Movement and Position

IGCSE Physics
Goals
○ Use the following units: kg, m, m/s, m/s2), N, s, and N/kg.
○ Plot and explain distance−time graphs.
○ Know and use the relationship between average speed, distance moved
and time taken.
○ Know and use the relationship between acceleration, change in velocity,
and time taken.
○ Plot and explain velocity-time graphs.
○ Determine acceleration from the gradient of a velocity−time graph.
○ Determine the distance traveled from the area between a velocity-time
graph and the time axis.
 Distance and Displacement
• Distance = How far an object has moved – Scalar quantity (magnitude)
• Displacement = The distance and direction an object has moved from its starting
point to its ending point – Vector quantity (magnitude and direction)
 Speed and Velocity
● Speed and velocity are both measures of how
quickly an object is moving.
○ Speed is a scalar quantity - it does not have a
direction associated with it.
○ Velocity is a vector quantity - it does have a direction DISTANCE
MOVED
associated with it.
● Speed is measured in meters per second (m/s).
○ There is a relationship between average speed, the
distance moved, and the time taken to do so. AVERAGE TIME
SPEED TAKEN

𝑠 v = average speed (m/s)

𝑣= s = distance moved (m)
Using a formula triangle, speed
𝑡 t = time taken (s)
can be calculated as distance
moved ÷ time taken.
 Distance-Time Graphs
● Distance-time graphs record how far
an object has moved from a starting
position in a given time. OBJECT A IS
○ Distance is traditionally measured in MOVING QUICKLY

meters (m).
● Straight lines on a distance-time graph

DISTANCE
represents constant speed.
○ If the line is very steep, the object is
moving quickly. OBJECT B IS
○ If the line is quite shallow, the object is MOVING
SLOWLY
moving slowly.
○ If the line is horizontal, the object is
TIME
stationary.
Objects that cover a great deal of distance in a short
period of time are said to be traveling at high speed. 6
 In this example, an object
300
3. OBJECT MOVING
QUICKLY
covers 320 meters in 160
250 seconds.
3.9 m/s

The average speed of the

DISTANCE (m)

200

object is thus 320 ÷ 160 =

150
2. OBJECT STATIONARY 2 m/s.
0 m/s
100
Throughout the object’s
50
2.1 m/s
journey, it is travelling at
1. OBJECT MOVING SLOWLY
different speeds. This is
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 200
represented by the
TIME (s) gradient of the line.
 Investigating Speed
● The speed that an everyday object travels when dropped can be investigated
using experiments.
○ Objects such as a paper cone or a tennis ball are commonly used.
1. Measure a height on a ruler.
a. This marks the start point of the experiment.
b. A height of around 1 meter would be appropriate.
2. Drop a ball from this height.
a. This will act as the distance travelled by the object.
3. Use a stopwatch to measure the time it takes for the tennis ball to hit the
ground.
4. Repeat the experiment at different heights.
a. Repeat at 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 meters.
● The experiment can be modified by using different objects.
 The results of this experiment can be analyzed to
BALL
calculate the average speed of the tennis ball as it
travels through the air.
Distance the Ball Time Taken to Fall
Speed (m/s)
Falls (m) to Ground (s)

1.0 1.51 0.66

1.2 1.59 0.75

DISTANCE
TRAVELLED BY
OBJECT 1.4 1.65 0.85

1.6 1.67 0.96

The average speed of the tennis ball across all

distances was:
STOP CLOCK
(0.66 + 0.75 + 0.85 + 0.96) = 3.22

3.22 ÷ 4 = 0.81 m/s

 Acceleration
● Acceleration measures how quickly velocity changes.
○ Acceleration measures the rate of change of velocity per second.
○ Acceleration is a vector.
○ Velocity can be measured as a change in speed or a change in direction.
● Acceleration is measured in m/s2.
● The following equation can be used to calculate the average
acceleration of an object:
a = acceleration (m/s2)
Δv = change in velocity (m/s)
t = time taken (s)
 As a ball is dropped, its velocity changes.

The change in velocity (Δv) was 2 m/s.

The time it took for the ball to fall to the ground (t)
was 4 seconds.

2 ÷ 4 = 0.5 m/s2
 Initial and Final Velocity
● The change in velocity of an object can be defined
as the difference between the initial velocity and
the final velocity.
○ Initial velocity is usually represented by the letter u.
○ Final velocity is usually represented by the letter v. CHANGE IN
VELOCITY

Δv = change in velocity
v = final velocity
u = initial velocity ACCELERATION TIME

● The relationship between acceleration, change in

velocity and time can be summarized using a
Using a formula triangle,
formula triangle. acceleration can be calculated as
change in velocity ÷ time.
 Acceleration and Deceleration
● An object that is speeding up is said to be accelerating.
● An object that is slowing down is said to be decelerating.

From launch, this rocket reaches a top speed of 8000 m/s in 2000
seconds. Calculate the acceleration.

1. As the rocket is stationary on the launchpad, its initial velocity (u)

is 0 m/s.

2. The rocket’s final velocity (v) is 8000 m/s.

3. The change in velocity (Δv) is also 8000 m/s.

4. 8000 ÷ 2000 = +4 m/s2

The motorcycle rider is riding at a constant speed of 20
m/s.

It then takes her 2 seconds to accelerate to 25 m/s.

Δv = 25 – 20 = 5 m/s.

a = 5 ÷ 2 = +2.5 m/s2

Wary of her speed, she then decelerates back to 20 m/s.

It takes her 1 second to do this.

Δv = 20 – 25 = -5 m/s.

a = -5 ÷ 1 = -5 m/s2
 Velocity-Time Graphs
● Velocity-time graphs show how an object’s velocity
changes over time.
● Any line with a positive gradient indicates
acceleration.
● Any line with a negative gradient indicates OBJECT C IS AT A STEADY SPEED
deceleration.
● Flat sections of the the graph represent objects with a

VELOCITY
constant speed.
OBJECT A IS
ACCELERATING

OBJECT B IS
DECELERATING

TIME
 The area under the graph is
equal to the distance
travelled.
300
Acceleration can be
250
CONSTANT SPEED
calculated using the gradient
of the line.
VELOCITY (m/s)

200
Gradient can be calculated as
DISTANCE
150
ACCELERATIO
N TRAVELLE
DECELERATION
Δy ÷ Δx.
D
BETWEEN

100
80-120
SECONDS =
For the period of
40 × 250 =
10,000 m
acceleration:
50
250 ÷ 30 = 8.33 m/s2
STATIONAR
Y
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 200 For the period of
TIME (s) deceleration:

-250 ÷ 80 = -3.25 m/s2

 Uniform Acceleration
● When an object is accelerating or decelerating steadily, it is an
example of uniform acceleration.
○ The following equation can be used to calculate the uniform acceleration of
an object:

v = final speed (m/s2)

u = initial speed (m/s)
a = acceleration (m/s2)
s = distance moved (m)
 v = final speed (m/s2)
u = initial speed (m/s)
a = acceleration (m/s2)
s = distance moved (m)
This rocket begins to accelerate
steadily at 5 m/s2.

Assuming the rocket is travelling at

1000 m/s, what speed will it be
travelling at when it leaves the Earth in
15,000 metres time?

v2 = (1000)2 + (2 × 5 × 15,000) =
1,150,000

√1,150,000 = 1072 m/s

Calculating acceleration
An acceleration can be calculated if we know the change
in velocity, and the time taken for the change to happen.
change   in   velocity
acceleration = 
time   taken

v−u
This can be written as a  =  t where:
 a is the acceleration
 v is the final velocity
 u is the initial velocity
 t is the time taken for the change in velocity.
Calculating acceleration
Acceleration can also be calculated from the change in velocity
and the distance travelled while the velocity was changing.
(final velocity)2 – (initial velocity)2 = 2 × acceleration × distance
This can be written as v2 – u2 = 2 × a × x where:
 a is the acceleration
 v is the final velocity
 u is the initial velocity
 x is the distance travelled while the velocity
was changing.
Questions
1 Which of these equations do you need to use to answer
each of these questions?
v−u
a  =  v2 – u2 = 2 × a × x
t
a A car is travelling at 5 m/s. It accelerates to 15 m/s in
2 seconds. What is its acceleration? Any text in blue
is a hint to help
Which quantities are written in the question? you through the
initial velocity, final velocity, time, acceleration question.

Which equation has these quantities in it?

v−u
a  = 
t
Questions
1 Which of these equations do you need to use to answer
each of these questions?
v−u
a  =  v2 – u2 = 2 × a × x
t
b The brakes on a lorry provide a deceleration of
2 m/s2. How long does it take the lorry to slow down
from 25 m/s to 17 m/s?
Which quantities are written in the question?
acceleration, time, initial velocity, final velocity
Which equation has these quantities in it?
v−u
a  = 
t
Questions
1 Which of these equations do you need to use to answer
each of these questions?
v−u
a  =  v2 – u2 = 2 × a × x
t
c A car travels 500 metres while accelerating from
5 m/s to 10 m/s. What is its acceleration?
Which quantities are written in the question?
distance, initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration
Which equation has these quantities in it?
v2 – u2 = 2 × a × x
Questions
2 A car is travelling at 5 m/s. It accelerates to 15 m/s in
2 seconds. Calculate the acceleration.
v−u
Write the equation: a  = 
t
Make sure
(15 m / s− 5 m / s)
Substitute the numbers: a  =  you write the
2s two velocities
in the correct
10 m / s order.
Calculate: a  =  The starting
2s velocity is
always last.
a = 5 m/s2
Questions
3 A cyclist is travelling at 10 m/s and applies the brakes.
She slows down to 2 m/s in 4 seconds. Calculate her
acceleration.
Write the equation:
v−u
a  =  Make sure you write the two
t
velocities in the correct order. The
Substitute the numbers: starting velocity is always last.
(2m / s−10 m / s )
a  = 
4s If the object is slowing
down, the acceleration
Calculate: will be negative.
−8 m / s
a  =  a = −2 m/s2
4s
Questions
4 The brakes on a lorry provide a deceleration of 2 m/s2.
How long does it take the lorry to slow down from 25 m/s
to 17 m/s?
Write the equation:
v−u
a  = 
t
Rearrange the equation to make t the subject:
v −u
t  = 
a

Continued
Questions
4 The brakes on a lorry provide a deceleration of 2 m/s2.
How long does it take the lorry to slow down from 25 m/s
to 17 m/s?
Substitute the numbers: It is slowing down to 17 m/s,
(17 m / s− 25 m / s) so this is the final velocity.
t  = 
−2 m / s2
Calculate: A deceleration
−8m / s (slowing down)
a  =  is a negative
−2m / s 2 acceleration.
t = 4 s
Questions
5 A motorcycle is travelling at 10 m/s. It accelerates at
6 m/s2 for 4 seconds. Calculate its final velocity.
Write the equation:
v−u
a  = 
t
Rearrange the equation to make the change
in speed the subject:
v–u=a×t
Make v the subject of the equation:
v–u=a×t
+u +u
v=a×t+u Continued
Questions
5 A motorcycle is travelling at 10 m/s. It accelerates at
6 m/s2 for 4 seconds. Calculate its final velocity.
Rearranged equation:
v = (a × t )+ u
Substitute the numbers:
v = (6 m/s2 × 4 s) + 10 m/s
Calculate:
v = 24 m/s + 10 m/s
= 34 m/s
Questions
6 A car decelerates at 3 m/s2 for 3 seconds. Its final
velocity is 10 m/s. What was its initial velocity?
v−u
Write the equation: a  = 
t
Rearrange the equation to make the change
in speed the subject:
v–u=a×t
Make u the subject of the equation:
v–u=a×t
+u +u
v=a×t+u
(−a ×vt)– a × t = u (−a × t) Continued
Questions
6 A car decelerates at 3 m/s2 for 3 seconds. Its final
velocity is 10 m/s. What was its initial velocity?
Rearranged equation:
v–a×t=u
Substitute the numbers:
10 m/s – (–3 m/s2) × 3 s = u
Calculate:
10 m/s + 9 m/s = u
19 m/s = u
u = 19 m/s
Questions
7 A car travels 50 metres while accelerating from 5 m/s to
10 m/s. What is its acceleration?
Write the equation: v2 – u 2 = 2 × a × x
Rearrange to make acceleration the subject:
v2 – u2 = 2 × a × x
(÷ 2 × x) (÷ 2 × x)
( v 2−   u 2 )
 =  a
2 ×  x
Substitute the numbers:
(10 m / s  × 10 m / s ) – (5 m / s  × 5 m / s )
 = a
2 × 50m Continued
Questions
7 A car travels 50 metres while accelerating from 5 m/s to
10 m/s. What is its acceleration?
Calculate
100 − 25
=a
100

0.75 = a

a = 0.75 m/s2
Questions
8 A skydiver accelerates from 0 m/s to 5 m/s at an
acceleration of 10 m/s2. How far do they fall during this
acceleration?
Write the equation: v2 – u 2 = 2 × a × x
Rearrange to make distance the subject:
v2 – u2 = 2 × a × x
(÷ 2 × a) v2− u 2 (÷ 2 × a)
 =  x
2  ×   a
Substitute the numbers:
(5 m / s  × 5 m / s ) – (0 m / s  × 0 m / s )
 = x Continued
2  × 10 ms 2
Questions
8 A skydiver accelerates from 0 m/s to 5 m/s at an
acceleration of 10 m/s2. How far do they fall during this
acceleration?
Calculate
25 − 0
=x
20
1.25 = x
x = 1.25 m
Questions
9 A car brakes from a speed of 30 m/s with a deceleration
of 4 m/s2. It covers 100 metres while it is braking.
Calculate its final speed.
Write the equation: v2 – u 2 = 2 × a × x
Rearrange to make distance the subject:
v2 − u2 = 2 × a × x
+ u2 + u2
v2 = 2 × a × x + u2
Substitute the numbers:
v2 = 2 × −4 m/s2 × 100 m + 30 m/s × 30 m/s Continued
Questions
9 A car brakes from a speed of 30 m/s with a deceleration
of 4 m/s2. It covers 100 metres while it is braking.
Calculate its final speed.
Substitute the numbers:
v2 = 2 × −4 m/s2 × 100 m + 30 m/s × 30 m/s
Calculate:
v2 = −800 + 900
= 100
Find square root:
v = 10 m/s
 Acceleration Questions
1. A cyclist accelerates from rest to
10 m/s in 15 seconds. Calculate the
acceleration.
2. An aeroplane accelerates from rest at a rate of
25 m/s2 for 3 s. Calculate the final velocity.
3. A motorist driving at 30 m/s slams on him
brakes and comes to rest in 5 s. Calculate the
deceleration.