Answers for questions and activities of a physics Module Prepared by

Wachamo University (chapters 1-3)

Chapter 1: Vectors (page-4 -questions)

Questions
1. Given two vectors 𝐴⃗ and 𝐵 ⃗⃗, find the resultant vector
𝑅⃗⃗ = 𝐴⃗ + 𝐵
⃗⃗ in each of the following cases:

(a) 𝐴⃗ = 4 units East and 𝐵

⃗⃗ = 3 units East.

(b) 𝐴⃗ = 4 units East and 𝐵

⃗⃗ = 3 units West.

(c) 𝐴⃗ = 4 units East and 𝐵

⃗⃗ = 3 units North.

(d) 𝐴⃗ = 4 units East and 𝐵

⃗⃗ = 3 units at 60∘ north of East.

Answers
Given
• Vector A = 4 units East

• Vector B = 3 units (direction varies)

• Resultant: R = A + B
(a) A = 4 units East, B = 3 units East
Both vectors are in the same direction.
𝑅 = 4 + 3 = 7 units East
Result:

𝑅 = 7 units East
(b) A = 4 units East, B = 3 units West
East and West are opposite directions.
Take East as positive:
• 𝐴 = +4

• 𝐵 = −3

𝑅 = 4−3= 1

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Result:

𝑅 = 1 unit East
(c) A = 4 units East, B = 3 units North
These vectors are perpendicular.
Magnitude of resultant:

|𝑅| = √42 + 32 = √16 + 9 = √25 = 5 units

Direction (angle north of east):
3
tan𝜃 = ⇒ 𝜃 = 36.9∘
4
Result:

𝑅 = 5 units at 36.9∘ north of east

(d) A = 4 units East, B = 3 units at 60∘ north of east
First resolve B into components:
𝐵𝑥 = 3cos60∘ = 1.5 𝐵𝑦 = 3sin60∘ = 2.6

Now add components:

• 𝑅𝑥 = 4 + 1.5 = 5.5

• 𝑅𝑦 = 2.6

Magnitude:

|𝑅| = √5.52 + 2.62 = √30.25 + 6.76 = √37.01 ≈ 6.1 units

Direction:
2.6
tan𝜃 = ⇒ 𝜃 ≈ 25.3∘
5.5
Result:

𝑅 ≈ 6.1 units at 25.3∘ north of east

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Chapter 1: vectors (Addition and subtraction of vectors (questions
page-6)
Questions
Given the vectors

1. 𝐴⃗ = 4𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ m, ⃗⃗ = 2𝑖̂ − 3𝑗̂ m, 𝐶⃗ = 2𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ − 2𝑘̂ m,

𝐵 ⃗⃗ = 𝑖̂ − 2𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂ m
𝐷
Find:

(a) The magnitude of vector 𝐴⃗

(b) The vector 2𝐴⃗ + 𝐵⃗⃗ − 𝐶⃗
(c) The unit vector in the direction of vector 𝑅⃗⃗ , if

2𝐶⃗ + 𝐵
⃗⃗ − 𝑅⃗⃗ = 0

2. A particle undergoes three consecutive displacements:

𝑑⃗1 = (15𝑖̂ + 30𝑗̂ + 12𝑘̂) cm 𝑑⃗2 = (23𝑖̂ − 14𝑗̂ − 5𝑘̂) cm 𝑑⃗3 = (−13𝑖̂ + 15𝑗̂) cm

Find:
(a) The components of the resultant displacement and its magnitude
(b) The unit vector in the direction of the resultant displacement

Answers
Answers1
(a) Magnitude of 𝐴⃗

|𝐴⃗| = √42 + 32 = √16 + 9 = √25 = 5 m

|𝐴⃗| = 5 m

(b) Evaluate 2𝐴⃗ + 𝐵

⃗⃗ − 𝐶⃗

First calculate each term:

2𝐴⃗ = 8𝑖̂ + 6𝑗̂ 2𝐴⃗ + 𝐵

⃗⃗ = (8 + 2)𝑖̂ + (6 − 3)𝑗̂ = 10𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂

Now subtract 𝐶⃗:

⃗⃗ − 𝐶⃗ = (10 − 2)𝑖̂ + (3 − 3)𝑗̂ + (0 + 2)𝑘̂
2𝐴⃗ + 𝐵

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 ⃗⃗ − 𝐶⃗ = 8𝑖̂ + 2𝑘̂ m
2𝐴⃗ + 𝐵

(c) Unit vector in the direction of 𝑅⃗⃗

From:

2𝐶⃗ + 𝐵 ⃗⃗ 2𝐶⃗ = 4𝑖̂ + 6𝑗̂ − 4𝑘̂ 𝑅⃗⃗ = (4 + 2)𝑖̂ + (6 − 3)𝑗̂ − 4𝑘̂ = 6𝑖̂ +
⃗⃗ − 𝑅⃗⃗ = 0 ⇒ 𝑅⃗⃗ = 2𝐶⃗ + 𝐵
3𝑗̂ − 4𝑘̂

Magnitude of 𝑅⃗⃗ :

|𝑅⃗⃗ | = √62 + 32 + (−4)2 = √36 + 9 + 16 = √61

Unit vector:

6𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ − 4𝑘̂

𝑅̂ =
√61

Question 2
Answer 2
(a) Resultant displacement

𝑅⃗⃗ = 𝑑⃗1 + 𝑑⃗2 + 𝑑⃗3

Adding components:
• 𝑥: 15 + 23 − 13 = 25

• 𝑦: 30 − 14 + 15 = 31

• 𝑧: 12 − 5 + 0 = 7

𝑅⃗⃗ = 25𝑖̂ + 31𝑗̂ + 7𝑘̂ cm

Magnitude:

|𝑅⃗⃗ | = √252 + 312 + 72 = √625 + 961 + 49 = √1635 ≈ 40.4 cm

(b) Unit vector in the direction of 𝑅⃗⃗

25𝑖̂ + 31𝑗̂ + 7𝑘̂

𝑅̂ =
√1635

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Chapter1: vectors (Multiplication of vectors - questions -page 10)
QUESTIONS
1. Which of the following statements is true about the relationship between the dot product of
two vectors and the product of the magnitudes of the vectors?
(a) 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝐵
⃗⃗ is larger than 𝐴𝐵
(b) 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝐵
⃗⃗ is smaller than 𝐴𝐵
(c) 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝐵
⃗⃗ could be larger or smaller than 𝐴𝐵, depending on the angle between the vectors
(d) 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝐵
⃗⃗ could be equal to 𝐴𝐵

2. Which of the following is equivalent to the scalar product

(𝐴⃗ × 𝐵⃗⃗ ) ⋅ (𝐵⃗⃗ × 𝐴⃗)?
(a) 𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝐵
⃗⃗ + 𝐵 ⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝐴⃗
(b) (𝐴⃗ × 𝐴⃗) ⋅ (𝐵 ⃗⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ )
(c) (𝐴⃗ × 𝐵 ⃗⃗ ) ⋅ (𝐴⃗ × 𝐵⃗⃗ )
(d) −(𝐴⃗ × 𝐵 ⃗⃗ ) ⋅ (𝐴⃗ × 𝐵⃗⃗ )

3. Which of the following statements is true about the relationship between the magnitude of the
cross product of two vectors and the product of the magnitudes of the vectors?
(a) |𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ | is larger than 𝐴𝐵
(b) |𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ | is smaller than 𝐴𝐵
(c) |𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ | could be larger or smaller than 𝐴𝐵, depending on the angle between the vectors
(d) |𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ | could be equal to 𝐴𝐵

4. Is the triple product defined by

𝐴⃗ ⋅ (𝐵
⃗⃗ × 𝐶⃗)
a scalar or a vector quantity? Explain your answer.

5. Vector 𝐴⃗ is in the negative 𝑦-direction and vector 𝐵

⃗⃗ is in the negative 𝑥-direction. What are
the directions of:
(a) 𝐴⃗ × 𝐵⃗⃗
(b) 𝐵⃗⃗ × 𝐴⃗

6. Given
⃗⃗⃗ = 6𝑖̂ + 2𝑗̂ − 𝑘̂,
𝑀 ⃗⃗ = 2𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ − 3𝑘̂
𝑁

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calculate:
⃗⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑁
(a) 𝑀 ⃗⃗
(b) 𝑀⃗⃗⃗ × 𝑁⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑁
(c) The angle between 𝑀 ⃗⃗

ANSWERS
Answer 1

𝐴⃗ ⋅ 𝐵
⃗⃗ = 𝐴𝐵cos𝜃

The maximum value of the dot product is 𝐴𝐵, which occurs when 𝜃 = 0∘ .

Correct answer: (d)

Answer 2
⃗⃗ × 𝐴⃗ = −(𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
𝐵 ⃗⃗ ) (𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ ) ⋅ (𝐵
⃗⃗ × 𝐴⃗) = −(𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ ) ⋅ (𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ )

Correct answer: (d)

Answer 3

|𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ | = 𝐴𝐵sin𝜃

Since 0 ≤ sin𝜃 ≤ 1,

|𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
⃗⃗ | ≤ 𝐴𝐵

Correct answer: (d)

Answer 4
• ⃗⃗ × 𝐶⃗ is a vector
𝐵

• The dot product of two vectors is a scalar

Therefore,

𝐴⃗ ⋅ (𝐵
⃗⃗ × 𝐶⃗)

is a scalar quantity, called the scalar triple product, representing the volume of a
parallelepiped.

It is a scalar quantity

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Answer 5
Let

𝐴⃗ = −𝑗̂, ⃗⃗ = −𝑖̂
𝐵
(a)
⃗⃗ = −𝑘̂
𝐴⃗ × 𝐵
Direction: negative 𝑧-axis
(b)
⃗⃗ × 𝐴⃗ = +𝑘̂
𝐵
Direction: positive 𝑧-axis
Answer 6
(a) Dot product
⃗⃗⃗ ⋅ 𝑁
𝑀 ⃗⃗ = 13

(b) Cross product

⃗⃗ = −7𝑖̂ + 16𝑗̂ − 10𝑘̂
⃗⃗⃗ × 𝑁
𝑀
⃗⃗⃗ and 𝑁
(c) Angle between 𝑀 ⃗⃗
13 13
cos𝜃 = 𝜃 = cos −1 ( )
√574 √574

Chapter 2: Kinematics (Motion in one dimension (questions -page 16)

QUESTIONS
1. Which of the following is true for displacement?
(a) It cannot be zero.
(b) Its magnitude is greater than the distance travelled by the object.
(c) Displacement may or may not be equal to distance.

2. If the displacement of a body is zero, the distance covered by it may not be zero. State whether
this statement is true or false.

3. In which of the following cases of motion are the distance moved and the magnitude of
displacement equal?

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(a) If the object is moving along a straight road
(b) If the object is moving along a straight path
(c) The pendulum is moving back and forth
(d) The earth revolving around the sun
4. A particle moves along the x-axis according to the equation
𝑥(𝑡) = (4 + 2𝑡 − 𝑡 2 ) 𝑖̂ m
where 𝑡 is in seconds.
(a) Determine the displacement of the particle between 𝑡 = 0 and 𝑡 = 1 s.
(b) Determine the average velocity during this time interval.
(c) Derive a general expression for the instantaneous velocity as a function of time.
(d) Calculate the instantaneous velocity at 𝑡 = 2 s.

5. A boy walks from his home to school at a constant speed of 5 m/s along a straight line and
then returns to his home along the same road at a constant speed of 6 m/s.
(a) What is his average speed?
(b) What is his average velocity?

ANSWERS
Answer 1
Displacement can be zero (when initial and final positions are the same), and its magnitude can
never be greater than distance.

Correct answer: (c)

Answer 2
Yes, the statement is true.
For example, when an object moves and returns to its starting point, its displacement is zero but
the distance covered is not zero.

The statement is true

Answer 3
Distance and displacement are equal only when motion occurs along a straight line without
changing direction.

Correct answer: (b)

Answer 4
Given:

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 𝑥(𝑡) = 4 + 2𝑡 − 𝑡 2
(a) Displacement between 𝑡 = 0 and 𝑡 = 1 s
𝑥(0) = 4, 𝑥(1) = 5 Displacement = 𝑥(1) − 𝑥(0) = 1 m

(b) Average velocity

Displacement 1
𝑣avg = = = 1 m/s
Time 1

(c) Instantaneous velocity

𝑑𝑥
𝑣(𝑡) = = 2 − 2𝑡
𝑑𝑡

(d) Instantaneous velocity at 𝑡 = 2 s

𝑣(2) = 2 − 4 = −2 m/s

Answer 5
Let the distance from home to school be 𝑑.
(a) Average speed
Total distance:
2𝑑
Total time:
𝑑 𝑑 11𝑑 2𝑑 60
+6= 𝑣avg speed = 11𝑑 = 11
5 30
30

𝑣avg speed ≈ 5.45 m/s

(b) Average velocity

Since the boy returns to his starting point, the total displacement is zero.

𝑣avg velocity = 0

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Chapter 2: kinematics (Motion in one-dimension questions -page 17)
QUESTION
1. A particle moves along the x-axis and its position varies with time according to the equation
𝑥(𝑡) = (20 − 2𝑡 + 𝑡 3 ) 𝑖̂ m
where 𝑡 is in seconds.
(a) Determine the initial position of the particle.
(b) Determine the displacement of the particle between the time intervals
(i) 𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡 = 1 s
(ii) 𝑡 = 1 to 𝑡 = 4 s
(c) Determine the average velocity during the above two time intervals.
(d) Derive a general expression for the instantaneous velocity as a function of time.
(e) Calculate the instantaneous velocity at 𝑡 = 3 s.
(f) Determine the average acceleration between 𝑡 = 2 s and 𝑡 = 3 s.
(g) Derive a general expression for the instantaneous acceleration as a function of time.
(h) Calculate the instantaneous acceleration at 𝑡 = 2 s.

ANSWER 1
Given:
𝑥(𝑡) = 20 − 2𝑡 + 𝑡 3
(a) Initial position
At 𝑡 = 0:
𝑥(0) = 20

𝑥0 = 20 m

(b) Displacement
(i) From 𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡 = 1 s
𝑥(1) = 20 − 2(1) + 13 = 19 𝛥𝑥 = 𝑥(1) − 𝑥(0) = 19 − 20 = −1 m
(ii) From 𝑡 = 1 to 𝑡 = 4 s

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𝑥(4) = 20 − 8 + 64 = 76 𝛥𝑥 = 𝑥(4) − 𝑥(1) = 76 − 19 = 57 m

(c) Average velocity

(i) From 𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡 = 1 s
−1
𝑣avg = = −1 m/s
1
(ii) From 𝑡 = 1 to 𝑡 = 4 s
57
𝑣avg = = 19 m/s
3

(d) Instantaneous velocity

𝑑𝑥
𝑣(𝑡) = = −2 + 3𝑡 2
𝑑𝑡

𝑣(𝑡) = (−2 + 3𝑡 2 ) 𝑖̂ m/s

(e) Instantaneous velocity at 𝑡 = 3 s

𝑣(3) = −2 + 3(9) = 25

𝑣(3) = 25 m/s

(f) Average acceleration from 𝑡 = 2 s to 𝑡 = 3 s

First find velocities:
𝑣(2) = −2 + 3(4) = 10 m/s 𝑣(3) = 25 m/s
25 − 10
𝑎avg = = 15 m/s2
3−2

𝑎avg = 15 m/s2

(g) Instantaneous acceleration

𝑑𝑣
𝑎(𝑡) = = 6𝑡
𝑑𝑡

𝑎(𝑡) = 6𝑡 𝑖̂ m/s2

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(h) Instantaneous acceleration at 𝑡 = 2 s
𝑎(2) = 12

𝑎(2) = 12 m/s2

CHAPTER 3 Kinematics: (Uniformly accelerated Motion in 1D -Questions-page-19)

QUESTIONS
1. An electron in a cathode ray tube accelerates uniformly from 2.0 × 104 m/s to 6.0 × 106 m/s
over a distance of 1.5 cm.
(a) How long does the electron take to travel this 1.5 cm?
(b) What is its acceleration?
2. A track covers 40 m in 8.5 s while smoothly slowing down to a final speed of 2.8 m/s.
(a) Find its original velocity.
(b) Find its acceleration.
3. A jet lands on an aircraft carrier at 140 mi/hr and stops in 2 s due to an arresting cable.
(a) What is its acceleration?
(b) If the plane touches down at position 𝑥𝑖 = 0, what is its final position?
4. A car traveling at a constant speed of 45 m/s passes a trooper hidden behind a billboard. One
second later, the trooper starts from the billboard, accelerating at a constant rate of 3.0 m/s². How
long does it take her to overtake the car?
5. A jet plane lands with a speed of 100 m/s and slows down at a rate of 5 m/s² until it comes to
rest.
(a) What is the time interval needed for the jet to stop?
(b) Can this jet land on an airport where the runway is 0.8 km long?
ANSWERS
Answer 1
Given:
Initial velocity 𝑢 = 2.0 × 104 m/s,
Final velocity 𝑣 = 6.0 × 106 m/s,
Distance 𝑠 = 1.5 cm = 0.015 m.

(a) Time taken

Use equation:

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 2 2
𝑣 2 −𝑢2 𝑣 2 −𝑢2 (6.0×106 ) −(2.0×104 )
𝑠= ⟹𝑎= 𝑎= ≈ 1.2 × 1015 m/s²
2𝑎 2𝑠 2⋅0.015

Time:
𝑣 − 𝑢 6.0 × 106 − 2.0 × 104
𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 ⟹ 𝑡 = ≈ ≈ 4.98 × 10−9 s
𝑎 1.2 × 1015
𝑡 ≈ 5.0 ns, 𝑎 ≈ 1.2 × 1015 m/s²

Answer 2
Given: 𝑠 = 40 m, 𝑡 = 8.5 s, 𝑣 = 2.8 m/s
Use equation:
(𝑢+𝑣) 2𝑠 2⋅40
𝑠= 𝑡⟹𝑢= −𝑣𝑢 = − 2.8 ≈ 6.61 m/s
2 𝑡 8.5

Acceleration:
𝑣 − 𝑢 2.8 − 6.61
𝑎= = ≈ −0.44 m/s²
𝑡 8.5
𝑢 ≈ 6.61 m/s, 𝑎 ≈ −0.44 m/s²

Answer 3
Convert speed: 140 mi/hr ≈ 62.6 m/s
(a) Acceleration:
𝑣 − 𝑢 0 − 62.6
𝑣 = 0, 𝑡 = 2 s ⟹ 𝑎 = = ≈ −31.3 m/s²
𝑡 2
(b) Final position:
1 1
𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 = 62.6 ⋅ 2 + 2 (−31.3) ⋅ (2)2 = 125.2 − 62.6 ≈ 62.6 m

𝑎 ≈ −31.3 m/s², 𝑥 ≈ 62.6 m

Answer 4
Let the trooper start 1 s later. Car’s position:
𝑥𝑐 = 45𝑡
Trooper’s position:
1
𝑥𝑡 = 𝑎(𝑡 − 1)2 = 1.5(𝑡 − 1)2
2

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Set 𝑥𝑐 = 𝑥𝑡 :
45𝑡 = 1.5(𝑡 − 1)2 ⟹ (𝑡 − 1)2 = 30𝑡 𝑡 2 − 2𝑡 + 1 = 30𝑡 ⟹ 𝑡 2 − 32𝑡 + 1 = 0
Solve quadratic:

32 ± √1024 − 4 32 ± 31.97
𝑡= ≈
2 2
Take positive solution:
32+31.97
𝑡≈ ≈ 31.99 s ≈ 32 s
2

𝑡 ≈ 32 s
Answer 5
Given: 𝑢 = 100 m/s, 𝑎 = −5 m/s², 𝑣 = 0
(a) Time to stop:
𝑣 − 𝑢 0 − 100
𝑡= = = 20 s
𝑎 −5
(b) Stopping distance:
𝑢+𝑣 100 + 0
𝑠= 𝑡= ⋅ 20 = 50 ⋅ 20 = 1000 m = 1 km
2 2
Runway length: 0.8 km < 1 km → not sufficient

𝑡 = 20 s, 𝑠 = 1 km → runway too short

CHAPTER 2: Kinematics (Freely Falling Bodies -Questions-page-20)

QUESTIONS
1. A girl throws a ball vertically upward with an initial speed 𝑢 = 15 m/s.
Neglect air resistance.
(a) How long does the ball take to return to the girl’s hand?
(b) What will be its velocity at that time?
2. A ball is thrown upward. While the ball is in free fall, does its acceleration
(a) increase
(b) decrease
(c) increase and then decrease

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(d) decrease and then increase
(e) remain constant?
3. After a ball is thrown upward and is in the air, its speed
(a) increases
(b) decreases
(c) increases and then decreases
(d) decreases and then increases
(e) remains the same

ANSWERS
Answer 1
Given:
Initial velocity 𝑢 = 15 m/s (upward)
Acceleration due to gravity 𝑔 = 9.8 m/s2 (downward)
(a) Time taken to return to the hand
Time of ascent:
𝑢 15
𝑡up = = ≈ 1.53 s
𝑔 9.8
Total time of flight:

𝑡 = 2𝑡up = 2(1.53) ≈ 3.06 s 𝑡 ≈ 3.06 s

(b) Velocity when it returns

When the ball returns to the same point, its speed is the same as the initial speed but the direction
is opposite.

𝑣 = −15 m/s
(negative sign indicates downward direction)
Answer 2
In free fall (neglecting air resistance), the acceleration due to gravity remains constant and
directed downward throughout the motion.

Correct answer: (e) remain constant

Answer 3
After being thrown upward:

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 • the speed decreases while moving upward,

• becomes zero at the highest point,

• then increases while coming down.

Correct answer: (d) decreases and then increases

CHAPTER 2: Kinematics (Motion in 2-Dimension -Questions-page-22)

QUESTION
1. A bird flies in the xy-plane with velocity vector
𝑣⃗ = (𝛼 − 𝛽𝑡 2 ) 𝑖̂ + 𝛾𝑡 𝑗̂
where 𝛼 = 2.1 m/s, 𝛾 = 2.8 m/s², and the positive y-direction is vertically upward. At 𝑡 = 0, the
bird is at the origin.
(a) Determine the average acceleration between 𝑡 = 0 and 𝑡 = 1 s.
(b) Calculate the general expression for instantaneous acceleration at any time 𝑡.
(c) What is the bird’s altitude (y-coordinate) when it flies over 𝑥 = 0 for the first time after 𝑡 =
0?
ANSWERS
Answer 1
Given:
𝑣⃗(𝑡) = (𝛼 − 𝛽𝑡 2 )𝑖̂ + 𝛾𝑡𝑗̂, 𝛼 = 2.1, 𝛾 = 2.8
(a) Average acceleration
Average acceleration:
𝑣⃗(𝑡2 ) − 𝑣⃗(𝑡1 )
𝑎⃗avg =
𝑡2 − 𝑡1
At 𝑡 = 0:
𝑣⃗(0) = (𝛼 − 0)𝑖̂ + 0𝑗̂ = 2.1𝑖̂
At 𝑡 = 1 s:
(2.1−𝛽)𝑖̂+2.8𝑗̂ −2.1𝑖̂
𝑣⃗(1) = (𝛼 − 𝛽(1)2 )𝑖̂ + 𝛾(1)𝑗̂ = (2.1 − 𝛽)𝑖̂ + 2.8𝑗̂ 𝑎⃗avg = = (−𝛽)𝑖̂ + 2.8𝑗̂
1−0
𝑎⃗avg = −𝛽 𝑖̂ + 2.8 𝑗̂ m/s²

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(b) Instantaneous acceleration
Instantaneous acceleration is the time derivative of velocity:
⃗⃗
𝑑𝑣 𝑑
𝑎⃗(𝑡) = = 𝑑𝑡 [(𝛼 − 𝛽𝑡 2 )𝑖̂ + 𝛾𝑡𝑗̂] 𝑎⃗(𝑡) = −2𝛽𝑡 𝑖̂ + 𝛾 𝑗̂ 𝑎⃗(𝑡) = −2𝛽𝑡𝑖̂ + 2.8𝑗̂ m/s²
𝑑𝑡

(c) Altitude when 𝑥 = 0 first occurs after 𝑡 = 0

Position in x-direction:
𝛽𝑡 3
𝑥(𝑡) = ∫ 𝑣𝑥 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = ∫ (𝛼 − 𝛽𝑡 2 )𝑑𝑡 = 𝛼𝑡 − +𝐶
3
At 𝑡 = 0, 𝑥 = 0 ⟹ 𝐶 = 0
Set 𝑥 = 0 to find first crossing:
𝛽𝑡 3 𝛽𝑡 2
𝛼𝑡 − = 0 ⟹ 𝑡 (𝛼 − )=0
3 3

Ignore 𝑡 = 0, then:

3𝛼 3𝛼
𝑡2 = ⟹𝑡=√
𝛽 𝛽

y-coordinate at this time:

𝛾𝑡 2 𝛾 𝛾 3𝛼 3𝛼𝛾
𝑦(𝑡) = ∫ 𝑣𝑦 𝑑𝑡 = ∫ 𝛾𝑡𝑑𝑡 = + 𝐶, 𝑦(0) = 0 ⟹ 𝐶 = 0 𝑦 = 2 𝑡 2 = 2 ⋅ =
2 𝛽 2𝛽

3𝛼𝛾
𝑦= m
2𝛽

CHAPTER 3: Kinematics (Projectile Motion -Questions-page-24)

QUESTIONS
1. A ball is kicked with an initial velocity of 40 m/s from the ground at an angle of 30∘ to the
horizontal. (Use 𝑔 = 10 m/s²)
(a) Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of initial velocity.
(b) Calculate the vertical velocity after 𝑡 = 1 s, 2 s, 3 s, 4 s.
(c) Calculate the position vector 𝑟⃗ = 𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑦𝑗̂ after 𝑡 = 1 s, 2 s, 3 s, 4 s.
(d) Determine the total time of flight.
(e) Determine the maximum height.
(f) Determine the range of the projectile.

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2. An airplane moving horizontally with velocity 500 km/hr at a height of 2 km above the ground
drops a bomb when it is directly above the target. By how much distance will the bomb miss the
target?
3. An astronaut on a strange planet finds that she can jump a maximum horizontal distance of
15.0 m if her initial speed is 3.00 m/s. What is the free-fall acceleration on the planet?
ANSWERS
Answer 1
Given: 𝑢 = 40 m/s, 𝜃 = 30∘ , 𝑔 = 10 m/s²
(a) Horizontal and vertical components
𝑢𝑥 = 𝑢cos𝜃 = 40 ⋅ cos30∘ ≈ 40 ⋅ 0.866 = 34.64 m/s 𝑢𝑦 = 𝑢sin𝜃 = 40 ⋅ sin30∘ = 40 ⋅ 0.5 =
20 m/s
(b) Vertical velocity at time 𝑡
𝑣𝑦 = 𝑢𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡 = 20 − 10𝑡

• 𝑡 = 1 s: 𝑣𝑦 = 20 − 10 = 10 m/s

• 𝑡 = 2 s: 𝑣𝑦 = 20 − 20 = 0 m/s

• 𝑡 = 3 s: 𝑣𝑦 = 20 − 30 = −10 m/s

• 𝑡 = 4 s: 𝑣𝑦 = 20 − 40 = −20 m/s

(c) Position vector

1
𝑥 = 𝑢𝑥 𝑡, 𝑦 = 𝑢𝑦 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2
2
• 𝑡 = 1 s: 𝑥 = 34.64, 𝑦 = 20 − 5 = 15 m → 𝑟⃗ = 34.64𝑖̂ + 15𝑗̂

• 𝑡 = 2 s: 𝑥 = 69.28, 𝑦 = 40 − 20 = 20 → 𝑟⃗ = 69.28𝑖̂ + 20𝑗̂

• 𝑡 = 3 s: 𝑥 = 103.92, 𝑦 = 60 − 45 = 15 → 𝑟⃗ = 103.92𝑖̂ + 15𝑗̂

• 𝑡 = 4 s: 𝑥 = 138.56, 𝑦 = 80 − 80 = 0 → 𝑟⃗ = 138.56𝑖̂
(d) Time of flight
2𝑢𝑦 2 ⋅ 20
𝑡𝑓 = = = 4s
𝑔 10
(e) Maximum height
𝑢𝑦2 202
𝐻max = = = 20 m
2𝑔 20

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(f) Range
𝑅 = 𝑢𝑥 𝑡𝑓 = 34.64 ⋅ 4 ≈ 138.56 m

Answer 2
1000
Given: 𝑢𝑥 = 500 km/hr = 500 ⋅ 3600 ≈ 138.89 m/s
Height: 𝑦 = 2 km = 2000 m
Time to fall:

1 2𝑦 2 ⋅ 2000
𝑦 = 𝑔𝑡 2 ⟹ 𝑡 = √ = √ = √400 = 20 s
2 𝑔 10

Horizontal distance:
𝑥 = 𝑢𝑥 𝑡 = 138.89 ⋅ 20 ≈ 2777.8 m ≈ 2.78 km

Bomb misses target by ≈ 2.78 km

Answer 3
Maximum horizontal distance (range) on level ground:
𝑢2
𝑅= (for 45° launch angle)
𝑔planet

Assume optimal angle 45∘ , then

𝑢2 𝑢2 32 9
𝑅= ⟹ 𝑔𝑝 = = = = 0.6 m/s²
𝑔𝑝 𝑅 15 15

𝑔planet = 0.6 m/s²

CHAPTER 2: Kinematics (Circular Motion -Questions-page-28)

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CHAPTER 3: Angular Motion (Uniformly Accelerated angular motion-
page-31)

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CHAPTER 3: Angular Motion (law of conservation of angular momentum -
page-33)

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