Linear Kinematics

Linear kinematics
The analysis of linear motion without regard to its origin and effects is
called linear kinematics.

Average speed
The average speed of an object is equal to the distance it covers in a
certain time period divided by that amount of time.

where:
V = average speed
s = distance
t = time

Example

A car travels a distance of 950 miles in 18 hours. What is the average

speed of this car?

Solution

In this case:

Sinitial = 0

Sfinal = 950 miles

tfinal = 18 hours
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tinitial = 0

Constant acceleration
When acceleration is constant the equations relating distance and speed
to time take the following forms:

V2 = V02 + 2as
V = V0 + at
s = V0t + at2

Where:
V = speed
Vo = initial speed
t = time
a = acceleration
s = distance

Example

An object has an initial speed of 5 ft/sec and an acceleration of 2 ft/sec2.

How far does this object travel after 10 seconds?

Solution

Step 1: In solving problems that require use of equations, it is best to

write down all of our known and unknown values. This would greatly
help in determining which equation we have to use to solve the
problem. In this case:

V0 = 5 ft/sec
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a = 2 ft/sec2

t = 10 sec

s=?

Step 2: We compare our known and unknown values to the terms in

the above equations. In this case, we notice that in the equation:

All terms are known except s (distance). Therefore, we have one

equation with one unknown that we can easily solve.

Step 3: Substitute for known values and calculate the unknown value.

s = 50 + 100

s = 150 ft

Note 1: Once we have an equation with a number of terms, the

question is that how many different types of problems can be based on
that equation? In order to solve one equation, we can only have one
unknown. Therefore, generally speaking, the number of problems,
which can be based on a given equation, is equal to the number of
terms in the equation. For example in the equation:

we have 4 terms (s, V0, t, a). Therefore, we can design four different
problems based on the above equations.

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Problem Number 1:
s (distance), V0 (initial speed), t (time) are known, calculate the
acceleration.

Problem Number 2:
s, V0, a are given, calculate the time.

Problem Number 3:
V0, t, a are given, calculate the distance.

Problem Number 4:
s, t, a are given, calculate initial speed V0.

Note 2: In solving any equation, care must be exercised to maintain

consistency in units. For example, in the equation:

the unit for distance appears in three different terms. These terms are s
(which has units of distance, ft., meters, miles, etc.), V0 which has units
of distance divided by time, ft/sec, miles/hr, etc.), and acceleration
(which has units of distance divided by time squared, ft/sec2, miles/hr2,
etc).

ONCE WE HAVE SELECTED A UNIT FOR DISTANCE (for

example feet), WE HAVE TO USE THAT UNIT IN ANY TERM IN
THE EQUATION WHERE DISTANCE APPEARS. This means that
in the equation:

We can not use feet for distance (s), meters per second for initial speed
V0, or centimeters per second squared for acceleration. Once we have
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 selected a unit for a given dimension (such as distance), we have to
convert all other terms where that dimension appears to our selected
unit.

Example

An object starting from rest with an acceleration of 7200 ft/min2 after

10 seconds has a speed equal to:

a. 36 ft/sec

b. 72,000 ft/sec

c. 72 ft/sec

d. 20 ft/sec

Solution
Select (d).

Step1: Lets write our known and unknown values.

V0 = 0

a = 7200 ft/min2

t = 10 seconds

V=?

Step 2: Compare the terms with the terms in equations for constant
acceleration. We notice that if we use the equation:

V = V0 + at

All terms are known except the final speed (V). Therefore we have one
equation with one unknown which we can easily solve.

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 Step 3: We notice that the unit of time t is given in seconds (t = 10
seconds), while the unit of time in acceleration is expressed in minutes.
Since the answer to the problem uses seconds as unit of time, we have
to convert the unit of time in acceleration from minutes to seconds:

Step 4: Substitute the known values in the equation and calculate the
unknown value:

V = V0 + at

V = 0 + 2 10

V = 20ft/sec

Example

The final speed of an object starting from rest with an acceleration of

2 ft/sec2 after 100 ft is:

a. 200 ft/sec

b. 50 ft/sec

c. 20 ft/sec

d. 400 ft/sec

Solution
Select (c).

Step 1:
V=?

a = 2ft/sec2

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S = 100 ft

V0 = 0

Step 2: In the equation:

V2 = V02 = 2as

All terms are known except V (final speed).

Step 3: Substitute for known values and calculate the unknown

value (V).

V2 = (0)2 + 2 2 100

V2 = 400

V = 20ft/sec

Motion due to constant gravitational acceleration

The equations for speed, time, and distance covered for falling objects
due to constant acceleration of gravity are:

V = V + gt
0

s = V0t + gt2
V2 = V02 + 2gs

Where:
g = acceleration of gravity 32.2 ft/sec2
V0 = initial speed
V = instantaneous speed
s = distance
t = time

Example

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An object is dropped from the top of a tower. It takes 2 seconds for this
object to reach the ground. What is the speed of this object just as it
reaches the ground? What is the height of the tower? Neglect air
resistance.

Solution
First we have to recognize that since the object is dropped, it is moving
under acceleration of gravity. Therefore, we need to focus on the
equations for constant acceleration of gravity.

Step 1: Write all known and unknown values.

V0 = 0 (object dropped from rest)

V=?

t = 2 seconds

s=?

Step 2: Find an equation, which has the speed as the only unknown
value. We notice that in the equation:

V = V0 + gt

all terms are known except V (final speed). Therefore, we can solve
this equation for V.

V = 0 + 32.2 2 = 64.4ft/sec

Step 3: Now we have to calculate the height of the tower, which is the
distance traveled by this object. Again we have to find an equation that
the only unknown term in it is the distance (s). We notice that in the
equation:

s = V0t + gt2

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all terms are known except distance (s). We also notice that in the
equation:

V2 = V02 + 2gs

all terms are known except for distance (s). Therefore, we can use
either of the above equations to calculate the distance traveled by the
object (height of the tower). Lets use both of the above equations and
see if we obtain the same results.

Step 4:
s = V0t + gt2

s=0 2 + (32.2) 4

s = 64.4ft (height of the tower)

Step 5: Lets use the equation:

V2 = V + 2gs
0
2

to calculate s.

(64.2)2 = (0)2 + 2 32.2 x s

s = 64.4 ft.

which is the same result obtained in step 4.

Note: The above example clearly shows that many times we have
more than one choice of equations to calculate a given unknown value.

Example

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A worker drops a 3 pound wrench while working on a scaffold 50 feet
above the ground. How long does it take for the wrench to reach the
ground? What is the speed of this wrench just when it reaches the
ground? Neglect air resistance.

Solution
We notice that once the wrench is dropped, it is moving under the
acceleration of the force of gravity.

Step 1: Write all known and unknown values.

s = 50ft

t=?

V=?

V0 = 0 (Wrench dropped from rest, i.e. no velocity)

Step 2: In the equations for motion due to constant acceleration of

gravity, we have to find an equation which has all terms known except
the unknown term of our interest (in this case t or V). We notice that in
the equation:

V2 = V + 2gs
0
2

all terms are known except V.

Step 3: Substitute the known values in the above equation and

calculate the value of final speed (V).

V2 = (0)2 + 2 32.2 50

V2 = 3220

V = 56.7ft/sec

Step 4: In order to calculate the time, we can use the equation:

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V = V0 + gt

or

s = V0t + gt2

In both of the above equations, the only unknown term is time t. Lets
use both of the above equations to calculate t; we should end up with
the same result.

Step 5: Substitute for known values in the equation.

V = V0 + gt

56.7 = 0 + 32.2 t

Step 6: Substitute for known values in the equation:

s = V0t + gt2

50 = (0) t + 32.2t2

50 = 32.2t2

t = 1.76 seconds

which is the same result obtained in Step 5.

Note: Sometimes a problem gives information that is not necessary

to solve the problem. In this case, the mass of the wrench (3 pounds)
had no role in solving this problem.

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