CHAPTER 2.

0 : FORCES & MOTION I

Subtopics : 2.1 Linear Motion

2.2 Graph of Linear Motion
2.3 Free Falling Motion
2.4 Inertia
2.5 Momentum
2.6 Forces
2.7 Impulse & Impulsive Force
2.8 Weight

Newtonian Mechanics
• Newtonian or classical mechanics is a branch of physics that involve
forces that acting on matter, bring together by Sir Isaac Newton.
• This theme is purposely to introduce kinematics and dynamics
mechanics, which relate to motion. Focus are given to the factors that
alter the condition of motion of an object, involving Newton’s Law of
Motion, Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation and Kepler’s Law.
• Mechanics – branch of physics dealing to the study of motion.
• Kinematics – branch of mechanics concerned with the motion of the
object without reference to the forces which causes the motion.
• Dynamics – branch of mechanics concerned with motion of object under
the action of forces.

2.1 Linear Motion

In this subtopic, you should be able to:

a) Describe the linear motion of the object in state of :

i) stationary
ii) uniform velocity
iii) non-uniform velocity
b) Determine
i) distance and displacement
ii) speed and velocity
iii) acceleration and deceleration
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

c) Solve problem related to linear motion using equations of motion

1 1 2 2
v= u + at= , s s ut + at 2 and v= u + 2as
(u + v )t , =
2 2

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Linear Motion
• Motion is defined as continuous change of position of a body.
If the body moves so that every particle of the body follows a straight
line path, then the motion of the body is said to be linear.

Types of linear motion

• Object moving with uniform /constant

Uniform linear motion velocity or zero acceleration.
• Object can be stationary.
Non-uniform linear • Object moving with variable (changes
motion in) velocity or non-zero acceleration.

Definition, Explanation and Equation.

Scalar quantity Vector quantity

Distance (Jarak) Displacement (Sesaran)
• The length of actual • The shortest distance
Distance
path between two from the initial to the
&
Displacement points. final position.

Unit :
metre,m

Displacement versus distance traveled along a path.

Speed (laju) Velocity (halaju)
• Distance travelled • Displacement
by the object Travelled by the object
Speed divided by divided by the duration
& the duration of of the time interval.
Velocity the time interval. OR
(average OR • Rate of change of
velocity) • Rate of total displacement.
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

distance travelled. • Velocity gives both how

• Speed describes fast and in what
Unit : only how fast an direction the object is
m s−1 object is moving. moving.
Σd ∆s
v= v=
∆t ∆t

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 Acceleration (pecutan)
Acceleration • The rate of change of
velocity.
Unit :
∆v
m s−2 a=
∆t

Deceleration (nyahpecutan)
• The rate of decrease of
Deceleration velocity.
• The object is slowing
Unit : down (negative
m s−2 acceleration).

Extra Explanation for Distance & Displacement

You are running from Point A Distance,

(start) to Point B which is 5 5 km (A to B) + 5 km (B to A)
Situation km away and return to Point = 10 km.
A (finish).
Displacement,
Start/finish +5 km (A to B) + [ − 5 km (B to
A)]
A B = 0 km.
• Assume direction to the
right as positive and
to the left as negative.

Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

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Ticker Tape Diagrams
• A common way of analyzing the motion of objects in physics lab is to
perform a ticker tape analyze.
• A long tape is attached to a moving object and threaded through a
device that place a tick upon the tape at constant intervals of time
(usually using 50 Hz frequency, equal to 0.02 s).
• As the object moves, it drags the tape through the ticker, leaving a trails
of dots.
• The trails of dots provides a record of the object’s motion and therefore
a representation of the object’s motion.

Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

Ticker tape timer

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Ticker Tape Timer
• Ticker tape timer is an instrument used to measure time interval of a
motion of an object.
• Time interval between two consecutive dots on the ticker tape is
call one tick.
1 1
• For 50 Hz operated frequency, one tick is =
t = = 0.02 s .
f 50

1 1
tick tick

• A ticker timer operates using alternating current source.

Ticker Tape & Motion

Assume the direction of the object is from the right to the left.

Diagrams Motion of The Object

• Object moving slowly with
constant speed.
• Acceleration is zero.
• If the object moves slowly,
the dots are close to each
other.
• Object moving fast with
constant speed.
• Acceleration is zero.
• If the object moves quickly,
the dots are farther apart.
• Object moving with
increasing speed.
• Object accelerates.

• Object moving with

decreasing speed.
• Object decelerates.
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

25
Example 1 : Imagine a lorry with a leaking engine that drops oil which drips
at a constant rate. As the lorry travels to the destination, it
leaves a trace of oil on the street. That trace reveals the motion
of the lorry. Describe the motion during each section of the
diagram. Assume the lorry is travelling from left to right.

A B C

Solution

Section Description
• The lorry decelerates from high speed to low
speed until it finally stop. OR
A
• The lorry moving with decreasing speed until
it comes to rest.
B • The lorry remains at rest for a while.
• The lorry accelerates. OR
C
• The lorry travels with increasing speed.

Example 1 : Figure below shows a strip of ticker tape pulled from a moving
trolley. The ticker timer is vibrating at frequency of 50 Hz.
Calculate the speed of the trolley.

15 cm

Solution

Calculation Explanation
Speed, • There are 5 ticks on the strip.
s 15 • For 50 Hz frequency, one tick is
v= = 1 1
t 0.10 t
= = = 0.02 s .
f 50
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

v = 150 cms-1 • Therefore, time interval,

t= 5 × 0.02 s =
0.10 s

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Equations of Motion
• Equations of motion are used to solve problem related to linear motion.
During which, the acceleration of the object remains constant
(unchanged).

Derivation of Equations of Motion

Steps Derivation Equation

From the velocity-time graph,
1 v Rearrange
Gradient = Acceleration v−u
v a=
v−u t
a=
t v = u + at ____ 1
u
t
From the velocity-time graph,
2 v
Area under graph = displacement
v
1 1
= s (u + v )t s= (u + v)t __ 2
2 2
u
t
Subtitutes equation 1 into 2
3 1
s= u + (u + at )  t
2 s = ut +
1 2
at __ 3
1 2
s ut + at 2
=
2

Rearrange equation 1
4 v= u + at becomes v−u =
at

Rearrange equation 2
=s
1
(u + v )t becomes v+u =
2s v2 = u2 + 2as __ 4
2 t
 2s 
Multiply (v − u = at )  v + u = 
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

 t 
becomes v2 − u2 =
2as
2 2
v= u + 2as
where u is initial velocity
v is final velocity
a is acceleration/deceleration
t is time taken/time interval
s is displacement
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 Example 2 : A 800 kg car travels along a straight line with initial velocity of
36 kmh −1 . After travelling for 150 m, the car’s velocity is
72 kmh −1 . Determine the time interval.
Solution

Calculation Explanation
Initial velocity, • Convert velocities to SI Units.
−1 −1
=u 36 = kmh 10 ms 36000 m
=u 36
= kmh −1 = 10 ms−1
Initial velocity, 1 × 60 × 60 s
=v 72 = kmh −1 20 ms−1
Displacement, s = 150 m
72000 m
Time interval, t = ? =v 72
= kmh −1 = 20 ms−1
1 × 60 × 60 s
2 2
From v= u + 2as
• Determine the acceleration of
v2 − u2
a= the car from the data listed.
2s
202 − 102
= = 1 ms−2
2 (150 )
Apply v= u + at
• Another option, use
= 10 + 1 (t )
20
1
t = 10 s s ut + at 2
=
2

2.2 Graph of Linear Motion

In this subtopic, you should be able to:

a) Interpret the linear motion of the graph :

i) displacement-time
ii) velocity-time
iii) acceleration-time
b) Analyze displacement-time graph to determine distance, displacement
and velocity.
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

c) Analyze velocity-time graph to determine distance, displacement,

velocity and acceleration.
d) Interpret and sketch
e) i) displacement-time graph to velocity –time graph and vice-versa.
ii) velocity-time graph to acceleration-time graph and vice-versa.

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Graphs of displacement vs. time
• A displacement-time graph is a graph that is plotted between the
displacement of an object and the time taken by the object to cover such
displacement.
• Gradient of the graph = velocity.

Graphs Explanation

s • For a stationary object, the

displacement-time graph is a
Stationary straight line parallel to the
object time axis.
• The gradient of the line is
zero that indicates the
velocity of the body is zero.
t
• For an object moving with
constant velocity, the
displacement-time graph is a
s straight line inclined at any
(a) angle from the time axis.
Object • If the gradient is more (lebih
moving curam) that means the
velocity of the object is
with (b) more. (a)
constant • If the gradient is less it
velocity t indicated the velocity of the
object is less. (b)
• Because the object moving
with constant velocity, the
acceleration of the object is
zero.

• For an object moving with

non-uniform velocity means
that the displacement of the
Object s body covers in equal of interval
moving of time is increasing.
• The displacement-time graph
with
is a curved line tells that the
non- velocity is increasing.
gradient
uniform • If tangent is drawn at several
velocity points on the graph, what can
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

(increasing) t be observed is as the time

increases the gradient of
the tangent also increases.
• Increasing gradient shows
that the velocity is not
uniform and the motion is
accelerated.

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 • For an object moving with
non-uniform velocity means
that the displacement of the
s object covers in equal of
Object interval of time is decreasing.
moving • The displacement-time graph
is a curved line tells that the
with gradient velocity is decreasing.
non- • If tangent is drawn at several
uniform points on the graph, what can
velocity t be observed is as the time
(decreasing) increases the gradient of
the tangent decreases.
• Decreasing gradient shows
that the velocity is not
uniform and the motion is
retarded (slowing down).

Graphs of velocity vs. time

• For velocity-time graph, the motions of the object are demonstrated by
the shape and the gradient of the lines.
• Area under the graph = displacement.
• Gradient of the graph = acceleration.

Graphs Explanation
v
• An object moving with
constant positive
acceleration and zero
initial velocity.
=t 0,=v 0
t
v
• An object moving with
constant positive
acceleration and non-
zero initial velocity.
=t 0, v ≠ 0
t
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

v
• An object moving with
constant negative
acceleration.
−∆v
t ∆t

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 v

• An object moving with

increasing acceleration.
(non-uniform / exponentially
increase)
t

v • An object moving with

decreasing acceleration.
(non-uniform/ exponentially
decrease)

Graph of acceleration vs. time

• On an acceleration-time graph, the gradient is meaningless.

Graph Explanation

a
• The "y" intercept is equal to the
initial acceleration of the moving
object.
• Whenever there is constant
acceleration it is shown by the
t horizontal line on the graph.
• The graph with zero gradient
(shape of the graph depends means the body is moving with
on velocity-time graph)
constant acceleration.
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

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 Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

32
Displacement-time

Acceleration-time
Velocity-time
t

t
t

Continuing Object At
Zero Rest
Flattening Velocity Less
Curve Negative
Negative Negative
Zero Gradient

Gradient Velocity

Negative acceleration
Comparison of Motion Graphs

Negative gradient
Zero Velocity
Zero Zero
Decreasing Decreasing
Gradient Velocity
Constant Constant Zero Zero
Gradient Velocity gradient Acceleration
Increasing Increasing Positive Positive
Gradient Velocity gradient Acceleration

a
v
s
Example 3 : From the velocity-time graph below, calculate the distance
travelled in each section, A,B and C.
v (m/s)

0 12

t (s)
10 20 30 40

Solution

Section Calculation Explanation

1 • Velocity change from 0 ms−1
s=
A ut + at 2
2 to 5 ms−1 in 10 s.
A 1 2
= 0 + ( 0.5 )(10 ) v−u 5−0
2 =a = = 0.5 m s −2
t 10
s A = 25 m OR OR
1 • Area under the v-t graph for
=sA =
2
(5 )(10 ) 25 m time interval 0 s to 10s.

1 2 • The velocity did not change,

s=
B ut + at
2 stayed at 5 ms−1 for another
B = 5 ( 20 ) 20 s (10 s to 30 s).
s B = 100 m OR • Acceleration is zero. OR
• Area under the v-t graph for
=sA (=
5 )( 20 ) 100 m
time interval 10 s to 30 s.
1 2 • The object accelerated from
s=
C ut + at
2 initial velocity 5 ms−1 to
C 1
= 5 (10 ) + ( 0.7 )(10 )
2
12 ms−1 in 10 s (30 s to 40 s).
2 v − u 12 − 5
= 50 + 35 =a = = 0.7 m s −2
t 10
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

sC = 85 m OR OR
1 • Area under the v-t graph for
sA = (5 + 12 )(10 ) =
85 m
2 time interval 30 s to 40 s.
(area of the trapezoid)

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2.3 Free Falling Motion

In this subtopic, you should be able to:

a) Explain free falling motion and gravitational acceleration with

examples.
b) Solve problems involving gravitational acceleration of the Earth for free
falling object.

Free Falling Motion (Gerakan Jatuh Bebas)

• Free falling motion is a vertical motion of an object with constant
acceleration (gravitational acceleration) only.
• Any object that being acted upon only by the force of gravity is said to
be in state of free-fall.
• Two important motion characteristics about free-falling motion are :
• Free falling object do not encounters air resistance.
• All free falling objects accelerates downwards at a rate of
9.81 m s −2 (often used as 10 m s −2 )
• Because free falling objects are accelerating downwards at constant
rate of 9.81 m s −2 .
• A ticker tape trace of its motion would represent an acceleration.

The fact that the distance that the

object travels is increasing.

Each interval of time indicates that

the object is speeding up as it falls
downwards. Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

Ticker tape for free falling motion

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Acceleration of Gravity / Gravitational Acceleration, g
• A free falling object has a constant acceleration of 9.81 m s −2
downwards.
• There are slight variation in this value depends primarily upon
altitude. The range can be from 9.78 m s −2 to 9.83 m s −2 .
• We occasionally use the approximated value of 10 m s −2 in order to
reduce the complexity of the many mathematical tasks.
• From earlier lesson, acceleration is the rate of which an object changes
its velocity. If g is 9.81 m s −2 , it indicates that to accelerate at 9.81 m s −2
means to change the velocity by 9.81 m s −1 each second.
• If the velocity and time for the free falling object being drop from rest
were recorded, the data would be like this :

t0
t1
Time (s) (
Velocity m s −1 )
t0 = 0 0
t2
t1 = 1 9.81
t3 t2 = 2 19.62
t3 = 3 29.43
t4 t4 = 4 39.24

pngkey.com

• This observation reveals that the velocity of the object is changing by

9.81 m s −1 each consecutive second.
• That means, the free falling object has accelerates of approximately
9.81 m s −2 .

The Misconception
• Would a mammoth free-fall faster than a mouse ?
• Doesn’t more massive object accelerates at a greater rate than a
less massive object ?
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

35
 • The answer for these questions is ABSOLUTELY NOT.
• More massive object only will fall faster if air resistance present.
• The actual explanation of why all objects accelerate at the same rate
involves the concept of mass and force. From Newton’s Second Law,
F
acceleration of the object is directly proportional to mass, a = .
m
• Thus, greater force or more massive object is off-set by the
influence of greater mass. Subsequently, all objects free-fall at the
same rate regardless their mass.

Problem Solving
In this part, the application of linear equations from the previous lesson are
concerned.

Linear
Free Falling Explanation
Motion

v = u + at v = u − gt
In the linear equations, If object is
substitute a = − g dropped/
1 2 1 2 released,
s ut +
= at s ut −
= gt • Negative sign
2 2 indicates the Initial velocity,
direction of the u = 0 m s −1
gravitational
acceleration At maximum
always height,
downwards v = 0 m s −1
2
2
v= u2 + 2as v= u2 − 2 gs (towards the
Earth).
• It is not the
direction of the
object.
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

When involving vector quantities (displacement and velocity) the positive

and negative signs have to be considered before applying in the equations.

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 Diagram Explanation
From point A to B
• Object is • Object moving
thrown 50 m upwards, the
B upwards. displacement and
velocity are positive.
+v -v At point B
• Object • At maximum height,
+s -s
reaches object stops for a while.
50 m

maximum v = 0 m s −1
height.
A C From point B to C
• Object • Object moving
returns to downwards, the
+y original displacement and
position. velocity are negative.
From point A to C
• Displacement, s = +50 m + ( −50 m)
(upwards) (downwards)
s=0 m
Diagram Explanation
From point A to B
• Object is • Object moving
thrown 20 m upwards, the
B upwards displacement
from the roof and velocity are
20 m
A
of a building. positive.
D At point B
Object At maximum height,
50 m

• •
reaches object stops for a while.
30 m

maximum v = 0 m s −1
C height.
From point B to D
• Object • Object moving
returns to downwards, the
original displacement and
position. velocity are negative.
• Displacement, s = +20 m + ( −20 m)
(upwards) (downwards)
s=0 m
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

From point D to C
• Object • Object moving
keeps falling downwards, the
and reaches displacement and
the ground. velocity are negative.
• Displacement, s = −30 m
(downwards)

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Example 4 : A stone is thrown upwards with an initial velocity of 10 m s −1
from the roof of a building. The building is 50 m high. Calculate
a) the maximum height of the stone. (Given g = 10 m s −2 )
b) the time taken for the stone returns to the original level.
c) the time taken for the stone hits the ground if it misses the
edge of the roof.
d) the velocity of the stone just before it hits the ground.

Solution

Diagram Calculation Explanation

a) Maximum height, s = h = 5.0 m
−1
u=10 m s

2
v= u2 − 2 gs (height from the roof)
h
02 (10)2 − 2(10)s
= • For maximum
height, the
s = 5.0 m
measurement is
from the ground.
50 m

Maximum height,
(include the height
H 5.0 + 50
= of the building)
= 55 m
b) Time taken to original
level,
1
s ut − gt 2
= s = +5.0 m + ( −5.0 m)
2 (upwards) (downward
)
1 s=0 m
= 0 (10)t − (10)t 2
2
t = 2.0 s

c) Time taken to hit the s = −50 m

ground, • The stone moving
1 downwards from
s ut − gt 2
=
2 the original level of
1 the roof to hits the
−50= (10)t − (10)t 2
2 ground.
t = 4.4 s
Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I

d) Velocity before hits the OR

ground, 2
v= u2 − 2 gs
v = u − gt
v2 =(10)2 − 2(10)( −50)
v = 10 − 10 ( 4.4 )
v = ±33.7 m s-1
v = −34.0 m s -1

(downwards)
v = −34.0 m s-1
(downwards)

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Chapter 2 : Forces & Motion I