2 -9.8 -46.625, v)
Then press E.

Solving -46.625 = 0 (t) + 2 (-9.8) t2 for t gives


t = 3.085.
Therefore, it takes approximately 3.085 seconds for
the ball to fall to the ground from its maximum height.
d Total time = 2.5 + 3.085
= 5.585
Therefore, the ball is in the air for approximately
5.585 seconds.
e u=0

a = -9.8
s = -30.625
v=?

v2 = u2 + 2as

Solving v2 = 02 + 2 -9.8 -30.625 for v gives


v = -24.5 or v = 24.5.
Since the object is travelling downward, v = -24.5.
Therefore, the speed of the ball when it returns to the
level of the platform is 24.5 m/s.
f u=0
a = -9.8
s = -46.625
v=?
v2 = u2 + 2as

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

Solving v2 = 02 + 2 -9.8 -46.625 for v gives


v = -30.23 or v = 30.23.
Therefore, the ball hits the ground with an
approximate speed of 30.23 m/s.

Write the solution.

REMEMBER

When the acceleration a is a constant during an interval of time t, an object will undergo
a displacement s. The object has a velocity u at the start of the time interval and a velocity
v at the end of the time interval. When motion has a constant acceleration the following
formulas can be used:
1. v = u + at
1

2. s = ut + 2 at 2
1

3. s = 2 (u + v )t
4. v2 = u2 + 2as
Exercise

8c

Motion under constant acceleration


1 Copy the following table, which displays data for objects travelling with constant acceleration.
Complete your copy by using the kinematic equations.
u

10

30

45

18

t
5

2
20
1

1.5

50

12
4
24

2 MC A particle moves from rest with constant acceleration of 2 m/s2. Answer the following
questions on the particle, which has travelled 25 metres.
a The velocity of the particle can be found using the formula:
A v = u + at

B s = ut + 12 at 2

D A = r2

E v2 = u2 + 2as

b The velocity at this time is equal to:


A 12.5 m/s
B 10 m/s
C 25 m/s

C s = 12 (u + v )t

D 5 m/s

E 50 m/s

c The time taken for the particle to reach a speed of 20 m/s is:
A 5 s
B 40 s
C 15 s
D 10 s

E 2 s

d The distance travelled when it reaches 20 m/s is:


A 100 m
B 20 m
C 1600 m

E 200 m

D 5 m

3 WE8 A particle moving from rest with constant acceleration reaches a speed of 16 m/s in
4 seconds. Find:
a the acceleration
b the distance travelled.

Chapter 8 Kinematics

389

4 An object travelling at 8 m/s accelerates uniformly over a distance of 20 metres until it reaches
a speed of 18 m/s. Find:
a the acceleration
b the time taken.
5 aA racing car accelerates constantly from
rest and covers a distance of 400metres in
10 seconds. Find its velocity at the end of the
400 metres.
b Another car travels the 400 metres with a
constant acceleration of 10 m/s2. Find its time
for the 400 metres.

u = 0, s = 400 m

6 A train travelling at a constant speed decelerates


uniformly for 30 seconds over a distance of 270 metres, coming to a stop. Find:
a the initial speed
b the acceleration.
7 A parachutist free-falls from an aircraft for 6 seconds. If the acceleration due to gravity is
9.8 m/s2 downwards, find:
a the speed of the parachutist after 6 seconds
b the distance travelled after 6 seconds.
8 WE9 A ball is thrown up from the ground with an initial velocity of 19.6 m/s. The
acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2 downwards, that is, 9.8 m/s2. Find:
a the maximum height attained by the ball
b the total time taken for the ball to return to the ground.
9 A stone is dropped from a bridge which is 39.2 metres above a river.
a How long does it take the stone to reach the water?
b What is its speed on impact?
10 A ball is dropped from a tower and reaches the ground in 4 seconds. Find:
a the height of the tower
b the velocity of the ball when it hits the ground.
11 A particle is projected vertically up from the top of a building that is 50 metres above the
ground. If the initial speed of the particle is 28 m/s, find:
a the maximum height, above the ground, that it reaches
b total time taken to reach the ground
c the speed of the particle when it reaches the ground.
12 A train travels a distance of 1800 metres in 90 seconds while accelerating uniformly from rest.
What is its velocity at the end of 500 metres?
13 A car accelerates uniformly from rest, increasing its speed from 5 m/s to 25 m/s in 10 seconds.
Find:
a the acceleration
b the distance travelled, from rest, in 12 seconds
c the time taken to increase its speed from 15 m/s to 30 m/s.
14 A sprinter accelerates uniformly to his top speed after running 30 metres of a 100-metre race. He
maintains this speed for the remainder of the race and takes 10.4 seconds to complete it. Find:
a the top speed of the athlete
b the time taken to reach the top speed.
15 A tram is travelling at 16 m/s when the brakes are applied, reducing the speed to 6 m/s in
2 seconds. Assuming the retardation is constant, find:
a the acceleration
b the distance travelled 2 seconds after the brakes are applied
c how long after applying the brakes the tram comes to a stop
d the braking distance of the tram.
16 A car moving from rest with uniform acceleration takes 12 seconds to travel 144 metres. What
is its speed after 6 seconds?

390

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

17 A tram moving with uniform acceleration has a speed between two points of 4 m/s and 10 m/s
respectively. What is the speed half way between the two points? What is the average speed?
18 A bus travels 60 metres in 10 seconds and the next 60 metres in 15 seconds. If the acceleration
is constant, find:
a how much further it will travel before coming to rest
b how many more seconds it takes before coming to rest.
19 A juggler throws balls vertically into the air so that
they rise to a height of 4.4 metres above the ground. He
fails to catch one and it hits the ground with a speed of
1.155 times that of its initial speed. Find:
a the speed of projection of the ball
b the height from which the ball is thrown
c the total time the ball is in the air.

4.4 metres

20 An object is projected vertically up from a 14-metre tower


and reaches the ground 4 seconds later.
a What is the projection speed of the object?
b What is the maximum height above the ground that
is attained by the object?

8d
eBook plus
Interactivity

int-0349
Velocitytime
graphs

Velocitytime graphs
Velocitytime graphs provide visual information about
acceleration, velocity, distance and, of course, the time at which
events occur:
dv
1. Instantaneous acceleration = , the gradient of the vt graph.
dt
2. Instantaneous velocity = ordinate at a given time.

v
v1
t
t1
Area (A)
t1
A = 0 v(t) dt = distance

3. Distance travelled = | v (t ) dt |= area bounded by the graph


and the t-axis.
Notes
1. When measuring distance from a velocitytime graph, the area is measured. When measuring
the displacement, the precise integral is evaluated. Areas below the t-axis are unsigned; that is,
they are always positive as distance cannot be negative. However, displacement can be either
positive or negative.
2. Area of a rectangle = L W
bh
3. Area of a triangle =
2
(a + b)h
4. Area of a trapezium =
2
WorKed example 10

Use the velocitytime graph to find:


a the average acceleration during the first 6 seconds
b the average acceleration between t = 20 and t = 24
c the total distance travelled during the 24 seconds.

v (m/s)
20

Area1
0

Area2
20 24 t (s)

Chapter 8

Kinematics

391

Think
1

Write

Find the gradient between the points (0, 8) and


(6, 20).

a a=

20 8
60
12
6

=2
Therefore, the average acceleration in the
first 6 seconds is 2 m/s2.
0 20
b a=
24 20
20
=
4
= 5
Therefore, the average acceleration is
5 m/s2, which is a retardation of 5 m/s2.
(a + b)h
c A=
2

State the acceleration.

Find the gradient between (20, 20) and (24, 0).

State the acceleration.

Use the formula for the area of a trapezium to


calculate the area of the two trapezia.

Calculate the area of the trapezium from t = 0


to t = 6.

Area1 =

Calculate the area of the trapezium from t = 6


to t = 24.

Area 2 =

Add the two areas.

State the total distance travelled.

Total area = 84 + 320



= 404
Therefore, the total distance travelled is
404 metres.

(8 + 20)(6)
2
28 6
=
2
= 84
(14 + 18) (20)
2
32 20
=
2
= 320

Worked Example 11

Sketch a velocitytime graph for the motion described as follows:


A particle accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 12 m/s in 10 seconds. It maintains this
speed for another 10 seconds then decelerates at a uniformly decreasing rate to rest in a further
6 seconds.
Think

392

The graph starts from (0, 0) as a straight line to the


point (10, 12) (since the gradient is constant).

The graph continues from (10, 12) to (20, 12) as a


horizontal line (since the gradient is 0).

The graph continuing from (20, 12) to (26, 0) has to


be part of a parabola because the rate of change of
deceleration is uniform.

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

Write
v (m/s)
12

10

20 26 t (s)

Furthermore, it has to be a positively shaped parabola


because the deceleration is decreasing (that is, the
gradient must be getting less steep).

Sketch the graph.

WorKed example 12

eBook plus

A train which is initially at rest at one station accelerates uniformly to a speed


Tutorial
of 75.6 km/h. It maintains this speed for 1 minute, then decelerates at twice the
int-0403
magnitude of the acceleration to rest at the next station. The two stations are
Worked example 12
1535 metres apart.
a Sketch a velocitytime graph showing the motion of the train between the two stations.
b How long does it take the train to travel between the two stations?
ThinK
a

WriTe

Convert 75.6 km/h to m/s by dividing


by 3.6.

a 75.6 km/h =

75.6
m/s
3.6

= 21 m/s

Let the time taken for the initial


acceleration be T.

Let the acceleration time = T.

Find the time for deceleration by


dividing T by 2, since the deceleration is
twice the magnitude of the acceleration.

Deceleration time =

Sketch the velocitytime graph.

T
(given that the
2
deceleration is twice the magnitude of the
acceleration).

v (m/s)
21
1260

0
b

Use the velocitytime graph to find the


distance travelled at constant speed by
multiplying 60 by 21 (the area of the
rectangle).

60
T

t(s)
T + 60
+ 60
T + 60 + 2T = 3T
2

b Distance travelled at constant speed

= 21 60
= 1260 m

Find the total of accelerating distances


by subtracting 1260 from total distance.

Total acceleration distance = 1535 1260


= 275 m

Express the total of the accelerating


distances as the sum of the area of the
triangles before and after the rectangular
area.

or total accelerating distance


T
1
1
= 2 (21)T + 2 (21)
2

Simplify this expression.

21T 21T
+
2
4
63T
=
4
=

Chapter 8

Kinematics

393

63T
= 275
4

Equate the two areas.

So

Solve the equation for T.

The total time is the sum of 60, T and

Substitute T = 17.46 into the expression


for total time.

= 60 + 17.46 + 17.46
2

Evaluate the total time.

= 60 + 26.19
= 86.19

10

State the solution.

Therefore, the train takes 86.19 seconds or


1 min 26.19 s to travel between the twostations.

T
.
2

63T = 1100
T = 17.46

Total time = 60 + T +

T
2

Worked Example 13

A lift operates between two floors within a building. The two floors are 80 metres apart. The lift can
travel with a constant acceleration of 2 m/s2, decelerate at 3 m/s2 or travel at constant speed. If the
minimum travelling time between the two floors is 15 seconds, find the maximum speed of the lift.
Think

Write

Let the maximum speed be v1.

Let maximum speed = v1.

List the given information and what has to


be found.

Given: a = 2

u=0

v = v1
Require: t, the time to obtain a speed v1.

Select an appropriate formula.

Use v = u + at.

Substitute u = 0, a = 2, v = v1 into the


formula.

Make t the subject.

Substitute u = 0, v = v1, a = 2.

v1 = 0 + 2t
v1
t=

2

List what is given for the deceleration phase


and use v = u + at again to find an expression
for the time taken for the lift to decelerate.

Substitute u = v1, v = 0, a = 3 (deceleration phase)


into v = u + at.

Substitute u = v1, a = 3, v = 0 into the formula.

0 = v1 3t

Make t the subject.

3t = v1
v
t= 1
3

Sketch a velocitytime graph, showing the


three phases of the lifts motion.

v (m/s)
v1

394

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

v1

v 15 t(s)

1
3

10

Find an expression in terms of v1 for the time


the lift travels at constant speed.

Time travelled at constant speed


v v
= 15 1 1
2 3
5v1
= 15
6
90 5v1
=
6

11

Calculate the area of the trapezium in terms


of v1, and equate to 80, the distance travelled.

Total distance travelled:

12

90 5v1

v1
15 +
6

, (area of trapezium)
80 =
2

Using a CAS calculator, solve for v1, by


completing the entry line as:
90 5v

15 +

6
solve
v = 80, v

2
Then press E.

13

Write the solution.

14

The time during which the lift moves with


constant speed must be positive. Substitute
90 5v1
each value for v1 into
, by completing
6
the entry line as:

v1 = 29.49 or 6.51

90 5v1
| v = 29.49
6
Then press E.
Repeat for v1 = 6.51

15

Write the solution.

90 5v1
= 9.575 .
6
90 5v1
= 9.575.
When v1 = 6.51,
6
As time must be positive, v1 = 6.51.
Therefore the maximum speed of the lift is
approximately 6.51 m/s.
When v1 = 29.49,

Chapter 8

Kinematics

395

REMEMBER

1. Instantaneous acceleration = the gradient of the vt graph.


2. Velocity at time t = the ordinate at time t.
3. Distance travelled in time interval t = the area bounded by the graph, the t-axis and
the time interval chosen t. Note that area is always a positive number.

4. Displacement during time interval t1 to t2 = v (t ) dt = x (t2 ) x (t1 ).

Exercise

8d

Velocitytime graphs
A graphics or CAS calculator may be used to assist in calculations or to verify answers in the
following exercise where appropriate.

1 WE10 Use each of the following velocitytime graphs below to find:



i the average acceleration during the first 10 seconds
ii the distance travelled in the first 30 seconds.
b v (m/s)
a v (m/s)
20
15

12
0

30 t(s)

10

c v (m/s)

d v (m/s)

18

20
16

10

30 t(s)

10

30 t(s)

10

10
0

15

30 t(s)

e v (m/s)

v (m/s)
8

10
0

15

20

30 t(s)

30 t(s)

10

2 WE11 Sketch a velocitytime graph for each motion described below.


a A particle travels at a constant speed of 14m/s.
b A particle moves from rest with a constant acceleration, attaining a speed of 12m/s in
15 seconds. It then maintains this speed.
c A body accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 15m/s in 10 seconds. It then
decelerates constantly to rest after a further 12 seconds.
d An object is initially travelling at 18m/s. It maintains this speed for 20 seconds, then
decelerates uniformly to a speed of 8m/s in 10 seconds, thereafter maintaining
this speed.

396

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

e From rest, a particle accelerates at a uniformly decreasing rate, reaching a speed of


15m/s in 15 seconds. It maintains this speed for 20 seconds, then decelerates uniformly
to rest in a further 8 seconds.
f A particle accelerates from rest at a constantly increasing rate, reaching a speed of 19m/s
in 11 seconds. After maintaining this speed for 10 seconds, it decelerates at a uniformly
decreasing rate, coming to rest after a further 7 seconds.
3 The following velocitytime graphs are for various objects that move in a straight line and start
at the origin. In each case find, as a function of time, t:
i the velocity iithe acceleration
iii the displacement
of the objects described by the figures in af.
b v
a v
14

10

(4, 22)

v
(4, 30)

10

Given that v = at2 + bt + c.

( 4, 4)

Given that v = at2 + b,


where a and b are constants.

(16, 26)

0
2

10

v
(loge 9, 24)
8

1
0

This is of the form v = a sin (bt) + c.

( 34, 2)

This is of the form v = aebt.

4 MC The velocitytime graph at right shows the motion


of a cyclist travelling on a straight stretch of road.
a The initial acceleration is:
B 2.5 m/s2
C 2 m/s2
A 0.4 m/s2

2
D 2 m/s
E 0.4 m/s

v (m/s)

b The acceleration from t = 25 to t = 28 is:

9
0 6

A 2.5 m/s2
B 3 m/s2
C 2 m/s2
D 3 m/s2
E 2.5 m/s2
c The total distance travelled in 35 seconds is:
A 429 m
B 500 m
D 408 m
E 510 m

15

25 28 35 t (s)

C 627 m

d The cyclist travels half of the total distance after:


A 12 s
B 18 s
C 17.3 s
D 16.5 s
E 15.8 s

Chapter 8 Kinematics

397

5 MC A car starting from rest accelerates uniformly on a straight road to 90 km/h. It maintains
this speed for a while, then comes to rest with a uniform retardation of 1.25 m/s2. The total
distance travelled is 1 km in a total time of 55 seconds. Use a velocitytime graph to help with
the following.
a The time taken for the retardation phase is:
A 10 s
B 20 s
C 72 s
D 40 s
E 36 s
b The time into the journey at which the car starts to decelerate is:
A 35 s
B 20 s
C 40 s
D 10 s
E 50 s
c The time taken during the acceleration phase is:
A 35 s
B 20 s
C 25 s
D 10 s
E 60 s
d The distance the car travels at 90 km/h is:
A 500 m
B 700 m
C 625 m
D 600 m
E 250 m
6 WE12 A particle starting from rest and accelerating uniformly reaches a speed of 8 m/s in
2 seconds. It maintains this speed for a further 6 seconds and then decelerates uniformly to rest
in 3 seconds. Use a velocitytime graph to find the total distance travelled.
7 Two bus stops are 450 metres apart. A bus departs from one with constant acceleration until it
reaches a point where it decelerates uniformly at twice the magnitude of its acceleration. This
brings the bus to a halt at the other bus stop. The total time taken between the stops is 1 minute.
a Sketch a velocitytime graph for the bus.
b Find: i the acceleration and ii the maximum speed reached.

8 A bus accelerates and decelerates at 2 m/s2. Its maximum speed is 72 km/h. Find the shortest
time over which the bus can travel between two stops 800 metres apart.
9 A train leaves a station from rest with a constant acceleration of 2 m/s2 until it reaches
a maximum speed of 18 m/s. It continues at this speed until it is brought to rest under a
retardation of 3 m/s2. The distance travelled by the train to the second station is 1485 metres.
Using a velocitytime graph, find the time taken to travel between the two stations.
10 WE13 A lift operates over a vertical distance of 120 metres. Its acceleration is 0.75 m/s2 and
its deceleration is 1 m/s2 and in between it travels at a constant speed for 13 seconds. The
minimum time for the journey is 27 seconds. What is the maximum speed of the lift?

398

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

11 A lift operates between the ground floor and top floor of a building, a vertical distance of
180 metres. It can move with a constant acceleration of 1.2 m/s2 or deceleration of 1.6 m/s2 or
at constant speed. If its greatest speed is 7.2 m/s, find the least time taken to travel between the
ground and top floors.
12 Two cars start from rest at the same place and same time and move in the same direction
with constant but different accelerations. If they are 90 metres apart after 60 seconds, find the
difference between their speeds at this point.
13 Go-carts A and B are stationary on a 400-metre straight racing track. At t = 0, cart A moves off
with a constant acceleration of 2 m/s2 for 10 seconds, after which it moves at constant speed.
Cart B sets off at the same time with constant acceleration of 1.5 m/s2 for 16 seconds, then
maintains a constant speed. Which cart completes the 400 metres first and how far ahead of the
second cart is it when it does so?
14 A stationary police car is passed by a motorcycle travelling at a constant speed of 72 km/h. The
police car sets off in pursuit of the motorcycle 5 seconds after the motorcycle has passed it.
The police car moves with constant acceleration for a distance of 200 metres, reaching a speed
of 90 km/h which it then maintains. How long after the motorcycle first passes the police car
does the police car catch up to the motorcycle?
15 A car slows down with a constant retardation from 24 m/s to 16 m/s over a distance of
15 metres. What further distance will it travel before coming to rest?
16 Two cars, A and B, are moving with constant acceleration in the same direction on parallel
lanes of a freeway. At t = 0 s, car A passes car B when the speeds are 54 km/h and 36 km/h
respectively. Two minutes later car B, travelling at 90 km/h, passes car A.
Find:
a the distance travelled by the cars between the times at which they pass each other
b the time after their first passing when they are travelling at the same speed, and this speed
c the distance between them when their speeds are the same.
17 A drag-racing car accelerates from rest at 5 m/s2 until it reaches its maximum speed, which it
maintains for 2 seconds. It then releases its parachute, which decelerates it at 8 m/s2 until it is
brought to rest after travelling 506.25 metres in total. Find:
a the maximum speed reached by the car
b the braking distance (distance travelled after the parachute is released)
c the average speed.
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Digital doc

WorkSHEET 8.1

18 Two trains pass one another, travelling in opposite directions on parallel tracks. When the
fronts of the trains are in line they are travelling at 12 m/s and 16 m/s and accelerating at
0.5 m/s2 and 1 m/s2 respectively. The length of each train is 136 metres. How long does it take
the rear of the two trains to pass?
19 A car travelling at 90 km/h along a highway passes a stationary motor cycle policeman.
The policeman starts off in pursuit 5 seconds later, moving for 250 metres with constant
acceleration until he reaches a speed of 120 km/h which he maintains.
a Find the time taken for the policeman to catch up to the car.
As soon as the policeman draws level with the car he indicates to the driver to stop. Both
uniformly apply the brakes, and stop 3 seconds later.
b How far does the policeman have to walk back from his cycle to the stationary car?
20 Two cars A and B, each moving with constant acceleration, are travelling in the same direction
along the parallel lanes of a divided road. When A passes B, the speeds are 64 and 48 km/h
respectively. Three minutes later B passes A, traveling at 96 km/h. Find
a the distance travelled by A and B at this instant (since they first passed) and the speed of A,
b the instant at which both are moving with the same speed, and the distance between them
at this time.

Chapter 8

Kinematics

399

21 A motorist is travelling at a constant speed of 120 km/h when she passes a stationary police
car. She continues at that speed for another 15 seconds before uniformly decelerating to
100 km/h in five seconds and then continues with constant velocity.
The police car takes off after the motorist the instant it passes. It accelerates uniformly for
25 seconds by which time it has reached 130 km/h. It continues at that speed until it catches
up to the motorist. After how long does the police car catch up to the motorist and how far
has she traveled in that time?

8e

Applying differential equations


to rectilinear motion
In the previous sections of this chapter the position, velocity and acceleration of bodies moving
in straight lines were all represented as functions of time. We will now consider situations
where the velocity or acceleration of the body is, for example, a function of its position. This
requires the use of various differential equations, depending on the information given and the
information required.

Velocity given as a rate of change of position


If the velocity is given as a function of position and the position is required as a function of time,
we proceed as follows:

v = f(x)
dx
dx
= f ( x ), since v =

dt
dt
dt
1
or
=
, inverting
dx f ( x )
t=
Remember that:
1
1. t =
dx
f ( x)

1
dx
f ( x)

2. After the antiderivative is found, the equation may then be rearranged to make x the
subject.
Worked Example 14

A particle moves in a straight line such that its velocity, v cm/s, is


v( x ) =

Find:

1
cm/s, x > 2. When t = 0, x = 0.
x+2

a the position, x, as a function of time, t


b the position after 2.5 seconds
c the distance travelled in the first 2.5 seconds.
Think
a

400

Write

dx
.
dt

Express v as

Invert both sides.

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

1
, x > 2
x+2
dx
1
=
dt x + 2
dt
= x+2
dx
v=

Express t in integral notation.

t = ( x + 2) dx

Antidifferentiate the integrand with respect to x.

t = 2 x2 + 2x + c

Substitute t = 0 and x = 0.

When t = 0, x = 0
0=0+0+c

Solve the equation for the integration constant c.

c=0

State the equation for t as a function of x.

Multiply both sides by 2.

Express the RHS as a perfect square to get x by


itself, so that x can be expressed as a function
of t.

10

Add 4 to both sides.

11

Take the square root of both sides.

12
1

Subtract 2 from both sides and keep the


positive square root only as x > 2 (given.)
Substitute t = 2.5.

Evaluate x.

State the answer.

Since v =

Since the velocity is positive the object


is moving to the right only and does
not turn.

Therefore, the object is travelling to the


right (or in one direction) at all times.

The distance travelled is the position at t = 2.5


minus the position at t = 0.

Distance = x(2.5) x(0)

Calculate the distance.

State the answer.

1
and x > 2, the velocity is
x+2
always positive.

So t = 2 x 2 + 2 x
or 2t = x2 + 4x
= (x + 2)2 4

or (x + 2)2 = 2t + 4
x + 2 = 2t + 4
x = 2 + 2t + 4, as x > 2
b When

t = 2.5,
x = 2 + 2(2.5) + 4
= 2+ 9
= 2 + 3
x=1

Therefore, the position after 2.5 seconds


is 1, or 1 cm right of O.
1
and x > 2,
x+2
v > 0 at all times.

c Since v =

= 1 (2 + 4)
= 1 (2 + 2)
=10
=1
Therefore, the object travels 1 cm in the
first 2.5 seconds.

If the velocity is given as a function of position x, and the acceleration is required as a function
of x, we proceed as follows.
dv

a=
dt
dv dx
=
, using the chain rule.
dx dt

Chapter 8 Kinematics

401

But

dx
is the velocity, v.
dt

Therefore

a=v

dv
dx

WorKed example 15

The velocity of a particle moving in a straight line is given by v(x) = 2 + loge (x), x > 0, where x is the
position at any time, t.
What is the acceleration in terms of x?
ThinK
1
2
3
4

WriTe

Write down the velocity.


dv
Find .
dx
dv
Multiply v by
to find the acceleration.
dx
Simplify the RHS.

v = 2 + loge (x)
dv 1
=
dx x
dv
a=v
dx
a = (2 + log e ( x ))
a=

1
x

2 + log e ( x )
x

acceleration given as a rate of change of velocity


If the acceleration is given as a function of velocity then the position, velocity and acceleration
can be found in terms of time, t.
dv
That is, if a = g(v), since
a=
dt
dt
1
then
=
dv g(v )

t=

Remember that:
1. t =

1
dv
g(v )

1
dv
g ( v)

2. The antiderivative can be rearranged to make v the subject, giving v as a function


of time. The position and acceleration can be found by antidifferentiating and
differentiating the velocity respectively, as seen earlier.
WorKed example 16

dv
The acceleration of a particle travelling in a straight line is given by
= v + 1,
dt
where v is the velocity at any time t. At time t = 0, the body is at rest at
the origin.
Find, as a function of time:
a the velocity
b the acceleration
c the position.

402

maths Quest 12 Specialist mathematics for the Casio Classpad

eBook plus
Tutorial

int-0404
Worked example 16

ThinK
a

WriTe

Write the acceleration as given.

Invert both sides of the differential


equation.

Express t in integral form.

Antidifferentiate the integrand using the


CAS calculator.
Complete the entry line as:
1
dv
v +1

dv
= v +1
dt
dt
1
or
=
dv v + 1
t=

1
dv
v +1

Then press E.
Given that t = 0 when v = 0, to find the
constant of integration. Complete the
entry line as:
solve(0 = ln(|0 + 1 |) + c, c)
Then press E.
Rearrange the equation to make v the
subject by completing the entry line as:
solve(t = ln(|v + 1 |), v)
Then press E.
5

Write the solution.

t=

1
dv = loge (|v + 1 |) + c
v +1

Solving 0 =loge (|0 + 1 |) + c for c


gives c = 0.
So, t =loge (|v + 1 |)
Then, solving t =loge (|v + 1 |) for v
gives v = et 1 or v = et 1.
Since v = 0 when t = 0
Then v = et 1
b

Differentiate v with respect to t to find the


acceleration (or we could substitute v into
the original equation for acceleration).

b a=

a=

dv
dt
d (et 1)
dt

a = et

State the answer.

Express x as the antiderivative of v.

Antidifferentiate the integrand.

x = et t + c

Substitute t = 0 and x = 0, the initial


condition given.

When t = 0, x = 0
0 = e0 0 + c

Solve for c.

c = 1

State the answer.

x = et t 1

c x=

(e 1) dt
t

Chapter 8

Kinematics

403

Acceleration given as a function of position


The following relation is used if the acceleration is given as a function of position, x, and the
velocity as a function of x is required:
d 1

v = 2 v 2

dv
a=v

Now
Substituting

d 1 2
v for v, gives:
dv 2

dv
(seen earlier).
dx

a=

d 1 2 dv
v
dv 2 dx

a=

d 1 2
v
dx 2

Worked Example 17

The acceleration of an object travelling in a straight line is given by


a(x) = ex + 1 cm/s2, x 0, where x is the position at any time, t.
The velocity is 1 when x = 0.
a Explain why the velocity is always positive.
b Find the velocity v(x) in terms of the position x.
Think
a

404

Write

The acceleration, a = ex + 1, is > 0 for all


values of x since ex > 0 for all x.

a a = ex + 1 > 0 for all x

(since ex > 0 for all x)

The velocity is always increasing as x increases


since a > 0.

The velocity, v, is always increasing


as x increases.

The velocity is initially equal to 1 where x = 0.

At x = 0, v = 1.

The velocity must be greater than or equal to 1.

As x increases, v > 1.

The velocity is always positive.

Therefore, the velocity is always positive.

Use the rule a =

Express 2 v2 in integral notation.

Antidifferentiate the integrand.

Substitute x = 0 and v = 1 into the equation.

Solve the equation for c.

Rewrite the rule for 2 v2.

So

Multiply both sides by 2.

or

Take the square root of both sides.

d 1 2
v to set up a
dx 2
differential equation for acceleration.

d 1 2
x
v =e +1
dx 2

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

1 2
v
2

= (e x + 1) dx
= ex + x + c

When x = 0, v = 1.
1
2 (1)2 = e0 + 0 + c
1
2

=1+c
1
c=2
1 2
v
2

= ex + x 2

v2 = 2ex + 2x 1
v = 2e x + 2 x 1

Dismiss the negative square root, as v > 0, and


state the solution.

v>1

but

v = 2e x + 2 x 1

Summary of acceleration types


The different forms of acceleration are:

1 2
d 2 x dv
dv d 2 v
a= 2 =
=v
=
dt
dx
dx
dt
The acceleration equation given will determine which form to use. The following summary may
help you decide.

Acceleration
Form of acceleration
to use

a = f(t)

a = f(x)

dv
d2x
or 2
dt
dt

d 1 v 2
2

dx

a = f(v)
dv
if the initial
dt
conditions are in
terms of t and v
or
dv
v
if the initial
dx
conditions are in
terms of x and v.

REMEMBER

1. If v = f(x), then t =

1
dx.
f ( x)

dv
d 1 2
2. a = v
and thus: a =
( v ).
dx
dx 2
1
3. If a = g(v), then t =
dv .
g(v )
Exercise

8E

Applying differential equations to


rectilinear motion
A CAS calculator may be used to assist in calculations, or verify answers in the following
exercise where appropriate.
1 WE14 A particle moves in a straight line such that its velocity, v cm/s, is:
1
v( x) =
; x > 3; x = 4 when t = 0.
2x 6
Find:
a the position, x, at any time, t
b the position after 15 seconds
c the distance travelled in the first 15 seconds.
2 An object initially at the origin is moving in a straight line and has a velocity given by:
v(x) = 2x + 1 cm/s
Find:
a the position at any time, t
b the velocity at any time, t
c the initial acceleration.
Chapter 8 Kinematics

405

3 The velocity of a body moving in a straight line is given by:


x
v( x) =
, x e; x = e when t = 0.
2 log e ( x )
Find:
a x in terms of t
c a in terms of t.

b v in terms of t

4 WE15 The velocity, v m/s, of a particle moving in a straight line is given by:
v(x) = (x 1)2, x > 1
Find the acceleration when the velocity is 1 m/s.
5 MC A particle moves in a straight line so that the velocity is given by v = 1 + ex m/s, and
x = 0 when t = 0.
a The acceleration in terms of x is:
A 2 x ex 4 e2x
B x ex
C e2x ex
D ex e2x
E x + ex
b The position, x m, in terms of t is:
Exam tip A common mistake occurs when
A 2et 1
B loge (et + 1)
students simply differentiate the given expression
with respect to x, confusing dv with acceleration
C loge (2et 1)
D 2t 1
dx
E ex + t
dv
dx dv
dv
=

=v
.
instead of using a =
dt
dt
dx
dx
c The initial acceleration in m/s2 is:
1

A 1

5
4

C 0

D 1

E 2

6 An object moving in a straight line has a velocity given by:


Find:
a the acceleration in terms of x

v( x) = 4 1 x 2
b the position in terms of t if x = 1 when t = 0.

7 The velocity of a body moving in a straight line is given by v(x) = 4 + x2 cm/s, where at time
t = 0, x = 2.
Find:
a the acceleration in terms of position x
b the position in terms of t

c the velocity when t = .


24
8 A body moves in a line so that its acceleration is (x + 1) m/s2 and when x = 2, v = 3.
a Find where the body is when the velocity is 0.
c Find v in terms of x.
b Explain why v is increasing if x > 1.
d Find the bodys velocity when it is at the origin.
9 The acceleration of an object moving in a straight line is 4x cm/s2 and when x = 0 the velocity
is 1. What is the velocity when x = 2 ?
10 WE16 The acceleration of a particle travelling in a straight line is given by:
dv
= 2+v
dt
Initially, the object is at rest at the origin. Find:
a the velocity in terms of t
b the acceleration in terms of t
c the position at any time t.
11 The acceleration of an object moving in a straight line is given by:
dv
= 4 v and v = 3 when t = 2.
dt
Find:
a v at any time t
406

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

b the acceleration when t = 3.

12 A body moving in a straight line has an acceleration given by:


v2
a = 15
60
Initially the body is at rest at the origin.
a Find the velocity in terms of t.
b Find the acceleration in terms of t.
c Find the displacement in terms of t.
13 We 17 The acceleration of an object travelling in a straight line is given by:
1
a=
cm/s2, 0 x < 2, where x is the position at any time.
( x 2)2
The velocity is 0 when x = 0.
a Explain why the velocity is always positive.
b Find the velocity v(x) in terms of the position x.
c Find where the particle has a velocity of 3 cm/s.
14 A body at rest starts moving with an initial acceleration of 5 m/s2. The acceleration decreases
uniformly with the distance travelled reaching a value of zero when the body has travelled
80 metres. Find the maximum speed of the body.
15 An object is dropped from rest so that the acceleration due to air resistance is 0.2v where v is
the speed of the object. The acceleration due to gravity is g m/s2.
dv
a Show that
= g 0.2v.
dt
b Find v in terms of t.
c Find lim v (t ) , that is, the maximum velocity.
t

d Find the distance fallen after 5 seconds (to the nearest metre).
16 A cork is projected vertically upwards (take upwards to be positive) with an initial speed
u m/s against an air resistance kv2, where v is the velocity in m/s at any instant and k is a
constant. If x is the height (in metres) of the cork at any time show that:
a a = (g + kv2)
eBook plus
and hence find:
b the velocity in terms of x
Digital doc
c the maximum height reached
WorkSHEET 8.2
d the maximum height if k = 0.002 and u = 30.
17 A particle has a displacement, x = 49t 225 + 245e0.2t metres above the ground after a time
t seconds. Find:
a its initial height above the ground
b its velocity v at time t and show that its initial velocity is zero
c its acceleration a at time t, and show that a = 9.8 0.2v.
d Deduce that the limiting speed is given by 49 m/s.
18 A particle moves back and forth along a straight line track so that its displacement at a time
t seconds is given by x = 3 sin (2t) + 4 cos (2t).
a Find its initial displacement and initial velocity.
eBook plus
b Find its acceleration after seconds.
Digital doc
c If its velocity is v, show that v2 = 4 (25 x2).
Investigation

d If its acceleration is a, show that a = 4x.


The falling ball bearing

Chapter 8

Kinematics

407

Summary
Differentiation and displacement, velocity and acceleration

Position gives the location of a particle relative to a reference point (usually the origin). The variable used is x.
Displacement is change in position x or s. Displacement and position have the same value if a body is initially at
the origin and so the two terms are often used to mean the same thing. Hence, the same variable is used, namely x.
dx
is the time rate of change of position or the rate of displacement.
Instantaneous velocity, v or
or x,
dt
x s displacement
Average velocity (during time interval t) =
.
= =
t t
time
distance travelled
Speed =
.
time taken
Instantaneous acceleration, a or
x or

dv
d2x
or
is the time rate of change of velocity.
2
dt
dt

Using antidifferentiation

v (t ) = a dt + c . The instantaneous velocity can be found by antidifferentiating the instantaneous


acceleration. The value for c is found by knowing the velocity at a specific time, usually at time t = 0.

x (t ) = v dt + c. The displacement and hence the position can be found by antidifferentiating the
instantaneous velocity. The value for c is found by knowing the position at a specific time, usually at time t = 0.
Motion under constant acceleration

When the acceleration a is a constant during an interval of time, t, an object will undergo a displacement, s.
The object has a velocity, u, at the start of the time interval and a velocity, v, at the end of the time interval.
When motion has a constant acceleration the following formulas can be used:
1
1. v = u + at 2. s = ut + 2 at 2
1

3. s = 2 (u + v )t 4. v2 = u2 + 2as
Velocitytime graphs

Instantaneous acceleration = the gradient of the vt graph.


Velocity at time t = the ordinate at time t.
Distance travelled in time interval t = the area bounded by the graph, the t-axis and the time interval
chosen t. Note that area is always a positive number.

Displacement during time interval t1 to t2 = v (t ) dt = x (t2 ) x (t1 ).


Applying differential equations to rectilinear motion

If v = f(x), then t =
a = v

1
dx.
f ( x)

1
dv .
g(v )

dv
d 1 2
and thus: a =
v .
dx
dx 2

If a = g(v), then t =
If a = h(x), then v

408

dv
= h( x ).
dx

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

chapter review
Short answer

1 A particle moves in a straight line so that its


position relative to a point O, at any time t seconds,
is given by x = t2 - 6t + 8, t 0, where x is in
metres.
Find:
a the time at which the particles velocity is zero
b the acceleration of the particle when its
velocity is zero
c the distance travelled by the particle in the first
4 seconds
d the time and the particles distance when its
velocity is -2 m/s.
2 The acceleration, a m/s2, of a body moving in a
straight line at any time t seconds (t 0) is given
by the rule a = 8 - 6t. The initial position of the
body is 5 m to the right of a point O, and its initial
velocity is 6 m/s. Find the particles position and
velocity after 3 seconds.
3 A car, starting from rest, accelerates from a set
of traffic lights at a constant rate for a certain
time. The brakes are then applied. The car then
decelerates at a constant rate, but at twice the
magnitude of its acceleration, before coming to rest
at a second set of traffic lights. If the traffic lights
are 400 metres apart and the time taken to travel
between them is 40 seconds, find:

a the maximum speed reached by the car in km/h


b the time at which the brakes are applied
c the acceleration of the car from the first set of
traffic lights.
4 The velocitytime graph above right shows the
journey of a person who jumps from a platform
into a pool of water.

v (m/s)
10

(1, 10)

Water

Air
0
2

t (s)

(4, 2)

Find:
a the height of the platform
b the acceleration of the person through the water
c the maximum depth the person reaches in the
water
d the depth the person reaches in the water after
4 seconds.
5 A stone is thrown vertically upwards from ground
level with an initial velocity of 29.4 m/s. Calculate:
a the velocity and direction of the ball after
4 seconds
b the total distance, in terms of g (acceleration
due to gravity), travelled by the stone after it
returns to the ground
c the velocity of the stone when it strikes the
ground.
6 A cyclist starting from rest travels a total distance
of 1800 metres before finishing at rest. During the
journey, the cyclists velocity increases uniformly
until he reaches 16 m/s. This velocity is maintained
for 100 seconds and then uniformly decreases to zero.
a Sketch the velocitytime graph of the cyclist.
b Find the total time of the cyclists ride.

Chapter 8 Kinematics

409

7 A particle moves in a straight line so that its


position relative to a point O, at any time t seconds,
is given by x = 2 loge (t + 1), t 0 where x is in
metres. Find the particles velocity and acceleration
after 2 seconds.
8 The acceleration of a falling parachutist x metres
after the parachute is released is given by the rule
3

a = 0.1v 2 m/s2, where v is the velocity of the


parachutist at any given time. If the parachutist is
falling at 25 m/s when the parachute is released,
how much further does he fall before his velocity
is reduced to 4 m/s?
9 A lawn bowl is rolled across a level green in a
straight line. It is released with a velocity of 5 m/s
and the velocity decreases at a rate 0.5 m/s2 due to
friction and air resistance. How far does the lawn
bowl travel?

2 The particle is travelling to the left when:


A 3 < t < 10
B 0 < t < 3
C 8 < t < 10
D 10 < t < 13
E t > 10
3 The average velocity between t = 3 and t = 13, in
cm/s, is:
23
C 1.8
D 1
A 1.8
B 1
E
13

Questions 4 to 6 refer to a particle moving in a


straight line, which has a displacement, x cm, from
the origin at any time, t seconds, given by:
x(t) = t2 6t + 5
4 The initial velocity in cm/s is:
A 4
B 0
C 2

D 5

E 6

5 The distance travelled in the first 4 seconds,


in cm, is:
A 8
B 9
C 10
D 3
E 7
6 The number of times the particle passes through the
origin is:
A 1
B 2
C 0
D 4
E 3
7 A particle moves in a straight line so that its
position at any time is given by:
x = t3 - 2t
The acceleration of the particle when t = 1 is:
A 1
B 4
C 0
D 6
E 8

u = 5 m/s

10 A bullet fired from a revolver with a muzzle


velocity of 70 m/s is subject to a retardation of
0.4x, where x is the distance in metres travelled by
the bullet. Find the velocity of the bullet after it has
travelled 100 metres.
Multiple choice

Questions 1 to 3 refer to the graph below, which


shows the position of a particle moving in a straight
line, x, as a function of t. Displacement in the
direction right is taken to be positive.
x (cm)
(3, 10)

10

8
13
(10, 4)

1 The initial position is at:


A 8
B 0
C 13

410

t (s)

D 5

9 A body starts from the origin, travelling in a


straight line with a velocity given by:
t +1
x = 2
t + 2t + 3
The position of the body at time t = 3 is closest to:
A 0.90
B 3.21
C 9
D 2.5
E 0
10 An object is dropped from the top of a 200-metre
high building. If the acceleration due to gravity is
9.8 m/s2, what will be the height of the object after
5 seconds?
A 151 m
B 49 m
C 122.5 m
D 20 m
E 77.5 m
11 A particle initially moving at 6 m/s is subject to
a constant retardation of 2 m/s2. The distance, in
metres, travelled before coming to rest is:
A 27
B 8
C 9
D 10
E 12

8 The velocity of a body moving in a straight line is


v = 3t2 + 5. Initially the body is at 2. The position
at time t = 2 is:
A 16
B 17
C 4
D 15
E 10

E 8

12 A tram travels 500 metres in 25 seconds when


accelerating uniformly from rest. The acceleration,
in m/s2, is:
A 0.4
B 1.6
C 1.25
E 0.625
D 1.2

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

Questions 13 to 15 refer to the following information.


A car accelerates uniformly from rest, reaching a
speed of 20 m/s after 5 seconds. It maintains this
speed for 13 seconds before decelerating uniformly to
rest in 4 seconds.
13 The velocitytime graph representing the motion of
the car is:
A v (m/s)
B v (m/s)
20

20

17 The total time taken to travel the 150 metres is:


A 25 s
B 30 s
C 22 s
D 24 s
E 28 s
18 An object which is initially at the origin moves in a
straight line so that its velocity is v(x) = x + 1. The
position, x, at any time, t, is given by:
A x = loge (t)
D x = et 1

B x = et + 1
E x = sin (t)

C x = 2t 1

dv
1
, v > 2; and that v = 3 when
=
dt 2v 4
t = 1 for an object moving in a straight line, the
acceleration when t = 9 is:

19 Given that

t(s)
18 22

v (m/s)

t(s)
13 22

v (m/s)

20

13

1
4

D 112
0

t(s)
25 29

t(s)
18 22

13

t(s)
18 22

v (m/s)
20

14 The total distance travelled by the car is:


A 440 m
B 420 m
C 350 m
D 410 m
E 400 m
15 The deceleration of the car, in m/s2, is equal to:
A 5
B 4
C 4
D 5
E 2

10

12

20

t(s)

16 At what time is the particle first at rest?


A 4 s
B 5 s
C 6 s
D 3 s
E 25 s

2
3

1
6

2x
(1 x 2 )2

2x
3

(1 x 2 ) 2

Exam tip This was the worst-answered question


in the Multiple choice section, with only 25% of
students answering it correctly. A large percentage of
students chose option E, which is the expression for
dv
dv
, whereas acceleration is given by v
. Students
dx
dx
also performed poorly on Question 30 of Part I
in 2004, which similarly required knowledge of
the various ways for expressing acceleration. This
indicates that teachers and students need to give
these alternative forms more attention.

v (m/s)

1
2

20 A particle travels in a straight line with velocity


v at time t.
If the velocity of the particle is given by
2
, for 0 < x < 1, then the acceleration is
v=
1 x2
given by:

4x
4 sin 1 ( x )
C
A 2 sin-1(x)
B
(
1

x 2 )2
2
1 x

Questions 16 and 17 refer to the following.


The velocitytime graph, below, represents a particle
moving in a straight line completing a distance of 150
metres.

VCAA Assessment report 2005

[VCAA 2005]

Extended response

1 Jogger A is running in a straight line at a constant speed of 4 m/s when passing jogger B who has stopped to
tie a lace. Jogger B heads off in the same direction as A 6 seconds later, accelerating uniformly at 2 m/s2 until
reaching a speed of 5 m/s.
a Sketch a velocitytime graph showing the motion of both joggers.
b How long is it after jogger A first passes jogger B until B catches up to A?
c How far has jogger B travelled to catch jogger A?
d How far ahead will jogger B be after jogger B has travelled 225 metres?

Chapter 8 Kinematics

411

2 An object moving in a straight line has an acceleration of (x 4). When x = 4, the velocity v = 0.
a Explain why the velocity is decreasing from x = 0 to x = 4.
b Hence, find v at x = 0.
3 The velocity of a particle moving in a straight line is given by:

v = 4 x2 , x > 0

Find the acceleration when v = 3.


4 The velocity of a body moving in a straight line which is initially at the origin is given by:

When t = 2, find:
a the acceleration

t
v = 10 cos2
8
b the displacement from O.

5 A car travelling at 24 m/s overtakes a truck travelling at a constant speed of 17 m/s along a straight road.
T seconds later, the car decelerates uniformly to rest.
The truck continues at constant speed and it passes the car at the instant the car comes to a stop. This is
exactly 60 seconds after the car had passed the truck.
The velocitytime graph representing this situation is shown below.
v (m/s)
24
17

Car
Truck

60

Find T.

Car A
7 A high diver jumps off a tower which is 44.1 metres above a deep tank of
water. When the diver hits the water he is subject to an acceleration given
by a = 0.4(v + 0.6)2 m/s2, v 0 where v is the velocity in the water at any
time t seconds after impact with the water.
a Find the velocity of the diver on impact with the water, assuming a
constant acceleration of 9.8 m/s2.
b Find the velocity of the diver v(t) in the water at time t.
c How long after the diver leaves the tower does he come to rest in the tank?
d How far below the surface of the water does he descend?

412

Maths Quest 12 Specialist Mathematics for the Casio ClassPad

780 m

6 Car A is 600 metres from the centre of the intersection


Exam tip Some students had difficulty
when it starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at
calculating the area-under-the-car graph. Others
made simple algebraic or arithmetic slips, or had
4 m/s2, reaching a speed of 24 m/s which it maintains.
trouble with the time scale and used T + 60 as the
At the instant car A takes off, car B is 780 metres from
total time. Many students unsuccessfully attempted
the centre of the intersection and travelling at a constant
to use constant acceleration formulas (e.g. putting
speed of 28 m/s. When car B is 52 metres from the centre
u = 24, v = 0 and t = 60 for the car).
VCAA Assessment report 2002
of the intersection it decelerates uniformly at 5 m/s2.
a Which car gets to the centre of the intersection first?
b How far past the centre of the intersection is the first car when the second car reaches it? [VCAA 2002]
c If all other conditions remain the same, what constant acceleration would:

i the second car need to have for a collision to occur?
ii the first car need to have for a collision to occur?
Car B
d If all other conditions remain the same, at what constant speed would:

i the first car need to travel for a collision to occur? (Use a CAS
calculator or a numerical method to assist.)
ii the second car need to travel for a collision to occur?
(Give answers correct to 2 decimal places where appropriate.)

Centre of
intersection
600 m

8 A ball is dropped from the top of a building 35 m above the ground. At the same time, a second ball is thrown
upwards with a speed of 20 m/s. The first ball is vertically above the second ball. The position above the
ground of the first ball is given by x(t) = 35 - 4.9t2, while the position of the second ball above the ground is
given by x(t) = 20t - 4.9t2.
a At what time will the first ball have a speed that is the same as the speed of the second ball? (Careful;
speed is not the same as velocity.)
b At the time the balls have the same speed, how far apart are they?
c Eventually, the two balls collide. At what height above the ground do they collide?
d Calculate the velocities of the two balls as they collide.
In a second trial, the two balls are once again released. This time the second ball is thrown upwards with a
speed V, such that when the first ball hits the second ball, the second ball is stationary.
e Find the speed V and the time at which the balls collide.
9 An object has a velocity given by v ( x ) = 2 x 1, x 12 .
a Show that the acceleration of the object is 1 for all values of x 12 .
b At t = 0, x = 1. Find the position of the object at all times t 0; that is, find x(t).
10 A motorcyclist passes a police car located at x = 0 at time t = 0. The speed of the motorcyclist is given by the
equation v(t) = 15 + 0.2t and the acceleration of the police car is uniform at a rate of 2.0 m/s2 until the car
reaches a speed of 25 m/s for t [0, 12.5], and 0 thereafter.
a On the same set of axes, draw the velocitytime graphs for both the police car and the motorcyclist.
b Determine the time(s) at which the two vehicles have the same speed.
c Calculate the time(s) it takes for the police car to catch up to the motorcyclist and hence the distance(s)
travelled by the police car.
11 Martin is trying out his new spaceship by challenging a local alien to a race. He places his hand on the throttle
and his spaceship starts to accelerate at a constant rate a for a time t. During that time, t, he travels a
distance s through space. Martins spaceship has an initial speed u at the beginning of the time interval and
a final speed v after a time t. The local space police are on to Martin and want to photograph him just as
he breaks the speed limit. However, they need to set their camera up at the precise point x where Martin is
travelling at his average speed. The police know when the average speed will occur; it will occur at a time
t
T = . They want to find out where the average speed will occur. Let x be the distance travelled when the
2
spaceship reaches its average velocity for the time interval t. All distances and times are in metres (m) and
seconds (s).
It is clear that x is a fraction of s, the total distance covered
during the time interval t.
a The initial velocity (u) is 0, the acceleration (a) is 1.0 and
the time interval (t) is 10. Find the value of x
x
and hence state the value of the fraction .
s
b Find an equation for x in terms of only the acceleration, a; the initial speed, u; and s, the total distance
travelled in the time interval t.
s
c Under what conditions will x = ?
2
12 A body is released from rest and falls vertically (let a = 10 m/s2) for a distance of 100 m.
a How far from the point of release will it be when it is moving at the average speed over that interval?
b What is the average speed of the body for that 100-m interval?
13 When a projectile is fired from a body out into space, it decelerates due to the gravitational pull of the body.
k
where r is the distance from the centre of the body and
The general equation for this deceleration is a =
r2
k is a positive constant.

Chapter 8 Kinematics

413

a On the surface of the moon (r = 1760 km), the deceleration is a = 1.6 m/s2. Find the value of k.
b If a body is launched from the surface of the moon with a velocity of 500 m/s, find the velocity of the
body at a distance r from the centre of the moon; that is, find v(r).
c Find the distance from the centre of the moon when the body is momentarily stationary.
14 A car travelling at 20 m/s passes a stationary police car, and then decelerates so that its velocity, v m/s, at
time t seconds after passing the police car, is given by v = 20 2 tan1 (t).
a After how many seconds will the cars speed be
exam Tip
Check the calculator mode, and round
17 m/s? Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.
off to the correct number of decimal places.

VCAA Assessment report 2007

b Explain why v will never equal 16.


exam Tip
The most common error was to

attempt to solve 16 = 20 2 tan 1(t).


VCAA Assessment report 2007

c Write down a definite integral which gives the


distance, x metres, travelled by the car after
T seconds.

exam Tip
The major error involved either
incorrect terminals or no terminals. Nearly all students
who attempted this part did have at least dt present.
VCAA Assessment report 2007

Three seconds later the police car starts to chase the passing car which has a polluting exhaust pipe. The
police car accelerates so that its velocity, v m/s at time t seconds after the polluting car passed it, is given by
13 2t
v = 13 cos 1
for t [3, 8].
7
d Write down an expression which gives how far the polluting car is ahead of the police car when
t = 8 seconds. Find this distance in metres correct to 1 decimal place.

After accelerating for five seconds the police car


continues at a constant velocity.
e At time t = Tc the police car catches the polluting car.
Write an equation which, when solved, gives the
value of Tc.

exam Tip
This question was not well answered.
Of those who attempted the question, the most
common error was to have terminals in both integrals
from 0 to 8.
VCAA Assessment report 2007

exam Tip
This question was not well done. Of
the students who attempted this part, most calculated
the constant speed of the police car, but many simply
multiplied by Tc instead of Tc 8 to find the distance
it travelled at constant speed.
VCAA Assessment report 2007

f Find Tc correct to the nearest second.

eBook plus
Digital doc

Test Yourself
Chapter 8

414

maths Quest 12 Specialist mathematics for the Casio Classpad

exam Tip
This question was not well done.
Slightly more than half of those who set up a correct
equation in Question 5e managed to arrive at the
correct answer. Several methods could be used, each
involving a numerical solution process.
VCAA Assessment report 2007

[VCAA 2007]

eBook plus

aCTiViTieS

Chapter opener
Digital doc

10 Quick Questions: Warm up with ten quick


questions on kinematics. (page 368)
8B

Using antidifferentiation

Tutorial

We6 int-0401: Watch a tutorial on how to calculate


the velocity and displacement of a particle as a
function of time given the acceleration as a function
of time. (page 379)
8C

Motion under constant acceleration

Tutorial

We8 int-0402: Watch a tutorial on how to use constant


acceleration formulas to calculate acceleration and
distance travelled by a particle. (page 385)
8D

Velocitytime graphs

Interactivity

Velocitytime graphs int-0349: Consolidate your


understanding of the relationship between velocity
and time. (page 391)
Tutorial

We12 int-0403: Watch a tutorial on how to sketch a


velocitytime graph and use it to calculate distance
travelled. (page 393)
Digital doc

WorkSHEET 8.1: Make calculations about bodies


and particles in motions with respect to time,
displacement, velocity and acceleration. (page 399)
8E

Digital doc

WorkSHEET 8.2: Make calculations about bodies


and particles in motion with respect to time,
displacement, velocity and acceleration, and sketch
velocitytime graphs. (page 407)
The falling ball bearing: Investigate the kinematics
of a falling ball bearing. (page 407)
Chapter review
Digital doc

Test Yourself: Take the end-of-chapter test to test


your progress. (page 414)
To access eBookPLUS activities, log on to
www.jacplus.com.au

Applying differential equations to


rectilinear motion

Interactivity

We16 int-0404: Calculate the velocity, acceleration


and position as functions of time, given a differential
equation. (page 402)

Chapter 8

Kinematics

415

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