DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER) Tirupati
PHY 111: Foundations of Physics I – Mechanics & Waves
Tutorial 1
Part – A
1. Confirm whether the following equations are dimensionally correct or not using the
standard definitions of the symbols.
2
(i) v = v0 + at
1 2
(ii) x = x0 + v0 t + at
2
(iii) E = mc 2
l
(iv) T = 2π
g
1 2
(v) ma = mv
2
v 2 sin 2 θ
(vi) T = 0
2g
v0 sin θ − gt
(vii) tan θ =
v0 cosθ
2. In the equation 𝑥̈ + 𝜔! 𝑥 = 𝑎 , what are the dimensions of 𝜔 and 𝑎 if 𝑥 has the
dimensions of length?
3. The equation 𝑥̈ + 𝜔! 𝑥 = 𝑒 "/! cannot represent a physical process. Why? (x has the
dimensions of length).
4. The viscous force on a small sphere moving through a viscous fluid is given by,
F = kηrv , where k is a dimensionless constant. η, r, v are coefficient of viscosity, radius
of the sphere and its velocity, respectively. Find the dimension of η.
5. The speed of sound (v) in an ideal gas might depend on pressure (P), density (r), volume
(V) and temperature (T). Find the actual dependencies of v on these parameters using
dimensional analysis and the subsequent expression of v.
Part - B
!!!"
1. If A(1,2,-3) and B(2,0,3) are two points, find the direction cosines of AB .
2. Show that, the following vectors are collinear: 2iˆ + 3 ĵ − 5k̂, 3iˆ + ĵ − 2 k̂, 6iˆ − 5 ĵ + 7k̂ .
3. Show that, the points A(2,4,-1), B(4,5,1) and C(3,6,-3) are the vertices of a right angle
isosceles triangle.
4. Show that, the points A(4,5,6), B(5,6,4) and C(6,4,5) are the vertices of a equilateral
triangle.
5. Show that, the points A(-3,-4), B(5,-3), C(1,4) and D(-7,3) are the vertices of a rhombus.
6. Find the angles between the two vectors:
(i) iˆ + ĵ +k̂ and 3iˆ − ĵ + 2 k̂
(ii) 2iˆ − 2 ĵ + k̂ and iˆ + 2 ĵ + 2 k̂
(iii) 2iˆ − 3 ĵ + 4 k̂ and −4iˆ + 6 ĵ − 8k̂
7. Consider the methane molecule, CH4 is fitted inside a cube in such a way that the C atom
lies at the centre of the cube and four H atoms at the non-adjacent corners of the cube, as
shown in the following diagram. (a) Write the position vectors of four H atoms in a
coordinate system with the C atom at the origin (as shown in the figure). (b) Using the
position vectors, show that, the angle between any two C–H bonds is cos -1 (-1/3).
8. A particle moves from point (1,-2,5) to point (3,4,6) under the influence of a force,
!"
F = 4iˆ + ĵ − 3k̂ . What is the work done ?
! ! ! ! ! !
9. Prove: (a − b) × (a + b) = 2(a × b)
10. Find the scalar triple product of the vectors: iˆ + 2 ĵ + 3k̂, −iˆ − ĵ + k̂, iˆ + ĵ + k̂
11. If the vectors, iˆ + ĵ + 2 k̂ , aiˆ − ĵ + k̂ and 3iˆ − 2 ĵ − k̂ are coplanar, find a.
!
12. If a unit vector a makes angle p/3 with iˆ , p/4 with ĵ and an acute angle q with k̂ , then
!
find q and the components of a .
13. A car travels 100m along the direction 𝐴⃗ and take a turn along the direction 𝐵
,⃗ and travels
80m. Determine the net displacement of the car (magnitude of 𝐶⃗) and the angle from the
horizontal ? More details are shown in the figure.
Part – C
1. An elevator starts ascending from the ground with uniform velocity. After 10s from its
start, one stone is dropped through a hole on the floor of the elevator. The stone falls
freely with uniform acceleration, g = 10 m/s2 and hits the ground after 10s. What was the
height of the elevator when the stone was dropped ?
2. A stone is projected vertically upward from an elevated point A. When the stone reaches
a distance h below A, its velocity is double of what it was at a height h above A. Show
that, the highest point that the stone reaches above A is 5h/3.
3. A stone is dropped from a height of 19.6m, above the ground while a second stone is
simultaneously projected from the ground with sufficient velocity to enable it to ascend
19.6m. When and where the stones would meet ?
4. A man of height 1.8m walks away from a lamp at a height of 6m. If the man’s speed is
7m/s, find the speed in m/s at which the tip of the shadow moves.
5. Water drips from the nozzle of a shower onto the floor 2.45m below. The drops fall at
regular interval of time, the first drop striking the floor at the instant the third drop begins
to fall. Locate the second drop when the first drop strikes the floor.
6. A boy observes a cricket ball move up and down past a window 2m high. If the total time
the ball is in sight is 1.0s, find the height above the window that the ball arises.
