Vectors and Projectiles

Vectors and Projectiles
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The Review Session Vectors and Projectiles
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Part A: Multiple-Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following statements are true of scalars and

vectors? List all that are TRUE.
a. A vector quantity always has a direction associated with
it.
b. A scalar quantity can have a direction associated with it.
c. Vectors can be added together; scalar quantities cannot.
d. Vectors can be represented by an arrow on a scaled
diagram; the length of the arrow represents the vector's
magnitude and the direction it points represents the
vector's direction.
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a. TRUE - Vectors are defined as quantities which are fully

described by both their magnitude and direction. By
definition, a vector has a direction associated with it. If it
didn't, then it would NOT be a vector.
b. FALSE - Scalars are defined as quantities which are fully
described by their magnitude alone. Scalars have no regard
for direction and it is meaningless to associate a direction
with such a quantity. If a quantity did have a direction
associated with it, then that quantity would not be a vector.
c. FALSE - Both vectors and scalars can be added together.
The rules for adding vectors together are unique to vectors
and cannot be used when adding scalars together. The
direction of a vector must be considered when adding two
vectors together. Direction is of no importance when adding
scalars.
d. TRUE - This is exactly the case and exactly what is done
throughout the unit.
Useful Web Links
Scalars and Vectors||Vectors and Direction
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2. Which of the following quantities are vectors? Include all

that apply.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
distance traveled
displacement
average speed
average velocity
instantaneous velocity
acceleration
Answer: BDEF
Of the five kinematic quantities listed here (distance,
displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration), three of
them are vectors. Displacement, velocity (both average and
instantaneous), and acceleration all require the mention of
a direction in order to fully describe the quantity.
Useful Web Links
Scalars and Vectors
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3. Numerical values and directions are stated for a variety

of quantities. Which of these statements represent a vector
description? Include all that apply.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
20 meters, west
9.8 m/s/s
35 mi/hr, south
16 years old
60 minutes
3.5 m/s/s, south
-3.5 m/s/s
+20 degrees C
Answer: ACFG
Expressions of vector quantities would include a magnitude
(number, value, etc.) and a direction. The direction could
be described as being north, south, east, west or left, right,
up, down. On occasion, a "+" or "-" is used to describe the
direction. Since mathematical computations on calculators
do not fare well with the typing of "south," a - sign is often
substituted for a given direction. In the case of g, the units
indicate an acceleration quantity. The "-" sign indicates a
direction. One must be careful in assuming that a "+" or "-"
sign is a sure sign of a quantity being a direction for other
non-vector quantities can use such signs as well (as is the
case in h).
Useful Web Links
Scalars and Vectors
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4. Which of the following statements are true of vector

addition, vector subtraction, and vector addition diagrams?
List all that apply.
a. Vectors A, B, and C are added together as A + B + C. If

the order in which they are added is changed to C + B
+ A, then the result would be different.
b. Vectors A, B, and C are added together as A + B + C. If
the order in which they are added is reversed to C + B
+ A, then the result would be a vector with the same
magnitude but the opposite direction.
c. When constructing a vector diagram for A + B + C, it is
not absolutely necessary that vectors B and C use the
same scale that is used by vector A.
d. The resultant in a vector addition diagram always
extends from the head of the last vector to the tail of
the first vector.
e. If vectors A and B are added at right angles to each
other, then one can be sure that the resultant will have
a magnitude that is greater than the magnitudes of
either one of the individual vectors A and B.
f. If vectors A and B are added at right angles to each
other, then one can be sure that the resultant will have
a magnitude that is less than the arithmetic sum of the
magnitudes of A and B.
g. Vector addition diagrams cannot be used to determine
the resultant when there is a vector subtraction
operation.
Answer: EF
a. FALSE - Altering the order in which three vectors are
added does not alter the result of the addition process. A +
B + C = C + B + A. Each order of operation yields a
resultant with the same magnitude and direction.
b. FALSE - As mentioned above in a, altering the order in
which three vectors are added does not alter the result of
the addition process. Reversing the order produces a
resultant with the same magnitude and the same direction.
c. FALSE - When constructing a vector addition diagram, a
scale must be chosen and adhered to. The scale which used
to draw vector A must also be used for vectors B and C.
One cannot switch horses in the middle of the stream.
d. FALSE - The resultant in a vector addition diagram is
drawn from the tail of the first vector (the starting point) to
the head of the last vector (the finishing point).
e. TRUE - Suppose that A = 3 units and B = 4 units and
that the two vectors are directed at right angles to each
other. The vector sum or resultant of A + B is 5 units,
which is clearly greater than either one of the vectors being
added. In general, the resultant in such a case will be
represented on a vector addition diagram as the
hypotenuse of a right triangle. The hypotenuse is always
greater than the other two legs of the triangle. So this
statement is always true.

f. TRUE - Suppose that A = 3 units and B = 4 units and that
the two vectors are directed at right angles to each other.
The vector sum or resultant of A + B is 5 units whereas the
arithmetic sum is 7 units. In this case and in all cases, the
vector sum of two right angle vectors will always be less
than the arithmetic sum. That is, Sqrt(a2 + b2) will always
be less than a + b.
g. FALSE - When a vector subtraction operation is
performed, it is usually advisable to simply convert it into a
vector addition operation. This is accomplished by adding
the negative of the vector which is being subtracted. So A B would be equivalent to A + (-B). By so doing, a vector
addition diagram can be used to determine the resultant.
Useful Web Links
Vector Addition||Resultants
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5. Which of the following descriptions of moving objects

accurately portray a projectile? List all that apply.
a. an object which is moving through the air and not
touching any surface
b. a falling skydiver with an open parachute
c. any object upon which air resistance is negligible
d. a free-falling object
e. an object upon which the only significant force is the
force of gravity
f. a falling feather
g. a falling feather in a vacuum chamber
h. a falling feather in a falling vacuum chamber.
Answer: DEGH
A projectile is an object upon which the only force is gravity.
Air resistance must be negligible or nonexistent. Other
forces resulting from people or things pulling or pushing,
attached strings or contact with surfaces must not be
present.
a. NO - A plane moves through the air and is not touching
any surface. Yet, a plane is clearly not a projectile.
b. NO - A falling skydiver typically experiences considerable
air resistance. It is popular to describe such skydivers as

being in free fall. This is an erroneous use of the term.
c. NO - As you sit in your chair, air resistance is negligible.
You are certainly not a projectile (at least, we hope not).
d. YES - A projectile is an object in free fall.
e. YES - An object upon which the only significant force is
gravity fits the definition of a projectile (provided that
significant means "having an influence").
f. NO - Falling feathers encounter air resistance which
impedes the downward acceleration and causes the feather
to fall at nearly a constant velocity.
g. YES - When a feather is allowed to fall in a vacuum, air
resistance is eliminated and the feather can free fall.
h. YES - When a feather is allowed to fall in a vacuum and
the vacuum is free-falling as well, air resistance is
eliminated and an observer would notice that both the
vacuum chamber and the feather are in free fall.
Useful Web Links
What is a Projectile?
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6. Which of the following statements are true of projectiles?

List all that apply.
a.
b.
c.
d.
A projectile is a free-falling object.

A projectile experiences negligible or no air resistance.
A projectile must be moving in the downward direction.
A projectile must be accelerating in the downward
direction.
e. A projectile does not have to have horizontal motion.
f. A projectile could begin its projectile motion with a
downward velocity.
g. A projectile does not need to be "falling."
Answer: ABDEF and possibly G
a. TRUE - Free-falling objects, like projectiles, are objects
upon which the only significant force is gravity.
b. TRUE - The only force on a projectile is gravity; air
resistance must not be present or must not have an
influence upon the motion of the projectile.
c. FALSE - Projectiles can be moving either upward or

downward or at an angle to the vertical. They must
however be accelerating downward, consistent with
gravity's effect on an object.
d. TRUE - The force of gravity acts directly downwards
upon an object, causing a downward acceleration. Any
projectile must be accelerating downwards regardless of
other features of its motion.
e. TRUE - A projectile could be moving strictly in a vertical
direction with no horizontal motion. A ball thrown straight
up in the air would be such a case.
f. TRUE - There is no rule about which direction a projectile
must be moving at the instant it is projected. It could begin
its motion with a initial downward velocity.
g. TRUE - The word "falling" can mean different things to
different people. If "falling" involves moving in the
downward direction at all instants in time, then a projectile
does not need to be "falling." To many, "falling" means
being pulled downward by gravity's force. In this case, a
projectile must be "falling."
Useful Web Links
What is a Projectile?||Characteristics of a Projectile's
Trajectory
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7. Which of the following statements are true of the
horizontal motion of projectiles? List all that apply.
a. A projectile does not have a horizontal velocity.
b. A projectile with a rightward component of motion will
have a rightward component of acceleration.
c. The horizontal velocity of a projectile changes by 9.8 m/s
each second.
d. A projectile with a horizontal component of motion will
have a constant horizontal velocity.
e. The horizontal velocity of a projectile is 0 m/s at the
peak of its trajectory.
f. The horizontal velocity of a projectile is unaffected by the
vertical velocity; these two components of motion are
independent of each other.

g. The horizontal displacement of a projectile is dependent
upon the time of flight and the initial horizontal velocity.
h. The final horizontal velocity of a projectile is always
equal to the initial horizontal velocity.
i. As a projectile rises towards the peak of its trajectory,
the horizontal velocity will decrease; as it falls from the
peak of its trajectory, its horizontal velocity will
decrease.
j. Consider a projectile launched from ground level at a
fixed launch speed and a variable angle and landing at
ground level. The horizontal displacement (i.e., the
range) of the projectile will always increase as the angle
of launch is increased from 0 degrees to 90 degrees.
k. Consider a projectile launched from ground level at a
fixed launch angle and a variable launch speed and
landing at ground level. The horizontal displacement
(i.e., the range) of the projectile will always increase as
the launch speed is increased.
Answer: DFGHK
a. FALSE - Many projectiles are moving from left to right
and from right to left as they simultaneously free fall. Such
projectiles have a horizontal motion. While a projectile can
have a horizontal motion, it cannot have a horizontal
acceleration. Whatever motion which it has in the horizontal
dimension, must be motion with a constant velocity.
b. FALSE - A projectile with a rightward motion (in addition
to a vertical motion) will have a constant velocity in the
rightward direction. This is to say that it has no horizontal
acceleration.
c. FALSE - A projectile has a constant horizontal velocity.
The vertical velocity will change by 9.8 m/s each second.
d. TRUE - Absolutely true! Projectiles are objects being
acted upon by gravity alone. As such, there is a vertical
acceleration but no horizontal acceleration. The horizontal
velocity of a projectile is either zero or a constant nonzero
value.
e. FALSE - The vertical velocity of a projectile is 0 m/s at
the peak of its trajectory; but the horizontal component of
the velocity at the peak is whatever the value was when
first launched.
f. TRUE - For any two dimensional motion (whether
projectile motion or riverboat problems or ...),
perpendicular components of the motion are independent of
each other. Any alteration in a vertical component will not
effect the horizontal components of motion.
g. TRUE - The horizontal displacement (x) can be calculated
with the formula x = vox t, where vox is the initial
horizontal velocity and t is the time. These are the two

variables which effect the horizontal displacement of a
projectile.
h. TRUE - Since there is no horizontal acceleration for a
projectile, the initial horizontal velocity is equal to the final
horizontal velocity.
i. FALSE - This is a true description for the vertical
component of the velocity. The horizontal velocity is
unchanging throughout the trajectory of a projectile.
j. FALSE - The range (or horizontal displacement) will
increase as the angle is increased from 0 degrees to 45
degrees. The maximum range occurs at 45 degrees. As the
angle is further increased to values greater than 45
degrees, the horizontal displacement decreases.
k. TRUE - As the launch speed is increased, the components
of the initial velocity (both the horizontal and the vertical)
increase as well. This causes the projectile to stay in the air
for a longer period of time and to be moving faster in the
horizontal direction. The result is that increased launch
speeds always lead to increased horizontal displacements.
Useful Web Links
Characteristics of a Projectile's Trajectory||Horizontal and
Vertical Components of Velocity||Horizontal and Vertical
Components of Displacement
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8. Which of the following statements are true of the vertical

motion of projectiles? List all that apply.
a. The vertical component of a projectile's velocity is a
constant value of 9.8 m/s.
b. The vertical component of a projectile's velocity is
constant.
c. The vertical component of a projectile's velocity is
changing.
d. The vertical component of a projectile's velocity is
changing at a constant rate.
e. A projectile with an upward component of motion will
have a upward component of acceleration.
f. A projectile with an downward component of motion will
have a downward component of acceleration.
g. The magnitude of the vertical velocity of a projectile

changes by 9.8 m/s each second.
h. The vertical velocity of a projectile is 0 m/s at the peak
of its trajectory.
i. The vertical velocity of a projectile is unaffected by the
horizontal velocity; these two components of motion are
independent of each other.
j. The final vertical velocity of a projectile is always equal
to the initial vertical velocity.
k. The vertical acceleration of a projectile is 0 m/s/s when it
is at the peak of its trajectory.
l. As a projectile rises towards the peak of its trajectory,
the vertical acceleration will decrease; as it falls from
the peak of its trajectory, its vertical acceleration will
decrease.
m. As a projectile rises towards the peak of its trajectory,
the vertical acceleration is directed upward; as it falls
from the peak of its trajectory, its vertical acceleration is
directed downward.
n. The peak height to which a projectile rises above the
launch location is dependent upon the initial vertical
velocity.
o. As a projectile rises towards the peak of its trajectory,
the vertical velocity will decrease; as it falls from the
peak of its trajectory, its vertical velocity will decrease.
p. Consider a projectile launched from ground level at a
fixed launch speed and a variable angle and landing at
ground level. The vertical displacement of the projectile
during the first half of its trajectory (i.e., the peak
height) will always increase as the angle of launch is
increased from 0 degrees to 90 degrees.
q. Consider a projectile launched from ground level at a
fixed launch angle and a variable launch speed and
landing at ground level. The vertical displacement of the
projectile during the first half of its trajectory (i.e., the
peak height) will always increase as the launch speed is
increased.
Answer: CDFGHINPQ
a. FALSE - The vertical component of a projectile's velocity
is constantly changing. It is the acceleration which has a
value of 9.8 m/s/s.
b. FALSE - Projectiles are objects being acted upon by
gravity alone. As such, there is a vertical acceleration; the
vertical velocity is not constant, but changing.
c. TRUE - See part b above.
d. TRUE - A projectile has a vertical acceleration of 9.8
m/s/s throughout the entire trajectory. This acceleration
value is constant. This means that the vertical velocity
changes by the same amount - 9.8 m/s - during each
second of its motion. There is a change in the vertical

velocity by a constant amount.
e. FALSE - All projectiles experience a downward
acceleration, whether they are moving upward or
downward. The upward-moving projectiles have an upward
velocity, but the actual velocity values are getting smaller;
that is, the projectile is slowing down on the way to its
peak.
f. TRUE - This is a true statement. It could also be said that
a projectile with an upward component of motion also has a
downward acceleration. All projectiles accelerate in the
downward direction. Period.
g. TRUE - This is absolutely true .
h. TRUE - At the peak of its trajectory, a projectile is in the
process of changing directions. The vertical velocity must
change from a positive value (+ for upward) to a negative
value (- for downward). This transition means that the
value for the vertical velocity must at sometime be in
between a + and - number. The in-between number is 0
m/s and this occurs at the peak.
i. TRUE - For any two dimensional motion (whether
projectile motion or riverboat problems or ...),
perpendicular components of the motion are independent of
each other. Any alteration in a vertical component will not
effect the horizontal components of motion.
j. FALSE - A projectile launched at an angle forms a
parabolic trajectory. Suppose that one were to trace a
projectile's motion forward in time from the peak and
backwards in time from the peak. If done, one would find
that the vertical velocity value has the same magnitude for
equal amounts of times traced forward and backward from
the peak. So for the same time before and after the peak, a
projectile has the same speed. However, some projectiles
are not launched from the same height at which they land.
The final height is not the same as the initial height and as
such the time to rise to the peak is not equal to the time to
fall from the peak. In such instances, the initial vertical
velocity is not equal to the final vertical velocity.
k. FALSE - No! No! No! The vertical velocity is 0 m/s at the
peak and the vertical acceleration is -9.8 m/s/s throughout
the entire trajectory.
l. FALSE - This would be a true description of the vertical
velocity. But the vertical acceleration is a constant value of
9.8 m/s/s throughout the entire trajectory.
m. FALSE - Not only is the magnitude of the vertical
acceleration a constant value throughout a projectile's
trajectory, the direction is constant as well. Projectile's at all
times regardless of any other variable will accelerate
downwards at 9.8 m/s/s. This is perhaps the most

important truth to digest about projectiles.
n. TRUE - The initial vertical velocity has an effect on the
time taken by a projectile to rise towards its peak. It also
effects the average speed of the projectile as it rises
towards its peak. As a result, any alteration in the vertical
velocity will alter the peak height of the projectile.
o. FALSE - Upward-rising projectiles have a downward
acceleration; this means they are slowing down as they
rise. The magnitude of their velocity is decreasing.
Downward-moving projectiles also have a downward
acceleration; this means they are speeding up. The
magnitude of their velocity is increasing.
p. TRUE - An increase in the angle of launch (from 0 to 90
degrees) will always increase the vertical component of the
initial velocity (viy). This increase in viy will lead to increased
times for the projectile rising towards its peak. And an
increased angle causes the projectile to move with a
greater average speed during its path towards its peak.
Both of these effects lead to the outcome that the peak
height of a projectile will increase as the angle of launch
increases from 0 to 90 degrees.
q. TRUE - As the launch speed is increased, the components
of the initial velocity (both the horizontal and the vertical)
increase as well. This causes the projectile to stay in the air
for a longer period of time and to be moving faster in the
vertical direction. The result is that increased launch speeds
always lead to increased heights for projectiles.
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9. Which of the following statements are true of the time of

flight for a projectile? List all that apply.
a. The time that a projectile is in the air is dependent upon
the horizontal component of the initial velocity.
b. The time that a projectile is in the air is dependent upon
the vertical component of the initial velocity.
c. For a projectile which lands at the same height that it is

projected from, the time to rise to the peak is equal to
the time to fall from its peak to the original height.
d. For the same upward launch angles, projectiles will stay
in the air longer if the initial velocity is increased.
e. Assume that a kicked ball in football is a projectile. If the
ball takes 3 seconds to rise to the peak of its trajectory,
then it will take 6 seconds to fall from the peak of its
trajectory to the ground.
Answer: BCD
a. FALSE - The time for a projectile to rise vertically to its
peak (and subsequently fall back to the ground) is
dependent upon the initial vertical velocity. Alteration in the
horizontal velocity will only cause the projectile to have a
greater horizontal displacement (x).
b. TRUE - Absolutely true. Projectiles with a greater vertical
component of initial velocity will be in the air for longer
amount of times (assuming that the direction of viy is
upward). An alteration in the viy value will alter the time of
flight of the projectile, regardless of the direction of viy.
c. TRUE - For projectiles launched at upward angles and
landing at the original height, the time to the rise to the
peak equals the time to fall from the peak. If it takes 3
seconds to rise upward, it will take 3 seconds to fall.
d. TRUE - For a constant launch angle, an increase in the
initial velocity (vi) will increase the vertical velocity (viy).
This results in an increased time for the projectile to
decelerate to 0 m/s as it rises towards its peak. So the
projectile takes longer to get to the peak, longer to fall from
the peak and overall is in the air for a longer time.
e. FALSE - Close, but very false. If it takes 3 seconds to rise
to the peak, then it takes 3 seconds to fall from the peak;
The 6 seconds is the total time of flight of the projectile.
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Part B: Multiple Choice
10. If two displacement vectors of 6 meters and 8 meters

(with varying directions) are added together, then the
resultant could range anywhere between ___ meters and
___ meters.
a. 0, 48
b. 1.33, 48
c. 0, 14
d. 2, 14
e. ... nonsense! No such prediction can be made.
f. ... nonsense! A prediction can be made but none of

these choices are correct.
Answer: D
The vector sum of 6.0 meters and 8.0 meters will be the
greatest if they are added together in the same direction;
that would produce a resultant of 14 meters. The vector
sum of 6.0 meters and 8.0 meters will be the smallest if
they are added together in the opposite direction; that
would produce a resultant of 2.0 meters. An animation
depicting the various resultants of 6.0 meters added to 8.0
meters at varying directions is shown on a separate page.
See animation.
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11. Three vectors are added following the rules of vector

addition. A fourth vector is drawn from the tail of the first
vector to the head of the last vector. This fourth vector is
referred to as ____.
a. the
b. the
c. the
equilibrant hypotenuse resultant
d. a
mistake
Answer: C
The resultant represents the result of adding two or more
vectors. On a scaled vector addition diagram, the resultant
is always drawn from the tail of the first vector to the head
of the last vector.
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12. TRUE or FALSE:

The order in which vectors is added will effect the
end result.
a. True
b. False
Answer: B
The order in which vectors is added does not effect the
magnitude or direction of the resultant. A + B + C gives the
same resultant as B + C + A and the same resultant as A +
C + B. An animation depicting the the head-to-tail addition
of five vectors in three different orders is shown on a
separate page. Seeanimation.
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13. Vector A is directed northward and vector B is directed

eastward. Which of the following vector addition diagrams
best represent the addition of vectors A and B and the
subsequent resultant?
Answer: E
If the head-to-tail method (sometimes referred to as the
triangle method) is being used, then the tail of B should be
drawn starting at the head of A. Both diagrams D and E

show this. Then the resultant should be drawn from the tail
of A to the head of B (which is not shown in diagram D).
There is also a parallelogram method for adding vectors. In
this method, the tails of the two vectors are placed together
(as in diagrams A and B). Then a parallelogram should be
drawn with the two vectors forming the adjacent sides of
the parallelogram. The resultant is drawn from the tails of
the vectors to the opposite corner of the parallelogram.
This is not done correctly on diagrams A and B. Diagrams C
and F do not resemble any (accurate) vector addition
method known to humankind.
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14. When adding vector B to vector A geometrically (or

graphically) using the head to tail method, the resultant is
drawn from ____ to the ____.
a. head of A, tail of B
b. tail of A, head of B
c. head of B, tail of A
d. tail of B, head of A
Answer: B
Adding vector B to vector A is equivalent to saying A + B. In
such an instance, A is drawn first, then B is drawn with its
tail at the head of A. Finally, the resultant is drawn from the
tail of the first vector (A) to the head of the last
vector (B).
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Use the following vector addition diagrams for Questions

#15-#20.
15. Which one of the following vector addition equations is

shown in Diagram 1?
a. A + B = b. A + C =
d. B + A =
c. B + C = A
C
B
C
e. C + B = f. C + A = g. None of
A
B
these

shown in Diagram 2?
a. A + B = b. A + C =
d. B + A =
c. B + C = A
C
B
C
A
B
these

shown in Diagram 3?
a. A + B = b. A + C =
d. B + A =
c. B + C = A
C
B
C
A
B
these

shown in Diagram 4?
a. A + B = b. A + C =
d. B + A =
c. B + C = A
C
B
C
A
B
these
Answers to questions #15-#18:

15. B
16. A
17. E
18. G
Vectors are added by a head-to-tail method and the
resultant is drawn from the tail of the first vector to the
head of the last vector. So if two vectors are added - say B
is added to A (as in A + B) - then first A is drawn and the
tail of B is placed at the head of A. The resultant is drawn
with its tail at the tail of A and its head at the head of B.
Thus, when the tails of two vectors are seen connected,

one of the vectors is the resultant and the other is the first
vector being added. And when the heads of two vectors are
seen connected, one of the vectors is the resultant and the
other is the second vector being added. These principles
can be applied to answer the above questions.
Note that in question 18, there is not a single vector which is
drawn from the tail of one vector to the head of another
vector. Thus, no resultant is drawn. One could say that the
diagram shows that A + B + C = 0.
19. Consider the magnitude and direction of vectors A and B
as shown in Diagram 1 above. Which one of the following
diagrams would represent B - A = R?
Answer: B
The subtraction of A from B is equivalent to adding the
negative of A to B. That is, B - A = B + (-A). The negative
of a vector is simply the same vector drawn in the opposite
direction. The correct answer should be a diagram which
shows B being drawn first. Then at the head of B, the tail of
a vector pointing in the opposite direction of A should be
drawn. This is shown in both diagrams B and C. The
resultant should then be drawn from the tail of B to the
head of -A. This is not shown in diagram C.
20. Consider the magnitude and direction of vectors B and C
as shown in Diagram 2 above. Which one of the following
diagrams would represent C - B = R?
Answer: C
The subtraction of B from C is equivalent to adding the
negative of B to C. That is, C - B = C + (-B). The negative
of a vector is simply the same vector drawn in the opposite
direction. The correct answer should be a diagram which
shows C being drawn first. Then at the head of C, the tail of
a vector pointing in the opposite direction of B should be
drawn. This is shown in both diagrams B and C. The
resultant should then be drawn from the tail of C to the
head of -B. This is not shown in diagram B.
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21. The vector sum (magnitude only) of 25.0 m, north +

18.0 m, East is ___ m.
a. 7.00
b. 21.5
c. 30.8
d. 35.8
e. 43.0
f. 54.2
g. 949
h. None of
these
Answer: C
These two vectors are directed at right angles to each other.
In such instances, the vector sum can be determined using
the Pythagorean theorem. The resultant (R) is equal to the
square root of the sum of the squares of the two vectors
being added. That is, R = Sqrt (A 2 + B 2) where A and B are
the two vectors being added together. Thus,
R = Sqrt [ (25.0 m) 2 + (18.0 m) 2 ] = Sqrt [ (625 m 2) + (324
m 2) ] = Sqrt (949 m 2)
R = 30.805 m = ~30.8 m
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22. The vector sum (magnitude only) of 32.0 m, north +

41.0 m, west is ___ m.
a. 9.00
b. 36.5
c. 38.0
d. 52.0
e. 73.0
f. 128
h. None of
g.2.70 x 10 3
these
Answer: D
Like question #21 above, these two vectors are directed at
right angles to each other. The Pythagorean theorem can
be used to determine the resultant of their sum. The

resultant (R) is equal to the square root of the sum of the
squares of the two vectors being added.
R = Sqrt (A2 + B2)
R = Sqrt [ (32.0 m)2 + (41.0 m)2 ] = Sqrt [ (1024 m2) +
(1681 m2) ] = Sqrt (2705 m2)
R = 52.010 m = ~52.0 m
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Use the diagram below to answer Questions #23-#28.

Each square on the diagram represents a 20-meter x 20meter area.
23. If a person walks from D to H to G to C, then the

distance walked is ____ meters.
a. 128
b. 180
c. 401
d. 460
e. 480
f. 533
g. 620
h. None of
these
Answer: F
Distance is a scalar quantity and adding together three
scalars is as simple as adding the three numbers
arithmetically. However, since the first of the three legs of
this trip is not due East, West, North or South, determining
the distance for this leg requires that the Pythagorean
theorem is used. That is, walking from D to H is equivalent
to walking 140 meters east (7 squares) and 160 meters (8
squares) south. The distance from D to H is thus 212.6
meters - Sqrt [ (140 m)2 + (160 m)2 ]. The walk from H to
G is a distance of 80 meters (4 squares) and the walk from

G to C is 240 meters (12 squares). The total distance
walked is the sum of 212.6 m + 80 m + 240 m = 532.6 m
= ~533 m.
magnitude of the displacement is ____ meters.
a. 128
b. 180
c. 401
d. 460
e. 480
f. 533
g. 620
h. None of
these
Answer: A
Displacement is a vector quantity which indicates how far
our of place an object is at the end of the motion relative to
the beginning of the motion. Displacement does not depend
upon the path taken from the beginning position to the final
position, but only upon the distance of a vector drawn from
start to finish. The resultant for the three segments of this
walk is simply drawn from D to C. The distance of this
resultant is found by using the Pythagorean theorem. The
resultant stretches south 80 meters (4 squares) and west
100 meters (5 squares). The resultant has a magnitude of
Sqrt [ (80 m)2 + (100 m)2 ] or 128 meters.
direction of the displacement is ___ degrees (as measured
counterclockwise from East).
a. 39
b. 51
c. 53
d. 217
e. 219
f. 231
g. 233
h. None of
these
Answer: E
As discussed in the previous problem,
the resultant stretches south 80
meters (4 squares) and west 100
meters (5 squares). This is shown in
the diagram at the right. These two
parts of the resultant vector can be
combined with a trigonometric function to determine the
angle theta. The angle theta is approximately 38.7 degrees.
This is not the direction of the resultant displacement but
simply the angle between the displacement vector and due
West. The convention used to express the direction of the
vector is to measure the counterclockwise angle of rotation
from due East. So in this instance, the direction is 180
degrees + 38.7 degrees or ~219 degrees.
26. If a person walks from H to E to C to G, then the
distance walked is ____ meters.
a. 80.
b. 240.
c. 253
d. 333
h. None of
e. 493
f. 560.
g. 640.
these
Answer: E
Distance is a scalar quantity and adding together three
scalars is as simple as adding the individual distances of the
three legs is as simple as adding the distances.
arithmetically. The problem is simplified in that the first two
legs of the trip are along the same line segment. The stop
at E can be disregarded since its is merely a point on the
line from location H to location C. That is HE + EC = HC.
Since the HC line segment does not stretch not due East,
West, North or South, determining the distance for this leg
requires that the Pythagorean theorem is used. That is,
walking from H to C is equivalent to walking 240 meters
west (12 squares) and 80 meters (4 squares) north. The
distance from D to H is thus 253.0 meters - Sqrt [ (240 m)2
+ (80 m)2 ]. The walk from H to E to C is a distance of 253
meters and the walk from C to G is 240 meters (12
squares). The total distance walked is the sum of 253 m +
240 m = ~493 m.

magnitude of the displacement is ____ meters.
a. 80.
b. 240.
c. 253
d. 333
e. 493
f. 560.
g. 640.
h. None of
these
Answer: A
Displacement is a vector quantity which indicates how far
our of place an object is at the end of the motion relative to
the beginning of the motion. Displacement does not depend
upon the path taken from the beginning position to the final
position, but only upon the distance of a vector drawn from
start to finish. The resultant for the three segments of this
walk is simply drawn from H to G. The distance of this
resultant is simply 80 meters (4 squares), north.

direction of the displacement is ___ degrees (as measured
counterclockwise from East).
a. 0
b. 18.
c. 72
d. 90.
e. 108
f. 162
g. 342
h. None of
these
Answer: D
The final destination G is due North of the initial location.
Thus, the displacement is directed north (at 90 degrees).
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Use the following diagram for

Questions #29-#33. In the
diagram, a riverboat is shown
starting at position A on the east
bank of a river. The boat heads
towards position B (a point directly
across the river from A) with a speed of 3.8 m/s. But
because of a current with a speed of 1.8 m/s, the boat
lands on the west bank of the river at position C, a location
downstream from B. The width of the river (d across) is 86.4
meters.
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29. The magnitude of the resultant velocity of the boat is

____ m/s.
a. 1.8
b. 2.0
c. 3.4
d. 3.8
e. 4.2
f. 5.6
g.11
h. None of
these
Answer: E
This is a case of a boat crossing a river by use of its motor.
The motor allows the boat to travel 3.8 meters towards the
opposite shore in every second. The river is flowing south,
carrying the boat a distance of 1.8 meters down the river
every second. The resultant velocity is simply the vector
sum of these two individual velocities. Since these two
velocities are at right angles to each other, the vector sum
can be determined using the Pythagorean theorem.
vresultant2 = (3.8 m/s)2 + (1.8 m/s)2
vresultant = Sqrt[ (3.8 m/s)2 + (1.8 m/s)2 ]
vresultant = 4.2 m/s
30. The direction of the resultant velocity of the boat is ____
m/s.
a. 0
b. 18.
c. 712
d. 90.
e. 108
f. 162
g. 342
h. None of
these
Answer: H
The direction of the resultant velocity
is in a southeastern direction. That
puts the vector in the third quadrant
with a direction somewhere between
180 degrees and 270 degrees. The
exact angle can be determined if the angle theta is found
using trigonometry. Theta is the angle that the resultant
velocity (the red vector in the diagram at the right) makes
with due West. This angle can be found suing the tangent
function. The work is shown at the right.
The angle theta is found to be 25.3 degrees. The actual
direction as measured as the counterclockwise angle of
rotation with due East is 180 degrees plus 25.3 degrees.
This would be 205.3 degrees.
31. The time required for the boat to cross the 86.4 m wide
river is ___ seconds.
a. 4.2
b. 15
c. 21
e. 48
f. None of
these
d. 23
Answer: D
The motor allows the boat to travel 3.8 meters towards the
opposite shore in every second. The boat has 86.4 meters
to travel from shore to shore. (The presence of the current
does not alter the width or shore-to-shore distance.) The
time to cross the river can be calculated from the river
width and the boat velocity using the v = d/t equation.
Rearranging the equation to solve for t yields
t = d/v
t = (86.4 m) / (3.8 m/s) = ~23 s (unrounded 22.7 s)

32. Location C is the location where the boat ultimately
lands on the opposite shore. What is the distance from
location B to location C.
a. 37
b. 41
c. 78
d. 86
e. 96
f. 180
g.2.0 x 102
h. None of
these
Answer: B
The distance that location C is downstream from B is
mathematically related to the speed of the river and the
time to cross the river. The distance can be calculated by
multiplying the current speed by the time to cross the river.
ddownstream = vriver t
ddownstream = (1.8 m/s) (22.7 s)
ddownstream = ~41 m
33. If the current on a particular day was flowing with two
times the velocity, then the time to cross the river would be
____.
a. two times
greater
b. one-half as
great
c. greater, but not

two times greater
d. less, but not

one-half the
original time
e. the same as it was when the current

flowed at 1.8 m/s.
Answer: E
For this situation of a boat heading straight across the river,
the current velocity is directed perpendicular to the boat
velocity. These two components of the boats resulting
motion are independent of each other. The boat velocity
makes the sole contribution to the ability of the boat to
cross the river. The river velocity only carries the boat
southward down the river. So an alteration of the river
velocity would have no effect on the time required for the
boat to cross the river.
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34. An object is undergoing free fall motion. As it falls, the

object's ____.
a. speed increases
b. acceleration increases
c. both of these
d. none of these
Answer: A
As an object free-falls, its velocity (and also its speed)
changes by approximately 10 m/s every second. This
means that the acceleration is a constant value of 10 m/s/s.
An object has a changing speed (or velocity) and a constant
acceleration if the speed changes by the same amount (a
"constant amount") in each consecutive second of its
motion.
Useful Web Links
Introduction to Free Fall||The Acceleration of Gravity
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35. A football is kicked into the air at an angle of 45

degrees with the horizontal. At the very top of the ball's
path, its velocity is _______.
a. entirely vertical
b. entirely horizontal
c. both vertical and

horizontal
d. not enough information

given to know.
Answer: B
As a projectile rises towards its peak, its horizontal velocity
remains constant while its vertical velocity decreases. At its
peak, its vertical velocity becomes 0 m/s. At this instant in
time, the velocity is entirely horizontal; there is no vertical
component to the velocity.
Useful Web Links
Projectiles: Horizontal and Vertical Components of
Velocity||Projectile Animation
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path, its acceleration is _______. (Neglect the effects of air
resistance.)

horizontal

given to know.
Answer: A
remains constant while its vertical velocity decreases. This
is to say that the acceleration of the object is vertical, not
horizontal. At the peak and everywhere throughout the
trajectory, there is a vertical (downward) acceleration. In
fact, a projectile is an object upon which the only force is
gravity. This force causes an acceleration which is in the
same direction as the force - downward.
Useful Web Links
Characteristics of a Projectile's Trajectory
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path, the net force acting upon it is _______. (Neglect the
effects of air resistance.)

horizontal

given to know.
Answer: A
A projectile is an object upon which the only force is gravity.
Since no other forces act upon the object, the net force
would be downward.
Useful Web Links

Characteristics of a Projectile's Trajectory
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38. At what point in its path is the horizontal component of

the velocity (v x) of a projectile the smallest?
a. The instant it is
thrown.
b. Halfway to the
top.
c. At the
top.
d. As it nears the top.
e. It is the same throughout

the path.
Answer: E
remains constant while its vertical velocity decreases. This
is to say that the acceleration of the object is vertical, not
horizontal. Having a constant horizontal velocity, there is no
point along the trajectory where the v x value is smaller than
at other points.
Useful Web Links
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39. At what point in its path is the vertical component of

the velocity (v y) of a projectile the smallest?
a. The instant it is
thrown.
b. Halfway to the
top.
d. As it nears the top.
e. It is the same throughout

the path.
Answer: C
c. At the
top.

remains constant while its vertical velocity decreases.
During the upward portion of its trajectory, the vy
continuously decreases until it becomes 0 m/s at the peak.
Thus, the vy is as small as it will ever be when it is at the
peak of the trajectory.
Useful Web Links
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40. An airplane that flies at 100 km/h in a 100 km/h

hurricane crosswind has a speed (relative to the ground) of
____.
a. 0 km/h b. 100 km/h c. 141 km/h d. 200 km/h
Answer: C
When an object such as a plane or a boat moves within a
medium which is moving relative to the ground, the speed
of the plane or boat (as measured by its speedometer) will
not be the same as the speed as measured by a person on
the ground ( ground speed). The ground speed (i.e.,
resultant velocity produced by the combination of the
plane's speed and the wind speed) can be determined by
adding the plane speed and wind speed as vectors. In this
case, the two vectors are at right angles, so the resultant
velocity can be determined using the Pythagorean theorem.
R2 = (100 km/hr)2 + (100 km/hr)2
R = SQRT( (100 km/hr)2 + (100 km/hr)2 )
R = 141 km/hr
Useful Web Links
Relative Velocity and Riverboat Problems||The Plane and
The Wind Animation
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41. An airplane moves at 141 km/h toward the northeast

(45 degrees). What is its component velocity in the
northward direction?
a. 41 km/h b. 100 km/h c. 110 km/h d. 141 km/h
Answer: B
To determine the component of a vector in a given direction,
vector resolution principles must be applied. This velocity
vector is directed at 45 degrees and has magnitude of 141
km/hr. The vertical component (northward) of this vector
can be found using the sine function.
vy = v * sine(theta)
vy = (141 km/hr)*sine(45 degrees)
vy = 100 km/hr
Useful Web Links
Vector Components
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42. Roll a bowling ball off the edge of a table. As it falls, its
horizontal component of velocity ___.
a. decreases
b. remains constant
c. increases
Answer: B
Once the ball leaves the table's edge, it becomes a
projectile. As it falls, its horizontal velocity remains constant
while its vertical velocity decreases. This is to say that the
acceleration of the object is vertical, not horizontal. In fact,
a projectile is an object upon which the only force is
gravity. This force causes an acceleration which is in the
same direction as the force - downward.
Useful Web Links
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43. A bullet is fired horizontally and hits the ground in 0.5

seconds. If it had been fired with twice the speed in the
same direction, it would have hit the ground in ____.
(Assume no air resistance.)
a. less than 0.5 s.
b. more than 0.5 s.
c. 0.5 s.
Answer: C
Once the bullet leaves the muzzle, it becomes a projectile
(assuming no air resistance). As it falls, its horizontal
velocity remains constant while its vertical velocity
decreases. The force of gravity acts upon the bullet to
cause its downward acceleration. The motion of the bullet
in the downward direction is independent of the motion in
the horizontal direction. That is to say, any alteration in a
horizontal aspect of its motion will not effect the motion in
the vertical direction. The time to fall vertically to the
ground is not effected by the horizontal speed of the
projectile. It would still take 0.5 seconds to fall to the
ground from this height regardless of the horizontal speed.
Useful Web Links
Horizontal and Vertical Components of Displacement
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44. A projectile is launched at an angle of 15 degrees above

the horizontal and lands down range. For the same speed,
what other projection angle would produce the same
downrange distance?
a. 30
b. 45
c. 50
d. 75
e. 90
degrees. degrees. degrees. degrees degrees.
Answer: D
For projectiles launched at angles, a launch angle of 45
degrees will provide the largest horizontal displacement.
Any two launch angles which are separated from 45

degrees by the same amount (for example, 40 degrees and
50 degrees, 30 degrees and 60 degrees and 15 degrees
and 75 degrees) will provide the same horizontal
displacement.
Useful Web Links
Maximum Range Animation
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45. Two projectiles are fired at equal speeds but different

angles. One is fired at angle of 30 degrees and the other at
60 degrees. The projectile to hit the ground first will be the
one fired at (neglect air resistance) ____.
a. 30 degrees b. 60 degrees c. both hit at the same time
Answer: A
For projectiles launched at angles, a launch angle of 45
degrees will provide the largest horizontal displacement.
Launch angles greater than 45 degrees result in large
vertical components of velocity; these stay in the air longer
and rise to higher heights. Launch angles less than 45
degrees result in small vertical components of velocity;
these do not rise as high and end up falling to the ground
in shorter times.
Useful Web Links
Maximum Range Animation
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Part C: Diagramming and Analysis
46. Express the direction of each of the following vectors in

the diagram below.
A: 0
B: 90
C: 135
D: 205
deg
deg
deg
deg
Answer: See answers above.
E: 270
deg
F: 340
deg
The convention that the direction of a vector is measured as

the counterclockwise angle of rotation of that vector from
due east is used. As such, an eastward vector (A) has a
direction of 0 degrees; a northward vector (B) has a
direction of 90 degrees; and a southward vector (E) has a
direction of 270 degrees. A protractor must be used to
determine the directions of C, D and F. Vector C is in the
second quadrant, so its direction is between 90 degrees and
180 degrees. The angle between East and vector C can be
measured. Vector D is in the third quadrant; its direction is
between 180 degrees and 270 degrees. A protractor can be
used to measure the angle between West (180 degrees)
and vector D. This angle measure can be added to 180
degrees to get the answer. A similar procedure is repeated
with Vector F.
Useful Web Links
Vectors and Direction
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47. In the following diagrams, two vectors are being added

and the resultant is drawn. For each diagram, identify
which vector is the resultant and write the equation (e.g., A
+ B = C).
a.
b.
The resultant is vector B.
The resultant is vector B.
The equation is C + A = B.
The equation is A + C = B.
c.
d.
The resultant is vector A.
The resultant is vector C.
The equation is C + B = A.
The equation is A + B = C.
Answer: See answers above.
Vectors are added by a head-to-tail method and the
resultant is drawn from the tail of the first vector to the
head of the last vector. So if two vectors are added - say B
is added to A (as in A + B) - then first A is drawn and the
tail of B is placed at the head of A. The resultant is drawn
with its tail at the tail of A and its head at the head of B.
Thus, when the tails of two vectors are seen connected,
one of the vectors is the resultant and the other is the first
vector being added. And when the heads of two vectors are
seen connected, one of the vectors is the resultant and the
other is the second vector being added. These principles
can be applied to answer the above questions.
Useful Web Links
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48. Consider the five vectors shown below; they are labeled
A, B, C, D and E.
Use the stated magnitude and direction of these vectors to

sketch a vector addition diagram for the following vector
operations and determine the resultant. You only need to
construct an approximate sketch; there is no need to do a
scaled diagram.
A+E+D
A+B+C
A+C+B
E+D+C
C-D
B + E - C
Answer: See diagrams above.

Vectors are added using a head-to-tail method. The
magnitude and direction of the vectors are maintained
when the addition (and subtraction) operations are
performed. In your sketched diagrams, you should be sure
to:
place the tail of the second vector in the equation at the
head of the first vector in the equation
label each vector (A, B, C ...)
draw the resultant from the tail of the first vector to the
head of the last vector
label the resultant
A subtraction operation is the same as adding the negative
of a vector. So if D is to be subtracted from C, then simply
add a vector whose magnitude is the same as D but is
directed in the opposite direction.
Useful Web Links
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49. A hiker's motion can be described by the following three
displacement vectors.
22.0 km, 45 degrees + 16.0 km, 135 degrees + 12.0 km,
270 degrees
Add the three displacement vectors using the head-to-tail
method of vector addition. Then answer the following two
questions.
(a) What is the distance walked by the hiker?
(b) What is the resulting displacement of the hiker?
Answer: Distance = 50.0 km; Displacement = 15.5
km, 74 degrees
Distance is a scalar quantity and does not regard the
direction of the individual legs of the hike as being
important. So the distance is simply the arithmetic sum of
the distances of the three individual legs of the hike.
Distance = 22.0 km + 16.0 km + 12.0 km = 50.0 km
Displacement is a vector quantity which is equal to the
vector sum of the individual displacements of the threelegged hike. A scaled vector addition diagram serves as a
useful tool in determining this sum. A convenient scale
(such as 1 cm = 4 km or 1 cm = 5 km or 1 cm = 8 km) is
chosen and the vectors are added using the head-to-tail
method. This is shown in the diagram below.
Once the resultant is drawn, the magnitude (in cm) can be

measured and the scale can be used to convert to
kilometers. The direction can be measured from the
diagram as the counterclockwise angle of rotation from due
East. The displacement is 15.5 km at 74 degrees.
Useful Web Links

Vector Addition||Resultants||Distance vs. Displacement
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50. Solve the following problem using a vector addition

diagram.
A hiker hikes for 12.0 km, west. She then makes a

turn and hikes in a straight line until she reaches
her final destination. If the resultant displacement
is 21.0 km at 147 degrees, then what was the
displacement (magnitude and direction) of the
second leg of the hike?
Answer: 12.7 km, 116 degrees
This is a unique problem in that the resultant is given and
one of the two vectors is given. The problem requests the
magnitude and direction of the second vector. In the
diagram below, the first vector is drawn and the resultant is
drawn beginning at the tail of the first vector. The second
vector would stretch from the head of the first vector to the
head of the resultant. This can be drawn in the diagram
and its magnitude and direction can be determined.
Useful Web Links

Vector Addition||Vector Components||Vector Resolution
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51. Consider the trajectory diagram shown below for a

horizontally launched projectile. On the diagram, draw
vector arrows representing the v x and v y velocity
components during the course of the motion. The length of
the arrows should represent the magnitude of the velocity
components. Label each component. (Note that the velocity
components are already shown for the first position.)
Answer: See diagram above.

A projectile has a downward acceleration. There is no
horizontal acceleration; rather, the horizontal velocity
remains constant. Thus, the vx vector is of constant length
(i.e., magnitude) throughout the trajectory. The downward
acceleration means that the vy vector will be changing. As
the object falls, it speeds up. Thus, the vy vector increases
its length (i.e., magnitude) throughout the trajectory. This
is shown in the diagram above.
Useful Web Links
Characteristics of a Projectile's Trajectory||Velocity
Components
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52. Consider the trajectory diagram shown below for a nonhorizontally launched projectile. On the diagram, draw
vector arrows representing the v x and v y velocity
components during the course of the motion. The length of
the arrows should represent the magnitude of the velocity
components. Label each component. (Note that the velocity
components are already shown for the first position.)

A projectile has a constant horizontal velocity and a
changing vertical velocity. The changing vertical component
of velocity is consistent with the fact that there is a vertical
acceleration. As the projectile rises towards the peak of its
trajectory, the vertical velocity decreases until it reaches 0
m/s at the very peak of the trajectory. As the projectile
rises towards the peak of its trajectory, the vertical velocity
increases. The vertical velocity upon falling is of the same
magnitude and the opposite direction as any corresponding
location of the same height during the rising motion. The
horizontal velocity remains constant throughout the
trajectory. These principles are shown in the diagram
above.
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53. Consider the diagram below. The blue path represents

the trajectory of a projectile dropped from rest from the top
of the path. (Each ball location represents the location after
a 1-second interval of time.) The red path represents the
trajectory of the same ball thrown horizontally in the
absence of gravity. Construct a third path accurately
showing the trajectory of a projectile launched with the
same horizontal speed as the red ball. Show the location
during the first four seconds of motion. Finally, the (x, y)
coordinate position of location 1 is (0 m, -5 m) and the (x,
y) coordinate position of location 2 is (15 m, 0 m).
Determine the (x, y) coordinate positions of the four
locations in your trajectory. (Assume g ~10 m/s/s.)

A projectile such as this has both a horizontal and vertical
component of motion. These two components of motion are
independent of each other. The strictly vertical motion of
the ball (the blue path above) depicts the vertical
displacement at 1-second intervals. If a horizontal motion is
imparted to the ball, its vertical displacement will not be
effected since these two components are independent of
each other. The strictly horizontal motion of the ball (the
red path above) portrays the motion of the ball in the
absence of gravity. The presence of gravity would cause the
ball to accelerate downward. This vertical motion does not
effect the horizontal motion since these two components
are independent of each other. The green path represents
the motion of the projectile when gravity acts upon it and a
horizontal motion is imparted to it. The horizontal location
at each 1-second instant in time is the same position as it
was in the red path above it. And the vertical location at
each 1-second instant in time is the same position as it was
in the blue path to the left of it.
The actual coordinate positions can be determined using the
kinematic equations and the given time. For the xcoordinate, the displacement is the same each second - that
is, there is a constant horizontal velocity. Since location 2
has a x-coordinate of 15 m, each consecutive location will
be 15 m further than the one before it. The y-coordinate is
determined by using the 0.5at2 expression with times of 1
s, 2 s, 3 s, and 4 s. The simplification that g is ~10 m/s2 is
used to simplify the math and highlight the concept.
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54. Consider the map of the United States at the right.

Given the scale that 1 cm = 500 km, use a protractor and a
ruler to determine the displacement of a traveler for the
listed trips. A couple trips include two "legs." Indicate both
the magnitude and the direction (using the
counterclockwise from East convention) for the resultant
displacement vector of the traveler.
Trip
Magnitude
Direction
a. From Chicago (CHI) to Washington, DC (WSH)
b. From Chicago (CHI) to Seattle (SEA)
c. From Jackson Hole (JXH) to Houston (HST)
d. From Denver (DEN) to Phoenix (PHX) to Washington
(WSH)
e. From Salt Lake City (SLC) to Reno (REN) to Miami

(MIA)
Answer: See table above.

a. The distance from CHI to WSH is ~2.6 cm. According to
scale, this would be equivalent to ~1300 km. The direction
of this displacement vector is measured as the
counterclockwise angle of rotation from due East - 341
degrees.
b. The distance from CHI to SEA is ~6.7 cm. According to
degrees.
c. The distance from JHX to HST is ~4.3 cm. According to
degrees.
d. This is a two-legged trip. Yet the displacement only
depends upon the initial and final locations. When the
traveler is done with the trip, he/she is displaced by an
amount equal to the distance from DEN to WSH. This is
~6.4 cm on the map. According to scale, this would be
equivalent to ~3200 km. The direction of this displacement

vector is measured as the counterclockwise angle of
rotation from due East - 356 degrees.
e. Again, the displacement only depends upon the initial and
final locations. When the traveler is done with the trip,
he/she is displaced by an amount equal to the distance
from SLC to MIA. This is ~7.7 cm on the map. According
to scale, this would be equivalent to ~3900 km. The
direction of this displacement vector is measured as the
degrees.
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55. A cannonball is launched from the top of a 125-meter

high cliff with an initial horizontal speed of 20 m/s. The (x,
y) coordinate position of the launch location is designated
as the (0, 0) position. Determine the (x, y) coordinate
positions of the cannonball at 1-second intervals during its
path to the ground.Assume g = ~10 m/s/s, down.

The horizontal speed is 20 m/s throughout the trajectory. So
the projectile will move a distance of 20 meters in each
second. This horizontal displacement is combined with a

falling motion which drops the projectile some vertical
distance below the initial height of the cannon. The vertical
displacement is given by the 0.5at2 expression where the
a value is stated as ~10 m/s2. Times of 1 s, 2 s, 3 s, etc.
can be substituted into this expression to determine the
vertical displacements of -5 m, -20 m, -45 m, -80 m, -125
m.
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Part D: Problem-Solving
56. In the Vector Addition Lab, Anna starts at the classroom

door and walks:
2.0 meters, West
12.0 meters, North,
31.0 meters, West,
8.0 meters, South
3.0 meters, East
Using either a scaled diagram or a calculator, determine the

magnitude and direction of Anna's resulting displacement.
Answer: 30.3 meters, 172 degrees
To insure the most accurate solution, this problem is best
solved using a calculator and trigonometric principles. The
first step is to determine the sum of all the horizontal (eastwest) displacements and the sum of all the vertical (northsouth) displacements.
Horizontal: 2.0 meters, West + 31.0 meters, West
+ 3.0 meters, East = 30.0 meters, West
Vertical: 12.0 meters, North + 8.0 meters, South =
4.0 meters, North
The series of five displacements is equivalent to two
displacements of 30 meters, West and 4 meters, North. The
resultant of these two displacements can be found using
the Pythagorean theorem (for the magnitude) and the
tangent function (for the direction). A non-scaled sketch is

useful for visualizing the situation.
Applying the Pythagorean theorem leads to the magnitude

of the resultant (R).
R2 = (30.0 m)2 + (4.0 m)2 = 916 m2
R = Sqrt(916 m2)
R = 30.3 meters
The angle theta in the diagram above can be found using
the tangent function.
tangent(theta) = opposite/adjacent = (4.0 m) / (30.0 m)
tangent(theta) = 0.1333
theta = invtan(0.1333)
theta = 7.59 degrees
This angle theta is the angle between west and the
resultant. Directions of vectors are expressed as the
counterclockwise angle of rotation relative to east. So the
direction is 7.59 degrees short of 180 degrees. That is, the
direction is ~172 degrees.
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57. In a grocery store, a shopper walks 36.7 feet down an

aisle. She then turns left and walks 17.0 feet straight
ahead. Finally, she turns right and walks 8.2 feet to a final
destination. (a) Determine the magnitude of the overall
displacement. (b) Determine the direction of the
displacement vector relative to the original line of motion.
Answer: (a) 48.0 feet; (b) 21 degrees from the
original line of motion
This problem is best approached using a diagram of the
physical situation. The three displacements are shown in
the diagram below on the left. Since the three
displacements could be done in any order without effecting
the resulting displacement, these three legs of the trip are
conveniently rearranged in the diagram below on the right.
Now it is obvious from the diagram on the right that the

three displacement vectors are equivalent to two
perpendicular displacement vectors of 44.9 feet and 17
feet. These two vectors can be added together and the
resultant can be drawn from the starting location to the
final location. A sketch is shown below.
Since these displacement vectors are at right angles to each

other, the magnitude of the resultant can be determined
using the Pythagorean theorem. The work is shown below.
R2 = (44.9 ft)2 + (17.0 ft)2 = 2305 ft2
R = Sqrt(2305 ft2)
R = 48.0 feet
The angle theta in the diagram above can be found using
the tangent function.
tangent(theta) = opposite/adjacent = (17.0 ft) / (44.9 ft)
tangent(theta) = 0.3786
theta = invtan(0.3786)
theta = 20.7 degrees
This is the angle which the resultant makes with the original
line of motion (the 36.7 ft displacement vector).
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58. A hiker hikes 12.4 km, south. The hiker then makes a
turn towards the southeast and finishes at the final
destination. The overall displacement of the two-legged trip
is 19.7 km at 309 degrees . Determine the magnitude and
direction of the second leg of the trip.
Answer: 12.7 km, 347 degrees
Like the previous problem (and most other problems in

physics), this problem is best approached using a diagram.
The first displacement is due South and the
resulting displacement (at 309 degrees) is
somewhere in the fourth quadrant. (It is in the
fourth quadrant because 309 degrees lies
between 270 degrees or due South and 360
degrees or due East.) For communication sake, we will refer
to the first displacement as A and the second displacement
as B. Note that A + B = R. Since the magnitude and
direction of the resultant is known, the x- and ycomponents can be determined using trigonometric
functions. Since the angle of 309 degrees is expressed as a
counterclockwise angle of rotation with due East, it can be
used as the Theta in the equation.
Rx = Rcos(theta) = 19.7 km cos(309 deg) =
12.398 km
Ry = Rsin(theta) = 19.7 km sin(309 deg) =
-15.310 km (the "-" means South)
Whatever the magnitude and direction of B is, it must add
on to vector A in order to give a southward displacement of
15.310 km and a eastward displacement of 12.398 km. This
could be expressed by mathematical equations as
Ax + Bx = 12.398 km, east
Ay + By = 15.310 km, south
But Ax is 0 km and Ay is 12 km, South. By substituting these
two values into the above equations, the values for the xand y-components of the unknown displacement can be
determined:
Bx = 12.398 km, east and By = 2.910 km, south
Knowing the Bx and By components will
allow us to determine the magnitude
and direction of B. Another diagram
would help in visualizing the situation. The magnitude of B
can be found using the Pythagorean theorem. B is the
hypotenuse of a right triangle with legs of 12.398 km and
2.910 km. The sum of the squares of the sides is equal to
the square of the hypotenuse.
B2 = (12.398 km)2 = (2.910 km)2
B2 = 162.179 km2
B = Sqrt(162.179 km2)
B = 12.735 km
The direction of B is close to 360 degrees. As shown in the
diagram, it is less than 360 degrees by an amount equal to
theta. The angle theta can be determined using the tangent
function and the length of the two sides of the right
triangle.
Tangent (Theta) = (2.910 km) / (12.398 km)

Tangent (Theta) = 0.2347
Theta = Invtan (0.2347)
Theta = 13.2 degrees
The direction of B is 360 degrees - 13.2 degrees = ~347
degrees.
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59. A boat heads straight across a river which is 100.

meters wide. For the following two combinations of boat
velocities and current velocities, determine the resultant
velocity, the time required to cross the river, and the
distance traveled downstream.
a.
Given:
Boat velocity = 10.0 m/s,

East
River velocity = 4.0 m/s,

North
Calculate:
Resultant Vel. (mag. &

dir'n): 11 m/s, 22 deg.
Time to cross river: 10.0 s
b.
Given:
Boat velocity = 8.0 m/s, East
River velocity = 5.0 m/s,

South
Calculate:
Resultant Vel. (mag. & dir'n):

9.4 m/s, 328 deg.
Time to cross river: 13 s
Distance traveled
downstream: 40. m
Distance traveled
downstream: 63 m

The two velocity vectors (boat and river) are directed
perpendicular to each other. They can be added using the
Pythagorean theorem. The direction is found using the
tangent function; it is expressed as the counterclockwise
angle of rotation from due East. The time to cross the river
is dependent upon the width of the river and the boat
velocity. And the distance downstream is dependent upon
the time that the boat is moving and the speed at which it
moves downstream - the river velocity.

b.
dir'n):
a.
dir'n):
R2 = (10.0 m/s)2 + (4.0 m/s)2
R = SQRT ( (10.0 m/s)2 +
(4.0 m/s)2 )
R2 = (8.0 m/s)2 + (5.0 m/s)2

R = SQRT ( (8.0 m/s)2 + (5.0
m/s)2 )
R = SQRT(89 m2/s2) = 9.4
m/s (rounded from 9.43
m/s)
R = SQRT(116 m2/s2) = 11
m/s (rounded from 10.8
m/s)
dir'n = 360 deg. invtan(5.0/8.0) = 328

degrees
dir'n = invtan(4.0/10.0) = 22
degrees
Time to cross river:
Time to cross river:
d = v*t ---> t = d/v
d = v*t ---> t = d/v
t = (100. m)/(10.0 m/s) =

10.0 s
t = (100. m)/(8.0 m/s) =

13s (rounded from 12.5 s)
Distance traveled
downstream:
Distance traveled
downstream:
d = v*t = (4.0 m/s)*(10.0 s)

d = v*t = (5.0 m/s)*(12.5 s)
= 40. m
= ~63 m
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60. The diagram at the right depicts

a horizontally-launched projectile
leaving a cliff of height y with a
horizontal velocity (v ix) and
landing a distance x from the base
of the cliff. Express your
understanding of projectile
kinematics by filling in the blanks in the table below. To
simplify the calculations, use the approximated value for the
acceleration of gravity value of -10 m/s/s.
v ix
(m/s)
y
(m)
t
(s)
x
(m)
a.
15.0 m/s
20.0 m
b.
15.0 m/s
45.0
c.
15.0
45.0 m
d.
12.0
31.3
e.
17.2
74.0 m
2.00
3.00 s
3.00
2.50 s
3.85
30.0
45.0
45.0 m
30.0 m
66.0 m
The solutions to all five of these projectile problems involve

the use of kinematic equations and an appropriate problemsolving strategy. The kinematic equations and their use in
projectile problems are listed and discussed elsewhere. The
basic idea of the strategy is to identify three kinematic
variables for either the horizontal motion or for the vertical
motion. Once , three quantities in one direction is known,
all other quantities in that direction can be found (or the
time of flight can be found). Often, the time is then used
with kinematic quantities for the second dimension in order
to determine all other unknown quantities for that
dimension.
In each of these problems, it is known that ax = 0 m/s/s, ay
= -10 m/s/s, and viy = 0 m/s. When these three knowns
are combined with the other given knowns the following
answers are obtained:
Answers
Method
Use y, viy, and ay to calculate t;

a. t = 2.0 s and x = 30.0 m then use t, vix and ax to
calculate x.
Use t, vix and ax to calculate x;
y
=
45.0
m
and
x
=
45.0
and use t, viy, and ay to
b.
m
calculate y.
c.

vix = 15.0 m/s and t = then use t, x and a to
x
3.00 s
calculate vix.
d.
Use t, x and ax to calculate vix;

vix = 12.0 m/s and y = and use t, v , and a to
iy
y
31.3 m
calculate y.
e.

vix = 17.2 m/s and t = then use t, x and a to
x
3.85 s
calculate vix.
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61. The launch velocity and angle is given for three

different projectiles. Use trigonometric functions to resolve
the velocity vectors into horizontal and vertical velocity
components. Then use kinematic equations to determine
the time that the projectile is in the air, the height to which
it travels (when it is at its peak), and the horizontal distance
that it travels. (To simplify the calculations, use an
acceleration of gravity value of -10 m/s/s.)
a.
Given:
b.
Given:
c.
Given:
Launch Vel. = 30.0

Launch Vel. = 30.0
Launch Vel. = 30.0
m/s
m/s
m/s
Launch angle =
30.0 degrees
Launch angle =
45.0 degrees
Launch angle =
50.0 degrees
Calculate:
vix = 26.0 m/s
Calculate:
vix = 21.2 m/s
Calculate:
vix=19.3 m/s
viy = 15 m/s
viy = 21.2 m/s
viy=23.0 m/s
tup = 1.5 s
tup = 2.12 s
tup=2.35 s
ttotal = 3.0 s
ttotal = 4.24 s
ttotal=4.69 s
y at peak = 11.3 m y at peak = 22.5 m y at peak =26.9 m

x = 77.9 m
x = 89.9 m
x =90.4 m

The solutions to all three of these non-horizontally launched
projectile problems involve the use of kinematic equations
and an appropriate problem-solving strategy. The kinematic
equations and their use in projectile problems are listed and
discussed elsewhere. In each of these problems, it is known
that ax = 0 m/s/s and ay = -10 m/s/s. The values of vix and
viy can be determined using trigonometric functions:
vix = vi * cos(theta)
viy = vi * sin(theta)
Once vix and viy are known, the other unknowns can be
calculated. The time up to the peak (tup) can be determined
using the equation
vfy = viy + ay *t
where the vfy = 0 m/s (there is no vertical velocity for a
projectile when its at its peak) and ay = -10 m/s/s. Once tup
is known, the ttotal (time to travel the entire trajectory -both
up and down) can be determined by doubling the tup. The
horizontal displacement of the projectile (x) can be
computed in the usual way using the equation
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
where t is the ttotal value, ax = 0 m/s/s and vix was the first
value calculated (using the trigonometric functions). Finally,

the y at the peak (i.e., the peak height) can be calculated
using the equation
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
where t is the tup value, ay = -10 m/s/s and viy was one of
the first values calculated (using the trigonometric
function). The t value in the equation is tup because the
peak height is reached when the projectile has traveled for
one-half of its total time; tup is that time. This method will
yield the answers given in the table above.
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62. If a projectile is launched horizontally with a speed of

12.0 m/s from the top of a 24.6-meter high building.
Determine the horizontal displacement of the projectile.
Answer: x = 27.0 m
This horizontally-launched projectile problem can be (and
should be) solved in the same manner as the solution to
#60 above. While #60 is broken down for you into nice
steps, this problem is not so user-friendly. It is strongly
recommended that you begin by listing known values for
each of the variables in the kinematic equations. It is
helpful to organize the information into two columns - a
column of known horizontal information and a column of
known vertical information.
Horizontal Motion
x = ???
v ix = 12.0 m/s
a x = 0 m/s/s (true for all
projectiles)
Vertical Motion
y = -24.6 m (- means moving
down)
v iy = 0.0 m/s (its launched
horizontally)
a y = -9.8 m/s/s (true for all
projectiles)
Since three pieces of y-information are now known, a yequation can be employed to find the time.
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
Plugging and chugging the above values into this equation
yields a time of 2.25 seconds. Now the t value can be
combined with the vix and ax value and used in an xequation
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
to yield the answer 27.0 m. More examples and discussion
of these types of projectile problems are discussed
elsewhere.
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63. A projectile is launched with an initial speed of 21.8 m/s

at an angle of 35.0-degrees above the horizontal.
(a) Determine the time of flight of the projectile.
(b) Determine the peak height of the projectile.
(c) Determine the horizontal displacement of the
projectile.
Answer: (a) 2.55 s; (b) 7.98 m; (c) 45.7 m
This non-horizontally-launched projectile problem can be
(and should be) solved in the same manner as the solution
to #61 above. While #61 is broken down for you into
nicely-structured steps, this problem is not so user-friendly.
It is strongly recommended that you begin by resolving the
initial velocity and angle into initial velocity components
using the equations:
v ix = v i * cos(theta)
v iy = v i * sin(theta)
This yields values of v ix = 17.9 m/s and v iy = 12.5 m/s.

Once done, list the known values for each of the variables
in the kinematic equations. It is helpful to organize the
information into two columns - a column of known
horizontal information and a column of known vertical
information.
Horizontal Motion
x = ???
vix = 17.9 m/s (from trig.
function)
ax = 0 m/s/s (true for all
projectiles)
Vertical Motion
y = 0 m (it rises and falls to
original height)
viy = 12.5 m/s (from trig.
function)
ay = -9.8 m/s/s (true for all
projectiles)
Since three pieces of y-information are now known, a yequation can be employed to find the time. One useful
equation is
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
in which case there will be two solutions: t = 0 s and t =
2.55 s. These two solutions to the equation indicate that
the time is 0 s when the vertical displacement (y) is 0 m.
This is true before being launched (t = 0 s) and the instant
it lands (t=2.55 s). The latter of the two solutions can be
used to determine the horizontal displacement (x). Use the
equation:
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
where t is 2.55 s, ax = 0 m/s/s and vix was the first value
calculated (using the trigonometric functions). Plugging a
chugging the above values into this equation yields the
answer of 45.7 m.
Finding the vertical displacement at the peak (ypeak)
demands using the original y equation with a time of 1.28
seconds (tup). This time corresponds to the time for onehalf of the trajectory - the time at which the projectile will
be at its highest or peak position. Substituting the viy, ay
and t values into the equation
ypeak = viy*tup + 0.5*ay*tup2
yields a value of 7.98 m for the peak height.
More examples and discussion of these types of projectile
problems are discussed elsewhere.
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64. A projectile is launched horizontally from the top of a

45.2-meter high cliff and lands a distance of 17.6 meters
from the base of the cliff. Determine the magnitude of the
launch velocity.
Answer: 5.79 m/s
The best means of starting this problem is to list the known
values for each of the variables in the kinematic equations.
It is helpful to organize the information into two columns a column of known horizontal information and a column of
known vertical information.
Horizontal Motion
x = 17.6 m (the distance
horizontally from cliff base)
vix = ??? m/s
projectiles)
Vertical Motion
y = -45.2 m (it falls down
from the cliff to the ground)
viy = 0 m/s (it is horizontally
launched)
projectiles)
equation is
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
in which case there will be two solutions: t = 3.0372 s and t
= -3.0372 s. A full parabola which follows the above
function would have to locations where the y coordinate is
-45.2 m. One would be "forward in time" at 3.0372
seconds; and the other solution is at a location traced
"backwards in time" from the launch time. Of course, the
positive answer is the one which we need; it can can be
used to determine the initial horizontal velocity (vix). Use
the equation:
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
where t is 3.0372 s, ax = 0 m/s/s and x = 17.6 m. Plugging
and chugging the above values into this equation yields the
answer of 5.7948 m/s.
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65. Twophysics students stand on the top of their 3.29meter second-story deck and launch a water balloon from a
homemade winger. The balloon is launched upward at a
speed of 45.2 m/s and an angle of 39.1 degrees. The
balloon lands in a retention pond whose surface is 2.92
meters below grade. Determine the horizontal distance
from launch location to landing location.
Answer: 211 m
This is a non-horizontally-launched projectile problem in
which the initial velocity and launch angle are given. Three
initial steps are always wisely taken before starting such a
problem. First, determine the initial velocity components (vix
and viy) using trigonometric functions. Second, construct a
diagram of the physical situation. And third, organize known
(and unknown) information in an "x-y table." These three
steps are taken here. Quickly barging into a solution before
giving the problem some pre-analysis often leads to a
wasting of much time and ultimately a lot of confusion.
The initial velocity and angle can be resolved into initial
velocity components using the equations:
This yields values of vix = 35.077 m/s and viy = 28.507 m/s.
A diagram of the physical situation is shown.
Now the known values for each of the variables in the

kinematic equations is listed in a table using a column for
known horizontal information and a column for known
vertical information.
Horizontal Motion
x = ???
vix = 35.077 m/s (from
trig. function)
projectiles)
Vertical Motion
y = -5.49 m (from initial + to
height to final - height)
function)
projectiles)
equation is
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
in which case there will be two solutions: t = -0.1867 s and t
= 6.004 s. A full parabola which follows the above function
would have two locations where the y coordinate is -5.49
m. One location would be "forward in time" at 6.004
used to determine the horizontal displacement (x).
Now use the equation:
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
where t = 6.004 s, ax = 0 m/s/s and vix = 35.077 m/s (as
originally calculated using the trigonometric functions).
Plugging and chugging the above values into this equation
yields the answer of 211 m. (Wow! Those boys had better
be careful.)
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66. A place kicker kicks a football from 39.6 meters from

the goal posts. The kick leaves the ground with a speed of
24.8 m/s at an angle of 49.6 degrees. The goal posts are
3.10-meters high.
(a) Determine the amount by which the kick clears

the goal posts.
(b) For this given launch velocity, what is the

longest field goal (in yards) which could have been
kicked? Assume that the football hits the horizontal
crossbar of the posts and bounces through. Given:
1.00 meter = 3.28 feet.
Answer: (a) 13.7 m; (b) 64.7 yds (measured from
kick location to goal posts)
(a) In part a of this problem, the task involves finding the
height of the ball (y) when it has traveled a distance of 39.6
meters. The height of the goal posts can be subtracted
from this value to determine the amount of clearance.

As is the case in all non-horizontally-launched projectile
problems, it should be begun by resolving the initial velocity
and angle into initial velocity components using the
equations:
information.
Vertical Motion
Horizontal Motion
x = 39.6 m (horiz. distance to y = ??? (we need to calculate
this)
goal posts)
function)

function)

projectiles)

projectiles)
Since three pieces of x-information are now known, an xequation can be employed to find the time for the football to
travel the horizontal distance to the goal posts. One useful
equation is
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
in which case the time is 2.4637 s. The time can now be
combined with a y-equations to find the vertical
displacement (i.e., height above the ground) when the
football has traveled horizontally to the goal posts. Use the
equation:
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
where t = 2.4637 s, ay = -9.8 m/s/s and viy = 18.886 m/s.
Plugging a chugging the above values into this equation
yields the answer of 16.788 m.
When the ball has traveled a horizontal distance of 39.6 m,
it is 16.8 m above the ground. The goal posts are 3.10 m
high; so the ball clears the goal posts by 13.7 meters.
(b) Part b of this problem can be done in a similar manner.

The task will involve first finding the time for the ball to rise
to its peak and then fall back down to a height of 3.10
meters. Then the horizontal displacement can be calculated
for this time. The final answer will then need to be

converted to yards. The same vix and viy values can be
used. Given the new context of the problem, the value for y
is now known and x is unknown. The information can be
organized in the usual x- and y- table.
Horizontal Motion
x = ???
function)
projectiles)
Vertical Motion
y = 3.10 m (the height of the
goal posts)
function)
projectiles)
equation is
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
= 3.6825 s. The first solution corresponds to the first point
along the parabola (during the rise of the football) when
the football is at a height of 3.10 m and the second solution
is the second point along the parabola (during the fall of
the football) when the football is at a height of 3.10 m. The
second answer can be used to determine the horizontal
displacement (x) of the football. Use the equation:
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
where t = 3.6825 s, ax = 0 m/s/s and vix = 16.073 m/s.
yields the answer of x = 59.189 m. This x value can be
converted to feet by multiplying by the 3.28 ft/m conversion
ratio and then converted to yards by dividing by the 3.00
ft/yd conversion ratio. The kicker can kick as 64.7 yard field
goal. (In football, it would be referred to as ~47 yard field
goal since the goal posts are placed 10 yards behind the
goal line and the ball is kicked from about 7 yards behind
the line of scrimmage. Field goal distances are are
measured from the goal line to the line of scrimmage.)
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67. An airplane starts at Point A and flies 210. km at 311

degrees to Point B. The plane then flies 179 km at 109
degrees to Point C. Finally, the plane flies 228 km at 29
degrees to Point D. Determine the resulting displacement
(magnitude and direction) from Points A to D.
Answer: R = 304 km, 24 degrees
Like most vector addition problems, this problem is best
begun by the construction of a rough sketch of the physical
situation. This sketch is shown below. There are three
separate displacements taken by the airplane to result in a
single displacement from point A to point D.
The actual solution is best performed using trigonometric

functions to determine the x- and y-components of each
displacement vector. These components are then added
together to determine the x- and y-component of the
resultant. The work is organized in a table below.
X-component
Y-Component
A to B
210. km cos(311)
= 137.772 km, East
210 km sin(311)
= 158.489 km, South
B to C
179 km cos(109)
= 58.277 km, West
179 km sin(109)
= 169.248 km, North
C to D
228 km cos(29)
199.413 km, East
228 km sin(29)
110.537 = km, North
Resultant
278.909 km, East
121.295 km, North
Once the components are

known, the Pythagorean
theorem can be used to
determine the resultant. The
resultant has components of 278.909 km, East and 121.295
km, North. The magnitude and direction of the resultant
can be determined by adding these components. Since they
are at right angles to each other, the magnitude can be
determined using the Pythagorean theorem as shown
below.
R2 = Rx2 + Ry2
R2 = (278.909 km)2 + (121.295 km)2 = 92502.800 km2
R = SQRT(92502.800 km2)
R = 304 km
The direction would be stated as the counterclockwise angle
of rotation from due East. This is simply the angle Theta.
Theta can be determined using the tangent function. The
work is shown below.
Tangent(theta) = Ry/Rx
Tangent(theta) = (121.295 km) / (278.909 km) = 0.43489
Theta = Invtan(0.43489)
Theta = 23.5 degrees
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68. Sammy Sosa clubs a homerun which sails 421 feet and
lands on an apartment balcony located a vertical distance of
59.0 feet above the level of the ball-bat contact location. An
observer times the flight to the balcony to take 3.40
seconds.
(a) Determine the velocity (magnitude and angle)

at which the ball leaves the bat.
(b) Determine the speed of the ball (in miles/hour)

when it lands in the bleachers.
Given: 1.00 m/s = 2.24 mi/hr; 1.00 meter = 3.28 feet.

Answer: (a) vi = 43.7 m/s at 30.2 degrees; (b) 88.3
mi/hr
(a) For any projectile problem, it always a wise idea to begin
the solution with a listing of known and unknown
information in an "x-y table." This is shown below.
Vertical Motion
Horizontal Motion
x = 421 ft = 128.35 m (horiz. y = 59.0 ft = 17.99 m (vert.
distance to balcony)
distance to balcony)
vix = ???
viy = ???

projectiles)

projectiles)
t = 3.40 s (the ball is a

projectile for this long)
t = 3.40 s (the ball is a

projectile for this long)
Note that the time of flight is known. Time is a scalar

quantity and has no directional component associated with
it; one cannot refer to the horizontal time or the vertical
time. It is listed in both tables since it can be used with
kinematic equations for both the x- and the y-direction.
Since three pieces of x-information are known, an xequation can be employed to find the initial horizontal
velocity. One useful equation is
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
The initial horizontal velocity (vix) is 37.751 m/s.
There are also three pieces of y-information known. Thus, a
y-equation can be used to determine the initial vertical
velocity (viy). A good equation is
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
Plugging a chugging the above
values into this equation yields
an initial vertical velocity (viy)
value of 21.951 m/s.
The ball leaves Sammy Sosa's bat moving upward with a
speed of 21.951 m/s and moving horizontally with a speed
of 37.751 m/s. These two components of the initial velocity
can be used to determine the initial velocity and angle of
the baseball after contact with the bat. A diagram is shown
at the right. The initial velocity of the ball is represented by
the hypotenuse of a right triangle with sides equal to the
component values. Thus the Pythagorean theorem can be
used to determine the initial velocity of the baseball.
vi 2 = (vix)2 + (viy) 2
vi2 = (37.751 m/s)2 + (21.951 m/s)2
vi 2 = 1906.97 m2/s2
vi = SQRT (1906.97 m2/s2 ) = 43.7 m/s
The angle (theta) of the initial velocity can be determined
using a trigonometric function. The tangent function is used
here.
Tangent(theta) = opposite / adjacent
Tangent(theta) = (21.951 m/s) / (37.751 m/s) = 0.58145
Theta = Invtan (0.58145) = 30.2 degrees
(b) In part (a) of this problem, the initial horizontal velocity

was determined to be 37.751 m/s. For projectiles, this
horizontal velocity does not change during the flight of the
projectile. Thus, the projectile strikes the balcony moving
with a final horizontal velocity (vfx) of 37.751 m/s. If the
final vertical velocity (vfy) can be determined, then it can be
used with the vfx value to determine the final velocity (vf).
Several kinematic equations are useable for finding the final
vertical velocity (vfy). The following equation will be used:
vfy = viy + ayt
vfy = 21.951 m/s + (-9.8 m/s/s)(3.4 s)
vfy = 21.951 m/s - 33.32 m/s
vfy = -11.369 m/s
With the x- and y-components
of the final velocity (vf)
known, the Pythagorean
theorem can be used to determine the final velocity value.
A diagram is shown at the right and the calculations are
shown below.
vf 2 = (vfx)2 + (vfy) 2
vf2 = (37.751 m/s)2 + (-11.369 m/s)2
vf 2 = 1554.41 m2/s2
vf = SQRT (1554.41 m2/s2) = 39.43 m/s
This value can be converted to miles/hour using the fact
that 1.00 m/s = 2.24 mi/hr. The answer to part b is 88.3
mi/hr.
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69. An unfortunate accident occurred on the toll way. A

driver accidentally passed through a faulty barricade on a
bridge (quite unfortunately). and landed in a pile of hay
(quite fortunately). Measurements at the accident scene
reveal that the driver plunged a vertical distance of 8.26
meters. The car carried a horizontal distance of 42.1 meters
from the location where it left the bridge. If the driver was
in a 65 mi/hr speed zone, then determine the amount by
which the driver was exceeding the speed limit at the time
of the accident. Assume that the contact with the barricade

did not slow the car down. (1.00 m/s = 2.24 mi/hr)
Answer: 72.6 mi/hr

This is an example of a horizontally-launched projectile
problem. Like all projectile problems, the best means of
starting the problem is to list the known values for each of
the variables in the kinematic equations. It is helpful to
organize the information into two columns - a column of
known horizontal information and a column of known
vertical information.
Horizontal Motion
x = 42.1 m (the horizontal
distance which is traveled)
vix = ??? m/s
projectiles)
Vertical Motion
y = -8.26 m (it falls down
from the cliff to the ground)
viy = 0 m/s (it is horizontally
launched)
projectiles)
equation is
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
= -1.2983 s. A full parabola which follows the above
function would have two locations where the y coordinate is
-8.26 m. One would be "forward in time" at 1.2983
used to determine the initial horizontal velocity (vix). Use
the equation:
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
where t = 1.2983 s, ax = 0 m/s/s and x = 42.1 m. Plugging
a chugging the above values into this equation yields the
answer of 32.426 m/s. This is the speed at which the car
leaves the bridge at the start of its projectile motion.
Converting this to mi/hr involves multiplying by the (2.24
mi/hr) / (1 m/s) conversion ratio. The result is 72.6 mi/hr.
(In reality, the car was traveling faster than this speed since
the collision with the guard rail likely slowed the car down
before it exited the bridge and began its projectile motion.)

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70. Cupid wishes to shoot an arrow through the open

window of a tall building. The window is 32.8 meters above
the ground and Cupid stands 63.6 meters from the base of
the building. If Cupid aims the arrow at an angle of 51.5
degrees above the horizontal, with what minimum speed
must he fire the arrow in order for it to enter the window?
Answer: 32.7 m/s
Here is an example of a non-horizontally launched projectile
problem in which the angle is given but the launch speed is
not known. Thus, the x- and y- components of the initial
velocity cannot be found. Nonetheless, expressions relating
these components to the initial velocity can still be written
and used in the problem.
v ix = v i * cos(theta)
v iy = v i * sin(theta)
The usual procedure of listing the known information in a "xy table" is taken:
Horizontal Motion
x = 63.6 m (horizontal
distance to building)
Vertical Motion
y = 32.8 m (vertical distance
from ground to window)
v ix = v i * cos(51.5 deg) = v iy = v i * sin(51.5 deg) = 0.7826

vi
0.6225 v i
a x = 0 m/s/s (true for all
projectiles)
a y = -9.8 m/s/s (true for all

projectiles)
As shown in the table, there are only two pieces of xinformation and two pieces of y-information given in the
problem. Thus, there would seem at first to be insufficient
information provided. But as is often the case in a real
problem, one can forge ahead using variables in the hopes
that there will be a means to introduce another equation

which will assist in the solution. So both a horizontal and a
vertical displacement equation will be written. (Note that
units have been dropped form the solution in order to
improve the clarity of the solution.)
Horizontal
Displacement
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
63.6 = (0.6225
vi ) t
Vertical Displacement
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
32.8 = (0.7826 vi) t +
0.5 (-9.8) t2
Now we have generated two equations with two unknowns

and a solution can be found for the initial velocity of the
arrow. Equation 1 is used to generate an expression for t
in terms of vi. This expression is then substituted into
equation 2 in order to solve for the initial velocity (vi). The
work is shown below.
From equation 1: t = (63.6) / (0.6225 vi )
Substituting into equation 2: 32.8 = (0.7826 vi) [(63.6) /
(0.6225 vi )] + 0.5 (-9.8) [(63.6) / (0.6225 vi )]2
32.8 = (0.7826 vi) [(63.6) / (0.6225 vi )] + 0.5 (-9.8)
[(63.6) / (0.6225 vi )]2
32.8 = 79.956 - 51145.94/(vi)2
-47.956 = -51145.94/(vi)2
(vi)2 = (-51145.94) / (-47.956)
(vi)2 = 1066.52
vi = 32.7 m/s
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71. In a Physics demonstration, a projectile is launched

from a height of 1.23 m above the ground with a speed of
10.6 m/s at an angle of 30.0 degrees above the horizontal.
(a) What horizontal distance from the launch

location will the projectile land?
(b) With what speed does the projectile land?

Answer: (a) x = 11.7 m; (b) vf = 11.7 m/s
(a) As is the case in all non-horizontally-launched projectile
problems, it should be begun by resolving the initial velocity
(10.6 m/s) and angle (30.0 degrees) into initial velocity
components using the equations:
information.
Vertical Motion
Horizontal Motion
x = ??? (the unknown in part y = -1.23 m (vert. distance to
floor)
a)
function)

function)

projectiles)

projectiles)
Since three pieces of y-information are now known, a yequation can be employed to find the time for the projectile
to rise and ultimately fall to the floor. One useful equation
is
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
in which case there are two solutions for the time: t =
1.2780 s and t = -0.1964 s. A full parabola which follows
the above function would have two locations where the y
coordinate is -1.23 m. One location would be "forward in
time" at 1.2780 seconds; and the other solution is at a
location traced "backwards in time" from the launch time.
Of course, we wish to use the positive time value in our
calculations. So t = 1.2780 seconds.
The time can now be combined with a x-equations to find
the horizontal displacement (x). Use the equation:
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
where t = 1.2780 s, ax = 0 m/s/s and vix = 9.180 m/s.
yields the answer of 11.739 meters for the horizontal
displacement.
(b) The landing speed (vf) of the projectile can be

determined from values of the x- and y- component of the
final velocity. Since the object being analyzed is a projectile,
there is no horizontal acceleration and the final horizontal
velocity (vfx) is the same as the initial horizontal velocity
(vix) - 9.180 m/s. The final vertical velocity (vfx) can be
determined using the following kinematic equation:
vfy = viy + ayt
vfy = 5.3 m/s + (-9.8 m/s/s)(1.2780 s)
vfy = -7.2244 m/s
With the x- and y-components of

the final velocity (vf) known, the
Pythagorean theorem can be
used to determine the final velocity value. A diagram is
shown at the right and the calculations are shown below.
vf 2 = (vfx)2 + (vfy) 2
vf2 = (9.180 m/s)2 + (-7.2244 m/s)2
vf 2 = 136.462 m2/s2
vf = SQRT (136.462 m2/s2) = 11.7 m/s
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72. A car is parked on a cliff overlooking the sea. The cliff is

inclined at an angle of 29.0 degrees below the horizontal.
The negligent driver leaves the car in neutral and it begins
rolling from rest towards the cliff's edge with an
acceleration 4.50 m/s/s. The car moves a linear distance of
57.2 m to the edge of the cliff before plunging into the
ocean below. The cliff is 42.2 m above the sea.
(a) Find the speed (in m/s) of the car the moment
it leaves the cliff.
(b) Find the time (in seconds) it takes the car to

drop to the water below the edge of the cliff.
(c) Find the position (in meters) of the car relative

to the base of the cliff when it lands in the sea.
Answer: (a) vf = 22.7 m/s; (b) t = 2.02 seconds; (c) x

= 40.1 meters
(a) The first task involves using a kinematic equation to
determine the speed of the car after accelerating from rest
at 4.5 m/s/s for a distance of 57.2 m. The best equation is
2
vf = (0
m/s)2
vf2 = vi2 + 2ad

+ 2(4.5 m/s2)(57.2 m) = 514.8 m2/s2
vf = SQRT(514.8 m2/s2) = 22.689 m/s

(b) Once the car reaches the edge of the cliff and rolls off, it
becomes a projectile with a vertical acceleration of 0 m/s2.
The second task involves determining the time of flight of
the projectile from the cliff's edge to the water below. Like
all non-horizontally launched projectiles, the starting point
is to determine the initial horizontal velocity (vix) and the
initial vertical velocity (viy). The initial velocity (22.7 m/s)
and angle (-29.0 degrees) can be resolved into initial
velocity components using the equations:
This yields values of vix = 19.844 m/s and viy = -10.999 m/s.
information.
Horizontal Motion
x = ???
function)
projectiles)
Vertical Motion
y = -42.2 m (vert. distance to
water)
viy = -10.999 m/s (from trig.
function)
projectiles)
Since three pieces of y-information are now known, a yequation can be employed to find the time for the projectile
to rise and ultimately fall to the floor. One useful equation
is
y = viy*t + 0.5*ay*t2
in which case there are two solutions for the time: t =
2.0196 s and t = -4.2644 s. A full parabola which follows
the above function would have two locations where the y
coordinate is -42.2 m. One location would be "forward in
time" at 2.0196 seconds; and the other solution is at a
location traced "backwards in time" from the launch time.

Of course, we wish to use the positive time value in our
calculations. So t = 2.0196 seconds.
(c) The time can now be combined with a x-equations to
find the horizontal displacement (x). Use the equation:
x = vix*t + 0.5*ax*t2
where t = 2.02 s, ax = 0 m/s/s and vix = 19.8 m/s. Plugging
a chugging the above values into this equation yields the
answer of 40.1 meters for the horizontal displacement.
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