VELOCITY TIME GRAPHS (A/L Combined Mathematics)

1. A particle P is projected vertically upwards from O with velocity u under gravity. After time

( 2ug )

, another particle Q is

projected vertically upwards from O with velocity v (>u). Let A be the highest point that the particle P reaches. The particles P and
Q meet at A. Draw the velocity-time graphs for the complete motion of P and Q, in the same diagram.
Using these velocity time graphs show that,

u2
(i) OA = 2 g
(ii) v =

5u
4

and the velocity of Q at A is

3u
4 .

(iii) When Q reaches its maximum height, the height of P from O is

7 u2
32 g

( )

(2012-Aug)
2. Brakes are applied producing a uniform retardation f ms-2, when a train is travelling at a speed of 108kmh-1. When the speed has
been reduced to 54kmh-1 the train starts travelling uniformly at this speed for a certain distance. It then travels with uniform
acceleration

f
3

ms-2 until a speed of 108 kmh-1 is again reached. The time taken and distance travelled, from the instant the

brakes are applied to the instant when the speed again reaches 108 kmh-1, are 6 minutes and 7.5 km respectively.
Draw the speed-time graph for the motion of the train and hence, calculate
(i)
the value of f.
(ii) the distance travelled with uniform speed.
(iii) the time lost due to the reduction of speed.
(2011-Aug Old)
3. A particle P of mass M is projected at time t=0, vertically upwards under gravity with velocity u from a point on the ground. Three
particles P1, P2 and P3, each of very small mass m(<<M), are projected from the particle P horizontally in the same sense with
velocities 2v, 3v and 6v relative to the particle P at the times t=

u
2g

, t=

u
g

and t=

3u
2g

respectively.

Draw the velocity time graph for the velocity of the particle P. Show that the velocity time graphs for each of the vertical
components of the velocities of the particles P1,P2 and P3 coincide with portions of the velocity- time graph of the particle P and
identify these portions.
In a separate diagram, draw the velocity-time graphs for each of the horizontal components of the velocities of the particles P1, P2
and P3. Using the velocity-time graphs, show that
(i) the four particles reach the ground at the same time t=

u
2g .

(ii) the three particles P1, P2 and P3 fall on the ground at the same position.
(2010-Aug)
4. A balloon is rising with constant velocity U, relative to the earth. At time t=0, a particle P is projected from the balloon, vertically
upwards, with velocity V relative to the balloon. At time t=t1 another particle Q is projected from the balloon, vertically upwards,
also with velocity V relative to the balloon. The two particles P and Q meet at time t=t2. Sketch the velocity time graphs, separately,
for the motion of
(i) P, relative to balloon, during the interval 0tt1.
And (ii) Q relative to P, during the interval t1tt2.

Hence, or otherwise, show that t2=

v
g

1
2

t1.

Show further that the velocities of Q and P when the two particles meet are U

1
2

gt1, respectively.

(2009-Aug)
5. A train normally runs in a straight track at a uniform velocity V kmh-1. Due to a repair ahead in the track, it slows down to a
velocity U kmh-1, at a uniform retardation over a distance d km. Next, the train moves with uniform velocity U over a distance 2d
km of the track under repair. Then moving with uniform acceleration over a distance 3d km, it regains the velocity V.
Sketch the velocity-time graph for the motion of the train.

2 d ( V U )(V + 3U )
UV (U +V )

Show that the time lost due to the track repair, as compared with normal running of the train is
(2008-Aug)

hours.
(P.T.O.)

6. A train starting from rest moves in a straight track with uniform acceleration

1
3

ms-2 and acquires a velocity V ms-1. Then it

moves with uniform velocity V for a certain interval of time. Finally, the train moves with uniform retardation 1 ms-1, and comes to
rest. The total time taken is one minute and the total distance travelled is 432 metres. Sketch the velocity-time graph for the motion
of the train, and find the value of V.
Hence, show that the distance travelled in the three stages of motion are in the ratio 3:2:1.
(2007-Aug)
7. A man on a straight road sees a bus that starts from rest and accelerates uniformly, a few distance ahead of him. At once he runs
towards the bus with uniform velocity U and get into the bus safely in time T. Draw velocity-time graphs for the bus and man on the
same diagram.
Find the acceleration of the bus and the initial distance between the man and bus stop, in terms of U and T.
(2006-Apr)
8. At t=0, a particle A, is released from rest and falls vertically downwards under gravity from a height h. At the same time a particle B
is projected vertically upwards with the velocity u. Draw the velocity-time graph for each particle on the same diagram.
Using the velocity-time graph, show that the particles are in the same height at the time,

h
u

(2005- Apr)
9. A particle projected horizontally, from a height h above the ground with the velocity

gT moves under gravity. Where T is a

constant. Draw separate velocity-time graphs for the horizontal and vertical components of the velocities of the particle.
If the particle is

3
2

gt2 distance away from the point of projection, when it falls on the ground, using the velocity-time graphs,

show that the time taken to land the particle is T and h=

1
2
2 gT .

(2004-Apr)
10.A particle is projected vertically upwards from a point O on the ground with velocity U, returns to O in time T moving only under
the gravity. Sketch a velocity-time graph for the above motion. Show that,

(i) the time taken for the upwards motion and downwards motion are same, and equals to

1
(ii) the maximum height of the particle reaches, is 2

u
g

u
g .

(iii) If the particle is in the same height at times t1 and t2, show that t1+t2=T.
(2003-Apr)
11. A moving train applies brake at t=0 and moves under uniform retardation. The displacements at t=20s and t=50s from the point at
which brakes applied are 750m and 1500m respectively.
Sketch a velocity-time graph for motion till the train comes to rest and find,
(i) the retardation of the train.
(ii) the velocity of the train at t=50.
(iii) the value of t when the train comes to rest.
(2002-Apr)
12.A parked Police-car observes a van passing it with a constant velocity 72kmh -1. After 10s, the Police-car follows the van with
uniform acceleration f ms-2, reaching the maximum velocity 90kmh-1, in 200m.Subsequently it maintains its maximum speed until
the van is overtaken. Draw the velocity-time graphs for the two vehicles in the same diagram.
Evaluate the acceleration of the Police car ,f in the first 200m and the total time taken to overtake the van from their first meeting.
(2001-Aug)
13. A train of length 100m starts from rest from the station A and accelerates uniformly. Later it takes 10s to pass a signal post. When
the tail of the train passes the signal post, it travels with the velocity 11ms-1. Draw a velocity time graph for the motion of the train.
Using the graph or otherwise,
(i). Find the velocity and time when the front of the train passes the signal post B.
(ii). Finding the acceleration of the train, show that the total distance travelled by the train is 302.5, when its back is at B.
(2000-Aug)

W.M.J.P.Wanigasekera (B.Sc./PG Dip/M.Sc.)