Section 4.

1
UNIT 5 Section 4.2
Section 4.3
Chapter 4 Section 4.4
Kinematic equations with Section 4.5
REMARK: The textbook also contains a number of Examples, some of which
constant acceleration will be discussed in the lectures. Carefully work through the Examples not
covered during the lectures.
4.1 MOTION ALONG A LINE WHEN THE
NET FORCE IS CONSTANT
If the net force acting on an object is constant, then the
acceleration of the object is also constant, both in magnitude
and direction.
𝑭𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝒂
𝑭𝑛𝑒𝑡 ∝ 𝒂

NB: A constant acceleration means the velocity vector

changes at a constant rate.

Slide 2
4.1 MOTION ALONG A LINE WHEN THE
NET FORCE IS CONSTANT

Slide 3
4.1 MOTION ALONG A LINE WHEN THE
NET FORCE IS CONSTANT

Slide 4
4.1 MOTION ALONG A LINE WHEN THE
NET FORCE IS CONSTANT

Slide 5
4.2 KINEMATIC EQUATIONS FOR MOTION
ALONG A LINE WITH CONSTANT
ACCELERATION
The kinematic equations are relationships between
position, velocity, acceleration, and time that apply
when something moves with constant acceleration. And
along the x axis they are:

v fx  vix  at x  1
2
v
ix  v fx  t

x  vix t  at 
1 2
v fx  v  2ax
2 2
ix 2

Slide 6
KINEMATIC VARIABLES

Five kinematic variables:

1. displacement, x

2. acceleration (constant), ax

3. final velocity (at time t), vfx

4. initial velocity, vix

5. elapsed time, t

Slide 7
 Problem Solving Strategy:
1. Make a drawing.

2. Decide which directions are to be called positive (+) and negative (-).

3. Write down the values that are given for any of the five kinematic
variables.

4. Verify that the information contains values for at least three of the five
kinematic variables. Select the appropriate equation.

5. When the motion is divided into segments, remember that the final
velocity of one segment is the initial velocity for the next.

6. Keep in mind that there may be two possible answers to a kinematics

problem.

Slide 8
Example 4.1
The maximum acceleration of blood in the aorta can be used to test
ventricular function. The period during which maximum acceleration
of the blood in the aorta occurs is during the first portion of the left
ventricle’s pumping action. During this period, the acceleration is
essentially constant. Doppler echocardiography uses ultrasound to
measure blood speeds in the aorta. The results for one patient show
that the blood in the aorta begins at a speed of 0.10 m/s and
undergoes constant acceleration for 38 ms, reaching a peak speed of
1.29 m/s. Calculate:
(a) the acceleration reflected in these data, and
(b) how far does the blood travel
during this period.

Slide 9
Example 4.1

x a vfx vix t
? ? +1.29 m/s +0.1 m/s 38ms

Solution
(a)

(b)

Slide 10
EXAMPLE: Accelerating in one direction
A spacecraft is traveling with a velocity of +3250 m/s. Suddenly the
retrorockets are fired, and the spacecraft begins to slow down with
an acceleration whose magnitude is 10 m/s2. Calculate the velocity
of the spacecraft when the displacement of the craft is +215 km,
relative to the point where the retrorockets began firing.

x a vfx vix t

+215000 m -10.0 m/s2 ? +3250 m/s ?

Slide 11
Solution

x a vfx vix t

+215000 m -10.0 m/s2 ? +3250 m/s ?

v fx  v  2ax
2
v fx  v  2ax
2 2
ix ix


v   3250 m s   2  10.0 m s
2 2
215000 m 
v  2502 m s
Though the spacecraft is slowing down it is still moving in the
+ direction, therefore the correct answer would be +2502 m/s

Slide 12
Example 4.2
Two spaceships, one silver and one black, are moving
from the same starting point in the +x-direction with
constant accelerations. In component form, the silver
spaceship starts with an initial velocity of +2.00 km/s and
has an acceleration of +0.400 km/s2. The black spaceship
starts with a velocity of +6.00 km/s and has an
acceleration of −0.400 km/s2.
(a) Calculate the time at which the silver spaceship just
overtakes the black spaceship.
(b) Sketch graphs of vx(t) for the two spaceships.

Slide 13
 Example 4.2
x a vfx Vix t
Silver Spacecraft ? +0.4 km/s2 ? +2 km/s ?

Black Spacecraft ? 0.4 km/s2 ? +6 km/s ?

(a) Solution
1 2 1
∆𝑥𝑆 = 𝑣𝑖𝑆 ∆𝑡 + 𝑎𝑠 ∆𝑡 ∆𝑥𝐵 = 𝑣𝑖𝐵 ∆𝑡 + 𝑎𝐵 ∆𝑡 2
2 2
By the time the silver spacecraft will just overtakes the black spaceship,
the displacement of the two spaceship will be equal,
∆𝑥𝑆 =∆𝑥𝐵
1 1
𝑣𝑖𝑆 ∆𝑡 + 𝑎𝑠 ∆𝑡 2 = 𝑣𝑖𝐵 ∆𝑡 + 𝑎𝐵 ∆𝑡 2
2 2

Slide 14
Example 4.2

∆𝑥𝑆 =∆𝑥𝐵
1 1
𝑣𝑖𝑆 ∆𝑡 + 𝑎𝑠 ∆𝑡 2 = 𝑣𝑖𝐵 ∆𝑡 + 𝑎𝐵 ∆𝑡 2
2 2

The silver spaceship overtakes the black spaceship 10.0 s

after they leave the starting point.

Slide 15
Example 4.2
Solution
(b)

Note that the area under the graphs from ti to tf is the

same in the two graphs: the spaceships have the same
displacement during that interval.
Slide 16
 4.3 APPLYING NEWTON’S LAWS WITH
CONSTANT-ACCELERATION
KINEMATICS
Now we look at some examples of how to analyze forces
and apply Newton’s laws in conjunction with what we’ve
learned about constant-acceleration motion.

Remember that acceleration is the connection: the net force

determines the acceleration, and the acceleration
determines how the velocity and position of the object
change.

Slide 17
Example 4.4
A block of mass m1 = 3.0 kg rests on a frictionless horizontal
surface. A second block of mass m2 = 2.0 kg hangs from an ideal
cord of negligible mass, which runs over an ideal pulley and then
is connected to the first block. The
blocks are released from rest.

(a) Find the accelerations of the two

blocks after they are released.
(b) What is the velocity of the first block 1.2 s after the release of
the blocks, assuming the first block does not run out of room
on the table and the second block does not land on the floor?
(c) How far has block 1 moved during the 1.2-s interval?

Slide 18
Example 4.4
Solution
(a)

Slide 19
Example 4.4
Solution
(b)

(c)

Slide 20
Example 4.5
A student is moving into a dorm room
on the third floor, and he decides to
use a block and tackle arrangement to
move a crate of mass 91 kg from the
ground up to his window.

If the breaking strength of the

available rope is 550 N, what is the
minimum time required to haul the
crate to the level of the window,
30.0 m above the ground, without
breaking the rope?

Slide 21
Example 4.5
Strategy The tension in the rope is T and is the same at
both ends or anywhere along the rope, assuming the rope
and pulleys are ideal.

Slide 22
Example 4.5
Solution

This is the minimum

possible time to haul
the crate up without
breaking the rope.
Slide 23
 4.4 FREE FALL
• In free fall , no forces act on an object other
than the gravitational force that makes the
object fall.
• On Earth, free fall is an idealization since there
is always some air resistance.
Free-Fall Acceleration

The vector g⃗ is sometimes called the free-fall acceleration

because it is the acceleration of an object near the surface of
the Earth when the only force acting is gravity.
Slide 24
4.4 FREE FALL (CONTINUED)
If an object is thrown straight up, its velocity is zero at the highest point of
its flight.

Why? On the way up, the y-component of its

velocity vy is positive if the positive y-axis is
pointing up. On the way down, vy is negative.
Since vy changes continuously, it must pass
through zero to change sign. At the highest
point, the velocity is zero but the acceleration
is not zero.

The acceleration will be a constant of

9.80 m/s2 downwards, or in terms of our set of
axes, 𝑎𝑦 = − 9.80 𝑚/𝑠2.

Slide 25
 Conceptual Example

Does the pellet in part b strike the ground beneath the cliff
with a smaller, greater, or the same speed as the pellet
in part a?
Example 4.8
Standing on a bridge, you throw a stone straight upward. The stone
hits a stream, 44.1 m below the point at which you release it, 4.00 s
later. Calculate

(a) the velocity of the stone just after it leaves your hand,
(b) the velocity of the stone just before it hits the water.

Solution
(a)

Slide 27
Example 4.8
Solution
(b)

Slide 28
 ACCELERATION IN TWO DIRECTIONS:
If an object moves in the xy-plane with constant acceleration,
then both ax and ay are constant.

By looking separately at the motion along two perpendicular

axes, the y-direction and the x-direction, each component
becomes a one-dimensional problem, which we already know
how to solve.

We can apply any of the constant acceleration relationships

separately to the x-components and to the y-components.

Slide 29
ACCELERATION IN TWO DIRECTIONS:
Imagine there is a constant force that propels an object along both the
x- and y-axis. Thus there is a constant acceleration in the x-direction
and in the y-direction.
Consider a jet aircraft with thrusters at the back and underneath it:

The x part of the motion occurs exactly as it would if the y part did
not occur at all, and vice versa.

Slide 30
Equations of motion in 2D

x-direction y-direction
v fx  vix  a x t v fy  viy  a y t

x  12 vix  v fx  t y  1
2
viy  v fy  t
v fx  v  2a x x v fy  v  2a y y
2 2 2 2
ix iy

x  vix t  a x t  y  viy t  a y t 

1 2 1 2
2 2

Take note: time is the only common variable.

Slide 31
Example
In the x direction, the spacecraft has an initial velocity component of
+22 m/s and an acceleration of +24 m/s2. In the y direction, the
analogous quantities are +14 m/s and an acceleration of +12 m/s2.
Calculate (a) x and vx, (b) y and vy, and (c) the final velocity of the
spacecraft at time 7.0 s.

Slide 32
Example
In the x direction, the spacecraft has an initial velocity component of
+22 m/s and an acceleration of +24 m/s2. In the y direction, the
analogous quantities are +14 m/s and an acceleration of +12 m/s2.
Calculate (a) x and vx, (b) y and vy, and (c) the final velocity of the
spacecraft at time 7.0 s.

x ax vx vox t
? +24.0 m/s2 ? +22 m/s 7.0 s

y ay vy voy t
? +12.0 m/s2 ? +14 m/s 7.0 s

Slide 33
Example
Calculate (a) x and vx of the spacecraft at time 7.0 s.

x ax vx vox t
? +24.0 m/s2 ? +22 m/s 7.0 s

x  voxt  axt
1
2
2

 22 m s 7.0 s   1
2
24 m s 7.0 s
2 2
 740 m

vx  vox  axt

 22 m s   24 m s 2
7.0 s  190 m s
Slide 34
Example
Calculate (b) y and vy, of the spacecraft at time 7.0 s.

y ay vy voy t
? +12.0 m/s2 ? +14 m/s 7.0 s

y  voyt  a y t
1
2
2

 14 m s 7.0 s   12 m s
1
2
 2
7.0 s2
 390 m
v y  voy  a y t
 
 14 m s   12 m s 7.0 s   98 m s
2

Slide 35
Example
Calculate (c) the final velocity of the spacecraft at time 7.0 s.

v
v y  98 m s


vx  190 m s

v 190 m s   98 m s 
2 2
 214 m s
 
  tan 98 190  27
1 

Slide 36
4.5 MOTION OF PROJECTILES
Now we consider objects that move in both the horizontal and
vertical direction in free fall (called projectiles ) as indicated in the
figure below. Once the stone is in the air, the only force acting on it
is the downward gravitational force, provided that the air resistance
has a negligible effect on the motion.

The angle of elevation is the

angle of the initial velocity
above the horizontal.
The trajectory is the path of
the stone.

Slide 37
COMPONENTS OF INITIAL VELOCITY

If the initial velocity is at an angle  above the horizontal, then resolving it

into components gives:

Slide 38
 The trajectory of the stone.

Remarks:
 Once the stone leaves the point of release, the gravitational force is the only
force acting on the stone. It is always directed along the vertical, pointing down.
 Since there is no force acting on the stone along the x axis after release and it is
undergoing free fall motion, the velocity of the stone along the x axis is constant
(i.e. 𝑣𝑖𝑥 = 𝑣𝑓𝑥 )

Slide 39
GRAPHS OF PROJECTILE MOTION IN
FREE FALL:

Slide 40
Equations of motion for projectiles in free fall:

x-direction y-direction
(chosen upward)

𝑎𝑥 = 0 𝑎𝑦 = −𝑔
v fx  vix  (0)t v fy  viy  ( g )t

x  1
2
vx  vx  t y  1
2
v
iy  v fy  t

v fx  v  2(0)x v fy  viy2  2( g )y

2 2 2
ix

x  v x t  (0)t  y  viy t  ( g )t 

1 2 1 2
2 2

Slide 41
Equations of motion for projectiles in free fall:

x-direction y-direction
(chosen upward)
vix  v fx  v x v fy  viy  gt

x  v x t y  1
2
viy  v fy  t
v fy  viy2  2 gy
2

Remember: y  viy t  g t 

1 2

𝑣𝑖𝑥 = 𝑣𝑖 cos 𝜃 2

𝑣𝑖𝑦 = 𝑣𝑖 sin 𝜃

Slide 42
RANGE OF A PROJECTILE:

The horizontal range (R) of a

projectile in free-fall is the
horizontal distance when it
returns to its launching height,
and is given by:

𝑣𝑖 2
𝑅= 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
𝑔

Slide 43
Conceptual Example I Shot a Bullet into the Air...

Suppose you are driving a convertible with the top down.

The car is moving to the right at constant velocity. You point
a rifle straight up into the air and fire it. In the absence of air
resistance, where would the bullet land – behind you, ahead
of you, or in the barrel of the rifle?
Conceptual Example Two Ways to Throw a Stone

From the top of a cliff, a person throws two stones. The stones
have identical initial speeds, but stone 1 is thrown downward
at some angle below the horizontal and stone 2 is thrown at
the same angle above the horizontal. Neglecting air resistance,
which stone, if either, strikes the water with greater velocity?
REMARKS:

Symmetries in projectile motion:

• The time required for a projectile to reach its maximum

height H is equal to the time spent returning to the ground
• The speed v of the object at any height above the ground on
the upward part of the trajectory is equal to the speed v at the
same height on the downward part.

Slide 46
EXAMPLE A
The airplane is moving horizontally with a constant velocity of
+115 m/s at an altitude of 1050m when it drops a package.
a) Calculate the time required for the package to hit the ground.
b) Calculate the magnitude and direction of the final velocity of the
package.

Slide 47
EXAMPLE A: a) find t

y ay vy voy t
-1050 m -9.80 m/s2 0 m/s ?

Slide 48
EXAMPLE A: a) find t
y ay vy voy t

-1050 m -9.80 m/s2 ? 0 m/s ?

y  voy t  1 a t2 y  a yt1 2
2 y 2

2y 2 1050 m 
t   14.6 s
ay  9.80 m s 2

Slide 49
EXAMPLE A: b) find vf

 
v y  voy  a y t  0   9.80 m s 14.6 s 
2

 143 m s
Slide 50
EXAMPLE A: b) find vf
vfx = +115 m/s and vfy = 143 m/s

2 2
𝑣= 𝑣𝑓𝑥 + 𝑣𝑓𝑦

= 115𝑚/𝑠 2 + −143𝑚/𝑠 2

= 184𝑚/𝑠
And the directions is

𝑣𝑓𝑦 −143𝑚/𝑠
tan 𝜃 = = = 1.243
𝑣𝑓𝑥 115𝑚/𝑠
Therefore,

𝜃 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 1.243 = 51.18°

Slide 51
EXAMPLE B
A rugby player kicks a ball at angle of 40.0 degrees above the
horizontal with an initial speed of is 22.0 m/s. Ignoring air
resistance, determine: (i) the maximum height that the ball attains,
(ii) the time of flight between kickoff and landing and (iii) the
range of the projectile.

Slide 52
EXAMPLE B: (i) find H

vo
voy

vox
voy  vo sin   22 m s sin 40  14 m s


vox  vo cos   22 m s cos 40  17 m s



Slide 53
EXAMPLE B: (i) find H

y ay vy voy t
? -9.80 m/s2 0 14 m/s

Slide 54
EXAMPLE B: (i) find H
y ay vy voy t
? -9.80 m/s2 0 14 m/s
2
vf  v0 y
2
2
vy  v0 y
2
 2a y y y
2a y
0  14 m s 
2
y  

2  9.8 m s 2
10 m

thus H  10m

Slide 55
EXAMPLE B: (ii) find t

y ay vy voy t
0 -9.80 m/s2 14 m/s ?

Slide 56
EXAMPLE B: (ii) find t
y ay vy voy t
0 -9.80 m/s2 14 m/s ?

y  voyt  a y t 1
2
2

0  14 m st  1
2
 9.80 m s t 2 2


0  214 m s    9.80 m s t 2

t  2.9 s
Slide 57
EXAMPLE B: (iii) find R

x  vox t  a x t  vox t  17 m s 2.9 s   49 m

1
2
2

𝑣𝑖 2
Or we can use range equation: 𝑅 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
𝑔
When using the range equation, substitute magnitude of vi and positive 𝑔

2
22.0 𝑚.𝑠 −1
𝑅= 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2 × 40 = 49 𝑚
9.80 𝑚.𝑠 −2

Slide 58
 Additional examples - A
A 10.0 kg water-melon and a 7.00 kg pumpkin are attached each
via a cord that wraps over a pulley, as shown. Friction is negligible
everywhere in this system. (a) Calculate the acceleration of the
water melon and the pumpkin. Specify magnitude and direction.
(b) If the system is released from rest, calculate how far along the
incline will the pumpkin travel in 0.3 s. Calculate the speed of the
water melon after 0.2 s.

Slide 59
 Additional examples - B
Two blocks are connected by a lightweight,
flexible cord that pass over a frictionless
pulley. If m1 = 3.6 kg and m2 = 9.2 kg, and
block 2 is initially at rest 140 cm above the
floor, calculate how long does it take block
2 to reach the floor.

Slide 60
 Additional examples - C
A drag racer crosses the finish line of a 400 m track with a final
speed of 104 m/s. (a) Assuming constant acceleration during the
race, calculate the racer’s time and the minimum coefficient of
static friction between the tires and the road. (b) If, because of
bad tires or wet pavement, the acceleration were 30 % smaller,
calculate how long it takes to finish the race.

Slide 61
 Additional examples - D
An 18-year-old runner can complete a 10.0-km course with an
average speed of 4.39 m/s. A 50-year-old runner can cover the
same distance with an average speed of 4.27 m/s. How much
later (in seconds) should the younger runner start in order to
finish the course at the same time as the older runner

Slide 62
 SELF ASSESSMENT - E
A stone is dropped from the top of a tall building. After 3.00s of
free fall, calculate is the displacement y of the stone?

Slide 63
 SELF ASSESSMENT - F
The referee tosses the coin up
with an initial speed of 5.00 m/s.
In the absence if air resistance,
calculate the height the coin
reaches above its point of release.

Slide 64