Insight MDCAT

Distance and displacement

1. The shortest distance between two points is called :

a) Speed b) Velocity c) Acceleration d) Displacement
2. When an object moves on a circular path and comes back to its initial position
then:
a) Only its distance is zero
b) Only its displacement is zero
c) Neither distance nor displacement is zero
d) Both distance and displacement is zero

 Everything in the vastness of this universe is in perpetual motion.

 Motion and rest are not absolute.
 Motion and rest are relative
 When sitting on a chair, your speed is zero relative to Earth but 30km/s relative to the Sun.

Mechanics
 The study of motion and rest
 Two types. Kinematics deals with motion without discussing its cause (Force), while
dynamics deals with motion as well as its cause.

Distance (S)
 Change in position of a body is called distance
 For moving bodies distance can never be zero
 For bodies at rest can be zero
 Scalar quantity
 S≥d
 Unit = meter
 Dimension = [L]

Displacement 𝐝⃗

 The displacement is change in positon of body from its initial position to final position.
 Describes how far and in what direction body has been displaced from its original position.
 Its magnitude = straight line distance between the initial and final position(shortest
distance)

 Vector quantity
 For moving objects it may or may not be zero
 Displacement is zero when the body comes back where it started its motion
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Insight MDCAT
 d≤S
 unit = meter
 dimensions = [L]
d = r 2 – r1

Extra points!
 Usually, distance and displacement are used interchangeably, so no need of going into
unnecessary vector vs scalar unless required.
 When given individual displacements in different directions, it is better to make a
graphical representation as rough work.

Displacement

d = vt d= 𝑥1 − 𝑥2 2 + 𝑦1 − 𝑦2 2 d = r1 – r2

Along straight line:

 Distance = magnitude of displacement
S = |d ⃗⃗|
S
= 1
⃗⃗|
|d
S ≠ 0 and ⃗⃗
d≠0

Along a curved path

 Distance > magnitude of displacement
S>d
S
>1
⃗⃗|
|d

⃗⃗|
|d
<1
s
For moving object along closed path
 Distance ≠ 0
 Displacement = 0

distance
= ∞
displacement

displacement
= 0
distance

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Insight MDCAT

For moving object

 Distance ≠ 0
 Displacement my/may not = 0

For closed path

 Distance ≠ 0
 Displacement = 0

For open path

 Distance ≠ 0
 Displacement ≠ 0

Along a circle
 d = 0
 S≠0
 S = 2πr = circumference of circle

For semicircle
 S = πr
 d = 2r = also equal to diameter
 S/d = π/2

For quarter circle:

S = πr/2
d = √2r
d/S = 2√2/π

d = 0
Complete circle
S≠0

S = πr
S & d in a circle Semi-circle
d = 2r

S = πr/2
Quarter circle
d = 2r

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Insight MDCAT

Some important points

 Distance can never be negative.
 For a moving object distance is always greater than zero.
 Distance can never be equal to displacement S≠d ⃗⃗ (because one is vector and other is
scalar).
 For different paths between two points, distances are different but displacements are same.

Extra points!
 Negative sign just represents direction opposite to the starting reference
 No need to worry if at that moment you forget what shortcut to use for a particular case
of average velocity. Just find the total displacement and total time (using the data and
basic formula S=vt), then take ratio of total distance and displacement, it ALWAYS
works!!!

1. In semi - circle ,displacement is :

a) 2r b) 4r c) 6r d) 8r
2. Numerical ratio of displacement to distance is : (MDCAT 2017)
a) Always less than one c) Always equal to one
b) Equal to or less than one d) Always more than one

Speed and velocity

1. Net displacement divided by total time is known as : (ETEA 2022)

a) Instantaneous velocity c) Average velocity
b) Uniform velocity d) Variable velocity
2. A body is moving with uniform velocity. Its :
a) speed changes c) acceleration changes
b) direction of motion changes d) displacement from origin changes

Speed Velocity
 Scalar  Vector
 Rate of change of distance  Rate of change of displacement
 V = S/t  ⃗⃗ = ⃗⃗
v d/t = slope of d - t graph
 Both average speed and instantaneous  Velocity on the other hand is a vector
speed cannot be negative. quantity and can be negative. The
 Has no direction negative sign indicates the reversal of the
direction.
 Unit = ms - 1  Has the same direction as displacement.
 Dimension: [LT - 1]
 Unit = ms - 1
 Dimension: [LT - 1]

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Insight MDCAT
Average velocity
 Average velocity is the net (total) displacement divided by the total time (t).
 Average speed can never be zero.
 Average velocity can be zero especially in circular path.
Mathematically
Total displacement 𝐝
 <v
⃗⃗> = or <v> =
Total time t

Net (total) displacement

divided by the total time (t).

Average speed can never be

Information
zero.

Average velocity can be zero

Average especially in circular path.
velocity
Total displacement
<v> =
Total time
Mathematically
𝐝
<v> =
t

 Does not tell about the motion between the points.

 The path may be straight or curved and the motion may be steady or variable.
 E.g. if a squash ball comes back to its starting point after bouncing off the walls several
times, its total displacement is zero and so also is its average velocity.

Closed path
 Average velocity = zero
 Average speed ≠ zero

Open path
 Average velocity ≠ zero
 Average speed ≠ zero

Average velocity = zero

Closed path
Average speed ≠ zero
Average speed &
velocity
Average velocity ≠ zero
Open path
Average speed ≠ zero

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Insight MDCAT
Instantaneous velocity
 Velocity at particular instant of time is known as instantaneous velocity. The instantaneous
velocity is the change in displacement (Δd) is measured in short Interval of time (Δt) such
that the time interval approaches zero.
 If a body covers equal displacements in equal interval of time a body is said to be moving
with uniform velocity.
 At uniform velocity in rectilinear motion, the average and instantaneous velocity become
equal. In all other cases body moves with non - uniform velocity.

Uniform Velocity:
 If a body covers equal displacements in equal interval of time a body is said to be moving
with uniform velocity.
 In all other cases body moves with non - uniform velocity.
 If the instantaneous velocity does not change, the body is said to be moving with uniform
velocity.
 At uniform velocity, vav = vins

Speed and velocity

distance ∆d
 Speed = v =
time ∆t
displacement ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
∆d
 Velocity = ⃗⃗ = ∆t
v
time
total distance ∆d
 Average speed = vavg =
total time ∆t

total displacement ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

∆d
 Average velocity = ⃗⃗avg
v =
total time ∆t

∆d
v =
∆t

distance ∆d
Speed = Instantaneous speed = lim ∆t→0
time ∆t

total distance
Average speed =
total time
Speed and
velocity
∆d
v =
∆t

displacement ∆d
Velocity = vavg =
time ∆t

total displacement
Average velocity =
total time

∆d
 Instantaneous speed = lim ∆t→0
∆t
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Insight MDCAT
 Speedometer is used to measure instantaneous speed.

Different cases of average speed

Distance = equal Distance = unequal Distance = unequal
Time = unequal Time = unequal Time = equal
2v1v2 d1 + d2 v1 + v2
Vavg = Vavg = Vavg =
v1 + v2 t1 + t2 2
(Harmonic mean) (Arithmetic mean)
d1 + d2 + d3 v1 + v2 + v3
3v1v2v3 Vavg = Vavg =
t1 + t2 + t3 3
Vavg =
v1v2 + v2v3 + v1v3
(for more than two) (for more than two)
(for more than two)

Relative velocity

⃗⃗ + ⃗B⃗| = √A2 + B2 + 2ABcos θ

R = |A
⃗⃗ − ⃗B⃗| = √A2 + B - 2ABcos θ
R = |A

Case 1

vr = √v12 + v22 - 2v1v2cos00

= √v12 + v22 - 2v1v2
= √(v1 - v2)2
vr = v1 - v2

Case 2

vr = √v12 + v22 - 2v1v2cos1800

= √v12 + v22 + 2v1v2
= √ (v1 + v2)2
vr = v1 + v2

Q: A particle is moving with uniform speed in a circle. Its relative velocity after one -
fourth of the revolution will be:
vr = √v12 + v22 - 2v1v2cos900
= √2v2 - 0
vr = v√2

1. A car travels a distance S on a straight road in two hours and then returns to the
starting point in the next three hours. Its average velocity is:
a) S/5 b) (S/2) + (S/3) c) 2S/5 d) None of these

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Insight MDCAT
Displacement - time graphs

1. Slope of distance - time graph will always be :

a) Positive b) Negative c) Zero d) Maximum

 The slope of displacement - time graph gives velocity

 Since displacement can be negative, which indicates the reverse motion.
 The slope of displacement - time graph can also be negative.
 The slope of distance - time curve only gives speed.
 As the distance always increases the slope of distance time graph can never be negative.
 Displacement on Y - axis and time on x - axis.

Displacement - time Velocity of Body Slope of Graph

Graph
The graph is a straight line Slope is zero so velocity is
parallel to the time axis, i.e., zero.
time is passing and no change
d in displacement
It means body is at rest

The graph is a straight line Slope is constant so velocity is

inclined to the time axis. Thus uniform and acceleration is
d/t is constant and hence zero.
d the particle moves with a
constant velocity and
acceleration is zero.
t

d/t and hence the velocity Slope is increasing so velocity

increases with time so is increasing and acceleration
acceleration is positive. is positive.

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Insight MDCAT
d/t and hence the velocity Slope is decreasing so
decreases with time and velocity is decreasing and
acceleration is negative. acceleration is negative

The displacement is The slope is extending in the

decreasing linearly with time. negative direction.
The object not only reached So the velocity is negative and
the reference point but also constant, acceleration is still
moved past it. zero.

Extra points!
1. Always remember slope means divide, area means multiply.
2. In some cases, you need to assess acceleration from a displacement time graph. So, for
that, see how the velocity (and hence slope) varies, and accordingly conclude about
acceleration
3. Use the above-mentioned analogy for any type of graph, the only condition is that your
concepts of slope and area must be clear.

Acceleration

1. Retardation is defined as:

a) Increase in velocity per unit time
b) Decrease in speed per unit time
2. An object with constant speed :
a) is not accelerated
b) might be accelerated
c) Decrease in velocity per unit time
d) Increase in speed per unit time
c) is always accelerated
d) also has a constant velocity

 Time rate of change of velocity is called acceleration

 Also a vector quantity
 Has same direction as change in velocity
 unit m/s2
 Acceleration is always in the direction of force F
F ∝ a (Newton’s second law)
 If velocity is increasing, a and v will be parallel
a ↑↑ v θ = 0º
 If velocity is decreasing, a and v will be antiparallel

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Insight MDCAT
a ↑↓ v θ = 180º (here a is retardation)
 Dimension: [LT - 2]

Average acceleration
 Average acceleration is the net (total) velocity (v) divided by the total time.

Instantaneous Acceleration
 Acceleration at particular instant of time is known as instantaneous acceleration.

Uniform Acceleration
 A body is said to have uniform acceleration if its velocity changes by equal amount in equal
intervals of time, however these interval may be small.
 In uniform acceleration its average and instantaneous acceleration become equal.

Variable acceleration
 A body is said to be moving with variable acceleration if its velocity changes by unequal
amount in equal intervals of time, however small these intervals may be.
velocity ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
∆v
Acceleration = a =
time ∆t

force ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
∆F
Or Acceleration = a =
mass m
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
∆v
Average acceleration = aavg =
∆t
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
∆v
Instantaneous acceleration = lim ∆t→0
∆t

1 A force of 20N is needed to overcome a frictional force of 5N and accelerate a

3kg mass across a floor. What is the acceleration of the mass?
a) 4ms - 2 b) 5ms - 2 c) 7ms - 2 d) 20ms - 2
2 When a force of 100N acts on a body of mass 50kg then acceleration produced
is:
a) 3ms - 2 b) 0.5ms - 2 c) 2ms - 2 d) 0ms - 2

Formulae for calculating area of graphs

1
 Triangle: A = (b)(h)
2
 Square and rectangle: A = (b)(h)
1
 Trapezium: A = (a + b)(h)
2
 Circular: A = ℼr2
1
 Semi - circular: A = ℼr2
2

Graphical representation of acceleration with velocity time graph

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Insight MDCAT

1. The velocity time graph of a motion starting from rest with uniform acceleration
is a straight line : (ETEA 2022)
a) Not passing through origin c) Parallel to the velocity axis
b) Parallel to the time axis d) Passing through origin
2. Velocity - time graph can never be perpendicular to time axis , it implies :
a) Zero acceleration c) Zero velocity
b) Infinite acceleration d) Infinite velocity

 Velocity on Y - axis and time on X - axis.

Velocity - time graph Acceleration of body Slope

The graph is a straight line

inclined to the time axis. Thus Slope is constant so
v/t is constant and hence acceleration is
the body moves with a uniform/constant.
constant acceleration.

v/t and hence the Slope of graph is increasing

acceleration is increasing so acceleration is increasing
and is variable

Acceleration decrease in Slope of graph is decreasing,

same interval of time/second. so acceleration is decreasing.

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Insight MDCAT
Velocity of a vertically thrown Slope is constant and
ball. negative, hence acceleration
is constant and negative.
a = - g

The graph is a straight line Slope is zero so acceleration

parallel to the time axis, i.e., is zero.
velocity does not change with
time. Hence acceleration is
zero.

Velocity deceases linearly Slope is negative so

with time hence acceleration acceleration is negative.
is negative and uniform.

Extra points!
1. In terms of coordinate axes, x axis means positive (towards right), opposite to that is
negative
2. If acceleration is negative, it doesn’t necessarily mean that velocity is decreasing, the
velocity may be increasing in the opposite direction, so assess the question completely
before assuming anything
3. Thus, positive acceleration means increase in velocity if v is in positive x axis direction
and decrease if v is in negative x axis direction.
4. Negative acceleration means decrease in positive directed velocity and increase in
negative directed velocity.

1. When velocity time graph is a straight line parallel to time axis then :
a) Acceleration is constant c) Acceleration is variable
b) Acceleration is zero d) Velocity is zero
2. If velocity of an object is increasing with time then acceleration is :
a) Zero b) Negative c) Positive d) None
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Insight MDCAT

Equations of motion

3. The distance travelled by a body dropped from the top of the tower is
proportional to :
a) velocity of the body c) height of the tower
b) square of the time d) mass of the body

First equation:

vf = vi + at (if velocity and time is given)

Second equation:
1
S = vit + 2at2 (if distance and time is given)
S ∝ t2 parabolic graph

Third equation:
2aS = vf2 - vi2 (if no time is given)
vf2 −vi2
S =
2a
H ∝ vf2 parabolic graph

Equations of motion

S = vt vf = vi + at 2aS = vf2 – vi2 S = ½ (vf + vi) x t

NOTE: Always see the variables involved, use the equation containing the given variables and
the variable to find.

Free fall/ drop important points

First equation:
vf = gt

Second equation:
𝟏 2
S = gt
𝟐

Third equation:
2gH = vf2

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Insight MDCAT

Extra points!
1. For a body thrown upwards, final velocity is almost always 0, thus consider the following
formulas.
v2
2. For max height, h = 2gi
vi
3. Time of ascend/descend, t = g
4. For free-fall, final velocity at any point can be found by vf = √2gh
5. Put height from point of drop to the required point
2h
6. Time, t = √ g
7. Note that for cases when a body is thrown vertically upwards, maximum height and
displacement may or MAY NOT be the same, calculate the time to summit and decide
accordingly. An example is quoted in the next point.
8. If a ball is thrown upwards, with a velocity of 10 m/s, you’re asked maximum height and
displacement after 2 seconds. Now for max height, use 3 rd equation of motion, height
would be 5 metres. For displacement, assess where the ball will be after 2 seconds! The
tome to summit using first equation of motion is 1 second, so after 2 seconds, the ball
will reach the point of launch and hence displacement is zero
9. Distance travelled in nth second for any freely falling body is s = 5n2
10. If initial velocity is there, just add the above formula to vt
11. Be careful about whether distance is asked in “n” seconds, or “nth” second

vi = 0 a = g

If key words like nth,in or during n second is mentioned in the question :

𝟏
S = vit + a (2n - 1) where n is the no. of seconds
𝟐

For a dropped body under free fall, distance in nth second is same as 5(2n - 1).

Stopping distance:

S ∝ vi2

Q: A car is moving with 10ms- 1. When brakes are applied it will stop after covering 100m.
What will be the new displacement covered if velocity of car becomes double and same
breaks are applied?
S ∝ vi2
4S’ ∝ (2vi2 )
S’ = (4⨯ 100)
S’ = 400m

1 A particle starts with initial velocity 10ms - 1. It covers a distance of 20m along
a straight line in two seconds. What is the acceleration of the particle?
a) Zero b) 5ms - 2 c) 10ms - 2 d) 20ms - 2

2 A rock is dropped off a cliff and strikes the ground with an impact velocity of
30m/s. How high was the cliff?
a) 15m b) 20m c) 30m d) 45m

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Insight MDCAT

Newton’s Laws of motion

1. When a body is stationary :

a) There is no force acting on it
b) The force acting on it is not in contact with it
c) The combination of forces acting on it balances each other
d) The body is in vacuum

2. If one body is in motion and we try to stop it then it will resist by:
a) Inertia of motion c) Inertia of rest
b) Inertia of acceleration d) Inertia of turning

 Empirical laws deduced from experiments

 Adequate for the speeds that are low compared with the speed of light, hence for everyday
speeds.
 Not applicable when acceleration is not constant.
 For very fast moving objects such as atomic particles in an accelerator, relativistic
mechanics developed by albert Einstein is applicable.

Inertial frame of reference

a = 0 when v = 0, v = uniform

Newton’s first law

 Law of inertia
 Defines force qualitatively.
 An object remains at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless it is compelled to
change by an external net (resultant) force.

Extra points!
1. Friction always opposes net motion.
2. Always opposite in direction to the primary direction of motion
3. Always dissipates energy, so subtract it from the given force to find the resultant force.
4. Rolling friction is always less than sliding (like moving a tyre or wheel is easier than
moving a block)
5. Multiply coefficient with the weight/force to get the force of friction.

Inertia
 Property of an object that resists acceleration is called inertia.
 Inertia is the natural tendency of an object to remain at rest or in motion (with a constant
velocity). Quantitatively, the inertia of an object is measured by its mass.
 The larger the mass, the greater is the inertia. As greater net force is required to change
the velocity of objects with large mass.

Newton’s 2nd law

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Insight MDCAT

 Measures force
 A net force applied on the body produces acceleration in the body is directly proportional to
the magnitude of the net force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.
 Acceleration is produced in the same direction as force.

Newton’s third law of motion

 When one object exerts a force on second object, the second object exerts a force of same
magnitude and opposite direction on the first object.
 Each force in action reaction pair acts only on one of the two bodies
 The action reaction forces never act on the same body.
 Both act in the same line of action.

Mathematical form of Newton’s law

First law of motion (Law of inertia)

 If ⅀F = 0, then a = 0

Second law of motion

𝐚𝟏 𝐦𝟏
⃗⃗ = m𝐚⃗⃗
 ⅀F =
𝐚𝟐 𝐦𝟐

Third law of motion

 𝐅⃗AB = - 𝐅⃗BA or 𝐅⃗action = - 𝐅⃗reaction

rd
The negative sign in 3 law just indicates the opposition of direction.

The effect of force on an object depends on

 how large the force is acting
 as well as how long it acts

Momentum

1. The rate of change of momentum of freely falling body is :

a) equal to weight
b) greater than weight
2. Momentum depends upon :
a) Force acting on the body
b) impulse
c) less than weight
d) none of these
c) mass of the body
d) both mass and velocity of the body

Moving object possess a quality by virtue of which it exerts a force on anything that tries to stop
it. This quality of the moving body was called quantity of motion of body by Newton. This
term is now called linear momentum of the body and is defined by the relation:
Linear Momentum = p = mv
 The faster the object is travelling, the harder is to stop it. That means
p∝v
 Similarly, if two objects move with the same velocity, then it is more difficult to stop the
massive one. That means:

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Insight MDCAT
p∝m
 In these expressions v is the velocity of mass m.
 Linear momentum is, therefore, a vector quantity.
 Its direction is in the direction of velocity.
 Its SI unit is kilogram meter per second (kgms - 1). It can also be expressed as newton
second (Ns).
 dimension of momentum are [MLT - 1 ]
 P = m𝐯⃗⃗ (simple product)

Momentum and Newton’s second law of motion

1 If the momentum of body remain same then force will be :

a) positive b) negative c) zero d) infinity

Consider a body of mass m moving with an initial velocity⃗⃗⃗.

v Suppose an external force F acts
upon it after which velocity become vf. The acceleration a produced by this force is given by:

𝐯𝐟−𝐯𝐢
a =
𝐭

By Newton’s second law acceleration is given as

𝐅
a =
𝐦
Equating the two expressions of acceleration we have:
F vf−vi
=
m t
or F x t = mvf - mvi
where mvi is the initial momentum and mvf is the final momentum.
 Change in momentum is equal to the product of force and the time for which the force is
applied.
 This form of the Second law is more general than the form F = ma, because it can easily
be extended that the body accelerates when its mass also changes
 For example, as a rocket accelerates, it loses mass because its fuel is burnt and ejected
to provide greater thrust.

mvf−mvi ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
Pf−Pi ⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
F = = ( )
t t

⃗⃗
ΔP
F =
Δt

Formulae of force

mvf−mvi Pf−Pi ΔP
F = ma F = F= F =
t t Δt

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Insight MDCAT

Thus, second law of motion can also be stated in term of momentum as time rate of change of
momentum equals applied force.

Momentum and 2nd law:

F = ma
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
∆v
F = m
∆t
ΔP
F = (rate of change of momentum)
Δt
 More general form
 For rocket

F = ma

∆v
Expressions F = m ∆t

ΔP
Momentum and F = Δt
Newton's 2nd law

Rocket

Examples
Force due to water
flow

Note
 F = ma
This formula is only applied when mass is constant while in case of rocket’s motion the mass
decreases with time so this formula does not remain applicable and here its extended form is
used.

Relation between Momentum and Kinetic energy

1 2 P2
1) K.E = mv K.E = (prefer)
2 2m
1 2 1
2) K.E = mv K.E = Pv (conditional)
2 2

 If two bodies lighter and heavier having same momentum then lighter will have more
kinetic energy.
P2 1
P = constant K.E = K.E∝
2m m

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Insight MDCAT
 If two bodies slower and faster having same kinetic energy then slower body will
have more momentum.
1 K.E
K.E = constant K.E = Pv = P
2 v

Relation of P and K.E

1 P2 1 1
K.E = mv2 K.E = K.E = Pv K.E ∝
2 2m 2 m

Impulse

1. A graph is drawn with force along Y - axis and time along X - axis. The area
under the graph represents :
a) momentum c) impulse
b) moment of the force d) both momentum and impulse

 The impulse J or I is the product of the force F and time interval Δt during which the force
acts.
 Vector quantity
 Has same direction as the average force
 Unit = (Ns)
 When force is not constant, the impulse can be found using the average force.
ΔP
F =
Δt
F⨯∆t = ∆P
I = Favg⨯∆t = ∆P
I = ∆P

Impulse in moving Body:

 Uniform velocity:
v = constant
P = constant
∆P = 0
I = ∆P = 0

 Variable velocity:
∆v→∆P→I
I≠0

Impulse of a particle:

∆P = Pf - Pi = - mv –mv = - 2mv

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Insight MDCAT

This is for a body that strikes a rigid object (like a wall) and bounces back with the same
velocity.

Law of conservation of momentum

1. The law of conservation of linear momentum is logical consequence of

Newton’s:
a) First law b) Second law c) Third law d) All three laws

 Applied only for isolated system ( system on which no external force acts)
 For example
 Molecules of a gas enclosed in a glass vessel at constant temperature constitute an isolated
system.
 The molecules can collide with one another because of their random motion but, being
enclosed by glass vessel no external agency can exert a force on them.
 The total linear momentum of an isolated system remains constant.
 Which means total initial momentum of system before collision is equal to the total final
momentum of the system after collision.
 Total change in momentum of isolated system is zero.

Collision
 The event during which particles come close to each other and interact by means of forces
is called collision.
 The forces due to collisions are considered to be much larger than any external force
present, and hence the external forces may be neglected or approximated to be zero.
 For collision to occur the colliding object must not necessarily touch.

In an isolated system F = 0 → P = constant → ∆P = 0

Pi = Pf
m1 u1 + m 2u 2 = m 1v 1 + m 2v2

Q: Two objects of 2kg and 1kg moving with 10ms - 1 and 5ms - 1 in same direction. Their
common velocity after collision will be:
m1 u1 + m 2u2 = m 1v + m 2v
m 1v 1 + m 2v2
v =
m1 + m2
(2⨯10) + (1⨯5)
v =
2 + 1
20 + 5 - 1
v = = 8.33ms
3
Q: Two objects of 2kg and 10kg moving with 10ms - 1 and 5ms - 1 in opposite direction.
Their common velocity after collision will be:
m1 u - m 2u = m 1v + m 2v
m1u1−m2u2
v =
m1 + m2
(20⨯10)−(10⨯5)
v =
20 + 10

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Insight MDCAT
200 + 50 - 1
v = = 5ms
30

Particle moving in a circle:

1) 𝛉 = 900 𝟐) 𝛉 = 1800

∆P = √P2 + P2 - 2PPcos900 ∆P = √P2 + P2 - 2PPcos1800

∆P = √2P ∆P = √P2 + P2 + 2P2
∆P = √2mv ∆P = 2P
∆P = 2mv

Elastic collision

1. In perfectly elastic collision : (NUMS 2021)

a) only momentum is conserved c) only kinetic energy is conserved
b) only total energy is conserved d) all are conserved
2. In elastic collision which of the following is constant: (PMC 2021)
a) Momentum b) velocity c) force d) all

 We can define the elastic collision as one in which kinetic energy of the system is conserved
(as well as linear momentum).
 Bodies must separate to same distance after collision.
 For example, when a hard ball is dropped onto a marble floor, it rebounds to very nearly
the initial height.
 Linear momentum and total energy are conserved in elastic as well as inelastic collision.

1 Two objects, one of mass 3kg and moving with a speed of 2m/s and the other
of mass 5kg and speed 2m/s, move towards each other and collide head - on.
If the collision is perfectly inelastic, find the speed of the objects after the
collision.
a) 0.25m/s b) 0.5m/s c) 0.75m/s d) 1m/s
2 If two objects of equal masses ‘m’ are moving towards each other with the
same speeds ‘v’ then what will be the total final momentum after elastic head
- on collision? (2009)
a) –mv kgm/s b) Mv kgm/s c) 2mv kgm/s d) 0 kgm/s

Note
 Momentum and total energy conserved in all types of collisions.
 K.E is conserved only in elastic collision.

Inelastic collision
 A collision in which the kinetic energy of the system is not conserved, is called the inelastic
collision.
 In elastic collision bodies may separate but not to the same position.
 Bodies can stick together (in this case total K.E is lost).

Perfectly Elastic Collision In One Dimension

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Insight MDCAT

1. When a heavier body collides elastically with a lighter body at rest then after
collision:
a) lighter body starts moving with the velocity of heavier body
b) heavier body comes to rest
c) both bodies move with the same velocity
d) heavier body continues its motion with the same velocity

 The elastic collision in which the two objects move along the same line before and after
collision is called collision in one dimension.
 Not rotatory/ 1 - D
 Balls should be hard and smooth .

Relative speed of approach = Relative speed of separation/recession

u1 - u2 = v2 - v1
⃗⃗1 - u
u ⃗⃗2 = - (v⃗⃗1 - v
⃗⃗2)
𝐦𝟏−𝐦𝟐 𝟐𝐦𝟐
v1 = 𝐮1 + u2
𝐦𝟏 + 𝐦𝟐 𝐦𝟏 + 𝐦𝟐
𝟐𝐦𝟏 𝐦𝟐−𝐦𝟏
v2 = 𝐮1 + u2
𝐦𝟏 + 𝐦𝟐 𝐦𝟏 + 𝐦𝟐

Different cases of collision

m 1 = m2 m 1 = m2 m1>>>m2 m1<<<m2
u2 = 0 u2 = 0 u2 = 0
v1 = u2 v1 = 0 v1 = u1 v1 = - u1
v2 = u1 v2 = u1 v2 = 2u1 v2 = 0

1. In elastic collision, when a massive body collides with light body at conditions
m1>>>m2 and v2 = om/s, then change in velocity will be written as: (2009)
a) v1’ = - v1; v2’ = v1 c) v1’ = v1; v2’ = 0
b) v1’ = v1; v2’ = 2v1 d) v1’ = - v1; v2’ = 0

Momentum and explosive forces

 An explosion is a sudden, intense release of energy that often produces a loud noise, high
temperature, and flying pieces, and generates a pressure wave.
 If the system is isolated, its total momentum during the explosion will be conserved.
Pi = Pf

Force due to water flow:

ΔP −2mv
Fwall = = (reaction –ive)
Δt Δt
ΔP −(−2mv) 2mv
Fparticle = = = (action + ive)
Δt Δt Δt

22
Insight MDCAT

Q: If 1 milligram particle moving with 100cms - 1strikes the wall in 1ms. The force exerted
on the wall will be:
2mv 2×1×10−1⨯100⨯10−2
F = = = 2⨯10 -3N
t 10−3
ΔP −mv m
Fwall = = = - ( )v
Δt Δt t
𝐕
Fwall = ρv = ρAv2
𝐭
−(−𝐦𝐯) 𝐦𝐯
Fwater = - Fwall = =
𝚫𝐭 𝐭

Q: Water of 100cm3 moving with 100cms - 1 strikes wall in 0.1s. Force on wall will be:
(ρwater = 1000kgm - 3)

ρVv 1000×100×10−6×100⨯10−2
F = =
t 0.1
F = 100N = 1Ns

Firing of pistol

1) A bullet is shot from a rifle. As a result, the rifle recoils. The momentum of rifle
as compared to the bullet is.
a) less b) greater c) equal d) can’t be concluded
2) A bullet is fired into the block, bullet penetrates the block and block moves
along with the bullet. The collision is ;
a) elastic c) elastic if speed of block is high
b) inelastic d) inelastic if speed of block is high.

Mass of bullet = m
 Mass of rifle = M
 Total initial momentum before firing = 0
 After firing the bullet moves with velocity v in one direction and the pistol recoils with velocity
v' in the other direction such that the total momentum is again zero.
 mv(bullet) + Mv’(rifle) = 0
−mv
 Mv’ = - mv or v’ =
M
 Momentum of rifle = equal and opposite to that of bullet
 Due to the larger mass of the pistol it recoils with only a fraction of velocity of the bullet.

Gun and bullet:

If vg is the recoil of gun

23
Insight MDCAT

Gun and bullet system

𝑚 𝑣
Pb = - Pg mbvb = - mgvg vg = - 𝑏 𝑏
𝑚𝑔

Explosion of explosive material

1) A shell initially at rest explodes into two pieces of equal masses then two pieces
will
a) be at rest
b) move with different velocities in different directions
c) move with same velocities in opposite directions
d) move with same velocities in same direction

There are many examples where momentum changes are produced by explosive forces within
an isolated system.

Shell explosion
When a shell explodes in mid - air, its fragments fly off in different - directions.
Total momentum of all its fragments = initial momentum of the ‘shell.

Explosion of bomb
 When a bomb explodes, its pieces fly off in such a way that the total momentum sums up
to zero.
 This is because the momentum of the bomb before the explosion is zero, therefore in order
to conserve momentum the Final momentum must be equal to initial momentum.

 A body of mass m moving with speed v explodes into two fragments. If the speed of
first part m/4 is v/3 then the speed of the other part will be:
m v 3m
mv = ( )( ) + ( )v’
4 3 4
mv 3mv′
mv - =
12 4
11mv/12 = 3mv’/4
11 4 44 11
v' = ⨯ v = v = v
12 3 36 9

Rocket propulsion
24
Insight MDCAT

1) A rocket works on the principle of conservation of ;

a) energy b) momentum c) charge d) mass
2) The thrust on the rocket in the absence of gravity is
a) constant
b) not constant
c) constant for the short range rocket
d) constant if the rate of ejected gases is constant

 Move by expelling burning gas through engines at their rear.

 Rocket’s momentum = - (momentum of the gas expelled from the engine)
 rocket engines continue to expel gases after the rocket has begun moving
 does not travel at steady speed
 gets faster and faster so long the engines are operating.
 The mass of rocket keeps on decreasing due to burning of such a huge amount of gaseous
fuel.

Rocket’s fuel
 Fuel and oxygen mix in the combustion chamber. Hot gases exhaust the chamber at a very
high velocity.
 The gain in momentum of the gases equals the gain in momentum of the rocket.
 The gas and rocket push against each other and move in opposite directions.
 More than 80% of the launch mass of a rocket consists of fuel only.
 One way to overcome the problem of mass of fuel is to make the rocket from several rockets
linked together.
 carries its own fuel in the form of a liquid or solid hydrogen and oxygen (enable it to move
at great heights where very little or no air is present)
 typical rocket consumes 10000kgs - 1(in order to overcome gravity)
 speed of ejected gases = 4000ms - 1
 mass of the gases ejected per second = m
 velocity of the gases ejected = v
 momentum per second = mv
 acceleration of rocket is:
𝐦𝐯
a = (M is the mass of the rocket.)
𝐌
 When the fuel in the rocket is burned and ejected, the mass M of rocket
decreases and hence the acceleration increases.
Phot gases = Procket

Acceleration of rocket

Ma = ma (M = mass of rocket, v = speed of gases)

v
Ma = m
t
m
Ma = v
t
Ma = mv

25
Insight MDCAT
mv
a = (m = fuel burning rate = mass/time = kg/s)
M

Projectile motion

1) A ball is just allowed to fall from the window of a moving train ,it will hit the
ground following; (ETEA 2005)
a) circular path b) hyperbolic path c) straight line path d) parabolic path

2) For the projectile motion in the absence of air resistance (projectile motion )
a) vertical speed is constant c) horizontal acceleration is zero
b) horizontal force is constant. D) vertical acceleration is zero.

 Two dimensional motion under constant acceleration due to gravity

 Projectile motion occurs only when there is only one force applied at the beginning of the
trajectory after which there is no force apart from gravity
 In 2 - D motion of a body the velocity has two components vx and vy
 Covers distance along x - axis and y - axis
 No horizontal driving force
 Similar to when a ball is thrown vertically upwards, except that the ball is also moving
forwards at the same time. Hence height at same instants is comparable for the two cases.

Examples of projectile

 A football kicked off by a player

 A ball thrown by a cricketer
 Missile fired from launching pad
 A shell fired from canon
 A stone throw down the hill

Types of projectile
Oblique Horizontal Vertical

We will discuss here:

 Horizontal projectile
 Oblique projectile

Horizontal projectile
 Angle of projection = 0º
 It is projected at certain height
 At point of projection
 vix = vi and vy = 0
 air friction is ignored so no Fx, so Fx = 0, ax = 0

26
Insight MDCAT

 Projected horizontally from certain height

 We consider the motion of a ball, when it is thrown horizontally from certain height.
 ball travels forward as well as falls downwards; until it strikes something.

Horizontal velocity

 Moves with constant horizontal velocity( we ignore air friction)

 No acceleration in horizontal direction, unless a horizontally directed force acts on the ball.(
but no horizontal force acts on it)
 Only force acting on the ball during flight is the force of gravity.
 Only force of gravity acts on it.
 Horizontal component remain constant vix = vfx = vx

Vertical velocity
 accelerates downward under the force of gravity and hence a = g.
 vertical motion is the same as for a freely falling body.
 initial vertical velocity is zero.

Velocity:

Final along x vfx = vix

Final along y vfy = gt

Velocity of projectile

vf = √vfx2 + vfy2

Overall final vf = √(vix)2 + (gt)2

vf = √(vi𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃)2 + (gt)2

27
Insight MDCAT
vix≠0 viy = 0

θ = tan - 1(Vfy)
Vfx

Range:

S = vt
R = vixT
2H
R = vix√
g

Height:
1 2
H = gt
2

Time:
2H
T = √
g

1) If a projectile is thrown horizontally from a height with vi = 30ms - 1. At what

velocity it will hit the ground when time of flight is 4 sec?
a) 50ms - 1 b) 25ms - 1 c) 30ms - 1 d) 100ms - 1
2) If a projectile is thrown horizontally from a height of 10m with vi = 100ms - 1.
Find range.
a) 141m b) 135m c) 180m d) 175m

Vertical projectile motion:

vi = gt vi = gt
1 2
H = vi - gt
2
2gH = vi2
vi = √2gH
vi2
H =
2g
2vi
T =
g

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Insight MDCAT

vf = gt
1 2
H = gt
2
2gH = vf2
vf = √2gH
vf2
H =
2g
2vf
T =
g

Time to reach maximum height:

T 2vi
=
2 2g
T vi
=
2 g

Oblique projectile
 Launched at θ>0º with horizontal by velocity vi
 Initial horizontal velocity = vicosθ
 Initial vertical velocity = visinθ
 Horizontal velocity remains constant throughout the path
vix = vfx = vx
 The horizontal acceleration is ax = 0 because we have neglected air resistance and no
other force is acting along this direction.
 While going up vertical component of velocity decrease and become zero at heighest point.
 While coming down vy increases so overall velocity increases.
 vertical acceleration ay = g.
 At highest point
 Velocity is only due to horizontal component.
 So it is minimum here but not zero.
 vfy = 0ms - 1
 vx≠0
 velocity = vx at highest point
 at highest point angle b/w a and v is 90º

Going upward
θ Decrease with X axis and increase with Y axis

Going downward
29
Insight MDCAT
θ increase with X axis and decrease with Y axis

Velocity:
vfx = vicos θ
vfy = visin θ - gt

Magnitude:
vf = √vfx2 + vfy2
vf = √(vicos θ)2 + (visin θ - gt)2

Direction:
θ = tan - 1(Vfy)
Vfx

Displacement:
1
S = vit + 2at2

Along x component
1
x = vixt + 2(0)t2
x = vixt
x = vicos θt

Along y component
1
y = viyt + at2
2
1
y = visin θ + ( - g)t2
2
1 2
y = visin θ - gt
2

Height of projectile:

1) At the maximum height on the trajectory , which of the component becomes zero ;
a) Acceleration b) vertical velocity c) velocity d) horizontal velocity

Maximum vertical distance reached by projectile from projection level is called maximum height
of projectile.

vi2sin2θ
H =
2g

Time of flight
The time taken by body to cover the distance from the place of its projection to the place where
it hits the ground is called the time of flight.

2visinθ 2viy
T = =
g g

Range of projectile
30
Insight MDCAT

1) If the velocity of projection of projectile is tripled ,then its maximum range will
be ;
a) quadrupled b) nine times c) six times d) eight times
2) The horizontal range of a moving projectile depends upon ;
a) mass of projectile b) velocity of projectile
c) angle of launch d) both velocity and angle

Maximum distance which a projectile covers in horizontal direction is called range projectile

 for θ1 + θ2 = 90º then R1 = R2 (if vi is same). Such angles are called complementary
angles.

vi2sin2θ
R =
g
vi2(2sinθcosθ)
R = (sin2θ = 2sinθcosθ)
g
2vi2(sinθcosθ)
R =
g
2vi2
Rmax =
g

R = Rmaxsin2θ

θ = 450→Rmax
θ = 760 = tan - 1(4)

Rmax
θ = 150 = R =
2
θ1 + θ2 = 900→equal range

For an angle less than 45°, the height reached by the projectile and Range both will be less.
When the angle of projection is larger than 45° the height attained will be more, but the range
is again less

31
Insight MDCAT

vi2sin2θ
Height H =
2g

2visinθ
T =
g
Time
Formulae of horizontal
projectile 2viy
T =
g

vi2sin2θ
R =
g
Range

R = Rmaxsin2θ

Relation between height and time:

4H = Rtanθ
4H = Rmax
T2g
H =
8
H = 1.25T2 (on earth)

Momentum of projectile :

Pi = Pmax = mvi
Launching
Pmax {
Landing
Pmin→Highest point
Pmin = PH = mvix = mvicos𝛉

1) If projectile is thrown with initial ‘v’ making an angle 𝛉 with ground then the
change in momentum between launching and landing point will be:
a) Zero b) 2mvcosθ c) mv d) 2mvsin𝛉

Energy of projectile: (At max height)

32
Insight MDCAT

1
K.Ei = mvix2
2
Initial
1
K.Ei = 2m(vicos𝜃)2
Kinetic energy
1
K.EH = 2m(vicos𝜃)2
At height
Energy of projectile 1
K.EH = 2mvi2cos2 𝜃
K.EH = K.Eicos2 𝜃
Potential energy
P.EH = K.Eisin2 𝜃

1) If a projectile is thrown with initial velocity 100ms - 1 making an angle 300 with
ground then what will be its velocity (vertical component) when time is 3 sec.
a) 20ms - 1 b) 38ms - 1 c) 54ms - 1 d) 33ms - 1

2) At what angle with respect to ground if projectile motion velocity becomes half
at maximum height as compared to initial velocity?
a) 450 b) 600 c) 900 d) 300

Ballistic missile

1) An _______missile is called a ballistic missile.

a) unpowered and guided c) un - guided and powered
b) powered and guided d) unpowered and un guided

 An unpowered and unguided missile is called ballistic missile and the path followed by
ballistic missile is its trajectory.
 For short ranges and flat Earth approximation, the trajectory is parabolic.
 The dragless ballistic trajectory for spherical Earth should actually be elliptical
 At high speed and for long trajectories the air friction is not negligible and sometimes the
force of air friction is more than gravity.
 it is completely unrealistic, neglect the aerodynamic forces.
 The ballistic missiles are useful only for short ranges.
For long ranges and greater precision, powered and remote control guided missiles are used.

33