Analytical toolbox studies

Introductory kinematics
by
Drs J. Whitty & B. Henderson

Learning Outcomes
Use Distance-Time Graphs
Use Velocity-Time Graphs
Derivation of the Linear Equations of Kinematics
Apply of the Equations of Kinematics
Answer text book type questions on these topics
t
v
a
A
A
=
2
2
1
mc
mgh
Fv P =
Distance-Time Graphs
Consider an aeroplane travelling at 500km in the first hour of
Flight and 750km in the second, plotting distance travelled
against time
Renders:
time
1 2
500
1000
The average speed is:
=
A
A
t
s
652
2
750 500
=
+
Velocity-Time Graphs
Consider a helicopter moves to velocity of 4m/s in seconds then
increases its velocity to 8m/s in the next 3 seconds. Plotting the
velocity against time
Renders:
Time (s)
1 5
2
10
The accelerations are:
=
A
A
t
v
2
2
4
= =
A
A
t
v
3
2
2
3
8
=
Velocity-Time Graphs
Or more generally:
Time (s)
t
u
v
The average acceleration is
t
u v
t
v
a

=
A
A
=
Where u is the initial velocity
and v is the final velocity
Slope
Area Under the v-t Graph
Consider a body with an initial velocity u at some time
t
o
which travels in a time t to a velocity of v
Time (s)
t
o
t
u
v
t u A A = t u A +
1
t u A +
2
t u A +
3
t u A +
4
t u A +
5
t vA +
t o
s s s s s s s A + + + + + + =
5 4 3 2 1
The Equations of Kinematics
Class Example: Derive the area of a trapezium
Now consider the aforementioned Velocity-Time Graph
Time (s)
t
o
t
u
v
Area=The distance travelled in the
time taken to change the velocity
The Equations of Kinematics
We have seen that:
t
u v
a

=
And the area under the graph renders:
Hence at u v + =
(1)
( )t v u s + =
2
1
(2)
Substitution of (1) into (2) renders:
( )t at u u s + + =
2
1
Therefore:
2
2
1
at ut s + = (3)
Substitution of (2) into (1) for t renders:
|
.
|

\
|
+
+ =
u v
s
a u v
2
Therefore: as u v 2
2 2
+ =
(4)
The Equations of Kinematics
Summary:
2
2
1
at ut s + =
(3)
as u v 2
2 2
+ = (4)
at u v + = (1) The Gradient of the v-t Graph
( )t v u s + =
2
1
(2)
The Area Under the v-t Graph
=
A
A
=
t
s
v The Slope of the s-t Graph
Class Problems
Class Problems
1. A train accelerates uniformly from rest to
60kph in 6min, after which the speed is
constant, evaluate time taken to travel 6km.
2. If a train retards uniformly from 30m/s to
16m/s in 200m, evaluate the retardation and
the total time of the retardation
3. A racing car engine is shut off. In the first
30s it covers 110m, and then comes to rest
after a further 30s. Evaluate the initial speed
and the total distance travelled.
Problem #1: solution
1. Here we have v=0, u=60kph, t=6min (implying eqn
2) as we need s.

km 3 60 6
2
0
6 . 3
60
360 0
=
)
`

+
=

s
So the train has travelled half 3km, but is now at constant speed
i.e. u=v=60/3.6=16.333m/s, we can use the same equation again
here only need it to travel a further 3km, thus:
min 9 540
60
3000 6 . 3
360
6 . 3
60
2
3000
6 . 3
60
6 . 3
60
= =

+ =
=
)
`

+
=
t t
t
t
Problem #1: alternative solution
We could obtain a direct solution from the
velocity-time graph thus
540 3000 360
) 360 ( 3000 6000
) 360 ( 360 6000
60
6 . 3
6 . 3
60
6 . 3
60
6 . 3
60
2
1
= + =
=
+ =
t
t
t
t-360s
360s
This is the area of
A triangle plus
that of a rectangle
60/3.6
Problem #2: solution
2. Here v=16m/s, u=30m/s, s=200: t=?

s 7 . 8
23
2
16 30
200
23
200
~ =
=
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
t
t t
To evaluate the retardation we could simply just
apply equation (1), however, we dont have a time so
in this case it is useful to use equation (2) first and
then apply (1). i.e. answer the question backwards!
61 . 1
23 / 200
30 16
100
161
=
=

a
a
t
u v
a
Now apply
equation (1)
Problem #3: solution
3. Here we do our detective work and find that
when t=30, s=210 s: u=? and v=?
60
2
30
450 30
60 0
30
2
u
a
a u s
a u
a u s

=
+ =

+ =
+ =
1 -
60
450
ms 89 . 4
5 . 7 30
110
u : Hence
5 . 7 30 30 110
~

=
= = u u u
u
m 147
3
440
60
2
0
: now and
9
44
~ =
|
.
|

\
|
+
= s
Note the two
times imply
the
simultaneous
equations
Summary
Have we met our learning objectives: In particular are you
able to:
Use Distance-Time Graphs & Velocity-Time Graphs
Derivation of the Linear Equations of Kinematics
Apply of the Equations of Kinematics
Apply Energy methods to solve engineering
problems
Answer examination type questions on these topics