PHYS 101 – General Physics I Midterm Exam Solution

1. Position vector of a flat railroad car with respect to a coordinate system fixed on earth is

⃗ C/E = [(4 m⁄s)𝑡 + (2 m⁄s 2 )𝑡 2 ] 𝒊̂, where t is in seconds. At time 𝑡 = 0, a cannon fixed onto the car is fired. Initial
𝒓
⃗ 0B/C = (12 m⁄s) 𝒊̂ + (20 m⁄s) 𝒋̂. Use the
velocity of the cannonball with respect to the flat railroad car is 𝒗
2
approximate numerical value 𝑔 = 10 m⁄s for the acceleration due to gravity.
(a) (5 Pts.) What is the tangent of the angle 𝜃 relative to the flat car at which the cannonball is fired?
(b) (5 Pts.) What is the initial velocity of the cannonball with respect to the
𝑦
ground (earth)?
(c) (5 Pts.) What is the maximum height reached by the cannonball from the 𝑥 𝜃
point it is fired?
(d) (5 Pts.) At what time does the cannonball hit the ground?
(e) (5 Pts.) What is the distance between the cannonball and the flat car when
the cannonball hits the ground?
Solution:
⃗ 0B/C = (12 m⁄s) 𝒊̂ + (20 m⁄s) 𝒋̂.
(a) Initial velocity of the cannonball with respect to the flat railroad car is 𝒗
𝑣0𝑦𝐵/𝐶 20 m⁄s 5
tan 𝜃 = = = .
𝑣0𝑥𝐵/𝐶 12 m⁄s 3

⃗ C/E ⁄𝑑𝑡 = [(4 m⁄s) + (4 m⁄s 2 )𝑡] 𝒊̂. At time 𝑡 = 0,

⃗ 𝐶/𝐸 = 𝑑𝒓
(b) Velocity of the flat car with respect to earth is 𝒗
⃗ 0𝐶/𝐸 = (4 m⁄s)𝒊̂. Therefore,
𝒗

⃗𝒗0𝐵/𝐸 = ⃗𝒗0𝐵/𝐶 + ⃗𝒗0𝐶/𝐸 = (12 m⁄s) 𝒊̂ + (20 m⁄s) 𝒋̂ + (4 m⁄s)𝒊̂ = (16 m⁄s) 𝒊̂ + (20 m⁄s) 𝒋̂ .

(c) Velocity of the cannonball with respect to earth is

⃗ 𝐵/𝐸 = 𝒗
𝒗 ⃗⃗ 𝑡 = (16 m⁄s) 𝒊̂ + (20 m⁄s)𝒋̂ − (10 m⁄s 2 )𝑡𝒋̂ = [(16 m⁄s)]𝒊̂ + [(20 m⁄s) − (10 m⁄s 2 )𝑡]𝒋̂ .
⃗ 0𝐵/𝐸 − 𝒈

Maximum height is reached when

𝑣𝑦𝐵/𝐸 = 0 → (20 m⁄s) − (10 m⁄s 2 )𝑡 = 0 → 𝑡 = 2 s .

Position of the cannonball with respect to Earth is

1 1
⃗ 𝐵/𝐸 = 𝒗
𝒓 ⃗ 𝑡 2 = [(16 m⁄s)𝑡]𝒊̂ + [(20 m⁄s)𝑡 − (10 m⁄s 2 )𝑡 2 ] 𝒋̂ .
⃗ 0𝐵/𝐸 𝑡 − ⃗𝒈
2 2
So
𝑦maxB/E = 𝑦𝐵/𝐸 (𝑡 = 2 s) = 20 m .

1
(d) The cannonball hits the ground when 𝑦𝐵/𝐸 = 0 → (20 m⁄s)𝑡 − 2 (10 m⁄s 2 )𝑡 2 = 0 → 𝑡 = 4 s, where we
have chosen the non-zero root of the quadratic equation.
⃗ 𝐶⁄𝐸 (𝑡 = 4 s) = [48 m] 𝒊̂, while the position of the cannonball is
(e) At time 𝑡 = 4 s the position of the flat car is 𝒓
⃗ 𝐵⁄𝐸 (𝑡 = 4 s) = [64 m] 𝒊̂. Therefore, the distance between the cannonball and the flat car when the cannonball hits
𝒓
the ground is

⃗ 𝐵⁄𝐸 (𝑡 = 4 s) − 𝒓
|𝒓 ⃗ 𝐶⁄𝐸 (𝑡 = 4 s)| = 64 m − 48 m = 16 m .
2. A wedge of mass m is placed on a fixed plane inclined at an angle 𝛼 with the horizontal, as shown in the figure.
Coefficients of static and kinetic friction between the wedge and the inclined plane are 𝜇𝑠 and 𝜇𝑘 , respectively.
Initially the system is at rest. Answer the following in terms of relevant parameters indicated on the figure.
(a) (5 Pts.) What is the minimum value of the coefficient of static friction for which the system remains at rest (before
⃗ is applied to the wedge)?
the force 𝑭
A horizontal force with magnitude F is applied to the wedge as shown in the figure.
(b) (5 Pts.) Draw a free body diagrams for the wedge.
(c) (5 Pts.) What is the maximum value of F for which the wedge
remains at rest relative to the inclined plane? ⃗ 𝑚
𝑭
(d) (5 Pts.) Assume that the wedge starts to accelerate up the inclined
plane. What will be its acceleration? 𝛼 ⃗𝒈
⃗

(e) (5 Pts.) What is the critical value of the angle 𝛼 above which the
wedge will not move no matter how large the magnitude F is?
𝑦
Solution: ⃗𝒇s
⃗
𝒏
(a) Free-body diagram for the wedge before the force ⃗𝑭 applied is as shown.
The wedge is in equilibrium. Applying Newton’s first law, we have 𝑥
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝛼 − 𝑓𝑠 = 0 , Σ𝐹𝑦 = 𝑛 − 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝛼 = 0 𝛼
⃗⃗
𝑚𝒈
From the first equation 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝛼, while the second equation gives 𝑛 = 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝛼.
Since for static friction 𝑓𝑠 ≤ 𝜇𝑠 𝑛, we get 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝛼 ≤ 𝜇𝑠 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝛼 → 𝜇𝑠 ≥ tan 𝛼. Therefore, 𝜇𝑠−min = tan 𝛼.
⃗ applied is as shown.
(b) Free-body diagram for the wedge after the force 𝑭
𝑦
The wedge may or may not be accelerating. Assuming that it remains at rest,
⃗
𝒏
Σ𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝛼 + 𝑓𝑠 − 𝐹 cos 𝛼 = 0, Σ𝐹𝑦 = 𝑛 − 𝐹 sin 𝛼 − 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝛼 = 0 𝛼
⃗s
𝒇
From the first equation 𝑓𝑠 = 𝐹 cos 𝛼 − 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝛼, and from the second equation we have 𝑛 = 𝑥 ⃗
𝑭
𝐹 sin 𝛼 + 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝛼. Since 𝑓𝑠 ≤ 𝜇𝑠 𝑛, we find
𝛼
(sin 𝛼 + 𝜇𝑠 cos 𝛼) ⃗⃗
𝑚𝒈
𝐹 cos 𝛼 − 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝛼 ≤ 𝜇𝑠 𝐹 sin 𝛼 + 𝜇𝑠 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝛼 → 𝐹 ≤ 𝑚𝑔 .
(cos 𝛼 − 𝜇𝑠 sin 𝛼)
The maximum value of F for which the wedge remains at rest relative to the inclined plane is
(sin 𝛼 + 𝜇𝑠 cos 𝛼)
𝐹max = 𝑚𝑔 .
(cos 𝛼 − 𝜇𝑠 sin 𝛼)
(c) If 𝐹 > 𝐹max , the wedge will accelerate up the inclined plane. In this case kinetic friction will be in effect, and

Σ𝐹𝑥 = 𝑚𝑔 sin 𝛼 + 𝑓𝑘 − 𝐹 cos 𝛼 = −𝑚𝑎, Σ𝐹𝑦 = 𝑛 − 𝐹 sin 𝛼 − 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝛼 = 0 .

Since 𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑛 = 𝜇𝑘 𝐹 sin 𝛼 + 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔 cos 𝛼, acceleration of the wedge will be

𝐹
𝑎 = (cos 𝛼 − 𝜇𝑘 sin 𝛼) − (sin 𝛼 + 𝜇𝑘 cos 𝛼)𝑔.
𝑚
(sin 𝛼+𝜇 cos 𝛼)
(d) The result of part (b) was 𝐹max = (cos 𝛼−𝜇𝑠 sin 𝛼) 𝑚𝑔. As cos 𝛼 − 𝜇𝑠 sin 𝛼 → 0 we have 𝐹max → ∞. Therefore, the
𝑠
critical value of the angle 𝛼 is

𝛼c = arctan(1⁄𝜇𝑠 ) = arccot 𝜇𝑠 .
3. An elevator with total mass m accelerates upward with constant acceleration a over a distance d, starting from rest.
(a) (5 Pts.) How much work does the gravity do on the elevator?
(b) (5 Pts.) Find the tension in the cable pulling the elevator up.
(c) (5 Pts.) How much work does the tension in the elevator cable do on the elevator?
(d) (5 Pts.) Use the work-energy theorem to find the elevator’s speed after traveling the distance d.
(e) (5 Pts.) How long does it take the elevator to travel the distance d?
Solution:
⃗𝑻

⃗
𝒂
Free-body diagram for the elevator is as shown. We take the upward direction as positive.
𝑚

(a) Work done by the gravity is

⃗⃗
𝑚𝒈
𝑊𝑔 = −𝑚𝑔𝑑 .

(b) Using Newton’s second law and the free-body diagram given, we have

𝑇 − 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚𝑎 → 𝑇 = 𝑚(𝑔 + 𝑎) .

(c) Work done by the tension is

⃗ = 𝑚(𝑔 + 𝑎)𝑑 .
⃗ ∙𝒅
𝑊𝑇 = 𝑻

(d) Initially, the elevator is at rest, so its initial kinetic energy 𝐾𝑖 = 0. According to the work-energy theorem, change
in kinetic energy is equal to the net work done, i.e.,

∆𝐾 = 𝐾𝑓 − 𝐾𝑖 = 𝑊net = 𝑊𝑇 + 𝑊𝑔 → 𝐾𝑓 = 𝑚(𝑔 + 𝑎)𝑑 − 𝑚𝑔𝑑 = 𝑚𝑎𝑑 .

Therefore
1
𝑚𝑣 2 = 𝑚𝑎𝑑 → 𝑣𝑓 = √2𝑎𝑑 .
2 𝑓

1
(e) For motion with constant acceleration, we have 𝑦 = 𝑦0 + 𝑣0𝑦 𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 . Since 𝑦0 = 𝑣0𝑦 = 0, we have

1 2𝑑
𝑑 = 𝑎𝑡 2 → 𝑡=√ .
2 𝑎
4. A block of mass m is forced against a horizontal spring of negligible mass and with spring constant k, compressing
the spring a distance a. When released at the point O, the block moves on a horizontal surface a distance d before
moving around the circular track whose radius is R. The coefficient of friction between the block and the horizontal
surface from O to B is 𝜇𝑘 , while the circular track is frictionless.
(a) (5 Pts.) What is the initial energy stored in
the spring?
T
(b) (10 Pts.) What is the minimum value of a
such that the block travels the distance d to ⃗⃗
𝒈 𝑅
reach point B?
(c) (10 Pts.) What is the minimum value of a
such that the block moves around the circular 𝑘 𝑚
track without losing contact with the surface at
the top point T?
O 𝑑 B

Solution:
(a) Initial energy stored in the spring is
1
𝑈S = 𝑘𝑎2 .
2
⃗
𝒏

(b) As the block travels from point O to point B along the horizontal track, negative work is done
𝑦 ⃗𝒇k
by the friction force and gravitational potential energy of the block does not change. Hence,
energy is lost. If the block is to travel the distance d to reach point B, initial energy stored in the
spring must at least be equal to the absolute value of the work done by the friction force 𝑓𝑘 . From 𝑥
the free-body diagram, we have 𝑛 − 𝑚𝑔 = 0 → 𝑛 = 𝑚𝑔, and also we know that 𝑓𝑘 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑛. ⃗⃗
𝑚𝒈
Therefore

1 2𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝑑
𝐸𝑖 = 𝑈𝑂 = 𝑘𝑎12 = 𝑓𝑘 𝑑 = 𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝑑 → 𝑎1 = √ .
2 𝑘

(c) Free-body diagram of the block at the top of the circular track is as shown. The block has a
radial acceleration at the top of the circular track in the downward direction with magnitude 𝑎 =
2 ⁄
𝑣top 𝑅. Therefore, according to Newton’s second law, we have ⃗⃗
𝑚𝒈 ⃗
𝒏 ⃗
𝒂
2
𝑣top
𝑛 + 𝑚𝑔 = 𝑚 .
𝑅
The block will lose contact with the circular surface when 𝑛 = 0, so to complete the circular motion without loosing
contact with the surface at the top, the minimum speed at the top should be

𝑣top−min = √𝑅𝑔 .

Therefore, according to the work energy theorem with dissipative forces present, we have
1 2 1
∆𝐸 = 𝑊𝑓 → 𝐸top − 𝐸𝑂 = −𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝑑 → 𝑚𝑣top−min + 2𝑚𝑔𝑅 − 𝑘𝑎22 = −𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝑑 .
2 2
The minimum value of a such that the block moves around the circular track without losing contact with the surface at
the top point T is found as

𝑎2 = √(5𝑚𝑔𝑅 + 2𝜇𝑘 𝑚𝑔𝑑)⁄𝑘 .