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4. MOTION IN A PLANE
Important Points:
1. Scalar:
A physical quantity having only magnitude but no direction is called a scalar.
Ex: Time, mass, distance, speed etc.
2. Vector:
A physical quantity having both magnitude and direction and which obeys the laws of vector
addition is called a vector quantity.
Ex. Displacement, velocity etc.
3. Equal Vectors:
Vectors having same magnitude and which have same direction are called equal vectors.
4. Negative Vectors:
A vector which has the same magnitude as that of another and which is opposite in direction is
called a negative vector.
5. Null Vector or Zero Vectors:
A vector whose magnitude is zero and which has no specific direction is called a null vector.
Ex. The cross product of two parallel vectors is a null vector.
6. Unit Vector:
It is a vector whose magnitude is unity. If A is a vector, the unit vector in the direction of A is
A
written as A =
A

i, j and k are units vectors along x, y and z axis

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7.

Position Vector:
The position of a particle is described by a position vector which is drawn from the origin of a
reference frame. The position vector of a particle P in space is given by A = xi + yj + zk

Its magnitude is given by A = x 2 + y 2 + z 2

Unit vector of A is given by, A =

8.

A
A

xi + yj + zk
x2 + y 2 + z 2

Resolution of Vectors:
Definition:
The process of dividing a vector into its components is called resolution of vector.
a) Rectangular components of a vector

Horizontal component A = A cos

x

Vertical component A = A sin

y

Resultant A = Ax 2 + Ay 2

9.

If , , are the angles made by A with X, Y and Z axes respectively, then

cos =

Ax

| A|

; cos =

Ay

; cos =

| A|

Az

These are called direction cosines.

| A|

Also, cos 2 + cos 2 + cos 2 = 1

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10. Parallelogram Law of Vectors:
Statement:
If two vectors are represented both in magnitude and direction by the adjacent sides of a
parallelogram drawn from a point, the diagonal passing through that point represents their
resultant both in magnitude and direction.
Magnitude of Resultant:
R = A2 + B 2 + 2 AB cos

Where is the angle between the vectors.

Direction of resultant vectors R :
Tan =

B sin
A + B cos

Where is angle made by the R with A

11. Triangle Law of Vectors:

Statement:
If two vectors are represented in magnitude and direction by the two sides of a triangle taken
in order, then the third side of the triangle taken in reverse order represents their resultant in
magnitude and direction.
12. Relative Velocity of Rain Drops:
Formula: Vrel = Vr Vm
where
Vm = Velocity of man
Vr = Velocity of rain
-VP

VP

VR

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Vrel = Vr2 + Vm2 2VrVm cos

= anglebetween Vr and Vm
When rain drops fall vertically and person moves along horizontal,

Vrel = Vr2 + Vm2

tan =

And

Vm
Vr

Where = angle between Vrel & Vr

13. Motion of Boat in a River:
Resultant velocity of boat VR = VB + VW
a) Shortest Path: Sin =
Where V

Vw
Vb

= velocity of water and

V
b

= velocity of boat

Resultant velocity (VR ) = Vb2 Vw2

Time taken to cross the river t =

D
Vb2 Vw2

Where D width of the river

b) Shortest Time: Time taken to cross the river t =

D
Vb

Vw

Vb

BC = Drift = D

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14. Oblique Projection:

a. A body which has uniform velocity in the horizontal direction and uniform acceleration in
the vertical direction is called a projectile.
b. The path of a projectile is called trajectory and it is a parabola.
c. For a projectile, the horizontal component of velocity (ux = u cos ) is same
throughout its motion.
d. The vertical component (uy = u sin ) is subjected to acceleration due to gravity.
e. After a time t,
Horizontal displacement x
Vertical displacement

= (u cos )t

1
y = (u sin )t gt 2
2

f. The velocity of projectile is minimum (u cos ) at the highest point of its path. Here
vertical component of velocity is zero.
g. At any instant of time t the horizontal component of velocity is vx = u cos .
The vertical component of velocity is v y = u sin gt
The resultant velocity is v = v 2x + v 2y .
The direction of velocity with the horizontal Tan =

vy
vx

2
h. Equation for the trajectory of the body y = x tan 2
x
2
2u cos

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i. Time of ascent ( ta ) =

j. Time of descent

u sin
g

( td ) =

u sin
g

k. Time of flight T = ta + td =

l. Maximum height reached

2u sin
g

Hmax =

u 2 sin 2
2g

2u xu y u 2 sin ( 2 )
=
m. Horizontal range R =
g
g
n. Range is maximum if the angle of projection = 450
o. Range is same for two angles of projection ' ' and (90 ) .
p. If the range and maximum height of a projectile are equal, the angle of projection
= tan 1 (4) .

q. The relation between range and maximum height is

R
4
=
H tan

15. Horizontal Projection:

a. The path of a body projected horizontally from the top of a tower of height h is a
parabola.
g 2
x
2
2u

b. The equation of the trajectory is given by y =

c. The horizontal range R = u x t = u

2h
g

d. At any instant t the resultant velocity v =

vx2 + v 2y

e. The angle made by resultant velocity with horizontal tan =

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vy
vx

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f.

A body is dropped from the window of the moving train. The path of the body is
i) Vertical straight line for an observer in the train.
ii) Parabolic for an observer outside the train.

g. From the top of a tower a stone is dropped and simultaneously another stone is projected
horizontally with a uniform velocity. Both of them reach the ground simultaneously.
16. Uniform Circular Motion:
a) When a particle follows a circular path at constant speed, its motion is called uniform
circular motion.
b) The line joining the centre of the circle and the position of the particle at any instant of time
is called the radius vector.
c) The angle made by the radius vector in a given interval of time is called the angular
displacement.
d) Angular displacement is measured in radians or degrees 1 Radian = 57.50 .
e) The rate of change of angular displacement is called angular velocity ( ).
=

rads 1

f) Linear velocity (V ) = r .
g) Rate of change of angular velocity is called angular acceleration ( ). Unit is rad s - 2.
=

2 1
t

h) Linear acceleration a = r .
i) Angular displacement ( ) and angular acceleration (a) are pseudo vectors.
j) Equations of motion are
i) = 0 + t.

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1
2

ii) = 0t + t 2
iii) 2 02 = 2
k) The acceleration experienced by the body directed towards the centre is called normal or
radial or centripetal acceleration
a=

v2
and 4 2 n 2 r where n is the number of revolutions per second.
r

l) Centripetal force =

mv 2
= mr 2
r

m) A pseudo force which is away from the centre is called the centrifugal force.
mv 2
Centrifugal force =
= mr 2
r

Very Short Answer Questions

1.

The vertical component of a vector is equal to its horizontal component. What is

the angle made by the vector with X-axis?

A.

Let be the angle made by a vector A with x-axis.

X-component of A = Ax = A cos and

Y-component of A = Ay = A sin

But, Ax = Ay A cos = A sin tan = 1 = 450

2.

Two forces of magnitudes 3 units and 5 units act at 600 with each other. What is the
magnitude of their resultant?

A:

Magnitude of the resultant R = A 2 + B2 + 2AB cos

R = (3) 2 + (5)2 + 2 3 5 cos 60 = 7 Units

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3.

A = i + j . What is the angle between the vector and x-axis?

A.

If is the angle made by the vector A with x-axis

cos =

4.

Ax
A

1
= 450
2

When two right angled vectors of magnitude 7 units and 24 units combine, what is the
magnitude of their resultant?

A:

Here = 900
Magnitude of their resultant R =

(7) 2 + (24) 2 + 2 7 24 cos 90 = 25 Units

5.

What is the acceleration of projectile at the top if its trajectory?

A:

a = g and it is directed vertically downwards.

6.

Can two vectors of unequal magnitude add up to give the zero vector? Can three
unequal vectors add up to give the zero vector?

A:

i) No. Two vectors of unequal magnitude cannot add up to give zero vector.
ii) Yes. Three vectors of unequal magnitude can add up to give zero vector.

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Short Answer Questions

1.

State parallelogram law of vectors. Derive an expression for the magnitude and
direction of the resultant vector.

A.

Statement:
If two vectors are represented in magnitude and direction by the two adjacent sides of a
parallelogram drawn from a point, then their resultant is represented both in magnitude and
direction by the diagonal passing through the same point.
Explanation:
Let OP and OQ represent the two vectors A and B making an angle . The diagonal OS
represents the resultant R
Magnitude (R):
Extend the line OP and draw a perpendicular SN. From the

In the right angled triangle ONS,

OS2 = ON2 + NS2 = (OP + PN)2 + NS2
Or R2 = OP2 + PN2 +2OP.PN + NS2

------ (1)

From the triangle PNS,

PN = PS cos = B Cos and NS = PS sin = B sin ----------- ( 2)
PN2 + NS2 = B2 Cos2 + B2 sin2 = B2

------------ (3)

Using Eq. (2) and (3) in Eq (1)

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R2 = A2 + B2+2AB cos
R = A 2 + B2 + 2AB cos

Direction:
Let the resultant R makes an angle with A .
In the right angled triangle OSN, tan =
Or tan =

NS
NS
=
ON OP + PN

Bsin
A + B cos

Bsin
= tan 1

A + B cos

2.

Define unit vector, null vector and position vector.

A.

Unit Vector:
A vector whose magnitude is equal one is called a unit vector. A unit vector has no units and
dimensions.

A
The unit vector A is given by A=
A

Null Vector:
A vector whose magnitude is zero and which has no specific direction is called a null vector.
Position Vector:
The position of a particle is described by a position vector which is drawn from the origin of
a reference frame. This helps to locate the particle in space.
Let the co-ordinates of the particle at P are x, y and z. The position vector of P w.r.t. origin

O given by OP = r = xi+yj+zk

Its magnitude, OP = r = x 2 + y 2 + z 2

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3.

If a+b = a b , prove that the angle between a and b is 900.

A:

Let be the angle between a and b

a+b = ab

a 2 + b 2 + 2ab cos = a 2 + b 2 2ab cos

a 2 + b 2 + 2ab cos = a 2 + b 2 2ab cos

Or 4ab cos = 0
=900.

4.

Show that the trajectory of an object thrown at certain angle with the horizontal is a
parabola.

A.

Let a body be projected with an initial velocity v0 at an angle 0 with the horizontal, from
the point O. The path of the body is called trajectory.
Initial horizontal component of velocity vx = v0 cos 0
Initial vertical component of velocity vy = v0 sin 0
The horizontal component is constant throughout the motion of the body. The vertical
component changes both in magnitude and direction due to gravity.
Let the projectile is at the point P (x, y) after a time intervalt.
Along X-direction, using
1
s = ut + at 2
2

x = (v0 cos 0 ) t
Or t =

x
---------------(1)
v0 cos 0
1
2

Along Y-direction, using s = ut + at 2

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y = (v0 sin 0 )t

1 2
gt --------------(2)
2

From equations (1) and (2) ,

x
1
x
y = (v0 sin 0 )
g

v0 cos 0 2 v0 cos 0

2
g
y = (tan 0 ) x 2
x
2
2v0 cos 0

Let tan 0 = A and

g
=B
2v0 cos 2 0
2

.: y = Ax Bx 2 Where A and B are constants

Hence the path of a projectile is a parabola.
5.

Show that the maximum height and range of a projectile are

u 2 sin 2
u 2 sin 2
and
2g
g

respectively where the terms have their regular meanings.

A:

Maximum Height (H):

The maximum vertical displacement of a projectile is called maximum height.
Initial velocity (uy) = u sin
Final velocity (vy) = 0
Acceleration
Displacement

(a) = -g
= H max = H

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Using, v 2 u 2 = 2as
0 u 2 sin 2 = 2( g ) H

Or u 2 sin 2 = 2 gH
u 2 sin 2
H =
2g

Horizontal Range (R):

The maximum horizontal displacement of a projectile is called range (R).
Initial velocity ( u x ) = u cos
Acceleration (ax) = 0
Time of flight (t) = T =

2u sin
g

Displacement s = R
1
2

Using, s = ut + at 2

R = (u cos )T =

.: R =
6.

( 2sin cos )
(u cos )(2u sin )
= u2
g
g

u 2 sin 2
g

Show that the maximum height reached by a projectile launched at an angle of 45 is

one quarter of its range.

A.

Maximum height H =

u 2 sin 2
2g

u 2 sin 2
Horizontal range R =
g

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H u 2 sin 2
g
tan
Now, =
2
=
R
2g
4
u sin 2
R
4

If , = 45 0 , H =

Hence maximum height reached is one quarter of its range.

Problems
1.

If is the angle of projection, R is the range, h is the maximum height, T is the time of
flight then show that (a) tan = 4h / R and (b) h = gT2/8

A:

u 2 sin 2
and
2g

(a) h =

.:

h tan
=
R
4

(b) h =

u 2 sin 2
2g

u 2 sin 2 u 2 2sin cos

=
g
g

R=

or tan =

and T =

4h
R

2u sin
4u 2 sin 2
T2 =
g
g2

h g
gT 2
2=
or h =
T
8
8

2.

A projectile is fired at an angle of 600 to the horizontal with an initial velocity of 800
m/s;
(i) Find the time of flight of the projectile before it hits the ground
(ii) Find the distance it travels before it hits the ground (Range)
(iii) Find the time of flight for the projectile to reach its maximum height.

A:

= 600 , u = 800 m / s , g = 9.8 m/s2

(i) T =

2u sin
=
g

2x800x
9.8

3
2 = 141.4 sec

u 2 sin 2 (800) 2 x sin120

=
= 56.555 km
(ii) R =
g
9.8

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(iii) t =
3.

T u sin
=
= 70.7 sec
2
g

For a particle projected slantwise from the ground, the magnitude of its position vector
with respect to the point of projection, when it is at the highest point of the path is
2 times the maximum height reached by it. Show that the angle of

found to be

projection is tan -1 (2)

A.

Position vector with respect to the point of projection r =

^
R^
i+ H j
2

R
| r |= + H 2
2

But, | r |= 2H (given)
R2
2H =
+ H2
4

.:

Or

2H 2 =

R2
+ H 2 Or
4

R = 2H

u 2 sin 2
u 2 sin 2
=2
g
2g

Or tan = 2 (or) = tan-1 (2)

4.

A particle is projected from the ground with some initial velocity making an angle of
450 with the horizontal. It reaches a height of 7.5 m above the ground while it travels a
horizontal distance of 10 m from the point of projection. Find the initial speed of
projection (g = 10 m/s2)

A:

= 450 ; x = 10 m ; y = 7.5 m ; g = 10 m/s2

y = (tan )x - 2 2 x 2
2u cos

10

7.5 = (tan 450) (10) - 2 2 (10 )

2u cos 45

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Solving we get u = 20m / s
5.

Two balls are projected from the same point in directions 300 and 600 with
respect to the horizontal. What is the ratio of their initial velocities if they
(a) Attain the same height? (b) Have the same range?

A.

u 2 sin 2
H=
2g

u 2 sin 2
and R =
g

a) H1 = H 2
u12 sin 2 300 u22 sin 2 600
=
2g
2g
2

2
3
1
u = u22
u1 : u2 = 3 :1
2
2
2
1

b) R1 = R2
u12 sin 2 ( 30 )
g

u22 sin 2 ( 60 )
g

3
2 3
u12
= u2
u1 : u2 = 1:1
2
2

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