FSD Physics Equations of Motion
Chapter 2 Equations of Motion
Introduction
In Physics, motion is a change in position of an object with respect to time and its
reference point. Motion is typically described in terms
of displacement, direction, velocity,acceleration, and time. Motion is observed by
attaching a frame of reference to a body and measuring its change in position
relative to that frame.
If the position of a body is not changing with the time with respect to a given frame of
reference the body is said to be at rest, motionless, immobile, stationary, or to have
constant (time-invariant) position. An object's motion cannot change unless it is
acted upon by a force, as described by Newton's first law.
State what is meant by distance and displacement.
Distance refers to the total length of the path travelled by an object
Displacement is the distance in straight line between initial and final position.
State what is meant by speed.
Calculate speed using distance travelled / time taken
Speed
Speed is the rate of change of distance. It is a scalar quantity, and its SI unit is m/s.
The speed of an object can be calculated using the following formula:
Question 1
Calculate the average speed of a motor car that travels 500 m in 20 seconds.
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FSD Physics Equations of Motion
Question 2
A horse canters at an average speed of 5 m/s for 2 minutes. Cacluate the distance it travels.
State what is meant by velocity.
Calculate velocity using displacement travelled / time taken
Velocity
Velocity is the rate of change of displacement. It is a vector quantity and its SI unit
is m/s.
The velocity of an object can be calculated using the following formula:
Question 3
A car travels 150 kilometers in 3 hours. What is the velocity of the car in kilometers per hour?
Question 4
If a train moves at a constant velocity of 80 kilometers per hour, how far will it travel in 4 hours?
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FSD Physics Equations of Motion
Both cars have the same speed. Car
A has a velocity of + 10 m/s. Car B
has a velocity of -10 m/s.
※ Quiz: Distinguish between speed and velocity.
State what is meant by uniform acceleration and calculate the value of an
acceleration using change in velocity / time taken
Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. It is a vector quantity and its SI unit
is m/s2.
The acceleration of an object can be expressed as the following formula:
a = acceleration in m/s2.
v = final velocity in m/s
u= initial velocity in m/s
t = time taken in s.
Question 5
Calculate the acceleration of a car that travels from 0 m/s to 28 m/s in 10 seconds
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FSD Physics Equations of Motion
Graphical representation of motion
distance – time graph
A distance-time graph for a bicycle travelling down a hill.
The graph slopes when the bicycle is moving. The slope gets steeper when the
bicycle goes faster. The slope is straight (has a constant gradient) when the
bicycle's speed is constant. The line is horizontal when the bicycle is at rest.
Steady speed is shown by a Steady acceleration is shown by a
straight line. smooth curve. 4
FSD Physics Equations of Motion
velocity – time graph or speed – time graph
• A velocity-time graph provides information on speed or velocity, acceleration and
distance travelled.
Steady velocity is shown by a Steady acceleration is shown by a line
horizontal line. sloping up.
In the graph above left, the object is already moving when the graph begins. If the
object starts with a velocity of zero, then the line starts from the origin as shown in the
graph above right.
3. area under the graph
The area under a velocity-time graph gives you the distance travelled, because
distance= velocity x time. Always make sure the units are consistent, so if the velocity is
in km/h, you must use time in hours too.
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FSD Physics Equations of Motion
Question 5
Calculate the acceleration of a car that travels from 0 s to 40 s shown above.
Question 6
Calculate the total distance that the car travels from 0 s to 100 s.
Question 7
Calculate the average speed of the car during the whole jouney.
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FSD Physics Equations of Motion
Distance 路程
Displacement 位移
Magnitude 大小
Direction 方向
Motion 运动
Speed 速率
Velocity 速度
Initial velocity 初速度
Final velocity 末速度
Instantaneous velocity 即时速度
Average velocity 平均速度
Gradient 斜率
Acceleration 加速度
Accelerate 加速运动
Deceleration/ Retardation 减速度
Uniform/ Non-uniform speed 匀速/非匀速
Uniform/ Non-uniform acceleration 匀加速/非匀加速
Time interval 一段时间
Free fall 自由落体运动
Resistance 阻碍
