Name: Mid-term Exam

Physics for Engineers Answer key

I. Multiple choice: Encircle the corresponding letter of your selected correct answer.
1. An object moving downward without any influence of force except gravity.
a. displacement b. free falling body c. speed d. distance
2. A line indicates measurement of magnitude and direction.
a. velocity b. vector c. displacement d. scalar
3. The sum of the initial velocity plus the product of the acceleration and the time elapsed.
a. final velocity b. no change in velocity c. zero velocity d. velocity
4. The product of the velocity and time.
a. gravity b. speed c. displacement d. distance
5. Change in velocity per unit time?
a. acceleration b. gravity c. zero velocity d. velocity
6. Tells how fast an object is moving.
a. velocity b. instantaneous speed c. speed d. time
7. At what length is the opposite side of a 35° angle if the two adjacent sides are 45 and 67 units
a. 40.7 units b. 39.7 units c. 38.7 units d. 41.7 units
g 25
8. If the density of the moon is 3.341cm³ and its mass is 7.350x10 g. What is the volume?
a. 2.2x1025 cm3 b. 3.2x1025 cm3 c. 1x1025 cm3 d. 4x1025 cm3
9. The height of the falling body if it has a mass of 2 kg and touches the ground after 5 seconds?
a. 125.5m b. 124.5m c. 123.5m d. 122.5m
10. Time it takes a body to fall at 300m
a. 4.82sec b. 5.82sec c. 6.82sec d. 7.82sec
11. speed at any time.
a. velocity b. instantaneous speed c. speed d. time
m m
12. Velocity which has initial velocity of 24 and acceleration of 3 after 15 sec.
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²
m m m m
a. 96 b. 69 c. 9.6 d. 6.9
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
m
13. Distance that initially at rest having an acceleration of 7 after 20 sec.
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²
a. 1600 m b. 1500 m c. 1400 m d. 1300 m
14. The iron falls after 3 sec. and cotton falls after 5 sec. Which is moving with higher velocity?
a. iron b. cotton c. same d. none
15. What is the displacement if a 15 in. diameter wheel rolls without slipping on a horizontal
floor at a two complete revolution in every 1.5 sec. after 5 sec. from its original location.
a. 314 in. b. 324 in. c. 334 in. d. 0.354 in.

II. Worded Problem:

1. A ball is thrown vertically on air at 2. A stone is launched straight into the air
m
130 after 3.5 sec. another ball is thrown in and returns back to the ground 14 seconds
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
m
the same manner. At what initial velocity later (𝑔𝑔 = 9.81𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²)
must the second ball have to pass the first ball
at 100m from the ground. a. What is the initial speed of the
stone?
b. What is the maximum height
attained by the stone?

t1 t2

𝑣𝑣ᵢ h
Let,
t – time consumed by the first ball
t – 3.5 – time consumed by the second ball
dy – 100m
 1 14 sec
dy = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜1 t - 𝑔𝑔t2 for the first ball a) at t1= = 7 sec
2 2

1 𝑣𝑣f = 0 (at the instant of the ball’s

100 = 130 t - 9.81 t2
2
maximum height, its velocity is zero)
m
g = -9.81𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²
4.905 t2 – 120 t + 100 = 0
𝑣𝑣f = 𝑣𝑣ᵢ + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
−𝑏𝑏±√𝑏𝑏2−4𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 0 = 𝑣𝑣ᵢ + (−9.81)(7)
x= 2𝑎𝑎 m
𝑣𝑣ᵢ = 68.6
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
14 sec
b) at t2 = = 7 sec
t = 25.71 sec. 2

𝑣𝑣i = 0 (At the top the velocity is zero and

1 m
dy = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜2 t - 𝑔𝑔t2 for the second ball ball does a free fall) 𝑔𝑔 = 9.81
2 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²
1
1
dy = 𝑣𝑣i t + 2 𝑔𝑔t 2

100 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜2 (t-3.5) + 9.81 (t-3.5) 2 1 m

2
h= 0 + 2 9.81𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²)(7sec.)2
1
100 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜2 (25.71 – 3.5) + 9.81 (25.71 – 3.5) 2
2 h = 240.1 m
12. Velocity which has initial velocity of
𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜2 = 104.44 m/sec. m m
24 and acceleration of 3 after 15 sec.
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²
7. At what length is the opposite side of a
35° angle if the two adjacent sides are 45 𝑣𝑣 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 + at
𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
and 67 units 𝑣𝑣 = 24 +3 (15sec)
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 2
c2 = a2+b2+2abcos ɵ
𝑚𝑚
𝑣𝑣 = 69 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
c = �452 + 672 + 2(45)(67)cos35°

c = 39.7 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 13. Distance that initially at rest having an

𝑚𝑚
acceleration of 7 2 after 20 sec.
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
8. If the density of the moon is 3.341 g/cm3 1 2
and its mass is 7.350x1025g. What is the d = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 t + 2
at
volume? d=0+
1
(7 m/s2)(20s)2
𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 2
d= V=
𝑉𝑉 𝑑𝑑 d = 1400m
7.350x1025g 25 3
V= = 2.2x10 cm 14. The iron falls after 3 sec. and cotton falls
3.341 g/cm3
after 5 sec. Which is moving with higher
velocity?
9. The height of the falling body if it has a
mass of 2 kg and touches the ground after 5 𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖 - Velocity of iron
seconds? 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 - Velocity of cotton
1
h = 𝑔𝑔t2
2
𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
9.81 2 𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖 = 𝑔𝑔t = 9.81 × 3sec = 29.4
h= 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
(5sec)2 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 2 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
2
𝑚𝑚 𝑚𝑚
h = 122.5m. 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 = 𝑔𝑔t = 9.81 × 5sec = 49
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 2 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
10. Time it takes a body to fall at 300m
The Velocity of cotton is more than iron.
dy = 300 m
1 15. What is the displacement if a 15 in.
dy = 𝑣𝑣i t + 2 𝑔𝑔t2 diameter wheel rolls without slipping on a
2𝑑𝑑ᵧ horizontal floor at a two complete revolution
t =� 𝑔𝑔 in every 1.5 sec. after 5 sec. from its original
location.
2(300𝑚𝑚)
t =� 9.81𝑚𝑚 =7.82sec. d= 𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋𝜋
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠² 2𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
d= 𝜋𝜋(15𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖) (5𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠) = 314 in
1.5𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
 1

PROJECTILE MOTION

A PROJECTILE is a body launched at an angle following a curvature called the trajectory

path, e.g., dart, football, soccer ball, basketball, baseball and pole vault. For flights short
enough so that the curvature of the earth may be neglected, the projectile has a constant
downward acceleration. In a uniformly accelerated motion, the direction off the acceleration
changes as the velocity changes.

This handout presents different cases of projectile motions and how to solve them.

The complex motion of a projectile consists of two simple motions:

a) constant horizontal velocity and

b) uniformly accelerated vertical motion.

TWO CASES OF PROJECTILES

Projectile motion has two components, one vertical and the other horizontal. Since the
gravitational force is vertically downward, it produces acceleration only in that direction,
leaving the horizontal component of the velocity unchanged it air resistance is neglected. The
horizontal and vertical components are independent of each other, that is, they do not have an
effect on each other. They affect the projectile that follows a curved path, known as trajectory
path.

Case 1: The trajectory is a half parabola.

 2

Vertical Motion:

𝑣𝑣iy = 0 (starts from rest at the edge of the table; the only force acting on the
vertical motion is the pull of gravity, i.e. it experience a free fall)
𝑣𝑣fy = 𝑔𝑔t
1
dy = 𝑔𝑔t2
2

Horizontal Motion (Range):

𝑣𝑣ix = constant horizontal velocity

dx = 𝑣𝑣x t
𝑣𝑣ᵢ2
R = dx = 𝑣𝑣x t 𝑅𝑅𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
𝑔𝑔

Sample Problems:

1. A ball is kicked near the edge of a cliff with a horizontal velocity of 10 m/sec.
a) What is the velocity upon impact if it hits the ground after 2 sec?
b) What is the horizontal displacement of the ball?
Solution:

a) 𝑣𝑣x = 10 m/sec
𝑣𝑣y = 𝑔𝑔t = (9.81m/sec²)(2sec.) = 19.6 m/sec

10𝑚𝑚 2 19.6𝑚𝑚 2
𝑣𝑣 = �𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 ² + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 ² = �� � +� � = 22 m/sec
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠

b) dx = 𝑣𝑣x t = (10 m/sec)(2sec.) = 20 m

Case 2: The trajectory is a full parabola.

 3

To find the time of flight t (for the full parabolic path):

Consider the vertical motion, 𝑣𝑣fy = 𝑣𝑣iy + 𝑔𝑔t

At the maximum height, 𝑣𝑣fy = 0

Thus,

0 = 𝑣𝑣iy – 𝑔𝑔t (-𝑔𝑔 because the upward motion is against gravity)

𝑣𝑣iy = 𝑣𝑣i sin ɵ (from the vertical component of the initial velocity)

0 = 𝑣𝑣i sin ɵ – 𝑔𝑔t

𝜈𝜈ᵢ sin ɵ
t = (but this time, t is only from the launching point to maximum height)
𝑔𝑔

Since aa parabola is symmetrical with respect to its left and right sides, the total time T
is twice time t then, for full parabola is,
𝑣𝑣ᵢ sin ɵ
T = 2t t =
𝑔𝑔

2𝑣𝑣ᵢ sin ɵ
Thus, T=
𝑔𝑔

In the absence of air resistance, a projectile sent off at an angle ɵ above the horizontal
𝑣𝑣ᵢ2 sin 2ɵ 𝑣𝑣ᵢ² sin² ɵ
with an initial velocity of 𝑣𝑣i has a range of R= and H =
𝑔𝑔 2𝑔𝑔

To find a formula for the range R:

R = 𝑣𝑣xT 𝑣𝑣x= 𝑣𝑣ᵢ cos ɵ

2𝑣𝑣ᵢ sin ɵ
R = 𝑣𝑣ᵢ cos ɵ T T=
𝑔𝑔

2𝑣𝑣ᵢ sin ɵ
R = 𝑣𝑣ᵢ cos ɵ � �
𝑔𝑔

1
But cos ɵ sin ɵ = sin 2ɵ
2

𝑣𝑣ᵢ2 sin 2ɵ
Thus, R=
𝑔𝑔

To find a formula for the range H:

1
dy = 𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 t − 2 𝑔𝑔t2 𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = 0

1 𝑣𝑣ᵢ sin ɵ
H = − 2 𝑔𝑔t2 t =
𝑔𝑔

1 𝑣𝑣ᵢ sin ɵ 2
H = 2 𝑔𝑔( 𝑔𝑔
)

𝑣𝑣ᵢ² sin² ɵ
Thus, H= 2𝑔𝑔

Note: R, H and T equations are applicable only to projectiles that have the same
launching and landing levels.
 4

The angle should an arrow be released in order for its range to be at a maximum value
𝑣𝑣ᵢ2 sin 2ɵ
R=
𝑔𝑔

The maximum value for the sine function is at sin 90° = 1 its value at an angle greater
than or less than 90° would be less than 1.
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠−1 1 90°
Thus, the angle we are looking for is
2
, or 2
,

𝑣𝑣ᵢ2 sin 2(45)° 𝑣𝑣ᵢ2

R= =
𝑔𝑔 𝑔𝑔

𝑣𝑣ᵢ2
𝑅𝑅𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = is the equation to be used if the maximum range for full parabolic trajectory
𝑔𝑔

path is needed.

Note: 45° is applicable only in the absence of air resistance, that is why by experience, a
baseball must be hit at approximately 35° only in order for it to be a maximum range.

Sample Problems: similar problem 2

𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2. A baseball is hit at angle of 65° above the ground with an initial velocity of 30 .
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠

a) What is the total time of flight?

b) What is the range?

c) What is the maximum height reached?

Solution:
𝑣𝑣ᵢ sin ɵ
a) T = 2t t = 𝑔𝑔

2𝑣𝑣ᵢ sin ɵ
T=
𝑔𝑔

𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
2�30 sin 65°� 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙·𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
T= 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 1.7 sec. 𝑔𝑔c = 32.174
32 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙·𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²

𝑣𝑣ᵢ2 sin 2ɵ
b) R =
𝑔𝑔

𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
�30 � sin 2(65°)
R= 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 21.5 ft.
32
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²

𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 ²−𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 ²
c) dy = 𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 0, at maximum height
2𝑔𝑔
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2
0−�30 sin 65°�
H= 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 11.55ft.
2(−32 )
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²
 5

3. A football is thrown with a velocity of 10 m/sec. at an angle of 30° above the

horizontal.
a) How far away should the intended receiver be?
b) What will be the time of flight?
c) What is the maximum height reached?

Solution:
𝑣𝑣ᵢ2 sin 2ɵ
a) R =
𝑔𝑔

𝑚𝑚 2
�10 � sin 2(30°)
R= 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑚𝑚 = 8.84 m
9.81
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²

𝑣𝑣ᵢ sin ɵ
b) T = 2t t=
𝑔𝑔

2𝑣𝑣ᵢ sin ɵ
T=
𝑔𝑔

𝑚𝑚
2�10 sin 30°�
T= 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑚𝑚 = 1.02 sec.
9.81
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²

𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 ²−𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 ²
c) dy = 𝑣𝑣𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 0, at maximum height
2𝑔𝑔

𝑚𝑚 2
0−�10 sin 30°�
H= 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑚𝑚 = 1.28 m
2(−9.81 )
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²

Sample Problems:

4. A dart was thrown horizontally at 8m/sec.

a) How fast is it moving 0.67sec. later?
b) In what direction is it moving?
c) What is the horizontal displacement or range of the dart?

Solution:

a) 𝑣𝑣x = 8 m/sec
𝑣𝑣y = 𝑔𝑔t = (9.81m/sec²)(0.67sec.) = 6.57 m/sec

8𝑚𝑚 2 6.57𝑚𝑚 2
𝑣𝑣 = �𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 ² + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 ² = ��𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠� + � 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
� = 10.35 m/sec

b) ɵ = tan −1 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥
𝑣𝑣
𝑦𝑦

ɵ = tan −1 6.57
8
= 39.39° below the horizontal

c) dx = 𝑣𝑣x t = (8 m/sec)(0.67sec.) = 5.36 m

 6

5. A warplane is in level flight at a velocity of 350 mi/hour and an altitude of 6,000 ft

when it drops a bomb.
a) How long does the bomb take to reach the ground?
b) What will the bomb’s velocity be upon impact?
c) What is the direction of the bomb at this time?
d) What is the horizontal displacement or range of the bomb?

Solution:
1
a) dy = 𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 t + 𝑔𝑔t2
2

𝑣𝑣𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = 0
2𝑑𝑑ᵧ
t =� 𝑔𝑔

2(6000𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓)
t =� 32𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 =19.36 sec.
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²

𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 ℎ𝑟𝑟

b) 𝑣𝑣x = 350 x 5280𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 x 13600𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
ℎ𝑟𝑟
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣x = 513.33 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠

𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣y = 𝑔𝑔t = (32𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠²)(19.36sec)
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑣𝑣y = 619.52 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠

513.33𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2 619.52𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 2 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

𝑣𝑣 = �𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 ² + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 ² = �� 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
� +�
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
� = 804.55
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠

c) ɵ = tan −1 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥
𝑦𝑦

ɵ = tan −1 513.33 = 50.36° below the horizontal

619.52

d) R = dx = 𝑣𝑣x t (Range)

𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
R = dx = 513.33 (19.36 sec.)
𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠

R = 9,938 ft.