5.

MOTION
 Speed, Distance, Time

SPEED DISTANCE TIME

 Distance

The length covered by an object during its

motion in a given time and given speed.
SI Unit : m

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
= 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑥 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
 Displacement

The distance moved in a particular direction, it is a

measure of change in position of the moving object.
SI Unit : m
 Distance and Displacement

If you walk 2 km from home to school, and 2 km back from school to

home, then you have travelled:
- A total distance of 4 km.
- As your final position is the same as your initial position, your
displacement is zero.
 Distance and Displacement
A boy walks 40 m due east from a point P and then another 30 m due north and
finally 40 m due west.
a). What is the total distance travelled?
b). What is the boy’s displacement from P?
 Distance and Displacement
40 m

30 m

P
40 m

a). What is the total distance travelled?

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 40 𝑚 + 30 𝑚 + 40 𝑚 = 110 𝑚

 Distance and Displacement
40 m

30 m

P
40 m

b). What is the boy’s displacement from P? = 30 m

 Time

Distance travelled by an object over a

given speed
SI Unit : s

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 =
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑
 Let’s try this one☺
A spacecraft is orbiting the Earth at a steady speed of 8.0 km/s. How long will it
take to complete a single orbit, a distance of 44 000 km? Give your answer in
minutes.
 Speed

- Distance travelled by an object per unit

time.

SI Unit : m/s

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
 Velocity

- Distance travelled per unit time in a specified direction

- The rate of change of displacement over time

SI Unit : m/s

𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
10 m/s due east
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
=
𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
 Average Speed
For most journeys, speed is not constant.
For example, a car will slow down in heavy
traffic areas, but go faster when the traffic
is lighter. The car will have to stop and
start again at traffic lights at road
junctions. So, we make use of the average
speed of the journey.
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑
SI Unit : m/s 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
=
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
 Average Speed

The average speed over the journey is not

the constant speed of the car. Therefore,
when we say that a car is travelling at an
average speed of 40 km/hr, t does not
mean that the car has a speed of 40 km/hr
throughout the journey. The speed at any
instant might vary considerabley from this
value and is known as the instantaneous 𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑
speed. 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
=
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
 Let’s try this one☺
1. The world record for the men’s 100 m sprint event was broken by Asafa Powell of
Jamaica in 2005 at the Athens Olympic Games. His record time was 9.77 s. what
was his average speed for the race?
 Let’s try this one☺
2. A cyclist completed a 1500 m stage of a race in 37.5 s. What is her average
speed?
 Let’s try this one☺
3. A cyclist travels 10 km due east and then makes a U-turn back to travel a further
distance of 8 km. The whole journey takes 2 hrs. Calculate:

a). The distance travelled by the cyclist

b). The average speed of the cyclist
c). The displacement of the cyclist
d. The average velocity of the cyclist
 Distance, Time, Speed

Quantity SI Unit Other Units

Distance Metre, m Kilometres, km Miles

Time Second, s Hour, h Hour, h

Metres per Kilometers per Miles per hour,

Speed
second,m/s hour, km/h mph
 Acceleration
Acceleration is the change in velocity per unit time.
𝑚
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 ( ) 𝑣 −𝑢
𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑠 =
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 (𝑠) 𝑡
Where: v is final velocity, and u is initial velocity
Unit: m/s2

There is acceleration only when velocity changes.

When velocity is increasing – Acceleration (+)
When velocity is decreasing – Deceleration (-)
 Let’s try this one☺
The driver of a car brakes when the car is travelling at 30 m/s. The velocity of the
car is reduced to 10 m/s after 5 s. What is its average acceleration?
 Take home questions

1. A car travels 600 m in 30 s. what is its average speed

2. A car has a steady speed of 8 m/s.
(i) How far does the car travel in 8 s
(ii) How long does the car take to travel 160 m?
3. A car takes 8 s to increase its velocity from 10 m/s to 30 m/s. What is its
average acceleration?
 Take home questions
4. A motor cycle travelling at 20 m/ takes 5 s to stop. What is its average
deceleration?
5. A truck travelling at 25 m/s puts its brakes on for 4 s. this produces a
deceleration of 2 𝑚/𝑠 2 . What does the truck’s velocity drop to?
MOTION GRAPHS
Remember: Motion is the action of
movement
Key words used to describe Motion

1. Stationary – not moving (at rest)

2. Constant Speed – moving at the same speed (steady speed)

3. Accelerating – speeding up (increasing speed)

4. Decelerating – slowing down (decreasing speed)

 Motion Graphs
We can use Motion Graphs to describe the motion of an object

(i) Distance – Time Graph

(ii) Speed – Time Graph

DISTANCE - TIME GRAPH
 (i) Distance – Time Graph
The vehicle travelled The vehicle
a further 30 km over travelled 60 km
the next 30 minutes over the 1 hour and
at constant speed. 30 minutes back to
The vehicle travelled
its starting point at
30 km over the first 2
constant speed.
hours from starting
point at constant
speed The vehicle is
stationary
over the next
hour
 Let’s try this☺

1. From the description of the train’s journey below, draw a Distance - Time graph.

A train left Station A at 8am and travelled a distance of 10 km to reach Station B at 9am. Upon
reaching Station B, the train parked for a duration of 30 minutes, allowing for disembarking and
boarding of passengers. The train then continued it’s journey over a distance of 20 km for 1.5
hours. The train had a break down for 1 hour. After the maintenance was complete the train
reached its destination, Station C, 30 km from the place of break down which took 2 hours.
 Let’s try this☺
70

60

50
Distance (km)

40

30

20

10

0
0 1 1.5 3 4 6
Time (hours)
 Let’s try this☺

2. From the description of Emily’s journey below, draw a Distance - Time graph.

Emily left home at 12pm, and after an hour and a half of moving at a constant speed, she had
travelled 1.5km, at which point she stopped. After 3 hours of not moving, she drove towards home
at a constant speed, and it took her 2 hours in total to get home.
 Let’s try this☺
1.6

1.4

1.2

1
Distance (km)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 1.5 4.5 6.5
Time (hours)
(i) Distance – Time Graph
(i) Distance – Time Graph
 Let’s try this one ☺
The Distance – Time Graph is for a motorcycle
travelling along a straight road 1. What is the motorcycle doing between
points D and E?

2. Between which points is it

accelerating?

3. Between which points is it

decelerating?

4. Between which points is its speed

steady?
 Let’s try this one ☺
The Distance – Time Graph is for a motorcycle travelling along a
straight road 1. What is the motorcycle doing between points
D and E?

It’s stationary

2. Between which points is it accelerating?

A and B

3. Between which points is it decelerating?

C and D

4. Between which points is its speed steady?

B and C
Let’s try this one ☺
Let’s try this one ☺
 Let’s try this one☺

C D

B
A E
 The Distance – Time Graph is for a car travelling along a
straight road from home (A to C) and returning home (D to E)
1. What is the car doing between points C and D?

It’s stationary

2. Is the speed greater between A and B or between

C D
B and C

B and C

3. Between which points is its speed steady?

B
A and B, B and C, D and E
A E
Distance – Time Graph : Average Speed

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝐴𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒

Given a Distance – Time Graph we can calculate

Average speed over a specific time frame or the whole
journey
Let’s try this one☺
1. Calculate the average
speed for A

2. Calculate the average

speed for B

3. Calculate the average

speed for C
 Let’s try this☺
70 1. Calculate the average
60 speed for A
50 C
2. Calculate the average
Distance (km)

40
speed for B
30

20 3. Calculate the average

B
10 A speed for C
0
0 1 1.5 3 4 6 4. Calculate the average speed
Time (hours)
for the whole journey
Distance – Time Graph : Instantaneous
Speed
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = , 𝑤𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒

Given a Distance – Time Graph we can calculate

instantaneous speed or over a specific time frame
Quick Revision – Gradient/Slope
𝑦2 − 𝑦1
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 =
𝑥2 − 𝑥1

y
X2, y2

X1, y1
x
 Let’s try this☺
(a) Describe the speed of the object
The Figure shows a distance-time graph for a moving
object. between points
(i) A and B,
(ii) B and C.

(b) State whether the acceleration of the

object is zero, negative or positive, as
shown on the graph between points
(i) A and B,
(ii) B and C.

(c) Calculate the average speed of the

object during the 40 seconds.
 Let’s try this☺
The Figure shows the distance-time graphs for three
different objects A, B and C. Describe the motion of each of the objects
A, B and C by selecting the appropriate
description
from the list below.
constant speed
increasing speed
decreasing speed
stationary
 Let’s try this☺
A bus travels at a constant speed. It stops for a short time and then travels at a higher constant
speed.
Using the axes in the Figure below, draw a Distance-Time graph for this bus journey.
SPEED - TIME GRAPH
 (ii) Speed– Time Graph
For the next 10 s the
vehicle accelerated from 15
For the next 10 s to 25 m/s
the vehicle
Vehicle travelled travelled at a For the next 20 s
over 10 s and constant speed the vehicle
accelerated from of 15 m/s decelerated from
0 to 15 m/s 25 to 0 m/s,
coming to a stop
 Let’s try this☺

1. An aeroplane lands with a speed of 62 m/s, on a horizontal runway at time t = 0. The aeroplane
decelerates uniformly as it travels along the runway in a straight line until it reaches a speed of 6.0
m/s at t = 35 s.
(a) Draw the Speed – Time graph showing the motion of the aeroplane
(a) Calculate the deceleration of the aeroplane in the 35s after it lands.
 Let’s try this☺

2. An aeroplane lands with a speed of 62 m/s on a horizontal runway at time t = 0. The aeroplane
decelerates uniformly as it travels along the runway in a straight line until it reaches a speed of 6.0
m/s at t = 35 s.
At t = 35 s, the aeroplane stops decelerating and moves along the runway at a constant speed of
6.0 m/s for a further 15 s.
On a Speed - Time graph, sketch the motion travelled by the aeroplane along the runway between t
= 0 and t = 50 s.
(ii) Speed– Time Graph
(ii) Speed– Time Graph
Let’s try this one ☺
Let’s try this one ☺
A = Constant acceleration

B = Constant speed with no acceleration

C = Acceleration is increasing

D = Constant speed with no acceleration

E = Constant deceleration
Let’s try this ☺
The graph shows the speed-

time graph for a car traveling

along a straight road. The

graph shows how the speed

of the car changes as the car

passes through a small town.

Let’s try this ☺
Describe what happens to the speed of

the car:

a). Between A and B

b). Between B and C

c). Between C and D.

a). Speed decreasing / car decelerating

b). Constant speed

c). Speed increases / accelerating

Let’s try this ☺
The Figure shows the speed-time

graphs for three more objects D, E, and

F. Describe the motion of each of the

objects D, E and F by selecting the

appropriate description

from the list below.

constant speed constant acceleration

increasing acceleration stationary

Quick Revision – Gradient/Slope
𝑦2 − 𝑦1
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 =
𝑥2 − 𝑥1

y
X2, y2

X1, y1
x
 Acceleration
Final Velocity Initial Velocity

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑣 − 𝑢
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = =
𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡

Given a Speed – Time Graph we can calculate

Acceleration or Deceleration over a specific time frame
Let’s try this ☺

Calculate the acceleration of the car

between C and D.

acceleration
Let’s try this ☺

The Figure shows a Speed-Time graph

for the sled from time t = 0 s.

(a) On the graph, mark a point labelled P

to indicate a time when the acceleration

of the sled is not constant.

(b) Calculate the acceleration of the

sled at t = 1.0 s.
Let’s try this☺
A comet, travelling in space, enters the

atmosphere of a planet.

The Figure shows the speed-time graph

for the comet from time t = 0 s.

Determine the acceleration of the comet

at t = 11.0 s.
Quick Revision – Area
Square and Rectangle
= 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑥 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ

Triangle
1
= 𝑥 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑥 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
2
Trapezium
1
= 𝑥 𝑎 + 𝑏 𝑥 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑡
2
Let’s try this☺
A lift (elevator) starts from rest at the

ground floor of a building. The Figure

shows the Speed-Time graph for the

motion of the lift to the top floor of the

building.

Use the graph to determine the distance

from the ground floor to the top floor of

the building.
Let’s try this ☺
Describe what happens to the speed of

the car:

a). Between A and B

b). Between B and C

c). Between C and D.

a). Speed decreasing / car decelerating

b). Constant speed

c). Speed increases / accelerating

Let’s try this ☺

Determine the distance travelled by the

sled between t = 1.0 s and t = 2.0 s.

Let’s try this☺
A comet, travelling in space, enters the

atmosphere of a planet.

The Figure shows the speed-time graph

for the comet from time t = 0 s.

Determine the distance travelled during

the period t = 0 s to t = 6.0 s.

Let’s try this☺
A train is at rest in a railway station. At

time t = 0, the train starts to move

forwards with an increasing speed until

it reaches its maximum speed at time t

= 48 s.

The Figure shows the speed-time graph

for the first 48 s of the journey.

Let’s try this☺
(a) (i) State how the graph shows that,

during the first 48 s of the journey, the

acceleration

of the train is constant.

(ii) Calculate the acceleration of the

train during the first 48 s of the journey.

Let’s try this☺
(b) After time t = 48 s, the train

continues at its maximum speed for

another 72 s.

(i) On Fig. 1.1, sketch the speed-time

graph for the next 72 s of the journey.

(ii) Determine the total distance

travelled by the train in the 120 s after it

starts moving.
End of
Motion
Questions ???