Chapter 4

TWO DIMENSIONAL MOTION

Intended Learning Outcomes:

1. Find the position, velocity, and acceleration using unit vector.

2. Describe and compare the motion of a body thrown horizontally to that of in free fall.
3. Derive working equations for horizontally- launched projectile.
4. Study the elements of a projectile motion.
5. Determine the relationship of the angle of projection on the range of a projectile at a given initial velocity.

Concepts:

POSITION VECTOR, VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION

Position vector: describes the particle position drawn from the origin of some coordinates system to the location of the
particle in xy plane.

Displacement vector: difference between its final position vector and its initial position vector but making use of the full
vector notation rather than positive and negative signs to indicate the direction of motion.

Average velocity: the displacement vector of the particle divided by the time interval

The sign of 𝑣 depends on ∆𝑟⃗

Instantaneous Velocity: the derivative of the position vector with respect to time and direction at any point in a particles
path is along a line tangent to the path at that point.

Average acceleration: change in its instantaneous velocity vector divided by the time interval ∆𝑡 during which changes
occurs
Instantaneous acceleration: The derivative of the velocity vector with respect to time.

Two-Dimensional Motion with Constant Acceleration

Two independent motions in each of the two perpendicular directions associated with the x and y plane axes. That
is, any influence in the y direction does not affect the motion in the x direction and vice versa.

The position vector for a particle moving in the xy plane can be written

where x, y, 𝑟⃗ change with time as the particle moves while the unit vectors and remain constant. If the
position vector is known, the velocity of the particle can be obtained from the position vector equation which is

Velocity vector as a function of time

Position vector as a function of time

PROJECTILE MOTION

Projectile motion of an object is simple to analyze if we make two assumptions:

1. The free fall acceleration is constant over the range of motion and is directed downward, and
2. The effect of air resistance is negligible.

With these assumptions, we find that the path of projectile, which we call its trajectory is always a parabola. The position
vector of the projectile as a function of time with its acceleration being due to gravity,
where the initial x and y components of the velocity of the projectile are

In analyzing projectile motion model it to be the superposition of two motion:

1. Motion of a particle under constant velocity in the horizontal direction

2. Motion of a particle under constant acceleration (free fall) in the vertical direction.

Two points in this motion are especially interesting to analyze:

a. the maximum height (h) when the velocity along the vertical
direction becomes zero

time at maximum height

maximum height

b. the horizontal range (R) at a time that is twice at which it reaches its maximum height.
Sample Problem

A particle starts from the origin at t = 0 with an initial velocity having an x component of 20 m/s and a y
component of -15 m/s. The particle moves in the xy plane with an x component of acceleration only, given by ax=4.0 m/s2.

A. Calculate the velocity and speed of the particle at t = 5.0 s.

To begin the mathematical analysis, we set vxi =20 m/s, vyi = -15 m/s, ax= 4.0 m/s2, and ay = 0.

substituting the time

Evaluate the speed of the particle as the magnitude of :

B. Determine the x and y coordinates of the particle at any time t and its position vector at this time.

Using the components

position vector of the particle at any time t:

Sample Problem

A stone is thrown from the top of a building upward at an angle of 30.0° to the horizontal with an initial speed of
20.0 m/s as shown in figure. The height of the building is 45.0 m.

A. How long does it take the stone to reach the ground?

We have the information xi = yi = 0, yf = - 45.0 m, ay = - g, and vi = 20.0 m/s (the numerical value of yf is
negative because we have chosen the top ofthe building as the origin).

initialx and y components of the stone’ velocity:

vertical position of the stone from the vertical component

Solve the quadratic equation for t :

B. What is the speed of the stone just before it strikes the ground?

Use the time t = 4.22 s to get the y component of the velocity

The horizontal components of the velocity vxf = vxi = 17.3 m/s. The speed of the stone will be
 Written Work #F3

Name: ________________________________________ Score: __________________

Section: ____________ USN: _____________________ Date: ___________________

Solve what is asked on the problem. Show your complete solution and box your final answer with red-ink pen. Erasures
are not allowed.

Position, Velocity and Acceleration Vector

1. A motorist drives south at 20.0 m/s for 3.00 min, then turns west and travels at 25.0 m/s for 2.00 min, and finally
travels northwest at 30.0 m/s for 1.00 min. For this 6.00 min trip, find (a) the total vector displacement, (b) the
average speed, and (c) the average velocity. Let the positive x axis point east.

2. A golf ball is hit off a tee at the edge of a cliff. Its x and y coordinates as functions of time are given by the
following expressions:

a. write a vector expression for the ball’s position as a function of time, using the unit vectors î and ĵ. by taking
derivatives, obtain expressions.
b. the velocity vector as a function of time
c. the acceleration vector as a function of time. Next use unit–vector notation to write expressions
d. the position, the velocity, and the acceleration of the golf ball, all at t = 3.00 s.

Two-Dimensional Motion with Constant Acceleration

3. The vector position of a particle varies in time according to the expression

a. Find expressions for the velocity and acceleration of the particle as functions of time.
b. Determine the particle’s position and velocity at t = 1.00 s.

Projectile Motion

4. To start an avalanche on a mountain slope, an artillery shell is fired with an initial velocity of 300 m/s at 55.0°
above the horizontal. It explodes on the mountainside 42.0 s after firing. What are the x and y coordinates of the
shell where it explodes, relative to its firing point?

5. A placekicker must kick a football from a point 36.0 m (about 40 yards) from the goal, and half the crowd hopes
the ball will clear the crossbar, which is 3.05 m high. When kicked, the ball leaves the ground with a speed of
20.0 m/s at an angle of 53.0° to the horizontal.

a. By how much does the ball clear or fall short of clearing the crossbar?
b. Does the ball approach the crossbar while still rising or while falling?
 SOLUTIONS TO WORKSHEET

Position, Velocity and Acceleration Vector

1. A motorist drives south at 20.0 m/s for 3.00 min, thenturns west and travels at 25.0 m/s for 2.00 min, and finally
travels northwest at 30.0 m/s for 1.00 min. For this 6.00 min trip, find

(a) the total vector displacement,

(b) the average speed, and

(c) the average velocity. Let the positive x axis point east.

2. A golf ball is hit off a tee at the edge of a cliff. Its x and ycoordinates as functions of time are given by the
followingexpressions:

(a) Write a vector expression for the ball’s position as a function of time, using the unit vectors î and ĵ.By taking
derivatives, obtain expressions.

(b) the velocity vector as a function of time

 (c) the acceleration vector as a function of time. Next use unit–vector notation to write expressions

(d) the position,the velocity, and the acceleration of the golf ball, all at t = 3.00 s.

Two-Dimensional Motion with Constant Acceleration

3. The vector position of a particle varies in time according to the expression

(a) Find expressionsfor the velocity and acceleration of the particle as functions of time.

(b) Determine the particle’s position and velocity at t = 1.00 s.

PROJECTILE MOTION

4. To start an avalanche on a mountain slope, an artilleryshell is fired with an initial velocity of 300 m/s at
55.0°above the horizontal. It explodes on the mountainside 42.0 s after firing. What are the xand y coordinates of
the shell where it explodes, relative to its firing point?
5. A placekicker must kick a football from a point 36.0 m(about 40 yards) from the goal, and half the crowd
hopesthe ball will clear the crossbar, which is 3.05 m [Link] kicked, the ball leaves the ground with a speed
of20.0 m/s at an angle of 53.0° to the horizontal.

(a) By how much does the ball clear or fall short of clearing thecrossbar?

We use the trajectory equation:

With

(b) Does the ball approach the crossbar while still rising or while falling?

The time the ball takes to reach the maximum height is

 Written Work #F4

Name: ________________________________________ Score: __________________

Section: ____________ USN: _____________________ Date: ___________________

Direction: Read and choose the best answer among the choices for each item. Write the letter, in capital letters, of the
correct answer before the number

1. At t = 0, a particle leaves the origin with a velocity of 9.0 m/s in the positive y direction and moves in the xy plane
with a constant acceleration of (2.0i - 4.0j) m/s2. At the instant the x coordinate of the particle is 15 m, what is the
speed of the particle?

A. 10 m/s C. 12 m/s
B. 16 m/s D. 14 m/s

2. A particle moving at a velocity of 4.0 m/s in the positive x direction is given an acceleration of 3.0 m/s2 in the
positive y direction for 2.0 s. The final speed of the particle is

A. -2.0 m/s C. 6.0 m/s

B. 7.2 m/s D. 10 m/s

3. A particle moves in the xy plane with constant acceleration. At time zero, the particle is at x = 4 m, y = 3 m and
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
has velocity → = ( 2 ) 𝑖̂ + ( −9 ) 𝑗̂. The acceleration is given by → = ( 4 2 ) 𝑖̂ + ( 3 ) 𝑗̂. What is the
𝑣 𝑠 𝑠 𝑎 𝑠 𝑠2
velocity at t = 2s ?

𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
A. → = ( 10 ) 𝑖̂ + ( 3 ) 𝑗̂ C. → = (−10 ) 𝑖̂ + ( −3 ) 𝑗̂
𝑣 𝑠 𝑠 𝑣 𝑠 𝑠
𝑚 𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
B. → = (−10 ) 𝑖̂ + ( 3 ) 𝑗̂ D. → = ( 10 ) 𝑖̂ + ( −3 ) 𝑗̂
𝑣 𝑠 𝑠 𝑣 𝑠 𝑠

4. A cannonball is fired with initial speed Vo at an angle 30° above the horizontal from a height of 40 m above the
ground. The projectile strikes the ground with a speed of 1.2 Vo. Find Vo.
A. 40.5 m/s C. 39.6 m/s
B. 42.2 m/s D. 41.7 m/s

5. A projectile is fired horizontally with an initial speed of 57 m/s. What are the horizontal and vertical components
of its displacement 3.0 s after it is fired?

horizontal vertical
A. 44 m –29 m
B. 170 m zero m
C. 170 m –44 m
D. 210 m –44 m

6. When the sun is directly overhead, a hawk dives toward the ground with a constant velocity of 5.00 m/s at 60°
below the horizontal. Calculate the speed of its shadow on the level ground.

A. 2.50 m/s C. 2.75 m/s

B. 3.15 m/s D. 1.25 m/s
7. The coordinates of an object moving in the xy plane vary with time according to the equations 𝑥 =
−5.00 sin 𝜔𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 4.00 − 5.00 cos 𝜔𝑡, where 𝜔 is a constant, x and y are in meters, and t is in seconds.
What are the components of a acceleration of the object at t = 0?

A. −5.00 𝜔2 𝑖̂ m/s2 C. −5.00 𝜔2 𝑗̂ m/s2

B. 5.00 𝜔2 𝑗̂ m/s2 D. 5.00 𝜔2 𝑖̂ m/s2

8. A snowball is originally at the point with position vector 29.0 m at 95° counterclockwise from the x axis, moving
with velocity 4.50 m/s at 40°. It moves with constant acceleration 1.90 m/s2 at 200°. What is the position vector
after 5.00 s have elapsed?

A. → = ( 3.45 − 1.79 𝑡 )𝑖̂ + ( 2.89 − 0.650 𝑡 ) 𝑗̂

𝑟
B. → = (−25.3 + 3.45 𝑡 − 1.79 t 2 )𝑖̂ + ( 2.89 + 28.9𝑡 − 0.650t 2 ) 𝑗̂
𝑟
C. → = (25.3 − 3.45 𝑡 − 0.893 t 2 )𝑖̂ + ( 2.89 − 28.9𝑡 − 0.325t 2 ) 𝑗̂
𝑟
D. → = (−25.3 + 3.45 𝑡 − 0.893 t 2 )𝑖̂ + ( 28.9 + 2.89𝑡 − 0.325t 2 ) 𝑗̂
𝑟

9. A ball is tossed from an upper-storey window of a building. The ball is given an initial velocity of .00 m/s at an
angle of 20° below the horizontal. It strikes the ground ground 3.00 s later. How far horizontally from the base of
the building does the ball strike the ground?

A. 1.18 m C. 22.6 m
B. 52.3 m D. 8.21 m

10. A rock is projected from the edge of the top of a building with an initial velocity of 12.2 m/s at an angle of 53
above the horizontal. The rock strikes the ground a horizontal distance of 25 m from the base of the building.
Assume that the ground is level and that the side of the building is vertical. How tall is the building?

A. 25.3 m C. 27.4 m
B. 29.6 m D. 23.6 m