St.

Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

National 5 Physics

Dynamics and Space

Summary Notes

Section 1 – Kinematics

Average Speed

Average speed is the distance travelled per unit time.

distance (m)
𝑑
average speed (m/s) 𝑣̅ =
𝑡

time (s)

SI unit of average speed is m/s (metres per second) since the SI unit for distance is metres (m) and SI
unit for time is seconds (s).

Examples of alternative units for average speed are kilometres per hour (km/h) or miles per hour
(mph).

Measurement of average speed

To measure an average speed, you must:

• measure the distance travelled with a measuring tape, metre stick or trundle wheel

• measure the time taken with a stop clock

• calculate the average speed by dividing the distance by the time

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St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

Calculations involving distance, time and average speed

Note: care must be taken to use the correct units for time and distance.

Example

Calculate the average speed in metres per second of a runner who runs 1500 m in 5 minutes.

Solution

s = 1500 m

t = 5 minutes = 5 60 seconds = 300 s

v=?

𝑑
𝑣̅ =
𝑡
1500
=
300

= 5 𝑚/𝑠

Instantaneous speed

The instantaneous speed of a vehicle at a given point can be measured by finding the average speed
during a very short time interval as the vehicle passes that point.

Average speed and instantaneous speed are often very different e.g. the average speed for a car
over an entire journey from Glasgow to Edinburgh could be 40 mph, but at any point in the journey,
the instantaneous speed of the car could be 30 mph, 70 mph, 60 mph or 0 mph if the car is
stationary at traffic lights.

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 St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

Measuring Instantaneous Speed

To measure instantaneous speeds, it is necessary to measure very short time intervals.

With an ordinary stop clock, human reaction time introduces large uncertainties. These can be
avoided by using electronic timers. The most usual is a light gate.

A light gate consists of a light source aimed at a photocell. The photocell is connected to an
electronic timer or computer.

To power supply
TIMER

Light source Photocell

The timer measures how long an object takes to pass through the light beam.

The distance travelled is the length of the object which passes through the beam.

Often a card is attached so that the card passes through the beam.

Procedure to measure the instantaneous speed of a trolley

card photocell
TIMER

trolley

light source
 Set up apparatus as shown
 Measure length of card
 Push trolley through light beam
 Timer measures time taken for card to pass through light gate
 Calculate instantaneous speed by

𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑑
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚

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St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

Example

In the above experiment, the following measurements are made:

Length of card: 10 cm

Time on timer: 0.25 s

Calculate the instantaneous speed of the vehicle

Solution

Length of card = 10 cm = 0.1 m

Time on timer = 0.25 s

𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑑
𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚

0.1
=
0.25
= 0.4 𝑚/𝑠

Vector and Scalar Quantities

A scalar quantity is fully described by its magnitude (size) and unit, e.g.

unit
time = 220 s
quantity

magnitude

A vector quantity is fully described by its magnitude, unit, and direction, e.g.

unit

Force = 800 N upwards

quantity direction

magnitude

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St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

Distance and Displacement

Distance is a scalar quantity. It measures the total distance travelled, no matter in which direction.

Displacement is a vector quantity. It is the length measured from the starting point to the finishing
point in a straight line. Its direction must be stated.

Example

A girl walks 3 km due north then turns and walks 4 km due east as shown in the diagram.

000˚
4 km
FINISH
270˚ 090˚

3 km
180˚

START

Calculate

(a) The total distance travelled

(b) The girl’s final displacement relative to her starting position.

Solution

(a) Total distance = 3 km + 4 km

= 7 km

(b) (to calculate displacement, we need to draw a vector diagram)

(this solution involves using Phythagoras and trig functions (SOH-CAH=TOA), but you can
also solve these types of problems using a scale diagram).

4 km
FINISH Magnitude of displacement = 32 + 42

= 5 km
3 km Resultant
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displacement 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
θ 3

START Θ= 53˚

Resultant displacement = 5 km at 053˚

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St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

Speed and Velocity

Speed is a scalar quantity. As discussed above, speed is the distance travelled per unit time.

𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
(𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒)𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Velocity is a vector quantity (the vector equivalent of speed). Velocity is defined as the displacement
per unit time.

𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
(𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒)𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Since velocity is a vector, you must state its direction.

The direction of velocity will be the same as the displacement.

Example

The girl’s walk in the previous example took 2.5 hours.

Calculate

(a) The average speed

(b) The average velocity for the walk, both in km/h

Solution

𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
(a) Distance = 7 km 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Time = 2.5 hours

7
=
2.5

= 2.8 𝑘𝑚/ℎ

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St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
(b) Displacement = 5 km (053˚) 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

Time = 2.5 hours

5
=
2.5

= 2 𝑘𝑚/ℎ at 053˚

(When performing calculations on speed and velocity like the above, it is best to write the equations in
words as shown, to avoid confusion with symbols. This communicates your understanding in the clearest
way).

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St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

Acceleration

Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity per unit time.

∆𝑣
𝑎=
𝑡

The change in velocity can be given by the moving object’s final velocity (v) – initial velocity (u)

∆𝑣 = 𝑣 − 𝑢

Therefore we can write our equation for acceleration as

Initial velocity (m/s)

Final velocity (m/s)
𝑣−𝑢
𝑎=
𝑡
Acceleration (m/s2)

Metres per second per second

Time (s)

Acceleration is a vector quantity. If the final speed is less than the initial speed, the acceleration is in
the opposite direction to motion and will be negative. This indicates a deceleration.

The equation for acceleration can be rearranged in terms of the final velocity, v

𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡

Example

A car is travelling with an initial velocity of 15 m/s. The driver presses the accelerator pedal and the
car accelerates at a rate of 2 m/s2 for 4 s. Calculate the final velocity of the car.

v=? v = u + at

u = 15 m/s = 15 + (2x4)

a = 2 m/s2 = 23 m/s

t=4s

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 St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

Velocity-time graphs

Velocity-time graphs provide a useful way of displaying the motion of an object.

They can be used to:

1) Describe the motion of the object in detail.

2) Calculate values for accelerations and decelerations using gradients.
3) Calculate distances travelled and resultant displacements using area under graph.
4) Calculate the average velocity for a journey.

velocity (m/s)

velocity (m/s)
velocity (m/s)
velocity (m/s)

0 0 0 0
0 time (s) 0 time (s) 0 time (s) 0 time (s)

constant velocity constant acceleration constant deceleration

constant
deceleration to
rest, then constant
acceleration in the
opposite direction

(Note: Speed-time graphs are also used, but a speed-time graph would not show any change in
direction).

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St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

Example

The graph below shows the motion of a car over 35 seconds.

18
16
14
12
velocity (m/s)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
time (s)

(a) Describe the motion of the car during the 35 seconds

(b) Calculate the acceleration between 0 and 10 seconds
(c) Calculate the acceleration between 30 and 35 seconds
(d) Calculate the final displacement of the car from the starting position
(e) Calculate the average velocity during the 35 seconds.

Solution

(a) 0→10 seconds: constant acceleration from rest to 16 m/s

10→30 seconds: constant velocity of 16 m/s
30→35 seconds constant deceleration from 16 m/s to rest.

𝑣−𝑢
(b) a = ? 𝑎=
𝑡
16−0
v = 16 m/s =
10
u= 0 = 1.6 m/s2
t = 10 s

𝑣−𝑢
(c) a = ? 𝑎=
𝑡
0−16
v = 0 m/s =
5
u= 16 m/s = - 3.2 m/s2
t = (35-30)=5 s

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St. Columba’s School, Kilmacolm – I Spencer

(d) displacement = area under v-t graph

= (½ x 10 x 16) + (20 x 16) + (½ x 5 x 16)
= 80 + 320 + 40
= 440 m

𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
(e) average velocity = ? 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
440
displacement = 440 m = 35
time = 35 s = 12.6 m/s

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