Chapter 

3 – Motion in Two or Three Dimensions 
Problem 3.1 
A Ferris wheel with radius is turning about a
horizontal axis through its center (see figure). The
linear speed of a passenger on the rim is constant and
equal to . What are the magnitude and direction of
the passenger’s acceleration as she passes through
a. the lowest point in her circular motion and
b. the highest point in her circular motion?
c. How much time does it take the Ferris wheel to
make one revolution?

Problem 3.2 

A water hose is used to fill a large cylindrical storage tank of diameter and height 2 . The
hose shoots the water at angle above the horizontal from the same level as the base of the
tank and is a distance 6 away (see figure). For what range of launch speeds will the water
enter the tank? Ignore air resistance, and express your answer in terms of , , and .

Problem 3.3 
A rock is thrown with a velocity , at an angle of from the horizontal, from the roof of a
building of height . Ignore air resistance. Calculate the speed of the rock just before it
strikes the ground, and show that this speed is independent of .

 
Problem 3.4 
A student sits atop a platform a distance above the ground. He throws a large firecracker
horizontally with a speed . However, a wind blowing parallel to the ground gives the
firecracker a constant horizontal acceleration with magnitude . As a result, the firecracker
reaches the ground directly below the student. Determine the height in terms of , , and
. Ignore the effect of air resistance on the vertical motion.

3NBB0 ‐ Chapter 3 – Motion in Two or Three Dimensions 
Figures adapted from Young and Freedman, University Physics ed.12 
Problem 3.5 
A projectile thrown from a point P moves in such a way that its distance from P is always
increasing. Find the maximum angle above the horizontal with which the projectile could
have been thrown. Ignore air resistance.

3NBB0 ‐ Chapter 3 – Motion in Two or Three Dimensions 
Figures adapted from Young and Freedman, University Physics ed.12