EQUATIONS OF LINEAR MOTION

From a =

v u
t

(1)

(2) ..

s = (u + v) t
s = ut + at2
v2 = u2 + 2as

(3) ..
(4) ..

= u + at

EXAMPLES :
1.

Nabil is driving a car at velocity of 30 m s-1 .

On seeing a student crossing the road, he
steps on the brakes to stop the car. The
speed of the car decreases uniformly and
comes to a halt after traveling 150 m.
a) What is the acceleration of the car
when the brakes are applied ?
b) What is the time interval before the
car stops ?

Solution :
u = 30 m s-1 , v = 0 m s-1 , s = 150 m
a)

v2 = u2 + 2as
02 = 302 + 2a(150)
-300a = 900
a = - 3 m s-2

b) Can use formula (1), (2) or (3)

a=vu
t
-3 = 0 30 ----- t = 10 s
t

2. A sprinter reaches his top velocity after

starting from rest in 3 seconds. He

covers a displacement of 24 m in that
time. What is his acceleration ?
u = 0 m s-1, t = 3 s, s = 24 m, a = ?
s = ut + at2
24 = 0(3) + (a)(32)
a = 5.3333 m s-2