Kinematic

Equations

And Sample Problems

Kinematic Equations
• Used in situations with v  v o  at
uniform acceleration 1
x  vt  v o  v  t
2
1 2
x  v ot  at
2
2 2
v  v o  2ax
Notes on the Equations

• Gives displacement as a function

of velocity and time
• Use when you don’t know and
aren’t asked for the acceleration
Notes on the Equations

• Shows velocity as a function of

acceleration and time
• Use when you don’t know and
aren’t asked to find the
displacement
Notes on the Equations

• Gives displacement as a function

of time, velocity and acceleration
• Use when you don’t know and
aren’t asked to find the final
velocity
Notes on the Equations

• Gives velocity as a function of

acceleration and displacement
• Use when you don’t know and
aren’t asked for the time
Sample Problems Motion in One Dimension
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1:
How long does it take an object
to travel a distance of 30m from
rest at a constant acceleration of
2m/s2?
ANSWER: 5.5 s
SAMPLE PROBLEM 2:
A boy walks at a speed of 4
kmph. How much time does
he take to walk a distance of ANSWER: 5 hrs
20 km?
SAMPLE PROBLEM 3:
A man walks 20 km in 4
hours. Find his speed.
ANSWER: 5 km/hr
SAMPLE PROBLEM 4:
A cyclist covers a distance of
15 miles in 2 hours.
Calculate his speed. ANSWER: 7.5 mph
SAMPLE PROBLEM 5:
A cyclist covers a distance of
15 miles in 2 hours.
ANSWER:
Calculate his speed.
106.66 mph
SAMPLE PROBLEM 6:
You are driving at a speed of 20m/s and suddenly, a
tree falls on the road blocking your path. You slam
on your brakes to avoid hitting the fallen tree and
ANSWER:
thus, come to a complete stop. You were at
28m away from the tree when you hit the brakes. If -17.14 m/s2
your vehicle does not skid, what is the minimum
deceleration needed to avoid hitting the fallen tree?
Free Fall
Free Fall
• Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642)
• Formulated the laws that govern
the motion of objects in free fall
• Also:
• Inclined plane
• Relative Motion
• Thermometers
• Pendulum
Free Fall
• All objects moving under the
influence of gravity only are said to
be in free fall.
• Free-falling objects are in a state of
acceleration
• Accelerating at a rate of g = 9.8 m/s2
• Free fall is constantly accelerated
motion
Free Fall
• Velocity of of a free-falling object is
changing by 9.8 m/s in every second.
vo= 0
• The velocity of a free-falling object
that has been dropped from a position
a=g
of rest is dependent upon time that it
has fallen.
• To determine the velocity of falling
object after a time (t) second:
Free Fall (an object
dropped)
• Initial velocity is zero vo 0
• Let up be positive
a=g
• Use the kinematic equations
Free Fall (thrown
downward)
• Initial velocity is not equal to vo 0
zero
• Let up be positive a=g
• Initial velocity be negative
Free Fall (thrown
upward) v=0

• Initial velocity upward is

positive
• Instantaneous velocity (v)
at the max. height is zero
• everywhere in the motion
Free Fall (thrown
upward) v=0

• The motion may be

symmetrical

• The motion may not be

symmetrical
Free Fall
• The distance that a free-falling from
a position of rest is also dependent
upon the time of fall.
• Distance can be computed by use of
formula; the distance fallen after a
time of t seconds:
 • The acceleration of a free-falling object
(on Earth) is 9.8 m/s2 is the same for all
Big free-falling objects regardless of how

Misconception! long they have been falling, or whether

they were initially dropped from rest or
thrown up into the air.
 • Free-fall is the motion of objects that
move under the influence of gravity

Big • Free falling objects does not encounter

air resistance.
Misconception! • More massive objects will only fall faster
if there is an appreciable amount of air
resistance present.
Free Fall
Sample Problems
SAMPLE PROBLEM 7:
A construction worker accidentally
drops a brick from a high scaffold. ANSWER:
Determine the velocity of the brick
after 4 s. How far does the brick fall a) -39 m/s (or 39 m/s
during this time? downward)
b) - 78 m (or 78 m below)
SAMPLE PROBLEM 8:
A tennis ball is thrown straight up with
an initial speed of 22.5 m/
s. It is caught at the same distance abo ANSWER:
ve the ground. How high did the ball
a) dy = 26 m
rise? How long does the ball remain in
the air? Hint: The time it takes the ball b) t = 4.6 s
to rise equals the time it takes to fall.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 9:
Suppose a free-fall ride at an
amusement park starts at rest and is in
free fall. What is the velocity of the ANSWER:
ride after 2.3 s? a) vf = -22.54 m/s
How far do people on the ride fall duri
ng 2.3 s? b) dy = -25.9 m
SAMPLE PROBLEM 10:
You throw a ball downward
from a window at a speed of 2.0
m/s. How fast will be moving ANSWER:
when it hits the sidewalk 2.5 m vf = 7.3 m/s downward
below?
That in all things, God may be glorified!