SAMPLE PROBLEMS

Sample problem :
A stone is thrown vertically upward and return to earth in
10 sec. What was its initial velocity and how high did it go?
Going upward (velocity at the
highest point is zero):
 
vf = −g t
0 = −9.81(5)
vi = 49.05 m/sec

Going downward (initial velocity is

zero; free-fall):
v2 = v1 – gt h=12 g
V1t – ½ g = v1 t + ½
v1 = gt h=12(9.81)(
-1/2 gt^2 = ½ g
-g = 100g – 20gt – g h=122.625 m
v4 = v3 + gt 20gt = g (100)
t =5
v4 = 0 + gt

v1 = v 4 = gt
Sample Problem:
On a certain stretch of track, trains run at 60 mph (96.56 kph). How far back of a
stopped train should be a warning torpedo be placed to signal an oncoming train?
Assume that the brakes are applied at once and retard the train at the uniform rate
of 2 ft/sec2 (0.61 m/s2).
 
Initial velocity
=60 mph
= 60 (22/15)
= 88 ft/sec

= +2as
= −2(2)s
s = 1936 ft
• A bullet leaves a rifle vertically with a muzzle velocity of 140 m/s.
Determine the maximum height reached and the duration from the
time it was fired until it hits the ground.

Solution:

= +2as or vf = v o + a t
= 2(-9.81)s 0= 140 + -9.81 t
s = 998.98 m t = 14.27
s = vo t + ½ a s = vo t + ½ a
81.549 = 140 (t) + ½ (-9.8) = 140 (4.07) +1/2 (-9.81)
t = 14. 27 s = 998.98 m
Sample Problem :
A Stone in thrown vertically into the air from a tower 100ft high at the same instant that a second stone is
thrown upward rom the ground. The initial velocity of the first stone is 50 ft per sec and that of the second
stone is 75 ft per sec. When and where will the stones be at the same height from the ground?

s = vo t + ½ a

For stone 1: s1 = 50 t – 16.1 Eq 1

For Stone 2 : s2 = 75 t - 16.1 Eq2

s1 - s2 = 100
(50 t – 16.1 ) – (75 t - 16.1 ) = 100
25 t = 100
t = 4 secs

Substituting t in Eq 1 and Eq 2 we have:

s1 = 50 t – 16.1
= 50 (4) – 16.1
= 200 – 257.6
= -57.6 ft
s2 = 75 t - 16.1
= 75 (4) - 16.1
= 300 – 257.6
= 42.4 ft
 Sample Problem:
A ball is dropped from the top of a tower 80 ft high at the same instant
that a second ball is thrown upward from the ground with an initial
velocity of 40 ft/sec . When and where do they pass, and with what
relative velocity

Given: h2 = 40t−12(32.2)
h = 80 ft h2=40t−16.1 They pass each other after 2
vi = 0 seconds at 64.4 ft from the top of
the tower.
vf = 40 ft/s A to C plus B to C is equal to height
g = 32.2 ft/ of the tower
h1+h2=h
From A to C (free-fall) 16.1 +(40t−16.1 )=80
h1 = 1/2 g 40t = 80
h1 = 1/2 (32.2) t = 2 sec
h1 = 16.1
h1=16.1(22)
From B to C (upward motion) h1=64.4 ft
From the formula s = t + ½a
h2= vf t− ½ g
Velocity at C of stone from A (after 2 seconds)
v1= gt
v1 = 32.2(2)
v1=64.4 ft/s

Velocity at C of stone from B (after 2 seconds)

v2 =vB−gt
v2 = 40−32.2 (2)
v2 = −24.4 ft/s
→ the negative sign indicates that the stone is moving downward

Relative velocity:
vr =v1+v2
= 64.4−24.4
vr =40 ft/sec
 Sample Problem :
A particle starting with an initial velocity of 60 ft per sec, has a rectilinear motion with
constant deceleration of 10 ft per . Determine the velocity displacement at the end of
9 sec by sketching the a-t, v-t and s-t curves and using the relations between them.

V = (Area) a-t S =( Area ) v-t

= - 10 x 9 S = ½ (60) (6) – ½ (30) (3)
= - 90 ft per sec
= 180 – 45

= 135 ft