2

Kinematics
Rectilinear Motion Object falling with air resistance R

Definitions - Initial: velocity v, R = 0, so a = 9.81 m s-2
- As downwards v ↑, upward R ↑
Distance d The total length of path - Since W > R, net downward force present.
travelled by a moving Object continues accelerating downwards and v
object, irrespective of the increases at a decreasing rate
direction of motion. - Upward R ↑ until R = W, thus no net force and
Displacement s The linear distance of the acceleration. Object reaches terminal v.
(Area under v-t position of an object with

graph between reference to a given
Object thrown up with air resistance
any two points) position (origin). Distance

and direction have to be
- Initially, W and R downwards, thus acc
specified.
Instantaneous Rate of change of downwards more than 9.81 m s-2
velocity v displacement - at max height, v and R = 0. Acc = 9.81 ms-2.
(Gradient of s-t ds - On way down, W and R in opposite directions. v
v =
graph) dt ↑ with decreasing rate until terminal v.
Average velocity total displacement ∆s
<v> =
<v> total time taken ∆t
Projectile Motion
Instantaneous Rate of change of velocity
acceleration a dv
a = For non-linear motion, W does not affect
(Gradient of v-t dt horizontal motion. Therefore, horizontal and
graph) vertical motions are treated separately.
Average change in velocity ∆v
<a> =
acceleration <a> total time taken ∆t

Equations of motion* *Can only be used when
acceleration is constant.
❶: v = u + at
u: initial velocity
1 2
❷: s = ut + at v: final velocity
2
t: time taken
❸: v2 = u2 + 2as
1 a: acceleration

❹: s = (u + v)t s: displacement
2 Horizontal: vH = uH and displacement sH = vHt
since there is no resultant force horizontally.
Effects of air resistance on acceleration Vertical: vv = uv + avt or vv2 = uv2 + 2avsv and
1
displacement sv is sv = uvt + avt2 since there is
Free-fall acceleration with no air resistance is 2
9.81 ms-2 downwards. A moving object constant acceleration.
experiences air resistance (air drag/viscous Final: v = (v2H +v2V ) , where the angle is
force) which acts opposite to its velocity and
determined through trigonometry.
depends on the density of air and on the speed
of the body.

© Dawn Teo. 2018. Consultant: Raymond Cai @jcphysics.com