PHYSICS – Speed, velocity and

acceleration
 RATES

• A rate measures how fast something changes.

• In physics, a rate is almost always calculated as a
quantity divided by time.
• Speed, Velocity and Acceleration
 SPEED

• Speed (s) – Rate at which an object moves

• speed = distance / time
• s = d/t
• Units: m/s OR km/h
• Like distance, speed does not depend on direction.
• Scalar or Vector?

Scalar
 TYPES OF SPEED
• Constant speed - Speed that does not change
(same distance is travelled the same amount of
time)

• Instantaneous speed – Speed at a given instant in

time (what the speedometer says)
 PRACTICE
• A car drives 100 meters in 5 seconds.

1s
2
3
4
5

100 m

• What is the car’s speed?

• s = d/t
• s = (100 m) / (5 s) = 20 m/s
 PRACTICE

• A hydroplane boat, made speed records by

traveling 239 miles in 0.75 hours (45 minutes). What
is it’s record breaking speed?

d/t 239 miles/ 0.75 hr

PRACTICE PROBLEM: AVERAGE SPEED

• Melissa shot a model rocket 360 m into the air. It

took the rocket 4s to fly that far. What was the
average speed of the rocket?
PRACTICE PROBLEM: AVERAGE SPEED

• If Jessica ran 5 meters the first second, eight meters

the next second, and 8 meters the third second to
her house. What was her average speed?
 CAN I DETERMINE DISTANCE GIVEN
TIME AND SPEED? HOW?
• A racecar is traveling at 85.0 m/s. How far does the
car travel in 30.0 s?
 CALCULATING SPEED, DISTANCE OR
TIME
• If you know any two of the variables, you can
calculate the missing variable.
Average speed+= Distance moved
Time taken

A
Average speed+= Distance moved
Time taken

Distance measured in metres (m)

Time measuredA in seconds (s)

Speed - metres per second (m/s)

Average speed+= Distance moved
Time taken

Example:
A
Car travels 50m
time 2s

speed = 50/2 = 25 m/s

25 m.s-1
 So if that’s
speed, what is
velocity?
Velocity is speed in a given
direction.
Velocity is speed in a given
direction.

Velocity is 25m/s due west

IS THEIR SPEED THE SAME? IS THEIR
VELOCITY THE SAME?
Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:

Cyclist +10m/s to the right

Example:

Cyclist +10m/s to the right

-10m/s to the left
 Vector
VELOCITY

• Velocity (v) – measure of speed in a given direction.

• velocity = Δx / time, w/ direction
• Scalar or Vector?
• The velocity of an object can change if:

•It speeds up
•It slows down
•It changes direction
 Speed Vs Velocity

An object is moving in a circle at a constant speed of 10

m s-1.
We say that it has a constant speed but its velocity is
changing. Why?
Direction of Motion

The direction of the object keeps changing.

 PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER

- +
1s
2
3
4
5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
cm

• Back to our ant explorer!

• Distance traveled: 7 cm
• Displacement: +3 cm
• Average speed: (7 cm) / (5 s) = 1.4 cm/s
• Average velocity: (+3 cm) / (5 s) = +0.6 cm/s
What’s your
vector
Victor?
 What’s your
vector
Victor?

Quantities such as
velocity are called
vectors because they
have size and direction
Acceleration is the rate at which an
object increases speed or velocity.
Acceleration is the rate at which an
object increases speed or velocity.

Acceleration = change in velocity

time taken
Acceleration is the rate at which an
object increases speed or velocity.

Acceleration = change in velocity

time taken

Also written as: a = v - u

t
Acceleration is the rate at which an
object increases speed or velocity.

Acceleration = change in velocity

time taken

Velocity measured in m/s

Time measured in s
Acceleration measured in m/s/s or m/s2
Example: a drag car increases its
velocity from zero to 60m/s in 3s.

a = v - u
t
Example: a drag car increases its
velocity from zero to 60m/s in 3s.

a = v - u
t

a = 60 – 0
3
Example: a drag car increases its
velocity from zero to 60m/s in 3s.

a = v - u
t

a = 60 – 0
3

a = 60 = 20m/s-2
3
Example: a drag car increases its
velocity from zero to 60m/s in 3s.

a = v - u
t

a = 60 – 0
3

a = 60 = 20m/s-2
Don’t forget that
3 acceleration is a
vector – it has size
and direction
Deceleration (retardation)

Deceleration
is negative
acceleration –
the object is
slowing down.
Eg. – 4m/s2
 Constant acceleration example
6s
A B

Car passes point A with a velocity of 10m/s. It has a steady (constant)

acceleration of 4m/s2. What is the velocity when it passes point B?
 Constant acceleration example
6s
A B

Car passes point A with a velocity of 10m/s. It has a steady (constant)

acceleration of 4m/s2. What is the velocity when it passes point B?

Solution: car gains 4m/s of velocity every second. In 6s

it gains an extra 24m/s.
 Constant acceleration example
6s
A B

Car passes point A with a velocity of 10m/s. It has a steady (constant)

acceleration of 4m/s2. What is the velocity when it passes point B?

Solution: car gains 4m/s of velocity every second. In 6s

it gains an extra 24m/s.

Final velocity = initial velocity + extra velocity

 Constant acceleration example
6s
A B

Car passes point A with a velocity of 10m/s. It has a steady (constant)

acceleration of 4m/s2. What is the velocity when it passes point B?

Solution: car gains 4m/s of velocity every second. In 6s

it gains an extra 24m/s.

Final velocity = initial velocity + extra velocity

Final velocity = 10 + 24 = 34m/s

 Using kinematic equations to solve problems

The kinematic equations are a set of four equations that can be utilized to
predict unknown information about an object's motion if other information
is known.

The equations can be utilized for any motion that can be described as
being either a constant velocity motion (an acceleration of 0 m/s/s) or a
constant acceleration motion.

They can never be used over any time period during which the
acceleration is changing.

Each of the kinematic equations include four variables. If the values of

three of the four variables are known, then the value of the fourth variable
can be calculated. In this manner, the kinematic equations provide a
useful means of predicting information about an object's motion if other
information is known.
s= ut + ½ at2

v2=u2+2as

v=u+at

s= (u+v) *t
2

Where, u-initial velocity

v- final velocity

s- displacement

t- time

a- acceleration
 The strategy involves the following steps:

1.Construct an informative diagram of the physical situation.

2.Identify and list the given information in variable form

.
3. Identify and list the unknown information in variable form.

4. Identify and list the equation that will be used to determine unknown information
from known information.

5. Substitute known values into the equation and use appropriate algebraic steps to
solve for the unknown information.

6. Check your answer to insure that it is reasonable and mathematically correct.

Ima Hurryin is approaching a stoplight moving with a velocity of +30.0 m/s.
The light turns yellow, and Ima applies the brakes and skids to a stop. If Ima's
acceleration is -8.00 m/s2, then determine the displacement of the car during
the skidding process. (Note that the direction of the velocity and the
acceleration vectors are denoted by a + and a - sign.)
Motion graphs
 GRAPHS SHOW RELATIONSHIPS

• A good way to show a Distance

relationship between
two variables is to use
a graph.

Distance
• A graph makes it easy
to see if changes in
one variable cause
changes in the other
variable (the effect).
 THE DISTANCE VS. TIME GRAPH
Distance • To graph data,
you put time on
the horizontal (x)
axis – this is your
independent
Distance

variable.
• Distance goes on
the vertical (y)
axis – this is your
dependent
variable.
 THE DISTANCE VS. TIME GRAPH
• Distance vs. time data tells Distance
you the runner’s position at
different points in time. Distance
• The runner is at 50 meters
after 10 sec., 100 meters after
20 sec. and 150 meters at 30
sec.
A STRAIGHT, DIAGONAL LINE
INDICATES…
• Constant Speed
Why is the line in a constant
speed graph straight and
diagonal?

•The object is traveling the same

distance in the same amount of
time.
 AN OBJECT AT REST

• Object’s AT REST are not moving

• A horizontal line on a Distance vs. Time graph has
NO SLOPE = 0 speed
 object is not moving,

constant speed

negative velocity (reversing or moving in

the opposite direction.)
A CURVED LINE INDICATES…
• Changing Speed
Travelling at constant speed
 Stationary

Travelling at constant speed

 Travelling at constant
speed

Stationary

Travelling at constant speed

Speed = distance
time
Speed = distance
time
Speed = distance
time
Speed = distance
time

Speed = 8 = 1 km/h
8
ACCELERATION FROM VELOCITY : TIME
GRAPH
ACCELERATION FROM VELOCITY : TIME
GRAPH

Steady
acceleration
ACCELERATION FROM VELOCITY : TIME
GRAPH

Steady velocity

Steady
acceleration
ACCELERATION FROM VELOCITY : TIME
GRAPH

Steady velocity

Steady
deceleration
Steady
acceleration
ACCELERATION FROM VELOCITY : TIME
GRAPH

Acceleration = V -
U
t
ACCELERATION FROM VELOCITY : TIME
GRAPH

Acceleration = V -
U
t
ACCELERATION FROM VELOCITY : TIME
GRAPH

Acceleration = 3 – 0 / 2
= 1.5 m/s/s (m.s-2)
 Velocity-time graphs
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph. (Remember
gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Calculate the acceleration for each
of the 4 sections of the graph.
60

Velocity
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph. (Remember
gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Acceleration = V - Calculate the acceleration for each
U of the 4 sections of the graph.
60 t

Velocity
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph. (Remember
gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Calculate the acceleration for each
of the 4 sections of the graph.
60

Velocity
40
m/s

20
Acceleration = 40 - 0 =
4m/s2
0 10
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph. (Remember
gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Calculate the acceleration for each
of the 4 sections of the graph.
60

Velocity
40
m/s

20
Acceleration = 0 (no
change in velocity)
0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph. (Remember
gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Calculate the acceleration for each
of the 4 sections of the graph.
60

Velocity
40
m/s

20
Acceleration = 20 - 0 =
2m/s2
0 10
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph. (Remember
gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Calculate the acceleration for each
of the 4 sections of the graph.
60

Velocity
40
m/s

20
Acceleration = 0 - 60 =
-3m/s2
0 20
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the distance travelled.
80

60

Velocity
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the distance travelled.
80

Remember that the area of a

60 triangle is ½ x base x height.

Velocity
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the distance travelled.
80

Remember that the area of a

60 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the distance travelled.
80

Remember that the area of a

60 Area =
400m2 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the distance travelled.
80

Remember that the area of a

60 Area =
400m2 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20
Area =
400m2

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the distance travelled.
80
Area =
100m2 Remember that the area of a
60 Area =
400m2 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20
Area =
400m2

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the distance travelled.
80
Area =
100m2 Remember that the area of a
60 Area =
400m2 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20
Area = Area =
400m2 600m2

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Velocity-time graphs
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the distance travelled.
80
Area =
100m2 Remember that the area of a
60 Area =
400m2 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20
Area = Area =
400m2 600m2

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50

The total distance travelled = 200 + 400 + 400 + 100 + 600 = 1700m
What Is Uniform Motion?

Imagine that you could take a picture of a car traveling down a straight
road every second. It might look something like the diagram that
you're seeing on your screen right now.

Did you notice that the car travels the exact same distance every second?
That's because this is an example of uniform motion, in which an object
travels equal distances in equal time intervals. If any object has uniform
motion, then it also has a constant velocity.
One way to represent the motion of an object is to make a position-time
graph. If you made a graph of the car's position over the three seconds
shown, it would look like the one on your screen right now.
Looking at this graph, you can tell right away that the motion is
uniform, because the graph forms a straight line with a constant
slope. The slope of a position-time graph will tell you the velocity of
an object, which is 10 m/s for the car shown earlier.
What Is Non-Uniform
Motion?
We've seen what uniform motion looks like, but objects don't always
exhibit uniform motion. Many times, they speed up or slow down so that
their motion is no longer uniform. Let's look at the car again, and see
what's happening now.

Does it still have uniform motion? No, you can see that now the
car is going a different distance in each second. When objects like
this car exhibit non-uniform motion, it means that they travel
different distances in equal time intervals. In this case, during the
first second the car travels 5 m. It travels 10 m during the next
second, and then 15 m during the third second.
What would this look like on a position-time graph? Let's plot
these points and see:
Unlike the graph of uniform motion, this position-time graph of
non-uniform motion does NOT have a constant slope, because the
velocity of the car is changing every second. In the first second, the
velocity is only 5 m/s, but this increases to 15 m/s for the third second.
Free fall
Acceleration of free fall (g)

Which object
will hit the
ground first?
Acceleration of free fall (g)

Which object
will hit the
ground first?

Obviously the
brick (because the
feather is slowed
much more by the
air)
Acceleration of free fall (g)
No air
resistance,
objects both
fall with the
same downward
acceleration.

In a
In air
vacuum
Acceleration of free fall (g)
No air
resistance,
objects both
fall with the
same downward
acceleration.
Acceleration of
free fall =
9.8m/s2

In a Given the
In air
vacuum symbol ‘g’
Acceleration of free fall (g)
No air
resistance,
objects both
fall with the
o same downward
d t
d e acceleration.
u n 2
r o s
e n m/ Acceleration of
t 10
Of free fall =
9.8m/s2

In a Given the
In air
vacuum symbol ‘g’
Acceleration and gravity
Acceleration and gravity

Falling objects
accelerate towards
The atmosphere
the ground at
creates an upward
10m/s2 due to
force that slows
gravity. The force
down falling
of gravity always
objects. This is
acts towards the
known as air
centre of the Earth.
resistance or drag.
Acceleration and gravity

Falling objects
accelerate towards
The atmosphere
the ground at
creates an upward
10m/s2 due to
force that slows
gravity. The force
down falling
of gravity always
objects. This is
acts towards the
known as air
centre of the Earth.
resistance or drag.
Acceleration and gravity

Falling objects
accelerate towards
The atmosphere
the ground at
creates an upward
10m/s2 due to
force that slows
gravity. The force
down falling
of gravity always
objects. This is
acts towards the
known as air
centre of the Earth.
resistance or drag.

The larger the surface area

of the object, the larger the
drag force
Acceleration and gravity

Speed
(m/s)

Drag

At first the force of

A gravity is larger than the
drag force, so the object
accelerates.
Weight

Time (s)
Acceleration and gravity

Drag

B As speed increases, so does

drag; the acceleration
decreases
Speed
(m/s)

Weight

Time (s)
Acceleration and gravity

Drag

Terminal velocity
C

Weight
Speed
(m/s)

When drag equals the

force due to gravity there
is no resultant force and
the acceleration is zero.
The object continues at
terminal velocity.

Time (s)
PHYSICS – Speed, velocity and
acceleration