MEMB233

MECHANICS II: DYNAMICS

TOPIC 1
Kinematics of a Particle
Solution to All Examples

*Materials adopted from PEARSON Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics, 13th ed. 2013 by
R.C. Hibbeler & Kai Beng Yap
 EXAMPLE

Given: A particle travels along a straight line to the right

with a velocity of v = ( 4 t – 3 t2 ) m/s where t is
in seconds. Also, s = 0 when t = 0.

Find: The position and acceleration of the particle

when t = 4 s.

Plan: Establish the positive coordinate, s, in the direction

the particle is traveling. Since the velocity is given
as a function of time, take a derivative of it to
calculate the acceleration. Conversely, integrate
the velocity function to calculate the position.
 EXAMPLE
(continued)
Solution:
1) Take a derivative of the velocity to determine the
acceleration.
a = dv / dt = d(4 t – 3 t2) / dt = 4 – 6 t
 a = – 20 m/s2 (or in the  direction) when t = 4 s

2) Calculate the distance traveled in 4s by integrating the

velocity using so = 0:
s t
v = ds / dt  ds = v dt 
 s – so = 2 t2 – t3 so
o

ds = (4 t – 3 t2) dt

 s – 0 = 2(4)2 – (4)3  s = – 32 m ( or )
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
Given: A particle is moving along a straight line such that
its velocity is defined as v = (-4s2) m/s, where s is
in meters.

Find: The velocity and acceleration as functions of time if

s = 2 m when t = 0.

Plan: Since the velocity is given as a function of distance,

use the equation v=ds/dt.
1) Express the distance in terms of time.
2) Take a derivative of it to calculate the velocity and
acceleration.
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
Solution: (continued)
1) Since v = ( 4s2)

Determine the distance by integrating using s0 = 2.

Notice that s = 2 m when t = 0.

 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
(continued)
2) Take a derivative of distance to calculate the
velocity and acceleration.

 m/s
 EXAMPLE I
Given: vA and θ
Find: Horizontal distance it
travels and vC.
Plan:
Apply the kinematic
relations in x- and y-
directions.

Solution: Using vAx = 10 cos 30 and vAy = 10 sin 30

We can write vx = 10 cos 30

vy = 10 sin 30 – (9.81) t
x = (10 cos 30) t
y = (10 sin 30) t – ½ (9.81) t2

Since y = 0 at C
0 = (10 sin 30) t – ½ (9.81) t2  t = 0, 1.019 s
 EXAMPLE I (continued)

Velocity components at C are;

vCx = 10 cos 30
= 8.66 m/s 

vCy = 10 sin 30 – (9.81) (1.019)

= -5 m/s = 5 m/s 

Horizontal distance the ball travels is;

x = (10 cos 30) t
x = (10 cos 30) 1.019 = 8.83 m
 EXAMPLE II

Given: Projectile is fired with vA=150

m/s at point A.

Find: The horizontal distance it

travels (R) and the time in the
air.

Plan: How will you proceed?

 EXAMPLE II

Given: Projectile is fired with vA=150

m/s at point A.

Find: The horizontal distance it

travels (R) and the time in the
air.

Plan: Establish a fixed x, y coordinate system (in this

solution, the origin of the coordinate system is placed
at A). Apply the kinematic relations in x- and y-
directions.
 EXAMPLE II (continued)
Solution:
1) Place the coordinate system at point A.
Then, write the equation for horizontal
motion.
+  xB = xA + vAx tAB
where xB = R, xA = 0, vAx = 150 (4/5) m/s

Range, R, will be R = 120 tAB

2) Now write a vertical motion equation. Use the distance

equation.
+ yB = yA + vAy tAB – 0.5 g tAB2
where yB = – 150, yA = 0, and vAy = 150(3/5) m/s
We get the following equation: –150 = 90 tAB + 0.5 (– 9.81) tAB2
Solving for tAB first, tAB = 19.89 s.
Then, R = 120 tAB = 120 (19.89) = 2387 m
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING I

y Given: A skier leaves the ski

jump ramp at qA = 25o
x and hits the slope at
B.

Find: The skier’s initial speed vA.

Plan:
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING I

y Given: A skier leaves the ski

jump ramp at qA = 25o
x and hits the slope at
B.

Find: The skier’s initial speed vA.

Plan: Establish a fixed x,y coordinate system (in this

solution, the origin of the coordinate system is placed
at A). Apply the kinematic relations in x and y-
directions.
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING I
(continued)
Solution:
Motion in x-direction:
Using xB = xA + vox(tAB) => (4/5)100 = 0 + vA (cos 25) tAB

80 88.27
tAB= =
vA (cos 25) vA

Motion in y-direction:
Using yB = yA + voy(tAB) – ½ g(tAB)2

88.27 88.27 2
– 64 = 0 + vA(sin 25) { – }½ (9.81) { }
vA vA

vA = 19.42 m/s
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING II

Given: The golf ball is struck

with a velocity of 24
m/s as shown.
Find: Distance d to where
y it will land.
x Plan:
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING II

Given: The golf ball is struck

with a velocity of 80
ft/s as shown.
Find: Distance d to where
y it will land.
x

Plan: Establish a fixed x, y coordinate system (in this

solution, the origin of the coordinate system is placed
at A). Apply the kinematic relations in x and y-
directions.
 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
II (continued)
Solution:
Motion in x-direction:
Using xB = xA + vox(tAB)
 d cos10 = 0 + 24 (cos 55) tAB y
tAB = 0.07154 d x

Motion in y-direction:
Using yB = yA + voy(tAB) – ½ g(tAB)2
 d sin10 = 0 + 24(sin 55)(0.07154 d) – ½ (9.81) (0.07154 d)2
 0 = 1.2328 d – 0.025104 d2

d = 0, 49.1 m