Module 2

1
Scalar and Vector Quantities
 Scalar quantity – quantity that can only be described by a
magnitude (value + unit)
 Vector quantity – quantity that is both described by
magnitude (value + unit) and direction
 Scalars:  Vectors
 Distance  Displacement
 Speed (magnitude of  Velocity (magnitude and
velocity) direction!)
 Temperature  Acceleration
 Energy  Force
 Mass  Weight
 Time  Momentum
1/15/2019 2
 Vector Notation

 To describe vectors we will use:

 An arrow above the vector: 𝑨
 To describe the magnitude of a
vector we will use absolute
value sign: 𝑨 or just A,
 Magnitude is always positive,
the magnitude of a vector is
equal to the length of a vector.
 Arrows point the direction
1/15/2019 3
 Properties of Vectors
Consider vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩 
A
1. 𝑨 and 𝑩 are parallel if they don’t intersect and 
have the same direction regardless of their B
magnitude

2. 𝑨 and 𝑩 are antiparallel if they don’t intersect A
but they are in opposite direction regardless of 
B
their magnitude

3. 𝑨 and 𝑩 are equal (𝑨 = 𝑩) if they are parallel A
(same direction) and have the same magnitude 
B
𝑨 = 𝑩

1/15/2019 4
 Properties of Vectors

4. 𝑨 is a negative vector of 𝑩 (𝑨 = −𝑩) if they A
are antiparallel (opposite direction) but have 
the same magnitude 𝑨 = 𝑩 B

5. 𝑐𝑨 is a multiple of 𝑨 by some factor of scalar A

c. cA

 If c is positive, 𝑨 and 𝑐𝑨 are in the same cA
direction

 If c is negative, 𝑨 and 𝑐𝑨 are in the A
opposite direction 
cA

 If |c|<1, 𝑐𝑨 < 𝑨 cA

 If |c|>1, 𝑐𝑨 > 𝑨
1/15/2019 5
 Vector Addition
 In adding vectors, let 𝑹 be the result
𝑩
vector or the vector sum of 𝑨 and 𝑩. 𝑨

That is, 𝑹 = 𝑨 + 𝑩.
𝑹
(𝑹 is the resultant vector)
 Note: Adding vectors is not the same or as easy as adding scalars.
Properties of Vector Addition
1) 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝐵 + 𝐴 (Commutative)
2) 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 = 𝐴 + 𝐵 + 𝐶 (Associative)
3) 𝐴 − 𝐵 = 𝐴 + −𝐵
1/15/2019 6
Addition/Subtraction of
Vectors
A. Graphical Methods

1. Tail-to-tip (Triangle) method

2. Parallelogram method
3. Polygon Method
𝑨 𝑩

B. Component Method
𝑹

1/15/2019 7
 Tail-to-tip Method
(Triangle Method)
 

A  
B  A B  ?
 
Solution:
1. Draw the first vector 𝑨 (with the
A B 
B
appropriate length and direction).
2. Draw the next vector 𝑩 (with the 
appropriate length and direction) from
the end of vector 𝑨.
A
3. The resultant 𝑹 is drawn from the
origin of 𝑨 to the end of 𝑩.
1/15/2019 8
 Parallelogram Method

  

A

B  A B  ?
Solution:
1. Draw the first vector 𝑨 (with the appropriate

length and direction). B  
2. Draw the next vector 𝑩 (with the appropriate A B
length and direction) from the origin of vector 𝑨.
3. From the segment of vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩, draw a

parallelogram (4 sided-polygon with parallel A
opposite sides of equal length.
4. The resultant 𝑹 is drawn as a diagonal from the
origin of 𝑨 and 𝑩.
1/15/2019 9
Polygon Method
 In adding more than 2 vectors, use the Tail-to-tip
method or Triangle method.

= 𝑨+𝑩+𝑪+𝑫 = 𝑹 = ?
𝑨
+
𝑩
+ 𝑪 + 𝑫
𝑫 𝑫

𝑹 𝑪 𝑹 𝑪

𝑩 𝑩
𝑨 𝑨
1/15/2019 10
Vector Subtraction
Special case of vector addition:
Subtraction of Vectors.

𝑨+𝑩
Consider vectors 𝑨 and 𝑩. Recall the no. 3 𝑩
property of vector addition:

𝑨 − 𝑩 = 𝑨 + −𝑩 𝑨

𝑨−𝑩 −𝑩
 𝑨 − 𝑩 is just the addition of vector 𝑨
and −𝑩 (equal in magnitude, opposite in
direction of 𝑩)

1/15/2019 11
 Algebraic or Component
Method
Vectors: Described by the number, units and direction!

For example: Your displacement is 1.5 m at an angle of 250.

 Any vector 𝑨 (with a given magnitude and direction) in the xy-
plane can be represented as a VECTOR SUM of at least two
component vectors of 𝑨. As such, the components of 𝑨 in xy-
plane are 𝑨𝒙 and𝑨𝒚 .
1/15/2019 12
 Algebraic or Component
Method

By components, your displacement is 1.36 m in the positive x

direction and 0.634 m in the positive y direction.
 How to solve for the components of a vector?
 Use of trigonometric functions: sine and cosine functions

1/15/2019 13
Components of a Vector
𝑦 Recall the definition of sine and cosine
function:
𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆
𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 =
𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆

and
𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆
𝑨 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 =
𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆

𝑨𝒚 =?
 If the angle θ of vector 𝑨 is measured
𝛉 Right angle
from the x-axis:
𝑥 cos 𝜃 = 𝐴𝐴𝑥  𝑨𝒙 = 𝑨 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 (x-component of A)
𝑨𝒙 =? 𝐴𝑦
sin 𝜃 =
𝐴
 𝑨𝒚 = 𝑨 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 (y-component of A)

1/15/2019 14
 Components of a Vector
𝑦 Recall the definition of sine and cosine
𝑨𝒙 =? function:
𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆
𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 =
𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆
Right angle
and
𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒂𝒅𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆
𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 =
𝑨𝒚 =? 𝒉𝒚𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒆
𝑨
𝛉
 If the angle θ of vector 𝑨 is measured
from the y-axis:
𝑥 sin 𝜃 = 𝐴𝑥  𝑨 = 𝑨 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 (x-component of A)
𝐴 𝒙
𝐴𝑦
cos 𝜃 = 𝐴
 𝑨𝒚 = 𝑨 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 (y-component of A)

1/15/2019 15
 Components of a Vector
 The components can be positive or negative (depending on
where the vector is located on the xy-plane) and will have
the same units as the original vector.
y y
II I II I
Ax = Acos90 = 0
Ax > 0
Ay = Asin90 = A
Ay > 0
Ax < 0 Ax = Acos0 = A
Ay > 0 Ay = Asin0 = 0
x x
Ax > 0 Ax = Acos180 = -A
Ax < 0 Ay < 0 Ay = Asin180 = 0
Ay < 0 Ax = Acos270 = 0
Ay = Asin270 = -A
III IV III IV
1/15/2019 16
Components of a Vector
 In case the vector 𝑨 is unknown but only its component
vectors are given, then we can solve for the magnitude and
the direction of the unknown vector.
𝑦
 Using Pythagorean Theorem, the
magnitude of 𝑨 is

𝑨 =? 𝐴2 = 𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐴𝑦 2  𝑨 = 𝑨𝒙 𝟐 + 𝑨𝒚 𝟐
𝑨𝒚  Using the tangent function, the
direction of 𝑨 is
𝛉 =? 𝐴𝑦 −𝟏 𝑨𝒚
tan 𝜃 = 𝐴  𝜽 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝑨𝒙
𝑥 𝑥
𝑨𝒙
1/15/2019 17
 Components of a Vector
 Where should the θ be appropriately placed in the Cartesian
xy-plane?
N N
II I II I
θ°W of N
45°W of N Northeast (NE)
θ°E of N 45°E of N
Northwest (NW)

θ°N of W θ°N of E 45°N of W 45°N of E

W E W E
θ°S of W θ°S of E 45°S of W 45°S of E
θ°W of S 45°W of S Southeast (SE)
θ°E of S Southwest (SW) 45°E of S

III IV III IV
S S
1/15/2019 18
 Unit Vectors
 Components of a vector are also vector
y quantities:
2D: 𝑨 = 𝑨𝒙 + 𝑨𝒚 3D: 𝑨 = 𝑨𝒙 + 𝑨𝒚 +
𝑨𝒛

𝑗  The direction of the components of 𝑨

are described by Unit Vectors i-hat, j-
x hat, k-hat
i iˆ  x ˆj  y kˆ  z
k  Unit vectors have a magnitude of 1
z  𝑨𝒙 = 𝑨𝒙 𝒊; 𝑨𝒚 = 𝑨𝒚 𝒋; and 𝑨𝒛 = 𝑨𝒛 𝒌
 𝑨 = 𝑨𝒙 𝒊 + 𝑨𝒚 𝒋 or 𝑨 = 𝑨𝒙 𝒊 + 𝑨𝒚 𝒋 +
𝑨𝒛 𝒌
Magnitude + Sign Unit vector
1/15/2019 19
Example 1
 A particle is displaced by 5.25 m, 35° west of
south from its origin.

 What are the components of its displacement?

1/15/2019 20
Example 2
 A mule is pulled by a rope with a force 𝑭 of 100.0
N in the direction of 30° north of west.

 Find the components of the force.

1/15/2019 21
 Example 3
 The vectors are shown in the figure. Find the following
(a) 𝑨 + 𝑩
𝑦
(b)𝑨 − 𝑩
𝑩 = 𝟐𝟎 𝒎

𝜽 = 𝟑𝟕°
𝑥
𝑨 = 𝟕𝒎
1/15/2019 22
Example 4
 Vector 𝐴 is 2.80 cm long and is 60° above the x-axis in
the first quadrant.
 Vector 𝐵 is 1.90 cm long and is below the x-axis in the
fourth quadrant.
 Find the resultant vector 𝑅
of 𝐴 and 𝐵.

1/15/2019 23
Example 5
 Three forces when added produce a resultant force
that is 100 N directed 63° above the +x axis.

 If one of the forces is 50 N in the +y direction and

another 100 N in a direction 45° below the +x-axis,
what is the magnitude and the direction of the third
vector?

1/15/2019 24
 Example 6
 Given with the following four vectors:
𝑨 = 20 𝑘𝑚, 𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡
𝑩 = 56 𝑘𝑚, 𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑕𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡
𝑪 = 11 𝑘𝑚, 22° 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑕 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡
𝑫 = 88 𝑘𝑚, 44° 𝑤𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑕
A. Sketch the graph of the resultant vector using polygon (tail-to-
tip) method. (2 points)
B. Find the x-component of the resultant vector. (3 points)
C. Find the y-component of the resultant vector. (3 points)
D. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector
𝑅. (2 points)
1/15/2019 25
 Example 7
 A man travels according to these series of location
𝑨 = 1.75 𝑘𝑚, 20° 𝑁 𝑜𝑓 𝐸;
𝑩 = 2.00 𝑘𝑚, 15° 𝑊 𝑜𝑓 𝑁
𝑪 = 2.25 𝑘𝑚, 𝑆𝑊
(a) Draw this path of travel.
(b) Find his displacement from the origin.
(c) How far and what direction should he traverse if he
wants to have a final destination of
3.00 𝑘𝑚, 15° 𝑆 𝑜𝑓 𝐸 from his original location?
1/15/2019 26
 Example 8
 A person walks 60 m at 47° north of east, turns and
walks 72 m at 15° south of east, and then turns and
walks 30 m, 30° west of north.
(a) How far and at what angle is the person's final position
from his/her initial position? (8 points)

(b) In what direction (displacement vector) would the

person have to head to return to his/her initial position?
(2 points)

1/15/2019 27
Example 9
 Leila and Rodrigo decided to leave school and meet at
the plaza.
 Leila directly walks 800 m east to reach the plaza.
 Rodrigo, on the other hand, first went to a store to buy
food which is 300 m southeast of school.
 Then he walks to a flower shop to buy flowers which is
900 m, 60° E of N of the store.
 What should be the displacement of Rodrigo for him
to reach the plaza where Leila is waiting?

1/15/2019 28
Problem 2.3 (Page 20)
 An explorer in a dense jungles of equatorial Africa
leaves his hut.
 He takes 40 steps northeast, then 80 steps 60° north
of west, then 50 steps due south.
 Assume his steps all have equal length. Save him from
becoming hopelessly lost in the jungle by giving him
the displacement, calculated using the method of
components, that will return him to his hut.

1/15/2019 29
enables us to describe motion.

1/15/2019 30
Motion change in position of an object
with respect to time.

1/15/2019 31
 Rectilinear Motion
 Motion of an object along a straight line.
 Simplest kind of motion: One (1) dimensional motion.
 A component of a more complex motion: two (2) or three
dimensional motion.
4 Basic Quantities of Kinematics

1/15/2019 32
 Position of an Object
Position in one dimension: variable x (x-axis), y (y-axis), or z (z-axis)
 How to describe the position on an object:
 Defines a starting point: origin (x = 0),
 The position of object is x relative to origin
 Direction: positive (right or up), negative (left or down)
 It depends on time.
 SI Unit: meters (m). y (m)

4
2
x = + 2.5 m 3
1
x=-3m
2
0
-11
-20
1/15/2019 33
 Displacement
o is a change of position over a
time interval. x (m)
o Displacement: ∆𝒙
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
x1 = + 1.0 m
∆𝒙 = 𝒙𝒇 − 𝒙𝒊 x2 = + 7.2 m
Δx = + 7.2 m - 1.0 m = +6.2 m
x1 = + 2.5 m
o f stands for final and i x2 = - 2.0 m
stands for initial. Δx = -2.0 m - 2.5 m = -4.5 m
x1 = - 3.0 m
x2 = + 1.0 m
o It has both magnitude and Δx = +1.0 m + 3.0 m = +4.0 m
direction: + or – sign.
o SI Unit: meters (m).
1/15/2019 34
 Distance versus Displacement
 Distance – total length of path travelled.
 Displacement – shortest path travelled (straight line joining the
starting point to the destination).

The distance travelled by the student in going home from school

is 2.4 km. But the school is 1 km directly from their home.
1/15/2019 35
 Speed and Velocity
𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝐝 Instantaneous Speed/Velocity
𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝: 𝒗𝐚𝐯𝐞 = =
time interval ∆𝐭
– velocity at a specific instant of time
(𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦) or specific point along the path.
 “instant” [physics] – refers to a
𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 single value of time, it has no
𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆 =
time interval duration at all.
(𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑦)  Average velocity tells the velocity of
𝒙 𝟐 − 𝒙𝟏 the path travelled for the whole
= duration.
𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕𝟏

∆𝐱
𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆 =
∆𝐭
SI Unit: meters per second [m/s].
1/15/2019 36
Average Velocity, 𝒗𝒂𝒗𝒆

1/15/2019 37
 Rules in Determining the Sign
for Velocity
Sign of
Initial and Final Positions Motion Velocity
Initial (+ or –) Final (+ or –) > Initial
Object is
moving the + Positive
direction

Final (+ or –) < Initial Initial (+ or –)

Object is
moving the Negative
– direction

1/15/2019 38
 Acceleration
 The rate at which the velocity changes during time
interval.
𝒗 − 𝒗𝟎 ∆𝒗
𝒂𝒂𝒗𝒆 = =
∆𝒕 ∆𝒕

 Three situations in which an object is accelerating

(considering the velocity):
(a) Magnitude is changing, direction is constant
(b) Magnitude is constant, direction is changing
(c) Both magnitude and direction are changing.
1/15/2019 39
Rules in Determining the
Sign for Acceleration
Sign of
Initial and Final Velocities Motion Acceleration

Initial: Final: (more +)

𝒗𝒊 ≥ 𝟎 (+) 𝒗𝒇 > 𝒗𝒊 The
motion of Positive
object
speeds up
Object moves in + direction
Initial: Final: (less +)
The
𝒗𝒊 > 𝟎 (+) 𝟎 ≤ 𝒗𝒇 < 𝒗𝒊 motion of
object Negative
slows
Object moves in + direction down
1/15/2019 40
 Rules in Determining the
Sign for Acceleration
Sign of
Initial and Final Velocities Motion Acceleration

Final: (more –) Initial:

𝒗𝒇 < 𝒗𝒊 𝒗𝒊 ≤ 𝟎 (–) The
motion of Negative
object
speeds up
Object moves in – direction

Final: (less –) Initial:

The
𝟎 ≥ 𝒗 𝒇 > 𝒗𝒊 𝒗𝒊 < 𝟎 (–) motion of
object Positive
slows
Object moves in – direction down

1/15/2019 41
 Problem 1
 A man walks 25 m due north. He turns and continues
walking 30 m due east.

 Calculate the distance travelled and the displacement

of the man from its starting point.

1/15/2019 42
 Problem 2
 A group of five students decided to have an
educational tour in the industrial plants of the city.

 The tour guide begins to drive at 8:00 am and stops at

4:00 pm.

 Within this period, the car covers 260 km and 180 km

due north of its starting point.

 Find the speed and average velocity for the day.

1/15/2019 43
 Problem 3
 A bicycle accelerates to a velocity 0.5 m/s in 5.0s.
The average acceleration over this time interval is
0.5 m/s2.
 What was the initial velocity of the bike?

1/15/2019 44
 Problem 4
 A car’s speedometer reads 35.0 km/hr at one instant.

 Running along the same direction, after 25.0 s, it reads

40 km/hr.

 Calculate the magnitude of the average acceleration of

the car?

1/15/2019 45
 Problem 5
 A ball rolls down a ramp fro 15 seconds.

 If the initial velocity of the ball was 0.8 m/s and the
final velocity was 7 m/sec, what was the acceleration
of the ball?

1/15/2019 46
 Motion with Constant
Acceleration
 The motion of a body undergoing a constant acceleration is
defined by the following equations:
Equation 1: 𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑡
1
Equation 2: 𝑥 = 𝑥0 + 𝑣0𝑥 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑥 𝑡 2
2
1
Equation 3: 𝑥 = 𝑥0 + 𝑣0𝑥 + 𝑣𝑥 𝑡
2
Equation 4: 𝑣𝑥 2 −𝑣0𝑥 2 = 2𝑎𝑥 (𝑥 − 𝑥0)
 4 Kinematic Equations
Note: For a uniform (constant) acceleration, the instantaneous
accelerations are equal to the average acceleration.
1/15/2019 47
 Problem 6
 An airplane accelerates down a runway at 3.20
m/s2 for 32.8 s until is finally lifts off the ground.
 Determine the distance travelled before take off.

1/15/2019 48
 Problem 7
 A car starts from rest heading due east. It first
accelerates at 3.00 m/s2 for 5.0 s and then continuous
without further acceleration for 20.0 s
 It then brakes for 8.0 s in coming to rest.
(a) What is the car’s velocity after the first 5.0 sec?
(b) What is the car’s acceleration over the last 8.0 s
interval?
(c) What is the total displacement?

1/15/2019 49
 Problem 8
 A bus moving along a straight road at 25 m/s is
increasing its speed at the rate of 1.0 m/s each
second.
(a) Find the distance covered in 5s.
(b) If its speed is decreasing at the rate of 2 m/s, find the
distance traversed in 6 sec and
(c) The time it takes the bus to come to rest.

1/15/2019 50
 Problem 9
 A car starts from rest and accelerates in a straight
line at 1.6 m/s2 for 10 seconds.
(a) What is its final speed?
(b) How far has it travelled in this time?
(c) If the brakes are then applied and it travels a
further 20 m before stopping, what is the
deceleration?

1/15/2019 51
 Problem 10
A subway train starts from rest at a station and
accelerates at a rate of 𝟏. 𝟔𝟎 𝒎/𝒔𝟐 for 𝟏𝟒. 𝟎 𝒔.
It runs at a constant speed for 𝟕𝟎. 𝟎 𝒔 and slows
down at a rate of 𝟑. 𝟓𝟎 𝒎/𝒔𝟐 until it stops at the
next station.
Find the total distance
covered.

1/15/2019 52
 Problem 11
 At the instant the traffic light turns green, a car that
has been waiting at an intersection starts ahead
with a constant acceleration of 3.20 𝑚/𝑠 2 .

 At the same instant a truck, traveling with a

constant speed of 20.0 𝑚/𝑠 overtakes and passes
the car.

(a) How far beyond its starting point does the car
overtake the truck?

1/15/2019 53
 Problem 12
• A car and a bus are traveling along the same straight
road in neighbouring lanes.
• The car has a constant velocity of +25.0 𝑚/𝑠, and at
𝑡 = 0 it is located 21.0 𝑚 ahead of the bus.
• At time 𝑡 = 0, the bus has a velocity of +5.0 𝑚/𝑠 and
an acceleration of +2.0 𝑚/𝑠 2 .
(a) When does the bus pass the car?
(b) How far beyond its starting point does the bus
overtake the car?
(c) What is the velocity of the bus at this point (in letter b)?
1/15/2019 54
 Problem 13
• An object’s velocity is measured to be

𝒗𝒙 𝒕 = 𝜶 − 𝜷𝒕𝟐 ,

where 𝛼 = 4.00 𝑚/𝑠 and 𝛽 = 2.00 𝑚/𝑠 3 . At 𝑡 = 0 the

object is at 𝑥 = 0.
(a) Calculate the object’s position and acceleration as a
function of time.
(b) What is the object’s maximum positive displacement
from the origin?
1/15/2019 55
 Free Fall Motion
 Motion of any body or object that is under the influence of the
earth’s gravity.
 Most familiar case of motion with constant acceleration,
𝒂 = −𝒈
𝒈 = 𝟗. 𝟖 𝒎 𝒔𝟐 (acceleration due to gravity)

1/15/2019 56
Free Fall Motion
Q: If you dropped two objects of different
masses from a certain height from the
ground at the same time, which object
would arrive/hit the ground first?
The heavier object?
The lighter object?

A: Both objects would arrive on the ground at

the same time.

 Ideally, free fall motion is independent on

the mass of the object.

1/15/2019 57
 Free Fall Motion

Ideally, free fall motion is independent on

the mass of the object. Only if:

o Air resistance (effects of air) is

ignored/neglected.

o The distance of the fall is small compared

to the radius of the earth; and

o Effect of the earth’s rotation is ignored.

1/15/2019 58
 Free Fall Motion Equations
 Since free fall motion is a case of motion with constant acceleration
(𝒂𝒚 = −𝒈), then the 4 Kinematic Equations also apply to free fall.
Equation 1: 𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑥 + 𝑎𝑡 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡
1 2 1 2
Equation 2: 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = 𝑣0𝑥 𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 𝑦0 + 𝑣0𝑦 𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡
2 2
1 1
Equation 3: 𝑥 − 𝑥0 = 𝑣0𝑥 + 𝑣𝑥 𝑡 𝑦 = 𝑦0 + 𝑣0𝑦 + 𝑣𝑦 𝑡
2 2
2 − 𝑣 2 = 2𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥 )
Equation 4: 𝑣𝑥 0𝑥 0 𝑣𝑦2 = 𝑣0𝑦 2 −2𝑔 (𝑦 − 𝑦0 )

where acceleration due to gravity 𝒈 = 𝟗. 𝟖 𝒎 𝒔𝟐

1/15/2019 59
 Problem 14
 A steel ball dropped from a tower strikes a
ground in 4.0 s. Find:
(a) the velocity 𝒗𝒚 with which the ball strikes
the ground, and
(b) the height of the tower.

1/15/2019 60
 Problem 15
A large boulder is ejected
vertically upward from a volcano
with an initial speed of 40.0 m/s.
Air resistance may be ignored.
(a) At what time after being ejected is the boulder moving
at 20.0 m/s upward?
(b) At what time is it moving at 20 m/s downward?
(c) When is the displacement of the boulder from its initial
position zero?
(d) When is the velocity of the boulder zero?
1/15/2019 61
 Problem 16
 A student throws a water balloon vertically
downward from the top of a building.
 The balloon leaves the thrower's hand
with a speed of 6.00 m/s .
 Air resistance may be ignored, so the
water balloon is in free fall after it leaves
the thrower's hand.
(a) What is its speed after falling for a time
2.00 s ?
(b) How far does it fall in 2.00 s ?
(c) What is the magnitude of the velocity after
falling 10.0 m?
1/15/2019 62
 Problem 17
 A hot-air balloonist, rising
vertically with a constant velocity
of magnitude 5.00 m/s, releases a
sandbag at an instant when the
balloon is 40.0 m above the
ground.
 After it is released, the sandbag is
in free fall.
(a) Compute the position and velocity
of the sandbag at 0.250 s and 1.00 s
after its release.
1/15/2019 63
 Problem 17
(b) How many seconds after its release will the bag strike
the ground?
(c) With what magnitude of velocity does it strike the
ground?
(d) What is the greatest height above the ground that the
sandbag reaches?

1/15/2019 64
 Problem 18
 You are on the roof of the physics building, 46.0 m
above the ground. Your physics professor, who is 1.80
m tall, is walking alongside the building at a constant
speed of 1.20 m/s.
 If you wish to drop an
egg on your professor’s
head, where should the
professor be when you
release the egg? Assume
that the egg is in free fall.
1/15/2019 65
Problem 19
 A certain freely falling object requires 1.50 s to
travel the last 30.0 m before it hits the ground.
From what height above the ground did it fall?

1/15/2019 66
 Problem 20
 Sam heaves a 16-lb shot straight upward, giving it a
constant upward acceleration from rest of for 64.0 cm.
 He releases it 2.20 m above the ground. You may
ignore air resistance.
(a) What is the speed of the shot when Sam releases it?
(b) How high above the ground does it go?
(c) How much time does he have to get out of its way
before it returns to the height of the top of his head, 1.83
m above the ground?

1/15/2019 67