SUBJECT : PHYSICS

LESSON : 2. Mechanics
Acceleration

TEACHER : Vjosa Hoda

E-learning
Displacement depends on acceleration, initial
velocity and time!
• The initial, final, and average velocities 𝑣𝑓
are marked on the graph.

Velocity(m/s)
• We know that the average velocity is
equal to displacement divided by the time
interval.
𝑣𝑖
∆𝑥
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑔 = … (1) Time(s)
∆𝑡
The ball's velocity plotted against time.
• For an object moving with constant acceleration, the average velocity
is equal to the average of the initial velocity and the final velocity.

𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑔 = … (2)
2
• To find an expression for the displacement in terms of the initial and
final velocity:

∆𝑥 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓
= … (3)
∆𝑡 2
Displacement with
1 constant acceleration
∆𝑥 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )∆𝑡 …(4)
2
Final velocity depends on initial velocity,
acceleration, and time!
• If we know the initial velocity, the acceleration, and the elapsed time,
we can find the final velocity.
• By rearranging the equation for acceleration, we can find a value for
the final velocity.
∆𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖
𝑎= = … (5)
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡
𝑎∆𝑡 = 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖 … (6)

Velocity with
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎∆𝑡
… (7) constant acceleration
Another expression for displacement
• Substituting equation (7) into equation (4), we get:
1
𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎∆𝑡 ∆𝑥 = (𝑣 + 𝑣𝑓 )∆𝑡
2 𝑖

Displacement with
1 constant acceleration
∆𝑥 = 𝑣𝑖 ∆𝑡 + 𝑎(∆𝑡)2
2
… (8)
Solve the problem!
• A racing car reaches a speed of 42 m/s. It then begins a uniform negative
acceleration, using its parachute and braking system, and comes to rest 5.5s
later. Find the distance that the car travels during braking.
• Solution:
• 𝑣𝑖 = 42𝑚/𝑠 1
∆𝑥 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )∆𝑡
2
• 𝑣𝑓 = 0𝑚/𝑠
1 𝑚 𝑚
∆𝑥 = 42 + 0 ∗ 5.5𝑠
• ∆𝑡 = 5.5𝑠 2 𝑠 𝑠

• ∆𝑥=? ∆𝑥 = 120𝑚
• A plane starting at rest at one end of a runway undergoes a uniform
acceleration of 4.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 for 15 s before takeoff. What is its speed at takeoff?
How long must the runway be for the plane to be able to take off?
• Solution:
𝑚
• 𝑣𝑖 = 0
𝑠 𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎∆𝑡
𝑚
• a=4.8 2
𝑠 𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑓 = 0 + 4.8 2 ∗ 15𝑠
• ∆𝑡=15s 𝑠 𝑠

• 𝑣𝑓 =? 𝑣𝑓 = 72
𝑚
𝑠
• ∆𝑥 =?
1
∆𝑥 = (𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )∆𝑡
2
1 𝑚 𝑚
∆𝑥 = 0 + 72 15𝑠
2 𝑠 𝑠

∆𝑥 = 540𝑚
Homework
• Page 49, section – practice, problem 1
• Page 51, section – practice, problem 2