Motion in a straight line
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Among the four graph shown in the figure there is only one graph for which average velocity over the time interval

(c)

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Thinking Process
In this problem, we have to locate the graph which is having same displacement for two timings. When there are two timings for same displacement the corresponding velocities will be in opposite directions.
Answer (b) In graph (b) for one value of displacement there are two different points of time. Hence, for one time, the average velocity is positive and for other time is equivalent negative.
As there are opposite velocities in the interval 0 to

Here,
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Graph (a): In graph (a), the displacement is always increasing or decreasing monotonically over time. This means that the velocity does not change sign, and thus the average velocity over any interval cannot be zero.
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Graph (c): In graph (c), the displacement is a straight line with a constant slope, indicating a constant velocity. Since the velocity does not change, the average velocity over any interval will be equal to this constant velocity and cannot be zero.
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Graph (d): In graph (d), the displacement is also a straight line with a constant slope, similar to graph (c). This indicates a constant velocity, and thus the average velocity over any interval will be equal to this constant velocity and cannot be zero.
2. A lift is coming from 8th floor and is just about to reach 4th floor. Taking ground floor as origin and positive direction upwards for all quantities, which one of the following is correct?
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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Answer (a) As the lift is coming in downward directions displacement will be negative. We have to see whether the motion is accelerating or retarding
We know that due to downward motion displacement will be negative. When the lift reaches 4th floor is about to stop hence, motion is retarding in nature hence,
As displacement is in negative direction, velocity will also be negative i.e.,
This can be shown on the adjacent graph.

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Option (b):
- Reason: The displacement
should be negative because the lift is moving downward from the 8th floor to the 4th floor. Therefore, is incorrect. Additionally, if the lift is about to stop, it is decelerating, which means the acceleration should be positive, not negative.
- Reason: The displacement
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Option (c):
- Reason: The displacement
should be negative because the lift is moving downward from the 8th floor to the 4th floor. Therefore, is incorrect.
- Reason: The displacement
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Option (d):
- Reason: The displacement
should be negative because the lift is moving downward from the 8th floor to the 4th floor. Therefore, is incorrect. Additionally, the velocity should be negative because the lift is moving downward, not upward.
- Reason: The displacement
3. In one dimensional motion, instantaneous speed
(a) The displacement in time
(b) The displacement
(c) The acceleration is always a non-negative number
(d) The motion has no turning points
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Answer (b) For maximum and minimum displacement we have to keep in mind the magnitude and direction of maximum velocity.
As maximum velocity in positive direction is
Maximum displacement in one direction
Maximum displacement in opposite directions
Hence,
Note We should not confuse with direction of velocities i.e., in one direction it is taken as positive and in another direction is taken as negative.
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(a) The displacement in time ( T ) can take negative values if the motion is in the opposite direction. Therefore, it is not always non-negative.
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(c) The acceleration can be negative if the object is decelerating. Hence, it is not always a non-negative number.
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(d) The motion can have turning points if the object changes direction. Therefore, the motion does not necessarily have no turning points.
4. A vehicle travels half the distance
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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Thinking Process
To calculate average speed we will calculate total distance covered and will divide by total time taken.
Answer
(c) Time taken to travel first half distance
Time taken to travel second half distance
Total time
We know that,
Note We should not confuse with distance and displacement. Distance
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Option (a)
: This option represents the arithmetic mean of the two speeds. However, the average speed for a journey where different segments are traveled at different speeds is not simply the arithmetic mean of those speeds. The average speed must take into account the time spent traveling at each speed, which is not done in this option. -
Option (b)
: This option does not correctly account for the relationship between distance, speed, and time. The formula for average speed must consider the harmonic mean of the speeds when the distance is divided equally, which this option does not. -
Option (d)
: This option incorrectly uses the total distance in the numerator and does not correctly represent the harmonic mean of the speeds. The correct formula for average speed when traveling equal distances at different speeds involves the harmonic mean, not this expression.
5. The displacement of a particle is given by
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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Thinking Process
In such type of problems we have to see whether the motion is accelerating or retarding. During retarding journey particle will stop in between.
Answer (b) Given,
Velocity,
Acceleration,
When,

Distance travelled
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Option (a)
: This option is incorrect because the calculation of the distance covered by the particle in the first 4 seconds, based on the given displacement function and the velocity-time graph, shows that the total distance is 8 meters. The area under the velocity-time graph, which represents the distance, is calculated as 8 meters, not 4 meters. -
Option (c)
: This option is incorrect because the total distance covered by the particle, as derived from the velocity-time graph, is 8 meters. The calculation involves summing the areas of two triangles formed in the velocity-time graph, which results in 8 meters, not 12 meters. -
Option (d)
: This option is incorrect because the total distance covered by the particle in the first 4 seconds is 8 meters, as determined by the area under the velocity-time graph. The correct calculation of the areas of the triangles in the graph gives a total distance of 8 meters, not 16 meters.
6. At a metro station, a girl walks up a stationary escalator in time
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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Answer (c) In this question, we have to find net velocity with respect to the Earth that will be equal to velocity of the girl plus velocity of escalator.
Let displacement is
velocity of escalator
Net velocity of the girl
If
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Option (a):
is incorrect because it represents the arithmetic mean of the two times, which does not account for the combined effect of the girl’s walking speed and the escalator’s speed. The correct formula involves the harmonic mean, not the arithmetic mean. -
Option (b):
is incorrect because it suggests a relationship where the time taken is inversely proportional to the difference between the two times. This does not correctly represent the combined effect of the girl’s walking speed and the escalator’s speed. The correct relationship involves the sum of the times, not the difference. -
Option (d):
is incorrect because it implies that the time taken is simply the difference between the two times, which does not take into account the combined velocities of the girl and the escalator. The correct formula involves the harmonic mean of the two times, not their difference.
Multiple Choice Questions (More Than One Options)
7. The variation of quantity

(a) Quantity B may represent time
(b) Quantity A is velocity if motion is uniform
(c) Quantity A is displacement if motion is uniform
(d) Quantity A is velocity if motion is uniformly accelerated
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Answer
When we are calculating velocity of a displacement-time graph we have to take slope similarly we have to take slope of velocity-time graph to calculate acceleration. When slope is constant motion will be uniform.
When we are representing motion by a graph it may be displacement-time, velocity-time or acceleration-time hence,
For uniformly accelerated motion slope will be positive and
- Option (b) is incorrect: Quantity A cannot be velocity if the motion is uniform because, in uniform motion, the velocity is constant and does not vary with time. The graph would show a horizontal line if A were velocity and B were time, which is not depicted in the given graph.
8. A graph of

(a) The particle was released from rest at
(b) At B, the acceleration
(c) Average velocity for the motion between
(d) The speed at
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Thinking Process
In this problem, we have to apply formula for slope
Answer
As per the diagram, at point
At
As direction of acceleration changes hence, we can say that it may be zero in between.
From the graph it is clear that
Hence, speed at
Note We should be very clear about magnitude of slope. Negative slope does not mean less value. It represents change in direction of velocity.
- Option (b): At point B, the graph is concave downwards, indicating that the slope of the graph (velocity) is decreasing. This implies that the acceleration is negative, not positive. Therefore, the statement that the acceleration
at B is incorrect.
9. For the one-dimensional motion, described by
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Show Answer
Answer
Given,
=
As acceleration
Hence,
When,
Hence,
When
When
When
When
Note (i) When sinusoidal function is involved in an expression we should be careful about sine and cosine functions.
(ii) We should be very careful when calculating maximum and minimum value of velocity because it involves inverse relation with cost in the given expression.
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Option (b) is incorrect: The velocity ( v(t) = 1 - \cos t ) is not greater than 0 for all ( t > 0 ). For example, when ( t = 2n\pi ) (where ( n ) is an integer), ( \cos t = 1 ) and thus ( v(t) = 0 ). Therefore, ( v(t) ) is not always positive.
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Option (c) is incorrect: The acceleration ( a(t) = \sin t ) is not greater than 0 for all ( t > 0 ). The sine function oscillates between -1 and 1, so there are intervals where ( \sin t ) is negative, making ( a(t) ) negative during those intervals. Therefore, ( a(t) ) is not always positive.
10. A spring with one end attached to a mass and the other to a rigid support is stretched and released.
(a) Magnitude of acceleration, when just released is maximum
(b) Magnitude of acceleration, when at equilibrium position, is maximum
(c) Speed is maximum when mass is at equilibrium position
(d) Magnitude of displacement is always maximum whenever speed is minimum
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Answer (a, c)
When spring is stretched by
Potential energy of the stretched spring
The restoring force is central hence, when particle released it will execute SHM about equilibrium position.
Acceleration will be
Hence, acceleration is maximum. Thus option (a) is correct.
At equilibrium whole
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(b) Magnitude of acceleration, when at equilibrium position, is maximum: This is incorrect because at the equilibrium position, the displacement ( x ) is zero. Since acceleration ( a ) is given by ( a = \frac{-kx}{m} ), when ( x = 0 ), ( a ) will also be zero. Therefore, the magnitude of acceleration is not maximum at the equilibrium position; it is actually zero.
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(d) Magnitude of displacement is always maximum whenever speed is minimum: This is incorrect because the magnitude of displacement is maximum at the extreme positions of the oscillation, where the speed is indeed zero. However, the statement “always” implies that whenever the speed is minimum, the displacement is maximum, which is not true. The speed is also zero at the turning points, but it is not necessarily minimum at all other points where the displacement is not maximum. Therefore, the statement is not universally true.
11.
(a) The direction of motion of the ball changes every 10 .
(b) Speed of ball changes every 10
(c) Average speed of ball over any 20 interval is fixed.
(d) The acceleration of ball is the same as from the train
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Answer
In this problem, we have to keep in mind the frame of the observer. Here we must be clear that we are considering the motion from the ground. Compare to velocity of trains
The speed of the ball before collision with side of train is
Speed after collision with side of train
As speed is changing after travelling
Since, the collision of the ball is perfectly elastic there is no dissipation of energy hence, total momentum and kinetic energy are conserved.
Since, the train is moving with constant velocity hence, it will act as inertial frame of reference as that of Earth and acceleration will be same in both frames.
We should not confuse with non-inertial and inertial frame of reference. A frame of reference that is not accelerating will be inertial.
- (a) The direction of motion of the ball changes every 10: This option is incorrect because the direction of motion of the ball changes every time it collides with the walls of the railway compartment. Given that the ball is bouncing elastically between the walls and the compartment is 10 meters wide, the ball will change direction every 10 seconds in the frame of reference of the train. However, from the ground frame of reference, the ball’s speed changes due to the relative motion of the train, but the direction change is not strictly every 10 seconds due to the combined motion of the train and the ball.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
12. Refer to the graph in figure. Match the following
Graph | Characteristics | |
---|---|---|
(a) | (i) |
|
(b) | (ii) |
|
(c) | (iii) |
|
(d) | (iv) |

(b)

(c)

(d)

Show Answer
Answer
We have to analyse slope of each curve i.e.,
For graph (a), there is a point (B) for which displacement is zero. So, a matches with (iii) In graph (b),
13. A uniformly moving cricket ball is turned back by hitting it with a bat for a very short time interval. Show the variation of its acceleration with time (Take acceleration in the backward direction as positive).
Show Answer
Answer If gravity effect is neglected then ball moving uniformly turned back with same speed when a bat hit it. Acceleration of the ball is zero just before it strikes the bat. When the ball strikes the bat, it gets accelerated due to the applied impulsive force by the bat.
The variation of acceleration with time is shown in graph

14. Give examples of a one-dimensional motion where
(a) the particle moving along positive
(b) the particle moving along positive
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Answer When we are writing an equation belonging to periodic nature it will involve sine or cosine function.
(a) The particle will be moving along positive
Hence,
When
When
When
(b) Equation can be represented by
As displacement and velocity is involving sint and cost hence these equations represent periodic.
15. Give example of a motion where
Show Answer
Answer Let the motion is represented by
Let | |||
Now velocity | |||
Acceleration |
Suppose we are considering any instant
16. An object falling through a fluid is observed to have acceleration given by
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Answer
When speed becomes constant acceleration
Given acceleration
where,
Clearly, from above equation as speed increases acceleration will decrease. At a certain speed say
Hence,
Short Answer Type Questions
17. A ball is dropped and its displacement versus time graph is as shown (Displacement

(a) Plot qualitatively velocity versus time graph
(b) Plot qualitatively acceleration versus time graph
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Thinking Process
To calculate velocity we will find slope
acceleration we will find slope
Answer
It is clear from the graph that displacement
(a) The velocity-time graph of the ball is shown in fig. (i).
(i)

(b) The acceleration-time graph of the ball is shown in fig. (ii).

18. A particle executes the motion described by
(a) Where does the particle start and with what velocity?
(b) Find maximum and minimum values of
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Thinking Process
First we have to calculate velocity and acceleration and then we can determine the maximum or minimum value accordingly.
Answer Given,
(a) Whent
(b)
Note We should be careful about nature of variation of the curve and maximum and minimum value will be decided accordingly.
19. A bird is tossing (flying to and fro) between two cars moving towards each other on a straight road. One car has a speed of
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Thinking Process
In this problem we have to use the concept of relative velocity it will be subtracted for velocities in same direction and added for velocities in opposite directions.
Answer
Given, Speed of first car
Speed of second car
Distance between the cars
Speed of the bird
20. A man runs across the roof, top of a tall building and jumps horizontally with the hope of landing on the roof of the next building which is at a lower height than the first. If his speed is
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Thinking Process
When the man runs on the roof-top the velocity will be horizontal. Then, acceleration will be vertically down ward taken as
Answer
Given, horizontal speed of the man
Horizontal distance between the two buildings
Height difference between the two buildings
Let the man jumps from point
or

Horizontal distance travelled by the man is greater than
21. A ball is dropped from a building of height
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Thinking Process
In this problem as ball is dropped, initial velocity will be taken as zero. We will apply equations involving one dimensional motion.
Answer
For the ball dropped from the building,
Velocity of the dropped ball after time
(downward)
For the ball thrown up,
Velocity of the ball after time
(upward)
Note When we are applying equations for rectilinear motion we should carefully put up the signs for the physical quantities.
22. The velocity- displacement graph of a particle is shown in figure.
(a) Write the relation between
(b) Obtain the relation between acceleration and displacement and plot it.

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Thinking Process
In this problems we will use the concept of slope. Suppose the slope is
Answer
Given, initial velocity
Let the distance travelled in time
For the graph
where,
We know that

Graph of a versus
Long Answer Type Questions
23. It is a common observation that rain clouds can be at about a kilometer altitude above the ground.
(a) If a rain drop falls from such a height freely under gravity, what will be its speed? Also calculate in
(b) A typical rain drop is about
(c) Estimate the time required to flatten the drop.
(d) Rate of change of momentum is force. Estimate how much force such a drop would exert on you.
(e) Estimate the order of magnitude force on umbrella. Typical lateral separation between two rain drops is
(Assume that umbrella is circular and has a diameter of
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Thinking Process
In this problem equation of motion and Newton’s seconds law that is
Answer
Given, height
(a) Velocity attained by the rain drop in freely falling through a height
(b) Diameter of the drop
Mass of a rain drop
Momentum of the rain
(c) Time required to flatten the drop = time taken by the drop to travel the distance equal to the diameter of the drop near the ground
(d) Force exerted by a rain drop
(e) Radius of the umbrella
Number of drops striking the umbrella simultaneously with average separation of
Note In practice, the velocity of the drops decreases due to air friction.
24. A motor car moving at a speed of
Show Answer
Answer In this problem equations related to one dimensional motion will be applied for acceleration positive sign will be used and for retardation negative sign will be used.
Given, speed of car as well as truck
Retarded motion for truck
or
Retarded motion for the car
Let car be at a distance
As human response time is
Velocity of car after time
Velocity of truck after time
To avoid the car bump onto the truck,
Distance travelled by the truck in time
Distance travelled by car in time
- Distance travelled by car in
(with retardation)
Therefore, to avoid the bump onto the truck, the car must maintain a distance from the truck more than
25. A monkey climbs up a slippery pole for 3 and subsequently slips for 3 . Its velocity at time
(a) At what time is its velocity maximum?
(b) At what time is its average velocity maximum?
(c) At what time is its acceleration maximum in magnitude?
(d) How many cycles (counting fractions) are required to reach the top?
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Answer
It this problem to calculate maximum velocity we will use
Given velocity
(a) For maximum velocity
(b) From Eq. (i)
where,
Considering positive sign only
(c) In a periodic motion when velocity is zero acceleration will be maximum putting
t=0 or 3 s
(d) Distance covered in 0 to
Distance covered in 3 to
Number of cycles covered in total distance to be covered
26. A man is standing on top of a building
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Thinking Process
In this question equation of kinematics will be applied with proper sign and to calculate time interval we will take difference of displacements.
Answer
Let the speeds of the two balls ( 1 and 2 ) be
if
if
the balls 1 and 2 , respectively, before coming to rest, then
Since,
or
or
Clearly,
If
a distance of
where
Since
Note We should be very careful, when we are applying the equation of rectilinear motion.