GENERAL PHYSICS 1

FIRST QUARTER 12
Module 2

All
About
Uniformly
Accelerated Motion

Most Essential Learning Competency:

1. Convert a verbal description of a physical situation involving

uniform acceleration in one dimension into mathematical
description.

2. Interpret velocity and acceleration, respectively as slopes of

position vs time and velocity vs time curves.

3. Construct velocity vs. time and acceleration vs. time graphs,

respectively, corresponding to a given position vs. time graph and
velocity vs. time graph.

4. Solve for unknown quantities in equations involving one dimensional

uniformly accelerated motion, including free fall motion.
 To the Learners
Before starting the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will disturb you while
enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully enjoy and meet
the objectives of this kit.
1. Follow and read carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of
this module.
2. Write on your notebook the concepts about the lessons. Writing enhances learning,
which is important to develop and keep in mind.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module in correct order.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers using the answer key card.
5. Analyze conceptually the post-test and apply what you have learned.
6. Enjoy studying!

Expectations
After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. define uniform acceleration in one dimension using mathematical description;
2. draw and interpret distance vs. time, velocity vs. time, and acceleration vs. time graph;
and
3. apply the equations of uniformly accelerated motion in solving for unknown quantities
such as distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration, and time.

Pre-Test
Directions: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the blank
provided before the number.
____1. A modern jeepney is travelling along a straight road with uniform acceleration. Which of
the following quantities are needed to determine its acceleration?
A. mass, final velocity, and time elapsed
B. initial velocity, final velocity, and mass
C. initial velocity, mass, and time elapsed
D. initial velocity, final velocity, and time elapsed

____2. Which of the following statements is a CORRECT interpretation of the velocity vs. time
graph below?

v A. The body is at rest

B. The body is moving at a constant velocity.
C. The body is moving towards positive direction with uniform
acceleration.
D. The body is moving towards negative direction with uniform
acceleration.
t
____3. The position vs. time graphs below illustrate the motion of an object with uniform
acceleration. Which graph corresponds to a motion towards positive direction with
increasing velocity?
A. B. C. D.
x x x x

t t t t 1
____4. A highway patrol car is traveling at a constant speed of 10.0 m/s. Upon entering a freeway,
the driver steps on the gas pedal giving the car a uniform acceleration. What is the
acceleration of the car if it reaches a speed of 25.0 seconds after 2.50 seconds?
A. 4.00 m/s2 B. 6.00 m/s2 C. 10.0 m/s2 D. 14.0 m/s2

____5. The take-off speed Boeing 757 is 260 km/h (about 72 m/s) and can maintain an
acceleration of 1.44 m/s2. If the plane accelerates from rest, how long should the runway
be for it to reach the take-off speed?
A. 1 500 m B. 1 600 m C. 1 700 m D. 1 800 m

Looking Back
Directions: Write the letter that corresponds to the definition of the following terms on the
blank provided before the number. On the space provided after the item, write the correct
SI unit for each.
_____1. speed _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____3. distance _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_____2. displacement _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _____4. velocity _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

A. A scalar quantity that refers to “how fast an object is moving”.

B. A vector measure of the distance between the initial position and final position of the
object.
C. A vector quantity which refers to the rate of change in position with respect to a
reference frame.
D. A scalar quantity which is equal to the total length of path traveled by the object.

Brief Introduction
An object has acceleration when its velocity is changing. Change in velocity could mean
the object is speeding up, slowing down or changing direction. In this module, you will learn how
to describe quantitatively the motion of a uniformly accelerating object in a straight line. When
an object moves along a straight line, the magnitude of its velocity is just the same as its speed.
Similarly, the distance traveled by the object is just equal to the magnitude of its displacement.

Cars moving along a straight road are constantly

changing their speed during traffic hours. You have to
remember that changing speed means the car is accelerating.
You can determine the car’s acceleration by knowing how
much time it takes for a certain change of speed or velocity.
Hence, you can define acceleration as the change of velocity

https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/highway- per unit time. The SI unit for acceleration is m/s2.

traffic-sunset_1181310.htm#page=1&
query=cars+in+a+highway&position=21

Activity 1
Title: The Speedy Train
Objective: Convert a verbal description of a physical situation involving uniform acceleration in
one dimension into mathematical description.

Materials: pen, paper and calculator

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 Procedure: Analyze the diagram above and answer the following questions below.
1. What is the speed of the train at time t = 0 s? t = 1 s? t = 2 s? and t = 3 s?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Is the train accelerating? Depend your answer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Write an equation which you can use to determine the acceleration of the train. Remember
that acceleration is the change in velocity per unit time. Let a = acceleration, vf = final velocity,
vi = initial velocity and t = time elapsed
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Using your equation, solve for the acceleration of the train during time a) t = 0 s and t = 1 s,
b) t = 1 s and t = 2 s, c) t = 2 s and t = 3 s?
a) Eq. b) Eq. c) Eq.
Sol. Sol. Sol.
Ans. Ans. Ans.
5. Compare the acceleration of the train in a, b, and c. _______________________________________
6. Briefly describe the motion of an object accelerating uniformly.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Does acceleration always mean speeding up? If no, can you cite two other situations where
the object is accelerating.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 2
Title: Oh My GAM: Graphical Analysis of Motion

Objective: Interpret velocity and acceleration, respectively as slopes of position vs time and
velocity vs time curves.

Materials: paper, pen

Quick Guide:
Graphical analysis of motion using position vs. time (x vs. t graph) and velocity vs. time
graph (v vs. t) are helpful as it gives you picture of motion from data which taken from a given
time interval. The table below shows what the slope of the line represents for each type of graph
which can help you interpret the motion of the object.
Procedure:

Type of Graph Slope value represents… Sign of slope represents direction/sign of velocity
Position vs. time velocity + slope (uphill to the right) means + velocity while
- slope (downhill to the right) means - velocity

Velocity vs time acceleration + slope (uphill to the right) means + acceleration while
- slope (downhill to the right) means -acceleration

𝑦2 − 𝑦1
A. Solve for the slope using the slope equation 𝑚 = of the graphs below and answer the
𝑥2 − 𝑥1
guide questions
CASE 1: STRAIGHT HORIZONTAL LINE

y1 y2
1. What is the slope of the line AB? ______________________

10 2. If the graph is a position vs. time graph, what does it imply

A B about the velocity of the object?
x2 _________________________________________________________
x1

0 5
3
 CASE 2: DIAGONAL LINE 3. If the graph is a velocity vs. time graph, what does it imply
TO THE RIGHT
about the acceleration of the object?
15 D _________________________________________________________

C 4. What is the sign and value of slope of line AB, line BC and
10 line CD of the graph on the left.
_________________________________________________________
B
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5. What can you say about the slope of a diagonal line at any
given two points?
A _________________________________________________________
0 1 2 3
6. If the previous graph is a position vs. time graph, how do you describe the velocity of the
object? _________________________________________________________________________________

7. If the previous graph is a velocity vs. time graph, how do you describe the acceleration?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
CASE 3: CURVED LINE

Curved lines have changing slope. Curved line in a position

time graph is a sign of changing velocity (acceleration) and changing
acceleration for position vs. time and velocity vs. time graph
respectively.
Is it possible to determine how the slope of a curve
changes even without numerical approach? You can actually draw
lines tangential to the curve and then make right triangles out of them (see fig. above). If the
area of the triangle becomes larger, it means the slope becomes larger. In this method, increasing
slope means an increase in velocity for position vs. time graph and an increase in acceleration
for velocity vs. time graph. Similarly, decreasing slope means a decrease in velocity for position
vs. time graph and a decrease in acceleration for velocity vs. time graph.
B. Figure A is a position vs. time graph of a car travelling along a straight road. Figure B is a
velocity vs. time graph of another car travelling along a straight road.

x +v
D E C
B
A D
Fig. B t
E
C
B -v

A
Fig. A t

For questions 1 and 2, refer to fig. A.
1. How do you describe the velocity of the
object between points AB, BC, CD and DE?
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
2. Between which points does the object
move with zero acceleration?
________________________________________
For questions 3 and 4, refer to fig. B
3. How do you describe the acceleration of
the object between points AB, BC, CD and
DE?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
4. Between which points does the object
move with decreasing velocity until
coming to a stop?
_______________________________________

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 Activity 3
Title: GraphIC: Graph Interpretation and Construction
Objective: Construct velocity vs. time and acceleration vs. time graphs, respectively,
corresponding to a given position vs. time graph and velocity vs. time graph.
Materials: pen, pencil color, ruler

Quick Guide:

You have learned that the slope of position-time graph gives the velocity while the slope
of velocity-time graph gives the acceleration. You can convert a position-time graph into velocity-
time graph, and velocity-time graph to acceleration-time graph. All you need to do is interpret
the shape of the slope each type of graph and apply basic graphing skills.
The table below shows the different shapes of the slope and their meaning for each type
of graph. You can also watch a video (https://youtu.be/EZXLkAYjmR0) to learn more about
constructing velocity vs. time and acceleration vs. time graphs, respectively, corresponding to a
given position vs. time graph and velocity vs. time graph.
Position vs. time Velocity vs. time Acceleration vs. time Meaning
The body is….

at rest

moving with positive

constant velocity
(zero acceleration)

moving with negative

constant velocity.
(zero acceleration)

moving towards positive

direction with uniform
increase in velocity
(+ constant
acceleration)

moving towards positive

direction with uniform
decrease in velocity
(- constant acceleration)

c
moving towards
negative direction with
uniform increase in
velocity
(- constant acceleration)

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 moving toward negative
direction with uniform
decrease in velocity
(+ constant acceleration)

Direction: Convert each section of the position-time graph to velocity-time graph, then the
velocity-time graph to acceleration-time graph. Shade the sections with the color assign for each
description. (green – body is at rest; yellow – body has + constant velocity; orange – body has -
constant velocity; blue – body has increasing velocity; and red – body has decreasing velocity.

Activity 4
Title: Applying Uniformly Accelerated Motion Equations
Objective: Solve for unknown quantities in equations involving one dimensional uniformly
accelerated motion, including free fall motion.

Materials: pen, calculator

Quick Guide:
A train leaving a station, bus approaching a bus stop, apple falling from a tree, car moving
around a circumferential road are all examples of accelerating objects. These objects have
changing velocity as a result of changing speed, direction, or both. A body moving whose velocity
is changing at a constant rate is said to be moving with uniform acceleration.
Just like in activity 1, the train is characterized as a uniformly accelerating object. Its
acceleration can be determined by getting the rate of its change in velocity. There are other
equations for uniformly accelerated motion you can use to determine other quantities that
describes the motion of an object. You may watch the video (https://youtu.be/_HgRZNlI5-8) to
learn how these equations were derived mathematically.
Equation for Uniformly Accelerated Motion
Equation 1: Equation 2: Equation 3
vx = v0x+ at x – x0 = v0xt + ½ at2 vx2 = v0x2 + 2a (x – x0)
Where:
a = acceleration t = time x – x0 = displacement
vx = final velocity x = final position vx – v0x = change in velocity
v0x = initial velocity x0 = initial position

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Problem Solving Strategy

1. Read the problem carefully. Identify, write down the known physical quantities in the
problem and assign appropriate symbol for each.
2. Identify the applicable equations from the list of equations you have. Solve for the target
variable, substitute the known values, and calculate for the value of target variable. Do not
forget to write the correct unit.
3. Evaluate your answer. Check whether your answer make sense. Is this the value that you
expected?
Sample Problem
1. A bus moves along a straight road from rest with uniform acceleration for 8.0 seconds. If it
reaches a speed of 24 m/s, a) what is its acceleration? b) what is its speed at t = 2.5 s?

Given: Solution

v0x = 0 m/s a) solving for acceleration b) solving speed at t = 2.5 s

vx = 24 m/s
vx = v0x + at vx = v0x + at
t = 8.0 s
a = vx – v0x = 24 m/s – 0 vx = 0 m/s + (3.0 m/s2)(2.5 s)
t 8.0 s
vx = 7.5 m/s
a = 3.0 m/s2

Direction: Solve for the following problems involving uniformly accelerated motion.

1. A sports car starts accelerates uniformly
from rest and reaches a speed 20.0 m/s in just
4.0 seconds. What is the magnitude of the
car’s acceleration?
Given:
2. You drop a stone from the edge of the cliff. If
the stone hits the ground after 3.0 seconds,
how high is the cliff? (ignore the effect of air
resistance) acceleration due to gravity = 9.80
m/s2 Hint: “drop” means the initial velocity is
zero

Unknown:
Given:
Equation:
Unknown:

Solution:
Equation:

Solution:
Final Answer:
Final Answer:

Remember
 Acceleration is operationally defined as the rate of change in velocity. It could mean the body
is speeding up, slowing down, or changing its direction of motion.

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 The slope of position vs. time graph gives the velocity while the slope of velocity vs. time
graph gives the acceleration. A straight diagonal line has a constant slope which means
constant velocity or constant acceleration for x vs. t and v vs. t graph respectively.
A curved line has changing slope which means changing velocity or changing acceleration
for x vs. t and v vs. t graph respectively.

 Uniform acceleration is the simplest form of motion along a straight line where the body
experience a change in velocity at a constant rate. These are the equations for uniform
accelerated motion.

Eq. 1 v = v0 + at Eq. 2 x – x0 = v0t + ½ at2 Eq. 3 v2 = v02 + 2a (x – x0)

Check Your Understanding

A car accelerates uniformly from rest at a rate of 3 m/s2 for 4 seconds. Then it moves at
a constant velocity for 5 seconds. Finally, it slows down uniformly at a rate of -4 m/s2 until it
comes to a stop after 3 seconds.

t = 0s t = 4s t=9s t = 12 s
a = 3 m/s2 a=0 a = - 4 m/s2 v = 0 m/s

A. Fill out the table with information about the velocity of the car.

v (m/s)
t (s) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

B. Graph the data using velocity vs. time graph

v
12 m

8m

4m

t
0s 1s 2s 3s 4s 5s 6s 7s 8s 9s 10 s 11 s 12 s

Post-Test
Directions: Read the questions carefully. Write the letter of the correct answer on the blank
provided before the number.

____1. Which of the following is statements describe acceleration operationally?

A. distance over time
B. displacement over time
C. change in position over time
D. change in velocity over time

____2. Which of the following statements is a CORRECT interpretation of the velocity vs. time
graph below?

A. The body is at rest

v
B. The body is moving at a constant velocity.
C. The body is moving towards positive direction with
uniform acceleration.
D. The body is moving towards negative direction with
uniform acceleration.

t
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____3. The position vs. time graphs below illustrate the motion of an object with uniform
acceleration. Which graph corresponds to a motion towards negative direction with
increasing velocity?

A. B. x C. x D. x
x

t t t t
____4. A police car is traveling at a constant speed of 8.0 m/s when the driver pushes the gas
pedal resulting for the car to accelerate at a constant rate of 2.5 m/s 2. What will be the
new speed of the car after 4.0 seconds?

A. 10.0 m/s B. 15.0 m/s C. 18.0 m/s D. 20.0 m/s

____5. The take-off speed Boeing 757 is 260 km/h (about 72 m/s) and can maintain an
acceleration of 1.08 m/s2. If the plane accelerates from rest, how long should the runway
be for it to reach the take-off speed?

A. 1 600 m B. 2 000 m C. 2 400 m D. 2 800 m

Reflection
Direction: Write a reflection on the uniform accelerated motion by answering the
question inside the box. You may write your answer in a more critical and creative
presentation of your learning.
What concepts and skills did you learn in this module and how can you apply it in
real life situations?

Can you cite something you have learned from the past that is connected to the
concepts/skills you learned in this module?

What concepts, information, skills would you like more time practicing or working to
better understand?

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