Instructions: Answer ALL questions and take gravitational acceleration, g = 9.80 m/s2.

Q1. (a) When an object undergoes a periodical oscillation, the displacement of the
mv 2
object from the equilibrium position, x, is given by the equation x = A − 2

k
where A is the amplitude of the oscillation, m is the mass of the object, and v is
the speed of the object. By using dimensional analysis, determine the dimension
and the S.I. base unit of k. (4 marks)

(b) Determine the cross product of vector A = −5iˆ + 7 ˆj − 9kˆ and vector
B = 4iˆ − 8 ˆj + kˆ . (3 marks)

(c) A vector C has a magnitude of 15.0 units and points 35.0° above the positive x
axis. A second vector D has a magnitude of 28.0 units and points in the negative
x direction. Using the component method, find the magnitude of the resultant
vector R = C + D . (5 marks)
[Total : 12 marks]

Q2. (a) Airplanes have an average lift off speed of 265 km/h. An airplane, starting from
rest, accelerates on the lane for a distance of 890 m before taking off. Calculate

(i) the minimum constant acceleration required by the airplane for takeoff,
and (4 marks)

(ii) the time it takes for the airplane to lift off. (3 marks)

(b) The best leaper in the animal kingdom is the puma, which can jump to a height
of 3.66 m when leaving the ground at an angle of 45.0°. Calculate the speed the
puma must leave the ground to reach that height. (4 marks)

(c) A rocket is fired at a speed of 56.0 m/s from the ground level at an angle of
52.0° above the horizontal. The rocket is fired towards a 14.0 m high wall which
is located 30.0 m away. Calculate

(i) the time it takes for the rocket to travel above the wall, (3 marks)

(ii) the height it reaches after the time calculated in Q2. (c) (i), and
(3 marks)

(iii) by how much does the rocket clear the top of the wall. (1 mark)
[Total : 18 marks]
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FHSC1014 MECHANICS

Q3. (a) An object with mass, m = 200 kg is in equilibrium when hung by two cords as
shown in Figure 3.1. Given that the angle  is 25.0º and the mass of the cords
are negligibile, calculate the tension in the cords, F1 and F2.

F1
F2

Figure 3.1
(8 marks)

(b) A person of mass 65.0 kg is being pulled vertically up by a rope from the bottom
of a cave that is 45.0 m deep. The maximum tension that the rope can withstand
without breaking is 700 N.

(i) Sketch a free body diagram with all the forces involved. (2 marks)

(ii) Calculate the shortest time, starting from rest, in which the person can
be brought out of the cave without causing the rope to break. (7 marks)

(iii) Will the rope break if a person of 75.0 kg is to experience an acceleration

of 2.00 m/s2 on his way up from the cave using the same rope? Justify
your answer. (3 marks)
[Total : 20 marks]

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FHSC1014 MECHANICS

FINAL ANSWER

Q1. (a) = MT −2
S.I. base unit of k = kg/s2

(b) = −65iˆ − 31 ˆj + 12kˆ

(c) = 17.9 units

Q2. (a) (i) = 3.04 m/s 2

(ii) = 24.2 s

(b) = 12.0 m/s

(c) (i) = 0.870 s

(ii) = 34.7 m

(iii) y = 20.7 m

Q3. (a) F1 = 4.64 103 N

F2 = 4.20 103 N

(b) (i)

(ii) t = 9.64 s

(iii) Yes.
T = 885 N  Tmax