Kinematics

Kinematics
Definitions
Term Definition
Distance Length of the path travelled by a body.
Distance of a body or a point, in a specified direction, from some
Displacement, s
reference point.
Rate of change of distance travelled by a body. or
Speed
Distance travelled per unit time.
Average Speed Total distance travelled divided by the time elapsed.
Rate of change of displacement. or
Velocity, v
Displacement per unit time.
Acceleration, a Rate of change of velocity.
Velocity of a free-falling body when the fore due to air resistance
Terminal velocity
is equal in magnitude to its weight.

Equations of Linear Motion

The following equations represent uniformly accelerated motion in a straight line.
S/N Equation Derivation
()
(1) = + From definition of acceleration: =

1
(2) = ( + ) From area under graph
2
(3) 2 = 2 + 2 From equations (1) and (2)

1
(4) = + 2 From equations (1) and (2)
2
These equations apply only if the motion takes place along a straight line and acceleration
is constant (i.e. air resistance is negligible).

If a and v are in the same direction, the velocitys magnitude is increasing and both the acceleration and velocity
have the same sign in the equation.

If a and v are in the opposite direction, the velocitys magnitude is decreasing and both the acceleration and
velocity have the opposite sign in the equation.

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Graphical Analysis
Displacement-time ( )
Gradient represents velocity
y-intercept = initial displacement
When two curves coincide, the two
bodies have the same
displacement at that time.
Straight lines imply uniform
velocity
Curved lines imply acceleration
Average velocity is the gradient of
the straight line connecting the
endpoints of a curve
Instantaneous velocity is the
gradient of the line tangent to a
curve at any point
Positive gradient implies motion in
the positive direction
Negative gradient implies motion
in the negative direction
Zero gradient implies body is at
rest
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Kinematics
Velocity-time ( ) Acceleration-time ( )
Gradient represents acceleration
y-intercept = initial velocity y-intercept = initial acceleration
When two curves coincide, the two When two curves coincide, the two
bodies have the same velocity at bodies have the same acceleration
that time. at that time.
Straight lines imply uniform
acceleration
Curved lines imply non-uniform
acceleration
Average acceleration is the
gradient of the straight line
connecting the endpoints of a curve
Instantaneous acceleration is the
gradient of the line tangent to a
curve at any point
Positive gradient implies a velocity
increase in the positive direction
Negative gradient implies a
velocity increase in the negative
direction
Zero gradient implies motion with Zero gradient implies motion with
constant velocity constant acceleration
Area under curve gives the change Area under curve gives the change
in displacement in velocity
SIT PHYSICS QUEST
 Kinematics

Motion of bodies falling in a uniform gravitational field with air resistance

1) Without air resistance

Take direction downwards as positive.

Assuming air resistance is negligible, the only force acting on the body during its motion is its weight, W.
This causes it to experience a uniform acceleration.

Thus, the gradient of the velocity-time graph is constant throughout the entire motion of the body.

The body is said to undergo free fall.

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 Kinematics

2) With air resistance

Take direction downwards as positive.

Since air resistance is not negligible, both air resistance and the bodys weight act downwards as the body
moves upwards. Its speed will decrease at a rate greater than 9.81 ms-2.

This results in a shorter time taken for the body to reach maximum height, as compared to the case without air
resistance. The maximum height is also lower.

At the highest point, the body is momentarily at rest. Air resistance becomes zero and the only force acting on
the body is its weight. Its acceleration at this point = acceleration due to gravity alone = 9.81 ms-2.

As the body falls, air resistance (a drag force) opposes its weight, causing the downward acceleration to be less
than 9.81 ms-2. However, as air resistance increases with speed, it eventually equals the bodys weight, but acts
in opposite direction.

From this point, no resultant force acts on the falling body as it falls with constant speed, known as the terminal
velocity.

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 Kinematics

Projectile Motion
Resolve vertical (y-axis) and horizontal (x-axis) components separately using the equations of motion.
Displacement, s Initial velocity, u Final velocity, v Acceleration, a Time, t

1
x-axis = + 2 = +
2 (Applies when a force in the
x-direction is present)

1 = +
= + 2
2

2 = 2 +
y-axis ( = 0 if
projectiles start ( = for falling body)
and end points are ( = 0 at
the same) maximum height)

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