Subtopic :

2.1 Linear motion

2.2 Uniformly accelerated motion
2.3 Projectile motion
 At the end of this topic, students should be able to:

2.1 Linear motion 2.2 Uniformly accelerated motion

a) Define a) Derive and apply equations of motion
i. instantaneous velocity, average velocity with uniform acceleration.
and uniform velocity; and 1
𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
ii. instantaneous acceleration, average 2
1
acceleration and uniform acceleration. 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎𝑠 s= 𝑢+𝑣 𝑡
2

b) Interpret the physical meaning of

displacement-time, velocity-time and 2.3 Projectile Motion
acceleration-time graphs. a) Describe projectile motions launched
c) Determine the distance travelled, at an angle , θ as well as special case
displacement, velocity and acceleration when θ = 0º
from appropriate graphs. b) Solve problems related to projectile
motion.

2
 Kinematics
Description of the motion of objects without consideration of what
causes the motion (mass or force).

1 dimension (1D)
2 dimension (2D) Projectile motion
(linear/straight line)

Horizontal uniform Launched horizontally Launched at angle 𝜽

accelerated motion 𝜽=𝟎

3
 2.1 Linear motion

Distance, 𝒅 Displacement, s
o Is defined as o Is defined as
total path shortest
length distance
traversed in (straight line)
moving from between initial
one location to and final point.
A 3m A 10 m
another. o Vector quantity. B
o scalar o can be positive, 2m 2m 5m
quantity. negative or B
o always zero 3m 10 m

positive. Distance = 10 m Distance = 25 m

Displacement = 5 m (Downward)
Displacement = 0 m

SI unit or standard unit : m 4

 Speed, 𝑣 Velocity, 𝒗
This car is traveling
at a speed of 20 m s‒1
o Is defined as o Speed in a
distance particular
traveled per direction
unit time o Is defined as
interval. time rate of This car is traveling at a
velocity of 20 m s‒1 to
change of the right
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑑 displacement
𝑣=
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑡
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑠 Speed = 25 m s‒1 Speed = 25 m s‒1
𝑣= Velocity = -25 m s‒1 Velocity = +25 m s‒1
o scalar 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑡
quantity. o Vector quantity.

SI unit : m s‒1
5
 Instantaneous velocity Average velocity Uniform velocity
Velocity at a specific The rate of change of Constant velocity
instant of time along the displacement over a ( for object moves with uniform
path of motion finite interval of time velocity, its instantaneous
∆𝑠 𝑑𝑠 ∆𝑠 𝑠2 −𝑠1 velocity equals to the average
𝑣= lim = 𝑣𝑎𝑣 = = velocity at any time)
∆𝑡→0 ∆𝑡 𝑑𝑡 ∆𝑡 𝑡2 −𝑡1
1 : initial point ; 2 : final point

If the body speeds

up or slows down
during the
9.4 m
displacement, then
the average velocity
is not the same as
the velocity at a
given instant of time
during the motion
4.3 s 3.6 s
4.3 s
Average velocity Instantaneous velocity
defined by the change between two points Velocity at a point - the slope of the tangent line

∆𝒔 𝟗. 𝟒 𝐦 𝒅𝒔 𝟏𝟏. 𝟕 𝐦
𝒗𝒂𝒗 = = = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟒 𝐦 𝐬 −𝟏 𝐯= = = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟓𝐦 𝐬 −𝟏 6
∆𝒕 𝟒. 𝟑 𝐬 𝒅𝒕 𝟑. 𝟔 𝐬
Acceleration, 𝒂
o Is defined as the rate of change of velocity
o vector quantity
o S.I. unit is m s−2.

o Velocity is vector quantity, → a change in velocity may

thus involve either or both magnitude & direction.

o An acceleration may due to change in:

1) speed (magnitude),
2) direction or
3) both speed and direction.

7
Acceleration Accelerate in forward direction
(increasing speed /
speeding up) and
deceleration
(decreasing speed/
slowing down)
should not be decelerate in forward direction
confused with the
directions of
velocity and
acceleration

decelerate in opposite direction

Accelerate in opposite direction

8
Average acceleration, 𝒂𝑎𝑣
o Is defined as rate of change in velocity.

∆𝑣 𝑣2 − 𝑣1 Where 𝒂𝑎𝑣 : Average acceleration

𝒂𝑎𝑣 = = ∆𝑣 : Change in velocity
∆𝑡 𝑡2 − 𝑡1 ∆𝑡 ∶ time interval
𝑣2 : Final velocity
𝑣1 : Initial velocity
𝑡2 : Final time
𝑡1 : Initial time

o Direction of 𝒂𝑎𝑣 :
✓ Same direction as direction of motion if an object accelerates
(increase in velocity)
✓ Opposite direction to direction of motion if the object decelerates
(decrease in velocity)
9
Instantaneous acceleration, 𝒂 Uniform acceleration
o Is defined as the acceleration at a o An object moves in a uniform acceleration
particular instant of time. when
∆𝑣 𝑑𝑣 𝑑𝑣
𝑎= lim = = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
∆𝑡→0 ∆𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

The gradient of magnitude of velocity changes at a

v the tangent line at constant rate and along fixed direction.
point Q = the
instantaneous o For object moves with uniform
acceleration at
time, t = t1
acceleration its instantaneous acceleration
equals to the average acceleration at any
Q time.
v1

0 t1 t 10
 Graphical representation of motion
Displacement−time (𝒔 − 𝒕)
Gradient = velocity, 𝒗
(Slope)
Uniform
o Horizontal line − zero 𝑣 (fast) Stationary or
stop (𝑣 = 0) Uniform 𝑣
velocity /at rest

Displacement, 𝑠
returning to
/stationary/stop starting point

o Straight line slope −

uniform (constant) Uniform 𝑣 (slow) moving
velocity away from starting point
o Curve line − changing time, 𝑡
velocity
✓ Steeper slope → fast
✓ Genter slope → slow
11
 Graphical representation of motion
Velocity, 𝑣 (m s−1) Forward direction (+𝑣𝑒) opposite direction (−𝑣𝑒)

Uniform 𝑣 (𝑎 = 0)

Slow down - rapid deceleration

Accelerates quickly
velocity−time (𝒗 − 𝒕)
Gradient = acceleration, 𝒂 Turn back
(change
Area under graph = Accelerates slowly
direction)
stopped
distance,𝒅 OR
Time, 𝑡 (s)
displacement, 𝒔
Speed up
(accelerate)
Speeding up, in opposite Slow down
accelerating direction (decelerate)
Positive slope implies +𝑎 in opposite
Negative slope implies −𝑎 Uniform 𝑣 in direction
Horizontal line (zero slope) implies 𝑎 = 0 opposite direction
12
Steeper slope → greater 𝑎
 Graphical representation of motion
acceleration−time (𝒂 − 𝒕)
Area under graph = change of velocity, ∆𝒗

Positive Positive
acceleration acceleration
acceleration, a (m s−2)

Zero Zero
acceleration acceleration

Time, 𝑡 (s)

Negative acceleration
13
 EXAMPLE 2.1 SOLUTION
N
An object P moves 30 m to the east after
that 15 m to the south and finally moves O 30 m
W E
40 m to west. Determine the displacement 
 15 m
of P relative to the original position.
P
10 m 30 m

S
The magnitude of the displacement
is given by

and its direction is

14
 EXAMPLE 2.2 SOLUTION
A toy train moves slowly along a straight a) 0 to 6 s : The train moves at a
track according to the displacement, s constant velocity of
against time, t graph in FIGURE 2.1. 0.67 cm s−1.
s (cm) 6 to 10 s : The train stops.
10 to 14 s : The train moves in the
10
same direction at a
8
6 constant velocity of
4 1.50 cm s−1.
2 b) v (cm s−1)
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 t (s) 1.50
FIGURE 2.1
a) Explain qualitatively the motion of 0.67
the toy train.
b) Sketch a velocity (cm s-1) against
time (s) graph 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 t (s) 15
 EXAMPLE 2.2 SOLUTION
A toy train moves slowly along a straight s2 − s1
track according to the displacement, s c) vav =
t 2 − t1
against time, t graph in FIGURE 2.1.
10 − 0
s (cm) vav =
10
14 − 0
8 vav = 0.714 cm s −1
6
4
2
d) v = average velocity from
10 s to 14 s
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 t (s) s2 − s1
v=
FIGURE 2.1 t 2 − t1
c) Determine the average
10 − 4
velocity for the whole journey. v=
d) Calculate the instantaneous 14 − 10
velocity at t = 12 s v = 1.50 cm s −1 16
 EXAMPLE 2.3 SOLUTION
A velocity-time (v - t) graph in FIGURE 2.2 a) 0 to 5 s : Lift moves upward
shows the motion of a lift. from rest with a
constant acceleration
v (m s −1) of 0.4 ms−2.
4 5 to 15 s : The velocity of the
2
lift increases from
2 m s−1 to 4 m s−1 but
0 the acceleration
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 t(s)
-2 decreasing to 0.2 m s−2.
-4
15 to 20 s : Lift moving with
FIGURE 2.2 constant velocity of
4 m s−1.
a) Describe qualitatively the motion 20 to 25 s : Lift decelerates at a
of the lift.
constant rate of
0.8 m s−2.
25 to 30 s : Lift at rest or stationary. 17
 EXAMPLE 2.3 SOLUTION
A velocity-time (v - t) graph in FIGURE 2.2 a) 30 to 35 s : Lift moves downward
shows the motion of a lift. with a constant
acceleration of
v (m s −1) 0.8 m s−2.
4 35 to 40 s : Lift moving downward
2
with constant velocity
of 4 m s−1.
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 t(s) 40 to 50 s : Lift decelerates at a
-2
constant rate of
-4
0.4 m s−2 and comes to
FIGURE 2.2 rest.

a) Describe qualitatively the

motion of the lift.

18
 EXAMPLE 2.3 SOLUTION
A velocity-time (v - t) graph in FIGURE 2.2 b)
shows the motion of a lift. a (m s−2)

v (m s −1)
0.8
4 0.6
2 0.4
0 0.2
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 t(s)
-2 0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 t (s)
-4 -0.2
FIGURE 2.2 -0.4
-0.6
b) Sketch a graph of acceleration (m s-1) -0.8
against time (s).

19
 EXAMPLE 2.3 SOLUTION
A velocity-time (v - t) graph in FIGURE 2.2 c) v (m s −1)
shows the motion of a lift.
4
v (m s −1) 2
A2 A3
4 0 A1
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 t(s)
-2 A4 A5
2
-4
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 t(s)
-2 Total distance
-4 = area under the graph of v-t
FIGURE 2.2 = A1 + A 2 + A 3 + A 4 + A 5
1 1 1
c) Determine the total distance = ( 2 )( 5) + ( 2 + 4 )(10 ) + ( 5 + 10 )( 4 )
2 2 2
travelled by the lift and its 1
displacement. (10 + 5)(4 ) + 1 (10)(4 )
2 2
 d = 115 m 20
 EXAMPLE 2.3 SOLUTION
A velocity-time (v - t) graph in FIGURE 2.2 c) v (m s −1)
shows the motion of a lift.
4
v (m s −1) 2
A2 A3
4 0 A1
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 t(s)
-2 A4 A5
2
-4
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 t(s)
-2 Displacement
-4 = area under the graph of v-t
FIGURE 2.2 = A1 + A 2 + A 3 + A 4 + A 5
1 1 1
= ( 2 )( 5) + ( 2 + 4 )(10 ) + ( 5 + 10 )( 4 )
c) Determine the total distance 2 2 2
travelled by the lift and its 1
displacement. (10 + 5)(− 4 ) + 1 (10)(− 4 )
2 2
 S = 15 m 21
 EXAMPLE 2.3 SOLUTION
A velocity-time (v - t) graph in FIGURE 2.2 v2 − v1
d) aav =
shows the motion of a lift. t 2 − t1
−4−4
v (m s −1) aav =
40 − 20
4
aav = −0.4 m s −2
2

0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 t(s)
-2
-4
FIGURE 2.2

d) Calculate the average acceleration

between 20 s to 40 s.

22
Question 1

Average velocity is define as?

A. Rate of change of displacement

B. Instantaneous rate of change of displacement
C. Rate of change of velocity
D. Rate of change of acceleration

Answer : A
23
Question 2

Which is correct about uniform acceleration?

A. Object move with a = 0 ms-2

B. Velocity is constant
C. Acceleration changes with time
D. Velocity changes with constant rate

Answer : D 24
 FOLLOW UP EXERCISE

1. Figure 2.3 shows a velocity versus time graph for an object constrained to move along a
line. The positive direction is to the right.

Velocity (m/s) 2
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
-1
-2
-3
Time (s)

a) Describe the motion of the object in 10 s.

b) Sketch a graph of acceleration (m s-2) against time (s) for the whole journey.
c) Calculate the displacement of the object in 10 s.
ANS. : 6 m
25
 FOLLOW UP EXERCISE

2. A train pulls out of a station and accelerates steadily for 20 s until its velocity reaches 8 m s−1.
It then travels at a constant velocity for 100 s, then it decelerates steadily to rest in a further
time of 30 s.
a. Sketch a velocity-time graph for the journey.
b. Calculate the acceleration and the distance travelled in each part of the journey.
c. Calculate the average velocity for the journey.

ANS. : 0.4 m s−2,0 m s−2,-0.267 m s−2, 80 m, 800 m, 120 m; 6.67 m s−1.