Physics 1:

Mechanics
Engr. ABRAHAM M. HERIALES, Ph.D.
 Physics 1: Mechanics

Description

The course covers study of motion exclusive from its cause; Newton’s Law of Motion,
Newton’s Law of Gravitation, Momentum, Work, Energy and Power; Density, Pressure,
Buoyancy, and Pascal’s law.

Purpose

To provide the students with a self-study learning material, suited for deductive modular
distance learning approach of study.

Guide on how to use the module.

1. Our God is the ultimate source of knowledge and the wisdom. Through prayer, ask for
His help in order to understand what you are studying. Always pray before you read.
2. Every theory or law in physics is described or represented by a formula, using an
idealized model. Develop a clear picture about the specific situation when each theory
will be applicable.
3. Identify the following before solving any problem.
a. Information given in the problem.
b. Physical quantity that is asked.
c. Theory or law that is applicable.
4. Aside from the theory or law, study every example, then solve the exercises provided at
the end of the chapter.

Prerequisite Skills

Knowledge in at least algebra and trigonometry

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course the students are expected to:

1. Appreciate the role of Physics in making our lives comfortable, enjoyable and efficient.
2. Explain some natural phenomena using theories or laws in physics.
3. Classify whether physical quantities are scale or vector.
4. Convert units of measures from one system of unit to another, round off numbers, write
numbers in scientific notations, and use appropriate prefixes.
5. Understand every theory and laws in physics.
6. Determine the effects of forces when applied on an object.
7. Solve problems using the applicable theories and laws in physics.
Leaning Plan/Course Content (Deductive approach)

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Kinematics
Chapter 3 Freely Falling Bodies
Chapter 4 Projectile Motion
Chapter 5 Horizontal Circular Motion
Chapter 6 Newton’s Laws of Motion
Chapter 7 Newton’s Law of Gravitation
Chapter 8 Momentum and Impulse
Chapter 9 Work, Energy, and Power
Chapter 10 Density and Buoyancy
Chapter 11 Pressure and the Pascal\s Law
 PHYSICS 1

Pre-Test

Problems:

1. A car was observed to be moving along straight path with a uniform velocity of 20m/s.
How far did it travelled after 15 minutes? Also find the acceleration of the car.
2. A motorcycle was observed to have a velocity of 12m/s when it passed by town A, and a
velocity of 30 m/s when it reached town B. If the motorcycle traveled for 1 hour from
town A to town B, how far are the towns from each other?
3. A jeepney was traveling with a velocity of 20 m/s when the driver stepped on the brake
pedal. The jeepney traveled 4m away until it came to a full stop. How long did it take the
jeepney to stop after the brake was applied?
4. Starting from rest, a bicycle traveled with an acceleration of 2m/s2. How long did it travel
to cover a distance of 1.0 Km?
5. From a point that is 25 m above the ground, a ball was thrown vertically upward with a
velocity of 15 m/s. How long did it take the ball to strike the ground?
6. From the edge of the roof of a building that is 30 m high, a stone was thrown horizontally
with a velocity of 15 m/s. How long did it take the stone to touch the ground?
7. A stone was thrown vertically upward and it rised 10m above its initial location before it
started to fall. What was its initial velocity?
8. A marble was thrown upward at an angle of elevation of 30 o. It travelled 1.2s to reach the
highest elevation. Find its initial velocity, Vo.
 Chapter I

Introduction

Physics is an accepted scientific way of explaining natural phenomena. It can explain

why the ship float on the bodies of water; why the airplanes can fly on air; why an apple will fall
to the ground; and other natural occurrence.

Through application of physics, life can be made more comfortable, enjoyable and
efficient.

Physics is defined as the study of the properties and transformations of matter,

interactions between matter in terms of force, as well the energy and energy transformations. The
branch of physics which studies the effects of forces when applied on an object is known as
mechanics.

Matter is a general term for anything which has mass, whether living or non-living. The
study of physics focuses more on nonliving matter.

Matter is best described through measurements, using an appropriate measuring

instrument. The result of measurement of a physical quantity in the form of a number is known
as magnitude of the quantity.

1.1 Classifications of physical quantities

a. Scalar quantities – these possess only magnitude and without direction, like mass,
distance and volume.
b. Vector quantities – these possess both magnitude and direction. Some examples are
weight, displacement, and velocity.
1.2 Recording result of measurements. It is always advisable to record every result of
measurement. Here are some suggestions to facilitate recording.
a. Round off quantities.
b. Use of scientific notation
c. Use of prefixes.
1.3 Rules in rounding off the numbers
a. Only numbers to the right of the decimal point are rounded off.
b. If the number to be dropped is less than 5, do not add anything to the immediately
preceding number.
c. If the number to be dropped is greater than 5, add one to the immediately preceding
number.
d. If the number to be dropped is 5, add one to the immediately preceding number, if it is an
odd number. Do not add anything to the immediately preceding number if it is even.
1.4 Scientific notation
This use of scientific notation is applicable if the quantity involve several zero digits. It is
done by moving the decimal point either to the left or right. The exponent of the multiplier 10
is negative if the decimal point will be moved to the right, and negative if it will be moved to
the left
Examples:
0.0000000075 = 7.5x 10-9
= 75 x 10-10
= 0.75 x 10-8

75,000,000,000 = 7.5 x 1010

= 75 x 109
= 0.75 x 1011
1.5 Prefixes
A prefix is a word that is placed before the unit of measure. Here are some common prefixes:

Prefixes Symbol Multipliers

Peta P 1015
Tera T 1012
Giga G 109
Mega M 106
Kilo K 103
Hecto H 102
Deka da 101
Deci d 10-1
Centi c 10-2
Milli m 10-3
Micro u 10-6
Nano n 10-9
Pico p 10-12
Fempto f 10-15

Examples:

1. 75,000,000,000W = 75GW
2. 0.00000006m = 0.06um = 60nm
3. 0.004m = 4mm

1.6 Systems of units

The result of measurement can be understood if the unit of measure of the instrument that
was used will be indicated. The following are the basic system units or unit of measures.
a. mks / metric / SI system.
b. cgs system
c. fps system
1.7 Conversion of units.
Use conversion factors and dimensional analysis in converting units from one system to
another system. Treat the units of measures as if you are either multiplying or dividing them.
Do not add or subtract units if they are not similar.
Examples.
a. Convert 50 hours to minutes
50hrs x 60min/1hr = 300min
b. Express 20 kilometer in meters
20km x 1000m/1 km = 20,000 m
c. Express a temperature of 40 °c to °F. Use the formula T f = 9/5T c + 32°
Tf = 9/5(40°) + 32° = 72° + 32° = 104°F
d. Covert 104°F to °C
Use the formula T c = 5/9 (T f – 32°)
Tc= 5/9 (104° – 32°) = 5/9 (78°) = 40°C

Exercise 1.A. Classify each of the following quantities whether it is scalar or vector quantity.

1. 20 years of age _______________________.

2. 5’4’’ Height _______________________.
3. 150 psi pressure _______________________.
4. 10 m width _______________________.
5. 20 m Length _______________________.
6. 160 ml capacity _______________________.
7. 750 N force _______________________.
8. 2500 J of work _______________________.
9. 3000 N Tension _______________________.
10. 250 N.S momentum _______________________.
Exercise 1.B. Round off each to two decimal places.

1. 25.32645 =
2. 4.01524 =
3. 320.125413 =
4. 250.66214 =
5. 230.634521 =
6. 0.516713 =
7. 0.065231 =
8. 0.0075 =
9. 150.0405 =
10. 500.74389 =

Exercise 1.C Write the following in scientific notation

1. 0.00000135 =
2. 25,000,000,000 =
3. 2,000,000 =
4. 0.000000075 =
5. 750,000,000,000 =

Exercise 1.D Express the following in decimal form

1. 75 x 10-12 =
2. 2 X 109 =
3. 0.5 x 10-6 =
4. 1.5 x 106 =
5. 3 x 1012 =

Exercise 1.E. use the appropriate prefix

1. 15,000 m =
2. 0.0000000008 kg =
3. 750,000,000 W =
4. 1,250,000 J =
5. 0.000005 A =
6. 0.00004 N =
7. 0.000000 J =
8. 0.005 m =
9. 0.0000425 W =
10. 2000000 V =

Exercise 1.F. Conversion of units

1. If 1 meter is equal to 39.37 inches, change the following:

a. 500 inches to meters =
b. 5 meters to inches =
c. 5ft and 6inches to meters =
2. Convert the following
a. 500cm to m =
b. 10,000 mm to m =
c. 60km/min to m/s =
d. 20 years to minutes =
e. 50 cubic feet to cubic meters =
f. 20 square meters to square inches =
g. 60 psi to mmHg =
h. 25 cm to inches =
i. 150°C to °F =
j. 200°F to °C =
3. A motorcycle is running at 60km/h. what is its average speed in m/s?
4. If a dog can run 1km in 3min and 30sec, find his speed in m/s?
5. A parallelepiped container is 1.5 long, 0.5m wide, and 0.75 m high. What is its volume in
cm3?
 Chapter 2

Kinematics

Kinematics is a branch of mechanics which study only the motion of an object. It is not
concerned with what have caused the motion.

In describing motion, the person who will do the measurement known as the observer
should be identified. There is motion if an object is either becoming farther away or is becoming
closer to the observer.

2.1.Rectilinear motion with constant or uniform velocity

An object has rectilinear motion if it travel along a straight line on a horizontal surface. If the
velocity remains the same, the moving object has uniform or constant velocity equal to the
average velocity of the object. In equation form average velocity is equal to the ratio between
the displacement and travel time of the object.
v = x/t
Where, v represents average velocity;
x as displacement, and t as travel time.
Similarity,
x = vt and
t = x/v
Examples:
1. How far is Bobon away from Catarman, if the travel time is 300s using uniform velocity
of 20m/s?
Given:
t = 300s
v = 20m/s
Required:
x=?
Solution
x = vt
=20m/s (300s)
=6000m or 6km
 2. What should be your average velocity if you want to reach your destination, a distance of
10km from your place, in a period or travel time of 360s?
Given:
x = 10km x 1000m /1km = 10,000m
t = 360s
Required
v=?
Solution:
v = x/t = 10,000m / 360 s = 27.78 m/s

2.2.Acceleration
Moving object is accelerating if its velocity is either increasing or decreasing. There is a
positive acceleration if the velocity is increasing, and the direction of acceleration is the same
with the direction of motion. In the case of decreasing velocity, the acceleration is negative
known as deceleration, and its direction is opposite with the direction of motion of the object.
a = (Vf – V0) / t
a represent acceleration, Vf as final velocity, V0 as initial velocity, and t as travel time.

Example:
Starting from rest, a jeepney travelled for 120s to attain in final velocity of 30m/s. What
is its acceleration?
Given:
Vf = 0
V0 = 30 m/s
t = 120 s
Required:
a=?
Solution
a = (Vf – V0) / t
= (30m/s – 0) / 120s = 0.25 m/s2
Note: V0 = 0 if moving object started from the rest.
2.3.Uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion
This kind of motion is along straight path but with either increasing or decreasing velocity.
The final velocity after a certain travel time is.
Vf = V0 + at ----------- eqn 2.3a
Similarly,
t = (Vf– V0) / a ----------- 2.3a.1
Vo = Vf – at ----------- 2.3a.2

2.4.The displacement or location after a certain travel time Is

x = V0 t + ½ at2 ----------- eqn 2.3b
Similarly,
a = 2(x – V0t) / t2 ----------- 2.3b.1
t = (-b ±√b2 – 4ac) / 2a ----------- 2.3b.2
Vf = v/t – at/2 ----------- 2.3b.3

Equation 2.3b 2 is a quadratic formula with

a. representing coefficient of the term which is of the highest order
b. coefficient of the 2nd term and
c. representing the third term of the quadratic equation

The final velocity Vf after a certain displacement.

Vf = √Vo 2 + 2ax ----------- 2.3c
Similarly,
a = (Vf2 – V02 ) / 2x ----------- 2.3c.1
V0 = √Vf2 – 2ax ----------- 2.3c.2
x = (V0 2 – Vf2 ) / 2a ----------- 2.3c.3
Example 1:

A car travelled with a uniform acceleration of 1.5m/s2 . Its velocity when it passed by a
traffic light was 10m/s. If the car spent 90s until it reach the next traffic light, what must be
its final velocity?
Given:
a = 1.5 m/s2
V0 = 15 m/s
t = 90s
Required:
Vf = ?
Solution:
Vf = V0 + at ----------- 2.3a
= 10m/s + (1.5 m/s2 )(90s)
= 10m/s + 135m/s
Vf = 145m/s

Example 2:

A motorcycle has an initial velocity of 1.5m/s when it passed by location A. What must
be its acceleration if it travelled to location B in 30s, a distance of 1500m from location A?

Given:
V0 = 15m/s
t = 30s
x = 1500m
Required:
a=?
Solution:
a = 2(x-Vo t) / t2
= 2(1500m – 15m/s (90s)) / (90s)2
= 2(150m) / 8100s2
= 0.037m/s2
Example 3:

Imagine a straight highway connecting from town A to town B, a distance of 5000m. A

motorcycle registered a velocity of 15m/s when if passed by town A. Find its travel time to
reach Town B if has a uniform acceleration of 2m/s2
Given:
x = 5000m
Vo = 15m/s
a = 2m/s2
Required:
t=?
Solution:
x = Vo t + 1/2at2
5000m = 15 m/s(t) + 1/2(2m/s2)(t2)
5000m = 15t + t2
t2 + 15t – 5000 = 0

a = 1; b = 15; and c = 5000

t = (-b ±√b2 – 4ac) / 2a
= (-15 ±√152 – 4(1)(-5000)) / 2(1)
= (-15 ± 142.22) / 2
= (-15 + 142.22) / 2
t = 63.61s

Note: The Subtraction operation was disregarded to avoid meaningless negative time, which
means shorter than without time.
Example 4:

A professional Runner has an initial velocity of 5m/s and on acceleration of 1.5m/s. Find
his final velocity at the finish line, a distance of 100m from the starting line.
Given:
Vo = 5m/s
a = 1.5m/s2
Required
Vf = ?
Solution:
Vf = √Vo2 + 2ax
= √(5m/s)2 + 2(1.5m/s2) (100m)
Vf = 10.25 m/s
2.5. Exercise 2.A.
1. Imagine that the road connecting Catarman to Rawis were straight, how long will you
travel using an average velocity of 60km/hr, if the distance between the mentioned places
is 90,000m?
2. When you passed by UEP arcade, your car’s velocity is 10m/s and when you reach
Pambujan, you have a velocity of 35m/s. Find your car’s acceleration if your travel time
30minutes.
3. Find the final velocity of a bicycle initially moving at 10m/s which accelerates at a rate of
2m/s2 for 5s.
4. A car accelerated from rest at 3m/s2 for 15s. How far did it traveled?
5. A jeepney has a velocity of 10m/s when it passed by UEP with an acceleration of
1.5m/s2. What is its final velocity when traveled a distance of 15,000m?
6. A dog has velocity of 15m/s at one place with an acceleration of 1.25m/s2. How long will
it travel to its destination 2000m away?
7. A train moving at an initial speed of 50m/s put on its brakes and it disabled at -0.25m/s2.
How long will train completely stop?
8. Refer to problem number 7, then find the final velocity of the train after it travelled a
distance of 100m.
9. A 50m long airplane accelerate down a runway from rest, an initial velocity of zero. If the
nose of airplane has velocity of 90m/s when it took off 1000m away from where it
started, determine the takeoff final velocity of its tail?
10. How far did a bus travelled if its initial velocity was 15m/s and an acceleration of 2m/s2
after it travelled for 0.5hour?
 Chapter 3

Freely Falling Bodies

Any object that moves through the air vertically, whether its motion is vertically upward
or vertically downward, is referred to as a freely falling body. The following set of equations are
applicable.

The initial velocity VO is zero if the object was simply released or it started from rest, and
greater than zero if it was thrown or projected vertically.

The final velocity Vf is zero at its highest elevation if the object was thrown or projected
upward vertically.

The acceleration of the object is acceleration due to gravity, a physical constant whose
magnitude is

g = 9.8m/s2

Use +9.8m/s2 if the object is moving downward because its velocity will keep on
increasing, and a -9.8m/s2 if the object is moving up because its velocity will be decreasing.

2.4.a Final velocity after a certain travel time

Vf = V0 ± gt ----------- 2.4a
t = (Vf ± V0 )/g ----------- 2.4a1
V0 = Vf ± gt ----------- 2.4a2
2.4.b Displacement after a certain travel time
Y= V0t ±1/2gt2 ----------- 2.4b
t = (-b±√b2- 4ac) /2a ----------- 2.4b1
a, b, and c are coefficients of the properly arranged quadrantic equation
V0 = y/t ± gt/2 ----------- 2.4a2

2.4.c Final Velocity given a certain displacement

Vf = √V0 2 ± 2gx ----------- 2.4c
V0 = √Vf2 ± 2gx ----------- 2.4c1
x = (Vf2 ± V02)/ 2g ----------- 2.4c2
 In any of the set of equations for freely falling bodies, always use the addition
operation like Vf =Vo+gt for objects that are moving vertically downward, and a
subtractioon operation such as Vf = Vo–gt for objects that are moving vertically upward.
This justification is, acceleration due to gravity is positive for objects that are moving
downward vertically because its velocity will keep on increasing, and it is negative for
objects that are moving upward vertically because its velocity will keep on decreasing.
This implies that the direction of acceleration due to gravity is downward vertically.

Example 1:
A small stone accidentally fall from the edge of the roof of a tall building. If the
stone hit the ground after 2 seconds, how high is the building?
Given:
Vo = 0
t = 2s
Required:
y =?
Solution:
y = Vo t + ½gt2
= 0 + ½ (9.8 m/s2) (2s)2
= 19.6 m

Example 2:
If a stone was thrown vertically downward with a velocity of 5m/s from the edge
of the roof of a building, how high is the building if it took the stone 2 seconds to hit the
ground?
Given:
Vo = 5m/s
t = 2s
Required:
y =?
 Solution:
Y = Vo t + ½ gt2
= 5m/s(2s) + ½ (9.8 m/s) (2s)2
= 10m + 19.6m
= 29.6 m
Example 3:
An apple was thrown vertically upward with a velocity of 10 m/s.
a. How high did it rised up?
b. How long did the stone travelled to reach it highest elevation?
Given
Vo = 10m/s
Required
a. y = ? if Vf = 0
b. t = ? if Vf = 0
Solution:
a. Vf2 = Vo2 – 2gy
0 = (10m/s)2 – 2gy
2gy = (10m/s)2
y = (10m/s)/2(9.8m/s2)
= 5.1m
b. Vf = Vo – gt
gt = Vo – Vf
t = (Vo – Vf)/g
= (10m/s – 0)/9.8m/s2
= 1.02s
Exercise 3.
1. A ping pong ball was thrown vertically downward from the floor of a bridge to the
river. If the ping pong strike the surface of the river 3seconds after it was thrown, how
high is the bridge from the water surfaces of the river?
2. Imagine that the floor of a concrete bridge is 20m above the river. If a stone will be
thrown vertically downward with the velocity of 5m/s from the floor of the bridge,
how long will the stone travel until it strike the surface of the river?
3. A fruit has fallen from the branch of a tree which is 10m above the ground. How long
did the fruit travelled until it striked the ground?
4. An apple was projected vertically upward from the ground with an initial velocity of
15m/s. How high was the apple 1.5s after it was thrown?
5. If the apple was projected vertically upward from the ground with an initial velocity
of 10m/s, what was its final velocity 1.2s after it was thrown?
6. Imagine that you throw a stone vertically upward from a point 0.75m above the
ground with an initial velocity of 12m/s. How long will the stone travel through the
air until it will land on the ground?
7. Determine the round-trip time of a stone that was projected vertically upward from
the ground with a velocity of 12m/s, until it will strike the ground.
8. If an apple will be thrown vertically upward with a velocity of 15m/s, what is its final
velocity when it returned back to its initial location?
9. A baseball was thrown vertically upward with a velocity of 15m/s. Determine two
different times when the baseball is 10m above its initial location.
10. Determine the initial velocity of a marble that was projected vertically upward from
the floor, if it travelled through the air for 2s until it strike back the floor.