Lesson Module: Acceleration and Kinematics Equations
I. FACTS ABOUT ACCELERATION
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity over time. It tells
you how quickly something is speeding up, slowing down,
or changing direction
This means acceleration could be any of the following three…
1. a change in speed, the magnitude of the
velocity (from 34 km/h to 67 km/h)
2. a change in direction (from East to North- East)
3. a change in both speed and direction (from
34km/h East to 12 km/h West)
• When an object has acceleration, it covers a different
distance each second it is in motion.
• Remember: Constant velocity means an object in
motion covers the same distance each second it is in
motion
CONSTANT ACCELERATION:
• Occurs when an accelerating object changes its velocity
by the same amount each second
• An object with a constant acceleration should not be
confused with an object with a constant velocity
• If the velocity is changing, then the distance
traveled/time is not a constant value
DIRECTIONS OF ACCELERATION:
Direction depends on two things
• If the object is speeding up or slowing down
• If the object is moving in a positive or a negative
direction
RKCG2025
Lesson Module: Acceleration and Kinematics Equations
Acceleration is positive when . . .
• The object is speeding up
• The object is moving in a positive direction
(forward)
Acceleration is negative when . . .
• The object is slowing down
• The object is moving in a negative direction
(backward)
Formula: a = (vf - vi) / t
Types:
- Positive Acceleration: speeding up.
- Negative Acceleration: slowing down.
- Zero Acceleration: constant velocity.
Kinematics Equations (constant acceleration):
1. vf = vi + at
2. d = vi t + 0.5 a t2 --------- usually use in finding the distance
3. vf2 = vi2 + 2ad --------- if the problem has no time.
4. vavg = (vi + vf) / 2 = Average of initial and final velocity
II. Solved Examples (GRESA Format)
Example 1: A car speeds up from 10 m/s to 30 m/s in 4 seconds. What is its acceleration?
Given: vi = 10 m/s, vf = 30 m/s, t = 4 s
Required: Acceleration (a) =?
Equation: a = (vf - vi) / t
Solution: a = (30 - 10) / 4
= 20 / 4 = 5
Answer: a = 5 m/s2
RKCG2025
Lesson Module: Acceleration and Kinematics Equations
Example 2: A vehicle moves with an initial velocity of 5 m/s, accelerates at 2 m/s² for 6 seconds. What
is the displacement?
G: vi = 5 m/s, a = 2 m/s2, t = 6 s
R: Displacement (d) =?
E:d = vi t + 0.5 a t2
S: d = 5(6) + 0.5(2)(6^2)
= 30 + 36 = 66
A: d = 66 m
Example 3: A ball rolling down a ramp accelerates at 3 m/s² over a distance of 12 m. If it started from
rest, what is its final velocity?
G: vi = 0 m/s, a = 3 m/s^2, d = 12 m
R:Final velocity (vf) = ?
E: vf^2 = vi^2 + 2ad
S:vf^2 = 0 + 2(3)(12) = 72 -> vf = sqrt(72) ~ 8.49
A:vf =8.49 m/s
III. Activities
1. A train moving at 25 m/s begins to decelerate uniformly at 1.5 m/s². How far will it travel before coming to a
complete stop?
2. A ball is thrown vertically upward with an initial velocity of 30 m/s. How much time will it take to reach the
highest point?
3. A rocket accelerates uniformly from 10 m/s to 60 m/s over a distance of 175 meters. What is its
acceleration?
4. A car traveling at 20 m/s sees an obstacle 100 meters ahead and comes to a stop just in time. What was
the car’s acceleration?
5. A drone drops a package from a height of 80 meters while moving horizontally at 10 m/s. How long does it
take to reach the ground?
6. A runner increases speed from 3 m/s to 9 m/s in 5 seconds. How far did the runner travel during this
acceleration?
7. A motorcycle traveling at 15 m/s accelerates uniformly for 8 seconds, covering a total distance of 200
meters. What is its acceleration?
8. A stone is dropped from a cliff and hits the ground after 4 seconds. What is the height of the cliff?
9. A space probe travels 600 m with constant acceleration starting from 10 m/s and reaches 50 m/s. How
much time did it take?
10. A roller coaster car at the top of a hill begins to descend, accelerating at 2.5 m/s². How long does it
take to reach a speed of 30 m/s?
RKCG2025
Lesson Module: Acceleration and Kinematics Equations
RKCG2025
