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Uniform Linear Acceleration

This document discusses problems involving uniform linear acceleration. It introduces key variables and formulas for calculating acceleration, velocity, and displacement given time. These include: a=Δv/Δt, v=u+at, s=ut+(1/2)at^2, v^2=u^2+2as. It also discusses analyzing motion using time-speed graphs and solving problems involving two particles accelerating or moving towards each other. Common mistakes are assuming particles start from rest when not stated and using the wrong formulas or approach.

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John Drought
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365 views3 pages

Uniform Linear Acceleration

This document discusses problems involving uniform linear acceleration. It introduces key variables and formulas for calculating acceleration, velocity, and displacement given time. These include: a=Δv/Δt, v=u+at, s=ut+(1/2)at^2, v^2=u^2+2as. It also discusses analyzing motion using time-speed graphs and solving problems involving two particles accelerating or moving towards each other. Common mistakes are assuming particles start from rest when not stated and using the wrong formulas or approach.

Uploaded by

John Drought
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Uniform linear acceleration Introduction This topic is about particles which move in a straight line and accelerate uniformly.

Problems can vary enormously, so you have to have your wits about you. Problems can be broken down into three main categories:

Constant uniform acceleration Time-speed graphs Problems involving two particles

Constant uniform acceleration Remember what the following variables represent: t the time ! a the acceleration ! u the initial speed ! v the final speed ! s the displacement from where the particle started. "hen the acceleration is negative, it is sometimes called a deceleration or retardation. #or e$ample, an acceleration of %& ms-' is the same as a deceleration (or retardation) of & ms-'. * To answer this +uestion, you will need to use the four key formulae intelligently. They are:

* ,t is important to know the second of these e+uations off by heart! the others appear on Page -. of The /athematical Tables. 0econdly, you may be asked to derive either of the last two e+uations from the first two. Practise this. * These four formulae will be useful elsewhere (for e$ample when doing 1uestions & and - on pro2ectiles and connected particles). Time-speed graphs Remember that the above formulae may be used only while the acceleration is uniform. ,f a particle speeds up, but then travels at a constant speed, and then slows down, the above formulae cannot be used for the entire 2ourney. ,n these cases we solve the problem by drawing a time-speed graph, with time as the hori3ontal a$is. There are four key points to remember about time-speed graphs: * The area between the graph and the time-a$is represents the distance travelled.

* The slope of the graph represents the acceleration. * ,f a particle starts from rest, then v = at 4i.e. the final speed will be the product of the acceleration and the time.5

* ,f a particle accelerates from rest for time t1 with acceleration a and immediately decelerates to rest in time t2 with deceleration d, then t1:t2 = d:a

#or e$ample, if the acceleration is 6 ms-' and the deceleration is 7 ms-',

then t1:t2 = d:a = 8:6 = 4:3 . ,t follows that accelerating and

of the time will be spent

of the time will be spent decelerating.

Problems involving two particles * ,f particles P and Q set off together and later overtake each other, then overtaking will occur when Sp Sq . ,f, however, P was '8 metres behind Q at the start, then when overtaking occurs, Sp = Sq + 25 * ,f P and Q are a distance l apart and move towards each other, they will meet when Sp + Sq = l * The greatest gap between particles P and Q occurs when vp = vq (because if their speeds are une+ual then the gap is either increasing or decreasing) * ,f particle A sets out and, two seconds later, particle B sets out in pursuit, then let t = the time which A spends on the road and t - 2 = the time which B spends on the road. (0tudents will often putt 9 ' instead of t - '.) Common mistakes Common mistakes made in doing this +uestion are: * :ssuming that the particle starts from rest, even though this is not stated in the +uestion. * ;sing the formulae where they do not apply. * <umping into the +uestion before giving it enough clear thought. * =ot drawing a clear time-speed graph. * >etting u represent the speed at two different moments. #or e$ample, if a particle travels from a to b, a distance of &. m in - seconds and then travels from b to c, a distance of 8- m in a further & seconds - how would you find the acceleration? @ou let u the speed of the particle at a (not anywhere elseA). Then you form an e+uation for the 2ourney 4ab5 and another for the 2ourney 4ac5 . These e+uations will be (using s = ut +at2) : 30 = u(4 +a(16 and 84 = u(! +a(4" . @ou solve these simultaneous e+uations to find a. =B: @ou do not form an e+uation for 4bc5, as the initial speed will not be the same u as in the first e+uation.

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