Kinematics - Problems with calculus PhysicsAndMathsTutor.

com

1. A particle P moves on the x-axis. The acceleration of P at time t seconds, t ≥ 0, is (3t + 5) m s–2
in the positive x-direction. When t = 0, the velocity of P is 2 ms–1 in the positive x-direction.
When t = T, the velocity of P is 6 m s–1 in the positive x-direction. Find the value of T.
(Total 6 marks)

2. A particle P moves along the x-axis. At time t seconds the velocity of P is v m s–1 in the positive
x-direction, where v = 3t2 – 4t + 3. When t = 0, P is at the origin O. Find the distance of P from
O when P is moving with minimum velocity.
(Total 8 marks)

3. At time t = 0 a particle P leaves the origin O and moves along the x-axis. At time t seconds the
velocity of P is v m s–1, where

v = 8t – t2.

(a) Find the maximum value of v.

(4)

(b) Find the time taken for P to return to O.

(5)
(Total 9 marks)

4. A particle P moves along the x-axis in a straight line so that, at time t seconds, the velocity of P
is v m s–1, where

10t − 2t 2 , 0 ≤ t ≤ 6,

v =  − 432
 t 2 , t > 6.

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 Kinematics - Problems with calculus PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

At t = 0, P is at the origin O. Find the displacement of P from O when

(a) t = 6,
(3)

(b) t = 10.
(5)
(Total 8 marks)

5. A particle P moves on the x-axis. At time t seconds the velocity of P is v m s–1 in the direction
of x increasing, where v is given by

 3 2
8t − t , 0 ≤ t ≤ 4,
v= 2
16 − 2t , t > 4.

When t = 0, P is at the origin O.

Find

(a) the greatest speed of P in the interval 0 ≤ t ≤ 4,

(4)

(b) the distance of P from O when t = 4,

(3)

(c) the time at which P is instantaneously at rest for t > 4,

(1)

(d) the total distance travelled by P in the first 10 s of its motion.

(8)
(Total 16 marks)

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6. A particle P moves on the x-axis. At time t seconds, its acceleration is (5 – 2t)m s–2, measured
in the direction of x increasing. When t = 0, its velocity is 6 m s–1 measured in the direction
of x increasing. Find the time when P is instantaneously at rest in the subsequent motion.
(Total 6 marks)

7. A cricket ball of mass 0.5 kg is struck by a bat. Immediately before being struck, the
velocity of the ball is (–30i) m s–1. Immediately after being struck, the velocity of the ball
is (16i + 20j) m s–1.

(a) Find the magnitude of the impulse exerted on the ball by the bat.
(4)

In the subsequent motion, the position vector of the ball is r metres at time t seconds. In a model
of the situation, it is assumed that r = [16ti + (20t – 5t2)j]. Using this model,

(b) find the speed of the ball when t = 3.

(4)
(Total 8 marks)

8. A particle P of mass 0.4 kg is moving so that its position vector r metres at time t seconds is
given by

r = (t2 + 4t)i + (3t – t3)j.

(a) Calculate the speed of P when t = 3.

(5)

When t = 3, the particle P is given an impulse (8i – 12j) N s.

(b) Find the velocity of P immediately after the impulse.

(3)
(Total 8 marks)

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9. A particle P moves in a horizontal plane. At time t seconds, the position vector of P is r metres
relative to a fixed origin O, and r is given by

r = (18t – 4t 3)i + ct 2j,

where c is a positive constant. When t = 1.5, the speed of P is 15 m s–1. Find

(a) the value of c,

(6)

(b) the acceleration of P when t = 1.5.

(3)
(Total 9 marks)

10. At time t seconds, the velocity of a particle P is [(4t – 7)i – 5j] m s–1. When t = 0, P is at the
point with position vector (3i + 5j) m relative to a fixed origin O.

(a) Find an expression for the position vector of P after t seconds, giving your answer in the
form (ai + bj) m.
(4)

A second particle Q moves with constant velocity (2i – 3j) m s–1. When t = 0, the position
vector of Q is (–7i) m.

(b) Prove that P and Q collide.

(6)
(Total 10 marks)

11. A particle P moves on the x-axis. At time t seconds the velocity of P is v m s−1 in the direction
of x increasing, where v = 6t – 2t2. When t = 0 , P is at the origin O. Find the distance of P from
O when P comes to instantaneous rest after leaving O.
(Total 5 marks)

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12. A particle P moves on the x-axis. The acceleration of P at time t seconds is (4t – 8) m s–2,
measured in the direction of x increasing. The velocity of P at time t seconds is v m s–1. Given
that v = 6 when t = 0, find

(a) v in terms of t,
(4)

(b) the distance between the two points where P is instantaneously at rest.
(7)
(Total 11 marks)

Edexcel 5
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1.

dv
= 3t + 5
dt
=v ∫ ( 3t + 5 ) dt *
v = 32 t 2 + 5t ( + c) A1
t=0 v=2 ⇒ c=2 B1
v= 3
2 t + 5t + 2
2

t= T 6= 3
2 T 2 + 5T + 2 DM1 *
12 = 3T + 10T + 4
2

3T 2 + 10T − 8 =0
( 3T − 2 )(T + 4 ) =
0
T = 23 (T = −4 )
∴T =2
3 (or 0.67) A1
[6]

dv
2. = 6t – 4 A1
dt
6t – 4 = 0 ⇒ t = 2
3
A1

∫ 3t – 4t + 3 dt = t3 – 2t2 + 3t (+ c)
2
s= A1

t = 23 ⇒ s = – 16
27
+ 2 so distance is 38
27
m A1
[8]

dv
3. (a) = 8 – 2t
dt
8 – 2t = 0
Max v = 8 × 4 – 42 = 16 (ms–1) M1A1 4

dt = 4t 2 – t 3 (+ C )
1
∫ 8t – t
2
(b) M1A1
3
(t = 0, displacement = 0 ⇒ c=0)
1 3
4T2– T =0 DM1
3
 T
T 2  4 –  = 0 ⇒ T = 0,12 DM1
 3

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T = 12 (seconds) A1 5
[9]

4. (a) v = 10t – 2t2, s = ∫ vdt

2t 3
= 5t 2 – ( +C ) A1
3
t = 6 ⇒ s = 180 – 144 = 36 (m) A1 3

– 432t –1 432
(b) s= ∫ vdt =
–1
(+ k ) =
t
(+ k ) B1

432
t = 6, s = “36” ⇒ 36 = +K *
6
⇒ K = – 36 A1

432
At t = 10, s = – 36 = 7.2(m) d*
10
A1 5
[8]

5 (a) 0 ≤ t ≤ 4: a = 8 – 3t
a = 0 ⇒ t = 8/3 s DM1
2
8 3 8 32
→ v = 8. − .  = (m/s) DM1A1 4
3 2  3 3
second dependent on the first, and third dependent on the
second.

(b) s = 4t2 – r3/2

t = 4: s = 64 – 64/2 = 32 m M1A1 3

(c) t > 4: v = 0 ⇒ t = 8 s B1 1

(d) Either
t > 4 s = 16t – t2 (+C)
t = 4, s = 32 → C = –16 ⇒ s = 16t – t2 – 16 M1A1
t = 10 → s = 44 m M1A1
But direction changed, so: t = 8, s = 48
Hence total dist travelled = 48 + 4 = 52 m DM1A1 8
Or (probably accompanied by a sketch?)
1
t = 4 v = 8, t = 8 v = 0, so area under line = × (8 − 4) × 8 M1A1A1
2

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 Kinematics - Problems with calculus PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

1
t = 8 v = 0, t =10 v = –4, so area above line = × (10 − 8) × 4 M1A1A1
2
∴ total distance = 32 (from B) + 16 + 4 = 52 m M1A1 8

dv
Or A1 for t > 4 = −2 , = constant
dt
t = 4, v = 8; t = 8, v = 0; t = 10, v = –4
u+v 32
A1 s = t= t , = 16 working for t = 4 to t = 8
2 2
u+v −4
A1 s = t= t , = 4 working for t = 8 to t = 10
2 2
A1 total = 32 + 14 + 4, = 52

Differentiate to obtain acceleration

DM1 set acceleration = 0 and solve for t
DM1 use their t to find the value of v
A1 32/3, 10.7 or better

OR using trial and improvement:

Iterative method that goes beyond integer values
Establish maximum occurs for t in an interval no
bigger than 2.5 < t < 3.5
Establish maximum occurs for t in an interval no
bigger than 2.6 < t < 2.8

OR Find/state the coordinates of both points where the curve

cuts the x axis.
DM1 Find the midpoint of these two values
M1A1 as above.

OR Convincing attempt to complete the square:

3t 2 3 8 3 64
DM1 substantially correct 8t − = − (t − ) 2 + ×
2 2 3 2 9
DM1 Max value = constant term
A1 CSO

Integrate the correct expression

DM1 Substitute t = 4 to find distance (s = 0 when t = 0 – condone
omission/ignoring of constant of integration)
A1 32(m) only
B1 t = 8 (s) only

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 Kinematics - Problems with calculus PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Integrate 16 – 2t
Use t = 4, s = their value from (b) to find the value of the constant
of integration.
or 32 + integral with a lower limit of 4 (in which case you probably
see these two marks occurring with the next two. First A1 will be for 4
correctly substituted.)
A1 s = 16t – t2 – 16 or equivalent
substitute t = 10
A1 44
Substitute t = 8 (their value from (c))
DM1 Calculate total distance (M mark dependent on the previous M mark.)
A1 52 (m)

OR the candidate who recognizes v = 16 – 2t as a straight line can

divide the shape into two triangles:
distance for t = 4 to t = candidate’s 8 = ½ × change in time ×
change in speed.
A1 8 – 4
A1 8 – 0
distance for t = their 8 to t = 10 = ½ × change in time ×
change in speed.
A1 10 – 8
A1 0 – (–4)
Total distance = their (b) plus the two triangles (=32 + 16 + 4)
A1 52(m)
NB: This order on epen grid (the A’s and M’s will not match up.)
[16]

6. a = 5 − 2t ⇒ v = 5t − t2, + 6 A1 A1
v = 0 ⇒ t2 −5t − 6 = 0 indep
(t − 6)(t + 1) = 0 dep
t=6s A1
[6]

7. (a) I = ±0.5(16i + 20j − (−30i))

= ±(23i + 10j) Indep
magn = √(232 + 102) ≈ 25.1 Ns Indep A1 4

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 Kinematics - Problems with calculus PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(b) v = 16i + (20 – 10t)j

t = 3 ⇒ v = 16i − 10j indep
v = √(162 + 102) ≈ 18.9 ms−1 indep A1 4
[8]

8. (a) r = (2t + 4)i + (3 – 3t2)j A1

r3 = 10i – 24j substituting t = 3

| r3 | = √(102 + 242)) = 26 (m s–1) A1 5

(b) 0.4 (v – (10i – 0 24j) = 8i – 12j ft their r3 A1ft

v = 30 I – 54j (m s–1) A1 3
[8]

9. (a) v = (18 – 12t2)I + 2ctj A1 A1

3
t = : v = – 9i + 3cj
2
v = 15 ⇒ 92 + (3c)2 = 152
⇒ (3c)2 = 144 ⇒ c = 4 A1 6

(b) a = –24ti + 8j
3
t= a = –36i + 8j
2
A1ft 3
[9]

10. (a) p = (2t2 – 7t)I – 5tj, + 3i + 5j

= (2t2 – 7t + 3)I + (5 – 5t)j A1+A1 4

(b) q = (2i – 3j)t – 7i A1

j : 5 – 5t = – 3t ⇒ t = 2.5 equating and solving A1
2
At t = 2.5 i : px = 2 × 2.5 – 7 × 2.5 + 3 = –2
qx = 2 × 2.5 – 7 = –2 both
px = qx ⇒ collision cso A1 6
[10]

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 Kinematics - Problems with calculus PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

Alternative in (b)
i : 2t2 – 7t + 3 = 2t – 7 ⇒ 2t2 – 9t + 10 = 0
t = 2, 2.5 equating and solving A1
At t = 2.5 j : py = 5 – 5 × 2.5 = –7.5
qy = –3 × 2.5 = – 7.5 both
py = qy ⇒ collision cso A1
In alternative, ignore any working associated with t = 2

11. x = ∫6t – 2t2 dt

= 3t2 − 23 t3 (+ C) A1
v = 0 ⇒ 6t – 2t = 0 ⇒ t = 3 (or 0)
2

t = 3: x = (3 × 9) – ( 23 × 27) = 9 m A1
[5]

12. (a) v= ∫ a dt = 2t2 − 8t (+c) A1

Using v = 6, t = 0; v = 2t2 − 8t + 6 A1 4
(b) v = 0 ⇒ 2t2 − 8t + 6 = 0, ⇒ t = 1,3 A1
[
S = ∫ (2t 2 − 8t + 6)dt = 23 t 3 − 4t 2 + 6t ] A2, 1, 0
= 0 − 2 23
Distance is (±)2 23 m A1 7
[11]

Edexcel 11
 Kinematics - Problems with calculus PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

1. This question proved very accessible and gave most candidates a confident start to the paper.
There were very few incorrect answers, with the overwhelming majority integrating the given
acceleration correctly. Any errors in the integration were mostly when 3t2 was not divided by 2.
There was some confusion about the constant of integration in a few cases, often taken in error
to be zero. Nearly all candidates set their velocity expressions equal to 6 and attempted to solve
the resulting quadratic equation. There were some basic algebraic or arithmetical slips resulting
in incorrect equations. A method was not always shown in the solution of a quadratic. This
should be discouraged as credit can be given for correct working if it is seen.
There were a small number of candidates who tried to apply “suvat” to the motion, losing 5 out
of the 6 marks available.

2. The majority of candidates offered confident responses to this opening question. Most of them
successfully integrated the given velocity to find out the displacement of the particle. When it
came to finding out the time of minimum velocity, most candidates used calculus again to find
acceleration and made it equal to zero but some preferred to complete the square or use the
expression for the turning point of a parabola. A few candidates attempted to find the time when
the velocity of the particle was zero, believing this to be the minimum. A common error was
find the minimum velocity and substitute this, rather than the time, into the displacement
equation.

3. This question provided the opportunity for candidates to show that they could both differentiate
the velocity function to find the acceleration and integrate it to find the displacement. In general
both were done successfully, although as usual there were candidates who incorrectly attempted
to solve the problem using constant acceleration formulae.
Although the majority of candidates used differentiation in part (a), there was also a large
number who treated it by completing the square, and they were often successful in this
approach. A number of candidates produced a table of discrete time values and corresponding
speeds of the particle. Unfortunately they rarely scored full marks for their effort as the
supporting statement about the symmetry of a quadratic function was usually missing. The most
common error among candidates using differentiation was to stop when they had found the time
and not go on to find the speed. In part (b) it would have been reassuring to have seen more
candidates - even the successful ones - giving a more rigorous treatment of the constant of
1
integration. Algebraic errors in solving the equation 4T 2 – T 3 = 0 were surprisingly
3
common.

3. A few candidates were clearly confused by velocity being defined in terms of two separate
functions. Nevertheless, virtually all candidates knew they had to integrate the relevant
expression for velocity in order to find the displacement and they did this correctly in part (a).
As the constant was zero in this part of the question, candidates who had overlooked it were not
penalised. There were occasional mistakes such as differentiating instead of integrating, and
some candidates who tried to use the equations for constant acceleration.
In part (b), although most correctly integrated the expression, for those that went along the
indefinite integral route, the constant of integration was often just assumed to be zero because
the displacement was zero at the start. Several candidates even demonstrated that the constant of
integration was zero, apparently having no problem with equating 432/0 to zero! These

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 Kinematics - Problems with calculus PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

candidates clearly did not realise that the expression was not relevant at the start. Those who
found the definite integral were generally more successful. Other errors in part (b) included
using t = 4, using t = 7 as a lower limit for the second integral (apparently not recognising the
continuous nature of time), or reaching the correct solution but then adding the answer from (a)
a second time.

5. Completely correct solutions to this question were rare, with parts (b) and (c) proving to be a
better source of marks than parts (a) or (d).
(a) There are several possible methods for finding the maximum speed in this interval. The
expected method was to differentiate, find the value of t for which the acceleration is
equal to zero, and use this to find the corresponding value of v. Candidates using this
approach sometimes got as far as the value for t and then stopped as if they thought they
had answered the question. As an alternative, candidates who recognised this as part of a
parabola, either went on to complete the square (with considerable success despite the
nature of the algebra involved), or found the average of the two times when the speed is
zero to locate the time for maximum speed and hence the speed, or simply quoted
formulae for the location of the turning point. Many candidates simply substituted integer
values of t in to the formula for v and stated their largest answer. This alone was not
sufficient. Although it is possible to arrive at the correct answer using trial and
improvement, most candidates who embarked on this route failed to demonstrated that
their answer was indeed a maximum – they usually offered a sequence of increasing
values, but did not demonstrate that they had located the turning point in an interval of
appropriate width.

(b) Many candidates answered this correctly – even those who did not differentiate in part (a)
did choose to integrate here. There is a false method, assuming constant speed throughout
the interval, which gives the answer 32 incorrectly by finding the speed when t = 4 and
multiplying the result by 4 – many candidates used this without considering the
possibility of variable speed and acceleration.

(c) This was usually answered correctly, but some candidates appeared to think that they
3 3
were being asked to find out when 8t – t2 = 0 or when 8t – t2 = 16 – 2t.
2 2

(d) Those candidates who realised that the particle was now moving with uniform
acceleration had the simple task of finding the area of two triangles, assuming that they
appreciated the significance of v < 0 for t > 8. Alternatively they could use the equations
for motion under uniform acceleration, with the same proviso. For the great majority of
candidates, this was about integration and choosing appropriate limits. The integration
itself was usually correct, but common errors included ignoring the lower limit of the
interval, or not using s = 32 when t = 4, and stopping after using the upper limit of t = 10.
Some candidates thought that the limits for t should be from t = 0 to t = 6, and a large
number thought that they should be starting from t = 5. Very few of the candidates who
found the integral went on to consider what happened between t = 8 and t = 10.

6. This proved to be an easy starter and was generally very well answered with the vast majority of
candidates scoring 5 or 6 marks. There were some errors in integration, with some candidates
failing to include a constant and some unable to solve the required quadratic equation. Of those
that could, some failed to reject the negative solution. A few candidates assumed constant

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 Kinematics - Problems with calculus PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

acceleration and scored little.

7. There were few errors on this question Only a few candidates failed to use vectors to calculate
the impulse in part (a) but some forgot to calculate the magnitude of their vector. The second
part was mostly completely correct. Candidates need to read the question carefully and ensure
that they answer the question asked. Those who forgot to calculate magnitudes lost four marks
in this question!

8. Most candidates realised that they needed to differentiate, although there was the odd
integration. Having found a velocity vector some then failed to find the modulus to obtain the
speed. In part (b), a few used I = m(u – v) and a very small number worked with scalars, but
generally candidates reached the correct vector solution. Some candidates thought they then had
to find the magnitude of their vector – they were not penalised for this.

9. There were many fully correct solutions but there was some sloppy use of vector notation and
also evidence of poor algebra. Most knew that they needed to differentiate but some lost the i’s
and j’s. Others, in (a), were unable to deal with the magnitude correctly and simply put
15 = -9 + c. In the second part many unnecessarily went on to find the magnitude of the
acceleration.

10. Most recognised that integration was needed in part (a), although a few used an inappropriate
formula such as r= r0 + Vt . Almost all candidates knew how to incorporate the initial position
but errors in manipulation were seen and an error in bracketing frequently led to the
( )
incorrect 2t 2 − 7t + 3 i − ( 5 + 5t ) j . This lost the last mark in (a) and from this result it was
impossible to complete part (b) correctly. However nearly all candidates were able to
demonstrate the method needed in (b) and the question was a substantial source of marks for the
great majority of candidates.

11. This proved to be an easy starter and there were very few errors. A few differentiated instead of
integrating and there was the odd algebraic or arithmetical slip.

12. Full marks were common for this question. A few candidates omitted the constant from the first
integration or tried to use v= u + at to find the velocity. Candidates needed to show, in part
(a), how the +6 was obtained in the velocity equation and, in part (b), it was necessary to be
clear that the distance travelled between the two times found had been calculated. In part (b), it
was encouraging to note how many candidates, on obtaining an answer of - 23 , re-wrote the
answer without the negative sign and with a unit, making some suitable comment on the nature
of “distance”.

Edexcel 14