Uniform

Acceleration
Looking at the image, we can say that the car is
traveling fast as it is in a race
competition, and it covers a certain distance in a
short exposure of the camera. When we
watch a race car competition or any other racing
competition, all of the participants start
from rest. For them to move, they have to
accelerate from rest. In this lesson, we will be
discussing how objects move at constant
acceleration in one dimension. We will be
idealizing situations to describe how an object
traveling at constant acceleration behaves.
 OBJECTIVES
Recognize whether a Convert a verbal
physical description of a
situation involves physical situation
constant velocity or involving uniform
constant acceleration. acceleration in one
dimension into a
mathematical description.
 Acceleration

Acceleration is defined as the

rate of change in the velocity of
an object. It can be
mathematically expressed as
∆𝑣Ԧ
𝑎Ԧ𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
∆𝑡
 Acceleration

In general, we can say that an object is

accelerating if any of the following conditions
are fulfilled: ∆𝑣Ԧ
1. The magnitude of velocity is changing. 𝑎Ԧ𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
2. The direction of the motion is changing. ∆𝑡
3. Both the magnitude and direction of the
velocity are changing.
 Acceleration

Instantaneous Acceleration is
defined as the acceleration of an
object in an instant. 𝑑𝑣
𝑎Ԧ𝑖𝑛𝑠 =
𝑑𝑡
Constant
Velocity
vs
Constant
Acceleration
Constant • has a constant magnitude
• the direction does not change

Velocity
at all
 Constant Acceleration
• takes place only if the rate of change in the velocity of the object is
the same throughout the travel
 Constant Acceleration
Equations
The Four Constant Acceleration Equations or usually known as the
Four Kinematic Equations

We will start our derivation with two assumptions:

1. The object is traveling at constant acceleration.
2. The initial time starts at 0, or 𝑡0 = 0. We also note that 𝑣 is velocity
and the vector quantities will not be written as symbols with arrows
above them. We denote the initial velocity as 𝑣0 .
Equation 1:
Displacement-
Independent
Equation

𝑣 = 𝑣0 + 𝑎𝑡
 Equation 2:
Acceleration-
Independent
Equation
𝑣 + 𝑣0
∆𝑥 = 𝑡
2
 Equation 3: Final
Velocity-
Independent
Equation

1 2
∆𝑥 = 𝑣0 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡
2
 2 2
𝑣 = 2𝑎∆𝑥 + 𝑣0

Equation 4:
Time-
Independent
Equation
 Converting Verbal
Descriptions to
Mathematical
Equations

1. Read the problem carefully.

2. Write the given values or
information.
3. Write what is being asked.
4. Refer to the four kinematics
equations.
5. Choose the most applicable
and easiest to use.
1. A car in a highway uniformly accelerates from
rest to reach a maximum velocity of 60 km/h in 10
s. Calculate for the acceleration of the car.
1. A car in a highway uniformly accelerates from
rest to reach a maximum velocity of 60 km/h in 10
s. Calculate for the acceleration of the bus.
2. A fruit rolls on the floor at a rate of 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 .
How much time will it take to reach a
displacement of 5 m?
2. A fruit rolls on the floor at a rate of 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 .
How much time will it take to reach a
displacement of 5 m?
 Tips
• In converting verbal descriptions to mathematical
equations, it will be helpful to write the given mathematical
values before starting to solve the problem.
• Also, watch out for ‘implicit’ givens. This might include
statements such as ‘the object starts from rest’. This
means that the 𝑣0 = 0 m/s.
• Lastly, make sure that the units are the same throughout
your solution.
1. A bus, initially at rest, uniformly accelerated from the toll
plaza to 60 km/h in 20 s. Calculate the rate it changes its
velocity.
1. A bus, initially at rest, uniformly accelerated from the toll
plaza to 60 km/h in 20 s. Calculate the rate it changes its
velocity.
2. What is the distance traveled by a ball which was rolled at
a speed of 20 m/s and changed its speed to 3 m/s in 8 s?
2. What is the distance traveled by a ball which was rolled at
a speed of 20 m/s and changed its speed to 3 m/s in 8 s?
 Key Points
• An object under constant velocity means that it has a
constant magnitude of the rate of change of position and
a constant direction.
• If the object is not in a constant velocity, it is accelerating.
• A uniform acceleration means that the rate of change in
velocity of an object is constant or does not change.
• Converting a verbal description of a motion to a
mathematical equation is the elementary step in solving
problems involving uniformly accelerated motion.
 ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
To know about the derivation of the kinematics equation, you can
watch the following video:

lasseviren1, “Deriving Kinematics Equations Using Calculus”

YouTube (September 21, 2009),
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnFykw00HvE

Alternatively, you can refer to the following link in case you want
to know how the kinematics equations were derived using
algebra.

Tangerine Education, “How to Remember/Derive the

Kinematics Equations” YouTube (February 3, 2018),
 ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
You can practice converting verbal descriptions to mathematical
equations from this site:

The Physics Classroom, “Sample Problems and Solutions”

Physics Classroom,
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-
6/Sample-Problems-and-Solutions
THANK YOU!