Chapter 2- Part 2

Curvilinear motion of particles

:Position vector ,velocity ,Acceleration.

Eng. Abdullah Bani Domi

Physics 301
 ❑ Kinematic quantities
⚫ Just
as in 1d, in 2d, an object’s motion is completely known if it’s position,
velocity, & acceleration are known.

❑ 1- Position Vector, r(t)


r = xiˆ + y ˆj + z kˆ

Example: r = ( −3m) iˆ + (2m) ˆj + (5m) kˆ
has rectangular coordinates

(x, y, z)= (-3 m, 2 m, 5 m)

❑ 2- Displacement Vector, Δr

Displacement , Δr, of an object is the difference between

two positions.
Δr = r(t2) – r(t1) = r2 – r1
= (x2 − x1) î + (y2 − y1) ĵ
= Δx î + Δy ĵ

Displacement is not necessarily the same as the distance

traveled. Why?
❑ Example:
The position vector for a particle initially is:

and then later is:

what is the particle’s displacement?

 ❑ 3- Average Velocity
vavg = displacement / time (same as 1-D case), vavg is in the same direction of Δr.

❑ Example:
If a particle’s displacement is given by

The average velocity has a component of 6.0 m/s along the

Find its velocity during the time interval of 2 s. x axis and a component of 1.5 m /s along the z axis
❑ 4- Instantaneous Velocity

Scalar component of v
Scalar component of v
along x- axis Scalar component of v
❑ 5- Speed along y- axis
along z- axis

Speed is the magnitude (or absolute value) of the

instantaneous velocity.
|v| = (vx2 + vy2 + vz2) ½
Speed is always ≥ 0.

❑ Direction of the Instantaneous Velocity, v(t)

The direction of v is always tangent
to the object’s path at the object’s
position.
 ❑ 6- Average Acceleration
Average acceleration, aavg, is the ratio of the object’s change in velocity, Δv, and the
corresponding time interval, Δt .

❑ 7- Instantaneous Acceleration, a(t)

 
 v dv
a = lim =
a(t) is the acceleration of the object at an instant Δt → 0 t dt
in time.  dv x ˆ dv y ˆ dvz ˆ
a(t) is the instantaneous rate of change of v with a= i+ j+ k = a xiˆ + a y ˆj + a z kˆ
dt dt dt
respect to t.
❑ Example:
• A rabbit’s position is given by the parametric equations
r(t) = xî + yĵ where
x(t) = −0.31t2 + 7.2t + 28
y(t) = 0.22t2 − 9.1t + 30

• (a) At t 15 s, what is the rabbit’s position vector

in unit-vector notation and in magnitude-angle
87 m
notation?
• (b) Graph the rabbit’s path for t 0 to t 25 s.
• © find the velocity at time t 15 s.
• (d) find the acceleration at time t 15 s.
❑ Example: Solution:

(a)
❑ Example: Solution:

(b) we repeat part (a) for several

values of t and then plot the results.
❑ Example: Solution: (c)

(magnitude)

(angle)
❑ Example: Solution:

(d)
 ❑ 2d Motion, Constant Acceleration
It can be shown that:
❑ Motion in the x-y plane can be treated as 2 independent motions in the x & y directions.
❑  So, motion in the x direction doesn’t affect the y motion & motion in the y direction doesn’t affect the
x motion.
❑ Suppose an object moves from A (ri,vi), to B (rf,vf), in the x-y plane. So, it’s position clearly changes
with time:
The acceleration a is constant, so, as in 1d, we can write (vectors!):  rf = ri + vit + (½)at2
 Summary
• For 2d motion when the acceleration a is constant, we have:
 rf = ri + vit + (½)at2, vf = vi + at
• For the Horizontal Part of the Motion we have:
xf = xi + vxit + (½)axt2, vxf = vxi + axt
• For the Vertical Part of the Motion we have:
yf = yyi + vyit + (½)ayt2, vyf = vyi + ayt
❑ Example:
 ❑ Projectile Motion
❑ A projectile is an object moving in two dimensions under the influence of Earth's
gravity; its path is a parabola.
⚫ Special case of 2-D motion
⚫ Horizontal motion: ax = 0 so vx = constant
⚫ Vertical motion: ay = g = constant so the
constant acceleration equations apply (The free-fall
acceleration is constant over the range of motion : It is directed downward).

⚫ Assumptions:
– Horizontal and vertical motions are independent of
each other
– Air resistance (i.e., drag) can be ignored (The effect
of air friction is negligible).
 ❑Analyzing Projectile Motion
⚫ Consider the motion as the superposition of the motions in the x- and y-
directions
⚫ The actual position at any time is given by:
rf = ri + vi t + 1 gt 2
2
⚫ The initial velocity can be expressed in terms of its components
⚫ vxi = vi cos q and vyi = vi sin q
⚫ The x-direction has constant velocity (Motion of a particle under constant velocity
in the horizontal direction)
⚫ ax = 0
⚫ The y-direction is free fall (Motion of a particle under constant acceleration in the
vertical direction)
⚫ ay = -g
❑Projectile Motion Vectors

⚫ rf = ri + vi t + 1 gt 2
2
⚫ The final position is the vector sum of
the initial position, the position
resulting from the initial velocity and
the position resulting from the
acceleration
⚫ The y-component of the velocity is zero at the maximum height of the
trajectory
⚫ The acceleration stays the same throughout the trajectory
Range and Maximum Height of
a Projectile
⚫ When analyzing projectile
motion, two characteristics
are of special interest
⚫ The range, R, is the
horizontal distance of the
projectile
⚫ The maximum height the
projectile reaches is h
 Height of a Projectile, equation
⚫ Trajectory Equation: objects follow a parabolic path.
gx 2
y = (tan qo ) x −
2(vo cosqo )
2

⚫ The maximum height of the projectile can be found in terms of the

initial velocity vector:
v sin qi
2 2
h= i
2g

⚫ This equation is valid only for symmetric motion

Range of a Projectile, equation
⚫ The range of a projectile can be expressed in terms of the initial
velocity vector: 2
vo
R = x = sin 2qo
g

⚫ This is valid only for symmetric trajectory

❑Projectile Motion Equations
⚫ Trajectory Equation: objects
follow a parabolic path.
2
gx
y = (tan qo ) x −
2(vo cosqo )
2

⚫ Range Equation: gives range R =

Δx only when Δy = 0.
– What angle gives maximum range?
2
v
R = x = sin 2qo
o
g
❑Motion with Constant Acceleration

⚫ v = vo + at
⚫ x − xo = vot + ½ at2
⚫ v2 = vo2 + 2a(x − xo)
⚫ x − xo = ½ (vo + v)t
⚫ x − xo = vt − ½ at2
❑Free-Fall Acceleration Equations

⚫ If +y is vertically up, then the free-fall acceleration due to gravity

near Earth’s surface is a = − g = − 9.8 m/s2.
⚫ v = vo − gt
⚫ y − yo = vot − ½ gt2
⚫ v2 = vo2 − 2g(y − yo)
⚫ y − yo = ½ (vo + v)t
⚫ y − yo = vt + ½ gt2
 Summary: Projectile Motion
Projectile motion is motion with constant acceleration in two dimensions, where
The acceleration is g and is down.
 A projectile is fired horizontally from a gun that is 45.0 m above flat ground,
❑ Problem. 1: emerging from the gun with a speed of 250 m/s. (a) How long does the projectile
remain in the air? (b) At what horizontal distance from the firing point does it
strike the ground? (c) What is the magnitude of the vertical component of its
velocity as it strikes the ground?
 A projectile is fired horizontally from a gun that is 45.0 m above flat ground,
❑ Problem. 1: emerging from the gun with a speed of 250 m/s. (a) How long does the projectile
remain in the air? (b) At what horizontal distance from the firing point does it
strike the ground? (c) What is the magnitude of the vertical component of its
velocity as it strikes the ground?
Θ0 = 0
v0x= v0 cosΘ0 = 250 cos 0= 250 m/s, v0y= v0 sinΘ0 = 250 sin 0= 0 m/s.
Solution (a)
(y-y0 = -400)
𝟏 𝟏
y-y0 = 𝒗𝟎𝒚𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐 ====) − 𝟒𝟓 = 𝟎 𝒕 + −𝟗. 𝟖 𝒕 𝟐
𝟐 𝟐

−𝟒𝟓
= 𝒕 𝟐 ………………. ( 9.1836 = 𝒕) …………….. t= 3.03 s
−𝟒.𝟗

- Solution (b):
- x-x0= 𝒗𝟎𝒙𝒕 ====)) x-0= 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝟑. 𝟎𝟑 = 𝟕𝟓𝟖 𝒎/𝒔

- Solution (c): 𝒗𝒇𝒚 = 𝒗𝟎𝒚 + 𝒂𝒕 𝒗𝒇𝒚 = 𝟎+ (-9.8) (3.03)

- 𝒗𝒇𝒚 = -29.694.
- Magnitude ====== l 𝒗𝒇𝒚 l= 29.694 m/s.
 You throw a ball toward a wall at speed 25.0 m/s and at angle 40.0° above the horizontal. The
❑ Problem. 2: wall is distance d = 22.0 m from the release point of the ball. (a) How far above the release point
does the ball hit the wall? What are the (b) horizontal and (c) vertical components of its velocity
as it hits the wall? (d) When it hits, has it passed the highest point on its trajectory?
 You throw a ball toward a wall at speed 25.0 m/s and at angle 40.0° above the horizontal. The
❑ Problem. 2: wall is distance d = 22.0 m from the release point of the ball. (a) How far above the release point
does the ball hit the wall? What are the (b) horizontal and (c) vertical components of its velocity
as it hits the wall? (d) When it hits, has it passed the highest point on its trajectory?
v0= 25 m/s, Θ0 = 40° , d= 22 m.
v0x= v0 cosΘ0 = 25 cos 40= 19.2 m/s, v0y= v0 sinΘ0 = 25 sin 40= 16.07 m/s.
- x-x0= 𝒗𝟎𝒙𝒕 ====)) 2𝟐 = 𝟏𝟗. 𝟏𝟓 𝒕
- t= 1.15 s.

𝟏
- Solution (a): y-y0 = 𝒗𝟎𝒚𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕𝟐
𝟐
𝟏 𝟐
- y-0 = 𝟏𝟔. 𝟎𝟕 𝟏. 𝟏𝟓 + −𝟗. 𝟖 𝟏. 𝟏𝟓 𝒚 = 𝟏𝟐 𝒎
𝟐

- Solution (b and c): horizontal velocity: v0x= 19.15 m/s

- Vertical velocity: 𝒗𝒇𝒚 = 𝒗𝟎𝒚 + 𝒂𝒕 𝒗𝒇𝒚 = 16.07+ (-9.8) (1.15)
- 𝒗𝒇𝒚= 4.8 m/s.
❑ Problem. 3:

Solution: Because the cannon and the ship are at the same
height, the horizontal displacement is the range.
❑ Problem. 4: ❑ Problem. 4:
Θ0 = 60, v0= 42 m/s, t= 5.5 s.
v0x= v0 cosΘ0 = 42 cos 60= 21 m/s, v0y= v0 sinΘ0 = 42 sin 60= 36.37 m/s.
Solution (a):
𝟏 𝟏
yf -y0 = 𝒗𝟎𝒚𝒕 + 𝒂𝒕 ====)𝒚𝒇 − 𝟎 = 𝟑𝟔. 𝟑𝟕 𝟓. 𝟓 + −𝟗. 𝟖 𝟓. 𝟓 𝟐
𝟐
𝟐 𝟐
yf=h= 51.8 m
- Solution (b):
❑ vf=??....... vfx= 21 m/s , vfy= ?? 𝒗𝒇𝒚 = 𝒗𝟎𝒚 + 𝒂𝒕
❑ 𝒗𝒇𝒚 = 𝟑𝟔. 𝟑𝟕 + −𝟗. 𝟖 (𝟓. 𝟓)= -17.53 m/s
❑ 𝒗𝒇 = (𝟐𝟏)𝟐 +(−17.53)𝟐 = 27.4 m/s

❑ Solution (c):
Example.1: The maximum range of a projectile is at a launch angle:
(a) 35º (b) 45º (c) 55º (d) 25º

Example.2 : In the projectile motion, the horizontal velocity component vx remains

constant because the acceleration in the horizontal direction is:
(a) ax = g (b) ax >g (c) ax = 0 (d) ax > 0

Example.3 : The range of a ball that is thrown at angle of 30o above the horizontal with
an initial speed of 65 m/s is:
(a) 318.1m (b) 266.3m (c) 373.4m (d) 220m
Example.4: A projectile is launched at an angle such that the maximum height reached
equals the horizontal range. The launch angle is?

Example.5 A ball is kicked from the ground with an initial speed of 4m/s at an upward
angle of 30o. The time the ball takes to reach its maximum height is:

Example.6 : A ball is kicked from the ground with initial speed of 15m/s, the maximum
horizontal distance the ball travels is:

Note: when a projectile is thrown

and reach the maximum horizontal
distance, this means that θ= 45o
Example.7: A ball is projected above the horizontal with an initial velocity Vo= 25Î+25Ĵ
m/s. The maximum height the ball rises is?

Example.8 A ball is kicked with speed of 25m/s at an angle of 35o above the ground. Its
time of flight is:

Example.9 : An object is projected from the ground with an initial velocity of 15m/s at an
angle of 30o above the horizontal. The maximum height the object reaches above the
ground is:
 ❑Uniform Circular Motion
⚫ Uniform circular motion: when a particle travels around a
circle at constant (uniform) speed
o Its speed does not vary
o Its acceleration changes? (because its velocity changes in
direction).
⚫ The relationship between the particle's velocity &
acceleration:
✓ Both vectors have constant magnitude, but their directions
change continuously
✓ The velocity is always directed tangent to the circle in the
direction of motion
✓ The acceleration is always directed radially inward
 ❑Uniform Circular Motion
⚫ Centripetal acceleration: it is the acceleration that is associated with the uniform circular motion
⚫ The magnitude of the centripetal acceleration a is

where r : the radius of the circle

v : the speed of the particle
⚫ During this acceleration, the particle travels the circumference of the circle (a distance of
2Πr) in time T

⚫ . Period of revolution or period (T ): the time for a particle to go around a closed path
exactly once.
Example: a player runs in a circular tract has a radius of 50m with a constant speed of
10m/s. The magnitude of his centripetal acceleration is: