TOPIC: Speed, Velocity and Acceleration

By the end of the topic, the student should be able to answer the following questions.
(a) Define speed, velocity and acceleration.
(b) Write equation for the three parameters above and apply them in solving simple
problems.
(c) Explain D-T-graph and V-T-graph
(d) Apply (c) above in solving real-life problems.

Study Guide
Learn speed, velocity and acceleration
(1) Speed
Speed v, is the rate of change of distance or speed is the distance covered with time.
Mathematically,
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
i.e. Speed =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝑆
v= (s = distance, t = time)
𝑡
The unit of speed is m/s or ms-1

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑆

Note: Average speed = =
total time taken 𝑡

Question 1:
A car covers a distance of 600 km in 2 hours. What is its average speed?
Solution
Distances = 600 km, t = 2 hrs

600 𝑘𝑚
:. Speed v = = 300 km/h
2 ℎ𝑟𝑠

*Uniform Speed
When a body covers equal distances in equal time intervals, the speed is said to be a uniform
speed or constant speed.
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
i.e. Uniform speed v =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
= 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 (𝑚/𝑠)

1
Distance-time graph
This is the graph of distance against time. It is shown below:

Fig* Distance-time graph showing uniform speed

Where ∆s is change in distance
∆t is change in time
∆𝑠
Slope = = uniform speed
∆𝑡
*Non uniform speed
Non uniform speed can be defined as the unequal distance covered in an equal interval of
time. i.e. speed is not constant.
The graph is shown below:

Fig* Distance-time graph showing non uniform speed

(2) Velocity
Velocity is defined as the rate of change of displacement.
Or
Velocity is the distance covered with time in a given or specified direction
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠
i.e. Velocity v = = 𝑣 = (𝑚/𝑠) (𝑆𝐼 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡)
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡

2
*Uniform Velocity
Uniform velocity can be defined as the equal displacement covered in an equal interval of
time. i.e. velocity is constant.

In other words, when a body moves with equal displacement in equal time interval, the
velocity of the body is said to be a uniform or constant.
i.e.

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
Uniform velocity v = = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

*Displacement-time-graph is the graph of displacement against time. This is shown below:

Fig* Displacement-time graph showing uniform velocity

Where ∆s is change in displacement and ∆t is change in time
∆𝑠
Slope = = uniform velocity
∆𝑡

*Non uniform Velocity

Non uniform velocity can be defined as the unequal displacement covered in an equal interval
of time. i.e. velocity is not constant. The graph is shown below:

3
*Instantaneous Velocity
Instantaneous velocity is defined as the velocity at any instant of time. The speedometer of
moving vehicles indicates instantaneous velocity.

*Relative Velocity
The relative velocity is the velocity of an object or observer B in the rest frame of another object
or the observer A.

*When the two objects A and B move in the same direction, then
Velocity of B relative to A is VAB = VB – VA

*When two objects are move in the opposite direction, then

Velocity of B relative to A is VAB = VA+ VB

Question 2: Two cars moving in opposite directions on the same straight road with velocities
80 kmh-1 and 60 km h-1 respectively pass each other at a point. Determine the velocity of
the first car relative to the second.

Solution
Relative velocity = V = Vfirst - Vsecond
= 80 – 60
=140 kmh-1

(3) Acceleration
Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity with time.
Its unit is m/s2 or ms-2.
i.e.
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑡𝑦
Acceleration, a =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛

final vel − initial vel

i. e a =
time
v−u
a =
t
v
or simply a =
t
where u = initial velocity and v = final velocity, t = time

4
Note: (i) Increase in velocity with time is called acceleration.
, (ii) When there is decrease in velocity with time, it is called deceleration or
retardation.

Graphically, acceleration and retardation are illustrated below:

Question 3:
The velocity of a car increases from 40m/s to 60m/s in 5seconds. Determine the acceleration of
the car.
Solution: initial velocity u = 40m/s
Final velocity v = 60m/s
Time t = 5 secs

𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑡𝑦 −𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

Useacceleration =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

60−40 20
a= = = 4m/s2
5 5

Question 4:
Determine the retardation of an object if its velocity decreases from 30m/s to 20m/s in 4 seconds.
Solution:
t = 4 s, v = 20 m/s, u = = 30m/s
𝑣−𝑢
Retardation, a =
𝑡
20−30
=
4
10
=−
4
= -2.5m/s2

5
Note: the minus (-) sign indicates that the velocity of the object decreases. (i.e. negative
acceleration).

Question 5:
The velocity of a car increases from 36km/h to 108 km/h in 10 seconds. What is the acceleration
of the car?
Solution
36 × 1000
u = 36km/h = (
60× 60
) 𝑚/𝑠 = 10 m/s

108 × 1000
v = 108km/h = ( ) 𝑚/𝑠 = 30 m/s
3600
time t = 10secs

𝑣−𝑢
:. acceleration a =
𝑡

30−10
=
10
20
= = 2m/s2
10
Note the conversion from km/h to m/s

*Uniform Acceleration
Uniform acceleration can be defined as the equal increase in velocity covered in an equal
interval of time. i.e. acceleration is constant.
𝑣
Thus, a = = constant
𝑡

*Non uniform acceleration: Non uniform acceleration can be defined as the unequal
increase in velocity covered in an equal interval of time. i.e. acceleration is not constant. The
graph is shown below:

Velocity – Time – Graph (V – T – graph)

If we plot a graph of velocity against time, we obtain a velocity – time – graph.
6
i.e.
Velocity

Time
Fig* V-T- graph

Note: The slope of a V-T- graph gives acceleration

𝑣
i.e. from the fig above, slope = = a
𝑡
Question 6:
A vehicle moves from rest and accelerates uniformly until it reaches a velocity of 30 m/s after
5 seconds. It travels with uniform velocity for 15 seconds and is then brought to rest in 10
seconds with a uniform retardation.
(a) Draw a diagram to represent the motion of the vehicle.
(b) Using your diagram, determine
i. The acceleration
ii. The retardation
iii. The distance covered after the first 5 seconds
iv. The total distance covered

Solution

V/ms-1

P Q
30
T S R
O 5 20 30 t/s

b (i) Acceleration a = Gradient of OP

𝑃𝑇 𝑣−𝑢
= =
𝑂𝑇 𝑡

30−0
=
5− 0

7
 30
=
5

= 6m/s2

(ii) Retardation a = slope of QR

v − u
=
𝑡

0 − 30
=
30 − 20

− 30
=
10

= −3 m/s2
(iii) Distance covered after the first 5 seconds = Area of triangle OPT

1
= (5)(30)
2

= 75 m

(d) Total distance covered S = area of trapezium OPQR

1
= (OR + PQ)PT
2

1
= (30 + 15)30
2

= 45 × 15

= 675m

Note: Total distance travelled can equally be calculated as follow:

S = Area of triangle OPT + Area of rectangle PQTS + Area of triangle QRS

1 1
= (OT)(PT) + (PQ) + (SR)(QS)
2 2

1 1
= (5)(30) + (15)(30) + (10)(30)
2 2

= 75 + 450 + 150

= 675m
8
Question 7:
A train starts from rest from a station and travels with uniform acceleration 0.5 m/s for
20 seconds. It travels with uniform velocity for another 30 seconds, the brakes are then
applied so that a uniform retardation is obtained and the train comes to rest in a further
10 seconds.

Calculate
(i) the total distance travelled by the train
(ii) the retardation.

Solution
Note: You must draw the diagram first

v/ms-1

v A B

E D C
O 30 50 60 t/s

Notice that the final velocity, v (i.e. maximum velocity) of the train is not given. This must be
calculated first.

i.e. a = 0.5 m/s2, t = 20 s, u = 0

 vmax = u + at
= 0 + (0.5) (20)
=10 m/s

(ii) Total distance covered S = Area of trapezium OABC

1
= (60 + 30)10
2

1
= (90)10
2

= 450 m

(iii) Retardation a = Gradient of BC

v − u
=
𝑡

9
 0−10
=
60−50

−10
=
10

= -1m/s2

≡ 1m/s2

Question 8:
A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly for 20 s to attain a speed of 25 ms-1. It
maintains this speed for 30 s before decelerating uniformly to rest. The total time for the
journey is 60 s.

(i) Sketch a velocity- time graph for the motion.

(ii) Use the graph to determine the:
(a) total distance travelled by the car;
(b) deceleration of the car.
Note: You must draw the diagram first
v/ms-1
(i)

25

O 20 50 60 t/s

ii (a). Total distance covered = Area of trapezium

1
= (a + b)h
2

1
= (30 + 60) × 25
2

1
= × 90 × 25
2

= 45× 25

= 1125 m

10
 v− u
(i) (b) Deceleration a =
𝑡

0−25
=
60−50

−25
=
10

= - 2.5 m/s2

Question 9:
A bus moves from rest with a uniform acceleration of 2 ms-2 for the first 10 s. It then
accelerates at a uniform rate of 1 ms-2 for another 15 s. It continues at a constant speed for
70 s and finally comes to rest in 20 s by uniform deceleration.

Draw the velocity-time graph of the motion using the information given above. From your
graph, calculate:

a) the total distance travelled

b) the average speed for the whole journey
c) average retardation as the body is brought to rest
d) the maximum speed attained during the motion.
Solution

Diagram
Note: the final velocities V1 and V2 must be determined before any further calculations are
made. They can be calculated as follows:
v1 = u + at, where u = 0, a = 2 m/s , t = 10 secs.

i.e v1 = 0 + 2 (10)
i.e. v1 = 20 m/s

Similarly, v2 = u + at , where u = v1 = 20 m/s, a =1 m/s , t = 25 - 10 = 15 secs

11
 i.e. v2 = 20 + (1) (15)

v2 = 20 m/s = 35 m/s

(c) (i) total distance travelled S = area of fig 1 + area of fig 2 + area of fig 3 + area of

fig 4
1 1 1
S= × (10)(20) + (20 + 35)15 + 70 × 35 + × (20)(35)
2 2 2
i.e. = 100 + 412.5 + 2450 + 350

∴ S = 3312.50 m

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑑

(i) Average speed =
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛

3312.50
=
115

= 28.80 m/s

𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑡 𝑆−𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑡 𝑅
(ii) Average retardation a =
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑆 –𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑅

0 −35
=
115 −95

−35
=
20

= - 1.75 m/s2 = 1.75 m/s2

Or simply,
𝑅𝑇 35
Average retardation a = = = 1.75 m/s2
𝑆𝑇 20

(iii) Maximum speed attained = V2 = 35 m/s

12
Test Yourself

1. Cleary differentiate between

(a) Speed and velocity
(b) Distance and displacement.

2. A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly until it reaches a velocity of 80 m/s
after 12 seconds. It maintains a constant speed for another 6 seconds and then came to
rest in another 10 seconds with a uniform retardation.
3. Determine
a) The acceleration of the car
b) The retardation
c) The time of travel of the car
d) The total distance covered by the car.
4. A body travels from rest with acceleration 8 m/s2. Find its velocity when it has covered
a distance of 100 m.
5. A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly for 20 s to attain a speed of 25 ms-1. It
maintains this speed for 30 s before decelerating uniformly to rest. The total time for the
journey is 60 s.
(i) Sketch a velocity- time graph for the motion.
(ii) Use the graph to determine the:
(a) total distance travelled by the car;
(b) deceleration of the car.

TOPIC: Equations of Motion

At the end of this topic, you should be able to answer the following questions:

(i) Outline the four basic equations of motion.

(ii) Derive the above four equations.
(iii) Apply the equations in solving real-life problems.
(iv) Derive the equations for motion under gravity.
(v) Apply the equations of (iv) in solving problems.

13
 Study Guide
Question 1:
There are basically four equations of motion. These equations can be used to solve any
problem associated with linear motion or motion under gravity. Below are the equations:

𝑣 +𝑢
1. s = (
2
) ×𝑡
2. v = u + at
3. 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2as
1
4. s = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
2

The equations can be derived as follows.

Suppose an object starts from rest with initial velocity u, and accelerates uniformly in a
straight line with acceleration a and covers a distance s in a time t, when its velocity reaches
a final value v, then the distance covered is given by:
S = average velocity × time
𝑣 +𝑢
=(
2
) × 𝑡 …………(1a)
, = vt……………………(1b)

Note: The two equations above are the same, but are used under different conditions. That is,
equation (1b) gives the distance travelled when the object moves with uniform (constant)
velocity. On the other hand, equation (1a) is used when the motion of the object is not
uniform. (See the term inside the bracket).

Equation (2) is obtained from the definition of acceleration. That is, from,
𝑣 −𝑢
a=
𝑡

Implying that v = u + at…………………………..(2)

To get the third equation, eliminate t from equation (2) and substitute it into equation (1a),
i.e. from (1a),
𝑣 −𝑢
t= , substituting this into (1a) gives
𝑎

𝑣−𝑢 𝑣 −𝑢
S=( )( )
2 𝑎

14
 𝑣 2 −𝑢2
S= (i.e. difference of two squares
2𝑎

𝑣 2 - 𝑢2 = 2as

∴ 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2as …………… (3)

The fourth equation of motion is obtained by substituting equation (2) into equation (1a).
That is, by substituting v = u + at into (1a). That is,
𝑣 +𝑢
S=(
2
) ×𝑡

𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 + 𝑢
S =(
2
) ×𝑡

2𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
S=(
2
) ×𝑡

2𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
S =(
2
)

2S = 2𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2 . Dividing through h by 2 gives

1
S = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2 … … … … … (4)
2

Question 1:
A car moves from rest with an acceleration 5 m/s2. Determine its velocity when it has covered
a distance of 10 m.

Solution:
Since the car moved from rest,
initial velocity u = 0,
acceleration, a = 5 m/s2,
distance covered s = 10 m,
final velocity, v =?
The most suitable equation for this problem is equation (3)

i.e. 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2as

i.e. 𝑣 2 = 02 + 2 (5) (10)

= 100

= √100

15
 ,∴ 𝑣 = 10 𝑚/𝑠

Question 2:
A car is traveling at 72 km/h with uniform acceleration 3 m/s2. How long will it take to reach
108 km/h?

Solution:
U = 72 km/h = 20 𝑚/𝑠, v = 108 km/h = 30 𝑚/𝑠, acceleration a = 3 m/s2, t = ?
Use the equation v = u + at
30 = 20 + 3t

3t = 30 - 20

3t = 10

∴ t = 3.33 secs.

Question 3:
A body travels from rest with acceleration 8 m/s2. Find its velocity when it has covered a
distance of 100 m.
Solution:
u = 0, a = 8 m/s2, s = 100 m, v =?
use 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2as
i.e. 𝑣 2 = 02 + 2 (8) (100)

= 1600

= √1600

,∴ 𝑣 = 40 𝑚/𝑠

Question 4:
A moving object slows down from 144 km/h with a retardation of 5m/s2. How long will it take
to reach 36 km/h and what is the distance covered?

Solution:
144 ×1000
u = 144 km/h = = 40 𝑚/𝑠,
60 ×60
36 ×1000
v = 36 km/h = = 10 𝑚/𝑠
60 ×60
Retardation a = 5 m/s-2
time t =?
16
Distance covered s =?

To calculate time taken, use v = u – at {negative sign is used here because the object
, slowed down (negative acceleration)}
, 10 = 40 - 5t
5t = 40 - 10
5t = 30
∴ t = 6 secs
Distance covered s, can be calculated using the formula

𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 - 2as

i.e. 102 = 402 − 2(5)𝑠

100 = 1600 -10 s

i.e. 10 s = 1600 -100

10 s = 1500

∴ s = 150 m

Notice the conversion from km/h to m/s. This is necessary as km/h is not an S.I unit.

Learn: Motion Under Gravity

A very good example of uniformly accelerated motion is the motion of a body under the
influence of gravity. It must therefore be noted that bodies falling under the action of gravity
fall at the same rate.
Generally, a body falling under the influence of gravity alone experiences a constant
acceleration (g) with value 9.8 m/s2 or 10 m/s2 (approximate value).

Therefore, equations (1) to (4) apply when discussing any vertical motion under gravity with:
a = + g, if motion is downwards.
a = - g, if motion is upwards.

Thus, for motion under gravity, equations (2) to (4) now become

v = u ± gt ……………………... (1)

𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 ± 2gs ………………… (2)

17
 1
S = 𝑢𝑡 ± 𝑔𝑡 2 … … … … … … … … (3)
2

Where g is the acceleration due to gravity on the object.

The following important points must also be noted:

i. If a body is simply dropped from a height, then u = 0.

ii. When a body is projected vertically upwards, the final velocity at the maximum height
is v = 0.
iii. The time taken by an object projected to fall back to the ground (i.e. point of projection)
is twice the time taken to reach the maximum height. That is, if it takes an object 2
seconds to reach the maximum height, it would take the object another 2 seconds to fall
back to where it was projected, making the total time of flight 4 seconds.

Note: The time of fall of objects of different masses from a given height does not depend on
their masses.

2𝑠 2ℎ
It is given by: 𝑡 = √ or 𝑡 = √ ………………… (5)
𝑔 𝑔

Where s or h is the height through which the object (s) falls.

Equation (5) gives the time with which the objects would reach the ground irrespective of
their masses.

Question 5:
A stone is released from a height of 80 m. Calculate,

(i) The time it takes to fall

(ii) The velocity with which it hits the ground. (Take g = 10 m/s2)

Solution:
Since the stone is simply released from a height,
u = 0, g = 10m/s2, s = 80 m, . .
time of fall t =?
2𝑠
(i) i.e. 𝑡 = √
𝑔

2 ×80
t= √
10

,𝑡 = √16

18
 𝑡 = 4 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑠

(iii) The velocity which the stone hit the ground is found as follows:
𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2gs
= 02 + 2 × 10 × 80
= 1600
= √1600
∴ 𝑣 = 40 𝑚/𝑠

Question 6:
A ball is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of 40 m/s. Calculate
(i) the maximum height reached
(ii) the time to reach the maximum height
(iii) the time to reach the ground again. (Take g = 10 m/s2)

Solution:
u = 40 m/s, at maximum height v = 0, g = 10 m/s2, max. height reached s =?
Using
(i) 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 − 2𝑔𝑠 (Negative because the motion is upwards; against the force
of gravity)
02 = 402 - 2 (10)(S)

0 = 1600 - 0 S
i.e. 20 S = 1600

∴ S = 80 m

(ii) Time taken to reach the maximum height can be calculated as follows:
Velocity at maximum height v = 0, u = 40 m/s, g = 10 m/s2 , t = ?
Using
v = u - gt we have
0 = 40 - 10 t

i.e. 10 t = 40

∴ t = 4 secs

Note: The time calculated above can equally be calculate using the equation
1
, S = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2 , where S = 80 m
2

19
 (iii) The time to reach the ground again is twice the time taken to reach the maximum
height. That is T = 2t
= 2 × 4 = 8 secs

Question 7:
A ball thrown vertically upwards from ground level hits the ground after 4 seconds. Calculate
the maximum height it reached during its journey. (g = 10 m/s2)

Solution:
a = -g, since motion is upwards, since the ball hits the ground after 4 secs, it means that it took
the ball 2 secs to reach the maximum height. Velocity at maximum height v = 0, maximum
height s =?
Note, the initial velocity u must be calculated first.

From,
v = u - gt
0 = u - 10 × 2
∴ u = 20 m/s
We can now use

𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 − 2𝑔𝑠 to calculate the maximum height, s

i.e. 02 = 202 − 2 × 10 𝑠

02 = 400 – 20 s
, 20 s = 400
∴ s = 20 m

Test Yourself

1) A body is dropped from rest at a height of 80 m. How long does it take to reach the
ground? [g =10m/s2 ]
[4 s]
2) A car is uniformly retarded and brought to rest from a velocity of 36 kmh -1 in 5s. Find its
retardation and the distance covered during this period.
[2ms-2, 25m]

3) A body falls from a height of 20 m. What is its velocity just before hitting the grand?
[g =10m/s2] [20ms-1]

20
 4) A body at rest is given an initial uniform acceleration of 8 m/s2 for 30 s, after which the
acceleration is reduced to 5.0ms-2 for the next 20 s. The body maintains the speed attained
for 60 s, after which it is brought to rest in 20 s.
(a) Draw the V-T-graph of the motion using the information using the information given
above.
(b) Using the graph, calculate
(i) Maximum speed attained during the motion.
(ii) Average retardation as the object is brought to rest.
(iii) Total distance travelled during the first 50 s.
iv) Average speed during the same interval of time

Objective Test

1. A boy cycles continuously through of 1.0km in 5minutes. Calculate his average speed
2. An air force jet flying with a speed of 335m/s went past an anti-aircraft gun. How far is
the aircraft 5s later when the gun was fired?
a. 838m
b. 3350m
c. 1675m
d. 670m
e. 67m
3. A car travels with a constant velocity of 45km/h for 20s. what distance does it cover in
this time?
4. A train has an initial velocity of 44m/s and an acceleration of -4m/s2. Its velocity after
10sec is
a. 2m/s
b. 4m/s
c. 8m/s
d. 12m/s
e. 16m/s
5. A body start from a rest and accelerates uniformly at 5m/s2 until it attains a velocity of
25m/s. calculate the time taken to attain this velocity.
6. If a car starts from rest and moves with a uniform acceleration of 10m/s2 for ten
seconds, the distance it covers in the last one second of motion is
a. 95m
b. 100m
c. 500m
d. 905m

21
 e. 1000m
7. A particle accelerates uniformly from rest at 6.0ms-2 for 8s and then decelerate
uniformly to the rest in the next 5s. determined the magnitude of the deceleration.
a. 9.6ms-2
b. 24.0ms-2
c. 30.0ms-2
d. 48.0ms-2
8. A body starts from rest and moves with uniform acceleration of 6m/s2. What distance
does it cover in the third seconds?
a. 15m
b. 18m
c. 27m
d. 30m
9. A body accelerate uniformly from the rest at the rate of 3m/s2 for 8s. calculate the
distance covered by the body during acceleration.
10.A particle starts from rest and moves with a constant acceleration of 0.5m/s2. Calculate
the time taken by the particles to cover a distance of 25m.
11.How far will a body move in 4s if uniformly accelerated from rest at the rate of 2ms -2
12.A car takes off from rest and covers a distance of 80m on a straight road in 10s.
calculate the magnitude of its acceleration.
13.A bus travelling at 15m/s accelerates uniformly at 4m/s2. What is the distance covered
in 10s?
14.A body starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 5ms-2. Calculate the time taken by
the body to cover a distance of 1km.
15.A particle starts from rest and moves with a constant acceleration of 0.5m/s 2. The
distance covered by the particles in 10s is
a. 2.5m
b. 5.0m
c. 25.0m
d. 50.0m
16.A body accelerates uniformly from rest at 2m/s2. Calculate its velocity after traveling
9m.
17.A boy moving with a velocity of 3m/s is brought to rest by a constant force after
traveling 15m. calculate the retardation.
18.A car moving with a speed of 90km/hr was brought to rest by the application of the
brakes in 10s. How far did the car travel after the brakes were applied?
a. 125m
b. 150m
c. 250m

22
 d. 15km
19.An aero plane lands on a runway at a speed of 180km/hr and is brought to a stop
uniformly in 30seconds. What distance does it cover on the runway before coming to
rest?
a. 360m
b. 540m
c. 750m
d. 957m
20.Two points on a velocity time graph have coordinate (5s, 10ms-1) and (20s, 20ms-1)
calculate the mean acceleration between the two points.
a. 0.67ms-2
b. 0.83ms-2
c. 1.50ms-2
d. 2.00ms-2
21.A motor vehicle is brought to rest from a speed of 15ms-1 in 20 seconds. Calculate the
retardation.
a. 0.75ms-2
b. 1.33ms-2
c. 5.00ms-2
d. 7.50ms-2
22.A ball is dropped from a height of 45m above the ground. Calculate the velocity of the
ball just before it strikes the ground.
23.An orange is dropped from a height of 100m above the ground level. Calculate the
velocity of the orange just before it strikes the ground.
24.A ball is thrown vertically upward from the ground with an initial velocity of 50m/s.
what is the total time spent by the ball in the air?
25.A stone is projected vertically upward with a velocity of 20ms -1. Two seconds later a
second stone is similarly projected with the same velocity. When the two stones meet,
the second one is rising at a velocity of 10ms-1. Neglecting air resistance, calculate the
(i). length of time the second stone is in motion before they meet. (ii). Velocity of the
first stone when they meet. (take g = 10m/s2)
26.A ball bearing is projected vertically upwards from the ground with a velocity of 15ms-
1
. Calculate the time taken by the ball to return to the ground. (g = 10ms-2)
27.A stone of mass 0.7kg is projected vertically upwards with a speed of 5ms -1. Calculate
the maximum height reached. (take g as 10ms-2 and neglect air resistance)

23
28.A stone is released from a height of 80m above the ground. Calculate its velocity just
before it strikes the ground.
29.A body falls freely under gravity (g = 9.8m/s2) from height of 40m on to the top of a
platform 0.8m above the ground. Its velocity on reaching the platform is
a. 784ms-1
b. 80ms-1
c. 78.4ms-1
d. 39.2ms-1
e. 27.7ms-1
30.A mango fruit drops from a branch 10m above the ground. Just before hitting the
ground its velocity is
a. 10√2𝑚𝑠 −1
10
b. 𝑚𝑠 − 1
√2
c. 100ms-1
d. 5√2𝑚𝑠-1
31.An orange drop to the ground from the top of a tree 45m tall. How long does it take to
reach the ground?
32.An object is released from rest at a height of 25m. calculate the time it take to fall to the
ground.
33.A palm fruit dropped to the ground from the top of a tree 45m tall. How long does it
take to reach the ground? . (g = 10ms-2)
a. 9s
b. 4.5s
c. 6s
d. 7.5s
e. 3s
34.A stone is dropped from the top of a tower of height 11.25m. calculate the time it will
take to reach the ground.
35.A small metal ball is thrown vertically upwards from the top of a tower with an initial
velocity 20ms-1. If the ball took a total of 6 seconds to reach the ground level, determine
the height of the tower (g = 10ms-2)
a. 60 m
b. 80 m
c. 100 m
d. 120 m
36.A piece of stone is projected vertically upward with a speed of 25ms -1. Determine its
speed at its highest point reached.
37.In free fall, a body of mass 1Kg drops from a height of 125m from rest in 5s. how long
will it take another body of mass 2kg to falls from rest the same height? (g = 10ms -2)
24
 a. 5s
b. 10s
c. 12s
d. 15s
38.A ball thrown vertically upward reaches a maximum height of 50m above the level of
projection. Calculate the (i) time taken to reach the maximum height. (ii) speed of the
throw.
39.A car accelerates uniformly from rest at 5m-2. Determine its speed after 10s
40.Two particle X and Y starting from rest cover the same distance. The acceleration of X
is twice that of Y. the ratio of the time taken by X to that taken by Y is?
a. 4
b. 2
1
c.
2
d. √2
41.A bullet fired vertically upward from a gun held 2m above the ground, reaches its
maximum height in 4s. calculate the (i) magnitude of the initial velocity of the bullet;
(ii). Total distance the bullet travelled by the time it hits the ground (g = 10ms -2)
42.What is the total time of flight of an object projected vertically upwards with a speed of
30ms-1? (g = 10ms-2)
43.A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at a rate of 5.0ms-2. Calculate the
magnitude of its velocity after moving through 100m.
44.An object of mass 2kg moves with uniform speed of 10ms -1 for 5s along a straight path.
Determine the magnitude of its acceleration.
45.A body moving with an initial velocity u accelerates until it attain a velocity of v within
time t. the distance, s covered by the body is given by the expression.
𝑣−𝑢
a. S = ( )
2
𝑣+2𝑢
b. S = ( )
2
𝑣+𝑢
c. S = ( )
2
2𝑣−𝑢
d. S = ( )
2
46.A body accelerates uniformly from rest at 2ms-2. Calculate the magnitude of its velocity
after traveling 9m.
47.A body moving with a velocity of 50ms-1 is brought to rest in 30s by a constant
retarding force. calculate the distance covered by the body.
48.A ball is thrown vertically upward with a speed of 20ms-1. Calculate the maximum
height reached. (g = 10ms-2)
49.A bullet fired vertically upward from a gun held 2.0m above the ground reaches its
maximum height in 4.0s. calculate its initial velocity. (g = 10ms-2)
25
 a. 10ms-1
b. 8ms-1
c. 40ms-1
d. 20ms-1
50.What is the acceleration between two point on a velocity – time graph which has
coordinates (10s, 15ms-1) and (20s, 35ms-1)?
a. 1.75ms-2
b. 3.50ms-2
c. 1.00ms-2
d. 2.00ms-2
51.A car accelerates uniformly from rest at 4ms-2. How far will it travel in the fifth
complete second?
a. 100m
b. 50m
c. 32m
d. 18m
52.A car moves with a speed of 30ms-1. Calculate the distance travelled in 30s.
53.A body at rest is given an initial acceleration of 6.0ms-1 for the next 10s. the body
maintains the speed attained for 30s.

26