LINEAR MOTION

Definitions
i. Average speed: This is the total distance travelled divided by the total time
taken.
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑
Average speed =
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛
𝑠
V =
𝑡
ii. Displacement: This is the distance moved in a specific direction.
iii. Speed: This is the rate of change of distance moved with time.
iv. Velocity: This is the rate of change of distance moved with time in a specific
direction. Velocity can also be defined as the rate of change of displacement with
time.
v. Scalar quantity: This is a quantity which has magnitude only. Examples
include distance, speed, time, volume, mass, work and energy.
vi. Vector quantity: This is a quantity which has both magnitude and direction.
Examples include displacement, velocity, acceleration, weight and force.
vii. Acceleration: This is the rate of change of velocity with time.
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
Acceleration = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦−𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
Acceleration = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑣−𝑢
a= 𝑡

Examples
1. Calculate the average speed of:
a) A car which covers a distance of 300m in 60s.
𝑠
V =𝑡
300
V = 60
Speed = 5m/s
b) A marathon runner who covers a distance of 20km in 2hrs.
𝑠
V =𝑡
20
V =
2
Speed = 10km/h

2. A car is moving at 120km/h. Change this speed to m/s.

120𝑘𝑚
120km/h =
1ℎ
120 𝑥 1000𝑚
= 1 𝑥 60 𝑥 60
= 33.3m/s

3. Change 18m/s to km/h

18𝑚
18m/s = 1𝑠
18 ÷ 1000𝑘𝑚 18
= = x 3600
1 ÷(60 𝑥 60) 1000
= 64.8km/h

1 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School

4. A car leaves town A at 08:30hrs and reaches town B at 13:00hrs. The distance
between the two towns is 400km.
a) How long has the journey taken?
hrs min
13 00
- 08 30
4 30
Time = 4hrs 30min = 4.5hrs

b) Calculate the average speed.

𝑠
V = 𝑡
400
V = 4.5
Speed = 88.9km/hr

c) With this average speed calculated in (b) calculate:

i. How long the car would take to cover a distance of 300km.
𝑠
V =𝑡
300
88.9 = 𝑡
Time = 3.37hrs or 3hrs and 22min
ii. How much distance would be covered in 5hrs and 15 mins?
𝑠
V = 𝑡
𝑠
88.9 = 5.25
Distance = 466.7km

5. Calculate the acceleration of:

a) A car which changes its velocity from 5m/s to 11m/s in 2s.
𝑣−𝑢
a= 𝑡
11−5
= 2
a = 3m/s2
Note: unit for acceleration is m/s2. The unit for speed and velocity is m/s.

b) A train which starts from rest and attains a velocity of 15m/s in 4s.
𝑣−𝑢
a= 𝑡
15−0
= 4
a = 3.8m/s2

6. A motorcycle is moving at 20m/s. When breaks are applied, the motorcycle comes
to rest in 2.5s. Calculate the acceleration.
𝑣−𝑢 0−20
a= =
𝑡 2.5
a = - 8m/s2
Note: Negative acceleration is called retardation or deceleration.
Equations of uniformly accelerated motion

2 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School

Uniformly accelerated motion refers to motion in which the acceleration is not
changing or is constant. The following equations apply:
𝑣−𝑢
i. a= 𝑡
1
ii. s = ut + 2at2
iii. v2 = u2 + 2as

Examples
1. A train starts from rest and attains a speed of 15m/s in 1.5s.
a) Calculate its acceleration.
𝑣−𝑢 15−0
a= =
𝑡 1.5
a = 10m/s2
b) What distance has the train covered in these 1.5s?
1
s = ut + 2at2
1
= (0 x 1.5) + 2(10 x 1.52)
s = 11.25 = 11.3m
OR
v2 = u2 + 2as
152 = 02 + 2(10)s
225 = 20s
s = 11.3m

2. A car moving at 12m/s increases its velocity to 18m/s. During this velocity change,
the car covers a displacement of 60m.
a) Calculate the acceleration.
v2 = u2 + 2as
182 = 122 + 2(a)(60)
324 = 144 + 120a
324 – 144 =120a
a = 1.5m/s2
b) How long did this take?
𝑣−𝑢
a= 𝑡
18−12
1.5 = 𝑡
1.5t = 6
t = 4s

3. A motorbike moving at 30m/s retards at 5m/s2.

a) What is its velocity after 2s?
𝑣−𝑢
a= 𝑡
𝑣−30
-5 = 2
v – 30 = -5 x 2
v = -10 + 30 = 20m/s
b) What distance does it cover in 2s?
1
s = ut + 2at2
3 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School
 1
= (30 x 2) + 2(-5 x 22)
s = 50m

c) How long does it take to come to rest?

𝑣−𝑢
a=
𝑡
0−30
-5 = 𝑡
-5t = -30
t = 6s

Motion graphs
Truth Table
Graph Gradient Area
Speed-time Acceleration Distance
Velocity-time Acceleration Displacement
Distance-time Speed N/A
Displacement-time Velocity N/A

Examples
1. A car’s velocity in the first 8s changes as represented by the table below.
Velocity (m/s) 0 5 10 15 20 20 20 20 20
Time (s) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

a) Plot a velocity-time graph.

Velocity
(m/s)

15

10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 time (s)

b) Use the graph to determine:

i. The acceleration in the first 4s.
𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 20
a = gradient = =
ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 4
a = 5m/s2
ii. The displacement in the first 4s.
1
S = area = 2ab
1
= (4)(20) = 40m
2

4 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School

 iii. The total displacement.
1 1
S= (a + b)(h) = (8 + 4)(20) = 120m
2 2

2. The graph below is a distance-time graph.

Distance (m)

30

20

10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 time (s)
Calculate the speed.
𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 30
Speed = gradient = =
ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 6
Speed = 5m/s

3. A table below shows data collected in the first 16s of a motor cycle’s journey.

Speed (m/s) 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 24 24
Time (s) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
a) Plot a speed-time graph.
Speed (m/s)

24

16

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 time (s)
b) Use the graph to determine:
i. The acceleration in the first 12s.
𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 24
a = gradient = =
ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 12
a= 2m/s2
ii. The acceleration between 12s and 16s.
5 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School
 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 0
a = gradient = =
ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 4
a= 0m/s2
iii. The distance covered in the first 12s.
1 1
S = area = 2ab = (12)(24)
2
S = 144m
iv. The total displacement.
1
S= (a + b)(h)
2
1
= (4 + 16)(24)
2
S = 240m

Additional Examples
1. A car starts form rest and attains a speed of 15m/s in 10s. It maintains this speed
for another 15s before retarding to rest in 5s.
a) Sketch a speed-time graph.
Speed
(m/s)

15

0 10 25 20 time (s)

b) Use the graph to determine:

i. The acceleration in the first 10s.
𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 15
a=m= =
ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 10
= 1.5m/s2

ii. The acceleration in the last 5s

𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 −15
a=m= =
ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 5
= -3m/s2

iii. The total distance travelled.

1 1
S= (a + b)(h) = (20 + 15)(15)
2 2
S = 262.5m

2. The figure below shows a speed-time graph.

Speed
D

B C
E
6 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School

A
Time
 Describe the motion in:
a) Region AB.
- Uniform (constant) acceleration
- Uniformly increasing speed
b) Region BC.
- No acceleration
- Uniform speed
c) Region CD
- Non-uniform acceleration
- Non-uniformly increasing speed
d) Region DE.
- Uniform retardation
- Uniformly reducing speed.
3. The figure below shows a displacement-time graph for a car
.
Displacement
D

B C

A Time
Describe the velocity of the car in:
a) Region AB
- Uniform velocity
b) Region BC
- Zero velocity or rest
c) Region CD
- Non-uniform velocity

Practical application
It is important for all drivers to observe speed limits. Over speeding has the following
consequences:
i. Results in accidents.
ii. Reduces reaction time.
It is especially necessary to drive at lower speeds during or after heavy rains. This is
because the rains reduce visibility. Also the water on road reduces traction (i.e. the
grip of the tyres). This in turn reduces the effectiveness of the brakes.

7 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School

Free fall
A falling body is said to fall freely if air resistance is ignored. For such a body, the only
force considered is the force of gravity. A freely falling body falls with a constant
acceleration called acceleration of free fall (or acceleration due to gravity). Near the
surface of the earth, the value of acceleration of free fall is 10m/s 2 (i.e. g =10m/s2).

Examples
1. A stone falls from rest.
a) Calculate its speed after:
i. 2s.
Ans. v = u + gt = 0 + (10)2
v = 20m/s

ii. 5s.
Ans. v = u + gt = 0 + (10)5
v = 50m/s

b) How far has it fallen in:

i. 2s?
1 1
h = ut + 2gt2 = 0(2) + (10)(2)2
2
h = 20m

ii. 5s?
1 1
h = ut + 2gt2 = 0(2) + (10)(5)2
2
h = 125m

2. A bullet is shot vertically downwards from a 1000m height with an initial velocity of
5m/s.
a) Calculate its velocity after:
i. 2s
Ans. v = u + gt = 5 + (10)2
v = 25m/s

ii. 5s
Ans. v = u + gt = 5 + (10)5 = 55m/s
b) With what velocity does it strike the ground?
v2 = u2 +2ah = 502 + 2(10)(1000) = 4500
v = 67m/s
c) How long will it take to reach the ground?
𝑣−𝑢 67−5
t= = = 6.2s
𝑔 10

3. A bullet is shot vertically upwards with an initial speed of 100m/s.

a) Calculate its speed after 2.5s.
Ans. v = u + gt = 100 + (-10)2.5
v = 75m/s

8 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School

 b) What is the maximum height it will reach?
v2 = u2 +2ah
02 = 1002 + 2(-10)h
h = 500m

c) How long will it remain in the air?

−100−100
t= = 20s
−10

Home Work 1
1. Calculate the average speed of:
a) A car which covers a distance of 500m in 100s.
b) A motorbike which covers a distance of 500km in 4hrs.
c) A train which covers a distance of 100km in 30 mins.

2. A car leaves town A at 06:30hrs and reaches town B at 14:00hrs. The distance between
the two towns is 500km.
a) How long has the journey taken?
b) Calculate the average speed.
c) How long would the same car take to cover a distance of 200km?
d) How much distance would the car cover in 3hrs and 45mins?

3. Calculate the acceleration of:

a) A car which changes its velocity from 3m/s to 18m/s in 2s.
b) A train which starts from rest and attains a velocity of 15m/s in 2.5s.
c) A motor cycle initially moving at 25m/s which comes to rest in 6s.

4. A car initially moving at 16m/s retards at 2.5m/s 2. Calculate:

a) Its speed after 2s.
b) How long it takes to come to rest.

Home Work 2
1. A motorcycle is moving at 17m/s. When breaks are applied, the motorcycle comes to
rest in 2s. Calculate the acceleration.
2. A train starts from rest and attains a speed of 21m/s in 5s.
a) Calculate its acceleration.
b) What distance has the train covered in these 5s?

3. A car moving at 4m/s increases its velocity to 16m/s. During this velocity change, the
car covers a displacement of 100m.
a) Calculate the acceleration.
b) How long did this take?

4. A motorbike moving at 125m/s retards at 7.5m/s 2.

a) What is its velocity after 3s?
b) What distance does it cover in 3s?
c) What distance would it cover in 5s?

9 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School

 d) How long does it take to come to rest?

5. A car is moving at 15m/s when the driver sees a small girl crossing the road. The
driver takes 1.5s deciding what to do. This time is called thinking time.
a) How much distance does the car cover during thinking time?
b) The driver decides to apply breaks. The car stops in a further 3s.
c) Calculate:
i. The retardation
ii. The distance covered during the retardation.

6. A bullet is moving at 80m/s when it strikes a tree. The bullet lodges 0.45m inside the
tree. Calculate the retardation and the time taken.

Home Work 3
1. A car’s velocity in the first 8s changes as represented by the table below.

Velocity (m/s) 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 28
Time (s) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
a) Plot a velocity-time graph.
b) Use the graph to determine:
i. The acceleration in the first 7s.
ii. The displacement in the first 7s.
iii. The total displacement.

2. A table below shows data collected in the first 16s of a motor cycle’s journey.

Speed (m/s) 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 24 24
Time (s) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
a) Plot a speed-time graph.
b) Use the graph to determine:
i. The acceleration in the first 12s.
ii. The acceleration between 12s and 16s.
iii. The distance covered in the first 12s.
iv. The total distance covered.
3. Use the distance-time graph to calculate the speed of the moving body represented.

Distance (m)

60
50
40
30
20
10

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 time (s)
10 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School
4. The graph below is a displacement-time graph for a motor cycle.
Use the graph to calculate the velocity:
a) In the first 15s.
b) Between 15s and 30s.

Displacement (m)

12

10
8
6
4
2

Home Work 4 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 time (s)

1. A car starts form rest and attains a speed of 20m/s in 5s. It maintains this speed for
another 15s before retarding to rest in 10s.
a) Sketch a speed-time graph.
b) Use the graph to determine:
i. The acceleration in the first 5s.
ii. The acceleration between 5s and 20s
iii. The acceleration in the last 10s
iv. The distance travelled in the first 5s
v. The distance travelled in the 20s
vi. The total distance travelled

2. The figure below shows a velocity-time graph for a train.

Velocity
D

B C
E

A Time

a) Describe the acceleration of the train in region:

i. AB ii. BC iii. CD iv. DE
b) Describe the displacement of the train in region BC.

3. The figure below shows a distance-time graph for a car

.
Distance
11 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School D

B C
 Describe the speed of the car in:
a) Region AB
b) Region BC
c) Region CD

Home Work 5
1. A stone falls from rest.
a) Calculate its speed after:
(i) 1s (ii) 2s

b) How far has it fallen in:

(i) 1s (ii) 2s (iii) 3s?

2. A bullet is shot vertically downwards from a 1500m height with an initial velocity of
80m/s.
a) Calculate its velocity after:
i. 1.5s ii. 4.0s
b) How far does it fall in 5s?
c) With what velocity does it strike the ground?
d) How long will it take to reach the ground?

3. A bullet is shot vertically upwards with an initial speed of 120m/s.

a) Calculate its speed after 2s.
b) How high does it rise in:
i. 2s? ii. 4s?
c) What is the maximum height it will reach?
d) How long will it remain in the air?

12 | Physics notes – P C Musonda – KCM Konkola Secondary Trust School