General physics

Making measurement
1.1 Length and Time
1.2 Motion
1.3 Mass and Weight
1.4 Density
1.5 Forces
1.6 Moments
1.7 Centre of Mass
1.8 Scalars and Vectors
1.9 Momentum
1.10 Energy
1.11Energy Resources
1.12 Work and Power
1.13 Pressure
 Constant Speed on a Distance-Time Graph
Distance-Time Graphs
-Distance-time graphs also show the following information:
A distance-time graph shows how the distance
1. If the object is moving at a constant speed
of an object moving in a straight line (from a
2. How large or small the speed is
starting position) varies over time:
-A straight line represents constant speed
-The slope of the straight line represents the magnitude of the
speed:
1. A very steep slope means the object is moving at a large
speed
2. A shallow slope means the object is moving at a small speed
3. A flat, horizontal line means the object is stationary (not
moving)

This graph shows a moving object

moving further away from its origin
Changing Speed on a Distance-Time Graph

-Objects might be moving at a changing speed

This is represented by a curve

-In this case, the slope of the line will be changing

1. If the slope is increasing, the speed is increasing
(accelerating)
2. If the slope is decreasing, the speed is decreasing
(decelerating)

Changing speeds are represented by changing slopes.

The red line represents an object slowing down and the
green line represents an object speeding up.
Gradient of a Distance-Time Graph A distance-time graph is drawn below for part
of a train journey. The train is travelling at a
constant speed
The speed of a moving object can be calculated from the
gradient of the line on a distance-time graph:

speed = 22.2 m/s

Ose decides to take a stroll to the park. He finds a bench in a
quiet spot and takes a seat, picking up where he left off reading
his book on Black Holes.After some time reading, Ose realises
he lost track of time and runs home.A distance-time graph for
his trip is drawn below:
a) How long does Ose spend reading his book?
There are three sections labelled on the
graph: A, B and C.
b) Which section represents Ose running home?
c) What is the total distance travelled by Ose?
Calculating Average Speed
4. The equation for calculating the average speed of a
moving object is:
1. The speed of an object is the distance it travels every
second
2. Speed is a scalar quantity
3. This is because it only contains a magnitude (without a
5. The formula for average speed can be rearranged with the
direction)
help of the formula triangle below:

A hiker might have an average speed of 2.0 m/s,

whereas a particularly excited bumble bee can have
average speeds of up to 4.5 m/s
Planes fly at typical speeds of around 250 m/s.Calculate the distance travelled by a plane
moving at this average speed for 2 hours.

1 800 000 m
Velocity-Time Graphs 3. A straight line represents constant acceleration
4. The slope of the line represents the magnitude of
acceleration
1. A velocity-time graph shows how the velocity of a moving •
A steep slope means large acceleration (or deceleration) -
object varies with time
i.e. the object's speed changes very quickly
• The red line represents an object
• A gentle slope means small acceleration (or deceleration) -
with increasing velocity
i.e. the object's speed changes very gradually
• The green line represents an object
• A flat line means the acceleration is zero - i.e. the object is
with decreasing velocity
moving with a constant velocity

2. Acceleration on a Velocity-Time Graph

• Velocity-time graphs also show the following information:
a)If the object is moving with a constant: acceleration/deceleration
b)The magnitude of the acceleration/deceleration
Gradient of a Velocity-Time Graph Tora is training for a cycling tournament.

The acceleration of an object can be calculated from the The velocity-time graph below shows her motion as she cycles
gradient of a velocity-time graph along a flat, straight road.

Section D of the graph has

the steepest slope
acceleration = gradient = 5 ÷ 5 = 1 m/s2

(a) In which section (A, B, C, D, or E) of the velocity-time graph

is Tora’s acceleration the largest?
(b) Calculate Tora’s acceleration between 5 and 10 seconds.
 Acceleration

1. Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity
2. In other words, it describes how much an object's velocity
changes every second
3. The equation below is used to calculate the average
acceleration of an object:
5. Speeding Up & Slowing Down
- An object that speeds up is accelerating(a+)
- An object that slows down is decelerating(a-)

a = acceleration in metres per second squared

Δv = change in velocity in metres per second
t = time taken in seconds (s)
4. The change in velocity is found by the difference between the
initial and final velocity, as written below:

change in velocity = final velocity − initial velocity

Δv = v − u
A Japanese bullet train decelerates at a constant rate in a straight line.The velocity of the train decreases from 50 m/s to 42
m/s in 30 seconds.

(a) Calculate the change in velocity of the train.

(b) Calculate the deceleration of the train, and explain how your answer shows the train is slowing down.

−8 m/s
−0.27 m/s
 Area under a Velocity-Time Graph
1. The area under a velocity-time graph represents the
displacement (or distance travelled) by an object

2. The displacement, or distance travelled, is represented by

the area beneath the graph
3. If the area beneath the graph forms a triangle (i.e. the object
is accelerating or decelerating), then the area can be
determined by using the following formula:
Area = ½ × Base × Height
4. If the area beneath the graph forms a rectangle (i.e. the
object is moving at a constant velocity), then the area can be
determined by using the following formula:
Area = Base × Height
The velocity-time graph below shows a car journey which lasts for 160 seconds.

Calculate the total distance travelled by the car on this journey.

total distance = 2175 m

v = gradient = 15/5 = 3 m/s

s = 15 + 0 = 15 m
a = gradient OA = 10/10 = 1 ms-2

a = gradient OA = - 10/5 = - 2 ms-2 s = area under the graph

= ½ (25 + 10)10
= 175 m
 20/10 = 2 ms-2

-(20 - 10) = - 1 ms-2

20 - 10

0 ms-2

-(10 + 10) = - 2 ms-2

40 - 30

Constant acceleration
Constant deceleration

Constant velocity

Constant deceleration
½ (20x10) + ½ (20 + 10)10 + ½ (10 + 15)10 + ½ (10)(10) = 425 m

½ (20x10) + ½ (20 + 10)10 + ½ (10 + 15)10 - ½ (10)(10)

= 325 m
2.2 MOTION GRAPHS

DISPLACEMENT – TIME GRAPH Velocity is obtained from the gradient of the graph.
DISPLACEMENT – TIME GRAPH

A – B : gradient is +ve and Velocity is constant.

constant.
B – C : gradient of the Velocity = 0, object at rest.
graph = 0.
C – D : gradient is –ve and Velocity is negative and
constant. object moves in the
opposite direction.

VELOCITY-TIME GRAPH
Area below graph Distance / displacement
Positive gradient Constant Acceleration
(A – B)
Negative gradient Constant Deceleration
(C – D)
Zero gradient Constant velocity / zero
acceleration (B – C)

22
MOTION GRAPHS
s versus t v versus t a versus t

Zero velocity – s v a
DISPLACEMENT
TIME GRAPH

t t t
s v a
Constant velocity

t t t
Negative & s v a
constant
velocity
t

t t
23
 s versus t v versus t a versus t

Constant s v a
DISPLACEMENT –
acceleration
TIME GRAPH

t t t

Constant s v a
deceleration

t t
*** Gradient of s-t graph represent velocity. Gradient ↑, velocity ↑.

24
Calculating Uniform Acceleration
1. The following equation of motion applies to objects
moving with uniform (constant) acceleration:
3. A car accelerates steadily from rest at a rate of
2.5 m/s2 up to a speed of 16 m/s.Calculate how
far the car moves during this period of
acceleration.

Where:
• s = distance moved in metres (m)
• u = initial speed in metres per second (m/s)
• v = final speed in metres per second (m/s)
• a = acceleration in metres per second squared
(m/s2)
2. This equation is used to calculate quantities such
as initial or final speed, acceleration, or distance
moved in cases where the time taken is not known

1
s (u  v)t
2
v  u  at
v 2  u 2  2as
1
s  ut  at 2
2
s = 51.2 m
 Physics
chapter 2 force and motion i
2.1– 2.2
 PHYSICS
CHAPTER 2 FORCE AND MOTION I
2.1– 2.2

by CHU MP
 0
4.0 m/s

5.0 s

a=4–0 = 0.8 ms-2

5
 Ex ercis e

• A stationary car achieves a velocity of 40 m/s in 10 seconds. Calculate the acceleration of the car. [assume
that the acceleration of the car is uniform throughout the journey] (4 ms-2)
SOLUTION:
u = 75, v = 5 t = 20
a=?
a = [v – u]
t
= 5 – 75
20
a = -3.5 ms-2
EXERCISE 2.1.2
1. A rocket accelerates with 20 ms-2. Calculate its velocity after 2.5 minutes if its initial velocity is 3000 ms -1.
Ans : 6000 ms-1

2. A group of student made a rocket and launched it vertically upwards with velocity of 27 ms -1. What is the total distance travelled by the
rocket? [Assume g = 10 ms-2]
Ans : 72.9 m

3. A van travels up a slope and it stops after 12 seconds. Its initial velocity is 18 ms -1. Calculate its acceleration.
Ans : - 1.5 ms-2

42
u = 0, v = 25, t = 4, a = ?
v = u + at
a = (25 – 0)
4
= 6.25 ms-2
u = 40, v = 50, t = 3, s = ?
s = ½ (u + v)t
= ½ (40 + 50)3
= 135 m
s = 100 m u = 0 t = 9.58 s a = ?
s = ut + ½ at2
100 = ½ a(9.58)2
a = 2.18 ms-2
u = 12 v = 0 s=2 a=?
v2 = u2 + 2as (4)
0 = 144 + 2(a)2
4a = - 144
a = -16 ms-2
(a) u = 4, v = 10, s = 35 t = ?
s = (u + v) t
2
35 = (4 + 10) t
2
t=5s

(b) u = 4, v = 10, t = 5, a = ?
v = u + at
a = (10 – 4)
5
= 1.2 ms-2
u = 0, a = 3, t = 4, s = ?
s = ut + ½ at2
= 0 + ½ (3)(16)
= 24 m
u = 20, t = 5, a = -3, v = ?
v = u + at
= 20 + (-3)(5)
= 5 m/s
u = 40, v = 0 , t = 8 , s = ?
s = (40 + 0) 8 = 160 m
2
the obstacle from the car
after it stops:
180 – 160 = 20 m