KINEMATICS

Kinematics is the study of how things move.

Kinematics (from Greek , kinein, to move) is the branch of classical mechanics

that describes the motion of objects without consideration of the causes
leading to the motion

Linear Motion :

Linear or translational kinematics is the description of the motion in space of

a point along a line, also known as trajectory or path.
This path can be either straight (rectilinear) or curved (curvilinear).
 KINEMATICS

SUBSCRIPTS
Terms with the subscript “O” – denotes initial or starting or original
value or your initial reference value

XO : means initial position in x-axis

Terms with the subscript “F” – denotes final or end value at a certain
condition (time or displacement)

VF : means end reference velocity

 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (X-AXIS)

=S

Displacement (Distance) – The change of position. Units : m, cm, km, ft

Δx = xF – xO s = x F – xO

Time Interval – The time difference between two events. Units : sec, min, hrs

t = t F – tO
 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (X-AXIS)

=S

Velocity (Speed) – The rate of change of position with respect to time (interval) .
Units : km/hr, m/s, ft/s
From this equation we can derive :
Average Velocity
s = vt and t = s/v
s x F – xO
v= =
t tF – tO NOTE : These equations are useful if there
is NO ACCELERATION
 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (X-AXIS)

tO t tF

VO Δv VF

Δv : Change in velocity = vF − vO
Acceleration – The rate of change of velocity with respect to time (interval). Units :
m/s2 , km/hr2 , ft/s2
Average Acceleration Instantaneous Acceleration

ΔV VF – VO dv
a= = a(t) =
t tF – tO dt
 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (x-axis)

Displacement, Velocity & Acceleration are Vector

Quantities. Thus sign convention is used :

For Displacement & Velocity – The sign convention would

just tell if the object is going to the left or right.

For Acceleration – The sign convention would just tell if

the object is speeding up or slowing down.
 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (x-axis)

Equations for Linear Motion

From Average Acceleration
vF – vO vF – vO
a= =
tF – tO t

vF = vO + at Where acceleration is constant

 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (x-axis)

Equations for Linear Motion

From Instantaneous Velocity
dx
v= dx = vdt
dt
dx = vFdt = (vO + at)dt

∫dx = ∫(vO + at)dt

[ s ] = vO[ t ] + ½ a[ t2 ]

s = vOt + ½ at2
 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (x-axis)

Equations for Linear Motion

From the two equations :

vF = vO + at s = vOt + ½ at2

t derived from 1

t = (vF− vO ) / a
t substituted in 2
s = vO [ (vF− vO ) / a ] + ½ a [ (vF− vO ) / a]2 as = + ½ (vF2− vO2 )

s = [( vOvF− vO2 ) / a ] + ½ [ (vF2− 2vOvF + vO2) / a ] 2as = vF2− vO2

s = [( vOvF− vO2 ) + ½ (vF2− 2vOvF + vO2)] / a

vF2 = vO2 + 2as
as = vOvF− vO2 + ½ vF2 − vOvF + ½ vO2
as = + ½ vF2 − ½ vO2
as = + ½ (vF2− vO2 )
 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (x-axis)
Kinematics Equations for Linear Motion with Constant Acceleration
(along x-axis)

vF = vO + at

s = vOt + ½ at2

vF2 = vO2 + 2aS

Where acceleration is constant

 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (X-AXIS)

Five kinematic variables:

1. displacement, s

2. acceleration (constant), a

3. final velocity (at time t), vF

4. initial velocity, vo

5. elapsed time, t
Problem Solving Strategy
1. Make a drawing.

2. Decide which directions are to be called positive (+) and

negative (-). Use a standard sign convention.

3. Write down the values that are given for any of the five
kinematic variables.

4. Verify that the information contains values for at least three

of the five kinematic variables. Select the appropriate equation.

5. When the motion is divided into segments, remember that

the final velocity of one segment is the initial velocity for the next.

6. Keep in mind that there may be two possible answers to a

kinematics problem.
 Sample Poblems for Kinematics – Motion along a straight line (x-axis)

1. A hiker travels in a straight line for 40 mins with an average velocity of

magnitude 1.25 m/s. What distance does he cover during this time ?

Given Find
t= 40 mins, v = 1.25 m/s s – distance covered

Solution
v = s/t, s = vt
Convert t to seconds first :
t = 40 mins X (60 sec / 1min) = 2,400 secs

s = vt = ( 1.25 m/s)(2,400 s) = 3000 m = 3 km

 2. A car odometer reads 22,487 km at the start of a trip and 22,891 km at the end.
The trip took 4 hours. What was the car’s average speed in m/s?

Given : Required :
xO = 22,487 km xF = 22,891 km t = 4 hrs V
Average Velocity

s x F – xO
v = =
t tF – tO

s = xF – xO = 22,891 – 22,487 S = 404 km

V = S/t = 404,000m / 14,400s
s = 404 km * (1,000 m / 1km) = 404,000m
t = 4 hrs * ( 3,600 sec / 1hr) = 14,400 sec V = 28.055 m/s
3. What is the acceleration of a car that travels in a straight line at a constant speed
of 150 km/hr?

Ans : a = 0 , constant speed means, no acceleration

4. A car is traveling along a straight road at 10 m/s. It accelerates uniformly for 25
seconds until it is moving at 35 m/s. What was the acceleration?

Given : Required :
VO = 10 m/s VF = 35 m/s t = 25 s a

VF = VO + at s = VOt + ½ at2 VF2 = VO2 + 2as

35 = 10 + a(25)
Since the car’s speed
35 = 10 + 25a increases
35 − 10 = 25a a is positive
25 = 25a a = +1 m/s2
(25/25) = a
1=a
5. A car covers a distance of 50 m in 10 seconds while smoothly slowing down to a
final speed of 2.5 m/s.
A) Find the car's original speed.
B) Find the car's acceleration.

Given : Required :

S = 50 m t = 10 s VF = 2.5 m/s VO & a

VF = VO + at S = VOt + ½ at2 VF2 = VO2 + 2aS

2.5 = VO + a(10) 50 = VO (10) + ½ a(10)2

2.5 = VO + 10a 50 = 10VO + 50a < eq. 2
VO = 2.5 − 10 a < eq. 1

eq. 1 in eq.2 value of a in eq.1

50 = 10(2.5−10a) + 50a
VO = 2.5 − 10(-0.5)
50 = 25 −100a + 50a
50 − 25 = −100a + 50a VO = 2.5 + 5
25 = −50a
VO = 7.5 m/s
a = −0.5 m/s2 a = 0.5 m/s2 (slowing down)
 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (y-axis)
Case 1 : Object Going Downward

tO yO VO

If object is released without initial

velocity (Vo = 0) – it is considered a
freely falling body
Δt Δy or h

tF yF VF
 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (y-axis)
Case 2 : Object Thrown Upward

At the highest level the velocity is zero

tH y VH = V = 0 tH y VH = V = 0

Δt1 Δy or h Δt2

tO yO VO tF yF VF

Going Up Going Down = Free Fall

MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (y-axis)

For Motion along Y-Axis

The displacement is now VERTICAL. We refer to it
as HEIGHT.

Δy = h

Acceleration here is a fixed value called the

gravitational acceleration (g)

g= 9.8 m/s2 = 980 cm/s2 = 32 ft/s2

 MOTION ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE (Y-AXIS)

General Equations for Linear Motion (Y-axis)

vF = vO + gt Sign Convention for gravitational

acceleration (g) – ALWAYS NEGATIVE
h = vOt + ½ gt2
g = − 9.8 m/s2 = − 980 cm/s2
vF2 = vO2 + 2gh (metric system)
g = − 32 ft/s2
For Height & Velocity – The (english system)
sign convention would just
tell if the object is going
down (−) or up (+).
Sample Problems :

1. If a flea can jump to a height of 0.75 m, what is its initial velocity as it

leave the ground? For how much time is it in the air?

Given : Required :
h = 0.75 m g = −9.8 m/s VO & time in air (T)

VF = VO + gt h = VOt + ½ gt2 VF2 = VO2 + 2gh

02 = VO2 + 2(-9.8)(0.75) VF = VO + gt
VH = 0 0 = VO2 − 14.7
0 = 3.834 +(-9.8)t
2
VO = 14.7
9.8t = 3.834
VO = 3.834 m/s
t = 3.834/9.8
h=0.75m
t = 0.39 s
this is only going up, but this is also the same time
VO going down, hence T = 2t = 0.78 s
Sample Problems :

2. A brick is dropped from the roof of a building. The brick strikes the
ground after 5 seconds.
a. How tall, in meters, is the building (magnitude only)?
b. What is the magnitude of the brick’s velocity just before it reaches
the ground?

VO = 0 h = vOt + ½ gt2 vF = vO + gt
h = (0)(5) + ½ (-9.8)(5)2 VF = 0 +(-9.8)(5)
h = −122.5 m
VF = −49 m/s
t = 5s
(−) sign here means (−) sign here means
h=?
below the reference or going down.
starting point.

VF = ? h =122.5 m (down) VF = 49 m/s (downward)

Sample Problems :

3. A student throws a water balloon vertically downward from the top of

a building. The balloon leaves the thrower’s hand with a speed of 15
m/s.
a. What is its speed in 5 seconds?
b. How far does it fall in 2 seconds?
c. What is the magnitude of the velocity after falling 10 m?
c. VF @ h = -10 m
VO = -15 m/s a. VF in 5 sec
vF = vO + gt vF2 = vO2 + 2gh
VF = -15 + (-9.8)(5) vF2 = (-15)2 + 2(-9.8)(-10)
VF = - 64 m/s
vF2 = 225 +196 = 421
VF = 64 m/s (downward)
vF = 20..51 m/s
b. h in 2 sec
VF = ? h =(-15)(2) + ½ (-9.8)(2)2 = -49.6 m
h = 49.6 m (down)
 PROJECTILE MOTION
- Motion along a curved path or trajectory

- Elements of BOTH straight line motion & freely-falling bodies apply here.

“A Projectile is any body that is given initial velocity and then follows a path
determined by the effects of gravitational acceleration & air resistance.”

Consider a projectile (ball) thrown at an angle instead of horizontally

θ
 Projectile Motion – Curvillinear Translation

+y
Vy = 0
V1y V1
V = Vx
V2x

V1x Δymax or H V2

Vo V2y
Voy
VFx
θ
+x
(0,0) Vox θ
Origin R

−y VFy VF

* VF = Velocity @ impact ≠ 0 VFx = x-comp of VF VFy = y-comp of VF

VO = Initial/Project Velocity VOx = x-comp of VO VOy = y-comp of VO

V = Velocity @ Highest point Vy = y-comp of V

Vx = x-comp of V
Vn = Velocity @ a certain point Vny = y-comp of V1y, V2y..etc
Vnx = x-comp of V1x, V2x..etc
Ex V1, V2
Projectile Motion – Consider X – components :
Analyze using Motion along a Straight Line
Vox = VO cosθ {x-component of VO}
For a projectile , the HORIZONTAL component
of the velocity is CONSTANT
+y
V = Vx = Vox
t
V2x = Vox

V1x = Vox

VFx = Vox
θ
+x
(0,0) Vox θ
Origin
s
−y
Using Kinematics Equation (2) to Since VX ‘s are the same :
determine s at any time (t)
Hence aX = 0
s = VOXt + ½ aXt2
s = VOXt
Projectile Motion – Consider Y – components :
Analyze using Freely Falling Bodies
Voy = VO sinθ {y-component of VO}
For a projectile , the VERTICAL component of the
velocity is NOT CONSTANT
+y
Vy = 0
V1y
V
t

h V2y
Voy
θ
+x
(0,0) θ
Origin Using Kinematics Equation (2) to determine h at any
time (t)
−y VFy
h = VOYt + ½ aYt2
aY = g = − 9.8m/s2 = − 980cm/s2 = − 32 ft/s2
h = VOYt + ½ gt2
 PROJECTILE MOTION EQUATIONS
X - Component Y - Component
VOY = VOsinθ
VOX = VOcosθ
VnY = VOY + gt
VOX = VX = V1x = V2x = VnX VY = 0

S = VOX t h = VOY t + ½ gt2

VnY2 = VOY2 + 2gh

g= − 9.8 m/s2 = − 980 cm/s2 = − 32 ft/s2

 PROJECTILE MOTION EQUATIONS
MAXIMUM HEIGHT [ H ] RANGE [ R ]
h = VOYt + ½ gt2 h=H
s = VOXt s=R
H = VOYt + ½ gt2 VOY = VO sin θ
R = VOXT VOX= VO cos θ
@ H , VY = 0
VY = VOY + gt t=? T=? t = (VO sinθ) / g
0 = + VO sinθ + g t
but we are using g as – 9.8 m/s T = 2t = (2VO sinθ) / g
0 = + VO sinθ − gt
R = {(VO cos θ)} {2(VO sinθ) / g}
t = (VO sinθ) / g
R = VO2 [2(cos θ)(sinθ)] / g
H = VOYt + ½ gt2
but we are using g as – 9.8 m/s
Recall : sine of sum of two angles
H = VOYt − ½ gt2
sin (θ+β) = cos β sin θ + sin β cos θ
(VOsin θ)(VOsin θ) g [(VO sinθ)]2 Let θ = β
H= −
g 2 g2 sin (2θ) = cos θ sin θ+ sin θ cos θ
sin (2θ) = 2cos θ sin θ
(VOsin θ)2 (VO sinθ)2
H= −
g 2g R = [ VO 2 (sin 2θ) ] / g
(VOsin θ)2
H=
2g
 PROJECTILE MOTION EQUATIONS

MAXIMUM HEIGHT [ H ] H = VOY2/(2g) = (VOsinθ)2/(2g)

TIME TO REACH THE

MAXIMUM HEIGHT [ tH ] tH = VOY/g = (VO sinθ)/g

RANGE [ R ] R = [VO2 (sin 2θ)] / g

TIME TO REACH THE END OF
RANGE [ tR ] tR = R/VOX = R/(VO cosθ)
Or
tR = 2tH = (2VO sinθ) / g
Note :
g=+ 9.8 m/s2 = + 980 cm/s2 = + 32 ft/s2
COMMON LEVEL VELOCITY

+y
Vy = 0
V1
V1y V = Vx V2x |V1|= |V2|
V3y V1x
V2y
V3 V2 V4x |V3| = |V4|
V3x
V4y V4
Voy
Vo VFx
θ
(0,0) Vox θ
Origin +x
* VF = Velocity @ impact ≠ 0

−y VFy VF
Due to its trajectory, the projectile passes again the same vertical level going
down, Velocity at that level are equal in magnitude, with their vertical
components, equal in magnitude but opposite in direction and their
horizontal components perfectly equal.
|V1| = |V2| V1y = −V2y V1x= V2x
|V3| = |V4| V3y = −V4y V3x= V4x
 Projectile Motion – Projectile fired horizontally
+y
VOy = Vy =0
(0,0)
Origin Here VO = Vx
VO V1x
All previous equations are
useful.
Δymax or H V1
V1y EXCEPT : Range & Max.
VFx Height
+x
Δx θ

−y VFy VF

* VF = Velocity @ impact ≠ 0 VFx = x-comp of VF VFy = y-comp of VF

VO = Initial/Project Velocity VOx = x-comp of VO VOy = y-comp of VO

V = Velocity @ Highest point Vy = y-comp of V

Vx = x-comp of V
Vn = Velocity @ a certain point Vny = y-comp of V1y, V2y..etc
Vnx = x-comp of V1x, V2x..etc
Ex V1, V2
 Projectile Motion – Projectile beyond the range
+y

Vy =0

V V2x

H V2
V2y
VFx
F +x
θ
R VFx
VFy VF
−y

At point F : Set VF as your initial velocity. Then apply the principles

of horizontally fired projectile, but note that VFy is NOT zero
1. A bullet is fired at an initial velocity of 350 m/s and at an angle of 50° with
the horizontal. Neglecting air resistance. Determine:
(a) The range, (b) The travel time of the bullet before hitting the ground

Given Required
Vo = 350 m/s, θ = 50° , (a) Range, (b) travel time - T
(b) T
Solution Using Highest Point
(a) Range Where Vy = 0

R = Vo2 (sin 2θ) / g Vy = Voy + gt

R = (350 m/s)2 (sin 100°) / (9.8 m/s2) Voy = Vo sinθ = (+350 m/s) (sin 50°)
R = 12,310.1 m Voy = +268.116 m/s
R = 12.3 km Vy = Voy + gt
0 = +268.116 m/s + (-9.8 m/s2) t
t = (268.116 m/s) / (9.8 m/s2) = 27.359 s
T = 2t, T = 54.717 s
2. A bullet is fired at an angle of 75° with the horizontal with an initial velocity
of 420 m/s. How high can it travel after 2 seconds? How far horizontally did it
travel after that same 2 seconds?

Given Required
Vo = 420 m/s, θ = 75° , h & s after t = 2 sec
Solution
s = Vox t
h = Voy t + ½ g t2
Vox = Vo cosθ = (+420 m/s) (cos 75°)
Voy = Vo sinθ = (+420 m/s) (sin 75°) Vox = +108.704 m/s
Voy = +405.689 m/s
s = (108.704 m/s)(2s)
s = 217.407 m

h = (405.689 m/s)(2s) + ½ (-9.8m/s2)(2s)2

h = (405.689 m/s)(2s) + ½ (-9.8m/s2)(2s)2
h = + 791.778 m