CH 19

P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>
C H A P T E R
19
Kinematics
PL
Objectives
To model motion in a straight line and to use calculus to solve problems involving
motion in a line with constant and variable acceleration
To use graphical methods to solve problems involving motion in a straight line
Introduction
SA
M
Kinematics is the study of motion without reference to the cause of the motion. In this chapter
we will consider the motion of a particle in a straight line only. Such motion is called
rectilinear motion. When referring to the motion of a particle we may in fact be referring to a
body of any size. However for the purposes of studying its motion we can consider that all
forces that act upon the body, causing it to move, act through a single point. Hence we can
consider the motion of a car or train in the same way as we would consider the motion of a
dimensionless particle.
It is important to make a distinction between vector and scalar quantities when studying
motion. Quantities such as displacement, velocity and acceleration must be specified by both
magnitude and direction. They are vector quantities. Distance, speed and time on the other
hand are specified by their magnitude only. They are scalar quantities.
Since we are considering movement in a straight line only, the direction of all vector
quantities is simply specified by the sign of the numerical value.
19.1
Position, velocity and acceleration

Position
The position coordinate of a particle moving in a straight line is determined by its distance
from a fixed point O on the line, called the origin, and whether it is to the right or left of O.
Conventionally the direction to the right of the origin is considered to be positive.
x
O
463
Cambridge University Press Uncorrected Sample Pages 978-0-521-61252-4

2008 Evans, Lipson, Jones, Avery, TI-Nspire & Casio ClassPad material prepared in collaboration with Jan Honnens & David Hibbard
P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

464
Essential Advanced General Mathematics
PL
Consider a particle which starts at O and begins to move. The position of a particle is
determined by a number, x, called the position coordinate. If the units are metres and if
x = 3, the position is 3 m to the left of O, while if x = 3, the displacement is 3 m to the
right of O.
The displacement is defined as the change in position of the particle relative to O.
Sometimes there is a rule which enables the position coordinate, at any instant, to be
calculated. In this case x is redefined as a function of t. Hence x(t) is the displacement at
time t. Specification of a displacement function together with the physical idealisation of
a real situation constitute a mathematical model of the situation.
An example of a mathematical model is the following.
A stone is dropped from the top of a vertical cliff 45 m high. Assume that the stone is a
particle travelling in a straight line. Let x(t) be the downwards position of the particle from O,
the top of the cliff, t seconds after the particle is dropped. If air resistance is neglected, an
approximate model for the displacement is
x(t) = 5t 2 for 0 t 3
It is important to distinguish between the scalar quantity distance and the vector quantity
displacement.
Consider a particle that starts at O and moves firstly five units to the right to point P, and
then seven units to the left to point Q.
SA
M
P
5
Its final position is x = 2. However the distance the particle has moved is 12 units.
Example 1
A particle moves in a straight line so that its position x cm relative to O at time t seconds is
given by x = t 2 7t + 6, t 0. Find
a its initial position
b its position at t = 4.
Solution
a At t = 0,
b At t = 4,
x = +6 i.e. the particle is 6 cm to the right of O.

x = (4)2 7(4) + 6 = 6 i.e. the particle is 6 cm to the left of O.
Velocity
You should already be familiar with the concept of a rate of change through your studies in
Mathematical Methods.
The velocity of a particle is defined as the rate of change of its position with respect to time.
We can consider the average rate of change, the change in position over a period of time, or

P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

Chapter 19 Kinematics
465
we can consider the instantaneous rate of change, which specifies the rate of change at a
given instant in time.
If a particle moves from x1 at time t1 to x2 at time t2 , then its
average velocity =
x2 x1
t2 t1
Velocity may be positive, negative or zero. If the velocity is positive the particle is moving to
the right and if it is negative the direction of motion is to the left. A velocity of zero means the
particle is instantaneously at rest.
The instantaneous rate of change of position with respect to time is the instantaneous
velocity. If the position, x, of the particle at time t is given as a function of t, then the velocity of
the particle at time t is determined by differentiating the rule for position with respect to time.
Common units of velocity (and speed) are:
PL
1 metre per second

= 1 m/s
1 centimetre per second = 1 cm/s
1 kilometre per hour
= 1 km/h
P1: FXS/ABE
The first and third are connected in the following way:

1 km/h = 1000 m/h
1000
m/s
=
60 60
5
m/s
18
18
1 m/s =
km/h
5
Note the distinction between velocity and speed.
Speed is the magnitude of the velocity.
SA
M
Average speed for a time interval [t1 , t2 ] is equal to

Instantaneous velocity v =
distances travelled
t2 t1
dx
where x is a function of time.
dt
Example 2
given by x = t 2 7t + 6, t 0. Find
a its initial velocity
b when and where its velocity equals zero
c its average velocity for the first 4 s
d its average speed for the first 4 s.
Solution
a
x = t 2 7t + 6
dx
v=
= 2t 7
dt
at t = 0, v = 7 i.e. the particle is moving to the left at 7 cm/s.

P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

466
2t 7 = 0
implies t = 3.5
When t = 3.5, x = (3.5)2 7(3.5) + 6
= 6.25
The particle is 6.25 cm to the left of O.
change in position
c
average velocity =
change in time
at t = 4, x = 6
6 +6
average velocity =
4
= 3 cm/s
d average speed =
t=4
t = 3.5
distance travelled
change in time
PL
P1: FXS/ABE
t=0
6 4
Since the particle has stopped at t = 3.5 and begun to move in the opposite direction,
we must consider the distance travelled in the first 3.5 s (from x = 6 to x = 6.25)
and then the distance travelled in the final 0.5 s (from x = 6.25 to x = 6).
SA
M
total distance travelled = 12.25 + 0.25 = 12.5

average speed =
12.5
= 3.125 cm/s
4
Acceleration
The acceleration of a particle is defined as the rate of change of its velocity with respect to time.
v2 v1
Average acceleration for the time interval [t1 , t2 ] is defined by
where v 2 is the
t2 t1
velocity at time t2 and v 1 is the velocity at time t1 .

d dx
d2x
dv
=
= 2
Instantaneous acceleration a =
dt
dt dt
dt
d2x
is denoted by x (t) or x (t).
dt 2
Acceleration may be positive, negative or zero. Zero acceleration means the particle is
moving at a constant velocity. Note that the direction of motion and the acceleration need not
coincide. For example, a particle may have a positive velocity indicating it is moving to the
right, but a negative acceleration indicating it is slowing down. Also, although a particle may
be instantaneously at rest its acceleration at that instant need not be zero. If acceleration has
the same sign as velocity then the particle is speeding up. If the sign is opposite the particle is
slowing down.
The most commonly used units for acceleration include cm/s2 and m/s2 .
For kinematics, the second derivative

P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

467
Example 3
given by x = t 3 6t 2 + 5, t 0. Find
a its initial position, velocity and acceleration and hence describe its motion
b the times when it is instantaneously at rest and its position and acceleration at those times.
Solution
for x = t 3 6t 2 + 5, v = 3t 2 12t and a = 6t 12
t =0
x = 5,
v=0
and a = 12
PL
Particle is instantaneously at rest 5 cm to right of O with an acceleration of

12 cm/s2 .
b v = 3t 2 12t = 0
3t(t 4) = 0
t = 0 or t = 4
Particle is initially at rest and stops again after 4 s.
At t = 0, x = 5
At t = 4, x = (4)3 6(4)2 + 5 = 27
and a = 12
and a = 6(4) 12 = 12
SA
M
After 4 s the position of the particle is 27 cm to the left of O and its acceleration is
12 cm/s.
Exercise 19A
Examples
1, 2
1 A particle moves in a straight line so that its position x cm relative to O at time t seconds
(t 0) is given by x = t 2 7t + 12. Find
c its initial velocity
e its average velocity in the first 5 s
Example
b its position at t = 5
d when and where its velocity equals zero
f its average speed in the first 5 s.
2 The position x metres at time t seconds (t 0) of a particle moving in a straight line is

given by x = t 2 7t + 10. Find
a when its velocity equals zero
c the distance travelled in the first 5 s
b its acceleration at this time

d when and where its velocity is 2 m/s.
3 A particle moving in a straight line is x cm from the point O at time t seconds (t 0) where
x = t 3 11t 2 + 24t 3. Find
a
c
e
g
its initial position and velocity

b its velocity at any time
at what times the particle is stationary
d where the particle is stationary
for how long the particles velocity is negative f its acceleration at any time
when the particles acceleration is zero and its velocity and position at that time.

P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

468
(t 0) is given by x = 2t 3 5t 2 + 4t 5. Find
a when its velocity is zero and its acceleration at that time
b when its acceleration is zero and its velocity at that time.
5 A particle moving in a straight line is x cm from the point O at time t seconds (t 0) where
x = t 3 13t 2 + 46t 48.
Find when it passes through O and its velocity and acceleration at those times.
6 Two particles are moving along a straight path so that their displacements, x cm from a
fixed point P at any time, are given by x = t + 2 and x = t 2 2t 2. Find
a the time when the particles are at the same position
b the time when they are moving with the same velocity.
19.2
PL
P1: FXS/ABE
Using antiderivatives for kinematics problems
SA
M
So far we have considered examples where the equation of motion has defined the position of
the particle in terms of time and from it we have derived equations for the velocity and the
acceleration by differentiation.
We may be given a rule for acceleration at time t, and by the use of antidifferentiation with
respect to t and some additional information we can deduce rules for both velocity and
position.
Example 4
A body starts from O and moves in a straight line. After t seconds (t 0) its velocity (v cm/s)
is given by v = 2t 4. Find
a its position x in terms of t
b its position after 3 s
c its average velocity in the first 3 s
d the distance travelled in the first 3 s
e its average speed in the first 3 s.
Solution
a Antidifferentiate with respect to t to find the expression for position x m at time

t seconds
x = t 2 4t + c
When t = 0, x = 0 and therefore c = 0

x = t 2 4t
b When t = 3, x = 3. The body is 3 units to the left of O

3 0
c Average velocity =
= 1 m/s
3

P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

469
d v = 0 when 2t 4 = 0, i.e., when t = 2

When t = 2, x = 4
Therefore the body goes from x = 0 to x = 4 in the first 2 s, then back
to 3 in the next second. It has travelled 5 m in the first 3 s.
5
e Its average speed is m/s.
3
Example 5
Solution
dv
= 6t + 8
dt
2
by antidifferentiating v = 3t + 8t + c
at t = 0,
v = 0 and so c = 0
v = 3t 2 + 8t
a=
A particle starts from rest 3 m from a fixed point and moves in a straight line with an
acceleration of a = 6t + 8. Find its position and velocity at any time t seconds.
PL
P1: FXS/ABE
by antidifferentiating again x = t 3 + 4t 2 + d
at t = 0,
x = 3 and so d = 3
x = t 3 + 4t 2 + 3
SA
M
Example 6
A stone is projected vertically upward from the top of a building 20 m high with an initial
velocity of 15 m/s.
Find
a the time taken for the stone to reach its maximum height
b the maximum height reached by the stone
c the time taken for the stone to reach the ground
d the velocity of the stone as it hits the ground.
In this case we only consider the stones motion in a vertical direction so we can consider it as
rectilinear motion. Also we will assume that the acceleration due to gravity is approximately
10 m/s2 (note that downward is considered the negative direction).
Solution
Given that
at t = 0,
at t = 0,
a
v
v
v
x
x
x
= 10
= 10t + c
= 15
= 10t + 15
= 5t 2 + 15t + d
= 20
= 5t 2 + 15t + 20

P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

470
a The stone will reach its maximum height when v = 0
10t + 15 = 0
which implies
t = 1.5
b
At t = 1.5,
x = 5(1.5)2 + 15(1.5) + 20
= 31.25
The maximum height reached by the stone is 31.25 m.

c The stone reaches the ground when x = 0
5t 2 + 15t + 20 = 0
5(t 2 3t 4) = 0
5(t 4)(t + 1) = 0
t = 4 (solution of t = 1 is rejected since t 0)
i.e. the stone takes 4 s to reach the ground.

d
PL
P1: FXS/ABE
At t = 4,
v = 10(4) + 15
= 25
i.e. velocity on impact is 25 m/s.
Exercise 19B
4
1 A body starts from O and moves in a straight line. After t seconds (t 0) its velocity
(v cm/s) is given by v = 4t 6. Find
SA
M
Example
a its position x in terms of t

e its average speed in the first 3 s.
b its position after 3 s

d its average velocity in the first 3 s
2 The velocity (v m/s) at time t seconds (t 0) of a particle is given by v = 3t 2 8t + 5. It

is initially 4 m to the right of a point O. Find
a its displacement and acceleration at any time
b its displacement when the velocity is zero
c its acceleration when the velocity is zero.
Example
3 A body moves in a straight line with an acceleration of 10 m/s2 . If after 2 s it passes

through O and after 3 s it is 25 m from O, find its initial displacement relative to O.

4 A body moves in a straight line so that its acceleration a m/s2 after time t seconds (t 0)
is given by a = 2t 3. If the initial position of the body is 2 m to the right of a point O and
its velocity is 3 m/s, find the particles position and velocity after 10 s.
Example
5 A body is projected vertically upwards with a velocity of 25 m/s. (Its acceleration due to
gravity is 10 m/s2 .) Find
a the particles velocity at any time
b its height above the point of projection at any time

P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

471
c the time it takes to reach its maximum height

d the maximum height reached
e the time taken to return to the point of projection.
19.3
Constant acceleration
6 In a tall building the lift passes the 50th floor with a velocity of 8 m/s and an acceleration
1
of (t 5) m/s2 . If each floor spans a distance of 6 m, find at which floor the lift
9
will stop.
PL
When considering motion of a particle due to a constant force, e.g. gravity, the acceleration is
constant. There are a number of rules that we may establish by considering the case where
acceleration remains constant or uniform.
dv
=a
Given that
dt
by antidifferentiating we have
v = at + c where c is the initial velocity.
Using the symbol u for initial velocity we have
v = u + at
dx
=v
dt
by antidifferentiating a second time we have
SA
M
Now given that
1
x = ut + at 2 + d, where d is the initial position.
2
If we consider s = x d as the change in position of the particle from its starting point,
i.e. the particles displacement from its initial position, we have
1
v = ut + at 2
2
2
If we transform the formula v = u + at so that t is the subject we have
v u
a
1
By substitution in
s = ut + at 2
2
u(v u) a(v u)2
+
s=
a
2a 2
2as = 2u(v u) + (v u)2
= 2uv 2u 2 + v 2 2uv + u 2
= v 2 u2
t=
i.e.
v 2 = u 2 + 2as

P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

472
Also we know that distance travelled = average velocity time.

1
(u + v)t
4
2
These four formulas are very useful but it must be remembered that they only apply when
dealing with constant acceleration.
When approaching problems involving constant acceleration it is a good idea to list the
quantities you are given, establish which quantity or quantities you require and then use the
appropriate formula. Ensure that all quantities are converted to compatible units.
s=
i.e.
Constant acceleration summary
If acceleration is constant, the following formulas may be applied, where u is the initial
velocity, v is the final velocity, a is the acceleration, t is the time and s is the displacement.
v = u + at
Example 7
1
s = ut + at 2
2
PL
P1: FXS/ABE
v 2 = u 2 + 2as
s=
1
(u + v)t
2
SA
M
A body is moving in a straight line with uniform acceleration at an initial velocity of 12 m/s.
After 5 s its velocity is 20 m/s. Find
a the acceleration
b the distance travelled in this time
c the time taken to travel a distance of 200 m.
Solution
Given u = 12
v = 20
t =5
Find a using v = u + at
20 = 12 + 5a
a = 1.6
The acceleration is 1.6 m/s2 .
1
b Find s using s = ut + at 2
2
1
= 12(5) + (1.6)52
2
= 80
The distance travelled is 80 m.
1
s = ut + at 2 gives
2
1
200 = 12t + (1.6) t 2
2
4 2
200 = 12t + t
5
1000 = 60t + 4t 2
250 = 15t + t 2
i.e.
t 2 + 15t 250 = 0
(t 10)(t + 25) = 0
t = 10 or t = 25
As t 0,
t = 10 is the acceptable solution.
Using the formula
The body takes 10 s to travel a distance of 200 m.

P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

473
Exercise 19C
1 How long does it take for a body at rest to travel a distance of 30 m if it is accelerated at
1.5 m/s2 ?
2 A car is travelling at 25 m/s when the brakes are applied. It is brought to rest with uniform
deceleration in 3 s. How far would it travel after the brakes were applied?
Example
3 A motor cycle accelerates uniformly from 3 m/s to 30 m/s in 9 s. Find
the acceleration
the time it will take to increase in speed from 30 m/s to 50 m/s
the distance travelled in the first 15 s (assuming it starts from rest)
the time taken to reach a speed of 200 km/h (assuming it starts from rest).
PL
a
b
c
d
P1: FXS/ABE
4 A car accelerating uniformly from rest reaches a speed of 45 km/h in 5 s. Find

a its acceleration
b the distance travelled in the 5 s.
5 A train starts from rest at a station and accelerates uniformly at 0.5 m/s2 until it reaches a
speed of 90 km/h.
SA
M
a How long does the train take to reach this speed?

b How far does the train travel in reaching this speed?
6 A train travelling at 54 km/h begins to climb an incline of constant gradient that produces
a deceleration of 0.25 m/s2 .
a How long will the train take to travel a distance of 250 m?
b What will the trains speed be then?
For 7 to 11 assume that the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2 and ignore air
resistance. Upward motion is considered to be in the positive direction.
7 A stone is projected vertically upwards from O with a speed of 20 m/s. Find
a the velocity of the stone after 4 s
b the distance of the stone from O after 4 s.
8 Repeat 7 for the stone being projected downwards from O with the same speed.
9 A body is projected vertically upwards with a velocity of 49 m/s.
a After what time will the body return to the point of projection?
b When will the body be at a height of 102.9 m above the point of projection?
10 A man dives from a springboard where his centre of gravity is initially 3 m above the
water and his initial velocity is 4.9 m/s upwards. Regarding the diver as a particle at his
centre of gravity, and assuming that the divers motion is vertical, find
a the divers velocity after t seconds
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

474
b the divers height above the water after t seconds

c the maximum height of the diver above the water
d the time taken for the diver to reach the water.
11 A stone is thrown vertically upwards from the top edge of a cliff 24.5 m high with a speed
of 19.6 m/s. Find
the time taken for the stone to reach its maximum height
the maximum height reached from the foot of the cliff
the time taken for the stone to return to the point of projection
the time taken for the stone to reach the foot of the cliff.
a
b
c
d
12 A body is travelling at 20 m/s when it passes point P and 40 m/s when it passes point Q.
Find its speed when it is halfway from P to Q, assuming uniform acceleration.
19.4
PL
P1: FXS/ABE
Velocitytime graphs
SA
M
Many kinematics problems can be solved using velocitytime graphs. These are particularly
useful if acceleration is constant but with a broader knowledge of integral calculus they can
also be used when acceleration is variable.
First, we understand that if the acceleration is constant then v = u + at.
This constitutes a linear relationship between v and t where a is the gradient of the
corresponding velocitytime graph.
t2
dx
it follows that
v(t)dt = x2 x1
Since v =
dt
t1
where x1 is the position at time t1 and x2 is the position at time t2 .
Then the total area of the region(s) between v
the velocitytime graph and the t axis
corresponds to the distance travelled by
the particle between times t1 and t2 .
area =
displacement
Consideration of the velocitytime graph
is particularly useful in situations where
t
t2
t1
there are several stages to the particles
motion.
Example 8
A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly for 25 s until it is travelling at 25 m/s. It
then maintains this velocity for 3 minutes before decelerating uniformly until it stops in
another 15 s.
Construct a velocitytime graph and use it to determine the total distance travelled in
kilometres.

P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

475
Solution
(a + b) h
Area =
2
1
= (220 + 180) 25
2
= 5000 m
= 5 km
The total distance travelled is 5 km.
Example 9
v (m/s)
25
25
205 220
t (s)
From the graph we can calculate

the area of the trapezium.
PL
P1: FXS/ABE
A motorist is travelling at a constant speed of 120 km/h when he passes a stationary police car.
He continues at that speed for another 15 s before uniformly decelerating to 100 km/h in 5 s.
The police car takes off after the motorist the instant it passes. It accelerates uniformly for 25 s
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 he
travelled in that time?
SA
M
Solution
v (km/h)
We start by representing the information
on a velocitytime graph.
130
120
The distance travelled by the motorist
and the police car will be the same so
100
the areas under each of the velocitytime
graphs will be equal. This fact can be
O
15 20 25
used to find T, the time taken for the
police car to catch up to the motorist.
For the motorist, the distance travelled
after T seconds

5
1
= 120 15 + (120 + 100) 5 + 100(T 20)
2
18
5
= (1800 + 550 + 100T 2000)
18
5
= (100T + 350)
18
5
Note: The factor
changes velocities from km/h to m/s.
18
police car
motorist
t (s)

P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

476

5
1
25 130 + 130(T 25)
2
18
5
= (1625 + 130T 3250)
18
5
= (130T 1625)
18
When the police car catches the motorist
Police car:
distance = (100T + 350)
100T + 350 = 130T 1625

30T = 1975
395
T =
6
The police car catches the motorist after 65.83 s.
5
395
where T =
18
6
PL
P1: FXS/ABE
52 000
m
27
distance = 1.926 km
=
The police car has travelled 1.926 km when it catches the motorist.
SA
M
Exercise 19D
Example
It is suggested that you draw a velocitytime graph for each of these questions.
1 A particle starts from rest and accelerates uniformly for 5 s until it reaches a speed of
10 m/s. It immediately decelerates uniformly until it comes to rest after a further 8 s. How
far did it travel?
2 A car accelerates uniformly from rest for 10 s to a speed of 15 m/s. It maintains this speed
for a further 25 s before decelerating uniformly to rest after a further 15 s. Find
a the total distance travelled by the car
b the distance it had travelled when it started to decelerate
c the time taken for it to reach the halfway point of its journey.
3 A particle starts from rest and travels 1 km before coming to rest again. For the first 5 s it
accelerates uniformly. It next maintains a constant speed for 500 m, and then decelerates
uniformly for the last 10 s. Find the maximum speed of the particle.
4 A car passes point P with a speed of 36 km/h and continues at this speed for 12 s before
accelerating to a speed of 72 km/h in 6 s. How far from P is the car when it reaches a speed
of 72 km/h?

P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

477
5 A tram decelerates uniformly from a speed of 60 km/h to rest in 60 s. Find

a the distance travelled by the tram
b how far it had travelled by the time it had reduced its speed by half
c the time taken for it to travel half the total distance.
9
6 A car passes a point A with a speed of 15 m/s and continues travelling at that speed. A
second car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly until it reaches a speed of 25 m/s in
10 s. Both cars continue with a constant speed on to point B which they reach at the same
time.
Example
a How long does it take for both cars to reach point B?

b How far is it from A to B?
PL
7 Two stations A and B are 14 km apart. A train passes through station A, heading towards B,
maintaining a constant speed of 60 km/h. At the instant it passes through A, a second train
on the same track leaves station B, heading towards A, and accelerates uniformly. After 5
minutes the alarm is raised at both stations simultaneously that a collision is imminent.
Both trains are radioed and told to brake. The first train decelerates uniformly so that it will
stop in 2.5 minutes. The second train, which has reached a speed of 80 km/h, will take 4
minutes to stop. Will they collide?
SA
M
8 Two tram stops are 800 m apart. A tram starts at rest from the first stop and accelerates at a
constant acceleration of a m/s2 for a certain time and then decelerates at a constant rate of
2a m/s2 , before coming to rest at the second stop. The time taken to travel between the
stops is 1 min 40 seconds. Find
a the maximum speed reached by the tram in km/h
b the time at which the brakes are applied
c the value of a.

P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

Chapter summary
a=
PL
The position coordinate of a particle moving in a straight line is determined by its distance
from a fixed point O, called the origin, and whether the particle is to the right or left of O.
Conventionally, the direction to the right of the origin is considered to be positive.
r displacement (x) is the position of the particle relative to O
r velocity (v) is the rate of change of its position with respect to time, i.e. v = d x
dt
r speed is a scalar quantity and refers to the distance travelled per unit time
r average velocity = change in position
change in time
r average speed = distance travelled
change in time
r acceleration (a) is the rate of change of its velocity with respect to time, i.e.
d2x
dv
= 2
dt
dt
Constant acceleration
If acceleration is constant, the following formulae may be applied where u is the initial
velocity, v is the final velocity, a is the acceleration, t is the time and s is the displacement
r v = u + at
r s = ut + 1 at 2
r v 2 = u 2 + 2as
r s = 1 (u + v) t
2
2
Velocitytime graphs
The area of the region(s) between the velocitytime (v against t) graph and the t axis
between t = t1 and t = t2 corresponds to the distance travelled by the particle between
times t1 and t2 .
SA
M
Review
478
Multiple-choice questions
1 A particle moves in a straight line so that its position x cm from a fixed point O at time t
seconds (t 0) is given by x = t 3 + 7t 2 12t. The initial position of the particle
relative to O is
A 0 cm
B 6 cm
C 12 cm
D 20 cm E 5 cm
2 A particle moves in a straight line so that its position x cm from a fixed point O at time t
seconds (t 0) is given by x = t 3 + 7t 2 12t. The average velocity of the particle in
the first 2 s correct to two decimal places is
A 4 cm/s
B 4 cm/s
C 2 cm/s
D 4.06 cm/s E 2 cm/s
3 A particle moves in a straight line with acceleration of 4 6t m/s2 at time t seconds. The
particle has an initial velocity of 1 m/s and an initial position of 4 m from a fixed point O.
The velocity of the particle when t = 1 is
A 1 m/s
B 6 m/s
C 0 m/s
D 4 m/s
E 2 m/s

P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

479
Review
4 A body starts from rest with a uniform acceleration of 1.8 m/s2 . The time it will take for
the body to travel 90 m is
10 s
C 10 s
D
10
E 10 2 s
A 5s
B
PL
5 A car accelerating uniformly from rest reaches a speed of 60 km/h in 4 s. The cars
acceleration is
25
25
E
m/s2
km/h2
D
B 15 m/s2
C 54 m/s2
A 15 km/h2
6
6
6 A car accelerating uniformly from rest reaches a speed of 60 km/h in 4 s. The distance
travelled by the car in the 4 s is
100
m
D 100 m
E 360 m
A 200 m
B 100 km
C
3
v (m/s)
7 A cars motion is represented by the
velocitytime graph shown.
25
The total distance travelled by the car
20
over the 15 s is
15
A 75 m
B 315 m
C 182.5 m
10
D 167.5 m E 375 m
5
0
4 56
10
t (s)
15
8 A rock falls from the top of a cliff 40 m high. The rocks speed just before it hits the ground

in m/s g = 9.8 m/s2 is
A 20
B 22
C 24
D 26
E 28
SA
M
9 A body initially travelling at 20 m/s is subject to a constant deceleration of 4 m/s2 . The

time it takes to come to rest (t seconds) and the distance travelled before it comes to rest
(s metres) is given by
A t = 5, s = 50
B t = 5, s = 45
C t = 4, s = 20
D t = 5, s = 40
E t = 4, s = 35
10 A particle moves in a straight line with acceleration of 12t 5 m/s2 at time t seconds. The
particle has an initial velocity of 1 m/s and an initial position of 0 m from a fixed point O.
Find the velocity of the particle at t = 1.
A 1 m/s
B 5 m/s
C 7 m/s
D 2 m/s
E 3 m/s
Short-answer questions (technology-free)

(t 0) is given by x = t 2 4t 5. Find
b its position at t = 3
c its initial velocity
d when and where its velocity equals zero
e its average velocity in the first 3 s
f its average speed in the first 3 s.
(t 0) is given by x = t 3 2t 2 + 8. Find

P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

a its initial position, velocity and acceleration and hence describe its motion
b the times when it is stationary and its positions and acceleration at those times.
3 A particle moving in a straight line is x cm from the point O at time t seconds (t 0),
where x = 2t 3 + 3t 2 + 12t + 7. Find
a when the particle passes through O and its velocity and its acceleration at those times
b when the particle is at rest
c the distance travelled in the first 3 s.
PL
4 Two particles A and B are moving in a straight line such that their displacements x cm from
the point O at time t seconds are given by x 1 and x2 respectively, where
x1 (t) =t 3 t 2 t 0
t 0
x2 (t) =t 2
a Find
1
1
ii the acceleration of A after s
i the displacement of A after s
2
2
1
iii the velocity of B after s.
2
b Find
i the times when A and B collide (i.e., have the same displacement)
ii the maximum distance between A and B during the first 2 s of motion.
5 A particle moving in a straight line has acceleration of 6t m/s2 at time t seconds (t 0). If
the particle starts from rest at the origin O, find
a the velocity after 2 s
b the displacement at any time t.
SA
M
Review
480
6 A particle moving in a straight line has acceleration of (3 2t) m/s2 at time t seconds
(t 0). If the particle starts at the origin O with a velocity of 4 m/s, find
a the time when the particle comes to rest
b the position of the particle at the instant it comes to rest
c the acceleration at this instant
d the time when the acceleration is zero
e the velocity at this time.
7 A particle moves in a straight line and, t seconds after it starts from O, its velocity is

2
2t 3t 3 m/s. Find
a the displacement after 1 s
b the velocity after 1 s
c the acceleration after 1 s.
8 For a particle moving in a straight line, the velocity function is v : R + R, where
1
v (t) = 2 and t is the time in seconds. Find
2t
a the acceleration after t seconds
b the displacement at time t seconds, given that the particle is at O when t = 1.
9 The velocity, v m/s, of a body t seconds after it starts moving from O along a straight line is
given by v = t 3 11t 2 + 24t, t 0.

P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

481
10 A car is travelling at 20 m/s when the brakes are applied. It is brought to rest with uniform
deceleration in 4 s. How far did it travel after the brakes were applied?
11 A car accelerates uniformly from 0 to 30 m/s in 12 s. Find

a the acceleration
b the time it will take to increase in speed from 30 m/s to 50 m/s
d the time taken to reach a speed of 100 km/h.
PL
12 A train starts from rest at a station and accelerates uniformly at 0.4 m/s2 until it reaches a
speed of 60 km/h.
a How long does the train take to reach this speed?
b How far does the train travel in reaching this speed?
SA
M
For questions 13 and 14 assume that the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s2 and ignore air
resistance. Upward motion is considered to be in the positive direction.
13 A body is projected vertically upward with a velocity of 35 m/s.
a After what time will the body return to the point of projection?
b When will the body be at a height of 60 m above the point of projection?
14 A stone is projected vertically upward from the top of a cliff 20 m high with a speed of
19.6 m/s. Find
a the time taken for the stone to reach its maximum height
b the maximum height reached, with respect to ground level
c the time taken for the stone to return to the point of projection
d the time taken for the stone to reach the foot of the cliff.
It is suggested that you draw a velocitytime graph for each of the questions 15 to 18.
15 A particle starts from rest and accelerates uniformly for 15 s until it reaches a speed of
25 m/s. It immediately decelerates uniformly until it comes to rest after a further 20 s. How
far did it travel?
16 A car accelerates uniformly from rest for 8 s to a speed of 12 m/s. It maintains this speed
for a further 15 s before decelerating uniformly to rest after a further 10 s. Find
a the total distance travelled by the car
b the time taken for it to reach the halfway point of its journey.
17 A vehicle starts from rest and travels 1 km before coming to rest again. For the first 15 s it
accelerates uniformly, before maintaining a constant speed for 800 m then finally
decelerating uniformly to rest in 10 s. Find the maximum speed of the vehicle.
18 A car travels at a constant speed of 12 m/s along a straight road. It passes a second
stationary car which sets off in pursuit 3 s later. Find the constant acceleration required for
the second car so that it catches the first car after a further 27 s has passed.
Review
a Find the acceleration at time t.

b Find the acceleration at the instant when the body first changes direction.
c Find the displacement of the body from O after 5 s, and the total distance travelled in
the first 5 s.
P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

19 A particle moves in a straight line so that t seconds after passing a fixed point O in the line,
t2
its velocity, v metres per second, is given by v = 3t + 5.
4
Calculate:
a the velocity after 10 s
b the acceleration when t = 0 c the minimum velocity
d the distance travelled in the first 2 s
e the distance travelled in the 3rd second.
20 A spot of light moves along a straight line so that its acceleration t seconds after passing a
fixed point O on the line is (2 2t) cm/s2 . Three seconds after passing O the spot has a
velocity of 5 cm/s. Find, in terms of t, an expression for
a the velocity of the spot of light after t seconds
b the distance of the spot from O after t seconds.
PL
21 A point P is moving along a straight line. It passes through a point O with a velocity 6 m/s
and, t seconds after passing through O, its acceleration is (4 4t) m/s2 .

a Show that, t seconds after passing through O, the velocity of P is 6 + 4t 2t 2 m/s.
b Calculate
i the maximum velocity of P
ii the value of t when the velocity of P is again 6 m/s
iii the distance OP when the velocity of P is zero.
22 A particle travelling in a straight line passes a fixed point O with a velocity 5 m/s. Its
acceleration, a m/s2 , is given by a = 27 4t 2 , where t seconds is the time after passing O.
Calculate
a the acceleration of the particle as is passes O
b its velocity when t = 3
c the value of t when its velocity is again 5 m/s.
SA
M
Review
482
23 A particle passes a fixed point O with a velocity of 2 m/s and moves in a straight line with
acceleration of 3 (1 t) m/s2 , where t is the time in seconds after passing O. Calculate
a the velocity when t = 4
b the position of the particle at this instant.
24 A particle P travels in a straight line from a fixed point O so that its velocity, v m/s, is given
by v = t 2 10t + 24, where t is the time in seconds after leaving O. Find
a the values of t for which P is instantaneously at rest
b the distance OP when t = 3
c the range of values of t for which the acceleration is negative.
Extended-response questions
1 A particle moves in a straight line so that its displacement x cm relative to O at time

1
1
t seconds is given by x = t 3 2t 2 + 4t 2 . Find
3
3
a its initial displacement
b its initial velocity
c its acceleration after 3 s
d the time when its velocity equals zero

P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

483
2 A particle moves in a straight line so that its displacement, x cm, relative to O at time
t seconds (t 0) is given by x = t 4 + 2t 2 8t. Show that
a the particle moves first to the left
b the greatest distance of the particle to the left of O occurs after 1 s
c after this time, the particle always moves to the right.
PL
3 A defective rocket rises vertically upwards into the air and then crashes back to the ground.
The rockets height above the ground, at time t seconds after take-off, is h metres where
h = 6t 2 t 3 (an approximate model).
a When does the rocket crash and what is its velocity at this time?
b At what time is the speed of the rocket zero, and what is its maximum height?
c When does the acceleration of the rocket become negative?
4 A body is projected vertically upwards at 20 m/s from the top of a tower 10 m high on the
edge of a vertical cliff. The upward displacement, x(t) metres, of the body from ground
level O at time t seconds after projection (t 0) is given by x (t) = 4.9 t 2 + 20t + 10.
Use a graphics calculator or otherwise to evaluate the values
x (1) x (0) , x (2) x (1) , x (3) x (2) , . . . , x (10) x (9) .
Analyse your results and draw some inference about the motion of the body.
SA
M
5 A particle is projected vertically upwards with a speed of u m/s. Prove that

u
a the time taken by the particle to reach its highest point is seconds
g
b the total time taken for the particle to return to the point of projection is
2u
seconds
g
c the speed of returning to the point of projection is u m/s.
6 A stone is projected vertically upwards with a speed of 14 m/s, from a point O at the top of
a mine shaft. Five seconds earlier, a lift began to descend the mine shaft from O with a
constant speed of 3.5 m/s. Find the depth of the lift (to the nearest metre) at the instant
when the stone falls on it. (Neglect air resistance and take the acceleration due to gravity as
9.8 m/s2 .)
7 A car is travelling along a straight road at 90 km/h when the brakes are applied. The car
comes to rest in 5 s and during this time the velocity decreases linearly with time. Find:
a the rule for the velocitytime function after the brakes are applied
b the distance travelled in the five seconds.
8 A particle moves in a straight line so that its displacement x cm relative to O at time
t seconds (t 0) is given by x = 3t 4 4t 3 + 24t 2 48t. Show that the particle moves at
first to the left, comes to rest at a point A and then moves always to the right. Find the
position of A.

Review
e the displacement when its velocity equals zero

f the time when its displacement is zero.
P1: FXS/ABE
P2: FXS
9780521740494c19.xml
CUAU033-EVANS
September 10, 2008
7:6
Back to Menu >>>

PL
9 A particle is projected vertically upwards with a velocity of u m/s from a point O on the
ground. T seconds later a second particle is projected vertically upwards from O with the
same velocity.

T
u
+
seconds after the first
Prove that the time taken for the particles to collide is
g
2
particle was launched, and that the height of the particles at the instant they collide is
4u 2 g 2 T 2
metres above O.
8g
2u
2u
Interpret the case where T =
. What happens if T >
?
g
g
SA
M
Review
484


CH 19

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CH 19

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CH 19

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

P1: FXS/ABE

September 10, 2008

Back to Menu >>>

To use graphical methods to solve problems involving motion in a straight line

Position, velocity and acceleration

Cambridge University Press Uncorrected Sample Pages 978-0-521-61252-4

September 10, 2008

Back to Menu >>>

Essential Advanced General Mathematics

x = +6 i.e. the particle is 6 cm to the right of O.

Cambridge University Press Uncorrected Sample Pages 978-0-521-61252-4

September 10, 2008

Back to Menu >>>

1 metre per second

The first and third are connected in the following way:

Average speed for a time interval [t1 , t2 ] is equal to

Cambridge University Press Uncorrected Sample Pages 978-0-521-61252-4

September 10, 2008

Back to Menu >>>

Essential Advanced General Mathematics

total distance travelled = 12.25 + 0.25 = 12.5

Cambridge University Press Uncorrected Sample Pages 978-0-521-61252-4

September 10, 2008

Back to Menu >>>

Particle is instantaneously at rest 5 cm to right of O with an acceleration of

2 The position x metres at time t seconds (t 0) of a particle moving in a straight line is

b its acceleration at this time

its initial position and velocity

Cambridge University Press Uncorrected Sample Pages 978-0-521-61252-4

September 10, 2008

Back to Menu >>>

Essential Advanced General Mathematics

Using antiderivatives for kinematics problems

a Antidifferentiate with respect to t to find the expression for position x m at time

When t = 0, x = 0 and therefore c = 0

b When t = 3, x = 3. The body is 3 units to the left of O

Cambridge University Press Uncorrected Sample Pages 978-0-521-61252-4

September 10, 2008

Back to Menu >>>

d v = 0 when 2t 4 = 0, i.e., when t = 2

Cambridge University Press Uncorrected Sample Pages 978-0-521-61252-4

September 10, 2008

Back to Menu >>>

Essential Advanced General Mathematics

a The stone will reach its maximum height when v = 0

The maximum height reached by the stone is 31.25 m.

i.e. the stone takes 4 s to reach the ground.

a its position x in terms of t

b its position after 3 s

2 The velocity (v m/s) at time t seconds (t 0) of a particle is given by v = 3t 2 8t + 5. It

3 A body moves in a straight line with an acceleration of 10 m/s2 . If after 2 s it passes

Cambridge University Press Uncorrected Sample Pages 978-0-521-61252-4

September 10, 2008

Back to Menu >>>

c the time it takes to reach its maximum height

Now given that

Cambridge University Press Uncorrected Sample Pages 978-0-521-61252-4

September 10, 2008

Back to Menu >>>