High School Physics : Linear Motion
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Using Motion Equations
A crate slides across the floor for 
The problem gives us initial velocity, time, and a final velocity (zero as it comes to rest). The formula for acceleration is:
We are given the initial and final velocities and the time. Using these values, we can solve for the acceleration. We should expect it to be negative, since the crate is slowing down.
Example Question #11 : Using Motion Equations
An apple falls from a tree that is 
We are given the initial velocity of the apple (zero because it starts from rest), the acceleration (gravity), and the distance traveled. Using these values and the right motion equation, we can solve for the time that the apple is in the air.
The best equation to solve this problem will be:
Keep in mind that the change in distance is the displacement, a vector. Since the apple is traveling downward, the displacement will be negative.
Using our known values, we can solve for the time.
Example Question #161 : High School Physics
An object starts at rest, and then accelerates at a rate of 
The formula relating velocity and acceleration is:
We are given values for the acceleration and time. We can also conclude that the initial velocity is zero. Using these values, we can solve for the final velocity.
Example Question #161 : High School Physics
A cannonball is fired horizontally from the wall of a castle 25m high with a speed of 
To solve this problem manipulate the motion equation 
Example Question #13 : Using Motion Equations
Peter starts from rest and runs down a hallway in 31 seconds. If his final velocity is 
We can solve this question using the given initial velocity, final velocity, and time.
Example Question #92 : Linear Motion
Leslie rolls a ball out of a window from 10 meters above the ground, such that the initial y-velocity is zero. How long will it be before the ball hits the ground?
We are given the initial velocity, acceleration, and distance traveled. Using the equation below, we can solve for the time.
The distance is negative, which makes since because the ball is traveling downward.
Example Question #1 : Understanding Distance, Velocity, And Acceleration
Derek rolls a ball along a flat surface with an initial velocity of 
We can solve this question by multiplying the average velocity by the time.
We are given the initial and final velocities and the time travelled.
Example Question #94 : Linear Motion
Peter starts from rest and runs down a hallway 31 seconds. If his final velocity is 
Using the given values for the initial velocity, final velocity, and time, we can solve for the distance. The distance will be the product of the average velocity and the time.
Example Question #95 : Linear Motion
Walter throws a disc from 1.5 meters above the ground with purely horizontal motion. If he throws it with an initial velocity of 
The horizontal velocity will determine how far the disc travels; gravity and vertical velocity will not affect the horizontal distance. We can solve by using the distance formula.
Example Question #2 : Understanding Distance, Velocity, And Acceleration
Julia throws a 
If she were throwing a 
It will travel half as far
It will travel 
It will travel twice as far
It will travel 
It will travel the same distance
It will travel the same distance
The equation for horizontal distance travelled during parabolic (projectile) motion is:
The distance is related to the velocity and the flight time only. The mass of the projectile will not affect any of these variables, and therefore will not affect the distance travelled.
We can also analyze this formula in terms of the units and dimensional analysis.
There is no units for mass or 
A change in the mass will not change the distance travelled; the projectile will travel the same distance.
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