Name:

Period:
Kinematic Equations

Displacement (∆x) in m D = 2πr An object that travels a Vertical Displacement

circular path and ends
up at its starting point
If an object moves up
Distance (D) is how far an
has a distance equal to or down we use ∆y,
object has traveled. Displace- –∆y
∆x = 0 m the circumference (2πr), not ∆x. Remember
ment (∆x) is how far an object
but no displacement. that down is negative
has moved from its original
(as is moving to the
position. Displacement can
start left for ∆x).
be positive or negative.

Velocity (v) in m/s Velocity is how fast an object changes position. Vi = initial velocity; Vf is final velocity.
When an object turns around v = 0 m/s.

V is + when an V is – when an object moves down.

V is – if moving V is + if moving object moves up.
to the left to the right

Acceleration is how fast an object changes velocity. The kinematic equations work only
Acceleration (a) in m/s2
with constant acceleration. Acceleration can be positive, negative, or zero.
Vf is 0
A positive acceleration occurs Vf is 0 a is + A negative acceleration occurs a is –
when an object speeds up in the Vi is – when an object speeds up in the
positive direction or slows negative direction or slows Vi is +
down in the negative direction. down in the positive direction.

Time is always elapsed time, not a point in time. Also, time in any other units other than
Time (t) in sec seconds must be converted first.

Just as with any other word problem, first write a variable list
Kinematic Equations Choosing an Equation
from the given information, including your unknown. Then
choose an equation which includes these variables.
With these five equations you
are able to calculate for any
unknown in linear motion. Big Trick: Figure out which variable is not used in your variable list,
1 then chose the equation that is also not using this variable. Remember
Dx = (v + v )t “a” is not used that your unknown is still in your list, you just don’t know its value yet.
2
i f
If your unknown is not in the equation, you can’t solve for it.
v f = vi + (at ) “∆x” is not used
æ1 ö
Dx = (v t ) + a(t )2 “vf” is not used Variables: So choose this equation
i ç2 ÷ because it does not use “Vi”
è ø ∆x = 50 m Vi is not used
æ1 ö t = 10 sec in our list. and has all of your variables.
Dx = (v t ) - a(t )2 “vi ” is not used
f ç2 ÷ a = 2 m/s2 vf is on this list: æ1
è ø vf = Dx = (v f t) - ç a(t)
it is the unknown.
v f 2 = v i 2 + (2aDx) “t” is not used è2

Example 1: An object moves 12 m to the left in Example 2: An object at rest ends up moving
4 seconds. If its initial velocity was 5 m/s to the 20 m/s to the right after traveling 80 meters
right, what is the acceleration of the object? to the right. How much time did this take?
“a” is 1
Variables: Variables: D x = ( vi + v f )t
∆x = –12 m “Vf” is not used
Vi = 0 m/s 1
(moves left) not used i ç2 (at rest) 80 = ( 0 + 20)t
t = 4 sec Vf = 20 m/s
Vi = 5 m/s -12 = 20 + (8a ) 1
ø ∆x = 80 m 80 = ( 20)t
(right is +) -32 = 8a t=
a= “a” is not in 80 = 10 t
Vf is not in this list a = -4m/s
í ø this list. t = 8 sec

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Name:
Period:
Kinematic Equations (R)

Displacement (∆x) in m D = 2πr An object that travels a Vertical Displacement

circular path and ends
r If an object moves up
Distance (D) is how far an up at its starting point
has a distance equal to or down we use ∆y,
object has traveled. Displace- –∆y
∆x = 0 m the circumference (2πr), not ∆x. Remember
ment (∆x) is how far an object
but no displacement. that down is negative
has moved from its original
(as is moving to the
position. Displacement can
start stop left for ∆x).
be positive or negative.

Velocity (v) in m/s Velocity is how fast an object changes position. Vi = initial velocity; Vf is final velocity.
When an object turns around v = 0 m/s.

V is + when an V is – when an object moves down.

V is – if moving V is + if moving object moves up.
to the left to the right

Acceleration is how fast an object changes velocity. The kinematic equations work only
Acceleration (a) in m/s2
with constant acceleration. Acceleration can be positive, negative, or zero.
Vf is 0
A positive acceleration occurs Vf is 0 a is + A negative acceleration occurs a is –
when an object speeds up in the Vi is – when an object speeds up in the
positive direction or slows negative direction or slows Vi is +
down in the negative direction. down in the positive direction.

Time is always elapsed time, not a point in time. Also, time in any other units other than
Time (t) in sec seconds must be converted first.

Just as with any other word problem, first write a variable list
Kinematic Equations Choosing an Equation
from the given information, including your unknown. Then
choose an equation which includes these variables.
With these five equations you
are able to calculate for any
unknown in linear motion.
1
Dx= (v i + v f )t “a” is not used
2
v f - vi “∆x” is not used
a= t
æ1 ö So choose this equation
D x = (v t ) + a (t ) 2 “vf” is not used
i ç2 ÷ Vi is not used because it does not use “Vi”
è ø in our list. and has all of your variables.
æ 1 ö
D x = (v t ) - a (t ) 2 “vi” is not used
f ç2 ÷ æ1
è ø Dx = (v f t) - ç a(t)
v f2 = v 2 i + (2 a D x ) “t” is not used è2

Example 1: An object moves 12 m to the left in

4 seconds. If its initial velocity was 5 m/s to the
right, what is the acceleration of the object?
“a” is 1
Variables: Dx = ( vi + v f )t
∆x = –12 m “Vf” is not used
(moves left) not used 1
i ç2 80 = ( 0 + 20)t
t = 4 sec
Vi = 5 m/s -12 = 20 + (8a ) 1
ø 80 = ( 20)t
(right is +) -32 = 8a
a= “a” is not in
a = -4m/s 80 = 10 t
Vf is not in this list
í ø this list. t = 8 sec

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Name: _____________________
Kinematic Equations—
Period: _____________________
1. ∆x, ∆y, t, vi, vf, or a? 6. Choose the correct kinematic equation for the following:

___ 2 sec ____ How far... ____ How long did Variables: What’s missing from the list:
___ 3 m/s ____ 4 m/s 2 it take? a = 2 m/s2
___ 6 m right ____ How fast... ____ How high... Vi = 6 m/s So use this equation:
Vf = −6 m/s
∆x = ____
2. A person swims to the other end of a 20 m long pool
and back. What is their displacement? Variables: What’s missing from the list:
a = 4 m/s2
3. A rock falls 15 m. t = 10 s So use this equation:
Is this vertical or horizontal motion? Vf = −2 m/s
What is the displacement of the rock? ∆x = ____
4. A car moving 12 m/s stops in 3 seconds.
Vf = Variables: What’s missing from the list:
a = −3m/s2
5. You throw a rock into the air and catch it as it returns. Vi = 6 m/s So use this equation:
What is the displacement of the rock? Vf = −12 m/s
t = __

7. In 10 seconds a car accelerates 4m/s2 to 60 m/s. How fast 8. A object moving 2 m/s experiences an acceleration of 3m/s2
was the car going before it accelerated? for 8 seconds. How far did it move in that time?

Variables: Equation and Solve: Variables: Equation and Solve:

9. An object at rest starts accelerating. If it travels 40 meters 10. A model rocket climbs 200 m in 4 seconds. If was moving
to end up going 20 m/s, what was its acceleration? 10 m/s to begin with, what is its final velocity?

Variables: Equation and Solve: Variables: Equation and Solve:

11. A car stops in 120 m. If it has an acceleration of –5m/s2, 12. An object drops 20 m from a cliff. If it started at rest and is
how long did it take to stop? going 20 m/s just before it hits the ground, what is its accel-
eration?

cstephenmurray.com Legal copying of this worksheet requires written permission. Copyright © 2010, C. Stephen Murray
cstephenmurray.com Legal copying of this worksheet requires written permission. Copyright © 2010, C. Stephen Murray