Section 4.

Uniform motion

• Motion graphs for uniform

motion

© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 1

4.3 Uniform motion (SB p. 14)

Uniform motion
a body moves at constant speed along a
straight line
⇒ uniform motion
uniform motion constant velocity
s

Displacement = Velocity × Time taken

s=vt

© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 2

4.3 Uniform motion (SB p. 14)

Motion graphs for uniform motion

Displacement-time graph (s-t graph) and
Velocity-time graph (v-t graph)
s-t graph v-t graph

25

A car travels a displacement

of 25 m in 1 s
© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 3
4.3 Uniform motion (SB p. 14)

Displacement-time graph

slope of s-t Change in displacement

graph = Change in time
∆s
=
∆t
= Velocity(v)

∆s
Velocity =
∆t

= 75 − 25
3 −1
= 25 m s−1
© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 4
4.3 Uniform motion (SB p. 15)

Velocity-time graph
slope of
= velocity = constant
s-t graph

The corresponding
v-t graph is:
25

© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 5

4.3 Uniform motion (SB p. 15)

Motion graphs for uniform motion

At rest
Body at distance (d)
from a reference
point

© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 6

4.3 Uniform motion (SB p. 15)

Motion graphs for uniform motion

Two bodies A and B
at different uniform
velocities, vA > vB

© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 7

4.3 Uniform motion (SB p. 16)

Example 3:
The displacement-time graph of a dog running along a
straight road is shown.

© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 8

4.3 Uniform motion (SB p. 16)

Example 3: (Cont)
(a) Find its velocities from 0 s to 4 s, and from 4 s to 6 s.
Solut
The velocity is the slope of the s-t graph. ion
From 0 s to 4 s,
3 −1
v= = 0.5 m s -1
4
From 4 s to 6 s,
0−3
v= = −1.5 m s -1
6−4

© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 9

4.3 Uniform motion (SB p. 16)

Example 3: (Cont)
(b) Explain the shape of the graph. Solut
ion
(i) At 0 s, the dog is 1 m from the reference position. From 0 s to 4 s,
its displacement increases uniformly with time. The dog runs at a
constant velocity of 0.5 m s−1 for 2 m.
(ii) From 4 s to 6 s, its displacement decreases uniformly with time.
The dog returns and runs at a constant velocity of 1.5 m s−1 for
3 m.
(iii) As the slope of line BC is steeper than the slope of line AB, the
dog runs at a higher speed.

(iv) When the dog returns at B, its direction of motion reverses.

Therefore, the slopes of lines AB and BC are of opposite signs.

© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 10

4.3 Uniform motion (SB p. 16)

Example 3: (Cont)
(c) Draw the corresponding velocity-time graph for the motion.
Solut
ion

© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 11

 To section 4.4

© Manhattan Press (H.K.) Ltd. 12