CO - C4 - IPL Physics Kinematics - 1D

3. KINEMATICS - 1D
Ø INTRODUCTION
Mechanics is the branch of physics that focuses on the motion of objects and the forces that cause the
motion to change. There are two branches of Mechanics: Kinematics and Dynamics. Kinematics
deals with the concepts that are needed to describe motion, without any reference to forces or the
cause of the motion.
Kinematics deals with the words Vectors, Scalars, Distance, Displacement, Speed, Velocity,
Acceleration, which are necessary to describe the motion of objects.
Dynamics deals with the relation between the forces and the motion.
In this chapter we will study the motion along a straight line i.e., motion in one dimension.
Ø REST AND MOTION
Rest : A body is said to be at rest, when its position doesn’t change with time.
Motion is a combined property of the object under study and the observer. There is no meaning of rest
or motion without the viewer. Nothing is in absolute rest or in absolute motion. The moon is moving
with respect to the book and the book moves with respect to the moon.
When we are in a train the stations, electric poles trees, etc. change their positions and we say that
they are moving in train -frame.
Ø MEASURING POSITION
y
To locate the position of a particle we need a frame of reference. A
P (x.y.z)
convenient way to fix up the frame of reference is to choose three
mutually perpendicular axes and name them X-Y-Z axes. The x
coordinates, (x, y, z) of the particle then specify the position of the particle
with respect origin of that frame. Add a clock into the frame of reference z
to measure the time. If all the three coordinates x,y and z of the particle
remain unchanged as time passes, we say that the particle is at rest with
respect to this frame. If any one or more coordinates change with time, we say that the body is
moving with respect to this frame.
There is no rule or restriction on the choice of a frame. We can choose a frame of reference according
to our convenience to describe the situation under study. Thus, when we are in a train it is convenient
to choose a frame attached to our compartment.
a) Coordinate Systems (or) Frames of Reference
There are different frames of references some of them are
1) Cartesian coordinate frame of reference
2) Polar coordinate frame of reference
3) Cylindrical coordinate system
4) Spherical co ordinate system

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The location of a point on a line can be described by one coordinate; a point on a plane can be described
by two coordinates; a point in a three dimensional plane can be described by three coordinates. In
general, the number of coordinates equals the number of dimensions. A coordinate system consists of :
1) a fixed reference point (origin)
2) a set of axes with specified directions and scales
3) instructions that specify how to label a point in space relative to the origin and axes.
For Example :
1) Cartesian coordinate system (rectangular coordinate system) : (x, y)
y
P(x0, y0)

x
O x0
Cartesian Co-ordinate System
2) Polar coordinates : (r, )

P(r, θ)
r
θ
O
Plane Polar Co-ordinates
Trajectory : When a body is moved from one point to another, it describes a certain curve, which is
called a trajectory of that moving body.
Ø DISTANCE AND DISPLACEMENT
a) Distance : The actual length of the path covered by a moving body in between two points, is called
distance between the two points.
Let us consider two points A and B. If a particle moves from A to B along ACB the length of the path
is called distance between points A and B.
There is no rule to the particle to follow along the path ACB. It may follow the path ADB or some
other path. This discussion says that there are infinite distances between the points A and B. Distance
is a scalar quantity. SI unit of distance is “Metre”.
C
C A B
A B

A B
D D
E F
Note :
There are infinite distance between any two points.

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Example - 1
Find the distance covered by the particles, in the following figures, (i) and (ii) while a particle travels
from A to B as shown by the arrows.
A E C A
a
B a
b

C D D B
l
(i) (ii)
Solution :
i) Actual length of the path traversed is AC + CD + BD
1 1
b+l+ l 2 + b2 [Q DB = × Diagonal AD]
2 2
ii) Actual length of the path traversed
πa
= AC + CD + DB a + +a [Circumference of a circle = × diameter]
2
πa
= 2a +
2
b) Displacement : The shortest distance covered by a body in between two points is called the
displacement. Displacement is a vector quantity. Its direction is from initial position to final position.
The ‘displacement’ of a particle and the 'distance travelled' by it are two different quantities. Distance
travelled in a given time has just a magnitude (numerical value) and no direction, whereas the
displacement has magnitude as well as direction. It is important to note that the magnitude of the
displacement is not always the same as the distance travelled. If a particle moves in a plane along a
zig-zag path, the distance travelled in a given time interval may be much larger than the magnitude of
its displacement in the same time interval.
Consider a particle moving from A to B along a curve as shown. The distance travelled is equal to the
length of the curve, whereas the magnitude of the displacement is equal to the length of the straight
line AB.

A B
Even if the particle moves along a straight line, the distance travelled may be larger than the magnitude
of its displacement. For example, if a particle goes from A to B on a straight line and returns to A, the
displacement is zero but the distance traversed is not zero. Only if the particle moves along a straight
line without changing its direction, the magnitude of its displacement is equal to the distance travelled
as shown in (Fig 4.6). SI units of displacement is also “metre”.
A B

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Examples of Distance and Displacement (A to B)
B

S
h
A B
D

A
Distance = πr Distance = 2h Distance = S
Displacement = 2r Displacement = 0 Displacement = S
Example - 2
A particle travels from point A to B on a circular path of radius 15 / π cm. If the arc length AB be
10 cm, find the displacement (Figure)
Solution :
Joining the initial (A) and final (B) positions of the body, the straight line AB is obtained which is its
displacement (Figure)

O O
θ θ
A B A D B
(a) (b)
We know,
circumference 360°
=
arc length Angle subtended by arc at centre

15
2π ×
π = 360°
10 2θ
2 θ = 120o ⇒ θ = 60o
Now from right angle ADO,
15 15 3
AD = OA sin = sin 60o =
π 2π
15 3
AB = 2AD = cm along A to B
π
Note :
1) Distance is scalar, but displacement is a vector quantity.
2) distance ≥ displacement
3) If a particle starts from a point and reaches the same point at the end of its journey, then
displacement is zero. However distance covered is not zero.
4) The magnitude of displacement cannot exceed the distance of a particle in motion.
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CO - C4 - IPL Physics Kinematics - 1D
Ø SPEED
The distance covered by a body in unit time in called speed.
distance
Speed =
time
s
v=
t
There are different types of speeds to understand the motion of the bodies.
a) Average Speed
The average speed of a particle in a time interval is defined as the total distance travelled by the
particle divided by the total time interval. If the particle travels a distance s in time t1 to t2, the average
speed is defined as
total dis tan ce s
vav = =
total time t 2 − t1
b) Instantaneous Speed
Let Δs be the distance travelled in the time interval t to t + Δt . The average speed in this time interval
Δs
is vav = .
Δt
Δs
Now make Δt vanishingly small and look for the value of . Remember Δs is the distance travelled
Δt
in the chosen time interval Δt . As Δt approaches 0, the distance Δs also approaches zero but the
Δs
ratio has a finite limit.
Δt
Δs ds
The instantaneous speed at a time t is defined as v = Lim =
Δt →0Δt dt
where s is the distance travelled in time t. The average speed is defined for a time interval and the
instantaneous speed is defined at a particular instant.
The dimension of speed is LT–1 and its SI unit is metre / second abbreviated as m / s.
Note :
You might think of the instantaneous speed as the speed, which the speedometer reads at any given
instant of time and the average speed as the average of all the speedometer readings during the course
of the trip. The average speed is more commonly calculated as (distance/time) in proper units.
Example - 3
The distance travelled by a particle in time t is given by s = (2.5)t2. Find (a) the average speed of
the particle during the time 0 to 5.0s, and (b) the instantaneous speed at t = 5.0s. Here s is in metres.
Solution :
a) The distance travelled during time 0 to 5.0s is
s = (2.5)(5.0)2 = 62.5 m.
The average speed during this time is
62.5m
vav = = 12.5m/s
5s

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ds
b) s = (2.5)t2 (or) = (2.5)(2t) = (5.0)t.
dt
At t = 5.0 s the speed is
ds
v= = (5.0)(5.0) = 25m / s
dt
Example - 4
A bus between Vijayawada and Hyderabad passed the 100km, 160-km and 220-km points at 10.30
a.m., 11.30 a.m.and 1.30 p.m. Find the average speed of the bus during each of the following intervals:
a) 10.30 a.m., to 11.30 a.m.
b) 11.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m., and
c) 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
Solution :
a) The distance covered between 10.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. = 160 km – 100 km = 60 km.
The time interval = 11.30 – 10.30 = 1hour
The average speed during this time interval
60km
v1 = = 60 km/h.
1h
b) The distance covered between 11.30 a.m. and1.30 p.m. = 220 km –160 km = 60 km
The time interval = 1.30 p.m. – 11.30 = 2 hours
The average speed during this time interval
60km
v2 = = 30 km/h.
2h
c) The distance covered between 10.30 a.m. to 1.30p.m. = 220km – 100km = 120 km.
The time interval = 1.30 p.m. – 10.30 a.m. = 3 hours
The average speed during this time interval
120km
v3 = = 40km/h.
3h
c) Average speed in different circumstances
total distance covered
Average speed (vav) =
total time taken
Bodies covering different distances with different speeds :
s1 + s 2 + s3
Average speed (vav) =
t1 + t 2 + t3 ......

Case (i) : Bodies moving with different distances with different speeds.
s1 + s 2 + s3 + ......
Average speed (vav) =
⎛ s1 s2 ⎞
⎜⎝ v + v + .......⎟⎠
1 2

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Special case : If s1 = s 2 = s; equal distances with different velocities,
2s 2v1v 2
vav = = (or)
⎛1 1⎞ v1 + v 2
s⎜ + ⎟
⎝ v1 v 2 ⎠

2 1 1
= + [Harmonic mean]
νaν ν1 ν2
Case (ii) : Bodies moving with different speeds in different time intervals :
t = t1 + t2 + t3 + .........
v1 t1 + v 2 t 2 + .....
Average speed = vav = t1 + t 2
Special case : If t1 = t2 = t3 = t (say)
(v1 + v2 + .....v n )t v1 + v 2 + ....
vav = = [Arithmetic Mean]
nt n
Example - 5
A man walks at a speed of 6 km/hr for 1 km and 8 km/h for the next 1 km. What is his average speed
for the walk of 2 km?
Solution :
Distance traveled is 2 km.
1km 1km ⎛ 1 1⎞ 7
Time taken = + = ⎜⎝ + ⎟⎠ hr = hr.
6km / hr 8km / hr 6 8 24

2km × 24 48
Average speed = = km/hr ≈ 7 km/hr.
7hr 7
Example - 6
A motor vehicle travelled the first 1/3 of a distance s at a speed of v1 = 10 kmph, the second
1/3 at a speed of v2 = 20 kmph and the last 1/3 at a speed of v3 = 10 kmph. Determine the mean speed
of the vehicle over the entire distance s.
Solution :
v1 = 10 kmph, v2 = 20, v3 = 60, v = ?
3 1 1 1
= + +
v v1 v 2 v 3

3 1 1 1
= + + = 0.1 + 0.05 + 0.016
v 10 20 60
3
∴V = ; 18.2kmph = 18 kmph
0.166

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d) Uniform speed : If an object travels equal distances in equal time intervals, it is said to move with
uniform speed or constant speed.
If an object moves with a uniform speed, its speed at any instant is the same as its average speed in
that time interval. If it covers a distance S in a time interval t, its speed at any instant is given by the
equation.
S
v= (or) S = vt
t
e) Non uniform speed : If an object travels equal distances in unequal time intervals, it is said to move
with non-uniform speed.
Ø VELOCITY
The displacement covered by a body in unit time is called velocity.
displacement
Velocity =
time
r r
r s Δr
v = ( or )
t t
a) Average Velocity : The average velocity of a particle in a time interval t1 to t2 is defined as its total
displacement divided by the total time interval. If the particle is at a point A (Fig 4.8) at time t = t1 and
uuuH
at B at time t = t2, the displacement in this time interval is the vector AB . The average velocity in this
time interval is then,
uuuH
H total displacement AB
u av = =
total time t 2 − t1
Like displacement, it is a vector quantity.

Y
A
Kr
r2
B
Kr
r1
O X

Position vector :
KKKr KKKr KKKr KKKr KKKr Kr Kr
AB = AO + OB = OB − OA = r2 − r1
The average velocity of a particle in the time interval t1 to t2 can be written as
uH uH
uH r2 − r1
V av =
t 2 − t1
Note that only the positions of the particle at time t = t1 and t = t2 are used in calculating the average
velocity. The positions in between t1 and t2 are not needed, hence the actual path taken in going from
A to B is not important in calculating the average velocity.

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b) Instantaneous velocity: Let the average velocity of the particle in a short time interval t to
H
t + Δt be v av . This average velocity can be written as
H
H Δr
v av =
Δt
r
where Δ r is the displacement in the time interval Δt . We now make Δt vanishingly small and find
r
Δr H
the limiting value of . This value is instantaneous velocity v of the particle at time t.
Δt
r r
r Δ r dr
v = lim = =
Δt → 0 Δt dt
r
For very small intervals the displacement Δ r is along the line of motion of the particle. Thus, the
length Δr equals the distance Δs travelled in that interval. So the magnitude of the velocity is
H H
dr dr ds
v= = =
dt dt dt
Which is the instantaneous speed at time t. Instantaneous velocity is also called the “velocity”. The SI
unit of velocity is thus metre per second, written as m/s. We often use the unit km/h for convenience.
Velocity has magnitude as well as direction. It is a vector quantity. So velocity is “direction-aware”.
When evaluating the velocity of an object, we have to keep track of direction. It would not be enough
to say that an object has a velocity of 55 km/hr. For instance, we can describe an object’s velocity as
being 55km/hr, due east. The unit of velocity is the same as that of speed.
Note :
1) The direction of the velocity is simply the same as the direction, which an object is moving. It
would not matter whether the object is speeding up or slowing down.
2) The Velocity of an object is a quantity that gives the speed of the object as well as its direction
of motion.
3) The velocity of an object changes if the speed or the direction of motion or both change.
4) Velocity of an object moving along a straight line : For an object moving along a straight line,
there are only two possible directions of motion. In such a case, magnitude of its velocity may
be represented by the speed of the object. A positive sign is used before the magnitude of
velocity if it is moving in the positive direction of the motion. If an object is moving in the
negative direction, its velocity may be represented by its speed and a negative sign before it.
The resulting number gives the speed as well as the direction of the motion, and hence, represents
velocity.
We take the direction of motion as positive, if the particle does not change direction during its
motion. In this case, its displacement and velocity are both positive. The distance travelled and the
displacement, are then given by the same number. Similarly, the same number gives its speed and
velocity.

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Example - 7
A motorist drives north for 35.0 minutes at 85 km/h and then stops for 15 minutes. He next continues
north, travelling 130 km in 2.00 hours.
(a) What is his total displacement?
(b) What is his average velocity?
Solution :
V1 = 85 kmph, t = 35.0 min, S2 = 130 km.
85
S1 = displacement = x 35 = 49.58 km.
60
S2 = 130 km.
a) s = s1 + s2 = 49.58 + 130 = 179.58 km.
s1 + s2 + s3
b) Average velocity Vave =
t1 + t 2 + t 3

49.58 + 0 + 130
=
35 15
+ +2
60 60
179.58 x 60 10774.8
= =
170 170
= 63.38 = 63.4 km/hour
Example - 8
Two cyclists, moving with equal speeds of 10 km/hr, are approaching each other along a straight
road. When the distance between them is 20 km a fly starting from cycle, keeps on flying alternatively
from one cycle to the other. If the fly has a constant speed of 40 km/hr, find the total distance travelled
by the fly before the cyclists meet is
Solution :
Relative velocity of cyclists of approaching = 20km/hr
20
Time taken to meet the cyclists = = 1 hour
20
Distance travelled by fly = speed × time
= 40 × 1 = 40 km.
c) Uniform velocity:
When a body covers equal displacements in equal intervals of time however small these intervals
may be then the body is said to be moving with a uniform velocity.
It means the velocity of an object does not change as time passes. This means that the object is
moving along a straight line, without changing direction, with a fixed speed.
The body will have a uniform velocity only if (i) it covers equal distances in equal intervals of time,
i.e., the magnitude does not change and (ii) its direction remains the same.
If the velocity is v, the displacement S in a time interval t is given by S = vt.

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d) Non uniform velocity (or) Variable velocity:
When a body covers equal displacements in unequal intervals of time then the body is said to be
moving with non uniform velocity.
If a car covers 100 m in 1 minute from O to A and 200 m in 1 minute from A to B and so on, it is
covering unequal distances in equal intervals of time. Thus we can say that the car is moving with
variable velocity or non-uniform velocity.
Note :
a) Difference between Speed and Velocity
Speed and Velocity of an object at a given time tells us how fast the object is moving at that
time. In addition, velocity also indicates the direction in which the object is moving. Thus if the
velocity is given, we know the speed. But if the speed is given, we do not know the velocity.
b) Regarding average speed and velocity it is worth noting that :
1) Average speed is a scalar while average velocity is a vector both having same units (m/s).
2) Average speed or velocity depends on time interval over which it is defined.
3) For a given time interval average velocity is single valued while average speed can have
many values depending on path followed.
4) If after motion the body comes back to its initial position,
Average velocity = 0
Average speed > 0 and finite
5) For a moving body average speed can never be negative or zero (unless t = ) while
average velocity can be i.e., Average speed > 0 while
Average velocity > = or < 0.
6) In general, average speed is not equal to magnitude of average velocity. However, it can
be so if the motion is along a straight line without change in direction.
Ø ACCELERATION
The change in velocity in unit time is called acceleration
change in velocity
Acceleration =
time
uuH
H Δv
a=
t To understand to motion of the body we have to understand different types of acceleration.

a) Average acceleration : If the velocity of a particle remains constant as time passes, we say that it is
moving with uniform velocity. If the velocity changes with time, it is said to be accelerated. The
acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Velocity is a vector quantity hence a change in its
magnitude or direction or both will change the velocity.
H H
Suppose the velocity of a particle at time t1 is v1 and at time t2 it is v 2 . The change produced in time
H H H
interval t1 to t2 is v2 − v1 . We define the average acceleration a av as the change in velocity divided by
the time interval. Thus,

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H H
H v 2 − v1
a av =
t 2 − t1
Again the average acceleration depends only on the velocities at time t1 and t2. How the velocity
changed in between t1 and t2 is not important in defining the average acceleration.
Instantaneous acceleration of a particle at time t is defined as
r r
r Δ v dv
a = lim =
Δt → 0 Δ t dt
H H
Where Δ v is the change in velocity between times t and t + Δt . At time t the velocity is v and at
r
H H Δv
time t + Δt it becomes v + Δ v . is the average acceleration of the particle in the interval Δt . As
Δt
Δt approaches zero, this average acceleration becomes the instantaneous acceleration.
Example - 9
A body moving in a curved path possesses a velocity 3 m/s towards north at any instant of its motion.
After 10s, the velocity of the body was found to be 4 m/s towards west. Calculate the average
acceleration during this interval.
Solution :
To solve this problem the vector nature of velocity must be taken into account.
In the figure, the initial velocity v0 and the final velocity v are drawn from a common origin. The
vector difference of them is found by the parallelogram method.
The magnitude of difference is
| v − v 0 | = OC = OA 2 + AC 2 = 42 + 32 = 5m / s
The direction is given by
3
tan θ = = 0.75, θ = 37 0 ,
4

N
B Kr
V0
3m/s
A 4m/s O
W Kr E
V θ
Kr
Kr Kr −V 0
V −V0
C D
A
S
H H
| v − v0 | 5
Average acceleration = = = 0.5 m/s2 at 37º South of West
t 10

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b) Instantaneous acceleration :
The dimension of acceleration is LT–2 and its SI unit is metre/second2 abbreviated as m/s2.
Instantaneous acceleration is given by the following formula :
H H
H Δv dv d 2 s
a = Lt = =
Δt →0 Δt dt dt 2
dv dv dx dv
a= = =v
dt dx dt dx
c) Uniform Acceleration or constant acceleration : If the velocity of the body changes by equal
amounts in equal intervals of time, then it is said to be in uniform acceleration. or constant acceleration
If the velocity of a uniformly accelerating body changes from u to v, then its acceleration is given by
v−u
a=
t
Rearranging the above formula, we will get the following equation : v = u + at
Note :
An object with a constant acceleration should not be confused with an object with a constant velocity.
If an object is changing its velocity - whether by a constant amount or a varying amount - then it is an
accelerating object. And an object with a constant velocity is not accelerating.
d) Non-uniform acceleration : If the velocity of the body changes by unequal amounts in equal intervals
of time, then it is said to be in non-uniform acceleration.
The general rule of thumb is :
i) If an object is slowing down, then its acceleration is in the opposite direction of its motion.
ii) If an object is speeding up then its acceleration is in the direction of its motion.
e) Deceleration : If the speed of a particle decreases with time, we say that it is decelerating, or
retardation. The acceleration of the body is opposite to that of velocity, and then the body decelerates.
Example - 10
Velocity of a particle moving in a straight line varies with its displacement as v = ( 4 + 4s ) m/s.
Displacement of particle at time t = 0 is s = 0. Displacement of particle at time t = 2s is
Solution :
Squaring the given equation, we get v 2 = 4 + 4s
Now, comparing it with v 2 = u 2 + 2as
we get, u = 2m / s and a = 2 m / s2
Therefore, Displacement t = 2s is
1
s = ut + at 2 (or)
2
1
s = (2)(2) + (2)(2)2 (or)
2
s=8m

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Example - 11
r r H
The radius vector of a particle varies with time t as r = bt(1 − αt) where b is a constant vector and a
is a positive factor. Find the time interval Δt taken by the particle to return to the initial point.
Solution :
r r
r = b t(1 − αt)
H r
For initial point, r = 0, b = t(1 − αt) = 0
1
t = 0 and t =
α
1
Hence, Δt = .
α
Example - 12
A point moves the plane xy according to the law x = K sin ω t and y = K(1 – cos ω t) where K and w
are positive constants. Find the distance s traversed by the particle during time t
Solution : x = K sin wt
dx
vx = = Kω cos ωt ; y = K (1 – cos wt)
dt
dy
vy = = Kω sin ωt
dt

v = Vx2 + Vy2 = Kω
Distance = speed × time = (Kw) t.
Example- 13
A bullet moving with speed 150 m/s strikes a tree and penetrates 3.5 cm before stopping. Find the
magnitude of its acceleration and the time taken to stop.
Solution :
u = 150 m/s,s = 3.5 cm = 0.035 m, v = 0
v 2 − u 2 = 2as
0 − 150 2 = 2 × a × 0.035
−150 × 150
a= = − 3.214 × 10 5 m −2
2 × 0.035

v−u 0 − 150
Time = =
a 3.24 × 10 5
− 150
= = 4.67 × 10 −4 sec
3.24 × 10 5

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Ø DERIVATION OF EQUATIONS OF MOTION USING CALCULUS METHOD
Let us suppose that an object moves in a straight line with uniform acceleration a. The initial velocity
of the object is u (t = 0) and v is its velocity after time interval t (t = t).
a) Velocity - time relation :
Change in velocity
∴a =
Time
dv
∴a =
dt
where dv is change in velocity in time dt.
∴ dv = adt
Integrating both sides within the condition, we get
v t

∫ dv = a ∫ dt
u 0

[v]vu = a(t − 0)
∴ v = u + at
H H H
In vector form this equation can be written as v = u + at
b) Distance - time relation :
Let us suppose, that an object moves in a straight line with uniform acceleration a. At any instant t the
distance travelled by the object in time interval dt is ds. Then the instantaneous velocity of the object
ds
is given by, v =
dt
or, ds = vdt = (u + at) dt
or, ds = udt + atdt
Integrating both sides within the conditions, we get
s t t

∫ ds = u∫ dt + a ∫ t dt
0 0 0
t
⎡ t2 ⎤
∴ s = ut + a ⎢ ⎥
⎣ 2 ⎦0
1
⇒ s = ut + at2
2
H H 1H
In vector form this equation can be written as s = ut + at 2
2
c) Velocity displacement relation :
dv dv ds dv ds
3 a= = × = ×v [3 = Rate of change of displacement = v]
dt ds dt ds dt
∴ ads = vdv

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Integrating both sides within the conditions, we get
s v
a ∫ ds = ∫ vdv
0 u

v
⎡ v2 ⎤
∴ as = ⎢ ⎥
⎣ 2 ⎦u
2as = v2 – u2 (or) v2 – u2 = 2as
HH HH HH
In vector form this equation can be written as v.v = u.u + 2a.s
Example - 14
Two cars started simultaneously towards each other from towns A and B which are 480 km apart. It
took first car travelling from A to B 8 hours to cover the distance and second car travelling from B to
A in 12 hours. Determine when do the cars meet after starting and at what distance from town A.
Assuming that both the cars travelled with constant speed.
Solution :
480
Velocity of car from A = = 60 km/hour
8
Distance travelled from A = 60 t
velocity of car from
480
B= = 40 km / hour
12
Distance travelled from B = 40 t
Let the two cars meet at t hour ; then
60 t + 40 t = 480 km
480
t= = 4.8 hours
60 + 40
The distance s = vA× t = 60 × 4.8 = 288 km.
Example - 15
A body, starting from rest and moving with constant acceleration, covers 10 m in the first second.
Find the distance travelled by it in the next second.
Solution :
a
Using the equation for the distance travelled in the nth second, viz., sn = u + (2n – 1)
2
We have for the first second,
2 a
10 = 0 + (2 × 1 –1) = .
2 2
Now, the distance travelled in the 2nd second is
20
s2 = 0 + (2 × 2 – 1) = 30 m.
2
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Note :
Following this procedure it can be shown that the distance travelled in equal time intervals will
be in the ratio 1 : 3 : 5 : 7 : ......
Example - 16
In a car race, car A takes a time of t is less than car B at the finish and passes the finishing point with
a velocity v m/s more than the car B. Assuming that the cars start from rest and travel with constant
accelerations a1 and a2 respectively, show that v = t a1a 2 .
Solution :
The distance covered by both the cars is the same. Thus, s1 = s2 = s.
If the cars take time t1 and t2 for the race and their velocities at the finish be v1 and v2, then it is given
that
v1
t1 = s .......... (1)
2
v2
and t2 = s .......... (2)
2
v1 v 2 v1 − v 2 v
= = =
t 2 t1 t 2 − t1 t .......... (3)
2
⎛ v⎞ v1v 2 v1 v 2
⎜⎝ t ⎟⎠ = t t = t . t .......... (4)
2 1 1 2

v
= a 1a 2
t
⇒ v = t a 1a 2

Example - 17
A car accelerates from rest at a constant rate for sometime after which it decelerates at a constant rate
to come to rest. If the total time lapsed is t seconds, find (i) the maximum velocity reached and (ii) the
total distance travelled.
Solution :
Let vm be the maximum velocity and let t1 be the time taken to attain it. Then using
= u + at we get vm = t1 ...... (1)
Let t2 be the time taken by the car to stop under retardation . Then.
0 = m – t2 (or) m
= t2 ....... (2)
Eqns. (1) and (2) given
t2 α t α
= (or) 2 + 1 = + 1
t1 β t1 β

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t α+β β
(or) t = (or) t1 = t
1 β α+β
Substituting this value of t1 in eqn.(1),
αβ
vm = t.
α +β
Now, let s1 be the distance travelled during acceleration and let s2 be the distance travelled during
retardation. Then using the equation
v2 = u2 + 2as, we get v 2m = 2αs1 ........ (3)

and 0 = v 2m − 2β s2 ......... (4)

v 2m αβ 2 α 2β
s1 = = 2
2 t and s2 = t2
2α 2(α + β) 2(α + β ) 2

Total distance s = s1 + s2

αβt 2 αβt 2
= ( α + β) =
2(α + β)2 2(α + β)
Example - 18
A point moves rectilinearly with deceleration whose modulus depends on the velocity v of the particle
as α = k v, where k is a positive constant. At the initial moment the velocity of the point is equal to
V0. What distance will it take to cover that distance?
Solution :
Let t0 be the time in which it comes to a stop.
t0 0
dv dv
Given that −
dt
=k V ∫ kdt =
0
∫−
v0 v

2
3 kt 0 = 2 v 0 ∴ t0 =v0
k
Now to find the distance covered before stopping,
dv dv ds dv dv
= =v But, = − k V;
dt ds dt ds dt
dv
∴v = −k V
ds
∴ vdv = − kds
0 s
2 23
∴ ∫ vdv = −∫ k ds ⇒ s = V0
V0 0
3k

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Ø ACCELERATION DUE TO GRAVITY
We know that all objects, when dropped, fall towards the Earth with constant acceleration. This is
called acceleration due to gravity (g). If air resistance is ignored all the bodies, as light as a feather to
a heavy metal sphere, dropped simultaneously from the same height hit the floor at the same time
because all the bodies have same acceleration irrespective of their shape, size or (weight) mass.
a) Motion Under Gravity
A free-falling object is an object, which is falling under the influence of gravitational force only. This
definition of free fall leads to two important characteristics about a freely falling object:
* Freely falling objects do not encounter air resistance.
* All freely falling objects (on Earth) accelerate downwards at a rate of approximately 10 m/s2 (to be
exact, 9.8 m/s2)
The acceleration of freely falling bodies is a constant quantity at a given place and is called acceleration
due to gravity.
Objects in motion under the influence of gravity are said to be in free fall. The word “free fall” bring
to mind dropped objects that are moving downward under the influence of gravity (g = 9.80 m/s2 in
the absence of air resistance). However, the term can be applied in general to any vertical motion
under the influence of gravity. Objects released from rest or thrown upward or downward are in free
fall once they are released.
b) Equations of Motion for freely falling body
We can use equations of motion for freely falling bodies. If a body is falling from a height ‘h’ with an
acceleration due to gravity ‘g’ then the equations of motion becomes :
v = u + gt
1 2 2 2
h = ut + gt ; v – u = 2gh
2
But the initial velocity of freely falling bodies (dropped body) is zero i.e., u = 0.
Then, the equations of motion become :
v = gt
1 2
h= gt ; v2 = 2gh
2
c) Equations of Motion of an object vertically Projected Upwards from the Ground
If a body is projected vertically upwards, then what are the equations of motion?
We are considering the acceleration due to gravity of a freely falling body as positive, we take a
negative value for a body projected upwards, and the equations of motion are:
v = u – gt
1 2 2
h = ut – gt ; v – u2 = – 2gh
2
When a body is projected upwards with a velocity ‘u’, it is raised to a certain height and then it starts
falling down.

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i) Maximum height
when it is projected vertically upwards with an initial velocity ‘u’.
Initial velocity, u = u m/s
Final velocity, v = 0
Acceleration due to gravity = –g m/s2
Let the maximum height reached by the body be ‘h’.
Then, using the formula v2 – u2 = 2gh.
u2
u2
We get, 0 – = –2ghh = 2g
which is the maximum height reached by the body if it is projected vertically upwards with a velocity
of 'u' m/s.
ii) Velocity of the body on reaching the point of projection
Initial speed =0
Final speed = v m/s
Distance travelled =h
Acceleration due to gravity = g m/s2
Using the formula v2 – u2 = 2gh,
we can find the final speed of the body after on reaching the ground.
v2 – 02 = 2gh
So the projection speed ‘u’ is equal to the speed of the body on returning to the ground.
iii) Time of ascent :
Initial velocity = u m/s
Acceleration of the body = – g m/s2
Final velocity of the body =v=0
The time of ascent = ‘t’ s
Now using formula v = u – gt for the projected body, we can find the time of ascent i.e., time taken to
reach the maximum height h.
2
u u
0 = u – gt u = gt t = ; h =
g 2g
iv) Time of descent :
If t is time for descent, from a height h,

1 2 2h 2 u2 u
since h = g t ; t = = ⋅ =
2 g g 2g g
Thus time of ascent is equal to time of descent
u u 2u
Time of flight T = ta + td = + =
g g g

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v) Velocity at a given height :
Let a body be projected vertically upwards with an initial velocity u,
from the point O. (figure)
To find its velocity, at a height h, above the point of projection. A
If v be the velocity, then
u h
u = +u; v = ? ; s = +h; a = –g
(Taking upward direction as positive)
Using, 2 = u2 + 2as,

we have 2 = u2 – 2gh v = ± u 2 − 2gh

The two values of v correspond to the upward and downward motion of the body.
Since upward direction was taken positive, the positive value of v is the velocity during upward
motion and the negative value of v corresponds to the downward motion.
Note :
1) The two values in the above case are equal in magnitude but with opposite sign, which shows
that, at any given height, a particle can have two velocities of equal magnitude but opposite in
direction.
2) v is real or imaginary according as u2 2gh. In other words, practically, h .
vi) Velocity at a given time :
Let a particle be projected with an initial velocity u from point O.
B v=0
u
Let it rise to the highest point B after a time .
g A
Now, we have to find the velocity after time ‘t’ of its projection.
Let the particle reach point A in time 't'. u
Taking upward direction as positive, we have
u = +u; v = ?; t = t; a = –g.
Using, v = u + at
we have v = u – gt ..... (1)
Case (i) :
u
If t < (i.e., time required to attain maximum height), i.e. gt < u
g V
u – gt > 0, i.e. v > 0 [By equation 1]
In other words, velocity is positive, directed upwards. A
Case (ii) :
u
If t > gt > u
g A
u < gt u – gt < 0
i.e. v < 0
In other words, velocity V
is negative, directed downwards.
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vii) Time taken to attain a given Height :
Let a particle be projected vertically upward with an initial velocity u from point O. (Figure)
Let B be the highest point on its flight,
u2
i.e., OB = [From equation (1)]
2g
Now, to find the time taken to reach a certain height h, above O.
Let ‘t’ be the required time. Taking upward direction (direction of initial velocity) as positive.
We have, u = + u; t = t, s = +h; a = –g
1 2 1
Using s = ut + at h = ut – gt2
2 2
2
gt – 2ut + 2h = 0 ...... (2)
Solving the quadratic in time ‘t’, we get

2u ± 4u2 − 8gh u ± u2 − 2gh

t= t= ...... (3)
2g g
Thus the two times, t1 and t2 are

u − u 2 − 2gh u + u 2 − 2gh
t1 = and t2 =
g g
Time t1 (being less than t2) corresponds to the time taken by the particle to reach point A, along its
upward journey, and t2 corresponds to the time taken by the particle to reach A, during its downward
journey.
2 2
The difference between t2 and t1 = u − 2gh gives the time which elapsed between the two
g
instants of time, when the particle was at a height h.
2u
and t1 + t2 = , which is same as total time of flight.
g
Case (i)
u2
If the specified h be such that h > ..... [i.e., OA > OB]
2g
Then 2gh > u2, or u2 – 2gh < 0
u2 − 2gh is imaginary
Equation (3) has no real values as the particle cannot cross the point B.
Case (ii)
u2
If h = (i.e., OA = OB),
2g
then u2 – 2gh = 0
Equation (3) has two real and equal roots.
In other words, the particle is at point A (i.e., B) only once during its motion.

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Case (iii)
u2
If OA < OB, i.e., h < then u2 – 2gh > 0
2g
Then the roots yielded by equation (3) are real and different (unequal). In other words, the particle
will be twice, at height ‘h’.
Example - 19
9h
A particle is dropped under gravity from rest a height h and it travels a distance in the last second,
25
the height h is (take g = 9.8 ms–2)
Solution :
(2n + 1)
(h)nth = u + g (or) 9h = 0 + (2n − 1) g ... (i)
2 25 2
1
h = 0+ g × (n)2 ... (ii)
2
9 (2n − 1)
(i) / (ii), we get =
25 n2
9 n2 = 50 n – 25 ; 9 n2 – 50 n + 25 = 0
5
After solving n = 5 s, s. H = 122.5 m, 1.5 m.
9

Example - 20
A steel ball is dropped from the roof of a building. An observer standing in front of a window 1.5m
high notes that the ball takes 1/10 s to fall from the top to the bottom of the window. The ball reappears
at the bottom of the window 2s after passing it on the way down. If the collision between the ball and
the ground is perfectly elastic, then find the height of the building? Take g = 10 m/s2.
Solution :
Since collision is perfectly elastic, the speed of the ball just before collision is equal to the speed of the
ball just after collision. Hence time of descent is equal to the time of ascent. Therefore time taken by
the ball to reach the ground from the bottom of the window is 1 sec.
Let u be the speed of the ball when it is at the top of the window
1 1 1
⇒ 1.5 = u + × 10 × .
10 2 100

⎛ H H 1 H 2⎞
⎜⎝ s = ut + 2 at ⎟⎠ ⇒ u = 14.5 m/s
∴ ball is dropped hence its initial speed is 0
It t be the time taken by the ball to acquire the speed of 14.5 m/s, then
H H H
14.5 = 0 + 10 × t, (v = u + at) ⇒ t = 1.45 sec
Hence total time of descent is given by

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1
T = 1.45 + + 1 = 2.55s
10
1
If H be the height of the building, then H = 0 + gt 2
2
1
⇒H= × 10 × (2.55)2 ⇒ H = 32.5m
2
Example - 21
A stone is allowed to fall from the top of a tower 300 m height and at the same time another stone is
projected vertically up from the ground with a velocity 100 ms–1. Find when and where the two
stones meet?
Solution :
Let the two stones meet at C. The time of travel of the stones are equal. Vertically projected body
travels a distance of x, while the freely falling body travels a distance of (h – x).
For the stone moving upwards
u = 100 ms−1 , a = − 9.8 ms−1 , t = ?, s = x

1 2
From the equation s = ut + at
2

1
x = 100t − x 9.8 t 2
2
x = 100t − 4.9 t 2 ..... (1)
For freely falling body
u = 0, a = 9.8 ms−2
t = ? s = h − x = (300 − x)

1
From eq. s = ut + x 9.8 t 2
2

1
(300 − x) = 0 + x 9.8 t 2
2
(300 − x) = 4.9 t 2 ...... (2)
Adding equation (1) and (2)
300 = 100 t ⇒ t = 3 sec
substitute this value in equation (1)
x = 100 × 3 − 4.9 × 9 = 300 − 44.1 = 255. 9 m.
The two stones meet after 3 sec and at a height of 255.9. from the ground.

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Example - 22
Two balls are dropped to the ground from different heights. One ball is dropped 2.0 s after the other,
but both strike the ground at the same time 5.0 s after the 1st is dropped. (a) What is the difference in
the heights from which they were dropped? (b) From what height was the first ball dropped?
Solution :
a) For the first ball s = h1, v = 0, t = 5 sec
1 2
s = ut + at ;
2
1
h1 = 0 × 5 + 9.8 × 52 = 122.5 m
2
For the second ball s = h2, t = 3 sec
1 2 1
∴ h2 = gt = × 9.8 × 9
2 2
= 4.9 × 9 = 44.1m
Difference in heights h = h 2 − h1 = 122.5 − 44.1 = 78.4 m
b) The first ball was dropped from a height of h1 = 122.5m.

Example - 23
A stone A is dropped from rest from a height h above the ground. A second stone B is simultaneously
thrown vertically up from a point on the ground with velocity n. The line of motion of both the stones
is same. Find if the value of v which would enable the stone B to meet the stone A midway between
their initial positions
Solution :
Time of travel of each stone =
h
Distance travelled by each stone =
2

h 1 2 h A
For stone A, = gt i.e., t =
2 2 g
A
h 1 h 1 ⎛ h⎞ h
B
For stone B, = ut − gt 2 = u − g
2 2 g 2 ⎜⎝ g ⎟⎠ h/2
B
h h h h
⇒ =u − or u =h
2 g 2 g

h
∴u = h = gh
g

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Example - 24
A particle P is projected vertically upward from a point A. Six seconds later, another particle Q is
projected vertically upward from A. Both P and Q reach A simultaneously. The ratio of maximum
heights reached by P and Q = 64 : 25. Find the velocity of the projection of Q in m/s.
Solution :
1 1
g(t + 3)2 ; g t2 = 64 : 25
2 2
(or) (t + 3)2 : t2 = 64 : 25
(or) (t + 3) : t = 8 : 5
5 t + 15 = 8 t (or) 3 t = 15 ; t = 5 sec
v = g × t = 9.8 × 5 = 49 m/s = 5 g m/s
Example - 25
A body when projected vertically up, covers a total distance D. During the time of its flight t. If there
were no gravity, find the distance covered by it during the same time
Solution :
The displacement of the body during the time t as it attains the point of projection
1 2 2v 0
⇒ S = 0 ⇒ v 0 t − gt = 0 ⇒ t = g
2
During the same time t, the body moves in absence of gravity through a distance
D ′ = v 0 t , because in absence of gravity g = 0

⎛ 2v ⎞ 2v 2
⇒ D′ = v 0 ⎜ 0 ⎟ = 0 ... (i)
⎝ g ⎠ g
In presence of gravity the total distance covered is
v 20 v 20
= D = 2H = 2 = ... (ii)
2g g
(i) ÷ (ii) ⇒ D ′ = 2D

Example - 26
Drops of water fall at regular intervals from the roof of a building of height H = 16 m, the first drop
striking the ground at the same moment as the fifth drop detaches from the roof. Find the distance
between the successive drops.
Solution :
H = 16m
time taken by the first drop
2h
to touch the ground t =
g

2 × 16
= = 3.26 sec = 1.8 sec
9.8

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t 1.8 1.8
Time interval between each drop = = = = 0.45 sec
n−1 5 −1 4
For 2nd drop
1 1
h 2 = ;gt 2 = × 9.8 × 1.35 × 1.35 = 8.93cm
2 2
d12 = 16 − 8.93 = 7.06 = 7m
1
For 3rd drop h3 = × 9.8 × 0.90 × 0.90 = 3.97
2
d 23 = 8.93 − 3.97 = 4.961 = 5m
1
For 4th drop, h 4 = × 9.8 × 0.45 × 0.45 = 0.9922
2
d 34 = 3.97 − 0.9922 = 2.9778 = 3 m
Similarly for d 45 = 0.9922 − 0 = 0.9922 = 1m .
Example - 27
An object falls from a bridge that is 45 m above the water. It falls directly into a small row - boat
moving with constant velocity that was 12 m from the point of impact when the object was released.
What was the speed of the boat?
Solution :
s
Boat velocity v = ; But s = 12m
t
s 12
∴t= = ... (1)
u v
Ball has fallen from a height of 45m, u = 0
2
1 1 1 ⎛ 12 ⎞
S = ut + at 2 ; 45m = 0 + × gt 2 = × 10 × ⎜ ⎟
2 2 2 ⎝ v⎠

1 144 720
v2 = × 10 × =
2 45 45
2
v = 16
∴ v = 4 m/s
Example - 28
A ball thrown up from the ground reaches a maximum height of 20 m. Find :
a) its initial velocity ;
b) the time taken to reach the highest point ;
c) its velocity just before hitting the ground;
d) its displacement between 0.5 s and 2.5 s ;
e) time when displacement is 15 m.
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Solution :
a) Using 2 = u2 + 2as for upward motion, we get
02 = u2 + 2 (–g) (+20)
A
u = 19.8 m/s.
h
(v − u) 0 − 19.8 B v
b) t = = = 2.02 s h′
a −9.8
C 2v
c) For the complete up-down trip.
v2 = u2 + 2a (0)
v2 = u2 v = –u = –19.8 m/s.
d) Height at t = 0.5s is
y1 = 19.8 (0.5) – 4.9 (0.5)2 = 8.68 m.
Height at t = 2.5s is
y2 = 19.8 (2.5) – 4.9 (2.5)2 = 18.9 m.
Displacement = y2 – y1
= 18.9 m – 8.68 m = +10.2 m.
e) 15 = 19.8t – 4.91 t2 t = 1.01 s, 3.03 s.
At t = 1.01 s. ball is going up and at t = 3.03 s, it is coming down.
Example - 29
A body falling from rest has a velocity ‘V’ after it falls through a distance ‘h’. The distance it has to
fall down further for its velocity to become double is .... times ‘h’.
Solution :
Let a body starting from rest travels a distance of ‘h’ m from A to B during which it acquires a
velocity V as shown in the figure. Its velocity becomes 2V at point C.
Case - I Case - II
AB BC
S1 = h s2 = BC = h' = ?
V1 = V v2 = 2V
u1 = 0 u2 = 0
a1 = g a2 = g
2 2
v – u = 2 as
Apply the above formula for both the cases we get,
V2 – 02 = 2gh
(2V)2 – V2 = 2gh|
V2 = 2gh ........... (1)
2
3V = 2gh | ........... (2)
Eliminating the unconcerned terms by dividing equation (2) by equation (1) we get,
(2) 3V 2 2gh| |
= = h = 3h.
(1) V 2 2gh

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Example - 30
A particle is projected vertically upwards. Prove that it will be at 3/4 of its greatest height at times
which are in the ratio 1:3.
Solution :
If u is the initial velocity of a particle while going vertically upwards.
u2
then maximum height attained, h =
2g
If t is the time when particle reaches at a height (3/4)h, then using the relation
1 2
s = ut + at .
2
3 1
we have h = ut + (–g) t2
4 2

3 ⎛ u2 ⎞ 1 2
(or) ⎜ ⎟
4 ⎝ 2g ⎠ = ut – gt
2

2u 3 u2
(or) t2
– t+ =0
g 4 g2
Solving it for t, we have

2u 4u 2 3 u2
± − 4 × 1 ×
g g2 4 g2 u u
t= = ±
2 g 2g

u u u
Taking negative sign, t1 = − =
g 2g 2g
u u 3u 1
Taking positive sign = t2 = + = =
g 2g 2g 3
Example - 31
Ball A is dropped from the top of a building at the same instant that a 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 did the collision
occur?
Solution :
Given VA = 2VB
Let h1 and h2 are the distances travelled by the two balls
∴ 2gh1 = 2 u 2 − 2gh 2 ; 2gh1 = 4u 2 − 8g h 2
2gh1 + 8gh2 = 4u 2
2g[h1 + 4h 2 ] = 4u 2

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2u 2
h1 + 4h 2 = ........(1)
g
Again as VA = 2VB
from v = u + at ; o + gt = 2 (u – gt)
∴ gt = 2u − 2gt ⇒ 2u = 3gt
∴ t = 2 u / 3g ........(2)
2u 2
h1 + h 2 = ut = u(2u / 3g) = ........(3)
3g

2u 2
h1 + 4h 2 = ........(4)
g
Solving (3) & (4)
2u 2 4u 2
we get h1 = ; h2 =
9g 9g

h1 2u 2 / 9g 1
∴ = =
h 2 4u 2 / 9g 2

Example - 32 O

Two particles 1 and 2 are allowed to descend on the two frictionless chord OA α
and OB of a vertical circle, at the same instant from point O. The ratio of the 1
2
velocities of the particles 1 and 2 respectively, when they reach on the
circumference will be (OB is the diameter)
Solution : A
B
OA = d cos α, a OA = g cos α
Along OA O
⇒ V = 2g cos α.d cos α
2
A
1 α 2
Along OB
d
VB2 = 2gd g cosα

A B
V
⇒ A = cos α
VB

Ø MOTION OF A BODY THROWN VERTICALLY UP FROM TOP OF A TOWER

AB is a tower of height h. A body is projected vertically upwards with an initial velocity ‘u’ from the
top ‘B’ of the tower. The body travels upwards, reaches the heighest point C and starts falling
downwards there after. Finally the body reaches.
The point D lying in the horizontal plane passing through foot of the tower.

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Here the direction of projection (upwards) is considered positive and the opposite direction
(ie downwards) is taken negative.
The upward displacement of the body;
BC = +H C
The downward displacement of the body; H B
CD = – (h+H)
H+h
The net displacement of the body; h
BD = +H – (h+H) = – h
The total time of travel from A D
B to D through C = t (say)
∴ For the motion of the body
Displacement (s) = –h
Acceleration (a) = –g (Starting upwards)
Time of travel (t) =t
Initial velocity (u) =u
1 2
From the equation of motion s = ut + at
2
1 1
⇒ − h = ut − gt 2 ⇒ h = − ut + gt 2
2 2
Example - 33
A helicopter is ascending vertically with a speed of 8.0 ms–1. At a height of 120 m above the earth, a
package is dropped from a window. How much time does it take for the package to reach the ground?
Solution :
u = 8 m/s, height h = 120m
1
⇒ s = –120 m ⇒ s = ut + at 2
2
1
− 120 = 8t − × 9.8 × t 2
2
⇒ 4.9 t 2 − 8t − 120 = 0

8 ± 64 + 4 × 4.9 × 120
t=
2 × 4.9

8 ± 64 + 2352 8 ± 2416 8 ± 49.15

= = =
9.8 9.8 9.8
8 ± 49.15
t=
9.8
(only positive value) = 5.83 sec

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Example - 34
A body took ‘t’ sec. to come down from top of tower. Find the time taken to cover half the height of
the tower.
Solution :
Let AB be the tower of height ‘h’ m and the body taken ‘t’ seconds to come down from A to B as
shown in the figure.

h
Let C be the midpoint and hence AC = m
2

Case - 1 Case - II
AB AC
t1 = t t2 = t' = ?
a1 = g a2 = g
u1 = 0 u2 = 0
s1 = h s2 = h/2
S = ut + 1/2 at2
Applying the above formula for both the cases, we get
1
h= gt'2 ............... (1)
2
h 1 2
= gt ............... (2)
2 2
Eliminating the unconcerned terms by dividing equation (1) by (2), we get
1 2
gt 2
(1) h 2 ⎛ t⎞
= = ⇒ 2= ⎜ ⎟
(2) h / 2 1 |2 ⎝ t′ ⎠
gt
2
2 t2 t
⇒ t1 = ⇒ t1 = s
2 2
Ø GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF MOTION OF BODIES
For graphical representation, we required two coordinate (reference) axes, each variable being taken
along each axis. The usual practice, is to take the independent variable along the X-axis and the
dependent one along Y-axis. In cases, involving time as one of the variable, time being independent,
is usually taken along X-axis and the dependent one along Y axis.
Ø DISTANCE - TIME GRAPHS
Distance time-graph, gives the variation of distance of a particle (measured from a fixed point of
reference), with time.

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a) For a particle at rest : Since the particle is stationary, its distance from
the reference point remains constant, and the graph obtained is a straight y
line parallel to the time-axis, (see figure).

Distance
If the initial distance of the particle from the fixed point be zero, then the
straight line coincides with X-axis. However, if the particle is away from
the fixed point initially, then the straight line lies above X-axis and parallel x
to it. (since the distance can never be negative, no part of distance time- O time
graph, can be below the time-axis).
b) For a particle travelling with uniform Speed: If v be the uniform speed of particle, then the distance
's' covered in a time t is given by
s = vt ......... (1)
y
i.e., s - t
The distance time-graph is a straight line, inclined to X - axis. From

Distance
equation (1), slope of s- t curve gives v (i.e., the slope of distance - time
graph yields the speed. Since a straight line is a curve with constant S0
slope, for a particle travelling with uniform speed, the graph obtained x
is straight line. O time (t)
If the initial distance of the particle from the reference point be zero,
then (in figure s0 = 0) the line passes through origin.
c) For a particle travelling with uniform acceleration : Let u be initial speed and ‘a’ the acceleration
of the particle, then the distance covered in time t is given by
1 2
s = ut + at ...... (2)
2
Note that the above formula is for displacement of a particle. However, it can be used for distance too,
with proper modification, depending upon the situation. For a rectilinear motion, along the same
direction, the above formula can be used for both displacement as well as distance.
Equation (2) is that of a parabola, and hence the distance time curve y
is a parabola. If the initial distance of the particle from the fixed point
be zero, then the graph starts from origin (in figure s0 = 0)
Distance

Since the slope of a curve changes from point to point, it follows that
S0

the speed of the particle also changes. The speed of the particle at any S0
instant, can be obtained from the slope of tangent drawn to the curve x
O time (t)
corresponding to that instant. This follows from the fact that
ds y
Slope of s – t curve = =v
dt
Distance

d) For a particle travelling with non-uniform Acceleration :

The shape of distance time curve depends, upon the variation of
acceleration with time. (figure) x
O time (t)

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Ø ACCELERATION - TIME GRAPH
In this curve the time is plotted along x-axis and acceleration is plotted along y-axis.
i) When the acceleration of the particles is zero.
H
a

t
a=0
ii) When acceleration is constant

H a = constant
a

t
iii) When acceleration is increasing and is positive.

a↑
← a increasing

→t
iv) When acceleration is decreasing and is negative
ad

a↑
ec
rea
sin
g

t →
Note :
While finding displacement through v-t graph.
v) When initial acceleration is zero and rate of change of acceleration is non-uniform

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vi) The change in velocity of the particle from time-acceleration graph=area enclosed between the time
acceleration curve and the time axis.

Example - 35
Figure Shows distance - time graphs of two objects A and B. Which object is moving with a greater
speed when both are moving?
Solution :
A line corresponding to the object B makes a larger angle with the time-axis. Its slope is, therefore,
larger than the slope of the line corresponding to the object A. Thus the speed of B is greater than that
of A.

B
Distance

Time
Example - 36
Figure a represents the speed-time graph for a particle. Find the distance covered by the particle
between t = 10 min and t = 30 min.
Speed(km/h)

15 15
Speed(km/h)

10 D C
10
5 5
A B
0 10 20 30 40 0 10 20 30 40
(a) Time (minutes) (b) Time (minutes)
Solution :
We draw perpendicular lines from the 10-minute point and the 30-minute point to the time-axis
(Figure b). The distance covered is equal to the area of the rectangle ABCD. Its value is
AB.AD = (30 min – 10 min) × (10 km / h)
= 20 min × 10 km / h
20
= h × 10km / h
60

10
= km
3
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Ø DISPLACEMENT TIME GRAPHS
This graph reveals the variation of displacement of a particle (with respect to a fixed point of reference)
with time.

S.No. Description of motion Shape of graph The main features of graph

1. For a Stationary body, Displacement (i) The slope of st. line AB (representing
the time displacement instantaneous velocity) is zero.
A B
graph is a st. line AB parallel
to time axis.
O time
2. When a body, is moving Displacement (ii) Greater is the slope of st.line
with a constant velocity, A OA, higher will be the velocity.
then time displacement
graph is inclined to time axis.
O time

3. When a body is moving Displacement The slope of time-displacement

with a constant acceleration, A curve
the time displacement (i.e. instantaneous velocity)
graph is a curve with time
bend upwards. O

4. When a body is moving with Displacement (i) The slope of time displacement
a constant retardation, the curve (i.e. instantaneous velocity)
time displacement graph is decreases with time.
a (Parabola) curve with
O time
bending downwards.

5. When a body is moving with Displacement (i) Such motion of a body is never
infinite velocity, the time B possible.
displacement curve is a st.
line AB parallel to
O A time
displacement

6. When a body returns back (i) The displacement of the body

towards the original point Displacement decreases with time w.r.t. to be
of reference while moving reference point, till it become
with uniform negative velocity, zero.
θ > 900
the time displacement graph O time
B
is oblique st-line AB. making
an angle >90o with the time
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Ø VELOCITY - TIME GRAPHS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF MOTION OF A BODY
S.No. Description of Motion Shape of graph Features of graph

1. When a body is moving Velocity the slope of this graph

with a constant velocity, A B (representing the instantaneous
the velocity-time graphs acceleration) is zero.
is st-line AB parallel to
time
time axis. O

2. When a body is moving with Velocity Greater will be the slope of st.line
a constant acceleration and OA, greater will be the
A
its initial velocity is zero, the instantaneous acceleration.
velocity-time graph is an oblique
O time
st.line, passing through origin.

3. When a body is moving with a Velocity (i) Here OA represent the initial
constant acceleration and its B velocity of the body (ii) The area
initial velocity is non-zero, the A enclosed by the velocity-time
velocity-time graph is an oblique graph with time axis represents
O t time
st. line. the distance travelled by the body.

4. When a body is moving with a The line makes an angle > 90o
Velocity
constant retardation and its with time axis, (–ve slope means
initial velocity is not zero, the A velocity is decreasing)
velocity-time graph is an oblique B
st. line AB, not passing through O t time
origin.

5. When a body is moving with Velocity The slope of velocity-time graph

increasing acceleration, the (i.e. instantaneous acceleration)
velocity-time graph is a curve increases with time.
with bend upwards.
O time

6. When a body is moving with Velocity The slope of velocity-time graph

decreasing acceleration, the (i.e., instantaneous acceleration)
velocity-time graph is curve decreases with time.
with bend downwards.
O time

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Example - 37
The acceleration time graph of a particle moving along a straight line is as shown in figure. At what
time the particle acquires its initial velocity.

10

a(ms-2)
4 t(s)

Solution :
a = a0t + a1 ; t = 0 a = a1 = 10
a1 = 10, a = 0 at t = 4 seconds. 0 = + 4 a0 + 10
a0 = –2.5 ; a = 2.5 t + 10
dv
= −2.5t + 10 ; ∫ dv = ∫ (−2.5t + 10)dt
dt

t2
v = −2.5 + 10t + C ; t = 0, C = v0
2

t2 t2
v = −2.5 + 10t + v 0 ; v = v 0 − 2.5 + 10t = 0
2 2

t2
2.5 = 10t ⇒ t = 8 seconds.
2

Ø DERIVATION OF EQUATIONS OF INFORMALLY ACCELERATED MOTION

Graphical method using v - t graph : Let us consider an object which moves along a straight line
with uniform acceleration a. Its initial velocity is u and v is its velocity after time interval t. The
distance travelled by the object during this time interval is s. Velocity time graph of this motion is a
straight line AB as shown in the figure. Here OA = CE = u; OD = CB = v; OC = AE = t.
i) v = u + at
Slope of velocity time graph of uniformly accelerated motion represents
the acceleration of the object,
v D B
Velocity

∴ Acceleration = slope of velocity – time graph

A
BE BC − CE u E
∴ a= = or,
AE AE
t
O time C
v−u
a=
t
∴ v = u + at

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1
ii) s = ut + at 2
2
The area under the velocity-time graph for a given time interval represents the distance covered by
the object in that time interval.
From graph, the acceleration of the object, a = slope of velocity - time graph AB.
BE BE BE
a= = =
AE OC t
∴ BE = at
Distance travelled by the object in time t is given by,
s = area of trapezium OABC
= area of Δ ABE + area of OAEC

1
= AE × BE + OA × AE
2

1 1
= × t × at + u × t = ut + at 2
2 2
iii) v2 _ u2 = 2as
Acceleration, a = slope of graph AB
BE BC − CE
a= = or
AE OC
BC − CE
OC = ...... (1)
a
Area of trapezium OABC
1
s = (OA + CB) × OC
2
1 BC − CE
= (OA + CB) ×
2 a

1 (BC + CE)(BC − CE)

= (3OA = CE)
2 a
1 1 2
∴ s= ⎡⎣ (BC)2 − (CE)2 ⎤⎦ = (v − u 2 )
2a 2a
∴ v2 – u2 = 2as

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Example - 38
V m/s
Velocity - time graph for the motion of a certain body is shown
10
in figure Explain the nature of this motion. Find the initial velocity A
and acceleration and write the equation for the variation of 5
displacement with time. What happens to the moving body at B
point B? How will the body move after this moment? 0 5 10 15 t s
Solution : C
The velocity - time graph is a straight line with -ve slope, the motion is uniformly retarding one upto
point B and uniformly accelerated after with -ve side of velocity axis).
At point B the body stops and then its direction of velocity reversed.
The initial velocity at point A is v0 = 7ms-1.
Δv v f − v 0 0 − 7ms−1
The acceleration a = = =
Δt Δt 11s
− 7 −2
=
ms = −0.6364ms−2 ≈ −0.64 ms−2 .
11
The equation of motion for this body for variation of displacement with time is
1
s = 7t − 0.64t 2 = 7t − 0.32t 2
2
If B the body of instantaneous test and then reverse direction.
Example - 39
Two particles A and B move with constant velocities v1 and v2 along two mutually perpendicular
straight lines towards the intersection point O. At moment t = 0, the particle were located at distance
l1 and l2 from O, respectively. Find the time, when they are nearest and also the shortest distance
between them.
Solution :
After time ‘t’, the position of the point A and B are (l1– v1t) and (l2– v2t), respectively.
The distance L between the points A’ and B’ are
L2 = (l1–v1 t)2 + (l2–v2 t)2 ... (i)
Differentiating with respect to time,
dL
2L = 2(l1 − v1 t)( − v1 )+2(l2 − v2 t)( − v2 )
dt l1
dL A O
From minimum value of L =0 v1 A'
dt
l1v1 + l2 v 2 l2
(v12 + v 22 ) t = l1 v1 + l2 v 2 (or) t = L
v12 +v 22 B' v
2
|l1v 2 +l2 v1 |
Putting the value of t in equation (1) L min = B
v12 +v 22

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SYNOPSIS
Horizontal Motion :
Ø A particle travels along a circular path of radius ‘R’ on arc which makes
B A
an angle ‘ θ ’ at centre distance = RQ ; displacement = 2R sin θ /2 θ
R
Ø Distance ≥ Displacement

total distance
Average speed =
total time
Ø If a particle travels 1st half of journey with speed V1 and rest half of journey with speed V2 then
2V1 V2
Average speed, Vavg=
V1 + V2

Ø If a particle travels first half of time with speed and rest half of time with speed V2 then

V1 + V2
Average speed, Vavg =
2

Total displacement
Ø Average velocity =
Total time

Ø For a round trip Average velocity = 0 ; Average speed > 0

Ø In uniform motion average velocity and instantaneous velocity are equal.
Ø Moving with uniform acceleration a body crosses a point ‘P’ with velocity ‘u’ and at another point

u2 + v2
‘Q’ with velocity ‘v’. Then the velocity at mid point is
2

Ø For rectilinear motion of a particle, following are the basic results used to relate various kinetics
quantities .

t
dx
v= ⇒ dx = vdt ⇒ ∫ dx = ∫ vdt ⇒ x t − x 0 = ∫ vdt
dt 0

t
dv
a= = dv = adt ⇒ ∫ dv = ∫ adt ⇒ v t − v 0 = ∫ adt
dt 0

dv
a=v ⇒ vdv = adx ⇒ ∫ vdv = ∫ adx
dx

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GRAPHS :
Ø Position-Time graphs
slope of s – t graph gives velocity

s
i) Particle moving with uniform velocity
t

ii) Particle moving with uniform acceleration s

iii) Particle moving with uniform retardation. s

iv) Particle projected vertically upwards. s

t
Ø Velocity-time graphs
slope of v–t graph gives velocity ; Area under v–t graph gives displacement

v
i) Particle moving with uniform velocity
t

v
ii) Particle moving with uniform acceleration
t

iii) Particle moving with uniform deceleration v

v
iv) Particle projected vertically upwards
t

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Ø Acceleration time graph
Slope of a – t graph gives jerk.
Area under a – t graph gives change in velocity.
Ø A particle accelerates from rest at a constant rate ‘ α ’ for some time and decelerates at a constant rate
‘ β ’ to come to rest. If total time elapsed is ‘t’.
⎛ αβ ⎞
i) Maximum velocity = ⎜ t
⎝ α + β⎠⎟ v
1 αβt 2
ii) Total displacement =
2 α +β
t
Motion under gravity :
Ø Freely falling body
i) Ratio of distances travelled in 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s ... ns = 1 : 4 : 9 : 16 .... n2.
ii) Ratio of distances travelled in 1sts, 2nds, 3rds, 4ths ...nths = 1: 3 : 5 : 9 .... (2n–1).
2h
iii) Body falls from height ‘h’ then velocity on ground 2gh , time of descent =
g
gh
average velocity v =
2
Ø Vertically projected body
u2
i) Body thrown with velocity ‘u’ then maximum height H =
2g
2H u
ii) Time of ascent, ta = (or) ta =
g g

2H u
iii) Time of descent , td = (or) td =
g g

2H 2u
iv) Time of flight, tf = 2 (or) tf =
g g
v) If air friction is consider, ta < td.
g
vi) Body travels always m during last second of upward motion and (u-g/2) during the last
2
second of entire motion
Ø Vertical projection of an object from a top of tower. u

1 2
i) Equation of motion of body is H = –ut + gt . H
2

ii) velocity of body when it strikes the ground, V = u 2 + 2gh

V

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Kinematics - 1D CO - C4 - IPL Physics
Ø If an object is dropped from a balloon rising up with a velocity u at a height ‘h’
1 2
i) Equation of motion relative to earth is H = –ut + gt , relative to earth body moves up and then
2
falls
1 2
ii) Equation of motion relative to balloon is H = gt , relative to balloon body falls vertically
2
downward
Ø If a body is projected vertically up with a velocity ‘u’ from a tower and it reaches the ground with
u2 2
velocity nu then the height of the tower is H = (n –1)
2g
Ø A particle projected vertically up from top of tower takes ‘t1’ s to reach the ground. Another particle
thrown downwards with same velocity from top of tower takes ‘t2’s to reach the ground
g
i) velocity of projection, u = (t –t )
2 1 2
1
ii) height of tower, h = gt t
2 12

Ø If the particle dropped from top of tower time taken to reach the ground, t = t1 t 2
Ø In the above case v1 and v2 are velocities on reaching ground then v1= v2

LEVEL - I
Horizontal Motion :
1. If a cyclist takes one minute to complete half revolution on a circular path 120 m radius. What is the
average velocity? [ ]
1) 1 m/s 2) 2 m/s 3) 3 m/s 4) 4 m/s
2. A person travels along a straight road for half the distance with velocity v1 and the remaining half
distance with velocity v2 the average velocity is given by [ ]
2
⎛ v2 ⎞ v1 + v 2 2v1v 2
1) v1v2 2) ⎜ ⎟ 3) 4) v v
⎝ v1 ⎠ 2 1+ 2

3. A person travels along a straight road for the half time with a velocity v1 and the next half time with
a velocity v2. The mean velocity v of the man is [ ]
2 1 1 v1 + v 2 v1
1) v = v + v 2) v = 3) v = v1 v 2 4) v = v
1 2 2 2

4. If a car covers 2/5thof the total distance with v1 speed and 3/5th distance with v2 then average speed is
1 v1 + v 2 2v1v 2 5v1v 2
1) v1v 2 2) 3) 4) [ ]
2 2 v1 + v 2 3v1 + 2v 2

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5. A boy walks to his school at a distance of 6km with constant speed of 2.5 kmph and walks back with
a constant speed of 4 kmph. His average speed for round trip expressed in kmph is [ ]
1) 24/13 2) 40/13 3) 3 4) 1/2
6. If u = 2 i − 2 j + 3k and the final velocity is v = 2 i − 4 j + 5k and it is covered in a time of 10 sec,
find the acceleration vector [ ]
3 i − 2 j + 2k −3 i + j + 2k −3 i − 2 j + 2k −j+k
1) 2) 3) 4)
10 10 10 5
7. A train moving at a constant velocity of 54 km/hr moves east wards for 30 minutes, then due north with
the same speed for 40 minutes. What is the average velocity of the train during this run? (in km/hr)
1) 30 2) 35 3) 38.6 4) 49.3 [ ]
th
9
8. A particle moving with a constant acceleration describes in the last second of its motion of the
25
whole distance. If it starts from rest, how long is the particle in motion and through what distance
does it move if it describes 6 cm in the first sec.? [ ]
1) 5s; 150 cm 2) 10 s ; 150 cm 3) 15 s ; 100 cm 4) None
9. A car moving with constant acceleration covers the distance between two points 180 m apart in
6 sec. Its speed as it passes the second point is 45 m/s. What is its acceleration and its speed at the first
point [ ]
1) –5 m/s2; 15 m/s 2) –15 m/s2; 5 m/s 3) –5 m/s2; –15 m/s 4) 5 m/s2; 15 m/s
10. A car moving with a speed of 50km/hr can be stopped by brakes after atleast 6m. If the same car is
moving at a speed of 100 km/hr the minimum stopping distance is [AIEEE 2003] [ ]
1) 12 m 2) 18 m 3) 24 m 4) 6 m
11. A body moving with a uniform acceleration had velocities of 20m/s and 30m/s when passing the
points P and Q of its path. Find the velocity midway between P and Q (in m/s) [ ]
1) 450 2) 550 3) 650 4) none
12. A particle starts moving from rest with uniform acceleration. It travels a distance x in the first 2 sec
and a distance y in the next 2 sec. Then [ ]
1) y = x 2) y = 2x 3) y = 3x 4) y = 4x
13. The reaction time for an automobile driver is 0.7 sec. If the automobile can be decelarated at 5m/s2
calculate the total distance travelled in coming to stop from an initial velocity of 8.33 m/s after a signal
is observed. [ ]
1) 12.77 m 2) 14.82 m 3) 16.83 m 4) 19.65 m
14. Two cars left place A simultaneously and reached the place B in 2hrs. The first car travelled half the
distance with a speed of 30km/hr and the other half at a speed of 45km/hr. The second car at the same
time covered the entire distance with a constant acceleration starting from rest. Find the acceleration
of the second car. [ ]
1) 36 km/hr 2 2) 18 km/hr2 3) 72 km/hr 2 4) 144 km/hr 2

15. If the particle is moving along a straight line given by the relation s = 2 – 3t +4t3 where s is in cms.,
and t in sec. its average velocity during the third sec is [ ]
1) 73 cm/s 2) 80 cm/s 3) 85 cm/s 4) 90 cm/s
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16. A bullet fired into a fixed target loses half of its velocity in penetrating 15 cm. How much further it
will penetrate before coming to rest? [ ]
1) 5 cm 2) 15 cm 3) 7.5 cm 4) 10 cm
17. For a body travelling with uniform acceleration, its final velocity is v = 180 − 7x , where
x is the distance travelled by the body. Then the acceleration is [ ]
1) –8 m/s2 2) –3.5 m/s2 3) –7 m/s2 4) 180 m/s2
18. A bus starts from rest with a constant acceleration of 5m/s2. At the same time a car travelling with a
constant velocity 50 m/s over-takes and passes the bus. How fast is the bus travelling when they are
side by side? [ ]
1) 10 m/s 2) 50 m/s 3) 100 m/s 4) none
19. A man walks up a stationary escalator in 90sec. When this man stands on a moving escalator he goes
up in 60 sec. The time taken by the man to walk up the moving escalator is [ ]
1) 30 s 2) 45 s 3) 36 s 4) 48 s
20. A car moving on a straight road accelerates from a speed of 4.1 m/s to a speed of 6.9 m/s in 5.0s.
What was its average acceleration ? [ ]
1) 0.56 m/s2 2) 1.56 m/s2 3) 5.6 m/s2 4) 1.2 m/s2
21. A motor vehicle travelled the first third of a distance s at a speed of v1 = 10 kmph, the second third at
a speed of v2 = 20 kmph and the last third at a speed of v3 = 60 kmph. Determine the mean speed of
the vehicle over the entire distance s. [ ]
1) 15 kmph 2) 12 kmph 3)10 kmph 4) 18 kmph
GRAPHS :
22. The acceleration of a particle varies with time as shown in the figure. Find the displacement of the
particle in the interval from t = 2s to t = 4s. Assume that v = 0 at t = 0 [ ]
1) 6.67 m a(m/s2)
2) 5.67 m
3) 4.67 m t (s)
-2 1
4) 3.67 m
23. The acceleration displacement graph of a particle moving in a straight line is shown in the figure.
Initial velocity of the particle is zero. Find the velocity of the particle when displacement of the
particle is S = 12 m [ ]
a (m/s2)
1) 3 2 m / s
4
2) 2 5 m / s
3) 4 m / s 2
4) 4 3 m / s 2 8 10 12 S (m)
24. A jet plane starts from rest at S = 0 and is subjected to the acceleration shown. Determine the speed
of the plane when it has travelled 60 m. a(m/s)2 [ ]
1) 46.47 m/s 22.5
2) 36.47 m/s
3) 26.47 m/s
4) 16.47 m/s 150 S(m)
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25. A particle moves in a straight line obeying the v-t graph as shown in the figure. The average velocity
of the particle over the time T is : v [ ]
v
1) zero 2) 0
2 v0
2v 0 3v
3) 4) 0 t
3 4 O
T
26. If the velocity v of a particle moving along a straight line decreases linearly with its displacement s
from 20ms–1 to a value approaching zero at s = 30 m, then acceleration of the particle at s = 15 m is

2 2 10
1) ms−2 2) − ms −2 [ ]

v(in m/s)
3 3

20 20
3) ms−2 4) − ms−2
3 3 30
s(in m)
27. An elevator is going up. The variation in the velocity of the elevator is as given in the graph. What is
the height to which the elevator takes the passengers [ ]
1) 3.6m
3.6
2) 28.8m
velocity
3) 36.0 m
4) 72.0m O 2 Time 10 12
28. The displacement time graphs of two moving particles make angles of 300 and 450 with the
x-axis. The ratio of the two velocities is [ ]
displacement

1) 3 : 1
2) 1 : 1
3) 1 : 2
45o 30o
4) 1 : 3 time
29. In the given v - t graph, the distance travelled by the body in 5 second will be [ ]
1) 20m 40
2) 40m 20
v(in ms-1)

10
3) 80m 0
-10 2 3 4 5
time (in second)
4) 100m -20
30. For the displacement-time graph shown in figure, the ratio of the magnitudes of the speeds during the
first two second and the next four second is [ ]
displacement

1) 1 : 1 20 m
2) 2 : 1
3) 1 : 2 0s 2s 6s
4) 3 : 2 time
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31. A particle starts from rest. Its acceleration (a) versus time (t) is as shown in the figure. The maximum
speed of the particle will be a [ ]
1) 110 m/s
2) 55 m/s 10m/s2
3) 550 m/s
4) 660 m/s
t(s)
Motion under Gravity : 11
32. A body falls from 80m. Its time of descent is [g = 10 ms–2] [ ]
1) 3s 2) 4 s 3) 5 s 4) 6 s
33. Two bodies whose masses are in the ratio 2 : 1 are dropped simultaneously at two places A and B
where the accelerations due to gravity are gA and gB respectively. If they reach the ground
simultaneously, the ratio of the heights from which they are dropped is [ ]
1) gA : gB 2) 2gA : gB 3) gA : 2gB 4) ga : g b

34. A body falls for 5s from rest. If the acceleration due to gravity of earth ceases to act, the distance it
travels in the next 3s is [ ]
1) 73.5m 2) 294m 3) 147m 4) 49m
35. A body freely falling from a height h describes 7h/16 in the last second of its fall. The height h is
(g = 10ms–2) [ ]
1) 80 m 2) 45 m 3) 160 m 4) 40 m
36. A body released from the top of a tower of height h takes T seconds to reach the ground. The position
of the body at T / 4 seconds is [ ]
h h
1) at from the ground 2) at from the top of the tower
16 4
15h 3h
3) at from the ground 4) at from the top of the tower
16 16
37. The ratio of times taken by freely falling body to cover first metre, second metre, is [ ]
1) 1 : 2 : 3 2) 1: 2 − 1: 3− 2
3) 2: 4: 8 4) 2 : 3 : 4
38. A body is dropped from a height 122.5 m. If its stopped after 3 seconds and again released the further
time of descent is [ ]
1) 2 s 2) 3 s 3) 4 s 4) 5 s
39. A freely falling body travels ____ of total distance in 5th second [ ]
1) 8% 2) 12% 3) 25% 4) 36%
40. If the distance travelled by a freely falling body in the last second of its journey is equal to the distance
travelled in the first 2s, the time of descent of the body is [ ]
1) 5 s 2) 1.5 s 3) 2.5 s 4) 3 s

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41. A ball dropped on to the floor from a height of 10m rebounds to a height of 2.5m. If the ball is in
contact with the floor for 0.02s, its average acceleration during contact is [ ]
1) 2100 ms –2 2) 1050 ms –2 3) 4200 ms –2 4) 9.8 ms –2

42. A splash is heard 3.12s after a stone is dropped into a well 45m deep. The speed of sound in air is
(g=10ms–2) [ ]
1) 330 ms–1 2) 375 ms–1 3) 340 ms–1 4) 346 ms–1
43. A body is thrown up with a velocity 29.23ms–1 distance travelled in last second of upward motion is
1) 2.3 m 2) 6m 3) 9.8 m 4) 4.9 m [ ]
44. A body is thrown up with a velocity 40ms–1. At same time another body is dropped from a height
40m. Their relative acceleration after 1.3 seconds is [ ]
1) 4g 2) g/2 3) 2g 4) zero
45. A stone is dropped into a well of 20m deep. Another stone is thrown downward with velocity v one
second later. If both stones reach the water surface in the well simultaneously, v is equal to (g=10ms–2)
1) 30 ms–1 2) 15 ms–1 3) 20 ms–1 4) 10 ms–1 [ ]
46. A body is projected with a velocity 50ms–1. Distance travelled in 6thsecond is (g=10ms–2)
1) 5m 2) 10 m 3) 15m 4) 20 m [ ]
47. In above problem ratio of distance traveled in first second of upward motion to first second of
downward motion is [ ]
1) 1 : 7 2) 5 : 3 3) 9 : 1 4) 3 : 5
48. A body is projected vertically up with u. Its velocity at half its maximum height is [ ]
u u2 u
1) 2) 3) 2u 4)
2 2 2
49. A body projected up reaches a point A in its path at the end of 4th second and reaches the ground
after 5 seconds from the start. The height of A above the ground is (g = 10m/s2) [ ]
1) 19.6 m 2) 30.6 m 3) 11 m 4) 20 m
50. A stone is projected vertically up from the ground with velocity 40ms–1. The interval of time between
the two instants at which the stone is at a height of 60m above the ground is (g=10ms–2) [ ]
1) 4 s 2) 6 s 3) 8 s 4) 12 s
51. A ball is dropped freely while another is thrown vertically downward with an initial velocity u from
the same point simultaneously. After t seconds they are separated by a distance [ ]
ut 1 2 1
1) 2) gt 3) ut 4) ut+ gt2
2 2 2
52. A body is projected vertically up with velocity 98ms–1. After 2s if the acceleration due to gravity of
earth disappears, the velocity of the body at the end of next 3s is [ ]
1) 49 ms–1 2) 49.6 ms–1 3) 78.4 ms–1 4) 94.7 ms-1
53. The distance travelled by a body during last second of its total flight is d when the body is projected
vertically up with certain velocity. If the velocity of projection is doubled, the distance travelled by
the body during last second of its total flight is [ ]
g g
1) 2 d 2) d 3) 2d + 4) 2d −
2 2
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54. A stone is thrown vertically up from a bridge with velocity 3 ms–1. If it strikes the water under the
bridge after 2s, the bridge is at a height of (g=10ms–2) [ ]
1) 26 m 2) 14 m 3) 7 m 4) 20 m
55. A bullet fired vertically up from the ground reaches a height 40m in its path from the ground and it
takes further time 2 seconds to reach the same point during descent. The total time of flight is
(g=10 ms–2) [ ]
1) 4s 2) 3s 3) 6s 4) 8s
56. A boy throws n balls per second at regular time intervals. When the first ball reaches the maximum
height he throws the second one vertically up. The maximum height reached by each ball is
g g g g
1) 2) 3) 2 4) [ ]
2(n − 1) 2
2n 2
n n
57. A stone is dropped freely, while another thrown vertically downward with an initial velocity of
2ms–1 from the same point, simultaneously. The time required by them to have a distance of separation
22m between them is [ ]
1) 11s 2) 5.5 s 3) 44s 4) 22s
58. A body is throw up with a velocity ‘u’. It reaches maximum height ‘h’. If its velocity of projection is
doubled the maximum height it reaches is ______ [ ]
1) 4h 2) h 3) 2h 4) 3h
59. A person in lift which ascents up with acceleration 10ms–2 drops a stone from a height 10m. The time
of decent is ________ [g=10ms–2] [ ]
1) 1 s 2) 2s 3) 15 m 4) 20 m
60. A body is projected up with velocity u. It reaches a point in its path at times t1 and t2 seconds from the
time of projection. Then (t1 + t2) is [ ]
2u u 2u u
1) 2) 3) 4)
g g g g
61. A stone thrown vertically up with velocity v reaches three points A, B and C with velocities
v v v
, and respectively. Then AB:BC is [ ]
2 4 8
1) 1 : 1 2) 2 : 1 3) 4 : 1 4) 1 : 4
62. A stone projected vertically up with velocity v from the top of a tower reaches the ground with
velocity 2v. The height of the tower is [ ]
v2 3v 2 3v 2 v2
1) 2) 3) 4)
2g 2g g g
63. A stone is thrown vertically from the ground. It reaches the maximum height of 500m in 10sec. After
what time it will reach the ground from the maximum height reached ? [ ]
1) 5s 2) 10s 3) 15s 4) 20s
64. A stone is dropped from the top of a cliff. It is seen to hit the ground below after 4.2 s. How high is the
cliff ? [ ]
1) 86.44 m 2) 860 m 3) 160 m 4) 180
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LEVEL - II
Horizontal Motion :
1. An express train moving at 30 m/s reduces its speed to 10 m/s in a distance of 240m. If the breaking
force is increased by 12.5% in the beginning find the distance that it travels before coming to rest
1) 270 m 2) 240 m 3) 210 m 4) 195 m [ ]
2. A particle moving with uniform retardation covers distances 18m, 14m and 10m in successive seconds.
It comes to rest after travelling a further distance of [ ]
1) 50m 2) 8 m 3) 12m 4) 42 m
3. A body is moving along the +ve X-axis with uniform acceleration of –4 ms-2. Its velocity at x=0 is 10
ms–1. The time taken by the body to reach a point at x = 12m is [ ]
1) (2s, 3s) 2) (3s, 4s) 3) (4s, 8s) 4) (1s, 2s)
4. An electron starting from rest has a velocity that increases linearly with the time that is v = kt, where
k = 2m/sec2. The distance travelled in the first 3 seconds will be [ ]
1) 9m 2) 16m 3) 27m 4) 36m
5. The position x of a particle varies with time t as x = at2 – bt3. The acceleration of the particle will be
zero at time t equal to [ ]
a 2a a
1) 2) 3) 4) Zero
b 3b 3b
6. The acceleration ‘a’ in m/s2 of a particle is given by a = 3t2 + 2t +2 where t is the time. If the particle
starts out with a velocity u = 2m/s at t = 0, then the velocity at the end of 2 second is [ ]
1) 12m/s 2) 18m/s 3) 27 m/s 4) 36 m/s

7. The relation 3t = 3x + 6 describes the displacement of a particle in one direction where x is in

metres and t in sec. The displacement, when velocity is zero, is [ ]
1) 24 metres 2) 12 metres 3) 5 metres 4) Zero
8. The acceleration of a particle is increasing linearly with time t as bt. The particle starts from the origin
with an initial velocity v0. The distance travelled by the particle in time t will be [ ]
1 2 1 2 1 3 1 3
1) v 0 t + bt 2) v 0 t + bt 3) v 0 t + bt 4) v 0 t + bt
3 2 6 3
9. A car accelerates from rest at a constant rate α for some time, after which it decelerates at a constant
rate β and comes to rest. If the total time elapsed is t, then the maximum velocity acquired by the car
is [ ]
⎛ α 2 + β2 ⎞ ⎛ α 2 − β2 ⎞ αβt ( α + β) t
1) ⎜ αβ ⎟ t 2) ⎜ αβ ⎟ t 3) 4)
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ ⎠ α+β αβ
Motion under Gravity :
10. A stone is dropped from a hill of height 180m. Two seconds later another stone is dropped from a
point P below the top of the hill. If the two stones reach the ground simultaneously, the height of P
from the ground is (g=10ms–2) [ ]
1) 100 m 2) 90 m 3) 80 m 4) 90 m

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11. Water drops fall from the roof of a building 20m high at regular time intervals. If the first drop strikes
the floor when the sixth drop begins to fall, the heights of the second and fourth drops from the
ground at that instant are (g=10ms–2) [ ]
1) 12.8 m and 3.2 m 2) 12.8 m and 7.2 m 3) 19.2 m and 0.8 m 4) 7.2 m and 16.8 m
12. A body is dropped from a height of 16m. The body strikes the ground and losses 25% of its velocity.
The body rebounds to a height of [ ]
1) 12 m 2) 9m 3) 4m 4) 8m
13. The distance travelled by a falling body in the last second of its motion, to that in the last but one
second is 7 : 5, the velocity with which body strikes the ground is [ ]
1) 19.6 m/s 2) 39.2 m/s 3) 29.4 m/s 4) 49 m/s
14. A ball dropped from a point P crosses a point Q in t seconds. The time taken by it to travel from Q to
R, if PQ = QR [ ]
1) t 2) 2 t 3) 2 t 4) ( 2 –1) t
15. A lead ball dropped into a lake from a diving board 5m above the water hits the water with certain
velocity and then sinks to the bottom with the same constant velocity. If it reaches the bottom in 3s
after it is dropped the depth of the lake is (g=10ms–2) [ ]
1) 30 m 2) 15 m 3) 10 m 4) 20 m
16. Two balls are dropped from the same height from places A and B. The body at B takes two seconds
less to reach the ground at B and strikes the ground with a velocity greater than at A by 10 m/s. The
product of the acceleration due to gravity at the two places A and B is [ ]
1) 5 2) 25 3) 125 4) 12.5
17. A body P is thrown vertically up with velocity 30 ms–1 and another body Q is thrown up along the
same vertically line with the same velocity but 1 second later from the ground. When they meet
(g =10ms–2) [ ]
1) P travels for 2.5 s 2) Q travels for 3.5s 3) P travels for 3.5 s 4) Q travels for 1s
18. A boy sees a ball go up and then down through a window 2.45m high. If the total time that ball is in
sight in 1s, the height above the window the ball rises is approximately [ ]
1) 2.45 m 2) 4.9 m 3) 0.3 m 4) 0.49 m
19. From an elevated point P a stone is projected vertically upward. When it reaches a distance y below
the point of projection its velocity is double the velocity when it was at a height y above p. The
greatest height reached by it above P is [ ]
2y 5y y
1) 2) 3) 4) 2y
3 3 3
20. A ball is thrown vertically upwards with a speed of 10ms–1 from the ground at the bottom of a tower
200 m high. Another is dropped vertically downward simultaneously, from the top of the tower. If
g =10ms–2 the time interval after which the projected body will be at the same level as the dropped
body is [ ]
1) 20 s 2) 25s 3) 2 10 s 4) 5 s

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21. A ball is projected from the bottom of a tower and is found to go above the tower and is caught by the
thrower at the bottom of the tower after a time interval t1. An observer at the top of the tower sees the
same ball go up above him and then come back at this level in a time interval t2. The height of the
tower is [ ]
1 g t1 t 2 g 2 2 g
1) g t1 t 2 2) 3) (t1 − t 2 ) 4) (t1 − t 2 )2
2 8 8 2
22. A stone is dropped from a height of 10cm above the top of a window 80 cm high. The time taken by
the stone to cross the window is (g = 9.8 ms–2) [ ]
1 3 2 4
1) s 2) s 3) s 4) s
7 7 7 7
23. A vertical disc has three grooves directed along chords AB, AC and AD. Three bodies begin to slide
down the respective grooves from A simultaneously. If AB > AC > AD, the respective time intervals
to reach the bottoms of the respective grooves t1,t2 and t3 are [ ]
1) t1 > t2 > t3 2) t1 < t2 < t3 3) t1 > t2 < t3 4) t1 = t2 = t3
24. If a stone dropped from the top of a tower travels half of the height of the tower during last second of
its fall, the time of fall is (in seconds) [ ]
1) 3 + 2 2) 4 + 2 3) 2 − 2 4) 2 + 2
25. A parachutist drops freely from an aeroplane for 8s before the parachute opens out. Then he descends
with a net retardation of 2ms–2 reaching the ground with a velocity of 6ms–1. The height from which
he bails out of the aeroplane is (g = 10ms–2) [ ]
1) 1929 m 2) 1911 m 3) 2195 m 4) 2000m
26. Two balls are projected simultaneously with the same speed from the top of a tower-one upwards
and the other downwards. If they reach the ground in 6s and 2s, the height of the tower is
(g=10ms–2) [ ]
1) 120 m 2) 60 m 3) 80 m 4) 30 m
27. A girl is standing on the top edge of an 18 m high building. She tosses a coin upward with a speed of
7.0 ms–1. How long does it take for the coin to hit the ground ? How fast is the coin going just before
it strikes the ground ? (g = 10 ms-2) [ ]
1) 2.70s, 20 m/s 2) 1.70s, 30 m/s 3) 4.70s, 50m/s 4) 10s, 50 m/s
28. Ball A is dropped from the top of a building. At the same instant another identical 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 did the
collision occur [ ]
2 4 5 1
1) 2) 3) 4)
3 3 3 3
29. An object falls from a bridge that is 45m above the water. It falls directly into a small row - boat
moving with constant velocity that was 12m from the point of impact when the object was released.
What was the speed of the boat ? (g = 10 ms–2) [ ]
1) 2 m/s 2) 3 m/s 3) 5 m/s 4) 4 m/s

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Numerical value type Questions
30. The jet plane starts from rest at s = 0 and is subjected to the acceleration shown. Determine the speed
of the plane when it has travelled 150m.
a(ms-2)

22.5

s(m)
150
dv
31. An object, moving with a speed of 6.25ms–1, is decelerated at a rate given by = −2.5 v , where v
dt
is the instantaneous speed. The time taken by the object, to come to rest would be……….
32. A particle moving in a straight line has velocity –displacement equation as υ = 5 1 + s . Find
acceleration of particle

KEY

LEVEL - I
1) 4 2) 4 3) 2 4) 4 5) 2 6) 4 7) 3 8) 1 9) 4 10) 3
11) 3 12) 3 13) 1 14) 1 15) 1 16) 1 17) 2 18) 3 19) 3 20) 1
21) 4 22) 1 23) 4 24) 1 25) 2 26) 4 27) 3 28) 4 29) 4 30) 2
31) 2 32) 2 33) 1 34) 3 35) 1 36) 3 37) 2 38) 3 39) 4 40) 3
41) 2 42) 2 43) 4 44) 4 45) 2 46) 1 47) 3 48) 4 49) 4 50) 1
51) 3 52) 3 53) 3 54) 2 55) 3 56) 2 57) 1 58) 1 59) 1 60) 1
61) 3 62) 2 63) 2 64) 1

LEVEL - II
1) 2 2) 2 3) 1 4) 1 5) 3 6) 2 7) 2 8) 3 9) 3 10) 3
11) 4 12) 2 13) 2 14) 4 15) 4 16) 2 17) 3 18) 3 19) 2 20) 3
21) 3 22) 3 23) 4 24) 4 25) 2 26) 2 27) 1 28) 1 29) 4

30) 15 15 31) 2 32) 12.5

6
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