Motion (Solutions)

Motion — Solutions

Full worked solutions, with method and final answer for every part.

Question 1

(a)a = (v − u) / t, with u = 0.

a = (24 − 0) ÷ 8.0 = 3.0 m/s²
(b)Use s = ½(u + v)t for uniform acceleration.

s = ½(0 + 24)(8.0) = 96 m
(c)A straight line starting at the origin (v = 0) and rising with constant positive gradient to (8.0 s, 24 m/s) — the gradient represents the acceleration.

Straight line through the origin, constant positive slope
Question 2

(a)v = u + gt, with u = 0.

v = 0 + (10 × 3.0) = 30 m/s
(b)s = ½gt².

s = ½ × 10 × 3.0² = 45 m
Question 3

(a)Distance = area under the velocity-time graph: a rectangle (constant speed) plus a triangle (deceleration).

Constant phase: 15 × 40 = 600 m. Decelerating phase: ½ × 15 × 10 = 75 m. Total = 675 m
(b)Average speed = total distance ÷ total time.

675 ÷ 50 = 13.5 m/s
Question 4

(a)Speed is a scalar (magnitude only); velocity is a vector (magnitude AND direction).

Speed = scalar, velocity = vector
(b)Average speed uses total distance travelled (400 m); average velocity uses displacement, which is zero since the runner returns to the start.

Average speed = 400 ÷ 50 = 8 m/s. Average velocity = 0 m/s, because displacement = 0
Question 5

(a)v = u + at.

v = 5 + (2×6) = 17 m/s
(b)s = ut + ½at².

s = (5×6) + ½(2)(6²) = 30 + 36 = 66 m
Question 6

(a)Rearrange v² = u² + 2as with u = 0.

v = √(2×4×50) = √400 = 20 m/s
Question 7

(a)a = (v − u)/t.

a = (0 − 30)/5 = −6 m/s² (a deceleration of 6 m/s²)
Question 8

(a)Area under a velocity-time graph = distance. This is a trapezium: ½(v₁+v₂)×t.

½(10+20)×4 = 60 m
Question 9

(a)When two objects move toward each other, their speeds relative to one another add together.

20 + 15 = 35 m/s
Question 10

(a)Average speed is the total distance divided by total time for the whole journey; instantaneous speed is the speed at one specific moment. They differ whenever speed is changing during the journey — e.g. a car's average speed over a trip with traffic stops is lower than its instantaneous speed while cruising on a clear motorway.

Average speed = total distance/total time; instantaneous speed = speed at one moment; they differ whenever speed varies during the journey

Book a free trial class

Tell us a little about your requirement.