1.

2 Motion
FOCUS POINTS
★ Define speed and velocity and use the appropriate equations to calculate these and average speed.
★ Draw, plot and interpret distance–time or speed–time graphs for objects at different speeds and use the
graphs to calculate speed or distance travelled.
★ Define acceleration and use the shape of a speed–time graph to determine constant or changing
acceleration and calculate the acceleration from the gradient of the graph.
★ Know the approximate value of the acceleration of freefall, g, for an object close to the Earth’s surface.

★ Describe the motion of objects falling with and without air/liquid resistance.

The concepts of speed and acceleration are encountered every day, whether it be television
monitoring of the speed of a cricket or tennis ball as it soars towards the opposition or the
acceleration achieved by an athlete or racing car. In this topic you will learn how to define speed
in terms of distance and time. Graphs of distance against time will enable you to calculate speed
and determine how it changes with time; graphs of speed against time allow acceleration to be
studied. Acceleration is also experienced by falling objects as a result of gravitational attraction.
All objects near the Earth’s surface experience the force of gravity, which produces a constant
acceleration directed towards the centre of the Earth.

Speed To find the actual speed at any instant we would

need to know the distance moved in a very short
The speed of a body is the distance that it has interval of time. This can be done by multiflash
travelled in unit time. When the distance travelled photography. In Figure 1.2.1 the golfer is
is s over a short time period t, the speed v is photographed while a flashing lamp illuminates him
given by 100 times a second. The speed of the club-head as it
v=s hits the ball is about 200 km/h.
t
Key definition
Speed distance travelled per unit time

If a car travels 300 km in five hours, its average

speed is 300 km/5 h = 60 km/h. The speedometer
would certainly not read 60 km/h for the whole
journey and might vary considerably from this value.
That is why we state the average speed. If a car
could travel at a constant speed of 60 km/h for
5 hours, the distance covered would still be 300 km.
It is always true that
total distance travelled
average speed =
total time taken
▲ Figure 1.2.1 Multiflash photograph of a golf swing

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 Acceleration

Velocity For a steady increase of velocity from 20 m/s to

Speed is the distance travelled in unit time; velocity is 50 m/s in 5 s
the distance travelled in unit time in a given direction. (50 − 20) m/s
acceleration = = 6 m/s2
If two trains travel due north at 20 m/s, they have the 5s
same speed of 20 m/s and the same velocity of 20 m/s
due north. If one travels north and the other south, Acceleration is also a vector and both its
their speeds are the same but not their velocities since magnitude and direction should be stated.
their directions of motion are different. However, at present we will consider only motion
in a straight line and so the magnitude of the
distance moved in a given direction velocity will equal the speed, and the magnitude
velocity =
time taken of the acceleration will equal the change of speed
= speed in a given direction in unit time.
The speeds of a car accelerating on a straight
Key definition road are shown below.
Velocity change in displacement per unit time
Time/s 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
The velocity of a body is uniform or constant if it Speed/m/s 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
moves with a steady speed in a straight line. It is
not uniform if it moves in a curved path. Why? The speed increases by 5 m/s every second and
The units of speed and velocity are the same, the acceleration of 5 m/s2 is constant.
km/h, m/s. An acceleration is positive if the velocity
increases, and negative if it decreases. A negative
60 000 m
60 km/h = = 17 m/s acceleration is also called a deceleration or
3600 s retardation.
Distance moved in a stated direction is called the
displacement. Velocity may also be defined as
change in displacement
velocity = Test yourself
time taken
1 What is the average speed of
Speed is a scalar quantity and velocity a vector a a car that travels 400 m in 20 s
quantity. Displacement is a vector, unlike distance b an athlete who runs 1500 m in 4 minutes?
which is a scalar. 2 A train increases its speed steadily from 10 m/s to
20 m/s in 1 minute.
a What is its average speed during this time,
in m/s?
Acceleration b How far does it travel while increasing its
speed?
When the velocity of an object changes, we say
the object accelerates. If a car starts from rest 3 a A motorcyclist starts from rest and reaches
and moving due north has velocity 2 m/s after a speed of 6 m/s after travelling with
1 second, its velocity has increased by 2 m/s in constant acceleration for 3 s. What is his
1 s and its acceleration is 2 m/s per second due acceleration?
north. We write this as 2 m/s2. b The motorcyclist then decelerates
at a constant rate for 2 s. What is his
Acceleration is defined as the change of acceleration?
velocity in unit time, or 4 An aircraft travelling at 600 km/h accelerates
change of velocity v steadily at 10 km/h per second. Taking the
acceleration = = Δ speed of sound as 1100 km/h at the aircraft’s
time taken for change Δt altitude, how long will it take to reach the
‘sound barrier’?
Key definition
Acceleration change in velocity per unit time

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 1.2 Motion

Speed–time graphs Values for the speed of the object at 1 s intervals

can be read from the graph and are given in Table
If the speed of an object is plotted against the 1.2.2. The data shows that the speed increases by
time, the graph obtained is a speed–time graph. the same amount (4 m/s) every second.
It provides a way of solving motion problems.
▼ Table 1.2.2
In Figure 1.2.2, AB is the speed–time graph
for an object moving with a constant speed of Speed/m/s 20 24 28 32 36 40
20 m/s. Time/s 0 1 2 3 4 5
Values for the speed of the object at 1 s intervals
can be read from the graph and are given in You can use the data to plot the speed–time graph.
Table 1.2.1. The data shows that the speed is Join up the data points on the graph paper with
constant over the 5 s time interval. the best straight line to give the line PQ shown in
▼ Table 1.2.1
Figure 1.2.3a. (Details for how to plot a graph are
given on pp. 297–8 in the Mathematics for physics
Speed/m/s 20 20 20 20 20 20 section.)
Time/s 0 1 2 3 4 5 Figure 1.2.3b shows the shape of a speed–time
graph for an object accelerating from rest over time
interval OA, travelling at a constant speed over time
30 interval AB and then decelerating (when the speed
is decreasing) over the time interval BC. The steeper
A B
speed/m/s

20 gradient in time interval BC than in time interval

OA shows that the deceleration is greater than the
10
acceleration. The object remains at rest over the
time interval CD when its speed and acceleration are
C zero.
O
1 2 3 4 5
time/s constant
speed
speed/m/s

▲ Figure 1.2.2 Constant speed

n
de

tio
cel

The linear shape (PQ) of the speed–time graph ler

a
era

ce
shown in Figure 1.2.3a means that the gradient, and ac
tio
n

hence the acceleration of the body, are constant at rest

over the time period OS. O A B C D
time/s

40 Q ▲ Figure 1.2.3b Acceleration, constant speed and

deceleration
30 Figure 1.2.3c shows a speed–time graph for a
speed/m/s

P changing acceleration. The curved shape OX means

20 R that the gradient of the graph, and hence the
acceleration of the object, change over time period
10 OY – the acceleration is changing.
Values for the speed of the object at 1 s intervals
S
O
are given in Table 1.2.3. The data shows that the
1 2 3 4 5 speed is increasing over time interval OY, but by a
time/s
smaller amount each second so the acceleration is
▲ Figure 1.2.3a Constant acceleration decreasing.

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 Distance–time graphs

▼ Table 1.2.3 LM/OM = 40 m/4 s = 10 m/s, which is the value of the

speed. The following statement is true in general:
Speed/m/s 0 17.5 23.0 26.0 28.5 30.0
The gradient of a distance–time graph represents
Time/s 0 1 2 3 4 5 the speed of the object.
Values for the distance moved by the object
You can use the data to plot the speed–time graph.
recorded at 1 s intervals are given in Table 1.2.4.
Join up the data points on the graph paper with a
The data shows it moves 10 m in every second so the
smooth curve as shown in Figure 1.2.3c.
speed of the object is constant at 10 m/s.
Note that an object at rest will have zero speed
and zero acceleration; its speed–time graph is a ▼ Table 1.2.4
straight line along the horizontal axis. Distance/m 10 20 30 40
Time/s 1 2 3 4
30 X
You can use the data to plot the distance–time
speed/m/s

20 graph shown in Figure 1.2.4a.

10 L
40
Y
O 1 2 3 4 5 30
distance/m

time/s

▲ Figure 1.2.3c Changing acceleration 20

10
Using the gradient of M
a speed–time graph to O
1 2 3 4

calculate acceleration time/s

The gradient of a speed–time graph represents ▲ Figure 1.2.4a Constant speed

the acceleration of the object. Figure 1.2.4b shows the shape of a distance–time
In Figure 1.2.2, the gradient of AB is zero, as is graph for an object that is at rest over time interval
the acceleration. In Figure 1.2.3a, the gradient of OA and then moves at a constant speed in time
PQ is QR/PR = 20/5 = 4: the acceleration is constant interval AB. It then stops moving and is at rest over
at 4 m/s2. In Figure 1.2.3c, when the gradient along time interval BC before moving at a constant speed
OX changes, so does the acceleration. in time interval CD.
An object is accelerating if the speed
increases with time and decelerating if the
speed decreases with time, as shown in Figure constant
speed
1.2.3b. In Figure 1.2.3c, the speed is increasing
distance/m

with time and the acceleration of the object is at rest

decreasing. constant
speed

Distance–time graphs O
at rest
A B C D
An object travelling with constant speed covers equal
time/s
distances in equal times. Its distance–time graph is
a straight line, like OL in Figure 1.2.4a for a constant ▲ Figure 1.2.4b Constant speed
speed of 10 m/s. The gradient of the graph is

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 1.2 Motion

The speed of the object is higher when the gradient At the start of the timing the speed is 20 m/s,
of the graph is steeper. The object is travelling but it increases steadily to 40 m/s after 5 s.
faster in time interval AB than it is in time interval If the distance covered equals the area under PQ,
CD; it is at rest in time intervals OA and BC when i.e. the shaded area OPQS, then
the distance does not change. distance = area of rectangle OPRS + area of triangle PQR
When the speed of the object is changing, the 1
gradient of the distance–time graph varies, as in = OP × OS + 2 × PR × QR
Figure 1.2.5, where the upward curve of increasing 1
(area of a triangle = 2 base × height)
gradient of the solid green line shows the object 1
accelerating. The opposite, upward curve of = 20 m/s × 5 s + 2 × 5 s × 20 m/s
decreasing gradient (indicated by the dashed green = 100 m + 50 m = 150 m
line) shows an object decelerating above T.
Note that when calculating the area from the graph,
40 A the unit of time must be the same on both axes.
accelerating The rule for finding distances travelled is true
30
even if the acceleration is not constant. In Figure
decelerating
1.2.3c, the distance travelled equals the shaded
distance/m

20
area OXY.
T

10 accelerating
Test yourself
C B 5 The speeds of a bus travelling on a straight road are
O given below at successive intervals of 1 second.
1 2 3 4 5
time/s Time/s 0 1 2 3 4
▲ Figure 1.2.5 Non-constant speed Speed/m/s 0 4 8 12 16

a Sketch a speed–time graph using the values.

Speed at any point equals the gradient of the b Choose two of the following terms which
describe the acceleration of the bus:
tangent. For example, the gradient of the tangent constant   changing   positive   negative
at T is AB/BC = 40 m/2 s = 20 m/s. The speed at
the instant corresponding to T is therefore 20 m/s. c Calculate the acceleration of the bus.
d Calculate the area under your graph.
e How far does the bus travel in 4 s?
Area under a speed–time 6 The distance of a walker from the start of her walk
is given below at successive intervals of 1 second.
graph a Sketch a distance–time graph of the following
values.
The area under a speed–time graph measures the
distance travelled. Time/s 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
In Figure 1.2.2, AB is the speed–time graph for Distance/m 0 3 6 9 12 15 18
an object moving with a constant speed of 20 m/s.
Since distance = average speed × time, after 5 s it b How would you describe the speed at which she
will have moved 20 m/s × 5 s = 100 m. This is the walks?
shaded area under the graph, i.e. rectangle OABC. constant    changing    increasing
accelerating
In Figure 1.2.3a, PQ is the speed–time graph c Calculate her average speed.
for an object moving with constant acceleration.

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 Equations for constant acceleration

Equations for constant Going further

acceleration Third equation
Problems involving bodies moving with constant
From equation (1), v = u + at
acceleration in a straight line can often be solved
quickly using some equations of motion. From equation (2),
s u+v
=
First equation t 2
If an object is moving with constant acceleration s u + u + at 2u + at
= =
a in a straight line and its speed increases from u t 2 2
to v in time t, then 1
= u + at
2
change of speed v − u
a= = and so
time taken t 1 2
s = ut + at (3)
∴ at = v – u 2
or Fourth equation
This is obtained by eliminating t from equations (1) and
v = u + at (1) (3). Squaring equation (1) we have
Note that the initial speed u and the final speed v
v2 = (u + at)2
refer to the start and the finish of the timing and
do not necessarily mean the start and finish of ∴ v2 = u2 + 2uat + a2t2
the motion. 1
= u2 + 2a(ut + at2)
2
1
But s = ut + at2
2
Second equation ∴ v2 = u2 + 2as
The speed of an object moving with constant If we know any three of u, v, a, s and t, the others can
acceleration in a straight line increases steadily. be found from the equations.
Its average speed therefore equals half the sum
of its initial and final speeds, that is,
u+v
average speed =
Worked example
2
A sprint cyclist starts from rest and accelerates at 1 m/s2
If s is the distance moved in time t, then since for 20 seconds. Find her final speed and the distance she
average speed = total distance/total time = s/t, travelled.

s u+v Since u = 0   a = 1 m/s2   t = 20 s

=
t 2 Using v = u + at, we have her maximum speed
v = 0 + 1 m/s2 × 20 s = 20 m/s
or
and distance travelled
(u + v )
s= t   (2) s=
(u + v )
t
2 2
(0 + 20) m/s × 20s 400
= = = 200 m
2 2

Now put this into practice

1 An athlete accelerates from rest at a constant rate of
0.8 m/s2 for 4 s. Calculate the final speed of the athlete.
2 A cyclist increases his speed from 10 m/s to 20 m/s in 5 s.
Calculate his average speed over this time interval.
3 Calculate the distance moved by a car accelerating from
rest at a constant rate of 2 m/s2 for 5 s.

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 1.2 Motion

Falling bodies
In air, a coin falls faster than a small piece of paper.
In a vacuum they fall at the same rate, as may
be shown with the apparatus of Figure 1.2.6.
The difference in air is due to air resistance having
a greater effect on light bodies than on heavy
bodies. The air resistance to a light body is large
when compared with the body’s weight. With a
dense piece of metal, the resistance is negligible
at low speeds.
There is a story, untrue we now think, that in the
sixteenth century the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei
dropped a small iron ball and a large cannonball ten
times heavier from the top of the Leaning Tower
of Pisa (Figure 1.2.7). And we are told that, to the
surprise of onlookers who expected the cannonball
to arrive first, they reached the ground almost
simultaneously.

rubber
stopper

Perspex or
Pyrex tube

paper

1.5 m coin

pressure
tubing
to vacuum
pump
screw clip

▲ Figure 1.2.6 A coin and a piece of paper fall at the same ▲ Figure 1.2.7 The Leaning Tower of Pisa, where Galileo is
rate in a vacuum. said to have experimented with falling objects

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 Acceleration of free fall

Practical work

Motion of a falling object 3 Why would a stopwatch not be chosen to

measure the time of fall in this experiment?
Safety 4 How would you expect the times taken for the
l Place something soft on the floor to absorb the 100 g and 200 g masses to reach the ground to
impact of the masses. differ?
l Take care to keep feet well away from the 2 V a.c.
falling masses.
Arrange your experimental apparatus as shown
in Figure 1.2.8 and investigate the motion of a
100 g mass falling from a height of about 2 m. ticker
timer
A tickertape timer has a marker that vibrates at
50 times a second and makes dots at 1/50 s
intervals on a paper tape being pulled through it.
Ignore the start of the tape where the dots are too
close.
Repeat the experiment with a 200 g mass and tickertape retort
compare your results with those for the 100 g stand
mass.
1 The spacing between the dots on the tickertape
increases as the mass falls. What does this tell
you about the speed of the falling mass?
2 The tape has 34 dots on it by the time the mass
falls through 2 m. Estimate how long it has 100 g
taken the mass to fall through 2 m. mass to floor

▲ Figure 1.2.8

Acceleration of free fall Key definition

All bodies falling freely under the force of gravity Acceleration of free fall g for an object near to the
do so with uniform acceleration if air resistance is surface of the Earth, this is approximately constant and is
approximately 9.8 m/s2
negligible (i.e. the ‘steps’ on the tape chart from the
practical work should all be equally spaced).
This acceleration, called the acceleration of In calculations using the equations of motion, g
free fall, is denoted by the italic letter g. Its value replaces a. It is given a positive sign for falling
varies slightly over the Earth but is constant in bodies (i.e. a = g = +9.8 m/s2) and a negative sign
each place; on average it is about 9.8 m/s2, or near for rising bodies since they are decelerating
enough 10 m/s2. The velocity of a free-falling body (i.e. a = −g = −9.8 m/s2).
therefore increases by about 10 m/s every second.
A ball shot straight upwards with a velocity of
30 m/s decelerates by about 10 m/s every second and
reaches its highest point after 3 s.

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 1.2 Motion

Going further
Measuring g
Using the arrangement in Figure 1.2.9, the time for a A rough estimate for g can be made by timing the fall of
steel ball-bearing to fall a known distance is measured a rubber ball from the top of a building. It will only take
by an electronic timer. a second to reach the ground from a height of 5 m, so
you will need fast reactions if you use a stopwatch for
When the two-way switch is changed to the ‘down’
the measurement. Watch out that you do not hit anybody
position, the electromagnet releases the ball and
below!
simultaneously the clock starts. At the end of its fall the
ball opens the ‘trap-door’ on the impact switch and the
clock stops.
Distance–time graphs for a falling object
For an object falling freely from rest in a uniform
The result is found from the third equation of motion gravitational field without air resistance, there will be
s = ut + 12 at2 , where s is the distance fallen (in m), t is the constant acceleration g, so we have
time taken (in s), u = 0 (the ball starts from rest) and
1 2
a = g (in m/s2). s= gt
2
Hence A graph of distance s against time t is shown in Figure
1 2 1.2.10a. The gradually increasing slope indicates the
s= gt speed of the object increases steadily. A graph of s
2
or against t2 is shown in Figure 1.2.10b; it is a straight line
through the origin since s ∝ t 2 ( g being constant at one
g = 2s/t2 place).
Air resistance is negligible for a dense object such as a
steel ball-bearing falling a short distance.
80
electromagnet
60
distance/m

40
ball-
bearing 20

0 1 2 3 4
time/s

electronic timer ▲ Figure 1.2.10a A graph of distance against time for a

body falling freely from rest

EXT
two-way
COM 80
switch
CLOCK
OPERATING 60
distance/m

40
magnet 12 V a.c.
adjustable 20
terminal

0 4 8 12 16
hinge trap-door of
impact switch (time)2/s2

▲ Figure 1.2.10b A graph of distance against (time)2 for a

body falling freely from rest

▲ Figure 1.2.9

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 Acceleration of free fall

Test yourself
7 An object falls from a hovering helicopter and hits
the ground at a speed of 30 m/s. How long does it
take the object to reach the ground and how far
does it fall? Sketch a speed–time graph for the
object (ignore air resistance).
8 A stone falls from rest from the top of a high
tower. Ignore air resistance and take g = 9.8 m/s2.
Calculate
a the speed of the stone after 2 seconds
b how far the stone has fallen after 2 seconds.
9 At a certain instant a ball has a horizontal velocity
of 12 m/s and a vertical velocity of 5 m/s.
Calculate the resultant velocity of the ball at that
instant.

Going further
Projectiles
The photograph in Figure 1.2.11 was taken while a For example, if a ball is thrown horizontally from the
lamp emitted regular flashes of light. One ball was top of a cliff and takes 3 s to reach the beach below, we
dropped from rest and the other, a projectile, was thrown can calculate the height of the cliff by considering the
sideways at the same time. Their vertical accelerations vertical motion only. We have u = 0 (since the ball has no
(due to gravity) are equal, showing that a projectile falls vertical velocity initially), a = g = +9.8 m/s2 and t = 3 s.
like a body which is dropped from rest. Its horizontal The height s of the cliff is given by
velocity does not affect its vertical motion. 1
s = ut + at2
The horizontal and vertical motions of a body are 2
independent and can be treated separately. 1
= 0 × 3 s + (+9.8 m/s2)32 s2
2
= 44 m
Projectiles such as cricket balls and explosive shells
are projected from near ground level and at an angle.
The horizontal distance they travel, i.e. their range,
depends on
• the speed of projection – the greater this is, the
greater the range, and
• the angle of projection – it can be shown that,
neglecting air resistance, the range is a maximum
when the angle is 45° (Figure 1.2.12).

45°

▲ Figure 1.2.12 The range is greatest for an angle of

projection of 45°.

▲ Figure 1.2.11 Comparing free fall and projectile motion

using multiflash photography

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 1.2 Motion

Air resistance: terminal Objects falling in liquids behave similarly to

those falling in air.
velocity
When an object falls in a uniform gravitational
field, the air resistance (fluid friction) opposing
its motion increases as its speed rises, so reducing
its acceleration. Eventually, air resistance acting
upwards equals the weight of the object acting
downwards. The resultant force on the object is
then zero since the gravitational force balances
the frictional force. The object falls at a constant
velocity, called its terminal velocity, whose value
depends on the size, shape and weight of the
object.
A small dense object, such as a steel ball-
bearing, has a high terminal velocity and falls a
considerable distance with a constant acceleration
of 9.8 m/s2 before air resistance equals its weight.
A light object, like a raindrop, or an object with
a large surface area, such as a parachute, has a ▲ Figure 1.2.13 Synchronised skydivers
low terminal velocity and only accelerates over a
comparatively short distance before air resistance In the absence of air resistance, an object falls
equals its weight. A skydiver (Figure 1.2.13) has a in a uniform gravitational field with a constant
terminal velocity of more than 50 m/s (180 km/h) acceleration as shown in the distance–time graph
before the parachute is opened. of Figure 1.2.10a.

Revision checklist
After studying Topic 1.2 you should know and ✓ define and calculate acceleration and use
understand the following: the fact that deceleration is a negative
acceleration in calculations
✓ that a negative acceleration is a deceleration
or retardation. ✓ state that the acceleration of free fall, g, for an
object near to the Earth is constant and use the
After studying Topic 1.2 you should be able to:
given value of 9.8 m/s2
✓ define speed and velocity, and calculate average
speed from total distance/total time; sketch, plot, ✓ describe the motion of objects falling in a
interpret and use speed–time and distance–time uniform gravitational field.
graphs to solve problems

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 Exam-style questions

Exam-style questions
1 The speeds of a car travelling on a straight 4 The graph in Figure 1.2.15 represents the
road are given below at successive intervals of distance travelled by a car plotted against time.
1 second. a State how far the car has travelled at the
end of 5 seconds. [1]
Time/s 0 1 2 3 4 b Calculate the speed of the car during the
Speed/m/s 0 2 4 6 8 first 5 seconds. [1]
c State what has happened to the car after A.[2]
Calculate d Draw a graph showing the speed of the car
a the average speed of the car in m/s [2] plotted against time during the first
b the distance the car travels in 4 s [3] 5 seconds. [3]
c the constant acceleration of the car. [2] [Total: 7]
[Total: 7]
2 If a train travelling at 10 m/s starts to 120
A
accelerate at 1 m/s2 for 15 s on a straight track, 100
calculate its final speed in m/s.

distance/m
80
[Total: 4] 60
40
3 The distance–time graph for a girl on a cycle ride 20
is shown in Figure 1.2.14.
a Calculate 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
i how far the girl travelled [1] time/s

ii how long the ride took [1] ▲ Figure 1.2.15

iii the girl’s average speed in km/h [1]
iv the number of stops the girl made [1] 5 Figure 1.2.16 shows an incomplete speed–time
v the total time the girl stopped [1] graph for a boy running a distance of 100 m.
vi  the average speed of the girl excluding a Calculate his acceleration during the first
stops. [2] 4 seconds. [2]
b Explain how you can tell from the shape of b Calculate how far the boy travels during
the graph when the girl travelled fastest. i the first 4 seconds [2]
Over which stage did this happen? [2] ii the next 9 seconds? [2]
[Total: 9] c Copy and complete the graph, showing
clearly at what time he has covered the
F
60 distance of 100 m. Assume his speed
remains constant at the value shown by
50
E the horizontal portion of the graph. [4]
D
40 [Total: 10]
distance/km

30 B C
7.5
speed/m/s

20 A 5.0

2.5
10

0 time of 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22
1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm day
time/s
▲ Figure 1.2.14 ▲ Figure 1.2.16

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 1.2 Motion

8 A ball is dropped from rest from the top of a

6 The approximate speed–time graph for a car
high building. Ignore air resistance and take
on a 5-hour journey is shown in Figure 1.2.17.
g = 9.8 m/s2.
(There is a very quick driver change midway to
a Calculate the speed of the ball after
prevent driving fatigue!)
i 1 s [2]
a State in which of the regions OA, AB, BC,
ii 3 s. [2]
CD, DE the car is
b Calculate how far it has fallen after
i accelerating
i 1 s [2]
ii decelerating
ii 3 s. [2]
iii  travelling with constant speed. [3]
[Total: 8]
b Calculate the value of the acceleration,
deceleration or constant speed in each
9 Figure 1.2.19 shows the forces acting on a
region. [3]
raindrop which is falling to the ground.
c Calculate the distance travelled over
each region. [3] B
d Calculate the total distance travelled. [1]
e Calculate the average speed for the raindrop
whole journey. [1]
f State what times the car is at rest. [1] A
[Total: 12] ▲ Figure 1.2.19

100
C D a  i A is the force which causes the raindrop
A B to fall. Give the name of this force. [1]
80
ii B is the total force opposing the motion
speed/km/h

60 of the drop. State one possible cause of

40 this force. [1]
20 O E b What happens to the drop when
0 1 2 3 4 5 force A = force B? [2]
time/hours [Total: 4]
▲ Figure 1.2.17

7 The distance–time graph for a motorcyclist riding

off from rest is shown in Figure 1.2.18.
a Describe the motion. [2]
b Calculate how far the motorbike moves in
30 seconds. [1]
c Calculate the speed. [2]
[Total: 5]

600
500
400
distance/m

300
200
100
time/s
0 10 20 30

▲ Figure 1.2.18

24

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