MOTION IN A PLANE

Chapter 4 MOTION IN A PLANE

When a body moves in a plane (a two dimensional motion) or in a space (a three

dimensional motion) then the position, displacement, velocity and acceleration of the body have
two or three components respectively. Then we need to use Vectors to describe the concept of
position, displacement, velocity and acceleration.

Scalar quantity: A physical quantity having only magnitude is called a scalar quantity. It is
specified completely by a single number along with proper unit.
Ex: mass, length, temperature, speed, charge, area etc.
Scalars can be added, subtracted, multiplied and divided just as the ordinary numbers.
They follow the rules of algebra.

Vector quantity: A Physical quantity having both magnitude and direction and obey the triangle
law of addition is called Vector quantity. It is represented by a number with an appropriate unit
and direction.
Ex: Displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, momentum etc.

Differences between Scalar quantity and Vector quantity

Scalar Quantity
It has only magnitude
They follow the rules of ordinary algebra
Ex: Mass, Length, Temperature, Area
These change when magnitude changes
Vector Quantity
It has both magnitude and direction
They follow the rules of vector algebra
Ex: Displacement, velocity, Acceleration, Force
These changes when magnitude changes or
direction changes or both of them changes.

Representation of a vector: To represent a vector we use a bold face letters or

an arrow placed over a letter.
Ex: a= ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
Here O is called the initial point and P is called the terminal point.
Length of the line segment OP represents the magnitude and arrow at the end
point indicates the direction.
The magnitude of a vector is often called the absolute value and indicated by, | | | ⃗|

Classification of vectors:
Parallel vectors: Two or more vectors having same direction are called parallel vectors.

Anti-parallel vectors (opposite vectors) : Vectors having opposite directions are called anti-
parallel vectors (opposite vectors).

Equality of vector (Equal vectors): Two (or more) vectors having same
magnitude and direction, representing the same physical quantity are called
Equal vectors.

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Negative of a vector: A vector having same magnitude but having

opposite direction to that of the given vector is called negative of a given
vector.

Zero(Null) vector: A vector whose magnitude is zero is called Zero

vector. It is represented by ⃗⃗ and the direction is not specified.
Properties of Zero vector are, ⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗
|⃗⃗|
⃗ ⃗⃗ ⃗
⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗ ⃗⃗
⃗⃗ ⃗⃗

Unit vector: A vector having unit magnitude is called unit vector.

Its purpose is to specify a direction. Unit vector has no dimensions and unit.
If ⃗ is a vector, then the unit vector in direction of ⃗ is written as ̂ (read as “a cap”) ⃗ | ⃗| ̂,
⃗
̂
| ⃗|
Note: The unit vectors in the positive directions of x, y and z axes are labelled as ̂ ̂ ̂
respectively.

Addition of vectors – Graphical method

Two vectors representing the same quantity in the same unit are added using following rules.

(i) Triangle method of vector addition:

Law of triangle of vectors or Triangular law of vector addition:
If two vectors ⃗ and ⃗⃗ are represented by two sides of a triangle in head to tail form, then the
closing side of the triangle taken from tail of the first to head of the second represent the vector
sum of ⃗ and ⃗⃗ .

Explanation:
Consider two vectors, ⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and ⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ are of same nature.
The triangle ABC is completed by joining A and C.
According to triangle law of addition, ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ represents the
sum of ⃗ and ⃗⃗ .
⃗ ⃗⃗ ⃗ or ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
Note: In this procedure of vector addition, vectors are arranged head-to-tail. Hence it is called
head-to-tail method.

Properties vector addition:

(a) Vector addition is commutative. (b) Vector addition is Associative.
⃗ ⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗ ⃗ ( ⃗ ⃗⃗) ⃗ ⃗ ( ⃗⃗ ⃗)

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(ii) Parallelogram method of vector addition

Law of parallelogram of vectors or Parallelogram law of vector addition:
If two vectors are represented by two adjacent sides of a parallelogram, then the diagonal drawn
from the common initial point represents their vector sum.
Explanation: Vector ⃗ and ⃗⃗ are drawn with a
common initial point and parallelogram is
constructed using these two vectors as two
adjacent sides of a parallelogram. The diagonal
originating from the common initial point is
vector sum of ⃗ and ⃗⃗.

Subtraction vectors – Graphical method: Subtraction of vectors can be defined in terms of

addition of vectors.
Consider two vectors ⃗ and ⃗⃗ of same nature and another vector ⃗⃗
which is opposite (negative) vector of ⃗⃗ , then
⃗ ( ⃗⃗) ⃗ ⃗⃗

Note: Subtraction vector is neither commutative nor associative.

Multiplication of a vector by real(Scalar) number OR Scalar multiplication of a Vector:

The product of a vector ⃗ and a positive number (Scalar) gives a vector, whose magnitude is
changed by a factor but direction is same as that of ⃗.
| ⃗| |⃗ |
If is negative, the direction of the vector ⃗ is opposite to the direction of the vector ⃗ and
magnitude is – times | ⃗ |.
If the multiplying factor is dimensionless then ⃗ have the same dimensions as that of ⃗ and is
product of dimensions if has dimensions.

Resolution of vectors: Splitting a given vector into a number of components is called resolution of
vectors OR The process of finding the components of a given vector is called resolution the vector.

Expressions for X and Y components of a Vector:

Consider a vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ in X-Y plane, which makes an angle with the positive X-axis.
Draw AM and AN perpendicular to X and Y axes respectively.
Let ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗
From parallelogram law of addition, we have ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗ ⃗ ⃗
(Here ⃗ is x - component of ⃗ and ⃗ is y - component of ⃗)

Vectoricaly ⃗⃗ ⃗⃗ and ⃗⃗ ⃗⃗

Note: ⃗ and ⃗ being perpendicular are called Rectangular components of ⃗

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Magnitude: Magnitude of ⃗ is given by | ⃗|

Now, and
Taking

( )

Note:
(i) In terms of unit vectors, ⃗ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂
where ⃗ ̂ and ⃗ ̂
(ii) If ⃗ is in XYZ plane and makes an angle d with X, Y and Z axes
respectively, then , , and
⃗ ̂ ̂ ̂

The magnitude of ⃗ is, √

Find the magnitude and direction of the resultatnt of two vectors ⃗⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗ in terms of their
magnitudes and angle between them.

Let ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ represent the two vectors ⃗ and ⃗⃗ making an angle .
Then using the parallelogram method of vector addition ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ represents the resultant vector ⃗⃗ .
⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗
Draw SN is normal to OP extended.

Magnitude: From geometry,

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Direction: Let be angle made by the resultant vector ⃗⃗ with the vector ⃗, then

( )

Limitations of Graphical method of adding vectors:

(i) It is very difficult method.
(ii) It has limited accuracy.
To overcome these limitations Analytical method of addition of vectors is preferred.

Addition of vectors – Analytical method:

In two Dimensions: Consider two vectors ⃗ and ⃗⃗ in X-Y plane.
If ⃗ ̂ ̂ and ⃗⃗ ̂ ̂ then, ⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗
⃗⃗ ( ̂ ̂) ( ̂ ̂)
⃗⃗ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂
⃗⃗ ̂ ( )̂
⃗⃗⃗ ̂ ̂
Where and

In three Dimensions: If ⃗ ̂ ̂ ̂ and ⃗⃗ ̂ ̂ ̂ then, ⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗⃗

⃗⃗ ( ̂ ̂ ̂) ( ̂ ̂ ̂)
⃗⃗ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂
⃗⃗ ̂ ( )̂ ̂
⃗⃗⃗ ̂ ̂ ̂
This method can be extended to addition and subtraction of any number of vectors.

Motion in a plane
Position vector: The position vector ⃗ of a particle located in
X-Y plane with reference to the origin is given by, ⃗ ̂ ̂
Where and are component of ⃗ along X-axis and Y-axis
respectively.

Displacement: Consider a particle moves along curve.

Initially it is at at time and moves to a new position at time .
Then the displacement is given by, ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
⃗ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂
⃗ ̂ ̂ ̂ ̂
⃗ ̂ ̂
⃗⃗ ̂ ̂ Where and

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Velocity:
Average velocity: It is defined as ratio of the displacement to the time taken.
⃗ ̂ ̂
⃗̅

⃗̅ ̂ ̂

⃗̅⃗ ̅ ̂ ̅ ̂ ̅ ̅
Direction of the average velocity is same as that of the displacement.

Instantaneous velocity (Velocity): It is given by the limiting value of the average velocity as the
time interval approaches to zero.
⃗
⃗
⃗⃗
⃗⃗
The direction of velocity at any point on the path of the object is tangential to the path at that point
and in the direction of the motion.
The components of the velocity ⃗ are given by,
⃗
⃗

⃗ ( ̂ ̂)

⃗ ̂ ̂

⃗ ̂ ̂
⃗⃗ ̂ ̂

The magnitude is given by √ and Direction is given by ( )

Acceleration:
Average acceleration: It is defined as the change in velocity divided by time interval.
⃗ ( ̂ ̂)
̅⃗

̅⃗ ̂ ̂
⃗̅⃗ ̅ ̂ ̅ ̂

Instantaneous acceleration (Acceleration): It is the limiting value of the average acceleration as

the time interval approaches zero.
⃗
⃗
⃗⃗
⃗⃗
The Components are given by,
⃗
⃗
̂ ̂
⃗

⃗ ̂ ̂

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⃗ ̂ ̂
⃗⃗ ̂ ̂
In one dimension the direction of velocity and acceleration is same or in opposite direction but in
two or three dimensions, velocity and acceleration vectors may have any angle between 0 0 and
1800.

Motion in a plane with constant acceleration

Consider an object moving in x-y plane and its acceleration ⃗ is constant.
Let the velocity of the object be ⃗ at time and ⃗ at time , then
(i) ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
In terms of its components,

(ii) Displacement is ⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
In terms of its components,

(iii) ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗ ⃗

In terms of its components,

The motion in plane can be treated as two separate simultaneous one-dimensional motions with
constant acceleration along two perpendicular directions.

Relative velocity in two Dimensions: Suppose two objects and are moving with velocities ⃗
and ⃗ , then the velocity of the object relative to that of is, ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
Similarly, the velocity of the object relative to that of is, ⃗ ⃗ ⃗
Therefore, ⃗ ⃗ and | ⃗ | | ⃗ |

Examples for Motion in a plane:

(i) Projectile motion (Uniformly accelerated motion)
(ii) Circular motion (Non-uniformly accelerated motion)
When a particle traces a curve in two dimensional plane, the velocity of the particle changes at
least in direction. Hence, a two dimensional motion along a curve is essentially an accelerated
motion. Acceleration may be uniform or non-uniform.

Projectile: A projectile is any object thrown into air or space.

Projectile motion: Motion associated with a projectile in parabolic path is called Projectile motion.
Ex: A ball leaving the hand of a bowler, A stone thrown at an angle to the horizontal, An object
dropped from an aeroplane in horizontal flight.
The motion of projectile may be thought of as the result of two separate, simultaneously
occurring components of motion. One component is along a horizontal direction with any
acceleration and other along the vertical direction with constant acceleration due to gravity. It was
Galileo, who first stated this independency of the horizontal and vertical components of projectile motion.

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Analysis of Projectile motion:

Let a projectile is projected with initial velocity ⃗
that makes an angle with x-axis.
The acceleration acting on it is due to gravity and is
directed vertically downwards.
, hence ⃗ ̂
The components of initial velocity ⃗ are,

The components of velocity at time are,

The components of displacements at time are,

(along X-axis)

Path of a projectile: The path described by the projectile is called trajectory. The trajectory is a
parabola

Expression for path of a projectile (Show that the path of a projectile is Parabola):
The displacement of the projectile along X-axis is,

The displacement of the projectile along Y-axis is,

( ) ( )

The equation represents a parabola. Hence the trajectory is a parabola.

Time of Flight: It is the time during which the projectile is in flight. It is denoted by .

Expression for Time of flight:

The component of velocity along Y-axis at time t is,

At maximum height and time for maximum height, .

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Time of flight bec use “time of sce t = time of desce t”

Maximum height of a projectile: It is the maximum height reached by the projectile in time .
It is denoted by .

Expression for maximum height of a projectile:

( ) ( )

( )

Horizontal Range of projectile: It is the horizontal distance covered by the projectile during its
flight. It is denoted by

Expression for Horizontal Range of projectile:

Displacement along X-axis is,
Now and

( )

Note:
(i) For a given speed of projection, the projectile will have maximum range when is
maximum or angle of projection is .

Then angle of projection,

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(ii) Show that when the angle of projection is .

( )

The maximum range of a projectile is equal to times the maximum height reached.

Uniform circular motion: Motion of the object in a circular path at a constant speed is called
uniform circular motion.
Even though the object moves at a constant speed it has acceleration, because there is a
continuous change in its direction of motion. Hence there is a change in its velocity from point to
point.

Expression for Acceleration:

Let ⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗ be the position vectors and ⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗ are the velocities of
the object when it is at and as shown.

Velocity at a point is along the tangent at that point in the direction

of motion.
From , ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗⃗⃗⃗ ⃗ ⃗
⃗ is change in velocity, which is towards the centre. Since the path is circular, ⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗ are
perpendicular to ⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗ respectively. Therefore ⃗ is perpendicular to ⃗.
⃗

Since ⃗ is perpendicular to ⃗, ̅ is along ⃗ and perpendicular to ⃗ and directed towards the

centre of the circle.

⃗
⃗
Its magnitude is given by, | ⃗|
| ⃗|

Since the velocity vectors ⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗ are always perpendicular to ⃗ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗, the angle between ⃗ and
⃗⃗⃗⃗ is also
and are similar.

| ⃗|
| ⃗|
| ⃗|
| ⃗|
⃗

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| ⃗|

| ⃗|

This equation represents the magnitude of acceleration and is directed towards centre.

Centripetal acceleration: The acceleration, which is directed towards the centre, is called
centripetal acceleration.
The term centripetal acceleration was termed by Newton and Centripetal comes from a Greek term
which means Centre seeking of towards centre.

Note:
(i) In uniform circular motion as the object moves from P to Q (in the above figure) in time the
line OP turns through an angle , called angular distance.

If the distance travelled then,

But , where R is the radius of the trajectory.

( )

(ii) Time period (T): Time taken by an object to make one revolution.

(iii)Frequency ( ): Number of revolution made in one second.

Distance moved in time period

Comparing equation (1) and (2), we get

Then Acceleration,

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Problems:
1) A cricket ball is thrown at a speed of in direction 300 with the horizontal. Calculate
(a) the maximum height
(b) the time taken by the ball to return to the same level.
(c) the distance from the thrower to the point where the ball returns to the same level.

Given ,

( )

2) A cricket ball projected at an angle of 300 with the horizontal takes 3 second to reach the
ground. Calculate (a) the velocity of projection. (b) The horizontal range of the ball.

Given, ,

3) The ceiling of a long hall is 25m high. What is the maximum horizontal distance that a ball
thrown with a speed of can go without hitting the ceiling of the hall?
Given , Height of the hall, ,

√
√

4) A cricketer can throw a ball to a maximum horizontal distance of 100m. How much high above
the ground can the cricketer throw the same ball?

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Given , For maximum range,

To throw the ball vertically upwards,

5) A stone tide to the end of a string 80cm long is whirled in a horizontal circle with a constant
speed. If the stone makes 14 revolutions in 25s, what is the magnitude and direction of
acceleration of the stone?
Given
Radius,

6) An aircraft executes a horizontal loop of radius 1km with a speed of 900kmph. Compare its
centripetal acceleration with the acceleration due to gravity.
Given Radius,

Comparison:
But

7) Rain is falling vertically with a speed of . A woman rides a bicycle with a speed of
in the north-south direction. What is the direction in which she should hold her
umbrella?
Given
Velocity of bicycle, ⃗
Velocity of rain, ⃗

√ √
( )

( )

She should hold the umbrella at an angle with the vertical in south-west direction.
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8) An aeroplane flying at 540kmph drops a missile towards the ground. If the height of the plane
is 1000m then calculate (a) time taken by the missile to hit the ground. (b) Horizontal distance
covered by the missile from the initial point.
Given

At the top,

(a) Time taken can be calculated as,

9) Two concurrent forces 20N and 30N are acting at an angle of 600 with respect to each other.
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant.

Given , ,
(a) Magnitude, √ ( )
√
( )
√ √
( )

Resultant force is in the direction of with respect to .

Suggested Questions.
One mark.
1) What is unit vector?
2) Represent the unit vector in mathematical form.
3) What is Zero (null) vector?
4) Is scalar multiplied by a vector, a vector or a scalar?
5) What is the minimum number of vectors to give zero resultant?
6) When will be the resultant of two given vectors is maximum?
7) What is time of flight of a projectile?
8) At what angle range of a projectile is maximum?
or
When the range of a projectile does become maximum?
9) What is the relation between maximum height and maximum range of a projectile?
10) For angle of projection , is the range of the projectile. Then write another angle of
projection for which the range is same.

Two marks.
1) What are scalar and vector? Give example. OR Distinguish between scalar and vector.
2) A unit vector is represented by ̂ ̂ ̂ If the value of and are and
respectively, then find the value of .
3) State and explain parallelogram law of vector addition.
4) What is a projectile? Give an example.

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5) Write the equation for the trajectory of a projectile motion. What is the nature of its trajectory?

Three marks.
1) State and explain the triangle law of vectors addition.
2) What is resolution of vectors? Write expressions for and components (Rectangular) of a
vector. or
Obtain the equations for rectangular components of a vector in two dimensions.
3) Derive an expression for magnitude of resultant of two concurrent vectors.
or
Find the magnitude of the resultant of two vectors and in terms of their magnitude and
angle between them.
4) Obtain an expression for maximum height reached by a projectile.
5) Obtain an expression for time of flight of a projectile.
6) Obtain the expression for range of a projectile.

Five marks.
1) What is projectile motion? Show that trajectory of projectile is a parabola.
or
What is projectile motion? Derive an expression for trajectory of projectile.
or
Show that the path of the projectile is a parabola.
2) What is centripetal acceleration? Derive an expression for centripetal acceleration of a particle
in uniform circular motion.
or
What is centripetal acceleration? Derive the expression for radial acceleration.

Additional Problems:
1) The position of a particle is given by ⃗ ̂ ̂ ̂ where is in second and the co-
efficients have their proper units for ⃗ to be in metre. Find (a) and of the particle (b)
magnitude and direction of at
2) A bullet is fired at a velocity of at an angle of to the horizontal. Find the
maximum height attended ad time of flight.
3) A body is projected with a velocity of in a direction making an angle of with the
horizontal. Find (a) the maximum height. (b) the time taken by the body to return to the same
level and (c) the range.
4) A ball is thrown into air with a speed of at an angle with the horizontal. Calculate
(a) the maximum height attained. (b) the time of flight and (c) the horizontal range.
5) A player hits a cricket ball at angle of to the horizontal. If the ball moves with a velocity of
. Find (a) the maximum height reached by the ball. (b) the time of flight and (c) the
horizontal range. Given .
6) A football player kicks a ball at an angle of to the horizontal with an initial velocity of
. Assuming that the ball travels in a vertical plane. Calculate (a) the maximum height
reached. (b) the time of flight and (c) the horizontal range.
7) An object is projected with a velocity of in a direction making an angle of with the
horizontal. Find (a) Maximum height (b) Time of flight (c) Horizontal range of an object.

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