STEM

General Physics 1
Quarter 1 – Week 3
Module 3: Motion in Two
Dimensions

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

 FOREWORD

This self-learning kit will serve as guide that will aid you in understanding
motion in two dimensions, such as projectiles. You will identify and explain the
properties of a projectile such as acceleration due to gravity, range, maximum
height, and trajectory.

This kit also contains concepts about circular motion. Circular motion is
another type of two-dimensional motion. In addition, you will be able to grasp
ideas about the acceleration of a particle that travels along a circular path of
a specific radius and at constant speed. You will know as well about the time
for the particle to complete a circle.

Lastly, learning concepts on projectile motion and circular motion will

enable you to solve two-dimensional motion problems. The goal of this SLK is to
put one’s conceptual learning to real-life problems that you, as students, can
relate.

2
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
K: describe motion using the concept of relative velocities in 1D and 2D;
S: solve for the projectile’s range, time of flight, and maximum heights given
the launch velocity; and
A: apply the concepts in projectile and circular motion to solve two-
dimensional motion problem.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES

Describe motion using the concept of relative velocities in 1D and 2D

(STEM_GP12KIN-Ic20).

Deduce the consequences of the independence of vertical and

horizontal components of projectile motion (STEM_GP12KIN-Ic22).

Calculate range, time of flight, and maximum heights of projectiles

(STEM_GP12KIN-Ic23).

Infer quantities associated with circular motion such as tangential

velocity, centripetal acceleration, tangential acceleration, radius of
curvature (STEM_GP12KIN-Ic25).

Solve problems involving two-dimensional motion in contexts such as,

but not limited to ledge jumping, movie stunts, basketball, safe locations
during firework displays, and Ferris wheels (STEM_GP12KIN-Ic26).

3
 I. WHAT HAPPENED

PRE-ACTIVITY/PRE-TEST:
A. Multiple Choice
Directions: Read and understand the given situation and answer the
questions that follow. Write your answers in your Science
notebook/Answer Sheet.

A ball is thrown straight up from point A, reaches a maximum height

at point B, and then falls back to point C, as shown in Figure. Use this
to answer questions 1 to 3.

1. Which is true about the direction of the ball’s

velocity and acceleration between A and B?

2. Which is true about the direction of the ball’s

velocity and acceleration between B and C?

3. Which is true about the ball’s velocity and acceleration at the

highest point B?
a. Its velocity and acceleration are both zero.
b. Its velocity is up and non-zero constant and acceleration is
zero.
c. Its velocity is down and non-zero constant and acceleration is
zero.
d. Its velocity is zero and acceleration is up and non-zero constant
e. Its velocity is zero and acceleration is down and non-zero
constant.

4
 4. A Warship simultaneously fire two missiles with the same initial
speed at two enemy ships. The missiles follow the trajectories
given in the Figure above. Which ship gets hit first?
a. Enemy 1 c. They both get hit at the same time
b. Enemy 2 d. Neither Enemy 1 nor 2 will be hit

B. Picture Analysis:
Directions: Write your observation as to what is/are common among
these three pictures. Do this in your Science notebook/Answer Sheet.

II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

DISCUSSION

In the previous modules, you learned variety of ways to describe the

motion of objects in one or more dimensions. Remember our concept of
reference frames, where most examples examined so far, Earth has been the
reference frame. Consider some illustrations below:

5
 Relative Motion in One Dimension

Figure 1. Velocity vectors of the train with respect to Earth, person

with respect to the train, and person with respect to Earth

Relative Velocity in Two Dimensions

We can now apply these concepts to describe motion in two

dimensions. Some kinematic principles can be of help to understand and
explain the motion of objects moving in two dimensions.

In one dimension, we wrote down some general equations relating

velocity to displacement and relating acceleration to the change in velocity.
We also wrote down the four equations that apply in the special case where
the acceleration is constant. We are going to do the same thing in two
dimensions, and the equations will look similar; this should not be surprising
because, as we will see, a two-dimensional problem can always be broken
down into two one-dimensional problems.

The most common example of an object that is moving in two

dimensions is a projectile. Thus, this module is designed to understand the
motion of projectiles.

6
 Projectile Motion

What determines where a batted baseball lands? How do you describe

the motion of a roller coaster car along a curved track? Which hits the ground
first: a baseball that you simply drop or one that you throw horizontally?

We will not be able answer these questions using the techniques we

learned from the previous module, in which particles moved only along a
straight line. Here, we need to extend our descriptions of motion to two-
dimensional situations. This simple extension will allow us to apply physics to
many more situations, and it will also yield unexpected insights about nature.

The motion of falling objects is a simple one-dimensional type of

projectile motion in which there is no horizontal movement. In this module, we
consider two-dimensional projectile motion for which air resistance is
negligible.

What is Projectile Motion?

Projectile motion is the motion of an object thrown or projected into the

air, subject to only the acceleration of gravity. An object dropped from rest is
a projectile (provided that the influence of air resistance is negligible). An
object that is thrown vertically upward is also a projectile (provided that the
influence of air resistance is negligible). An object which is thrown upward at
an angle to the horizontal is also a projectile (provided that the influence of air
resistance is negligible). A projectile is any object that once projected or
dropped continues in motion by its own inertia and is influenced only by the
downward force of gravity.

The applications of projectile motion in physics and engineering are

numerous. Some examples include meteors as they enter Earth’s atmosphere,
fireworks, and the motion of any ball in sports. These objects are called
projectiles, and the path they follow is called trajectory. The trajectory of a
projectile is parabolic.

The key to analyzing projectile motion is that we can treat the 𝑥- and 𝑦-
coordinates separately. The 𝑥-component of acceleration 𝑎𝑥 = 0, and the 𝑦-
component is constant 𝑎𝑦 = −𝑔. We can analyze projectile motion as a
combination of horizontal motion with constant velocity and vertical motion
with constant acceleration.

Looking back at the first two kinematic formulas we derived in the

previous module,

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥 + 𝑎𝑥𝑡 (1)

1
𝑥 = 𝑥0 + 𝑣0𝑥𝑡 + 𝑎𝑥𝑡 2 (2)
2

7
 Suppose that at time 𝑡 = 0, our particle is at the point (,) and that at this
time its initial velocity (𝑣𝑜) components have the values 𝑣𝑜𝑥 and 𝑣𝑜𝑦. The
components of acceleration are 𝑎𝑥 = 0 and 𝑎𝑦 = −𝑔. For the horizontal motion,
we substitute 0 for 𝑎𝑥 in Equations 1 and 2 above.

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥 (3)

*For the horizontal motion, the velocity of the particle is the same all throughout.

𝑥 = 𝑥𝑜 + 𝑣𝑜𝑥𝑡 (4)

For the vertical motion, we simply substitute all the 𝑥 terms with 𝑦 and the
𝑎𝑥 with −𝑔. Hence,

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡 (5)
𝑦 = 𝑦0 + 𝑣0𝑦𝑡 − 1 𝑔𝑡2 (6)
2

Horizontally, the projectile is in constant –velocity motion: Its horizontal

acceleration is zero, so it moves equal x-distances in equal time intervals.

Figure 3. If air resistance is negligible, the trajectory of a projectile is a combination

of horizontal motion with constant velocity and vertical motion with constant
acceleration (Source: University Physics 13th Edition by Young and Freedman)

The magnitudes of the components of the velocity 𝑣 0 are 𝑣𝑜𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜 cos 𝛼𝑜

and 𝑣𝑜y = 𝑣𝑜 sin 𝛼𝑜 where 𝑣𝑜𝑥 is the magnitude of the initial velocity and 𝛼𝑜 is its
direction. Initial values are denoted with a subscript 0, as usual.

8
 If we substitute these to Eqs. (3) to (7), we get:

These equations describe the position and

velocity of the projectile in Figure 2 any time 𝑡.

We can get a lot of information from Eqs. 8 to

10. For example, at any time 𝑡, the distance 𝑟 of the projectile from the origin
(the magnitude of the position vector 𝒓⃗ ) is given by

𝑟 = √𝑥2 + 𝑦2 (12)

The projectile’s speed (the magnitude of its velocity) at any time is

𝑣 = √𝑣𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑦 2 (13)

The direction of the velocity, in terms of the angle 𝛼 it makes with the
positive 𝑥-direction, is given by
𝑣𝑦
tan 𝘢 = (14)
𝑣𝑥

Two Types of Projectiles

Example 1. A Body Projected Horizontally

A motorcycle stunt rider rides off the edge of a cliff. Just at the edge his
velocity is horizontal, with magnitude 9.0 𝑚/𝑠. Find the motorcycle’s position,
distance from the edge of the cliff, and velocity 0.50 𝑠 after it leaves the edge
of the cliff.
Solution:

We use Eqs. 4 and 6 to find the motorcycle’s position (𝑥- and 𝑦-

coordinates) at time 𝑡 = 0.50 𝑠. The starting point is at the origin (𝑥𝑜 = 𝑦𝑜 = 0), and
since the initial velocity 𝑣 0 is horizontal (𝛼𝑜 = 0), thus, its components are 𝑣𝑜𝑥 =
9.0 𝑚/𝑠 cos (0) = 9.0 𝑚/𝑠 and 𝑣𝑜𝑦 = 9.0 𝑚/𝑠 sin (0) = 0.

9
 𝑥 = 𝑥0 + 𝑣0𝑥𝑡 = (9.0 𝑚/𝑠)(0.50 𝑠) = 4.50 𝑚

1 1
𝑦 = 𝑦0 + 𝑣0𝑦𝑡 − 2 𝑔𝑡 2 = − 2 ( 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2)(0.50 𝑠)2 = −1.23 𝑚

Note: The negative 𝑦 value shows that the motorcycle is below the starting point as
shown in the Figure below.

Adapted from https://www.bartleby.com/questions-and-answers/a-motorcycle-stunt-rider-

rides-off-the-edge-of-a-cliff.-just-at-the-edge-his-velocity-is-horizontal-/9b550460-9e38-4e96-981a-
521140f10930

Figure 4. A motorcycle rider rides off the edge of a cliff.

The distance of the motorcycle from the starting point is given by Eq. (12)

𝑟 = √𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = √(4.50 𝑚)2 + (−1.23 𝑚)2 = 4.67 𝑚

From Eqs. (10) and (11), the components of the velocity at 𝑡 = 0.50 𝑠 are
𝑚
𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑥 = 9.0
𝑠
𝑣𝑦 = −𝑔𝑡 = −(9.8 𝑚/𝑠2)(0.50 𝑠) = −4.9 𝑚/𝑠

The velocity vector at 𝑡 = 0.50 𝑠 is

𝑣 = 𝑣𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑣𝑦𝑗̂ = (9.0𝑚/𝑠)𝑖̂ + (−4.9𝑚/𝑠)𝑗̂ = (9.0𝑚/𝑠)𝑖̂ − (4.9𝑚/𝑠)𝑗̂

10
 The speed (magnitude of the velocity) at t=0.50s is given by Eq. (13)

𝑣 = √𝑣𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑦 2 = √(9.0𝑚/𝑠)2 + (−4.9 𝑚/𝑠)2 = 10.25 𝑚/𝑠

From Eq. (14), we can find the direction of the velocity

𝑣𝑦 −4.9 𝑚/𝑠
𝘢 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 = −290
𝑣𝑥 9.0 𝑚/𝑠
Note: The velocity is −29° below the horizontal

Example 2: A Baseball Batted at an Angle

A batter hits a baseball (see Figure below) so that it leaves the bat at
speed 𝑣𝑜 = 37.0 𝑚/𝑠 at an angle 𝛼𝑜 = 53.10.
a. Find the position of the ball and its velocity (magnitude and direction)
at 𝑡 = 2.00 𝑠.
b. Find the time when the ball reaches the highest point of its flight, and
its height ℎ at this time. (c) Find the horizontal range 𝑅—that is, the
horizontal distance from the starting point to where the ball hits the
ground.

Figure 5. A batter hitting a baseball

Solution:
a. We want to find 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑣𝑥, and 𝑣𝑦. First, we solve for the components of the
initial velocity.

𝑣𝑜𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜 cos𝛼𝑜 = (37.0 𝑚/𝑠) cos (53.10) = 22.2 𝑚/𝑠

𝑣𝑜𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜 sin𝛼𝑜 = (37.0 𝑚/𝑠) sin (53.10) = 29.6 𝑚/𝑠

11
 We can find, 𝑦, 𝑣𝑥, and 𝑣𝑦 using Eqs. (8) to (11).
𝑥 = 𝑣𝑜𝑥𝑡 = (22.2 𝑚/𝑠) (2.00 𝑠) = 44.4 𝑚
1 1
𝑦 = 𝑣0𝑦𝑡 − 2 𝑔𝑡 2 = (29.6𝑚/𝑠 )(2.00 𝑠) − 2 (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2)(2.00 𝑠)2
= 39.6 𝑚

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑥 = 22.2𝑚/𝑠
𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣𝑜𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡 = 29.6 𝑚/𝑠 − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠2) (2.00 𝑠)
= 10.0 𝑚/𝑠
The y-component of the velocity is positive. This means that at t=2.00s,
the ball is still moving upward.

b. From Eqs. (13) and (14), the magnitude and direction of the velocity are

𝑣 = √𝑣𝑥2 + 𝑣𝑦2 = √(22.2 𝑚/𝑠)2 + (10.0 𝑚/𝑠)2

= 24.34 𝑚/𝑠
𝑣𝑦 (10.0𝑚/𝑠)
𝘢 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1
𝑣𝑥 (22.2𝑚/𝑠)
= 24.250

The direction of the velocity (the direction of the ball’s motion) is 24.25°
above the horizontal.

c. At the highest point, the vertical velocity 𝑣𝑦 is zero. Call the time when
this happens 𝑡1; using Eq. (5), we can solve for the time the projectile
reaches the highest
𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡1
𝑣𝑦 − 𝑣0𝑦 𝑣0𝑦 29.6 𝑚/𝑠
𝑡1 = = =
−𝑔 𝑔 9.8 𝑚/𝑠2
= 3.02 𝑠
The height ℎ at the highest point is the value of 𝑦 at time 𝑡1:
1 2
𝑦 = ℎ = 𝑣0𝑦𝑡1 − 𝑔𝑡1
𝑚
2
= 29.6 ( 3.02 𝑠) − 1 (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2)(3.02 𝑠)2
𝑠 2

= 44.70 𝑚

d. We can find the horizontal range in two steps. First, we find the time 𝑡2
when 𝑦=0 (the ball is at the same level as when it started as shown in the
Figure above):

12
 1 2
𝑦 = 𝑣0𝑦𝑡2 − 𝑔𝑡2
2
1
0 = (29.6 𝑚/𝑠 )𝑡2 − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2)𝑡22
2
= (29.6 𝑚/𝑠)𝑡2 − (4.9 𝑚/𝑠2)𝑡 22
= 𝑡2[(29.6 𝑚/𝑠) − (4.9 𝑚/𝑠2)𝑡2]
Since we have a quadratic equation, we have two roots for 𝑡2.
𝑡2 = 0 and 𝑡2 = 6.04 𝑠
The ball is at 𝑦 = 0 at both times. As shown in Figure 6, 𝑡2 = 0 s is the time
where the ball starts moving, and it goes back to the same 𝑦 as when it started
at 𝑡2 = 6.04 𝑠.
The horizontal range 𝑅 is the value of 𝑥 when the ball returns to the same
height as the starting point at 𝑡2 = 6.04 𝑠.
𝑥 = 𝑅 = 𝑣0𝑥𝑡2
= (22.2 𝑚/𝑠)(6.04 𝑠)
= 134.09 𝑚

Range, Time of Flight, and Maximum Heights of Projectiles

When a particle moves in a vertical plane with some initial velocity 𝑣 0 but
with acceleration of 𝑔, which is downward, then the particle is called a
projectile and the motion is called projectile motion.

The initial velocity 𝑣 0 by which the

projectile is launched, can be written as

𝑣 0 = 𝑣0𝑥𝑖̂ + 𝑣0𝑦𝑗̂ (1)

and the components v0x and v0y can be found

using the angle 𝜃0 between 𝑣 0 and the positive x
direction:

𝑣0𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑣0𝑦 = 𝑣0𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃0. (2)

We recall that the horizontal and vertical

motions are independent of each other in a projectile motion.
The following analysis on horizontal motion, vertical motion and
horizontal range is given and from which we draw our discussion.

13
The Horizontal Motion

There is no acceleration in the horizontal direction, thus, vx remains

unchanged from its initial value v0x throughout the motion. Thus,

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑥 (3)

At any time t, the horizontal displacement x − x0 from an initial position

x0 with a = 0 is,

𝑥 = 𝑥0 = 𝑣0𝑥𝑡 (4)

From (2), equation (4) becomes

𝑥 − 𝑥0 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0)𝑡. (5)

The Vertical Motion

For the vertical motion, it is important to remember that the acceleration

is constant.

Thus, we have, using equation (2),

1 2
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 𝑣0𝑦𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡
2 1
= (𝑣0𝑠𝑖̂𝑛 𝜃0 )𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 (6)
2

Also, we have the following equations,

𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 − 𝑔𝑡 (7)
and,
𝑣𝑦 2 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0)2 − 2𝑔 (𝑦 − 𝑦0). (8)

The Horizontal Range

The horizontal distance the projectile has travelled when it returns to its
initial height is called the horizontal range, R. It is given by,
𝑣0 2
𝑅= sin 2𝜃 . (9)
𝑔 0

14
Deriving Formulas
Derive some related formulas by going through each numbered
instruction.

Task 1: Deriving the formula to find the maximum height reached by the
projectile.
1. First, we start by noting that, at the highest point, the vertical velocity
𝑣𝑦 is zero. Let us call when this time happens as 𝑡1.
2. Using Equation 7, we will have, 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 𝑠𝑖̂𝑛 𝜃0 − 𝑔𝑡1.
3. Solve for 𝑡1in Step 2.
𝑣0 sin𝜃0
4. Your answer must be: 𝑡 1 = . (10)
𝑔
1
5. Assuming 𝑦0 = 0 and using Equation 6, we get 𝑦 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 )𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡2.
2
6. Substitute the value of 𝑡1 in Step 4 for 𝑡 in Step 5.
7. Simplifying terms in Step 6, you must get
𝑣02 𝑠𝑖̂𝑛 2 𝜃0
𝑦= (11)
2𝑔

Task 2: Deriving the formula to find the time of flight of projectiles.

1. First, we determine the maximum height reached by the projectile.
(See Task 1, Step 4)
2. The time of flight is just twice the time in Step 1.
3. Call this time as 𝑇. You must easily get,

2𝑣0 sin𝜃0
𝑇= (12)
𝑔

Example 3:
A batter hits the baseball leaving the bat at 𝑣0 = 37.0 𝑚/𝑠 at an angle 𝜃0
= 53.1°. Find the time when the ball reaches the highest point of its flight, and
its height ℎ at this time.

Solution:
Let 𝑡 be the time the baseball reaches the highest point. For this end, we
will use Equation 10, thus,

𝑣0 sin 𝜃0
𝑡1 =
𝑔
(37.0 𝑚/𝑠) sin(53.10°)
=
9.80 𝑚/𝑠2
= 3.02 𝑠

15
 To solve for the highest point ℎ at 𝑡1 we use Equation 6 with 𝑦0 = 0 and
calling 𝑦 as ℎ:
1 2
ℎ = 𝑣0𝑠𝑖̂𝑛𝜃0𝑡1 − 𝑔𝑡2
2
= (37.0 𝑚/𝑠) sin(53.10°)(3.02 𝑠)
1
2)(3.02)2
− (9.80 𝑚/𝑠
2
= 44.7 𝑚
Example 4:
Garry throws a ball from his window 8.0 m above the ground. When it
leaves his hand, the ball is moving at 10.0 𝑚/𝑠 at an angle of 20° below the
horizontal. Ignoring air resistance, how far horizontally from his window will the
ball hit the ground?

Solution:
1
We will rewrite Equation 6, 𝑦 = (𝑣0𝑠𝑖̂𝑛 𝜃0 )𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2 , as follows;
2
1 2
𝑔𝑡 − 𝑣 𝑠𝑖̂𝑛𝜃 𝑡 + 𝑦 = 0.
0 0
2
Then, we solve for 𝑡,

1
−(−𝑣0 𝑠𝑖̂𝑛𝜃0 ) ± √(−𝑣0𝑠𝑖̂𝑛𝜃0)2 − 4 ( 𝑔) (𝑦)
2
𝑡=
1
2 (2 𝑔)
𝑣0𝑠𝑖̂𝑛𝜃0 ± √𝑣 2𝑠𝑖̂𝑛𝜃 2 − 2𝑔𝑦
0 0
𝑡=
𝑔

We will use −20° as our angle since the initial velocity is below the
horizontal and so as −8.0𝑚 as the height.

(10.0 𝑚/𝑠) sin(−20°) ± √(10.0 𝑚/𝑠)2(sin(−20°))2 − 2(9.80 𝑚/𝑠2)(−8.0𝑚)

𝑡=
9.80 𝑚/𝑠2
𝑡 = −1.7 𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑡 = 0.98 𝑠.
We disregard the negative root, and thus take 𝑡 = 0.98𝑠 as our answer.
Since we are looking for the distance, the ball’s x-coordinate at this time will
be (Equation 5 with 𝑥0 = 0):
𝑚
𝑥 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0)𝑡 = ((10.0) cos(−20°)) (0.98𝑠) = 9.2 𝑚
𝑠
Thus, the ball hits the ground at a horizontal distance of 9.2 m from
Garry’s window.

16
 Motion in a circle

Uniform Circular Motion

The motion when a particle moves in a circle or circular arc at constant
speed is called uniform circular motion. The particle is accelerating because
velocity changes in direction although the speed does not vary.

Consider the velocity and acceleration

vectors at various stages during a uniform circular
motion. Both vectors have the same magnitude, but
their directions change continuously. The
acceleration vector always points toward the
center and the velocity vector is always tangent to
the circle in the direction of the motion.

Adapted from Walker (2014)

Since the acceleration associated with uniform circular motion always

points to the center, it is called a centripetal (meaning center-seeking)
acceleration. The magnitude of this acceleration 𝑎, is
𝑣2
𝑎= (1)
𝑟

where 𝑟 is the radius of the circle and 𝑣 is the speed of the particle.
During the acceleration at constant speed, the particle travels the
circumference of the circle in time.

2𝜋2
𝑇=
𝑣
(2)

𝑇 is called the period of revolution or simply the period.

Non-uniform Circular Motion

In a uniform circular motion, the particle’s speed is constant as it goes

around the circle. The case when the speed varies, the motion is called
nonuniform circular motion.

A particle moving in a circle with varying speed has a component of

acceleration tangent to the circle, 𝑎𝑡, as well with as the radially inward
centripetal acceleration. The tangential acceleration is given by,

𝑑𝑣
𝑎𝑡 = 𝑑𝑡 (3)

17
 The tangential acceleration is the rate of change of speed.

Example 5:
A car rounds a curve of radius 40 m at 48 km/h. What is its centripetal
acceleration?

Solution:
First, we convert 48 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟 to 40 𝑚/𝑠. Then using Equation 1, we get
3

𝑣2
𝑎=
𝑟
40
( 𝑚/𝑠)2
= 3
40 𝑚
= 4.44 𝑚/𝑠2
Example 6:
You are in a cart on a rollercoaster track that is entering a loop-the-loop.
At the instant you are one fourth the way through the loopthe-loop your cart is
going straight up at 20 m/s, and is losing speed at 5.0 𝑚/𝑠2. The radius of
curvature of the track is 25 m. What are your centripetal and tangential
acceleration components at that instant?

Solution:
For centripetal acceleration, we have,

𝑣2
𝑎=
𝑟
(20𝑚/𝑠)2
=
25 𝑚
= 16 𝑚/𝑠2
For the tangential acceleration, since according to the problem the
speed is losing at 5.0 𝑚/𝑠2, it would be −5.0 𝑚/𝑠2.

Problem Solving Involving Two-dimensional Motion

1. Two grasshoppers, B and C, jump from the top of a vertical cliff. B just
drops and reaches the ground in 3.50 s, while C jumps horizontally with
an initial speed of 95.0 cm/s. How far from the base of the cliff will C hit
the ground?

18
 Solution:

Since we are looking

for the distance of where C
will hit the ground from the
base of the cliff, we will use
the formula

𝑥 = (𝑣0𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃0)𝑡

We will first convert

the initial speed 95 cm/s to
m/s; thus, the initial speed
is0.95 m/s.

Next, the time it takes

C to reach the ground is also
the same with that of B. Both will reach the ground at the same time.

Moreover, since C just jumped horizontally, his release angle is just

0°. So we have,

𝑥 = (𝑣0𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃0)𝑡
= (0.95 𝑚/𝑠)(cos 𝜃0) (3.50 𝑠)
= 3.33 𝑚
2. A fireworks rocket is launched vertically with an initial speed of 80.0 m/s.
At an angle of 75° above the horizontal. The fuse will ignite just as the
shell reaches its highest point above the ground. When the rocket
explodes, fragments land directly below. Find the horizontal
displacement of the rocket when it explodes. (The horizontal
displacement could be useful in keeping the fireworks fragments from
falling on spectators.)

Solution:
To find the horizontal displacement of the rocket when it explodes,
we will employ the formula 𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃0𝑡. But before we can use it, we
need to know the value of 𝑡.

From the problem, we know that it explodes when it reaches its

highest point from the ground. When it reaches its highest point, 𝑣𝑦 = 0.
We will use this fact and the formula 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 𝑠𝑖̂𝑛 𝜃0 − 𝑔𝑡 to find the value
of 𝑡.

19
 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 − 𝑔𝑡
0 = (80 𝑚/𝑠) sin(75) − (9.80 𝑚/𝑠2)𝑡
−(80 𝑚/𝑠) sin(75)
𝑡=
−9.80 𝑚/𝑠2
𝑡 = 7.89 𝑠
Now, we can use the value of 𝑡, to find the horizontal displacement.
𝑥 = 𝑣0𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃0𝑡
= (80 𝑚/𝑠)(cos 75°)(7.89𝑠)
= 163.37 𝑚
Thus, the horizontal displacement of the rocket when it explodes is
163.37 m.
3. A woman rides a carnival Ferris wheel at radius 15 m, completing five
turns every minute. What are:
a. the period of the motion, the magnitude, and the direction of her
centripetal acceleration at the highest point;
b. magnitude and direction of her centripetal acceleration at the
lowest point?

Solution:

a. Since the Ferris wheel completes five turns in every minute about its
60 𝑠
horizontal axis, then the period of the motion is 𝑇 = 𝑜𝑟 𝑇 = 12 𝑠.
5

The magnitude of the acceleration is:

First, we solve for 𝑣:

2𝜋𝑟
𝑣=
𝑇
2𝜋(15𝑚)
=
12𝑠
= 7.85 𝑚/𝑠
Solving for the centripetal acceleration,
𝑣2
𝑎=
𝑟
(7.85 𝑚/𝑠)2
=
15
= 4.1 𝑚/𝑠2

20
 Because the centripetal acceleration is always directed toward
the center of the circle, then at the highest point the acceleration points
down.

b. The acceleration in uniform circular motion has constant magnitude.

Thus, 𝑎 = 4.1 𝑚/𝑠.

The centripetal acceleration points up.

Performance Task:

Directions: Do the following activity. Take a video while performing.

Include your responses/answers to the questions that follow. Submit your video
and the graphing paper to your Physics teacher.

Situation: You are a Physics professor about to discuss a topic about

projectile motion. The college dean will observe your class today. For the
students to understand the lesson better, you decided to perform a
demonstration to illustrate the concepts of projectile motion. With the following
materials and procedures, show your students what happens when objects
have projectile motion.

Materials:
• Slightly bent grooved ruler fitted on a bent aluminium support or any
support available
• Meter stick, rectangular board preferably with stand
• White bond paper, carbon paper
• Marble or metal sphere (to represent the main character of the story)

Procedure:
1. Prepare the ramp as shown in the figure presented.
bent ruler Wooden board with bond
paper and carbon paper

Adapted from https://yellowtapeteam.weebly.com/projectile-bulls-eye.html

21
2. Place the wooden board, with the white bond paper and the carbon
paper, at least 10 cm of horizontal distance from the edge of the bent
ruler.
3. Place the marble at the top of the groove of the bent ruler. Release the
marble and allow it to roll down the edge of the table and off of it. The
marble will then be horizontally projected off the table and will strike the
carbon paper-covered board, leaving an impression on the white paper
underneath.
4. Move the board 5 cm farther away from the table and release the
marble as before from the same height.
5. Repeat step 3 for various horizontal distances between the ramp and
the board (5 cm from the preceding position) until the maximum
distance or range is reached. Be sure to release the marble each time
from the same height.
6. Examine the white bond paper underneath. Measure the heights of the
marks on the paper from the base of the board. These marks are the
points hit by the projected marble on the carbon paper-covered board.
7. Tabulate the vertical displacements together with the corresponding
horizontal displacements.
8. In a separate graphing paper, plot the graph of vertical displacement
(dy) vs. horizontal displacement ( dx). Encircle the points to indicate the
position of the marble at equal horizontal displacements. Note the
marble’s trajectory.

In your explanation of results, you should be able to provide answers to

the following questions:
1. How does the horizontal displacement of the marble compare to its
vertical displacement?
2. How can you tell from this activity that the horizontal motion of the
marble is indeed not accelerated?
3. Does the horizontal motion affect the vertical motion of the particle?
Explain.

III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

EVALUATION/POST-TEST
MULTIPLE CHOICE: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Show
your solutions for items involving problem solving. Do this in your Science
notebook/Answer Sheet.
1. What is the path of a projectile?
a. Wavy line
b. Parabola
c. Hyperbola
d. Projectiles don’t follow a predictable path
2. Which of the following is an example of projectile motion?
a. A person diving into a pool from a diving board.
b. A space shuttle orbiting Earth at a constant velocity.
c. A leaf falling from a tree.
d. A train moving along a flat track.
3. Which of the following does NOT exhibit parabolic motion?
a. A frog jumping from land into water.
b. A basketball thrown towards a hoop.
c. A flat piece of paper released from a window.
d. A baseball thrown to home plate.
4. A projectile is launched at a 30° angle above the horizontal. Ignore
air resistance. The projectile’s acceleration is greatest:
a. at a point between the launch point and the high point of the
trajectory.
b. at the high point of the trajectory.
c. at a point between the high point of the trajectory and where it
hits the ground.
d. misleading question—the acceleration is the same (but nonzero)
at all points along the trajectory.
5. While an object is in projectile motion (with upward being positive)
with no air resistance,
a. the horizontal component of its velocity remains constant, and
the horizontal component of its acceleration is equal to -g.
b. the horizontal component of its velocity remains constant, and
the vertical component of its acceleration is equal to -g.
c. the horizontal component of its velocity remains constant, and
the vertical component of its acceleration is equal to zero.
d. the vertical component of both its velocity and its acceleration
remains constant.
6. For general projectile motion, when the projectile is at the highest
point of its trajectory,
a. its acceleration is zero.
b. the horizontal and vertical components of its velocity are zero.
c. its velocity and acceleration are both zero.
d. its velocity is perpendicular to the acceleration.
7. The horizontal component of a bouncing ball is
a. affected by gravity
b. unaffected by gravity
c. affected by weight
d. affected by contact force
8. When a ball having a projectile motion is rising up, it
a. decelerates
b. accelerates
c. rises up with constant acceleration
d. acceleration becomes zero
9. Two chickens, Stephon and James, jump from the top of a vertical
cliff. Stephon just drops and reaches the ground in 1.50 𝑠, while
James jumps horizontally with an initial speed of 100 𝑐𝑚/𝑠. (4.1)How
far from the base of the cliff will James hit the ground? (4.2)What is
the height of the cliff from the ground?
a. 4.1: 𝑅 = 1.5 𝑚
 4.2: ℎ = 11.03 𝑚
b. b. 4.1: 𝑅 = 15 𝑚
4.2: ℎ = 11.03 𝑚
c. 4.1: 𝑅 = 1.5 𝑚
4.2: ℎ = 1.103 𝑚
d. 4.1: 𝑅 = 0.15 𝑚
4.2: ℎ = 110.3 𝑚
10. Passengers on a carnival ride move at a constant speed in horizontal
circle of radius 5.0 m, making a complete circle in 4.0 s. What is their
acceleration?
a. 14 m/s2 b. 12 m/s2 c. 0.14 m/s2 d. 0.12 m/s2

REFERENCES

Arevalo, Ryan L. and Mulig, Charity I. General Physics 1. Makati City,

Philippines: DIWA Learning Systems Inc., 2017.
Centripetal Force | Physics. Retrieved from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/introduction-25
Circular Motion Problems. Digital Image. Real World Physics Problem.
Accessed July 17, 2020. real-world-physics-problems.com
Cummings, Karen, Priscilla Laws, Edward Reddish, and Pat
Cooney.Understanding Physics. New York: Wiley, 2004.
Introduction to Rotational Motion and Angular Momentum. Digital Image.
Lumen Physics. Accessed July 17, 2020. courses.lumenlearning.com
Projectile motion. (n.d.). Retrieved July 30, 2020, from
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/twodimensional-
motion/two-dimensional-projectile-mot/a/what-is2d-projectile-motion
Projectile motion. (n.d.). Retrieved July 30, 2020, from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/physics/chapter/3-4projectile-
motion/
Projectile Bulls-eye - SPH 4U0 - BTheYellow TapeTeam. Retrieved from
https://yellowtapeteam.weebly.com/projectile-bulls-eye.html
Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation (Exercises). Digital Image. Physics
Libre Texts. June 8, 2019. Phys.libretexts.org
Walker, Jearl. Fundamentals of Physics. 10th ed. MA: John Wiley & Sons,
2014.
Young, Hugh D., and Roger A. Freedman. Sears and Zemansky's University
Physics with Modern Physics Technology Update. 13th ed. San Fracisco,
CA: Pearson Education, 2012.
Young, H. D., Freedman, R. A., Ford, A. L., & Sears, F. W. (2012). Sears and
Zemansky's University Physics (13th ed.). Boston: Addison-Wesley.

NegOr_Q1_GenPhysics1_SLKWeek3_v2