Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:

Introduction to Acceleration with Prius Brake Slamming Example Problem

Δv v f − vi m
Δv a = = & a ⇒ s = m×1= m
Acceleration: a = & Δt t f − ti s s s s 2 (flip the guy and multiply!)
Δt 1
Acceleration, just like Displacement and Velocity, has both Magnitude and Direction.

Example Problem: Mr.p is driving his Prius at 36 km/hr East when a basketball appears bouncing across the
street in front of him. His gut reaction is to slam on the brakes. This brings the vehicle to a stop in 1.75
seconds. What was the acceleration of the vehicle?

km 1hr 1000m m
Knowns: vi = 36 East × × = 10 East; v f = 0; Δt = 1.75s; a = ?
hr 3600s 1km s

Δv v f − vi 0 − 10 m
a= = = = −5.7143 ≈ −5.7 2 East
Δt Δt 1.75 s

km 1000m 1mi mi
FYI: v i = 36 × = 22.3741 ≈ 22
hr 1km 1609m hr
(Yes, 23.3741 was a typo in the video, sorry.)

0013 Lecture Notes - Introduction to Acceleration with Prius Brake Slamming Example Problem.docx page 1 of 1
 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:
A Basic Acceleration Example Problem and Understanding Acceleration Direction

Example Problem: Mr.p is riding his bike at -14.3 km/hr when he begins pedaling the bike to cause a
constant acceleration. If, after 6.4 seconds, the bike is moving at -23.7 km/hr, what was the acceleration of
the bike?

km 1hr 1000m m km 1hr 1000m m

Knowns: vi = −14.3 × × = −3.972 ; v f = −23.7 × × = −6.583 ;
hr 3600s 1km s hr 3600s 1km s

Δt = 6.4s; a = ?

Δv v f − vi −6.583 − ( −3.972 ) m
a= = = = −0.407986 1 ≈ −0.41 2
Δt Δt 6.4 s

Common Question: If the bike is “speeding up” how can the acceleration be negative?

If an object is “speeding up” that means the magnitude of the velocity is increasing. That means that the
acceleration and the velocity will be in the same direction. In other words, if the velocity is negative and the
object is speeding up, then the acceleration will also be negative. People are usually used to having positive
velocities and therefore a negative acceleration would be opposite the velocity and the object would be
slowing down.

0014 Lecture Notes - A Basic Acceleration Example Problem and Understanding Acceleration Direction.docx page 1 of 1
 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:
Walking Position, Velocity and Acceleration as a Function of Time Graphs

rise Δy Δvelocity
slope = m = = = = acceleration
run Δx Δtime
velocity (m/s)

The slope of a velocity versus time graph is acceleration.

(review: The slope of a position versus time graph is velocity.)

A tangent line is a straight line that touches a curve at a point but

does not cross the curve.
time (s)

Example #1 Example #2
position (m)
position (m)

Example #4

time (s) time (s)

Velocity (m/s)
Velocity (m/s)

time (s) time (s)

Acceleration (m/s2)
Acceleration (m/s2)

time (s) time (s)

0015 Lecture Notes - Walking Position, Velocity and Acceleration as a Function of Time Graphs.docx page 1 of 2
 Example #3

position (m)
Velocity (m/s) time (s)

time (s)
Acceleration (m/s2)

time (s)

page 2 of 2
 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:
Introduction to Uniformly Accelerated Motion
with Examples of Objects in UAM

Uniformly Accelerated Motion (UAM) is motion of an object where the acceleration is constant. In other
words, the acceleration remains uniform; the acceleration is equal to a number and that number does not
change as a function of time.

Examples of objects in UAM:

• A ball rolling down an incline.
• A person falling from a plane.
• A bicycle on which you have applied the brakes.
• A ball dropped from the top of a ladder.
• A toy baby bottle released from the bottom of a bathtub.

(Technically, because of friction and a non-constant gravitational field, etc., they are not quite Uniformly
Accelerated Motion, however, at this point we will treat them as if they are, because it is close enough, for now.)

These are the equations that describe an object in Uniformly Accelerated Motion:
v f = vi + aΔt
1
Δx = vi Δt + aΔt 2
2
v f = vi + 2aΔx
2 2

Δx =
1
2
( )
vi + v f Δt

There are 5 variables in the UAM equations:

vi = velocityinitial
v f = velocity final
a = acceleration
Δx = displacement
Δt = changeintime

My Suggestion. When you use the UAM equations, you should use base SI dimensions; meters and seconds.

Here is how it works:

There are FIVE variables in the UAM equations.
There are FOUR UAM equations.
If you know THREE of the variables,
you can determine the other TWO variables.
This leaves you with ONE happy physics student.
(note: not one answer. There can be more than one answer.)

A helpful definition:
peanut gallery (noun): a group of people who criticize someone, often by focusing on insignificant details.

0016 Lecture Notes - Introduction to Uniformly Accelerated Motion.docx page 1 of 1

 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:
Introductory Uniformly Accelerated Motion Problem – A Braking Bicycle

Example Problem: Mr.p is riding his bike at 22.9 km/hr when he applies the brakes causing the bike to slow
down with a constant acceleration. After 1.01 seconds he has traveled 4.00 meters. (a) What was his
acceleration and (b) what was his final speed?

km 1hr 1000m m
vi = 22.9 × × = 6.36 1 ; Δx = 4.00m; Δt = 1.01s;v f = ?;a = ?
Knowns: hr 3600sec 1km s

1 1 Δx − vi Δt
Part (a)Δx = vi Δt + aΔt 2 ⇒ Δx − vi Δt = aΔt 2 ⇒ a =
2 2 0.5Δt 2
4 − ( 6.36 1 ) (1.01) m
a= = −4.75389 ≈ −4.75 2
( 0.5 )(1.01) 2
s

( 6.36 1 ) + ( 2 )( −4.75389 )( 4.00 ) = 1.55968 ≈ 1.56 ms

2
Part (b) v f 2 = vi 2 + 2aΔx ⇒ v f = vi 2 + 2aΔx =

m
Note: I could also have used v f = vi + aΔt = 6.36 1 + ( −4.75389 ) (1.01) = 1.55968 ≈ 1.56
s

Or even Δx =
1
2
( )
v f + vi Δt ⇒
2Δx
Δt
= v f + vi ⇒
2Δx
Δt
− vi = v f

⇒ vf =
( 2 )( 4 ) − 6.36 1 = 1.55968 ≈ 1.56 m & gotten the same answer, again.
1.01 s

The reason there are 3 equations we could use is because after we have solved part (a) we now know four of
the UAM variables and not just 3.

Hopefully Helpful Definitions:

Perspicacious (adjective): having or showing an ability to notice and understand things that are difficult or not obvious.
ilk (noun): a type of people or things similar to those already referred to.
Pedantic (adjective): of or like a pedant.
Pedant (noun): a person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.

0017 Lecture Notes - Introductory Uniformly Accelerated Motion Problem.docx page 1 of 1

 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:
Toy Car UAM Problem with Two Difference Accelerations
2
Example Problem: A toy car starts from rest and experiences an acceleration of 1.56 m/s for 1.6 seconds
2
and then brakes for 1.1 seconds and experiences an acceleration of -2.07 m/s . (a) How fast is the car going
at the end of the braking period and (b) how far has it moved?

m m
Knowns: v1i = 0; Δt1 = 1.6s; a1 = 1.56 2
; Δt 2 = 1.1s; a2 = −2.07 2 ; v2 f = ?; Δxt = ?
s s

m
Part 1: v1 f = v1i + a1Δt1 = 0 + (1.56 ) (1.6 ) = 2.496 = v2i
s
Note: v1f = v2i because they are at the same moment in time. The end of part 1 is the beginning of part 2.

m m
Part 2: v2 f = v2i + a2 Δt 2 = 2.496 + ( −2.07 ) (1.1) = 0.219 ≈ 0.22 [answer for part (a)]
s s

In order to solve part (b), you need to realize that the total displacement is equal to the displacement for part
1 plus the displacement for part 2. (technically, the magnitudes of the displacements because we don’t have
direction.) So now we need to find each displacement individually and then add them together.

Part 1:
1
Δx1 =
2
( ) 1
v1 f + v1i Δt1 = ( 2.496 + 0 ) (1.6 ) = 1.9968m
2
1 1
Part 2: Δx2 = v2i Δt 2 + a2 ( Δt 2 ) = ( 2.496 ) (1.1) + ( −2.07 ) (1.1) = 1.49325m
2 2

2 2
Total: Δxt = Δx1 + Δx2 = 1.9968 + 1.49325 = 3.49005 ≈ 3.5m [answer for part (b)]

The following is an incorrect solution to part (b) …

Δxt =
1
2
( ) 1
2
( ) 1
v2 f + v1i Δtt = v2 f + v1i ( Δt1 + Δt 2 ) = ( 0.219 + 0 ) (1.6 + 1.1) = 0.29565 ≈ 0.30m
2
Because the acceleration is not constant for the whole problem; it is only constant for each part individually, not as a whole.

0018 Lecture Notes - Toy Car UAM Problem with Two Different Accelerations.docx page 1 of 1
 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:
Understanding Uniformly Accelerated Motion

Δv m
We usually look at the dimensions for acceleration as: a= ⇒ 2
Δt s
m
Δv m
Today we are going to look at the dimensions for acceleration as: a = ⇒ s or every second
Δt s s
Example #1: A ball is released from rest and has an acceleration of 2 meters per second every second. (a)
What is the velocity of the ball at t = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 seconds? (b) If the initial position of the ball is zero, what
is the position of the ball at t = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 seconds?
m
Part (a): If the initial velocity of the ball is zero and the acceleration is 2 every second, then the velocity
s
m m m m
will increase by 2 every second. At t = 0 s, v = 0 ; at t = 1 s, v = 2 ; at t = 2 s, v = 4 ;
s s s s
m m m
at t = 3 s, v = 6 ; at t = 4 s, v = 8 & at t = 5 s v = 10 .
s s s
1
Part (b): Δx = v i Δt + aΔt = 0 Δt +
2
2
() 1
2
()
2 Δt 2

⇒ Δx = Δt 2 ⇒ Δx 1 = 12 = 1m ; Δx 2 = 22 = 4m
Δx 3 = 32 = 9m ; Δx 4 = 42 = 16m ; Δx 5 = 52 = 15m

Example #2: A ball is given an initial velocity of -10 m/s and has an acceleration of 2 meters per second
every second. (a) What is the velocity of the ball at t = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 seconds? (b) If the initial position of
the ball is 25 meters, what is the position of the ball at t = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 seconds?
m m
Part (a): If the initial velocity of the ball is -10 and the acceleration is 2 every second, then the velocity
s s
m m m m
will increase by 2 every second. At t = 0 s, v = -10 ; at t = 1 s, v = -8 ; at t = 2 s, v = -6 ;
s s s s
m m m
at t = 3 s, v = -4 ; at t = 4 s, v = -2 & at t = 5 s v = 0 .
s s s

1
Δx = x f − x i = v i Δt + aΔt 2
Part (b):
2

( ) ( )
⇒ x f − 25 = −10 Δt + 2 Δt 2
1
2
()
( ) ( )( )
⇒ x f = 25 + −10 Δt + Δt 2 ⇒ x 1f = 25 + −10 1 +12 = 16m ; x 2f = 25 + −10 2 + 22 = 9m ( )( )
x 3f = 25 + ( −10 ) ( 3 ) + 3 = 4m ; x
2
4f
= 25 + ( −10 ) ( 4 ) + 4 2
= 1m ; x 5 f = 25 + ( −10 ) ( 5 ) + 5 2
= 0m

0095 Lecture Notes - Understanding Uniformly Accelerated Motion.docx page 1 of 1

 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:
Understanding Instantaneous and Average Velocity using a Graph

Instantaneous Velocity: The velocity at a specific point in time.

- The UAM variables Velocity Final and Velocity initial are instantaneous velocities because they are at specific
points in time.

Average Velocity: The velocity over a time period.

Δx
- v= is an average velocity because Δt is the time period over which the velocity occurs.
Δt

Example Graph:
8.0#
7.0#
6.0#
Position'(m)'

5.0#
4.0#
3.0#
2.0#
1.0#
0.0#
0.0# 1.0# 2.0# 3.0# 4.0# 5.0# 6.0# 7.0# 8.0# 9.0# 10.0# 11.0# 12.0# 13.0# 14.0# 15.0# 16.0# 17.0# 18.0#
Time'(s)'

Δx Δx x f − xi x5 − x0 2 − 2 0
v= ⇒ v( 0−5sec) = = = = = =0
Δt Δt t f − ti t5 − t0 5 − 0 5
V(0 - 5 sec) => An average velocity because it is a time period from 0 to 5 seconds.

Δx x10 − x5 7 − 2 5 m
v( 5−10sec) = = = = = 1.0
Δt t10 − t 5 10 − 5 5 s (again, an average velocity)

Velocity at 6 seconds, at 7 seconds, at 9.85342 seconds are all equal to 1.0 m/s. All are at a specific point in time and
therefore instantaneous velocities. Note: It’s the slope of the line, which we have shown to be velocity.

Δx x17 − x0 7 − 2 5 m
v( 0−17sec) = = = = = 0.29412 ≈ 0.29
Δt t17 − t 0 17 − 0 17 s

0020 Lecture Notes - Understanding Instantaneous and Average Velocity using a Graph.docx page 1 of 1
 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:
Graphical UAM Example Problem

Example Problem: Assuming an initial position of zero, complete the empty graphs. (assume 2 sig figs)
(please note: in the problem, only the velocity versus time graph was given, the other two were blank)

10.0# We know the acceleration is constant (and this is a graph of

Position'(m)'

9.0# Uniformly Accelerated Motion) because the slope of the

8.0# velocity vs. time graph is constant and the slope of a velocity
7.0# vs. time graph is acceleration.
6.0#
5.0#
4.0# Δv v f − vi
3.0# a= = ⇒ aΔt = v f − vi ⇒ v f = vi + aΔt
2.0# Δt Δt
1.0#
0.0#
0.0# 1.0# 2.0# 3.0# 4.0# Δv
a=
Δt
Time'(s)' Therefore the equation definition of acceleration:
v f = vi + aΔt
And the UAM equation:

Are equivalent and we can use either to find acceleration.

7.0#
Δv v f − vi 6 − 0
Velcoity'(m/s)'

m
6.0# a= = = = 2.0 2
5.0# Δt t f − ti 3 − 0 s
4.0# Therefore on the acceleration vs. time graph we draw a
2
3.0# horizontal line with a slope of zero at a value of 2.0 m/s .
2.0#
The position as a function of time graph is slightly more
1.0#
complicated. We know:
0.0# - The initial position is zero, because it was stated in the
0.0# 1.0# 2.0# 3.0# 4.0# problem.
Time'(s)' - The slope of the line should increase as time increases
because the velocity increases. In other words, it is an
upward sloping curve.
- The slope of the position vs. time graph starts at zero
because the initial velocity is zero.
2.5# - We can use a UAM equation because the acceleration is
Acceleration'(m/

2.0# constant.
Now we need to pick some times and start determining
1.5# displacements.
s^2)'

1.0#
0.5# Δx =
1
2
( ) 1
( )(
v f − vi Δt = v f − vi t f − ti
2
)
0.0# 1 1
0.0# 1.0# 2.0# 3.0# 4.0# Δx0−1 = ( v1 − v0 ) ( t1 − t 0 ) = ( 2 − 0 ) (1− 0 ) = 1.0m
2 2
Time'(s)' 1 1
Δx0−2 = ( v2 − v0 ) ( t 2 − t 0 ) = ( 4 − 0 ) ( 2 − 0 ) = 4.0m
2 2
1 1
Δx0−3 = ( v3 − v0 ) ( t 3 − t 0 ) = ( 6 − 0 ) ( 3 − 0 ) = 9.0m
2 2
After you determine your displacement, plot the points and then add the upward sloping curve to connect the points.

0021 Lecture Notes - Graphical UAM Example Problem.docx page 1 of 1

 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:
Experimentally Graphing Uniformly Accelerated Motion

In the video a street hockey puck is given

an initial velocity to the left and the
position, velocity and acceleration as a
function of time are experimentally
determined. The black squares are the
experimentally observed data. In the
position and velocity as a function of time
graphs, the blue curve/line is a best-fit
curve/line that best approximates and
interpolates the data.

0101 Lecture Notes - Experimentally Graphing Uniformly Accelerated Motion.docx page 1 of 1

 Harnessing the Power of Spreadsheets in Physics

Tables:
• Use the Correct number of decimal places.
• Each column must have label & units.
• Use the = to harness the power.
• Don’t forget parenthesis when harnessing the power.
• Square is done with ^2
• If you want to put p into an equation use pi()
• You must turn in a data table with every graph.
o Your data table is the background information
for your graph.

Charts: (aka Graphs)

• Use Marked Scatter (only dots, no lines)
• Y vs. X
• Y as a function of X
• Label axis (with units)
• You don’t need a legend
• Make changes to graph with “Add Chart
Element”.

Trendline Line / Curve: (aka Best Fit Line / Curve)

• Is in “Add Chart Element” Menu
• Chose “Linear” or ”Polynomial” of order 2
• Check 2 options:
o Set intercept = 0
o Display equation on chart.
• Move the Equation so it can be read

Palmer 9/21/18
Harnessing the Power of Spreadsheets in Physics.docx 1 of 1
 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:

Derivative Introduction
http://www.flippingphysics.com/derivative.html

The velocity of an object in the x direction is defined as:

In other words, the velocity of an object equals the limit of the

average velocity of an object as the change in time for that
average velocity approaches zero.

On a graph of position as a function of time I have displayed,

in blue, the motion of an object. The red line illustrates the
change in position over change in time of an object or the
object’s average velocity over that change in time. If we
decrease that change in time until it is infinitesimally small, we
get the line in green which represents the instantaneous
velocity of the object at that specific point in time and at that
specific location. This limit is called the derivative and it is
written like this:

dx over dt means: The derivative of x with respect to t or the derivative of position with respect to time.

The definition of the derivative is the rate of change of a function with respect to a variable.
For our purposes, the derivative represents the slope of the tangent line of a curve. As you can see in our
graph, the slope of the blue motion curve at a specific point is represented in green, and the derivative of
the curve at that point is the slope of the green line. When looking at it as the derivative of position as a
function of time, the derivative is instantaneous velocity. Please realize the derivative could also be:

Usually we are interested in the rate of change of a function with respect to time, however, that is not
always the case.
Now let’s look at how to take derivatives. The derivative rule we start with is the derivative of a power

function:

And here is an example using the rule:

Remember the derivative represents the slope of a function. In

other words the slope of the function x(t) = t2 is 2t.

Another example:

0378 Lecture Notes - Derivative Introduction.docxpage 1 of 2

And one more:

Let’s talk about why the derivative of a constant like 3 equals zero. Remember the derivative represents
the slope of the function and a function which has a constant value has a slope of zero.

0378 Lecture Notes - Derivative Introduction.docxpage 2 of 2

 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:

Uniformly Accelerated Motion Equations and the Derivative

http://www.flippingphysics.com/uam-derivative.html

Here are the four Uniformly Accelerated Motion equations we have used so far:

Typically, in a calculus-based class we also use different forms of these equations.

Let’s start with the first equation:

Let’s highlight the differences here starting with t instead of Δt.

•
o In other words, using t instead of Δt assumes the initial time is zero and labels the final
time as just t.
• The, a, for constant acceleration is the same.
• Instead of velocity initial, vi, we have v0 or v “naught”. The “naught” here is the digit zero. It means
the velocity at time zero, hence v “naught”. The word “naught” means zero.
• And just like we use t instead of tf, we have v instead of vf.

The second equation is:

• Acceleration, a, is again the same.
• We have the same differences: v0 instead of vi, t instead of Δt.
• And now we have x0 instead of xi and x instead of xf.

The third and fourth equations are: &

The fourth equation is not on the equation sheet provided by The CollegeBoard, however, you are welcome
to use it.

Let’s see what happens when we take the derivative of the second equation with respect to time:

Taking the derivative of the second uniformly accelerated motion equation with respect to time gives us the
first UAM equation. This is why we have these new expressions for the uniformly accelerated motion
equations. Note: This equation tells the instantaneous velocity of an object equals the velocity of the object
at time zero plus the acceleration of the object times the time at which the instantaneous velocity occurs.

Using calculus, we begin to see relationships form between equations which, using only algebra, were more
difficult to see before. When we get to integrals, we will be able to derive all of the UAM equations starting
with the definition of acceleration.

0379 Lecture Notes - Uniformly Accelerated Motion Equations and the Derivative.docx page 1 of 1
 Flipping Physics Lecture Notes:

Demonstration of Position, Velocity and Acceleration using the Derivative

http://www.flippingphysics.com/position-velocity-acceleration-derivative.html

The position as a function of time of an object is given by the equation

. Determine the object’s …
a) Initial position.
b) Velocity function.
c) Acceleration function.
d) Position at 1.50 seconds.
e) Velocity at 1.50 seconds.
f) Acceleration at 1.50 seconds.

a)

b)

c)
This object is in uniformly accelerated motion with a constant acceleration of -1.38 m/s2.

A quick detour to show we should have known that from the position equation. Let’s determine the
acceleration of this position equation:

Notice this acceleration is not constant, therefore this is not uniformly accelerated motion.
If the position equation has an exponent larger than 2, it is not uniformly accelerated motion.
Therefore, we know from the original position equation that the object is in uniformly accelerated motion
because the highest exponent is a 2.

Acceleration is also the second derivative of position as a function of time:

The velocity equation is one of the uniformly accelerated motion equations:

Velocity initial equals 1.27 m/s and acceleration equals -1.38 m/s2.

The position equation is also one of the uniformly accelerated motion equations:
Initial position equals 1.20 m, initial velocity equals 1.27 m/s, and 1/2a = -0.689 so a equals -1.38 m/s2.

d)

e)

f)

This equation is for a real event. This is an equation for a cart rolling up and then down an incline.

0380 Lecture Notes - Demonstration of Position, Velocity and Acceleration using the Derivative.docx page 1 of 2
Let’s also look at graphs of these equations which describe the motion of the cart on the incline.

You can see everything we just talked about in these graphs:

• Position initial equals 1.20 m.
• Position final after 1.50 seconds equals 1.55 m.
• Initial velocity equals 1.27 m/s.
• Final velocity after 1.50 seconds equals -0.797 m/s.
• Acceleration is constant at -1.38 m/s2.

And lastly, notice the point at with the velocity graph crosses the time axis is the time at which the cart
has its maximum position. When the derivative of a function equals zero, the function has a local
maximum, a local minimum, or a turning point. Let’s solve for that time.

So, at 0.922 seconds, the cart is at its maximum position, which we can calculate:

0380 Lecture Notes - Demonstration of Position, Velocity and Acceleration using the Derivative.docx page 2 of 2