Dynamics (ME20001): Kinematics of Particles / Kinetics of Particles

Home Work − 3

1 A train enters a curved horizontal section of track at a speed of 100 km/h and slows down with
constant deceleration to 50 km/h in 12 seconds. An accelerometer mounted inside the train records
a horizontal acceleration of 2 m/s2 when the train is 6 seconds into the curve. Calculate the radius
of curvature ρ of the track for this instant. (ANS: ρ = 266 m)

2 At a certain point in the reentry of the space shuttle into the earths atmosphere, the total accel-
eration of the shuttle may be represented by two components. One component is the gravitational
acceleration g = 9.66 m/s2 at this altitude. The second component equals 12.90 m/s2 due to atmo-
spheric resistance and is directed opposite to the velocity. The shuttle is at an altitude of 48.2 km and
has reduced its orbital velocity of 28 300 km/h to 15 450 km/h in the direction θ = 1.50o . For this
instant, calculate the radius of curvature ρ of the path and the rate v̇ at which the speed is changing.
(ANS: ρ = 1907 km, v̇ = −12.65 m/s2 )

Fig. 1: Problem 2

3 The particle P starts from rest at point A at time t = 0 and changes its speed thereafter at a
constant rate of 2g as it follows the horizontal path shown. Determine the magnitude and direction
of its total acceleration (a) just before point B, (b) just after point B, and (c) as it passes point C.
State your directions relative to the x-axis shown (CCW positive). (ANS: (a) a = 2g right, θx = 0 |
(b) a = 38.9 m/s2 , θx = −59.7o | (c) a = 97.3 m/s2 , θx = −168.4o )

Fig. 2: Problem 3
Fig. 3: Problem 4

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4 The pin P is constrained to move in the slotted guides which move at right angles to one another.
At the instant represented, A has a velocity to the right of 0.2 m/s which is decreasing at the rate
of 0.75 m/s each second. At the same time, B is moving down with a velocity of 0.15 m/s which is
decreasing at the rate of 0.5 m/s each second. For this instant determine the radius of curvature ρ of
the path followed by P . Is it possible to also determine the time rate of change of ρ? (ANS: ρ = 1.25
m)

5 A 60-g bullet is fired horizontally with a velocity v1 = 600 m/s into the 3-kg block of soft wood
initially at rest on the horizontal surface. The bullet emerges from the block with the velocity v2 = 600
m/s , and the block is observed to slide a distance of 2.70 m before coming to rest. Determine the
coefficient of kinetic friction µk between the block and the supporting surface. (ANS: µk = 0.302)

Fig. 4: Problem 5
Fig. 5: Problem 6

6 The initially stationary 12-kg block is subjected to the time-varying force whose magnitude P is
shown in the plot. The 30o angle remains constant. Determine the block speed at (a) t = 1 s and (b)
t = 4 s. (ANS: (a) v1 = 0, (b) v4 = 2.69 m/s right )

7 The space shuttle launches an 800-kg satellite by ejecting it from the cargo bay as shown. The
ejection mechanism is activated and is in contact with the satellite for 4 s to give it a velocity of
0.3 m/s in the z-direction relative to the shuttle. The mass of the shuttle is 90 Mg. Determine the
component of velocity v of the shuttle in the minus z-direction resulting from the ejection. Also find
the time average Fav of the ejection force. (ANS: vf = 0.00264 m/s, Fav = 59.5 N)

Fig. 7: Problem 8
Fig. 6: Problem 7

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8 The small particle of mass m and its restraining cord are spinning with an angular velocity ω
on the horizontal surface of a smooth disk, shown in section. As the force F is slightly relaxed, r
increases and ω changes. Determine the rate of change of ω with respect to r and show that the
work done by F during a movement dr equals the change in kinetic energy of the particle. (ANS:
dω 2ω
dr = − r )

9 The two spheres of equal mass m are able to slide along the horizontal rotating rod. If they
are initially latched in position a distance r from the rotating axis with the assembly rotating freely
with an angular velocity ω0 , determine the new angular velocity ω after the spheres are released and
finally assume positions at the ends of the rod at a radial distance of 2r. Also find the fraction n of
the initial kinetic energy of the system which is lost. Neglect the small mass of the rod and shaft.
(ANS: ω = ω0 /4, n = 3/4)

Fig. 8: Problem 9

Fig. 9: Problem 10

10 The 0.7-kg sphere moves in a horizontal plane and is controlled by a cord which is reeled in
and out below the table in such a way that the center of the sphere is confined to the path given by
(x2 /2.25) + (y 2 /1.44) = 1 where x and y are in meters. If the speed of the sphere is vA = 2 m/sec
as it passes point A, determine the tension TB in the cord as the sphere passes point B. Friction is
negligible. (ANS: TB = 2.33 N)