Find acceleration from distances/times

A question is this type if and only if the particle travels with constant acceleration through multiple named points or sections, and the task is to find the acceleration (and often initial speed) using given distances and times between those points.

23 questions · Moderate -0.3

3.02d Constant acceleration: SUVAT formulae
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CAIE M1 2020 March Q2
6 marks Moderate -0.5
2 A particle \(P\) of mass 0.4 kg is on a rough horizontal floor. The coefficient of friction between \(P\) and the floor is \(\mu\). A force of magnitude 3 N is applied to \(P\) upwards at an angle \(\alpha\) above the horizontal, where \(\tan \alpha = \frac { 3 } { 4 }\). The particle is initially at rest and accelerates at \(2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
  1. Find the time it takes for \(P\) to travel a distance of 1.44 m from its starting point.
  2. Find \(\mu\).
CAIE M1 2020 March Q4
7 marks Standard +0.3
4 A cyclist travels along a straight road with constant acceleration. He passes through points \(A , B\) and \(C\). The cyclist takes 2 seconds to travel along each of the sections \(A B\) and \(B C\) and passes through \(B\) with speed \(4.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The distance \(A B\) is \(\frac { 4 } { 5 }\) of the distance \(B C\).
  1. Find the acceleration of the cyclist.
  2. Find \(A C\).
CAIE M1 2006 June Q1
4 marks Moderate -0.3
1 A car of mass 1200 kg travels on a horizontal straight road with constant acceleration \(a \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
  1. Given that the car's speed increases from \(10 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) to \(25 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) while travelling a distance of 525 m , find the value of \(a\). The car's engine exerts a constant driving force of 900 N . The resistance to motion of the car is constant and equal to \(R \mathrm {~N}\).
  2. Find \(R\).
CAIE M1 2015 June Q1
4 marks Moderate -0.3
1 One end of a light inextensible string is attached to a block. The string makes an angle of \(60 ^ { \circ }\) above the horizontal and is used to pull the block in a straight line on a horizontal floor with acceleration \(0.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\). The tension in the string is 8 N . The block starts to move with speed \(0.3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). For the first 5 s of the block's motion, find
  1. the distance travelled,
  2. the work done by the tension in the string.
CAIE M1 2017 June Q5
7 marks Moderate -0.3
5 A particle \(P\) moves in a straight line \(A B C D\) with constant deceleration. The velocities of \(P\) at \(A , B\) and \(C\) are \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 } , 12 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and \(6 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) respectively.
  1. Find the ratio of distances \(A B : B C\).
  2. The particle comes to rest at \(D\). Given that the distance \(A D\) is 80 m , find the distance \(B C\).
CAIE M1 2018 June Q4
9 marks Moderate -0.3
4 A particle \(P\) moves in a straight line \(A B C D\) with constant acceleration. The distances \(A B\) and \(B C\) are 100 m and 148 m respectively. The particle takes 4 s to travel from \(A\) to \(B\) and also takes 4 s to travel from \(B\) to \(C\).
  1. Show that the acceleration of \(P\) is \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\) and find the speed of \(P\) at \(A\).
  2. \(P\) reaches \(D\) with a speed of \(61 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). Find the distance \(C D\).
CAIE M1 2005 November Q1
4 marks Moderate -0.3
1 A car travels in a straight line with constant acceleration \(a \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\). It passes the points \(A , B\) and \(C\), in this order, with speeds \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 } , 7 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and \(8 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) respectively. The distances \(A B\) and \(B C\) are \(d _ { 1 } \mathrm {~m}\) and \(d _ { 2 } \mathrm {~m}\) respectively.
  1. Write down an equation connecting
    1. \(d _ { 1 }\) and \(a\),
    2. \(d _ { 2 }\) and \(a\).
    3. Hence find \(d _ { 1 }\) in terms of \(d _ { 2 }\).
CAIE M1 2012 November Q3
6 marks Moderate -0.3
3 A car travels along a straight road with constant acceleration \(a \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\). It passes through points \(A , B\) and \(C\); the time taken from \(A\) to \(B\) and from \(B\) to \(C\) is 5 s in each case. The speed of the car at \(A\) is \(u \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and the distances \(A B\) and \(B C\) are 55 m and 65 m respectively. Find the values of \(a\) and \(u\). [6]
CAIE M1 2017 November Q1
4 marks Moderate -0.3
1 A block of mass 3 kg is initially at rest on a smooth horizontal floor. A force of 12 N , acting at an angle of \(25 ^ { \circ }\) above the horizontal, is applied to the block. Find the distance travelled by the block in the first 5 seconds of its motion.
CAIE M1 2018 November Q1
4 marks Moderate -0.3
1 A particle of mass 0.2 kg moving in a straight line experiences a constant resistance force of 1.5 N . When the particle is moving at speed \(2.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), a constant force of magnitude \(F \mathrm {~N}\) is applied to it in the direction in which it is moving. Given that the speed of the particle 5 seconds later is \(4.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), find the value of \(F\).
CAIE M1 2019 November Q4
6 marks Standard +0.3
4 A car travels along a straight road with constant acceleration. It passes through points \(P , Q , R\) and \(S\). The times taken for the car to travel from \(P\) to \(Q , Q\) to \(R\) and \(R\) to \(S\) are each equal to 10 s . The distance \(Q R\) is 1.5 times the distance \(P Q\). At point \(Q\) the speed of the car is \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Show that the acceleration of the car is \(0.8 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
  2. Find the distance \(Q S\) and hence find the average speed of the car between \(Q\) and \(S\).
Edexcel M1 2006 June Q3
10 marks Moderate -0.8
3. A train moves along a straight track with constant acceleration. Three telegraph poles are set at equal intervals beside the track at points \(A , B\) and \(C\), where \(A B = 50 \mathrm {~m}\) and \(B C = 50 \mathrm {~m}\). The front of the train passes \(A\) with speed \(22.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), and 2 s later it passes \(B\). Find
  1. the acceleration of the train,
  2. the speed of the front of the train when it passes \(C\),
  3. the time that elapses from the instant the front of the train passes \(B\) to the instant it passes \(C\).
Edexcel M1 2014 January Q5
7 marks Moderate -0.3
5. A racing car is moving along a straight horizontal track with constant acceleration. There are three checkpoints, \(P , Q\) and \(R\), on the track, where \(P Q = 48 \mathrm {~m}\) and \(Q R = 200 \mathrm {~m}\). The car takes 3 s to travel from \(P\) to \(Q\) and 5 s to travel from \(Q\) to \(R\). Find
  1. the acceleration of the car,
  2. the speed of the car as it passes \(P\).
Edexcel M1 2023 January Q5
9 marks Moderate -0.3
5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{84c0eead-0a87-4d87-b33d-794a94bb466c-14_117_1393_328_337} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Three points \(P , Q\) and \(R\) are on a horizontal road where \(P Q R\) is a straight line.
The point \(Q\) is between \(P\) and \(R\), with \(P Q = 6 x\) metres and \(Q R = 5 x\) metres, as shown in Figure 2. A vehicle moves along the road from \(P\) to \(Q\) with constant acceleration.
The vehicle is modelled as a particle.
At time \(t = 0\), the vehicle passes \(P\) with speed \(u \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) At time \(t = 12 \mathrm {~s}\), the vehicle passes \(Q\) with speed \(2 u \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) Using the model,
  1. show that \(x = 3 u\) As the vehicle passes \(Q\), the acceleration of the vehicle changes instantaneously to \(1.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\) The vehicle continues to move with a constant acceleration of \(1.5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\) and passes \(R\) with speed \(3 u \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) Using the model,
  2. find the value of \(u\),
  3. find the distance travelled by the vehicle during the first 14 seconds after passing \(P\)
OCR M1 2010 June Q1
8 marks Moderate -0.8
1 A block \(B\) of mass 3 kg moves with deceleration \(1.2 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\) in a straight line on a rough horizontal surface. The initial speed of \(B\) is \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). Calculate
  1. the time for which \(B\) is in motion,
  2. the distance travelled by \(B\) before it comes to rest,
  3. the coefficient of friction between \(B\) and the surface.
OCR MEI M1 Q4
5 marks Standard +0.3
4 Fig. 4 illustrates points \(A , B\) and \(C\) on a straight race track. The distance \(A B\) is 300 m and \(A C\) is 500 m .
A car is travelling along the track with uniform acceleration. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{82f933a6-c17e-4b41-ae2b-3cc9d0ba975c-4_70_1329_397_352} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 4}
\end{figure} Initially the car is at A and travelling in the direction AB with speed \(5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). After 20 s it is at C .
  1. Find the acceleration of the car.
  2. Find the speed of the car at B and how long it takes to travel from A to B .
OCR MEI M1 2009 January Q1
8 marks Easy -1.2
1 A particle is travelling in a straight line. Its velocity \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at time \(t\) seconds is given by $$v = 6 + 4 t \quad \text { for } 0 \leqslant t \leqslant 5$$
  1. Write down the initial velocity of the particle and find the acceleration for \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant 5\).
  2. Write down the velocity of the particle when \(t = 5\). Find the distance travelled in the first 5 seconds. For \(5 \leqslant t \leqslant 15\), the acceleration of the particle is \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
  3. Find the total distance travelled by the particle during the 15 seconds.
OCR MEI M1 2012 June Q4
5 marks Moderate -0.3
4 Fig. 4 illustrates points \(\mathrm { A } , \mathrm { B }\) and C on a straight race track. The distance AB is 300 m and AC is 500 m .
A car is travelling along the track with uniform acceleration. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{076ad371-b029-4d57-aa0f-8a78ed03ccf3-3_65_1324_897_372} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 4}
\end{figure} Initially the car is at A and travelling in the direction AB with speed \(5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). After 20 s it is at C .
  1. Find the acceleration of the car.
  2. Find the speed of the car at B and how long it takes to travel from A to B .
CAIE M1 2024 June Q3
6 marks Standard +0.3
3 A car travels along a straight road with constant acceleration \(a \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\), where \(a > 0\). The car passes through points \(A , B\) and \(C\) in that order. The speed of the car at \(A\) is \(u \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) in the direction \(A B\). The distance \(B C\) is twice the distance \(A B\). The car takes 8 seconds to travel from \(A\) to \(B\) and 10 seconds to travel from \(B\) to \(C\).
  1. Find \(u\) in terms of \(a\).
  2. Find the speed of the car at \(C\) in terms of \(a\).
OCR MEI AS Paper 1 2023 June Q12
8 marks Standard +0.3
12 Points A, B and C lie in a straight line in that order on horizontal ground. A box of mass 5 kg is pushed from A to C by a horizontal force of magnitude 8 N . The box is at rest at A and takes 3 seconds to reach B . The ground is smooth between A and B . Between B and C the ground is rough and the resistance to motion is 28 N . The box comes to rest at C . Determine the distance AC.
OCR MEI M1 Q4
5 marks Moderate -0.3
4 Fig. 4 illustrates points \(\mathrm { A } , \mathrm { B }\) and C on a straight race track. The distance AB is 300 m and AC is 500 m .
A car is travelling along the track with uniform acceleration. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{b9e41fac-9f4b-4165-af03-67ebdcb326de-2_90_1335_982_331} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 4}
\end{figure} Initially the car is at A and travelling in the direction AB with speed \(5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). After 20s it is at C .
  1. Find the acceleration of the car.
  2. Find the speed of the car at B and how long it takes to travel from A to B .
Edexcel AS Paper 2 Specimen Q7
7 marks Standard +0.3
  1. A car is moving along a straight horizontal road with constant acceleration. There are three points \(A , B\) and \(C\), in that order, on the road, where \(A B = 22 \mathrm {~m}\) and \(B C = 104 \mathrm {~m}\). The car takes 2 s to travel from \(A\) to \(B\) and 4 s to travel from \(B\) to \(C\).
Find
  1. the acceleration of the car,
  2. the speed of the car at the instant it passes \(A\).
OCR H240/03 2021 November Q9
3 marks Moderate -0.8
There are three checkpoints, \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\), in that order, on a straight horizontal road. A car travels along the road, in the direction from \(A\) to \(C\), with constant acceleration. The car takes 20 s to travel from \(B\) to \(C\). The speed of the car at \(B\) is 14 m s\(^{-1}\) and the speed of the car at \(C\) is 18 m s\(^{-1}\).
  1. Find the acceleration of the car. [1]
It is given that the distance between \(A\) and \(B\) is 330 m.
  1. Determine the speed of the car at \(A\). [2]