Worked Examples

WJH 5th July 2010

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

Contents
0.1
1

Preface

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2
3

Questions

1.1

HFS - Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1.1 1.1.2 1.1.3 1.1.4 1.1.5 1.1.6 Vectors SUVAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 3 3 4 5 6 7
8

Motion Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Energy and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Projectiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Numerical Answers

2.1

HFS - Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1.1 2.1.2 2.1.3 2.1.4 2.1.5 2.1.6 Vectors SUVAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8 8 8 8 9 9 9
10

Motion Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Energy and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Projectiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Worked Solutions

3.1

HFS - Mechanics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.1.3 3.1.4 3.1.5 3.1.6 Vectors SUVAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

10 10 12 16 20 26 30

Motion Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Forces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Energy and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Projectiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CONTENTS

0.1.

PREFACE

0.1

Preface

This is a set of worked examples. To get the most out of the worked examples, attempt the questions yourself rst. Feedback and corrections to will.hall@reigate.ac.uk Where an ellipses

...

is seen in calculations, it is implied that the preceding

number is carried through to a higher precision in following calculations than is shown to avoid rounding errors. Unless otherwise indicated, ignore air Resistance at all times. The acceleration due to gravity

should be taken to be

9.81ms2

This text uses inverse trigonometric functions in the following form:

y = tan x = x = arctan y y = sin x = x = arcsin y y = cos x = x = arccos y

Instead of the alternative form occasionally seen:

y = tan x = x = tan1 y y = sin x = x = sin1 y y = cos x = x = cos1 y

CHAPTER 1.

QUESTIONS

Chapter 1

Questions
1.1
1.1.1

HFS - Mechanics
Vectors

1. Dene the word `Vector' and give three example of a vector. 2. Dene the word `Scalar' and give three examples of a scalar. 3. An airplane travels west at a speed of at

400kmph

into a wind blowing east

50kmph.

What is the velocity of the airplane?

4. A racing car travels

5 laps around a circular circuit with a radius of 200m.

The start line is at the north end of the track. What is: (a) The total distance the car travels? (b) The maximum displacement of the car? (c) The nal displacement of the car? 5. During a hike, a group walk east to the

4km

north to the base of a hill, then

3km

500m

high summit? The entire hike takes

hours. Calculate:

(a) The magnitude of the total displacement. (b) The average speed. (c) The average velocity.

1.1.2

SUV AT

1. Identify what each of the letters in the `SUVAT' acronym stand for. 2. State three common forms of the SUVAT equations. 3. Rearrange any appropriate equations from question 2 to make time the subject. 4. In a drag race, two cars accelerate uniformly from rest along a straight track with a length of

400m.

Car A crosses the nish line in

7.34

seconds,

and Car B crosses the nish line with a speed of 3

350kph.

CHAPTER 1.

QUESTIONS

1.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

(a) Which car won the race? (b) How far from the end of the race was the looser when the winner crossed the nish line? (c) Car C is released from a height of

400m

above the nish line; does it

beat the other cars if it travels in free-fall?

1.1.3

Motion Graphs

Figure 1.1:

12 10
-1

A B

Vecocity v/ms

8 6 4 2 0 0 1 2 Time t/s 3 4 5

1. Figure 1.1 shows a velocity-time graph for two objects, times. (a) What is the Velocity of

and

which

move with a constant acceleration but begin their motion at dierent

at time

t = 2s?

(b) What is the acceleration of (c) What distance does

B? t = 4s? A
and

cover by

(d) At what time will the velocities of

be equal?

CHAPTER 1.

QUESTIONS

1.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Figure 1.2:

3 2 Velocity v/ms-1 1 0 -1 -2 0 2 4 6 Time t/s 8 10

2. Figure 1.2 shows the velocity-time graph for an object. Using the graph, estimate the following within the displayed range: (a) The maximum velocity of the object. (b) The acceleration of the object at its maximum velocity. (c) The time at which the object is furthest from it's starting position. (d) The displacement of the object at the time identied in (b). (e) The average velocity of the object to the time identied in (b) (f ) The acceleration of the object at time

t = 6s.

1.1.4

Forces

1. State Newtons three laws. 2. A of

1500kg car travels along a road propelled by 10kN . Air resistance applies a force of 7.5kN
after jumping from a plane, a

its engine with a force against the direction of

motion of the car. What is the acceleration of the car? 3.

20s

60kg

skydiver has travelled

0.5km. 20s
of

(a) What is the average drag force acting on the diver in the rst their jump?

(b) What is the drag force acting on the sky diver at terminal velocity? 4. A

1kg

mass hangs at the end of a string.

Air is blown over the string

applying a horizontal force of

3N

to the mass. What angle is the string

at from vertical once it settles to equilibrium? 5. A

65Gg

cruise ship travels at a constant velocity of

10ms1

due west

across an ocean.

The current applies an eastward force on the boat of

5.5M N .
5

CHAPTER 1.

QUESTIONS

1.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

(a) If the engine of the ship were to fail, how long would the ship take to stop. (b) If, in addition to the current, a wind blows south applying a force of

3M N

on the ship, what force must the ships engines supply to

maintain it's original velocity? (c) At this speed, the ships engines can supply a maximum force of acceleration of the ship?

6M N .

If this force is applied in the direction determined in (b), what is the

Figure 1.3:

6. Figure 1.3 shows an object of mass

1kg

suspended between walls by a

horizontal rod and a rope which is at an angle of What is the tension in the horizontal rod?

30

above the horizontal.

1.1.5

Energy and Power

1. Identify and dene the acronyms K.E and G.P.E. 2. Show that the equations for calculating G.P.E and G.P.E are of the form

Energy = F orce distance

3. An object is dropped from

10m

above the ground.

(a) By considering its energy, calculate the speed of the object as it reaches the ground. (b) After colliding with the ground, the object bounces back upwards with half the speed it had before the impact. What is the maximum height the object reaches? 4. A train is travels 1km due north on a xed track. The wind blows south east applying a force in this direction of 10kN to the train. (a) What work is done by the train over this distance? (b) The train travels the 1km in 2 minutes. What is the power output of the train engine? 5. During a jump an speed?

80kg sky diver reaches equilibrium at a speed of 180kmph.

What power is supplied to the sky diver by the earth to maintain this

CHAPTER 1.

QUESTIONS

1.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

6. A

75kg athlete climbs a rope at 0.5ms1 ; assuming the human 20% ecient, what is the power generation of the athletes body?
with the target at a speed of is

body is

7. At a fun-fair, a

2m

above

2kg mallet is swung at a `test your strength' game, colliding 5ms1 . The 500g indicator hits the bell which 1 the ground with a speed of 0.5ms . What is the eciency

of the system that transfers energy from the mallet to the indicator?

1.1.6

Projectiles

1. A ball is thrown upwards from 1m above the ground at a speed of How long after being released does the ball hit the ground?

3ms1 .

2. A bullet is red horizontally from eye level (1.5m above ground), leaving the muzzle at

500ms1 .

(a) What horizontal distance does the bullet travel before hitting the ground? (b) What is the velocity of the bullet when it hits the ground? 3. An archer launches an arrow from ground level at

50ms1

at an angle of

30

above the horizontal.

(a) How far away does the arrow land? (b) Will the arrow be able to pass over a wall

5m

high

40m

away?

4. A space probe lands on an extra-terrestrial planet. In an experiment to determine the strength of gravity on the planet, the probe launches a ball bearing at lands

40

above the horizontal at a speed of

5ms1 .

The bearing

50m

away. What is the acceleration due to gravity on the planet?

CHAPTER 2.

NUMERICAL ANSWERS

Chapter 2

Numerical Answers
2.1
2.1.1
Q3

HFS - Mechanics
Vectors

350kmph west 6280m 400m south 0m 5.02km 2.35kmph 1.67kmph at 36.9 east of north and 5.71 above the horizontal
SUV AT

Q4a Q4b Q4c Q5a Q5b Q5c

2.1.2

Q4a Car A Q4b

81.7m

Q4c No

2.1.3
Q1a Q1b Q1c Q1d Q2a Q2b

Motion Graphs

6ms1 6ms2 24m 6s 2.75ms1 0ms2

CHAPTER 2.

NUMERICAL ANSWERS

2.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Q2c Q2d Q2e Q2f

9.5s 14.4m 1.51ms1 1.06ms2

Forces

2.1.4
Q2

1.67ms2 439N 589N

Q3a Q3b Q4

17.0 118ks 6.26M N at 28.6 north of west 4.08ms2 at 28.6 south of east

Q5a Q5b Q5c Q6

17.0N
Energy and Power

2.1.5
Q3a Q3b Q4a Q4b Q5 Q6 Q7

14.0ms1 2.5m 7.07M J 58.9kW

39.2kW 1.84kW 39.5%

Projectiles

2.1.6
Q1

0.851s 277m 500ms1 at 0.622 below the horizontal 221m

Q2a Q2b Q3a

Q3b Yes Q4

0.492ms2

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

Chapter 3

Worked Solutions
3.1
3.1.1
Q1

HFS - Mechanics
Vectors
Dene the word `Vector' and give three example of a vector.

A1

A vector quantity is one which has both magnitude and a direction.

Examples include Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration and Force.

Q2

Dene the word `Scalar' and give three examples of a scalar.

A2

A scalar quantity is one which has magnitude, but no associated direction.

Examples include distance, speed, energy and temperature.

Q3

An airplane travels west at a speed of

400kmph

into a wind blowing east

at

50kmph.

What is the velocity of the airplane?

A3

The velocity of the airplane is given by the net of the two provided If we take west to be the positive direction,

velocities. As the velocity of the airplane and the wind are in opposite directions, one must take a negative value. therefore: then the wind is blowing with a velocity of

50kmph.

The net velocity

is

v = 400kmph 50kmph = 350kmph

That this is a positive value means that the net motion of the airplane is to travel west at at a velocity of

350kmph.

Alternatively we could say that the

airplane is travelling east at a velocity of

350kmph

Q4

A racing car travels

5 laps around a circular circuit with a radius of 200m.

The start line is at the north end of the track What is:

Q4a

The total distance the car travels?

10

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

A4a

The distance

of travelled by the car is given by the circumference of

the circular track multiplied by the number of laps

the car completes.

s = n2r
Where

is the radius of the circle which is given.. Substituting in the known

values for the variables gives a value for

of:

s = 6280m
Q4b

The maximum displacement of the car?

A4b

Displacement will be a maximum when the car has moved from the start

line at the north end of the track to the south end of the track. At this point the displacement of the car is south of the start line with a magnitude equal to the diameter of the track. Therefore the maximum displacement of the car is:

400m south
Q4c

The nal displacement of the car?

A4c

Because the car travels a complete number of laps, i.e. 5, the nal position

of the car is at back at the start line, so the displacement of the car is the magnitude is zero, it is not necessary to include a direction.

0m.

As

Q5

During a hike, a group walk

4km

north to the base of a hill, then

3km

east to the

500m

high summit? The entire hike takes

hours. Calculate:

Q5a

The magnitude of the total displacement.

A5a

This is calculated by using Pythagoras's theorem twice.

First use the

distance traveled north hill

sn

then east

se

to determine the magnitude of the dis-

placement in the horizontal plane

sh .

Then combine that with the height of the

sv to

nd the magnitude of the displacement

s.

In the horizontal plane:

sh =
Which combined with

2 s2 n + se =

16 + 9 = 5km

sv

gives:

s=

2 s2 h + sv =

25 + 0.25 = 5.02km
Pythagoras's

Alternatively we can do the entire calculation in one step, i.e. theorem in 3D:

s=
Q5b

2 2 s2 n + se + sv =

16 + 9 + 0.25 = 5.02km

The average speed.

11

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

A5b

To nd the average speed we divide the total distance travelled by the

time taken. The distance travelled in the rst leg of the hike the hill is distance

d1

to the base of

4km.

The second leg going up the hill

d2

requires that the distance be

calculated using Pythagoras's theorem on the distance east

de

and the vertical

dv . d2 =
2 d2 e + dv =

9 + 0.25 = 3.04 . . . km

To give a total distance

of:

d = d1 + d2 = 7.04 . . . km
Which is divided by the time taken

to provide the average speed

v:

v=
Q5c

d 7.04 . . . = = 2.35kmph t 3

The average velocity.

A5c

The calculation to determine the magnitude of the average velocity

is simplied as we have already determined the magnitude of the displacement. So this is given by:

v=

5.02 . . . km s = = 1.67kmph t 3hr

But as velocity is a vector we must also give the direction. Due to the nature of this question, i.e. that it is in 3 dimensions, we need to identify a direction in each of the horizontal and vertical planes. plane hike. The direction in the horizontal

can be given by the angle away from north. To calculate this we use

trigonometry, using the inverse tan function on the north and east legs of the

h = arctan
The direction of the

se 3 = arctan = 36.9 east of north sn 4 velocity in the vertical plane v can be identied sv 0.5 = arctan = 5.71 above the horizontal sh 5

by giving

the angle above the horizontal using similar trigonometry.

v = arctan

Combining the magnitude and the two directions, the average velocity is given by:

v = 1.67kmph at 36.9 east of north and 5.71 above the horizontal

3.1.2
Q1

SUV AT
Identify what each of the letters in the `SUVAT' acronym stand for.

A1

The SUVAT equations are a set of formulae which can be used to describe

linear motion with uniform acceleration in one dimension. Each of the letters stand for:

Displacement 12

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Initial velocity

Final velocity

Acceleration

Time

Q2

State three common forms of the SUVAT equations.

A2

Any of the following, or rearranged versions there-of would be valid

1 s = ut + at2 2 1 s = vt at2 2 v = u + at v 2 = u2 + 2as u+v s= t 2

Q3

(3.1)

(3.2) (3.3) (3.4) (3.5)

Rearrange any appropriate equations from question 2 to make time the

subject.

A3

Four of the ve equations listed above contain

t and so can be rearranged.

These are 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.5. Starting with equation 3.1:

1 s = ut + at2 2
Which is a quadratic equation in quadratic equation, i.e.

t. Putting this ax2 + bx + c = 0, gives: 1 2 at + ut s = 0 2

into the usual form for a

so:

a=
desired solution:

1 a, b = u, c = s 2

Which can be substituted into the solution for a quadratic equation to give the

x=

b2 4ac u u2 + 2as = t = 2a a
1 2a

The method for equation 3.2 is very similar to equation 3.1 but with some minor changes, namely

uv

and

1 2 a, v

so the solution changed slightly to

t=

v 2 2as 2a

13

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Equations 3.3 and 3.5 are much simpler; starting with 3.3:

v = u + at v u = at vu =t a
And nally equation 3.5:

(v ) (a)

u+v t 2 2s = (u + v )t s= 2s =t u+v

(2) ((u

+ v ))

Q4

In a drag race, two cars accelerate uniformly from rest along a straight

track with a length of

400m.

Car A crosses the nish line in

7.34

seconds, and

Car B crosses the nish line with a speed of

350kph.

Q4a

Which car won the race?

A4a

We already know that car A nished the race in

7.34s,

so to nd out if

it won, we need to determine the time that car B took to nish the race. We know three of the suvat variables for car B:

s = 400m, u = 0ms1 , v = 350kmph = 97.2 . . . ms1

Note that the nal speed has been converted from

kmph

into the SI units of

ms1 .

The suvat equation to nd

from these quantities is:

s=
Which when rearranged to make

v+u t 2

the subject becomes:

t=

2s v+u

Substituting in the values from above gives:

t = 8.23s
Which is greater than

7.34s,

so car A won the race.

Q4b

How far from the end of the race was the looser when the winner crossed

the nish line?

14

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

A4b

To nd the answer to this question, we must nd the distance that car

B travels in the time it takes car A to nish. The dierence between this and the course distance, i.e. nal velocity

400m,

gives the remaining distance to the nish line.

To nd this we only have the initial speed

u=0

and the time

v = 350kmph

does not apply as that is for the complete

t = 7.34s. The 400m

instead of this partial distance. With just these two pieces of information, we do not know enough to determine the distance that car B travels in this time. We therefore must rst determine a third variable to nd the distance travelled. The acceleration rather than the nal velocity will be easier to nd. To nd the acceleration we know the following:

u = 0ms1 , v = 97.2 . . . ms1 , s = 400m, t = 8.23 . . . s

The easiest of the suvat equations to nd acceleration from these is:

v = u + at
Which solved for

becomes:

a=
To give:

vu t

a = 11.8 . . . ms2
Now we know the acceleration, the distance can be found using the relevant equation containing

s, u, a

and

t,

which is:

1 s = ut + at2 2
In this form this does not require rearranging to nd

s,

and due to the value of

simplies to:

s=
for

1 2 at 2

By substituting in the appropriate values, taking care to use the correct value

t,

we reach a value of:

s = 318. . . . m
So taking the dierence between this and the track length, car B was behind car A by

81.7m

at the end of the race.

Q4c

Car C is released from a height of

400m

above the nish line; does it

beat the other cars if it travels in free-fall?

A4c.1

The simple answer to this question is to observe that the acceleration in

free-fall is

9.81ms2 .

This is less than the acceleration of car B, the slowest car,

so the dropped car must take longer to complete the same distance. Therefore the dropped car nishes last.

15

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

A4c.2

For the more rigorous approach, we should nd the time it takes the

car to cover the distance. We know the following values:

s = 400m, u = 0ms1 , a = 9.81ms2

Taking the downwards direction to be positive for ease. The appropriate equation to nd the time

from these values is:

1 s = ut + at2 2
Which when rearranged for

becomes:

t=
We can recognise than because

u2 + 2as a
the original equation simplies to:

u = 0ms1 s=

1 2 at 2

Rearranging this simplied version, or simplifying the quadratic solution leads us to:

t=
For a value of

2s a

once substituted of:

t = 9.03s
Which is greater than the time for either car A or B, so the dropped car crosses the nish line last.

3.1.3

Motion Graphs

Figure 3.1:

12 10
-1

A B

Vecocity v/ms

8 6 4 2 0 0 1 2 Time t/s 3 4 5

Q1

Figure 3.1 shows a velocity-time graph for two objects,

and

which

move with a constant acceleration but begin their motion at dierent times. 16

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Q1a

What is the Velocity of

at time

t = 2s? A
at

A1a

Reading o the graph on the line for

2s

gives a velocity of

6ms1 .

Q1b

What is the acceleration of

B?

A1b

Acceleration

on a velocity-time graph is given by the gradient.

gradient = B
has reached

v y = =a x t 12ms1
after

6ms1

at

1s

after starting its motion, and

2s.

Using either of these gures to substitute into the above equation produces a value for

of:

a = 6ms2
Q1c

What distance does

cover by

t = 4s? s is given by the area beneath the

A1c

On a velocity-time graph, the distance

graph. On a straight line graph such as this, the area can be calculated using:

area =

1 1 y x = v t = s 2 2 4s,
object

I.e. the area of a triangle. After

reaches a velocity of

12ms1

so

after substitutions, the distance travelled is:

s = 24m
Q1d

At what time will the velocities of

and

be equal?

A1d.1

Having calculated the acceleration of

we can produce a formula for

how its velocity

vB

changes with time

based on the suvat equation:

vB = uB + aB t
However

uB = 0ms1

and

only begins it's motion after

3s

have passed.

Because of the time oset of adjustments, this becomes:

B,

we substitute

t t 3.

After these two

vB (t) = aB (t 3)
For object velocity of similar

A we rst need to calculate the acceleration of A. As A reaches 12ms1 , in 4s the acceleration is aA = 3ms2 . Putting this into equation to B , but without the time oset, we reach: vA (t) = aA t

a a

For the two objects to be travelling at the same velocity, these two equations must be equal:

vA (t) = vB (t)
17

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

aA t = aB (t 3)
As we wish to nd the time, this needs to be rearranged to make

the subject:

aA t = aB (t 3) aA t = aB t 3aB aA t aB t = 3aB t(aA aB ) = 3aB t= 3aB aA aB

(expand

the braket)
(aB t)

(f actorise t) ((aA

aB ))

Which after substituting in the values calculated earlier for the accelerations of the objects, gives a time of:

t = 6s
A1d.2

Alternatively, sketch out the graph to extend the axis, and extrapolate

the two lines for same answer.

and

to see the time at which they intersect to reach the

Figure 3.2:

3 2 Velocity v/ms-1 1 0 -1 -2 0 2 4 6 Time t/s 8 10

Q2

Figure 3.2 shows the velocity-time graph for an object. Using the graph,

estimate the following within the displayed range:

Q2a

The maximum velocity of the object.

A2a

The maximum velocity

on a velocity-time graph is given by the highest

point on the graph.

In this case that is at the top of the right-hand peak.

Reading from the y-axis at this point gives an approximate value:

v 2.75ms1
18

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Q2b

The acceleration of the object at its maximum velocity.

A2b

The acceleration

is given by the slope of the graph at this point on

the graph. At the very peak of the velocity, the tangent to the curve is exactly horizontal. This therefore provides a value for the acceleration of:

a = 0ms2
In fact, at the maximum or minimum of any curve, the gradient will be exactly zero.

Q2c

The time at which the object is furthest from it's starting position.

A2c

Displacement

curve. The maximum will at the time

s on a velocity-time graph is given by the area beneath the t where velocity rst becomes negative.

At this point the object begins to return towards the starting point, decreasing its displacement. This can also be perceived by the negative area between the curve and the

v = 0ms1

line.

Once this becomes negative, the total area The point where the curve passes through

beneath the graph is decreasing.

v = 0ms1

can be read from the graph to give:

t 9.5s
Q2d

The displacement of the object at the time identied in (b).

A2d

To determine the value of the displacement of the object, we must some-

how measure the area beneath the curve up to the time identied in part (c). Measuring the area could be done by splitting the area into shapes or rectangles and summing the area of each shape. However as a grid of moderately sized squares is already positioned on the graph, an alternative method of counting squares can be used. The method of counting squares counts any square which is at least half within the curve. Counting up the number of squares the curve and the

between

v = 0ms1

line by this method yields a value in the range of:

n 115
However, depending on who is counting, this gure could vary in by the displacement, that each square represents

10%

or so.

Now we know the number of squares, we need to know the area, or equivalently

Sn .

The sides of each square are

0.25ms1 0.5s

so each square represents a displacement of

displacement after the

0.125m. The total 9.5s is therefore given by the product of the displacement Sn n = s 14.4m

represented by each square and the number of squares:

Q2e

The average velocity of the object to the time identied in (b)

A2e

We already know the time and displacement the object covers to this

point, so the average velocity is simply given by the ratio:

v=

s 1.51ms1 t
19

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Q2f

The acceleration of the object at time

t = 6s.

A2f

Acceleration is given by the gradient on a velocity-time graph.

gradient =

y v = =a x t v
and

To measure the gradient we draw a tangent to the curve at the appropriate point. Once this is done we can measure from the tangent a value for

t .

Doing so provides values such as:

v 4.25ms1 , t 4s
To give a value for the acceleration of:

a 1.06ms1
3.1.4
Q1

Forces

State Newtons three laws.

A1

The three fundamental laws of motion developed by Newton paved the

way for developments in the eld of classical mechanics.

Newtons First Law

A body will remain at rest or move with a constant

velocity unless a non-zero net force is applied to it.

Newtons Second Law

The acceleration

of a body has a linear rela-

tionship with the net force the mass

applied to it, and an inverse relationship with

of the body. The body is accelerated in the same direction as the

action of the force.

a=
Newtons Third Law

F = F = ma m F1
upon another,

When one body exerts a force

the second body will exert a second force magnitude and opposite in direction.

F2

upon the rst that is equal and

F1 = F2
One of the implications from this law is that there will be no net force inside a closed system. An object or collection of objects cannot move their center of mass without an external force.

Q2

1500kg

car travels along a road propelled by its engine with a force of

10kN .

Air resistance applies a force of

7.5kN

against the direction of motion

of the car. What is the acceleration of the car?

20

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

A2

Newtons second law tells us that the acceleration

a of the car can be found

by nding the net of the forces acting upon the car and dividing that by the mass

of the car. The net force

on the car can be found by combining the

force from the engine and the air resistance. As the air resistance acts against the direction of motion it takes a negative sign:

F = Fn = 10kN 7.5kN = 2.5kN

Substituting this value into the equation provided by Newtons second law with the value for the mass gives:

a=
Q3

F = 1.67ms2 m 60kg
skydiver has travelled

20s

after jumping from a plane, a

0.5km. 20s of their

Q3a

What is the average drag force acting on the diver in the rst

jump?

A3a

To determine the nature of a particular force acting on a body, we must

know the net force acting on the body and all other individual forces acting on it. I.e one force is given by the net force minus all other forces. In this case the only force other than the drag force

Fd

acting on the diver is the weight force

Fw .

To determine the net force

acting on the body we must apply the suvat

equations to the motion of the diver to calculate the average acceleration this we know the following variables:

a.

For

u = 0ms1 , s = 500m, t = 20s

Where the downwards direction is taken as negative. The appropriate equation to nd

from this data is:

1 s = ut + at2 2 u
becomes:

Which when rearranged and simplied due to the value of

a=
To give a value for

2s t2

of:

a = 2.5ms2
So using the value for mass is:

given in the question, the net force on the diver

F = ma = 150N
Net force is given by:

F = Fd + Fw
So rearranging for

Fd

and substituting

Fw = mg

gives:

Fd = F mg
Substituting in appropriate values, taking care with signs gives a value of:

Fd = 439N
21

CHAPTER 3.

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3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Q3b

What is the drag force acting on the sky diver at terminal velocity?

A3b

At terminal velocity, the sky diver is travelling with a constant velocity.

Newtons rst law therefore tells us that the net force on the diver is zero.

F = Fd + Fw = 0
Which implies that

Fd

is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to

Fw

so

we nd the solution to be:

Fd = Fw = mg = 589N
Q4

1kg

mass hangs at the end of a string.

Air is blown over the string

applying a horizontal force of

3N

to the mass. What angle is the string at from

vertical once it settles to equilibrium?

A4.1

The condition of the mass being at equilibrium tells us that all the

forces acting on the ball will be at balanced, i.e the net force on the ball will be zero. There are three forces acting on the ball to balance: the weight force

Fw ,

the given force from the air

Fa ,

and the tension in the string

Ft .

There

will be a single angle

for the string at which these forces balance, and so by

balancing these forces we can nd the solution. One way to balance these forces is by resolving them into their horizontal and vertical components and balancing these independently. Starting with the horizontal direction, the components are:

Fwh = 0, Fah = Fa , Fth = Ft sin

Note that as

is the angle to the vertical, the horizontal component of the

tension is given by using the sine of this angle. The tension and force from the air will act in opposite directions, so balancing them provides:

Fa = Ft sin
Repeating in the vertical direction:

Fwv = Fw = mg, Fav = 0, Ftv = Ft cos

Which balance to give:

Fw = Ft cos
We now have a pair of equations each containing a dierent known force, plus the unknown tension and angle. substitute this into the other. substitute: As we are not interested in the tension in the string, we can rearrange one of the equations to make

Ft

the subject, then

Choosing the rst equation to rearrange and

Fa sin Fa cos = Fw = sin Ft = O A O , cos = , tan = H H A

22

Now we need to use a trigonometric identity to simplify this, knowing that:

sin =

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Suggests that:

sin OH O = = = tan cos H A A

Which can be substituted into the equation we devised to get to:

Fw =
Which rearranged for

Fa tan

becomes:

= arctan
Substituting in appropriate values gives:

Fa Fw

= 17.0
A4.2

Alternatively, we can recognise that three balanced forces will form a As

closed vector triangle. angled triangle with and

Fw

and

Fa

are perpendicular, this will be a right

Ft

as the hypotenuse. From

, Fa

will be the opposite side

Fw

the adjacent. This allows us to state that for the angle from the vertical:

tan =

Fa O = A Fw

Which rearranges in the same way as in the rst method, to provide an identical value of:

= arctan
Q5

Fa = 17.0 Fw 10ms1
due west

65Gg

cruise ship travels at a constant velocity of

across an ocean. The current applies an eastward force on the boat of

5.5M N .

Q5a

If the engine of the ship were to fail, how long would the ship take to

stop.

A5a

The engine failing implies that the engine is no longer providing the force

required to maintain a constant velocity. The calculation to determine the time it takes the ship to stop is a suvat calculation, for which we know an initial velocity its mass

u = 10ms1 m

and a nal velocity

v = 0ms1

but not the acceleration.

We now use Newtons second law to determine the acceleration of the ship from and the net force on the ship. Without the engine running the net force is just that from the current, so from:

F = 5.5M N, m = 65Gg
We reach:

a=
Now that

F = 84.6 . . . mms2 m

is know, we choose the appropriate suvat equation:

v = u + at
23

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Rearranged and simplied gives:

t=

u a

Which after appropriate substitutions gives an answer:

t = 118ks
Q5b

If, in addition to the current, a wind blows south applying a force of on the ship, what force must the ships engines supply to maintain it's

3M N

original velocity?

A5b

This part of the question is very similar to question 4. Due to the simi-

larity, we shall just work through the simpler solution. To maintain the original velocity, the forces acting on the ship must balance. As there are three forces, they will form a closed triangle in a vector diagram. We recognise that the force from the wind engines

Fw

and the force from the current

Fc

are perpendicular, so the

closed vector triangle will be a right angled triangle with the force from the

Fe

as the hypotenuse.

The magnitude of the force is therefore found

using Pythagoras's theorem:

Fe =

2 + F2 Fw c

Which after substituting in appropriate values:

Fc = 5.5M N, Fw = 3M N
Gives a value of:

Fe = 6.26M N
To nd the direction of the force forces. If we take

we use trigonometry on the two known

Fw

to be the side of the vector triangle opposite to

and

Fc

to be adjacent, then

will give us the direction of the vector as a direction

north of west. The appropriate trigonometric function linking the opposite and adjacent sites is the tangent. Working through this provides a value of:

= arctan
So the force required by the engines is:

Fw = 28.6 Fc

Fe = 6.26M N at 28.6 north of west

Q5c

At this speed, the ships engines can supply a maximum force of

6M N .

If

this force is applied in the direction determined in (b), what is the acceleration of the ship?

A5c

To determine the acceleration of the ship, we must rst nd the net force This net

acting on it. We shall do this by resolving each force into its north/south and east/west components, and nding the net force in each direction. direction of the acceleration. force in each direction can then be combined to give the magnitude and the Starting with the north/south direction, taking 24

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

north to be positive, and taking the direction of the new maximum engine force

Fm

from the previous part of the question:

Fwn = 3M N, Fcn = 0M N Fmn = Fm sin = 2.87 . . . M N

Which gives the net northward force

Fn

as:

Fn = 0.127 . . . M N
In the east/west direction, taking west as positive:

Fwn = 0M N, Fcn = 5.5M N Fmn = Fm cos = 5.27 . . . M N

For a net westward force

Fw

of:

Fw = 0.233M N
The magnitude of the net acceleration is given by combining Pythagoras theorem and applying newtons second law:

Fn

and

Fw

through

a=

Fn + Fw m

Which after substituting appropriate values provides a value of:

a = 4.08ms2
The direction and

is found using trigonometry. Treating

Fw

as the adjacent to

Fn

as opposite gives the direction in degrees south of east:

= arctan
So the net acceleration of the ship is:

Fn = 28.6 Fw

a = 4.08ms2 at 28.6 south of east

Note that this is the opposite direction to that determined in the prior part of the question. This could have been taken without performing the calculation, but it is good to prove it by being thorough.

Figure 3.3:

Q6

Figure 3.3 shows an object of mass

1kg

suspended between walls by a

horizontal rod and a rope which is at an angle of What is the tension in the horizontal rod? 25

30

above the horizontal.

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

A6.1

As with the earlier questions, this question of balanced forces can be

approached by balancing resolved forces, or using vector triangles. The three forces to balance are the weight of the mass

Fw ,

the tension in the rod or bar

Fb

and the tension in the rope

Fr

which is at an angle of

above the horizontal.

Finding the vertical components of each of these, taking upwards as positive gives:

Fwv = mg = 9.81N Fbv = 0N, Frv = Fr sin

Which balances to give:

mg = Fr sin
In the horizontal direction, taking left to be positive:

Fwh = 0N Fbv = Fb , Frv = Fr cos

Which balances to give:

Fb = Fr cos
As

is known, we can rearrange the equation from the vertical plane for

Fr

and substitute that new equation into the equation for the horizontal plane to provide an equation for

Fb

in terms of known quantities:

Fr = = Fb =

mg sin mg cos sin

Substituting in appropriate values then provides a value of:

Fb = 17.0N
A6.2

After recognising that is the hypotenuse,

Fw

and

Fb

are perpendicular, studying the right

angled vector triangle for this problem shows that relative to the known angle

, Fr

Fb

is the adjacent side and

Fw

is the opposite. As

Fw

is known and

Fb

is desired, the appropriate trigonometric function is:

tan =
Which rearranged for

O Fw = A Fb Fw tan

Fb

gives:

Fb =

Substituting appropriate values gives a gure which agrees with our earlier method:

Fb = 17.0N
3.1.5
Q1

Energy and Power

Identify and dene the acronyms K.E and G.P.E.

A1

K.E stands for Kinetic Energy. Kinetic energy is the energy stored in the

motion of an object.G.P.E stands for Gravitational Potential Energy. Gravitational potential energy is the energy stored in an object that is associated with its position in a gravitational eld. 26

CHAPTER 3.

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3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Q2

Show that the equations for calculating K.E and G.P.E are of the form

Energy = F orce distance

A2

The equation for Kinetic energy is:

K.E =
The suvat equations tell us:

1 mv 2 2

(3.6)

v 2 = u2 + 2as
As we measure kinetic energy relative to a stationary object, above equation becomes:

u = 0ms1

so the

v 2 = 2as
Which substituted into equation 3.6 gives:

K.E =
And as we know that by a distance.

1 m(2as) = mas 2

F = ma,

this equation is equivalent to a force multiplied

The equation for Gravitational potential energy is:

G.P.E = mgh g
is the acceleration of an object in free fall, which multiplied by

gives the

gravitational force acting on an object. As the form of force multiplied by distance.

is a distance, this equation is of

Q3

An object is dropped from

10m

above the ground.

Q3a

By considering its energy, calculate the speed of the object as it reaches

the ground.

A3a

This question makes use of the conservation of energy.

As the object

falls, it's gravitational potential energy decreases, so the kinetic energy must increase. More quantitatively:

G.P.E = K.E
Which after substituting in the relevant equations this becomes:

1 mgh = mv 2 2
As we are after the nal speed of the object, this equation must be rearranged to make

the subject:

v = 2gh
Appropriate values for substitution are

(3.7)

g = 9.81ms

and

h = 10m. h

is

negative as the height of the object in the gravitational eld decreases. These gures when substituted give a value for the speed of:

v1 = 14.0ms1
27

CHAPTER 3.

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3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Q3b

After colliding with the ground, the object bounces back upwards with

half the speed it had before the impact. What is the maximum height the object reaches?

A3b.1

There are two approaches to this question.

The rst is to recognise

that K.E is proportional to the square of the speed, and G.P.E is proportional to the height. Therefore if the speed reduces by a factor of two, the K.E will reduce by a factor of four. Conservation of energy tells us that the nal G.P.E and therefore the nal height will also decrease by a factor of four, so the nal height will be a quarter of the original height, i.e.

2.5m.
from previous part question.

A3b.2

The alternative method uses the value

v1

This can be done by rearranging equation 3.7 for

h:

h=
Which with a value for the speed of

v2 2g 2.5m

v1 2 gives a value for the height of

Q4

A train is travels

1km

due north on a xed track. The wind blows south

east applying a force in this direction of

10kN

to the train.

Q4a

What work is done by the train over this distance?

A4a

Work done

is given by the product of the force

and the distance

travelled in the direction of the force; or equivalently, the distance and the force in the direction of travel. In this question, there is an angle therefore:

of

45

between

the direction of travel, and the direction of the force. The relevant equation is

w = F s cos
Which after substitution of the appropriate values given in the question provides a value of:

w = 7.07M J
Q4b

The train travels the

1km

in

minutes. What is the power output of

the train engine?

A4b

Power is given by the time

taken to provide some amount of energy or

do some work

w.

In this case the work done is the

7.07 . . . M J

calculated in

the previous part of this question. Taking care with the conversion of into SI units, we nd the power to be:

2 minutes

P =
Q5

w 7.07 . . . 106 = = 58.9kW t 120 80kg

sky diver reaches equilibrium at a speed of

During a jump an

180kmph.
this speed?

What power is supplied to the sky diver by the earth to maintain

28

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

A5

Power is given by the rate of work, i.e. the amount of work done divided by

the time it took to perform that work. As work is given by a force multiplied by the distance through which that force was applied, we can re-write the equation for power as follows:

P =
I.e.

Fs w = = Fv t t

power is given by the product of the velocity of an object and the force This

applied to it. In this case we are given the velocity of the sky diver, and from the given mass can determine the weight force acting on the skydiver. leads to the following equation:

P = F v = mgv
Which with appropriate substitutions provides a value of:

P = 39.2kW
Q6

75kg

athlete climbs a rope at

0.5ms1 ;

assuming the human body is

20%
A6

ecient, what is the power generation of the athletes body? Power is given by the product of force and velocity. In this case the climber

acts against gravity, so:

P = F v = mgv = 368. . . . W
This is the useful work power output of the climber, however we are told that the climber is only

20% ecient, so this gure must be multiplied by 5 to determine P = 1.84kW

the raw power generated by the climber, which gives us a value of:

Q7

At a fun-fair, a

2kg

mallet is swung at a `test your strength' game,

colliding with the target at a speed of which is

5ms1 .

2m

above the ground with a speed of

The 500g 0.5ms1 .

indicator hits the bell What is the eciency

of the system that transfers energy from the mallet to the indicator? Eciency is given by the ratio of the useful energy leaving a system to

A7

the energy input to the system . In this case that corresponds to the ratio of the energy in the indicator

Ei

to that in the mallet

Em .

Ei Em

In this example, we need only consider K.E and G.P.E. To determine the eciency we can therefore calculate the total K.E and G.P.E of the indicator in ratio to that of the mallet:

K.Ei + G.P.Ei = K.Em + G.P.Em

1 2 2 mi vi + mi ghi 1 2 2 mm vm + mm ghm

Substituting in values as follows:

mi = 0.5kg, mm = 2kg, vi = 0.5ms1 , vm = 5ms1 , hi = 2m, hm = 0m

Gives a value for the eciency of:

= 0.395 = 39.5%
29

CHAPTER 3.

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3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

3.1.6
Q1

Projectiles

A ball is thrown upwards from 1m above the ground at a speed of

3ms1 .

How long after being released does the ball hit the ground

A1.1

As the ball moves only in the vertical plane, this is simple linear motion

in one dimension, so the SUVAT equations can be used. We start by listing the known variables:

s = 1m, u = 3ms1 , a = 9.81ms2

A The nal displacement of the ball will be 1m below the starting position, and as the ball moves in free-fall, the acceleration is that due to gravity. The upwards direction is taken to be positive to give

and

a negative sign. The

equation containing these three variables, plus time is:

1 s = ut + at2 2 This must be re-arranged to make t the subject as ight. As the equation is quadratic in t, we can use
equation:

we wish to nd the time of the solution for a quadratic

x=
Where we substitute:

b2 4ac 2a

x = t, a =
To get:

1 a, b = u, c = s 2

t=
get an answer of:

u2 + 2as a

Substituting the values determined earlier with careful consideration of sign, we

t = 0.240s or t = 0.851s
The negative value of

corresponds to the time the ball would have been at The positive value is the value of

ground level had it been travelling freely. back to ground level, so:

interest as this represents the time of ight for the ball to travel upwards then

t = 0.851s
A1.2

The second method for this question still uses a SUVAT equation,

but avoids using quadratic equation by nding the nal velocity of the ball rst. The nal velocity can be found by two methods which turn out to be equivalent. Conservation of energy tells us that the G.P.E lost due to have descended will be converted into K.E.

1m

30

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

K, Ev = K.Eu + G.P.E 1 1 mv 2 = mu2 + mgh 2 2 v 2 = 9u2 + 2gh

Alternatively, we can use the suvat equation

v 2 = u2 + 2as
Which is equivalent to the energy solution with

a = g = 9.81ms2 and s =

h = 1m.

To make

the subject of this formula, take the square root of both

sides to reach:

v = u2 + 2as
By substituting in the values for value for v of:

u, aand s

we determined earlier, we obtain a

v = 5.35 . . . ms1
We use common sense to choose the negative value as the ball will be travelling downwards at the end of its path. As we now additionally have the nal velocity to use in our calculations, we can choose a dierent SUVAT equation to avoid the use of a quadratic equation, and rearrange it to make t the subject of the formula:

v = u + at
To give:

vu a When we substitute in the values for u and a in addition to the newly calculated value of v we get a value for t of: t= t = 0.851s
Which agrees with the value obtained through the rst method.

Q2

A bullet is red horizontally from eye level (1.5m above ground), leaving

the muzzle at

500ms1 .

Q2a

What horizontal distance does the bullet travel before hitting the ground?

31

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

A2a

This is a 2 dimensional problem.

To determine the distance travelled,

we need the horizontal velocity of the bullet which we are given, plus the time of travel which we are not given so must rst calculate. The time of travel is the the time it takes for the bullet to fall the variables are:

1.5m

distance. The known suvat

s = 1.5m, u = 0ms1 , a = 9.81ms2

And the appropriate equation to nd the time

is:

1 s = ut + at2 2
Which simplies and rearranges to:

t=
To give:

2s a

t = 0.553 . . . s
So the horizontal distance the bullet travels is:

s = ut = 500ms1 0.553 . . . s = 277m

Q2b

What is the velocity of the bullet when it hits the ground?

A2b

This velocity calculation requires we nd the magnitude

and direction

of

the bullet. We have been given the horizontal component of the velocity

vh

but must still calculate the vertical component of the velocity we know

vv .

To nd this

u, a,

and

so the appropriate equation to nd the nal velocity is:

2 vv = u2 v + 2asv
Which once simplied and rearranged becomes:

vv = 2as
To give a value of:

vv = 5.42 . . . ms1
Using Pythagoras this is combined with

vh to

give

as:

v=

2 + v 2 = 500ms1 vh v

Note how the square dependence results in the vertical velocity having a negligible eect on the total velocity magnitude. For the direction, we use trigonometry to determine the angle below the horizontal of the bullet using the inverse tangent function:

= arctan

vv = 0.622 vh

So the velocity of the bullet as it hits the ground is:

500ms1 at 0.622 below the horizontal

32

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

Q3

An archer launches an arrow from ground level at above the horizontal.

50ms1

at an angle of

30

Q3a

How far away does the arrow land?

A3a

This is very similar to Q2 in that to nd the distance traveled we must

rst nd the time of ight. However, this time the projectile is not launched horizontally, but at an angle vector

into it's horizontal

. Therefore we must rst resolve the initial velocity uh and vertical uv components, and then proceed

with the calculation as before.

uh = u cos = 43.3 . . . ms1 , uv = u sin = 25ms1

Which in the vertical dimension provides the following values for suvat variables:

s = 0m, a = 9.81ms2 , u = 25ms1

The appropriate equation is, as in Q2:

1 s = ut + at2 2
However as

is non-zero, solving this equation requires nding the solution to

a quadratic. To avoid this we can use the symmetry of the problem to recognise that the nal vertical velocity

vv

will be

use an equation which is simpler to

25ms1 . By recognising solve for t such as: v+u t 2

this, we can

v = u + at, or s =

The later breaks due to the zero value of the displacement, so the former shall be used, which solved for

becomes:

t=
To give a value for

vu a

of:

t = 5.10 . . . s
So the distance the arrow travels is:

s = uh t = 221m
Q3b

Will the arrow be able to pass over a wall

5m

high

40m

away?

A3b

The solution to this problem requires that we nd the height of the

arrow at a distance of to determine the velocity:

calculate the travel time

sh = 40m. To do this we use the horizontal dimension to t to this point, then move into the vertical dimension height s of the arrow at this time. From the rst part of this uh = 43.3 . . . ms1 , uv = 25ms1

question, we already know the vertical and horizontal components of the initial

33

CHAPTER 3.

WORKED SOLUTIONS

3.1.

HFS - MECHANICS

So the time to travel

40m

horizontally is:

t=

sh = 0.924 . . . s uh

To calculate the height of the arrow at this time, we know he following variables:

uv = 25ms1 , a = 9.81ms2 , t = 0.924 . . . s

The appropriate equation for nding the height of the arrow using these variables is:

1 s = ut + at2 2 s

Which in this form does not need to be rearranged, and provides a value for of:

s = 18.9m
So the arrow will be able to clear a wall of this height at this distance.

Q4

A space probe lands on an extra-terrestrial planet.

In an experiment The bearing lands

to determine the strength of gravity on the planet, the probe launches a ball bearing at

40

above the horizontal at a speed of

5ms1 .

50m
A4

away. What is the acceleration due to gravity on the planet?

Acceleration

the vertical component

a due to gravity acts in the vertical direction. After resolving uv of the initial velocity vector u we know the following sv = 0m, uv = 3.21 . . . ms1

information in the vertical direction:

But we need a third variable, either time

or the nal velocity

vv

to be able

to determine the acceleration. Of these two, the easiest to calculate would be the time of ight from the horizontal component of the initial velocity the distance

uh

and

traveled as there will be no horizontal acceleration.Choosing the

appropriate formula gives us:

t=

sh 50m = 13.1 . . . s = 1 uh 5ms cos 40 sv

and

Which can now be used with our values of priate equation:

uv

to nd

using the appro-

1 sv = uv t + at2 2
Which when rearranged and simplied gives:

a=

2uv = 0.492ms2 t

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