2.

Diagram below shows the difference between

2.1 distance and displacement.

Learning Standard
2.1.1 Describe the type of linear motion of an
object in the following states
(i) Stationary (ii) uniform velocity
(iii) non-uniform velocity
2.1.2 Determine:
(i) distance and displacement
Distance = Length of the road
(ii) speed and velocity
(iii) acceleration / deceleration
Displacement = Length of the line AB
2.1.3 Solve problems involving linear motion
using the following equations:
(i) a = u + at (ii) s = ½ (u + v)t
(iii) s = ut + ½ at2 (iv) v2 = u2 + 2as
*************************************************************
Introduction
Linear motion is a study of moving object in a
straight line.

How would you describe the motion of the runner

in words? We describe linear motion in terms of
distance, displacement, speed, velocity,
acceleration and deceleration. 3. Every day Rahim walks from his house to the
junction which is 1.5 km from his house. Then
Activity 1: he turns back and stops at warung Pak Din
Aim: To study distance and displacement which is 0.5 km from his house.
1. Your task is to put a pencil at point C. (a) What is Rahim’s displacement from his
house
(i) when he reaches the junction?
1.5 km to the right / to East

(ii) When he is at warung Pak Din?

0.5 km to the left / to West

(b) After breakfast, Rahim walks back to his

house. When he reaches home,
(i) what is the total distance traveled by
2. With a pencil take a ride from position A to B Rahim?
and to the final destination, C. Your total path 1.5 + 1.5 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 4.0 km
of length = 1 + 2 = 3 m
this value is known as distance (ii) what was Rahim’s total displacement
from his house?
3. Repeat step 2 but now from A direct to the 1.5 + (-1.5) + (-0.5) + 0.5 = 0 km
final destination of C. This is your shortest
path to the final destination, C. Value = 1.73.
This value is known displacement

State the definition of distance and displacement

Distance: total path length travel by an object.

Displacement : distance in a specified direction.

4. In a jungle tracking activity, a scout is given a 3. Give definition of acceleration and its
compass and a map. He starts his journey formula.
from station A and is required to walk to
station B which is located 400 m to the east of Acceleration: Rate of change of velocity
station A. When he reached station B, he is
ordered to go to station C which is 400 m north a = change in velocity = final velocity – initial velocity
from station B. time time
a=v–u
t

4. Observe the motion of the car in Diagram (a),

Diagram (b) and Diagram (c).

(a) When the scout is at station C,

(i) what is the distance he traveled from Rajah (a)
station A?
400 + 400 = 800
Rajah (b)
(ii) What is the scout’s displacement from
station A? State the magnitude and
direction of the scout from station A.
565.69 to the north east
Rajah (c)
(b) Why does the answer in (i) and (ii) different?
Displacement has magnitude and direction. Describe the changes in displacement and
velocity of a car. Is the car accelerate or
Aktivity 2: decelerate?
Aim: speed, velocity, uniform velocity, non Diagram Diagram Diagram
uniform velocity, acceleration, deceleration and (a) (b) (c)
zero acceleration displacement Equal Increases decreases

1. Difference between speed and velocity Velocity Equal Increases decreases

Speed: Velocity:
Rate of change of Rate of change of Acceleration Zero Accelerate decelerate
distance displacement

SI unit: ms-1 SI unit: ms-1 5. A bicyclist starts from rest and increases his
velocity at a constant rate until he reaches a
Derived quantity and Derived quantity and speed of 4.0 m/s in 5.0 s. What is his average
scalar quantity vector quantity acceleration?

Formula Formula (a) state the initial velocity = 0

v = distance = s v = displacement = s
time t time t (b) state the final velocity = 4.0

(c) state the time taken = 5.0 s

2. The speedometer reading for a car traveling
north shows 80 km/hr. Another car traveling (d) calculate acceleration = 4.0 – 0 = 0.8 ms-2
at 80 km/hr towards south. Is the speed of 5.0
both cars same? Is the velocity of both cars
same?
Speed equal. Velocity different because
opposite direction.
Exercise 1: 4. Figure 2.6 shows Radzi’s run from A to B and
1. You walk along a long straight school corridor then back to C. The total time taken is 20 s.
for 55 m, then you turn around and walk 30 m
in the opposite. Finally, you turn again and
walk 39 m in the original direction and stop.
What is your displacement from your starting
point?

Determine the
(a) distance (b) displacement
Distance = AB + BC 100 + (-20) = 80 to right
= 100 + 20 = 120 m

(c) speed (d) velocity

2. A boy walks finish the following path AB. of Radzi’s motion.
Speed = 120/20 velocity = 80/20 = 4 m/s
= 6 m/s

5. Muthu moves
from O to B along
the route OAB as
shown in Figure
2.7. The time
Find: taken is 15 s.
(a) total distance traveled Determine the
5 + 7 + 5 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 57 m (a) distance
5 + 12 = 17 m
(b) displacement
7 + 10 + 10 = 27 m (b) displacement
13 m
3. Fill in the blanks:
(a) Constant speed 10 m/s: (c) speed (d) velocity
A constant speed of 10 m/s: A distance of 10 m of Muthu’s motion.
is traveled every second v = 17/15 = 1.13 m/s v = 13/15 = 0.87 m/s
(b) Constant velocity 10 m/s:
A steady velocity of 10 m/s: A distance of 10 m 6. After landing on the runway, a plane slows
is traveled every second to the right. down so that its velocity reduces from 75 m
s–1 to 5 m s–1 in 20 s. What is the acceleration
(c) Constant velocity – 10 m/s: of the plane?
A constant velocity of - 10 m/s: A distance of a = 5 – 75 = - 3.5 ms-2
10 m is traveled every second to the left. 20
(d) Constant acceleration 4 ms-2 : Relating Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration and
Speed increases by 4 m/s every second. Time

Ticker timer:
(e) Constant acceleration 4 ms-2 :
A steady deceleration of 4 ms-2 : Speed
decreases by 4 m/s every second.
• It is connected to an alternating current 2. Calculate the acceleration .
power supply of 50 Hz. When it is turned on,
the iron strip will vibrate 50 times per second.

• The time taken to make 50 dots on the ticker

tape is 1 second. Hence, the time interval
between 2 consecutive dots is 1/50 = 0.02 s. u = 0.2 = 10 cm/s v = 1.4 = 70 cm/s
0.02 0.02
• Give definition of one tick. t = (5 – 1) x 0.02 = 0.08 s
Time interval between two dots. a = 70 – 10 = 750 cms-2 = 7.5 ms-2
0.08
Activity 2:
Aim: Method of calculationn 3. A ticker tape below contains 5 ticks for every
interval AB,BC,CD and DE. Calculate the
To investigate motion in laboratory mean to acceleration.
determine distance / displacement, speed/
velocity, time and acceleration/ deceleration

u = 8.0 = 80 cm/s v = 2.0 = 20 cm/s

0.1 0.1
t = (4 – 1) x 0.1 = 0.3 s
a = 20 – 80 = - 200 cms-2 = - 2.0 ms-2
STEP 1: Determination of time taken for 1 tick. 0.3
(a) Time taken for 50 ticks = 1.0 s Making a speed-time graph
Ticker tape gain from the experiment:
(b) Time taken for 1 tick = 0.02 s

(c) Time taken from A to B = 10 ticks = 0.2 s

STEP 2 : Determination of displacement

The displacement of the object is determined by

measuring the length of the ticker tape that is
pulled through the ticker time

Displacement from A to B = 8.0 cm

STEP 3 : Determination of velocity

Velocity, v = displacement
Time

= 8.0 = 40.0 cm/s

0.2
STEP 4 : Determination of acceleration

The first strip: Initial velocity, u at AB = 1.5 = 7.5

0.2
The last strip: Final velocity, v at DE = 7.5 = 37.5
0.2

The time interval for, t = (4 – 1) x 0.2 = 0.6 s

the change in the velocity

Acceleration, a = 37.5 – 7.5 = 50 cms-2

0.6
3. The diagram above shows a ticker tape chart 5. To identify the types of motion
for a moving trolley. The frequency of the
ticker-timer used is 50 Hz. Each section has Distance between the
10 dots-spacing. dots: equal

Type of motion:
Constant velocity

Distance between the dot

increases Uniformly

The velocity is of the

object is increasing
uniformly
The object is moving at a
(a) What is the time between two dots? uniform acceleration
0.02 s

(b) What is the time for one strips. Distance between the
10 x 0.02 = 0.2 s dots decreases uniformly
The velocity of the object
(c) What is the initial velocity
is decreasing uniformly
2.0 = 10 cm/s
0.2
The object is
(d) What is the final velocity.
experiencing uniform
12.0 = 60 cm/s
0.2 decelaration.

(e) What is the time interval to change from

Activity 4: To determine displacement, average
initial velocity to final velocity?
velocity and acceleration
t = (11 – 1) x 0.2 = 2.0 s
Apparatus: Ticker timer, trolley, 12 V power
(f) What is the acceleration of the object?
supply, runway, ticker tape, ruler
a = 60 – 10 = 25 cms-2
2.0
Procedure:
1. Raise one end of runway to a reasonable
4. The figure shows a tape chart.
height.
Calculate
2. Pass the ticker tape through the ticker timer
(a) the acceleration
and attach it to a trolley at the top of the
(b) the average velocity
runway.
3. Switch on the ticker timer and release the
trolley.
4. When the trolley comes to a stop, cut the
tape.

(a) u = 4/0.2 = 20 cm/s v = 24/0.2 = 120 cm/s

t = (6 – 1) x 0.2 = 1.0
a = 120 – 20 = 100 cms-2 = 1 ms-2 5. Mark and cut the tape into 10-tick strips from
1.0 the start of the first clear dot
(b) total distance = 4 + 8 + 12 + 18 + 20 + 24 = 84 6. Paste the 10-tick strips side-by-side on a
Average speed = 84 = 70.0 cm/s paper to make a tape chart.
1.2
 Find 1st strip Last
strip
The displacement of
the 10-tick 16.1 cm 39.3 cm

The time covered for

the 10-tick strip 0.2 s 0.2 s

Average velocity 16.1 39.3

over the 10-tick 0.2 0.2
Strip = 80.5 = 196.5
cm/s cm/s

Change in velocity 196.5 – 80.5

between the two 10- = 116.0 cm/s
tick strip
Time taken for the
change in velocity (5 – 1) x 0.2 = 0.8 s

Acceleration
116.0 = 145.0 cms-2
0.8

Conclusion:
The acceleration of the trolley is 145.0 cms-2
Activity 5: 1. A car accelerates from rest to 25 m s-1 in 4 s.
Aim: Derive linear motion equations and solve Find the acceleration of the car.
problems u = 0, v = 25, t = 4, a = ?
v = u + at
First linear motion equation a = (25 – 0) = 6.25 ms-2
a=v–u 4
t
v – u = at 2. When a racing car passes through on a
v = u + at (1) straight track, its velocity is 40 ms-1. After 3
seconds, the racing car achieves the speed
50 ms-1. Calculate the displacement travelled.
u = 40, v = 50, t = 3, s = ?
s = ½ (u + v)t
= ½ (40 + 50)3 = 135 m

Second linear motion equation 3. The 100 m men world record holder, Usian
Displacement = average velocity x time Bolt starts his run from rest and achieved his
maximum velocity after he accelerating
displacement uniformly for 9.58 s. Determine his
= [initial velocity + final velocity] x time acceleration.
2 s = 100 m u = 0 t = 9.58 s a = ?
s = ½ (u + v) t s = ut + ½ at2
100 = ½ a(9.58)2
a = 2.18 ms-2

4. Maria rides a bicycle at a velocity of 8 m s–1.

Third linear motion equation
She brakes suddenly and stops after a
v = u + at (1)
distance of 2 m. What is the acceleration of
s = ½ [u + v]t (2)
Maria and her bicycle?
Substitute equation (1) into equation (2)
u = 12 v = 0 s = 2 a = ?
s = ½ [u + u + at]t
v2 = u2 + 2as
s = ½ [2u + at]t
0 = 144 + 2(a)2
s = ½ [2ut + at2]
4a = - 144
s = ut + ½ ut2 (3)
a = -16 ms-2

5. A car moving along a straight road at a

velocity of 30 m s–1 reduces its velocity at a
Fourth linear motion equation
constant rate until it stops after 5 s. What is
Square equation (1) v = u + at
the acceleration of the car?
v2 = (u + at)2
u=0 a=4 t=5 v=?
v = u + at = 0 + (4)(5) = 20 cm/s
v2 = u2 + 2uat + a2t2
v2 = u2 + 2a(ut + ½ at2) daripada (3) s = ut + ½
6. A boy is cycling
at2
down a hill. His
initial velocity is 4
v2 = u2 + 2as (4)
ms-1. After he moves
35 m, his velocity
becomes 10 m s-1.
(a) What is the time
for the boy to
v = u + at .(1) Where travel at a distance 35 m?
u = 4, v = 10, s = 35 t = ?
s :displacement s = (u + v) t
s= u+v t .(2) 2
2 u :initial velocity 35 = (4 + 10) t
2 t=5s
s = ut + ½ at2 .(3) v :final velocity
(b) What it is his acceleration?
a :acceleration u = 4, v = 10, t = 5, a = ?
v = u + at
v2 = u2 + 2as .(4) t :time a = (10 – 4)
5 a = 1.2 ms-2
7. A car accelerates from rest at 3 ms-2 along a TUTORIAL 2.1
straight road. How far has the car traveled 1. Which physical quantity is equal to
after 4 s? displacement?
Time
A. Speed C. Distance
B. Velocity D. Acceleration

2. The acceleration of a car moving with a

constant velocity will be
u = 0, a = 3, t = 4, s = ? A. increased
s = ut + ½ at2 B. constant
= 0 + ½ (3)(16) = 24 m C. zero
D. decreased
8. A car is traveling at 20 m/s along a straight
road. The driver puts the brakes on for 5 s. It 3. Muthu cycles from his house to the shop.
this causes a deceleration of 3 m s-2 , what is While coming back, he stops at Ahmad’s
the car’s final velocity? house.

u = 20, t = 5, a = -3, v = ?
v = u + at = 20 + (-3)(5) = 5 m/s
What is his displacement from his house?
9. A car moving with constant velocity of 40 A. 300 m
ms-1. The driver saw and obstacle in front B. 400 m
and he immediately stepped on the brake C. 1 100 m
pedal and managed to stop the car in 8 s.
The distance of the obstacle from the car 4. Which of the following is true regarding the
when the driver spotted it was 180 m. How motion of an object having zero acceleration?
far is the obstacle from the car after it stops. A. The object is not moving
B. The object is moving with uniform
velocity
C. The object is at rest or moves with
uniform velocity
D. The object is moving with maximum
velocity.

u = 40, v = 0 , t = 8 , s = ? 5. A tick from a ticker timer is

s = (40 + 0) 8 = 160 m A. time interval between two consecutive
2 dots on a ticker tape.
the obstacle from the car after it stops: B. distance between two consecutive dots
180 – 160 = 20 m on a ticker tape.
C. frequency of vibration from the ticker
10. You can determine your reaction timer
time by catching a ruler between D. velocity of vibration from the ticker timer.
your fingers which is released.
Ready to catch the ruler by 6. Which statement is true about the ticker tape
opening your fingers at the ‘zero’ shown below?
mark of the ruler. Catch the ruler
as soon as it is released. Mark the
position where you catch the ruler.
The ruler falls with acceleration 10
m s-2, calculate your reaction time.
u = 0, a = 10, s = 20 cm = 0.2 m t = ? A. Velocity between CD is low.
s = ut + ½ at2 B. Velocity between DE and velocity
0.2 = 0 + ½ (10)t2 between AB are equal.
t2 = 0.2/5 = 0.04 C. Frequency between BC is higher than DE
t = 0.2 s D. Time between AB is equal with the time
between DE
 7. The diagram shows a ticker tape which is A. 20 cm s-2
pulled by a trolley through a ticker-timer of B. 200 cm s-2
frequency 50 Hz. C. 240 cm s-2
D. 400 cm s-2
u = 4/0.1 = 40 v = 24/0.1 = 240
t = (6 – 1) x 0.1 = 0.5 s
a = (240 – 40)/0.5 = 400 cms-2

11. Diagram below shows the path travelled by

The average speed of the trolley’s motion is a car from P to S.
A. 0.2 ms-1 C. 0.3 ms-1
B. 0.4 ms-1 D. 0.5 ms-1
Average speed = 4/0.1 = 40 cms-1

8. Average velocity from P to Q in the ticker

tape below is

What is the displacement of the car? (2007)

A. 5.0 km
A. 85 cms-1 C. 170 cms-1 B. 6.8 km
-1 C. 8.2 km
B. 200 cms D. 240 cms-1
D. 9.0 km
Total distance = 2 + 3 + 4 + 2 + 6 = 17 cm
Total time taken = 5 x 0.02 = 0.1 s
12. Diagram 2 shows Ali stands at O. He walks
v = 17/0.1 = 170 cms-1
towards A, then moves towards B and stops
9. Calculate the acceleration. at B.

A. - 50 ms-2 C. - 500 ms-2 What is the displacement of Ali? [2012]

B. 50 ms -2 D. 500 ms-2 A. 2 m towards west
u = 2.5/0.02 = 125 v = 0.5/0.02 = 25 B. 5 m towards east
t = (11 – 1) x 0.02 = 2.0 s C. 7 m towards east
a = (25 – 125)/2.0 = - 50 cms-2 = - 0.5 ms-2

10. The diagram below shows a tape chart PAPER 2, SECTION A

which is produced by a moving trolley. The 1. Question 1: Melaka Mid 08
frequency of the ticker-tape timer is 50 Hz Ali walks to the north for a distance of 300 m. He
and each stripe of ticker tape contains 5 then turns west and walks for another distance of
ticks. 400 m to reach Pak Kassim’s stall.
Diagram 1 shows the path taken by Ali.

What is the trolley’s acceleration? (1994)

(a) Distance is a ……… 3. SPM 2016
Diagram 1 shows a ticker tape with 5 ticks
Tick (√) the correct answer in the box obtained from an experiment.
below

√ Scalar quantity

Vector quuantity

(b) On Diagram 1, mark an arrow to show the (a) One tick is the time taken from P to Q [1 mark]
displacement made by Ali
[1 mark] (b) Complete the following sentence by ticking (√)
the correct answer in the box provided.
(c) What is the total distance travelled by Ali?
300 + 400 = 700 [1 mark] The ticker tape can be analysed to determine

(d) Ali then walks home for another distance of ……√…. Distance and speed of an object
500 m. What is the total displacement made
by Ali. [1 mark] ………. Force and momentum of an object
0 [1 mark]

(c) (i) What is the type of motion shown by the

2. SPM 2011 Question 2 ticker tape in Diagram 1?
Diagram 1.1 shows a trolley moving down an Constant velocity [1 mark]
inclined plane. The ticker timer vibrates at
frequency 50 Hz. Diagram 1.2 shows the ticker (ii) Give one reason for your answer in 1(c)(i).
tape produced by the motion of the trolley. The distance between the ticks are equal.
[1 mark]

4. SPM 2019
Diagram 5.1 and Diagram 5.2 show two ticker
tapes with different lengths produced by the
motion of two trolleys.

Diagram 1.1
Diagram 5.1

Diagram 5.2

Diagram 1.2 (a) What is the meaning of length?

Distance between two points. [1 mark]
(a) Underline the correct answer in the bracket to
complete the sentence below. (b) Based on Diagram 5.1 and Diagram 5.2,
compare
The type of current used in the ticker timer is
(direct current, alternating current). [1 mark] (i) the number of tickes
Equal
(b) Based on Diagram 1.2,
(i) one tick is represented by the time taken (ii) the length of the ticker tapes
from point P to point Q 5.2 > 5.1
[ 1 mark]
(iii) average speed
(ii) Compare the distance between PQ and ST. 5.2 > 5.1
ST > PQ 1 mark] [3 marks]
(c) Using your answer in 5(b), state the
(iii) State the type of motion of the trolley. relationship between the length of a ticker
Accelerate tape and average speed.
[1 mark] Directly proportional [1 mark]
(d) Diagram 5.3 shows a ticker tape chart
produced from the motion of a trolley.

Diagram 5.3

Based on Diagram 5.3, explain the type of

motion from W to Y.

• Velocity increase constant // uniform

acceleration, a
• Increasing in length uniformly
• zero acceleration // constant velocity
• uniform length