1.

0 MOTION
Objectives
At the end of this module, the learner should be able to:
 define distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration
 identify motion with uniform and non-uniform velocity
 identify uniformly accelerated and non-uniformly accelerated motion
 plot and interpret distance-time, speed-time graphs for uniform motion
 plot and interpret distance-time, speed-time graphs for non-uniform motion
 use equations of motion in simple calculation
 define g (acceleration due to gravity)
 use g in solving problems on motion
 state that acceleration of free fall for a body near earth is constant
 describe motion of a body freely falling in air
 describe qualitatively motion of objects falling in a liquid
 understand the meaning of the term “terminal velocity”

1.1 Definition of Terms

Distance (d) - is the length traveled by a body between certain points. Distance is a scalar
quantity because it has only magnitude and no direction. Distance is length hence its SI unit
is meters (m)

Displacement (s) - is defined as the distance moved in a stated direction.

Displacement means how far you are from a prior position with a direction from start to
finish. Displacement is a vector quantity since it has direction as well as magnitude.
Distance is length hence its SI unit is meters (m)

Example 1
The diagram below shows the path of a person traveling from Kopong to Molepolole passing
through Metsimotlhabe.

1
Determine
i) Total distance traveled from Molepolole to Kopong.
ii) Displacement from Molepolole to Kopong.

Solution
i) Total distance travelled from Molepolole to Kopong:

d = 38 km + 13 km
= 51 km

ii) Displacement from Molepolole to Kopong is 44km.

Example 2
An athlete competes in 400m flat race along the path shown in the diagram below. She
takes 44 seconds. Each of the section SP, PQ, QR and RS is 100 m in length.

Determine the following;

i) Total distance traveled on completing the race.
ii) Displacement of athlete on completing the race.

Solution
i) Total distance traveled on completing the race is 400 m.
ii) Displacement of athlete on completing the race is 0 m since the athlete has returned
to the original position. i

2
The athlete has a greater displacement when at position Q (200 m) than at P (100 m) and R
(0 m).

Speed (v) - is defined as the rate of change of distance moved. Speed is a scalar quantity.
The SI unit for speed is meter per second (m/s). The speed of an object is given by the
equation.

distance traveled(s)
Average speed( ) 
time taken (t)

There is a reason why average is used. Imagine a journey in a car from Gaborone to
Molepolole, a total distance of 50km. if a journey took 2hrs then the speed would be

distance(s) 5okm km
speed(v)    25
time(t) 2h h

This suggests that the speed of the car was 25km/h. However it does not mean that the
speedometer was constantly reading 25km/h throughout the journey! The car might slow
down for goats on the road, it might speed up on an open and clear road or it might stop at
to pick up passengers or offload. So this equation gives us the average speed for the whole
journey, not the speed at any specific point along the journey.

Velocity (v or u) - is defined as the rate of change of distance moved in a specified

direction or, the rate of change of displacement). Velocity is a vector quantity it has both
size and direction. The SI unit for velocity is meter per second (m/s).

If a body travels with a constant speed in a straight line then it has constant velocity. But if
its direction changes then its velocity also changes. If a man walking his dog in the park
walks around a tree then his velocity has changed even if his speed remains constant.
The equation for velocity is very similar to that for speed and is shown below

distance moved in stated direction (s)

Velocity( ) 
time taken(t)

When stating velocity you should also give direction.

3
Acceleration (a) - is defined as the rate of change of velocity. Acceleration is a vector
quantity. The SI unit of acceleration is the metre per second per second or metre per
second squared (m/s2 or ms-2). From its definition, acceleration can be found by using the
equation:
change in velocity
acceleration (a) =
time taken for the chage
Change in velocity means the following:
 The velocity moved from a lower value and increased to a higher value – the object
accelerated
 The velocity changed from a higher value and decreased to a lower value – the
object accelerated or decelerated or retarded.
Therefore the equation for acceleration becomes:

final velocity (v) − initial velocity (u)

acceleration (a) =
time taken for the change (t)

vu
a
t

Example 1
An air Botswana aero plane accelerates from rest to a velocity of 100m/s just before take
off. If it is on the runway for 12s, find its acceleration.

Stage 1: write all the given quantities and the related unknown quantities
initial velocity (u) = 0m/s
final velocity ( v ) = 100m/s
time (t ) = 12s
acceleration ( a ) =?

Stage 2: write appropriate equation

vu
a
t

Stage 3: Substitute the quantities and evaluate

4
 100 𝑚/𝑠 − 0 𝑚/𝑠
a=
12 𝑠
= 8.333333…..

Stage 4: Write the answer with SI unit(s)

a = 8.33 m/s (correct to 3 sig. fig.)

Example 2
A car is traveling at a constant velocity of 80m/s, when suddenly a cow wanders into the
road. The driver steps on the brakes paddle and reduces her speed to 60m/s. If it took 5s to
reduce her speed, find her:
i) acceleration
ii) deceleration

Solution
1. u = 80m/s
v = 60m/s
t = 5s

vu
2. a 
t

60 𝑚/𝑠 − 80 𝑚/𝑠
3. 𝑎 =
5𝑠

4. a = - 4.0 m/s2
The minus sign tells us the car is slowing down or it is decelerating.

Thus:
i) acceleration = - 4.0 m/s2
ii) deceleration = 4.0 m/s2

Check Your Understanding

1. A jet plane was cruising at a constant speed of 800 km/h. A city is 40 km away from it.
What is the time taken for the plane to be flying over the city?

5
 t = ....................................... [2]

2. A boy saw a lightning striking in a distance. Exactly 3 seconds later he heard a thunder of
the lightning. How far is the boy from the place where the lightning strikes? [Speed of sound
in air is 330 m/s]

distance = ................................. [2]

3. A bus covers 100 m in the first 10 s and another 50 m in 5 s after that. What is its average
speed?

average speed =......................................................... [2]

4. A car increases its velocity from rest to 64 m/s in 8 s. What is its acceleration?

acceleration = ......................................................... [3]

5. A car starts off at 10 m/s and accelerates at 1 m/s2 for 10 seconds. What is its final
velocity?

velocity ........................................... [2]

6. A car going at 20 m/s stops in a distance of 20 m. What is it’s deceleration?

deceleration = ............................................ [3]

7. The driver of a car which travels at a velocity of 32 m/s slammed the car’s brake to come
to rest in 8 s. What is its deceleration?

6
 deceleration = .................................. [3]
8. A motorcycle accelerates from rest at a rate of 5 m/s2 for 6 s. What is its final velocity?

Velocity =............................................ [2]

7
1.2 Motion Time Graphs
The motion of objects can be analysed using equations and graphs. Physics motion graphs
include position time graphs (also called displacement time graphs) and velocity time
graphs. It is important to look at the Y axis and determine which one you have before
analysing the data. Position time graphs show if a person is moving forward or backwards
as the line goes up or down. Velocity time graphs show if the person is going faster or
slower when the line moves up or down. To learn more visit:
https://stickmanphysics.com/stickman-physics-home/one-dimensional-
motion/physics-motion-graphs/

1.2.1 Distance –Time Graph

This shows the distance moved by an object as time increases. What do the graphs tell us?

1. The shape of the graph

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 2. The gradient of a distance-time graph

GRADIENT of distance-time graph = SPEED of the object

Gradient = y/x
= distance /time
= (y2 –y1) /( x2 – x1 )
= (50 – 0) m / (5 -0)s
= 50m/5s
=10m/s
The unit of this gradient is the same as unit of speed.

 A flat line in a distance - time graph shows no slope, meaning no motion, and
therefore at rest (v = 0).
 A positive slope in a distance - time graph is constant positive velocity (+v).
 A negative slope in a distance - time graph is constant backward motion (-v).
 A curved line represents an acceleration or deceleration

3. Area Under Velocity/Speed – Time Graph

The area under the graph gives you the distance traveled by the moving body. It is very
convenient to split your graph into triangles, squares and rectangles as it is easier to find the
area of these

The example below gives the distance traveled in the 5s.

Distance = Area of triangle

1 base  height 5s  50m / s

=   125m
2 2

*always make sure that your units are consistent. If

velocity is in m/s then time should be in seconds. If
velocity is in km/h then time should be in hour

Insert a video of distance time graphs here

9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2QhbD6rPas&t=57s

10
1.2.2 Velocity Time-Graph

Velocity time-graphs give us information about the velocity of an object over a specified time.
Such graphs can tell how fast a car was moving, its acceleration, and its deceleration when
it stopped and the distance traveled.

1. The Shape of the Graph

2, Gradient of Velocity/Speed- time graph

Gradient = change in y values / change in X values

= change in velocity values /change in time values
But change in velocity/time = acceleration

Therefore the gradient of the velocity/speed- time graph gives acceleration of an object.

11
 A steep gradient (R) or slope gives a large acceleration
and a shallow gradient (P) gives a small acceleration.

Line R represents the motion of an object moving with the

greatest acceleration whilst P is for an object with the
least acceleration

The graph shows part of a journey from Molepolole to Mogonono taken by a car.

OA – car is accelerating uniformly to maximum velocity

AB - car is traveling at a constant velocity
BC - car decelerate uniformly to avoid the stray goats
CD - car accelerating uniformly to a higher maximum velocity
DE – car is traveling at constant velocity
EF – car decelerates uniformly to a stop at a police road block.

Insert a video of speed time graph here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGqlxH_F3HA&t=56s

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NOTE The first thing to note about these is that, on first glance, they look EXACTLY the
same as distance time graphs! Spot the difference between these two graphs:

The only way you can tell the difference is by reading the labels on the axes.

HINT: Always read the labels on the axes! Fail to do so can mean you completely mis-
interpret what it shows.

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1.3 Equations of Uniformly Accelerated Motion

There are five fundamental quantities we look at about the motion of a body. These are:

s – displacement (m)
u – initial velocity (m/s)
v – final velocity (m/s)
a – acceleration (m/s2)
t – time (s)

There are 4 equations of motion which relates the 5 fundamental quantities you can know
about the motion of a body. These equations are as follows;

Insert a video on equations of motion here for Physics

0571. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJN_F3PYp58

NB: the equations apply only to uniform accelerating motion and the quantities should
always be in SI units.
Example1
A sprint cyclist starts from rest and accelerates at 1 m/s2 for 20 seconds. He then travels at a
constant speed for 60s and finally decelerates at 2 m/s2 until he stops.
a) Sketch his velocity time graph showing all the different motion he went through,
b) For each of his motions use equations of motion and the graph to find his:
(i) initial speed
(ii) maximum speed
(iii) acceleration
(iv) time for the particular motion
(v) distance travelled during each motion

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 c) Find the total distance travelled for the whole duration of the journey.

Solution
a) The Sketch

b)
Variable Uniform acceleration Uniform speed Uniform deceleration
u
u1 = 0m/s u2 = 20m/s u3 = 20m/s
v v = u + at
v1= 0m/s + 1m/s2 x 20s v2 = 20m/s v3 = 0m/s
= 20 m/s
t t3 = (v-u)/a
t1 = 20s t2 = 60 = (0m/s – 20m/s) / - 2m/s2
= 10s
Total time t = t1 + t2 + t3
= 20s + 60s + 10s
= 90s
s = ut +1/2at2 s1 = (om/s x 20s) + s1 = (20m/s x 60s) + s1 = (20m/s x 10s) -
(0.5x1m/s2 x 20s x 20s) (0.5x0m/s2 x 60s x 60s) (0.5x2m/s2 x 10s x 10s)
= 200m = 1200m = 100m
s = ½(u+v)t s1 = 0.5 x (0m/s + 20m/s) x s1 = 0.5 x (20m/s + 20m/s) x s1 = 0.5 x (20m/s + 0m/s) x
s 20s 60s 10s
= 200m = 1200m = 100m
s= (v2-u2)/2a s1 = [ (20m/s)2 – (0m/s)2] / Since there is no s1 = [ (0m/s)2 – (20m/s)2] / 2

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 2 x 1m/s2 acceleration we cannot use x -2m/s2
= 200m this equation = 100m
Area below A = ½ bh A = bh A = ½ bh
line = ½ x 20s x 20m/s = 60s x 20m/s = ½ x 10s x 20m/s
= 200m = 1200m = 100m
Total distance
s = s1 + s2 + s3
or = 200m + 1200m + 100m
= 1500m
S = Area of a s = 0.5(a + b)h
trapezium = 0.5 (60s + 90s)20m/s
= 1500m
No slope means Gradient =
a a1 = 1m/s2 0m/s2 also means that he is a3 = -2m/s2
cycling at constant speed

1.3.1 Check your Understanding

1. A bus travels from one bus stop to the next. The journey has three distinct parts. Stated
in order they are:
 uniform acceleration from rest for 8.0 s,
 uniform speed for 12 s,
 non-uniform deceleration for 5.0 s.
Fig. 1.1 shows only the deceleration of the bus.

16
 Fig. 1.1
a) On Fig. 1.1, complete the graph to show the first two parts of the journey. [3]
b) Calculate the acceleration of the bus 4.0 s after leaving the first bus stop.

acceleration = ........................[2]
c) Use the graph to estimate the distance the bus travels between 20 s and 25 s.

estimated distance = ........................[2]

d) On leaving the second bus stop, the uniform acceleration of the bus is 1.2 m / s 2. The
mass of the bus and passengers is 4000 kg.
Calculate the accelerating force that acts on the bus.

Force = ........................[2]
e) The acceleration of the bus from the second bus stop is less than that from the first bus
stop. Suggest two reasons for this.
1...........................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
2..........................................................................................................................................

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......................................................................................................................................... [2]

2. Fig. 2.1 shows how the speed of a truck varies during a period of 80 s.

Fig. 2.1
(a) In which section of the journey is the truck
(i) travelling at constant speed, .................................................................................................
(ii) increasing its speed? ...........................................................................................................
[2]
(b) Calculate the distance travelled by the truck in
(i) the section BC,

distance = ............................................[4]
(ii) the section CD.

distance = ............................................[2]

(c) After point D, the truck takes 30 s to come to rest.

On Fig. 2.1, draw a line to show this part of the motion of the truck [1]

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3. A girl rides her bicycle along a straight level road. Fig. 3.1 shows a graph of her distance
moved against time.

Fig. 3.1
(a) Describe her motion
(i) from A to B, .........................................................................................................................
(ii) from B to C, .........................................................................................................................
(iii) from C to D..........................................................................................................................
[3]
(b) Calculate
(i) her average speed from A to D,

average speed = ................................................. [2]

(ii) her maximum speed.

maximum speed = ................................................. [3]

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4. Fig. 4.1 shows the speed-time graph of part of a short journey made by a cyclist.

Fig. 4.1
(a) Which part of Fig. 8.1 shows when the cyclist is travelling at constant speed?
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(b) State what is happening during the rest of the journey shown in Fig. 4.1.
.............................................................................................................................................. [1]
(c) (i) Calculate the distance travelled during the first 50 s.

distance travelled = …………………...

(ii) Calculate the distance travelled between 50 s and 100 s.

distance travelled = …………………...

(iii) Calculate the total distance travelled.

total distance travelled = …………………...

(iv) Calculate the average speed during the 100 s.

20
 average speed = …………………...
[8]
5. Fig. 5.1 shows how the speed of an object varies during a period of 30 s.

(a) State the speed of the object

(i) at the start of the 30 s,
speed = ..............................
(ii) at the end of the 30 s.
speed = ..............................
[2]
(b) Describe what is happening to the speed during the period
(i) 0 s – 10 s,..............................................................................................................................
(ii) 10 s – 25 s,...........................................................................................................................
(iii) 25 s – 30 s . ........................................................................................................................
[3]
(c) Determine the distance travelled in the last 5 s.

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 distance = ...................................................... [3]
(d) The total distance travelled in the 30 s is 750 m.
Calculate the average speed of the object during the 30 s.

average speed = .................................................. [3]

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1.4 Acceleration Due to Gravity, g
If an object is dropped from a great height its velocity increases, i.e. it accelerates. So what
is it that makes a falling body accelerate? Think about what happens when the accelerator
pedal of a vehicle is pressed, the velocity increase. This is because the engine is providing a
force which increases the velocity. The same is true for a falling body. There must be a force
which increases the velocity. This force is called the force of gravity.

The force of gravity makes things accelerate at the same rate. Just as the engine of a car
accelerates the car (change in velocity), the force of gravity makes a falling body accelerate
downwards. This acceleration is constant near the Earth’s surface and it is 9.8 ms-2 usually
rounded to 10ms-2 for easy calculations. All objects near the Earth accelerate at this constant
rate when the effect of air resistance (friction) is ignored. This is an ideal situation called
FREE FALL.

Note the following:

 In the absence of air resistance all objects fall at the same rate regardless of their
mass. Near the Earth the rate is the acceleration of free fall, 10 m/s2.
 Due to the Earth’s gravity, the speed of an object dropped from a height will increase
at a rate of 10 m/s every second as it falls.
 If there was no air resistance or drag, a feather and a hammer would fall at the same
rate of 10 m/s2. Dropped from the same height, they would both hit the ground at the
same time and travelling at the same speed.
 An object fired vertically upwards slows down at a rate of 10 m/s2. It experiences a
retardation of 10 m/s2.


Insert a video of acceleration due to gravity here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OiiATvzZ-s

The equations of motion can be adjusted to solve motion problems under free fall as shown
below. A falling object accelerates thus a = g while a rising object decelerates hence a = -g.

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Equation Falling object Rising object
At the beginning of the fall, U = 0 At maximum height, v = 0m/s
v = u+at m/s
v = gt v = u –gt

s = 1/2(v+u)t h = 1/2vt h = 1/2(v+u)t

s = ut + 1/2at2 h = 1/2gt2 h = ut - 1/2gt2

v2 = u2 + 2as v2 = 2gh v2 = u2 – 2gh

Example: A stone is projected vertically upwards with a velocity of 40 ms-1. Ignoring air
resistance and taking g= 10ms-2, determine;

the maximum height reached.

Sol: at maximum height object
stops moving up; v= 0ms-1, but u=
40ms-1, g= 10ms-2, t=?, s =? ;
v2 = u2 – 2gs
s= (v2 - u2)/ (-2g)
= (02-402)/ (-2*10)
= -1600/-20
= 80m
Ans: the maximum height reached =
80m

the time taken to reach maximum

height
sol: v= 0ms-1, but u= 40ms-1, g=
10ms-2, t=?,
v = u –gt
t= (v-u)/-g

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= (0-40)/-10
= -40/-10
=4s
Ans: it takes 4s to reach maximum height.

velocity after 8 seconds.

Sol: v=?, but u= 40ms-1, g= 10ms-2, t=8s;
v = u –gt
= 40 – 10*8
= 40-80
= -40ms-1
The minus sign implies that the ball was now moving in the opposite direction.
Ans; velocity after 8 seconds is 40 ms-1 downwards. (remember to state direction of
velocity)

Note the symmetry of the motion as shown above.

1. 5 Objects Falling in Fluids: Terminal Velocity

When a parachutist jumps out of airplane the force of gravity pulls him toward the earth. His
initial velocity is zero, but he soon speeds up. He starts to accelerate due to gravity.
A force is required to make a body accelerate (this an example of Newton’s first law)

The only force acting on the parachutist when he first just from plane is the gravity, or his
weight. This force makes him accelerate up to a terminal velocity of about 60m/s (216km/h).
At this point he really needs the help of his parachute.

As he accelerates the force due to air resistance starts to increase. Air resistance/drag is a
form of friction; it is an upward force which opposes the downward force thus slowing down
the rate at which the parachutist accelerates. But if

Weight > air resistance

Then there is a resultant force in the direction of the greater force- weight- and he
accelerates downwards. But as he speeds downwards, after some time air resistance
increases and

25
 Weight = air resistance
There is no resultant force (again see Newton first law) and he stops accelerating. He
moves with a constant velocity This is the fastest velocity which the parachutist can move at,
so we call this terminal velocity.

But remember that this velocity is about 50m/s! He still has to slow down. The way in which
he decelerates is to open his parachute.
Weight < air resistance

There is now a resultant force upwards so parachutist slows down or decelerates

Eventually the two forces are again equal to each other and he reaches a new terminal
velocity of about 10m/s. This is the speed at which he will land and hopefully averting a fatal
accident.

Remember: if there is no resultant force then a body cannot accelerate. It must therefore
move with a constant velocity, in this case we call it the terminal velocity or steady speed.

Illustration: Terminal velocity.

acceleration velocity forces

Up to A Constant – Increases uniformly Weight is greater than
acceleration of free fall drag
BETWEEN A & B decreases Increase at a Weight still greater but
decreasing rate drag has increased

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 considerably
B zero Constant - terminal Weight and drag equal
velocity reached
C decreases decreases Drag greater than
weight
D decreases Constant speed – 2nd Drag & weight are
terminal velocity equal
E The parachutist touches ground

Note: Bodies falling through a liquid also experience resistive force due to viscosity
(viscous forces) of the liquid. Therefore all bodies falling through a fluid experience
terminal or steady velocity after sometime.

1.5.1 Test your understanding

1. What is meant by the term “acceleration of free fall?” What is its magnitude?
......................................................................................................................................... [2]

2. Fig. 2.1 shows apparatus that demonstrates how a coin and a piece of paper fall from
rest.

Fig. 2.1 Fig. 2.2

At the positions shown in Fig. 2.1, the coin and paper are falling through air in the tube. The
forces on them are shown in Fig. 2.2. The length of an arrow indicates the size of each force.

(a) State the initial value of the acceleration of the coin as it falls.

27
........................................................................................................................................ [1]
(b) Explain how Fig. 2.2 shows that
(i) the paper falls with constant speed,
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) the coin accelerates.
.............................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................
[2]
(c) A vacuum pump is connected to A and the air in the tube is removed.
The coin and paper fall differently in a vacuum from the way they fall in air.
State two of these differences.
1.........................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
2..........................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................... [2]

3. A ball is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of 10 m/s from the balcony of a tall
building.
The balcony is 15 m above the ground and gravitational acceleration is 10 m/s2.

(a) Make a sketch of the motion

[2]

(b) Calculate:
(i) the time required for the ball to reach the maximum height.

time …………………………[3]
(ii) the maximum height.

maximum height ………………………[3]

28
(iii) the total distance travelled by the ball

total distance ………………………….[2]

(iv) the time required for the ball to hit the ground from the time it was released,

time ………………………[1]
(v) the velocity with which it hits the ground.

velocity …………………….[3]

4. The graph shows how the downward velocity of a parachutist changes with time from
leaving the aircraft to landing on the ground. The parachute is not opened until sometime
into the fall.

(a) What is meant by “terminal velocity”?

……………………………………………………………………………………………................ [1]
(b) (i) What is the value of the acceleration of the parachutist immediately after he has
jumped from the airplane?

acceleration…………………………….[1]

29
(ii) Without any calculations, how can you tell that the acceleration decreases until the
maximum velocity is reached?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….[1]

(c) Consider section 0s to 7s of the graph.

(i) State what is happening to the parachutist’s speed in this section.
….................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) What can be said about the forces on the parachutist during this section?
….........................................................................................................................................
….................................................................................................................................... [1]
(iii) State why the acceleration of the parachutist decreases until the maximum velocity is
reached.
….........................................................................................................................................
….........................................................................................................................................
….........................................................................................................................................
…....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(d)(i) What was the maximum velocity of the parachutist?

v =……………………………..[1]
(ii) For how long did the parachutist fall after leaving the aircraft?
t ………………………. [1]

(iii) At what time did the parachutist open the parachute? Explain your answer.
t……………………………
Reason………………………………………………………………………………………………….
[2]
(iv) What was the terminal velocity at which the parachutist fell while the parachute was
open?
v ………………………….[1]
(e) The diagram shows the forces acting on the parachutist once the parachute has been
opened.

30
(i) Write down the names of the two forces, shown by the arrows, acting on the parachutist.
[2]
(ii) At which time did the parachutist open his parachute?
t................................................ [1]
(iii) Describe the way in which the forces acting on the parachutist change during this time.
Your answer should refer to the two forces mentioned above.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................... [4]
5. Fig. 5.1 shows a free-fall parachutist falling vertically downwards. Fig. 5.2 shows how the
speed of the parachutist varies with time.

Fig. 5.1 Fig. 5.2

(a) (i) State the name of the downward force acting on the parachutist.
.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) State the name of one upward force acting on the parachutist.
.............................................................................................................................................
[2]
(b) (i) State the initial value of the acceleration of the parachutist. Give the unit of your
answer.
.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) Explain why the acceleration decreases from A to B.
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(iii) Explain why the parachutist falls at a constant speed after B.

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.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
[4]
6. A small rubber ball falls vertically, hits the ground and rebounds vertically upwards.
Fig. 6.1 is the speed-time graph for the ball.

Fig. 6.1
(a) Using information from the graph, describe the following parts of the motion of the ball.
(i) part AB
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
(ii) part DE
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
[3]
(b) Explain what is happening to the ball along the part of the graph from B through C to D.
.............................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................ [2]
(c) Whilst the ball is in contact with the ground, what is the
(i) overall change in speed,

32
 change in speed = ........................................
(ii) overall change in velocity?
change in velocity = ......................................
[2]
(d) Use your answer to (c) to explain the difference between speed and velocity.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(c) Use the graph to calculate the distance travelled by the ball between D and E.

distance travelled = .....................................[2]

(e) Use the graph to calculate the deceleration of the ball between D and E.

deceleration = ....................................[2]

7. A solid plastic sphere falls towards the Earth.

Fig. 7.1 is the speed-time graph of the fall up to the point where the sphere hits the Earth’s
surface.

Fig. 7.1

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(a) Describe in detail the motion of the sphere shown by the graph.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................ [3]

(b) On Fig. 7.2, draw arrows to show the directions of the forces acting on the sphere when it
is at the position shown by point S on the graph. Label your arrows with the names of the
forces.
[2]

Fig. 7.2
(c) Explain why the sphere is moving with constant speed at S.
..........................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................... [2]
(d) Use the graph to calculate the approximate distance that the sphere falls

(i) between R and T,

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 distance = ………………. [2]

(ii) between P and Q.

distance = ………………. [2]

8. A small metal ball is projected into the air with a velocity of 40 m / s vertically upwards.
The graph in Fig. 8.1 shows how the velocity changes with time until the ball reaches its
maximum height.

Fig. 8.1
Use the graph to find,
(i) the time at which the ball reaches its maximum height,
time = .................................................. [1]
(ii) the deceleration of the ball,

35
 deceleration = .................................................. [2]
(iii) the maximum height reached by the ball.

maximum height = .................................................. [2]

(c) On Fig. 8.1, add a line to the graph to show how the velocity of the ball changes after it
reaches its maximum height. Your line should extend to time 6.0 s.

36