Chapter 2

Motion in One Dimension

Conceptual Problems

1 • What is the average velocity over the ″round trip″ of an object that is
launched straight up from the ground and falls straight back down to the ground?

Determine the Concept The "average velocity" is being requested as opposed to

"average speed."

The average velocity is defined as Δy

the change in position or vav =
Δt
displacement divided by the change
in time.

The change in position for any Δy 0

"round trip" is zero by definition. So vav = = = 0
Δt Δt
the average velocity for any round
trip must also be zero.

2 • An object thrown straight up falls back and is caught at the same place it
is launched from. Its time of flight is T, its maximum height is H. Neglect air
resistance. The correct expression for its average speed for the entire flight is
(a) H/T, (b) 0, (c) H/(2T), and (d) 2H/T.

Determine the Concept The important concept here is that "average speed" is
being requested as opposed to "average velocity".

Under all circumstances, including constant acceleration, the definition of the

average speed is the ratio of the total distance traveled (H + H) to the elapsed
time, in this case 2H/T. (d ) is correct.

Remarks: Because this motion involves a round trip, if the question asked for
"average velocity," the answer would be zero.

3 • Using the information in the previous question, what is its average speed
just for the first half of the trip? What is its average velocity for the second half of
the trip? (Answer in terms of H and T.)

Determine the Concept Under all circumstances, including constant

acceleration, the definition of the average speed is the ratio of the total distance
traveled to the elapsed time. The average velocity, on the other hand, is the ratio
of the displacement to the elapsed time.

53
54 Chapter 2

The average speed for the first half H 2H

of the trip is the height to which the vav 1st half = 1
=
T T
object rises divided by one-half its 2

time of flight:

The average velocity for the second −H 2H

half of the trip is the distance the velav 2nd half = 1
= −
2T T
object falls divided by one-half its
time of flight:

Remarks: We could also say that the average velocity for the second half of
the trip is −2H/T.

4 • Give an everyday example of one-dimensional motion where (a) the

velocity is westward and the acceleration is eastward, and (b) the velocity is
northward and the acceleration is northward.

Determine the Concept The important concept here is that a = dv/dt, where a is
the acceleration and v is the velocity. Thus, the acceleration is positive if dv is
positive; the acceleration is negative if dv is negative.

(a) An example of one-dimensional motion where the velocity is westward and

acceleration is eastward is a car traveling westward and slowing down.

(b)An example of one-dimensional motion where the velocity is northward and

the acceleration is northward is a car traveling northward and speeding up.

5 • [SSM] Stand in the center of a large room. Call the direction to your
right ″positive,″ and the direction to your left ″negative.″ Walk across the room
along a straight line, using a constant acceleration to quickly reach a steady speed
along a straight line in the negative direction. After reaching this steady speed,
keep your velocity negative but make your acceleration positive. (a) Describe
how your speed varied as you walked. (b) Sketch a graph of x versus t for your
motion. Assume you started at x = 0. (c) Directly under the graph of Part (b),
sketch a graph of vx versus t.

Determine the Concept The important concept is that when both the acceleration
and the velocity are in the same direction, the speed increases. On the other hand,
when the acceleration and the velocity are in opposite directions, the speed
decreases.

(a) Your speed increased from zero, stayed constant for a while, and then
decreased.
 Motion in One Dimension 55

(b) A graph of your position as a x

function of time is shown to the right.
t
Note that the slope starts out equal to
zero, becomes more negative as the
speed increases, remains constant while
your speed is constant, and becomes
less negative as your speed decreases.

(c) The graph of v(t) consists of a v x

straight line with negative slope (your

t
acceleration is constant and negative)
starting at (0,0), then a flat line for a
while (your acceleration is zero), and
finally an approximately straight line
with a positive slope heading to v = 0.

6 • True/false: The displacement always equals the product of the average

velocity and the time interval. Explain your choice.

Determine the Concept True. We can use the definition of average velocity to
express the displacement Δx as Δx = vavΔt. Note that, if the acceleration is
constant, the average velocity is also given by vav = (vi + vf)/2.

7 • Is the statement ″for an object’s velocity to remain constant, its

acceleration must remain zero″ true or false? Explain your choice.

Determine the Concept True. Acceleration is the slope of the velocity versus
time curve, a = dv/dt; while velocity is the slope of the position versus time curve,
v = dx/dt. The speed of an object is the magnitude of its velocity. Zero
acceleration implies that the velocity is constant. If the velocity is constant
(including zero), the speed must also be constant.

8 • Draw careful graphs of the position and velocity and acceleration over
the time period 0 ≤ t ≤ 30 s for a cart that, in succession, has the following
motion. The cart is moving at the constant speed of 5.0 m/s in the +x direction. It
passes by the origin at t = 0.0 s. It continues on at 5.0 m/s for 5.0 s, after which it
gains speed at the constant rate of 0.50 m/s each second for 10.0 s. After gaining
speed for 10.0 s, the cart loses speed at the constant rate of 0.50 m/s for the next
15.0 s.

Determine the Concept Velocity is the slope of the position versus time curve
and acceleration is the slope of the velocity versus time curve. The following
graphs were plotted using a spreadsheet program.
56 Chapter 2

160
140
120
100

x, m
80
60
40
20
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
t, s

10
9
8
7
6
v, m/s

5
4
3
2
1
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
t, s

0.6

0.4

0.2
a , m/s^2

-0.2

-0.4

-0.6
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
t, s
 Motion in One Dimension 57

9 • True/false; Average velocity always equals one-half the sum of the

initial and final velocities. Explain your choice.

Determine the Concept False. The average velocity is defined (for any
acceleration) as the change in position (the displacement) divided by the change
in time vav = Δx Δt . It is always valid. If the acceleration remains constant the
average velocity is also given by
v +v
vav = i f
2
Consider an engine piston moving up and down as an example of non-constant
velocity. For one complete cycle, vf = vi and xi = xf so vav = Δx/Δt is zero. The
formula involving the mean of vf and vi cannot be applied because the acceleration
is not constant, and yields an incorrect nonzero value of vi.

10 • Identical twin brothers standing on a horizontal bridge each throw a rock

straight down into the water below. They throw rocks at exactly the same time,
but one hits the water before the other. How can this be? Explain what they did
differently. Ignore any effects due to air resistance.

Determine the Concept This can occur if the rocks have different initial speeds.
Ignoring air resistance, the acceleration is constant. Choose a coordinate system in
which the origin is at the point of release and upward is the positive direction.
From the constant-acceleration equation y = y0 + v0t + 12 at 2 we see that the only
way two objects can have the same acceleration (–g in this case) and cover the
same distance, Δy = y – y0, in different times would be if the initial velocities of
the two rocks were different. Actually, the answer would be the same whether or
not the acceleration is constant. It is just easier to see for the special case of
constant acceleration.

11 •• [SSM] Dr. Josiah S. Carberry stands at the top of the Sears Tower in
Chicago. Wanting to emulate Galileo, and ignoring the safety of the pedestrians
below, he drops a bowling ball from the top of the tower. One second later, he
drops a second bowling ball. While the balls are in the air, does their separation
(a) increase over time, (b) decrease, (c) stay the same? Ignore any effects due to
air resistance.

Determine the Concept Neglecting air resistance, the balls are in free fall, each
with the same free-fall acceleration, which is a constant.

At the time the second ball is released, the first ball is already moving. Thus,
during any time interval their velocities will increase by exactly the same amount.
What can be said about the speeds of the two balls? The first ball will always be
moving faster than the second ball. This being the case, what happens to the
separation of the two balls while they are both falling? Their separation
increases. (a ) is correct.
58 Chapter 2

12 •• Which of the position-versus-time curves in Figure 2-28 best shows the

motion of an object (a) with positive acceleration, (b) with constant positive
velocity, (c) that is always at rest, and (d) with negative acceleration? (There may
be more than one correct answer for each part of the problem.)

Determine the Concept The slope of an x(t) curve at any point in time represents
the speed at that instant. The way the slope changes as time increases gives the
sign of the acceleration. If the slope becomes less negative or more positive as
time increases (as you move to the right on the time axis), then the acceleration is
positive. If the slope becomes less positive or more negative, then the
acceleration is negative. The slope of the slope of an x(t) curve at any point in
time represents the acceleration at that instant.

(a) The correct answer is (d ) . The slope of curve (d) is positive and increasing.
Therefore the velocity and acceleration are positive. We need more information to
conclude that a is constant.

(b) The correct answer is (b) . The slope of curve (b) is positive and constant.
Therefore the velocity is positive and constant.

(c) The correct answer is (e ) . The slope of curve (e) is zero. Therefore, the
velocity and acceleration are zero.

(d) The correct answers are (a ) and (c ) . The slope of curve (a) is negative and
becomes more negative as time increases. Therefore the velocity is negative and
the acceleration is negative. The slope of curve (c) is positive and decreasing.
Therefore the velocity is positive and the acceleration is negative.

13 •• [SSM] Which of the velocity-versus-time curves in figure 2-29 best

describes the motion of an object (a) with constant positive acceleration, (b) with
positive acceleration that is decreasing with time, (c) with positive acceleration
that is increasing with time, and (d) with no acceleration? (There may be more
than one correct answer for each part of the problem.)

Determine the Concept The slope of a v(t) curve at any point in time represents
the acceleration at that instant.

(a) The correct answer is (b ) . The slope of curve (b) is constant and positive.
Therefore the acceleration is constant and positive.

(b) The correct answer is (c ) . The slope of curve (c) is positive and decreasing
with time. Therefore the acceleration is positive and decreasing with time.
 Motion in One Dimension 59

(c) The correct answer is (d ) . The slope of curve (d) is positive and increasing
with time. Therefore the acceleration is positive and increasing with time.

(d) The correct answer is (e ) . The slope of curve (e) is zero. Therefore the
velocity is constant and the acceleration is zero.

14 •• The diagram in Figure 2-30 tracks the location of an object moving in a

straight line along the x axis. Assume that the object is at the origin at t = 0. Of the
five times shown, which time (or times) represents when the object is (a) farthest
from the origin, (b) at rest for an instant, (c) moving away from the origin?

Determine the Concept Because this graph is of distance-versus-time we can use

its displacement from the time axis to draw conclusions about how far the object
is from the origin. We can also use the instantaneous slope of the graph to decide
whether the object is at rest and whether it is moving toward or away from the
origin.

(a) The correct answer is B . Because the object’s initial position is at x = 0,

point B represents the instant that the object is farthest from x = 0.

(b) The correct answers are B and D. Because the slope of the graph is zero at
points B and D, the velocity of the object is zero and it is at rest at these points.

(c) The correct answer is A. Because the slope of the graph is positive at point
A, the velocity of the object is positive and it is moving away from the origin.

15 •• [SSM] An object moves along a straight line. Its position versus

time graph is shown in Figure 2-30. At which time or times is its (a) speed at a
minimum, (b) acceleration positive, and (c) velocity negative?

Determine the Concept Because this graph is of distance-versus-time we can use

its instantaneous slope to describe the object’s speed, velocity, and acceleration.

(a) The minimum speed is zero at B, D, and E . In the one-dimensional motion

shown in the figure, the velocity is a minimum when the slope of a position-
versus-time plot goes to zero (i.e., the curve becomes horizontal). At these points,
the slope of the position-versus-time curve is zero; therefore, the speed is zero.

(b) The acceleration is positive at points A and D. Because the slope of the
graph is increasing at these points, the velocity of the object is increasing and its
acceleration is positive.
60 Chapter 2

(c) The velocity is negative at point C. Because the slope of the graph is
negative at point C, the velocity of the object is negative.

16 •• For each of the four graphs of x versus t in Figure 2-31 answer the
following questions. (a) Is the velocity at time t2 greater than, less than, or equal
to the velocity at time t1? (b) Is the speed at time t2 greater than, less than, or equal
to the speed at time t1?

Determine the Concept In one-dimensional motion, the velocity is the slope of a

position-versus-time plot and can be either positive or negative. On the other
hand, the speed is the magnitude of the velocity and can only be positive. We’ll
use v to denote velocity and the word ″speed″ for how fast the object is moving.

(a) (b)
curve a: v(t 2 ) < v(t1 ) curve a: speed(t 2 ) < speed(t1 )
curve b: v(t 2 ) = v(t1 ) curve b: speed(t 2 ) = speed(t1 )
curve c: v(t 2 ) > v(t1 ) curve c: speed(t 2 ) < speed(t1 )
curve d: v(t 2 ) < v(t1 ) curve d: speed(t 2 ) > speed(t1 )

17 •• True/false: Explain your reasoning for each answer. If the answer is true,
give an example.

(a) If the acceleration of an object is always zero, then it cannot be moving.

(b) If the acceleration of an object is always zero, then its x-versus-t curve must be
a straight line.
(c) If the acceleration of an object is nonzero at an instant, it may be momentarily
at rest at that instant.

(a) False. An object moving in a straight line with constant speed has zero
acceleration.

(b) True. If the acceleration of the object is zero, then its speed must be constant.
The graph of x-versus-t for an object moving with constant speed is a straight line.

(c) True. A ball thrown upward is momentarily at rest when it is at the top of its
trajectory. Its acceleration, however, is non-zero at this instant. Its value is the
same as it was just before it came to rest and after it has started its descent.

18 •• A hard-thrown tennis ball is moving horizontally when it bangs into a

vertical concrete wall at perpendicular incidence. The ball rebounds straight back
off the wall. Neglect any effects due to gravity for the small time interval
described here. Assume that towards the wall is the +x direction. What are the
directions of its velocity and acceleration (a) just before hitting the wall, (b) at
maximum impact, and (c) just after leaving the wall.
 Motion in One Dimension 61

Determine the Concept The tennis ball will be moving with constant velocity
immediately before and after its collision with the concrete wall. It will be
accelerated during the duration of its collision with the wall.

(a) Just before hitting the wall the velocity of the ball is to the right and, because
its velocity is constant, its acceleration is zero.

(b) At maximum impact, the ball is reversing direction and its velocity is zero. Its
acceleration is to the left.

(c) Just after leaving the wall, the velocity of the ball is to the left and constant.
Because its velocity is constant, its acceleration is zero.

19 •• [SSM] A ball is thrown straight up. Neglect any effects due to air
resistance. (a) What is the velocity of the ball at the top of its flight? (b) What is
its acceleration at that point? (c) What is different about the velocity and
acceleration at the top of the flight if instead the ball impacts a horizontal ceiling
very hard and then returns.

Determine the Concept In the absence of air resistance, the ball will experience a
constant acceleration. In the graph that follows, a coordinate system was chosen
in which the origin is at the point of release and the upward direction is positive.
The graph shows the velocity of a ball that has been thrown straight upward with
an initial speed of 30 m/s as a function of time.

(a) v top of flight = 0

(b) Note that the acceleration of the ball is the same at every point of its
trajectory, including the point at which v = 0 (at the top of its flight).
Hence a top of flight = − g

(c) If the ball impacts a horizontal ceiling very hard and then returns, its velocity
at the top of its flight is still zero and its acceleration is still downward but greater
than g in magnitude.

20 •• An object that is launched straight up from the ground, reaches a

maximum height H, and falls straight back down to the ground, hitting it T
seconds after launch. Neglect any effects due to air resistance. (a) Express the
average speed for the entire trip as a function of H and T. (b) Express the average
speed for the same interval of time as a function of the initial launch speed v0.

Picture the Problem The average speed is being requested as opposed to average
velocity. We can use the definition of average speed as distance traveled divided
by the elapsed time and expression for the average speed of an object when it is
experiencing constant acceleration to express vav in terms of v0.
62 Chapter 2

(a) The average speed is defined total distance traveled

as the total distance traveled vav =
total time
divided by the change in time:

Substitute for the total distance H +H 2H

traveled and the total time and vav = =
T T
simplify to obtain:

(b) Express the average speed for the v0 + 0 H

upward flight of the object: vav,up = = 1 ⇒ H = 14 v0T
2 2T

Express the average speed for the 0 + v0 H

downward flight of the object: vav,down = = 1 ⇒ H = 14 v0T
2 2T

Substitute in our expression for vav in v0T + 14 v0T

1

(a) and simplify to obtain: vav = 4

= 12 v0
T
Because v0 ≠ 0 , the average speed is
not zero.

Remarks: 1) Because this motion involves a roundtrip, if the question asked

for ″average velocity″, the answer would be zero. 2) Another easy way to
obtain this result is take the absolute value of the velocity of the object to
obtain a graph of its speed as a function of time. A simple geometric
argument leads to the result we obtained above.

21 •• A small lead ball is thrown directly upward. Neglect any effects due to air
resistance. True or false: (a) The magnitude of its acceleration decreases on the
way up. (b) The direction of its acceleration on its way down is opposite to the
direction of its acceleration on its way up. (c) The direction of its velocity on its
way down is opposite to the direction of its velocity on its way up.

Determine the Concept Acceleration is the slope of the velocity-versus-time

curve, a = dv/dt, while velocity is the slope of the position-versus-time curve,
v = dx/dt.

(a) False. The velocity of the ball decreases at a steady rate. This means that the
acceleration of the ball is constant.

(b) False. Again, zero acceleration implies that the velocity remains constant.
This means that the x-versus-t curve has a constant slope (i.e., a straight line).
Note: This does not necessarily mean a zero-slope line.

(c) True. On the way up the velocity vector points upward and on the way down it
points downward.
 Motion in One Dimension 63

22 •• At t = 0, object A is dropped from the roof of a building. At the same

instant, object B is dropped from a window 10 m below the roof. Air resistance is
negligible. During the descent of B to the ground, the distance between the two
objects (a) is proportional to t, (b) is proportional to t2, (c) decreases, (d) remains
10 m throughout.

Determine the Concept Both objects experience the same constant acceleration.
Choose a coordinate system in which downward is the positive direction and use a
constant-acceleration equation to express the position of each object as a function
of time.

Using constant-acceleration xA = x0, A + v0t + 12 gt 2

equations, express the positions of
and
both objects as functions of time:
xB = x0, B + v0t + 12 gt 2
where v0 = 0.

Express the separation of the two xB − xA = x0,B − x0.A = 10 m

objects by evaluating xB − xA:
(d ) is correct.

23 •• You are driving a Porsche that accelerates uniformly from 80.5 km/h
(50 mi/h) at t = 0.00 to 113 km/h (70 mi/h) at t = 9.00 s. (a) Which graph in
Figure 2-32 best describes the velocity of your car? (b) Sketch a position-versus-
time graph showing the location of your car during these nine seconds, assuming
we let its position x be zero at t = 0.

Determine the Concept Because the Porsche accelerates uniformly, we need to

look for a graph that represents constant acceleration.

(a) Because the Porsche has a constant acceleration that is positive (the velocity is
increasing), we must look for a velocity-versus-time curve with a positive
constant slope and a nonzero intercept. Such a graph is shown in (c ).

(b) Use the data given in the problem statement to determine that the acceleration
of the Porsche is 1.00 m/s2 and that its initial speed is 22.4 m/s. The equation
describing the position of the car as a function of time is
( ) ( )
x = 22.4 m/s 2 t + 12 1.00 m/s 2 t 2 .
64 Chapter 2

The following graph of this equation was plotted using a spreadsheet program.

250

200

150
x, m

100

50

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

t, s

24 •• A small heavy object is dropped from rest and falls a distance D in a

time T. After it has fallen for a time 2T, what will be its (a) fall distance from its
initial location in terms of D, (b) its speed in terms of D and t, and (c) its
acceleration? (Neglect air resistance.)

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the object experiences
constant acceleration. Choose a coordinate system in which the downward
direction is positive and use the constant-acceleration equation to describe its
motion.

(a) Relate the distance D that the x(t ) = D = 12 gt 2 (1)

object, released from rest, falls in
time t:

Evaluate x(2t) to obtain: x(2t ) = 12 g (2t ) = 2 gt 2

2
(2)

Dividing equation (2) by equation x(2t ) 2 gt 2

(1) and simplifying yields: = 1 2 = 4 ⇒ x(2t ) = 4 D
D 2 gt

(b) Express the speed of the object as v = v0 + gt

a function of time: or, because v0 = 0,
v = gt (3)

Solving equation (1) for g yields: 2x

g=
t2
 Motion in One Dimension 65

Substitute for g in equation (3) to 2x 2x

obtain: v= 2
t= (4)
t t

Evaluating equation (4) at time 2t 2 x(2t ) 4D

and simplifying yields: v(2t ) = =
2t t

(c) The acceleration of the object is independent of time (that is, it is constant) and
is equal to g .

25 •• In a race, at an instant when two horses are running right next to each
other and in the same direction (the +x direction). Horse A's instantaneous
velocity and acceleration are +10 m/s and +2.0 m/s2 respectively, and horse B's
instantaneous velocity and acceleration are +12 m/s and –1.0 m/s2 respectively.
Which horse is passing the other at this instant? Explain.

Determine the Concept The information about the horses’ accelerations is

irrelevant to the determination of which horse is passing the other at this instant.
The horse running with the greater instantaneous velocity will by passing the
slower horse. Hence B is passing A. The accelerations are relevant to the
determination of which horse will be in the lead at some later time.

26 •• True or false: (a) The equation x − x0 = v0 x t + 12 a x t 2 is always valid for

all particle motion in one dimension. (b) If the velocity at a given instant is zero,
the acceleration at that instant must also be zero. (c) The equation Δx = vavΔt
holds for all particle motion in one dimension.

Determine the Concept As long as the acceleration remains constant the

following constant-acceleration equations hold. If the acceleration is not constant,
they do not, in general, give correct results except by coincidence.
vi + vf
x = x0 + v0t + 12 at 2 v = v0 + at v 2 = v02 + 2aΔx vav =
2

(a) False. This statement is true if and only if the acceleration is constant.

(b) False. Consider a rock thrown straight up into the air. At the "top" of its
flight, the velocity is zero but it is changing (otherwise the velocity would remain
zero and the rock would hover); therefore the acceleration is not zero.

(c) True. The definition of average velocity, vav = Δx Δt , requires that this always
be true.
66 Chapter 2

27 •• If an object is moving in a straight line at constant acceleration, its

instantaneous velocity halfway through any time interval is (a) greater than its
average velocity, (b) less than its average velocity, (c) equal to its average
velocity, (d) half its average velocity, (e) twice its average velocity.

Determine the Concept Because the acceleration of the object is constant, the
constant-acceleration equations can be used to describe its motion. The special
v +v
expression for average velocity for constant acceleration is vav = i f . (c ) is
2
correct.

28 •• A turtle, seeing his owner put some fresh lettuce on the opposite side of
his terrarium, begins to accelerate (at a constant rate) from rest at time t = 0,
heading directly toward the food. Let t1 be the time at which the turtle has
covered half the distance to his lunch. Derive an expression for the ratio of t2 to
t1, where t2 is the time at which the turtle reaches the lettuce.

Picture the Problem We are asked, essentially, to determine the time t2, at which
a displacement, Δx, is twice what it was at an earlier time, t1. The turtle is
crawling with constant acceleration so we can use the constant-acceleration
equation Δx = v0 x Δt + 12 a x (Δt ) to describe the turtle’s displacement as a function
2

of time.

Express the displacement Δt of the Δx = v0 x Δt + 12 a x (Δt )

2

turtle at the end of a time interval Δt: or, because v0x = 0,

Δx = 12 a x (Δt )
2

For the two time intervals: Δx1 = 12 a x t12 and Δx2 = 12 a x t 22

Express the ratio of Δx2 to Δx1 to Δx2 12 a x t 22 t 22

obtain: = = (1)
Δx1 12 a x t12 t12

We’re given that: Δx2

=2
Δx1

Substitute in equation (1) and t 22 t

simplify to obtain: 2
= 2⇒ 2 = 2
t1 t1

29 •• [SSM] The positions of two cars in parallel lanes of a straight stretch

of highway are plotted as functions of time in the Figure 2-33.Take positive
values of x as being to the right of the origin. Qualitatively answer the following:
(a) Are the two cars ever side by side? If so, indicate that time (those times) on
the axis. (b) Are they always traveling in the same direction, or are they moving
in opposite directions for some of the time? If so, when? (c) Are they ever
 Motion in One Dimension 67

traveling at the same velocity? If so, when? (d) When are the two cars the farthest
apart?

Determine the Concept Given the positions of the two cars as a function of time,
we can use the intersections of the curves and their slopes to answer these
questions.

(a) Yes, when the graphs intersect

(b) Yes, when the slopes of the curves have opposite signs
(c) Yes, when the curves have the same slope,
(d) The two cars are farthest apart at the instant the two curves are farthest apart in
the x direction.

30 •• A car driving at constant velocity passes the origin at time t = 0. At

the instant the car passes, a truck, at rest at the origin, begins to accelerate
uniformly from rest. Figure 2-34 shows a qualitative plot of the velocities of truck
and car as functions of time. Compare their displacements (from the origin),
velocities, and accelerations at the instant that their curves intersect.

Determine the Concept The graph is a plot of velocity versus time. Thus, where
the two curves cross, the truck and car are, at that instant, moving with equal
velocities. The slope of a velocity versus time curve is equal to the instantaneous
acceleration – thus, since the curve that represents the truck’s velocity has a
positive slope, and the car’s curve has zero slope, the truck is accelerating at a
higher rate than the car. Finally, the displacements of the two cars are determined
by calculating the areas under the curves. In this instance, the curve representing
the truck’s velocity as a function of time encloses a triangular area that is exactly
half that of the curve representing the car’s velocity. Thus, at the instant
represented by point P, the truck has gone half as far as has the car.

31 •• Josie is out for a morning jog, and during the course of her run on a
straight track, has a velocity that depends upon time as shown in Figure 2-35.
That is, she begins at rest, and ends at rest, peaking at a maximum velocity vmax at
an arbitrary time tmax. A second runner, Reginald, runs throughout the time
interval t = 0 to t = tf at a constant speed vR, so that each has the same
displacement during the time interval. Note: tf is NOT twice tmax, but represents
an arbitrary time. What is the relationship between vR and vmax?

Determine the Concept In this problem we are presented with curves

representing the velocity as a function of time for both runners. The area under
each curve represents the displacement for each runner and we are told that Josie
and Reginald each have the same displacement during the time interval of length
tf. Since this is the case, we can find the relationship between vR and vmax by
equating the areas under the two curves.
68 Chapter 2

Express the condition on the ΔxR = ΔxJ (1)

displacement of the two runners:

Reginald runs at a constant velocity v ΔxR = vR t f

for the whole of the time interval.
Express his displacement ΔxR:

Josie has a different velocity profile, ΔxJ = 12 vmax t f

one which results in a triangle of
height vmax and length tf. Express her
displacement ΔxJ:

Substitute for ΔxR and ΔxJ in vR t f = 12 vmax t f ⇒ vR = 1

vmax
2
equation (1) and simplify to obtain:

32 •• Which graph (or graphs), if any, of v versus t in Figure 2-36 best

describes the motion of a particle with (a) positive velocity and increasing speed,
(b) positive velocity and zero acceleration, (c) constant non-zero acceleration, and
(d) a speed decrease?

Determine the Concept The velocity of the particle is positive if the curve is
above the v = 0 line (the t axis), and the acceleration is positive if the curve has a
positive slope. The speed of the particle is the magnitude of its velocity.

(a) Graph (c ) describes the motion of a particle with positive velocity and
increasing speed because v(t) is above the t axis and has a positive slope.

(b) Graph (a ) describes the motion of a particle with positive velocity and zero
acceleration because v(t) is above the t axis and its slope is zero.

(c) Graphs (c ), (d ) and (e ) describe the motion of a particle with constant non-
zero acceleration because v(t) is linear and has a non-zero slope.

(d) Graph (e ) describes the motion of a particle with a speed decrease because
it shows the speed of the particle decreasing with time.

33 •• Which graph (or graphs), if any, of vx versus t in Figure 2-36 best

describes the motion of a particle with (a) negative velocity and increasing speed,
(b) negative velocity and zero acceleration, (c) variable acceleration, and (d)
increasing speed?

Determine the Concept The velocity of the particle is positive if the curve is
above the v = 0 line (the t axis), and the acceleration is positive if the curve has a
 Motion in One Dimension 69

positive slope. The speed of the particle is the magnitude of its velocity.

(a) Graph (d ) describes the motion of a particle with negative velocity and
increasing speed because v(t) is below the t axis and has a negative slope.

(b) Graph (b ) describes the motion of a particle with negative velocity and zero
acceleration because v(t) is below the t axis and its slope is zero.

(c) None of these graphs describe the motion of a particle with a variable
acceleration because v(t) is linear.

(d) Graphs (c ) and (d ) describe the motion of a particle with an increasing

speed because they show the speed of the particle increasing with time.

34 •• Sketch a v-versus-t curve for each of the following conditions:

(a) Acceleration is constant but not zero. (b) Velocity and acceleration are both
positive. (c) Velocity and acceleration are both negative. (d) Velocity is positive
and acceleration is negative. (e) Velocity is negative and acceleration is positive.
(f) Velocity is momentarily zero but the acceleration is not zero.

Determine the Concept Acceleration is the slope of a velocity-versus-time curve.

(a) Acceleration is constant but not v

zero.

(b) Velocity and acceleration are both v

positive.

(c) Velocity and acceleration are both v

negative. t

(d) Velocity is positive and v

acceleration is negative.

t
70 Chapter 2

(e) Velocity is negative and v

acceleration is positive. t

(f) Velocity is momentarily zero at v

the intercept with the t axis but the

acceleration is not zero. t

35 •• Figure 2-37 shows nine graphs of position, velocity, and acceleration

for objects in motion along a straight line. Indicate the graphs that meet the
following conditions: (a) Velocity is constant, (b) velocity reverses its direction,
(c) acceleration is constant, and (d) acceleration is not constant. (e) Which graphs
of position, velocity, and acceleration are mutually consistent?

Determine the Concept Velocity is the slope and acceleration is the slope of the
slope of a position-versus-time curve. Acceleration is the slope of a velocity-
versus-time curve.

(a) Graphs (a ), ( f ), and (i ) describe motion at constant velocity. For constant

velocity, x versus t must be a straight line; v-versus-t must be a horizontal straight
line; and a versus t must be a straight horizontal line at a = 0.

(b) Graphs (c ) and (d ) describe motion in which the velocity reverses its
direction. For velocity to reverse its direction x-versus-t must have a slope
that changes sign and v versus t must cross the time axis. The acceleration
cannot remain zero at all times.

(c) Graphs (a ), (d ), (e ), ( f ), (h), and (i ) describe motion with constant

acceleration. For constant acceleration, x versus t must be a straight line or a
parabola, v versus t must be a straight line, and a versus t must be a horizontal
straight line.
 Motion in One Dimension 71

(d) Graphs (b ), (c ), and ( g ) describe motion with non-constant acceleration. For

non-constant acceleration, x versus t must not be a straight line or a parabola;
v versus t must not be a straight line, or a versus t must not be a horizontal straight
line.

(e) The following pairs of graphs are mutually consistent: (a ) and (i ),

(d ) and (h), and ( f ) and (i ). For two graphs to be mutually consistent, the
curves must be consistent with the definitions of velocity and acceleration.

Estimation and Approximation

36 • While engrossed in thought about the scintillating lecture just delivered

by your physics professor you mistakenly walk directly into the wall (rather than
through the open lecture hall door). Estimate the magnitude of your average
acceleration as you rapidly come to a halt.

Picture the Problem The speed of one’s walk varies from person to person, but
1.0 m/s is reasonable. We also need to estimate a distance within which you
would stop in such a case. We’ll assume a fairly short stopping distance of
1.5 cm. We’ll also assume (unrealistically) that you experience constant
acceleration and choose a coordinate system in which the direction you are
walking is the +x direction.

Using a constant-acceleration vf2 − vi2

equation, relate your final speed to vf2 = vi2 + 2a x Δx ⇒ a x =
2Δx
your initial speed, acceleration, and
displacement while stopping:

Substitute numerical values and 2

evaluate the magnitude of your (0) − ⎛⎜1.0 m ⎞⎟

2

acceleration: ⎝ s⎠
ax = = 33 m/s 2
( −2
2 1.5 × 10 m )

37 • [SSM] Occasionally, people can survive falling large distances if the

surface they land on is soft enough. During a traverse of the Eiger’s infamous
Nordvand, mountaineer Carlos Ragone’s rock anchor gave way and he
plummeted 500 feet to land in snow. Amazingly, he suffered only a few bruises
and a wrenched shoulder. Assuming that his impact left a hole in the snow 4.0 ft
deep, estimate his average acceleration as he slowed to a stop (that is, while he
was impacting the snow).
72 Chapter 2

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, Carlos’ acceleration is

constant. Because all the motion is downward, let’s use a coordinate system in
which downward is the positive direction and the origin is at the point at which
the fall began.

Using a constant-acceleration v22 − v12

equation, relate Carlos’ final velocity v22 = v12 + 2as Δy ⇒ as =
2Δy
v2 to his velocity v1 just before his
impact, his stopping acceleration as or, because v2 = 0,
upon impact, and his stopping v2
as = − 1 (1)
distance Δy: 2Δy

Using a constant-acceleration v12 = v02 + 2afree-fall h

equation, relate Carlos’ speed just
or, because v0 = 0 and afree- fall = g ,
before impact to his acceleration
during free-fall and the distance he v12 = 2 gh
fell h:

Substituting for v12 in equation (1) 2 gh

as = −
yields: 2Δy

Substitute numerical values and

a=−
( )
2 9.81 m/s 2 (500 ft )
evaluate as: 2(4.0 ft )
= − 1.2 ×103 m/s 2

Remarks: The magnitude of this acceleration is about 125g!

38 •• When we solve free-fall problems near the earth, it’s important to

remember that air resistance may play a significant role. If its effects are
significant, we may get answers that are wrong by orders of magnitude if we
ignore it. How can we tell when it is valid to ignore the affects of air resistance?
One way is to realize that air resistance increases with increasing speed. Thus, as
an object falls and its speed increases, its downward acceleration decreases.
Under these circumstances, the object's speed will approach, as a limit, a value
called its terminal speed. This terminal speed depends upon such things as the
mass and cross-sectional area of the body. Upon reaching its terminal speed, its
acceleration is zero. For a ″typical″ skydiver falling through the air, a typical the
terminal speed is about 50 m/s (roughly 120 mph). At half its terminal speed, the
skydiver’s acceleration will be about 34 g . Let’s take half the terminal speed as a
reasonable ″upper bound″ beyond which we shouldn’t use our constant
acceleration free-fall relationships. Assuming the skydiver started from rest,
(a) estimate how far, and for how long, the skydiver falls before we can no longer
neglect air resistance. (b) Repeat the analysis for a ping-pong ball, which has a
terminal speed of about 5.0 m/s. (c) What can you conclude by comparing your
answers for Parts (a) and (b)?
 Motion in One Dimension 73

Picture the Problem Because we’re assuming that the accelerations of the
skydiver and a ping-pong ball are constant to one-half their terminal velocities,
we can use constant-acceleration equations to find the times required for them to
reach their ″upper-bound″ velocities and their distances of fall. Let’s use a
coordinate system in which downward is the positive y direction.

(a) Using a constant-acceleration vupper bound = v0 + gΔt

equation, relate the upper-bound or, because v0 = 0,
velocity to the free-fall acceleration
vupper bound
and the time required to reach this vupper bound = gΔt ⇒ Δt =
velocity: g

Substitute numerical values and 25 m/s

Δt = = 2.55 s ≈ 2.6 s
evaluate Δt: 9.81m/s 2

Using a constant-acceleration Δy = v0 Δt + 12 a(Δt )

2

equation, relate the skydiver’s

or, because v0 = 0 and a = g,
distance of fall to the elapsed time
Δy = 12 g (Δt )
2
Δt:

Substitute numerical values and Δy = 1

2 (9.81m/s ) (2.55 s )
2 2
≈ 32 m
evaluate Δy:

(b) Proceed as in (a) with

Δt =
1
2 (50 m/s) = 0.255 s ≈ 0.26 s
vupper bound = 5.0 m/s to obtain: 9.81 m/s 2
and
Δy = 1
2 (9.81 m/s )(0.255 s)
2 2
≈ 32 cm

(c) The analysis of the motion of a ping-pong ball requires the inclusion of air
resistance for almost any situation, whereas the analysis of the motion of the sky
diver doesn’t require it until the fall distances and times are considerably longer.

39 •• On June 14, 2005 Asafa Powell of the Jamaica set a world’s record for
the 100-m dash with a time t = 9.77 s. Assuming he reached his maximum speed
in 3.00 s, and then maintained that speed until the finish, estimate his acceleration
during the first 3.00 s.

Picture the Problem This is a constant-acceleration problem. Choose a

coordinate system in which the direction Powell is running is the positive x
direction. During the first 3 s of the race his acceleration is positive and during the
rest of the race it is zero. The pictorial representation summarizes what we know
about Powell’s race.
74 Chapter 2

t0 = 0 t1 = 3.00 s t 2 = 9.77 s

x0 = 0 x1 x 2 = 100 m

v0 = 0 v1 = v max v 2 = v max

Express the total distance covered by 100 m = Δx01 + Δx12 (1)

Powell in terms of the distances
covered in the two phases of his
race:

Express the distance he runs getting Δx01 = v0 Δt01 + 12 a01 (Δt01 ) = 12 a(3 s )
2 2

to his maximum velocity:

The distance covered during the rest Δx12 = v max Δt12 + 12 a12 (Δt12 )
2

of the race at the constant maximum

velocity is given by: = (aΔt 01 )Δt12
= a (3.00 s )(6.77 s )

Substitute for these displacements 100 m = 12 a (3.00 s ) + a (3.00 s )(6.77 s )

2

in equation (1) to obtain:

Solving for a yields: 100 m

a=
1
2 (3.00 s ) + (3.00 s )(6.77 s )
2

= 4.03 m/s 2

40 •• The photograph in Figure 2-38 is a short-time exposure (1/30 s) of a

juggler with two tennis balls in the air. (a) The tennis ball near the top of its
trajectory is less blurred than the lower one. Why is that? (b) Estimate the speed
of the ball that he is just releasing from his right hand. (c) Determine how high the
ball should have gone above the launch point and compare it to an estimate from
the picture. (Hint: You have a built-in distance scale if you assume some
reasonable value for the height of the juggler.)

Determine the Concept This is a constant-acceleration problem with a = −g if

we take upward to be the positive direction. At the maximum height the ball will
reach, its speed will be near zero and when the ball has just been tossed in the air
its speed is near its maximum value.
 Motion in One Dimension 75

(a) Because the ball is moving slowly its blur is relatively short (i.e., there is less
blurring).

(b) The average speed of the ball is distance traveled

given by: vav =
elapsed time

Estimating how far the ball has 2 ball diameters

traveled in 1/30 s yields: vav =
1
s
30

The diameter of a tennis ball is 2 (5 cm )

approximately 5 cm: vav = ≈ 3 m/s
1
s
30

(c) Use a constant-acceleration v 2 − v02

equation to relate the initial and final v 2 = v02 + 2a y h ⇒ h =
2a y
speeds of the ball to its maximum
height h: or, because v = 0 and ay = g,
v2
h=− 0
2g

Substitute numerical values and

h=−
(3 m/s)2
evaluate h:
(
2 − 9.81 m/s 2 )≈ 0.5 m

If we assume that the juggler is approximately 6 ft tall, then our calculated value
for h seems to be a good approximation to the height shown in the photograph.

41 •• A rough rule of thumb for determining the distance between you and a
lightning strike is to start counting the seconds that elapse ("one-Mississippi,
two-Mississippi, …") until you hear the thunder (sound emitted by the lightning
as it rapidly heats the air around it). Assuming the speed of sound is about
750 mi/h, (a) estimate how far away is a lightning strike if you counted about
5 s until you heard the thunder. (b) Estimate the uncertainty in the distance to the
strike in Part (a). Be sure to explain your assumptions and reasoning. (Hint: The
speed of sound depends on the air temperature and your counting is far from
exact!)

Picture the Problem We can use the relationship between distance, speed, and
time to estimate the distance to the lightning strike.

(a) Relate the distance Δd to the Δd = vΔt

lightning strike to the speed of
sound in air v and the elapsed time
Δt:
76 Chapter 2

Substitute numerical values and ⎛ m⎞

mi ⎞ ⎜
evaluate Δd: 0.3048 ⎟
⎛ s ⎟ (5 s )
Δd = ⎜ 750 ⎟ ⎜
⎝ h ⎜
⎠ 0.6818 mi ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ h ⎠
≈ 1.7 km ≈ 1 mi

(b) You are probably lucky if the uncertainty in your time estimate is less than
1 s (±20%), so the uncertainty in the distance estimate is about 20% of 1.7 km or
approximately 300 m. This is probably much greater than the error made by
assuming v is constant.

Speed, Displacement, and Velocity

42 • (a) An electron in a television tube travels the 16-cm distance from the
grid to the screen at an average speed of 4.0 × 107 m/s. How long does the trip
take? (b) An electron in a current-carrying wire travels at an average speed of
4.0 × 10–5 m/s. How long does it take to travel 16 cm?

Picture the Problem Think of the electron as traveling in a straight line at

constant speed and use the definition of average speed.

(a) Using its definition, express the distance traveled

average speed of the electron: Average speed =
time of flight
Δs
=
Δt

Solve for and evaluate the time of Δs 0.16 m

flight: Δt = =
Average speed 4.0 × 10 7 m s
= 4.0 × 10 −9 s = 4.0 ns

(b) Calculate the time of flight for an Δs 0.16 m

electron in a 16-cm long current Δt = =
Average speed 4.0 × 10 −5 m s
carrying wire similarly.
1 min
= 4.0 × 10 3 s × = 67 min
60 s

43 • [SSM] A runner runs 2.5 km, in a straight line, in 9.0 min and then
takes 30 min to walk back to the starting point. (a) What is the runner’s average
velocity for the first 9.0 min? (b) What is the average velocity for the time spent
walking? (c) What is the average velocity for the whole trip? (d) What is the
average speed for the whole trip?
 Motion in One Dimension 77

Picture the Problem In this problem the runner is traveling in a straight line but
not at constant speed - first she runs, then she walks. Let’s choose a coordinate
system in which her initial direction of motion is taken as the positive x direction.

(a) Using the definition of average Δx 2.5 km

velocity, calculate the average vav = = = 0.28 km / min
Δt 9.0 min
velocity for the first 9 min:

(b) Using the definition of average Δx − 2.5 km

velocity, calculate her average speed vav = =
Δt 30 min
for the 30 min spent walking:
= − 83 m / min

(c) Express her average velocity for Δx round trip 0

the whole trip: v av = = = 0
Δt Δt

(d) Finally, express her average distance traveled

speed for the whole trip: speed av =
elapsed time
2(2.5 km)
=
30 min + 9.0 min
= 0.13 km / min

44 • A car travels in a straight line with an average velocity of 80 km/h for

2.5 h and then with an average velocity of 40 km/h for 1.5 h. (a) What is the total
displacement for the 4.0-h trip? (b) What is the average velocity for the total trip?

Picture the Problem The car is traveling in a straight line but not at constant
speed. Let the direction of motion be the positive x direction.

(a) The total displacement of the car Δx total = Δx1 + Δx2

for the entire trip is the sum of the
displacements for the two legs of the
trip:

Find the displacement for each leg of Δx1 = vav ,1Δt1 = (80 km/h )(2.5 h )
the trip:
= 200 km
and
Δx2 = vav , 2 Δt2 = (40 km/h )(1.5 h )
= 60.0 km

Add the individual displacements to Δx total = Δx1 + Δx2 = 200 km + 60.0 km

get the total displacement:
= 2.6 × 105 m
78 Chapter 2

(b) As long as the car continues to Δx total

move in the same direction, the v av =
Δt total
average velocity for the total trip is
given by:

Substitute numerical values and 2.6 × 105 m

evaluate vav: vav = = 65 km h
2.5 h + 1.5 h

45 • One busy air route across the Atlantic Ocean is about 5500 km. The
now-retired Concord, a supersonic jet capable of flying at twice the speed of
sound was used to travel such routes. (a) Roughly how long did it take for a one-
way flight? (Use 343 m/s for the speed of sound.) (b) Compare this time to the
time taken by a subsonic jet flying at 0.90 times the speed of sound.

Picture the Problem However unlikely it may seem, imagine that both jets are
flying in a straight line at constant speed and use the definition of average speed
to find the flight times.

(a) The time of flight is the ratio of s Atlantic

the distance traveled to the speed of t supersonic =
vsupersonic
the supersonic jet.
5500 km
=
2(343 m/s )(3600 s/h )
= 2.23 h = 2.2 h

(b) Express the ratio of the time for s Atlantic

the trip at supersonic speed to the t supersonic vsupersonic v
time for the trip at subsonic speed = = subsonic
and simplify to obtain: t subsonic s Atlantic vsupersonic
vsubsonic

Substitute numerical values and t supersonic

=
(0.90)(343 m/s) = 0.45
evaluate the ratio of the flight times:
t subsonic (2)(343 m/s)
46 •• The speed of light, designated by the universally recognized symbol c,
has a value, to two significant figures, of 3.0 × 108 m/s. (a) How long does it take
for light to travel from the sun to the earth, a distance of 1.5 × 1011 m? (b) How
long does it take light to travel from the Moon to Earth, a distance of
3.8 × 108 m?

Picture the Problem In free space, light travels in a straight line at constant
speed, c.
 Motion in One Dimension 79

(a) Using the definition of average Δs

Δt =
speed, express the time Δt required average speed
for light to travel from the sun to the
where Δs is the distance from the sun to
earth:
the earth.

Substitute numerical values and 1.5 × 1011 m

evaluate Δt: Δt = = 5.0 × 102 s
3.0 × 10 m/s
8

≈ 8.3 min

(b) Proceed as in (a) this time using 3.8×108 m

the Moon-Earth distance: Δt = ≈ 1.3 s
3.0 ×108 m/s

47 • [SSM] Proxima Centauri, the closest star to us besides our own sun,
13
is 4.1 × 10 km from Earth. From Zorg, a planet orbiting this star, a Zorgian
places an order at Tony’s Pizza in Hoboken, New Jersey, communicating via light
signals. Tony’s fastest delivery craft travels at 1.00 × 10–4c (see Problem 46).
(a) How long does it take Gregor’s order to reach Tony’s Pizza? (b) How long
does Gregor wait between sending the signal and receiving the pizza? If Tony’s
has a "1000-years-or-it’s-free" delivery policy, does Gregor have to pay for the
pizza?

Picture the Problem In free space, light travels in a straight line at constant
speed, c. We can use the definition of average speed to find the elapsed times
called for in this problem.

(a) Using the definition of average distance traveled

speed (equal here to the assumed Δt =
speed of light
constant speed of light), solve for the
time Δt required to travel the
distance to Proxima Centauri:

Substitute numerical values and 4.1×1016 m

evaluate Δt: Δt = = 1.37 ×108 s
2.998×10 m s
8

= 4.3 y

(b) Traveling at 10−4c, the delivery time (ttotal) will be the sum of the time for the
order to reach Hoboken and the time for the pizza to be delivered to Proxima
Centauri:

4.1×1013 km
Δt total = Δt order to be + Δt order to = 4.33 y +
sent to Hoboken be delivered ( )(
1.00 × 10 −4 2.998 × 108 m s )
= 4.33 y + 4.33×10 y ≈ 4.3×10 y
6 6
80 Chapter 2

Because 4.3 × 106 y >> 1000 y, Gregor does not have to pay.

48 • A car making a 100-km journey travels 40 km/h for the first 50 km. How
fast must it go during the second 50 km to average 50 km/h?

Picture the Problem The time for the second 50 km is equal to the time for the
entire journey less the time for the first 50 km. We can use this time to determine
the average speed for the second 50 km interval from the definition of average
speed.

Using the definition of average Δx 100 km

speed, find the time required for the Δt total = = = 2.0 h
vav 50 km h
total journey:

Find the time required for the first 50 km

50 km: Δt1st 50 km = = 1.25 h
40 km h

Find the time remaining to travel the Δt2nd 50 km = t total − t1st 50 km = 2.0 h − 1.25 h
last 50 km: = 0.75 h

Finally, use the time remaining to Δx 2nd 50 km 50 km

travel the last 50 km to determine the v av, 2nd 50 km = =
Δt 2nd 50 km 0.75 h
average speed over this distance:
= 67 km h

49 •• Late in ice hockey games, the team that is losing sometimes "pulls"
their goalkeeper off the ice to add an additional offensive player and increase their
chances of scoring. In such cases, the goalie on the opposing team might have an
opportunity to score into the unguarded net that is 55.0 m away. Suppose you are
the goaltender for your university team and are in just such a situation. You
launch a shot (in hopes of getting your first career goal) on the frictionless ice.
You hear a disappointing ″clang″ as the puck strikes a goalpost (instead of going
in!) exactly 2.50 s later. In this case, how fast did the puck travel? You should
assume 343 m/s for the speed of sound.

Picture the Problem The distance over which both the puck and the sound from
the puck hitting the goalpost must travel is 55.0 m. The time between the shot
being released and the sound reaching the goalie’s ear can be found by expressing
the total elapsed time as the sum of the elapsed times for the shot to travel 55.0 m
and for the sound to travel back to you.

The total elapsed time as the sum of Δt total = Δt shot + Δt sound

the elapsed times for the shot and for
the sound to travel back to you :
 Motion in One Dimension 81

Express the time for the shot to Δx

travel to the other net a distance Δx Δt shot =
vshot
away:

Express the time for the sound to Δx

travel a distance Δx back to you: Δt sound =
vsound

Substitute in the expression for Δx Δx

Δt total to obtain: Δt total = +
vshot vsound

Solving this equation for vshot yields: vsound Δx

vshot =
vsound Δttotal − Δx

Substitute numerical values and

vshot =
(343 m/s)(55.0 m )
evaluate vshot : (343 m/s)(2.50 s ) − 55.0 m
= 23.5 m/s

50 •• Cosmonaut Andrei, your co-worker at the International Space Station,

cosmonaut Andrei, tosses a banana at you with a speed of 15 m/s. At exactly the
same instant, you fling a scoop of ice cream at Andrei along exactly the same
path. The collision between banana and ice cream produces a banana split 7.2 m
from your location 1.2 s after the banana and ice cream were launched. (a) How
fast did you toss the ice cream? (b) How far were you from Andrei when you
tossed the ice cream? (Neglect any effects due to gravity.)

Picture the Problem Let the subscript b refer to the banana and the subscript ic
refer to the ice cream. Then the distance covered by the ice cream before
collision is given by Δxic = vicΔt and the distance covered by the banana is
Δxb = vbΔt. The distance between you and Andrei is then the sum of these
distances: Δxtot = Δxic + Δxb.

(a) The speed of the ice cream is Δxic

given by: vic =
Δt
where Δt is the time-to-collision.

Substitute numerical values and 7.2 m

evaluate vic: vic = = 6.0 m/s
1.2 s

(b) Express the distance between Δx total = Δxic + Δxb

yourself and Andrei as the sum of
the distances the ice cream and the
banana travel:

Because Δxb = vb Δt : Δx total = Δxic + vb Δt

82 Chapter 2

Substitute numerical values and Δxtotal = 7.2 m + (15 m/s )(1.2 s ) = 25 m

evaluate Δxtotal :

51 •• Figure 2-39 shows the position of a particle as a function of time. Find

the average velocities for the time intervals a, b, c, and d indicated in the figure.

Picture the Problem The average velocity in a time interval is defined as the
displacement divided by the time elapsed; that is vav = Δx / Δt .

(a) Δxa = 0 vav = 0

(b) Δxb = 1 m and Δtb = 3 s vav = 0.3 m/s

(c) Δxc = –6 m and Δtc = 3 s vav = − 2 m/s

(d) Δxd = 3 m and Δtd = 3 s vav = 1 m/s

52 •• It has been found that, on average, galaxies are moving away from the
Earth at a speed that is proportional to their distance from the earth. This
discovery is known as Hubble’s law, named for its discoverer, astrophysicist Sir
Edwin Hubble. He found that the recessional speed v of a galaxy a distance r from
Earth is given by v = Hr, where H = 1.58 × 10–18 s–1 is called the Hubble constant.
What are the expected recessional speeds of galaxies (a) 5.00 × 1022 m from Earth
and (b) 2.00 × 1025 m from Earth? (c) If the galaxies at each of these distances
had traveled at their expected recessional speeds, how long ago would they have
been at our location?

Picture the Problem In free space, light travels in a straight line at constant
speed c. We can use Hubble’s law to find the speed of the two planets.

(a) Using Hubble’s law, calculate the ( )(

va = 5.00 × 10 22 m 1.58 × 10 −18 s −1 )
speed of the first galaxy:
= 7.90 × 10 4 m/s

(b) Using Hubble’s law, calculate the ( )(

v b = 2.00 × 10 25 m 1.58 × 10 −18 s −1 )
speed of the second galaxy:
= 3.16 × 107 m/s

(c) Using the relationship between r r 1

distance, speed, and time for both Δt = = =
v rH H
galaxies, express how long ago Δt
they were both located at the same
place as Earth:
 Motion in One Dimension 83

Substitute numerical values and Δt = 6.33 × 1017 s ≈ 20 × 109 y

evaluate Δt:

53 •• [SSM] The cheetah can run as fast as 113 km/h, the falcon can fly as
fast as 161 km/h, and the sailfish can swim as fast as 105 km/h. The three of them
run a relay with each covering a distance L at maximum speed. What is the
average speed of this relay team for the entire relay? Compare this average speed
with the numerical average of the three individual speeds. Explain carefully why
the average speed of the relay team is not equal to the numerical average of the
three individual speeds.

Picture the Problem We can find the average speed of the relay team from the
definition of average speed.

Using its definition, relate the distance traveled

average speed to the total distance vav =
elapsed time
traveled and the elapsed time:

Express the time required for each L L

animal to travel a distance L: t cheetah = , t falcon =
vcheetah v falcon
and
L
t sailfish =
vsailfish

Express the total time Δt: ⎛ 1 1 1 ⎞

Δt = L⎜⎜ + + ⎟⎟
⎝ cheetah
v vfalcon vsailfish ⎠

Use the total distance traveled by the relay team and the elapsed time to calculate
the average speed:

3L
vav = = 122.03 km/h = 122 km/h
⎛ 1 1 1 ⎞
L⎜⎜ + + ⎟⎟
⎝ 113 km/h 161 km/h 105 km/h ⎠

Calculating the average of the three speeds yields:

113 km/h + 161 km/h + 105 km/h

Averagethree speeds = = 126.33 km/h = 126 km/h
3
= 1.04v av
84 Chapter 2

Because we’ve ignored the time intervals during which members of this relay
team get up to their running speeds, their accelerations are zero and the average
speed of the relay team is not equal to (it is less than) the numerical average of the
three individual speeds.

54 •• Two cars are traveling along a straight road. Car A maintains a constant
speed of 80 km/h and car B maintains a constant speed of 110 km/h. At t = 0, car
B is 45 km behind car A. (a) How much farther will car A travel before car B
overtakes it? (b) How much ahead of A will B be 30 s after it overtakes A?

Picture the Problem Let the position of car A at t = 0 be the origin of our
coordinate system. Then we can use a constant-acceleration equation to express
the positions of both cars as functions of time and equate these expressions to
determine the time at which car A is overtaken by car B.

(a) Car B overtakes car A when their xA (t ) = xB (t ) (1)

x coordinates are the same:

Using a constant-acceleration xA (t ) = x0A + v A t

equation, express the position of car where x0A is the position of car A at
A as a function of time: t = 0.

Because we’ve let car A be at the xA (t ) = v A t (2)

origin at t = 0:

Using a constant-acceleration xB (t ) = x0 B + v B t
equation, express the position of where x0B is the position of car B at
car B as a function of time: t = 0.
Substitute for xA(t) and xB(t) in x0 B
equation (1) to obtain: v A t = x0 B + v B t ⇒ t =
vA − vB

Substitute numerical values and − 45 km

evaluate the time t at which car B t= = 1.50 h
80 km/h − 110 km/h
overtakes car A:

Now we can evaluate equation ⎛ km ⎞

(2) at t = 1.50 h to obtain: xA (1.50 h ) = ⎜ 80 ⎟ (1.50 h ) = 120 km
⎝ h ⎠
= 1.2 × 105 m

(b) The separation of the cars as Δx (t ) = xB (t ) − xA (t ) = x0B − v B t − v A t

a function of time is given by:
 Motion in One Dimension 85

Substitute numerical values and evaluate Δx(1.50 h + 30 s) = Δx(1.508 h) to

obtain:

⎛ km km ⎞
Δx (1.508 h ) = −45 km + ⎜110 − 80 ⎟ (1.508 h ) = 0.24 km
⎝ h h ⎠

Remarks: One can use a graphing calculator or a spreadsheet program to

solve this problem. A spreadsheet program was used to plot the following
graph:

300

250 Car A
Car B
200
x, km

150

100

50

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
t, h

Note that this graph confirms our result that the cars are at the same location
at t = 1.5 h.

55 •• [SSM] A car traveling at a constant speed of 20 m/s passes an

intersection at time t = 0. A second car traveling at a constant speed of 30 m/s in
the same direction passes the same intersection 5.0 s later. (a) Sketch the position
functions x1(t) and x2(t) for the two cars for the interval 0 ≤ t ≤ 20 s. (b) Determine
when the second car will overtake the first. (c) How far from the intersection will
the two cars be when they pull even? (d) Where is the first car when the second
car passes the intersection?

Picture the Problem One way to solve this problem is by using a graphing
calculator to plot the positions of each car as a function of time. Plotting these
positions as functions of time allows us to visualize the motion of the two cars
relative to the (fixed) ground. More importantly, it allows us to see the motion of
the two cars relative to each other. We can, for example, tell how far apart the
cars are at any given time by determining the length of a vertical line segment
from one curve to the other.
86 Chapter 2

(a) Letting the origin of our coordinate x1(t) = 20t

system be at the intersection, the where x1 is in meters if t is in seconds.
position of the slower car, x1(t), is
given by:

Because the faster car is also moving x2(t) = 30t + b

at a constant speed, we know that the
position of this car is given by a
function of the form:

We know that when t = 5.0 s, this b = −150 m

second car is at the intersection (that
is, x2(5.0 s) = 0). Using this
information, you can convince
yourself that:

Thus, the position of the faster car is x2 (t ) = 30t − 150

given by:

One can use a graphing calculator, graphing paper, or a spreadsheet to obtain the
following graphs of x1(t) (the solid line) and x2(t) (the dashed line):
450

400

350

300

250
x, m

200

150

100

50

0
0 5 10 15 20
t, s

(b) Use the time coordinate of the From the intersection of the two lines,
intersection of the two lines to one can see that the second car will
determine the time at which the "overtake" (catch up to) the first car at
second car overtakes the first: t = 15 s.
 Motion in One Dimension 87

(c) Use the position coordinate of the From the intersection of the two lines,
intersection of the two lines to one can see that the distance from the
determine the distance from the intersection is 300 m.
intersection at which the second car
catches up to the first car:

(d) Draw a vertical line from t = 5 s to the solid line and then read the position
coordinate of the intersection of the vertical line and the solid line to determine
the position of the first car when the second car went through the intersection.
From the graph, when the second car passes the intersection, the first car was
100 m ahead.

56 •• Bats use echolocation to determine their distance from objects they

cannot easily see in the dark. The time between the emission of high-frequency
sound pulse (a click) and the detection of its echo is used to determine such
distances. A bat, flying at a constant speed of 19.5 m/s in a straight line toward a
vertical cave wall, makes a single clicking noise and hears the echo 0.15 s later.
Assuming that she continued flying at her original speed, how close was she to
the wall when she received the echo? Assume a speed of 343 m/s for the speed of
sound.

Picture the Problem The sound emitted by the bat travels at vsound and during the
time interval Δxtotal during which the sound travels to the wall and back to the bat,
the bat travels a distance of Δxbat = vbat Δttotal , where vbat is the bat’s flying speed.
The distance that the sound travels is denoted by Δxtotal = vsound Δt total . We are
interested in knowing how far the sound travels between the time of its reflection
and the time of the bat’s receiving the echo. This we denote Δxaway and can find
by using the conditions that Δx total = Δx toward + Δxaway and Δx toward = Δxbat + Δxaway .

Express the total distance traveled by Δx total = Δx toward + Δxaway (1)

the sound as the sum of the distance
traveled toward the wall of the cave
Δxtoward and away from the wall
(toward the bat) after reflection
Δxaway :

The total distance traveled by the Δxtoward = Δxbat + Δxaway

sound toward the wall is also given
by:

Substitute for Δxtoward in equation (1) Δxtotal = Δxbat + Δxaway + Δxaway

to obtain: = Δxbat + 2Δxaway
88 Chapter 2

Solving for Δxaway yields: Δxtotal − Δxbat

Δxaway =
2

Substitute for Δxtotal and Δxbat and vsound Δt total − v bat Δt total
Δxaway =
simplify to obtain: 2
=
(vsound − v bat )Δt total
2

Substitute numerical values and

Δxaway =
(343 m/s − 19.5 m/s)(0.15 s )
evaluate Δxaway : 2
= 24 m

57 ••• A submarine can use sonar (sound traveling through water) to

determine its distance from other objects. The time between the emission of a
sound pulse (a ″ping″) and the detection of its echo can be used to determine such
distances. Alternatively, by measuring the time between successive echo
receptions of a regularly timed set of pings, the submarine's speed may be
determined by comparing the time between echoes to the time between pings.
Assume you are the sonar operator in a submarine traveling at a constant velocity
underwater. Your boat is in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, where the speed of
sound is known to be 1522 m/s. If you send out pings every 2.000 s, and your
apparatus receives echoes reflected from an undersea cliff every 1.980 s, how fast
is your submarine traveling?

Picture the Problem Both the pulses sent out by the submarine and the pulses
returning from the sea-wall are traveling at 1522 m/s. As such, we can quickly
determine the distance in water between two successive echo (or emitted) pulses
of sound, which were emitted with a time interval between them of Δtemitted. The
actual distance in the seawater between the echoed pulses is given by
Δx = vsoundΔtemitted. Our goal is to find the time between successive pulses
received by the submarine, Δtreceived. We start our ″clock″, as it were, when the
submarine passes one of two successive pulses that approach it, separated by the
above distance Δx. After passing the first pulse, the next sound pulse moves
toward the submarine at vsound and the submarine moves toward the pulse at speed
vsub. The distance between successive pulses Δx may be divided into Δxsub and
Δxsound, which are equal to vsubΔtreceived and vsubΔtreceived, respectively.

The distance between successive Δx = Δxsub + Δxreceived

pulses is given by:

Substituting for all three terms in vsound Δt emitted = vsub Δt received + vsound Δt received
this equation yields:
 Motion in One Dimension 89

Solve for vsub to obtain: vsound (Δtemitted − Δtreceived )

vsub =
Δtreceived

Substitute numerical values and

vsub =
(1522 m/s)(2.000 s − 1.980 s )
evaluate vsub : 2.000 s
= 15 m/s

Acceleration
58 • A sports car accelerates in third gear from 48.3 km/h (about 30 mi/h) to
80.5 km/h (about 50 mi/h) in 3.70 s. (a) What is the average acceleration of this
car in m/s2? (b) If the car maintained this acceleration, how fast would it be
moving one second later?

Picture the Problem In Part (a), we can apply the definition of average
acceleration to find aav. In Part (b), we can find the change in the car’s velocity in
one second and add this change to its velocity at the beginning of the interval to
find its speed one second later.

(a) The definition of average Δv

acceleration is: aav =
Δt

Substitute numerical values and 80.5 km/h − 48.3 km/h km

evaluate aav: aav = = 8.70
3.70 s h ⋅s

Convert aav to m/s2: ⎛ m ⎞⎛ 1h ⎞

aav = ⎜ 8.70 × 103 ⎟⎜ ⎟
⎝ h ⋅ s ⎠⎜⎝ 3600 s ⎟⎠
= 2.42 m/s 2

(b) Express the speed of the car at v (4.7 s ) = v (3.70 s ) + Δv1 s

the end of 4.7 s:
= 80.5 km/h + Δv1 s

Find the change in the speed of the ⎛ km ⎞

car in 1.00 s: Δv = a av Δt = ⎜ 8.70 ⎟(1.00 s )
⎝ h ⋅s ⎠
= 8.70 km/h

Substitute and evaluate v(4.7 s): v(4.7 s ) = 80.5 km/h + 8.7 km/h
= 89.2 km/h
90 Chapter 2

59 • [SSM] An object is moving along the x axis. At t = 5.0 s, the object

is at x = +3.0 m and has a velocity of +5.0 m/s. At t = 8.0 s, it is at x = +9.0 m and
its velocity is –1.0 m/s. Find its average acceleration during the time interval
5.0 s ≤ t ≤ 8.0 s.

Picture the Problem We can find the change in velocity and the elapsed time
from the given information and then use the definition of average acceleration.

The average acceleration is defined Δv

aav =
as the change in velocity divided by Δt
the change in time:

Substitute numerical values and

aav =
(− 1.0 m/s) − (5.0 m/s)
evaluate aav: (8.0 s ) − (5.0 s )
= − 2.0 m/s 2

60 •• A particle moves along the x axis with velocity vx = (8.0 m/s2) t – 7.0
m/s. (a) Find the average acceleration for two different one-second intervals, one
beginning at t = 3.0 s and the other beginning at t = 4.0 s. (b) Sketch vx versus t
over the interval 0 < t < 10 s. (c) How do the instantaneous accelerations at the
middle of each of the two time intervals specified in Part (a) compare to the
average accelerations found in Part (a)? Explain.

Picture the Problem The important concept here is the difference between
average acceleration and instantaneous acceleration.

(a) The average acceleration is Δv

defined as the change in velocity aav =
Δt
divided by the change in time:

Determine vx at t = 3.0 s, t = 4.0 s, ( )

v x (3.0 s ) = 8.0 m/s 2 (3.0 s ) − 7.0 m/s
and t = 5.0 s:
= 17 m/s
( )
v x (4.0 s ) = 8.0 m/s 2 (4.0 s ) − 7.0 m/s
= 25 m/s
( )
v x (5.0 s ) = 8.0 m/s 2 (5.0 s ) − 7.0 m/s
= 33 m/s

Find aav for the two 1-s intervals: 25 m/s − 17 m/s

aav, 3.0 s to 4.0 s =
1.0 s
= 8.0 m/s 2
and
33 m/s − 25 m/s
aav, 4.0 s to 5.0 s =
1.0 s
= 8.0 m/s 2
 Motion in One Dimension 91

The instantaneous acceleration is

defined as the time derivative of ax =
dv x d
dt
=
dt
[( )
8.0 m/s 2 t − 7.0 m/s ]
the velocity or the slope of the
velocity- versus-time curve: = 8.0 m/s 2

(b) The given function and a spreadsheet program were used to plot the following
graph of v-versus-t:
35

30

25

20
v, m/s

15

10

-5

-10
0 1 2 3 4 5
t, s

(c) Because the particle’s speed varies linearly with time, these accelerations are
the same.

61 •• [SSM] The position of a certain particle depends on time according

to the equation x(t) = t2 – 5.0t + 1.0, where x is in meters if t is in seconds.
(a) Find the displacement and average velocity for the interval 3.0 s ≤ t ≤ 4.0 s.
(b) Find the general formula for the displacement for the time interval from t to
t + Δt. (c) Use the limiting process to obtain the instantaneous velocity for any
time t.

Picture the Problem We can closely approximate the instantaneous velocity by

the average velocity in the limit as the time interval of the average becomes small.
This is important because all we can ever obtain from any measurement is the
average velocity, vav, which we use to approximate the instantaneous velocity v.

(a) The displacement of the particle Δx = x (4.0 s ) − x (3.0 s ) (1)

during the interval 3.0 s ≤ t ≤ 4.0 s is
given by:

The average velocity is given by: Δx

vav = (2)
Δt
92 Chapter 2

Find x(4.0 s) and x(3.0 s): x(4.0 s) = (4.0)2 – 5(4.0) + 1 = –3.0 m

and
x(3.0 s) = (3.0)2 – 5(3.0) + 1 = −5.0 m

Substitute numerical values in equation Δx = (− 3.0 m ) − (− 5.0 m ) = 2.0 m

(1) and evaluate Δx:

Substitute numerical values in 2.0 m

equation (2) and evaluate vav: vav = = 2.0 m/s
1.0 s

(b) Find x(t + Δt): x(t + Δt) = (t + Δt)2 − 5(t + Δt) + 1

= (t2 + 2tΔt + (Δt)2)
– 5(t + Δt) + 1

Express x(t + Δt) – x(t) = Δx: Δx = (2t − 5)Δt + (Δt )2

where Δx is in meters if t is in seconds.

(c) From (b) find Δx/Δt as Δt → 0: Δx (2t − 5)Δt + (Δt )

2
=
Δt Δt
= 2t − 5 + Δt
and
v = lim Δt →0 (Δx / Δt ) = 2t − 5
where v is in m/s if t is in seconds.

dx(t ) d
Alternatively, we can take the
derivative of x(t) with respect to v(t ) =
dt
=
dt
(
at 2 + bt + 1 )
time to obtain the instantaneous = 2at + b
velocity.
= 2t − 5

62 •• The position of an object as a function of time is given by

x = At2 – Bt + C, where A = 8.0 m/s2, B = 6.0 m/s, and C = 4.0 m. Find the
instantaneous velocity and acceleration as functions of time.

Picture the Problem The instantaneous velocity is dx dt and the acceleration is

dv dt .

Using the definitions of

instantaneous velocity and v=
dx d
=
dt dt
[ ]
At 2 − Bt + C = 2 At − B
acceleration, determine v and a: and
= [2 At − B ] = 2 A
dv d
a=
dt dt
 Motion in One Dimension 93

Substitute numerical values for A ( )

v = 2 8.0 m/s 2 t − 6.0 m/s
and B and evaluate v and a:
= (16.0 m/s ) t − 6.0 m/s
2

and
( )
a = 2 8.0 m/s 2 = 16.0 m/s 2

63 ••• The one-dimensional motion of a particle is plotted in Figure 2-40.

(a) What is the average acceleration in each of the intervals AB, BC, and CE?
(b) How far is the particle from its starting point after 10 s? (c) Sketch the
displacement of the particle as a function of time; label the instants A, B, C, D,
and E on your graph. (d) At what time is the particle traveling most slowly?

Picture the Problem We can use the definition of average acceleration

(aav = Δv/Δt) to find aav for the three intervals of constant acceleration shown on
the graph.

(a) Using the definition of average 15.0 m/s − 5.0 m/s

acceleration, find aav for the interval aav AB = = 3.3 m/s 2
3.0 s
AB:

Find aav for the interval BC: 15.0 m/s − 15.0 m/s
aav BC = = 0
3.0 s

Find aav for the interval CE: −15.0 m/s − 15.0 m/s

aav CE =
4.0 s
= −7.5 m/s 2

(b) Use the formulas for the areas of trapezoids and triangles to find the
area under the graph of v as a function of t.

Δx = (Δx )A→B + (Δx )B→C + (Δx )C→D + (Δx )D→E

= 1
2 (5.0 m/s + 15.0 m/s)(3.0 s ) + (15.0 m/s)(3.0 s) + 12 (15.0 m/s)(2.0 s)
+ 12 (−15.0 m/s)(2.0 s)
= 75 m

(c) The graph of displacement, x, as a function of time, t, is shown in the

following figure. In the region from B to C the velocity is constant so the
x- versus-t curve is a straight line.
94 Chapter 2

100

80

60

x, m
40

20

0
0 2 4 6 8 10
t, s

(d) Reading directly from the figure, we can find the time when the particle is
moving the slowest. At point D, t = 8 s, the graph crosses the time axis; therefore
v = 0.

Constant Acceleration and Free-Fall

64 • An object projected vertically upward with initial speed v0 attains a

maximum height h above its launch point. Another object projected up with initial
speed 2v0 from the same height will attain a maximum height of (a) 4h, (b) 3h,
(c) 2h, (d) h. (Air resistance is negligible.)

Picture the Problem Because the acceleration is constant (–g) we can use a
constant-acceleration equation to find the height of the projectile.

Using a constant-acceleration v 2 = v02 − 2 gΔy

equation, express the height of the or, because v(h) = 0,
object as a function of its initial
v02
speed, the acceleration due to 0 = v − 2 gh ⇒ h =
2
0
gravity, and its displacement: 2g

Express the ratio of the maximum (2v0 )2

height of the second object to that of h2nd object 2g
the first object and simplify to = =4
obtain: h1st object (v0 )2
2g

Solving for h2nd object yields: h2nd object = 4h ⇒ (a ) is correct.

65 •• A car traveling along the x axis starts from rest at x = 50 m and

accelerates at a constant rate of 8.0 m/s2. (a) How fast is it going after 10 s?
 Motion in One Dimension 95

(b) How far has it gone after 10 s? (c) What is its average velocity for the interval
0 ≤ t ≤ 10 s?

Picture the Problem Because the acceleration of the car is constant we can use
constant-acceleration equations to describe its motion.

(a) Using a constant-acceleration v = v0 + at

equation, relate the velocity to
the acceleration and the time:

Substitute numerical values and ⎛ m⎞

evaluate v: v = 0 + ⎜ 8.0 2 ⎟ (10 s ) = 80 m s
⎝ s ⎠

(b) Using a constant-acceleration a

equation, relate the displacement to Δx = x − x0 = v0t + t 2
2
the acceleration and the time:

Substitute numerical values and 1⎛ m⎞

⎜ 8.0 2 ⎟ (10 s ) = 0.40 km
2
evaluate Δx: Δx =
2⎝ s ⎠

(c) Use the definition of vav: Δx 400 m

vav = = = 40 m/s
Δt 10 s

Remarks: Because the area under a velocity-versus-time graph is the

displacement of the object, we could solve this problem graphically.

66 • An object traveling along the x axis with an initial velocity of

+5.0 m/s has a constant acceleration of +2.0 m/s2. When its speed is 15 m/s, how
far has it traveled?

Picture the Problem Because the acceleration of the object is constant we can
use constant-acceleration equations to describe its motion.

Using a constant-acceleration v 2 − v02

equation, relate the speed of the v 2 = v02 + 2 a Δx ⇒ Δx =
2a
object to its acceleration and
displacement:

Substitute numerical values and

Δx =
(15 2
)
− 5.02 m 2 s 2
= 50 m
evaluate Δx: (
2 2.0 m s 2 )
67 • [SSM] An object traveling along the x axis at constant acceleration
has a velocity of +10 m/s when it is at x = 6.0 m and of +15 m/s when it is at
x = 10 m. What is its acceleration?
96 Chapter 2

Picture the Problem Because the acceleration of the object is constant we can
use constant-acceleration equations to describe its motion.

Using a constant-acceleration v 2 − v02

equation, relate the velocity to the v 2 = v02 + 2 a Δx ⇒ a = 2 Δx
acceleration and the displacement:
Substitute numerical values and
a=
(15 − 10 2 )m 2 s 2
2
= 16 m s 2
evaluate a: 2(10 m − 6.0 m )

68 • The speed of an object traveling along the x axis increases at the

constant rate of +4.0 m/s each second. At t = 0.0 s, its velocity is +1.0 m/s and its
position is +7.0 m. How fast is it moving when its position is +8.0 m, and how
much time has elapsed from the start at t = 0.0 s?

Picture the Problem Because the acceleration of the object is constant we can
use constant-acceleration equations to describe its motion.

Using a constant-acceleration v 2 = v02 + 2 a Δx ⇒ v = v 02 + 2 a Δx

equation, relate the velocity to the
acceleration and the displacement:

Substitute numerical values and evaluate v to obtain:

v= (1.0 m s )2 + 2 (4.0 m )
s 2 (8.0 m − 7.0 m ) = 3.0 m/s

From the definition of average Δv

acceleration we have: Δt =
aav

Substitute numerical values and 3.0 m s − 1.0 m s

Δt = = 0.50 s
evaluate Δt: 4.0 m s 2

69 •• A ball is launched directly upward from ground level with an initial

speed of 20 m/s. (Air resistance is negligible.) (a) How long is the ball in the air?
(b) What is the greatest height reached by the ball? (c) How many seconds after
launch is the ball 15 m above the release point?

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the ball experiences
constant acceleration. Choose a coordinate system with the origin at the point of
release and the positive direction upward.

(a) Using a constant-acceleration Δy = v0t + 12 at 2

equation, relate the displacement of
the ball to the acceleration and the
time:
 Motion in One Dimension 97

Setting Δy = 0 (the displacement for 0 = v0 t roundtrip + 12 at roundtrip

2

a round trip), solve for the time and

required for the ball to return to its 2v0
starting position: t round trip =
g

Substitute numerical values and 2(20 m/s )

tround trip = = 4.1s
evaluate t round trip : 9.81m/s 2

(b) Using a constant-acceleration 2

vtop = v02 + 2aΔy
equation, relate the final speed of the
or, because vtop = 0 and a = −g,
ball to its initial speed, the
v2
acceleration, and its displacement: 0 = v02 + 2(− g )H ⇒ H = 0
2g

Substitute numerical values and

H=
(20 m s )2
evaluate H:
(
2 9.81 m s 2 )= 20 m

(c) Using the same constant- Δy = v0t + 12 at 2

acceleration equation with which we
began part (a), express the
displacement as a function of time:

Substitute numerical values to ⎛ 9.81 m/s 2 ⎞ 2

obtain: 15 m = (20 m/s )t − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ t
⎝ 2 ⎠

Use your graphing calculator or the The solutions are t = 0.99 s (this
quadratic formula to solve this
equation for the times at which the corresponds to passing 15 m on the way
displacement of the ball is 15 m: up) and t = 3.1s (this corresponds to
passing 15 m on the way down).

70 •• In the Blackhawk landslide in California, a mass of rock and mud fell

460 m down a mountain and then traveled 8.00 km across a level plain. It has
been theorized that the rock and mud moved on a cushion of water vapor. Assume
that the mass dropped with the free-fall acceleration and then slid horizontally,
losing speed at a constant rate. (a) How long did the mud take to drop the 460 m?
(b) How fast was it traveling when it reached the bottom? (c) How long did the
mud take to slide the 8.00 km horizontally?

Picture the Problem This is a multipart constant-acceleration problem using two

different constant accelerations. We’ll choose a coordinate system in which
downward is the positive direction and apply constant-acceleration equations to
find the required times.
98 Chapter 2

(a) Using a constant-acceleration Δy = y − y0 = h − 0 = v0t1 + 12 at12

equation, relate the time for the slide or, because v0 = 0,
to the distance of fall and the
acceleration: 2h
h = 12 at12 ⇒ t1 =
g

Substitute numerical values and 2(460 m )

evaluate t1: t1 = = 9.684 s = 9.68 s
9.81 m s 2

(b) Using a constant-acceleration v1 = v0 + a1t1

equation, relate the velocity at the or, because v0 = 0 and a1 = g,
bottom of the mountain to the v1 = gt1
acceleration and time:

Substitute numerical values and ( )

v1 = 9.81 m s 2 (9.684 s ) = 95.0 m s
evaluate v1:
(c) Using a constant-acceleration Δx
equation, relate the time required to Δt =
vav
stop the mass of rock and mud to its
average speed and the distance it
slides:

Because the acceleration is constant: v1 + vf v1 + 0 v1

vav = = =
2 2 2

Substitute for vav to obtain: 2Δx

Δt =
v1

Substitute numerical values and 2(8000 m )

Δt = = 168 s
evaluate Δt: 95.0 m s

71 •• [SSM] A load of bricks is lifted by a crane at a steady velocity of

5.0 m/s when one brick falls off 6.0 m above the ground. (a) Sketch the position
of the brick y(t) versus time from the moment it leaves the pallet until it hits the
ground. (b) What is the greatest height the brick reaches above the ground?
(c) How long does it take to reach the ground? (d) What is its speed just before it
hits the ground?

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the brick experiences
constant acceleration and we can use constant-acceleration equations to describe
its motion. Constant acceleration implies a parabolic position-versus-time curve.
 Motion in One Dimension 99

(a) Using a constant-acceleration y = y0 + v0 t + 12 (− g )t 2

equation, relate the position of the
brick to its initial position, initial
velocity, acceleration, and time into
its fall:

Substitute numerical values to obtain:

y = 6.0 m + (5.0 m s )t − (4.91m s 2 )t 2 (1)

The following graph of y = 6.0 m + (5.0 m s )t − (4.91m s 2 )t 2 was plotted using a

spreadsheet program:
8

5
y, m

0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5
t, s

(b) Relate the greatest height reached h = y0 + Δymax (2)

by the brick to its height when it falls
off the load and the additional height
it rises Δymax :

Using a constant-acceleration 2
vtop = v02 + 2(− g )Δymax
equation, relate the height reached by
or, because vtop = 0,
the brick to its acceleration and
v02
initial velocity: 0 = v02 + 2(− g )Δymax ⇒ Δymax =
2g

Substitute numerical values and

Δymax =
(5.0 m s ) 2
evaluate Δymax : (
2 9.81m s 2 ) = 1.3 m
100 Chapter 2

Substitute numerical values in h = 6.0 m + 1.3 m = 7.3 m

equation (2) and evaluate h:
Note that the graph shown above
confirms this result.

(c) Setting y = 0 in equation (1) 0 = 6.0 m + (5.0 m s )t − (4.91 m s 2 )t 2

yields:

Use the quadratic equation or your t = 1.7 s and t = –0.71 s. Note that
graphing calculator to obtain:
the second solution is nonphysical.

(d) Using a constant-acceleration v 2 = v02 + 2 gh

equation, relate the speed of the or, because v0 = 0,
brick on impact to its acceleration
and displacement: v 2 = 2 gh ⇒ v = 2 gh

Substitute numerical values and

evaluate v:
( )
v = 2 9.81 m/s 2 (7.3 m ) = 12 m/s

72 •• A bolt comes loose from underneath an elevator that is moving upward

at a speed of 6.0 m/s. The bolt reaches the bottom of the elevator shaft in 3.0 s.
(a) How high above the bottom of the shaft was the elevator when the bolt came
loose? (b) What is the speed of the bolt when it hits the bottom of the shaft?

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the acceleration of the bolt
is constant. Choose a coordinate system in which upward is positive and the
origin is at the bottom of the shaft (y = 0).

(a) Using a constant-acceleration ybottom = 0

equation, relate the position of the
= y0 + v0t + 12 (− g )t 2
bolt to its initial position, initial
velocity, and fall time:

Solve for the position of the bolt y0 = −v0t + 12 gt 2

when it came loose:

Substitute numerical values and evaluate y0:

⎛ m⎞ ⎛ m⎞
y0 = −⎜ 6.0 ⎟ (3.0 s ) + 12 ⎜ 9.81 2 ⎟ (3.0 s ) = 26 m
2

⎝ s⎠ ⎝ s ⎠

(b) Using a constant-acceleration v = v0 + at

equation, relate the speed of the bolt
to its initial speed, acceleration, and
fall time:
 Motion in One Dimension 101

Substitute numerical values and m ⎛ m⎞

v = 6.0 − ⎜ 9.81 2 ⎟ (3.0 s ) = −23 m s
evaluate v : s ⎝ s ⎠
and
v = 23 m s

73 •• An object is dropped from rest at a height of 120 m. Find the distance it

falls during its final second in the air.

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the object’s acceleration is
constant. Choose a coordinate system in which downward is positive and the
origin is at the point of release. In this coordinate system, a = g and y = 120 m at
the bottom of the fall.

Express the distance fallen in the last Δylast second = 120 m − y1s before impact (1)
second in terms of the object’s
position at impact and its position 1 s
before impact:

Using a constant-acceleration y = y0 + v0t + 12 gt 2

equation, relate the object’s position or, because y0 = 0 and v0 = 0,
upon impact to its initial position,
initial velocity, and fall time: 2y
y = 12 gtfall
2
⇒ tfall =
g

Substitute numerical values and 2(120 m )

evaluate tfall: tfall = = 4.95 s
9.81 m/s 2

We know that, one second before y (3.95 s) = 1

2
(9.81 m/s )(3.95 s )
2 2

impact, the object has fallen for

3.95 s. Using the same constant- = 76.4 m
acceleration equation, calculate the
object’s position 3.95 s into its fall:

Substitute in equation (1) to obtain: Δylast second = 120 m − 76.4 m = 44 m

74 •• An object is released from rest at a height h. During the final second of

its fall, it traverses a distance of 38 m. Determine h.

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the acceleration of the
object is constant. Choose a coordinate system with the origin at the point of
release and downward as the positive direction.
102 Chapter 2

Using a constant-acceleration vf2 = v02 + 2aΔy

equation, relate the height h of the or, because v0 = 0, a = g, and Δy = h ,
object to its initial and final
velocities and acceleration: vf2
vf2 = 2 gh ⇒ h = (1)
2g

Using the definition of average vf -1s + vf Δy 38 m

velocity, find the average velocity of vav = = = = 38 m s
2 Δt 1s
the object during its final second of
fall:

Express the sum of the final velocity vf -1s + vf = 2(38 m s ) = 76 m s

and the velocity 1 s before impact:

From the definition of acceleration, Δv = vf − vf -1s = 9.81 m s

we know that the change in velocity
of the object, during 1 s of fall, is
9.81 m/s:

Add the equations that express the vf -1s + vf + vf − vf -1s = 76 m s + 9.81 m s

sum and difference of vf -1s and v f to
obtain:

Solving for v f yields: 76 m s + 9.81m s

vf = = 43 m s
2

Substitute numerical values in

h=
(43 m s )2
equation (1) and evaluate h:
(
2 9.81 m s 2 )= 94 m

75 •• [SSM] A stone is thrown vertically downward from the top of a

200-m cliff. During the last half second of its flight, the stone travels a distance of
45 m. Find the initial speed of the stone.

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the acceleration of the stone
is constant. Choose a coordinate system with the origin at the bottom of the
trajectory and the upward direction positive. Let vf -1 2 be the speed one-half
second before impact and vf the speed at impact.

Using a constant-acceleration vf2 = v02 + 2aΔy ⇒ v0 = vf2 + 2 gΔy (1)

equation, express the final speed of
the stone in terms of its initial speed,
acceleration, and displacement:
 Motion in One Dimension 103

Find the average speed in the last vf -1 2 + vf Δxlast half second 45 m

half second: vav = = =
2 Δt 0.5 s
= 90 m s
and
vf -1 2 + vf = 2(90 m s ) = 180 m s

Using a constant-acceleration Δv = vf − vf -1 2 = gΔt

equation, express the change in
speed of the stone in the last half ( )
= 9.81 m s 2 (0.5 s )
second in terms of the acceleration = 4.91 m s
and the elapsed time and solve for
the change in its speed:

Add the equations that express the 180 m s + 4.91m s

sum and difference of vf – ½ and vf vf = = 92.5 m s
2
and solve for vf:

Substitute numerical values in v0 = (92.5 m s )2 + 2(9.81 m )

s 2 (− 200m )
equation (1) and evaluate v0:
= 68 m s

Remarks: The stone may be thrown either up or down from the cliff and the
results after it passes the cliff on the way down are the same.

76 •• An object is released from rest at a height h. It travels 0.4h during the

first second of its descent. Determine the average velocity of the object during its
entire descent.

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the acceleration of the
object is constant. Choose a coordinate system in which downward is the positive
direction and the object starts from rest. Apply constant-acceleration equations to
find the average velocity of the object during its descent.

Express the average velocity of the v0 + vf

falling object in terms of its initial vav =
2
and final velocities:

Using a constant-acceleration gt 2
equation, express the displacement Δy1st second = = 4.91 m = 0.4 h
2
of the object during the 1st second in
terms of its acceleration and the
elapsed time:
104 Chapter 2

Solving for the displacement h h = 12.3 m

yields:

Using a constant-acceleration vf2 = v02 + 2 gΔy

equation, express the final velocity or, because v0 = 0,
of the object in terms of its initial
velocity, acceleration, and vf = 2 gΔy
displacement:

Substitute numerical values and

evaluate the final velocity of the
( )
vf = 2 9.81m s 2 (12.3 m ) = 15.5 m s
object:

Substitute in the equation for the 0 + 15.5 m s

average velocity to obtain: vav = = 7.77 m s
2

77 •• A bus accelerates from rest at 1.5 m/s2 for 12 s. It then travels at constant
velocity for 25 s, after which it slows to a stop with an acceleration of 1.5 m/s2.
(a) What is the total distance that the bus travels? (b) What is its average velocity?

Picture the Problem This is a three-part constant-acceleration problem. The bus

starts from rest and accelerates for a given period of time, and then it travels at a
constant velocity for another period of time, and, finally, decelerates uniformly to
a stop. The pictorial representation will help us organize the information in the
problem and develop our solution strategy.

(a) Express the total displacement of Δxtotal = Δx(0 → 12 s ) + Δx(12 s → 37 s )

the bus during the three intervals of + Δx(37 s → end )
time:

Using a constant-acceleration Δx(0 → 12 s ) = v0t + 12 at 2

equation, express the displacement or, because v0 = 0,
of the bus during its first 12 s of
Δx(0 → 12 s ) = 12 at 2 = 108 m
motion in terms of its initial velocity,
acceleration, and the elapsed time;
solve for its displacement:
 Motion in One Dimension 105

Using a constant-acceleration ( )
v12 s = v0 + a0→12 s Δt = 1.5 m/s 2 (12 s )
equation, express the velocity of the
bus after 12 seconds in terms of its = 18 m/s
initial velocity, acceleration, and the
elapsed time; solve for its velocity at
the end of 12 s:

During the next 25 s, the bus moves Δx(12 s → 37 s ) = v12 s Δt = (18 m/s )(25 s )
with a constant velocity. Using the
= 450 m
definition of average velocity,
express the displacement of the bus
during this interval in terms of its
average (constant) velocity and the
elapsed time:

Because the bus slows down at the Δx(37 s → 49s ) = 108 m

same rate that its velocity increased
during the first 12 s of motion, we
can conclude that its displacement
during this braking period is the
same as during its acceleration
period and the time to brake to a stop
is equal to the time that was required
for the bus to accelerate to its
cruising speed of 18 m/s. Hence:

Add the displacements to find the Δxtotal = 108 m + 450 m + 108 m

distance the bus traveled:
= 666 m = 0.67 km

(b) Use the definition of average Δx total 666 m

velocity to calculate the average vav = = = 14 m s
Δt 49 s
velocity of the bus during this
trip:

Remarks: One can also solve this problem graphically. Recall that the area
under a velocity as a function-of-time graph equals the displacement of the
moving object.

78 •• Al and Bert are jogging side-by-side on a trail in the woods at a speed of

0.75 m/s. Suddenly Al sees the end of the trail 35 m ahead and decides to speed
up to reach it. He accelerates at a constant rate of 0.50 m/s2, while Bert continues
on at a constant speed. (a) How long does it take Al to reach the end of the trail?
(b) Once he reaches the end of the trail, he immediately turns around and heads
back along the trail with a constant speed of 0.85 m/s. How long does it take him
106 Chapter 2

to meet up with Bert? (c) How far are they from the end of the trail when they
meet?

Picture the Problem Because the accelerations of both Al and Bert are constant,
constant-acceleration equations can be used to describe their motions. Choose the
origin of the coordinate system to be where Al decides to begin his sprint.

(a) Using a constant-acceleration Δx = v0t + 12 at 2

equation, relate Al's initial velocity,
his acceleration, and the time to
reach the end of the trail to his
displacement in reaching the end of
the trail:

Substitute numerical values to 35 m = (0.75 m/s)t + 12 (0.50 m/s 2 )t 2

obtain:

Use your graphing calculator or the t = 10.43 s = 10 s

quadratic formula to solve for the
time required for Al to reach the end
of the trail:

(b) Using constant-acceleration x Bert = x Bert,0 + (0 .75 m/s ) t

equations, express the positions of and
Bert and Al as functions of time. At xAl = xAl,0 − (0.85 m/s ) t
the instant Al turns around at the end
of the trail, t = 0. Also, x = 0 at a = 35 m − (0.85 m/s ) t
point 35 m from the end of the trail:

Calculate Bert’s position at t = 0. xBert,0 = (0.75 m/s )(10.43 s ) = 7.823 m

At that time he has been running
for 10.4 s:

Because Bert and Al will be at the 7.823 m + (0.75 m/s ) t

same location when they meet, = 35 m − (0.85 m/s ) t
equate their position functions and
and
solve for t:
t = 16.99 s

To determine the elapsed time from t start = 16.99 s + 10.43 s = 27.42 s

when Al began his accelerated run,
we need to add 10.43 s to this time: = 27 s

(c) Express Bert’s distance from the end of the trail when he and Al meet:

d end of trail = 35 m − xBert,0 − d Bert runs until he meets Al

 Motion in One Dimension 107

Substitute numerical values and evaluate d end of trail :

d end of trail = 35 m − 7.823 m − (16.99 s) (0.75 m/s ) = 14.43 m = 14 m

79 •• You have designed a rocket to be used to sample the local atmosphere

for pollution. It is fired vertically with a constant upward acceleration of 20 m/s2.
After 25 s, the engine shuts off and the rocket continues rising (in freefall) for a
while. (Neglect any effects due to air resistance.) The rocket eventually stops
rising and then falls back to the ground. You want to get a sample of air that is
20 km above the ground. (a) Did you reach your height goal? If not, what would
you change so that the rocket reaches 20 km? (b) Determine the total time the
rocket is in the air. (c) Find the speed of the rocket just before it hits the ground.

Picture the Problem This is a two-part constant-acceleration problem. Choose a

coordinate system in which the upward direction is positive and to the right. The
pictorial representation will help us organize the information in the problem and
develop our solution strategy.

(a) Express the highest point the h = Δy1st stage + Δy2nd stage (1)
rocket reaches, h, as the sum of its
displacements during the first two
stages of its flight:

Using a constant-acceleration Δy1st stage = v0 y t + 12 a1st staget1st

2
stage
equation, express the altitude
or, because y0y = 0,
reached in the first stage in terms of
the rocket’s initial velocity, Δy1st stage = 12 a1st staget1st
2
stage

acceleration, and burn time;

solve for the first stage altitude:

Using a constant-acceleration v1st stage = v0 y + a1st staget1st stage

equation, express the speed of the or, because y0y = 0,
rocket at the end of its first stage in
v1st stage = a1st staget1st stage
terms of its initial speed,
acceleration, and displacement:
108 Chapter 2

Using a constant-acceleration 2
vhighest point = vshutoff + 2a2 nd stage Δy2nd stage
2

equation, express the final speed of

or, because vhighest point = 0 and
the rocket during the remainder of its
climb in terms of its shut-off speed, a2 nd stage = − g ,
free-fall acceleration, and 0 = vshutoff
2
− 2 gΔy2nd stage
displacement:

Solving for Δy2 nd stage yields: 2

vshutoff
Δy2 nd stage =
2g

Using a constant-acceleration v1st stage = v0 + a1st staget1st stage

equation, express the speed of the
or, because v0 = 0 and v1st stage = vshutoff ,
rocket at the end of its first stage in
terms is its initial speed, vshutoff = a1st staget1st stage
acceleration, and displacement:

Substituting for vshutoff yields:

Δy2 nd stage =
(a t
1st stage 1st stage )
2

2g

Substitute for Δy1st stage and Δy2nd stage in

h = 12 a1st staget1st
(a t )
2

stage +
2 1st stage 1st stage
equation (1) and simplify to obtain: 2g
⎛1 a ⎞
= ⎜⎜ + 1st stage ⎟⎟a1st staget1st
2
stage
⎝2 2g ⎠

Substitute numerical values and ⎛ m ⎞

evaluate h: ⎜ 20 2 ⎟
h=⎜ +
1 s ⎟ ⎛⎜ 20 m ⎞⎟ (25 s )2
⎜2 ⎛ m ⎞ ⎟ ⎝ s2 ⎠
⎜ 2⎜ 9.81 ⎟⎟
⎝ ⎝ s2 ⎠ ⎠
≈ 19 km

You did not achieve your goal. To go higher, you can increase the acceleration
value or the time of acceleration.

(b) Express the total time the rocket Δttotal = Δtpowered climb + Δt2nd segment + Δtdescent
is in the air in terms of the three
= 25 s + Δt2nd segment + Δtdescent
segments of its flight:

Express Δt2nd segment in terms of the Δy2nd segment

rocket’s displacement and average Δt2nd segment =
vav, 2nd segment
speed during the second segment:
 Motion in One Dimension 109

Substituting for Δy2nd segment and (a t

1st stage 1st stage ) 2

simplifying yields: 2g
Δt2nd segment =
vav, 2nd segment

=
(a t
1st stage 1st stage )
2

2 gvav, 2nd segment

Using a constant-acceleration Δydescent = v0t + 12 g (Δtdescent )

2

equation, relate the fall distance

or, because v0 = 0,
to the descent time:
Δydescent = 12 g (Δtdescent )
2

Solving for Δtdescent yields: 2Δydescent

Δtdescent =
g

Substitute for Δt 2nd segment and Δtdescent in the expression for Δt total to obtain:

Δt total = 25 s +
(a
1st stage Δt1st stage )
2

+
2Δydescent
2 gvav, 2nd segment g

Noting that, because the acceleration is constant, vav, 2nd segment is the average of the
initial and final speeds during the second stage, substitute numerical values and
evaluate Δt total :

2
⎛⎛ m ⎞ ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎜ 20 2 ⎟ (25 s )⎟⎟
Δt total = 25 s + ⎝⎝ s ⎠ ⎠ +
2 19 × 103 m (
≈ 1.4 × 10 2 s
)
⎛ m⎞ m
0 + 500 ⎟ 9.81 2
⎛ m ⎞⎜ s ⎟ s
2⎜ 9.81 2 ⎟ ⎜
⎝ s ⎠⎜ 2 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ ⎠

(c) Using a constant-acceleration vimpact = v0 + gΔtdescent

equation, express the impact velocity and, because v0 = 0,
of the rocket in terms of its initial
vimpact = gΔtdescent
downward velocity, acceleration
under free-fall, and time of descent;
solve for its impact velocity:

Substituting for Δtdescent yields: 2Δydescent

vimpact = g = 2 gΔydescent
g
110 Chapter 2

Substitute numerical values and (

vimpact = 2 9.81 m/s 2 (19 km ) )
evaluate vimpact :
= 6.1×10 2 m/s

80 •• A flowerpot falls from the ledge of an apartment building. A person in

an apartment below, coincidentally in possession of a high-speed high-precision
timing system, notices that it takes 0.20 s for the pot to fall past his 4.0-m high
window. How far above the top of the window is the ledge from which the pot
fell? (Air resistance is negligible.)

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the acceleration of the
flowerpot is constant. Choose a coordinate system in which downward is positive
and the origin is at the point from which the flowerpot fell. Let t = time when the
pot is at the top of the window, and t + Δt the time when the pot is at the bottom
of the window. To find the distance from the ledge to the top of the window, first
find the time ttop that it takes the pot to fall to the top of the window.

Using a constant-acceleration y = y0 + v0t + 12 at 2

equation, express the distance y
or, because a = g and v0 = y0 = 0 ,
below the ledge from which the pot
fell as a function of time: y = 12 gt 2

Express the position of the pot as ytop = 12 gttop

2
(1)
it reaches the top of the window:

Express the position of the pot as it ybottom = 12 g (t top + Δt window )

2

reaches the bottom of the window:

where Δtwindow = t top − tbottom

Subtract ybottom from ytop to obtain an [

Δywindow = 12 g (t top + Δt window ) − t top
2 2
]
g [2t ]
expression for the displacement
Δt window + (Δt window )
2
= 1
Δy window of the pot as it passes the 2 top

window:

Solving for t top yields: 2Δywindow

− (Δt window )
2

g
t top =
2Δt window

Substitute for t top in equation (1) to ⎛ 2Δywindow 2 ⎞

2

⎜ − (Δt window ) ⎟
obtain: g
ytop = 12 g ⎜ ⎟
⎜ 2Δt window ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ ⎠
 Motion in One Dimension 111

Substitute numerical values and evaluate y top :

⎛ 2(4.0 m )
2
2 ⎞
⎜ − (0.20 s ) ⎟
( )
2
9.81m/s
y top = 1
9.81 m/s 2 ⎜ ⎟ = 18 m
⎜ 2(0.20 s ) ⎟
2

⎜ ⎟
⎝ ⎠

81 •• [SSM] In a classroom demonstration, a glider moves along an

inclined air track with constant acceleration. It is projected from the low end of
the track with an initial velocity. After 8.00 s have elapsed, it is 100 cm from the
low end and is moving along the track at a velocity of –15 cm/s. Find the initial
velocity and the acceleration.

Picture the Problem The acceleration of the glider on the air track is constant. Its
average acceleration is equal to the instantaneous (constant) acceleration. Choose
a coordinate system in which the initial direction of the glider’s motion is the
positive direction.

Using the definition of acceleration, Δv

express the average acceleration of a = aav =
Δt
the glider in terms of the glider’s
velocity change and the elapsed
time:

Using a constant-acceleration Δx v0 + v 2Δx

equation, express the average vav = = ⇒ v0 = −v
Δt 2 Δt
velocity of the glider in terms of the
displacement of the glider and the
elapsed time:

Substitute numerical values and 2(100 cm )

evaluate v0: v0 = − (−15 cm/s) = 40 cm/s
8.00 s

The average acceleration of the − 15 cm/s − (40 cm/s)

glider is: a=
8.00 s
= − 6.9 cm/s 2

82 •• A rock dropped from a cliff covers one-third of its total distance to the
ground in the last second of its fall. Air resistance is negligible. How high is the
cliff?

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the acceleration of the rock
is constant and its motion can be described using the constant-acceleration
112 Chapter 2

equations. Choose a coordinate system in which the downward direction is

positive and let the height of the cliff, which equals the displacement of the rock,
be represented by h.

Using a constant-acceleration Δy = v0t + 12 at 2

equation, express the height h of the
or, because v0 = 0, a = g, and Δy = h,
cliff in terms of the initial velocity of
the rock, acceleration, and time of h = 12 gt 2
fall:

Using this equation, express the 2

3
h = 12 gt 2 (1)
displacement of the rock during the
first two-thirds of its fall:

Using the same equation, express the h = 12 g (t + 1s )

2
(2)
displacement of the rock during its
complete fall in terms of the time
required for it to fall this distance:

Substitute equation (2) in equation t2 – (4 s)t – 2 s2 = 0

(1) to obtain:

Use the quadratic formula or your t = 4.45 s

graphing calculator to solve for the
positive root:

Evaluate Δt = t + 1 s: Δt = 4.45 s + 1 s = 5.45 s

Substitute numerical values in h= 1

2 (9.81m/s )(5.45 s )
2 2
= 146 m
equation (2) and evaluate h:

83 •• [SSM] A typical automobile under hard braking loses speed at a rate

of about 7.0 m/s2; the typical reaction time to engage the brakes is 0.50 s. A local
school board sets the speed limit in a school zone such that all cars should be able
to stop in 4.0 m. (a) What maximum speed does this imply for an automobile in
this zone? (b) What fraction of the 4.0 m is due to the reaction time?

Picture the Problem Assume that the acceleration of the car is constant. The total
distance the car travels while stopping is the sum of the distances it travels during
the driver’s reaction time and the time it travels while braking. Choose a
coordinate system in which the positive direction is the direction of motion of the
automobile and apply a constant-acceleration equation to obtain a quadratic
equation in the car’s initial speed v0.
 Motion in One Dimension 113

(a) Using a constant-acceleration v 2 = v02 + 2aΔxbrk

equation, relate the velocity of the or, because the final velocity is zero,
car to its initial velocity,
v2
acceleration, and displacement 0 = v02 + 2aΔx brk ⇒ Δxbrk = − 0
during braking: 2a

Express the total distance traveled by Δxtot = Δxreact + Δxbrk

the car as the sum of the distance
v02
traveled during the reaction time and = v0 Δtreact −
the distance traveled while slowing 2a
down:

Rearrange this quadratic equation v02 − 2aΔtreact v0 + 2aΔxtot = 0

to obtain:

Substitute numerical values and v02 + (7.0 m/s )v0 − 56 m 2 / s 2 = 0

simplify to obtain:

Use your graphing calculator or the v0 = 4.76 m/s

quadratic formula to solve the
quadratic equation for its positive
root:

Convert this speed to mi/h: ⎛ 1 mi/h ⎞

v0 = (4.76 m/s )⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 11 mi/h
⎝ 0.4470 m/s ⎠

(b) Find the reaction-time distance: Δxreact = v 0Δt react

= (4.76 m/s)(0.50 s) = 2.38 m

Express and evaluate the ratio of the Δxreact 2.38 m

reaction distance to the total = = 0.60
Δx tot 4.0 m
distance:

84 •• Two trains face each other on adjacent tracks. They are initially at rest,
and their front ends are 40 m apart. The train on the left accelerates rightward at
1.0 m/s2. The train on the right accelerates leftward at 1.3 m/s2. (a) How far does
the train on the left travel before the front ends of the trains pass? (b) If the trains
are each 150 m in length, how long after the start are they completely past one
another, assuming their accelerations are constant?

Picture the Problem Assume that the accelerations of the trains are constant.
Choose a coordinate system in which the direction of the motion of the train on
the left is the positive direction. Take x0 = 0 as the position of the train on the left
at t = 0 and note that the acceleration of the train on the right is negative.
114 Chapter 2

(a) Using a constant-acceleration xL = 12 aLt 2 (1)

equation, express the position of
the front of the train on the left as a
function of time:

Using a constant-acceleration xR = 40 m + 12 aR t 2
equation, express the position of
the front of the train on the right as
a function of time:

Equate xL and xR to obtain: 80 m

1
aL t 2 = 40 m + 12 aR t 2 ⇒ t =
2
aL − aR

Substituting for t in equation (1) ⎛ ⎞

yields: ⎜ ⎟
⎛ 80 m ⎞ 1 ⎜ 80 m ⎟
= 2 a L ⎜⎜ ⎟= ⎜
1
xL ⎟ 2 ⎟
⎝ aL − aR ⎠ ⎜1 − a R ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ aL ⎠

Substitute numerical values and ⎛ ⎞

evaluate xL: ⎜ ⎟
80 m
xL = 12 ⎜ ⎟ = 17 m
⎜ 1.0 m/s 2 ⎟
⎜1− ⎟
⎝ 1.3 m/s 2 ⎠

(b) Let the rear of the left train be at the origin at t = 0. Then the initial location of
the rear end of the train on the right is at x = 340 m (150 m + 40 m + 150 m).

Using a constant-acceleration xL = 12 aLt 2

equation, express the position of the
rear of the train on the left as a
function of time:

Using a constant-acceleration equation, xR = 340 m + 12 aR t 2

express the position of the rear of the
train on the right as a function of time:

The trains will be completely past xL = xR ⇒ 12 aL t 2 = 340 m + 12 aR t 2

each other when:

Solving for t yields: 680 m

t=
aL − aR

Substitute numerical values and 680 m

t= = 17 s
evaluate t:
(
1.0 m/s − − 1.3 m/s 2
2
)
 Motion in One Dimension 115
x, m
Remarks: One can also solve this
problem by graphing xL and xR as
functions of t. The coordinates of xR
the intersection of the two curves
xL
give one the time-to-passing and
the distance traveled by the train 17

on the left for Part (a).

t, s
17

85 •• Two stones are dropped from the edge of a 60-m cliff, the second stone
1.6 s after the first. How far below the top of the cliff is the second stone when the
separation between the two stones is 36 m?

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the acceleration of the
stones is constant. Choose a coordinate system in which the downward direction
is positive and the origin is at the point of release of the stones.

Using constant-acceleration x1 = 12 gt 2
equations, relate the positions of the
and
two stones to their initial positions,
accelerations, and time-of-fall: x2 = 12 g (t − 1.6 s) 2

Express the difference between x1 − x2 = 36 m

x1 and x2:

Substitute for x1 and x2 to obtain: 36 m = 12 gt 2 − 12 g (t − 1.6 s )

2

Solve this equation for the time t at t = 3.09 s

which the stones will be separated by
36 m:

Substitute this result in the x2 = 1

2 (9.81m s )(3.09 s − 1.6 s)
2 2

expression for x2 and solve for x2:

= 11 m

86 •• A motorcycle officer hidden at an intersection observes a car driven by

an oblivious driver who ignores a stop sign and continues through the intersection
at constant speed. The police officer takes off in pursuit 2.0 s after the car has
passed the stop sign. She accelerates at 4.2 m/s2 until her speed is 110 km/h, and
then continues at this speed until she catches the car. At that instant, the car is
1.4 km from the intersection. (a) How long did it take for the officer to catch up to
the car? (b) How fast was the car traveling?
116 Chapter 2

Picture the Problem The acceleration of the police officer’s car is positive and
constant and the acceleration of the speeder’s car is zero. Choose a coordinate
system such that the direction of motion of the two vehicles is the positive
direction and the origin is at the stop sign.

(a) The time traveled by the car is t car = 2.0 s + t1 + t 2 (1)

given by: where t1 is the time during which the
motorcycle was accelerating and t2 is
the time during which the motorcycle
moved with constant speed.

Convert 110 km/h into m/s: km 103 m 1h

v1 = 110 × ×
h km 3600 s
m
= 30.56
s

Express and evaluate t1: v1 30.56 m/s

t1 = = = 7.276 s
a motorcycle 4.2 m/s 2

Express and evaluate d1: d1 = 12 v1t1

= 12 (30.56 m/s)(7.276 s) = 111.2 m

Determine d2: d 2 = d caught − d1 = 1400 m − 111 m

= 1289 m

Express and evaluate t2: d2 1289 m

t2 = = = 42.18 s
v1 30.56 m/s

Substitute in equation (1) and t car = 2.0 s + 7.3 s + 42.2 s = 51.5 s

evaluate tcar:
= 52 s

(b) The speed of the car when it was d caught

overtaken is the ratio of the distance vcar =
t car
it traveled to the elapsed time:

Substitute numerical values and ⎛ 1400 m ⎞ ⎛ 1 mi/h ⎞

evaluate vcar: vcar = ⎜ ⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 61 mi/h
⎝ 51.5 s ⎠ ⎝ 0.447 m/s ⎠

87 •• At t = 0, a stone is dropped from the top of a cliff above a lake. Another

stone is thrown downward 1.6 s later from the same point with an initial speed of
32 m/s. Both stones hit the water at the same instant. Find the height of the cliff.
 Motion in One Dimension 117

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the acceleration of the stone
is constant. Choose a coordinate system in which downward is positive and the
origin is at the point of release of the stone and apply constant-acceleration
equations.

Using a constant-acceleration h = 12 gt12

equation, express the height of the
cliff in terms of the initial position of
the stones, acceleration due to
gravity, and time for the first stone to
hit the water:

Express the displacement of the d 2 = v02t2 + 12 gt22

second stone when it hits the water where t2 = t1 – 1.6 s.
in terms of its initial velocity,
acceleration, and time required for it
to hit the water.

Because the stones will travel the 1

2
gt12 = v02t2 + 12 gt22
same distances before hitting the or, because t2 = t1 – 1.6 s,
water, equate h and d2 to obtain:
2 gt1 = v02t 2 + 2 g (t1 − 1.6 s )
1 2 1 2

Substitute numerical values to obtain:

1
2 (9.81 m/s ) t = (32 m/s)(t
2 2
1 1 ( )
− 1.6 s )+ 12 9.81 m/s 2 (t1 − 1.6 s )
2

Solving this quadratic equation for t1 t1 = 2.370 s

yields:

Substitute for t1 and evaluate h: h = 12 (9.81 m/s 2 )(2.370 s) 2 = 28 m

88 •• A passenger train is traveling at 29 m/s when the engineer sees a freight

train 360 m ahead of his train traveling in the same direction on the same track.
The freight train is moving at a speed of 6.0 m/s. (a) If the reaction time of the
engineer is 0.40 s, what is the minimum (constant) rate at which the passenger
train must lose speed if a collision is to be avoided? (b) If the engineer’s reaction
time is 0.80 s and the train loses speed at the minimum rate described in Part (a),
at what rate is the passenger train approaching the freight train when the two
collide? (c) How far will the passenger train have traveled in the time between the
sighting of the freight train and the collision?

Picture the Problem Assume that the acceleration of the passenger train is
constant. Let xp = 0 be the location of the passenger train engine at the moment of
sighting the freight train’s end; let t = 0 be the instant the passenger train begins to
slow (0.40 s after the passenger train engineer sees the freight train ahead).
118 Chapter 2

Choose a coordinate system in which the direction of motion of the trains is the
positive direction and use constant-acceleration equations to express the positions
of the trains in terms of their initial positions, speeds, accelerations, and elapsed
time.

(a) Using constant-acceleration xp = (29 m/s )(t + 0.40 s ) − 12 at 2 (1)

equations, write expressions for the
and
positions of the front of the
xf = (360 m ) + (6.0 m/s ) (t + 0.40 s)
passenger train and the rear of the
freight train, xp and xf, respectively: where xp and xf are in meters if t is in
seconds.

Equate xf and xp to obtain an 1

2
at 2 − (23 m/s )t + 350.8 m = 0
equation for t:

Find the discriminant ⎛a⎞

D = (23 m/s ) − 4⎜ ⎟(350.8 m )
( )
2
D = B2 − 4AC of this equation: ⎝2⎠

The equation must have real roots if If (23 m/s)2 – a (701.6 m) ≥ 0, then
it is to describe a collision. The a ≤ 0.75 m/s 2
necessary condition for real roots is
that the discriminant be greater than
or equal to zero:

(b) Differentiate equation (1) to dxp (t )

express the speed of the passenger v p (t ) = = 29 m/s − at (2)
dt
train as a function of time:

Repeat the previous steps with a = 0.75 m/s2 and a 0.80 s reaction time. The
quadratic equation that guarantees real roots with the longer reaction time
is:

(0.375 m/s )t − (23 m/s)t + 341.6m = 0

2 2

Use the quadratic formula or your t = 25.23 s and t = 36.10 s

graphing calculator to find the
collision times:

Because, when t = 36.10 s, the trains Note: In the graph shown below, you
have already collided, this root is not will see why we keep only the smaller
a meaningful solution to our of the two solutions.
problem.

Evaluate equation (2) for t = 25.23 s ( )

v p (t ) = 29 m/s − 0.75 m/s 2 (25.23 s )
and a = 0.75 m/s2:
= 10 m/s
 Motion in One Dimension 119

(c) The position of the passenger train as a function of time is given by:

(
x p (t ) = (29 m/s )(t + 0.80 s ) − 12 0.75 m/s 2 t 2 )
Evaluate xp (25.23 s ) to obtain:

( )
x p (26 s ) = (29 m/s )(25.23 s + 0.80 s ) − 12 0.75 m/s 2 (25.23 s ) = 0.52 km
2

The following graph shows the positions of the trains as a function of time. The
solid straight line is for the constant velocity freight train; the dashed curves are
for the passenger train, with reaction times of 0.40 s for the lower curve and
0.80 s for the upper curve.
700

600

500

400
x,m

300

200 0.40 s reaction time

Freight train
100
0.80 s reaction time
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
t, s

Remarks: A collision occurs the first time the curve for the passenger train
crosses the curve for the freight train. The smaller of the two solutions will
always give the time of the collision.

89 •• The click beetle can project itself vertically with an acceleration of

about 400g (an order of magnitude more than a human could survive!). The beetle
jumps by ″unfolding″ its 0.60-cm long legs. (a) How high can the click beetle
jump? (b) How long is the beetle in the air? (Assume constant acceleration while
in contact with the ground and neglect air resistance.)

Picture the Problem Choose a coordinate system in which the upward direction
is positive. We can use a constant-acceleration equation to find the beetle’s
velocity as its feet lose contact with the ground and then use this velocity to
calculate the height of its jump.
120 Chapter 2

(a) Using a constant-acceleration

point = vlaunch + 2aΔy free fall
2 2
vhighest
equation, relate the beetle’s
maximum height to its launch = vlaunch
2
+ 2(− g )h
velocity, velocity at the top of its or, because vhighest point = 0 ,
trajectory, and acceleration once it is 2
+ 2(− g )h ⇒ h =
airborne; solve for its maximum vlaunch
0 = vlaunch
2
(1)
height: 2g

Now, in order to determine the 2

vlaunch = v02 + 2aΔylaunch
beetle’s launch velocity, relate its or, because v0 = 0,
time of contact with the ground to its 2
vlaunch = 2aΔylaunch
acceleration and push-off distance:

2
Substituting for vlaunch in equation (1) 2aΔylaunch
h=
yields: 2g

Substitute numerical values in

h=
( )(
2(400 ) 9.81m/s 2 0.60 × 10−2 m )
equation (1) to find the height to
which the beetle can jump:
(
2 9.81m/s 2 )
= 2.4 m

(b) Using a constant-acceleration v = v0 + at

equation, relate the velocity of the or
beetle at its maximum height to its
launch velocity, free-fall acceleration vmax. height = vlaunch − gtmax. height
while in the air, and time-to- and, because vmax height = 0 ,
maximum height: vlaunch
0 = vlaunch − gtmax. height ⇒ tmax height =
g

For zero displacement and constant 2vlaunch

acceleration, the time-of-flight is t flight = 2t max.height =
g
twice the time-to-maximum height:

Substitute numerical values and 2(6.9 m/s )

tflight = = 1.4 s
evaluate tflight : 9.81m/s 2

90 •• An automobile accelerates from rest at 2.0 m/s2 for 20 s. The speed is

then held constant for 20 s, after which there is an acceleration of –3.0 m/s2 until
the automobile stops. What is the total distance traveled?

Picture the Problem This is a multipart constant-acceleration problem using

three different constant accelerations (+2.0 m/s2 for 20 s, then zero for 20 s, and
then –3.0 m/s2 until the automobile stops). The final velocity is zero. The
pictorial representation will help us organize the information in the problem and
develop our solution strategy.
 Motion in One Dimension 121

Add up all the displacements to get Δx 03 = Δx01 + Δx12 + Δx 23 (1)

the total:

Using constant-acceleration Δx01 = v0t1 + 12 a01t12

formulas, find the first displacement:
or, because v0 =0,
Δx01 = 12 a01t12

The speed is constant for the second Δx12 = v1 (t2 − t1 )

displacement. The second or, because v1 = v0 + a01t1 = 0 + a01t1 ,
displacement is given by:
Δx12 = a01t1 (t2 − t1 )

The displacement during the braking v32 = v22 + 2a23 Δx23

interval is related to v3, v2, and a23: and, because v2 = v1 = a01t1 and v3 = 0,
− (a01t1 )
2
Δx23 =
2a23

Substituting for Δx01 , Δx12 , and

Δx03 = a t
1 2
+ a01t1 (t2 − t1 ) −
(a01t1 )
2

01 1
Δx23 in equation (1) yields: 2
2a23

Substitute numerical values and

Δx23 = −
[(2.0 m/s) (20 s)] 2 = 267m
evaluate Δx23 to obtain: (
2 − 3.0 m s 2 )
Substitute numerical values and evaluate Δx03 :

Δx03 = 1
(2.0 m/s) (20 s ) + (2.0 m/s) (20 s) (40 s − 20 s ) −
2 [(2.0 m/s) (20 s)]
2

2
2(− 3.0 m s
2
)
= 1.5 km

Remarks: Because the area under the curve of a velocity-versus-time graph

equals the displacement of the object experiencing the acceleration, we could
solve this problem by plotting the velocity as a function of time and finding
the area bounded by it and the time axis.

91 •• [SSM] Consider measuring the free-fall motion of a particle (neglect

air resistance). Before the advent of computer-driven data-logging software, these
experiments typically employed a wax-coated tape placed vertically next to the
122 Chapter 2

path of a dropped electrically conductive object. A spark generator would cause

an arc to jump between two vertical wires through the falling object and through
the tape, thereby marking the tape at fixed time intervals Δt. Show that the
change in height during successive time intervals for an object falling from rest
follows Galileo’s Rule of Odd Numbers: Δy21 = 3Δy10, Δy32 = 5Δy10, . . . , where
Δy10 is the change in y during the first interval of duration Δt, Δy21 is the change in
y during the second interval of duration Δt, etc.

Picture the Problem In the absence of air resistance, the particle experiences
constant acceleration and we can use constant-acceleration equations to describe
its position as a function of time. Choose a coordinate system in which downward
is positive, the particle starts from rest (vo = 0), and the starting height is zero
(y0 = 0).

−g
(Δt )2 = − g (Δt )2
Using a constant-acceleration
equation, relate the position of the y1 =
2 2
falling particle to the acceleration −g
and the time. Evaluate the y-position y2 = (2Δt )2 = − g (4)(Δt )2
2 2
at successive equal time intervals Δt,
−g −
2Δt, 3Δt, etc: y3 = (3Δt )2 = g (9)(Δt )2
2 2
−g −
y4 = (4Δt )2 = g (16)(Δt )2
2 2
etc.

Evaluate the changes in those ⎛−g⎞

⎟ (Δt )
2
positions in each time interval: Δy10 = y1 − 0 = ⎜
⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛−g⎞
⎟(Δt ) = 3Δy10
2
Δy21 = y2 − y1 = 3⎜
⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛−g⎞
⎟(Δt ) = 5Δy10
2
Δy32 = y3 − y2 = 5⎜
⎝ 2 ⎠
⎛−g⎞
⎟(Δt ) = 7 Δy10
2
Δy43 = y4 − y3 = 7⎜
⎝ 2 ⎠
etc.

92 •• Starting from rest, a particle travels along the x axis with a constant
acceleration of +3.0 m/s2. At a time 4.0 s following its start, it is at x = 100 m. At
a time 6.0 s later it has a velocity of +15 m/s. Find its position at this later time.

Picture the Problem Because the particle moves with a constant acceleration we
can use the constant-acceleration equations to describe its motion. A pictorial
representation will help us organize the information in the problem and develop
our solution strategy.
 Motion in One Dimension 123

Using a constant-acceleration x(t ) = x0 + v0t + 12 at 2 (1)

equation, express the position x(t) of
the particle in terms of its initial
speed v0, initial position x0, and
acceleration a:

Using the information that when t = 4.0 s, x = 100 m, obtain an equation in x0 and
v0 :

( )
x (4.0 s ) = 100 m = x0 + v0 (4.0 s ) + 12 3.0 m/s 2 (4.0 s )
2

Simplify this equation to obtain: x0 + (4.0 s )v0 = 76 m (2)

Using the information that when ( )

v (6.0 s ) = 15 m/s = v 0 + 3.0 m/s 2 (6.0 s )
t = 6.0 s, v = 15 m/s, obtain a
second equation in x0 and v0:

Solving for v0 yields: v0 = −3.0 m/s

Substitute this value for v0 in x0 + (4.0 s )(− 3.0 m/s ) = 76 m

equation (2) to obtain:

Solving for x0 yields: x0 = 88 m

Substitute for x0, v0, and a in equation (1) to obtain the general expression for
the position x(t) of the particle as a function of time:

( )
x (t ) = 88 m/s + (− 3.0 m/s ) t + 12 3.0 m/s 2 t 2

Evaluating x(6.0 s) yields:

( )
x (6.0 s ) = 88 m + (− 3.0 m/s ) (6.0 s ) + 12 3.0 m/s 2 (6.0 s ) = 0.12 km
2

93 •• [SSM] If it were possible for a spacecraft to maintain a constant

acceleration indefinitely, trips to the planets of the Solar System could be
undertaken in days or weeks, while voyages to the nearer stars would only take a
few years. (a) Using data from the tables at the back of the book, find the time it
would take for a one-way trip from Earth to Mars (at Mars’ closest approach to
Earth). Assume that the spacecraft starts from rest, travels along a straight line,
124 Chapter 2

accelerates halfway at 1g, flips around, and decelerates at 1g for the rest of the
trip. (b) Repeat the calculation for a 4.1 × 1013-km trip to Proxima Centauri, our
nearest stellar neighbor outside of the sun. (See Problem 47.)

Picture the Problem Note: No material body can travel at speeds faster than
light. When one is dealing with problems of this sort, the kinematic formulae for
displacement, velocity and acceleration are no longer valid, and one must invoke
the special theory of relativity to answer questions such as these. For now, ignore
such subtleties. Although the formulas you are using (i.e., the constant-
acceleration equations) are not quite correct, your answer to Part (b) will be
wrong by about 1%.

(a) Let t1/2 represent the time it takes t = 2 t1/2 (1)

to reach the halfway point. Then the
total trip time is:

Use a constant- acceleration equation Δx = v0t + 12 at12 2

to relate the half-distance to Mars Δx
to the initial speed, acceleration, and
half-trip time t1/2 :

Because v0 = 0 and a = g: 2Δx

t1 / 2 =
a

Substitute in equation (1) to obtain: 2Δx

t=2 (2)
a

The distance from Earth to Mars at

t round trip = 2
(
2 3.9 × 1010 m)= 18 × 10 4 s
closest approach is 7.8 × 1010 m. 2
9.81 m/s
Substitute numerical values and
evaluate t : ≈ 2 .1 d

(b) From Problem 47 we have: d Proxima Centauri = 4.1× 1013 km

Substitute numerical values in

equation (2) to obtain: t round trip = 2
(
2 4.1× 1013 km )
= 18 × 107 s
2
9.81 m/s
≈ 5.8 y

Remarks: Our result in Part (a) seems remarkably short, considering how
far Mars is and how low the acceleration is.

94 • The Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas is 1137 ft high. It takes 1 min,

20 s to ascend from the ground floor to the top of the tower using the high-speed
elevator. The elevator starts and ends at rest. Assume that it maintains a constant
 Motion in One Dimension 125

upward acceleration until it reaches its maximum speed, and then maintains a
constant acceleration of equal magnitude until it comes to a stop. Find the
magnitude of the acceleration of the elevator. Express this acceleration magnitude
as a multiple of g (the acceleration due to gravity).

Picture the Problem Because the elevator accelerates uniformly for half the
distance and uniformly decelerates for the second half, we can use constant-
acceleration equations to describe its motion

Let t1/2 = 40 s be the time it takes Δy = v0t + 12 at 2

to reach the halfway mark. Use or, because v0 = 0,
the constant-acceleration equation 2 Δy
that relates the acceleration to the Δy = 12 at 2 ⇒ a = 2
known variables to obtain: t1 / 2

Substitute numerical values and 2( 12 )(1137 ft )(1 m/3.281ft )

a= = 0.22 m/s 2
evaluate a: (40 s ) 2

= 0.022 g

95 •• A train pulls away from a station with a constant acceleration of

2
0.40 m/s . A passenger arrives at a point next to the track 6.0 s after the end of the
train has passed the very same point. What is the slowest constant speed at which
she can run and still catch the train? On a single graph plot the position versus
time curves for both the train and the passenger.

Picture the Problem Because the acceleration is constant, we can describe the
motions of the train using constant-acceleration equations. Find expressions for
the distances traveled, separately, by the train and the passenger. When are they
equal? Note that the train is accelerating and the passenger runs at a constant
minimum velocity (zero acceleration) such that she can just catch the train.

1. Using the subscripts ″train″ and

xtrain,c (tc ) =
atrain 2
tc
″p″ to refer to the train and the 2
passenger and the subscript ″c″ to and
identify ″critical″ conditions, express xp,c (tc ) = vp,c (tc − Δt )
the position of the train and the
passenger:

Express the critical conditions that vtrain,c = vp, c

must be satisfied if the passenger is and
to catch the train:
xtrain, c = xp, c

2. Express the train’s average 0 + vtrain, c vtrain, c

velocity. vav (0 to tc ) = =
2 2
126 Chapter 2

3. Using the definition of average Δx 0 + xp, c xp, c

velocity, express vav in terms of vav ≡ = =
Δt 0 + tc tc
xp,c and tc.

4. Combine steps 2 and 3 and solve vtrain,ctc

for xp,c. xp,c =
2

5. Combine steps 1 and 4 and solve vtrain,ctc

for tc. vp,c (tc − Δt ) =
2
or
tc
tc − Δt =
2
and
tc = 2 Δt = 2 (6 s) = 12 s

6. Finally, combine steps 1 and 5 and ( )

v p,c = v train,c = a train t c = 0.40 m/s 2 (12 s )
solve for vtrain, c.
= 4.8 m/s

The following graph shows the location of both the passenger and the train as a
function of time. The parabolic solid curve is the graph of xtrain(t) for the
accelerating train. The straight dashed line is passenger's position xp(t) if she
arrives at Δt = 6.0 s after the train departs. When the passenger catches the train,
our graph shows that her speed and that of the train must be equal ( vtrain,c = vp, c ).
Do you see why?
50
45
40 Train
Passenger
35
30
x, m

25
20
15
10
5
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
t, s

96 ••• Ball A is dropped from the top of a building of height h at the same
instant that ball B is thrown vertically upward from the ground. When the balls
collide, they are moving in opposite directions, and the speed of A is twice the
speed of B. At what fraction of the height of the building does the collision occur?
 Motion in One Dimension 127

Picture the Problem Both balls experience constant acceleration once they are in
flight. Choose a coordinate system with the origin at the ground and the upward
direction positive. When the balls collide they are at the same height above the
ground.

Using constant-acceleration yA = h − 12 gt 2
equations, express the positions of
and
both balls as functions of time. At
the ground y = 0. yB = v0t − 12 gt 2

The conditions at collision are that yA = yB

the heights are equal and the and
velocities are related:
v A = − 2v B

Express the velocities of both balls vA = − gt and vB = v0 − gt

as functions of time:

Substituting the position and velocity h − 12 gtc2 = v0tc − 12 gtc2

functions into the conditions at
and
collision gives:
− gtc = −2(v0 − gtc )
where tc is the time of collision.

We now have two equations and two 2h 3 gh

unknowns, tc and v0. Solving the tc = and v0 =
3g 2
equations for the unknowns gives:

Substitute the expression for tc into ⎛ 2h ⎞ 2h

the equation for yA to obtain the y A = h − 12 g ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ =
height at collision: ⎝ 3g ⎠ 3

Remarks: We can also solve this problem graphically by plotting velocity-

versus-time for both balls. Because ball A starts from rest its velocity is given
by v A = − gt . Ball B initially moves with an unknown velocity vB0 and its
velocity is given by v B = v B0 − gt . The graphs of these equations are shown
below with T representing the time at which they collide.
128 Chapter 2

v
vBO

vB = vBO − gt
2
3 vBO

1
3 vBO 1
vBO
3

t
T

2
3 vBO

vA = − gt

The height of the building is the sum of the sum of the distances traveled by
the balls. Each of these distances is equal to the magnitude of the area
″under″ the corresponding v-versus-t curve. Thus, the height of the building
equals the area of the parallelogram, which is vB0T. The distance that A falls
is the area of the lower triangle, which is 13 vBOT . Therefore, the ratio of the
distance fallen by A to the height of the building is 1/3, so the collision takes
place at 2/3 the height of the building.

97 ••• Solve Problem 96 if the collision occurs when the balls are moving in
the same direction and the speed of A is 4 times that of B.

Picture the Problem Both balls are moving with constant acceleration. Take the
origin of the coordinate system to be at the ground and the upward direction to be
positive. When the balls collide they are at the same height above the ground.
The velocities at collision are related by vA = 4vB.

Using constant-acceleration yA = h − 12 gt 2 and y B = v 0 t − 12 gt 2

equations, express the positions of
both balls as functions of time:

The conditions at collision are that yA = yB and v A = 4v B

the heights are equal and the
velocities are related:
 Motion in One Dimension 129

Express the velocities of both balls vA = − gt and v B = v0 − gt

as functions of time:

Substitute the position and velocity h − 12 gtc2 = v0t c − 12 gt c2

functions into the conditions at
and
collision to obtain:
− gtc = 4(v0 − gtc )
where tc is the time of collision.

We now have two equations and two 4h 3gh

unknowns, tc and v0. Solving the tc = and v 0 =
3g 4
equations for the unknowns gives:

Substitute the expression for tc into ⎛ 4h ⎞ h

the equation for yA to obtain the y A = h − 12 g ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ =
height at collision: ⎝ 3g ⎠ 3

98 ••• Starting at one station, a subway train accelerates from rest at a

constant rate of 1.00 m/s2 for half the distance to the next station, then slows
down at the same rate for the second half of the journey. The total distance
between stations is 900 m. (a) Sketch a graph of the velocity vx as a function of
time over the full journey. (b) Sketch a graph of the position as a function of time
over the full journey. Place appropriate numerical values on both axes.

Picture the Problem The problem describes two intervals of constant

acceleration; one when the train’s velocity is increasing, and a second when it is
decreasing.

(a) Using a constant-acceleration Δx = v0 Δt + 12 a (Δt )

2

equation, relate the half-distance Δx or, because v0 = 0,

between stations to the initial speed
2Δx
v0, the acceleration a of the train, and Δx = 12 a (Δt ) ⇒ Δt =
2

the time-to-midpoint Δt: a

Substitute numerical values and 2(450 m )

evaluate the time-to-midpoint Δt: Δt = = 30.0 s
1.00 m/s 2

Because the train accelerates uniformly and from rest, the first part of its velocity
graph will be linear, pass through the origin, and last for 30 s. Because it slows
down uniformly and at the same rate for the second half of its journey, this part of
its graph will also be linear but with a negative slope. A graph of v as a function
of t follows.
130 Chapter 2

30

25

20

v, m/s
15

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
t, s

(b) The graph of x as a function of t is obtained from the graph of v as a

function of t by finding the area under the velocity curve. Looking at the
velocity graph, note that when the train has been in motion for 10 s, it will
have traveled a distance of

1
2 (10 s )(10 m/s) = 50 m
and that this distance is plotted above 10 s on the following graph.
900

800

700

600

500
x, m

400

300

200

100

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
t, s

Selecting additional points from the velocity graph and calculating the areas under
the curve will confirm the graph of x as a function of t.

99 ••• [SSM] A speeder traveling at a constant speed of 125 km/h races

past a billboard. A patrol car pursues from rest with constant acceleration of
(8.0 km/h)/s until it reaches its maximum speed of 190 km/h, which it maintains
until it catches up with the speeder. (a) How long does it take the patrol car to
 Motion in One Dimension 131

catch the speeder if it starts moving just as the speeder passes? (b) How far does
each car travel? (c) Sketch x(t) for each car.

Picture the Problem This is a two-stage constant-acceleration problem. Choose a

coordinate system in which the direction of the motion of the cars is the positive
direction. The pictorial representation summarizes what we know about the
motion of the speeder’s car and the patrol car.

xS,0 = 0 xS,1 xS,2

vS,0 = 125 km/h vS,1 = 125 km/h vS,2 = 125 km/h

t0 = 0 t1 t2
aS,01 = 0 aS,12 = 0
x
aP,01 = 2.22 m/s 2 aP,12 = 0
0 1 2

xP,0 = 0 xP,1 xP,2

v P,0 = 0 v P,1 = 190 km/h v P,2 = 190 km/h

Convert the speeds of the vehicles km km 1h

and the acceleration of the police car 8.0 = 8.0 × = 2.2 m/s 2 ,
h ⋅s h ⋅ s 3600 s
into SI units:
km km 1h
125 = 125 × = 34.7 m/s ,
h h 3600 s
and
km km 1h
190 = 190 × = 52.8 m/s
h h 3600 s

(a) Express the condition that ΔxP,02 = ΔxS,02

determines when the police car
catches the speeder; that is, that their
displacements will be the same:

Using a constant-acceleration ΔxP,02 = ΔxP,01 + ΔxP,12

equation, relate the displacement of
= ΔxP,01 + vP ,1 (t 2 − t1 )
the patrol car to its displacement
while accelerating and its
displacement once it reaches its
maximum velocity:
132 Chapter 2

Using a constant-acceleration ΔxS,02 = vS,02 Δt02

equation, relate the displacement of = (34.7 m/s ) t 2
the speeder to its constant velocity
and the time it takes the patrol car to
catch it:

Calculate the time during which the ΔvP,01 vP ,1 − vP, 0

police car is speeding up: Δt P,01 = =
aP,01 aP,01
52.8 m/s − 0
= = 24 s
2.2 m/s 2

Express the displacement of the ΔxP,01 = vP,0 Δt P,01 + 12 aP ,01Δt P2,01

patrol car:
(
= 0 + 12 2.2 m/s 2 (24 s ) ) 2

= 630 m

Equate the displacements of the two ΔxP,02 = ΔxP,01 + ΔxP,12

vehicles:
= ΔxP,01 + vP ,1 (t 2 − t1 )
= 630 m + (52.8 m/s )(t 2 − 24 s)

Substitute for ΔxP,02 to obtain: (34.7 m/s) t2 = 630 m

+ (52.8 m/s)(t2 – 24 s)

Solving for the time to catch up t 2 = 35.19 s = 35 s

yields:

(b) The distance traveled is the ΔxS,02 = vS,02 Δt 02 = (35 m/s )(35.19 s )
displacement, Δx02,S, of the speeder
during the catch: = 1.2 km

(c) The graphs of xS and xP follow. The straight line (solid) represents xS(t) and the
parabola (dashed) represents xP(t).
 Motion in One Dimension 133

1400

1200
Speeder
1000 Officer

800
x, m
600

400

200

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
t, s

100 ••• When the patrol car in Problem 99 (traveling at 190 km/h), is
100 m behind the speeder (traveling at 125 km/h), the speeder sees the police car
and slams on his brakes, locking the wheels. (a) Assuming that each car can brake
at 6.0 m/s2 and that the driver of the police car brakes instantly as she sees the
brake lights of the speeder (reaction time = 0.0 s), show that the cars collide.
(b) At what time after the speeder applies his brakes do the two cars collide?
(c) Discuss how reaction time affects this problem.

Picture the Problem The accelerations of both cars are constant and we can use
constant-acceleration equations to describe their motions. Choose a coordinate
system in which the direction of motion of the cars is the positive direction, and
the origin is at the initial position of the police car.

(a) The collision will not occur if, ΔxP − ΔxS < 100 m
during braking, the displacements of
the two cars differ by less than
100 m:

Using a constant-acceleration vs2 = v02,s + 2as Δxs

equation, relate the speeder’s initial
or, because vs = 0,
and final speeds to its displacement
and acceleration and solve for the − v02,s
Δxs =
displacement: 2as

Substitute numerical values and − (34.7 m/s )

2
ΔxS = = 100 m
evaluate Δxs: (
2 − 6.0 m/s 2 )
134 Chapter 2

Using a constant-acceleration vp2 = v02, p + 2ap Δxp

equation, relate the patrol car’s initial
or, assuming vp = 0,
and final speeds to its displacement
and acceleration and solve for the − v2
Δxp = 0, p
displacement: 2ap

Substitute numerical values and − (52.8 m/s )

2
ΔxP = = 232 m
evaluate Δxp: (
2 − 6.0 m/s 2 )
Finally, substitute these displacements 232 m − 100 m = 132 m
into the inequality that determines Because this difference is greater than
whether a collision occurs: 100 m, the cars collide .

(b) Using constant-acceleration ( )

xS = 100 m + (34.7 m/s ) t − 3.0 m/s 2 t 2
equations, relate the positions of both and
vehicles to their initial positions,
initial velocities, accelerations, and
( )
xP = (52.8 m/s ) t − 3.0 m/s 2 t 2
time in motion:

Equate xS and xP to obtain:

( ) ( )
100 m + (34.7 m/s ) t − 3.0 m/s 2 t 2 = (52.8 m/s ) t − 3.0 m/s 2 t 2

Solving this equation for t yields: t = 5 .5 s

(c) If you take the reaction time into account, the collision will occur sooner and
be more severe.

101 ••• Leadfoot Lou enters the "Rest-to-Rest" auto competition, in which
each contestant’s car begins and ends at rest, covering a fixed distance L in as
short a time as possible. The intention is to demonstrate driving skills, and to find
which car is the best at the total combination of speeding up and slowing down.
The course is designed so that maximum speeds of the cars are never reached.
(a) If Lou's car maintains an acceleration (magnitude) of a during speedup, and
maintains a deceleration (magnitude) of 2a during braking, at what fraction of L
should Lou move his foot from the gas pedal to the brake? (b) What fraction of
the total time for the trip has elapsed at that point? (c) What is the fastest speed
Lou's car ever reaches? Neglect Lou's reaction time, and answer in terms of a and
L.

Picture the Problem Lou’s acceleration is constant during both parts of his trip.
Let t1 be the time when the brake is applied; L1 the distance traveled from t = 0 to
t = t1. Let tfin be the time when Lou's car comes to rest at a distance L from the
starting line. A pictorial representation will help organize the given information
and plan the solution.
 Motion in One Dimension 135

(a) Express the total length, L, of the L = Δx01 + Δx12 (1)

course in terms of the distance over
which Lou will be accelerating, Δx01,
and the distance over which he will
be braking, Δx12:

Express the final velocity over the v12 = v02 + 2a01Δx01

first portion of the course in terms of
or, because v0 = 0, Δx01 = L1, and
the initial velocity, acceleration, and
a01 = a,
displacement; solve for the
displacement: v12 vmax
2
Δx01 = L1 = =
2a 2a

Express the final velocity over the v22 = v12 + 2a12 Δx12
second portion of the course in terms or, because v2 = 0 and a12 = −2a,
of the initial velocity, acceleration,
v2 L
and displacement; solve for the Δx12 = 1 = 1
displacement: 4a 2

Substitute for Δx01 and Δx12 to L = Δx01 + Δx12 = L1 + 12 L1 = 32 L1

obtain: and
L1 = 23 L

(b) Using the fact that the acceleration vmax

was constant during both legs of the vav , 01 = vav ,12 =
2
trip, express Lou’s average velocity
over each leg:

Express the time for Lou to reach his Δx01 2 L1

maximum velocity as a function of Δt01 = =
vav,01 vmax
L1 and his maximum velocity:
and
Δt 01 ∝ L1 = 23 L
136 Chapter 2

Having just shown that the time t= 2

t
3 fin
required for the first segment of the
trip is proportional to the length of
the segment, use this result to
express Δt01 (= t1) in terms tfin:

(c) Express Lou’s displacement Δx01 = 12 at12

during the speeding up portion of
his trip:

The time required for Lou to make v1

this speeding portion of his trip is t1 =
a
given by:

Express Lou’s displacement during Δx12 = v1t1 − 12 (2a )t 22 = v1t1 − at 22

the slowing down portion of his trip: where t2 is his slowing down time.

Substitute in equation (1) to obtain: L = 12 at12 + v1t1 − at 22 (2)

Using a constant-acceleration v1
equation, relate Lou’s slowing down 0 = v1 − 2at 2 ⇒ t 2 =
2a
time for this portion of his trip to his
initial and final speeds:

Substituting for t1 and t2 in equation ⎛v ⎞

2
⎛v ⎞ ⎛ v ⎞
2

(2) yields: L = 12 a⎜ 1 ⎟ + v1 ⎜ 1 ⎟ − a⎜ 1 ⎟
⎝a⎠ ⎝ a ⎠ ⎝ 2a ⎠

Solve for v1 to obtain: 4aL

v1 =
3

102 ••• A physics professor, equipped with a rocket backpack, steps out of a
helicopter at an altitude of 575 m with zero initial velocity. (Neglect air
resistance.) For 8.0 s, she falls freely. At that time she fires her rockets and slows
her rate of descent at 15 m/s2 until her rate of descent reaches 5.0 m/s. At this
point she adjusts her rocket engine controls to maintain that rate of descent until
she reaches the ground. (a) On a single graph, sketch her acceleration and velocity
as functions of time. (Take upward to be positive.) (b) What is her speed at the
end of the first 8.0 s? (c) What is the duration of her slowing down period?
(d) How far does she travel while slowing down? (e) How much time is required
for the entire trip from the helicopter to the ground? (f) What is her average
velocity for the entire trip?
 Motion in One Dimension 137
y
Picture the Problem There are three
intervals of constant acceleration t0 = 0 y0 = 575 m
v0 = 0
described in this problem. Choose a
coordinate system in which the upward a01 = − g
direction is positive. The pictorial
representation summarizes the
t1 = 8 s y1
information we are given. We can v1
apply constant-acceleration equations
to find her speeds and distances a12 = 15 m/s 2
traveled at the end of each phase of her
descent.
t2 y2
v 2 = 5 m/s

a23 = 0

t3 y3 = 0
v3 = 5 m/s

(a) The graphs of a(t) (dashed lines) and v(t) (solid lines) follow.

20

0
v, m/s and a, m/s^2

-20

-40
Velocity
-60 Acceleration

-80
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
t, s

(b) Use a constant- acceleration v1 = v0 + a01t1

equation to express her speed in or, because a01 = −g and v0 = 0,
terms of her acceleration and the v1 = − gt1
elapsed time:

Substitute numerical values and ( )

v1 = − 9.81 m/s 2 (8.0 s ) = −78.5 m/s
evaluate v1:
and her speed is 79 m/s
138 Chapter 2

(c) As in (b), use a constant- v 2 − v1

acceleration equation to express v2 = v1 + a12 Δt12 ⇒ Δ t12 =
a12
her speed in terms of her
acceleration and the elapsed
time:

Substitute numerical values and − 5.0 m/s − (− 78.5 m/s )

Δ t12 =
evaluate Δt12: 15 m/s 2
= 4.9 s

(d) Find her average speed as she v1 + v 2 78.5 m/s + 5.0 m/s
vav = =
slows from 78.5 m/s to 5 m/s: 2 2
= 41.7 m/s

Use this value to calculate how far Δy12 = v avΔt12 = (41.7 m/s )(4.90 s)
she travels in 4.90 s: = 204.3 m

She travels approximately 204 m while slowing down.

(e) Express the total time in terms of Δt total = Δt01 + Δt12 + Δt23
the times for each segment of her
descent:

We know the times for the intervals Δy23 = Δy total − Δy01 − Δy12
from 0 to 1 and 1 to 2 so we only
⎛ 78.5 m/s ⎞
need to determine the time for the = 575 m − ⎜ ⎟(8.0 s )
interval from 2 to 3. We can ⎝ 2 ⎠
calculate Δt23 from her displacement − 204.3 m
and constant velocity during that = 56.7 m
segment of her descent.

Add the times to get the total time: Δttotal = Δt01 + Δt12 + Δt23
56.7 m
= 8.0 s + 4.9 s +
5.0 m/s
= 24.24 s
= 24 s

(f) Using its definition, calculate her Δy − 575 m

average velocity: vav = = = − 24 m/s
Δt total 24.24 s
 Motion in One Dimension 139

Integration of the Equations of Motion

103 • [SSM] The velocity of a particle is given by vx(t) = (6.0 m/s2)t
+ (3.0 m/s). (a) Sketch v versus t and find the area under the curve for the interval
t = 0 to t = 5.0 s. (b) Find the position function x(t). Use it to calculate the
displacement during the interval t = 0 to t = 5.0 s.

Picture the Problem The integral of a function is equal to the "area" between the
curve for that function and the independent-variable axis.

(a) The following graph was plotted using a spreadsheet program:

35

30

25

20
v, m/s

15

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5
t, s

The distance is found by determining Aunder = (36 blocks )(2.5 m/block )

the area under the curve. There are curve

approximately 36 blocks each having = 90 m

an area of
(5.0 m/s)(0.5 s) = 2.5 m.

You can confirm this result by using ⎛ 33 m/s + 3 m/s ⎞

the formula for the area of a A=⎜ ⎟(5.0 s − 0 s )
⎝ 2 ⎠
trapezoid:
= 90 m

(b) To find the position function x(t), t

we integrate the velocity function x(t ) = ∫ v(t ) dt

v(t) over the time interval in 0

[( ) ]
t
question:
= ∫ 6.0 m/s 2 t + (3.0 m/s ) dt
0
and
( )
x(t ) = 3.0 m/s 2 t 2 + (3.0 m/s )t
140 Chapter 2

Now evaluate x(t) at 0 s and 5.0 s Δx = x (5.0 s ) − x (0 s ) = 90 m − 0 m

respectively and subtract to obtain
= 90 m
Δx:

104 • Figure 2-41 shows the velocity of a particle versus time.

(a) What is the magnitude in meters represented by the area of the shaded box?
(b) Estimate the displacement of the particle for the two 1-s intervals, one
beginning at t = 1.0 s and the other at t = 2.0 s. (c) Estimate the average velocity
for the interval 1.0 s ≤ t ≤ 3.0 s. (d) The equation of the curve is vx = (0.50 m/s3)t2.
Find the displacement of the particle for the interval 1.0 s ≤ t ≤ 3.0 s by
integration and compare this answer with your answer for Part (b). Is the average
velocity equal to the mean of the initial and final velocities for this case?

Picture the Problem The integral of v(t) over a time interval is the displacement
(change in position) during that time interval. The integral of a function is
equivalent to the "area" between the curve for that function and the independent-
variable axis. Count the grid boxes.

(a) Find the area of the shaded Area = (1 m/s )(1 s ) = 1 m per box
gridbox:

(b) Find the approximate area under Δx1.0 s to 2.0 s = 1.2 m

the curve for 1.0 s ≤ t ≤ 2.0 s:

Find the approximate area under Δx2.0 s to 3.0 s = 3.2 m

the curve for 2.0 s ≤ t ≤ 3.0 s:

(c) Sum the displacements to obtain Δx1.0 s to 3.0 s = 1.2 m + 3.2 m

the total in the interval = 4.4 m
1.0 s ≤ t ≤ 3.0 s:

Using its definition, express and Δx1.0 s to 3.0 s 4.4 m

evaluate vav: vav = = = 2.2 m/s
Δt1.0 s to 3.0 s 2.0 s
 Motion in One Dimension 141

(d) Because the velocity of the (

dx = 0.5 m/s 3 dt )
particle is dx/dt, separate the so
variables and integrate over the 3.0 s

( ) ∫t
x
interval 1.0 s ≤ t ≤ 3.0 s to Δx1.0 s→3.0 s = ∫ dx = 0.50 m/s 3 2
dt
determine the displacement in x0 1.0 s
this time interval: 3.0s
⎡t 3 ⎤
(
= 0.50 m/s 3 ⎢ ⎥ ) = 4.33 m
⎣ 3 ⎦ 1.0s
= 4.3 m
This result is a little smaller than the sum
of the displacements found in Part (b).

Calculate the average velocity Δx1.0s−3.0s 4.33 m

over the 2-s interval from 1.0 s vav (1.0s−3.0s) = = = 2.2 m/s
to 3.0 s: Δt1.0s−3.0s 2.0 s

Calculate the initial and final

velocities of the particle over
( )
v (1.0 s ) = 0.50 m/s3 (1.0 s ) = 0.50 m/s
2

v (3.0 s ) = (0.50 m/s )(3.0 s )

2
the same interval:
3
= 4.5 m/s

Finally, calculate the average value v (1.0 s) + v (3.0 s) 0.50 m/s + 4.5 m/s
of the velocities at t = 1.0 s and =
2 2
t = 3.0 s: = 2.5 m/s
This average of 2.5 m/s is not equal to
the average velocity calculated above.

Remarks: The fact that the average velocity was not equal to the average of
the velocities at the beginning and the end of the time interval in part (d) is a
consequence of the acceleration not being constant.

105 •• The velocity of a particle is given by vx = (7.0 m/s3)t2 – 5.0 m/s, where t
is in seconds and v is in meters per second. If the particle is at the origin at t0 = 0,
find the position function x(t).

Picture the Problem Because the velocity of the particle varies with the square
of the time, the acceleration is not constant. The position of the particle is found
by integrating the velocity function.

Express the velocity of a particle as dx(t )

the derivative of its position v(t ) =
dt
function:
Separate the variables to obtain: dx(t ) = v(t )dt
142 Chapter 2

Express the integral of x from x (t ) t

xo = 0 to x and t from t0 = 0 to t: x(t ) = ∫ dx = ∫ v(t )dt

t0 =0 t0 =0

Substitute for v(t) and carry out

∫ [(7.0 m/s )t − (5.0 m/s)]dt
t

the integration to obtain: x(t ) = 3 2

t0 =0

= (2.3 m/s 3 )t 3 − (5.0 m/s )t

106 •• Consider the velocity graph in Figure 2-42. Assuming x = 0 at t = 0,

write correct algebraic expressions for x(t), vx(t), and ax(t) with appropriate
numerical values inserted for all constants.

Picture the Problem The graph is one of constant negative acceleration.

Because vx = v(t) is a linear function of t, we can make use of the slope-intercept
form of the equation of a straight line to find the relationship between these
variables. We can then differentiate v(t) to obtain a(t) and integrate v(t) to obtain
x(t).

Find the acceleration (the slope of a x = − 10 m/s 2

the graph) and the velocity at time 0
(the v-intercept) and use the slope- and
intercept form of the equation of a v x (t ) = 50 m/s + (−10 m/s 2 )t
straight line to express vx(t):

Find x(t) by integrating v(t):

[(
x (t ) = ∫ − 10 m/s 2 t + 50 m/s dt ) ]
(
= (50 m/s ) t − 5.0 m/s 2 t 2 + C )
Using the fact that x = 0 when t = 0, (
0 = (50 m/s )(0) − 5.0 m/s 2 (0) + C ) 2

evaluate C: and
C=0

Substitute to obtain: (
x (t ) = (50 m/s ) t − 5.0 m/s 2 t 2 )
Note that this expression is quadratic in t and that the coefficient of t2 is negative
and equal in magnitude to half the constant acceleration.

Remarks: We can check our result for x(t) by evaluating it over the 10-s
interval shown and comparing this result with the area bounded by this
curve and the time axis.

107 ••• Figure 2-43 shows the acceleration of a particle versus time. (a) What
is the magnitude, in m/s, of the area of the shaded box? (b) The particle starts
 Motion in One Dimension 143

from rest at t = 0. Estimate the velocity at t = 1.0 s, 2.0 s, and 3.0 s by counting
the boxes under the curve. (c) Sketch the curve v versus t from your results for
Part (b), then estimate how far the particle travels in the interval t = 0 to
t = 3.0 s using your curve.

Picture the Problem During any time interval, the integral of a(t) is the change
in velocity and the integral of v(t) is the displacement. The integral of a function
equals the "area" between the curve for that function and the independent-variable
axis.

(a) Find the area of the shaded grid ⎛ m⎞

box in Figure 2-44: Area = ⎜ 0.50 2 ⎟ (0.50 s )
⎝ s ⎠
= 0.25 m/s per box

(b) We start from rest (vo = 0) at t # of boxes v( t )

t = 0. For the velocities at the other (s) (m/s)
times, count boxes and multiply by 1 3.7 0.93 m/s
the 0.25 m/s per box that we found in
Part (a): 2 12 3.0 m/s
3 24 6.0 m/s

(c) The graph of v as a function of t follows:

7

4
v, m/s

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
t, s

Area = hw = (1.0 m/s )(0.50 s ) = 0.50 m per box

Count the boxes under the v(t) curve x (3 s ) = Δx (0 → 3 s )

to find the distance traveled: = (13 boxes )[(0.50 m ) / box ]
= 6 .5 m
144 Chapter 2

108 ••• Figure 2-44 is a graph of vx versus t for a particle moving along a
straight line. The position of the particle at time t = 0 is x0 = 5.0 m.
(a) Find x for various times t by counting boxes, and sketch x as a function of t.
(b) Sketch a graph of the acceleration a as a function of the time t. (c) Determine
the displacement of the particle between t = 3.0 s and 7.0 s.

Picture the Problem The integral of v(t) over a time interval is the displacement
(change in position) during that time interval. The integral of a function equals the
"area" between the curve for that function and the independent-variable axis. We
can estimate this value by counting the number of squares under the curve
between given limits and multiplying this count by the "area" of each square.
Because acceleration is the slope of a velocity versus time curve, this is a non-
constant-acceleration problem. The derivative of a function is equal to the "slope"
of the function at that value of the independent variable. We can approximate the
slope of any graph by drawing tangent lines and estimating their slopes.

(a) To obtain the data for x(t), we must estimate the accumulated area under the
v(t) curve at each time interval:

Find the area of a shaded grid box in Area = hw = (1.0 m/s )(0.50 s )
Figure 2-44: = 0.50 m per box
We start from rest (vo = 0) at to= 0. Examples:
For the position at the other times, ⎛ 0.50 m ⎞
count boxes and multiply by the x (2 s ) = (15.5 boxes )⎜ ⎟ + 5.0 m
⎝ box ⎠
0.50 m per box that we found above.
Remember to add the offset from the = 13 m
⎛ 0.50 m ⎞
origin, xo = 5.0 m, and that boxes x (5 s ) = (49 boxes )⎜ ⎟ + 5.0 m
below the v = 0 line are counted as ⎝ box ⎠
negative: = 30 m
⎛ 0.50 m ⎞
x (10 s ) = (51 boxes )⎜ ⎟
⎝ box ⎠
⎛ 0.50 m ⎞
− (36 boxes )⎜ ⎟ + 5.0 m
⎝ box ⎠
= 13 m
 Motion in One Dimension 145

A graph of x as a function of t follows:

35

30

25

x, m 20

15

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10

t, s

(b) To obtain the data for a(t), we Examples:

must estimate the slope (Δv/Δt) of 8.0 m/s − 4.1 m/s
a (2 s ) = = 0.8 m/s 2
the v(t) curve at several times. A 4.9 s
good way to get reasonably reliable ( )
a 3s = 0
readings from the graph is to enlarge
− 6.0 m/s − 8.0 m/s
it several fold and then estimate the a (5 s ) = = −4.5 m/s 2
slope of the tangent line at selected 7.1 s − 4.0 s
− 6.0 m/s − 1.4 m/s
points on the graph: a (7 s ) = = −3.0 m/s 2
7.6 s − 5.0 s
a (8 s ) = 0

A graph of a as a function of t follows:

6

2
a, m/s^2

-2

-4

-6
0 2 4 6 8 10
t, s
146 Chapter 2

(c) The displacement of the particle Δx3.0s →7.0 s = x (7.0 s ) − x (3.0 s )

between t = 3.0 s and 7.0 s is given
by:

Use the graph in (a) to obtain: x (7.0 s ) = 29 m and x (3.0 s ) = 18 m

Substitute for Δx(7.0 s) and Δx3.0s →7.0 s = 29 m − 18 m = 11 m

Δx(3.0 s) to obtain:

109 ••• [SSM] Figure 2-45 shows a plot of x versus t for a body moving
along a straight line. For this motion, sketch graphs (using the same t axis) of
(a) vx as a function of t, and (b) ax as a function of t. (c) Use your sketches to
compare the times when the object is at its largest distance from the origin to the
times when its speed is greatest. Explain why they do not occur at the same time.
(d) Use your sketches to compare the time(s) when the object is moving fastest
when the time(s) when its acceleration is the largest. Explain why they do not
occur at the same time.

Picture the Problem Because the position of the body is not described by a
parabolic function, the acceleration is not constant.

(a) Select a series of points on the graph of x(t) (e.g., at the extreme values and
where the graph crosses the t axis), draw tangent lines at those points, and
measure their slopes. In doing this, you are evaluating v = dx/dt at these points.
Plot these slopes above the times at which you measured the slopes. Your graph
should closely resemble the following graph.
8

v 0
-2

-4

-6

-8
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
t

(b) Select a series of points on the graph of v(t) (e.g., at the extreme values and
where the graph crosses the t axis), draw tangent lines at those points, and
measure their slopes. In doing this, you are evaluating a = dv/dt at these points.
Plot these slopes above the times at which you measured the slopes. Your graph
should closely resemble the following graph.
 Motion in One Dimension 147

15

10

a 0

-5

-10

-15
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4

(c) The points at the greatest distances from the time axis correspond to turn-
around points. The velocity of the body is zero at these points.

(d) The body is moving fastest as it goes through the origin. At these times the
velocity is not changing and hence the acceleration is zero. The maximum
acceleration occurs at the maximum distances where the velocity is zero but
changing direction rapidly.

110 ••• The acceleration of a certain rocket is given by a = bt, where b is a

positive constant. (a) Find the general position function x(t) if x0 = 0 and vx = v0x
at t = 0. (b) Find the position and velocity at t = 5.0 s if x0 = 0, v0x = 0, and
b = 3.0 m/s3. (c) Compute the average velocity of the rocket between t = 4.5 s and
5.5 s at t = 5.0 s if x0 = 0, v0x = 0 and b = 3.0 m/s3. Compare this average velocity
with the instantaneous velocity at t = 5.0 s.

Picture the Problem Because the acceleration of the rocket varies with time, it is
not constant and integration of this function is required to determine the rocket’s
velocity and position as functions of time. The conditions on x and v at t = 0 are
known as initial conditions.

(a) Integrate a(t) to find v(t): v(t ) = ∫ a(t ) dt = b ∫ t dt = 12 bt 2 + C

where C, the constant of integration,
can be determined from the initial
conditions.

Integrate v(t) to find x(t): [ ]

x(t ) = ∫ v(t ) dt = ∫ 12 bt 2 + C dt
= 16 bt 3 + Ct + D
where D is a second constant of
integration.
148 Chapter 2

Using the initial conditions, find v0 x (0) = 0 ⇒ C = 0

the constants C and D: and
x0 (0) = 0 ⇒ D = 0
and so
x(t ) = 16 bt 3

(b) Evaluate v(5.0 s) and x(5.0 s) v (5.0 s ) = 1

2 (3.0 m/s )(5.0 s)
3 2
= 38 m/s
with C = D = 0 and b = 3.0 m/s3:
and
x (5.0 s ) = 1
6 (3.0 m/s )(5.0 s ) =
3
63 m

(c) The average value of v(t) over 1 2

t

v(t )dt
Δt ∫t1
the interval Δt is given by: v=

Substitute for Δt and v(t) and b 3 t2 b(t 23 − t13 )

t
1 21 2
evaluate the integral to obtain: v = ∫ 2 bt dt = t =
Δt t1 6Δt t1 6Δt

Substitute numerical values and

v=
(3.0 m/s )[(5.5 s) − (4.5 s ) ]
3 3 3

evaluate v :
6(5.5 s − 4.5 s )
= 38 m/s ... a result in good
agreement with the value found
in (b).

111 ••• [SSM] In the time interval from 0.0 s to 10.0 s, the acceleration of a
particle traveling in a straight line is given by ax = (0.20 m/s3)t. Let to the right be
the +x direction. A particle initially has a velocity to the right of 9.5 m/s and is
located 5.0 m to the left of the origin. (a) Determine the velocity as a function of
time during the interval, (b) determine the position as a function of time during
the interval, (c) determine the average velocity between t = 0.0 s and10.0 s, and
compare it to the average of the instantaneous velocities at the start and ending
times. Are these two averages equal? Explain.

Picture the Problem The acceleration is a function of time; therefore it is not

constant. The instantaneous velocity can be determined by integration of the
acceleration function and the average velocity from the general expression for the
average value of a non-linear function.

(a) The instantaneous velocity

v(t ) = ∫ a x dt = ∫ b t dt = t 2 + C1
b
function v(t) is the time-integral of
2
the acceleration function:
where b = 0.20 m/s3
 Motion in One Dimension 149

The initial conditions are: 1) x (0) = −5.0 m

and
2) v (0 ) = 9.5 m/s

Use initial condition 2) to obtain: v (0 ) = 9.5 m/s = C1

Substituting in v(t) for b and C1 ( )

v (t ) = 0.10 m/s3 t 2 + 9.5 m/s (1)
yields:

(b) The instantaneous position (

x(t ) = ∫ v(t )dt = ∫ ct 2 + C1 dt )
function x(t) is the time-integral
of the velocity function: c
= t 3 + C1t + C 2
6
where c = 0.10 m/s3.

Using initial condition 1) yields: x (0 ) = −5.0 m = C 2

Substituting in x(t) for C1 and C2 yields:

x(t ) = 1
6 (0.20 m/s )t + (9.5 m/s)t − 5.0 m/s
3 3

(c) The average value of v(t) over the 1 2

t

v(t )dt
Δt ∫t1
interval Δt is given by: v=

Substitute for v(t) and evaluate the integral to obtain:

1 ⎡b ⎞⎤
t t
1 2⎛b ⎞ 1 ⎡b ⎤
2
⎛b
v = ∫ ⎜ t 2 + C1 ⎟dt = ⎢ t 3 + C1t ⎥ = ⎢ t 23 + C1t 2 − ⎜ t13 + C1t1 ⎟⎥
Δt t1 ⎝ 2 ⎠ Δt ⎣ 6 ⎦ t1 Δt ⎣ 6 ⎝6 ⎠⎦

Simplifying this expression yields:

v= ⎢
Δt ⎣ 6
(
1 ⎡b 3 3
t 2 − t1 ) + C1 (t 2 − t1 )⎥
⎤
⎦

Because t1 = 0: 1 ⎡b 3 ⎤
v= ⎢ t 2 + C1t 2 ⎥
Δt ⎣ 6 ⎦

Substitute numerical values and simplify to obtain:

1 ⎡⎛ 0.20 m/s3 ⎞ ⎤
v= ⎢⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ (10.0 s )3 + (9.5 m/s )(10.0 s )⎥ = 13 m/s
10.0 s ⎣⎝ 6 ⎠ ⎦
150 Chapter 2

The average of the initial v (0) + v (10.0 s )

instantaneous and final instantaneous v av = (2)
2
velocities is given by:

Using equation (1), evaluate v(0) v (0 ) = 9.5 m/s

and v(10 s): and
( )
v (10 s ) = 0.10 m/s 3 (10.0 s ) + 9.5 m/s
2

= 19.5 m/s

Substitute in equation (2) to obtain: 9.5 m/s + 19.5 m/s

vav = = 15 m/s
2

vav is not the same as v because the velocity does not change linearly with time.
The velocity does not change linearly with time because the acceleration is not
constant.

112 ••• Consider the motion of a particle that experiences a variable

acceleration given by a x = a0 x + bt , where a0x and b are constants and x = x0 and
vx = v0x at t = 0. (a) Find the instantaneous velocity as a function of time. (b) Find
the position as a function of time. (c) Find the average velocity for the time
interval with an initial time of zero and arbitrary final time t. (d) Compare the
average of the initial and final velocities to your answer to Part (c). Are these two
averages equal? Explain.

Determine the Concept Because the acceleration is a function of time, it is not

constant. Hence we’ll need to integrate the acceleration function to find the
velocity of the particle as a function of time and integrate the velocity function to
find the position of the particle as a function of time. We can use the general
expression for the average value of a non-linear function to find the average
velocity over an arbitrary interval of time.

(a) From the definition of acceleration vx t

we have: ∫ dv = ∫ adt
v0 x 0

Integrating the left-hand side of the t

equation and substituting for a on the v x − v0 x = ∫ (a0 + bt )dt

right-hand side yields: 0

Integrate the right-hand side to v x − v0 x = a0 t + 12 bt 2

obtain:

Solving this equation for v x yields: vx = v0 x + a0t + 12 bt 2 (1)

 Motion in One Dimension 151

(b) The position of the particle as a x t

function of time is the integral of the ∫ dx = ∫ v (t )dt x

velocity function: x0 0

Integrating the left-hand side of the ⎛

t
b ⎞
equation and substituting for a on the x − x0 = ∫ ⎜ v0 x + a0 t + t 2 ⎟dt
0⎝
2 ⎠
right-hand side yields:

Integrate the right-hand side to x − x0 = v0 x t + 12 a0 t 2 + 16 bt 3

obtain:

Solving this equation for x yields: x = x0 x + v0 t + 12 a0 t 2 + 16 bt 3

(c) The average value of v(t) over an 1 2

t

interval Δt is given by: v x = ∫ v x (t )dt

Δt t1
or, because t1 = 0 and t2 = t,
t
1
v x = ∫ v x (t )dt
t0

Substituting for vx(t) yields:

( )
t
1
t ∫0
vx = v0 x + a0 t + 12 bt 2 dt

Carry out the details of the

integration to obtain:
1
[
v x = v0 x t + 12 a0 t 2 + 16 bt 3
t
]
t
0

1
[
= v0 x t + 12 a0 t 2 + 16 bt 3
t
]
= v0 x + 12 a0 t + 16 bt 2

(d) The average of the initial v0 x + v x

instantaneous and final instantaneous vav, x =
2
velocities is given by:

Using equation (1), substitute to v0 x + v0 + a0t + 12 bt 2

obtain: vav, x =
2
2v + a0t + 12 bt 2
= 0x
2
= v0 x + 12 a0t + 14 bt 2

vav, x is not the same as v x because the acceleration is not constant.

152 Chapter 2

General Problems
113 ••• You are a student in a science class that is using the following
apparatus to determine the value of g. Two photogates are used. (Note: You may
be familiar with photogates in everyday living. You see them in the doorways of
some stores. They are designed to ring a bell when someone interrupts the beam
while walking through the door.) One photogate is located at the edge of a 1.00-m
high table and the second photogate is located on the floor directly below the first
photogate. You are told to drop a marble through these gates, releasing it from
rest 0.50 m above the lower gate. The upper gate starts a timer as the ball passes
through it. The second photogate stops the timer when the ball passes through its
beam. (a) Prove that the experimental magnitude of free-fall acceleration is given
by gexp = (2Δy)/(Δt)2, where Δy is the vertical distance between the photogates and
Δt is the fall time. (b) For your setup, what value of Δt would you expect to
measure, assuming gexp is the value (9.81 m/s2)? (c) During the experiment, a
slight error is made. Instead of locating the first photogate even with the top of the
table, your not-so-careful lab partner locates it 0.50 cm lower than the top of the
table. However, she does manage to properly locate the second photogate at a
height of 0.50 m above the floor. What value of gexp will you and your partner
determine? What percentage difference does this represent from the standard
value at sea level?

Picture the Problem The acceleration of the marble is constant. Because the
motion is downward, choose a coordinate system with downward as the positive
direction and use constant-acceleration equations to describe the motion of the
marble.

(a) Use a constant-acceleration Δy = v0Δt + 12 gexp (Δt )

2

equation to relate the vertical

or, because v0 = 0,
distance the marble falls to its time
2Δy
of fall and its free-fall acceleration: Δy = 12 gexp (Δt ) ⇒ gexp =
2
(1)
(Δt )2

(b) Solve equation (1) for Δt to 2Δy

obtain: Δt =
gexp

Substitute numerical values and 2(1.00 m )

evaluate Δt Δt = = 0.452 s
9.81 m/s 2

(c) Using a constant-acceleration vf2 = v02 + 2aΔy

equation, express the velocity of the or, because v0 = 0 and a = g,
marble in terms of its initial velocity,
acceleration, and displacement: vf2 = 2 gΔy ⇒ vf = 2 gΔy
 Motion in One Dimension 153

Let v1 be the velocity the ball has

reached when it has fallen 0.5 cm,
( )
v1 = 2 9.81m/s 2 (0.0050 m ) = 0.313 m/s
and v2 be the velocity the ball has and
reached when it has fallen 0.5 m to ( )
v2 = 2 9.81m/s2 (0.50 m ) = 3.13 m/s
obtain.

Using a constant-acceleration v2 − v1
equation, express v2 in terms of v1, g v 2 = v1 + gΔt ⇒ Δt =
g
and Δt:

Substitute numerical values and 3.13 m/s − 0.313 m/s

Δt = = 0.2872 s
evaluate Δt: 9.81 m/s 2

The distance the marble falls during Δy = 1.00 m − 0.50 m − 0.0050 m

this interval is: = 0.50 m
Use equation (1) to calculate the 2(0.50 m )
g exp = = 12 m/s 2
experimental value of the (0.2872 s )2

acceleration due to gravity:

Finally, calculate the percent 9.81 m/s 2 − 12 m/s 2

difference between this experimental % difference =
9.81 m/s 2
result and the value accepted for g at
sea level. = 22%

114 ••• The position of a body oscillating on a spring is given by

x = A sin ωt, where A and ω are constants, A = 5.0 cm. and ω = 0.175 s–1. (a) Plot
x as a function of t for 0 ≤ t ≤ 36 s. (b) Measure the slope of your graph at t = 0 to
find the velocity at this time. (c) Calculate the average velocity for a series of
intervals, beginning at t = 0 and ending at t = 6.0, 3.0, 2.0, 1.0, 0.50, and 0.25 s.
(d) Compute dx/dt to find the velocity at time t = 0. (e) Compare your results in
Parts (c) and (d) and explain why your Part (c) results approach your Part (d)
results.

Picture the Problem We can obtain an average velocity, vav = Δx/Δt, over fixed
time intervals. The instantaneous velocity, v = dx/dt can only be obtained by
differentiation.
154 Chapter 2

(a) The following graph of x versus t was plotted using a spreadsheet program:
8

2
x, m

-2

-4

-6
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
t, s

(b) Draw a tangent line at the origin The tangent line appears to, at least
and measure its rise and run. Use approximately, pass through the point
this ratio to obtain an approximate (5, 4). Using the origin as the second
value for the slope at the origin: point,
Δx = 4 cm – 0 = 4 cm
and
Δt = 5 s – 0 = 5 s

Therefore, the slope of the tangent rise Δx 4 cm

line and the velocity of the body as it v (0) = = = = 0.8 cm/s
run Δt 5s
passes through the origin is
approximately:

(c) Calculate the average velocity for the series of time intervals given by
completing the table shown below:

t0 t Δt x0 x Δx vav=Δx/Δt
(s) (s) (s) (cm) (cm) (cm) (m/s)
0 6 6 0 4.34 4.34 0.723
0 3 3 0 2.51 2.51 0.835
0 2 2 0 1.71 1.71 0.857
0 1 1 0 0.871 0.871 0.871
0 0.5 0.5 0 0.437 0.437 0.874
0 0.25 0.25 0 0.219 0.219 0.875

(d) Express the time derivative of dx

the position function: = Aω cos ωt
dt
 Motion in One Dimension 155

Substitute numerical values and dx

= Aω cos 0 = Aω
dx dt
evaluate at t = 0:
dt (
= (0.050 m ) 0.175 s −1 )
= 0.88 cm/s

(e) Compare the average velocities As Δt, and thus Δx, becomes small, the
from Part (c) with the instantaneous value for the average velocity
velocity from Part (d): approaches that for the instantaneous
velocity obtained in Part (d). For
Δt = 0.25 s, they agree to three
significant figures.

115 ••• [SSM] Consider an object that is attached to a horizontally

oscillating piston. The object moves with a velocity given by v = B sin(ωt), where
B and ω are constants and ω is in s−1. (a) Explain why B is equal to the maximum
speed vmax. (b) Determine the acceleration of the object as a function of time. Is
the acceleration constant? (c) What is the maximum acceleration (magnitude) in
terms of ω and vmax. (d) At t = 0, the object's position is known to be x0.
Determine the position as a function of time in terms of in terms of t, ω, x0 and
vmax.

Determine the Concept Because the velocity varies nonlinearly with time, the
acceleration of the object is not constant. We can find the acceleration of the
object by differentiating its velocity with respect to time and its position function
by integrating the velocity function.

(a) The maximum value of the sine function (as in v = vmax sin(ωt)) is 1. Hence
the coefficient B represents the maximum possible speed vmax.

(b) The acceleration of the object is

= [vmax sin (ωt )]
dv d
the derivative of its velocity with a=
dt dt
respect to time:
= ω vmax cos (ωt )

Because a varies sinusoidally with time it is not constant.

(c) Examination of the coefficient of the cosine function in the expression for a
leads one to the conclusion that amax = ωv max .

(d) The position of the object as a

function of time is the integral of
∫ dx = ∫ v(t )dt
the velocity function:
156 Chapter 2

Integrating the left-hand side of the x= ∫ vmax sin (ωt )dt + C

equation and substituting for v on the
right-hand side yields:

Integrate the right-hand side to − vmax

obtain: x= cos (ωt ) + C (1)
ω

Use the initial condition x(0) = x0 to − vmax

obtain: x0 = +C
ω

Solving for C yields: vmax

C = x0 +
ω

Substitute for C in equation (1) to − vmax

cos (ωt ) + x0 +
vmax
obtain: x=
ω ω
Solving this equation for x yields:
x = x0 +
vmax
[1 − cos(ωt )]
ω

116 ••• Suppose the acceleration of a particle is a function of x, where

ax(x) = (2.0 s–2)x. (a) If the velocity is zero when x = 1.0 m, what is the speed
when x = 3.0 m? (b) How long does it take the particle to travel from x = 1.0 m to
x = 3.0 m?

Picture the Problem Because the acceleration of the particle is a function of its
position, it is not constant. Changing the variable of integration in the definition
of acceleration will allow us to determine its velocity and position as functions of
position.

(a) The acceleration of the particle is dv dv dx dv

given by: a= = =v
dt dx dt dx

Separating variables yields: vdv = adx

Substitute for a to obtain: vdv = bxdx

where b = 2.0 s−2

The limits of integration are v x

vo = 0 and v on the left-hand side ∫ vdv = ∫ bxdx

and xo and x on the right-hand: v0 = 0 x0

Integrating both sides of the equation (

v 2 − v02 = b x 2 − x02 )
yields:
 Motion in One Dimension 157

Solve for v to obtain: v = v02 + b x 2 − x02 ( )

Now set vo = 0, xo = 1.0 m, x = 3 m, and b =2.0 s–2 and evaluate the speed:

(
v (3.0 m ) = ± 2.0 s − 2 )[(3.0 m) − (1.0 m ) ] =
2 2
4.0 m/s

(b) From the definition of t x

dx
instantaneous velocity we have: t = ∫ dt = ∫ v( x )
0 x0

Substitute the expression for v(x) x

dx
derived in (a) to obtain: t= ∫ b(x
x0
2
− x02 )
Evaluate the integral using the 1
x
dx
formula found in standard integral t=
b
∫ x 2 − x02
tables to obtain: x0

1 ⎛ x + x2 − x2 ⎞
= ln⎜ 0 ⎟
b ⎝⎜ x0 ⎟
⎠

Substitute numerical values and evaluate t:

t=
1 ⎛ 3.0 m +
ln⎜
(3.0 m )2 − (1.0 m )2 ⎞⎟ = 1.2 s
2.0 s -2 ⎜⎝ 1.0 m ⎟
⎠

117 ••• [SSM] A rock falls through water with a continuously decreasing
acceleration. Assume that the rock’s acceleration as a function of velocity has the
form a y = g − bv y where b is a positive constant. (The +y direction is directly
downward.) (a) What are the SI units of b? (b) Prove mathematically that if the
rock enters the water at time t = 0, the acceleration will depend exponentially on
time according to a y (t ) = ge − bt . (c) What is the terminal speed for the rock in
terms of g and b? (See Problem 38 for an explanation of the phenomenon of
terminal speed.)

Picture the Problem Because the acceleration of the rock is a function of its
velocity, it is not constant and we will have to integrate the acceleration function
in order to find the velocity function. Choose a coordinate system in which
downward is positive and the origin is at the point of release of the rock.

(a) All three terms in a y = g − bv y must have the same units in order for the
equation to be valid. Hence the units of bvy must be acceleration units. Because
the SI units of vy are m/s, b must have units of s −1.
158 Chapter 2

(b) Rewrite a y = g − bv y explicitly dv y

= g − bv y
as a differential equation: dt

Separate the variables, vy on the dv y

left, t on the right: = dt
g − bv y

Integrate the left-hand side of vy

dv y t

this equation from 0 to vy and the ∫ g − bv = ∫ dt

right-hand side from 0 to t: 0 y 0

Integrating this equation yields: 1 ⎛ g − bv y ⎞

− ln⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = t
b ⎝ g ⎠

Solve this expression for vy to obtain:

vy =
g
b
(
1 − e −bt ) (1)

Differentiate this expression with

⎜ (1 − e )⎟ = ge
dv y d ⎛g −bt ⎞ −bt
respect to time to obtain an ay = =
dt dt ⎝ b ⎠
expression for the acceleration and
complete the proof:
(c) Take the limit, as t →∞, of both
lim t →∞ v y = lim t →∞ ⎢ (1 − e −bt )⎥
⎡g ⎤
sides of equation (1): ⎣b ⎦
and
g
vt =
b
Notice that this result depends only on b (inversely so). Thus b must include
things like the shape and cross-sectional area of the falling object, as well as
properties of the liquid such as density and temperature.

118 ••• A small rock sinking through water (see Problem 117) experiences an
exponentially decreasing acceleration given by ay(t) = ge–bt, where b is a positive
constant that depends on the shape and size of the rock and the physical properties
of the water. Based upon this, find expressions for the velocity and position of the
rock as functions of time. Assume that its initial position and velocity are both
zero and that the +y direction is directly downward.

Picture the Problem Because the acceleration of the rock is a function of time, it
is not constant and we will have to integrate the acceleration function in order to
 Motion in One Dimension 159

find the velocity of the rock as a function of time. Similarly, we will have to
integrate the velocity function in order to find the position of the rock as a
function of time. Choose a coordinate system in which downward is positive and
the origin at the point of release of the rock.

Separate variables in dv y = ge − bt dt
a y (t ) = dv y dt = ge − bt to obtain:

Integrating from t0 = 0, v0y = 0 to some later time t and velocity vy yields:

[ ] (1 − e −bt ) = vt (1 − e −bt )
v t
g −bt g
v = ∫ dv = ∫ ge −bt dt =
t
e 0 =
0 0
−b b
g
where v t =
b

Separate variables in dy = v t (1 − e −bt )dt

v=
dy
dt
( )
= v t 1 − e −bt to obtain:

Integrate from to = 0, yo = 0 to some later time t and position y:

y = ∫ dy = ∫ v t (1 − e ) dtvterm ⎡⎢t + b1 e −bt ⎤⎥ = vt t − vbt (1 − e −bt )

y t
−bt

0 0 ⎣ ⎦0

Remarks: This last result is very interesting. It says that throughout its free-
fall, the object experiences drag; therefore it has not fallen as far at any given
time as it would have if it were falling at the constant velocity, vt.

119 ••• The acceleration of a skydiver jumping from an airplane is given by

a y = g − bv y2 where b is a positive constant depending on the skydiver’s cross-
sectional area and the density of the surrounding atmosphere she is diving
through. The +y direction is directly downward. (a) If her initial speed is zero
when stepping from a hovering helicopter, show that her speed as a function of
time is given by v y (t ) = vt tanh (t T ) where vt is the terminal speed (see Problem
38) given by v t = g b and T = vt g is a time-scale parameter (b) What fraction
of the terminal speed is the speed at t = T? (c) Use a spreadsheet program to
graph vy(t) as a function of time, using a terminal speed of 56 m/s (use this value
to calculate b and T). Does the resulting curve make sense?

Picture the Problem The skydiver’s acceleration is a function of her speed;

therefore it is not constant. Expressing her acceleration as the derivative of her
speed, separating the variables, and then integrating will give her speed as a
function of time.
160 Chapter 2

(a) Rewrite a y = g − bv y2 explicitly dv y

= g − bv y2
as a differential equation: dt

Separate the variables, with vy on dv y

the left, and t on the right: = dt
g − bv y2

g dv y dv y
Eliminate b by using b = : = = dt
vt2 g 2 ⎡ ⎛ y⎞
2
⎤
g − 2 vy v
vt g ⎢1 − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎥
⎢⎣ ⎝ v t ⎠ ⎥⎦

or, separating variables,

dv y
2
= gdt
⎛ vy ⎞
1 − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ vt ⎠
Integrate the left-hand side of this vy
dv y t
equation from 0 to vy and the right-
hand side from 0 to t:
∫
0 ⎛ vy ⎞
2
= g ∫ dt = gt
0
1 − ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ vt ⎠

The integral on the left-hand side ⎛ vy ⎞

can be found in integral tables: v t tanh −1 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = gt
⎝ vt ⎠
Solving this equation for vy yields: ⎛g ⎞
v y = v t tanh⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ t
⎝ vt ⎠

Because c has units of m−1, and g has T = (bg )

−1 2

units of m/s2, (bg)−1/2 will have units

of time. Let’s represent this
expression with the time-scale factor
T:
 Motion in One Dimension 161

The skydiver falls with her terminal g

speed when a = 0. Using this 0 = g − bvt2 ⇒ vt =
b
definition, relate her terminal speed
to the acceleration due to gravity and
the constant b in the acceleration
equation:

Convince yourself that T is also ⎛t⎞

equal to vt/g and use this relationship v y (t ) = v t tanh⎜ ⎟
to eliminate g and vt in the solution ⎝T ⎠
to the differential equation:

(b) The ratio of the speed at any time ⎛t⎞

vt tanh⎜ ⎟
to the terminal speed is given by: v y (t ) ⎝ T ⎠ = tanh⎛ t ⎞
= ⎜ ⎟
vt vt ⎝T ⎠

Evaluate this ratio for t = T to obtain: v y (T ) ⎛T ⎞

= tanh⎜ ⎟ = tanh (1) = 0.762
vt ⎝T ⎠

(c) The following table was generated using a spreadsheet and the equation we
derived in Part (a) for v(t). The cell formulas and their algebraic forms are:

Cell Content/Formula Algebraic Form

D1 56 vT
D2 5.71 T
B7 B6 + 0.25 t + 0.25
C7 $B$1*TANH(B7/$B$2) ⎛t⎞
vT tanh⎜ ⎟
⎝T ⎠

A B C
1 vT = 56 m/s
2 T=5.71 s
3
4
5 t (s) v (m/s)
6 0.00 0.00
7 0.25 2.45
8 0.50 4.89
9 0.75 7.32

56 12.50 54.61
57 12.75 54.73
58 13.00 54.83
59 13.25 54.93
162 Chapter 2

A graph of v as a function of t follows:

60

50

40
v, m/s
30

20

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
t, s

Note that the speed increases linearly over time (that is, with constant acceleration)
for about time T, but then it approaches the terminal speed as the acceleration
decreases.

120 ••• Imagine that you are standing at a wishing well, wishing that you knew
how deep the surface of the water was. Cleverly, you make your wish. Then, you
take a penny from your pocket and drop it into the well. Exactly three seconds
after you dropped the penny, you hear the sound it made when it struck the water.
If the speed of sound is 343 m/s, how deep is the well? Neglect any effects due to
air resistance.

Picture the Problem We know that the sound was heard exactly 3.00 s after the
penny was dropped. This total time may be broken up into the time required for
the penny to drop from your hand to the water’s surface, and the time required for
the sound to bounce back up to your ears. The time required for the penny to drop
is related to the depth of the well. The use of a constant-acceleration equation in
expressing the total fall time will lead to a quadratic equation one of whose roots
will be the depth of the well

Express the time required for the Δt tot = Δt drop + Δtsound (1)
sound to reach your ear as the sum of
the drop time for the penny and the
time for the sound to travel to your
ear from the bottom of the well:

Use a constant-acceleration equation

Δywell = 12 g (Δt drop ) ⇒ Δt drop =
2 2Δy well
to express the depth of the well:
g
 Motion in One Dimension 163

From the definition of average speed, Δywell

Δtsound =
the time Δtsound required for the vsound
sound to travel from the bottom of
the well to your ear is given by:

Substituting for Δtsound and Δtdrop in 2Δywell Δy well

Δt tot = +
equation (1) yields: g vsound

Isolate the radical term and square ⎛ Δy ⎞

2
2Δy well
both sides of the equation to obtain: ⎜⎜ Δt tot − well ⎟⎟ =
⎝ vsound ⎠ g

Expanding the left side of this equation yields:

2
Δy ⎛ Δy ⎞ 2Δywell
(Δttot ) 2
− 2Δt tot well + ⎜⎜ well ⎟⎟ =
vsound ⎝ vsound ⎠ g

Rewrite this equation explicitly as a quadratic equation in Δywell :

2
⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ 1 Δt ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ (Δywell )2 − 2⎜⎜ + tot ⎟⎟Δy well + (Δt tot )2 = 0
⎝ vsound ⎠ ⎝ g vsound ⎠

Simplify further to obtain:

⎛ 2
⎞
(Δywell )2 − 2⎜⎜ vsound + vsound Δt tot ⎟⎟Δywell + (vsound Δt tot )2 = 0
⎝ g ⎠

Substituting numerical values yields:

⎛ (343 m/s)2 ⎞
(Δywell )
2
− 2⎜⎜ + (343 m/s )(3.00 s ) ⎟Δy well + [(343 m/s)(3.00 s )]2 = 0
2 ⎟
⎝ 9.81 m/s ⎠
or
(Δywell )2 − (2.604 ×104 m )Δywell + 1.059 ×106 m 2 = 0
Use the quadratic formula or your Δy well = 40.73 m = 41 m
graphing calculator to solve for the
smaller root of this equation (the larger
root is approximately 26 km and is too
large to be physically meaningful):
164 Chapter 2

121 ••• You are driving a car at the speed limit of 25-mi/h speed limit when
you observe the light at the intersection 65 m in front of you turn yellow. You
know that at that particular intersection the light remains yellow for exactly 5.0 s
before turning red. After you think for 1.0 s, you then accelerate the car at a
constant rate. You somehow manage to pass your 4.5-m-long car completely
through the 15.0-m-wide intersection just as the light turns red, thus narrowly
avoiding a ticket for being in an intersection when the light is red. Immediately
after passing through the intersection, you take your foot off the accelerator,
relieved. However, down the road, you are pulled over for speeding. You assume
that you were ticketed for the speed of your car as it exited the intersection.
Determine this speed and decide whether you should fight this ticket in court.
Explain.

Picture the Problem First, we should find the total distance covered by the car
between the time that the light turned yellow (and you began your acceleration)
and the time that the back end of the car left the intersection. This distance is
Δxtot = 65.0 m + 15.0 m + 4.5 m = 84.5 m. Part of this distance, Δxc is covered at
constant speed, as you think about trying to make it through the intersection in
time – this can be subtracted from the full distance Δxtot above to yield Δxacc, the
displacement during the constant acceleration. With this information, we then can
utilize a constant-acceleration equation to obtain an expression for your velocity
as you exited the intersection. The following pictorial representation will help
organize the information given in this problem.

t0 = 0 t1 = 1 s t2 t3 = 5 s
x0 = 0 x1 = 11.2 m x 2 = 65 m x3 = 80 m
v 0 = 11.2 m/s v1 = 11.2 m/s v2 v3 = ?

Using a constant-acceleration Δxacc = Δxtot − Δxc = v1Δtacc + 12 a (Δtacc )

2

equation relate the distance over

which you accelerated to your initial
velocity v1, your acceleration a, and
the time during which you
accelerated aacc:

Relate the final velocity v3 of the car v3 − v1

to its velocity v1 when it begins to v3 = v1 + aΔt acc ⇒ a =
Δt acc
accelerate, its acceleration, and the
time during which it accelerates:

Substitute for a in the expression for Δxacc to obtain:

⎛v −v ⎞
Δx tot − Δxc = v1Δt acc + 12 ⎜⎜ 3 1 ⎟⎟(Δt acc ) = v1Δt acc + 12 (v3 − v1 )(Δt acc )
2

⎝ Δt acc ⎠
 Motion in One Dimension 165

Solving for v3 yields: 2(Δx tot − Δxc )

v3 = − v1
Δt acc

Substitute numerical values and evaluate v3:

2(84.5 m − 11.2 m )
v3 = − 11.2 m/s = 25 m/s
4.0 s

Because 25 m/s is approximately 57 mi/h, you were approximately 32 mi/h over

the speed limit! You would be foolish to contest your ticket.

122 ••• For a spherical celestial object of radius R, the acceleration due to
gravity g at a distance x from the center of the object is g = g0 R 2 x 2 , where g0 is
the acceleration due to gravity at the object’s surface and x > R. For the moon,
g0 = 1.63 m/s2. If a rock is released from rest at a height of 4R above the lunar
surface, with what speed does the rock impact the moon? Hint: Its acceleration is
a function of position and increases as the object falls. So do not use constant
acceleration free-fall equations, but go back to basics.

Picture the Problem Let the origin be at the center of the moon and the +x
direction be radially outward. Because the acceleration of the rock is a function of
its distance from the center of the moon, we’ll need to change the variables of
integration in the definition of acceleration to v and x in order to relate the rock’s
acceleration to its speed. Separating variables and integrating will yield an
expression for the speed of the rock as a function of its distance from the center of
the moon.

The acceleration of the object is dv dv dx dv

given by: a= = =v
dt dx dt dx
Separating variables yields: vdv = adx

Because a = −g: g0 R 2
vdv = − dx
x2

Expressing the integral of v from v R

g0 R 2
R
dx
0 to v and x from 4R to R yields: ∫ vdv = ∫ −
0 4R
x 2
dx = − g 0 R 2 ∫ 2
4R
x

Carry out the integration to obtain: v2 ⎡1 R ⎤ 3

= g0 R 2 ⎢ ⎥ = g0 R
2 ⎢⎣ x 4 R ⎥⎦ 4

Solve for v to obtain an expression 3

for the speed of the object upon v= g0 R
2
impact:
166 Chapter 2

Substitute numerical values and

evaluate v: v=
3
2
(
1.63 m/s 2 )(1.738 ×106 m )

= 2.06 km/s