Chapter 2 Kinematics

2.1 Linear motion

2.2 Projectiles

Introduction
Kinematics - A study of a motion of an object without considering the effect that
produces motion. Kinematics analyses the position of an object relation to time.
2.1 Linear Motion
Learning Outcome:
(a) derive and use equations of motion with constant acceleration;
(b) sketch and use the graphs of displacement time, velocity-time and acceleration-time for the
motion of a body with constant acceleration;

1. linear motion can be separated into Horizontal and Vertical (freefall) motion.

Figure 2- 1

2. Horizontal motion best explain using four fundamental physical quantities:

Displacement, velocity, acceleration and time.
Distance
Distance,l is a measure of how far an object has moved.
Displacement
Displacement,s is defined as the distance moved in a particular direction. (It is the
change in position)
Example:
To the right = + (+5km)
To the left = - (-10 km)
Speed
Speed,v is defined as the distance moved per second (or the rate of change of
distance)
Velocity
Velocity,v is defined as the rate of change of displacement.
s
Average velocity = t
s ds
t = dt
Instantaneous velocity =
The instantaneous velocity of an object is its velocity at a particular instant or time.
t lim 0

Acceleration

Acceleration,a is defined as the rate of change of velocity.

v
Average acceleration = t
dv
Instantaneous acceleration = dt

Motion with Constant Acceleration

1. From the definition of acceleration, we learn that
Change in velocity
v u
a

Time taken from initial to final velocity

t
v = u + at 1
where v is final velocity and u is the initial velocity of the object.
2. Displacement = average velocity x time.
(u v )
s
t
2
. 2
Replace (1) to ( 2)
1
s ut at 2
2
2s
From (1), v-u = at and (2) v + u = t
v2 = u2 + 2as
Summary of equation: The idea of s u v a t
Formulae

Uses when absence of

Eq. No

vu
t

s, displacement

(u v )
t
2

a, acceleration

1
s ut at 2
2

v, final velocity

v2 = u2 + 2as

t, time

a
s

Table 2- 1
Example 1- 1

Starting at time t = 0 seconds, an object accelerates from 12 ms -1 to 27 ms-1 in 4

seconds. Find the value of time, t (to the nearest second), when its total displacement
is 110 m.
Solution :

v u 27 12

3.75 ms -1
t
4

v 2 u 2 2as Then

v 12 2 2 3.75 110 31.13 ms -1

v u at

U sin g,

v - u 31.13 12

5.1 s
a
3.75

Example 1- 2

A bus travels at straight road with the speed of 24 m/s decreases uniformly to 8 m/s by
travelling 40 m. Calculate:
(a) The decelerations of the bus.
(b) The time taken for the deceleration.
(c) Total distance travels before the bus stops.
Solution:
(a) v 2 u 2 2as
8 24 2a( 40)
2

(b) v u at
8 (24) (-6.4)t

t 2.5s
a 6.4 ms
(c ) U sin g v u at
0 (24) ( 6.4)t
t 3.75 s
1
1
s ut at 2 (12 3.75) ( 6.4)( 3.75) 2 90 m
2
2
-2

Graphical representation of motion

Acceleration due to gravity (ignoring friction)

1.Objects in gravitation field experience a downwards force - their weight. If
unbalanced, this produces acceleration downwards.
2.There is an acceleration free fall or acceleration due to gravity when the object
moves at the same acceleration.
3. Acceleration free fall is represented by the symbol "g" as assume constant 9.81m s -2.
4. The value of g not depends on the displacement or location of the object.

Study the following figure:

Figure 2- 2

Case 1

Case 2

Case 3

An object travels
upwards

An object travels
downwards

An object travels below

the reference level

Displacement = +s
Velocity = +v
Acceleration = -g

Displacement = +s
Velocity =-v
Acceleration = -g

Displacement = -s
Velocity = -v
Acceleration = -g

Table 2- 2

Useful information for calculation:

Figure 2- 3

Information

Analysis

The velocity decreases to zero 1. Calculation of maximum displacement:

u2
when the object reaches the
H
highest point.
2g
Time taken for the object to
2. Calculate total time for the objects to travel.
reach the highest point is the
Using the formula:
same as the time it takes to

s ut

1 2
at
2

s is H and a is g
drop back to its initial point.

1
H ut gt 2
2
Total time for traveling is 2 x t.
2. Calculate velocity before reaching the ground.
v = u gt
u=0
v = -gt
Table 2- 3

Example 1- 3

Figure 2- 4

A stone thrown upward with initial velocity 30 ms -1. Calculate the time interval between
25 m from the surface.
Solution:
When s 0
1
ut gt 2 0
2
t (30 5t ) 0
then t 0 and t 6
given s 25 m , u 30 ms -1
1
s ut gt 2
2
25 30 t 5t 2
( t 1)( t 5) 0
The time interval will be 5s - 1s 4s

Figure 2- 5

Example 1- 4

An object thrown upward from a point P, that is 25 m from the surface of the earth. Sketch the
graph of .
(a) Displacement - time
(b) Velocity - time
(c) Speed time
Solution:

 Maximum Height, H : v 0, s H
v 2 u2 2gs
0 u 2 2gH
H

u2
400

20m
2g 2(9.8)

Assume s 0 at Point P. Time to return to point P t P , u 20 ms -1

1
u sin g s ut - gt 2
2
1
0 (20)t P gt P2
2
1
t P (20 gt P ) 0
2
t P 0 and t P 4s

Displacement from point P to Earth surface , s - 25 m. Time taken to the earth surface , t t s
1
u sin g s ut - gt 2
2
1
25 (20)t s gt 2s
2
( t s 1)( t s 5) 0
t s 5s

Figure 2- 6

2.2 Projectile
Learning Outcome:
(a) solve problems on projectile motion without air resistance;
(b) explain the effects of air resistance on the motion of bodies in air.

1. The motion equations can be used with object projected or thrown through the air at
an angle. Examples of projectiles : motion of missiles, throwing basketball and long
jump
2. Consider the ball thrown at a initial velocity,u at an angle to the ground. Ignoring
air resistance, the only force acting on the ball during its flight is the gravity.
Analysis shown
-A downward acceleration that only affects the vertical component of the
velocity.
-The horizontal velocity remains constant.
-The ball follows a parabolic path through the air.
-The time of flight depends on the vertical velocity.
3. The horizontal distance travelled depends on the horizontal velocity and the time of flight.
4. The horizontal and vertical motions of a projectile are independent and can be
treated separately in calculations.

Figure 2- 7

5. The table below shows the horizontal and vertical components of projectile
motion.
Horizontal component (x axis)

Vertical component (y axis)

Initial velocity

u cos

u sin

Instant velocity
traveling upward

u cos

u sin -gt

Acceleration

-g

Time taken
Using formula:
v = u + at

To reach R
Total time to R is twice the time
to reach H.
So,
tR=2tH

To reach H, v = 0
0 = usin - gtH

u sin
tH= g

R = (u cos ) 2 tH

u sin
= 2 (u cos ) g

Height H /
Range R
travelled

Using formula
V2 = u2 + 2 as
0 = (u sin )2 - 2gH

u 2 sin 2
g
R=

u 2 sin2
g
H=

Displacement
at any instant t

x = (u cos )t

1
s = (u sin )t- 2 gt2

Extra
information

Maximum R occurs when = 45

The range of projection is the
same for and (90 - ).
Example, 0 = 15 and 75

Instant velocity
travelling downward

U cos

u sin - gt

Final velocity,v

U cos

u sin

Example 1- 5

A canon is fired in a projectile with the initial velocity 30 ms-1 at angle 60. Calculate
(a) Time reaching maximum height.
(b) Maximum height.
(c) Range
(d) Time taken to reach 30 m height.
(e) Velocity during 30 m.
Solution:

( a) t H

u sin 30 sin 60

2.65 s
g
9.8

(b) Maximum Height , H

u2 sin2
2g

30 2 sin2 60
2(9.8)
33.8m
2
u sin 2
(c ) Range , R
g

30 2 sin(2 60)
9.8
77.9m

(d) Vertical Displacement, s y 30m

1
s y u y t gt 2
2
u y u sin 30 sin 60 26 ms 1

u sin g
then
so

1
s y (26)t (9.8)t 2
2
t 1.73 s and 3.47s

(ii) case t 3.47 s

(e) (i) case t 1.73 s

v 2 v 22 y v 22 x

v 1 v 12y v 12x
v 1x u cos 30 cos 60 15ms 1

v 2 x u cos 30 cos 60 15ms 1

v 1y u y gt

v 2 y u y gt

u sin (9.8)t

u sin (9.8)t

30 sin 60 (9.8)(1.73) 8.7 ms -1

30 sin 60 (9.8)( 3.47) 8.7 ms -1

v 1 (15) 2 (8.7) 2 17.3 ms -1

v 1 (15) 2 (8.7) 2 17.3 ms -1

8.7
15
1 30.1

8.7
15
1 30.1

tan 1

tan 1

Figure 2- 8

Effect of Air Resistance

1. When a body moves through the air, the air resistance against the motion of the body
is known as the viscous drag.
2. The viscous drag on a body depend on
a. Shape of the body : Objects which are streamlined experience less drag
b. Velocity of the body: the viscous drag os proportional to the square of the
velocity
3. when the body is released from rest and fall through the air, its velocity initially
increase. As its velocity increases, the viscous drag increase. The acceleration of the

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body decrease. Finally when the acceleration is zero, the velocity is constant. The
maximum constant velocity is known as terminal velocity.

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