Welcome to…
EQUATIONS OF
LINEAR MOTION
OBJECTIVES
Derive and apply the equations of
linear motion.
Solve numerical problems using the
equations of linear motion.
In groups discuss the
derivation of equations of
linear motion.
Present to the class the findings on derivation.
Go to seesaw and attempt questions on the
applications of the equation.
DERIVING EQUATIONS
Consider a body moving with
uniform acceleration with
positive velocity, 3 equations apply:
a = v - u/t velocity (v)
time (t)
Make v the subject of the formula, you get:
v = u + at…………………………………..equation 1
Second equation of motion:
The displacement of a body = average
velocity X time
s = (v+u/2 )t
Substitute v with v = u + at and open the
brackets you get:
s = ut +1/2at²………………….equation 2
Third equation of motion
The displacement of a body = average velocity X
time
s = (v+u/2 )t
Substitute t with t = (v-u)/a then expand to get:
v² = u ² +
2as……………………………………..equation 3
For retardation, a is negative,
hence:
v = u - at……………………………………equation
1
s = ut -1/2at²……………………equation 2
v² = u² - 2as………………………………equation 3
Motion for free fall
Free fall can only occur in a vacuum, but if air resistance is
ignored, all bodies fall with a constant acceleration of
9.8m/s².
In a vacuum, a feather and a stone released from the same
height will land on the floor at the same time.
Since g is constant, the 3 equations of motion applies:
v = u + gt……………………………………equation 1
s = ut +1/2gt²……………………equation 2
v² = u² + 2gs………………………………equation 3
Vertical projection
When a body is projected vertically upwards, it undergoes
a uniform retardation due to gravitational pull.
The body thus slows down and comes to rest, then starts
falling with increasing velocity (i.e free fall)
When rising, the 3 equations of motion holds and g is
negative:
v = u - gt……………………………………equation 1
s = ut -1/2gt²……………………equation 2
v² = u² - 2gs………………………………equation 3
Time to reach maximum height
At maximum height, v = 0
From v = u - gt, substitute v with zero and make
t the subject of the formula, you get:
t = u/g………… time taken to reach maximum
height.
Time of flight
If the body goes up and falls back to its original point
of projection, s = o
From s = ut -1/2gt² ,substitute s with zero and make t
the subject of the formula, you get:
t = 2u/g………………………time of flight
Time of flight is double the time taken to reach
maximum height.
Maximum height reached
If a body is thrown upwards, the maximum height
reached is where the velocity is zero.
Using the third equation, and subsetuting v with zero
and s with Hmax, we get:
Hmax = u²/2g
Horizontal projection
Evident when water jets u
out from a horizontal pipe
or firing a bullet when the
gun is held horizontally.
The path followed by a
projectile is called the
trajectory.
vertical displacement (s)
horizontal distance (R)
The horizontal velocity u is constant i.e
doesn’t change, so the acceleration is zero.
Distance R is the range given by: R = ut.
The body also experiences free fall where u =
0 and a = g which is a constant.
Hence: height (s) = 1/2gt²
ACTIVITY
1) A matatu starts from rest and
accelerates to cover a distance of 49m
in 7 seconds. Determine:
(i) its acceleration.
(ii) its velocity after 7 seconds.
ACTIVITY
2) An object at rest is dropped from a height of
80m.
(i) Sketch a velocity-time graph for the object.
(ii) Determine how long it takes to reach the
ground.
(iii) Determine the velocity as it hits the ground.
ACTIVITY
3) An object is projected vertically upwards
with a velocity of 200m/s. Calculate:
a) Its velocity after 5 seconds
b) The distance covered in the first 8
seconds.
c)The maximum height reached.
ACTIVITY
4) A gun is fired vertically upwards from the top of an
open truck moving horizontally at a uniform velocity
of 50m/s. The bullet attains a maximum height of
45m. Calculate:
i) The time taken by the bullet to reach the maximum
height.
ii) The distance covered by the truck just before the
bullet reaches the level from which it was fired.
ACTIVITY
5) A ball is thrown horizontally from top of a vertical
tower and strikes the ground at a point 50m from the
bottom of the tower. Given that the height of the tower
is 45m, determine the:
i) Time taken by the ball to hit the ground.
ii) Initial horizontal velocity of the
ball. iii) Vertical
velocity of the ball just before striking the ground.
ACTIVITY
6) A stone and a feather are dropped from
rest from a building 20m tall. If they reach
the ground at the same time, find:
(a) The velocity with which they reach the
ground. (Take g=l0m/s )2
(b) The condition under which they fall.
ACTIVITY
7) A ball is kicked from a table top
horizontally so that it moves and fall
some distance on the horizontal ground
65cm away from the base of the table. If
the table is a half a metre tall, calculate
the initial horizontal velocity of the ball.
ACTIVITY
8) The figure shows the 20m/s
starting of motion of two
arrows 10m above the 20m/s
ground. Both arrows were
shot with initial velocity of 10m
20m/s, from one point and
at the same instant.
ACTIVITY
(i) Determine the total height reached by the arrow
shot vertically.
(ii) Calculate the time of flight taken by the arrow
shot horizontally as it strikes the ground.
(iii) Calculate the horizontal distance covered by
the arrow shot horizontally as it strikes the ground.
ACTIVITY 2
Read the subsequent examples and do the
exercise.
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