University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics

PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

1. The position versus time for a certain particle moving along the x axis is shown in Figure P2.3. Find
the average velocity in the time intervals (a) 0 to 2 s, (b) 0 to 4 s, (c) 2 s to 4 s, (d) 4 s to 7 s, (e) 0 to 8 s.
x 10 m
(a) v   5m s
t 2s

5m
(b) v  1.2 m s
4s

x2  x1 5 m  10 m
(c) v   2.5 m s
t2  t1 4 s 2 s

x2  x1 5 m  5 m
(d) v   3.3 m s
t2  t1 7 s 4 s

x2  x1 0  0
(e) v   0m s
t2  t1 8  0

Figure P2.3 1

2. A particle moves according to the equation x = 10t2 where x is in meters and t is in seconds. (a)
Find the average velocity for the time interval from 2.00 s to 3.00 s. (b) Find the average velocity for the
time interval from 2.00 to 2.10 s.

t s  2.0 2.1 3.0

x  10t2 : For
x m   40 44.1 90

x 50 m
(a) v   50.0 m s
t 1.0 s

x 4.1 m
(b) v    41.0 m s
t 0.1 s

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 1 of 11
 University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics
PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

3. A person walks first at a constant speed of 5.00 m/s along a straight line from point A to point B
and then back along the line from B to A at a constant speed of
3.00 m/s. What is (a) her average speed over the entire trip? (b) her average velocity over the entire trip?

Let d represent the distance between A and B. Let t1 be the time for which the walker has the higher speed in
d d
5.00 m s  . Let t2 represent the longer time for the return trip in 3.00 m s   . Then the times
t1 t2
d d
are t1  and t2  . The average speed is:
 5.00 m s  3.00 m s
Totaldistance d d 2d
v  
Totaltim e d  d  8.00 m s d
 5.00 m s  3.00 m s
15.0 m 2
s2 

v

2 15.0 m 2 2
s  3.75 m s
8.00 m s

Instantaneous Velocity and Speed

4. Find the instantaneous velocity of the particle described in Figure P2.3 at the following times: (a) t
= 1.0 s, (b) t = 3.0 s, (c) t = 4.5 s, and (d) t = 7.5 s.

 5  0 m
(a) v   5m s
1 0 s

 5  10 m
(b) v  2.5 m s
 4  2 s

5 m  5 m 
(c) v  0
 5 s 4 s

0   5 m 
(d) v   5 m s
 8 s 7 s

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 2 of 11
 University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics
PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

5. A Rabbit and a tortoise competed in a 1 km long race. They started together with a constant speed
of 8 m/s for the rabbit and 0.2m/s for the tortoise. The rabbit stopped at 0.8 km and waited for the tortoise to
pass him. Then he resumed the race and reached the end at the same time the tortoise did.
How far was the tortoise from finish line when the rabbit starts running again?
For how long was the rabbit standing?

Once it resumes the race, the hare will run for a time of

xf  xi 1000 m  800 m
t   25 s.
vx 8m s

In this time, the tortoise can crawl a distance

xf  xi   0.2 m s  25 s  5.00 m .

Acceleration

6 A 50.0-g superball traveling at 25.0 m/s bounces off a brick wall and rebounds at 22.0 m/s. A high-speed
camera records this event. If the ball is in contact with the wall for 3.50 ms, what is the magnitude of the
average acceleration of the ball during this time interval? (Note:
1 ms = 10–3 s.)

Choose the positive direction to be the outward direction, perpendicular to the wall.

v 22.0 m s  25.0 m s
vf  vi  at: a    1.34  104 m s2 .
t 3.50  103 s

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 3 of 11
 University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics
PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

7. A particle starts from rest and accelerates as shown in Figure P2.12. Determine (a) the particle's
speed at t = 10.0 s and at t = 20.0 s, and (b) the distance traveled in the first 20.0 s.

(a) Acceleration is constant over the first ten seconds, so at the end,

 
vf  vi  at 0  2.00 m s2 10.0 s  20.0 m s .

Then a  0 so v is constant from t 10.0 s to t 15.0 s. And over the last five seconds the velocity
changes to

 
vf  vi  at 20.0 m s 3.00 m s2  5.00 s  5.00 m s .

(b) In the first ten seconds,

1
xf  xi  vit at2  0  0 
2
1
2
 
2.00 m s2 10.0 s  100 m .
2

Over the next five seconds the position changes to

1
xf  xi  vit at2  100 m   20.0 m s  5.00 s  0  200 m .
2

And at t 20.0 s ,

1
xf  xi  vit at2  200 m   20.0 m s  5.00 s 
2
1
2
 
3.00 m s2  5.00 s  262 m .
2

Figure 2.12

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 4 of 11
 University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics
PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

8. A velocity-time graph for an object moving along the x axis is shown in Figure P2.14. (a) Plot a
graph of the acceleration versus time. (b) Determine the average acceleration of the object in the time
intervals t = 5.00 s to t = 15.0 s and t = 0 to t = 20.0 s.

P2.14 (a) Acceleration is the slope of the graph of v vs t.

For 0  t 5.00 s, a  0 .
For 15.0 s t 20.0 s, a  0 .
vf  vi
For 5.0 s t 15.0 s, a  .
tf  ti

8.00   8.00
a  1.60 m s2
15.0  5.00
FIG. P2.14
We can plot a t as shown.

vf  vi
(b) a
tf  ti

(i) For 5.00 s t 15.0 s, ti  5.00 s , vi  8.00 m s

,

tf  15.0 s
vf  8.00 m s
vf  vi 8.00   8.00
a   1.60 m s2 .
tf  ti 15.0  5.00

(ii) ti  0 , vi  8.00 m s, tf  20.0 s, vf  8.00 m s

vf  vi 8.00   8.00
a   0.800 m s2
tf  ti 20.0  0

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 5 of 11
 University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics
PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

9 A particle moves along the x axis according to the equation x = 2.00 + 3.00 t – 1.00 t2, where x is in meters
and t is in seconds. At t = 3.00 s, find (a) the position of the particle, (b) its velocity, and (c) its acceleration.

dx dv
x  2.00  3.00t t2 , v   3.00  2.00t, a   2.00
dt dt
At t 3.00 s :

(a) x   2.00  9.00  9.00 m  2.00 m

(b) v   3.00  6.00 m s  3.00 m s

(c) a  2.00 m s2

10 An object moves along the x axis according to the equation x(t) = (3.00t2 – 2.00t + 3.00) m. Determine
(a) the average speed between t = 2.00 s and t = 3.00 s, (b) the instantaneous speed at t = 2.00 s and at t = 3.00
s, (c) the average acceleration between t = 2.00 s and t = 3.00 s, and (d) the instantaneous acceleration at t =
2.00 s and t = 3.00 s.

(a) At t 2.00 s , x  3.00 2.00  2.00 2.00  3.00 m  11.0 m .

2
 

At t 3.00 s , x  3.00 9.00  2.00 3.00  3.00 m  24.0 m

2
 

so
x 24.0 m  11.0 m
v   13.0 m s .
t 3.00 s 2.00 s
(b) At all times the instantaneous velocity is

v
d
dt
 
3.00t2  2.00t 3.00   6.00t 2.00 m s

At t 2.00 s , v  6.00 2.00  2.00 m s 10.0 m s .

At t 3.00 s , v  6.00 3.00  2.00 m s 16.0 m s .

v 16.0 m s 10.0 m s
(c) a   6.00 m s2
t 3.00 s 2.00 s
d
(d) At all times a   6.00  2.00  6.00 m s2 . (This includes both t 2.00 s and t 3.00 s ).
dt

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 6 of 11
 University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics
PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

One-Dimensional Motion with Constant Acceleration

11. A truck covers 40.0 m in 8.50 s while smoothly slowing down to final speed
2.80 m/s. (a) Find its original speed. (b) Find its acceleration.

(a)
1
xf  xi 
2
  1
vi  vf t becomes 40 m   vi  2.80 m s  8.50 s which yields vi  6.61 m s .
2
vf  vi 2.80 m s 6.61 m s
(b) a   0.448 m s2
t 8.50 s

12An object moving with uniform acceleration has a velocity of 12.0 cm/s in the positive x direction when
its x coordinate is 3.00 cm. If its x coordinate
2.00 s later is –5.00 cm, what is its acceleration?

Given vi  12.0 cm s when xi  3.00 cm  t 0 , and at t 2.00 s , xf  5.00 cm ,

1 1
xf  xi  vit at2 : 5.00  3.00  12.0 2.00  a 2.00
2
2 2
32.0
8.00  24.0  2a a   16.0 cm s2 .
2

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 7 of 11
 University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics
PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

13 Figure P2.24 represents part of the performance data of a

car owned by a proud physics student. (a) Calculate from the
graph the total distance traveled. (b) What distance does the car
travel between the times t = 10 s and t = 40 s? (c) Draw a graph of
its acceleration versus time between t = 0 and t = 50 s. (d) Write
an equation for x as a function of time for each phase of the
motion, represented by (i) 0a, (ii) ab, (iii) bc. (e) What is the
average velocity of the car between t = 0 and t = 50 s?

Figure 2.24

(a) Total displacement  area under the  v, t curve from

t 0 to 50 s.

1
x 
2
 50 m s 15 s   50 m s  40  15 s
1
  50 m s  10 s
2
x  1875 m

(b) From t 10 s to t 40 s, displacement is

1 FIG. P2.24
x 
2
 50 m s 33 m s  5 s   50 m s  25 s  1457 m
.
v  50  0 m s
(c) 0  t 15 s : a1    3.3 m s2
t 15 s 0
15 s t 40 s: a2  0
v  0  50 m s
40 s t 50 s: a3    5.0 m s2
t 50 s 40 s

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 8 of 11
 University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics
PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

14 A student throws a set of keys vertically upward to her sorority sister, who is in a window 4.00 m
above. The keys are caught 1.50 s later by the sister's outstretched hand. (a) With what initial velocity were
the keys thrown? (b) What was the velocity of the keys just before they were caught?

1 2
(a) yf  yi  vit at : 4.00   1.50 vi   4.90 1.50 2 and vi  10.0 m s upw ard .
2

(b) vf  vi  at 10.0   9.801.50  4.68 m s

vf  4.68 m s dow nw ard

15 A baseball is hit so that it travels straight upward after being struck by the bat. A fan observes that
it takes 3.00 s for the ball to reach its maximum height. Find (a) its initial velocity and (b) the height it
reaches.

(a) vf  vi  gt: vf  0 when t 3.00 s , g  9.80 m s2 . Therefore,

 
vi  gt 9.80 m s2  3.00 s  29.4 m s .

(b) yf  yi 
1
2
 
vf  vi t

1
yf  yi 
2
 29.4 m s  3.00 s  44.1 m

16 A daring ranch hand sitting on a tree limb wishes to drop vertically onto a horse galloping under
the tree. The constant speed of the horse is 10.0 m/s, and the distance from the limb to the saddle is
3.00 m. (a) What must be the horizontal distance between the saddle and limb when the ranch hand makes
his move? (b) How long is he in the air?

Time to fall 3.00 m is found from Eq. 2.12 with vi  0 , 3.00 m 

1
2
 
9.80 m s2 t2 , t 0.782 s.

(a) With the horse galloping at 10.0 m s, the horizontal distance is vt 7.82 m .

(b) t 0.782 s

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 9 of 11
 University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics
PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

17. The height of a helicopter above the ground is given by h = 3.00t3, where h is in meters and t is in
seconds. After 2.00 s, the helicopter releases a small mailbag. How long after its release does the mailbag
reach the ground?

y  3.00t3 : At t 2.00 s , y  3.00 2.00 3  24.0 m and

dy
vy   9.00t2  36.0 m s .
dt
If the helicopter releases a small mailbag at this time, the equation of motion of the mailbag is
1 1
yb  ybi  vit gt2  24.0  36.0t  9.80 t2 .
2 2
Setting yb  0 ,
0  24.0  36.0t 4.90t2 .

Solving for t, (only positive values of t count), t 7.96 s .

18 A rock is dropped from rest into a well. (a) The sound of the splash is heard 2.40 s after the rock is
released from rest. How far below the top of the well is the surface of the water? The speed of sound in air
(at the ambient temperature) is 336 m/s. (b) What If? If the travel time for the sound is neglected, what
percentage error is introduced when the depth of the well is calculated?

1
(a) d  9.80 t12 d  336t2
2
336t2  4.90 2.40  t2 
2
t1  t2  2.40
359.5  359.52  4 4.90 28.22
4.90t22  359.5t2  28.22  0 t2 
9.80
359.5  358.75
t2   0.076 5 s so d  336t2  26.4 m
9.80
1
(b) Ignoring the sound travel time, d   9.80 2.40 2  28.2 m , an error of 6.82% .
2

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 10 of 11
 University of Bahrain College of Science Department of Physics
PHYCS 111 Ch2 Tutorial Motion in one dimension

19 A girl and a boy had a race using their speed cars. They started from rest, but the boy left 1 second
before the girl. The boy was accelerating at 3.50 m/s2 while the girl was accelerating at 4.90 m/s2. Find (a) the
time at which the girl overtook the boy, (b) the distance she travelled before she catches him, and (c) the
speeds of both cars at the instant she overtakes him.

(a) We require xs  xk when ts  tk  1.00

xs 
1
2
  
1

3.50 m s2  tk  1.00  4.90 m s2  tk   xk
2
2
2

tk  1.00  1.183tk
tk  5.46 s .

(b) xk 
1
2
 
4.90 m s2  5.46 s  73.0 m
2

(c)  
vk  4.90 m s2  5.46 s  26.7 m s
vs   3.50 m s   6.46 s 
2
22.6 m s

Mrs. Basma A-Najar

Reference : Physics for Scientists and Engineers – Serway 8th ed Page 11 of 11