Solving Motion Problems

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Unit: Kinematics (Motion)

Solving Motion Problems

Unit: Kinematics (Motion)
NGSS Standards: N/A
MA Curriculum Frameworks (2006): 1.2
Skills:
solve problems involving motion in two dimensions

Language Objectives:
Set up and solve word problems relating to motion.

Notes:
We have learned five equations for solving motion problems.
They are:
Equation

d s s so

d s vo v
v

t
t
2

v v vo at

Comments
Definition of displacement.
Used to calculate average velocity. Note that
you cant use v if there is acceleration (the
velocity is changing).
Relates velocity (v ), initial velocity (vo ),
acceleration (a ), and time (t ).

Relates distance or displacement (d ), initial
s so d vot 12 at 2
velocity (vo ), acceleration (a ), and time (t ).

v2 vo2 2ad

Relates distance or displacement (d ), velocity

(v ), initial velocity (vo ), and acceleration (a ).

Note that vector quantities (shown in bold with an arrow) can be

positive or negative, depending on direction.

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Copyright 20102014 Mr. Bigler.

Physics

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Mr. Bigler

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Solving Motion Problems

Unit: Kinematics (Motion)

Selecting the Right Equation

When you are faced with a problem, choose an equation based
on the following criteria:
The equation must contain the variable you are looking for.
All other quantities in the equation must be either given in
the problem or assumed from the description of the
problem.

vo 0
o If an object starts at rest (not moving), then
.

o If an object comes to a stop, then v 0

o If gravity is involved (e.g., the object is falling),

a g 9.8 sm2
This means you can choose the appropriate equation by making
a list of what you are looking for and what you know. The
equation in which you know everything except what you are
looking for is the one to use.

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Physics

Mr. Bigler

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Solving Motion Problems

Unit: Kinematics (Motion)

Additional Strategies
Motion problems in physics often involve gravity. These
problems usually fall into one of two categories:
1. If you have an object in free fall, the problem will probably
give you either the distance it fell (d ), or the time it fell

d vot 12 at 2
(t ). Use the formula
to calculate whichever
one you dont know. (If the object starts from rest, that

means vo 0 .)
2. If an object is thrown upwards, it will decelerate at a rate
9.8 sm2
of
(assuming up is the positive direction) until it

stops moving ( v 0). Then it will fall. This means you

need to split the problem into two parts:
a. When theobject is moving upward, the initial

v
velocity, o , is usually given and v (at the

v2 vo2 2ad
top) = zero. From these, you can use
to
figure out the distance it traveled, which gives you
the maximum height.
b. Once you know the maximum height, you know the

v 0
distance to the ground, o
, and you can use

2
9.8 m
d 12 gt
s2 ) to
(this time with an acceleration of
find the time it spends falling. The total time (up +
down) will be twice as much.

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Physics

Mr. Bigler

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Solving Motion Problems

Unit: Kinematics (Motion)
Sample Problems:
Q: If a cat jumps off a 1.8 m tall refrigerator, how long does it
take to hit the ground?

A: The problem gives us d = 1.8 m. The cat is starting from rest

(v a = 0), and gravity is accelerating the cat at a rate of
a g 9.8 m
s2 . We need to find t.
Looking at the equations, the one that has what we need (t )
and only quantities we know is:
d vot 12 at2

v o = 0, so this reduces to:

d 12 at2
1.8 (12)(9.8) t 2
1.8
0.367 t 2
4.9
t 0.367 0.61s

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Physics

Mr. Bigler

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Solving Motion Problems

Unit: Kinematics (Motion)
Q: An apple falls from a tree branch at a height of 5 m and lands
on Isaac Newtons head. (Assume Isaac Newton was 1.8 m tall.)

How fast was the apple traveling at the time of impact?

d s so 5 1.8 3.2m
A: We know
. We also know that the apple
is starting from rest (v a = 0), and gravity is accelerating the
a g 9.8 m
s2 . We want to find v.
apple at a rate of

The equation that relates all of our variables is:

v2 vo2 2ad

Substituting, we get:
v2 0 (2)(9.8)(3.2)
v2 62.7
v 62.7 7.9 m
s

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Physics

Mr. Bigler