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Tutorial 2
Kinematics

1. The displacement-time graph of an object moving along a straight line is shown in

Figure. From t = 0 s to t = 50 s, determine
(a) the total displacement, and (12.5 m)
(b) the average speed. (0.85 m/s)

Ans:

(a) Total displacement: 25 – 15 + 2.5 = 12.5 m

(b) Total distance: DTotal = DAB + DBC + DCD

= 25 + 15 + 2.5 = 42.5 m

Average speed = Total distance travelled / Total time taken

Assume Total distance travelled = DTotal

Average speed = DTotal / t
= 42.5 / 50 = 0.85 m/s

Displacement (m)

30

B
25

20

15
D

10
C

5
Time (s)
0
A 10 20 30 40 50

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2. A ball is thrown vertically upwards from a point X and reaches the greatest height at Y
then falls down. Neglecting air resistance, use ‘zero’, ‘minimum’ ‘maximum’ or
‘constant’ to answer the followings:
(a) The velocity of the ball at Y. Ans: Zero
(b) The acceleration of the ball at ball at Y. Ans:
Constant
(c) The velocity of the ball at X Ans: Maximun
(d) The displacement of the ball at X. Y Ans: Zero

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3. Figure shows the speed-time graph for two falling balls. Both balls fall from the same
height above the ground.
(a) Use the graph to find
(i) the average acceleration of the falling rubber ball during the first 3.0 s.
(ii) the distance fallen by the rubber ball during the first 3.0 s.
(iii) the terminal velocity of the plastic ball.
(b) Both balls have the same mass but the volume of the plastic ball is much greater
than that of the rubber ball. Explain in terms of the forces acting on each ball why
the plastic ball reaches a terminal velocity within the time frame of 3.0 s but not
the rubber ball.

Speed (m/s)

30 Rubber ball

25 B

20
C
Plastic ball
15

10

5
Time (s)
0
A 1 2 3 4 5
Ans: (a) (i) Acceleration = gradient of the speed-time graph
= 28.75 / 3 = 9.58 m/s2
(ii) Distance = area under v-t graph
= 0.5 x 28.75 x 3 = 43.125 m

(iii) At C, terminal velocity of the plastic ball = 16.25 m/s

(b) Plastic ball has a much greater volume than rubber ball,
hence the surface area is also much greater.
As air resistance increase with surface area, plastic ball
experience a much greater air resistance than the rubber
ball.
When the air resistance balances the weight of the plastic
ball, plastic ball falls with terminal velocity.
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4. The graph shows the velocity-time graphs of two objects P and Q.

velocity

P
Q
0 time
t

(a) At time t, P has a ______________ (greater, equal, lesser) displacement than Q.

(b) Q has a ______________ (greater, equal, lesser) acceleration than P

Ans: (a) greater, (b) greater

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5. Figure shows the speed-time graph of an object moving on a horizontal surface.

Between t = 0 s and t = t1 s, a constant force F, is applied on the object.
v (m/s)

t (s)
0 t1

(a) Explain, in term of speed, why the acceleration of the object is constant between t
= 0 s and t = t1 s.
(b) Describe the acceleration of the object after t = t 1 s.
(c) Between t = 0 s and t = t1 s, the object moves a distance of 10 m and its
acceleration is 5.0 m/s2. Determine t1.
(d) The object is now moving on another horizontal surface that has twice the
frictional force acting on the object. Explain why the acceleration of the object may
not be halved even though the applied force F remains the same.

Ans:
(a) The speed increases at a constant rate (constant acceleration).
OR The change in speed per unit time is the same.
Constant gradient therefore acceleration is constant.

(b) Deceleration decreases to 0 m/s2.

(c) Distance = Area under graph, 10 = (v1t1) / 2

v1t1 = 20 ------- (1)
Acceleration, a = (v1 – v0) / t1
5 = (v1 – 0) / t1
v1 = 5t1 ------- (2)
Sub (2) into (1): 5t1 x t1 = 20
t12 = 4
t1 = 2.0 s

(d) Even though the frictional force increases by two times, the resultant force
may not decrease by half (i.e. a2 ≠ a1 / 2).

Case 1: F – R = ma1 ; F = ma1 + R ------- (1)

Case 2: F – 2R = ma2 ; a2 = (F – 2R) / m ------- (2)
Therefore, a2 = (ma1 – R) / m
a2 = a1 – (R/m)
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6. In a micro-mouse competition, students are required to program a 2.0 kg robot to move

across a conveyor belt as shown in Figure. The robot has to move 30 o against the
direction of the conveyor belt with a constant resultant force of 5.0 N.

Path of Direction of
robot conveyor belt
30o

(a) According to the specifications of the motor of the robot, it is able to apply a
constant force of 7.0 N to move the robot forward when the conveyor belt is not
moving.
Using scale of 1.0 cm: 0.5 N, draw a diagram to determine the magnitude of the
force the conveyor belt exerts on the robot.
(b) Determine the acceleration of the robot.
(c) Explain, in term of forces, why the acceleration of the robot decreases in reality
even though the force exerted by the engine remains the same. (Hint: F = ma)
(d) If the electrical supply to the robot and the conveyor belt are both cut off at the
same time, describe the direction and motion of the robot. (Assume that the robot
does not come to a stop instantaneously.)

Ans: 150o
(a) 2.2 N 2.2 N

FR = 5 N
7N
FR2
30o

(b) FR = ma, 5=2a

a = 2.5 m/s2

(c) When the conveyor belt speed increases, the air resistance acting on the
robot increases and the resultant force decreases. Therefore the
acceleration of robot decreases. (FR2 ↓= ma↓)

(d) The robot will continue to move in the direction which against the direction
of the conveyor belt. However, it decelerates to a stop.