SCALAR and VECTOR QUANTITIES For example:

1) Mr. Hood drives 90 km along a winding road.

The following are some of the quantities you will meet in the
Intermediate 2 Physics course:
DISTANCE, DISPLACEMENT, SPEED, VELOCITY, TIME, FORCE.

Quantities can be divided into 2 groups:

!" #

2) Mr. Robb jogs once around the centre circle of a football pitch.

Some scalar quantities have a corresponding vector quantity.

Other scalar and vector quantities are independent. For example:

% !"
$ $
&' &' (
)* + % )* + " #
)& (# ("
(# (" )* (

SPEED and VELOCITY

DISTANCE and DISPLACEMENT
Speed (a scalar quantity) is the distance travelled every second.
Distance (a scalar quantity) is the total length of path travelled.
[A unit must always be stated]. , [A unit must
always be
stated].
Displacement (a vector quantity) is
Velocity (a vector quantity) is
the length and direction of a straight line drawn from the starting
the change of displacement every second.
point to the finishing point.
[A unit and direction must always be stated, % , [A unit and direction must always
unless the displacement is zero, in which case there is no direction]. be stated, unless the velocity is zero,
in which case there is no direction].
 Acceleration (and Deceleration)
This diagram shows a motorbike accelerating from a ) &
stationary start (rest, 0 m/s). % % $ %
After each second:
Its velocity has increased.
It has travelled further than it travelled the second before.

This diagram shows a motorbike decelerating from a

) &
velocity of 15 m/s to rest (0 m/s).
$ % % %
After each second:
Its velocity has decreased.
It has travelled less far than it travelled the second before.

When an object's velocity increases with time, the object is a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

When an object's velocity decreases with time, the object is d _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

The acceleration (a) or deceleration of an object is its

change in velocity over a given time. % %
! % # ! % #
Acceleration (or deceleration) is a vector quantity. %-

%- ! #
% , ! % # ! #
, .
 Acceleration Calculations In each case, calculate the acceleration of the vehicle:

(a) Farmer (b) In their

% % Jones' tractor go-kart, Jill
! % # starts from and her Mum
! % # rest and speed up from
%- speeds up to rest to
8 m/s in 10 s. 6 m/s in
12 s.
! #
! % # ! #

/
& &
'
) + 1 + 4 0 + ) + 1
(c) On her motor (d) Mike's
%,1 + %,) + motorbike
scooter, Dominique
,) + ,0 + takes 5 s to speed takes
,4 ,& up from 3 m/s to 5 s to speed up
13 m/s. from 10 m/s to 30 m/s.
,2 ,2

%- 1- ) %- )- 0
, , , ,
4 1
& - 3
, ,
4 1
&
,* ' + & ,- & +
The - sign indicates
"deceleration"
In each case: (a) Calculate the acceleration or deceleration over the stated time interval. (b) Tick the correct acceleration or deceleration box.

initial speed (u) = 0 m/s initial speed (u) = 0 m/s initial speed (u) = 4.5 m/s initial speed (u) = 3.6 m/s
final speed (v) = 6 m/s final speed (v) = 3 m/s final speed (v) = 0 m/s final speed (v) = 0 m/s
time = 12 s time = 2 s time = 2.5 s time = 6 s

initial speed (u) = 1.5 m/s initial speed (u) = 7.8 m/s initial speed (u) = 5.5 m/s initial speed (u) = 0.6 m/s

final speed (v) = 7.5 m/s final speed (v) = 2.3 m/s final speed (v) = 2.3 m/s final speed (v) = 6.8 m/s

time = 2 s time = 2.5 s time = 8 s time = 4.1 s

initial speed (u) = 12.3 m/s initial speed (u) = 0.5 m/s initial speed (u) = 0.9 m/s initial speed (u) = 6.7 m/s

final speed (v) = 1.5 m/s final speed (v) = 2.5 m/s final speed (v) = 2.1 m/s final speed (v) = 2.3 m/s

time = 9 s time = 20 s time = 6 s time = 5.5 s

 As a An arrow hits a Starting from rest, a A bee,
bobsleigh stationary target fireman slides down a decelerating
reaches a at 50 m/s and pole with an at 0.7 m/s2,
steep part of comes to rest in acceleration of 1.2 m/s2. slows down
track, its 0.1 s. His speed at the bottom from 6.7 m/s
speed of the pole is 3.6 m/s. to 2.5 m/s.
Calculate the
increases
deceleration of the arrow once it Calculate the time taken What time
from 24 m/s to 36 m/s.
hits the target. to slide down the pole. does this
This happens in 0.4 s.
take?
Calculate the acceleration of the
bobsleigh during this time.

When a A helicopter is A speed of a A van

stationary rugby flying at 35 m/s. conveyor belt is decelerates at
ball is kicked, it It then increased to 1.4 m/s2 for 5 s.
is in contact with decelerates at 2.8 m/s by This reduces its
a player's boot 2.5 m/s2 for 12 s. accelerating it at speed to 24 m/s.
for 0.05 s. During this short time, Calculate the 0.3 m/s2 for 4 s. Calculate the van's initial speed.
the ball accelerates at 600 m/s2. speed of the helicopter after the Calculate the
Calculate the speed at which the 12 s. initial speed of the conveyor belt.
ball leaves the player's boot.
 Velocity-Time Graphs
The motion of any object can be represented by a line drawn on a velocity-time graph:

%
+
+ % %
+

Describe the motion represented by the line on each velocity-time graph:

m/s

m/s
10 50
9 45
velocity/

8 40

velocity/
7 35
6 30
5 25
4 20
3 15
2 10

1 5

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

time/ s time/ s

0 - 10 seconds: ___________ ___________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s. 0 - 8 seconds: ___________ ___________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s.
(Constant/uniform _______________ ). (Constant/uniform _______________ ).
10 - 15 seconds: __________ _________ of ____ m/s. 8 - 11 seconds: __________ _________ of ____ m/s.
15 - 20 seconds: ___________ _____________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s. 11 - 18 seconds: ___________ ____________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s.
(Constant/uniform _________________ ). (Constant/uniform _________________ ).
 m/s
m/s
10 50
9 45

velocity/
velocity/ 8 40
7 35
6 30
5 25
4 20
3 15
2 10
1 5

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

time/ s time/ s
0 - 10 seconds: ___________ ___________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s. 0 - 30 seconds: ___________ ____________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s.
(Constant/uniform _______________ ). (Constant/uniform _________________ ).
10 - 14 seconds: __________ _________ of ____ m/s. 30 - 75 seconds: __________ _________ of ____ m/s.
14 - 20 seconds: ___________ ____________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s. 75 - 100 seconds: ___________ ___________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s.
(Constant/uniform _________________ ). (Constant/uniform _________________ ).

50
m/s

m/s
100
45 90
40 80
velocity/

velocity/
35 70
30 60
25 50
20 40
15 30
10 20
5 10

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
time/ s time/ s
0 - 5 seconds: ___________ ____________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s. 0 - 25 seconds: __________ _________ of ____ m/s.
(Constant/uniform _______________ ).
25 - 75 seconds: ___________ ____________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s.
5 - 12 seconds: __________ _________ of ____ m/s. (Constant/uniform _______________ ).
12 - 17 seconds: ___________ ___________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s. 75 - 100 seconds: ___________ ____________ from ____ m/s to ____ m/s.
(Constant/uniform _______________ ). (Constant/uniform _________________ ).
 Draw the line on each velocity-time graph to represent the motion described:
0 - 5 seconds: Increasing velocity from rest (0 m/s) to 10 m/s. 0 - 30 seconds: Increasing velocity from 25 m/s to 40 m/s.
(Constant/uniform acceleration). (Constant/uniform acceleration).
5 - 15 seconds: Constant velocity of 10 m/s. 30 - 60 seconds: Constant velocity of 40 m/s.
15 - 20 seconds: Decreasing velocity from 10 m/s to rest (0 m/s). 60 - 90 seconds: Decreasing velocity from 40 m/s to rest (0 m/s).
(Constant/uniform deceleration). (Constant/uniform deceleration).
10 50
m/s

m/s
9 45
8 40
velocity/

velocity/
7 35
6 30
5 25
4 20
3 15
2 10
1 5

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

time/ s time/ s
With uniform/constant acceleration, a motorcycle takes 8 s to increase its A helicopter, initially travelling at 80 m/s, decelerates constantly/uniformly
velocity from rest to 20 m/s. The motorcycle continues to travel at this to a velocity of 60 m/s in 25 s. For the next 50 s, it continues to travel at
steady velocity for 4 s. It then increases its velocity to 45 m/s this steady velocity before decelerating constantly/uniformly to rest in a
(constant/uniform acceleration) in 7 s. further 25 s.

50 100
m/s

m/s
45 90
40 80
velocity/

velocity/
35 70
30 60
25 50
20 40
15 30
10 20
5 10

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

time/ s time/ s
 Put numbers on each axis.
Maximum velocity = 9 m/s. Total time = 18 s.
Calculating Acceleration
A cyclist travels at a steady velocity of 9 m/s for 6 s before decelerating (or Deceleration) From a
constantly/uniformly to a velocity of 2 m/s in 7 s. She then travels at this
steady velocity for a further 5 s. Velocity-Time Graph
velocity/ m/s

By taking velocity and time values from a

velocity-time graph, we can calculate the acceleration
or deceleration of the object which the graph represents.

6 "7

m/s
50
% , 4' + 45

velocity/
40
35
30
25

time/ s 20
15
Put numbers on each axis. 10
Maximum velocity = 90 m/s. Total time = 20 s. ,' + 5
A racing car travels at a constant velocity of 10 m/s for 2 s before 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
accelerating constantly/uniformly for 12 s to a velocity of 90 m/s. The car
then immediately decelerates constantly/uniformly for 6 s time/ s
to a velocity of 70 m/s.
%-
%-
velocity/ m/s

,
,5- *
, 5

%-
,

4' - '
,
5

&
, ' +
time/ s
 Calculate the acceleration or deceleration represented by the line on each velocity-time graph.
velocity/ m/s

velocity/ m/s
10 50
9 45
8 40
7 35
6 30
5 25
4 20
3 15
2 10
1 5
0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
time/ s time/ s
velocity/ m/s

velocity/ m/s
50 100
45 90
40 80
35 70
30 60
25 50
20 40
15 30
10 20
5 10
0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
time/ s time/ s
 Calculating Displacement From a Displacement and Acceleration Calculations
Velocity-Time Graph Each of the following velocity-time graphs represent the motion
of a vehicle.

The area under a velocity-time graph representing the For each graph, calculate any accelerations and decelerations of
the vehicle, plus the vehicle's displacement:
motion of an object gives the displacement of the object.

6 "7
( % - )
* '
)

velocity/ m/s
10
velocity/ m/s

10 9
9 8
8 7
7 6
6 5
5 4
4 3
3 2
2 1
1
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
time/ s
time/ s
/

, )+& 7 7 , 7
, )+& 7 5 7 8 , )& 7 8
, 13 , )*5

/ , % -
, 13 9 )*5
, )44
 / /

velocity/ m/s
velocity/ m/s

10 10
9 9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

time/ s time/ s

/ /
 / /

velocity/ m/s
velocity/ m/s

50 50
45 45
40 40
35 35
30 30
25 25
20 20
15 15
10 10
5 5

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
time/ s time/ s
/ /