EXERCISE 6

MECHANICS

PAGE 135
1 Feng Zhe jumps vertically upwards on a
trampoline as illustrated below. He leaves
the trampoline at a height of 1,3 m above
the ground and reaches a maximum height
of 5 m. Ignore all effects of friction.
1.1 State the work-energy principle.
The work done on an object by the net force
(resultant force) is equal to the change in kinetic
energy of the object.
1.2 Use the energy principles to calculate the
initial speed vi of Feng as he leaves the
trampoline. (Try to calculate vi using two
different methods: the principle mentioned
above and vertical projectile motion.)
Motion equation:
vf2 = vi2 + 2aΔy ↑ +
0 = vi2 + 2(-9,8)(3,7)
vi = 8,52 m⋅s-1 up
OR
Conservation of mechanical energy:
Em bottom = Em top
½mvi2 + mgh = ½mvf2 + mgh
½(m)(vi2) + m(9,8)0 = ½(m)(0) + m(9,8)
(3,7)
½vi2 + 0 = 0 + 36,2
vi = 8,52
m⋅s-1
OR
Work-energy principle:
Wnet = ΔEK
Wgrav = ½mvf2 - ½mvi2
mgΔx cosθ = 0 - ½mvi2
(9,8)(3,7)cos180° = ½vi2
vi = 8,52 m⋅s-1
2 A toy truck, mass 1,4 kg, moves down an inclined
track as indicated in the diagram. It has a speed of
0,6 m⋅s-1 at point P, which has a vertical height of
1,5 m above the ground level QR. PQ, the curved
part of the track, is 1,8 m in length. The truck has
a speed of 3 m⋅s-1 when it reaches Q. There is
friction between the track and the truck.
2.1 Is mechanical energy conserved? Explain
your answer.
No; it is not a closed system: there is friction.
2.2 Calculate the work done by friction on the truck as
it moves from P to Q.
W = f⋅Δx cosθ
= (EP + EK)bottom - (EP + EK)top
W = (mgh + ½mv2)bottom - (mgh + ½mv2)top
= (0 + ½(1,4)(3)2) - (1,4 × 9,8 × 1,5 + ½(1,4)(0,6)2)
= -14,53 J
2.3 Assume that the average friction between the
track and the truck is constant between P and
Q. Calculate the magnitude of the average
friction on the truck between P and Q.

f⋅Δx cosθ = -14,53

f(1,8)cos180° = -14,53
f = 8,07 N in the direction opposite to motion
3 A parabat in full kit has a mass of 120 kg. He jumps
from a stationary helicopter at a height of 450 m.
He falls on a snow pile at a velocity of 30 m⋅s-1
because his parachute fails to open properly.
 He is lucky to fall on soft snow which allows him
to fall 1,5 m deep into it. The soldier comes to
rest in the snow with minor injuries.
3.1 Calculate the initial gravitational potential energy
of the parabat relative to the ground.
EP = mgh
= 120 × 9,8 × 450
= 529 200 J
3.2 Calculate the total work done
on the parabat by air resistance
as he falls to the ground.
Work done by air resistance:
Wf = Wnc
= (EP + EK)bottom - (EP + EK)top
= (mgh + ½mv2)bottom - (mgh + ½mv2)top
= (½(120)(30)2 + 0) - (529 200 + 0)
Wf = -475 200 J
OR
Wnet = ΔEK
Wg + Wf = EKf – EKi
120(9,8)(450)(cos0°)+ Wf = ½(120)(30)2 – 0
Wf = -475 200 J
3.3 Calculate the force applied on the parabat by
the snow as he comes to rest.
Work done by snow resistance:
Wf = Wnc = (EP + EK)bottom - (EP + EK) top
= (mgh + ½mv2)bottom - (mgh + ½mv2)top
= (0 + 0) - (120 × 9,8 × 1,5 + ½(120)(30)2)
= -55 764 J
∴ Wf = FsnowΔx cosθ
-55 764 = Fsnow(1,5)(cos180°)
Fsnow = 37 176 N upwards
OR
 Wnet = ΔEK
FnetΔx cosθ = ½mvf2 - ½mvi2
Fnet(1,5)(cos180°) = ½(120)(02 - 302)
-54 000
Fnet = -1,5
Fnet = 36 000 N up
Fnet = Fsnow - Fg
Therefore Fsnow = Fnet + Fg
= 36 000 + 1 176
= 37 176 N upwards
OR
Wnet = ΔEK
Wg + Wsnow = EKf – Eki
(120)(9,8)(1,5)cos0°+ Fsnow(1,5)cos180° = 0 - ½(120)(30)2
Fsnow = 37 176 N upwards
4 Ranbir in his go-kart, X, combined mass
60 kg, starts from rest at point P and rolls
down a slope as indicated. He reaches the
bottom of the slope, Q, at a speed of 6 m⋅s-1.
4.1 Calculate the work done by friction as Ranbir
moves down the slope in his go-kart.
Work done by friction:
Wf = Wnc
= (EP + EK)Q - (EP + EK)P
= (mgh + ½mv2)Q - (mgh + ½mv2)P
= (0 + ½(60)(62) - (60 × 9,8 × 5 + 0)
Wf = -1 860 J
Ranbir collides with another go-kart with passenger Y
(combined mass 50 kg), at rest, at point Q and after the
collision they move together as one.
4.2 Calculate the velocity of the two go-karts
with their passengers after the collision.

Σp before = Σp after →+
m1v1i + m2v2i = (m1 + m2)vf
60 × 6 + 0 = 110v
v = 3,27 m⋅s-1
4.3 Calculate the impulse of Y on X.
FnetΔt = mvf - mvi
= 60(3,27) - (60)(6)
= -163,8 N⋅s
= 163,8 N⋅s to the left

4.4 How does the impulse of X on Y compare to the

impulse of Y on X?
The same size, opposite direction
5 Spiderman, mass 75 kg,
swings from building to
building with his spider
web.
He is aiming for a
window as indicated in
the diagram.
He starts at window A
and swings to window B.
5.1 Show that Spiderman reaches window B with
a speed of 9 m⋅s-1. Show all principles and
calculations. (Ignore all effects of friction and
air resistance.)
(EM)A = (EM)B
(EP + EK)A = (EP + EK)B
(mgh + ½mv2)A = (mgh + ½mv2)B
(75 × 9,8 × 20 + 0) = (75 × 9,8 × 15,87 + ½(75)v2)
v = 9 m⋅s-1
OR
(EM)A = (EM)B
(EPT + EK)A = (EP + EK)B
(mgh + ½mv2)A = (mgh + ½mv2)B
(75 × 9,8 × 4,13 + 0) = 0 + ½(75)v2)
v = 9 m⋅s-1
 ...BUT, the evil Doc Oc sees him coming and
replaces the window with unbreakable glass.
Spiderman collides with the window at a
horizontal velocity of 9 m⋅s-1, and bounces
back horizontally at 5 m⋅s-1.

5.2 If the time of contact between Spiderman and

the window was 0,15 s, calculate the force of
the window on Spiderman.
FnetΔt = mvf - mvi →+
Fnet(0,15) = 75(-5 - 9)
Fnet = 7 000 N to the right
...and Spiderman is knocked out. He falls vertically
downwards and lands in a wet flowerbed with a
downward velocity of 15 m⋅s-1. He comes to rest
20 cm deep in the mud.

5.3 Calculate the work done by the resistance of the

mud.
Work through resistance:
Wf = Wnc = (EP + EK)bottom - (EP + EK)top
= (mgh + ½mv2)bottom - (mgh + ½mv2)top
= (0) - (75 × 9,8 × 0,2 + ½(75)(15)2)
Wf = -8 584,5 J
5.4 Calculate the force of the mud on Spiderman.

W = FSpidermanΔy cosθ
-8 584,5 = FSpiderman (0,2)cos180°
FSpiderman = -42 922,5 N
∴ FSpiderman = 42 922,5 N upwards
6

Tarzan, (mass 70 kg) swings from a branch (height 1,8 m) from rest
using a rope. At point B, on the ground, a monkey (mass 15 kg) is sitting
in his way. As he collides with the monkey, he kicks the poor animal out
of his way, such that it moves to the right at a velocity of 5 m⋅s-1.
6.1 Name the law to be used to calculate Tarzan’s
speed at which he reaches the monkey at point
B.
Conservation of mechanical energy
6.2 Calculate Tarzan’s speed at B, just before he
collides with the monkey.
(EM)A = (EM)B
(EP + EK)A = (EP + EK)B
(mgh + ½mv2)A = (mgh + ½mv2) B
(70 × 9,8 × 1,8 + 0) = 0 + ½(70)v2
v = 5,94 m⋅s-1
6.3 Name the law to be used to calculate Tarzan’s
speed just after he collides with the monkey.
Conservation of linear momentum

6.4 Calculate Tarzan’s speed immediately after his

collision with the monkey.
Σpbefore = Σpafter
m1v1i + m2v2i = (m1 + m2)vf
70 × 5,94 + 0 = 70v + 15 × 5
v = 4,87 m⋅s-1
6.5 What height will Tarzan reach if he swings to C
after the collision?
Show all your calculations.
(EM)B = (EM)C
(EP + EK)B = (EP + EK)C
(mgh + ½mv2)B = (mgh + ½mv2)C
0 + ½(70)(4,87)2 = 70 × 9,8h + 0
h = 1,2 m
6.6 Calculate the impulse of the monkey on
Tarzan during the collision.
Impulse = mvf - mvi →+ (Fnet∆t = ∆p)
= (70)(4,87) - (70)(5,94)
= -74,9
= 74,9 kg⋅m⋅s-1 to the left
7 Hlompho shoots an arrow, mass 0,1 kg, with a
crossbow into a wooden block, mass 3,9 kg, which
hangs from a light string as shown in the diagram.
After the collision, the arrow is stuck in the
wooden block.
The block and arrow now swing upwards and
reach a vertical height of 0,2 m above the initial
position of the block.
7.1 Calculate the potential energy of the arrow
and block at the height of 0,2 m.
EP = mgh
= 4 × 9,8 × 0,2
= 7,84 J
7.2 Calculate the velocity of the block plus arrow
immediately after the collision.
(EM)bottom = (EM)top
(EP + EK)bottom = (EP + EK)top
(mgh + ½mv2)bottom = (mgh + ½mv2)top
(0 + ½(4)v2) = (4 × 9,8 × 0,2 + 0)
v = 1,98 m⋅s-1
7.3 State the law of conservation of linear
momentum.
Law of conservation of linear momentum:
The total linear momentum in a closed system
remains constant.
7.4 Calculate the velocity with which the arrow collides
with the block.
Σpbefore = Σpafter
m1v1i + m2v2i = (m1 + m2)vf
0 + 0,1v = 4 × 1,98
v = 79,2 m⋅s-1 to the right
In another test, it is determined that if the block is not
allowed to swing, the arrow will penetrate 100 mm into
the block if it is shot at the same velocity as before.
7.5 Calculate the average force that the arrow exerts
on the block.
Wnet = ΔEK
Wnet = EK (final) - EK (initial)
Fnet(0,1)cos0° = ½(0,1)(0)2 - ½(0,1)(79,2)2
Fnet = -3 136,32
Fnet = 3 136,32 N to the right
8 Hansika is skiing down a 20 m long ski slope that
forms an angle of 25° with the horizontal.
Her total mass, with the skis, is 50 kg. There is a
constant frictional force of 60 N acting against
her motion. Her speed at the top of the slope is
2,5 m⋅s-1.
(DoE, 2008)
8.1 Draw a force diagram of Hansika on the
slope to show all the forces acting on her.

Note
Components of
weight may not be
drawn on the same
diagram as weight.
8.2 Calculate the magnitude of the net force
acting on Hansika parallel to the slope.
Fnet = FgII - f
Fnet = 490 sin25° - 60
= 147,08 N down the plane
8.3 Calculate the work done on Hansika by the net force,
causing her to move down the slope.
Wnet = Fnet⋅Δx cos0°
= 147,08 × 20 cos0°
= 2 941,66 J
8.4 Calculate Hansika’s maximum speed at the
bottom of the slope.
Wnet = ΔEK
= EK (final) - EK (initial)
2 941,66 = ½(50)v2 - ½(50)(2,5)2
v = 11,13 m⋅s-1
9 Ross pushes a crate, mass 70 kg, up a rough slope,
with a pushing force of 650 N parallel to the inclined
surface. The angle of inclination is 40°. The crate was
at rest at the bottom of the slope. The friction
between the crate and the surface is 140 N.
9.1 State the work-energy principle.
Work-energy principle:
The work done on an object by a net force is
equal to the change in kinetic energy of that
object.
Work done by net force = change in the EK of the
object.
9.2 Calculate the velocity of the crate at the top of
the slope if the length of the slope is 5 m.

Fnet = FRoss - f - FgII

Fnet = 650 - 140 - 686 sin40°

Wnet = ΔEK
Fnet ⋅Δx cosθ = EKf - EKi
(650 - 140 - 686 sin40°) × 5 cos0° = ½(70)v2 - ½(70)(0)2
v = 3,14 m⋅s-1 upwards, parallel to the plane
OR
Wnet = EK
WRoss + Wf + Wg = EKf - EKi
FRossΔx cosθ + FΔx cosθ +
(Fgsin40°)(Δx)cosθ = EKf - 0
(650)(5)cos0° + (140)(5)(cos180°) +
(686sin40°)(5)cos180° = ½(70)v2
v = 3,14 m⋅s-1 upwards,
parallel to the plane
10 It is a lovely day in Johannesburg and
Spiderman, mass 70 kg, is swinging happily
from his very light web.
He moves from building to building on his
way to save the world.
He starts from rest at point O at the top of
a building.
Ignore air resistance.
10.1 Calculate Spiderman’s gravitational potential energy
with respect to the ground, when he is at point O.

EP = mgh
= 70 × 9,8 × 20
= 13 720 J
10.2 Spiderman swings from O down to point P. What has
happened to the potential energy he had at point O,
when he reaches point P?
Converted to kinetic energy.
10.3 Calculate Spiderman’s speed when he reaches
point P.
(EM)bottom = (EM)top
(EP + EK)bottom = (EP + EK)top
(mgh + ½mv2)bottom = (mgh + ½mv2)top
(13 720 + 0) = (70 × 9,8 × 15) + ½(70)v2
v = 9,9 m⋅s-1 to the left
When Spiderman is at point P, he collides with Superman,
mass 80 kg, who is flying horizontally in the opposite
direction at 8 m⋅s-1. Spiderman and Superman are holding
onto each other as they continue moving together.
10.4 Calculate their velocity immediately after the
collision.
Σp before = Σp after ←+
m1v1i + m2v2i = (m1 + m2)vf
70(9,9) + 80(-8) = 150v
v = 0,35 m⋅s-1 to the left