Linear Motion

Linear motion is the motion in 1 dimension (1-D) or the motion in a straight line.

Distance

1) The distance traveled by an object is the total length that is traveled by that object.
2) Distance is a scalar quantity.
3) The SI unit of distance is m (metre).

Displacement

1) Displacement of an object from a point of reference, O is the shortest distance of the object from point
O in a specific direction.
2) Displacement is a vector quantity.
3) The SI unit of displacement is m (metre).

Distance vs Displacement

Distance travelled = 200m

Displacement = 120 m, in the direction of Northeast

Speed

1. Speed is the rate of change in distance. It is a measure of how fast the distance change in a movement.
2. Speed is a scalar quantity.
3. The SI unit of speed is m/s (metre per second)
Equation of Speed

Velocity
Velocity is define as the rate of displacement change. It is the measure of how fast the displacement change of
a moving object.
Velocity is a vector quantity.
The unit of displacement is m/s (metre per second)

Equation of velocity

Positive or Negative Sign of Velocity

In velocity, the positive/negative sign indicates direction.
You can take any direction as positive and the opposite as negative.
For a linear motion, normally we take the motion to the right as positive and hence the motion to the left as
negative.
Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate of velocity change.Acceleration is a vector quantity. It is a
measure of how fast the velocity change.
Acceleration is a vector quantity.
The unit of acceleration is ms-2.
Equation
Additional Notes
An object moves with a constant velocity if the magnitude and direction of the motion
is always constant.
An object experiences changes in velocity if
1 the magnitude of velocity changes
2 the direction of the motion changes.
3 An object that experiences changes in velocity is said to have acceleration.
An object traveling with a constant acceleration, a, if the velocity changes at a constant rate.
Equation of Uniform Acceleration
Most of the motion problems can be solved by the following equations. Therefore, make sure that you
memorise all of them.

How we know when to use the equation?

There are 3 types of motion:

1 motion with uniform velocity
2 motion with uniform acceleration
3 motion with changing acceleration
The 4 equations are used when the motion is uniform acceleration.
Displacement - Time Graph

In a Displacement-Time Graph, the gradient of the graph is equal to the

velocity of motion.
Analysing Displacement - Time Graph

Gradient = 0
Hence, velocity = 0

Gradient is constant,
hence, velocity is Uniform

Gradient is negative and constant, hence velocity is uniform and in opposite

direction

Gradient is increasing, hence velocity is increasing.

 Gradient is decreasing, hence velocity is decreasing.

Velocity - Time Graph

The shaded region is the area under the curve. As the shape is a triangle
hence the formula for the area of a triangle should be used.

x
• The gradient of the velocity-time gradient gives a value of the changing rate in velocity, which is the
acceleration of the object.
• The area below the velocity-time graph gives a value of the object's displacement.

Analysing Velocity-Time Graph

Uniform velocity
 Uniform acceleration

Increasing acceleration

Uniform deceleration

Decreasing acceleration

Converting a Velocity-Time graph to Acceleration-Time graph

In order to convert a velocity-time graph to acceleration time graph, we need to find the gradient of the velocity
time graph and plot it in the acceleration-time graph.Free falling is a motion under gravitational force as the
only force acting on the moving object. In SPM, you need to know the graphs of free falling of the following
movement
 1. Launching object upward.
2. Dropping Object from High Place
3. Object Falling and Bounce Back

Launching Object Upward

Velocity-Time Graph Acceleration-Time Graph

Dropping Object from High Place

Velocity-Time Graph Acceleration-Time Graph

Object Falling and Bounce Back

Velocity-Time Graph Acceleration-Time Graph

Mass
Mass is defined as the amount of matter. The SI unit of mass is kilogram (kg)
Mass is a scalar quantity.
Inertia
Inertia is the property of a body that tends to maintain its state of motion.

Newton's First Law

In the absence of external forces, an object at rest remains at rest and an object in motion continues in motion
with a constant velocity (that is, with a constant speed in a straight line).

Jerking a Card

When the cardboard is jerked quickly, the coin will fall into the glass.

Explanation:

• The inertia of the coin resists the change of its initial state, which is stationary.
• As a result, the coin does not move with the cardboard and falls into the glass because of gravity.
• Pulling a Book

When the book is pulled out, the books on top will fall downwards.

Explanation:

• Inertia tries to oppose the change to the stationary situation, that is, when the book is pulled out, the
books on top do not follow suit.
Pulling a Thread

1. Pull slowly - Thread A will snap.

Explanation:

• Tension of thread A is higher than string B.

• Tension at A = Weight of the load + Pulling Force
• 2. Yank quickly - Thread B will snap.

Explanation:

• The inertia of the load prevents the force from being transmitted to thread A, hence causing thread B to
snap.
• Larger Mass - Greater Inertia

Bucket filled with sand is more difficult to be moved. It's also more difficult to be stopped from
swinging.

Explanation:

• Object with more mass offers a greater resistance to change from its state of motion.
• Object with larger mass has larger inertia to resist the attempt to change the state of motion.
Empty cart is easier to be moved

An empty cart is easier to be moved compare with a cart full with load. This is because a cart with larger mass
has larger inertia to resist the attempt to change the state of motion.

Momentum
Momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity.
Momentum is a vector quantity. It has both magnitude and direction.
The SI unit of momentum is kgms-1

Formula:

Example 1
A student releases a ball with mass of 2 kg from a height of 5 m from the ground. What would be the
momentum of the ball just before it hits the ground?

Answer:

In order to find the momentum, we need to know the mass and the velocity of the ball right before it hits the
ground.
It's given that the mass, m = 2kg.
The velocity is not given directly. However, we can determine the velocity, v, by using the linear equation of
uniform acceleration.
This is a free falling motion,
The initial velocity, u = 0
The acceleration, a = gravirational acceleration, g = 10ms-2
The dispacement, s = high = 50m.
The final velocity = ?
From the equation
v2 = u2 + 2as
v2 = (0)2 + 2(10)(5)
v = 10ms-1
The momentum,
p = mv =(2)(10) = 20 kgms-1
Force

1. A force is push or pull exerted on an object.

2. Force is a vector quantity that has magnitude and direction.
3. The unit of force is Newton ( or kgms-2).

Unbalanced Force/ Resultant Force

When the forces acting on an object are not balanced, there must be a net force acting on it. The net force is
known as the unbalanced force or the resultant force.
When a force acts on an object, the effect can change the

1. size,
2. shape,
3. stationary state,
4. speed and
5. direction of the object.

Newton's Second Law

The rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the resultant force acting on the body and
is in the same direction.
Implication:
When there is resultant force acting on an object, the object will accelerate (moving faster, moving slower or
change direction).

Formula of Force

From Newton's Second Law, we can derived the equation

(IMPORTANT: F Must be the net force)

Summary of Newton's 1st Law and 2nd Law

Newton's First Law:

When there is no net force acting on an object, the object is either stationary or move with constant speed in a
straight line.

Newton's Second Law:

When there is a net force acting on an object, the object will accelerate.

Example 1
A box of mass 150kg is placed on a horizontal floor with a smooth surface; find the acceleration of the box
when a 300N force is acting on the box horizontally.

Answer:
F = ma
(300) = (150)a
a = 2 ms-2

Example 2
A object of mass 50kg is placed on a horizontal floor with a smooth surface. If the velocity of the object
changes from stationary to 25.0 m/s in 5 seconds when is acted by a force, find the magnitude of the force that
is acting?
Answer:
We know that we can find the magnitude of a force by using the formula F = ma. The mass m is already given
in the question, but the acceleration is not give directly.
We can determine the acceleration from the formula .From the formula
F = ma = (50)(5) = 250N
The force acting on the box is 250N.

Impulse
Impulse is defined as the product of the force (F) acting on an object and the time of action (t). Impulse exerted
on an object is equal to the momentum change of the object. Impulse is a vector quantity.

Formula of impulse
Impulse is the product of force and time.
Impulse = F × t
Impulse = momentum change
Impulse = mv – mu

Impulsive Force
Impulsive force is defined as the rate of change of momentum in a reaction.
It is a force which acts on an object for a very short interval during a collision or explosion.

Effects of impulse vs Force

• A force determines the acceleration (rate of velocity change) of an object. A greater force produces a
higher acceleration.
• An impulse determines the velocity change of an object. A greater impulse yield a higher velocity
change.

Examples Involving Impulsive Force

• Playing football
• Playing badminton
• Playing tennis
• Playing golf
• Playing baseball
Long Jump

1. The long jump pit is filled with sand to increase the reaction time when atlete land on it.
2. This is to reduce the impulsive force acts on the leg of the atlete because impulsive force is inversely
proportional to the reaction time.

High Jump

(This image is licenced under the GNU Free Document Licence. The original file is from the Wikipedia.org.)

• During a high jump, a high jumper will land on a thick, soft mattress after the jump.
• This is to increase the reaction time and hence reduces the impulsive force acting on the high jumper.

Jumping
A jumper bends his/her leg during landing. This is to increase the reaction time and hence reduce the impact of
impulsive force acting on the leg of the jumper.

Crumble Zone
The crumple zone increases the reaction time of collision during an accident.
This causes the impulsive force to be reduced and hence reduces the risk of injuries.
Seat Belt

Prevent the driver and passengers from being flung forward or thrown out of the car during an emergency
break.

Airbag

The inflated airbag during an accident acts as a cushion to lessen the impact when the driver flings forward
hitting the steering wheel or dashboard.

Head Rest
Reduce neck injury when driver and passengers are thrown backwards when the car is banged from backward.

Windscreen
Shatter-proof glass is used so that it will not break into small pieces when broken. This may reduce injuries
caused by scattered glass.

Padded Dashboard
Cover with soft material. This may increases the reaction time and hence reduce the impulsive force when
passenger knocking on it in accident.

Collapsible Steering Columns

The steering will swing away from driver’s chest during collision. This may reduce the impulsive force acting
on the driver.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

Prevent the wheels from locking when brake applied suddenly by adjusting the pressure of the brake fluid. This
can prevents the car from skidding.
Bumper
Made of elastic material so that it can increases the reaction time and hence reduces the impulsive force caused
by collision.

Passenger Safety Cell

The body of the car is made from strong, rigid stell cage.
This may prevent the car from collapsing on the passengers during a car crash.

Gravitational Field

A gravitational field as a region in which an object experiences a force due to gravitational attraction.

Gravitational Field Strength

The gravitational field strength at a point in the gravitational field is the gravitational force acting on a mass of 1
kg placed at that point.
The unit of gravitational field strength is N/kg.
The gravitational field strength is denoted by the symbol "g".

Gravitational Field Strength Formula

Gravitational Acceleration
The gravitational acceleration is the acceleration of an object due to the pull of the gravitational force.
The unit of gravitational acceleration is ms-2
Gravitational acceleratio is also denoted by the symbol "g".
Symbol: g

Important notes:

• Gravitational acceleration does not depend on the mass of the moving object.
• The magnitude of gravitational acceleration is taken to be 10ms-2.
•

Gravitational Field Strength vs. Gravitational Acceleration

• Both the gravitational field strength and gravitational acceleration have the symbol, g and the same
value (10ms-2) on the surface of the earth.
• When considering a body falling freely, the g is the gravitational acceleration.
• When considering objects at rest, g is the Earth’s gravitational field strength acting on it.

Weight

The weight of an object is defined as the gravitational force acting on the object.
The SI unit of weight is Newton (N)

Differences between Weight and Mass

Weight Mass
Depends on the gravitational field strength Independent from the gravitational field strength
Vector quantity Scalar Quantity
Unit Newton (N) Unit: Kilogram (kg)

Free Falling

1. Free falling is a motion under force of gravity as the only force acting on the moving object.
2. Practically, free falling can only take place in vacuum.

Gravitational Acceleration

1. The gravitational acceleration is the acceleration of an object due to the pull of the gravitational force. It
has the unit of ms-2
2. The symbol of gravitational acceleration is " g ".
3. Gravitational acceleration does not depend on the mass of the moving object.
4. The magnitude of gravitational acceleration is taken to be 10ms-2.

Gravitational Field Strength vs. Gravitational Acceleration

1. Both the gravitational field strength and gravitational acceleration have the symbol, g and the same
value (10ms-2) on the surface of the earth.
2. When considering a body falling freely, the g is the gravitational acceleration.
3. When considering objects at rest, g is the Earth’s gravitational field strength acting on it.

Vector and Scalar Quantity

A scalar quantity is a quantity which can be fully described by magnitude only.

A vector quantity is a quantity which is fully described by both magnitude and direction.

Vector Diagram

The arrow shows the direction of the vector.

The length representing the magnitude of the vector.

Equal Vector

Two vectors A and B may be defined to be equal if they have the same magnitude and point in the same
direction.
Case of Free Falling 1 - Falling from High Place

When an object is released from a high place,

1. its initial velocity, u = 0.

2. its acceleration is equal to the gravitational acceleration, g, which taken to be 10ms-2 in SPM.
3. the displacement is the of the object when it reaches the ground is equal to the initial height of the
object, h.

Case of Free Falling 2 - Launching Object Upward

If an object is launched up vertically,

1. the acceleration = -g (-10ms-2)

2. the velocity become zero when the object reaches the highest point.
3. the displacement of the object at highest point is equal to the vertical height of object, h
4. the time taken for the object to move to the maximum height = the time taken for the object to fall from
the maximum point to its initial position.
Vector Addition - Triangle Method

Join the tail of the 2nd vector to the head of the 1st vector. Normally the resultant vector is marked with double
arrow.

Vector Addition - Parallelogram Method

Join the tail of the 2nd vector to the tail of the 1st vector. Normally the resultant vector is marked with double
arrow.

Addition of 2 Perpendicular Vectors

If 2 vectors (a and b) are perpendicular to each others, the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector can be
determined by the following equation.

Example 2

Diagram above shows that four forces of magnitude 2N, 4N, 5N and 8N are acting on point O. All the forces are
perpendicular to each others. What is the magnitude of the resulatant force that acts on point O?

Answer:
The resultant force of the horizntal component = 5 - 2 = 3N to the right
The resultant force of the vertical component = 8 - 4 = 4N acting downward.
Therefore, the magtitude of these 2 force components,

Vector Resolution

A vector can be resolve into 2 component which is perpendicular to each others.

Example 1
Diagram above shows a lorry pulling a log with an iron cable. If the tension of the cable is 3000N and the
friction between the log and the ground is 500N, find the horizontal force that acting on the log.
Answer:
Horizontal component of the tension = 3000 cos30o =2598N
Friction = 500N
Resultant horizontal force = 2598N - 500N =2098N

Example 2

Diagram above shows two forces of magnitude 25N are acting on an object of mass 2kg. Find the acceleration
of object P, in ms-2.
Answer:
Horizontal component of the forces = 25cos45o + 25cos45o = 35.36N
Vertical component of the forces = 25sin45o - 25sin45o = 0N
The acceleration of the object can be determined by the equation
F = ma
(35.36) = (2)a
a = 17.68 ms-2

Inclined Plane

Weight component along the plane = Wsinθ.

Weight component perpendicular to the plane = Wcosθ.

Example 3

A block of mass 2 kg is pulling along a plane by a 20N force as shown in diagram above. Given that the fiction
between block and the plane is 2N, find the magnitude of the resultant force parallel to the plane.
Answer:

First of all, let's examine all the forces or component of forces acting along the plane.
The force pulling the block, F = 20N
The frictional force Ffric = 2N
The weight component along the plane = 20sin30o = 10N
The resultant force along the plane = 20 - 2 - 10 = 8N
Vectors in Equilibrium

When 3 vectors are in equilibrium, the resultant vector = 0. After joining all the vectors tail to head, the head of
the last vector will join to the tail of the first vector.

Forces in equilibrium

Forces are in equilibrium means the resultant force in all directions are zero.
When the forces acting on an object are balanced, they cancel each other out. The net force is zero.

Effect :

• an object at rest is continuely at rest [ velocity = 0]

• a moving object will move at constant velocity [ a = 0]
Example 1

Diagram above shows a load of mass 500g is hung on a string C, which is tied to 2 other strings A and B. Find
the tension of string A.

Answer:

Tension of string C, TC = weight of the load = 5N

All forces in the system are in equilibrium, hence

Vertical component of tension A (TA) = TC

TAcos60o = TC
TA = TC/cos60o
TA = 5/cos60o = 10N

Work

1. Work done by a constant force is given by the product of the force and the distance moved in the
direction of the force.
2. The unit of Nm(Newton metre) or J(Joule).
 3. Work is a scalar quantity.

Equation of Work

When the direction of force and motion are same, θ = 0o, therefore cosθ = 1Work done,

W=F×s

Example 1

A force of 50 N acts on the block at the angle shown in the diagram. The block moves a horizontal distance of
3.0 m. Calculate the work being done by the force.

Answer:

Work done,
W = F × s × cos θ
W = 50 × 3.0 × cos30o = 129.9J

Example 2

Diagram above shows a 10N force is pulling a metal. The friction between the block and the floor is 5N. If the
distance travelled by the metal block is 2m, find

a. the work done by the pulling force

 b. the work done by the frictional force

Asnwer:

(a) The force is in the same direction of the motion. Work done by the pulling force,

W = F × s = (10)(2) = 20J

(b) The force is not in the same direction of motion, work done by the frictional force

W = F × s × cos180o= (5)(2)(-1) = -10J

Work Done Against the Force of Gravity

Example 3
Ranjit runs up a staircase of 35 steps. Each steps is 15cm in height. Given that Ranjit's mass is 45kg, find the
work done by Ranjit to reach the top of the staircase.

Answer:

In this case, Ranjit does work to overcome the gravity.

Ranjit's mass = 45kg
Vertical height of the motion, h = 35 × 0.15
Gravitational field strength, g = 10 ms-2
Work done, W = ?

W = mgh = (45)(10)(35 × 0.15) = 2362.5J

Finding Work from Force-Displacement Graph

 In a Force-Displacement graph, work done is equal to the area
in between the graph and the horizontal axis.

Example 4

The graph above shows the force acting on a trolley of 5 kg mass over a distance of 10 m. Find the work done
by the force to move the trolley.

Answer:In a Force-Displacement graph, work done is equal to the area below the graph. Therefore, work done

Energy
Energy is defined as the capacity to do work. Work is done when energy is converted from
one form to another.
Nm or Joule(J)

Gravitational Potential Energy

Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object as the result of its
vertical position (i.e., height).

Formula:
Example 1
A ball of 1kg mass is droppped from a height of 4m. What is the maximum kinetic energy
possessed by the ball before it reached the ground?

Answer
According to the principle of conservation of energy, the amount of potential energy
losses is equal to the amount of kinetic energy gain.

Maximum kinetic energy

= Maximum potentila energy losses
= mgh = (1)(10)(4) = 40J

Elastic Potential Energy

Elastic potential energy is the energy stored in elastic materials as the result of their
stretching or compressing.

Formula:

Example 2

Diagram above shows a spring with a load of mass 0.5kg. The extention of the spring is
6cm, find the energy stored in the spring.
Answer:
The energy stored in the spring is the elestic potential energy.

Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion.

Equation of Kinetic Energy

Example 1

Relationship between Energy and Work Done

During a conversing of energy,
Amount of Work Done = Amount of Energy Converted

Example
A trolley of 5 kg mass moving against friction of 5 N. Its velocity at A is 4ms-1 and it stops at B after 4
seconds. What is the work done to overcome the friction?
Answer:
In this case, kinetic energy is converted into heat energy due to the friction. The work done to overcome the
friction is equal to the amount of kinetic energy converted into heat energy, hence

Power
Power is the rate at which work is done, which means how fast a work is done.

Formula:

Example 1
An electric motor takes 20 s to lift a box of mass 20kg to a height of 1.5 m. Find the amount of work done by
the machine and hence find the power of the electric motor.
Answer:
Work done,
W = mgh = (20)(10)(1.5) = 300J

Efficiency
The efficiency of a device is defined as the percentage of the energy input that is transformed into useful
energy.

Example
In the example above, the input power is 100J/s, the desire output power (useful energy) is only 75J/s, the
remaining power is lost as undisire output. Therefore, the efficiency of this machine is

75/100 x 100% = 75%

Air Conditioner

1. Switch off the air conditioner when not in use.

2. Buy the air conditioner with suitable capacity according to the room size.
3. Close all the doors and windows of the room to avoid the cool air in the room from flowing out.

Refrigerator

1. Always remember to close the door of refrigerator.

2. Open the refrigerator only when necessarily.
3. Always keep the cooling coil clean.
4. Defrost the refrigerator regularly.
5. Choose the refrigerator with capacity suitable for the family size.
6. Refrigerator of large capacity is more efficient compare with refirgerator of small capacity.

Lamp or Light Bulb

1. Use fluorecent bulb rather than incandescent bulb. Fluorescent bulbs are much more efficient than
incandescent bulbs.
2. Use a lamp with reflector so that more light is directed towards thr desirable place.

Washing Machine

1. Use front-loading washing machine rather than top-loading wahing machine because it uses less water
and electricity.
2. Use washing machine only when you have sufficient clothes to be washed. Try to avoid washing small
amount of clothes.

Elasticity
Elasticity is the ability of a sub-stance to recover its original shape and size after distortion.
Forces Between Atoms

The intermolecular forces consist of an attractive force and a repulsive force.

• At the equilibrium distance d, the attractive force equal to the repulsive force.
• If the 2 atoms are brought closer, the repulsive force will dominate, produces a net repulsive force
between the atoms.
• If the 2 atoms are brought furhter, the attractive force will dominate, produces a net attractive force
between the atoms.

Graph of Forces Between 2 atoms

x0 = Equilibrium Distance

When the particles are compressed, x < x0, the attractive force between the particles increases.
If the distance x exceeds the elastic limit, the attractive force will decreases.

Hooke's Law
Hooke's Law states that if a spring is not stretched beyond its elastic limit, the force that acts on it is directly
proportional to the extension of the spring.

Elastic Limit
The elastic limit of a spring is defined as the maximum force that can be applied to a spring such that the spring
will be able to be restored to its original length when the force is removed.

Equation derived from Hooke's Law

From Hook's Law, we can derived that

Spring Constant

Spring constant is defined as the ratio of the force applied on a spring to the extension of the spring.
It is a measure of the stiffness of a spring or elastic object.

Graph of Streching Force - Extension

Gradient = Spring constant

Area below the graph = Work done

F-x graph and spring constant

The higher the gradient, the greater the spring constant and the harder (stiffer) spring.
For example, the stiffness of spring A is greater than spring B.

Spring

Arrangement in series: Arrangement in parallel:

Extension = x × number of spring Extension = x ÷ number of spring
Stiffness decreases Stiffness increases
Spring constant = k/number of spring Spring constant = k × number of spring

Factors Affecting the Stiffness of Spring

Stiffer Less stiff

Material type of spring
(A steel spring is stiffer than a copper spring)

Diameter of wire of spring

(The greater the diameter of the wire, the stiffer the spring)

Diameter of the spring

(The smaller the diameter of spring, the stiffer the spring)

Length of the string

(Shorter spring is stiffer)