PHYSICS CHAPTER 2

1
CHAPTER 2:
Kinematics of Linear Motion
(5 hours)
x
s

y
s

x
v

y
v

x
a

y
a

PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
2.0 Kinematics of Linear motion
is defined as the studies of motion of an objects without
considering the effects that produce the motion.
There are two types of motion:
Linear or straight line motion (1-D)
with constant (uniform) velocity
with constant (uniform) acceleration, e.g. free fall motion
Projectile motion (2-D)
x-component (horizontal)
y-component (vertical)
2
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
Learning Outcomes :
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Define and distinguish between
Distance and displacement
Speed and velocity
Instantaneous velocity, average velocity and uniform
velocity
Instantaneous acceleration, average acceleration and
uniform acceleration,
Sketch graphs of displacement-time, velocity-time and
acceleration-time.
Determine the distance travelled, displacement, velocity
and acceleration from appropriate graphs.



3
2.1 Linear Motion (1 hour)
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
2.1. Linear motion (1-D)
2.1.1. Distance, d
scalar quantity.
is defined as the length of actual path between two points.
For example :





The length of the path from P to Q is 25 cm.
4
P
Q
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
s

5
vector quantity.
is defined as the distance between initial point and final
point in a straight line.
The S.I. unit of displacement is metre (m).
Example 2.1 :
An object P moves 30 m to the east after that 15 m to the south
and finally moves 40 m to west. Determine the displacement of P
relative to the original position.
Solution :
2.1.2 Displacement,
N
E
W
S
O
P
u
u
30 m
15 m
10 m 30 m
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
The magnitude of the displacement is given by


and its direction is


2.1.3 Speed, v
is defined as the rate of change of distance.
scalar quantity.
Equation:

interval time
distance of change
speed=
6
t
d
v =
m 18 10 15
2 2
= + = OP
south west to from 56
10
15
tan
1
=
|
.
|

\
|
=

PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
v

7
interval time
nt displaceme of change
=
av
v
1 2
1 2
av
t t
s s
v

=
is a vector quantity.
The S.I. unit for velocity is m s
-1
.

Average velocity, v
av
is defined as the rate of change of displacement.
Equation:








Its direction is in the same direction of the change in
displacement.
2.1.4 Velocity,
t
s
v
av
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
constant =
dt
ds
8
t
s
0 t
v
A
A
A
=
limit
Instantaneous velocity, v

is defined as the instantaneous rate of change of
displacement.
Equation:






An object moves in a uniform velocity when



and the instantaneous velocity equals to the average velocity
at any time.
dt
ds
v =
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
9











Therefore



Q
s
t
0
s
1
t
1
The gradient of the tangent to the curve at point Q
= the instantaneous velocity at time, t = t
1
Gradient of s-t graph = velocity

PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
a

10
interval time
velocity of change
=
av
a
vector quantity.
The S.I. unit for acceleration is m s
-2
.

Average acceleration, a
av
is defined as the rate of change of velocity.
Equation:







Its direction is in the same direction of motion.
The acceleration of an object is uniform when the magnitude of
velocity changes at a constant rate and along fixed direction.
2.1.5 Acceleration,
1 2
1 2
av
t t
v v
a

=
t
v
a
av
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
constant =
dt
dv
11
t
v
0 t
a
A
A
A
=
limit
Instantaneous acceleration, a

is defined as the instantaneous rate of change of velocity.
Equation:






An object moves in a uniform acceleration when



and the instantaneous acceleration equals to the average
acceleration at any time.
2
2
dt
s d
dt
dv
a = =
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
12
Deceleration, a

is a negative acceleration.
The object is slowing down meaning the speed of the object
decreases with time.









Therefore
v
t
Q
0
v
1
t
1
The gradient of the tangent to the curve at point Q
= the instantaneous acceleration at time, t = t
1
Gradient of v-t graph = acceleration

PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
13
Displacement against time graph (s-t)

2.1.6 Graphical methods
s
t
0
s
t
0
(a) Uniform velocity
(b) The velocity increases with time
Gradient = constant
Gradient increases
with time
(c)
s
t 0
Q
R
P
The direction of
velocity is changing.
Gradient at point R is negative.
Gradient at point Q is zero.
The velocity is zero.
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
14
Velocity versus time graph (v-t)











The gradient at point A is positive a > 0(speeding up)
The gradient at point B is zero a= 0
The gradient at point C is negative a < 0(slowing down)
t
1
t
2
v
t
0
(a)
t
2
t
1
v
t
0
(b)
t
1
t
2
v
t
0
(c)
Uniform velocity
Uniform
acceleration
Area under the v-t graph = displacement
B
C
A
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
dt
ds
v =
15
From the equation of instantaneous velocity,





Therefore




} }
= vdt ds
}
=
2
1
t
t
vdt s
graph under the area ded sha t v s =
Simulation 2.1 Simulation 2.2 Simulation 2.3
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
16
A toy train moves slowly along a straight track according to the
displacement, s against time, t graph in Figure 2.1.









a. Explain qualitatively the motion of the toy train.
b. Sketch a velocity (cm s
-1
) against time (s) graph.
c. Determine the average velocity for the whole journey.
d. Calculate the instantaneous velocity at t = 12 s.
e. Determine the distance travelled by the toy train.
Example 2.2 :
0
2 4 6 8 10 12 14
t (s)
2
4
6
8
10
s (cm)
Figure 2.1
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
17
Solution :
a. 0 to 6 s : The train moves at a constant velocity of

6 to 10 s : The train stops.
10 to 14 s : The train moves in the same direction at a
constant velocity of
b.

0
2 4 6 8 10 12 14
t (s)
0.68
1.50
v (cm s
1
)
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
18
Solution :
c.





d.







e. The distance travelled by the toy train is 10 cm.
1 2
1 2
t t
s s
v
av

=
s 14 to s 10 from velocity average = v
1 2
1 2
t t
s s
v

=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
19
A velocity-time (v-t) graph in Figure 2.2 shows the motion of a lift.








a. Describe qualitatively the motion of the lift.
b. Sketch a graph of acceleration (m s
2
) against time (s).
c. Determine the total distance travelled by the lift and its
displacement.
d. Calculate the average acceleration between 20 s to 40 s.
Example 2.3 :
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 t (s)
-4
-2
2
4
v (m s
1
)
Figure 2.2
40 45 50
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
20
Solution :
a. 0 to 5 s : Lift moves upward from rest with a constant
acceleration of
5 to 15 s : The velocity of the lift increases from 2 m s
1
to
4 m s
1
but the acceleration decreasing to

15 to 20 s : Lift moving with constant velocity of
20 to 25 s : Lift decelerates at a constant rate of
25 to 30 s : Lift at rest or stationary.
30 to 35 s : Lift moves downward with a constant acceleration
of
35 to 40 s : Lift moving downward with constant velocity
of
40 to 50 s : Lift decelerates at a constant rate of
and comes to rest.
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
21
Solution :
b.
t (s) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
0
-0.4
-0.2
0.2
0.6
a (m s
2
)
-0.6
-0.8
0.8
0.4
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
22
Solution :
c. i.
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 t (s)
-4
-2
2
4
v (m s
1
)
40 45 50
A
1
A
2
A
3
A
4
A
5
v-t of graph under the area distance Total =
5 4 3 2 1
A A A A A + + + + =
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
23
Solution :
c. ii.






d.
v-t of graph under the area nt Displaceme =
5 4 3 2 1
A A A A A + + + + =
1 2
1 2
t t
v v
a
av

=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
24
Figure 2.3
1. Figure 2.3 shows a velocity versus time graph for an object
constrained to move along a line. The positive direction is to
the right.








a. Describe the motion of the object in 10 s.
b. Sketch a graph of acceleration (m s
-2
) against time (s) for
the whole journey.
c. Calculate the displacement of the object in 10 s.
ANS. : 6 m

Exercise 2.1 :
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
25
2. A train pulls out of a station and accelerates steadily for 20 s
until its velocity reaches 8 m s
1
. It then travels at a constant
velocity for 100 s, then it decelerates steadily to rest in a further
time of 30 s.
a. Sketch a velocity-time graph for the journey.
b. Calculate the acceleration and the distance travelled in
each part of the journey.
c. Calculate the average velocity for the journey.
Physics For Advanced Level, 4
th
edition, Jim Breithaupt, Nelson
Thornes, pg.15, no. 1.11
ANS. : 0.4 m s
2
,0 m s
2
,-0.267 m s
2
, 80 m, 800 m, 120 m;
6.67 m s
1
.
Exercise 2.1 :
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
Learning Outcome :
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Derive and apply equations of motion with uniform
acceleration:
26
2.2 Uniformly accelerated motion (1 hour)
at u v + =
2
2
1
at ut s + =
as u v 2
2 2
+ =
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
2.2. Uniformly accelerated motion
From the definition of average acceleration, uniform (constant)
acceleration is given by






where v : final velocity
u

: initial velocity
a : uniform (constant) acceleration
t : time
27
at u v + =
(1)
t
u v
a

=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
28
From equation (1), the velocity-time graph is shown in Figure
2.4 :







From the graph,
The displacement after time, s = shaded area under the
graph
= the area of trapezium
Hence,

velocity
0
v
u

time
t

Figure 2.4
( )t v u
2
1
s + =
(2)
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
29
By substituting eq. (1) into eq. (2) thus






From eq. (1),

From eq. (2),
( ) | |t at u u s + + =
2
1
(3)
2
2
1
at ut s + =
( ) at u v =
( )
t
s
u v
2
= +
multiply
( )( ) ( ) at
t
s
u v u v
|
.
|

\
|
= +
2
as u v 2
2 2
+ =
(4)
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
30

Notes:
equations (1) (4) can be used if the motion in a straight
line with constant acceleration.
For a body moving at constant velocity, ( a = 0) the
equations (1) and (4) become

Therefore the equations (2) and (3) can be written as
u v =
vt s =
constant velocity
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
31
A plane on a runway accelerates from rest and must attain takeoff
speed of 148 m s
1
before reaching the end of the runway. The
planes acceleration is uniform along the runway and of value
914 cm s
2
. Calculate
a. the minimum length of the runway required by the plane to
takeoff.
b. the time taken for the plane cover the length in (a).
Solution :




a. Use
Example 2.4 :
? = t
as u v 2
2 2
+ =
0 = u
? = s
2
s m 14 . 9

= a
1
s m 148

= v
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
32
Solution :
b. By using the equation of linear motion,
at u v + =
OR
2
2
1
at ut s + =
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
33
A bus travelling steadily at 30 m s
1
along a straight road passes a
stationary car which, 5 s later, begins to move with a uniform
acceleration of 2 m s
2
in the same direction as the bus. Determine
a. the time taken for the car to acquire the same velocity as the
bus,
b. the distance travelled by the car when it is level with the bus.
Solution :

a. Given
Use

Example 2.5 :
2 1
ms 2 0; ; constant s m 30

= = = =
c c b
a u v
c c c c
t a u v + =
1
s m 30

= =
b c
v v
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
34
b.






From the diagram,
c
b
1
s m 30

=
b
v
0 =
c
u
s 0 =
b
t s 5 =
b
t
2
s m 2

=
c
a
b
b
v
b
c
b
v
t t
b
=
b c
s s =
b c
s s =
b b c c c c
t v t a t u = +
2
2
1
Therefore
t v s
b c
=
; t t
b
=
5 = t t
c
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
35
A particle moves along horizontal line according to the equation

Where s is displacement in meters and t is time in seconds.
At time, t = 3 s, determine
a. the displacement of the particle,
b. Its velocity, and
c. Its acceleration.
Solution :
a. t =3 s ;
Example 2.6 :
3 2
2
+ + = t t s
3 2
2
+ + = t t s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
36
Solution :
b. Instantaneous velocity at t = 3 s,

Use





Thus
dt
ds
v =
( ) 3 2
2
+ + = t t
dt
d
v
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
37
Solution :
c. Instantaneous acceleration at t = 3 s,

Use





Hence
dt
dv
a =
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
38
1. A speedboat moving at 30.0 m s
-1
approaches stationary
buoy marker 100 m ahead. The pilot slows the boat with a
constant acceleration of -3.50 m s
-2
by reducing the throttle.
a. How long does it take the boat to reach the buoy?
b. What is the velocity of the boat when it reaches the buoy?
No. 23,pg. 51,Physics for scientists and engineers with
modern physics, Serway & Jewett,6
th
edition.
ANS. : 4.53 s; 14.1 m s
1
2. An unmarked police car travelling a constant 95 km h
-1
is
passed by a speeder traveling 140 km h
-1
. Precisely 1.00 s
after the speeder passes, the policemen steps on the
accelerator; if the police cars acceleration is 2.00 m s
-2
, how
much time passes before the police car overtakes the
speeder (assumed moving at constant speed)?
No. 44, pg. 41,Physics for scientists and engineers with
modern physics, Douglas C. Giancoli,3
rd
edition.
ANS. : 14.4 s
Exercise 2.2 :
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
39
3. A car traveling 90 km h
-1
is 100 m behind a truck traveling 75
km h
-1
. Assuming both vehicles moving at constant velocity,
calculate the time taken for the car to reach the truck.
No. 15, pg. 39,Physics for scientists and engineers with
modern physics, Douglas C. Giancoli,3
rd
edition.
ANS. : 24 s
4. A car driver, travelling in his car at a constant velocity of 8
m s
-1
, sees a dog walking across the road 30 m ahead. The
drivers reaction time is 0.2 s, and the brakes are capable of
producing a deceleration of 1.2 m s
-2
. Calculate the distance
from where the car stops to where the dog is crossing,
assuming the driver reacts and brakes as quickly as
possible.
ANS. : 1.73 m

Exercise 2.2 :
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
Learning Outcome :
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Describe and use equations for freely falling bodies.
For upward and downward motion, use
a = g = 9.81 m s
2
40
2.3 Freely falling bodies (1 hour)
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
2.3 Freely falling bodies
is defined as the vertical motion of a body at constant
acceleration, g under gravitational field without air
resistance.
In the earths gravitational field, the constant acceleration
known as acceleration due to gravity or free-fall
acceleration or gravitational acceleration.
the value is g = 9.81 m s
2
the direction is towards the centre of the earth
(downward).
Note:
In solving any problem involves freely falling bodies or free
fall motion, the assumption made is ignore the air
resistance.
41
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
42
Sign convention:






Table 2.1 shows the equations of linear motion and freely falling
bodies.

Table 2.1
Linear motion Freely falling bodies
at u v + =
gt u v =
as 2 u v
2 2
+ =
gs 2 u v
2 2
=
2
at
2
1
ut s + =
2
gt
2
1
ut s =
+
-
+
-
From the sign convention
thus,
g a =
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
43
An example of freely falling body is the motion of a ball thrown
vertically upwards with initial velocity, u as shown in Figure 2.5.










Assuming air resistance is negligible, the acceleration of the ball, a
= g when the ball moves upward and its velocity decreases to
zero when the ball reaches the maximum height, H.

H
u

v

velocity = 0
Figure 2.5
u v =
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
gt u v =
44
The graphs in Figure 2.6 show
the motion of the ball moves
up and down.
Derivation of equations
At the maximum height or
displacement, H where t = t
1
,
its velocity,


hence


therefore the time taken for the
ball reaches H,

Figure 2.6
t
0
v
u

u

t
1
2t
1
t
0
a
g

t
1
2t
1
t
s
0
H
t
1
2t
1
v =0
1
gt u = 0
0 = v
g
u
t
1
=
Simulation 2.4
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
2
1 1
gt ut s
2
1
=
45
To calculate the maximum height or displacement, H:
use either





maximum height,



Another form of freely falling bodies expressions are
gs u v
2 2
2 =
Where s = H
gH u 2 0
2
=
OR
g
u
H
2
2
=
gt u v =
gs u v 2
2 2
=
2
2
1
gt ut s =
gt u v
y y
=
y y y
gs u v 2
2 2
=
2
2
1
gt t u s
y y
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
46
A ball is thrown from the top of a building is given an initial velocity
of 10.0 m s
1
straight upward. The building is 30.0 m high and the
ball just misses the edge of the roof on its way down, as shown in
figure 2.7. Calculate
a. the maximum height of the stone from point A.
b. the time taken from point A to C.
c. the time taken from point A to D.
d. the velocity of the ball when it reaches point D.
(Given g = 9.81 m s
2
)
Example 2.7 :
A
B
C
D
u =10.0 m s
1
30.0 m

Figure 2.7
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
y
2
y
2
y
gs u v 2 =
( ) ( )H 9.81 2 10.0 0
2
=
47
Solution :
a. At the maximum height, H, v
y
= 0 and u = u
y
= 10.0 m s
1
thus




b. From point A to C, the vertical displacement, s
y
= 0 m thus

m 5.10 = H
2
y y
gt t u s
2
1
=
A
B
C
D
u

30.0 m

PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
48
Solution :
c. From point A to D, the vertical displacement, s
y
= 30.0 m thus







By using
2
y y
gt t u s
2
1
=
s 3.69 = t
( ) ( )
2
t t 9.81
2
1
10.0 30.0 =
A
B
C
D
u

30.0 m

0 30.0 10.0 4.91 = t t
2
OR
s 1.66
Time dont
have
negative
value.
a b
c
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
gt u v
y y
=
49
Solution :
d. Time taken from A to D is t = 3.69 s thus





From A to D, s
y
= 30.0 m




Therefore the balls velocity at D is
A
B
C
D
u

30.0 m

OR
y
2
y
2
y
gs u v 2 =
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
50
A book is dropped 150 m from the ground. Determine
a. the time taken for the book reaches the ground.
b. the velocity of the book when it reaches the ground.
(Given g = 9.81 m s
-2
)
Solution :
a. The vertical displacement is
s
y
= 150 m
Hence
Example 2.8 :
u
y
= 0 m s
1
150 m
m 150 =
y
s
2
y y
gt t u s
2
1
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
gt u v
y y
=
51
Solution :
b. The books velocity is given by










Therefore the books velocity is
OR
y
2
y
2
y
gs u v 2 =
m 150 =
y
s
0 =
y
u
? =
y
v
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
52
1. A ball is thrown directly downward, with an initial speed of
8.00 m s
1
, from a height of 30.0 m. Calculate
a. the time taken for the ball to strike the ground,
b. the balls speed when it reaches the ground.
ANS. : 1.79 s; 25.6 m s
1
2. A falling stone takes 0.30 s to travel past a window 2.2 m tall
as shown in Figure 2.8.






From what height above the top of the windows did the stone
fall?
ANS. : 1.75 m
Exercise 2.3 :
m 2.2
Figure 2.8
to travel this
distance took
0.30 s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
53
1. A ball is thrown directly downward, with an initial speed of
8.00 m s
1
, from a height of 30.0 m. Calculate
a. the time taken for the ball to strike the ground,
b. the balls speed when it reaches the ground.
ANS. : 1.79 s; 25.6 m s
1
2. A falling stone takes 0.30 s to travel past a window 2.2 m tall
as shown in Figure 2.8.






From what height above the top of the windows did the stone
fall?
ANS. : 1.75 m
Exercise 2.3 :
m 2.2
Figure 2.8
to travel this
distance took
0.30 s
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
Learning Outcomes :
At the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Describe and use equations for projectile,






Calculate: time of flight, maximum height, range and
maximum range, instantaneous position and velocity.
54
2.4 Projectile motion (2 hours)
u u
x
cos =
u u
y
sin =
0 =
x
a
g a
y
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
2.4. Projectile motion
A projectile motion consists of two components:
vertical component (y-comp.)
motion under constant acceleration, a
y
= g
horizontal component (x-comp.)
motion with constant velocity thus a
x
= 0
The path followed by a projectile is called trajectory is shown in
Figure 2.9.
55
v

u

u

s
x
= R
s
y
=H
u
x
v
2y
u
y
v
1x
v
1y
v
2x
v
1
u
1
v
2
u
2
t
1
t
2
B
A
P
Q
C
y
x
Figure 2.9
Simulation 2.5
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
56
From Figure 2.9,
The x-component of velocity along AC (horizontal) at any
point is constant,



The y-component (vertical) of velocity varies from one
point to another point along AC.
but the y-component of the initial velocity is given by

u u
x
cos =
u u
y
sin =
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
Velocity Point P Point Q
x-comp.
y-comp.
magnitude
direction
57
Table 2.2 shows the x and y-components, magnitude and
direction of velocities at points P and Q.
1 1
gt u v
y y
=
u u v
x x 1
cos = =
2 2
gt u v
y y
=
u u v
x x 2
cos = =
( ) ( )
2
y 1
2
x 1 1
v v v + =
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

x 1
y 1
1
1
v
v
tan
( ) ( )
2
y 2
2
x 2 2
v v v + =
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

x 2
y 2
1
2
v
v
tan
Table 2.2
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
58
The ball reaches the highest point at point B at velocity, v
where
x-component of the velocity,
y-component of the velocity,
y-component of the displacement,

Use
2.4.1 Maximum height, H
u u v v
x x
cos = = =
0 =
y
v
y y y
gs u v 2
2 2
=
( ) gH u 2 sin 0
2
= u
g
u
H
2
sin
2 2
u
=
H s
y
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
59
At maximum height, H
Time, t = At and v
y
= 0

Use
2.4.2 Time taken to reach maximum height, At
gt u v
y y
=
( ) ' sin 0 t g u A = u
g
u
t
u sin
' = A
2.4.3 Flight time, At (from point A to point C)
' 2 t t A = A
g
u
t
sin 2
= A
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
t u s
x x
=
60
Since the x-component for velocity along AC is constant hence

From the displacement formula with uniform velocity, thus the
x-component of displacement along AC is
2.4.4 Horizontal range, R and value of R maximum
u cos u v u
x x
= =
( )( ) t u R A = u cos
( )
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
g
u
u R
u
u
sin 2
cos
( ) u u cos sin 2
2
g
u
R =
and
R s
x
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
61
From the trigonometry identity,

thus




The value of R maximum when u = 45 and sin 2u =1
therefore


u u u cos sin 2 2 sin =
u 2 sin
2
g
u
R =
g
u
R
2
max
=
Simulation 2.6
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
62
Figure 2.10 shows a ball bearing rolling off the end of a table
with an initial velocity, u in the horizontal direction.








Horizontal component along path AB.


Vertical component along path AB.

2.4.5 Horizontal projectile
h
x
A B
u
u
v
x
v
y
v
Figure 2.10
constant velocity, = = =
x x
v u u
x s
x
= nt, displaceme
0 u
y
= velocity, initial
h s
y
= nt, displaceme
Simulation 2.7
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
63
Time taken for the ball to reach the floor (point B), t
By using the equation of freely falling bodies,








Horizontal displacement, x
Use condition below :


2
y y
gt t u s
2
1
=
2
gt 0 h
2
1
=
g
h
t
2
=
The time taken for the
ball free fall to point A
The time taken for the
ball to reach point B
=
(Refer to Figure 2.11)
Figure 2.11
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
64
Since the x-component of velocity along AB is constant, thus
the horizontal displacement, x







Note :
In solving any calculation problem about projectile motion,
the air resistance is negligible.
t u s
x x
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
g
h
u x
2
and
x s
x
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
65
Figure 2.12 shows a ball thrown by superman
with an initial speed, u = 200 m s
-1
and makes an
angle, u = 60.0 to the horizontal. Determine
a. the position of the ball, and the magnitude and
direction of its velocity, when t = 2.0 s.

Example 2.9 :
Figure 2.12 x
O
u

u = 60.0

y
R
H
v
2y
v
1x
v
1y v
2x
Q
v
1
P
v
2
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
66
b. the time taken for the ball reaches the maximum height, H and
calculate the value of H.
c. the horizontal range, R
d. the magnitude and direction of its velocity when the ball
reaches the ground (point P).
e. the position of the ball, and the magnitude and direction of its
velocity at point Q if the ball was hit from a flat-topped hill with
the time at point Q is 45.0 s.
(Given g = 9.81 m s
-2
)
Solution :
The component of Initial velocity :

1
s m 100 0 . 60 cos 200

= =

x
u
1
s m 173 0 . 60 sin 200

= =

y
u
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
67
Solution :
a. i. position of the ball when t = 2.0 s ,
Horizontal component :




Vertical component :






therefore the position of the ball is (200 m, 326 m)
2
y y
gt t u s
2
1
=
t u s
x x
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
68
Solution :
a. ii. magnitude and direction of balls velocity at t = 2.0 s ,
Horizontal component :

Vertical component :




Magnitude,


Direction,
gt u v
y y
=
1
x x
u v

= = s m 100
from positive x-axis anticlockwise
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
69
Solution :
b. i. At the maximum height, H :

Thus the time taken to reach maximum height is given by





ii. Apply
gt u v
y y
=
0 =
y
v
2
y y
gt t u s
2
1
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
70
Solution :
c. Flight time = 2(the time taken to reach the maximum height)


Hence the horizontal range, R is




d. When the ball reaches point P thus
The velocity of the ball at point P,
Horizontal component:
Vertical component:
s 35.2 = t
( ) 17.6 2 = t
t u s
x x
=
1
1
s m 100

= =
x x
u v
0 =
y
s
gt u v
y y
=
1
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
71
Solution :
Magnitude,


Direction,



therefore the direction of balls velocity is

e. The time taken from point O to Q is 45.0 s.
i. position of the ball when t = 45.0 s,
Horizontal component :



from positive x-axis anticlockwise
t u s
x x
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
72
Solution :
Vertical component :





therefore the position of the ball is (4500 m, 2148 m)
e. ii. magnitude and direction of balls velocity at t = 45.0 s ,
Horizontal component :

Vertical component :


2
y y
gt t u s
2
1
=
gt u v
y y
=
2
1
2
s m 100

= =
x x
u v
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
73
Solution :
Magnitude,



Direction,






therefore the direction of balls velocity is

from positive x-axis anticlockwise
2
2
2
2 2 y x
v v v + =
|
|
.
|

\
|
=

x
y
v
v

2
2
1
tan
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
74
A transport plane travelling at a constant velocity of 50 m s
1
at an
altitude of 300 m releases a parcel when directly above a point X
on level ground. Calculate
a. the flight time of the parcel,
b. the velocity of impact of the parcel,
c. the distance from X to the point of impact.
(Given g = 9.81 m s
-2
)
Solution :
Example 2.10 :
300 m
d
1
s m 50

= u
X
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
75
Solution :
The parcels velocity = planes velocity

thus

a. The vertical displacement is given by

Thus the flight time of the parcel is
1
s m 50

= = u u
x
1
s m 50

= u
m 300 =
y
s
and
1
s m 0

=
y
u
2
2
1
gt t u s
y y
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
76
Solution :
b. The components of velocity of impact of the parcel :
Horizontal component :
Vertical component :




Magnitude,


Direction,



therefore the direction of parcels velocity is
1
s m 50

= =
x x
u v
gt u v
y y
=
from positive x-axis anticlockwise
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
77
Solution :
c. Let the distance from X to the point of impact is d.
Thus the distance, d is given by


t u s
x x
=
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
78
Figure 2.13
Use gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81 m s
2
1. A basketball player who is 2.00 m tall is standing on the floor
10.0 m from the basket, as in Figure 2.13. If he shoots the
ball at a 40.0 angle above the horizontal, at what initial
speed must he throw so that it goes through the hoop without
striking the backboard? The basket height is 3.05 m.












ANS. : 10.7 m s
1
Exercise 2.4 :
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
79
2. An apple is thrown at an angle of 30 above the horizontal
from the top of a building 20 m high. Its initial speed is
40 m s
1
. Calculate
a. the time taken for the apple to strikes the ground,
b. the distance from the foot of the building will it strikes
the ground,
c. the maximum height reached by the apple from the
ground.
ANS. : 4.90 s; 170 m; 40.4 m

3. A stone is thrown from the top of one building toward a tall
building 50 m away. The initial velocity of the ball is 20 m s
1

at 40 above the horizontal. How far above or below its
original level will the stone strike the opposite wall?
ANS. : 10.3 m below the original level.

Exercise 2.4 :
PHYSICS CHAPTER 2
80
THE END
Next Chapter
CHAPTER 3 :
Momentum and Impulse