Equations

of
MOTION
Table of contents

About the equations of motion About Issac Newton

01 Introduction of equation
of motion
02 The discoverer of
equation of motion

Equation of motion and its

derivation Quiz and Numericals

03 Derivation of equation of
motion
04 Questions and numericals
with solution
Introduction to Equation of Motion
Equations of Motion are mathematical formula that describes the
position, velocity, or acceleration of a body relative to a given frame of
reference. This equation of motion is a part of kinematics. The basic three
equations of motion was discovered by Sir Issac Newton. He wrote about
them in his book “Principia Mathematica” in 1686 along with the Three
Equation of motion. He wrote that
In the case of uniform acceleration, there are three equations of motion
which are also known as the laws of constant acceleration. Hence, these
equations are used to derive the components like displacement(s), velocity
(initial and final), time(t) and acceleration(a). Therefore they can only be
applied when acceleration is constant and motion is a straight line.
 Sir Issac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton was an English physicist
and mathematician who is widely known
for his incredible contributions to science.
He made great strides in the areas of
mathematics, optics, and physics, and his
work laid the foundation for modern
science. Newton’s laws of motion, his
theories of gravity and calculus, and his
contributions to optics are just a few of the
many accomplishments attributed to him.
Isaac Newton was born in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire, England in 1642. He was
the only son of a prosperous farmer, and his mother remarried when he was three
years old. Newton was educated at King’s School in Grantham, and at the age of
eighteen, he entered Trinity College at the University of Cambridge.
Isaac Newton is known as one of the foremost scientific minds in history. During
the 1660s, he developed the three laws of motion, which laid the foundation for
classical mechanics. He also developed the theory of gravity and formulated the
law of universal gravitation. Newton’s work in optics led to the invention of the
reflecting telescope, and he developed a new branch of mathematics known as
calculus.
Isaac Newton’s contributions to science continue to be felt today. His theories of
motion and gravity are still used to explain the behavior of objects in everyday
life. His work in optics and mathematics laid the groundwork for modern science
and engineering. Newton’s work has been an inspiration to generations of
scientists, and his legacy lives on in our modern world.
Sir Isaac Newton is one of the most influential scientists in history. His work in
mathematics, optics, and physics laid the foundation for modern science and
The First Equation of Motion
The First Equation of Motion also known
as velocity – time relation is
v = u + at
Where:
v is the final velocity
u is the initial velocity
t is the time taken
a is the acceleration of the body
Derivation Of Equation of Motion

I t c a n b e d e r i v e d u s i n g Tw o m e t h o d s :

1 . The FIRST method is Algebraic Method

2. The SECOND method is Graphical Method

 Algebraic Derivation of First Equation of Motion
We know that the acceleration of the body is defined as the rate of
change of velocity.

Therefore, a = so,
this
means, v = u + at
Hence Proved that v = u + at

Where:
v is the final velocity
u is the initial velocity
t is the time taken
a is the acceleration of the body

Note : It is only when the object is moving in Uniform motion

Graphical Derivation of Equations of Motion
Take reference from the graph in slide 12

Here an object starts motion at Point A i.e. 10 m/s

this is the object’s initial velocity (u)
It stops at Point B which is the Final Velocity (v) i.e. 30m/s

Therefore, We can say that final velocity (v) = BC

and Initial velocity (u) = AD

From the graph we can say that BC = BE + CE

Therefore, v = BE + CE
v = BE + AE (since DC = AE)
Graphical Derivation of Equations of Motion
From the graph we can say that BC = BE + CE
Therefore, v = BE + CE
v = BE + AD (since DC = AD
Finally,
v = BD + u (since AD = u) (Equation 1)
Now, since the slope of a velocity-time graph is equal to acceleration a.
So,
a = slope of line AB
a = BE/AE
Since AE = AC = t, the above equation becomes:
BD = at (Equation 2)
Now, combining Equation 1 & 2, the following is obtained:

v = u + at
Speed/Velocity (m/s) Time (s)
10 0
15 7.5
20 10
25 15.8
30 20
The Second Equation of Motion
The Second Equation of Motion also
known as position – time relation is
Where:
v is the final velocity
u is the initial velocity
t is the time taken
a is the acceleration of the body
s is the distance travelled by the body
Derivation Of Equation of Motion

I t c a n b e d e r i v e d u s i n g Tw o m e t h o d s :

1 . The FIRST method is Algebraic Method

2. The SECOND method is Graphical Method

 Algebraic Derivation of Second Equation of Motion
We know that Average velocity = initial velocity + final velocity / 2

Velocity is defined as the rate of change of displacement. This is mathematically

represented as:
Displacement / Time
Rearranging, we get
Displacement=Velocity × Time

Where:
v is the final velocity
u is the initial velocity
t is the time taken
a is the acceleration of the body
s is the distance travelled

Note : It is only when the object is moving in Uniform motion

 Algebraic Derivation of Second Equation of Motion

If the velocity is not constant then in the above equation we can use average
velocity in the place of velocity and rewrite the equation as follows:

Displacement = ( ) x time

If the velocity is not constant then in the above equation we can use average
velocity in the place of velocity and rewrite the equation as follows:

s = ()xt
 Algebraic Derivation of Second Equation of Motion

From the first equation of motion, we know that v = u + at. Putting this value
of v in the above equation, we get

s = {u +(u + at)}/2 x t
or, s = (2u + at)/2 x t
or, s = (2ut + at2)/2

On further simplification, the equation becomes:

s = ut + at2
Graphical Derivation of Equations of Motion
Take reference from the graph in slide 21

Here an object starts motion at Point A i.e. 10 m/s

this is the object’s initial velocity (u)
It stops at Point B which is the Final Velocity (v) i.e. 30m/s

Therefore, We can say that final velocity (v) = BC

and Initial velocity (u) = AD

From the graph we can say that BC = BE + CE

Therefore, v = BE + CE
v = BE + AE (since DC = AE)
Graphical Derivation of Equations of Motion

we can also say that

Distance travelled (s) = Area of figure DABC = Area of

rectangle DAEC + Area of triangle ABE

s = ( x AE x BE) + (AD x CD)

As AD=u and CD=t, the above equation becomes,

s = ( x AE x BE) + (ut)
Graphical Derivation of Equations of Motion

As BE =at (from the graphical derivation of 1st equation

of motion), the equation becomes,

s = x t x at + ut

On further simplification, the equation becomes

s = ut + at2
Speed/Velocity (m/s) Time (s)
10 0
15 7.5
20 10
25 15.8
30 20
 position –– velocity relation

The Third Equation of Motion

The Third Equation of Motion also known
as position – velocity relation is
v 2 =u 2 + 2as
Where:
v is the final velocity
u is the initial velocity
a is the acceleration of the body
s is the distance travelled by the body
Derivation Of Equation of Motion

I t c a n b e d e r i v e d u s i n g Tw o m e t h o d s :

1 . The FIRST method is Algebraic Method

2. The SECOND method is Graphical Method

 Algebraic Derivation of Second Equation of Motion

We know that displacement is the product of average velocity and time.

Mathematically, this can be represented as:

Displacement = ( ) x time

Where:
v is the final velocity
u is the initial velocity
t is the time taken
a is the acceleration of the body
s is the distance travelled

Note : It is only when the object is moving in Uniform motion

 Algebraic Derivation of Second Equation of Motion

Substituting the standard notations, the above equation becomes

s = ()xt

From the first equation of motion, we know that

v = u + at

Rearranging the above formula, we get

t=
 Algebraic Derivation of Second Equation of Motion

Substituting the value of t in the displacement formula, we get

s = ( ) ()

or, s = ( )

or, 2as = v2 – u2

Rearranging, we get

v2 = u2 + 2as
Graphical Derivation of Equations of Motion
Take reference from the graph in slide 30

Here an object starts motion at Point A i.e. 10 m/s

this is the object’s initial velocity (u)
It is last recorded at Point B which is the Final Velocity (v) i.e. 30m/s

Therefore, We can say that final velocity (v) = BC

and Initial velocity (u) = AD

From the graph we can say that BC = BE + CE

Therefore, v = BE + CE
v = BE + AE (since DC = AE)
Graphical Derivation of Equations of Motion

From the graph, we can say that

The total distance travelled, s is given by the Area of trapezium OABC.

Hence,

s = × (Sum of Parallel Sides) × Height

s = x (DA + CB) x DC

Since, DA = u, CB = v, and DC = t
 Graphical Derivation of Equations of Motion

The above equation becomes The above equation can be

written as:
Substituting the value of t
s = x (u + v) x t s = ( ) ()

Now, since t =

Rearranging the equation, we get

s=() v2 = u2 + 2as
Speed/Velocity (m/s) Time (s)
10 0
15 7.5
20 10
25 15.8
30 20
 Real life application of Equations of Motion
Equations of Motion find many applications in the real world. A few of them are
listed below:

1 . We can predict the distance travelled by the body if its initial and final velocities
are known along with its acceleration without even knowing the time for which the
body travelled.

2 . We can predict the time of motion of the body just by knowing its initial and final
velocities along with its acceleration, even without knowing how far the body has
travelled.
 Real life application of Equations of Motion

3. Equations of motion also help us to calculate the initial velocity of the body just
by knowing its final velocity, acceleration and time for which the body travelled.

4. Equations of motion help us to get the value of the final velocity the body will
achieve after the given time if its initial velocity and acceleration are known to us.

Thus, the equations of motion help us to calculate the quantities related to them just
by knowing any three of the quantities in them and therefore help in getting the rest
of the physical quantities.
 Questions and numerical with solution

Question 1: A Body at rest was accelerated, and it traveled for 5 minutes. The
constant acceleration provided to the body was 2 m/sec2. Find the final velocity the
object had before coming to a stop. Also, answer the equation of motion used to find
out the final velocity.

Question 2: A ball is dropped from a certain height. It took the ball 15 seconds to
reach the ground. What is the height at which the ball was initially, also answer
which equation of motion is used to answer this question? [Take g=10m/sec2]
 Questions and numerical with solution

Solution 1: The first equation of motion is the best suitable here to find out the final velocity.
First equation of motion, v=u +at

Initial velocity= 0 m/sec

Time for which object was in motion= 5 minute = 5× 60sec= 300 seconds
The constant acceleration provided to the object= 2 m/sec 2

v= u+ at

v= 0+ 2× 300

v= 600m/sec
 Questions and numerical with solution
Solution 2: The second equation of motion is the best suitable for answering this type of question,

Second equation of motion, S= ut + 1/2(at 2)

The height at which ball is dropped= h

As the ball is dropped, u= 0 m/sec

a=g (acceleration due to gravity), g= 10m/sec 2

h= 0+ 1/2(gt2)

h= 1/2(10× 15×15)

h= 1125meters

The height at which ball was present initially was 1.125kms.

 Questions and numerical with solution

Question 3: What does the statement tells “The Average velocity of a body is equal
to the instantaneous velocity”?

Solution 3: The statement “The average velocity of a body is equal to its

instantaneous velocity” means that there is no variation in the velocity of the object
whatsoever throughout its motion.

Hence, it can be concluded from the statement that the body has a constant velocity.
 Questions and numerical with solution

Question 4: A Car with an initial speed of 1 m/sec was in motion for 10 minutes, and
then it came to a stop, the velocity right before it stopped was 5 m/sec. What was the
constant acceleration of the car?

Question 5: A toy is accidentally dropped by a kid from his roof. The final velocity
of the toy before it reached the ground was 8m/sec. Find the height of the building.

Question 6: A cycle covered 2 km in 8 minutes and the initial velocity of the cycle
was 1 m/sec. Find the acceleration that the cycle had in its motion.
 Questions and numerical with solution
Solution 4: Initial Velocity= 1 m/sec

Final Velocity= 5 m/sec

Time for which the car was in motion = 10 mint

Using First equation of motion,

v = u+ at

5 = 1+ a× (10×60)

a × 600 = 4

a = 4/600

a = 0.0066 m/sec2
 Questions and numerical with solution
Solution 5: Acceleration of the toy is equal to the acceleration due to gravity.

a = g = 9.8m/sec2

Final velocity = 8m/sec

Initial velocity = 0m/sec

Applying Third equation of motion, v 2 = u2+ 2as

82 = 0+ 2×9.8 × S

s = 64/9.8×2

s = 3.26 meters

Hence, the height of the building is 3.26 meters.

 Questions and numerical with solution
Solution 6: Displacement covered= 2km

Total Time Taken = 8minutes= 8× 60= 480 seconds.

Initial Velocity= 1 m/sec

Using Second equation of motion to find the acceleration of the cycle,

Second Equation of motion, S= ut + 1/2(at 2)

2000= 1× 480 + 1/2(a×4802)

2000= 480+ 115200a

1520= 115200a

a= 0.0139m/sec2
That’s All !!!! From Cadet Utkarsh Tripathi
Roll no 5378/CH