GENERAL PHYSICS – KINEMATICS

The Conversion Table

x1012 x109 x106 x103 x100 x10-3 x10-6 x10-9 x10-12

Prefix Tera Giga Mega Kilo n/a milli micro Nano pico

Symbol T G M K n/a m µ n p

Examples: Terabyte (TB), Gigabyte (GB), Megabyte (MB), Kilometer (Km), milliliter (mL), microfarad (mF),
nanometer (nm), picometer (pm)

Physical Quantities

Scalars – physical quantities that are defined only by magnitude (TEMPERATURE, SPEED, CHARGE,
VOLTAGE, RESISTANCE, ETC.)

Vectors – physical quantities that are defined by both magnitude and direction (VELOCITY, FORCE, ETC.)

Vectors are defined with Matrices (sing. Matrix) (Matrices are basically sets of numbers. In physics,
matrices contain coordinates.)
𝑥
𝐴⃑ = [𝑦]

Vector A above denotes a 2 – dimensional matrix (x and y). To add vectors, simply add all the x’s and y’s.

The Resultant Vector is a vector that results from the operation of vectors (Well duh, the word “result”
from “resultant”.)

Example: Given vectors A and B (values are given by the matrices below) whose resultant vector is C, find
the matrix and magnitude of vector C.
2 ⃑⃑ 1
𝐴⃑ = [ ] , 𝐵 =[ ]
2 2

⃑⃑ = [2 + 1] = [3]
𝐴⃑ + 𝐵
2+2 4
To get the length of the resultant vector given the x and y components (in this problem x = 3, y = 4), use
the Pythagorean Theorem.

𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2

𝑐 2 = 32 + 42

𝑐 2 = 9 + 16
𝑐 2 = 25
𝑐=5
In Physics, vectors are used to define motion, which leads us to:

Classical Mechanics – the branch of Physics that deals with the motion of bodies.

Kinematics – deals with the motion of bodies without referencing to forces. (i.e. “How fast is the car
moving…”)

Dynamics – deals with the motion of bodies with respect to forces. (I.e. “How much force is needed to
move a…”)

Distance – refers to the total length covered by the object from the origin.

Displacement – refers to the vector change in position.

In kinematics we are first introduced to our variables:

x – Representing “position”. Position is just “where is the object?”

dx – representing a “change in position”. Note that dx and ∆x are just similar (gikapoy ra og type inyo
maestro sa ∆x heheh)

v – represents “speed”. Note that in the variable here, there is no arrow on top, unlike how vectors usually
do have hence v without an arrow is just “speed” (how fast an object is moving)

dv – represents a change in speed or velocity.

⃑⃑ – represents “velocity”. Basically speed but with direction.

𝒗

t – represents “time”. Measured in seconds.

dt – represents a change in time.

The very first formula we are introduced to is the formula for speed
𝑑𝑥 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖
𝑣= =
𝑑𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖

Where:

v represents velocity

dx represents the change in position

dt represents the change in time

(NOTE: The subscript f represents “final” and i represents “initial; in this case, final position minus initial
position divided by final time minus initial time)
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑚)
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 (𝑠)
The S.I. Unit for Speed is in m/s (meters per second).

Now, speed is a scalar unit so it doesn’t indicate direction. On the other hand, velocity could use a + (plus)
or – (minus) sign to indicate direction. Think of plus and minus signs as the direction an object is going to
in a Cartesian plane. A plus sign indicates it’s going in a positive axis (Right or Up). A minus sign indicates
it’s going in a negative axis (Left or Down).

Example: -1.5m/s means the object is heading at a velocity of 1.5m/s towards the left (or the negative x
or y axis).

If velocity denotes a change in position over a change in time, then acceleration denotes a change in
velocity over time
𝑑𝑣 𝑣𝑓 − 𝑣𝑖
𝑎= =
𝑑𝑡 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖

Average acceleration refers to the average acceleration from the initial time to final time.

Instantaneous acceleration refers to the acceleration specifically only at that point in time.

(You’ll encounter the average and instantaneous acceleration thing once and then basically never again
lol don’t stress over this too much.)
The equations of velocity and acceleration are then derived to arrive at the 4 kinematic equations:

(sa appendix nalang nako ipakita ang derivation in case gusto mo kay stress kaayo mo og nawng ato pag
Day 1 ga derive kog kinematic equations huhu).

𝑣𝑓 = 𝑣𝑖 + 𝑎𝑡

𝑎𝑡 2
𝑥 = 𝑣𝑖 𝑡 +
2
(𝑣𝑖 + 𝑣𝑓 )𝑡
𝑥=
2
𝑣𝑓2 = 𝑣𝑖2 + 2𝑎𝑥

REMEMBER: In kinematic word problems, if the object is falling then the acceleration of the object equals
g. (g = 9.8m/s2). If the object is moving on the x axis (left or right) when the problem says “uniform
acceleration” then a = 0m/s2. (Since there is no change in velocity, there is no acceleration.)

PROJECTILE MOTION

First we define our vectors:

COMPONENT VECTORS – are the vectors added to create the resultant vector. In our case we have our x-
component and y – component.

RESULTANT VECTOR – is the vector that results from adding these 2 vectors and is a diagonal especially
in projectile motion.

To solve for RESULTANT VECTOR, use PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM.

List of Formulas for x-axis and y axis respectively

𝑥 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖𝑥 𝑡 𝑦 = 𝑦𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖𝑦 𝑡

1 1
𝑥 = 𝑣𝑖𝑥 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 2 𝑦 = 𝑣𝑖𝑦 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑦 𝑡 2
2 2

𝑣𝑓𝑥 = 𝑣𝑖𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 𝑣𝑓𝑦 = 𝑣𝑖𝑦 + 𝑎𝑦 𝑡

2𝑎𝑥 = 𝑣𝑓𝑥 2 − 𝑣𝑖𝑥 2 2𝑎𝑦 = 𝑣𝑓𝑦 2 − 𝑣𝑖𝑦 2

Again, balik ta sa steps sa atoang pag solve sa problem

1. VISUALIZE the problem. Draw it if you need to!

2. Determine the GIVEN. List it down para di mo malisang.
3. Is the given velocity a RESULTANT or COMPONENT?

To solve for the component vectors, use the formulas:

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣𝑖 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
4. Which FORMULA do we use?
5. SOLVE!!

Things to remember:

1. Kung ang gipangayo kay naa ra sa one axis. Focus on that axis. If ang gipangita kay height (which
is on the y –axis) FOCUS ON THAT AXIS! Which means tanang given imo gamiton pag solve ana
nga problem will be a y-axis component (viy , ay , etc. basta y tanan.)

2. Kung naglibog mo, remember the arrows or draw a parabolic trajectory.

3. There is ALWAYS A VELOCITY IN THE X AXIS. If the problem does not state any acceleration in the
x axis, then acceleration is constant or ax = 0.

4. There is NO VELOCITY IN THE Y COMPONENT AT THE HIGHEST POINT. Meaning if naa ka sa pinaka
highest point vy = 0.
5. Always remember that there will always be an acceleration in the y direction which is GRAVITY.
Hence ay = -9.8m/s

6. UNITS!!! I WILL GRIND YOU TO BITS IF Y’ALL DON’T WRITE YOUR UNITS.

Anyway units are:

X or Y (position) – meters (m)

v (velocity) – meters per second (m/s)

a (acceleration) – meters per second squared (m/s2)

t (time) – seconds (s)

Sample problem with solution:

An object is launched at a velocity of 20 m/s in a direction making an angle of 25° upward with the
horizontal.

a) What is the maximum height reached by the object?

b) What is the total flight time (between launch and touching the ground) of the object?

c) What is the horizontal range (maximum x above ground) of the object?

d) What is the magnitude of the velocity of the object just before it hits the ground?

Before ta mag solve, visualize sa ta sa atoang word problem.

Solution:

a) What is the maximum height reached by the object?

“MAXIMUM HEIGHT” which means, we will only deal with the Y-AXIS:

ay = -9.8 m/s2

velocity = 20m/s

vfy = 0m/s (The final velocity in the y axis is zero kay at the maximum height mn ato gipapangita)

Katong next step nato: is the velocity RESULTANT or COMPONENT? The velocity is a RESULTANT.
Which means nga we will need to solve for the initial velocity in the y-component.

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑖 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

𝑣𝑦 = (20𝑚/𝑠) sin(25)

𝒗𝒚 = 𝟖. 𝟒𝟓 𝒎/𝒔

So naa nata ana, solve nlang sad ta daan sa ato initial velocity in the x – component (kay mugawas
sa next questions)

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣𝑖 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑣𝑥 = (20𝑚/𝑠) cos(25)

𝒗𝒙 = 𝟏𝟖. 𝟏𝟑 𝒎/𝒔

Balik nanaman tayo sa ating maximum height. At the maximum height, velocity is going to be
zero (So naa na tay final velocity! vfy = 0m/s) so we will take advantage of that fact to solve our
word problem.

But… both formulas for position needs time… so what do we do?

Well duh, solve for time!

𝑣𝑓𝑦 = 𝑣𝑖𝑦 + 𝑎𝑦 𝑡

0𝑚/𝑠 = 8.45𝑚/𝑠 + (−9.8𝑚/𝑠 2 )𝑡

−8.45𝑚/𝑠 = (−9.8𝑚/𝑠 2 )𝑡
−8.45𝑚/𝑠
=𝑡
(−9.8𝑚/𝑠 2 )
𝒕 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟔𝒔
t = 0.86s which means that our ball will reach its maximum height at 0.86s.

Yay! Naa na tay value for time, which we need for our equation. The equation we will use is:
1
𝑦 = 𝑣𝑖𝑦 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑦 𝑡 2
2
Because again, we cannot neglect the acceleration caused by gravity. Substitute nalang ta sa ato
values where t = 0.86s (ayg kalimot gravity is always negative)
1
𝑦 = (8.45𝑚/𝑠)(0.86𝑠) + (−9.8𝑚/𝑠 2 )(0.86𝑠)2
2
𝒚 = 𝟑. 𝟔𝟒𝒎
Hence the maximum height reached by the ball is 3.64m.
b) What is the total flight time (between launch and touching the ground) of the object?

Ok basta time, remember the phrase

“Time is absolute.”

(Until you reach quantum physics time is a mess LOL)

Back to our problem. The phrase “Time is absolute.” means that:

It will take the same amount of time to travel the x-axis as it takes the y – axis.

To solve this, simply multiply your time sa max height by 2!

𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 2 ∗ (0.86𝑠)

𝒕𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟐𝒔

c) What is the horizontal range (maximum x above ground) of the object?

Sess kani sayun na kaayo ni.

So gkan sa ato letter b, naa natay total time 1.72 seconds.

Gikan sa ato letter a naa nsad tay vx = 18.13m/s

Niingon ang problem nga ni accelerate ato projectile in the axis? Diba wala? So ato acceleration
is ax = 0m/s2.

Ato starting position is well, still 0 meters.

We can use either formula 1 or 2 pero like I discussed ganiha:

𝑥 = 𝑥𝑖 + 𝑣𝑖𝑥 𝑡
1
𝑥 = 𝑣𝑖𝑥 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 2
2
xi and ax are zero so mu magically disappear ra ila terms!! (Physics Magic)

𝑥 = 𝑥𝑖 + 0 ∗ 𝑡
1
𝑥 = 𝑣𝑖𝑥 𝑡 + ∗ 0 ∗ 𝑡 2
2
 And of course, recalling our basic algebra, any term multiplied with zero is zero. Which leads us
to our final formula:

𝑥 = 𝑣𝑖𝑥 𝑡
And then we substitute and solve.

𝑥 = (18.13𝑚/𝑠) ∗ (1.72𝑠)

𝒙 = 𝟑𝟏. 𝟏𝟖𝒎
d) What is the magnitude of the velocity of the object just before it hits the ground?

Once again, magnitude of the velocity. Wala man ni accelerate ato ball sa x – axis diba? So same
ra sad ato final velocity. vx = 18.13m/s

Next nato need i solve kay ang final velocity sa y. We cannot assume that the y-component
velocity is the same kay again, we cannot neglect the acceleration caused by gravity. So ang
formula ato i use must contain something so solve for final velocity.

𝑣𝑓𝑦 = 𝑣𝑖𝑦 + 𝑎𝑦 𝑡

Substitute our given:

𝑣𝑓𝑦 = 8.45𝑚/𝑠 + (−9.8𝑚/𝑠 2 )(1.72𝑠)

“Nganong nabalik ang 1.72 seconds?”

Kay before the ball hits the ground man ang gipangayo, so mahuug nga murag final time ato
gamiton which we solved for sa letter b.

𝒗𝒇𝒚 = −𝟖. 𝟒𝟏𝒎/𝒔

Ang given nato kay resultant vectors of velocity. vx and vy. So to solve for the resultant velocity,
we need to use the Pythagorean Theorem.

⃑𝑽⃑ = 𝑣𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑦 2

Pwede rana sya ma bali2 guys ayg kabalaka.

⃑𝑽⃑ = (18.13𝑚/𝑠)2 + (−8.41𝑚/𝑠)2

⃑𝑽⃑ = 19.99𝑚/𝑠

Or you could round it off to 20m/s.