Theme 1: On the Move

This is the science of describing the motion of objects using words,

diagrams, numbers, graphs, and equations.

Scalars and Vectors

 Scalars are quantities, which have magnitude alone.

 Vectors are quantities, which have both a magnitude and a
direction.

Distance and Displacement

 Distance is a scalar quantity which refers to "how much

ground an object has covered" during its motion.

 Displacement is a vector quantity which refers to "how far
out of place an object is"; it is the object's change in position.

Speed and Velocity

Speed is a scalar quantity which refers to "how fast an object is

moving."

Velocity is a vector quantity which refers to "the rate at which an

object changes its position."example - one must describe an object's
velocity as being 20 m/s, east.

Average Speed and Average Velocity

As an object moves, it often undergoes changes in speed.

The average speed during the course of a motion is often calculated

using the following equation:

Average speed = total distance / total time Units

- (m/s)

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 1

Meanwhile, the average velocity is often calculated using the equation:

velocity (m/s) = total displacement (m)

total time (s)

Constant Speed
An object can move at a steady rate with a constant speed. That is,
the object will cover the same distance every regular interval of time.
If the speed is constant, then the distance traveled every second is the
same.

Acceleration
Acceleration is a vector quantity which is defined as "the rate
at which an object changes its velocity." An object is
accelerating if it is changing its velocity.

Calculating Acceleration
The acceleration of any object is calculated using
the equation:

Acceleration (m/s2) = change in velocity

change in time

Acceleration units are m/s 2 .

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 2

Direction of the Acceleration Vector

Acceleration is a vector quantity so it will always have a direction

associated with it. The direction of the acceleration vector depends on
two factors:

 when the object is speeding up it is given the positive (+)

direction
 when the object is slowing down it is given a negative (–)
direction

Describing Motion with Diagrams

Describing Motion with Distance vs. Time Graphs
The Meaning of gradient for a distance - time Graph

The gradient of a distance vs. time

graph reveals velocity. A small slope
means a small velocity; a constant
slope (straight line) means a
constant velocity; a changing slope
(curved line) means a changing
velocity.( an acceleration).

Note that for the first five

seconds, there is a constant
velocity.

Note also that during the last

5 seconds (5 to 10 seconds),
the velocity is 0 m/s — the
object is stationary.

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 3

 Describing Motion with Velocity vs. Time Graphs

The Meaning of Shape for a v-t Graph

Consider a car moving with a
constant, rightward (+) velocity of
+10 m/s. A car moving with a
constant velocity is a car moving
with zero acceleration.This
results in a line of zero gradient.

Now consider a car moving with a

rightward (+), changing velocity – that
is, a car that is moving rightward and
speeding up or accelerating.

Note that a motion with changing,

positive velocity results in a diagonal
line when plotted as a velocity-time
graph. The gradient of this line
corresponds to the acceleration.

Positive Velocity Zero Acceleration Positive Velocity Positive Acceleration

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 4

Acceleration vs. Deceleration

Speeding up means that the velocity is increasing. This is

Acceleration .For instance, an object with a velocity changing from
+3 m/s to + 9 m/s is speeding up. An object with a velocity changing
from 9 m/s to 0 m/s is speeding down. This is Deceleration.

The gradient for a v-t Graph

 If the acceleration is zero, then the gradient is zero (i.e., a
horizontal line). (constant velocity or stationary)
 If the acceleration is positive, then the gradient is an upward
straight line. (Acceleration)
 If the acceleration is negative, then the gradient is negative (i.e.,
a downward straight line). (Deceleration)

Determining the Area on a v-t Graph

A velocity vs. time graph can also be used to determine the distance
traveled by an object. For velocity vs. time graphs, the area
bounded by the line and the axes represents the distance
traveled.

The shaded area is representative of

the distance traveled by the object
during the time interval from 0 seconds
to 6 seconds. This takes on the shape
of a rectangle whose area can be
calculated using Length X Breadth.

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 5

The shaded area is representative
of the distance traveled by the
object during the time interval from
0 seconds to 4 seconds. This takes
on the shape of a triangle whose
area can be calculated using ½
Length X Breadth.

The area under graph takes on

the shape of a trapezium
whose area can be calculated
using the appropriate
equation.

Alternative Method for Calculating the Area of a Trapezium

An alternative method of determining the area of a trapezoid involves

breaking the trapezium into a triangle and a rectangle. The areas of
the triangle and rectangle are computed individually; the area of the
trapezoid is then the sum of the areas of the triangle and the rectangle.

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 6

Graphical Interpretation of Acceleration

Consider a train accelerating from a station along a straight and level

track to a maximum speed of 25 m/s in 45 s . It then moves at a
constant speed for a further 45 s . It then slowed down to a stop at
the next station in 20 s.

Acceleration is the gradient of the speed-time graph.

From the graph,

 between O and A, the train is accelerating;

 between A and B, the train travels at a constant speed;
 between B and C, the train slows down. This can be called
negative acceleration, or deceleration. It is given a minus
sign.

Distance is the area under the speed-time graph. To work out the total
distance, we would add the areas of:

 triangle OAX;
 rectangle ABXY;
 triangle BCY.

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 7

 Describing Motion with Equations
1. Distance is how far you travel between any two points by any
route. It is a scalar quantity.
2. Displacement is the minimum “as the crow flies” distance
between two points. It is a vector quantity, so it has direction.
3. Speed is how fast you go, the rate of change of distance.
4. Velocity is rate of change of displacement. It must have a
direction.
5. Acceleration can be used as both a vector and a scalar
quantity. It is the rate of change of speed or velocity.

Quantity Physics Code Units

Distance s m
Speed at the start u m/s
Speed at the end v m/s
Acceleration a m/s2
Time t s

Speed is simply how fast something is going. we measure it in

metres per second (written as m/s )

speed (m/s) = distance (m) S = s/t

time(s)

Acceleration is the change in velocity per unit time . It is measured

by the use of the equation:

Where a = acceleration (m/s/s)

v = final velocity (m/s)
u = initial (starting) velocity (m/s)
t = time (seconds)
v - u is the change in velocity

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 8

Using the Equations of Motion
These equations are a set of four equations which can be utilized to
determine unknown information about an object's motion if other
details are known.

1.

Arranging acceleration = change in velocity/ time

2.

Distance = average speed × time

4.

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 9

When applying these four equations to the motion of an object in free
fall free take note that:

 An object in free fall experiences an acceleration of +10

m/s2.
 If an object is dropped from an elevated height to the ground
below, the initial velocity of the object is 0 m/s.
 If an object is projected upwards in a vertical direction, it will
slow down as it rises upward. The instant at which it reaches the
peak of its trajectory, its velocity is 0 m/s.

Free Fall and the Acceleration of Gravity

Introduction to Free Fall
A free-falling object is an object which is falling under the sole influence
of gravity.

All free-falling objects (on Earth) accelerate downwards at a rate of

approximately 10 m/s2

The Acceleration of Gravity

A free-falling object has an acceleration on Earth of 10 m/s2,
downward. It is known as the acceleration of gravity . This quantity
is such an important quantity that physicists have a special symbol to
denote it – the symbol g.

The distance which a free-falling object has fallen from a position of

rest is also dependent upon the time of fall. The distance fallen after a
time of t seconds is given by the formula below:

S = ½ g t2

Since initial velocity is zero.

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 10

 Thinking, Braking & Total stopping distance.
Road users are advised to maintain safe distances to cut down
the risk of accidents. The shortest stopping distance of a
vehicle depends on its speed and on the road conditions.

Stopping is made up of two parts: thinking and braking.

Thinking time is the reaction time, when your brain is

responding to the hazard ahead of you. Thinking distance
is the distance travelled by the car in the time it takes the
driver to react.

Factors affecting thinking time.

1. Tiredness: Your brain thinks slower - you will not

be able to apply the brakes as quickly.
2. Alcohol : Being under the influence - even legally
- seriously alters how well you can judge hazards.
Your body also moves less accurately. Late or missed
braking results!
3. Drugs : Most drugs make you less alert and less
aware of hazards. Even legal pain-killers and hay-
fever tablets can seriously affect reaction times.
4. Distractions : In-car distractions (e.g. very loud
music, mobile phones, crying babies, etc.) take your
mind off the road ahead.

Braking time is the time taken to slow the vehicle down from
your initial speed to zero . The Braking distance is the
distance traveled by the car from the point where the brakes
are applied to where it comes to rest.

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 11

 These are some of the factors that affect how effective your
braking will be:

 Brakes : Damaged brakes won't work as well, so you'll

need to brake for longer.
 Tyres : Good tyres can reduce braking distance by
many metres! Worn tyres (with little tread) will have
good grip in the dry but in the wet will lead to much
longer braking distances.
 Road Surface : Different types of surface provide
different levels of grip, especially in the wet. If the road
is wet, braking distance will always be longer. Oil spills
on the road, gravel, etc. all reduce grip and increase
braking distances.

Stopping time is the thinking and braking times added

together. The total time to stop a moving vehicle. Stopping
distance is the thinking distance added to the braking
distance.

Form 4 – Unit 2 – Theme 1 – On the Move 12