01

NOTE
P H Y S I C S

KINEMATICS
PROBLEMS ON AVERAGE SPEED AND
AVERAGE VELOCITY

What you already know What you will learn

• Problems on speed, displacement, and velocity • Examples on average speed and

• Use of integration to find the distance travelled average velocity

Example

If v = 6t + 3 , find the average speed in 2 s.

Solution
t
Total distance
Total distance = ∫ v (t ) dt
0
Average speed =
time
2
= ∫ (6t + 3) dt
0
18
= = 9 ms −1
2 2 2
t2  t 
= 6  + 3 
 2 0  1 0
( )
= 3 22 − 0 + 3 ( 2 − 0)
= 12 + 6 = 18 m

Example

If v(t) = 3t3 + 4t + 2,
(a) Find distance as a function of time ‘t’.
(b) What is the average speed in 3 seconds?

Solution
(a) We know that 3t 4 4t 2
t x (t ) = + + 2t
x (t ) = ∫ v (t ) dt 4 2
0

∫ (3t )
t
x ( t=
) 3
+ 4t + 2 dt
0
t t t
x ( t ) = 3∫ t 3dt + 4∫ tdt + 2∫ dt
0 0 0

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(b) Total distance in 3 s is Total distance

Average speed =
3 × ( 3)
4
4 × ( 3)
2 Total time
x ( 3)
= + + 2×3
4 2  339 
 4 
x ( 3) =
243 + 96 = 
4 3
339 339 113
x ( 3) = m = = ms −1
4 4×3 4

Example

If v = (4 – 2t) ms–1, find the average speed and average velocity in 5 s.

Solution
Let,
Initial position of the particle be xi
Final position of the particle be xf
We know that,
t
x f − xi =∫ v (t ) dt
0
t
x f − x=
i ∫ ( 4 − 2t ) dt
0

x f − x i = 4t − t 2 .... (i)
Initial position of the particle is origin, therefore xi = 0
So, final position of the particle at any time t is
From (i)
xf = 4t – t2 .... (ii)

Particle velocity is zero when v(t) = 0

Thus,
v(t) = 4 – 2t = 0
⇒t=2s
Therefore, velocity of particle is zero at t = 2 s.

x = –5 m 0 x=4m

t = 5 s, x = –5 m, v = –6 ms–1 x
Particle moves in a positive x direction between t = 0 s to t = 2 s. At t = 2 s, the particle turns back
and starts moving in a negative x direction between t = 2 s to t = 5 s.
Position of the particle at t = 2 s is
From (ii)
xf = 4t – t2
xf = 4 × 2 – 22
xf = 4 m .... (iii)

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 03

Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 2 s is

= |(Position of particle at t = 2 s) – (Position of particle at t = 0 s)|
= |4 – 0| = 4 m .... (iv)

Position of the particle at t = 5 s is

From (ii)
xf = 4t – t2
xf = 4 × 5 – 52
xf = –5 m .... (v)

Distance travelled by the particle between t = 2 s to t = 5 s is

= |(Position of particle at t = 5 s) – (Position of particle at t = 2 s)|
From (v) and (iii),
= |–5 – 4| = 9 m .... (vi)

Total distance travelled by the particle = (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 2 s)
+ (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 2 s to t = 5 s)
From (iv) and (vi),
Total distance travelled by particle = 9 m + 4 m = 13 m
Total distance
Average speed =
Total time
13
= ms −1
5
Total displacement in time t = 0 s to t = 5 s is xf – xi
xf – xi = 4t – t2
Given, t = 5 s
⇒ xf – xi = 4 × 5 – 52
⇒ xf – xi = –5 m
Total displacement
Average veocity =
Total time
−5
=
5
= − 1 ms −1

Example

If v(t) = (3t – 9) ms–1, find the average speed and average velocity in 4 s.

Solution
Let,
Initial position of the particle be xi
Final position of the particle be xf

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We know that,
t
∫ v (t ) dt
x f − xi =
0
t
x f − x=
i ∫ (3t − 9) dt
0

3t 2
x f − x i= − 9t .... (i)
2
Initial position of the particle is the origin, therefore xi = 0
So, final position of the particle at any time t is
From (i)
3t 2
xf
= − 9t .... (ii)
2
Velocity of the particle is zero when v(t) = 0
Thus,
v(t) = (3t – 9) = 0
⇒t=3s
Therefore, at t = 3 s velocity of the particle is zero.
x = –13.5 m 0

x = –12 m
x
t = 4 s, x = –12 m, v = 3 ms–1
Particle moves in negative x direction between t = 0 s to t = 3 s. At t = 3 s, the particle turns back
and starts moving in positive x direction.
Position of the particle at t = 3 s is
From (ii),
3t 2
xf
= − 9t
2
3 × 32
xf
= −9 ×3
2
−27
xf = = − 13.5 m .... (iii)
2
Therefore,
Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 3 s is
= |(Position of particle at t = 3 s) – (Position of particle at t = 0 s)|
From (iii),
= |–13.5 – 0|
= 13.5 m .... (iv)

Position of the particle at t = 4 s is

From (ii),
3t 2
xf
= − 9t
2
3 × 42
xf = − 9 × 4 =− 12 m .... (v)
2

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Therefore,
Distance travelled by the particle between t = 3 s to t = 4 s is
= |(Position of particle at t = 4 s) – (Position of particle at t = 3 s)|
From (v) and (iii),
= |– 12 – (–13.5)|
= 1.5 m .... (vi)

Total distance travelled by the particle = (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 3 s)
+ (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 3 s to t = 4 s)
From (vi) and (iv),
Total distance travelled by particle = 13.5 + 1.5 = 15 m
Total distance
Average Speed =
Total time
15
= ms −1
4
Total displacement in time t = 0 s to t = 4 s is xf – xi
3t 2
x f − x i= − 9t
2
Given t = 4 s
3 × 42
⇒ x f −=
xi −9×4
2
⇒ x f − xi =24 − 36 =− 12 m
Total displacement
Average Veocity =
Total time
−12
=
4
= − 3 ms −1

Example

If v = (t – 2) ms–1, find the average speed and average velocity in 3 s.

Solution
Let,
Initial position of the particle be xi
Final position of the particle be xf
We know that,
t
x f − xi =∫ v (t ) dt
0
t
x f − x=i ∫ (t − 2) dt
0

t2
x f − xi = − 2t .... (i)
2

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Initial position of the particle is the origin, therefore xi = 0

So, final position of the particle at any time t is
From (i)
t2
x=
f − 2t .... (ii)
2
Velocity of the particle is zero when v(t) = 0
Thus,
v(t) = (t – 2) = 0
⇒t=2s
Therefore, at t = 2 s velocity of the particle is zero.
x = –2 m 0

x = –1.5 m
x
t = 3 s, x = –1.5 m, v = 1 ms–1
Particle moves in negative x direction between t = 0 s to t = 2 s. At t = 2 s, the particle turns back
and starts moving in positive x direction.
Position of the particle at t = 2 s is
From (ii),
t2
x=f − 2t
2
22
x f= − 2×2
2
xf =2−4= −2 m .... (iii)
Therefore,
Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 2 s is
= |(Position of particle at t = 2 s) – (Position of particle at t = 0 s)|
From (iii),
= |–2 – 0|
= 2 m .... (iv)

Position of the particle at t = 3 s is

From (ii),
t2
x=f − 2t
2
32
x f = − 2 × 3 =− 1.5 m .... (v)
2
Therefore,
Distance travelled by the particle between t = 2 s to t = 3 s is
= |(Position of particle at t = 3 s) – (Position of particle at t = 2 s)|
From (iii) and (v),
= |– 1.5 – (–2)|
= 0.5 m .... (vi)

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Total distance travelled by the particle = (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 2 s)
+ (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 2 s to t = 3 s)
From (iv) and (vi),
Total distance travelled by particle = 2 + 0.5 = 2.5 m
Total distance
Average speed =
Total time
2.5
= ms −1
3
Total displacement in time t = 0 s to t = 3 s is xf – xi
From (i),
t2
x f − xi = − 2t
2
Given t = 3 s
32
⇒ x f − xi = − 2×3
2
9
⇒ x f − x i = − 6 =− 1.5 m
2
Total displacement
Average veocity =
Total time
−1.5
=
3
= − 0.5 ms −1

Example

If v(t) = (6 – 2t) ms–1, find the average speed and average velocity in 10 s.

Solution
Let,
Initial position of the particle be xi
Final position of the particle be xf
We know that,
t
∫ v (t ) dt
x f − xi =
0
t
x f − x i= ∫ (6 − 2t ) dt
0

x f − xi = 6t − t 2 .... (i)

Initial position of the particle is origin, therefore xi = 0

So, final position of the particle at any time t is
From (i)
xf = 6t – t2 .... (ii)

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Particle velocity is zero when v(t) = 0

Thus,
v(t) = (6 – 2t) = 0
⇒ (6 – 2t) = 0
⇒t=3s
Therefore, at t = 3 s velocity of particle is zero.
x = –40 m 0 x=9m

x
t = 5 s, x = –40 m, v = –14 ms–1
Particle moves in a positive x direction between t = 0 s to t = 3 s. At t = 3 s, the particle turns back
and starts moving in the opposite direction.
Position of the particle at t = 3 s is
From (ii)
xf = 6t – t2
xf = 6 × 3 – 32
xf = 18 – 9 = 9 m .... (iii)
Therefore,
Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 3 s is
= |(Position of particle at t = 3 s) – (Position of particle at t = 0 s)|
= |9 – 0|
= 9 m .... (iv)

Position of the particle at t = 10 s is

From (ii)
xf = 6t – t2
xf = 6 × 10 – 102
xf = –40 m .... (v)

Therefore,
Distance travelled by the particle between t = 3 s to t = 10 s is
= |(Position of particle at t = 10 s) – (Position of particle at t = 3 s)|
From (v) and (iii),
= |– 40 – 9)| = 49 m .... (vi)

Total distance travelled by the particle = (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 3 s)
+ (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 3 s to t = 10 s)
From (vi) and (iv),
Total distance travelled by particle = 49 m + 9 m = 58 m
Total distance
Average speed =
Total time
58
= ms −1
10

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 09

Total displacement in time t = 0 s to t = 10 s is xf – xi

xf – xi = 6t – t2
Given, t = 10 s
⇒ xf – xi = 6 × 10 – 102
⇒ xf – xi = –40 m
Total displacement
Average veocity =
Total time
−40
=
10
= − 4 ms −1

Example

If v = t2 – 2t, find the average speed and average velocity in 4 s.

Solution
Let,
Initial position of the particle be xi
Final position of the particle be xf
We know that,
t
∫ v (t ) dt
x f − xi =
0

∫ (t )
t
x f − x=i 2
− 2t dt
0

t3 .... (i)
x f − xi = − t2
3
Initial position of the particle is the origin, therefore xi = 0
So, final position of the particle at any time t is
From (i)
t3
x=f − t2 .... (ii)
3
Velocity of the particle is zero when v(t) = 0
Thus,
v(t) = t2 – 2t = 0
⇒ t (t – 2) = 2 s
⇒ t = 0 s and t = 2 s
Therefore, at t = 0 s and t = 2 s velocity of the particle is zero.
4 16
x=– m x= m
3 0 3

x
16
t = 4 s, x = m, v = 8 ms–1
3

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 10

Particle moves in negative x direction between t = 0 s to t = 2 s. At t = 2 s, the particle turns back

and starts moving in positive x direction.
Position of the particle at t = 2 s is
From (ii),
23
xf
= − 22
3
8 4
xf = − 4 = − m .... (iii)
3 3
Therefore,
Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 2 s is
= |(Position of particle at t = 2 s) – (Position of particle at t = 0 s)|
From (iii),
4
=− −0
3
4
= m .... (iv)
3
Position of the particle at t = 4 s is
From (ii),
t3
x=f − t2
3
43
xf
= − 42
3
16
xf = m .... (v)
3
Therefore,
Distance travelled by the particle between t = 2 s to t = 4 s is
= |(Position of particle at t = 4 s) – (Position of particle at t = 2 s)|
From (v) and (iii),
16  4 
= − −
3  3 
20
= m .... (vi)
3

Total distance travelled by the particle = (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 2 s)
+ (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 2 s to t = 4 s)
From (iv) and (vi),
4 20
Total distance travelled by particle = + = 8m
3 3
Total distance
Average speed =
Total time
8
= = 2 ms −1
4

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 11

Total displacement in time t = 0 s to t = 4 s is xf – xi

From (i),
t3
x f − xi = − t2
3
Given t = 4 s
43
⇒ x f − xi = − 42
3
16
⇒ x f − xi = m
3
Total displacement
Average veocity =
Total time
16
=
3× 4
4
= ms −1
3

Example

If v(t) = t2 – 5t + 6, find the average speed and average velocity in 5 s.

BOARDS NEET

Solution
Let,
Initial position of the particle be xi
Final position of the particle be xf
We know that,
t
∫ v (t ) dt
x f − xi =
0

∫ (t )
t
x f − x=i 2
− 5t + 6 dt
0

t 3 5t 2
x f − xi = − + 6t .... (i)
3 2
Initial position of the particle is origin, therefore xi = 0
So, final position of the particle at any time t is
From (i)
t 3 5t 2
xf = − + 6t .... (ii)
3 2
Velocity of the particle is zero when v(t) = 0
Thus,
t2 – 5t + 6 = 0
⇒ (t – 2) (t – 3) = 0
⇒ t = 2 s and t = 3 s
Therefore, at t = 2 s and t = 3 s velocity of the particle is zero.

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 12

14
x= m
3
0

x
9 55
x=0m m x= x= m
2 6
55
t = 5 s, x = m, v = 6 ms–1
6
Particle moves in a forward positive x direction between t = 0 s and t = 2 s. At t = 2 s, the particle
turns back and moves in the negative x direction. At t = 3 s, the particle again turns back and moves
in a forward positive x direction.
Position of the particle at t = 2 s is
From (ii),
( 2) 5 ( 2)
3 2

xf = − + 6 ( 2)
3 2
8 20
xf = − + 12
3 2
14
xf = m .... (iii)
3
Position of the particle at t = 3 s is
From (ii),

( 3) 5 ( 3)
3 2

xf = − + 6 ( 3)
3 2
27 45
xf = − + 18
3 2
9
xf = m .... (iv)
2
Position of the particle at t = 5 s is
From (ii),
( 5) 5 ( 5)
3 2

xf = − + 6 ( 5)
3 2
125 125
xf = − + 30
3 2
55
xf = m .... (v)
6
Distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s to t = 2 s is
= |(Position of particle at t = 2 s) – (Position of particle at t = 0 s)|
From (iii),

14
= −0
3
14 .... (vi)
= m
3

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Distance travelled by the particle between t = 2 s to t = 3 s is

= |(Position of particle at t = 3 s) – (Position of particle at t = 2 s)|
From (iii) and (iv),
9 14
= −
2 3
1
= m .... (vii)
6
Distance travelled by the particle between t = 3 s to t = 5 s is
= |(Position of particle at t = 5 s) – (Position of particle at t = 3 s)|
From (v) and (iv),
55 9
= −
6 2
14
= m .... (vii)
3
Total distance travelled by the particle between t = 0 s and t = 5 s is = (Distance travelled by the
particle between t = 0 s to t = 2 s) + (Distance travelled by the particle between t = 2 s to t = 3 s) +
(Distance travelled by the particle between t = 3 s to t = 5 s)
14 1 14
= + +
3 6 3
57
= m .... (viii)
6
Total displacement in time t = 0 s to t = 5 s is xf – xi
From (ii),
t 3 5t 2
⇒ x f − xi = − + 6t
3 2
( 5) 5 ( 5)
3 2

⇒ x f − x=i − + 6 ( 5)
3 2
125 125 55
⇒ x f − x=i − + 30= m .... (ix)
3 2 6
Total distance travelled
Average speed =
Total time
From ( viii ) ,
 57 
 6  57
= =
Average speed  ms −1
5 30

Total displacement
Average velocity =
Total time
From ( ix ) ,
 55 
 6  11
= =
Average speed  ms −1
5 6

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