MOTION WITH CONSTANT

ACCELERATION
MOTION WITH CONSTANT ACCELERATION
MOTION WITH CONSTANT ACCELERATION

 the velocity changes at the same rate throughout the motion.

 Example
 a falling body has a constant acceleration if the effects of the
air are not important.
 a body sliding on an incline or along a rough horizontal surface
 an airplane being catapulted from the deck of an aircraft
carrier
KINEMATIC EQUATIONS

)
PROBLEM-SOLVING HINTS

1. Read the problem

2. Draw a diagram
 Choose a coordinate system, label initial and final points,
indicate a positive direction for velocities and accelerations
3. Label all quantities, be sure all the units are consistent
 Convert if necessary
 PROBLEM-SOLVING HINTS

4. Choose the appropriate kinematic equation.

5. Solve for the unknowns
 You may have to solve two equations for two unknowns
6. Check your results.
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1

A motorcyclist heading east through a small town

accelerates at a constant 4.0 m/s2 after he leaves the city
limits. At time t = 0 he is 5.0 m east of the city-limits
signpost while he moves east at 15 m/s.
(a)Find his position and velocity at t = 2.0 s.
(b)Where is he when his speed is 25 m/s?
READ THE PROBLEM

A motorcyclist heading east through a small town

accelerates at a constant 4.0 m/s2 after he leaves the city
limits. At time t = 0 he is 5.0 m east of the city-limits
signpost while he moves east at 15 m/s.
(a)Find his position and velocity at t = 2.0 s.
(b)Where is he when his speed is 25 m/s?
Draw a diagram. Choose a coordinate system, label initial
and final points, indicate a positive direction for velocities
and accelerations.
 Let all quantities going to the right/east be positive.
t=0 t=2s
V = 15 m/s V=?
a = 4 m/s2

m
0
5 x=?
Label all quantities, be sure all the units are
consistent. Convert if necessary.
 All are on standard units. No need to convert.
t=0s t=2s
Vi = 15 m/s Vf = ?
a = 4 m/s2

m
0
Xi=5m xf = ?
Choose the appropriate kinematic equation.

 What is required? For a part 1, final position

Xi=5m
What are the given?
Vi = 15 m/s
a = 4 m/s2
t=2s

)
 Solve for the unknowns.

Xi=5m
Vi = 15 m/s
a = 4 m/s2
t=2s
Substitute the given to the formula we have chosen,

Solving it algebraically

When writing answers, don’t forget to put the units.

Choose the appropriate kinematic equation.

 What is required? For a part 2, final position

Xi=5m
What are the given?
Vi = 15 m/s
a = 4 m/s2
t=2s

)
 Solve for the unknowns.

Xi=5m
Vi = 15 m/s
a = 4 m/s2
t=2s
Substitute the given to the formula we have chosen,

Calculating,

When writing answers, don’t forget to put the units.

 Choose the appropriate kinematic equation.

Where is he when his speed is 25 m/s? What are the given?

Xi=5m
What is required? For a part 2, final position if Vi = 15 m/s
final velocity is 25 m/s a = 4 m/s2
Vf = 25 m/s

)
 Solve for the unknowns.

Xi=5m
) Vi = 15 m/s
a = 4 m/s2
Vf = 25 m/s
Substitute the given to the formula we have chosen,

Solving it algebraically

When writing answers, don’t forget to put the units.

SAMPLE PROBLEM 2

An antelope moving with constant acceleration covers

the distance between two points 70.0 m apart in 6.00 s.
Its velocity as it passes the second point is 15.0 m/s. What
are
(a)its speed at the first point and
(b)its acceleration?
READ THE PROBLEM

An antelope moving with constant acceleration covers

the distance between two points 70.0 m apart in 6.00 s.
Its velocity as it passes the second point is 15.0 m/s.
What are
(a)its velocity at the first point and
(b)its acceleration?
Draw a diagram. Choose a coordinate system, label initial
and final points, indicate a positive direction for velocities
and accelerations.
 Let all quantities going to the right/east be positive.

V = 15 m/s
V=? t = 6.0 s
a=?

m
0
70
Label all quantities, be sure all the units are
consistent. Convert if necessary.
 All are on standard units. No need to convert.

Vf = 15 m/s
Vi = ? t = 6.0 s
a=?

Xi = 0 Xf = 70
Choose the appropriate kinematic equation.

 What is required? For a , initial position

Xi=0m
What are the given?
Vf = 15 m/s
xf = 70 m
t = 6.0 s

)
 Solve for the unknowns.

Xi=0m
Vf = 15 m/s
xf = 70 m
t = 6.0 s
Substitute the given to the formula we have chosen,

1
(𝑣 + 15)(6)
2
Solving it algebraically

When writing answers, don’t forget to put the units.

Choose the appropriate kinematic equation.

 What is required? For b , acceleration

Xi=0m
What are the given?
Vf = 15 m/s
xf = 70 m
t = 6.0 s

)
 Solve for the unknowns.

Xi=0m
Vf = 15 m/s
xf = 70 m
t = 6.0 s
Substitute the given to the formula we have chosen,
Vi = 8.33 m/s

Solving it algebraically

When writing answers, don’t forget to put the units.

SAMPLE PROBLEM 3

The fastest measured pitched baseball left the

pitcher’s hand at a speed of 45.0 m/s. If the pitcher
was in contact with the ball over a distance of 1.50
m and produced constant acceleration,
(a)what acceleration did he give the ball, and
(b)how much time did it take him to pitch it?
READ THE PROBLEM

The fastest measured pitched baseball left the

pitcher’s hand at a speed of 45.0 m/s. If the
pitcher was in contact with the ball over a distance
of 1.50 m and produced constant acceleration,
(a)what acceleration did he give the ball, and
(b)how much time did it take him to pitch it?
Draw a diagram. Choose a coordinate system, label initial
and final points, indicate a positive direction for velocities
and accelerations.
 Let all quantities going to the right/east be positive.

V = 0 m/s V = 45 m/s
t=?
a=?

m
0
1.50
Label all quantities, be sure all the units are
consistent. Convert if necessary.
 All are on standard units. No need to convert.

a=?
Vi = 0 m/s Vf = 45 m/s
t=?

m
0
xf = 1.50
xi = 0m
Choose the appropriate kinematic equation.

 What is required? For a , acceleration

Xi=0m
What are the given?
Vf = 45 m/s
xf = 1.5 m
Vi = 0 m/s

)
 Solve for the unknowns.

Xi=0m
) Vf = 45 m/s
xf = 1.5 m
Vi = 0 m/s
Substitute the given to the formula we have chosen,

Solving it algebraically

When writing answers, don’t forget to put the units.

Choose the appropriate kinematic equation.

 What is required? For b , time

Xi=0m
What are the given?
Vf = 45 m/s
xf = 1.5 m
Vi = 0 m/s

)
 Solve for the unknowns.

Xi=0m
Vf = 45 m/s
xf = 1.5 m
Vi = 0 m/s
Substitute the given to the formula we have chosen,

1
0 + 45 𝑡
2
Solving it algebraically

When writing answers, don’t forget to put the units.