Topic: Kinematic Equations of Motion

A. Background Information

Translation is the term used in physics for motion in a straight line. It is commonly described by three
Quantities: displacement, velocity and acceleration. The origin of the Cartesian plane is set as the origin of
motion. Position, velocity, and acceleration directed to the right are considered positive, while those that are
directed to the left of the origin are considered negative.
How do you know when something is moving?
 Objects must be compared to a “reference point”, something that is not moving.
 When an object changes position over time relative to a reference point, it is said to be “moving”.

Displacement versus Distance

To describe the motion of an objects, the exact location of the object must be determined. A position
refers to the location of an object with respect to a reference point or origin.

 Displacement- It refers to the straight-line distance between an object’s initial and final position with
direction toward the final position. It is a vector quantity, described by both magnitude and direction.
o In symbols, ∆ x = x – x0
o Where ∆ x represents the change in position or displacement , x is the final position, and x0 is the
initial position

 Distance - It refers to the total length of path taken by an object in moving from its initial to final
position. It is a scalar quantity since it is described by its magnitude only.

Consider a student walking from point A to point B as shown in the figure. The first tree can be set as
the origin, and the initial position of
the student is set as x0 = 0. While the
second tree can be set as the final
position of the student which is set as
x.

The total distance traveled by the

student is 9m. His displacement
however is only 4m, since the
displacement depends only on the
X0 X initial and final positions, not the actual
length of path by the student.

Sample Problems:
1. Susan runs 10 km east, then turns around and runs 5 km west.
a. Draw a diagram of the scenario.
b. Find the distance covered by Susan during her run.
c. Find the Susan’s displacement from her starting point.

10 km

5 km
Since distance is a scalar quantity, the magnitudes are directly added:
Total distance = distance 1 + distance 2
dT = d1 + d2
= 10 km + 5 km
= 15 km

Since displacement is a vector quantity, direction has to be considered. Since two vectors are acting in
opposite direction, to find the resultant displacement just get the difference of the two vectors and follow the
direction of the vector that has a bigger magnitude.
d R = d1 – d 2
= 10 km east – 5 km west
= 5 km, east
2. Robert runs east 20 km, stops for a break, and then runs the same direction for 10 km before he stops.
a. Draw a diagram of the scenario.
b. Find the distance Robert covered.
c. Find Robert’s displacement from his starting point.

20 km 10 km

Since distance is a scalar quantity, the magnitudes are directly added:

Total distance = distance 1 + distance 2
dT = d1 + d2
= 20 km + 10 km
= 30 km

Since displacement is a vector quantity, direction has to be considered. Since two vectors are acting in
the same direction, to find the resultant displacement just get the sum of the two vectors and follow the
direction given.

dR = d1 + d2
= 20 km east + 10 km east
= 30 km, east

3. Nimfa rides her bicycle 10 km East and then rides the bicycle 8 km heading North.
a. Draw a diagram of the scenario.
b. Find the distance Nimfa covered.
c. Find Nimfa’s displacement from her starting point.

8 km

10 km

Since distance is a scalar quantity, the magnitudes are directly added:

Total distance = distance 1 + distance 2
dT = d1 + d2
= 10 km + 8 km
= 18 km
Since displacement is a vector quantity, direction has to be considered. Since two vectors are at right angle
with each other, to find the resultant displacement use the Pythagorean theorem and use tangent function to
get the angle.

o
c = √ a2 +b 2 tan θ =
a

√
dR = (8 km)2 +(10 km)2 = |108 |
= √ 64 km2 +100 km2 = 0.8

= √ 164 km2 θ = tan-1 (0.8) or shift tan 0.8

= 12.81 km θ = 38.660

FINAL ANSWER: dR= 12.81 km, 38.660 North of East

 Speed versus Velocity

In everyday language, most people use the terms “speed” and “velocity” interchangeably. In physics, however, they
do not have the same meaning and they are distinct concepts.

Speed – is the distance travelled by the body in a given time. Speed is a scalar quantity.
Velocity – is the rate of change of position. It is the displacement of a body in a specified time interval. Velocity is a
vector quantity.

A moving body usually travels at changing speeds. Hence, there is a need to distinguish average speed from
instantaneous speed.
Average speed- is the total distance travelled divided by the total time elapsed.
Instantaneous speed- is the speed at a particular moment in time.
Average velocity- is the displacement divided by the total time elapsed.
Instantaneous velocity – is the velocity at a specific instant of time

Calculating Average Speed

Sample Problem:
1. Manila is 155 km from a town in Batangas. If it takes a car 2h and 20 min to travel from Manila to that town, what
is the average speed in km/h and in m/s? ( 20 min = 0.33 h)

total distance 155 km

V= = = 66.52 km/h
total time 2.33 h

Convert km/h to m/s

km 1000 m 1h
66.52 x x = 18.47 m/s
h 1 km 3600 s

2. A ferryboat travels 9 km in 45 minutes. What is the average speed of the boat?

Convert first: minutes to hour
1h
45 min x = 0.75 h
60 min

total distance 9 km
V= = = 12 km/h
total time 0.75 h
 Calculating Average Velocity
Sample Problem:
In 1988 Summer Olympics, Florence Griffith-Joyner won the 100-m race in 10.54 s. Find her average velocity in
m/s and km/h
Given: displacement, Δd = + 100 m Unknown: average velocity , V
Δd
time = Δt = 10.54 s Basic Equation: v = Δt
Solution:
Δd + 100 m
v = Δt = 10.54 s = + 9.488 m/s

m 1 km 3600 s
+ 9.488 x x = + 34.16 km/h
s 1000 m 1h

That is, she ran at the rate of +9.488 m in one second, or +34.16 km in one hour. In the 200-m race, Flo-Jo’s average
velocity was 200 m/21.34 s = + 9.372, so her average velocity was greater in the 100-m race.

Finding Displacement from Velocity and Time

Sample Problem:
 The high speed train travels from Paris to Lyons at an average velocity of +227 km/h. The trip takes 2 h.
How far is Lyons from Paris?

Given: average velocity, V = + 227 km/h Unknown: displacement, Δd

Δd
Time interval, Δt = 200 h Basic equation: v = Δt

Solution: By deriving the formula of Δd

Δd = V Δt = (+ 227 km/h)( 200 h) = + 454 km

 Score: _____________

Activity 1 Distance versus Displacement Worksheet

Direction: Solve the following problems as directed. Use a separate bond paper or intermediate paper for your
solutions. Refer to the sample problems found on the Background Information as your guide.

1. Amy runs 7.5 km south, then turns around and runs 4.5 km north
a. Draw a diagram of the scenario.
b. Find the distance covered by Amy during her run.
c. Find the Amy’s displacement from her starting point.
2. Alex walks east 5.5 km, stops for a break, and then runs the same direction for 2.5 km before he stops.
a. Draw a diagram of the scenario.
b. Find the distance Alex covered.
c. Find Alex’s displacement from his starting point.
3. Taylor rides her bicycle 20 km West and then rides the bicycle 15 km heading North.
a. Draw a diagram of the scenario.
b. Find the distance Taylor covered.
d. Find Taylor’s displacement from her starting point.

Activity 2 Average Speed versus Average Velocity

Direction: Solve the following problems. Show your solutions on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What is the average speed of my bunny rabbit when she hops 6 m to the east across the room in 11 seconds?
Express your answer in m/s unit. Round your answer to two decimal places.
2. What is the average velocity of my bunny rabbit when she hops 6 m to the east across the room in 11
seconds? Express your answer using the proper SI units. Round your answer to two decimal places, and include
a direction if necessary.
3. What is the average speed and average velocity across my bunny’s entire trip when she hops 6 meters to the
east across the room in 11 seconds and then takes another 12 seconds to hop back to her initial position?
Express your answer using the proper SI units. Round your answer to two decimal places, and include a
direction if necessary.
4. What is my average speed when it takes me 2 minutes to ride my bicycle all the way around a circular track
with a radius of 65 m? Express your answer using the proper SI units. Round your answer to two decimal
places, and include a direction if necessary. (Hint: circumference (c) = 2πr ; distance = circumference )
5. A high school athlete runs 1.0 x 102 m in 12.20 s. What is the velocity in m/s and km/h?
6. A person walks 13 km in 2 h. What is the person’s average velocity?

Activity 3: Finding Displacement from Velocity and Time

Direction: Solve the following problems. Show your solutions on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Suppose a car travels at a constant 10 m/s. How far would it move in 1 hour? In 1 minute?
2. A train leaves the station at the 0 m marker traveling with a constant velocity of 36 m/s.
a. How many seconds later will the train pass the 1620 m marker?
b. What is velocity of the train in km/h?