PHYSICS – Speed, velocity and

acceleration
 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
1.2 Motion
Core Supplement
• Define speed and calculate average • Distinguish between speed and velocity
speed from total time / total distance • Define and calculate acceleration using
• Plot and interpret a speed-time graph or time taken change of velocity
a distance- time graph • Calculate speed from the gradient of a
• Recognise from the shape of a distance-time graph
speed-time graph when a body is • Calculate acceleration from the gradient
– at rest of a speed-time graph
– moving with constant speed • Recognise linear motion for which the
– moving with changing speed acceleration is constant
• Calculate the area under a speed-time • Recognise motion for which the
graph to work out the distance travelled acceleration is not constant
for motion with constant acceleration • Understand deceleration as a negative
• Demonstrate understanding that acceleration
acceleration and deceleration are related • Describe qualitatively the motion of
to changing speed including qualitative bodies falling in a uniform gravitational field
analysis of the gradient of a speed-time with and without air resistance (including
graph reference to terminal velocity)
• State that the acceleration of free fall
for a body near to the Earth is constant
 Answer the following questions:
1. What is distance?
2. What is displacement?
3. Which quantity is the scalar?
vector?
4. What is the SI unit of
distance? displacement?
 Distance (d) is the actual length of
path taken by an object in moving from
its initial position to its final position
regardless of the direction.

A
 Distance (d) is the actual length of
path taken by an object in moving from
its initial position to its final position
regardless of the direction.

A
It is a scalar quantity.
 Distance (d) is the actual length of
path taken by an object in moving from
its initial position to its final position
regardless of the direction.

A
It is a scalar quantity.

The SI unit of distance is meter (m).

A
 A
It is a vector quantity.
 A
It is a vector quantity.

The SI unit of displacement is meter (m).

The displacement on a roundtrip is
always zero (0).

A
 W
dis hic
pla h i
cem s
en
t?

c e?
t an
dis
h is
h i c
W
 Answer the following questions:
1. What is speed?
2. What is velocity?
3. Which quantity is the scalar?
vector?
4. What is the SI unit of speed?
velocity?
5. What formulas are used to
calculate speed and velocity?
 Speed (s) is the distance travelled by
an object per unit time regardless of the
direction. It is a measure of how fast an
object travels.

A
 Speed (s) is the distance travelled by
an object per unit time regardless of the
direction. It is a measure of how fast an
object travels.

It is a scalar
A
quantity.
 Speed (s) is the distance travelled by
an object per unit time regardless of the
direction. It is a measure of how fast an
object travels.

It is a scalar
A
quantity.
Formula for Calculating Speed
Speed = distance time

A
1. A bug crawls 0.10 m in 5 sec. What
was the bug’s approximate speed?

A
A
It is a vector
A
quantity.
It is a vector
A
quantity.
A bus travels 56 km, heading West
for an hour. What is its velocity?

A
Vector Addition
of Displacement
 distance (d) : A Review

distance (d) is a scalar quantity.

your
To go to school from home... home

l2 l1
l3
your
Distance = length of path you
school
travelled
= l1 + l2 + l3
(≠ size of displacement)
 N

Four major directions

• North
E
• South W

• East
A
• West

The directions for vectors can be represented by

the positive sign (+) for (right, up, North, East,
forwards) while the negative sign (-) for (left,
down, West, South, backwards).
Vector Addition of Displacement
Consider the following examples of displacement
vectors.

a. Vectors in the same direction:

6 km 4 km = 10 km
A or 10 km, right

6m = 10 m or 10 m, left
4m
Based from the examples, what rule is used to
obtain the result for vectors in the same
direction?
Vector Addition of Displacement
Consider the following examples of displacement
vectors.

b. Vectors in opposite directions:

A
6 km 10 km = 4 km or 4 km, left

6 m 10 m =4 m or 4 m, right

Based from the examples, what rule is used to

obtain the result for vectors in the opposite
direction?
Consider the following examples of displacement
vectors.

1. A man walks at 40 meters East and 30 meters North.

Find the magnitude of resultant displacement and
its vector angle.
A

B=30 m

A=40 m
 B=30 m

A=40 m
A
Based from the
example, what is
used to obtain the
result for
perpendicular
vectors?
Speed is the distance travelled per unit time and is
expressed in m/s.

d
s t
A

Velocity is the displacement travelled per unit time in

a specific direction and is expressed in m/s.

t
 AVERAGE SPEED / VELOCITY
For most journeys, speed is not constant. Normally we take
the journey as a whole and calculate the average speed.
Total distance
Average speed =
Total time taken

A
Total displacement
Average velocity =
Total time taken
1. A spacecraft is orbiting the Earth at a steady
speed of 8 km/s. How long will it take to complete
a single orbit, a distance of 40,000 km?
Example 2
A boy runs 5 km due west and then return
back to travel a distance of 4 km before
resting. The whole journey takes 1 hour.
Calculate A

⚫ his total distance travelled,

⚫ his average speed,
⚫ his displacement from the starting point,
⚫ his average velocity.
31
Example 3
A cyclist travels 6 km due east and then
makes a turn to travel a further distance of 8
km due north. The whole journey takes 2
hours. Calculate A

⚫ the distance travelled by the cyclist,

⚫ the average speed of the cyclist,
⚫ the displacement of the cyclist,
⚫ the average velocity of the cyclist.
32
Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate at which an
object changes velocity.
Acceleration is the rate at which an
object changes velocity.

Acceleration is a vector quantity.

Acceleration is the rate at which an
object changes velocity.

Acceleration is a vector quantity.

Acceleration = change in velocity
time taken
3 Ways by which velocity can change:
a. change in speed (speeding up/slowing
down)
b. change in direction
c. change in both speed and direction
Using the formula,

Acceleration = change in velocity

time taken

Also written as: a = v - u

t
If time is asked: t = v - u
a
If final velocity is asked: v = u + (a x t)

If initial velocity is asked: u = v - (a x t)

Using the formula,

Acceleration = change in velocity

time taken

Also written as: a = v - u

t
Initial Velocity (u) measured in m/s
Final Velocity (v) measured in m/s
Time (t) measured in s
Acceleration (a) measured in m/s/s or m/s2
In dealing with problems involving acceleration,
take note of the following:

The phrases from rest, at rest mean the

initial velocity u = 0 (zero).
The phrases to rest, to stop, stops, comes
to a stop mean the final velocity v = 0
(zero).

If the value of the deceleration appears in

the problem, attach the negative (-) sign.

If deceleration is asked in the problem, then

your answer must be negative (-).
Example: A drag car increases its
velocity from 0 to 60m/s in 3s.

a = v - u
t
Example: A drag car increases its
velocity from 0 to 60m/s in 3s.

a = v - u
t

a = 60 – 0
3
Example: A drag car increases its
velocity from 0 to 60m/s in 3s.

a = v - u
t

a = 60 – 0
3

a = 60 = 20m/s2
3
Deceleration (retardation)

Deceleration
is negative
acceleration –
the object is
slowing down.
Eg. – 4m/s2
Motion Graphs I
distance (d) vs. time (t) graph

distance / m

time / s

46
distance (d) vs. time (t) graph

distance / m

time / s

The object is stationary (at rest). That is,

the speed is equal to zero. 46
distance (d) vs. time (t) graph

distance / m

time / s

48
distance (d) vs. time (t) graph

distance / m

time / s

The object moves at constant (uniform)

speed. That is, the object is moving at a 48

certain speed.
distance (d) vs. time (t) graph

distance / m

time / s

50
distance (d) vs. time (t) graph

distance / m

time / s
The speed of the object increases (rises).
Thus, the object is accelerating.
50
distance (d) vs. time (t) graph

distance / m

time / s

51
distance (d) vs. time (t) graph

distance / m

time / s

The speed of the object decreases. Thus,

the object is decelerating (negative
acceleration). 51
 Gradient of the d vs. t graph

In a d vs. t graph, the gradient gives the

speed of the object.
 Gradient of the d vs. t graph

In a d vs. t graph, the gradient gives the

speed of the object.
Travelling at constant speed
 Stationary

Travelling at constant speed

 Travelling at constant
speed

Stationary

Travelling at constant speed

Speed = distance
time
Speed = distance
time
Speed = distance
time
Speed = distance
time

Speed = 8 = 1 km/h
8
Motion Graphs II
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

velocity / m/s

time / s

55
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

velocity / m/s

time / s

The object’s velocity is zero. Therefore, 55

the acceleration is equal to zero.
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

velocity / m/s

time / s

57
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

velocity / m/s

time / s

The object’s velocity is constant. 57

Therefore, the acceleration is equal to zero.
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

velocity / m/s

time / s

59
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

velocity / m/s

time / s

The object moves with increasing velocity.

Thus, the object is moving with constant 59
acceleration.
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

velocity / m/s

time / s

60
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

velocity / m/s

time / s

The object moves with decreasing velocity.

Thus, the object is moving with constant 60
deceleration (negative acceleration).
acceleration from the v vs t graph
acceleration from the v vs t graph

constant acceleration
acceleration from the v vs t graph

constant velocity

constant acceleration
acceleration from the v vs t graph

constant velocity

constant deceleration

constant acceleration
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

62
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

The object moves with increasing velocity.

Thus, the object is moving with increasing 62
acceleration.
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

63
velocity (v) vs. time (t) graph

The object moves with decreasing velocity.

Thus, the object is moving with decreasing63
acceleration.
 Gradient of the v vs. t graph

In a v vs. t graph, the gradient gives the

acceleration of the object.
 Gradient of the v vs. t graph

In a v vs. t graph, the gradient gives the

acceleration of the object.
 Gradient of the v vs. t graph
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph.
(Remember gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Calculate the acceleration for each
of the 4 sections of the graph.
60

Velocity
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Gradient of the v vs. t graph
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph.
(Remember gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Acceleration = V - U Calculate the acceleration for
t each of the 4 sections of the
60 graph.

Velocity
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Gradient of the v vs. t graph
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph.
(Remember gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Calculate the acceleration for
each of the 4 sections of the
60 graph.

Velocity
40
m/s

20
Acceleration = 40 - 0 = 4m/s2
10
0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Gradient of the v vs. t graph
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph.
(Remember gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Calculate the acceleration for each
of the 4 sections of the graph.
60

Velocity
40
m/s

20
Acceleration = 0 (no change in
velocity)
0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Gradient of the v vs. t graph
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph.
(Remember gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Calculate the acceleration for each
of the 4 sections of the graph.
60

Velocity
40
m/s

20
Acceleration = 20 - 0 = 2m/s2
10
0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Gradient of the v vs. t graph
Acceleration can be calculated by the gradient of a velocity:time graph.
(Remember gradient is the difference up divided by the difference across)
80
Calculate the acceleration for each
of the 4 sections of the graph.
60

Velocity
40
m/s

20
Acceleration = 0 - 60 = -3m/s2
20
0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
 Area Under the v vs. t graph
The area under the v vs. t graph, gives the
displacement of the object.
 Area Under the v vs. t graph
The area under the v vs. t graph, gives the
displacement of the object.
 Area Under the v vs. t graph
Find the displacement covered by the
object after 3 s.
 Area Under the v vs. t graph
Find the displacement covered by the
object after 3 s.
 Area Under the v vs. t graph
Find the displacement covered by the
object after 3 s.
Area Under the v vs t graph
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the displacement (distance) travelled.
80

60

Velocity
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
Area Under the v vs t graph
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the displacement (distance) travelled.
80

Remember that the area of a

60 triangle is ½ x base x height.

Velocity
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
Area Under the v vs t graph
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the displacement (distance) travelled.
80

Remember that the area of a

60 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
Area Under the v vs t graph
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the displacement (distance) travelled.
80

Remember that the area of a

60 Area =
400m2 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
Area Under the v vs t graph
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the displacement (distance) travelled.
80

Remember that the area of a

60 Area =
400m2 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20
Area =
400m2

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
Area Under the v vs t graph
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the displacement (distance) travelled.
80
Area =
100m2 Remember that the area of a
60 Area =
400m2 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20
Area =
400m2

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
Area Under the v vs t graph
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the displacement (distance) travelled.
80
Area =
100m2 Remember that the area of a
60 Area =
400m2 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20
Area = Area =
400m2 600m2

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50
Area Under the v vs t graph
On a velocity – time (or speed – time) graph, the area under the line is numerically
equal to the displacement (distance) travelled.
80
Area =
100m2 Remember that the area of a
60 Area =
400m2 triangle is ½ x base x height.
Area =
Velocity 200m2
40
m/s

20
Area = Area =
400m2 600m2

0
Time/s
10 20 30 40 50

The total distance travelled = 200 + 400 + 400 + 100 + 600 = 1700m
1. A cyclist started from rest achieved a speed of
10 m/s1 in 5 s. He then cycled at this speed
constantly for the next 15 s. Finally he decelerate
to complete his 30 s journey.
1. Sketch a velocity-time graph for the whole
journey.
2. Calculate his deceleration in the last 10
seconds of the journey.
3. Calculate the distance that he travelled
during the journey.

74
velocity (m/s)

10

75
5 20 30
time (s)
2. A locomotive pulling a train out from one station travels
along a straight horizontal track towards another station.
The following describe the velocity of the train varies with
time over the whole journey.
⚫ It started from rest and gain a speed of 40 ms-1 in 2 s.
⚫ It then travel with this speed constantly for 10 s.
⚫ Finally it decelerates and reach the other station
within 2 s.
Using the information given,
1. Sketch a velocity-time graph for this journey.
2. Find
a. the acceleration of the train in the first 2 s.
b. the total distance traveled between the two stations.
76
c. the average velocity of the train.
velocity (m/s)

40

78
2 12 14
time (s)
 Free fall and
acceleration due
to gravity (g)
 Answer the following questions:
1. What is the video all about?
2. What two conditions are shown
for the feather and the
bowling ball?
3. Describe the motion of the
feather and the bowling ball in
each condition.
Free fall

Freefall is the motion of falling

object under the influence of
gravity alone
Free fall

Freefall is the motion of falling

object under the influence of
gravity alone
with the effects of air resistance
considered negligible.
Acceleration due to gravity (g)

The acceleration of freely-falling

objects is the acceleration due to
gravity, g.
Acceleration due to gravity (g)

The acceleration of freely-falling

objects is the acceleration due to
gravity, g.
Acceleration due to gravity (g)
The acceleration of freely-falling
objects is the acceleration due to
gravity, g.

It means that for every second of

fall, the velocity increases by 9.8
m/s or 10 m/s.
As the object moves up, it slows down
by 10 m/s.
Free fall
Which object
will hit the
ground first?
Free fall
Which object
will hit the
ground first?

Obviously the
brick (because the
feather is slowed
much more by the
air)
Free fall
No air
resistance,
objects both
fall with the
same downward
acceleration.

In a
In air
vacuum
Acceleration of free fall (g)
No air
resistance,
objects both
fall with the
same downward
acceleration.
Acceleration of
free fall =
9.8m/s2

In a Given the
In air
vacuum symbol ‘g’
Acceleration of free fall (g)
No air
resistance,
objects both
fall with the
o same downward
d t
d e acceleration.
o un 2
n r /s
te 10m Acceleration of
O f
free fall =
9.8m/s2

In a Given the
In air
vacuum symbol ‘g’
The formulas to be used are
If g is asked: g = v - u
t
If time is asked: t = v - u
g
If final velocity is asked: v = u + (g x t)

If initial velocity is asked: u = v - (g x t)

Initial Velocity (u) measured in m/s

Final Velocity (v) measured in m/s
Time measured in s
Acceleration due to gravity (g) equal to
-10 m/s /s or - 10 m/s2
In dealing with problems involving freefall, take
note of the following:

For an object dropped, the initial velocity is

u = 0 (zero).
For an object thrown upward (at the
highest point of its path), the velocity v = 0
(zero).

We will consider the sign conventions: (-) for

DOWNWARD; (+) for UPWARD velocities.
1. Khairul throws a beach ball up in the air. It
reaches its maximum height 0.50 s later. Ignore
air resistance. What was the ball’s velocity as it
reaches its maximum height?
given: calculation:
v=0 (thrown upward) =0-(-10m/s^2)(0.5s)
g=-10m/s^2 =5 m/s
t=0.50 s
unknown: u?
formula: u=v-(g x t) 76
2. An object is thrown vertically upwards at an
initial velocity of 30 m/s. What is its velocity
after 3 s?

given: calculation:
u=30 m/s =30m/s+(-10m/s^2)(3s)
g=-10m/s^2 =0
t=3 s
unknown: v?
formula: v=u+(g x t) 76
3. A stone is dropped from a window of a tall
building and falls for 3 s before it hits the
ground. What is the speed of the stone as it hits
the ground?
given: calculation:
u=0 (object dropped) =0+(-10m/s^2)(3s)
g=-10m/s^2 = - 30 m/s
t=3 s (-) because it is moving
unknown: v? downwards.
formula: v=u+(g x t) 76