Invisible Mechanics

Mixed Problem Set for Kinematics

1. When a projectile moves slowly through air, the drag is linear in the velocity, 𝐹𝐹 = −𝛼𝛼𝛼𝛼𝛼𝛼.
Find the velocity 𝑣𝑣(𝑡𝑡) of a projectile thrown upward at time 𝑡𝑡 = 0 with speed 𝑣𝑣0 .

Solution
We write Newton’s second law as

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= −𝑔𝑔 − 𝛼𝛼𝛼𝛼
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

and multiply through by 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑. Integrating both sides from the initial condition to time 𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 gives

𝑣𝑣(𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 ) 𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
� = − � 𝑑𝑑 𝑡𝑡.
𝑣𝑣0 𝑔𝑔 + 𝛼𝛼𝛼𝛼 0

Performing the integrals gives

1 𝑣𝑣(𝑡𝑡 )
log(𝑔𝑔 + 𝛼𝛼𝛼𝛼)|𝑣𝑣0 𝑓𝑓 = −𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 .
𝛼𝛼

Renaming 𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 to 𝑡𝑡 and solving for 𝑣𝑣 yields

𝑔𝑔 −𝛼𝛼𝛼𝛼
𝑣𝑣(𝑡𝑡) = 𝑒𝑒 −𝛼𝛼𝛼𝛼 𝑣𝑣0 + (𝑒𝑒 − 1).
𝛼𝛼

This renaming is necessary because we don’t want to confuse 𝑡𝑡, the dummy variable that we
integrating over, with 𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 , the time at which we want to evaluate the velocity; 𝑡𝑡 ranges from
zero to 𝑡𝑡𝑓𝑓 . Unfortunately, often people just call both of these 𝑡𝑡, so you need to watch out.

2. A block is pushed onto a conveyor belt. The belt is moving with speed 1 m/s, and the
block’s initial speed is 2 m/s, with initial velocity perpendicular to that of the belt. During the
subsequent motion, what is the minimum speed of the block with respect to the ground?

Solution
Work in the frame of the belt. In this frame, the initial velocity of the ground and block are
shown as arrows below.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Friction causes the block’s velocity to shrink to zero in this frame. The block has the minimal
relative speed with the ground when the tips of the two vectors are as close as possible, which
is when they form the right triangle shown above. Using similar triangles, the relative speed
at this point is (2/√5) m/s.

3. A boy enters a patch of ice with a coefficient of friction 𝜇𝜇 with speed 𝑣𝑣. By running on the
ice, the boy turns his velocity vector by 90∘ in the minimum possible time, so that his final
speed is also 𝑣𝑣. What is the minimum possible time, and what kind of curve is the trajectory?
Assume the normal force with the ice is constant.

Solution
If you have a given initial and final position and want to go between them with a fixed speed
in the shortest possible time, then you should move in a straight line, i.e. have a velocity with
constant direction. Similarly, if you have a given initial and final velocity, then the fastest way
to go between them with a fixed magnitude of acceleration is to have an acceleration with
constant direction. This is an example of reasoning in “velocity space”, which is useful for
many problems.

The acceleration has magnitude 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇, and the change in velocity has magnitude √2𝑣𝑣. Thus, 𝑡𝑡 =
√2𝑣𝑣/𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇. Since the acceleration vector is constant, the trajectory is a parabola.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

4. Six bugs are placed at the vertices of a regular hexagon with side length 𝑠𝑠. At time 𝑡𝑡 = 0
each bug starts moving directly towards the next with speed 𝑣𝑣. At what time do they collide?

Solution
By symmetry, the bugs always remain in a hexagon shape, but this hexagon rotates and
shrinks. We want to know the time when it collapses completely.

We can first do this by considering how the distance between adjacent bugs changes in an
infinitesimal time 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑. The first bug moves a distance 𝑣𝑣 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 towards the second. The second
moves a distance (√3/2)𝑣𝑣 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 to the side, and a distance (𝑣𝑣/2) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 directly away from the first.
The side-to-side motion doesn’t contribute to the change in distance (one can use the
Pythagorean theorem and binomial theorem to show it is second order, and hence negligible
for infinitesimals), so we ignore it. Then the rate of change of distance between the bugs is
just 𝑣𝑣 − 𝑣𝑣/2 = 𝑣𝑣/2, so the bugs meet at 𝑡𝑡 = 2𝑠𝑠/𝑣𝑣.

Another method is to note that all the bugs meet in the center of the original hexagon, so we
can consider the component of velocity for each bug directed towards the center. This is
always 𝑣𝑣/2 by the hexagonal symmetry, and the original distance from the center is 𝑠𝑠, so the
bugs again meet in time 𝑡𝑡 = 2𝑠𝑠/𝑣𝑣.

5. A child is on an icy hill, which may be modeled as an inclined plane.

The coefficient of friction 𝜇𝜇𝑘𝑘 = 𝜇𝜇𝑠𝑠 is small enough so that, if the child gets the tiniest push,
she will begin sliding down the plane. Now suppose the child gets a horizontal push, with
initial speed 𝑣𝑣0 . What is the child’s final speed?

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Solution
This is identical to example 4. Specifically, the displacement between the rabbit and fox there
corresponds to the velocity of the child here. At every increment of time 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑, the velocity

changes in two ways: it shrinks along its direction by 𝜇𝜇𝜇𝜇cos𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃 due to friction (corresponding
to the fox) and it gains a component 𝑔𝑔sin𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃𝜃 in a fixed direction due to gravity
(corresponding to the rabbit). Furthermore, the problem statement implies the coefficient of
friction is just enough to prevent sliding from rest, so that 𝜇𝜇 = tan𝜃𝜃 and these two
magnitudes are equal. Thus, the problem is exactly analogous to example 4 (with an extra
time derivative) and the answer is 𝑣𝑣0 /2.

6. A small brick is squeezed between two parallel planes in zero gravity. The planes are
perpendicular to the z-axis. The lower plane is moving with constant velocity 𝑢𝑢1 along the x-
axis, whilst the upper one is moving with constant velocity 𝑢𝑢2 along the y-axis.

Initially, the brick is at rest. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the brick and each
plane is identical.

a) Find the speed of the brick 𝑣𝑣∞ after a long time for 𝑢𝑢1 = 𝑢𝑢2 .

b) Find the speed of the brick 𝑣𝑣∞ after a long time for 𝑢𝑢1 ≠ 𝑢𝑢2 .

Solution
The brick is squeezed between the plates and constrained between the plates, so the normal
force on the top and bottom surfaces of the brick must be equal.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Since the brick is moving relative to each plate, the kinetic friction vector on each surface
must also be equal in magnitude, but in a direction given by the relative velocity of each plate
with respect to the brick. Note that this statement is true whether the plates are moving at
the same speed, or different speeds.

A simple vector diagram can illustrate the velocity vectors, the frictional force vectors, and
the net force vector.

Then 𝑎𝑎⃗ = 𝐹𝐹⃗ /𝑚𝑚, and after a time 𝛥𝛥𝛥𝛥 the new relative velocity vectors will be given by

By symmetry, this continues so that the acceleration of the brick is always at 45 degrees, until
eventually,

Figure 1: Vector diagram for solution of part (a)

As such, 𝑣𝑣 = 𝑢𝑢1 /√2.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Though the initial vector diagram for velocities looks different, the force components are still
equal in magnitude, directed along the relative velocity vectors.

Then 𝑎𝑎⃗ = 𝐹𝐹⃗ /𝑚𝑚, and after a time 𝛥𝛥𝛥𝛥 the new relative velocity vectors will be given by

The process is repeated, where the direction of the net force is the angle bisector of the
�⃗1′ and 𝑢𝑢
relative velocity vectors 𝑢𝑢 �⃗2′

As the quantity 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 is a small quantity compared to the magnitude of the velocity vectors, we
can conclude that an equal amount is removed from each of the velocity vectors, so that
magnitude comparison

𝑢𝑢1 − 𝑢𝑢2 = 𝑢𝑢1′ − 𝑢𝑢2′

is a conserved quantity.

For the next step, the net force vector is still the angle bisector for 𝑢𝑢1 and 𝑢𝑢2 . The above
arguments will hold true for the conserved quantity, and then the final velocity can be found
by

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Figure 2:
The correct construction to find direction of net force

Figure 3:
Vector diagram for solution of part (b)

Then

(𝑢𝑢1′ + 𝑢𝑢2′ )2 = 𝑢𝑢12 + 𝑢𝑢22 = 𝐷𝐷 2

and

𝑢𝑢1′ − 𝑢𝑢2′ = 𝑢𝑢1 − 𝑢𝑢2 = 𝛿𝛿

can be solved for 𝑢𝑢1′ and 𝑢𝑢2′ , with

1
𝑢𝑢2′ = (𝐷𝐷 − 𝛿𝛿)
2

and

1
𝑢𝑢1′ = (𝐷𝐷 + 𝛿𝛿)
2

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

This gives the components of 𝑣𝑣 as

𝑢𝑢2′ 𝑢𝑢1 𝛿𝛿
𝐯𝐯𝑥𝑥 = 𝑢𝑢 = �1 − �
𝐷𝐷 1 2 𝐷𝐷

and

𝑢𝑢1′ 𝑢𝑢2 𝛿𝛿
𝐯𝐯𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢2 = �1 + �
𝐷𝐷 2 𝐷𝐷

and the magnitude is

1 𝛿𝛿
𝑣𝑣 = �𝐷𝐷 2 + 𝛿𝛿 2 − 2 (𝑢𝑢12 − 𝑢𝑢22 )
2 𝐷𝐷

Writing this in terms of 𝑢𝑢1 and 𝑢𝑢2 is left as an exercise for the reader.

1 (𝑢𝑢1 − 𝑢𝑢2 )2 (𝑢𝑢1 + 𝑢𝑢2 )

𝐯𝐯 = � �𝑢𝑢12 + 𝑢𝑢22 − 𝑢𝑢1 𝑢𝑢2 − �
2 �𝑢𝑢12 + 𝑢𝑢22

1 𝑢𝑢1 + 𝑢𝑢2
= �𝑢𝑢1 𝑢𝑢2 − (𝑢𝑢1 − 𝑢𝑢2 )2 � − 1�
√2 �𝑢𝑢12 + 𝑢𝑢22

7. A cart is rigged with a vertical cannon so that, when the cart is stationary on a horizontal
track, the cannonball is fired straight up and lands back in the cannon. In each of the
following situations, does the cannonball land back in the cannon, in front of it, or behind it?

(a) The cart is moving on a frictionless horizontal track with speed 𝑣𝑣.

(b) The cart is accelerating down a frictionless inclined track with angle 𝜃𝜃.

(c) The cart is accelerating down an inclined track with angle 𝜃𝜃, and friction
slows it down.

Solution
(a) The motion in the 𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦 directions is independent. In the 𝑥𝑥 direction, both the
cannonball and cart just continue moving with speed 𝑣𝑣, so the cannonball lands right back
into the cannon.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

(b) Work in the tilted frame where the 𝑥𝑥 axis is parallel to the track. In the 𝑥𝑥
direction, both the cannonball and cart start with the same speed and
accelerate with the same acceleration 𝑔𝑔sin𝜃𝜃, so the cannonball lands right
back into the cannon, again.

(c) In this case the cart accelerates less, so the cannonball lands in front.

8. An object is launched from the top of a hill, where the ground lies an angle 𝜙𝜙 below the
horizontal. Show that the range of a projectile is maximized if it is launched along the angle
bisector of the vertical and the ground.

Solution
This is a straightforward if messy problem; we’ll show one of many ways to set it up. Setting
the origin at the launch point and using ordinary horizontal/vertical coordinates, the object
hits the hill when tan𝜙𝜙 = −𝑦𝑦/𝑥𝑥. Using results for projectile trajectories from the preliminary
problem set, we have

𝑦𝑦 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
= −tan𝜙𝜙 = tan𝜃𝜃 − 2 2
𝑥𝑥 2𝑣𝑣 cos 𝜃𝜃

where 𝜃𝜃 is the launch angle from the horizontal. Solving for 𝑥𝑥,

2𝑣𝑣 2 cos2 𝜃𝜃
𝑥𝑥 = (tan𝜃𝜃 + tan𝜙𝜙) ∝ sin𝜃𝜃cos𝜃𝜃 + cos2 𝜃𝜃tan𝜙𝜙.
𝑔𝑔

To maximize the range, we want to maximize 𝑥𝑥, so setting the derivative to zero gives

2
0 = cos2 𝜃𝜃 − sin 𝜃𝜃 − 2sin𝜃𝜃cos𝜃𝜃tan𝜙𝜙

which simplifies to

1 𝜋𝜋 (𝜋𝜋/2) − 𝜙𝜙
tan(2𝜃𝜃) = = tan � − 𝜙𝜙� , 𝜃𝜃 =
tan𝜙𝜙 2 2

as desired. This famous problem was first posed by Torricelli in the 1640s, and solved by
Halley in the 1690s.

9. Two fences of heights ℎ1 and ℎ2 are erected on a horizontal plain, so that the straight-line
distance between the tops of the fences is 𝑑𝑑. Show that the minimum speed needed to throw
a projectile over both fences is �𝑔𝑔(ℎ1 + ℎ2 + 𝑑𝑑).

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Solution
It’s very confusing to think about how to throw the projectile starting from the ground,
because you need to figure out where to launch and at what angle, under the condition that
the trajectory just touches the tops of both fences. A much better way is to imagine the
projectile starts at the top of the higher fence; the goal is then to throw it with minimal
energy so that it just touches the top of the lower fence. At some point, this projectile will
then reach the ground, though we don’t have to worry about where. Since mechanics is time-
reversible, its speed at this point (which is found easily by energy conservation) will be the
minimal possible speed.

Now there are many ways to do this problem. However, we’ll present a more direct attack for
completeness. Note that if you want to hit the top of the lower fence with the minimum
velocity, it’s equivalent to maximizing your throwing range down an inclined plane, namely
the plane that connects the tops of the two fences. Using the same starting point as the
solution to that problem, we have

ℎ 𝑔𝑔√𝑑𝑑 2 − ℎ2
− = tan𝜃𝜃 −
√𝑑𝑑 2 − ℎ2 2𝑣𝑣 2 cos2 𝜃𝜃

where we let ℎ = ℎ2 − ℎ1 > 0. That solution gives a simple expression for tan2𝜃𝜃, so we
massage this equation to

𝑔𝑔 sin2𝜃𝜃 ℎ
2
= + 2 (1 + cos2𝜃𝜃).
𝑣𝑣 2
√𝑑𝑑 − ℎ 2 𝑑𝑑 − ℎ2

We then plug in our previous results, which are

√𝑑𝑑 2 − ℎ2 ℎ
sin2𝜃𝜃 = ,cos2𝜃𝜃 =
𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑

to get the result

𝑣𝑣 2 = (𝑑𝑑 − ℎ)𝑔𝑔 = (𝑑𝑑 + ℎ1 − ℎ2 )𝑔𝑔.

By energy conservation, the speed at the ground is

𝑣𝑣02 = 𝑣𝑣 2 + 2ℎ2𝑔𝑔 = (𝑑𝑑 + ℎ1 + ℎ2 )𝑔𝑔

as desired.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

10. A wheel of radius 𝑅𝑅 rolls without slipping along the 𝑥𝑥-axis with constant speed 𝑣𝑣0 (as
shown in the figure). Investigate the motion of a point 𝑃𝑃 on the rim of the wheel which starts
from the origin 𝑂𝑂 and find the total distance covered by the point between two successive
moments at which it touches the surface.

Solution
After the time interval 𝑡𝑡, the center C of the wheel will have travelled a distance 𝑣𝑣0 𝑡𝑡 as shown,
and since it rolls without slipping, the arc 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 will also have the length 𝑣𝑣0 𝑡𝑡. Thus the angle
𝑣𝑣0 𝑡𝑡
𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 will be 𝜃𝜃 = , Then from the geometry of the figure, we can express the coordinates 𝑥𝑥
𝑅𝑅

and 𝑦𝑦 of the point 𝑃𝑃 as follows:

𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡
𝑥𝑥 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡 − 𝑅𝑅sin � �
𝑅𝑅
𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑅𝑅 − 𝑅𝑅cos � �
𝑅𝑅

With 𝑡𝑡 as a parameter, these two equations define in rectangular coordinates the path of
point 𝑃𝑃 which is called a CYCLOID. In other words the two equations give the motion law for
the point 𝑃𝑃 on the rim of the wheel in the case of pure rolling with uniform motion.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Differentiating equation (1) with respect to time gives the velocity-time equations as follows:

𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡
𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 [1 − cos( )]
𝑅𝑅
𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡
𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 sin( )
𝑅𝑅
𝑣𝑣0 𝑡𝑡
⇒ 𝑣𝑣 = �𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦2 = 𝑣𝑣0 �2[1 − cos( )]
𝑅𝑅
𝑣𝑣0 𝑡𝑡
⇒ 𝑣𝑣 = 2𝑣𝑣0 sin( )
2𝑅𝑅

𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
From this expression, we see that the maximum speed of point 𝑃𝑃 is 2𝑣𝑣0 when 𝑡𝑡 = , that is,
𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜

when the point 𝑃𝑃 is at the top of its path.

Differentiating equation (2) again with respect to time, we obtain the acceleration-time
equations

𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜2 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡
⇒ 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 = sin � �
𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅
𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜2 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡
𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 = cos � �
𝑅𝑅 𝑅𝑅

𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜2
Therefore, 𝑎𝑎 = �𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦2 =
𝑅𝑅

Thus the point 𝑃𝑃 has acceleration of constant magnitude always directed towards the centre
𝐶𝐶 of the rolling wheel.

The total distance traversed by the point 𝑃𝑃 between two successive moments at which it
touches the surface.

2𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜
𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜
𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 𝑡𝑡
⇒ 𝑠𝑠 = ∫ 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 = � �2𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 sin � �� 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
0 2𝑅𝑅
⇒ 𝑠𝑠 = 8𝑅𝑅

11. The current velocity of a river grows in proportion to the distance from its bank and
reaches the maximum value 𝑣𝑣0 in the middle. Near the banks the velocity is zero. A boat is
moving along the river in such a manner that it is always perpendicular to current and the
speed of the boat in still water is 𝑢𝑢. Find the distance through which the boat crossing the
river will be carried away by the current if the width of river is 𝑙𝑙. Also determine the
trajectory of boat.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Solution
Let the river flow or the current flow be along x-axis. At any instant 𝑡𝑡, let the boat be at a
distance 𝑦𝑦 from the bank, then

𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 = 𝑘𝑘𝑦𝑦

Also, we have been given in the problem, that

𝑙𝑙
𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 = 𝑣𝑣0 when 𝑦𝑦 =
2

From (1), we get

𝑙𝑙
𝑣𝑣0 = 𝑘𝑘 � �
2
2𝑣𝑣0
⇒ 𝑘𝑘 =
𝑙𝑙

𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆𝑆 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢

So, equation (1) becomes

2𝑣𝑣0
𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 = � � 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢
𝑙𝑙
𝑑𝑑𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 2𝑣𝑣0 𝑢𝑢
⇒ = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 = = constant
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑙𝑙
1
Since 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 2
2
1 2𝑣𝑣0 𝑢𝑢 2
⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = 0 + � � 𝑡𝑡
2 𝑙𝑙
𝑣𝑣0 𝑢𝑢 2
⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = � � 𝑡𝑡
𝑙𝑙

…(4)

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

𝑦𝑦
From (3), 𝑡𝑡 =
𝑢𝑢
𝑣𝑣0 𝑢𝑢 2
⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = � 2 � 𝑦𝑦
𝑙𝑙𝑢𝑢
𝑣𝑣0 2
⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = � � 𝑦𝑦
𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙
𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙
⇒ 𝑦𝑦 2 = � � 𝑥𝑥
𝑣𝑣0

This happens to be the equation of a parabola

𝑙𝑙
Now, when 𝑦𝑦 = , we have, from (5)
2

𝑙𝑙 2 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙
= � � 𝑥𝑥
4 𝑣𝑣0
𝑙𝑙𝑣𝑣0
⇒ 𝑥𝑥 =
4𝑢𝑢
Hence total drift is
2𝑙𝑙𝑣𝑣0
Drift = 2𝑥𝑥 =
4𝑢𝑢
𝑙𝑙𝑣𝑣0
⇒ Drift =
2𝑢𝑢

12. A steel ball is dropped from a roof of a building. An observer standing in front of a
window 1m high notes that the ball takes 0.1 sec to fall from the top to the bottom of the
window. The ball continues to fall and makes a complete elastic collision with the ground, so
that it rebounds with the same velocity with which it strikes the ground. The ball reappears at
the bottom of the window 2 second after passing the bottom of the window on the way down,
find the height of the building (Take 𝑔𝑔 = 10 ms−2)

Solution
Let 𝑣𝑣1 and 𝑣𝑣2 be the velocities of a ball at the top and bottom of the windows respectively. Let
ℎ1 be the height of the building above the top of the window and ℎ2 that below the bottom of
window, then

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Height of Building = ℎ1 + Height of Window + ℎ2

⇒ Height of Building = (ℎ1 + 1 + ℎ2 )m

For the path between the top and bottom of window,

We have ℎ = 1 m, 𝑡𝑡 = 0.1 s

𝑎𝑎 = 𝑔𝑔 = 10 ms−2
1
ℎ = 𝑣𝑣1 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 2
2
1
⇒ 1 = 𝑣𝑣1 × 0.1 + × (10) × (0.1)2
2
⇒ 𝑣𝑣1 = 9.5 ms −1
Also from equation 𝑣𝑣 = 𝑢𝑢 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
⇒ 𝑣𝑣2 = 𝑣𝑣1 + 10 × 0.1 = 9.5 + 1 = 10.5 ms −1

Also, from equation of motion 𝑣𝑣 2 − 𝑢𝑢2 = 2𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎,

⇒ 𝑣𝑣12 = 0 + 2 × 10 × ℎ1
𝑣𝑣12 (9.5)2
⇒ ℎ1 = = = 4.51 m
2 × 10 2 × 10
⇒ Path above top of Window = 4.51 m

For the path below the bottom of window, the ball reappears at the bottom of window to
second after passing the bottom on its way down. Hence, it takes a time of 1 s to fall from the
bottom of window to the ground and rebounds to the same height in a further time of 1 s.

1
⇒ ℎ2 = 𝑣𝑣2 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 2
2
1
⇒ ℎ2 = 10.5 × 1 + × 10 × 12
2
⇒ ℎ2 = 10.5 + 5
⇒ Path below the bottom of window = 15.5 m
Hence, Height of the Building is 𝐻𝐻 = 4.51 + 1 + 15.5
⇒ 𝐻𝐻 = 21.01 m

13. A particle moves in x-y plane with velocity 𝑣𝑣⃗ = 𝑘𝑘1 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑘𝑘2 𝑥𝑥𝚥𝚥̂, where 𝚤𝚤̂ and 𝚥𝚥̂ are unit vectors
along x and y axes, 𝑘𝑘1 and 𝑘𝑘2 are constants. Initially the particle is at origin (0, 0). Find

(a) equation of particles trajectory 𝑦𝑦(𝑥𝑥),

(b) curvature radius of trajectory of particle as a function of 𝑥𝑥.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Solution

(a) 𝑣𝑣⃗ = 𝑘𝑘1 𝚤𝚤⃗̂ + 𝑘𝑘2 𝑥𝑥𝚥𝚥⃗̂

{Given}

𝑣𝑣⃗𝑦𝑦 = 𝑘𝑘2 𝑥𝑥𝚥𝚥̂

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑣𝑣⃗𝑥𝑥 = 𝑘𝑘1 𝚤𝚤̂ = 𝑘𝑘2 𝑥𝑥 = 𝑘𝑘1 𝑘𝑘2 𝑡𝑡
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡
= 𝑘𝑘1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 � 𝑑𝑑 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑘𝑘1 𝑘𝑘2 � 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 … (1) 0 0
� 𝑑𝑑 𝑥𝑥 = � 𝑘𝑘1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡
0 0 � 𝑑𝑑 𝑦𝑦 = 𝑘𝑘1 𝑘𝑘2 � 𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑥𝑥 = 𝑘𝑘1 𝑡𝑡 0 0
𝑘𝑘1 𝑘𝑘2 2
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑡𝑡
2

Eliminating 𝑡𝑡 from the above set of two equations, we have

𝑘𝑘2
𝑦𝑦 = � � 𝑥𝑥 2
2𝑘𝑘1

Equation (1) sounds much more like the equation of the parabola

(b) Let 𝑅𝑅 be the radius of the parabolic equation,

3
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 2 2
�1 + � � �
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
⇒ 𝑅𝑅 =
𝑑𝑑 2 𝑦𝑦
� �
𝑑𝑑𝑥𝑥 2
3
𝑘𝑘 𝑥𝑥 2 2
�1 + � 2 � �
𝑘𝑘1
⇒ 𝑅𝑅 =
𝑘𝑘
�𝑘𝑘2 �
1
𝑘𝑘1 𝑘𝑘2𝑥𝑥 2 3
⇒ 𝑅𝑅 = [1 + � � ]2
𝑘𝑘2 𝑘𝑘1

14. At the initial moment three points A, B, and C are on a horizontal straight line at equal
distance from one another. Point A begins to move vertically upwards with a constant
velocity 𝑣𝑣 and point C vertically downward without any initial velocity at a constant
acceleration 𝑎𝑎. How should the point B move vertically for all the three points to be
constantly on one straight line? The points begin to move simultaneously.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Solution
Initially, at 𝑡𝑡 = 0, all the particles are equidistant from each other.

Let at time 𝑡𝑡 the particle 𝐴𝐴 goes to 𝐴𝐴′, 𝐵𝐵 goes to 𝐵𝐵′ and 𝐶𝐶 goes to 𝐶𝐶′

𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴′ = 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣
1
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵′ = 𝑢𝑢𝐵𝐵 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝐵𝐵 𝑡𝑡 2
2
1
𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶 = 𝑎𝑎𝑡𝑡 2
′
2

In similar triangles 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴′, 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵′ and 𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶𝐶′ we have

1
𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑢𝑢𝐵𝐵 𝑡𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑎𝐵𝐵 𝑡𝑡 2 1 𝑎𝑎𝑡𝑡 2
= =
𝑙𝑙 − 𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥 2 𝑙𝑙 + 𝑥𝑥
2𝑣𝑣 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
⇒ =
𝑙𝑙 − 𝑥𝑥 𝑙𝑙 + 𝑥𝑥
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 − 2𝑣𝑣
⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = � � 𝑙𝑙
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 + 2𝑣𝑣

Put (2) in (1) we get

1 −𝑣𝑣 1 𝑎𝑎
𝑢𝑢B 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎B 𝑡𝑡 2 = � � 𝑡𝑡 + � � 𝑡𝑡 2
2 2 2 2
𝑣𝑣 𝑎𝑎
. e. , 𝑢𝑢B = − and 𝑎𝑎B =
2 2

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

Hence, for all the particles to be on one straight line the particle at B must move with an
𝑣𝑣 𝑎𝑎
initial velocity in the upward direction and an acceleration in the downward direction.
2 2

15. The distance between two moving particles 𝑃𝑃 and 𝑄𝑄 at any time is 𝑎𝑎. If 𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 be their relative
velocity and if 𝑢𝑢 and 𝑣𝑣 be the components of 𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 along and perpendicular to 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃, then show
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
that their closest distance is and that the time that elapses before they arrive at their
𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
nearest distance is .
𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟2

Solution
Assuming 𝑃𝑃 to be at rest, particle 𝑄𝑄 is moving with velocity 𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 in the direction shown in
figure. Components of 𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 along and perpendicular to 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 are 𝑢𝑢 and 𝑣𝑣 respectively. In the
figure

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

(i) The closest distance between the particles is 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃. So,

𝑣𝑣
𝑠𝑠min = 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃cos𝛼𝛼 = (𝑎𝑎)( )
𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
⇒ 𝑠𝑠min =
𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟

(ii) Time after which they arrive at their nearest distance is

𝑢𝑢
𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄 (𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃)sin𝛼𝛼 (𝑎𝑎) �𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 � 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
𝑡𝑡 = = = = 2
𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟

3
16. A particle is projected vertically upwards. Prove that it will be at of its greatest height at
4

time which are in the ratio 1:3.

Solution
For the particle projected upwards with an initial velocity 𝑢𝑢, the greatest height attained is

𝑢𝑢2
𝐻𝐻 =
2𝑔𝑔

Let 𝑡𝑡 be the time when the particle is at a height

3𝐻𝐻 3 𝑢𝑢2
ℎ= = � �
4 4 2𝑔𝑔

1
Using the formula 𝑠𝑠 = 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 + 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 2, we get
2

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

3 𝑢𝑢2 1
( ) = 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 + 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 2
4 2𝑔𝑔 2
2
2𝑢𝑢 6𝑢𝑢
⇒ 𝑡𝑡 2 − 𝑡𝑡 + 2 = 0
𝑔𝑔 8𝑔𝑔

Solving for 𝑡𝑡, we have

2𝑢𝑢 4𝑢𝑢2 3𝑢𝑢2

± �� 2 − 2 �
𝑔𝑔 𝑔𝑔 𝑔𝑔 𝑢𝑢 𝑢𝑢
𝑡𝑡 = = ±
2 𝑔𝑔 2𝑔𝑔

𝑢𝑢
Taking negative sign, 𝑡𝑡1 =
2𝑔𝑔
3𝑢𝑢
Taking only positive sign, 𝑡𝑡2 =
2𝑔𝑔
𝑢𝑢
𝑡𝑡1 �2𝑔𝑔�
⟹ = = 1: 3
𝑡𝑡2 �3𝑢𝑢 �
2𝑔𝑔

17. A large heavy box is sliding without friction down a smooth inclined plane of inclination
𝜃𝜃. From a point 𝑃𝑃 on bottom of box, a particle is projected inside the box. The initial speed of
particle with respect to box is 𝑢𝑢 and direction of projection makes and angle 𝛼𝛼 with the
bottom as shown in the figure.

(a) Find the distance along the bottom of box between point of projection 𝑃𝑃 and
point 𝑄𝑄 where the particle lands. (Assume that the particle does not hit any
other surface of the box. Neglect air resistance).

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

(b) If the horizontal displacement of a particle as seen by an observer on ground

is zero, find the speed of box with respect to ground at the instant the
particle was projected.

Solution
Lets consider reference frame 𝑥𝑥-𝑦𝑦 fixed with box with origin at one corner 𝑂𝑂 and moving
down with box. The acceleration of this frame down the incline is 𝑔𝑔sin𝜃𝜃.

Acceleration of the particle launched inside the box w.r.t. ground is 𝑔𝑔 (vertically downwards)
with components

(a) 𝑔𝑔sin𝜃𝜃; (along the negative x-axis) acting as retardation for particle’s motion
along the incline, and

(b) 𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃; (along the negative y-axis) acting as retardation for particle’s motion
perpendicular to the incline.

Relative acceleration of the particle in reference frame along x-axis is

𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 = −𝑔𝑔sin𝜃𝜃 − (−𝑔𝑔sin𝜃𝜃) = 0

Relative acceleration of the particle in reference frame along y-axis is

𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 = −𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃 = 0
⇒ 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 = −𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃

Also the 𝑥𝑥 component of particle’s velocity in box 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 = 𝑢𝑢cos𝛼𝛼 and the 𝑦𝑦 component of the
particle’s velocity in box is 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢sin𝛼𝛼.

When the particle (strikes) arrives at 𝑄𝑄, net displacement perpendicular to the incline is zero.

Cohort 1 - Mechanics
 Invisible Mechanics

1
⇒ 0 = (𝑢𝑢sin𝛼𝛼) 𝑡𝑡 + (−𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃) 𝑡𝑡 2
2
1
⇒ 𝑡𝑡 �� 𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃� 𝑡𝑡 − (𝑢𝑢sin𝛼𝛼)� = 0
2

Since 𝑡𝑡 ≠ 0

2𝑢𝑢sin𝛼𝛼
⇒ 𝑡𝑡 =
𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃

Since 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 = 0, so horizontal motion is non accelerated motion with uniform velocity, we have

2𝑢𝑢sin𝛼𝛼
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = (𝑢𝑢cos𝛼𝛼)𝑡𝑡 = � � 𝑢𝑢cos𝛼𝛼
𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃
𝑢𝑢2 sin2𝛼𝛼
⇒ 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 =
𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃

If the incline moves down with a velocity 𝑣𝑣 and moves a distance 𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄, then it will appear to an
observer on ground that horizontal displacement of particle is zero

For Box

1
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 + (𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 )𝑡𝑡 2
2

2𝑢𝑢sin𝛼𝛼 1 2𝑢𝑢sin𝛼𝛼 2
⇒ 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = 𝑣𝑣 + (𝑔𝑔sin𝜃𝜃)( )
𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃 2 𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃
2𝑢𝑢sin𝛼𝛼 𝑢𝑢sin𝜃𝜃sin𝛼𝛼 2𝑢𝑢2 sin𝛼𝛼cos𝛼𝛼
⇒ [𝑣𝑣 + ]=
𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃 cos𝜃𝜃 𝑔𝑔cos𝜃𝜃
{using part (a)}
sin𝜃𝜃sin𝛼𝛼
⇒ 𝑣𝑣 = 𝑢𝑢[cos𝛼𝛼 − ]
cos𝜃𝜃
cos(𝜃𝜃 + 𝛼𝛼)
⇒ 𝑣𝑣 = 𝑢𝑢
cos𝜃𝜃

Cohort 1 - Mechanics