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
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