3. A falcon is diving at a speed of 30 m s–1.

THE EQUATIONS It accelerates at a rate of 40 m s–2 and

reaches a speed of 100 m s–1. Calculate
OF MOTION: 2 the distance it travels during its
acceleration.
ANSWER
u v a s t
u = initial velocity,
30 100 40 ?
v = final velocity,
a = acceleration, Use the no t equation:
s = displacement, v 2 = u 2 + 2as
t = time taken.
1002 = 302 + 2 �40 �s
v = u + at No s 10 000 = 900 + 80 �s
1 10 000 - 900 = 80 �s
s = ut + at 2 No v
2 9100 �80 = s = 113.75 m
v = u + 2as
2 2
No t
4. A snail is at rest.
It accelerates at a rate of 0.00075 m s–2.
Calculate the time it takes to reach a
1. A car accelerates at a rate of 10 m s–2 for speed of 0.0135 m s–1.
a time of 4 seconds. It reaches a speed of ANSWER
52 m s–1. Calculate its initial speed. u v a s t
ANSWER
0 0.0135 0.00075 ?
u v a s t
Use the no s equation:
? 52 10 4 v = u + at
Use the no s equation: 0.0135 = 0 + 0.00075 �t
v = u + at
0.0135 �0.00075 = t = 18 s
52 = u + 10 �4
52 - 40 = u = 12 m s -1 5. A blue shark accelerates at a rate of 16
m s–2 for a time of 0.8 seconds.
2. A bullet is at rest. It travels a distance of During this time it travels a distance of
0.34 m in a time of 0.0095 seconds. 11.52 m.
Calculate its acceleration. Calculate its initial speed.
ANSWER ANSWER
u v a s t u v a s t
0 ? 0.34 0.0095 ? 16 11.2 0.8
Use the no v equation: Use the no v equation:
1 1
s = ut + at 2 s = ut + at 2
2 2
1 1
0.34 = 0 �0.0095 + �a �0.00952 11.52 = u �0.8 + �16 �0.82
2 2
0.34 = 0.000045125 �a 11.52 = u �0.8 + 5.12
0.34 �0.000045125 = a = 7534.6 m s -2 11.52 - 5.12 = u �0.8
6.4 �0.8 = u = 8 m s -1

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 6. A bicycle is travelling at a speed of 7 m 9. A dog is at rest.
–1
s . It accelerates at a rate of 6 m s–2 over a
After accelerating over a distance of distance of 30 m.
57.72 m it attains a speed of 22.6 m s–1. Calculate the time it takes to cover this
Calculate the value of its acceleration. distance.
ANSWER ANSWER
u v a s t u v a s t
7 22.6 ? 57.72 0 6 30 ?
Use the no t equation: Use the no v equation:
v 2 = u 2 + 2as 1
s = ut + at 2
22.62 = 7 2 + 2 �a �57.72 2
1
510.75 = 49 + 115.44 �a 30 = 0 �t + �6 �t 2
2
510.75 - 49 = 115.44 �a
30 = 3 �t2

461.75 �115.44 = a = 4 m s -2
30 �3 = t 2
7. A jet is flying at a speed of 115 m s–1. 10 = t = 3.16 s
It travels a distance of 156 m in a time of
1.2 seconds. 10. A stone is thrown vertically upwards. It
Calculate the value of its acceleration. decelerates at a rate of 9.8 m s–2.
ANSWER It reaches a greatest height of 16.53 m.
u v a s t Calculate its initial speed.
115 ? 156 1.2 ANSWER
u v a s t
Use the no v equation:
1 ? 0 -9.8 16.53
s = ut + at 2
2 Use the no t equation:
1 v 2 = u 2 + 2as
156 = 115 �1.2 + �a �1.22
2 02 = u 2 + 2 �( -9.8 ) �16.53
156 = 138 + 0.72 �a
0 = u 2 - 323.899
156 - 138 = 0.72 �a
-2
323.899 = u 2
18 �0.72 = a = 25 m s
323.899 = u = 18.0 m s -1
8. A car is travelling at a speed of 30 m s–1.
It decelerates at a rate of 12 m s–2. 11. A rubber toy pops up to a maximum
Calculate the time taken for the car to height of 2.51 m.
come to rest. Its acceleration due to gravity is –9.8 m s–
2
(Note: deceleration is negative .
acceleration.) Find its initial velocity.
ANSWER ANSWER
u v a s t u v a s t
30 0 -12 ? ? 0 -9.8 2.51
Use the no s equation: Use the no t equation:
v = u + at v 2 = u 2 + 2as
0 = 30 + ( -12 ) �t 02 = u 2 + 2 �( -9.8 ) �2.51
12t = 30 0 = u 2 - 49.196
t = 30 �12 = 2.5 s 49.196 = u 2
49.196 = u = 7.01 m s -1

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