Kinematics Tutorial Questions

Note that solutions to Questions 8, 11, 14 & 16 are provided.

Definitions of Displacement, Speed, Velocity, Acceleration

1 [a] Can a body have zero velocity and still is accelerating?

[b] Can a body have a constant speed and still have a varying velocity?
[c] Can the direction of the velocity of a body change when its acceleration is constant?
[d] Can a bodys speed be increasing as its acceleration decreases?
[e] Can the average velocity over any time interval differ from the instantaneous velocity at any
instant when the velocity is constant?

Ans:
[a] Yes. At the highest point of a vertical throw. The velocity is momentarily zero, but there
exists a constant gravitational acceleration.
[b] Yes. Uniform circular motion where the speed is constant but the direction and hence the
velocity varies.
[c] Yes. In a vertical throw. The velocity changes from upwards to downwards while the
gravitational acceleration is constantly downwards.
[d] Yes. An object falling in a viscous fluid. The acceleration decreases because the viscous
force increases with speed. Hence the speed increases by progressively lesser amount.
[e] No. When the velocity is constant, the average velocity equals the instantaneous velocity at
all instants. (students should be able to distinguish average velocity and instantaneous
velocity. Average velocity is the velocity over a period of time; instantaneous velocity is the
velocity at a particular instant in time/point in space)
v

<v> = instantaneous v
at all time

2 A trolley is attached to a ticker tape and a timer. As the trolley moves, the timer makes a series
of dots on the tape at regular time intervals, usually 1/50 s (i.e. 0.02 s). Figs. (i) to (iv) shows
four ticker-tapes.

Describe the motion of the trolley which produced them.

Ans: (i) equal distances of dots at equal time interval uniform velocity
(i) no motion/at rest
(ii) uniform velocity but faster speed than (i)
(iii) acceleration motion
Graphical Representations of Motion

3 Fig. 1 below shows a velocity-time graph for a journey lasting 65 s. It has been divided up
into six sections for ease of reference.

Fig. 1 Fig. 2

[a] Using information from the graph, obtain

[i] the velocity 10 s after the start,
[ii] the acceleration in section A,
[iii] the acceleration in section E,
[iv] the distance travelled in section B,
[v] the distance travelled in section C.

[b] Describe qualitatively what happens in sections E and F of the journey.

[c] Sketch the shape of the corresponding displacement-time graph in Fig. 2. You are
not expected to make detailed calculations of the displacement.
(20 m s-1, 2.0 m s-2, -7.0 m s-2, 300 m, 250 m)

Ans: [a] Read from graph. Use gradient = acceleration, area under graph = displacement
[b] Section E: Car slows down/decelerates uniformly, comes to rest momentarily, and
then accelerates uniformly in the opposite direction.
Section F: Car travels with uniform speed in opposite direction.

[c]

displacement
4 Figure shows graphs of velocity v against time t for two cars A and B travelling along a straight
level road in the same direction.

At time t =0, both cars are side-by-side.

(a) Describe the motion of car A from t = 0 to t =10 s.
(b) Calculate the distance travelled by car A in the first 4.0 s.
(c) State the time at which both cars have the same velocity.
(d) Determine the time at which car A overtakes car B.
(68 m, 1.2 s, 2.4 s)

Ans: (a) Car accelerates from 10 ms-1 to 24 ms-1 in 4.0 s

(b) distance travelled by car A = area under graph = 68 m
(c) intersection point at 1.2 s
(d) Find the time at which the displacements of cars A and B are equal.
It should occur at t = 1.2x2 = 2.4 s.(the triangles are equal before and after intersection)

5 A driver travelling in a car on a straight level road sees an obstacle in the road ahead and
immediately applies the brakes until the car stops. The initial speed of the car is 20 m s -1.
Figure shows the velocity - time graph of the car.
 The thinking distance is defined as the distance travelled by the car during the drivers
reaction time and the braking distance is the distance in which the car stops after the brakes
have been applied.
(a) Use the graph to determine
(i) the reaction time of the driver,
(ii) the thinking distance,
(iii) the braking distance,
(iv) the magnitude of the deceleration of the car.

(b) Suppose the initial speed of the car is twice that shown in the figure. The braking force
remains the same. State and explain by what factor the braking distance would increase.

(c) For the same initial speed of the car, what would be the effects on the thinking distance
and the braking distance if
(i) the road is wet?
(ii) the driver is not fully alert?
(040 s, 10 m, 35 m, 5.7 m s-2)

Ans: (a) (i) thinking distance = 20 x 0.5 = 10 m

(ii) braking distance = area under graph =distance = x 20 x 3.5 = 35 m
(iii) acceleration = gradient = -20/3.5 = 5.7 m s-2
(b) Increases by a factor of 4
Either use braking distance (speed)2 or graphical method (speed doubles and time
doubles so area doubles)
(c) When road is wet:
Thinking distance is the same because the reaction time is the same.
Braking distance increases because the friction between the tyres and the road
is decreased, so the less deceleration
When driver is not fully alert:
Thinking distance increases as the reaction time is longer.
Braking distance remains the same as the road condition is unchanged.

6 BOUNCING BALL PROBLEM

A ball is released from rest above a horizontal surface. A motion sensor connected to a data
logger detects the subsequent motion of the ball.

Neglecting air resistance, Fig. 7.1 shows the variation with

time of its velocity, as detected by the motion sensor.

(a) Why are the speeds before and after impact with the
ground unequal?

(b) Why are areas X and Y equal?

(c) Sketch the corresponding displacement-time, height-

time and acceleration-time graphs up to the 3rd impact.
 velocity
1st impact 2nd impact 3rd impact

Y
0
Fig. 7.1 0 time
release X

displacement
1st impact 2nd impact 3rd impact

0
0 time
release

height
1st impact 2nd impact 3rd impact

0
0 time
release

acceleration
1st impact 2nd impact 3rd impact

0
0 time
release

Ans:
(a) inelastic collision with the ground/energy is lost during impact
(b) The area under the velocity-time graph gives the distance travelled. The ball rises and
falls through the same distance between impacts.
(c) as shown above
7 TERMINAL VELOCITY PROBLEM
A sky-diver jumps from a high-altitude balloon.
He experiences a drag force proportional to his speed. The graph shows how his vertical
speed v varies with time t.

(a) Explain briefly, using forces acting, why the acceleration of the sky-diver
(i) decreases with time,
(ii) is 9.81 m s2 at the start of the jump.

(b) Use the figure to determine

(i) the magnitude of the acceleration of the sky-diver at time t = 6.0 s.
(ii) the distance the sky-diver has fallen at time t = 6.0 s.
(iii) the terminal velocity of the diver. (hint: terminal velocity = final steady velocity)

(c) Sketch the corresponding variation with time of the acceleration of the sky-diver.
(1.9 0.2 m s-2, 70 5 m, 32 m s-1)

Ans: (a) (i) drag force increases with speed, so resultant force/acceleration decreases
(ii) drag force is zero, weight / gravitational force is only force

(b) (i) use of gradient of a tangent at t = 6.0 s, acceleration = 1.9 0.2 m s-2
(ii) Estimate area under v-t graph up to 6.0 s = 70 5 m.
(iii) terminal velocity = 32 m s-1

(c) acceleration = gradient of the v-t graph, decreases quickly initially and then slowly to zero.
a
Kinematic Equations

8 A metal ball is dropped from rest over a bed of sand. It hits the sand bed one second later
and makes an impression of maximum depth 8.0 mm in the sand.
(a) Neglecting air resistance, what is the speed of the ball just before hitting the ground?

(b) On hitting the sand, what is the average deceleration of the ball?
(9.81 m s-1, 6.0 103 m s-2)
Ans: (a) v u at
v 0 9.81 1 9.81 m s -1
(b)v 2 u 2 2as

0 9.81 2 2a 8.0 10 3
a 6.0 10 3 m s - 2
Thus decelerati on 6.0 10 3 m s - 2

9 (a) A ball is dropped from a height of 60.0 m. A second ball is thrown down 0.850 s later.
If both balls reach the ground at the same time, what was the initial velocity of the
second ball?
(9.64 m s-1)
(b) A ball is thrown upward from the ground with an initial speed of 25 m s-1; at the same
instant, another ball is dropped from a building 15 m high.
After how long will the balls be at the same height?
(0.60 s)

Ans: (a) first ball is dropped from rest at height s = gt2, t = 2x60/9.81 = 3.50 s
second ball: time to reach ground = 3.50 0.85 = 2.65 s.
s = ut + gt2
60 = u(2.65) + x9.81x2.652 , u = 9.64 m s-1

(b) first ball, distance travelled s1 = 25t x9.81 t2 ----(1)

Second ball, distance travelled s2 = x9.81 t2 ---(2)
Add eqns (1) and (2)s1 + s2 = 15 = 25t, so t = 15/25 = 0.60 s.

10 (a) The distance s moved by an object in time t may be given by the expression
s = at 2
where a is the acceleration of the object.
State two conditions for this expression to apply to the motion of the object.
(b) A student takes a photograph of a steel ball of radius 5.0 cm as it falls from rest.
 The scale shows the distance fallen from rest by the ball. At time t = 0, the top of the ball
is level with the zero mark on the scale. Air resistance is negligible.
Calculate, to an appropriate number of significant figures,
(i) the time the ball falls before the photograph is taken,

(ii) the time interval during which the photograph is taken.

(c) The student in (b) takes a second photograph starting at the same position on the
scale. The ball has the same radius but is less dense, so that air resistance is not
negligible. State and explain the changes that will occur in the photograph.
(0.40 s, 0.03 s)

Ans: (a) initial speed is zero

constant acceleration
straight line/linear motion, (any 2 )

(b) (i) s = a t 2
0.79 = 9.8 t 2
t = 0.40 s allow 2 or 3 SF answer

(ii) distance travelled by end of time interval = 90 cm

0.90 = 9.8 t 2
t = 0.43 s allow 2 SF or greater
time interval = 0.03 s
(Note: do not use s = a t 2 from 79 cm to 90 cm mark since u 0 at 79 cm mark.

(c) (air resistance) means balls speed/acceleration is less

length of image is shorter

11 A balloonist drops a sandbag from a hot-air balloon that is rising at a constant velocity of
3.25 ms-1. It takes 8.75 s for the sandbag to reach the ground. Determine
(a) the height of the balloon when the sandbag is dropped,
(b) the height of the balloon when the sandbag reaches the ground,
(c) the velocity with which the sandbag hits the ground.
(347 m, 375 m, 82.6 m s-1)
1
Ans: (a) s ut at 2
2
1
s 3.25(8.75) 9.81 (8.75) 2
2
s 347m

(c) Distance travelled upwards by balloon, s = ut = 3.25 x 8.75 =28.4 m

Total height of balloon from ground = 28.4 + 347 = 375 m

(d) + v = u + at
= 3.25 +(-9.81)(8.75)
= - 82.6 m s-1
Projectile Motion

12 A marble is projected horizontally from the edge of a wall 1.8 m high with an initial speed u.
A series of flash photographs are taken of the marble as shown below.
The time interval between each image of the marble is 0.10 s.

(a) Explain how the horizontal motion of the marble shows that air resistance is negligible.
(b) Use the figure to determine the initial horizontal speed u of the ball.
(c) Explain the vertical motion of the ball.
(d) Use the figure to estimate the acceleration due to gravity of the ball.

Ans: (a) rate of change of horizontal displacement is constant/equal horizontal displacement in

equal time, hence (horizontal) velocity is constant , thus no (horizontal) force acting
(b) At t = 5 x 0.10 s, sx = 1.25 m, so vx = 1.25/0.50 = 2.5 m s-1
(c) At equal time interval, vertical distance is increasing at constant rate, shows velocity is
increasing at constant rate constant vertical acceleration(due to gravity)
(d) use s = gt2 or otherwise, g = 2s/t2 = 2 x 1.25/0.52 = 10 m s-2

13 Figure shows the path of water from a hose pipe.

Water is projected horizontally from the hose pipe at a speed of 7.0 m s-1. The hose is 1.3 m
above the ground.
 (a) Determine the horizontal distance x at which the water strikes the ground.
(b) Determine the speed and angle at which the water strikes the ground.
(0.51 s, 8.6 m s-1 and 36 below horizontal)
1 2
Ans: (a) Apply s ut at in the vertical motion
2
1
1.3 0 9.81 t 2 t 0.515 s
2
Horizontal distance x= 7.0 x0.515 =3.6 m

(b) Apply v u at in the vertical motion

v Y 0 9.81x0.515 ) 5.0 m s -1
Resultant speed v v y 2 v x 2 5.0 2 7.0 2 8.6 m s -1
5.0
tan 36 o below the horizontal
7.0

14 A ball is thrown horizontally from the top of a building.

The ball is thrown with a horizontal speed of 8.2 m s1. The side of the building is vertical.
At point P on the path of the ball, the ball is distance x from the building and is moving at an
angle of 60 to the horizontal. Air resistance is negligible.
(a) For the ball at point P, determine
(i) the vertical component of its velocity is 14.2 m s1,
(ii) the vertical distance through which the ball has fallen,
(iii) the horizontal distance x.

(b) Sketch the new path of the ball for the ball having an initial horizontal speed
(i) greater than 8.2 m s1 and with negligible air resistance (label this path G),
(ii) equal to 8.2 m s1 but with air resistance (label this path A).
(14.2 m s-1, 10.3 m, 11.9 m)

Ans: (a) (i) horizontal speed constant at 8.2 m s1

vertical component of speed = 8.2 tan 60 = 14.2 m s1
(ii) 14.22 = 2 9.8 h
vertical distance h = 10.3 m
(iii) time of descent = 14.2 / 9.8 = 1.45 s
x = 1.45 8.2 = 11.9 m
(b) (i) smooth path curved and above given path
hits ground at more acute angle(less steep)
(ii) smooth path curved and below given path
hits ground at steeper angle
15 Figure shows the path of a ball that is thrown from point A to point B. The ball reaches
maximum height at point H.

The ball is thrown at an initial velocity at 25.0 m s-1 at 60o to the horizontal. The horizontal
distance from A to B is x. Assume that there is no air resistance.
(a) Calculate the vertical component of the balls initial velocity.
(b) Calculate the velocity of the ball at point H.
(c) Calculate the time to travel to point H.
(d) Calculate the displacement from A to B.
(e) Draw a sketch of the variation with time of the vertical component of velocity of the ball
from A to B.
(f) Describe the forms of energy possessed by the ball at A, H and B and how the energy
changes between these points.
(21.7 m s-1, 12.5 m s-1, 2.21 s, 55.3 m)

Ans: (a) 25.0 sin 60o = 21.7 m s-1,

(b) only left with horizontal component of velocity, 25.0 cos 60o = 12.5 m s-1
(c) 0 = 21.7-9.81t, t =2.21 s
(d) range = 12.5(2x2.21) = 55.3 m
(e)
vy

21.7

2.21 4.42 t/s

-21.7

(f) PE zero or minimum at A ,increases to maximum at H, falls from H to B.

KE max at A, falls from A to H, increases from H to B.
KE is a minimum at H (but not zero)
Way up: PE is converted to PE
Way down: PE is converted to KE, or loss in PE = gain in KE
KE / PE at B is the same as at A.
16 An object is thrown upwards at an angle of 30o to the horizontal from the top of a 10.0 m
vertical cliff and lands in the sea. The initial velocity of the object is 8.0 m s-1.

(a) Describe how the velocity of the object varies

(i) vertically
(ii) horizontally.

(b) Calculate the time taken

(i) for the object to reach the highest point in its flight
(ii) for the object to hit the sea

(c) Calculate the displacement

(i) vertically, at the highest point in its flight
(ii) horizontally when it hits the sea

(d) Sketch the path of the trajectory if air resistance is not negligible.

(0.41 s, 1.89 s, 0.82 m, 8.52 m)

Ans: (a) (i) vertical velocity decreases at uniform rate, due to g, to zero value at highest point. It
then increases at uniform rate to maximum value before hitting the sea
(iii) Horizontal velocity remains constant throughout motion
(b) (i) 0 = 8.0 sin 30 -9.81 t, t = 0.41 s
(ii) 10 = -8.0 sin 30 t + 9.81 t2, t =1.89 s
(c) (i) sy = uy2 /2g = (8.0 sin 30)2/2x9.81 =0.82 m
(ii) sx = ux t =8.0 cos30 x 1.89 =13.1 m
(d)