N4 Engineering Science

ALFRED MWAMUKA
LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN

9781485720706_ntd_seg_n4_stb_eng_za.indb 1 2021/11/26 07:37

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First published 2022

ISBN: 9781485720706
epdf: 9781485720935

Publisher: Lloyd Stuurman

Managing Editor: Wasema Mathews
Editor: Louis Botes
Proofreader: TBC
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Book design: Pearson Media Hub
Cover design: Pearson Media Hub
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 Contents

Module 1: Kinematics.......................................... 1
Unit 1: Constant linear motion and relative velocity......................... 2
Introduction................................................................................ 2
Speed and velocity...................................................................... 2
Relative velocity........................................................................... 2
Relative velocity along non-parallel lines ..................................... 7
Unit 2: Resulting velocity................................................................... 14
Introduction.............................................................................. 14
Resulting velocity...................................................................... 14
How to calculate resultant velocity............................................ 14
Unit 3: Projectiles................................................................................ 19
Introduction.............................................................................. 19
The motion of a projectile......................................................... 19
Projectiles launched at an angle................................................. 20
Motion of a ball falling from a cliff............................................ 21
Horizontal displacement of a projectile...................................... 22
Module summary ..................................................................... 31
Module 1 Checklist .................................................................. 31
Exam practice questions............................................................ 32

Module 2: Angular motion................................ 33

Unit 1: Angular displacement............................................................ 34
Introduction.............................................................................. 34
Angular displacement............................................................... 34
Angular (rotational) velocity....................................................... 36
Angular acceleration ................................................................ 38
Linear acceleration ................................................................... 39
Total distance covered by a body .............................................. 40
The relationship between linear and angular motion................. 41
The relationship between angular velocity and time................... 42
Unit 2: Torque, work done and power.............................................. 45
Introduction.............................................................................. 45
Torque...................................................................................... 45
Torque and moment of inertia .................................................. 47

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 Module summary ..................................................................... 49
Module 2 Checklist .................................................................. 49
Exam practice questions............................................................ 50

Module 3: Dynamics........................................... 51
Unit 1: Newton’s three laws of motion.................................................. 52
Introduction.............................................................................. 52
Newton’s three laws of motion ................................................. 52
Application of Newton’s second law of motion.......................... 53
Free-body diagrams .................................................................. 56
Tractive resistance .................................................................... 61
Unit 2: Kinetic and potential energy................................................. 66
Introduction ............................................................................. 66
Kinetic energy .......................................................................... 66
Potential energy ....................................................................... 68
Unit 3: Conservation of energy.......................................................... 71
Introduction.............................................................................. 71
Conservation law of energy ...................................................... 71
Illustration of the conservation law of energy............................ 71
Module summary ..................................................................... 73
Module 2 Checklist .................................................................. 74
Exam practice questions............................................................ 74

Module 4: Statics................................................ 76
Unit 1:
Simply supported beams and cantilevers with point
loads and uniformly distributed load................................... 77
Introduction.............................................................................. 77
Moment of a force.................................................................... 77
The law of moments................................................................. 78
Simply supported beams........................................................... 79
Shear force and bending moment diagrams.............................. 82
Cantilevers................................................................................ 90
Draw a loaded beam from a shear force diagram...................... 93
Unit 2: Centre of gravity and centroids............................................. 97
Introduction.............................................................................. 97
The concept of equilibrium........................................................ 97
Centre of gravity....................................................................... 98
How to calculate the centre of gravity for different shapes........ 99
A centroid............................................................................... 101
Module summary ................................................................... 109

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 Module 4 Checklist ................................................................ 110
Exam practice questions.......................................................... 110

Module 5: Hydraulics....................................... 113

Unit 1: Hydraulic presses....................................................................... 114
Introduction............................................................................ 114
The functions of a hydraulic press............................................ 114
The operation of a hydraulic press........................................... 115
Unit 2: Hydraulic pumps................................................................... 123
Introduction............................................................................ 123
Types of hydraulic pumps........................................................ 123
Reciprocating pump delivery.................................................... 124
Pump pressure........................................................................ 125
Unit 3: Hydraulic accumulators........................................................ 129
Introduction............................................................................ 129
The functions of an accumulator............................................. 129
Basic types of accumulators..................................................... 129
Pressure and volume supplied by an
accumulator............................................................................ 131
Module summary ................................................................... 134
Module 5 Checklist ................................................................ 135
Exam practice questions.......................................................... 136

Module 6: S tress, strain and Young’s

modulus.......................................... 138
Unit 1: Types of stresses........................................................................ 139
Introduction............................................................................ 139
What is stress in engineering?................................................. 139
Types of stresses...................................................................... 140
Strain in a material.................................................................. 140
Calculations on stress and strain.............................................. 141
The difference between single and double shear..................... 143
Stress, strain and Young’s modulus.......................................... 145
Unit 2: Young’s modulus.................................................................. 148
Introduction............................................................................ 148
Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus of elasticity........................ 148
How to determine Young’s modulus for elasticity.................... 149
Stress and strain graphs........................................................... 150
Module summary ................................................................... 154
Module 6 Checklist ................................................................ 154
Exam practice questions.......................................................... 155

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 Module 7: Heat................................................. 157
Unit 1: Volumetric change in solids................................................. 159
Introduction............................................................................ 159
Heat and temperature............................................................. 159
Thermal expansion/contraction in matter................................. 159
Unit 2: Volumetric change in liquids............................................... 165
Introduction.......................................................................... 165
The anomaly in the expansion of water............................. 165
The volumetric thermal expansion of fluids....................... 166
Overflow in a container....................................................... 167
Unit 3: Volumetric change in gasses................................................ 169
Introduction............................................................................ 169
Characteristic gas laws with relevant formulae........................ 169
Boyle’s law.............................................................................. 169
Charles’s law........................................................................... 171
Gay-Lussac’s law..................................................................... 172
The combined gas laws........................................................... 174
Unit 4: Gas processes........................................................................ 176
Introduction............................................................................ 176
The basic gas processes........................................................... 176
Module summary ................................................................... 183
Module 7 Checklist ................................................................ 184
Exam practice questions.......................................................... 185

Glossary............................................................. 186

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 Module
Kinematics
1
What is covered?
Kinematics is a branch of physics that falls under classical mechanics and deals with
the study of the motion of a system of bodies or objects without considering forces
and their effects on the movement or motion of the bodies. The module covers how
to solve problems analytically to practical situations where two objects or bodies move
horizontally at constant velocity in different directions. The module also shows how
to determine the resultant velocity, shortest distance, time intersection, overtaking
and actual velocity. The module gives calculations dealing with projectiles that are
launched horizontally from a certain vertical height or launched at an angle from the
horizontal landing on the same horizontal plane. Finally, the module covers how to
calculate the velocity of projection, angle of projection, height and velocity at any part
of the projectile path.

Subject Outcomes

After studying this module, you should be able to:

Unit 1
■ Solve problems dealing with constant linear motion analytically (Pythagoras or the sine
and cosine rules)
■ Determine the relative velocity, shortest distance, time to intercept and actual velocity.
Unit 2
■ Calculate the resulting velocity and direction of a maximum of two vectors
■ Calculate the time taken to reach a certain destination.
Unit 3
■ Do calculations dealing with projectiles that are launched horizontally from a certain
vertical height or launched at an angle from the horizontal landing on the same
horizontal plane
■ Calculate the maximum height reached by an object as well as the time of flight
and range
■ Calculate the height and velocity at any part of the projectile path
■ Calculate the velocity of projection
■ Calculate the angle of projection.

Module 1: Kinematics 1

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 Unit 1: C
 onstant linear motion and relative
velocity

LEARNING OUTCOMES
■ Solve problems dealing with constant linear motion analytically (Pythagoras or
the sine and cosine rules).
■ Determine the relative velocity, shortest distance, time to intercept and actual
velocity.

Introduction
This unit deals with calculations of constant linear motion analytically using
Pythagoras or the sine or cosine rules. The unit also shows how to determine
relative velocity along parallel and non-parallel lines using the analytical method.

1. Speed and velocity

It is important to understand the difference between speed and velocity. Speed
is the time rate at which an object moves along a path, while velocity is the rate
and direction of an object’s movement. For example, 100 km/hr describes the
speed at which a car is travelling, while 100 km/hr west describes the velocity at
which it is travelling.

2. Relative velocity
Keywords Relative velocity is defined as the velocity of an object relative to something
else. It is also referred to as the difference between two velocities, for example,
Speed:  the time rate
at which an object is the velocity of an object minus the velocity of a frame of reference.
moving along a path, Let us consider a variable V ​  ​​​. This would mean the velocity of object D with
​​ DE
e.g. 60 km/hr respect to object E​. ​D is the object in focus and E is the frame of reference.
Velocity:  the rate and
direction of an object’s To calculate relative velocity ​V ​ DE​  ​​,​we use the following formula:
movement, e.g. 60 km/
hr west
​  ​​ = ​VD​  ​​ − ​VE​  ​​​, where ​V
​​VDE ​  ​​​is the velocity of object ​D​with respect to E
​ DE ​ . ​
Relative velocity:  the
velocity of an object We calculate relative velocity ​​R​ V​​ ​as follows:
relative to something ​​RV​  ​​ = ​Vobject
​  ​​ − ​VFR
​  ​​​, where FR is the reference frame.
else; the difference
between two velocities For example, a car is travelling at 100 km/hr towards the east. If the car passes a
boy standing still on the side of the road, it would appear to the boy that the car
is moving at 100 km/hr.

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 Module 1
Worked example 1.1 Calculate the relative velocity of two objects
moving in the same direction at different
speeds

Two cars, D and E, are moving in the same direction at different speeds. Car D  ​​is
travelling at 70 km/hr in an easterly direction with respect to the earth and car E is moving
at 80 km/hr in the same direction.
1. Calculate the relative velocity of car E with respect to car D​.​
2. Calculate the relative velocity of car D with respect to car E​.​

Solution
1. Figure 1.1 shows how to calculate the relative velocity of car E with respect
to car D.
D D

70 km/hr

E E

80 km/hr

VED = +10 10 km/hr

Figure 1.1 How to calculate the relative velocity of car E with respect to car D

Referring to Figure 1.1, relative velocity is calculated as follows:

​​V​ ED​​  = ​V​ E​​  − ​V​ D​​  =  80  −  70 ​= 10 km/hr
The relative velocity of car E with respect to car D is 10 km/hr.
​​V​ ED​​  =  + 10 km / hr​
The diagram shows that car E is moving 10 km faster than car D since the two cars
are moving in the same direction. So in one hour, car D will travel 70 km and car E
will travel 80 km. Therefore, after an hour Car E will be 10 km ahead of car D.
The driver of car D will see that driver in car E is moving +10 km away towards the
right (in the diagram). Thus the relative velocity of E with respect to D is positive
because car E is moving in the same direction as car D, towards the right.
​​V​ ED​​  =  +  10​.
2. Figure 1.2 shows how to calculate the relative velocity of car D with respect to car E.
D D

70 km/hr

–10 km/hr
E E

80 km/hr
VED = –10

Figure 1.2 How to calculate the relative velocity of car D with respect to car E

Unit 1: Constant linear motion and relative velocity 3

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 We can calculate the relative velocity of car D with respect to car E as follows:
​​VDE
​  ​​ = ​V​ D​​  − ​V​ E​​​
​= 70 − 80​
​= ​–10 km/hr.
This means that car D is moving 10 km/hr slower than car E.
To the driver of car E, it will appear that car D is moving to the left (in the diagram)
with respect to E. Initially, the two cars were at the same location but now it
appears that car D is moving towards the left or westwards. In one hour, car D
will move 10 km towards the left with respect to car E and the displacement is
–10 km. With respect to car E, car D will appear to be moving left and will,
therefore, have a negative velocity.
Referring to the solution for both 1 and 2 of the example, we can see that relative
velocity can be negative or positive.

Worked example 1.2 Calculate the relative velocity of two objects

moving in the same direction at the same
speed

The two cars D and E in the previous worked example are now both travelling side by side
at 120 km/hr in a westerly direction on a double lane.
1. Calculate the relative velocity of car E with respect to car D.
2. Calculate the relative velocity of car D with respect to car E.

Solution
1. Figure 1.3 shows how to calculate the relative velocity car E with respect to car D
with both travelling in the same direction at the same speed.
D

120 km/hr

120 km/hr
VED = VE – VD

Figure 1.3 How to calculate the relative velocity car E with respect to car D

In Figure 1.3 above,

​​VED
​  ​​ = ​V​ E​​  − ​V​ D​​​
​= 120 − 120​
​=  0 km / hr​

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 2. Figure 1.4 shows how to calculate the relative velocity of car D with respect to car

Module 1
E with both travelling in the same direction at the same speed.
D

120 km/hr

120 km/hr
VDE = VD – VE

Figure 1.4 How to calculate the relative velocity car D with respect to car E

In Figure 1.4:
​​VED
​  ​​ = ​V​ E​​  − ​V​ D​​​
​= 120 − 120​
= 0 km/hr
By referring to the solution for Worked example 1.2, we can see that the relative velocity of
two cars D and E is 0 km/hr. This means the two cars are not moving relative to each other,
hence they will continue to move next to each other for the entire journey.

Worked example 1.3 Calculate the relative velocity of two objects

moving in different directions at different
speeds

Two cars are travelling in opposite directions. Car D is travelling at 80 km/hr towards the
east and car E is travelling at 70 km/hr in a westerly direction.
1. What is the relative velocity of car D with respect to car E?
2. What is the relative velocity of car E with respect to car D?

Solution
Figure 1.5 shows two cars travelling in opposite directions at different speeds.
D E

VD = 80 km/hr VE = –70 km/hr

Figure 1.5 Two cars travelling in opposite directions at different speeds

In Figure 1.5, the relative velocity of car D with respect to earth is 80 km/hr, while that of
car E is –70 km/hr.
1. We must establish if the velocity is positive or negative. In this case, the velocity of ​​
V​ DE​​​is found to be positive.
​​VDE
​  ​​ = ​V​ D​​  − ​V​ E​​​
= –80 – (–70)
​= 80 + 70​
= 150 km/hr

Unit 1: Constant linear motion and relative velocity 5

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 2. In the second case, the velocity will be negative.
​​VED
​  ​​ = ​V​ E​​  − ​V​ D​​​
​= − 70 − ​(+ 80)​​
​= − 70 − 80​
= –150 km/hr

Worked example 1.4 Calculate the relative velocity of two objects

moving in different directions and 200 km
apart

The two cars D and E in Worked example 1.3 are now travelling in opposite directions
and are 200 km apart. Car D is travelling at 80 km/hr towards the east and car E is
travelling at 70 km/hr in a westerly direction. What will be the distance between the two
cars after one hour?

Solution
Figure 1.6 shows two cars travelling in opposite directions and 200 km apart.
200 km

D E

80 km 50 km 70 km

80 km/hr = VD –70 km/hr = VE

+150 km/hr –150 km/hr

Figure 1.6 How to calculate the relative velocity of two cars travelling in opposite
directions when the distance between the two cars is known

Referring to Figure 1.6 above, it can be seen that in one hour car D will travel 80 km to
the east and car E will travel 70 km towards the west. Every hour the velocity between
the two cars will decrease by 150 km/hr.
The distance between the two cars after one hour is calculated as follows:
​S =  200 km − ​(80 + 70)​​
= 50 km
The distance between the two will decrease from 200 km to 50 km in one hour. The
distance will decrease by 150 km, so the velocity will decrease by 150 km/hr.

Worked example 1.5 Calculate the relative velocity of a stone

thrown by the driver of a car towards
another car travelling in an opposite
direction at a different speed

Car D is travelling at 50 km/hr towards the east. Car F is travelling at 70 km/hr towards
the west approaching car D. The driver in car D throws a stone E that moves at 20 km/hr
east with respect to car F.
1. Calculate the relative velocity of the stone E with respect to car F.
2. Calculate the relative velocity of the stone E with respect to car F if the two cars D
and F are 400 km apart.

6 Module 1: Kinematics

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 Solution

Module 1
1. Figure 1.7 shows he two cars travelling in opposite directions. A stone is thrown by
one of the drivers towards the opposite car.
E
20 km/hr = VED
D F

VD = 50 km/hr VF = –70 km/hr

Figure 1.7 How to calculate the relative velocity of a stone E with respect to car F

Given: ​​V​ D​​  =  50 km  /  hr​;​ ​V​ F​​  =  −  70 km  /  hr​; ​​V​ ED​​  =  20 km  /  hr​

​​VEF​  ​​  = ​V​ E​​  − ​V​ F​​​
​​VED ​  ​​  = ​V​ E​​  − ​V​ D​​​
​20 = ​V​ E​​  −  50​
​20 + 50  = ​V​ E​​​
70 = ​
​ VE​  ​​​
Therefore,
​​VEF
​  ​​ = ​V​ E​​  − ​V​ F​​​
​= 70 − ​(− 70)​​
​= 70 + 70​
= 140 km/hr
2. Figure 1.8 Shows two cars travelling in opposite directions. One of the drivers
throws a stone towards the opposite car. The two cars are now 400 km apart.
E
20 km/hr

400 km

D F

80 km 20 km 260 km 70 km

50 km/hr 70 km/hr

Figure 1.8 How to calculate the relative velocity of stone E with respect to car F if
the two cars D and F are 400 km apart

In Figure 1.8,
​​V​ d​​​ = 140 km
Therefore,
​​V​ EF​​​ = 140 km/hr

3. Relative velocity along non-parallel lines

We can use the analytical method, which uses axes of a coordinate system, to solve
problems concerning relative velocity along non-parallel lines. We use Pythagoras’
theorem and the sine or cosine rules to calculate the relative velocity vector.

Unit 1: Constant linear motion and relative velocity 7

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 Worked example 1.6 Calculate relative velocity along non-parallel
lines (1)

Two ships A and B are 20 km apart with ship B due north of ship A. Ship A is travelling at
10 km/hr in the direction 060° and ship B is travelling at 8 km/hr the direction 135°.
1. Calculate the velocity of ship A relative to B.
2. Calculate the time to the nearest minute taken for ship A to be exactly east of B.
3. Calculate the nearest distance between the two ships.

Solution
1. Figure 1.9 shows the vector diagrams for Worked example 1.6, answer 1

r
/h
km
10
1358

=
A
V
VB = 8 km/hr
608
VAB = x km/hr

20 km 758
458V
B
= 458 15,748
8
km
VA = 10 km/hr /h
r

Figure 1.9 Vector diagrams for Worked example 1.6, answer 1

From the diagram:

​​x​​  2​  = ​8​​  2​  + ​10​​  2​ − 2​(8)​​(10)​cos75°​
​x  =  11,072 km / hr​
10 11,072
​​ _   ​  = ​ _ ​​ 
sinα sin75
​α = 60,74°​
Required bearing:
​= 60,74 − 45​
​=  0,15,74°​
2. Figure 1.10 shows the vector diagrams for Worked example 1.6, answer 2.
B

20 km VAB = 11,072 km/hr

15,748

A
Figure 1.10 Vector diagram for Worked example 1.6, answer 2

From the diagram:

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 20
​cos15,74  = ​ _ y ​​ 

Module 1
​y = 20,779 km​
Distance
​Time = ​ _  ​​ 
 
Speed
_20,779
​= ​  11,072 ​​ 
​=  1,877 hrs​
​=  113 mins​
3. Figure 1.11 shows the vector diagram for Worked example 1.6, answer 3.
B
Z

20 km VAB

15,748

A
Figure 1.11 Vector diagram for Worked example 1.6, answer 3

From the diagram:

​sin15,74°  = ​ _z  ​​ 
20
​20sin15.74°  =  z​
​5,425 km  =  z​

Worked example 1.7 Calculate relative velocity along non-parallel

lines (2)

A light aircraft is 70 nm northeast of Cape Town International Airport and it flies north
for seven hours at an airspeed of 100 km/hr. Determine its position (displacement ) with
reference to Cape Town International Airport in magnitude and direction.

Solution

t = 7 hrs

458 V = 100 hrs

458

O.R S = 70 km

Figure 1.12 Vector diagram 1 for Worked example 1.7

From the diagram:

​​S2​  ​​ =  V × t​

Unit 1: Constant linear motion and relative velocity 9

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 100
​= 7 × ​ _   ​​ 
hour
700 km
_
​= ​  N ​​   

700 km

908

458
70 km

Figure 1.13 Vector diagram 2 for Worked example 1.7

From the diagram:

​V =  700sin90° + 70sin45°​
​=  749,5 km​
​H =  700cos90° + 70cos45°​
​=  49,5 km​
N

749,5km

R
𝜃
W E
49,5 km

S
Figure 1.14 Vector diagram 3 for Worked example 1.7

From the diagram:

____________
​R 
= ​ √_ ​4
  9,5​​  2​  + ​749,5​​  2​ ​​
​= ​√ 564 200,5 ​​ 
​=  751,133 km​

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 749,5
ϴ = tan–1 ​​ _____ ​​ 

Module 1
49,5
​=  86,22°​
R
​  = 751,133   E86,22° 
N ​
​or,​
​N3,78°  E​

Worked example 1.8 Calculate relative velocity along non-parallel

lines (3)

An aircraft A departs Cape Town International Airport in a northerly direction at an

airspeed of 250 km/hr. Another Aircraft B departs simultaneously from Stellenbosch
aerodrome at an airspeed of 500 km/hr in a direction of 60°. Calculate the velocity of
aircraft A relative to the velocity of aircraft B.

Solution
hr
m/
0k
50
B=

1508 VR
A= 250 km/hr

𝜃
608

Figure 1.15 Vector diagram 1 for Worked example 1.8

From the diagram:

​​V​r​  ​​  ​​ = ​250​​ 
2
​
2
​  + ​500​​  2​ − 2​(250)​​(500)​cos50°​
​​= 312 500 − 250 000​(​​  −  0,866025403​)​​​​
​= 312 500 + 216 506,3508​
____________
​= ​√ 529 006,3508 ​​
  
​=  727,33 km / hr​
Direction:
sinθ
​= ​ _
250
  ​​
sin150
​= ​ _
727,33
  ​​ 
​​θ  = ​sin​​  −1​​[​​ ​ _ 727,33 ]
sin150 × 250
 ​​ 
 
​​​​
​θ = 9,89°​
Therefore, the velocity of A relative to B is 727,33km/hr W70°S.

Unit 1: Constant linear motion and relative velocity 11

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 Alternative method
Also referring to Figure 1.15
​∑ ​VC​  ​​ =  A + Bsin60°​
​= 250 + 500sin60°​
​=  683,013 km / hr​
​ C​  ​​ = Bcos60°
H
​∑​ = 500cos60°
   ​ ​​​
  
=  250 km / hr
​​R​​  2​ =  ∑ ​Hc​​  2​ + ​∑ Vc​​  2​​
​  ​250​​  2​  + ​683,013​​  2​​
=
____________
​= ​√ 529 006,7582 ​​
  
​=  727,33​ km/hr

727,33 km/hr

250 km/hr
Figure 1.16 Vector diagram 2 for Worked example 1.8

From the diagram:

​VC​  ​​
​tanθ = ​ _
​H​  ​​
  ​​
C
683,013
​= ​ _ 250
 ​​ 
 
​=  2,732052​
​θ = ​tan​​  −1​  2,732052​
​=  70°​
Therefore, the velocity of A relative to B is 727,33 km/hr W70°S.

Activity 1.1 Relative velocity

1. A red car and a blue car are travelling in the same direction due east at speeds of
80 km/hr and 100 km/hr respectively.
a) Find the velocity of the blue car relative to the red car.
b) Find the velocity of the red car relative to the blue car.
2. A bus and a car are 20 km apart initially. The bus is travelling at 40 km/hr due east
while the car is travelling at 60 km/hr due west.
a) Find the velocity of the bus relative to the car.
b) Find the velocity of the car relative to the bus.
c) Find the time taken for the bus and the car to pass each.
3. A train travels at 40 km/hr due east.

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 a) What is the relative velocity relative to earth of a man travelling on the train if

Module 1
he walks at 1 5km/hr due east?
b) What is the relative velocity to earth of a man travelling in the train if he walks
at 15 km/hr due west?
c) What is the relative velocity to earth of a man travelling on the train if he walks
sideways at 15 km/hr?
4 Two cars start moving simultaneously. Vehicle A is travelling at 280 km/hr, W33°N
and vehicle B is travelling at 230 km/hr directly east. Calculate the velocity of car B
relative to car A.
5. A light aircraft (A) departs from King Shaka International Airport in a northerly
direction at an airspeed of 450 km/h. Another light aircraft (B) departs
simultaneously from Nelspruit International Airport at an airspeed of 850 km/hr in
the direction W60°S. Calculate the velocity of aircraft A relative to the velocity of
aircraft B.
6. A light aircraft is 80 km northeast of Lanseria International Airport and flies north
for 8 hours at an airspeed of 120 km/hr. Determine its displacement or position
with reference to Lanseria International Airport in magnitude and direction.

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 Unit 2: Resulting velocity

LEARNING OUTCOMES
■ Calculate the resulting velocity and direction of a maximum of two vectors.
■ Calculate the time taken to reach a certain destination.

Introduction
This unit shows how to calculate the resulting velocity and direction of a
maximum of two vectors and the time taken to reach a certain destination.

1. Resulting velocity
Keywords Resulting velocity is the vector sum of two or more velocities. Resultant
velocity helps us to establish how an external force acting on a moving object
Resulting
velocity:  the vector can decrease the speed of the moving object. For example, if a cyclist is travelling
sum of two or more due east into a very strong wind moving west, the speed of the cyclist will be
velocities reduced since the strong headwind will act against the movement of the cyclist’s
bicycle.

2. How to calculate resultant velocity

Resultant velocity is calculated by simply adding two or more vectors.
Depending on the situation you can use the Pythagorean theorem. Depending
on the scenario you can calculate the resultant velocity using the formula:
​ ​V​ f​​  − ​(acceleration)(​​ time)​t ​V​ 0​​​

In N4 Engineering Science, we only calculate the resulting velocity and direction

of a maximum of two vectors.

Worked example 1.9 Calculate resultant velocity (1)

A boat travels at 30 m/s towards the east in calm water. A current flows towards the boat
at 10 m/s. Calculate the resultant velocity of the boat.

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 Solution

Module 1
Figure 1.17 shows how to calculate the resultant velocity of the boat in Worked example
1.9.

+30 m/s

–10 m/s
Current
Figure 1.17 How to calculate resultant velocity of the boat in Worked example 1.9

Given: Velocity of the body, V1 = 30 m/s to the east; velocity of the current V2 = 10m/s to
the west
Therefore, resultant velocity VR
= V1 + V2
= 30 m/s + (–10 m/s)
= 10 m/s

Worked example 1.10 Calculate resultant velocity (2)

An aircraft takes off from Cape Town International Airport in a direction of N40​°​W at an
airspeed of 400 km/hr. The aircraft is then blown off course by a wind of 150 km/hr from
a direction of W​30° S.​ Calculate the resultant velocity of the aeroplane.

Solution
Figure 1.18 shows how to calculate the resultant velocity of the aircraft in Worked
example 1.10.

VW

308
RV
B

VA
408

Figure 1.18 How to calculate resultant velocity for Worked example 1.10 Unit 2: Resulting velocity 15

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 Given: ​​V​ a​​  =  400 km  /  hr​ ​N40°  W​
​​V​ w​​  =  150 km  /  hr​ ​W30°  S​
​​Rv​  ​​  =  ?​
​β  = ​ (30° + 50°)​​
​=  80°​
_______________
​b  √ ​a  
= ​ ​​  2​ + ​c​​  2​ − 2accosB ​​
___________________________
​= ​√ ​4
   
00​​  2​  + ​150​​  2​ − 2​(400)​​(150)​cos80° ​​
____________________
​= ​√ 182 500 − 20 837,78132 ​​
   
____________
= ​​√ 161 662,2187 ​​
  
​=  402,0724048 km / hr​
sinC sinB
​​ _  ​  = ​ _
c      
 ​​
b
​bsinC = csinB​
​402,072sinC = 150sin80°​
_150sin80
​sinC = ​  402,072
 ​​ 

​C  = ​sin​​  −1​​(_ 402,072 )

​  150sin80 ​ 
​​
​C = ​sin​​  −1​​(0,367399776)​​
​=  21,56°​
​θ =  40 − 21,56​
​=  18,44°​
​​RV​  ​​  =  402,072 km  /  hr​ ​N18,44°  W​

Worked example 1.11 Calculate resultant velocity (3)

A small aircraft flies north at 150 km/h. A 50 km/hr crosswind blows the aircraft off
course in a westerly direction. What is the resultant velocity?

Solution
Figure 1.19 shows how to calculate the resultant velocity of the aircraft in Worked
example 1.11.
50 km/hr

150 km

Figure 1.19 How to calculate resultant velocity for Worked example 1.11

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 Given: Velocity of aircraft, VP = 150 km/hr; wind velocity, VW = 50 km/hr

Module 1
​​​R​​  2​​  V​​  = ​Vp​​  2​ + ​Vw​​  2​​
_
​​RV​  ​​ = ​√ ​150​​  2​  + ​50​​  2​ ​​ 
_
​  ​√ 25 000 ​​ 
=
​=  158,114 ​km/hr
O
​tanθ = ​ _
A
 ​​
50
​= ​ _
150
  ​​ 

​θ  = ​tan​​  −1​​(_ 50

​  150   ​)
  ​​
​=  18°​

Worked example 1.12 Calculate resultant velocity (4)

An aeroplane flies northeast at 400 km/hr and the wind blows to the east at 60km/hr.
What is the resultant velocity?

Solution
Figure 1.20 shows how to calculate the resultant velocity of the aircraft in Worked
example 1.12.
N

NE

W E
/hr
km

R
S
400

1358
458 458

𝜃 60 km/hr
Figure 1.20 How to calculate resultant velocity for Worked example 1.12

Given: Velocity of aircraft, VP = 400 km/hr; wind velocity, VW = 60 km/hr

__________________________
​R = ​√    
​60​​  2​  + ​400​​  2​ − 2​(60)​​(400)​cos135° ​​
___________________
​=  ​√  163 600 + 33 941,1255
     ​​
____________
​=  ​√    
129 658,8745  ​​
​=  360,082 km / hr​
​  sinθ 
​_ ​  sin135° 
 ​ = _  ​​ 
400 360,082
​sinθ360,082 = 400sin135°​
​  400sin135°
​sinθ = _  ​
 ​ 
360,082
=  ​sin​​ −1​[_
360,082 ]
​θ  ​  400sin135 ​ 
 
​
​=  51,77°​

Unit 2: Resulting velocity 17

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 Activity 1.2 Resultant velocity

1. Define resultant velocity.

2. A light aircraft with an airspeed of 350 km/hr takes off at Cape Town International
Airport in a direction of S33°W. The aircraft is blown off course by a heavy
150 km/hr wind blowing in a direction of N49°W​.​Calculate the resultant velocity
of the aircraft in magnitude and direction.
3. A canoeist is rowing on the Vaal River at 4 m/s in a northerly direction. A wind of
3m/s suddenly starts blowing in a southeasterly direction.
a) Calculate the resultant velocity of the canoe.
b) Calculate the displacement of the canoeist after 45 seconds.
4. An aircraft is flying north at 100 km/hr and is being moved off course by a
40 km/hr blowing towards the west. What is the resultant velocity of the aircraft?
5. An aircraft flies northeast at 600 km/hr and a wind blows to the east at 80 km/hr.
What is the resultant velocity of the aircraft?

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 Module 1
Unit 3: Projectiles

LEARNING OUTCOMES
■ Do calculations dealing with projectiles that are launched horizontally from a
certain vertical height or launched at an angle from the horizontal landing on the
same horizontal plane.
■ Calculate the maximum height reached by an object as well as the time of flight
and range.
■ Calculate the height and velocity at any part of the projectile path.
■ Calculate the velocity of projection.
■ Calculate the angle of projection.

Introduction
Projectiles are commonly found in warfare and sports and include bullets, round
balls and sports equipment, such as a shot putt.
This unit focuses on calculations regarding projectiles. This includes
calculations dealing with projectiles that are launched horizontally from a certain
vertical height or launched at an angle from the horizontal landing on the same
horizontal plane.
The unit also shows how to calculate the maximum height reached by an
object, the time of flight and range of these projectiles, the height and velocity
at any part of the projectile path, the velocity of projection, and the angle of
projection.

1. The motion of a projectile

A projectile motion is defined as the motion of an object thrown into the
Keywords
air and subject to only acted upon by gravitational acceleration. The value of
Projectile motion:  the
gravitational acceleration used is ​9,8 ​ m  /  s​​  2​​and the unit g is used. The object is
motion of an object
referred to as the projectile and the path moved by an object is known as the thrown into air and
trajectory. Examples of objects are balls or bullets. subject to only acted
upon by gravitational
For upward movement of an object: acceleration
m2
a = − g = − 9,8 ​ ___
Gravitational acceleration ​ s   ​ ​(deceleration)

For downward movement:

9,8m2
​ a  =  g  = ​ _____
s   ​  ​(acceleration).

If an object or a body falls to earth from a height, its downward acceleration is

uniform. Similarly, if a body or an object is thrown upwards, its deceleration
upwards is uniform and equal to g​ ​.

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 Projectile motion consists of two parts:
■ horizontal motion – no acceleration
■ vertical motion – constant acceleration due to gravitational acceleration.

The following are examples of projectile motion:

■ a ball that has been thrown
■ a bullet fired from a gun
■ an arrow fired from a bow, or a stone launched with a slingshot
■ in sport, a golf ball or shot put
■ rockets or missiles.

2. Projectiles launched at an angle

When we throw an object, such as a ball, at an angle, it travels for a distance and
then falls. In this case, gravitational force acts on the ball and makes it follow a
parabolic path then fall to the ground.
When we fire a bullet from a gun, it travels a distance as a result of a force
provided by the force of the propellant used. However, once the bullet leaves
the gun, it is affected by gravitational force and will follow a parabolic path. The
bullet will fall to the ground when it encounters an opposing force.
Ball

Figure 1.21 Parabolic path of a ball thrown in the air

Bullet

Trajectory
Figure 1.22 Trajectory of a bullet fired from a gun

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 Figure 1.23 depicts the horizontal range or distance travelled by a projectile.

Module 1
Vertical distance (m)

Range (m)

Figure 1.23 The horizontal range or distance travelled by a projectile

The trajectory of a projectile follows a curve called a parabola. The horizontal

Keywords
distance travelled by a projectile is known as the range
Parabola:  the
trajectory/curve of a
3. Motion of a ball falling from a cliff launched or thrown
projectile
Figure 1.24 shows a ball falling from a cliff. In the diagram, h shows the height Range:  the horizontal
of the cliff and dy is the distance the ball drops (vertically). distance travelled by a
projectile
Vy = 0
Vx

h dy

Figure 1.24 Vertical motion of an object (ball) ball falling from a cliff

The formulas that follow are derived from Figure 1.24.

​​V​ 0​​​ is initial velocity
1
​h = ​ _  ​ ​at​​  2​​
2
1
V​ 0​​  t + ​ _  ​ ​at​​  2​​
​d = ​
2
1
​​ y​  ​​  = ​V​ 0​​  t + ​ _  ​  ay ​t​​  2​​
d
2
1
​h  =  0 + ​ _  ​  a ​t​​  2​​
2

In Figure 1.25 a ball rolls from a cliff and falls. The drop has a horizontal
component. R is the range, which is the horizontal distance between the base of
the cliff and where the ball lands.

Unit 3: Projectiles 21

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 Vx

Figure 1.25 Horizontal motion of an object (ball) falling from a cliff

The formulas that follow are derived from Figure 1.25.

​h = ​  1 ​  a ​t​​  2​​
_
2
​R = ​ Vx​  ​​  t​
​dx = ​ Vx​  ​​  t​
​ax = 0 ;  ay  =  −  9,8 m  / ​s​​  2​​
​​VF​  ​​  = ​V​ YO​​  +  at​
_
​ V = ​ √ V ​x​​  2​  +  V ​y​​  2​ ​​ 
​Vx = Vcosθ​
​Vy = Vsinθ​
​Vy​  ​​
_ ​​ 
​sinθ = ​ 
V
_x ​​  ​V​  ​​
​cosθ = ​ 
V
​Vy​  ​​
_ ​​ 
​tanθ = ​ 
​V​  ​​ x

​θ  = ​tan​​  ​​(_

​  ​V​   ​ ​​ )​​
​Vy​  ​​
−1
x

4. Horizontal displacement of a projectile

Figure 1.26 shows how to calculate the time it takes a ball to move between two
points.
R Vy = 0

V
𝜃 Vy
𝜃
X C
R Vx

Figure 1.26 How to calculate the time it takes a thrown ball to go from A to B

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 From Figure 1.26:

Module 1
​​VY​  ​​  =  Vsinθ​
​​VX​  ​​  =  Vcosθ​
​​VF​  ​​  =  V0 + at​, where ​​V​ F​​​is the final velocity and ​VO​ is the initial velocity.

The time the takes ball from A to B

​​VF​  ​​  = ​V​ O​​  +  at​
​0  =  Vsinθ + gt​
​−  Vsinθ = gt​
Vsinθ
​​ _____
g    ​ = t,​ where t is the time it takes the ball from A to B.
 

Figure 1.27 shows how to calculate the time it takes a projectile to move from
one position to another and the height it reaches.
B

A C

Figure 1.27 How to calculate the time it takes a thrown ball to go from A to C and the
height it reaches

From Figure 1.27:

​t = ​ _
g  ​    ​, where t is the time it takes the ball to go from A to C.
2Vsinθ

​​Vyf​  ​​  = ​V​ ​YO​​  ​​ ​ + ​2​  aydy​​​

2

​​VF​​  2​ = ​ VO​​  2​ + 2ad​

​0  = ​​(Vsinθ)​​​  2​ + 2gH​
​− ​V​​  2​ ​sin​​  2​  θ = 2gH​
​V​​  2​ ​sin​​  2​  θ
_
​H = ​  2g
    ​​ 

Figure 1.28 shows how to calculate the range of a projectile.

B

A C
R

Figure 1.28 How to calculate the range R of a thrown ball

Unit 3: Projectiles 23

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 From the diagram,
​R = ​Vx​  ​​  t​
​R = ​(Vcosθ)(​​ t)​​
_
​t = ​ g  ​​  (the time it takes the ball from A to C)
2Vsinθ

2Vsinθ
​R = Vsinθ − ​ _ g   
 
​​
V​​  2​​(_
​R = ​ ​  2sinθcosθ
g    )​​
​ 
​sin​(2θ)​ = 2sinθcosθ​
​R = ​ _
g    ​​, where R is the range shown in Figure 1.28.
 
​V​​  ​  sin​(2θ)​
2

Figure 1.29 shows how to calculate t using a quadratic equation.

V B

Ymax
dy
YO h

C A C
R

Figure 1.29 How to calculate t using a quadratic equation

From Figure 1.29:

​​t ​(​​A to C​)​​  = ​ _ 2Vsinθ
g     
​​​
​d = ​ 1 ​  a ​t​​  2​​
VO​  ​​  t + ​ _
2
​​VF​  ​​  = ​−  YO​  ​​  = ​V​ YO​​  t + ​ _ 1 ​  g ​t​​  2​​
2
​​VF​  ​​  = ​Y​ O​​  + ​V​ YO​​  t + ​ _ 1 ​  g ​t​​  2​​
2
​0  =  h + Vsinθt + ​ _ 1 ​  g ​t​​  2​​
_ 2
b ± ​√ _
​t = −  ​ 2a  ​ ​​ 
​b​​  ​ − 4ac
 , where t is the time taken by the ball from A to C.
2

Also note:
Time taken by the ball from A to B,
t = ​​_ g  ​​ 
Vsinθ
 
Time taken by the ball from B to C,
t = ​H + ​YO​  ​​​
1 ​  a ​t​​  2​​
​= ​ _
2

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 Module 1
B

C
R

Figure 1.30 Calculate the time it takes the ball from A to B

From the diagram,

Vsinθ
_
​t = ​  g   ​​ 

Height (h) is calculated as follows:

V 2 Sin2 θ
h = ​​ _______
2g
    ​​ 

Time it takes the ball from B to C:

1 ​  a ​t​​  2​​
_
​h = ​ 
2
​h + H = ​  1 ​ ​ at​​  2​​
_
_ 2

√
​t = ​ _
2 ​Y​  ​​
   
​  gmax  ​ ​​ 

C
R

Figure 1.31 Calculate the time it takes a ball from B to C

Unit 3: Projectiles 25

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 From the diagram,
​R = ​
VX​  ​​  t​
​V​​  ​  sin​ 2θ ​
_ 2 ( )
​R = ​  g     
​​
​​VX​  ​​  =  Vcosθ​
​R = Vcosθt​
​​VX​  ​​ ​ is constant
​​VYF
​  ​​  = ​V​ YO​​  +  at​

We use ​​V​ YF​​  =  Vsinθ + gt ​to calculate the velocity of the ball from A to C.

_
√ ​V​X​  ​​  ​​ ​ + ​V​ ​Y​​  ​​ ​​​ 
​V = ​ 2 2

​θ  = ​tan​​  −1​​(_

​  ​VY​   ​ ​​ )​​
V
​ ​  ​​

X

Worked example 1.13 Projectile calculations (1)

A ball rolls horizontally off a cliff at 40 m/s. It takes 20 s for it to hit the ground Calculate
the height of the cliff and the horizontal distance travelled by the ball.

Solution

Figure 1.32 Diagram for Worked example 1.13

Given: VX = 40 m/s; t = 20 s; a = 9.8 m/s2

Height of cliff
​h = ​ 1 _ 2 ​ ​at​​  2​​
​=  0,5  ×  9.8  × ​20​​  2​​
= 1 980 m
Horizontal distance travelled by the ball
​R  VX​  ​​  t​
= ​
​  ​  40 m
= _
s ​ × 20 s​
 
 
= 800 m

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 Module 1
Worked example 1.14 Projectile calculations (2)

A ball rolls off a 200m high cliff. Calculate the time it takes for the ball to hit the ground.

Solution

R
Figure 1.33 Diagram for Worked example 1.14

Given: h = 200 m; a = 9.8 m/s2

​h = ​ 1 ​  a ​t​​  2​​
_
2
​400 = 4.9 ​ t​​  2​​
​81,63265306 = ​ t​​  2​​
___________
​​√   
81,63265306 ​  =  t​
​t = 9,04 s​

Worked example 1.15 Projectile calculations (2)

A ball is released from rest and drops straight down from a height of 600 m.
1. How long will the ball take to hit the ground?
2. How long will it take the ball to reach the ground if the ball was thrown down
with an initial speed of 20 m/s?

Solution
(a) Vy = 0 (b) Vy = –30

600 m

Figure 1.34 Diagram for Worked example 1.15

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 1. h _1​ ​ at​​  2​​
​  = ​
2

​600  =  0,5 × 9.8 × ​t​​  2​​

600 = 4,9 ​
​ t​​  2​​
___________ _
​​√ 122,4489796 ​ = ​
   √ ​t​​  2​ ​​ 
​11,05s = t​
2. ​ y = ​
d ​  ​​  t + ​_21​ ​ ayt​​  2​​
VYO
​− 600  =  − 20 t + ​ _ 1 ​​ (− 9.8)​ ​t​​  2​​
2
​− 600  =  − 20 t + − 4,9 ​t​​  2​​
​4,9 ​t​​  2​ + 20t − 600 
_ =  0​
− b ± ​√ ​b​​  2​ ​  −  4ac
___________
​t = ​     2a
  ​​  
_
− 20 ± ​√ ​20​​  2​ ​  −  4​(4,9)(​​ − 60)​
___________________
​t = ​       
9.8
 ​​
___________
− 20 ± ​√ 400 + 11 760 ​
  
_______________
​t = ​     9,8
 ​​ 
_
− 20 ± ​√ 12 160 ​ 
​= ​ ___________
   9,8
 ​​ 
− 20 ± 110,272
___________
​= ​    9,8
 ​​ 
​=  9,21​ s
or,
–13,293 s

Worked example 1.16 Projectile calculations (3)

An object is projected at such an angle that the range (horizontal displacement ) is three
times the maximum height reached. The initial velocity of the object is 270 m/s. Calculate
the angle at which the object is projected.

Solution
S (horizontal) = 3 × ​ ​S (vertical)
​U​​  2​  sinθ
_ 3 ​U​​  2​  sinθ
_
​​  g    ​  = ​  2g    ​​ 
​U​​  2​  sinθ × g 3 ​U​​  2​ ​sin​​  2​  θ × g
​​ _ = ​ _
2 ​  
  2 ​​ 
 
g × ​U​​  ​ g × ​U​​  ​
3sinθ × sinθ × 2 sin2θ × 2
​​ ____________
  
    ​  = ​ _  ​​ 
2 × sin2θ × 3 sin2θ × 3
But,
​​sin2θ = 2sinθcosθ ​(​​​​from compound angles)
sinθsinθ 2 ​​ 
​​ _   = ​ _
 ​   3
2sinθcosθ
_sinθ 2 × 2
​​  cosθ  ​  = ​ _ 3
 ​​ 
 

​tanθ = ​  4 ​​ 
_
3
​θ = 53,13°​
Or,
​ S​(horizontal)​ = 270cosα​(2)​t​
1 ​  g ​t​​  2​​
​S​(vertical)​ = 270sinαt + ​ _
2
​S​(horizontal)​ = 3 × S​(vertical)​​
​270cosα​(2)​t = 3​ 1 ​  g ​t​​  2​​
(270sinαt)​  + ​ _
2
​t​(maxheight)​  : V = U + gt​

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 ​ = 270sinα − 9,8 t​
0

Module 1
​9,8t = 270sinα​
​t = 27,55sinα​
(270sinα + ​ 2 ​  gt)​​
​270cosα​(2)​ = 3​ _1

​540cosα = 810sinα − 14,7t​
​540cosα = 810sinα − 14,7​(27,55sinα)​​
​540cosα = 810sinα − 404,985sinα​
​540cosα = 405,015sinα​
540 sinα
​​ _ = ​ _
  ​  
405,015 cosα  ​​ 
540
​​ _   ​ = tanα​
405,15
 
​53,129°  =  tanα​

Worked example 1.17 Projectile calculations (4)

A store is thrown at a velocity of 42 m/s at an angle of 26° to the horizontal.

1. Calculate the maximum height that the stone reaches.
2. Calculate the horizontal displacement of the stone.

Solution
From the first principle:
1. ​S​(vertical)​​
​U​​  ​ ​sin​​  ​  θ
2 2
​= ​ _ 2g
     
​​
​42​​  ​ ​sin​​  ​  26°
2 2
​= ​ _ 2 × 9,8
 ​​ 
 
​=  17,295 m​
2. S​ ​(horizontal)​​
U
​ ​​  2​  sin2θ
​= ​ _ g    ​​ 
​42​​  ​ sin2 × 26°
2
___________
​= ​    9,8
 ​​ 
​=  141,841 m​
Alternative method:
_
1. ​S​(max)​ = ​ 2g     
​​
​V​​  ​ − ​U​​  ​ 2 2

​0​​  ​ − 425 × 26
2
___________
​= ​    2 × − 9,8
 ​​ 
= ​   17,295​ m
2. S​ (​range)​  =  U × t​
2​(Usinθ)​
​=  Ucosθ × ​ _ g     
​​
42cos26° × 2 × 42sin42°
_________________
​= ​    9.8
 ​​ 
​=  141,841 m​

Worked example 1.18 Projectile calculations (5)

A boy throws a cricket ball at an angle of 15° to the horizontal with an initial velocity of
30 m/s. The path of the ball is that of a projectile.
1. Calculate the time the ball takes to reach its maximum height.
2. Calculate the maximum height reached by the ball.
3. Calculate the horizontal displacement of the ball.

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 Solution
Uy

c
se
m/
30
158
Ux

Figure 1.35 Diagram for Worked example 1.18

Given: U _ _  ​ ​​  =  30cos15°  =  29 ​_ms ​;  ​ ​​

​  = 30 ms ; V = 0 ​ s ​;  ​ ​a = g = −  s ​​​  ​;​ ​​UX
9,8 ​​
m m2

U​Y ​​  =  30sin15° =  7,76 m / s​

1. ​t  _
= ​ a  ​​ 
 
V − U

0 − 7,76
​= ​ _
− 9,8
 ​​ 
 
​=  0,792 s​
2. ​S =  Ut + ​_12​ ​ at​​  2​​
​= ​(7,76 × 0,792)​  + ​ _1 ​​  − 9.8​ ​0,792​​  2​​​​
2
( ( ))
​=  3,072 m​
3. ​S =  Ut​
​= ​U​ X​​  ×  2t​
​= 29 × 2 × 0,792​
​=  45,936 m​

Worked example 1.19 Projectile calculations (6)

A bullet is fired at a muzzle velocity of 125m/s at an angle of 25° to the horizontal.

1. Calculate the horizontal distance of the bullet after 8 seconds.
2. Calculate the maximum height of the bullet.

Solution
1. ​​UX​  ​​ =  Ucosθ​
​=  120cos25°​
​=  108,757 m / s​
​​∆​  X​​ = ​U​ X​​  ×  2t​
​= 108,757 × 2 × 8​
​=  1740,111 m​
2. ​​∆​  Y​​ = ​(​UY​  ​​  ×  t)​ − ​_12​ ​ gt​​  2​​
​= ​(52,83 × 8)​ − ​(_ ​  12 ​  ×  9,8  × ​8​​  2​)​​
​= ​(422,62)​ − ​(313,6)​ = 109,02 m​

Activity 1.3 Projectiles

1. Define a projectile motion.

2. Define a trajectory.
3. List FOUR examples of projectile motions.
4. An object is projected at such an angle that the range (horizontal displacement) is

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 three times the maximum height reached. The initial velocity of the object is

Module 1
280 m/s. Calculate the angle at which the object is projected.
5. A stone is thrown at a velocity of 40 m/s at an angle of 25° to the horizontal.
Calculate the following:
a) The maximum height that the stone reaches.
b) The horizontal displacement of the stone.
6. A boy throws a cricket ball at an angle of 20° to the horizontal with an initial
velocity of 35 m/s. The path of the ball is that of a projectile. Calculate the
following:
a) The time to reach the maximum height.
b) The maximum height reached by the ball.
c) The horizontal displacement of the ball.
7. A ball is released from rest and drops straight down from a height of 500 m.
a) How long will it take to hit the ground?
b) How long will it take to reach the ground if the ball was thrown down with an
initial speed of 25 m/s?
8. A bullet is fired at a muzzle velocity of 130 m/s at an angle of 30° to the
horizontal. Calculate the following:
a) The horizontal distance of the bullet after 6 seconds.
b) The maximum height of the bullet.

Module summary
■ Relative velocity is defined as the velocity of an object relative to
something else; it is the difference between two velocities.
■ Resulting velocity is the vector sum of two or more velocities.
■ Resulting velocity is calculated by simply adding two or more vectors.
■ Pythagorean theorem is also used to calculate resulting velocity
depending on a situation.
■ The formula, ​​V​ f​​  −  at + ​V​ 0​​​is also used to calculate resulting velocity
depending on a given scenario.
■ A projectile motion is defined as the motion of an object thrown into the
air and subject only acted upon by gravitational acceleration.
■ The value of gravitational acceleration used in this module is 9.8 m  ​​ / s​​  2​.​
■ Projectile motion consists of two parts: horizontal motion and vertical
motion.

Module 1 Checklist
Before you attempt to answer the exam type questions, go through the following
checklist with a list of learning outcomes taken from the syllabus. Check that
you understand all concepts /learning outcomes covered in Module 1 of the
N4 Engineering Science syllabus.

Learning content Learning outcomes Yes No

1.1 Relative velocity ■ Solve problems dealing with constant linear motion
analytically (Pythagoras or the sine and cosine rules).
■ Determine the relative velocity, shortest distance,
time to intercept and actual velocity.

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 Learning content Learning outcomes Yes No

1.2 Resulting velocity ■ Calculate the resulting velocity and direction of a

maximum of two vectors.
■ Calculate the time to reach a certain destination.

1.3 Projectiles ■ Do calculations dealing with projectiles that are

launched horizontally from a certain vertical height
or launched at an angle from the horizontal landing
on the same plane.
■ Calculate the maximum height reached by an object
as well as the time of flight and range.
■ Calculate the height and velocity at any part of the
projectile path.
■ Calculate the velocity of projection.
■ Calculate the angle of projection.

Exam practice questions

1. A light aircraft is 50 km northeast of Cape Town International Airport and
flies north for five hours at an airspeed of 95 km/hr. Determine its position
(displacement ) with reference to Cape Town International Airport in
magnitude and direction. (6)
2. A gold mine shaft has a depth of 230 m. Hoist A descends at 6 km/hr and
hoist B ascends at 5 km/hr. Calculate the following:
a) The velocity of the hoist A relative to the velocity of the hoist B in
magnitude and direction (2)
b) The velocity of hoist B relative to the velocity of hoist A in
magnitude and direction. (2)
3. A stone is thrown at a velocity of 38 m/s at an angle of 20° to the
horizontal. Calculate the following:
a) The maximum height that the stone reaches. (3)
b) The horizontal displacement of the stone. (2)
4. An aircraft A departs from Lanseria International Airport in a
northerly direction at an airspeed of 280 km/hr. Another aircraft B
departs simultaneously from OR Tambo International Airport at an
airspeed of 600 km/hr in a direction W60°S.
Calculate the velocity of aircraft A relative to the velocity of aircraft B. (5)
5. A boy throws a cricket ball at an angle of 10° to the horizontal with an initial
velocity of 30 m/s. The path of the ball is that of a projectile. Calculate the
following:
a) The time to reach the maximum height. (3)
b) The maximum height reached by the ball. (2)
c) The horizontal displacement of the ball. (2)
6. A canoeist can row 20 m/s in calm water. The river flows at 5 m/s and is
100 m wide.
a) In which direction does the canoeist have to row to cross the river at
a rectangular angle? (3)
b) How long will it take to reach the opposite side of the river? (2)
7. Two vehicles start moving simultaneously, a blue car at 250 km/hr W33°N
and a red car at 210 km/hr directly east. Calculate the velocity of the red car
relative to the blue car. (4)

Total: 36 marks

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