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Homework Physics Level M - M1

1. Addition of vectors in a plane.
Sample Question

Given two forces F1 = (7 N)i + (9 N)j and force F2 = (8 N)i + (12 N)j. Find the magnitude
and direction of the resultant R of F1 and F2.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 1, Exercise 8, Page 18
Solution:
R F1 F 2
R 7 Ni 9 N j 8 N i 12 N j
R 15 N i 21 N j
R 152 212 666 25.8 N
tan

21
54.50
15

2. Given a and b in different forms, find AB.

Sample Question

Given a = 12 km E 60 S and b = 20 km on a bearing of 300 . Find a + b in terms of i and

j. ( i and j are unit vectors that point due East and North respectively ).
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 1, Exercise 12, Page 18
Solution:
a 12 cos 600 i 12sin 600 j

12
12 3
i
j 6i 6 3 j
2
2
b 20 cos1500 i 20sin1500 j

20

3
20
i
j 10 3i 10 j
2
2

a b 6i 6 3 j 10 3i 10 j

6 10 3 i 10 6 3 j

3. Find 2-D vector given magnitude and bearing.

Sample Question

Find the vector V of magnitude 8 and having the same direction as vector V1 which has
magnitude of 4 on bearing of 120 degrees.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 1, Exercise 11, Page 18
Solution:
u

v1

v1

v1 4 cos(30)i 4sin( 30) j

3
i 2j
2
2 3i 2 j
u
4
3
1

i j
2
2
4

but v v .u v
4 3i 4 j

8 3
8
i j
2
2

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4. How to find the parametric vector equation of a straight line that passes through a point and parallel
to a vector.
Sample Question

Find the parametric vector equation r of a straight line that passes through A of position
vector 5i 6j and parallel to the vector V = 4 on a bearing of 210 .
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 1, Exercise 13, Page 18
Solution:
v 4 cos 2400 i 4sin 2400 j
2i 2 3 j

r 5i 6 j t 2i 2 3 j

r 2t 5 i 2 3t 6 j

5. To know why average speed is not the same as average velocity.

Sample Question

A particle P moves along a directed straight line. At t1 = 3.0 s the particle is at a point of
position x1 = 8.0 m, at time t2 = 8.0 s the particles is at position
x2 = -2.0 m and at time t3 = 12 s the particle is at a position x3 = 2.0 m.
a) Find the average speed of P.
b) Find the average velocity of P.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2, Exercise 7 (a&b), Page 25
Solution:

A to B:
displacement x1 x2 x1 2 8 10 m
distance d1 = 10 m
B to C:
displacement x2 x3 x2 2 (2) 4 m
distance d2 = 4 cm
Net displacement: x1 x2 10 4 6 m

(a)
(b)

t3 12s
Total time 9s t1 3s
t 12 3 9s
Total distance covered = 10 + 4 = 14 m
total distance covered 14
average speed =
1.55m/s
total time taken
9
net displacement 6
average velocity =

0.66 m/s
total time taken
9

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6. To find vav from xt graph.
Sample Question

Explain how you can get the value of the average velocity or the instantaneous velocity from
the x-t graph.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2, Exercise 11, Page 34
Solution:
In an interval of time where the x-t graph is a straight line, the instantaneous
velocity is equal to average velocity. It is obtained from the slope of x-t graph,
which is a constant in that interval
x2 x1 x

v
t

t
Slope = 2 1
When t 0, x 0, that part of the graph will be a straight line and
slope gives instantaneous or average velocity.
7. The meaning of the slope of the xt graph
Sample Question

Velocity represents:
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2.6, Page 35
Solution:
It represents the x-t graph of equation
x x0 m t t0 ,

where m is the slope

8. To find deceleration from vt curve.
Sample Question

A car is moving with a speed of 24 m/s when the driver sees a red light ahead. He applies the
brakes and stops in a distance of 36m.
Sketch a speed-time graph.
Find the time taken to come to rest.
Find the retardation of the car.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2.7, Exercise 38 (a-c), Page 68
Solution:
V0 24 m/s

x 36 m
V 0

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From the graph,

Area under the graph = displacement
1
b 24 36
2
b 12 36
36
b
3s
12
a?
We have
V V0 at
0=24+a 3
3a 24
24
a
8 m/s 2
3
9. The meaning of the slope of the vt graph.
Sample Question

Acceleration represents:
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2.12, Exercise (18b), Page 49
Solution:
It represents the v-t graph
10. To use area under vt curve = distance covered to find speed.
Sample Question

A car is moving with a speed of 24 m/s when the driver sees a red light ahead. He applies the
brakes and stops in a distance of 36m.
Sketch a speed-time graph.
Find the time taken to come to rest.
Find the retardation of the car.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2.7, Exercise 38 (a-c), Page 68
Solution:
V0 12 m/s

x 48 m
V 0

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From the graph,

Area under the graph = displacement
1
b 12 48
2
b 6 48
48
b
8s
6
a?
We have
V V0 at
0=12+a 8
8a 12
12
a
1.5 m/s 2
8
11. To recognize the vt graph of a motion.
Sample Question

A car moving along a straight line track accelerates uniformly from a velocity of 25.0 m/s to
a velocity of 45.0 m/s over a period of 30.0 s. It then maintains this velocity for 50.0 s and
finally decelerates at a constant rate, coming to rest in a further 22.5 seconds.
Draw the v-t graph.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2, Exercise 21(a), Page 51
Solution:

12. Know how to use the equation v2 = v02 + 2ax.

Sample Question

A particle starts from a point A with velocity 3 m/s and moves with a constant acceleration of
0.5 m/s2 along a straight line AB. It reaches B with a velocity of 5 m/s. Find the displacement
AB and the time taken from A to B.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2, Exercise 22, Page 54
Solution:

V0 = 3 m/s

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a = 0.5 m/s2
V = 5 m/s
A
x=?
t=?
To find the distance between A & B,
V 2 V02 2ax

52 32 2 0.5 x
25 9 x
x 25 9 16 m
To find the time taken to travel from A to B,
V V0 at
5 3 0.5 t
2 0.5 t
2
t
4s
0.5
13. Know how to use the equation x = 1/2 (v0 + v)t.
Sample Question

A car is accelerating uniformly while traveling along a straight road. Its speed increases from
6 m/s to 20 m/s in 8 s. Modeling the car as a particle, find the distance traveled during this
time and the acceleration of the car.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2, Exercise 23, Page 54
Solution:
V0 = 6 m/s
V = 20 m/s
t=8s
x=?
a = ??
To find a:
V V0 at

20 6 a 8
14 8a
14
a 1.75 m/s 2
8
To find x:
1
x V0t at 2
2
1
6 8 1.75 82
2
1
48 1.75 64
2
x 48 56 104 m

A
7.2 m
C

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14. Object starts free fall with v0, find height.

Sample Question

A parachutist is descending vertically at a steady speed of 4 m/s when his watchstrap breaks
and the watch falls. If the watch hits the ground 4 seconds later, at what height was the
parachutist when he dropped it? Find the speed with which the watch hits the ground.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2, Exercise 31, Page 59
Solution:
At the moment of fall, the watch has the same velocity as the parachutist.
V0 = 4 m/s
t=4s
a = g = 9.8 m/s2
x=?
V=?
1
x V0t at 2
2
1
4 4 9.8 16
2
16 4.9 16
16 78.4 94.4 m
V V0 at

4 9.8 4
4 39.2 43.2 m/s
15. Find average speed in a 5stage motion.
Sample Question

On a long straight road a car accelerates uniformly from rest, reaching a speed of 45 m/s in
20 s. It has to maintain that speed for 90 s behind a truck. The car then accelerates uniformly
to 75 m/s in a further 20 s. After maintaining that speed for 4 minutes, the car is brought to a
halt by a uniform deceleration of 4 m/s2.
Calculate the average speed of the car in the first 130 s.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2, Exercise 44(c), Page 69
Solution:

s 43.85 m/s
16. 1-D relative velocities.
Sample Question

Mira cycles to the East at 20 km/hr with respect to the ground and Zeina cycles to the East at
25 km/hr. Find the velocity of Zeina with respect to Mira.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2, Exercise 32(a), Page 64
Solution:
Velocity of Mira with respect to (w.r.t.) the ground.
VMg 20 km/h

VZg 25 km/h
VZM ?
We have

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VAB VBC VAC

VZM VMg VZg
VZM 20 25
VZM 25 20 5 km/h
17. 2-D relative velocities.
Sample Question

On a windless day, a plane covers a distance of 350 km from town A to town B in 2.5 hr. On
another day the same trip takes 2.8 hr. Find the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the
wind with respect to the ground.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 2, Exercise 33, Page 64
Solution:
Windless day
Distance = 350 km
Time = 2.5 h
Velocity of plane with r. to ground
350
Vpg
140 km/h
2.5
On a windy day,
Distance = 350 km
Time = 2.8 hr
Velocity of plane with respect to wind.
350
VpW
125km/h
2.8
Velocity decreases because wind blows in opposite direction: Wwg is negative
V pw Vwg V pg

V pw Vwg V pg
125 Vwg 140
Vwg 140 125 15 m/s
Vwg 15 m/s
18. To know the relation between v and T in UCM.
Sample Question

What is the relationship between the instantaneous speed and the period of motion for a body
executing uniform circular motion of radius r?
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 3, Exercise 9(b), Page 85
Solution:
2 r
v
T
Instantaneous speed =
19. Average velocity in UCM.
Sample Question

A body M moves in a circle of radius 6.0 m at a constant rate of exactly one turn every 12 s.
At t = 0.0 s, M is at point A on the positive y-axis and moving in the clockwise direction.
Find the average velocity in the interval t = 0.0 s to t = 3.0 s.

Page 9 of 30
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 3, Exercise 10(b), Page 85
Solution:
at t = 0
r1 0i 6 j
at t = 3 s
r2 6i 0 j

r (6 0)i (0 6) j
6i 6 j (m)
v

r 6i 6 j (m)

2i 2 j m/s
t
3 (s)

20. Average acceleration in UCM.

Sample Question

A body M moves in a circle of radius 6.0 m at a constant rate of exactly one turn every 12 s.
At t = 0.0 s, M is at point A on the positive y-axis and moving in the clockwise direction.
Find the average acceleration in the interval t = 0.0 s to t = 3.0 s
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 3, Exercise 10(b), Page 85
Solution:

v
t
v (0 )i ( 0) j

aav

i j
aav

i j
m/s 2
3

21. Application on vAB, given vA and vB.

Sample Question

The velocitites of two particles A and B are (ai 7j) m/s and (5i + bj) m/s respectively. The
velocity of A relative to B is (2i 3j) m/s. Find the values of a and b.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 3, Exercise 19, Page 91
Solution:
v A ai 7 j vB 5i bj

v AB v A vB 2i 3 j
x A xB 2
a 5 2
a7
y A y B 3
7 b 3
b 4

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22. Find time of closest approach.

Sample Question

At 12:00 p.m. the position vector of ship A with respect to an origin O is (3i) km and that of
B with respect to the origin O is (2i j) km. A moves with a constant velocity (5i 5j) km/h
and B with constant velocity (8i 6j) km/h.
Find the velocity of B relative to A.
Find the position vector B relative to A at time t.
At what time are the ships closest together?
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 3, Exercise 21, Page 96
Solution:
vBA vB vA (8 5)i (6 5) j 3i j km/h
ra rA va t 3i (5i 5 j )t 3i 5ti 5tj
rb rB vbt 2i j (8i 6 j )t 2i j 8ti 6tj
rba rb ra i 3ti j tj
(3t 1)i (1 t ) j km

At closest approach rab and vab are perpendicular, hence their scalar product
vanishes:
3 (3t 1) 1(1 t ) 0
9t 3 1 t 0
10t 2
2 1
60 min
t h
12 min
10 5
5

Ships are closest at 12:12 pm.

23. Statement of Newtons 1st law.
Sample Question

State the Newtons First Law of Motion.

Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 4, Exercise 3(a), Page 124
Solution:
A body will continue in its state of rest or motion unless an unbalanced force
acts on it.
24. Statement of Newtons 2nd law.
Sample Question

State Newtons Second Law of Motion.

Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 4, Exercise 3(b), Page 124
Solution:
The net unbalanced force on an object is equal to its inertial mass multiplied
by the acceleration.
25. Definition of the unit of force
Sample Question

Define the unit of force.

Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 4, Exercise 3 (c), Page 124
Solution:
The constant force which when applied on a mass of 1 kg accelerates it by 1
m/s2.

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26. Statement of Newtons 3rd law

Sample Question

State Newtons Third Law and give some properties of action and reaction.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 4, Exercise 4, Page 124
Solution:
Whenever an object M exerts a force F1 on another object N, N exerts on M a
force F2 equal to F1 in magnitude but opposite in direction.
27. IPM find maximum H.
Sample Question

A shell is shot with a muzzle velocity of 120 m/s at an angle of 40 above the horizontal.
Find the maximum height above point of projection.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 4, Exercise 22(a), Page 139
Solution:

28. IPM find t to reach initial level.

Sample Question

A shell is shot with a muzzle velocity of 120 m/s at an angle of 40 above the horizontal.
Find the time taken by the shell to reach its initial level.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 4, Exercise 22(b), Page 139
Solution:

29. IPM find t to reach maximum H.

Sample Question

A ball is thrown with an initial velocity of 15 m/s at an angle of 50 above the horizontal.
Find the time taken to reach its maximum height.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 4, Exercise 23(a), Page 139
Solution:
V0 = 15 m/s
= 50
t = ?? to reach ymax
at max. height Vy = 0
but Vy gt V0 sin 0
t

V0 sin 15 sin 500

1.15 s
g
10

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30. IPM find distance from O at given t.
Sample Question

A ball is thrown with a initial velocity of 15 m/s at an angle of 50 above the horizontal.
Find the distance of the ball from its point of projection 2 s after being thrown.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 4, Exercise 23(b), Page 139
Solution:
d = ?? at t = 2 s
1
y gt 2 V0 sin t
2
y 5(4) 15 sin 500 (2)
20 23 3m

x V0 cos t 15 cos 500 2 19.3m

d x 2 y 2 32 19.32 19.53m
31. IPM find t at ground.
Sample Question

A ball is thrown from top of the building, 35 m high, with an initial velocity of 20 m/s
making an angle of 30 above the horizontal.
Find the time taken by the ball to reach the ground.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 4, Exercise 24(a), Page 139
Solution:
h = 35 m
V0 = 20 m/s
= 30
t = ??
1
y gt 2 V0 sin t
2
1
35 5t 2 20 t
2
2
5t 10t 35 0

t 2 2t 7 0
(2) 2 4(1)(7) 32
2 32
3.83s
2
2 32
t2
rejected
2

t1

32. IPM find v at ground.

Sample Question

A ball is thrown from top of the building, 35 m high, with an initial velocity of 20 m/s
making an angle of 30 above the horizontal.
Find the speed with which the ball hits the ground.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 4, Exercise 24(b), Page 139

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Solution:
V = ??
Vy gt V0 sin

1
28.3 m/s
2
3
Vx V0 cos 20
10 3 17.3m/s
2
10(3.83) 20

V Vx2 Vy2 (28.3) 2 (17.3) 2 33.17 m/s

33. Know how to apply translational equilibrium conditions net Fy = 0 to find n.
Sample Question

A small block of weight 20 N rests on a smooth plane inclined at 30 to the horizontal and is
held in equilibrium by a light string inclined at 30 to the plane.
Find the tension of the string.
Find the normal push of the surface on the particle.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 5, Exercise 6(a-b), Page 153
Solution:

34. Know how to find force to move object up smooth incline with constant v.
Sample Question

A trunk of weight 80 N rests in equilibrium on the loading ramp of a movers truck. The
ramp is smooth and has a slope of 25 . How large a force P is necessary to move the trunk
with constant velocity up the ramp?
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 5, Exercise 7, Page 153

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Solution:

35. Body in equilibrium by 2 ? strings, find tensions.

Sample Question

A small box is suspended in equilibrium from a horizontal rod by two light inextensible
strings making an angle of 90 between them. If the lengths of the strings are 30 cm and 40
cm, find the tension in each string knowing that the mass of the box is 0.4 kg.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 5.4, Exercise 13, Page 158
Solution:
Tension along 30 cm string: 3.2 N
Tension along 40 cm string: 2.4 N
36. Block on rough incline in limiting equilibrium, find F.
Sample Question

A small block of weight 20 N lies on a rough plane inclined at 30 to the horizontal. A

horizontal force F, applied to the block, is on the verge of moving the block up the plane. If
the coefficient of friction between the block and the plane is 0.65, find the magnitude of the
normal force between the block and the plane and the magnitude of the force F.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 5, Exercise 22, Page 167
Solution:

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(1) F cos f sin 0

(2) N F sin cos 0
N F sin cos
F cos F sin cos sin 0
F cos F sin cos sin 0
F sin sin cos sin
F

cos sin
cos sin

3
1
20
2
2 21.05 38.9 N

0.541
3
1
0.65
2
2
1 20 3
N 38.9
36.45 N
2
2
0.65 20

37. Find moment of 2-D force about origin.

Sample Question

The force (7i + 3j) N acts at the point P of a lamina where P has position vector (2i 5j) m
relative to a fixed origin.
Calculate the moment of the force about the origin.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 6, Exercise 5(a), Page 178
Solution:
41 N.m.
38. Find moment of 2-D force about given point.
Sample Question

The force (7i + 3j) N acts at the point P of a lamina where P has position vector (2i 5j) m
relative to a fixed origin.
Calculate the moment of the force about the point with position vector
(- 4i + 3j ) m.
Reference: Mechanics 1, Chapter 6, Exercise 5(b), Page 178
Solution:
74 N.m.
39. Find position of center of mass of lamina formed by rectangle and triangle.
Sample Question

A uniform lamina is formed by joining a rectangular lamina ABCD of dimensions 8 cm and

10 cm and an isosceles triangular lamina CDE of base CD = 8 cm and height 12 cm.
Calculate the distance of the center of mass of the lamina from AD and AB.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 6, Exercise 14, Page 188

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Solution:

From AD:

xG 4 cm
From AB yG ??
m y m2 y2
yG 1 1
m1 m2
where m1 = 80 (rectangle); m2 = 48 (triangle)
y1 = 5 cm (rectangle)
1
y2 yC yP yE
3
1
42
(10 22 10)
14 cm
3
3
80 5 48 14
yG
80 48
yG 8.37 cm.
40. Find position of center of mass of circular lamina from which a disc is cut off.
Sample Question

A uniform circular disc, with center O and diameter AB, has a radius R = 6 cm. A circular
disc of radius r = 3 cm, whose center is at the midpoint of OB, is cut away from the larger
disc. Find the distance of the center of mass of the remaining lamina from A.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 6, Exercise 18, Page 189
Solution:

R = 6 cm
r = 3 cm

Page 17 of 30

m1 A1 R 2 36
m2 A2 r 2 9
xG

m1 x1 m2 x2 36 (0) 9 3 27

1cm
m1 m2
36 9
27

yG

m1 y1 m2 y2 0 9 0

0
m1 m2
m1 m2

41. Ladder in equilibrium, find angle with wall.

Sample Question

A uniform ladder of length 4 m and weight W rests in equilibrium with its foot A on a rough
horizontal ground and resting against a smooth vertical wall at the top B. The coefficient of
friction between the ladder and the ground is 1/3. Find the angle between the ladder and
the wall when the ladder is on the point of slipping.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 6, Exercise 31, Page 199
Solution:

l=4m
1
= 3
= ??
A 0

2w sin 4 N B sin 90 0

Fx 0 f A N B N B N A
1
NB w
3

4
2 w sin w cos 0
3
4
2sin cos 0
3
4
2sin cos
3
sin 4 2
33.7 0
cos 6 3

Page 18 of 30
42. Beam hinged at one end, mass at other end, find tension in rope
Sample Question

A uniform beam, of length 8 m and weight 10 kg is hinged to a fixed point at one end A and
bears a load of 20 kg at the other end. The beam is held in a horizontal position by a rope of
length 5 m joining the midpoint G of the beam to a point C vertically above A.

Find the tension in the rope.

Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 6, Exercise 33(a), Page 200
Solution:

l=8m
m = 10 kg
mB = 20 kg
GC = 5 m
T = ??
A 0 T sin 4 4 B 8 0
3
T 4 100 4 200 8 0
5
12
T 2000
5
2000 5
T
833.3 N
12

43. Beam hinged at one end, mass at other end, find horizontal component of force by hinge
Sample Question

A uniform beam, of length 8 m and weight 10 kg is hinged to a fixed point at one end A and
bears a load of 20 kg at the other end. The beam is held in a horizontal position by a rope of
length 5 m joining the midpoint G of the beam to a point C vertically above A.

Page 19 of 30
Find the magnitude of the force exerted by the hinge.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 6, Exercise 33(b), Page 200
Solution:

RA = ??
Fx 0 RAx T cos 0

4
RAx 833.3 666.6 N
5
Fy 0
RAy T sin B 0
3
RAy 833.3 100 200 0
5
500 RAy 300
RAy 200 N
RA (200) 2 (666.6) 2 696 N
44. Block accelerating on rough horizontal surface, find pushing force.
Sample Question

A block of mass 5 kg is pushed along a rough horizontal surface. The coefficient of friction
between the block and the surface is 0.25. Find the pushing force needed to produce an
acceleration of 4.0 m/s2.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 7, Exercise 1(a), Page 211
Solution:
Fx ma F f
f n;
n mg f mg

ma F mg F m a g 5 4 0.25 9.8 32.25 N

45. 2 connected accelerating particles, find tension and pulling force.

Sample Question

Two masses m and 3m are connected by an inextensible string S and being pulled by a force
F along a rough horizontal surface. The coefficient of friction between the surface and the
masses is 0.4. If the acceleration of the system is 2.5 m/s2,
Find the tension in the string.
Find the magnitude of the force F.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 7, Exercise 7(a-b), Page 214

Page 20 of 30
Solution:

m2 a T f 2

f 2 n2

n2 m2 g f 2 m2 g

m2 a T m2 g T m2 a g m 2.5 0.4 9.8 6.42m N

m1a F f1 T

f1 m1 g m1a F m1 g T

F m1 a g T 3m 2.5 0.4 9.8 6.42m 25.68m N

46. 2 particles connected by 2 strings accelerating upwards, find acceleration and tension.
Sample Question

A particle A of mass 1.5 kg is suspended by a vertical string S1. A particle B of mass 2.0 kg is
suspended from A by means of another string S2. A force of 40 N is applied to the upper
string and the particles move upwards. Find the tension in S2 and the acceleration of the
system.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 7, Exercise 9, Page 216
Solution:

Fy m1 m2 a F m1 m2 g a
a

F m1 m2 g
m1 m2

40 1.5 2 9.8
1.62857 1.63 m/s 2
1.5 2

m1a F T m1 g T F m1 a g 40 1.5 1.62857 9.8

T

22.9 N

Page 21 of 30

47. Person standing on scale in accelerating lift, find reading of scale.

Sample Question

A man of mass 95 kg stands on a light bathroom scale S inside a lift. The mass of the lift is
100 kg and the lift accelerates downwards.
What is the reading of the scale if the acceleration of the lift is 1.5 m/s2?
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 7, Exercise 10(a), Page 216
Solution:

Fy ma mg n n m g a 95 9.8 1.5 788.5 N

48. 2 particles, string and pulley, find tension and distance moved in given t.
Sample Question

Particles of masses 5 kg and 2 kg are attached to the ends of a light inextensible string which
passes over a smooth fixed pulley. The system is released from rest.
Find the tension in the string.
Find the distance moved by the 5 kg mass in the first 3 seconds assuming that neither
particles reaches the pulley.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 7, Exercise 16(b-c), Page 218
Solution:

Fy m1a m1 g T
Fy m2 a T m2 g
a

m1 m2 g 5 2 9.8 4.2 m/s 2

m1 m2

5 2

T m1 g a 5 9.8 4.2 28 N
x

1 2 1
at 4.2 32 18.9 m
2
2

Page 22 of 30

49. 2 particles, string, pulley and smooth table, find tension.

Sample Question

The diagram shows a box B, of mass 0.4 kg, resting on the smooth horizontal surface of a
table. An inextensible light string connects B to another particle A of mass 0.1 kg. The string
passes over a small smooth pulley fixed at the edge of the table. The system is released from
rest with the string taut and the hanging part vertical.
Calculate the tension in the string.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 7, Exercise 18(b), Page 219
Solution:

A : Fy m1a m1 g T
B : Fx m2 a T
a

m1
0.1 9.8 9.8
g

1.96 m/s 2
m1 m2
0.1 0.4 5

T m2 a 0.4 1.96 0.784 N

50. Particle sliding on rough incline, find the coefficient of friction
Sample Question

A parcel P of mass 5 kg is released from rest on a rough ramp of inclination = arcsin 3/5
and slides down the ramp. After 3 s, P has a speed of 4.9 m/s. Treating the parcel as a
particle, find the coefficient of friction between the parcel and the ramp.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 7, Exercise 20, Page 222
Solution:
Fx ma mg sin f
Fy 0 n mg cos
f n f mg cos m a m g sin m g cos
v
g sin
v
v
t
v at a g sin g cos
t
t
g cos
4.9
9.8 0.6
3 0.5416 13

9.8 0.8
24

Page 23 of 30

51. Particle on incline pulled with force, find acceleration.

Sample Question

A particle of mass 2 kg rests in limiting equilibrium on a plane inclined at 25 to the

horizontal. The angle of inclination is decreased to 20 and a force of magnitude 20 N is
applied up the line of greatest slope. Find the acceleration of the particle.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 7, Exercise 21, Page 222
Solution:

Fx 0 f mg sin

Fy 0 n mg cos

f max mg sin

tan
n
mg cos
F mg sin cos
ma F mg sin mg cos a
m
F mg sin tan cos 20 2 9.8 sin 20 tan 25 cos 20
a

m
2
2
a 2.35 m/s
fs f max n

Page 24 of 30
y
n

x
F

mg sin
mg cos

mg

52. Car going round frictionless curve, find banking angle.

Sample Question

A car of mass 1.2 tons goes at a speed of 72 km/h round a banked curve of radius 200 m. If
the surface is frictionless find the least angle between the curve and the horizontal so that the
car rounds the curve without skidding.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 7, Exercise 30, Page 231
Solution:
72 km/h 20 m/s
tan

v2
202
1

11.5
rg 200 9.8 4.9

53. To know the mathematical statement of the theorem of kinetic energy.

Sample Question

State the Theorem of Kinetic Energy.

Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 8, Exercise 1(a), Page 241
Solution:
The total work done on a rigid body during a certain time interval is equal to
the change in its kinetic energy during that time interval.
54. Application on theorem of K.E., find distance.
Sample Question

A package of mass 8 kg is pushed in a straight line across a smooth horizontal floor by a

constant horizontal force of magnitude 16 N. The package has speed 3 m/s when it passes
through point A and speed 5 m/s when it reaches point B; find the distance AB.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 8, Exercise 1(b), Page 241
Solution:
m v2 u 2
1 2 1
2
Theorem of kinetic energy: mv mu F AB AB
2
2
2F
2
2
8 5 3
AB
4m
2 16

Page 25 of 30
55. Car ascends incline at maximum speed, find resistance to motion.
Sample Question

A car of mass 1500 kg moves up a hill inclined at an angle 30 to the horizontal. When the
engine is working at 250 kW, the maximum speed is 20 m/s. Find the resistance to motion.
Reference: Mechanics 1, Chapter 8, Exercise 15, Page 254
Solution:
Fx 0 F R mg sin 0 R F mg sin
P Fv F

P
P
250 103
R mg sin
1500 10 sin 30
v
v
20

R 5000N
56. To know the difference between conservative and nonconservative forces; give e.g.
Sample Question

What is the difference between conservative and non-conservative forces? Give examples on
each of these forces.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 8, Exercise 23, Page 259
Solution:
Conservative forces always have the same magnitude and direction at the same
position; we say they are functions of position only.
A conservative force results in the full amount of energy being conserved.
Examples of conservative forces: gravity, electromagnetic interactions, elastic forces.
Non-conservative forces (or dissipative forces) are often functions of the velocity of a
particle.
Non-conservative forces do not conserve energy.
Examples of non-conservative forces: friction, viscous drag in fluids.
57. To find elastic energy stored in stretched spring.
Sample Question

A 5.0 m long spring of negligible mass is stretched to 6.0 m by a force F acting on one of the
extremities of the string, the second extremity being fixed. The spring has a spring constant
of 350 N/m.
What is the elastic potential energy stored in the spring?
Reference: Mechanics 1, Chapter 8, Exercise 24(a), Page 260
Solution:
1
1
2
x 6 5 1 m
U e kx 2 350 1 175 J
2
2
58. Find the increase in GPE of body raised through given height.
Sample Question

A body of mass 4 kg is raised vertically up through a distance of 2 m. Find the increase in

potential energy.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 8, Exercise 22(a), Page 257
Solution:
U mgh 4 9.8 2 78.4 J

Page 26 of 30

59. 2 particles connected by string, one on table, the other hanging, find speed at given distance.
Sample Question

Two identical masses of mass m are connected by a light inelastic string of length 2 m. One
particle, A, rests in smooth contact with a horizontal table and the other particle hangs freely
over the edge of the table. the string is perpendicular to that edge. If A is released from rest
when it is at a distance 1m from the table edge, use the conservation of mechanical energy to
find the speed of A when it reaches the edge.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 8, Exercise 29, Page 270
Solution:

Conservation of Mechanical Energy: U1 K1 U 2 K 2

mgh

1
1
m m v 2 m gh 2 m v 2 v 2 gh
2
2

v gh 9.8 1 3.13 m/s

60. 2 particles connected by string, one on surface, the other hanging, find speed at given distance.
Sample Question

A small block A of mass 2 m, is lying in smooth contact with a table top. A light inextensible
string of length 1 m attached at one end to A, passes over a smooth pulley at the edge of the
table, and carries a block of mass m hanging freely at the other end. Initially, A is held at rest,
0.8 m from the edge of the table. If the system is released, find the speed of A when it reaches
the edge.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 8, Exercise 30, Page 270

Page 27 of 30
Solution:
A

0.8 m

2m

m B

0.8 m

Conservation of Mechanical Energy: U1 K1 U 2 K 2

1
1
2 gh
2m m v 2 m gh 3 m v 2 v 2
2
2
3
2 gh
2 9.8 0.8
v

2.29 m/s
3
3

mgh

61. Child on swing, find maximum height of seat above ground.

Sample Question

The seat of a swing is 0.4 m above the ground when it is stationary. A girl is swinging so that
she passes through the lowest point with speed 5.4 m/s. Find the height of the seat above the
ground when she first comes to rest.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 8, Exercise 31, Page 270
Solution:

(2)

(1)
h1

u
h2

h1 = 0.4 m, u = 5.4
m/s,
h2?

Conservation of Mechanical Energy: U1 K1 U 2 K 2

m gh1

1
u2
5.42
m u 2 m gh2 h2 h1
0.4
1.89 m
2
2g
2 9.8

Page 28 of 30

62. To define impulse.

Sample Question

Define the impulse and momentum.

Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 9, Exercise 1(a), Page 281
Solution:
The impulse exerted by a constant force F for a time t is defined to be the
product Ft .
The momentum of a particle of mass m moving with velocity v is defined to
be the product of m and v.
63. To know the impulsemomentum principle.
Sample Question

State the Impulse-Momentum Principle.

Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 9, Exercise 1(b), Page 281
Solution:
The impulse exerted by a constant force acting on a particle is equal to the
change in momentum of the particle.
64. Use impulsemomentum principle to find final speed.
Sample Question

A particle of mass 6 kg is at rest on a smooth horizontal surface. A horizontal force of

magnitude 12 N acts on the particle for 10 s. Find the final speed of the particle.
Reference:
Mechanics, Chapter 9, Exercise 1(c), Page 281
Solution:
F t 12 10
F t m v u v

20 m/s
m
6

65. Find change in momentum of particle.

Sample Question

A particle of mass 0.2 kg is moving with speed 5 m/s. Its speed changes to 8 m/s and its
direction of motion is reversed. Find the change of momentum of the particle.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 9, Exercise 2(a), Page 281
Solution:
p m v u 0.2 8 5 2.6 kgm/s
66. Conservation of momentum, head on collision
Sample Question

A particle A mass 3.0 kg, traveling at 5.0 m/s collides head on with a particle B of mass 2.0
kg traveling at 4.0 m/s. If, after impact, B moves in the opposite direction at 2.0 m/s, find
then the velocity of A.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 9, Exercise 25, Page 293
Solution:
Conservation of momentum: m1u1 m2u2 m1v1 m2v2

3 5 2 4 3v1 2 2 v1 1 m/s

Page 29 of 30

67. Conservation of momentum, explosion.

Sample Question

A shell is traveling horizontally at 400 m/s when it explodes into 2 pieces whose masses are
in the ratio 2:3. The larger piece has a speed of 800 m/s in the original direction of motion.
Given that the smaller piece also moves horizontally after the explosion, find:
The velocity of the smaller piece.
The increase kinetic energy of the system as a multiple of the kinetic energy of the original
shell.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 9, Exercise 24, Page 293
Solution:
Let 2m be the mass of the smaller piece and 3m the mass of the larger piece.
The mass of the shell would then be 5m.

Conservation of momentum: 5 m u 2 m v1 3 m v2
2000 2400
200 m/s
2
v1 200 m/s, opposite to the original direction of motion of the shell
5 400 2v1 3 800 v1

1
1
K i 5m u 2 5m 4002 4 105 m J
2
2
1
1
K f 2m 2002 3m 8002 1106 m J
2
2
K K f K i 10 105 m 4 105 m 6 105 m J
K 6 105 m

1.5
K i 4 105 m
68. Conservation of momentum, two bodies move in the same direction with different speeds after
collision.
Sample Question

A ball P moving with a speed of 4 m/s hits a similar ball Q moving with a speed of 1 m/s in
the same direction as P. After the impact, both balls move in the same direction along the
same straight line, but the speed of Q is twice that of P. Find the speeds of the balls after
impact.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 9, Exercise 22, Page 293
Solution:

Conservation of momentum: m1 u1 m2 u2 m1 v1 m2 v2
4 1 v1 2v1 v1

5
10
m/s, v2
m/s
3
3

69. Conservation of momentum, two bodies coalesce after collision.

Sample Question

A small sphere A of mass 2.5 kg lies at rest on a smooth horizontal table. A second small
smooth sphere B of mass 1.5 kg is moving with speed 4 m/s and collides directly with A. The
two spheres combine after impact, find:
Their common speed after impact.
The loss of kinetic energy of the system due to the impact.
Reference:
Mechanics 1, Chapter 9, Exercise 21, Page 293

Page 30 of 30
Solution:

Conservation of momentum: m1 u1 m2u2 m1 m2 v

v

m2u2
1.5 4

1.5 m/s
m1 m2 2.5 1.5

1
1
1
Loss Ki K f m1u12 m2u2 2 m1 m2 v 2
2
2
2
1
1
Loss 1.5 42 2.5 1.5 1.52 7.5 J
2
2