Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.

Department of Mechanical Engineering.

ENG234: Engineering Mechanics II – Dynamics.

Worked Examples C
Instructions
Answer 4 out of the 6 Questions. All questions carry equal marks.
Diagrams should be well labeled and dimensioned.
Start writing answers to a new question on a new page, with question number at the top.

Question 1
a) Briefly explain motion of a particle under gravity. (3 marks)
b) A stone is thrown vertically upward with a velocity of 20 m/s from the top of a tower 25 m high.
Calculate:
i) the maximum height to which the stone will rise in its flight. (8 marks)
ii) the velocity of the stone during its downward travel at a point in the same level as the
point of projection. (2 marks)
iii) time required for the stone to reach the ground. (7 marks)
Take g = 9.81 m/s2

Answer
a) Motion of a particle under gravity refers to movement of a particle such that the vertical
motion is affected by gravity. A body undergoing a free fall will have a constant
acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s2) directed downward.

(1 mark for a correct diagram)

b) Considering the figure above;
i) Motion from B to C :
Page 1 of 12
 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑔𝑡 (1 mark)
0 = 20 − 9.81𝑡; 𝑡 = 20 𝑠 (2 marks)
𝑣 2 − 𝑢2 = 2𝑎ℎ
0 − 202 = 2 × (−9.81)ℎ (1 mark)
400 = 19.62 ℎ; ℎ = 20.4 𝑚 (1 mark)
The total height from the ground = 20.4 + 25 = 45.4 𝑚. (2 marks)

ii) Motion from C to B

Velocity at B, 𝑣𝑏 = 𝑢 + 𝑔𝑡 = 0 + (9.81 × 2) = 19.62 𝑚/𝑠 (2 marks)

iii) Motion of from B to A

1
ℎ = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2
2
(1 mark)
1
25 = 20𝑡 + 2 × 9.81𝑡 2 (1 mark)

25 = 20𝑡 + 4.91𝑡 2
4.9𝑡 2 + 20𝑡 − 25 = 0 (1 mark)
Using quadratic formula, we obtain
−20 ± √202 − 4(4.9)(−25)
𝑡=
2(4.9)
(1 mark)
−20 ± 29.83
=
9.8
9.83 −49.83
= 𝑜𝑟
9.8 9.8
(1 mark)

Neglecting the negative term, time, 𝑡 = 1 𝑠. (1 mark)

Therefore the total time of flight of the stone is time from B to C + time from C to B + time
from B to A= 2 + 2 + 1 = 5 𝑠. (1 mark)

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Question 2
a. Define the two parts of dynamics: (i) Kinematics and (ii) Kinetics. Also, (iii) Briefly explain
the concepts of ‘particles’ and ‘rigid bodies’ in the study of dynamics. [6 marks]

Answer
i. Kinematics is the study of the geometry of motion. The ‘how’ of a motion.
It is used to relate displacement, velocity, acceleration and time, without reference to
the cause of the motion.
ii. Kinetics is the study of the relation existing between the forces acting on a body, the
mass of the body and the motion of the body. The ‘why’ of a motion.
It is used to predict the motion caused by given forces or to determine the force
required to produce a given motion

iii. The concept of ‘particles’ indicates that the motion of bodies – as large as cars,
airplanes or rockets – will be considered without regard to their size. Only their motion
as an entire unit will be considered, any rotation about their own mass centre will be
neglected.
The concept of ‘rigid bodies’ applies to objects that cannot be considered as particles.
This is the case where their rotation is not negligible. Such motions are analysed in
dynamics of rigid bodies.

b. A boat’s position during the interval of time from 2s to 10 s is given by

𝑠 = 4𝑡 + 1.6𝑡 2 − 0.08𝑡 3 .
i) Determine the boat’s velocity and acceleration after 4s. (8 marks)
ii) What is the boat’s maximum velocity during this interval and when does it occur?
(6 marks)
Answers
(i) 𝑠 = 4𝑡 + 1.6𝑡 2 − 0.08𝑡 3

Velocity of the boat:

𝑑𝑠
𝑉= = 4 + 3.2𝑡 − 0.24𝑡 2
𝑑𝑡
(2 marks)

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Substituting for t = 4s, one obtains
𝑑𝑠
𝑉= = 4 + 3.2(4) − 0.24(4)2 = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟗𝟔 𝒎/𝒔
𝑑𝑡
(2 marks)
Acceleration of the boat:
𝑑𝑉 𝑑 2 𝑠
𝑎= = = 3.2 − 0.48𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 2
(2 marks)
Substituting for t = 4s, one obtains
𝑑𝑉 𝑑 2 𝑠
𝑎= = = 3.2 − 0.48(4) = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟖 𝒎/𝒔𝟐
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 2
(2 marks)
(ii) At maximum velocity, acceleration is zero, i.e.
𝑑𝑉
𝑎= =0
𝑑𝑡
(1 mark)
𝑎 = 3.2 − 0.48𝑡 = 0
0.48𝑡 = 3.2
𝑡 = 𝟔. 𝟔𝟕 𝒔 (2 marks)
The boat velocity at this time is:
𝑉 = 4 + 3.2(6.67) − 0.24(6.67)2 = 𝟏𝟒. 𝟔𝟕 𝒎/𝒔 (2 marks)

Therefore, the maximum velocity of the boat is 14.67 m/s at 6.67 s. (1 mark)

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Question 3
a. Briefly explain curvilinear motion of a particle and define its position at a given time using a
well labelled diagram. (5 marks)
b. A rocket, pointing horizontally is shown in Fig. Q2 below travelling along a curved trajectory.
The thrust imparts a horizontal component acceleration of 3 m/s2, and the downward acceleration
component due to gravity at that altitude is g = 9.3 m/s2. At the instant represented, the velocity
of the mass centre G of the rocket along the direction tangent to the trajectory at 30o to the
horizontal is 10 × 103 𝑘𝑚/ℎ.

Fig. Q2. Rocket flight.

For this position determine:

(i) the radius of curvature of the flight trajectory; (9 marks)
(ii) the rate at which the speed V is increasing; (2 marks)
(iii) the angular velocity 𝛽̇ of the radial line from G to the centre of curvature C; (2 marks)
(iv) the vector expression for the total acceleration a of the rocket, in terms of the normal n and
tangential t direction. (2 marks)

Answer
a) A particle is said to be in curvilinear motion if it is moving along a curve other than a straight line e.g.
a javelin thrown into the air. (2 marks)
To define the position P occupied by a particle in a curvilinear motion at a given time, a fixed reference
coordinate system is selected which has x, y and z axes as shown in Fig. A2 below. A line joining
points O and P is called vector r. The Vector r which is characterized by its magnitude r and direction
completely defines the position of the particle with respect to the axes. If the particle moves from point
P to P’, then the vector r’ defines its position with respect to the axes. (3 marks)

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 Fig. A2. A Position occupied by a particle in a curvilinear motion.

b) The resultant acceleration acting on the rocket is given by:

|𝑎𝑟 | = √𝑎2 + 𝑔2
= √32 + 92
= 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 (1 mark)
9.3
∠𝑎𝑟 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( ) = 72.1𝑜
3
(1 mark)
The normal and tangential acceleration of the resultant acceleration are:
|𝑎𝑛 | = 𝑎𝑟 sin 42.10 = 9.8 sin 42.1𝑜
= 6.6 𝑚/𝑠 2 (1 mark)
|𝑎𝑡 | = 𝑎𝑡 cos 42.10 = 9.8 cos 42.1𝑜 (1 mark)
= 7.3 𝑚/𝑠 2

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 (1 mark for a correct diagram)

i) the radius of curvature 𝜌, of the flight trajectory can be calculated from

𝑉2
𝑎𝑛 =
𝜌
(1 mark)
1000
V is given as 10 × 103 𝑘𝑚/ℎ ≡ 10 × 103 × 3600 = 2777.8 𝑚/𝑠 (1 mark)

𝑉 2 2777.82
𝜌= = = 1.169 × 106 𝑚
𝑎𝑛 6.6
(2 marks)
ii) the rate at which V is increasing
𝑑𝑉
𝑎𝑡 = = 7.3 𝑚/𝑠 2
𝑑𝑡
(2 marks)
iii) Angular velocity 𝛽̇
𝑉 = 𝛽̇ 𝜌
𝑉 2777.8
𝛽̇ = = = 2.3 × 10−3 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠
𝜌 1.169 × 106
(2 marks)
iv) the vector expression for the resultant acceleration is written as
𝑎̅𝑟 = 𝑎𝑛 𝑒𝑛 + 𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑡 = 6.6𝑒𝑛 + 7.3𝑒𝑡 (2 marks)

Page 7 of 12
Question 4
a. State Newton’s second law and use it to explain the mechanics of stability of a large airplane
(or vehicle) traveling at constant velocity. [6 marks]

Answer
Newton’s second law states that if ∑ F ≠ 0, then the particle will have an acceleration
proportional to the magnitude of ∑F and in the direction of this resultant force.

∑ F = 𝑚𝑎

Constant velocity = constant speed in a straight line.

Air (vehicle) travel stability.

If ∑F = 0, then from ∑F = ma, it follows that acceleration, a = 0, since m ≠ 0.
If the particle is initially at rest, i.e. v0 = 0, then it will remain at rest, or v = 0. This is true
for buildings, bridges and stationary structures or vehicles.
However, for mobile vehicles like airplane, ship, train, coaches etc., it is originally in motion
with a velocity, v0. Then, since, a = 0, the vehicle will maintain a constant velocity,
v = v0, i.e. it will move with the constant speed in a straight line.
(This proves that Newton’s 1st law is a particular case of Newton’s 2nd law.)
This (zero acceleration) situation allows people in a non-turbulent travelling aeroplane move
around, as if they were in a stationary building.
The same applies to travelers in a vehicle moving at constant speed in a straight line.

b. The two blocks shown in Figure Q6 start from rest. The horizontal plane and the pulley are
frictionless, and the pulley is assumed to be of negligible mass.
Determine the acceleration of each block and the tension in each cord. [14 marks]

Figure Q6
Answer

See p701.
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Question 5
a. What is an impulsive force? With illustrative diagram, write the equation for a particle under
impulsive forces. [5 marks]

Answer
a. A force acting on a particle during a very short time interval that is large enough to produce
a definite change in momentum is called an impulsive force and the resulting motion is
called an impulsive motion. [2 marks]

Diagram
Figure 13.19 Page 809.

1.5 marks
Equation of impulsive motion

𝑚𝑣1 + ∑ F∆𝑡 = 𝑚𝑣2

1.5 marks
Total = 2 + 1.5 + 1.5 = 5 marks.

b. A 10-kg package drops from a chute into a 25-kg cart with a velocity of 3 m/s. This is as
shown in Figure Q4. Knowing that the cart is initially at rest and can roll freely, determine:
i. The final velocity of the cart, [6 marks]
ii. The impulse exerted by the cart on the package, [6 marks]
iii. The fraction of the initial energy lost in the impact. [3 marks]

Figure Q4
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Answer
We first apply the principle of impulse and momentum to the package-cart system to determine the
velocity v2 of the cart and package.
We then apply the same principle to the package alone to determine the impulse F∆t exerted on it.

Page 10 of 12
See p811.

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Question 6
a. Using diagrams and mathematical expressions, explain briefly the concept of Dynamic
Equilibrium. [5 marks]

Answer
∑ F = 𝑚𝑎 ……………. (1)
∑ F − 𝑚𝑎 = 0 ……………. (2) 2 marks

The vector –ma is the inertia vector. 1 mark

As in equation (2), the particle is in equilibrium under the given forces and the inertia vector.
This is dynamic equilibrium.
So, the problem under consideration can be solved by the methods of statics. 2 marks

b. Two blocks are joined by an inextensible cable as shown in

Figure Q5. If the system is released from rest, determine the velocity of block A after it has
moved 2 meters.
Assume that the coefficient of kinetic friction between block A and the plane is µk = 0.25
and that the pulley is weightless and frictionless. [15 marks]

Figure Q5
Answer
See p765

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