Junior Intermediate Physics Notes Compiled by: Dr. Mohammed Raeesuddin. M.Sc, PhD.

MOTION IN A PLANE

Q. State parallelogram law of vectors. Derive an expression for the magnitude and direction of
the resultant vector.
A : − Parallelogram law of vectors:
Statement: If two vectors are represented in magnitude and direction by the two adjacent sides
of a parallelogram drawn from a point O, then their resultant is represented both in magnitude
and direction by the diagonal of that parallelogram passing through O.
B C
−
→
−a + b
→

a sin θ
→
−
−c =
→
b

b
θ
φ θ
O →
−
a A a cos θ D

Explanation: Let OA and OB represent the two vectors ~a and ~b making an angle θ. Then the
diagonal OC represents the resultant ~c.
In vector form ~c = ~a + ~b
Magnitude of Resultant: Extend the line OA and draw a perpendicular CD as shown in
figure. In the right angled triangle OCD,
OC 2 = OD2 + DC 2
OC 2 = (OA + AD)2 + DC 2
OC 2 = OA2 + 2(OA)(AD) + AD2 + DC 2
OC 2 = OA2 + 2(OA)(AD) + AC 2 (∵ AC 2 = AD2 + DC 2 )
c2 = a2 + 2(a)(AD) + b2
From the triangle ACD,
side adjacent to θ AD AD
cos θ = = = ⇒ AD = b cos θ
hypotenuse AC b

side opposite to θ DC DC
sin θ = = = ⇒ DC = b sin θ
hypotenuse AC b

∴ c2 = a2 + 2ab cos θ + b2
Direction of Resultant (α): Let the resultant vector ~c makes an angle α with ~a then, in the
right angled triangle OSN ,

side opposite to α CD CD b sin θ

tan α = = = =
side adjacent to α OD OA + AD a + b cos θ
Junior Intermediate Physics Notes Motion in a plane The Bright Junior College
!
b sin θ
∴ α = tan−1
a + b cos θ
Q 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 u at an angle θ with the horizontal, from
the origin O of the coordinate system as shown in figure. The path of the body is called
trajectory.

y A
P

uy u
θ
0 ux Bx
Initial horizontal component of velocity (ux ) = u cos θ
(which remains constant throughout the motion i.e. acceleration = 0)
Initial vertical component of velocity (uy ) = u sin θ
(which uniformly accelerated under gravity i.e. acceleration = ±g)
Let the projectile is at the point P (x, y) after a time interval t.
Along x-direction, we have displacement = velocity × time,
⇒ x = (u cos θ)t
x
∴t=
u cos θ
Along y-direction, using the equation of motion s = ut + 12 at2 we have,
1
⇒ y = (u sin θ)t + (±g)t2
2
substituting the value of t,
 2
x 1 x
y = (u sin θ) ± (g)
u cos θ 2 u cos θ
sin θ ±g
y=x+ 2 2
x2
cos θ 2u cos θ
sin θ ±g
⇒ y = Ax + Bx2 , where A = and B = 2 are constant.
cos θ 2u cos2 θ
Which represent the equation of parabola. Hence the trajectory of a projectile is a parabola.
2 2 2
Q. Show that the maximum height and range of a projectile are u sin
2g
θ
and u sin
2g
2θ
respectively
where the terms have their regular meanings.
A : − Maximum Height (H): The maximum vertical displacement of a projectile is called Max-
imum Height.
Junior Intermediate Physics Notes Motion in a plane The Bright Junior College

y A

Hmax

uy u
θ
0 ux Bx
Horizontal Range R

At point O the vertical velocity of the projectile (initial velocity) = u sin θ

At point A the vertical velocity of the projectile (final velocity) = 0
The displacement is Hmax
Acceleration a = −g, using v 2 − u2 = 2as, we get
02 − (u sin θ)2 = 2(−g)Hmax
u2 sin2 θ
∴ Hmax =
2g
The time taken to reach maximum height is called time of ascent (ta )
So using the above conditions in v = u + at, we get
0 = u sin θ + (−g)ta
gta = u sin θ
u sin θ
∴ ta =
g
The time of flight tf is the time taken by the body to remain in air and tf = 2ta . Hence,
2u sin θ
tf =
g
Horizontal Range (R): The maximum horizontal displacement of a projectile is called Range(R).
The horizontal motion is uniform motion with the velocity u cos θ.
Hence the horizontal range R = horizontal velocity × tf
 
2u sin θ
R = (u cos θ)
g
u2 (2 sin θ cos θ)
R=
g
2
u sin 2θ
⇒R= .
g
Q. What is relative motion? Explain it?
A : − Relative Motion: The apparent motion (displacement (or) velocity (or) acceleration) which
one body seems to possess, when viewed from another body, is said to be the relative motion of
one body with respect to another body (or) it is the motion of one body with respect to another
body.
Junior Intermediate Physics Notes Motion in a plane The Bright Junior College

a. The relative velocity of body ’A’ with respect to ’B’ is given by V~R = V~A − V~B .
b. The relative velocity of body ’B’ with respect to ’A’ is given by V~R = V~B − V~A .
c. V~B − V~A and V~A − V~B are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction
d. |V~B − V~A | = |V~A − V~B | = VA2 + VB2 − 2VA VB cos θ, where θ is the angle between VA and VB .
p

e. For two bodies moving in the same direction, θ = 0◦ , cos θ = 1 hence by above equation
q
~ ~ ~ ~
p
|VB − VA | = |VA − VB | = VA2 + VB2 − 2VA VB = (VA − VB )2 = |VA − VB |
Therefore the relative velocity is equal to the difference of velocities.
f. For two bodies moving in the same direction, θ = 180◦ , cos θ = −1 hence by above equation
q
~ ~ ~ ~
p
|VB − VA | = |VA − VB | = VA2 + VB2 + 2VA VB = (VA + VB )2 = VA + VB
Therefore the relative velocity is equal to the sum of velocities.
Q. Define unit vector, null vector and position vector.
 Unit vector:
A vector whose magnitude is equal one is called a unit vector.
If ~a = xi + yj + zk then the unit vector along the direction of ~a is given by
~a xi + yj + zk
=p
|~a| x2 + y 2 + z 2
 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-ordinate of the particle at P is (x, y, z) then the position vector of ‘P’ with respect
~ = xi + yj + zk and its magnitude |OP ~ | = x2 + y 2 + z 2 .
p
to origin O is given by OP
Problems:
Q. Two forces of magnitudes 3 units and 5 units act at 60◦ with each other. What is the mag-
nitude of their resultant?
Q. When two right angled vectors of magnitude 7 units and 24 units combine, what is the mag-
nitude of their resultant?
Q. If p~ = 2i + 4j + 14k and ~q = 4i + 4j + 10k, find the magnitude of p~ + ~q.
Q. If ~a = i + j, what is the angle between the vector and x-axis?
Q. If |~a + ~b| = |~a − ~b|, prove that the angle between ~a and ~b is 90◦ ?
Q. Can a vector of magnitude zero have nonzero components?
A : − No. If the components of a vector are non-zero components, then its magnitude will never
be equal to zero .
Q. The vertical component of a vector is equal to its horizontal component. What is the angle
made by the vector with X-axis?