Unit A - Activity 5 - Problems
1. In the experiment below, the arrow is lined up towards the target. As it is fired,
the arrow breaks the circuit supplying the electromagnet, and the target falls
downwards from A to B.
electromagnet holds
target in place
A
B
Explain why the arrow will hit the target.
2. A box is released from a plane travelling horizontally at 300 m s-1 at a height of
320 m above the ground.
(a) Calculate the time it takes for the box to hit the ground. (assume g = 10
m s-2)
(b) Calculate the horizontal distance between the point of impact and the
release.
3. An aircraft flying horizontally at 150 m s-1 drops a package, which hits the ground
8.0 s later.
(a) Calculate the distance travelled horizontally by the package.
(b) Calculate the vertical speed of the package when it hits the ground.
(c) State the position of the aircraft relative to the package when it hits the
ground.
4. A ball is projected horizontally at 15 m s-1 from the top of a vertical cliff. It
reaches the ground 5 s later. (assume g = 10 m s-2)
(a) For the period between release until it hits the ground, draw graphs, with
numerical values on the axes, for the ball’s
(i) horizontal velocity against time
(ii) vertical velocity against time.
(b) Using the graphs, determine the horizontal and vertical distances traveled.
5. A stunt motorcyclist jumping
across a ravine lands in the
middle of the landing zone
which is 23.7 m vertically below
the take off point. The centre of
the landing zone is 38.5 m 23.7 m
horizontally away from the take
off point.
38.5 m
(a) Calculate the time between take off and landing.
(b) Determine the minimum speed at take off that will ensure that the
motorcyclist lands in the centre of the landing zone. State any
assumptions made.
(c) If the motorcyclist has a take off speed of 30 m s-1, determine the distance
from the centre of the landing zone to where the motorcycle lands.
6. A ball is projected horizontally at 15 m s-1 from the top of a vertical cliff. Using a
vector diagram, determine the velocity of the ball 2 s after it is released.
(assume g = 10 m s-2)
7. A projectile is fired across level ground taking 6 s to travel from A to B. The
highest point reached is C. Air resistance is negligible.
C
A B
Horizontal and vertical velocity-time graphs for the flight are shown below.
vh (m s-1) vv (m s-1)
40 30
3 6
0 t (s) 0 t (s)
3 6
-30
(a) State what the graphs tell you about
(i) the horizontal motion of the projectile;
(ii) the vertical motion of the projectile?
(b) Use a vector diagram, to determine the speed and angle at which the
projectile was fired from point A.
(c) Determine the speed at position C. Explain why this is the smallest speed
of the projectile.
(d) Calculate the height above the ground of point C.
(e) Determine the horizontal distance AB.
8. An object of mass 5 kg is propelled with a speed of 40 m s-1 at an angle of 30°
to the horizontal. (assume g = 10 m s-2)
40 m s-1
30°
horizontal
Determine: distance
(a) the vertical component of its initial velocity
(b) the maximum vertical height of the object
(c) the time of flight for the whole trajectory
(d) the horizontal distance travelled by the object.
9. A missile is launched at 60° to the ground and strikes a target on a hill.
target
If the initial speed of the
missile was 100 m s-1 find:
(a) the time taken to
100 m s-1
reach the target
(b) the height of the
target above the gun. 60°
400 m
10. A rolling ball leaves the end of a sloping ramp at 5.0 m s-1, as shown in the
diagram. (assume g = 10 m s-2)
30°
5.0 m s-1
2.5 m
horizontal surface
(a) Determine the time it takes to reach the ground.
(b) Determine the distance it will travel horizontally before hitting the ground.
11. The fairway on a golf course is in two horizontal part separated by a steep bank
as shown below.
19.6 m
41.7 m s-1 upper fairway Q
bank
36º
O lower fairway
A golf ball at point O is given an initial velocity of 41.7 m s-1 at 36º to the
horizontal. The ball reaches a maximum vertical height at point P above the
upper fairway. Point P is 19.6 m above the upper fairway as shown. The ball hits
the ground at point Q.
The effect of air friction may be neglected. Assume that the acceleration due to
gravity is 9.8 m s-1
(a) Calculate:
(i) the horizontal component of the initial velocity of the ball;
(ii) the vertical component of the initial velocity of the ball.
(b) Calculate the time taken for the ball to travel from point O to point Q.
(c) Calculate the horizontal distance traveled by the ball.
