HARARE POLYTECHNIC: MECHANICAL ENG. DEPT.- ENG.

DANGA

TOPIC 7 : KINETICS
Momentum: The quantity of motion possessed by a moving body.
It is measured by the product of the body’s mass m and its velocity v. Thus:

Momentum = mv ..................... (1) Where: m = mass (kg)

v = velocity (m/s)
Unit of measure = kilogram meter per second (kg m/s)
Momentum has magnitude, direction and sense. Therefore it is a vector quantity.

Example
Determine the momentum of a motor vehicle of mass 2 Mg which is travelling with a
uniform velocity of 72 km/h.

Solution
Momentum = mv where : m= 2Mg = 2000 kg
V = 72 km/h = 72 x 1000 = 20 m/s
3600
Therefore Momentum = 2000 x 20 = 40 000 kg m/s

Newton’s Laws Of Motion

1. A body continues in a state of rest, or of uniform motion in a straight line unless acted
upon by an external force.
2. The rate of change of momentum of a body is proportional to the externally applied
force and takes place in the direction in which the force acts.
This means that whenever the momentum of a body changes, there must always be a
force causing that change.
3. To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that forces always
act in pairs of equal and opposite forces.

Newton’s Second law Of Motion

With reference to Newton’s second law of motion:

A resultant out of balance force, F causes acceleration according to the equation:

F = ma ............................ (2) where: m = mass (kg)

a = acceleration (m/s2)

If acceleration, a is constant and the mass constant:

a = v–u Hence:
t F = m(v –u )
t

Therefore average force, F = Change of Momentum

Time taken

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 HARARE POLYTECHNIC: MECHANICAL ENG. DEPT.- ENG. DANGA

QUESTIONS

1. A planning machine has moving parts of mass 1.5 tonnes. It is brought to rest from a
speed of 0.12 m/s in 0.8s.Calculate the average retarding Force.

Solution

F = change in Momentum
Time taken

= m(v –u) 1.5 x 103 (0.12- 0 ) = 225N

t 0.8

2. A rocket in level flight ejects 100kg of burnt fuel in 8s at a velocity of 500m/s relative
to the rocket . Calculate (a) the change in momentum of burnt fuel, (b) the average
force on the rocket due to the ejection.

Solution
(a) Momentum = Mv = 100 kg x 500 m/s = 50 000kg m/s

(b) F = m(v –u ) 50 000 = 6.25 KN

t 8

3. A train of total mass 1000 tonnes is travelling at 90km/h. Find the total resisting force
required to stop the train in one minute. If the rolling resistance to motion is
100N/tonne, what is the braking effort required?

Solution

The braking effort together with the tractive resistance provides the decelerating
force.
90 km/h = 25 m/s
Deceleration = 25 m/s in 60s = 25 = 0.417 m/s2
60
Force, F required to produce this acceleration = ma
= 100 x 1000 x 0.417 = 41700 N

Resistance to motion Applied Force F

R = 100 x 100 = 10 000N

.: Braking Effort = 41700 -10 000 = 31700 = 31.7 KN

4. A train of mass 650 tonnes is drawn by a locomotive of mass 50 tonnes and exerts a
tractive effort of 80 KN. If the tractive resistance is 65N/tonne, find the time to reach
a steady speed of 90 Km/h from rest.

Solution
V = 90 km/h =25 m/s

Acceleration Force, F = Tractive Effort – Tractive Resistance

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 HARARE POLYTECHNIC: MECHANICAL ENG. DEPT.- ENG. DANGA

= (80 x 103) – 65(650 +50) = 34 500N

Since F = ma
34 500 = 700 x 1000 a = 0.0493 m/s2

From, v = at
25 m/s = 0.0493 x t
t = 507s = 8.45 minutes

5. A machine tool table is driven by a constant force of 250N.The table of mass 2070 kg
reaches a speed of 0.1 m/s from rest. What is the time taken?

6. A motor vehicle of mass 1250 kg is braked from a speed of 108 km/h and comes to
rest with uniform retardation after travelling a distance of 150m. Determine:

(a) The magnitude of the braking force.

(b) The time taken by the vehicle to come to rest.

Solution
(a) Use The equation: v2 = u2 + 2as to find deceleration (-3 m/s2)
Braking Force = Mass of vehicle x Retardation
1250 kg x 3 = 3. 75 KN
(b) To find time taken by vehicle to come to rest: s = (u + v) t = 10s
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7. A force of 650 N is applied to a body of mass 200 kg for a period of 12s. If the only
other force acting on the body is a constant frictional force of 400N in opposition to
its motion, find: (a) the acceleration of the body
b) the distance moved by the body in this time.

Solution

Acceleration

400N 200 kg 650 N

(a) Acceleration Force, F = Resultant Force in the direction of motion

= Applied Force – Frictional Force
= 650N - 400N = 250 N
But, F = ma, .: Acceleration, a = F/m = 250/200 = 1.25 m/s2

(b) To find distance moved by the body , use th equation:

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S = ut + at2 where : u =0; t = 12s; a = 1.25 m/s2
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Ans. (90 m)