CHAPTER 1

MOTION IN A PLANE
1.1 TWO-DIMENSIONAL MOTION

Two-dimensional motion: If an object moves in a plane, and it may move in both the x
and the y directions simultaneously, then the motion of the object is said to be a two-
dimensional motion.
 The object moves along a curved path between points P and Q as shown in
Figure 1.1.

 The displacement vector of the object from P to Q is ∆ r⃗ .

 The perpendicular components of ∆ r⃗ are ∆ ⃗x and ∆ ⃗y .
 The vector equation of ∆ r⃗ is, ∆ r⃗ = ∆ ⃗x + ∆ ⃗y .
 The magnitude of ∆ r⃗ is, ∆ r⃗ =√(∆ x)2 +(∆ y)2.
∆y −1 ∆ y
 The direction of ∆ r⃗ is, tanθ= ( ¿ ) θ=tan .
∆x ∆x
∆ r⃗
 The average velocity is , ⃗v av =⃗v = . (1.1)
∆t
∆ r⃗ d ⃗r
 The instantaneous velocity is, ⃗v = lim = . (1.2)
∆t→0 ∆ t dt
∆v
 The average acceleration is, a⃗ av =⃗a = . (1.3)
∆t
∆ ⃗v d ⃗v
 The instantaneous acceleration is, a⃗ = lim = . (1.4)
∆ t →0 ∆ t dt
 An object moving with constant speed along a
curved path is accelerating as the direction of
the velocity is changing.
 The direction of the velocity of the object is

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 tangential to its path.
 An object has an accelerated whenever the velocity changes in magnitude,
or direction, or both.

EXERCISE
Q1: What is the difference between instantaneous acceleration and average
acceleration?
Ans: Instantaneous acceleration is the rate of change of velocity at an instant of time.
Average acceleration is the rate of change of velocity over a period of time.

R1: Draw the diagram to show the direction of velocity of an object which is
moving along a curved path and then draw the vector diagram to show the
velocity components in x and y directions at a starting point P.

Eg1.1: A stone is thrown from the cliff of a mountain upward at an angle of 30° to
the horizontal with an initial speed of 20 m s -1 .
Calculate the x and the y components of its initial velocity.

Ans: v0 = 20 ms-1, θ0 = 30°

Horizontal component of initial velocity v0x = ?
Vertical component of initial velocity v0y = ?
v0x = v0 cos θ0 = 20 cos 30° = 17.32 ms-1
v0y = v0 sin θ0 = 20 sin 30° = 10 ms-1

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Eg1.2: A soccer ball is kicked at an angle with the ground. The ball traverses the
horizontal distance of 10 m and the vertical distance of 3 m in 3 s. Find the
displacement and the average velocity of the ball in 3 s.
Ans: horizontal distance ∆x = 10 m, vertical distance ∆y = 3 m
magnitude of displacement
∆ r =√ (∆ x)2 +(∆ y)2= √ 102 +33 =10.44 m
∆y −1 ∆ y −1 3
Direction of the displacement is, tanθ= , θ=tan =tan = 16.7°
∆x ∆x 10
∆ r 10.44
Magnitude of the average velocity is , v av = = = 3.48 ms-1
∆t 3
The direction of average velocity is the same as the direction of the displacement.

1.2 PROJECTILE MOTION

Projectile: A projectile is any object thrown into space upon which the only acting
force is the gravity.
Trajectory: The path followed by a projectile is known as a trajectory.
Projectile motion: The motion of an object moving in both the horizontal x direction
and the vertical y direction simultaneously is called the projectile motion.
 Some examples for the projectile motion are water fountain, the motion of cannon
ball, and the motion of the football. {Figure 1.2}

 In the projectile motion, the path of motion is a curve.

 If the air resistance is neglected, an object moves along the horizontal x direction
with a constant velocity and in the vertical y direction with a constant
downward acceleration. In such case, only the gravitational force is acting on it.
 The downward acceleration is the acceleration due to gravity g which is a constant
over the range of motion.
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 The vertical motion of the projectile is a free fall motion.

 In Figure 1.3, the initial velocity of the projectile is v 0 .

 If the initial velocity makes an angle θ 0 with the horizontal,
the x component of the initial velocity is, v0x = v0 cos θ0
the y component of the initial velocity is, v0y = v0 sin θ0
 The projectile motion can be considered into two parts,
horizontal motion (x direction), and vertical motion (y direction).
 In the x direction (horizontal motion part),
ax = 0 [no horizontal net force, no horizontal acceleration]
vx = v0x = v0 cos θ0 = constant.
 The horizontal displacement of the projectile as a function of time is;
x = v0x t = (v0 cos θ0 ) t .
 In the y direction, or in the vertical motion,
the equations and the concepts are based on free fall motion.
 The upward velocity is positive. (+v y )
 The downward velocity is negative. (-vy )
 The displacement above the origin is positive. (+y)
 The displacement below the origin is negative. (-y)
 Since the acceleration due to gravity g is always directed
downwards, its value will be negative. (-g)
 In the y direction, v0y is the initial velocity, ay is –g
 We have taken the upward direction to be positive.

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  The velocity and the displacement of a projectile in time t are in the following
equations.

 The magnitude of the velocity of the projectile at any instant of time is

v=√ v 2x + v 2y

 The direction of the velocity of the projectile at any instant of time is,
∆y −1 ∆ y
tanθ= ( ¿ ) θ=tan
∆x ∆x
 Let the time taken by the projectile to reach the highest point is t1 ,
 The vertical component of the velocity at the highest point is zero. (vy = 0)
v y =v 0 y + a y t
0=v 0 y −g t 1
v 0 y v 0 sinθ 0
t 1= =
g g
Time of flight: The time of flight of a projectile is the time interval between the instant
of its launch and the instant when it hits the same horizontal level. The time of flight (T)
is twice the time to reach the maximum height (t1 ).
2 v 0 y 2 v 0 sin θ0
T =2 t 1 ¿ = (1.8)
g g
When t = T, y = 0
1 2
y=v 0 y t+ a y t
2
1 2
0=v 0 y T + a y T
2
1
0=v 0 y + a y T ( because T ≠ 0)
2
2 v 0 y 2 v 0 sin θ0
T= =
g g

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 Let the maximum height be H,

Horizontal range: The horizontal range R is the horizontal distance from the starting
point to the point where the projectile returns to the same height. {Figure 1.4.}

 The horizontal range R is obtained by using x = R and t = T.

x=v 0 x t

R=v 0 x T =( v 0 x ) ( )
2 v0 y 2 v0 x v0 y
g
=
g
=2¿ ¿

2
R=v 0 ¿ ¿
2
v 0 sin ( 2 θ 0)
R=
g
 There is no initial vertical velocity,
v 0 y =0
v 0 x =v 0
x=v 0 x t=v 0 t
 The vertical velocity at the time t is,
v y =v 0 y + a y t=0−¿=−¿
 The vertical displacement of the object in
the time t is,
1 2 −1 2
y=v 0 y t+ a y t = gt
2 2

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Exercise
R1: Why is the horizontal motion of the projectile taken as uniform motion?
Ans: If air resistance is neglected, a projectile moves along the horizontal x direction
with constant velocity and it has no acceleration. Therefore the horizontal motion of the
projectile is taken as uniform motion.

R2: Under what conditions can you have the two-dimensional motion with a one-
dimensional acceleration?
Ans: Projectile motion, when air resistance is neglected or there is only gravitational
force acting on the object in motion.
Eg1.3: An object is projected upward with a 30° launch angle and an initial speed of
40 m s-1 . How long will it take for the object to reach the top of its trajectory? Find
the maximum height of its trajectory.
Ans: initial speed v0 = 40 ms-1, launch angle θ0 = 30° , ay = -g = - 9.8 ms-2,
time to reach the top of its trajectory t1 = ? maximum height H = ?
v0y = v0 sin θ0 = 40 × sin 30° = 40 × 0.5 = 20 ms-1
v 0 sinθ 0 40 ×sin 30 20
t 1= = = =2.04 s
g 9.8 9.8
2 2 2
v 0 sin θ0 20 400
H= = = =20.41 m
2g 2× 9.8 19.6

Eg1.4: A bomb is dropped from an airplane moving horizontally with its speed of
50 ms -1 . If the bomb will reach the ground in 5 s, find the altitude of the
plane. The air resistance is negligible.
Ans: The plane velocity is the initial velocity of the bomb.
v0x = 50 m s -1 , v0y = 0, t = 5 s
1 2
displacement y=v 0 y t+ a y t
2
1 2 −1 2
y=v 0 y t− g t = gt
2 2
1
=– × 9.8 × 5 2 = −122.5 m
2
Minus sign means the direction is downwards. The attitude of the plane is 122.5 m

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 -1
Eg1.5: A stone is thrown with a speed 20 m s at an angle of 30° above the
horizontal. Find (i) the horizontal range (ii) the maximum height reached (iii) the
time of flight of the stone.
Ans: initial speed v0 = 20 m s-1 , launch angle θ0 = 30°
(i) The horizontal range R,
2
v 0 sin ( 2 θ 0) 202 sin ( 2 ×30 )
R= = =¿ 35.35 m
g 9.8
(ii) The maximum height reached H,
2 2 2
v 0 sin θ0 202 ( sin30 )
H= = =¿ 5.10 m
2g 2× 9.8
(iii) The time of flight of the stone T,
2 v 0 sinθ 0 2 ×20 × sin 30
T= = = 2.04 s
g 9.8

Q02: A stone is thrown horizontally from a cliff 100 ft high. The initial velocity is
20 ft s -1 . How far from the base of the cliff does the stone strike the ground?
Ans: y = - 100 ft (downward)
v0x = 20 ft s -1 , v0y = 0 , ay = -g = - 32 ft s -1
1 2 1 2
y=v 0 y t+ a y t , y=v 0 y t− g t
2 2
1
- 100 = 0 - ×32× t2
2
200
t2 = = 6.25
32
t = 2.5 s
The horizontal distance is, x = v0x t = 20 × 2.5 = 50 ft

-1
Q03: A ball is thrown horizontally with an initial speed of 10 m s from an 80 m
cliff. How long does it take to reach the ground?
Ans: y = - 80 m (falling downward diection) v0x = 10 ms-1 , v0y = 0 , ay = - g = -9.8 ms-1
1 2 1 2
y=v 0 y t+ a y t , y=v 0 y t− g t
2 2
1
- 80 = 0 - × 9.8×t2
2

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 160
t2 = , t =4.04 s
9.8
Q04: A footballer kicked a ball with an initial velocity of 20 m s -1 at an angle of 60°.
(i) How long is the ball in the air? (ii) What are the range and maximum height of
the ball?
Ans : v0 = 20 m s-1, θ0 = 60°
(i) The time of flight T = ?
2 v 0 sinθ 0 2 ×20 × sin 60
T= = = 3.53
g 9.8
(ii) Range R =?
2
v 0 sin ( 2 θ 0) 202 sin ( 2 ×60 )
R= = =¿ 35.35 m
g 9.8
The maximum height =?
2 2 2
v 0 sin θ0 202 ( sin60 )
H= = =¿ 15.31 m
2g 2× 9.8

-1
Q01: A cannon ball is shot with initial velocity 141.4 m s with 45° angle of
inclination. Find the position and velocity of the cannon ball at 5 s.
Ans: v0 = 141.4 ms-1 , θ = 45° , ay = -g = -9.8 ms-1
At t= 5 s, position (x =? , y = ? ), v = ?
v0x = v0 cos θ = 141.4 cos 45° = 99.98 ms-1
v0y = v0 sin θ = 141.4 cos 45° = 99.98 ms-1
Horizontal position , x = v0x t = 99.98×5 = 499.9 m
12 2 1
Vertical position, y=v 0 y t+ a y t , y=v 0 y t− g t
2 2
1
= (99.98 × 5 ) - (9.8)(25) = 499.9 – 122.5 = 377.4 m
2
x component of velocity, vx = v0x = 99.98 ms-1
y component of velocity, v y =v 0 y + a y t = v 0 y −¿ = 99.98 - (9.8)(5) = 51 ms-1
velocity of cannon ball , v=√ v 2x + v 2y = √ 1002 +512 = 112.25 ms-1
−1 ∆y −1 51
θ=tan ¿ tan = 27°
∆x 100

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1.2 CIRCULAR MOTION
Circular motion is a specific type of a two-dimensional motion.
Circular motion: Circular motion is the movement of an object along the
circumference of a circle, or rotation along a circular path.
Examples for circular motion
1. If a ball is tied to the end of a string, and whirl it above the head in a horizontal
circle, the ball is undergoing the circular motion. {Figure 1.6 (a)}
We can experience a pulling force (known as the tension) exerted on the ball by
the string.
2. A satellite orbiting the earth {Fig 1.6 (b)}
3. Motion of a wheel {Fig 1.6 (c)}
4. Turning of a car around a curved path {Fig 1.6 (d)}.

 If an object (rigid body) rotates about an axis, each particle consisting of the
object moves in a circular motion.
 The direction of the velocity is tangential to the path. The velocity in circular
motion is also called the tangential velocity.
 Although an object moves in a circle at a constant speed, its velocity is not
constant [because the direction is changing].
 In Figure 1.7, an object undergoes the circular motion
about O.
 When the object is on the reference line [on the
x- axis, (x 0 , 0)], its angular position is zero.

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  After time t, it has moved to a new position (x 1 , y 1 ).
 In this time interval, it has rotated through an angle
θ with respect to the reference line and through a
distance s measured along the circumference of the circle, called an arc length.
Angular displacement (θ): Change of the angular position is called the angular
displacement.
The angular displacement is the ratio of the arc leng to radius.
s
θ=
r
Where, θ = angular displacement , s = arc length, r = radius of circle
 The magnitude of angular displacement θ is measured in radian (rad).
 Angular displacement can also be expressed in degree and revolution (rev).
One radian: One radian is defined as the angle subtended at the centre of a circle by an
arc whose length is equal to the radius of the circle. (If s = r, then θ = 1 rad)
s
If s = r then θ= = 1 rad
r
2π rad = 360° = 1 rev
360 ° 180 °
1 rad= = =57.3 °
2π π

Average Angular Velocity and Instantaneous Angular Velocity

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Average angular velocity (): Average angular velocity is the ratio of the change in
angular displacement to the time taken.

Instantaneous angular velocity: Instantaneous angular velocity is defined as the time

rate of change of angular displacement.
If the time interval Δt approaches zero, the instantaneous angular velocity is,

where ω is constant angular velocity, θ is angular displacement and t is time taken.

Units of angular velocity
Angular velocity is measured in in radian per second (rad s−1), revolution per second
(rps or rev s -1 ), or revolution per minute (rpm or rev min−1).

Average Angular Acceleration and Instantaneous Angular Acceleration

Average angular acceleration (a ¿ : The average angular acceleration is the ratio of the
change in angular velocity to time taken.

Where, a=average angular acceleration

ω 1=angular velocity at timeinstant t 1
ω 2=angular velocity at timeinstant t 2
Instantaneous angular acceleration: Instantaneous angular acceleration is the time rate
of change of angular velocity.
If the time interval Δt approaches zero, the instantaneous angular acceleration is,

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 The instantaneous angular acceleration is the value of the angular acceleration at a
specific instant of time.
 When the body is moving with a constant angular acceleration,

The SI unit of angular acceleration is radian per second squared (rad s−2) and the
other unit is revolution per second squared (rev s -2 ).

Relation between Angular and Linear Quantities

The magnitude of the angular velocity (angular speed) is related to that of the
tangential velocity (tangential speed) v as follows,

Figure 1.9 shows the relation of the linear velocity and the angular velocity.

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 The relation between the angular acceleration α and the tangential acceleration
a T is

 Angular velocity ω and angular acceleration α are vector quantities.

 The direction of linear acceleration a T is tangent to the path. Linear acceleration
is called the tangential acceleration.
 The SI unit of angular velocity is rad s−1and the SI unit of angular acceleration is
rad s−2.

Eg1.6: Express the angular velocity of a 45 rpm (revolutions per minute) record
turntable in units of rad s -1 .
Ans:

Eg1.7: The angular velocity of a rotating disc increases from 2 rad s−1 to 5 rad s−1 in
10 s. What is the average angular acceleration?
Ans:

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Eg1.8: A particle in a disc rotating with a uniform angular speed of 2 rev s -1 is 0.2
m from the axis of rotation. What are (i) the tangential speed of the particle and (ii)
the angle through which it rotates in 3 s?
Ans: Since a particle rotates with a uniform angular speed, the motion of particle is
uniform circular motion.

Q05: A circular disc rotates initially at rest experiences a uniform angular

acceleration of 0.25 rad s−2. What is the angular speed after rotating 10 s?

Q06: A disc rotating at angular speed of 10 rad s−1 is slowed down by a uniform
angular acceleration to a speed of 4 rad s−1 in 3 s. What is the angular acceleration?

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Q07: The tips of the blades in a food blender are moving with a speed of 21 m s−1
in a circle that has a radius of 0.053 m. How much time does it take for the blades to
make one revolution?

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