BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

GENERAL PHYSICS
COURSE MODULE COURSE UNIT WEEK
1 2 3-5

CHECKLIST
✓ Read course and unit objectives
✓ Read study guide prior to class attendance
✓ Proactively participate in classroom discussions
✓ Participate in weekly discussion board (Google Classroom)
✓ Answer and submit course unit tasks

UNIT EXPECTED OUTCOMES (UEOs)

At the end of this unit, the students are expected to:
1. Describe straight line motion in terms of speed, velocity and acceleration.
2. Differentiate average and instantaneous velocity and acceleration;
3. Solve problems involving straight line motion with constant acceleration involving free-fall; and
4. Interpret graphs of position versus time and velocity versus time for straight line motion.

TERMINOLOGIES
Motion is the progressive change of position of a body.
Position (x or y) is the location of the particle with respect to a chosen reference point that we
can consider to be the origin of a coordinate system.
 Displacement is quantity described as the change in position of a particle.
Distance is the total length of the path a body actually travelled.
Average speed is the distance a body moves in a given unit of time
Average velocity is time rate at which the displacement occurs.
Position-time graph (x-t or y-t graph) is a graph of body’s position as a function of time. It is
composed of two coordinates: vertical and horizontal coordinate.
Instantaneous velocity indicates what is happening at every point of time. The magnitude of
the instantaneous velocity is what you read on a car’s speedometer.
Acceleration in physics is the change in velocity as a function of time.
Velocity-time graph (v-t graph) is a graph of body’s velocity as a function of time.
Uniformly accelerated motion is a type of variable motion in which the velocity of a body
changes at the same rate throughout the motion.
Free fall is a type of motion with constant acceleration due to the influence of the earth’s
gravitational attraction. This gravitational attraction (or gravity) is exerted on all bodies and this
attraction is nearly pointing to the earth’s center.

UNIT TASKS
Exercise 2.1 Distance and Displacement
Exercise 2.2 Speed and Velocity
Exercise 2.3 Solving Speed and Velocity Using Graph
Exercise 2.4 Uniformly Accelerated Motion
Exercise 2.5 Free Falling Bodies

REFERENCES
Serway and Vuille (2012), College Physics, 9th Edition, Cengage Learning
Serway and Jewett (2014), Physics for Scientist and Engineers, 9th Edition, Brooks / Cole Cengage
Sears and Zemanky (2012), University Physics 12th Edition
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020
UNIT 2
Motion along straight line
OVERVIEW
We are beginning our study of physics with mechanics, the
study of the relationships among force, matter, and motion.
As a first step in studying mechanics, we will study about
kinematics, a branch of mechanics that deals with the
description of motion of bodies. It involves various physical
quantities such as position, distance, displacement, time,
speed, velocity, and acceleration
In this chapter, we consider only motion in one dimension, that
is, motion of an object along a straight line.
From everyday experience, we recognize that motion of an
object represents a continuous change in the object’s position.
In physics, we can categorize motion into three types:
translational, rotational, and vibrational. A car traveling on a
highway is an example of translational motion, the Earth’s spin
on its axis is an example of rotational motion, and the back-
and-forth movement of a pendulum is an example of vibrational
motion. In this and the next few chapters, we are concerned
only with translational motion.
Specific objectives
At the end of the chapter the student should be able to:
1. Describe straight line motion in terms of speed, velocity and
acceleration.
2. Differentiate average and instantaneous velocity and
acceleration;
3. Solve problems involving straight line motion with constant
acceleration involving free-fall; and
4. Interpret graphs of position versus time and velocity versus
time for straight line motion.
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
2.1 position, DISTANCE, and DISPLACEMENT
MOTION
Motion is the progressive change of position of a body. Each
object in the universe moves relatively with one another. A
body which is moving to one observer may be at rest as seen
by the other observer.
When the relative
distance between the
object and observer is
changing then motion
can be observed. The
Figure 9. Change in distance between 2
two objects are at rest
objects can be observed when motion takes
(or no motion) when place within them
there is no relative change in distance between them.
POSITION
A particle’s position (x or y) is the location of the particle with
respect to a chosen reference point that we can consider to be
the origin of a coordinate system. For one dimensional motion,
frame of reference may be either x- or y-axis. Horizontal
motion uses x-axis while vertical motion uses y-axis. Projectile
motion, a two-dimensional type of motion, uses both axes in
describing position.
DISPLACEMENT AND DISTANCE
Once motion takes place in a body, its position has changed.
This change in position is described by the quantity called
displacement. In one-dimensional motion, displacement is
denoted by ∆x (for horizontal motion) or ∆y (for vertical
motion). Mathematically, it is written as:
∆𝒙 = 𝒙𝒇 − 𝒙𝒊 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛) [𝐅𝟕𝐚]
∆𝒚 = 𝒚𝒇 − 𝒚𝒊 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛) [𝐅𝟕𝐛]
where:
∆𝑥 (∆𝑦) − 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 (𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙)
𝑥𝑖 (𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑖 ) − 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑥𝑓 (𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑓 ) − 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Displacement is independent on the actual path of the body
and depends only on the initial position and final position. It is a
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straight-line segment directed from initial position (or starting
point) to final position (or end point) regardless of the path the
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

body moved while distance d is the total length of the path a ∆𝒙𝑨𝑩 = +𝟐𝟎 𝒎
body actually travelled. (The sign indicates the direction of the car. Positive sign
indicates that the car moves to the right from A to B)

In the figure the distance AB is

𝒅𝑨𝑩 = 𝟐𝟎 𝒎
(The displacement and distance are numerically equal since the
direction of the car from A to B does not changed.)

Figure 10. Displacement is the difference in position of an for ∆𝑥𝐶𝐷 ,

object while distance is the actrual travel path it has taken ∆𝑥𝐶𝐷 = 𝑥𝐷 − 𝑥𝐶
∆𝑥𝐶𝐷 = 60 𝑚 − 30 𝑚
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
∆𝒙𝑪𝑫 = +𝟑𝟎 𝒎
A car moves horizontally (x-axis). The position of the car at
each point are indicated by letters. What is the displacement In the figure the distance CD is
and distance traveled of the car from point A to point B? from 𝒅𝑪𝑫 = 𝟑𝟎 𝒎
point C to point D? from point D to point E? from point A to
for ∆𝑥𝐷𝐸 ,
point F? and from point B to point G?
∆𝑥𝐷𝐸 = 𝑥𝐸 − 𝑥𝐷
∆𝑥𝐷𝐸 = 40 𝑚 − 60 𝑚
∆𝒙𝑫𝑬 = −𝟐𝟎 𝒎
(Negative sign indicates that the car moves to the left
from D to E)

In the figure the distance DE is

𝒅𝑫𝑬 = 𝟐𝟎 𝒎
(Distance is a scalar quantity. It has no direction and it only
measure the length of the path).
for ∆𝑥𝐴𝐹 ,
GIVEN: ∆𝑥𝐴𝐹 = 𝑥𝐹 − 𝑥𝐴
∆𝑥𝐴𝐹 = 0 𝑚 − 0 𝑚
Position at each point:
∆𝒙𝑨𝑭 = 𝟎 𝒎
𝑥𝐴 = 0 𝑚 𝑥𝐵 = 20 𝑚
(Zero displacement means that the car returns to initial position
𝑥𝐶 = 30 𝑚 𝑥𝐷 = 60 𝑚
or original position.)
𝑥𝐸 = 40 𝑚 𝑥𝐹 = 0 𝑚
𝑥𝐺 = −30 𝑚 𝑥𝐻 = −50 𝑚
In the figure the distance AF is
𝑑𝐴𝐹 = 60 𝑚 + 60 𝑚
REQUIRED:
𝒅𝑨𝑭 = 𝟏𝟐𝟎 𝒎
Displacement (∆𝑥), and Distance (d)
(The car has traveled 60 from A to D then another 60 m from D
∆𝑥𝐴𝐵 , 𝑑𝐴𝐵
to F.)
∆𝑥𝐶𝐷 , 𝑑𝐶𝐷
∆𝑥𝐷𝐸 , 𝑑𝐷𝐸 for ∆𝑥𝐵𝐺 ,
∆𝑥𝐴𝐹 , 𝑑𝐴𝐹 ∆𝑥𝐵𝐺 = 𝑥𝐺 − 𝑥𝐵
∆𝑥𝐵𝐺 , 𝑑𝐵𝐺 ∆𝑥𝐵𝐺 = −30 𝑚 − 20 𝑚
∆𝒙𝑩𝑮 = −𝟔𝟎 𝒎
SOLUTION:
For horizontal displacement, we will use [𝐅𝟕𝐚] In the figure the distance BG is
𝑑𝐵𝐺 = 40 𝑚 + 90 𝑚
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for ∆𝑥𝐴𝐵 𝒅𝑩𝑮 = 𝟏𝟑𝟎 𝒎

∆𝑥𝐴𝐵 = 𝑥𝐵 − 𝑥𝐴 (The car has traveled 40 from B to D then another 90 m from D
∆𝑥𝐴𝐵 = 20 𝑚 − 0 𝑚 to G.)
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

Exercise 2.1 distance and displacement

Name of Student: __________________________________

Course and Section: ________________________________
Student Number: ___________________________________
Name of Instructor: _________________________________
Submission Date: __________________________________
Due Date: _________________________________________

Direction: Using the information in sample problem, determine

the displacement and distance traveled a). from point A to
point C; b). from point B to point E; c). from point A to G;
d). from point D to point H; and e). from point G to point H

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Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line

Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

2.2 average speed and velocity REQUIRED:

𝑆 (𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑)
AVERAGE SPEED
Average speed (S) is the distance a body moves in a given SOLUTION:
𝑑
unit of time. Average speed is computed to describe how fast a 𝑆= [𝐅𝟖]
body moves. Regardless different paths travelled by a body, ∆𝑡
total distance d (or path length) are measured and divided to 80 𝑚
the total time elapsed (or time interval) ∆t. Mathematically, it is 𝑆=
4𝑠
expressed as:
𝑺 = 𝟐𝟎 𝒎/𝒔
𝒅
𝑺= [𝐅𝟖] AVERAGE VELOCITY
∆𝒕
where:
Average velocity is time rate at which the displacement
𝑆 − 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑
occurs. Mathematically, velocity is expressed as:
𝑑 − 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 ∆𝒙 𝒙𝒇 − 𝒙𝒊
∆𝑡 − 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑙 𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆 = = (ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛) [𝐅𝟗𝐚]
∆𝒕 𝒕𝒇 − 𝒕𝒊
Distance travelled and time interval are always positive values,
∆𝒚 𝒚𝒇 − 𝒚𝒊
so as with speed. The SI unit of speed is m/s. Other units are 𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆 = = (𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛) [𝐅𝟗𝐛]
km/hr (or kph), feet/min. (or fpm), miles/hr (or mph). ∆𝒕 𝒕𝒇 − 𝒕𝒊

EXAMPLES OF SPEED where:

NAME SPEED IN METERS PER SECOND 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 − 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
Average Walking Speed 1 m/s 𝑥𝑖 (𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑖 ) − 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Average Running Speed 5 m/s 𝑥𝑓 (𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑓 ) − 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Fastest Human 11 m/s
𝑡𝑖 − 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
Average Speed of a Car 35 m/s
Speed of a Snail 0.001 m/s 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
Speed of Sound 343 m/s ∆𝑥 (𝑜𝑟 ∆𝑦) − 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
Speed of Light 299,792,458 m/s ∆𝑡 − 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑙
Table 2.1 Examples of Typical Speeds
The value sign of the velocity depends on the sign of the
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
displacement. Although displacement can be a positive value
A car has traveled a distance of 80 m on the indicated path in or a negative value, time interval is always a positive value.
4 s. What is the average speed of the car?

Figure 11. A car showing a velocity of +5 m/s

Furthermore, the direction of the velocity is the same as the

direction of the displacement. For one dimensional motion, it is
GIVEN: sufficient to use + or – for directions. The SI unit of velocity is
𝑑 = 80 𝑚 m/s but customary unit such as ft/s, cm/s, km/hr and others
may be use.
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∆𝑡 = 4 𝑠

Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line

Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

SAMPLE PROBLEM: interval is 150 m which is lower than the magnitude of

A car moves from point A to point C and then moves in reverse
from C to F. Find the average velocity, and average speed of
the car between time interval 0 s to 15 s.
displacement of 30 m)
SPEED VS VELOCITY
Since speed and velocity are synonymous compared with each
other, it is important to note that the magnitude of velocity
maybe equal or less than the numerical value of speed.
If the magnitude of displacement is less than the total distance
travelled by a body, the magnitude of the velocity is less than
speed’s magnitude

GIVEN:
𝑡𝑖 = 0 𝑥𝑖 = 0 𝑚
𝑡𝑓 = 15 𝑠 𝑥𝑓 = −30 𝑚

REQUIRED: Figure 12. Speed is greater than velocity

𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑, 𝑆 For one-dimensional motion, the magnitude of displacement
and distance are equal, therefore the magnitude of velocity and
SOLUTION: speed are also equal.
for vave:
∆𝑥 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = [𝐅𝟗𝐚]
∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖

−30 𝑚 − 0 𝑚
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
15 𝑠 − 0 𝑠 Figure 13. Speed is equal to velocity
𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆 = −𝟐 𝒎/𝒔 Velocity is zero when the body returns from starting point while
(Negative value of velocity means that the car moves to the left the its speed is greater than zero.
or towards –x-axis during the 15-s time interval.)
for d:
𝑑
𝑆= [𝐅𝟖]
∆𝑡
60 𝑚 + 90 𝑚
𝑆=
15 𝑠
𝑺 = 𝟏𝟎 𝒎/𝒔 Figure 14. Speed is greater than zero, but
velocity is equal to zero
(The average speed is greater than the magnitude of the
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average velocity since the distance traveled during this time

Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line

Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

Exercise 2.2 speed and velocity

Name of Student: __________________________________

Course and Section: ________________________________
Student Number: ___________________________________
Name of Instructor: _________________________________
Submission Date: __________________________________
Due Date: _________________________________________
2.In a racing competition, two runners A & B are approaching
the finish line. Runner A & B move in a straight line at constant
speeds of 7.5 m/s and 8.5 m/s, respectively. If runner A & B
respectively are 20 m and 25 m away from the finish line,
which runner gets to the finish line first & by how much time
ahead?

Direction: Using the information in sample problem, determine

the average speed and average velocity between points A to
C, and A to F.

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Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line

Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

2.3 instantaneous speed and velocity respectively. b.) Referring to the graph, determine the average
velocity of the car between points A – C, C – F, and A – E.
POSITION – TIME GRAPH
GIVEN:
𝑥𝐴 = 0 𝑚 𝑡𝐴 = 0 𝑠
𝑥𝐵 = 30 𝑚 𝑡𝐵 = 2 𝑠
𝑥𝐶 = 60 𝑚 𝑡𝐶 = 6 𝑠
𝑥𝐷 = 30 𝑚 𝑡𝐷 = 8 𝑠
𝑥𝐸 = 0 𝑚 𝑡𝐸 = 10 𝑠
𝑥𝐹 = −30 𝑚 𝑡𝐹 = 15 𝑠
Position-time graph (x-t or y-t graph) is a graph of body’s
position as a function of time. It is composed of two coordinates: REQUIRED:
vertical and horizontal coordinate. The vertical coordinate 𝑎. 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 − 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ
represents body’s position while 𝑏. 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐴−𝐶 ; 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐶−𝐹 ; 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐴−𝐸 𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ
horizontal coordinate
represents time. The figure SOLUTION:
shows how the position of (a) position-time graph
moving car is being translated Using a graphing paper, plot the position of car at each
to the position-time graph. The indicated time. Then connect the plotted point with a smooth
curve. It should look like this.
shape of the curve is
determined on the actual
positions of the car between
time 0 s to 2 s. Figure 15. Graph of position (y-axis) vs. time
(x-axis) of a car moving from 0 m to 2 m in 2 s

If we connect point i and point f

of the graph with a diagonal line,
the slope (rise over run) of this
line represents the average
velocity.
∆𝒙 (b) average velocity (A – C, C – F, and A – E)
𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒙−𝒕 = 𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆 =
∆𝒕 Connect the points on each required time interval, then
compute the slope of each line by dividing its rise to its run.
Figure 16. The slope of the graph is the
SAMPLE PROBLEM: average velocity (displacement over time int)

The figure shows the position (x) of the car as a function of

time (t). a.) Sketch the position-time graph of the car (assume
that the maximum and minimum positions are 60 m and -30 m,

For A to C:
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60 𝑚 − 0 𝑚
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐴−𝐶 =
5𝑠−0𝑠
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐴−𝐶 = +𝟏𝟐 𝒎/𝒔
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

(Positive slope means positive value of velocity) Lastly, instantaneous speed S is defined as the magnitude of
the instantaneous velocity.
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
For C to F:
−30 𝑚 − 60 𝑚 A particle moves along the x axis. Its position varies with time
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐶−𝐹 = according to the expression 𝑥 = 2𝑡 2 − 4𝑡, where x is in
15 𝑠 − 5 𝑠 meters and t is in seconds. The position–time graph for this
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐶−𝐹 = −𝟗 𝒎/𝒔
(Negative slope means negative value of velocity) motion is shown in figure below. Because the position of the
particle is given by a mathematical function, the motion of the
particle is completely known. Notice that the particle moves in
For A to E:
0𝑚−0𝑚 the negative x direction for the first second of motion, is
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐴−𝐸 = momentarily at rest at the moment t = 1 s, and moves in the
10 𝑠 − 0 𝑠 positive x direction at times t > 1 s. (a) Determine the
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐴−𝐸 = 𝟎 𝒎/𝒔
(Since the slope of horizontal line is zero.) displacement of the particle in the time intervals t = 0 to t = 1 s
and t = 1 s to t = 3 s. (b) Calculate the average velocity during
these two time intervals. (c) Find the instantaneous velocity
INSTANTANEOUS VELOCITY AND INSTANTANEOUS and instantaneous speed of the particle at time t = 2.5 s.
SPEED
Average velocity does not describe the velocity of a body at a
given period of time. So, we
introduce another type of velocity
called instantaneous velocity. It
indicates what is happening at every
point of time. The magnitude of the
instantaneous velocity is what you
read on a car’s speedometer. (In
succeeding sections, when we use
the term “velocity” we always mean
Figure 17. Car Speedometer GIVEN:
instantaneous velocity.) Position Equation:
𝑥 = 2𝑡 2 − 4𝑡
Mathematically, instantaneous velocity v is the limit of the
average velocity as the time interval becomes infinitesimally REQUIRED:
short, or as the time interval approaches zero. It is also the first (a) ∆𝑥 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 0 𝑠 𝑡𝑜 1 𝑠 ; ∆𝑥 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 1 𝑠 𝑡𝑜 3 𝑠
derivative of the position with respect to time dx/dt. (b) 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 0 𝑠 𝑡𝑜 1 𝑠 ; 𝑣 𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 1 𝑠 𝑡𝑜 3 𝑠
(c).𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡. 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑣 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡. 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑆 𝑎𝑡 𝑡 = 2.5 𝑠
∆𝒙 𝒅𝒙
𝒗 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = [𝐅𝟏𝟎]
∆𝒕→𝟎 ∆𝒕 𝒅𝒕 SOLUTION:
(a.) for ∆x from 0 s to 1 s:
Using the position-time First thing we need to do is to determine the initial and final
graph, we can determine positions for specified time interval (from 0 s to 1 s). If we refer
instantaneous velocity at the position-time graph we see that 𝑥𝑖 = 0 and 𝑥𝑓 = −2 𝑚
any time by constructing a
line tangent to the curve at In absence of graph or if you find difficulty in reading the exact
value of the position, we can solve the positions using position
a specific time. The slope
equation by substituting the values of time t
of this tangent line
𝑥𝑖 = 2𝑡 2 − 4𝑡 = 2(0 𝑠)2 − 4(0 𝑠) = 0
represents the 𝑥𝑓 = 2𝑡 2 − 4𝑡 = 2(1 𝑠)2 − 4(1 𝑠) = −2 𝑚
PAGE |8

instantaneous velocity at Figure 18. Instantaneous Velocity is the

tangent of the curve in the x- t graph
that time. Now we are ready to solve for ∆𝑥
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

∆𝑥 = 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 = −2 𝑚 − 0 𝑺 = 𝟔 𝒎/𝒔
∆𝒙 = −𝟐 𝒎
You can also use calculus-based approach as alternative
for ∆x from 1 s to 3 s: solution. The first derivative of the position equation x with
Referring the graph, we get respect to time t will give velocity equation.
𝑥𝑖 = −2 𝑚 𝑥 = 2𝑡 2 − 4𝑡
𝑥𝑓 = 5 𝑚 𝑑𝑥
𝑣=
(you can check these values using position equation) 𝑑𝑡
∆𝑥 = 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 = 5 𝑚 − (−2 𝑚) 𝑣 = 4𝑡 − 4 (velocity equation)
∆𝒙 = 𝟕 𝒎
Then we solve the value of v at specified time interval, let say
(b.) for vave from 0 s to 1 s: from 0 s to 1 s
∆𝑥 −2 𝑚 𝑣𝑖 = 4𝑡 − 4 = 4(0 𝑠) − 4 = −4 𝑚/𝑠
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = 𝑣𝑓 = 4𝑡 − 4 = 4(1 𝑠) − 4 = 0 𝑚/𝑠
∆𝑡 1 𝑠 − 0 𝑠
𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆 = −𝟐 𝒎/𝒔
Lastly, we solve the average velocity by simply “averaging” vi
for vave from 1 s to 3 s and vf
∆𝑥 7𝑚 4𝑚
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑠 − 0
∆𝑡 3 𝑠 − 1 𝑠 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = =
𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆 = 𝟑. 𝟓 𝒎/𝒔 2 2
𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆 = −𝟐 𝒎/𝒔
(c) instantaneous velocity v and instantaneous speed at t=2.5 s For 1 s to 3 s, we solve the value of v at specified time interval,
There are two ways to do this: using position-time graph and from 1 s to 3 s
using velocity equation. 𝑣𝑖 = 4𝑡 − 4 = 4(1 𝑠) − 4 = 0 𝑚/𝑠
𝑣𝑓 = 4𝑡 − 4 = 4(3 𝑠) − 4 = 8 𝑚/𝑠
From the position-time graph, draw a tangent line with the 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 8 𝑚/𝑠 − 0
curve at time t = 2.5 s. The slope of this tangent gives the 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = =
2 2
instantaneous velocity at this time. Just be more cautious in 𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆 = 𝟒 𝒎/𝒔
estimating the tangent line to the values of rise and run more
accurate. We can also use the velocity equation and then we solve for v
at time t = 2.5 s.
𝑣 = 4𝑡 − 4 = 4(2.5 𝑠) − 4
Now we have the values of rise and run, we can solve for v 𝒗 = 𝟔 𝒎/𝒔 and 𝑺 = 𝟔 𝒎/𝒔

𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 6 𝑚
𝑣= =
𝑟𝑢𝑛 1𝑠
𝒗 = 𝟔 𝒎/𝒔
(instantaneous velocity of the particle at 2.5 s)
PAGE |9

Therefore, the instantaneous speed S is

Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line

Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

Exercise 2.3 Solving speed and velocity using graph

Name of Student: __________________________________

Course and Section: ________________________________
Student Number: ___________________________________
Name of Instructor: _________________________________
Submission Date: __________________________________
Due Date: _________________________________________
Direction: Using the position-time graph of a particle show
below, determine the following:
(a) The average velocity from point A to B;
(b) The instantaneous velocity at time t = 10 s; and
(c) The instantaneous velocity at time t = 40 s

PAGE |10

Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line

Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

2.4 average and instantaneous acceleration acceleration and initial velocity are both negative,
then the object is speeding up.
AVERAGE ACCELERATION 4. The initial velocity 𝑣𝑖 is zero when the body is initially
Maybe you experience change in speed or velocity, especially at rest while the final velocity 𝑣𝑓 is zero when the
when you are riding a car, either when the car is speeding up body has stopped.
or slowing down at time goes by (see figure below). We may
say that the car is accelerating or decelerating. In physics, this Another useful motional graph that we are going to consider is
change in velocity as a function of time is called acceleration. the velocity-time graph
In this section we will consider average acceleration and (v-t graph). It is a graph of
instantaneous acceleration. body’s velocity as a
function of time. Using
the graph, we can easily
determine the velocity of
a body at specific point in
time. For instance, in the
figure, we can estimate
that at 2 s the car is
moving at a velocity of
Figure 19. A car with an acceleration of +5 m/s2 around 16 m/s.
Figure 20. v – t Graph of the car

Average acceleration 𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒆 is the time rate of change of the

velocity (or instantaneous velocity). Mathematically is If we connect points i and point f of the graph with a diagonal
expressed as, line, the slope (rise over run) of this line represents the
average acceleration.
∆𝒗 𝒗𝒇 − 𝒗𝒊 ∆𝒗
𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒆 = = [𝐅𝟏𝟏] 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒗−𝒕 = 𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒆 =
∆𝒕 𝒕𝒇 − 𝒕𝒊 ∆𝒕

where:
𝑣𝑖 − 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑣𝑓 − 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑡𝑖 − 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑡𝑓 − 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
∆𝑣 − 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
∆𝑡 − 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑙

The SI unit of acceleration is m/s². It is also expressed, in other

unit systems, as cm/s², or ft/s².

Acceleration is a vector quantity. In one dimensional motion,

positive or negative (+ or –) is enough to denote its direction.
The sign of acceleration a and the initial velocity vi will dictate
whether the object is accelerating or decelerating. You may Figure 21. The slope of the v – t graph is
consider the following points: the acceleration of the body
1. When the initial velocity vi and acceleration a are in
the same direction (either both positive or both INSTANTANEOUS ACCELERATION
negative), then the object is accelerating.
2. When the object’s initial velocity vi and acceleration a The type of acceleration we have discussed in previous section
PAGE |11

are in the opposite directions (different signs), the
object is said to be decelerating.
3. Beware that negative value of acceleration does not
necessarily mean the object is slowing down. If the
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
is only the average acceleration at certain time interval ∆𝑡. We
do not know yet the acceleration of at any specific time 𝑡. Now
we are ready to explore another type of acceleration called
instantaneous acceleration.
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

Instantaneous acceleration 𝒂 is the limit of the average (b) 𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 for time intervals 1.0 s to 3.0 s; 5.0 s to 7.0 s; 9.0 s
acceleration as the time interval goes to zero. It is also the first to 11.0 s; and 13.0 s to 15.0 s
derivative of the velocity with respect to time 𝑑𝑣/𝑑𝑡. (c) instantaneous acceleration at time 𝑡 = 14 𝑠.

∆𝒗 𝒅𝒗 SOLUTION:
𝒂 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 = [𝐅𝟏𝟐]
∆𝒕→𝟎 ∆𝒕 𝒅𝒕 (a) 𝑣 − 𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ

Using the velocity-time graph, we can determine instantaneous

acceleration at any time by constructing a line tangent to the
curve at a specific time. The slope of this tangent line
represents the instantaneous acceleration at that time.

(b) 𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 for time intervals 1.0 s to 3.0 s; 5.0 s to 7.0 s; 9.0 s to
11.0 s; and 13.0 s to 15.0 s
Figure 22. Instantaneous Acceleration is the tangent
of the curve in the v – t graph For 1.0 s to 3.0 s:
∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖
In next section, we shall see a constant instantaneous 𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = [𝐅𝟏𝟏]
∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
acceleration, which is represented by a diagonal line on 𝑣 − 𝑡 1.2 𝑚⁄𝑠 − 0.8 𝑚/𝑠
graph rather than a curve line. When the instantaneous 𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
accelerations are always the same, then object is undergoing 3𝑠−1𝑠
𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒆 = 𝟎. 𝟐 𝒎/𝒔𝟐
uniformly accelerated motion (UAM).
The astronaut is accelerating (since vi = +, a = +)
SAMPLE PROBLEM:
For 5.0 s to 7.0 s:
An astronaut has left an orbiting space shuttle to test a new ∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖
𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 = =
maneuvering unit. As she moves along a straight line, her ∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
partner on board the shuttle measures her velocity every 2.0 s, 1.2 𝑚⁄𝑠 − 1.6 𝑚⁄𝑠
starting at time 1.0 s, as follow: 𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
7𝑠−5𝑠
𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒆 = −𝟎. 𝟐 𝒎/𝒔𝟐
time, 𝑡(𝑠) 1.0 3.0 5.0 7.0 9.0 11.0 13.0 15.0 The astronaut is decelerating (since vi = +, a = –).
velocity,
𝑣(𝑚/𝑠)
0.8 1.2 1.6 1.2 – 0.4 – 1.0 – 1.6 – 0.8 For 9.0 s to 11.0 s:
∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖
𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 = =
(a) Draw the velocity-time graph of the astronaut. ∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
(b) Find the average acceleration, for each of the following −1.0 𝑚⁄𝑠 − (−0.4 𝑚⁄𝑠)
𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
time intervals: 1.0 s to 3.0 s; 5.0 s to 7.0 s; 9.0 s to 11.0 s; 11 𝑠 − 9 𝑠
and 13.0 s to 15.0 s. Describe also whether the astronaut 𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒆 = −𝟎. 𝟑 𝒎/𝒔𝟐
is accelerating or decelerating at each time interval. The astronaut is accelerating (since vi = –, a = –)
(c) Using the constructed graph estimate the instantaneous
PAGE |12

acceleration at time 14 s. For 13.0 s to 15.0 s:

∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖
𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 = =
REQUIRED: ∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
(a) 𝑣 − 𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

−0.8 𝑚⁄𝑠 − (−1.6 𝑚⁄𝑠) remains zero as time goes by. So, we see a horizontal line on
𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 = the timeline of 𝑥 − 𝑡 graph. When the person is standing still
15 𝑠 − 13 𝑠
𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒆 = 𝟎. 𝟒 𝒎/𝒔𝟐 10 m right of the tree, this line will be a horizontal line at 10 m
The astronaut is decelerating (since vi = –, a = +) (which is above the timeline). If the person is standing on the
opposite side of the tree, then the horizontal line will be below
(c) instantaneous acceleration at time 𝑡 = 14 𝑠. the timeline (at x = - 10 m). In case of 𝑣 − 𝑡 graph, since the
person is standing still and therefore its velocity is zero at any
From the v-t graph we have constructed in part (a), we draw a time t, we see a horizontal line on the timeline regardless on
line tangent to the curve at 14 s. Then we determine the rise the position of person relative to the tree.
and run as shown in figure below

Figure 24. x-t and v-t graph of an object at rest

Finally, we get, UNIFORM MOTION / CONSTANT VELOCITY

𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 0.8 𝑚/𝑠
𝑎= =
𝑟𝑢𝑛 2𝑠
𝒂 = 𝟎. 𝟒 𝒎/𝒔𝟐

INTERPRETATION OF MOTION GRAPHS

Now that we have presented in previous sections motion
graphs such as displacement-time (𝑥 − 𝑡) and velocity-time
(𝑣 − 𝑡) graphs, the next step is to have a clear understanding
on how we interpret these graphs. We will take a look on the
shape of the lines that can be generated at different situations:
1. When the body is at rest (or no relative motion)
2. When the body is moving at constant velocity (𝑣 = 𝑐)
3. When the body is accelerating at constant rate (𝑎 = 𝑐);
4. When the body is decelerating at constant rate (𝑎 = 𝑐).
NO MOTION OR AT REST
Figure 25. A car with constant velocity
A body is moving uniformly or at constant velocity when the
distances it moves are equal for equal time intervals. The 𝑥 −
𝑡 graph below describes that the car is traveling 5 m in every 1
s. Therefore, its velocity is constant 5 m/s (or – 5 m/s if it
moves toward –x-axis. If a body is traveling towards +x-axis
the line is sloping upward while a downward slope means that
the body is moving towards –x-axis. For 𝑣 − 𝑡 graph, a
horizontal line above or below the timeline of 𝑣 − 𝑡 graph
represent this type of motion.

Figure 23. A person standing still shows no motion or at rest

A body is at rest when its position does not change relative to

Figure 24. x-t and v-t graph of an object at rest
PAGE |13

some frame of reference. Imagine a person standing still and

there is a tree which acts as the reference origin. If the person
is standing beneath the tree, we can say its position relative to
the tree is zero. As long as he is not moving his position
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

ACCELERATING AT CONSTANT RATE SAMPLE PROBLEM:

Figure 25. A car increasing its velocity at a constant rate
The position of an object moving along x axis varies with time
as shown in the figure. (a) Determine the type of motion in
each time interval (indicated by letters) and tell whether the
object is moving towards +x-axis or –x-axis. (c) In what point/s
the instantaneous velocity is zero. (c) Sketch the velocity
versus time graph for the object.

A body is accelerating when the distances it moves are

increasing during equal time intervals. The 𝑥 − 𝑡 graph shows
a parabolic curve with increasing slope of the tangent line while
the 𝑣 − 𝑡 graph shows a diagonal line which is sloping away
from the timeline.

REQUIRED:
(a) Type of motion in each time interval
(b) Point/s where 𝑣 = 0
(c) 𝑣 − 𝑡 graph

Solution:
Figure 26. x-t and v-t graph of an object with constant acceleration
(a) Type of motion in each time interval

Referring to the given 𝑥 − 𝑡 graph and applying what we have

DECELERATING AT CONSTANT RATE
learned from the previous section, we tabulate our answers for
clarity.

Direction of
Time interval Type of motion
motion
Accelerating at
a–b Towards + x-axis
constant rate
Figure 27. A car decreasing its velocity at a constant rate
Uniform
A body is decelerating when the distances it moves are b–c Motion/Constant Towards + x-axis
decreasing during equal time intervals. The 𝑥 − 𝑡 graph Velocity
shows a parabolic curve with decreasing slope of the tangent Decelerating at
c–d Towards + x-axis
line while the 𝑣 − 𝑡 graph shows a diagonal line which is constant rate
sloping towards the timeline. Accelerating at
d–e Towards – x-axis
constant rate
Decelerating at
e–f Towards – x-axis
constant rate
f–g No motion or at rest Not moving

(b) Point/s where 𝑣 = 0

We try to observe the 𝑥 − 𝑡 graph wherein the slope of the
tangent line is zero, hence zero velocity (see figure below). We
can observe four points with 𝑣 = 0, points a, d, f & g. At these
PAGE |14

points the object is momentarily at rest.

Figure 28. x-t and v-t graph of an object with constant deceleration

Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line

Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

The general equations for this type of motion are derived from
the equations of average velocity 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 and average
acceleration 𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 .
∆𝑥 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = [𝐅𝟗𝐚]
∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖
𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = [𝐅𝟏𝟏]
∆𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = [𝐅𝟏𝟑]
2
(c) 𝑣 − 𝑡 graph (USE [𝐅𝟏𝟑] ONLY FOR UNIFORMLY ACCELERATED MOTION)
The corresponding 𝑣 − 𝑡 graph, based on 𝑥 − 𝑡 graph, is
shown below. Take note that this is only a sketch and we We transform these equations by allowing 𝑡𝑖 = 0 and 𝑡𝑓 = 𝑡
cannot determine the value of velocity at each point since we which means the time 𝑡 is any later time from 0 s. We also
do not have enough information on the values of position 𝑥 change the average acceleration 𝑎𝑎𝑣𝑒 to instantaneous 𝑎
from 𝑥 − 𝑡 graph. since the acceleration is constant.
𝑥𝑓 −𝑥𝑖
(Equation A) 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 𝑡
𝑣𝑓 −𝑣𝑖
(Equation B) 𝑎=
𝑡
𝑣𝑖 +𝑣𝑓
(Equation C) 𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 2

Now from these 3-basic equations, we will derive five specific

equations to be used in dealing with motion with constant
acceleration. From Equation B, final velocity 𝑣𝑓 can be
expressed as:
Later, we will see that the area under this graph may represent 𝒗𝒇 = 𝒗𝒊 + 𝒂𝒕 [𝐅𝟏𝟒]
the displacement and the total distance traveled.
If we combine Equation A and Equation C, the displacement
𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 can be derived as:
𝟏
𝒙𝒇 − 𝒙𝒊 = (𝒗𝒊 + 𝒗𝒇 )𝒕 [𝐅𝟏𝟓]
𝟐
2.5 MOTION WITH CONSTANT ACCELERATION
In absence of the value of acceleration 𝑎, [𝐅𝟏𝟓] is helpful
especially when solving the final position 𝑥𝑓 with known
UNIFORMLY ACCELERATED MOTION velocity 𝑣𝑓 at any later time. On the other hand, with known
Uniformly accelerated motion is a type of variable motion in value of acceleration 𝑎 and without knowing the value of final
which the velocity of a body changes at the same rate velocity 𝑣𝑓 , by combining [𝐅𝟏𝟒] and [𝐅𝟏𝟓], final position 𝑥𝑓
throughout the motion. Furthermore, uniform acceleration is expressed as:
𝟏
means that the average acceleration between any time 𝒙𝒇 = 𝒙𝒊 + 𝒗𝒊 𝒕 + 𝟐 𝒂𝒕𝟐 [𝐅𝟏𝟔]
intervals is constant. This average acceleration is also the
instantaneous acceleration a at any time t. Likewise, in terms of final velocity 𝑣𝑓 and without requiring the
value of initial velocity 𝑣𝑖 , final position 𝑥𝑓 can be expressed
as:
𝟏
𝒙𝒇 = 𝒙𝒊 + 𝒗𝒇 𝒕 − 𝟐 𝒂𝒕𝟐 [𝐅𝟏𝟕]

Lastly, if we solve for time 𝑡 from [𝐅𝟏𝟒] and substituting to

PAGE |15

[𝐅𝟏𝟓], we can derive the expression:

Figure 29. A car with a constant acceleration of 5 m/s2 𝒗𝒇 𝟐 = 𝒗𝒊 𝟐 + 𝟐𝒂(𝒙𝒇 − 𝒙𝒊 ) [𝐅𝟏𝟖]

Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line

Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

This equation is very helpful especially when dealing with −70 𝑚/𝑠
problems wherein time 𝑡 is not given. 𝑎=
2𝑠
𝒂 = −𝟑𝟓 𝒎/𝒔𝟐
Before using these equations in a particular problem,
the first thing you need to do is to analyze carefully the b.) 𝑥𝑓
problem, properly identify given information and quantities to 1
be solved then select the most appropriate and simplest 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟓]
2
formula that will give shortest solution as possible. It is also 1 𝑚
suggested to consider the following: 𝑥𝑓 − 0 = (70 + 0) (2 𝑠)
2 𝑠
1. Set 𝑣𝑖 = 0 if the body is initially at rest. 𝒙𝒇 = 𝟕𝟎 𝒎
2. Set 𝑣𝑓 = 0 if the body stops moving.
3. Acceleration 𝑎 is constant at any time 𝑡 but the final c.) Verify if the jet landed safely
velocity 𝑣𝑓 varies with time.
4. Let 𝑥𝑖 = 0 unless otherwise specified in the problem. Since the final position of jet 𝑥𝑓 (70 m) is less than the length
5. If the velocity is constant, that is 𝑣𝑖 = 𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣, you of the aircraft carrier 𝑙 (100 m), therefore the jet landed
can set 𝑎 = 0, then the five equations are reduced safely.
to:
𝒙𝒇 − 𝒙𝒊 = 𝒗𝒕 or ∆𝒙 = 𝒗𝒕 [F15a] 2. A motorcyclist heading east through a small town
accelerates at a constant 4 m/s2 after he leaves the city limits.
At time t = 0, he is 5 m east of the city-limits signpost, moving
SAMPLE PROBLEM: east at 15 m/s (a) Find his position and velocity at t = 2s.
(b) Where is he when his velocity is 25 m/s?
1. A jet lands on an aircraft carrier at a speed of 70 m/s. (a)
What is its acceleration (assumed constant) if its stops in 2 s
due to an arresting cable that snags the jet and brings it to a
stop? (b) If the jet touches down at position xi = 0, what is its
final position? (c) If the overall length of the aircraft carrier 100
m, do you think the jet landed safely?

GIVEN:
𝑎 = 4 𝑚/𝑠 2
𝑥𝑖 = 5 𝑚
𝑣𝑖 = 15 𝑚/𝑠
GIVEN:
𝑣𝑖 = 70 𝑚/𝑠 REQUIRED:
𝑡 = 2.0 𝑠 a). 𝑥𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡 = 2 𝑠
𝑣𝑓 = 0 (stops) 𝑣𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡 = 2 𝑠
𝑥𝑖 = 0 b). 𝑥𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑣𝑓 = 25 𝑚/𝑠
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑟, 𝑙 = 100 𝑚
SOLUTION:
REQUIRED: a.) 𝑥𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡 = 2 𝑠
a). Acceleration 𝑎 1
b). Final position 𝑥𝑓 𝑥𝑓 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟏𝟔]
2
c). Verify if the jet landed safely (if 𝑥𝑓 < 𝑙)
1
SOLUTION: 𝑥𝑓 = 5 𝑚 + (15 𝑚/𝑠)(2 𝑠) + (4 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(2 𝑠)2
PAGE |16

a.) 𝑎 2
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟒] 𝒙𝒇 = 𝟒𝟑 𝒎
0 = 70 𝑚/𝑠 + 𝑎(2 𝑠)
a.) 𝑣𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡 = 2 𝑠
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟒] 𝒗𝒇 = 𝟏𝟐 𝒎/𝒔
𝑣𝑓 = (15 𝑚/𝑠) + (4 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(2 𝑠)
𝒗𝒇 = 𝟐𝟑 𝒎/𝒔 b). Final position 𝑥𝑓 at t = 6 s
1
b). 𝑥𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑣𝑓 = 25 𝑚/𝑠 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟓]
2
𝑣𝑓 2 = 𝑣𝑖 2 + 2𝑎(𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 ) [𝐅𝟏𝟖] 1 𝑚
𝑥𝑓 = (12 ) (6 𝑠)
(25 𝑚/𝑠)2 = (15 𝑚/𝑠)2 + 2(4 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(𝑥𝑓 − 5 𝑚) 2 𝑠
𝒙𝒇 = 𝟑𝟔 𝒎
(25 𝑚/𝑠)2 − (15 𝑚/𝑠)2
𝑥𝑓 = +5𝑚
2(4 𝑚/𝑠 2 ) c). Acceleration a from t = 6 s – 9 s
𝒙𝒇 = 𝟓𝟓 𝒎 Since the time is from 6 s – 9 s. We will set the initial velocity to
the velocity of the car at 6 s. (𝑣𝑖 = 12 𝑚/𝑠) and initial
(alternate solution for 𝑥𝑓 ) position as the position of the car at 6 s. (𝑥𝑖 = 36𝑚)
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟒]
25 𝑚/𝑠 = (15 𝑚/𝑠) + (4 𝑚/𝑠 2 )𝑡 𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟒]
25 𝑚/𝑠 − 15 𝑚/𝑠 0 = 12 𝑚/𝑠 + 𝑎(9 𝑠 − 6 𝑠)
𝑡=
(4 𝑚/𝑠 2 ) −12 𝑚/𝑠
𝑎=
𝑡 = 2.5 𝑠 3𝑠
𝒂 = −𝟒 𝒎/𝒔𝟐
1 (negative value of acceleration means the car is decelerating.)
𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟓]
2
1 𝑚 𝑚 d). Total Distance Travelled d
𝑥𝑓 − 5 𝑚 = (15 + 25 ) (2.5 𝑠)
2 𝑠 𝑠 1
𝒙𝒇 = 𝟓𝟓 𝒎 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟓]
2
1 𝑚
𝑥𝑓 − 36 𝑚 = (12 + 0) (3 𝑠)
2 𝑠
3. A racer accelerates from rest at constant a constant rate of 2 𝒙𝒇 = 𝟓𝟒 𝒎
m/s2 (a) how fast will the racer be going at the end of 6 s? (b)
how far has the racer travelled after 6 s? (c) If after
accelerating for 6 s, the racer hit the brakes until it stops in 3 s, 4. The performance of new model car is being tested as it
what is its acceleration? (d) What is the total distance travelled moves straight along a horizontal ground. The car, initially at
from t = 0 to 9 s? rest, accelerates to 10 m/s for 3 s. It moves at constant velocity
for 5 s and accelerates at a constant rate of 6 m/s2 for 6 s. It
GIVEN: moves again at a constant speed for 1 min. Then it comes to
𝑣𝑖 = 0 rest for 10 s. (a) Find the total distance travelled for the entire
𝑥𝑖 = 0 trip. (b) What is the average speed for the whole journey? (c)
𝑎 = 2 𝑚/𝑠 2 What is the maximum velocity attained by the car?
𝑡 =6𝑠

REQUIRED:
a). Final Velocity Vf at t = 6 s
b). Final position 𝑥𝑓 at t = 6 s
c). Acceleration a from t = 6 – 9 s
d). Total Distance Travelled d

SOLUTION:
REQUIRED:
PAGE |17

a). Final Velocity Vf at t = 6 s

𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟒] a.) Total distance traveled, 𝑑
2 b.) Average speed, 𝑆
𝑣𝑓 = (2 𝑚/𝑠 )(6 𝑠)
c.) Maximum velocity, 𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

SOLUTION:
a.) Total distance traveled, 𝑑 b.) Average speed, 𝑆

Since the car is moving along a straight line therefore the total 𝑑
distance traveled 𝑑 is the same as the magnitude of the car’s 𝑆= [𝐅𝟖]
∆𝑡
displacement ∆𝑥 𝑑 3,223 𝑚
𝑆= =
∆𝑡 84 𝑠
𝑑 = ∆𝑥 = ∆𝑥𝐴 + ∆𝑥𝐵 + ∆𝑥𝐶 + ∆𝑥𝐷 + ∆𝑥𝐸
𝑺 = 𝟑𝟖. 𝟒 𝒎/𝒔
For ∆𝑥𝐴
1 c.) Maximum velocity, 𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟓]
2
1 1 𝑚 Based on our solution in part (a), the car has reached a
∆𝑥𝐴 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝑡 = (0 + 10 ) (3 𝑠) maximum velocity of
2 2 𝑠
∆𝑥𝐴 = 15 𝑚 𝒗𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟒𝟔. 𝟎 𝒎/𝒔

For ∆𝑥𝐵
∆𝑥𝐵 = 𝑣𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟓𝐚]
𝑚
∆𝑥𝐵 = (10 ) (5 𝑠)
𝑠
∆𝑥𝐵 = 50 𝑚

For ∆𝑥𝐶
We solve first for the final velocity 𝑣 using the equation
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟒]
2
𝑣 = (10 𝑚/𝑠) + (6 𝑚/𝑠 )(6 𝑠)
𝑣 = 46 𝑚/𝑠

Then [𝐅𝟏𝟓],
1 1 𝑚
∆𝑥𝐶 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝑡 = (10 + 46𝑚/𝑠) (6 𝑠)
2 2 𝑠
∆𝑥𝐶 = 168 𝑚

For ∆𝑥𝐷
∆𝑥𝐷 = 𝑣𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟓𝐚]
𝑚
∆𝑥𝐷 = (46 ) (60 𝑠)
𝑠
∆𝑥𝐷 = 2,760 𝑚

For ∆𝑥𝐸
1
𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟓]
2
1 𝑚
∆𝑥𝐸 = (46 + 0) (10 𝑠)
2 𝑠
∆𝑥𝐸 = 230 𝑚

Now we’re ready to solve for the total distance,

∆𝑥 = ∆𝑥𝐴 + ∆𝑥𝐵 + ∆𝑥𝐶 + ∆𝑥𝐷 + ∆𝑥𝐸
PAGE |18

∆𝑥 = 15 𝑚 + 50 𝑚 + 168 𝑚 + 2760 𝑚 + 230 𝑚

Therefore, the total distance traveled by the car is

𝒅 = 𝟑, 𝟐𝟐𝟑 𝒎
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

Exercise 2.4 UNIFORMLY ACCELERATED MOTION

Name of Student: __________________________________ 4. A truck covers 40 m in 8.5 s while uniformly slowing down
to a final velocity of 2.8 m/s. (a) Find the truck’s original
Course and Section: ________________________________
speed. (b) Find its acceleration.
Student Number: ___________________________________
Name of Instructor: _________________________________
Submission Date: __________________________________
Due Date: _________________________________________
Direction: Answer the following uniformly accelerated motion
problems using the formula given by the previous examples.
Write your solutions neatly and highlight your answers.
1. A car is uniformly accelerated from rest to a speed of 25
m/s after travelling 75 m. what is its acceleration?
5. A car starts from rest and travels for 5.0 s with a uniform
acceleration of 11.5 m/s2. The driver then applies the
brakes, causing a uniform acceleration of 22.0 m/s2. If the
brakes are applied for 3.0 s, (a) how fast is the car going
at the end of the braking period, and (b) how far has the
car gone?

2. A particle moving with uniform accelerated motion in a

straight line was first observed to be moving at 4.5 m/s.
after 10 s, it was moving at 6.8 m/s. find its acceleration.

3. A race car starting from rest accelerates at a constant rate

of 5 m/s2. What is the velocity of the car after it has
traveled 100 ft? (b) How much time has elapsed?
PAGE |19

Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line

Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

KINEMATICS OF FREE FALL

2.6 free falling bodies In small region near the earth’s
surface, the acceleration due to
FREE FALL gravity 𝑔 are uniform in both
direction and magnitude and is
Free fall is a type of motion with constant acceleration due to equal to:
the influence of the earth’s gravitational attraction. This
gravitational attraction (or gravity) is exerted on all bodies and 𝒈 = 𝟗. 𝟖𝟎 𝒎/𝒔𝟐 (in SI)
this attraction is nearly pointing to the earth’s center. Some
𝒈 = 𝟑𝟐. 𝟐 𝒇𝒕/𝒔𝟐 (in English) Figure 30. Gravitational acceleration
examples of free fall are throwing a ball straight up on the air varies with elevation
and a diver jump from a diving board However, if we look on larger
and farther regions, the magnitude decreases with increasing
In the 4th century BC, Aristotle (384-322BC), a Greek
elevation.
philosopher, thought that a given body fall faster that lighter
ones. This was accepted as fact until the Italian physicist and A free fall may be in two scenarios: falling and rising. The
astronomer Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) conducted his magnitude of the velocity of a
experiment with two objects of the same material but different falling body is increasing by
weights dropped from the Leaning Tower of Pisa. His 9.8 m/s for every second. On
experiment concluded that that all bodies initially having the the other hand, a rising body
same height would fall to the earth’s surface at the same time. is decelerating at the constant
rate of 9.8 m/s for every
second and the magnitude of
its vertical displacement is
decreasing in each second
until such time the body
reaches the maximum height
of flight wherein its velocity
momentarily dropped to zero.

To analyze free fall in more detail, we can use the established

equations from our discussions in uniformly accelerated
motion:
Although the result of Galileo’s experiment on falling bodies is 𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟒]
accepted, influences besides gravitation are unavoidable. Air 1
𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟓]
resistance in the earth’s atmosphere, distance of the falling 2
1
object from the earth and the earth’s rotation are the three 𝑥𝑓 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2
[𝐅𝟏𝟔]
major things that affects falling body (see figures below). 1
𝑥𝑓 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 𝑡 − 𝑎𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟏𝟕]
2
Therefore, he pointed three assumptions to make his 2 2
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 2𝑎(𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖 ) [𝐅𝟏𝟖]
experiment valid: From these equations, we simply change the horizontal
1. Air resistance is neglected position 𝑥 to y-position 𝑦 and acceleration 𝑎 to the negative of
gravitational acceleration −𝑔) in order to arrive general
2. The effect of earth’s rotation can be neglected. equations for free fall as follows:
𝒗𝒇 = 𝒗𝒊 − 𝒈𝒕 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]
3. The height of fall is very less than the earth’s radius 𝟏
𝒚𝒇 − 𝒚𝒊 = (𝒗𝒊 + 𝒗𝒇 )𝒕 [𝐅𝟐𝟎]
𝟐
𝟏
PAGE |20

𝒚𝒇 = 𝒚𝒊 + 𝒗𝒊 𝒕 − 𝒈𝒕𝟐 [𝐅𝟐𝟏]
𝟐
𝟏
𝒚𝒇 = 𝒚𝒊 + 𝒗𝒇 𝒕 + 𝒈𝒕𝟐 [𝐅𝟐𝟐]
𝟐
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

𝒗𝒇 𝟐 = 𝒗𝒊 𝟐 − 𝟐𝒈(𝒚𝒇 − 𝒚𝒊 ) [𝐅𝟐𝟑] 𝒗𝒇 = 𝒗𝒊 − 𝒈𝒕 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]

Aside from the understanding free fall equations, keep in mind 𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑓 = (30 ) − (9.80 2 )(2 𝑠)
the following important points: 𝑠 𝑠
1. The initial velocity 𝑣𝑖 = 0 if the 𝒗𝒇 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟒 𝒎/𝒔
body is initially at rest and drops
freely.
2. The final velocity 𝑣𝑓 = 0 if the b). Final position 𝑦𝑓 @ 𝑡 = 7 𝑠
body has reached the maximum 1
𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏]
height of flight during rising. 2
3. When a body is thrown vertically 1 𝑚
𝑦𝑓 = 30.1 𝑚 + (30 𝑚/𝑠)(7 𝑠) − (9.80 2 )(7 𝑠)2
upward, it will reach the maximum 2 𝑠
height at a time equal to the time
𝒚𝒇 = 𝟎 𝒎
it took from the maximum height
to its original. (Figure 31) Figure 31. Time of rise is b). Final Velocity 𝑣𝑓 @ 𝑡 = 7 𝑠
4. Also, when a body is thrown equal to time of fall
𝒗𝒇 = 𝒗𝒊 − 𝒈𝒕 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]
vertically upward, the magnitude of 𝑚 𝑚
the velocity upward is equal to the magnitude of the 𝑣𝑓 = (30 ) − (9.80 2 )(7 𝑠)
velocity downward at same elevation. 𝑠 𝑠
𝒗𝒇 = −𝟑𝟖. 𝟔 𝒎/𝒔

SAMPLE PROBLEM:
c). Maximum Height ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑥
1. A ball 30.1 m from the ground 𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]
is thrown vertically upward with 𝑚
0 = 30 𝑚/𝑠 − 9.80 2 (𝑡)
an initial velocity of 30 m/s. 𝑠
What are its position and 30 𝑚/𝑠
𝑡= 𝑚
velocity after 2 s and 7 s? Find 9.80 2
the maximum height attained. 𝑠
𝑡 = 3.06 𝑠
GIVEN: 1
𝑣𝑖 = 30 𝑚/𝑠 𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏]
2
𝑦𝑖 = 30.1 𝑚 𝑚 1 𝑚
𝑦𝑓 = 30.1 𝑚 + (30 )(3.06 𝑠) − (9.80 2 )(3.06 𝑠)2
𝑠 2 𝑠
REQUIRED: 𝒚𝒇 = 𝒉𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟕𝟔. 𝟎𝟐 𝒎
a). Final position 𝑦𝑓 @ 𝑡 = 2 𝑠
Final Velocity 𝑣𝑓 @ 𝑡 = 2 𝑠
b). Final position 𝑦𝑓 @ 𝑡 = 7 𝑠 2. A boy tosses a coin upward with a
Final Velocity 𝑣𝑓 @ 𝑡 = 7 𝑠 velocity of 14.7 m/s. find (a) the
c). Maximum Height ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑥 maximum height reached by the coin,
(b) time of flight, (c) velocity when the
coin returns to the hand, (d) suppose
SOLUTION: failed to catch the coin and the coin
a). Final position 𝑦𝑓 @ 𝑡 = 2 𝑠
goes to the ground, with what velocity
1
𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏] will it strike the ground? The boy’s
2 hand is 0.49 m above the ground.
1 𝑚
𝑦𝑓 = 30.1 𝑚 + (30 𝑚/𝑠)(2 𝑠) − (9.80 2 )(2 𝑠)2
PAGE |21

2 𝑠
𝒚𝒇 = 𝟕𝟎. 𝟓 𝒎 GIVEN:
𝑣𝑖 = 14.7 𝑚/𝑠
a). Final Velocity 𝑣𝑓 @ 𝑡 = 2 𝑠 𝑦𝑖 = 0.49 𝑚
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

starting from maximum height where vi = 0 and

REQUIRED: xi = 11.52 m
a). Maximum Height ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑥 1
𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏]
b). Time of flight 𝑡𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 2
c). Final Velocity when coin returns on hand 𝑣ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 1 𝑚
0 = 11.52 𝑚 + 0(𝑡) − (9.80 2 )𝑡 2
d). Final Velocity when coin strikes the ground 𝑣𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 2 𝑠
𝑚
0 = 11.52 𝑚 − 4.9 2 (𝑡 2 )
SOLUTION: 𝑠
11.52 𝑚
a). Maximum Height ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑡2 = 𝑚
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟗] 4.9 2
𝑠
𝑚 11.52 𝑚
0 = 14.7 𝑚/𝑠 − 9.80 2 (𝑡) 𝑡2 = 𝑚
𝑠 4.9
𝑠2
14.7 𝑚/𝑠 √𝑡 2 = √2.35 𝑠2
𝑡= 𝑚
9.80 2 𝑡 = 1.53 𝑠
𝑠
𝑡 = 1.50 𝑠 𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]
𝑚
1 𝑣𝑓 = 0 − 9.80 2 (1.53 𝑠)
𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏] 𝑠
2 𝒗𝒇 = −𝟏𝟒. 𝟗𝟗 𝒎/𝒔
𝑚 1 𝑚
𝑦𝑓 = 0.49 𝑚 + (14.7 )(1.50 𝑠) − (9.80 2 )(1.50 𝑠)2
𝑠 2 𝑠 alternate solution: starting from the original position of the coin
𝒚𝒇 = 𝒉𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟓𝟐 𝒎
where vi = 14.7 m/s and xi = 0.49 m
b). Time of flight 𝑡𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 1
𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏]
𝑡𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 + 𝑡𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 2
𝑚 1 𝑚
𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 → ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑥 → 𝑣𝑓 = 0 0 = 0.49 𝑚 + (14.7 )(𝑡) − (9.80 2 )𝑡 2
𝑠 2 𝑠
𝑚 2 𝑚
0 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 [𝐅𝟏𝟗] 0 = −4.9 2 𝑡 + 14.7 𝑡 + 0.49 𝑚
𝑠 𝑠
𝑚 𝑚
0 = 14.7 − (9.80 2 )𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒
𝑠 𝑠 −𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑚 𝑥=
14.7
𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 = 𝑠 2𝑎
𝑚
9.80 2
𝑠 −(14.7) ± √(14.7)2 − 4(−4.9)(.49)
𝑡 = 1.50 𝑠 𝑡=
2(4.9)
𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 = 𝑡𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 1.50 𝑠 𝑡 = 3.03
𝑡𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 + 𝑡𝑓𝑎𝑙𝑙
𝑡𝑓𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 = 1.50 𝑠 + 1.50 𝑠 𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]
𝑚 𝑚
𝒕𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 = 𝟑. 𝟎𝟎 𝒔 𝑣𝑓 = 14.7 − 9.80 2 (3.03 𝑠)
𝑠 𝑠
𝒗𝒇 = −𝟏𝟒. 𝟗𝟗 𝒎/𝒔
c). Final Velocity when coin returns on hand 𝑣ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]
𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑓 = 14.7 − (9.80 2 )(3.00 𝑠)
𝑠 𝑠
𝒎
𝒗𝒇 = −𝟏𝟒. 𝟕
𝒔
Negative value means velocity is downward. This proves that
at same elevation, the velocity upward is equal to the velocity
PAGE |22

downward.

d). Final Velocity when coin strikes the ground 𝑣𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑

Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

3. You throw a ball vertically upward b. 𝑣𝑓 when 𝑦𝑓 = 5.0 𝑚

from the roof of a tall building. The ball 𝑣𝑓 2 = 𝑣𝑖 2 − 2𝑔(𝑦𝑓 − 𝑦𝑖 ) [𝐅𝟐𝟑]
leaves your hand at a point even with
the roof railing with an upward speed 𝑣𝑓 = √𝑣𝑖 2 − 2𝑔(𝑦𝑓 − 𝑦𝑖 )
of 15.0 m/s; the ball is in free fall. On 𝑣𝑓 = √(15.0 𝑚/𝑠)2 − 2(9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(5.0 𝑚)
its way back down, it just misses the 𝒗𝒇 = ±𝟏𝟏. 𝟑 𝒎/𝒔
railing. At the location of the building,
g = 9.80 m/s2. Find (a) the position
We have two answers,±, because
and velocity of the ball 1.0 s and 4.0 s the ball we reach the 5.0 m above
after leaving your hand; (b) the the railing. One is when the ball is
velocity when the ball is 5.0 m above still rising (+11.3 m/s) and the
the railing; (c) the maximum height other is when the ball is falling (–
reached and the time at which it is 11.3 m/s)
reached.
c. Maximum height, 𝑦𝑓 and time 𝑡
GIVEN: when 𝑣𝑓 = 0
𝑣𝑖 = 15.0 𝑚/𝑠
𝑦𝑖 = 0 𝑣𝑓 2 = 𝑣𝑖 2 − 2𝑔(𝑦𝑓 − 𝑦𝑖 ) [𝐅𝟐𝟑]

REQUIRED: 𝑣𝑓 2 − 𝑣𝑖 2
a. 𝑦𝑓 and 𝑣𝑓 at 1.0 s and 4.0 s 𝑦𝑓 =
−2𝑔
b. 𝑣𝑓 when 𝑦𝑓 = 5.0 𝑚
0 − (15.0 𝑚/𝑠)2
c. Maximum height, 𝑦𝑓 and time 𝑡 when 𝑣𝑓 = 0 𝑦𝑓 =
−2(9.80 𝑚/𝑠 2 )
SOLUTION:
𝒚𝒇 = 𝟏𝟏. 𝟓 𝒎
a. 𝑦𝑓 and 𝑣𝑓 at 1.0 s and 4.0 s
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]
𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖
At 1.0 s 𝑡=
1 −𝑔
𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏] 0 − 15.0 𝑚/𝑠
2 𝑡=
1 −9.80 𝑚/𝑠 2
𝑦𝑓 = 0 + (+15.0 𝑚/𝑠)(1.0 𝑠) − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(1.0 𝑠)2 𝒕 = 𝟏. 𝟓𝟑 𝒔
2
𝒚𝒇 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟏 𝒎
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]
2
𝑣𝑓 = +15.0 𝑚/𝑠 − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 )(1.0 𝑠) 4. A hot-air balloonist, rising vertically with a constant velocity of
𝒗𝒇 = 𝟓. 𝟐 𝒎/𝒔 magnitude 5.0 m/s, releases a sandbag at an instant when the
balloon is 40.0 m above the ground. After it is released, the
At 4.0 s sandbag is in free fall. (a) Compute the position and velocity of
1 the sandbag at 0.500 s and 2.0 s after its release. (b) How many
𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏] second after its release will the
2
1 bag strike the ground? (c) With
𝑦𝑓 = 0 + (+15.0 𝑚/𝑠)(4.0 𝑠) − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(4.0 𝑠)2
2 what magnitude of velocity
𝒚𝒇 = −𝟏𝟖. 𝟒 𝒎 does it strike? (d) What is the
(Negative value means that the ball is located below the railing greatest height above the
4.0 s after throwing the ball.) ground that the sandbag
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟗] reaches?
PAGE |23

𝑣𝑓 = +15.0 𝑚/𝑠 − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(4.0 𝑠)

𝒗𝒇 = −𝟐𝟒. 𝟐 𝒎/𝒔 GIVEN:
𝑣𝑖 = 5.0 𝑚/𝑠
𝑦𝑖 = 40.0 𝑚
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

REQUIRED: 𝑣𝑓 = √(5.0 𝑚/𝑠)2 − 2(9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(0 − 40.0)

a. 𝑦𝑓 & 𝑣𝑓 𝑎𝑡 0.5 𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2.0 𝑠 𝒗𝒇 = −𝟐𝟖. 𝟒 𝒎/𝒔
b. Time 𝑡 to reach the ground (𝑦𝑓 = 0)
c. 𝑣𝑓 at the ground (𝑦𝑓 = 0) d. 𝑦𝑓 if 𝑣𝑓 = 0
d. 𝑦𝑓 if 𝑣𝑓 = 0 𝑣𝑓 2 = 𝑣𝑖 2 − 2𝑔(𝑦𝑓 − 𝑦𝑖 ) [𝐅𝟐𝟑]
𝑣𝑓 2 − 𝑣𝑖 2
SOLUTION: 𝑦𝑓 = + 𝑦𝑖
a. 𝑦𝑓 & 𝑣𝑓 𝑎𝑡 0.5 𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2.0 𝑠 −2𝑔
0 − (5.0 𝑚/𝑠)2
At 0.5 s 𝑦𝑓 = + 40.0 𝑚
1 −2(9.80 𝑚/𝑠 2 )
𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏]
2 𝒚𝒇 = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟐𝟖 𝒎
1
𝑦𝑓 = 40.0 𝑚 + (5.0 𝑚/𝑠)(0.5 𝑠) − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(0.5 𝑠)2
2 (maximum height from the ground reached by the sandbag)
𝒚𝒇 = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟐𝟕𝟓 𝒎

𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]
(9.8 2 )(0.5
𝑣𝑓 = 5.0 𝑚/𝑠 − 𝑚/𝑠 𝑠)
𝒗𝒇 = 𝟎. 𝟏 𝒎/𝒔
(Positive velocity indicates that at time 0.5 s, the sandbag is
still rising)

At 2.0 s
1
𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏]
2
1
𝑦𝑓 = 40.0 𝑚 + (5.0 𝑚/𝑠)(2.0 𝑠) − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(2.0 𝑠)2
2
𝒚𝒇 = 𝟑𝟎. 𝟒 𝒎

𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 − 𝑔𝑡 [𝐅𝟏𝟗]
𝑣𝑓 = 5.0 𝑚/𝑠 − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(2.0 𝑠)
𝒗𝒇 = −𝟏𝟒. 𝟔 𝒎/𝒔
(Negative velocity indicates that at time 2.0 s the sandbag is
already falling.)

b. Time 𝑡 to reach the ground (𝑦𝑓 = 0)

1
𝑦𝑓 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 [𝐅𝟐𝟏]
2
1
0 = 40.0 𝑚 + (5.0 𝑚/𝑠) 𝑡 − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 ) 𝑡 2
2
4.9𝑡 2 − 5.0𝑡 − 40.0 = 0
−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑡=
2𝑎
−(−5.0) ± √(−5.0)2 − 4(4.9)(−40.0)
𝑡=
2(4.9)
𝒕 = 𝟑. 𝟒𝟏 𝒔
PAGE |24

c. 𝑣𝑓 at the ground (𝑦𝑓 = 0)

𝑣𝑓 2 = 𝑣𝑖 2 − 2𝑔(𝑦𝑓 − 𝑦𝑖 ) [𝐅𝟐𝟑]
Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line
Module in General Physics
Revision no. 00
Effectivity date: August 2020

2. Answer part (c) of the previous problem except that the

Exercise 2.5 free falling bodies
ball is thrown vertically upward at 10 m/s.
Name of Student: __________________________________
Course and Section: ________________________________
Student Number: ___________________________________
Name of Instructor: _________________________________
Submission Date: __________________________________
Due Date: _________________________________________
Direction: Answer the following free falling bodies problems
using the formula given by the previous examples. Write your
solutions neatly and highlight your answers.
1. A ball is dropped freely from the top of a building. It is
found that the ball hits the ground after 6 s. (a) How tall is
the building? (b) What is the ball’s velocity as it strikes the
ground? (c) If the ball is thrown vertically downward at 10
m/s from the top of this building, how long does it take to
reach the ground and what is the ball’s velocity at the
ground?
3.Merlinda throws a ball vertically upward giving it a velocity of
5 m/s. (a) How high does the ball go? (b) How long will it take
for the ball to reach the maximum height of flight? (c) What is
the ball’s velocity as it returns to the thrower’s hand? (d) What
is the total time of flight?

PAGE |25

Unit 2: Motion Along Straight Line