Motion under gravity

Equation of motion for a body moving under the action of gravity

Let u be the initial velocity, v the final velocity at the end of the time t,
h the height fallen or gained in time t.Then
a)For a falling body, acceleration due to gravity is positive, a=g. so, the
three equation of motion may be written as
1
i)𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑔𝑡 ii)ℎ = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2 iii) 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 + 2𝑔ℎ
2
b)For a rising body, acceleration due to gravity is negative, ie a=-g. so
the three equestion of motion take the form
1
i)𝑣 = 𝑢 − 𝑔𝑡 ii)ℎ = 𝑢𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 iii) 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 − 2𝑔ℎ
2
 1i) A particle is dropped from rest. Find its velocity and position
after 5s.(g = 10𝑚𝑠 −2 )
Solution:
initial velocity(u)=0
Time taken(t)=5s
acceleration due to gravity=10𝑚𝑠 −2
final velocity(v)=?
Height(h)=?
For velocity
Since,𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑔𝑡
or, 𝑣 = 0 + 10.5
𝑣 = 50𝑚𝑠 −1
For position
1
ii)ℎ = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2
2
1
ii)ℎ = 0.5 + 10. 52
2
h=125m
1ii)A ball is projected vertically upwards with a velocity of 40𝑚𝑠 −1 .
Find its velocity and position at the ends of 3s.
initial velocity(u)=40𝑚𝑠 −1
Time taken(t)=3sec
acceleration due to gravity(g)=-10𝑚𝑠 −2
For velocity
Since,𝑣 = 𝑢 − 𝑔𝑡
or, 𝑣 = 40 − 10.3
𝑣 = 10𝑚𝑠 −1
For position
1
Now,ℎ = 𝑢𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2
2
1
Or,ℎ = 40 × 3 − 10 × 32
2
h=120-45
=75m
2ii)Find the maximum height attained by a ball projected vertically
upwards at the rate of 78.4𝑚𝑠 −1 .(g = 10𝑚𝑠 −2 )
initial velocity(u)=78.4𝑚𝑠 −1
Final velocity(v)=0 𝑚𝑠 −1
acceleration due to gravity(g)=9.8𝑚𝑠 −2
maximum height(h)=?
Since, 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 − 2𝑔ℎ
or, 0 = (78.4)2 −2 × 9.8ℎ
or, 19.6h=6146.56
or, h=313.60m
5)A body is dropped from a height 500m. Clculate
a)The time to reach the ground
b)The velocity with which the body strikes the ground
a)Solution:
initial velocity(u)=0
The height of body dropped (h)500m
acceleration due to gravity=10𝑚𝑠 −2
Time taken(t)=?
1
then, ℎ = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2
2
1
or, 500 = 0 × 𝑡 + 10 × 𝑡2
2
5𝑡 2 = 500
𝑡 2 =100
t=10sec
b)Solution
If v be the velocity of the body on the ground.
Then, 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 − 2𝑔ℎ
𝑣 2 = 02 − 2 × 10 × 500
𝑣 2 = 10000
v=100𝑚𝑠 −1
7) A ball thrown up vertically returns to the thrower after 6 sec.
Find i)the velocity with which it was thrown up ii)the height
ascended iii) its position after 4 sec .(g = 10𝑚𝑠 −2 )
Solution: Since the ball thrown up vertically and retuns to the thrower so
time of ascent=time of descent=3sec
i) initial velocity(u)=?
Time taken(t)=3s
acceleration due to gravity=10𝑚𝑠 −2
final velocity(v)=0
Height(h)=?
Now, 𝑣 = 𝑢 − 𝑔𝑡
or, 0 = 𝑢 − 10 × 3
𝑢 = 30𝑚𝑠 −1
ii) 𝑢 = 30𝑚𝑠 −1
v=0
h=?
Now, 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 − 2𝑔ℎ
or, 02 = 302 − 2 × 10ℎ
o𝑟, 20ℎ=900
h=45m
iii)Let h be the position of its heighest point
Let h be the position of its heighest point
𝑢 = 30𝑚𝑠 −1
t=4sec
1
Now,ℎ = 𝑢𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2
2
1
orℎ = 30 × 4 − 10 × 42 =120-80=40m
2
12)A stone is dropped from the top of a tower 2oom, high and at the
same time another is projected vertically upwards from the ground with
a velocity of 50𝑚𝑠 −1 .Find where and when the two will meet?
Solution:
Let two bodies meet at a height of ℎ1 from the bottom or ℎ2 from the top
after t seconds
so, ℎ1 +ℎ2 =200.
1 1
Then ℎ1 = 𝑢𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 ……(i) also, ℎ2 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2
2 2
1
ℎ2 =0 + 𝑔𝑡 2 ……(ii) Adding (i) and (ii), we get Or, ℎ1 +ℎ2 =ut
2
or, 200=50t [where initial velocity of projection vertically upward u=50𝑚𝑠 −1 ]
t=4sec
Substituting the value of t on (i), we get
1 1
Now, ℎ1 = 𝑢𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 =ℎ1 = 50 × 4 − 9.8 × 42 =200-78.5=121.6m
2 2
Thus, the two stone meet at the height 121.6m from the ground after 4sec
13) A stone A is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of
29.4𝑚𝑠 −1 .After 4sec of the projection of A, another stone B is let fall from
the same point. Show that A will over take B in 4 sec more.(g = 9.8𝑚𝑠 −1 ).

Solution:Suppose both the stones A and B attain the same height say h and let A
overtake B in t second after the projection of B. Then A and B attains same
height h after t+4 second and t seconds respectively. Then applying upward
motion as positive foe both stone A and B.
1 1
For stone A:Now,ℎ = −𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2 = −𝑢 𝑡 + 4 + 𝑔(𝑡 + 4)2 =−29.4(𝑡 + 4)
2 2
1
+ × 9.8(𝑡 + 4)2 ……(i)
2
1 1 1
For stone B,Now, ℎ = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2 = 0 × 𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2 = × 9.8 × 𝑡 2 = 4.9𝑡 2 …….(ii)
2 2 2
Equating (i) and (ii) we get
2 1
or4.9𝑡 = −29.4(𝑡 + 4) + × 9.8(𝑡 + 4)2
2
𝑡 2 =−6(𝑡 + 4) +(𝑡 + 4)2 or, 𝑡 2 =−6𝑡 − 24 + 𝑡 2 + 8𝑡 + 16 or, t=4
Therefore, in the next 4sec, A will overtake B
14)A body is projected upward with a certain velocity and it is
founded that when in its ascent it is 58.8m from the ground, it take
4sec to return to the same point again.Find the velocity of
projection and the whole height ascended.(g = 9.8𝑚𝑠 −2 )
• Solution V=0
Let A be the ground , B be the 58.8 above the ground . AC=h C
be the maximum height attained by the body.
𝑡1 = 2𝑠𝑒𝑐
Let velocity at A is u, velocity at B is 𝑢1 , and velocity
at maximum height ie at C is v=0.
B 𝑢1
Now, for BC:
Since time ascent=time of descent 58.8m
So time taken by the body from B to C
4
Or 𝑡1 = = 2𝑠𝑒𝑐
2
A u
Now we have, 𝑣 = 𝑢 − 𝑔𝑡
0= 𝑢1 − 9.8 × 2
𝑢1 =19.62𝑚𝑠 −1
For:AB
Applying, 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 − 2𝑔ℎ
or (19.62)2 = 𝑢2 − 2 × 9.8 × 58.5
𝑢2 −1152.48=384.94
𝑢2 = 1537.42
u=39.2𝑚𝑠 −1
For:AC
Applying, 𝑣 2 = 𝑢2 − 2𝑔ℎ
or (0)2 = (39.21)2 −2 × 9.8 × ℎ
19.6ℎ = (39.21)2
h=78.44m
So, whole height ascended=78.44m
15) A stone dropped into a well and the sound of its striking the water is
2
heard in 4 seconds. If the velocity of the sound is 352.8𝑚𝑠 −1 , find the
9
depth of the well .(g = 9.8𝑚𝑠 −2 ).
Solution: Let h be the depth of the well and t be the time taken to strike the water. Then we have
1
Now, ℎ = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2
2
1
or, ℎ = 0 × 𝑡 + 9.8𝑡 2
2
ℎ = 4.9𝑡 2 …….(i)
2
Again if t be the time taken to strike the water. Since the sound of striking the water is heard in 4
9
seconds. Hence it is clear that
2
T= 4 − 𝑡 sec 𝑏𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑢𝑝.
9
ℎ
So v= , where v=352.8𝑚𝑠 −1 and h from (i)
𝑇
4.9𝑡 2
Or, 352.8= 2
4 −𝑡
9
38
Or, 4.9𝑡 2 = − 𝑡 × 352.8
9
or, 4.9𝑡 2 + 352.8t-1489.6=0
or, 4.9𝑡 2 + 352.8t-1489.6=0
−352.8± (352.8)2 +4×4.9×1489.6
t=
2×4.9
−352.8± 124467.84+29196.16
or, t=
9.8
−352.8±392
=
9.8
−352.8+392
=
9.8
39.2
= =4sec
9.8
substituting the value of t on (i), required depth of well
ℎ = 4.9𝑡 2 =4.9 × 42 =78.4m
17) Three particles are simultaneously projected vertically upwards from
the heights ℎ1 , ℎ2 , ℎ3 above the ground with velocities
𝑢1 , 𝑢2 , 𝑢3 respectively and all of them reach the ground at the same
instant. Prove that : 𝑢1 (ℎ2 -ℎ3 )+𝑢2 (ℎ3 − ℎ1 )+𝑢3 ℎ1 − ℎ2 = 0
Solution: Suppose all the particles reaches the ground in time. Taking upward direction as
positive, we have
1
ℎ1 = −𝑢1 𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2 ….(i)
2
1
ℎ2 = −𝑢2 𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2 …..(ii)
2
1
ℎ3 = −𝑢3 𝑡 + 𝑔𝑡 2 ……(iii)
2
Subtracting (ii) from (iii), (iii) from(i) and (i) from (ii), we get
Or, ℎ2 − ℎ3 =(𝑢3 −𝑢2)t+0
or, ℎ3 − ℎ1 =(𝑢1 −𝑢3 )t+0
or, ℎ1 − ℎ2 =(𝑢2 −𝑢1 )t+0
Now,
LHS=𝑢1 (ℎ2 -ℎ3 )+𝑢2 (ℎ3 − ℎ1 )+𝑢3 ℎ1 − ℎ2
• =𝑢1 [𝑡(𝑢3 −𝑢2 )]+𝑢2 [𝑡(𝑢1 −𝑢3 )]+𝑢3 [𝑡(𝑢2 −𝑢1 )]
• =𝑡(𝑢1 𝑢3 − 𝑢1 𝑢2 − 𝑢2 𝑢1 −𝑢2 𝑢3 −𝑢3 𝑢2 −𝑢3 𝑢1 )
• =t.0=0