CHAPTER 2: KINEMATICS

LINEAR MOTION
Linear motion refers to motion in a straight line

Definitions:
Displacement: This is the distance covered by a body moving in a specified direction. The SI unit
of displacement is metres (m).

Velocity: this is the rate of change of displacement. The SI unit of velocity is metres per second
(ms-1)

Uniform velocity: this happens if a body undergoes equal displacements with in equal successive
time intervals, no matter how small the time intervals may be.
If the displacements in equal successive time intervals are not equal, the motion is said to be non-
uniform.

Acceleration: This is the rate of change of velocity

A body is said to be accelerating when its velocity increases, and is said to be decelerating when
its velocity is decreasing. However, if the velocity of a body is constant, then its acceleration is
zero. The SI unit of acceleration is ms-2
Uniform acceleration: this happens if the velocity of a body changes with equal amounts in
equal successive time intervals, no matter how small the time intervals may be.

Displacement time graphs

6
Velocity-time graphs

Equations of motion
If the velocity of a body changes from u to v in a time t, then from the definition of acceleration,
𝑣−𝑢
𝑎= 𝑡
⇒ 𝑎𝑡 = 𝑣 − 𝑢
∴ 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

As the velocity changes steadily,

𝑢+𝑣
Average velocity = 2
From displacement = (𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦) × (𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒)
𝑢+𝑣
𝑠=( ) × (𝑡) but from the first equation, 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
2

[𝑢+(𝑢+𝑎𝑡)]
⇒𝑠= × (𝑡)
2
2𝑢𝑡+𝑎𝑡 2
= 2
1
∴ 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 this is the second equation of motion

7
Alternatively;
Consider a body with initial velocity u and final velocity v as it moves from A to B.

Displacement = total area under curve

= Area of OABD + Area of ACB
Area of OABD = ut
1
Area of ABC = 2 × 𝑡 × (𝑣 − 𝑢) 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
1
⇒ 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝐵𝐶 = 𝑎𝑡 2
2
1 2
∴ 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
1
⇒ 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒

𝑣−𝑢
From 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡, 𝑡 = 𝑎
𝑢+𝑡 𝑢+𝑣 𝑣−𝑢
But 𝑠 = ( )×𝑡 ⇒𝑠 =( )×( )
2 2 𝑎
𝑢𝑣−𝑢𝑣−𝑢2 +𝑣2 𝑣 2 −𝑢2
𝑠= ⇒𝑠=
2𝑎 2𝑎
2 2
∴ 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 2𝑎𝑠, this is the third equation of motion

Examples
1. Two particles are travelling along a straight line AB of length 20m. At the instant when
one particle tarts from rest at A and travels towards B with a constant acceleration of 2ms-
2
, the other starts from rest at B and travels towards A with a constant acceleration of 5ms-
2
. Find the time after which the two bodies collide and how far from A they collide.
Solution

Let the particles collide at a point P, a distance d from A

1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2
Particle from A Particle from B

8
 𝑢=0 𝑢=0
𝑠=𝑑 𝑠 = 20 − 𝑑
𝑎=2 𝑎=5
1 1
⇒ 𝑑 = 2 × 2 × 𝑡 2 … … (𝑖) 20 − 𝑑 = 2 × 5 × 𝑡 2 … … . (𝑖𝑖)
From (i) 𝑑 = 𝑡 2
Substituting for d in (ii) gives:
20 − 𝑡 2 = 2.5𝑡 2
⇒ 20 = 3.5𝑡 2
∴ 𝑡 = 2.39𝑠
𝑑 = 2.392 = 5.714𝑚
They collide 5.714m from A after 2.39s

2. A motorcar moving with a uniform acceleration covers 5.5m in its 4th second and 9.5m in
its 8th second of its motion. Find its acceleration and initial velocity.
Solution

Distance covered in 4th second = (distance covered after 4s) – (distance covered after 3s)
1 1
⇒ 5.5 = (4𝑢 + 2 × 𝑎 × 42 ) − (3𝑢 + 2 × 𝑎 × 32 )
Multiplying through by 2 gives;
11 = 8𝑢 + 16𝑎 − 6𝑢 − 9𝑎
11 = 2𝑢 + 7𝑎 … … … … … (𝑖)
Distance covered in 8th second = (distance covered after 8s) – (distance covered after 7s)
1 1
⇒ 9.5 = (8𝑢 + 2 × 𝑎 × 82 ) − (7𝑢 + 2 × 𝑎 × 72 )
Multiplying through by 2 gives;
19 = 16𝑢 + 64𝑎 − 14𝑢 − 49𝑎
19 = 2𝑢 + 15𝑎 … … … … … (𝑖𝑖)
Subtracting equations (ii) and (i) gives:
8 = 8𝑎 ⇒ 𝑎 = 1ms-2

Substituting for a in equation (ii) gives;

2𝑢 = 19 − 15(1)
2𝑢 = 4 ⇒ 𝑢 =2ms-1

3. A train stops at two stations P and Q, which are 2km apart. It accelerates uniformly from
P at 1ms-2 for 15s, and maintains a constant speed for a time before decelerating uniformly
to rest at Q. If the deceleration is 0.5ms-2, find the time for which the train is travelling at a
constant speed.

9
 Solution

𝑠1 + 𝑠2 + 𝑠3 = 2000 … … … … (𝑖)
From 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
𝑣 = 0 + (1 × 15) = 15ms-1

For the deceleration, From 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡, 0 = 15 + −0.5𝑡2

⇒ 𝑡2 = 30𝑠
1
𝑠1 = 2 × 15 × 15 = 112.5𝑚
𝑠2 = 15 × 𝑡1 = 15𝑡1
1
𝑠3 = 2 × 30 × 15 = 225𝑚
Substituting for 𝑠1 , 𝑠2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠3 in equation (i) gives;
112.5 + 225 + 15𝑡1 = 2000
∴ 15𝑡1 = 1662.5
⇒ 𝑡1 = 110.83𝑠
∴ The time for which the train is travelling at a constant speed = 110.83s

4. A car A, travelling at a constant velocity of 25ms-1, overtakes a stationery car B. Two

seconds later, car B sets off in pursuit, accelerating at a uniform acceleration 6ms-2. How
far does B travel before catching up with A?
Solution
A B
𝑢 = 25𝑚𝑠 −1 , 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 = 𝑡, 𝑎 = 0 𝑢 = 0𝑚𝑠 −1 , 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 = 𝑡 − 2, 𝑎 = 6𝑚𝑠 −2
1 1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2
∴ 𝑠 = 25𝑡 ………(i) ∴ 𝑠 = 3(𝑡 − 2)2 ……..(ii)
Equations (i) and (ii) gives:
25𝑡 = 3(𝑡 − 2)2
⇒ 3𝑡 2 − 37𝑡 + 12 = 0
1
∴ (𝑡 − 12)(3𝑡 − 1) = 0 ⇒ 𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑡 = 12 𝑜𝑟 𝑡 =
3
1 1
Note that 𝑡 = cannot work, since the time taken by B will be (3 − 2) which gives a negative.
3
Therefore time taken by A before B catches it is 12 seconds.
From equation (i), 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 = 25 × 12 = 300𝑚

10
Note that the same answer would be got by substituting for t in equation (ii).

Trial questions
1. A car is being driven along a road at a steady speed 25ms-1 when the driver suddenly
notices that there is a fallen tree blocking the road 65m ahead. The driver immediately
applies the brakes giving the car a constant retardation of 5ms-2. How far in front of the
tree does the car come to rest?
If the driver had not reached immediately and the brakes were applied one second later,
with what speed would the car have hit the tree? [Ans: s = 2.5m, v = 15ms-1 ]

2. A, B and C are three points which lie in that order on a straight road with ̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐵 = 95𝑚 and
̅̅̅̅ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝐵𝐶 = 80𝑚. A car is travelling along the road in the direction 𝐴𝐵𝐶 with a constant
acceleration a ms-2. The car passes through A with a speed u ms-1, reaches B five seconds
later, and C two seconds after that. Calculate the values of u and a
[Ans: u = 4 ms-1 , a = 6 ms-2 ]
3. A train of mass 100,000kg starts from rest at station P and accelerates uniformly at 1ms-2
until it attains a speed of 30 ms-1. It maintains this speed for further 90s and then brakes
are applied, producing a resultant breaking force of 50KN. If the train comes to rest at
station Q, Find the distance between the two stations. [Ans: 4050m ]
7 -1
4. A ship of mass 10 kg is travelling at 2ms when its engine is switched off. As a
consequence, the ship’s speed is reduced to 1.5ms-1 in a distance of 100m. Assuming that
resistance to the ship’s motion is uniform, calculate the magnitude of the resistance.
[Ans: 87.5kN]
5. A train starts from rest at station A and accelerates at 1.25ms-2 until it reaches a speed of
20ms-1. It then travels at this steady speed for a distance of 1.56km and then decelerates at
2ms-2 to come to rest at B. Find the distance from A to B. [Ans: 1.82km]
6. Two cars A and B are traveling along a straight path. The cars are observed to be side by
side when they are at point P of the path and again at another point Q. Assuming that A
and B moved with a uniform acceleration a1 and a2, prove that if their velocities are U1
2(𝑈1 −𝑈2 )(𝑈2 𝑎1 −𝑈1 𝑎2 )
and U2 respectively, the distance PQ is given by; (𝑎1 −𝑎2 )2

11
 Motion under gravity
In absence of air resistance, all bodies regardless of their masses and composition fall with the
same acceleration, if they are at the same location near the earth’s surface. Such a fall is called
free fall.

Acceleration due to gravity, g

This is the rate of change of velocity of a freely falling body

Note:
 Unless otherwise stated, the value of acceleration due t gravity is 9.81ms-2
 G replaces a in the equations of motion
 g is positive for a body falling and negative for a body moving upwards

Note: For questions that have motion under gravity, we use arrow convention, such that ;
before substituting numerical values in the formulae for uniformly accelerated motion, they
should represent vectors in the same direction, or the arrows of the vectors should be in the
same direction. The table below, as well as the following examples will make this point more
clear.

↑ 𝑢𝑝𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ↓ 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

v Negative Positive
u Positive Negative
g Negative Positive
h Negative Positive

Example
1. A stone is thrown vertically upwards with a speed of 20ms-1 from a point at a height h
above the ground level. If the stone hits the ground 5s later, find the;
(i) velocity with which it hits the ground
(ii) the value of h
Solution

Considering upward motion

From 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
−𝑣 = 20 + (−9.81 × 5)
𝑣 = 29ms-1
1
From 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2

12
 1
−ℎ = (20 × 5) + 2 × −9.81 × 52
h = 22.63m

2. A stone is thrown vertically upwards from the top of a tower and hits the ground 10s later,
with a speed of 51ms-1. Find the initial velocity and height of the tower.
Solution
𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
Considering downward motion, 𝑣 = −𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
⇒ 51 = −𝑢 + 9.81 × 10
⇒ 𝑢 = 47.1 ms-1
1
𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2
1
∴ 𝑠 = (−47.1 × 10) + 2 × 9.81 × 102
⇒ 𝑠 = 19.5𝑚

3. A ball is thrown vertically upwards with a speed of 15ms-1, from a point which is 0.7m
above the ground. Find the speed with which the ball hits the ground, and the time taken.
Solution
Considering the downward motion
𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎𝑠
𝑣 2 = (−15)2 + 2 × 9.81 × 0.7
𝑣 = 15.4ms-1
From 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
15.4 = −15 + 9.81𝑡
𝑡 = 3.1𝑠
Trial questions
1. A stone is dropped vertically from the top of an overlapping cliff, and hits the sea 3 seconds
later. The acceleration due to gravity at that location is 10ms-2. Find the speed of the stone
as it hits the sea, and the height of the cliff. [Ans: v = 30ms-1, h = 45m]
2. A ball is projected from a point 2m above the ground with an upward speed of 3ms-1.
Assuming that the acceleration due to gravity is 10ms-2,find the;
(i) time taken for the ball to reach its greatest height above the ground
(ii) maximum height reached
(iii) speed of the ball when it first strikes the ground
[Ans: (i) 0.3m (ii) 0.45m (iii) 7ms-1 ]
3. Two stones are thrown from the same point at the same time, one vertically upwards with a
speed of 40 ms-1, and the other vertically downwards at 40 ms-1. Find how far apart the
stones are after two seconds. [Ans: 160 m]
4. A ball is projected vertically upwards with a speed of 50ms-1. On return it passes the point
of projection and falls 78m below. Calculate the total time taken [ Ans: 11.57s ]

13
 PROJECTILES
A projectile is anything which when given an initial velocity can be left to move on its own in
presence of a constant force field, such as the gravitational force field. The effects of air
resistances are neglected
Consider motion of a particle of mass, projected at an angle 𝛼 to the horizontal with initial
velocity u

The particle has got both horizontal and vertical motion

𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛(𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠) 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝑦 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠)

𝐼𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑢𝑥 = 𝑢 cos 𝛼 … … … . . (𝑖) 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑢𝑦 = 𝑢 sin 𝛼 … . . (𝑖𝑖)
𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑎𝑥 = 0 … … … . . (𝑖𝑖𝑖) 𝐴𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑎𝑦 = −𝑔 … … … … . (𝑖𝑣)
From 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
𝑣𝑥 = 𝑢 cos 𝛼 + (0 × 𝑡)
= 𝑢 cos 𝛼 … … . (𝑣) 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑢 sin 𝛼 − 𝑔𝑡 … . . (𝑣𝑖)
1
From 𝑠 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2
1
𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡 cos 𝛼 + 2 × 0 × 𝑡 2
1
𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡 cos 𝛼 … … . . (𝑣𝑖𝑖) 𝑦 = 𝑢𝑡 sin 𝛼 − 2 𝑔𝑡 2 … … . (𝑣𝑖𝑖𝑖)
𝑥
From equation (vii), 𝑡 = 𝑢 cos 𝛼
Substituting for t in equation (viii) gives;
𝑥 1 𝑥 2
𝑦 = 𝑢 (𝑢 cos 𝛼) sin 𝛼 − 2 𝑔 (𝑢 cos 𝛼)
𝑥𝑢 sin 𝛼 𝑔𝑥 2
= − 2𝑢2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝛼
𝑢 cos 𝛼
𝑔𝑥 2
= 𝑥 tan 𝛼 − 2𝑢2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝛼 … … … . (𝑖𝑥)
1 𝑔𝑥 2 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝛼
But 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝛼 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝛼 ⇒ 𝑦 = 𝑥 tan 𝛼 − … … … (𝑥)
2𝑢2
𝑔𝑥 2 (1+𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝛼)
= 𝑥 tan 𝛼 − … … … (𝑥𝑖)
2𝑢2

Equations (ix), (x) and (xi) are equations of the parabola. They are called trajectory equations and
hence the projectile describes a parabolic path.

14
Definitions:
Angle of projection, 𝜶: This is the angle between the direction of the projectile and the
horizontal.

OAB is called the trajectory and it is the path taken by the projectile.

Greatest height reached, H: This is the distance between the highest point reached by the
projectile and the horizontal plane through the point of projection.
From 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑎𝑠
At maximum height, v = 0, ∴ 0 = (𝑢 sin 𝛼)2 − 2g𝐻
⇒ 2g𝐻 = 𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼
𝐻= 2g
To get the time taken to reach the maximum point, we use 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡
∴ 0 = 𝑢 sin 𝛼 − g𝑡
𝑢 sin 𝛼
⇒𝑡= g
Time of flight, T: This the time taken by the particle(projectile) to move from its initail position
to its final positions along its paths.
1
From equation (viii), 𝑦 = 𝑢𝑡 sin 𝛼 − 2 g𝑡 2
At B, y = 0 ( see diagram)
1
⇒ 0 = 𝑢𝑇 sin 𝛼 − 2 g𝑇 2
1
∴ 0 = 𝑇(𝑢 sin 𝛼 − g𝑇)
2
1
Either T = 0 i.e at O ; or 𝑢 sin 𝛼 − 2 g𝑇 = 0
1
⇒ 𝑢 sin 𝛼 = 2 g𝑇
2𝑢 sin 𝛼
𝑇= g
It should therefore be noted from the expression of time of flight, T and that of time taken to
reach the maximum height, t that; T = 2t.This shows that the trajectory is symmetrical.

Horizontal range, R: This is the distance from the initial position of the projectile to its final
position on the horizontal plane through the point of projection.
2𝑢 sin 𝛼
R = OB, and at B, 𝑅 = 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑇 = g
From 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡 cos 𝛼,
2𝑢 sin 𝛼
At B, 𝑅 = 𝑢𝑇 cos 𝛼 ⇒ 𝑅 = 𝑢( ) cos 𝛼
g
2𝑢2 sin 𝛼 cos 𝛼
∴𝑅= 𝑏𝑢𝑡 2 sin 𝛼 cos 𝛼 = sin 2𝛼
g
𝑢2 sin 2𝛼
⇒𝑅=( )
g
𝑢2 sin 2𝛼
For maximum horizontal range, Rmax, we get the minimum value of 𝑅 = ( )
g
It can therefore be seen that R can have a maximum value if sin 2𝛼 = 1, because the maximum
value of sine is 1

15
 𝑢2
∴ 𝑅 max = g
This happens when sin 2𝛼 = 1 ⇒ 2𝛼 = 900 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑜 𝛼 = 450
∴ For maximum horizontal range, angle of projection should be 450

Direction of motion
This is determined by the velocity of the projectile at a particular time.

𝑣 2 = 𝑣𝑦 2 + 𝑣𝑥 2
⇒ 𝑣 = √𝑣𝑦 2 + 𝑣𝑥 2 = 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡
𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑦
tan 𝜃 = 𝑣 ⇒ 𝜃 = tan−1 (𝑣 )
𝑥 𝑥
But 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑢 sin 𝜃 − g𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑥 = 𝑢 cos 𝜃
𝑢 sin 𝜃−g𝑡
∴ 𝜃 = tan−1 ( )
𝑢 cos 𝜃

𝜃 is the angle which the direction of motion of the particle makes with the horizontal at that time,
t. If tan 𝜃 is positive, then 𝜃 is above the horizontal, and hence the particle has not yet reached the
maximum point. If tan 𝜃 is zero, then the particle is at the maximum point. If tan 𝜃 is negative,
then 𝜃 is below the horizontal, and hence the particle is falling after passing the maximum point.

Examples
1. A particle is projected at 200 to the horizontal and just clears a wall 10m high and 30m
away from the point of projection. Find the speed of the projection, velocity of the
projectile when it strikes the building and the time taken to reach the building.

16
 Solution

Initial velocity:
g𝑥 2
From 𝑦 = 𝑥 tan 𝛼 − 2𝑢2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 𝛼
9.81×302
10 = 30 × tan 20 − 2𝑢2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 20
8829
⇒ 10 − 10.92 = 1.766𝑢2
∴ 𝑢 = 73.76ms-1
Time taken:
From 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡 cos 𝛼,
30 = 73.76 × 𝑡 × cos 20
30
⇒ 𝑡 = 73.76 cos 20 = 0.43𝑠
Velocity:
At the point when the particle strikes the building,
𝑣𝑥 = 𝑢 cos 𝛼 = 73.76 × cos 20 = 69.3ms-1
𝑣𝑦 = 𝑢 sin 𝛼 − g𝑡 = (73.76 × sin 20 − 9.81 × 0.43) = 21ms-1
𝑣 = √𝑣𝑦 2 + 𝑣𝑥 2 = √69.32 + 212
= 72.4ms-1
Since velocity is a vector quantity, we need to also find its direction

𝑣𝑦 21
tan 𝜃 = 𝑣 = 69.3 ⇒ 𝜃 = 16.860
𝑥

2. A shot is fired from the top of a cliff 200m high with a velocity of 500ms-1 at an elevation
of 300. Find;
(i) the distance from the point where the shot strikes the ground to the bottom of the cliff
(ii) the time taken
(iii)The distance from the ground to the highest point reached

17
 Solution

1
(i) From 𝑦 = 𝑢𝑡 sin 𝛼 − 2 g𝑡 2
Considering upward motion:
1
−200 = 500𝑡 sin 30 − 2 × 9.81 × 𝑡 2
⇒ 0 = 4.905𝑡 2 − 250𝑡 − 200
250±√2502 −(4×4.905×(−200))
𝑡= 2×4.905
250+257.95
Since t can not be a negative, 𝑡 = = 51.76𝑠
9.81
(ii) From 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡 cos 𝛼,
𝑥 = 500 × 51.76 × cos 30
= 22412.1m
𝑢2 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼
(iii) From 𝐻 = 2g
5002 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 30
𝐻= = 3185.5𝑚
2×9.81
Required distance = 200 + 3185.5
= 3385.5m

3. A particle is projected horizontally at 20ms-1 from a point 78.4m above the horizontal
surface. Find the time taken for the particle to reach the surface and the horizontal distance
travelled in that time.
Solution

1
From 𝑦 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2
Since the initial velocity is horizontal,u for vertical motion is zeroo
1
⇒ 78.4 = 2 × 9.81 × 𝑡 2
t ≈ 4𝑠

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 considering horizontal motion, a = g = 0
⇒ 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡
∴ 𝑥 = 20 × 4 = 80𝑚

4. An object A is projected upwards from a height 60m above the ground with a velocity of
20ms-1 at 300 to the horizontal. At the same time, another object B is projected from the
ground upwards towards A at 300 to the horizontal. A and B collide at height of 60m
above the horizontal ground, when they are both moving downwards, Find;
(i) The speed of projection of B
(ii) The horizontal distance between the points of projection
(iii) The kinetic energy of A just after collision with B, if mass of A = 0.5kg
Solution

(i) If the particles collide at P, and considering A at the point of coincidence, the vertical
displacement,
𝑦 = 0, 𝛼 = 30 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢 = 𝑢𝛼 = 20
1
From y = ut sin α − 2 gt 2
1
⇒ 0 = 20𝑡 sin 30 − 2 × 9.81 × t 2
1 1
Either t = 0 , or 2 × 20 − 2 × 9.81 × 𝑡 = 0
⇒ 𝑡 = 2.04𝑠
Since the particles were projected at the same time, they should take the same time to
collide.
Considering particle B at the point of coincidence,
The vertical displacement, 𝑦 = 60, 𝛼 = 30 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡 = 2.04
1
From 𝑦 = 𝑢𝑡 sin 𝛼 − 2 g𝑡 2
1
⇒ 60 = 𝑢𝑏 × 2.04 × sin 30 − 2 × 9.81 × (2.04)2
60 = 1.02𝑢𝑏 − 20.4
∴ 𝑢𝑏 = 78.8ms-1
(i) From 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡 cos 𝛼
𝑥𝑎 = 20 × 2.04 × cos 30 = 35.33𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑

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 𝑥𝑏 = 78.8 × 2.04 × cos 30 = 139.25𝑚
Total distance between them = 𝑥𝑎 + 𝑥𝑏 = 35.33 + 139.25 = 174.58𝑚

1
(ii) 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 = 𝑚𝑣 2
2
But velocity of A after collision at P = 20ms-1, but in opposite direction
1
⇒ 𝐾. 𝑒 = 2 × 0.5 × 202 = 100𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠

5. Two footballers 100m apart, stand facing each other. One of them kicks the ball from the
ground such that the ball takes off at a velocity of 25ms-1 at 450 to the horizontal. Find the
speed at which the second footballer should run towards the first baller in order to trap the
ball as it touches the ground, if he starts running at the instant the ball is kicked.
Solution

Consider the ball: At the point A, the vertical displacement, y = 0

1
∴From 𝑦 = 𝑢𝑡 sin 𝛼 − 2 g𝑡 2
1
⇒ 0 = 25𝑡 sin 45 − 2 × 9.81 × 𝑡 2
1
Either t = 0 i.e at O or 25 sin 45 − 2 × 9.81 × 𝑡 = 0
∴ 4.9𝑡 = 25 × sin 45 ⇒ 𝑡 = 3.6𝑠
From 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡 cos 𝛼
𝑥 = 23 × 3.6 × cos 45 = 63.63𝑚

Consider the second footballer:

He is supposed to travel a distance of (100 − 𝑥) = 100 − 63.63 = 36.37𝑚
Since the second footballer starts running at the instant the ball is kicked and is supposed to run
so as to trap the ball as it falls, he should take the same time as that taken by the ball to land.
⇒ He should take 3.6s
𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 36.37
∴ 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = = = 10.1ms-1
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 3.6

6. In the following figure, a ball is projected with a speed u at an angle of 450 to the
horizontal from a point 1.5m above the ground as shown above. It passses through a
horizontal ringwith a velocity of 4ms-1, at an angle of 600 to the axis of the ring. If the axis
of the ring is 0.5m and that the height of the ring is 3m,

20
 calculate:
(i) Time taken by the ball to hit the ground from the instant it passes through the ring,
(ii) Distance between the pole and the point where the ball hits the ground
(iii) Initial speed of projection
Solution
(i) Starting from the ring: Let the velocity of the ball at the ring be v = 4ms-1
1
From 𝑦 = 𝑢𝑡 sin 𝛼 − 2 g𝑡 2
1
3 = 4𝑡 sin 30 − 2 × 9.81 × 𝑡 2
⇒ 0 = 4.905𝑡 2 + 2𝑡 − 3
−𝑏±√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
Using and since t cannot be negative, t = 0.6s
2𝑎
(ii)
From 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡 cos 𝛼
𝑥 = 4 × 0.6 × cos 30 = 2.08𝑚
Required distance = 0.5 + 𝑥
= 0.5 + 2.08 = 2.58𝑚
(iii) Since the horizontal velocity of the ball is the same through out its motion
Then 𝑢 cos 45 = 𝑣 cos 30
𝑣 cos 30 4 cos 30
∴𝑢= = ⇒ 𝑢 = 4.89ms-1
cos 45 cos 45

7. Two particles A and B are projected simultaneously, A from the top of a vertical cliff, and
B from the base. Particle A is projected with a speed of 3u, while B is projected at an
angle 𝜃 above the horizontal with a speed of 5u. The two particles collide after 2s. If the
cliff is 56m high, find the;
(i) Values of u and 𝜃
(ii) The horizontal and vertical distances from the base of the cliff to the point of
collision of the two particles.

21
 Solution

From 𝑥 = 𝑢𝑡 cos 𝜃
Considering particle A:
𝑥 = (3𝑢) × 2 × cos 0
⇒ 𝑥 = 6𝑢 … … … (𝑖)
Cosidering particle B:
𝑥 = (5𝑢) × 2 × cos 𝜃
⇒ 𝑥 = 10𝑢 cos 𝜃 … … … (𝑖𝑖)
Equating the two equations,
6𝑢 = 10𝑢 cos 𝜃
6
⇒ 𝜃 = cos −1 10 = 53.130
1
From 𝑦 = 𝑢𝑡 sin 𝛼 − 2 g𝑡 2
1
For particle A: (↓) 𝑦 = (3𝑢) × 2 × sin 0 − 2 × 9.81 × 22
⇒ 𝑦 = 19.6𝑚
∴ Vertical distance from the base to the point of coincidence
= 56 − 19.6 = 36.4𝑚
For particle B,
1
36.4 = (5𝑢) × 2 × sin 53.13 − 2 × 9.81 × 22
36.4 = 8𝑢 − 19.6
𝑢 = 7ms-1
Substituting for u in equation (i) gives; 𝑥 = 6 × 7 = 42𝑚
This is the horizontal diplacement of the particles at the point of collision

Trial questions
1. A dart player stands 3.0m from a small soft board of mass 0.20kg which is suspended
freely. The player throws a dart of mass 0.05kg such that the dart leaves his hand with a
horizontal velocity at a point 1.80m above the ground. The dart strikes the board at a point
1.50m from the ground. Assuming that air resistance is negligible, calculate the:
(i) Time of flight of the dart,
(ii) Initial speed of the dart
(iii) Height to which the bottom of the soft board rises after the dart has embedded
itself into it

22
 2. The position vectorof a particle moving in the x-y plane at time t = 3.60s is 2.76i – 3.28j
m. At t = 3.62s, its position vector is 2.79i – 3.33j m. Determine the magnitude v of its
average velocity during this interval and the angle 𝜃 made by the average velocity with the
x-axis. [Ans: v = 2.92ms-1 , 𝜃 = −59.00 ]
3.

In the figure above, a roofer tosses a small tool towards a coworker on the ground. What is
the minimum horizontal velocity v0 necessary so that the tool clears point B? Calculate the
distance s of the point of impact for the tool. [Ans: v0 = 6.64ms-1 , s =2.49m ]
4.

In the figure above, an outfielder experiments with two different trajectories for throwing to the
home plate from the position shown:
(i) 𝑢 = 80ms-1 and 𝜃 = 100 and
(ii) 𝑢 = 100ms-1 and 𝜃 = 150
For each set of the initial conditions above, determine the time t required for the baseball to
reach the home plate and the altitude h as the ball crosses the plate.
5. Calculate the range of a projectile which is fired at an angle of 450 to the horizontal with a
speed of 20ms-1. [Ans: 40.77m ]
6. A projectile is fired horizontally from the top of the cliff 250m high. The projectile lands
1.414 × 103 m from the bottom of the cliff. Find the
(i) Initial speed of the projectile
(ii) Velocity of the projectile just before it hits the ground
[Ans: (i) 198ms-1 (ii) 210ms-1 at 19.50 ]

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