PHYSICS WORD PROBLEMS PRACTICE: MOTION
SECOND TRIMESTER, 2010
Directions: Use the problem solving steps to solve for the word problems below.
1. Calculate the displacement in meters a cyclist would travel in 5.00 h at an
average velocity of 12.0 km/h to the southwest.
V=d/t
d= 12,0 km/h * 5h
The displacement is 60 km SW
d= v*t
= 60 km SW
v= 12,0 km/h SW
t= 5h
2. How much time does it take for a student running at an average speed of 5.00
m/s to cover a distance of 2.00 km?
V=d/t
t= 2000m / 5m/s
The time is 400s.
t= d/v
= 400 s
v= 5m/s
d= 2km→2000m
3. Find the average acceleration of a northbound subway train that slows down
from 12 m/s to 9.6 m/s in 0.8 s.
A= Vf- Vi
t
t= 0,8s
A= 9,6m/s - 12m/s
0,8 s
The acceleration is -3m/s2 N
= -3m/s2
Vi=12m/s
Vf= 9,6m/s
4. Marisa’s car accelerates at an average rate of 2.6 m/s2. Calculate how long it
takes her car to speed up from 24.6 m/s to 26.8 m/s.
A= Vf- Vi
t
t= Vf- Vi
A
t= ?
Vi=24,6m/s
Vf= 26,8m/s
A= 2,6 m/s2
t= 26,8m/s – 24,6m/s
2,6 m/s2
=0,85s
The time is 0.85s
5. A cyclist travels at a constant velocity of 4.5 m/s westward, and then speeds
up with a steady acceleration of 2.3 m/s2. Calculate the cyclist’s speed after
accelerating for 5.0s.
A= Vf- Vi
t
Vf= 4,5m/s + 2,3 m/s2*5 s
=16 m/s west
Vf =Vi + A*t
t= 5 s
The final velocity is 16 m/s west
Vi=4,5m/s
Vf= ???
A= 2,3 m/s2
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