MOTION IN A PLANE

Chapter Four
Scalar Quantities:
The quantities which has only magnitude along with some unit are classified as scalars quantity
For Example: 1 kg mango, 273 kelvin etc.

The rules for combining scalars are the rules of ordinary algebra. Scalars can be added, subtracted,
multiplied and divided just as the ordinary numbers.

Vector Quantitites:
The qunatities which has some magnitude along with the proper unit and direction and follows vector law of
addition are classified as vector qunatities.

For Example: Force is a vector quantity which has some magnitude as well as direction and also follows
vector law of addition.

Representation of Vector:
If 𝑨𝑨 is a vector quantity then it is represented by ��⃗ ��⃗ is represented by �𝑨𝑨
𝑨𝑨 and magnitude of 𝑨𝑨 ��⃗� or simply 𝑨𝑨

Head
(Final Point)
Tail
(Initial Point)

Generally length of a vector represents its magnitude but for convinience we just draw Head and Tail and Write
its magnitude numerically.

For Example:

�𝑨𝑨⃗
��⃗
𝑩𝑩

�⃗ is greater than the magnitude of 𝐴𝐴⃗.

From the above picture we can say magnitude of 𝐵𝐵

APNI KAKSHA 1
Basic Information about Direction:

Position Vector:
Position vector is used to specify the position of a object with respect to origin
(i.e., head of the position vector is towards the coordinates which needs to be
specified and tail at the origins).
𝑟𝑟⃗1 is the position vector of point 𝐴𝐴 and 𝑟𝑟⃗2 is the position vector of point 𝐵𝐵.

Displacement Vector:
If the object moves from point 𝐴𝐴 to point 𝐵𝐵 then �����⃗
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 vector or 𝑠𝑠⃗ vector is the
displacement vector with the initial position 𝐴𝐴 and the final position point 𝐵𝐵.

Unit Vector:
A vector having some direction but magnitude equal to unity is called unit vector. If 𝐴𝐴⃗ is a vector then its unit
vector is represented by 𝐴𝐴̂.

𝐴𝐴⃗
𝐴𝐴̂ =
�𝐴𝐴⃗�

APNI KAKSHA 2
𝚤𝚤̂, 𝚥𝚥̂, 𝑘𝑘� are the unit vectors along 𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦, 𝑧𝑧 axis respectively.

Equality of Vector:
Two vectors 𝐴𝐴 and 𝐵𝐵 are said to be equal only if they have the same magnitude and the same direction.

��⃗
𝑨𝑨
��⃗
𝑨𝑨
��⃗
𝑩𝑩 ��⃗
𝑩𝑩
(𝒊𝒊) (𝒊𝒊𝒊𝒊)

In (i) figure vector 𝐴𝐴 and 𝐵𝐵 are equal because they have same magnitude and same direction but in (ii) figure
vector 𝐴𝐴 and 𝐵𝐵 are not equal vector because they have same magnitude but different direction.

Multiplication of Vectors by a real number:

Multiplying a vector 𝐴𝐴 with a positive number 𝜆𝜆 gives a vector whose magnitude is changed by the factor 𝜆𝜆 but
the direction is the same as that of 𝐴𝐴:
|𝜆𝜆𝜆𝜆| = 𝜆𝜆|𝐴𝐴| if 𝜆𝜆 > 0.

��⃗
𝑨𝑨 ��⃗
𝑨𝑨

�⃗
𝟐𝟐𝑨𝑨 �⃗
−𝟐𝟐𝑨𝑨

Addition and Subtraction of Vectors (Graphical Method):

• Triangle Law of Vector Addition
• Parallelogram Law of Vector Addition

In graphical method magnitude of a vector is represented by drawing vector with proper direction and length
but for magnitude scaling is done i.e., if represent 10 N force by length 1cm then 20N force will be represented
by a vector of length of 2cm and 35N force will be represented by length of 3.5 cm and so on, this is how the
scaling of vector is done.

Triangle Law of Vector Addition:

If two vectors are represented by two sides of a triangle in magnitude and direction taken in same order, then
the resultant is given by the third side of the triangle in magnitude and direction taken in opposite order.
If 𝐴𝐴⃗ + 𝐵𝐵
�⃗ = 𝑅𝑅�⃗

��⃗
𝑩𝑩 ��⃗
𝑹𝑹
��⃗
𝑩𝑩

��⃗
𝑨𝑨 �𝑨𝑨⃗

APNI KAKSHA 3
• Shifting of vector is allowed i.e., we can shift a vector without changing its length and direction.
• Angle between two vectors is the angle between them when they are joined head to head or tail to tail.

Q. A man moves 6 m towards east, then he takes 90° left turn & moves 8 m North. Find displacement of
man.
Sol.

8 4
tan 𝜃𝜃 = =
6 3
⇒ 𝜃𝜃 = 53°
Displacement of man is 10 m, 𝟓𝟓𝟓𝟓°
North of East.

Parallelogram Law of Vector Addition:

If two vectors are represented by two adjacent sides of a parallelogram in magnitude and direction (Joined tail
to tail) then the resultant is given by the diagonal of parallelogram in magnitude and direction starting from
common intersection of two vectors.

�⃗ = 𝑅𝑅�⃗
If 𝐴𝐴⃗ + 𝐵𝐵

��⃗
𝑩𝑩 ��⃗
𝑹𝑹
��⃗
𝑩𝑩

��⃗
𝑨𝑨 ��⃗
𝑨𝑨

Resolution of Vector:

𝐴𝐴𝑥𝑥
= cos 𝛼𝛼 ⇒ 𝐴𝐴𝑥𝑥 = 𝐴𝐴 cos 𝛼𝛼 ( component of A in X-direction)
𝐴𝐴
𝐴𝐴𝑦𝑦
= cos 𝛽𝛽 ⇒ 𝐴𝐴𝑦𝑦 = 𝐴𝐴 cos 𝛽𝛽 (component of A in Y-direction)
𝐴𝐴
𝐴𝐴⃗ = 𝐴𝐴 cos 𝛼𝛼 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝛽𝛽𝚥𝚥̂
Also, 𝛽𝛽 = 90 − 𝛼𝛼
𝐴𝐴⃗ = 𝐴𝐴 cos 𝛼𝛼 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝐴𝐴 cos(90 − 𝛼𝛼)𝚥𝚥̂

𝐴𝐴⃗ = 𝐴𝐴 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝛼𝛼 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝐴𝐴 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝛼𝛼 𝚥𝚥̂

Similarly if a vector 𝐴𝐴⃗ is in 3-D making an angle 𝛼𝛼 with x axis, 𝛽𝛽 with y axis and 𝛾𝛾 with z axis then it can be
written as
𝐴𝐴⃗ = 𝐴𝐴 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝛼𝛼 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝐴𝐴 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝛽𝛽 𝚥𝚥̂ + 𝐴𝐴 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝛾𝛾 𝑘𝑘�

APNI KAKSHA 4
and magnitude of 𝐴𝐴⃗ can be written as

�𝐴𝐴⃗� = �𝐴𝐴2𝑥𝑥 + 𝐴𝐴2𝑦𝑦 + 𝐴𝐴𝑧𝑧2

Vector Addition (Analytical Method):

In ∆𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂,
�𝑅𝑅�⃗ � = 𝑅𝑅 = �(𝐴𝐴 + 𝐵𝐵 cos 𝜃𝜃)2 + (𝐵𝐵 sin 𝜃𝜃)2

𝑅𝑅 = √𝐴𝐴2 + 𝐵𝐵2 + 2𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 cos 𝜃𝜃 = Magnitude of resultant vector.

𝐵𝐵 sin 𝜃𝜃
tan 𝛼𝛼 =
𝐴𝐴 + 𝐵𝐵 cos 𝜃𝜃

Where 𝛼𝛼 is the angle made by the resultant vector with 𝐴𝐴⃗

Motion in a Plane:
1. Velocity in a Plane:
∆𝑟𝑟 ∆𝑥𝑥𝚤𝚤̂ + ∆𝑦𝑦𝚥𝚥̂
𝑣𝑣⃗ = = = 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂
∆𝑡𝑡 ∆𝑡𝑡

|𝑣𝑣⃗| = �𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦2

2. Acceleration in a Plane:
∆𝑣𝑣 ∆�𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂� ∆𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 ∆𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦
𝑎𝑎 = = = 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝚥𝚥̂
∆𝑡𝑡 ∆𝑡𝑡 ∆𝑡𝑡 ∆𝑡𝑡

𝑎𝑎 = 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝚤𝚤̂ + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝚥𝚥̂

Q. The position of a particle is given is 𝑟𝑟 = 3.0𝑡𝑡𝚤𝚤̂ + 2.0𝑡𝑡 2 𝚥𝚥̂ + 5.0𝑘𝑘� where 𝑡𝑡 is in seconds and the
coefficients have the proper units for 𝑟𝑟 to be in metres. (a) Find 𝑣𝑣(𝑡𝑡) and 𝑎𝑎(𝑡𝑡) of the particle. (b) Find
the magnitude and direction of 𝑣𝑣(𝑡𝑡) at 𝑡𝑡 = 1.0 𝑠𝑠.
Sol.
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
a) 𝑣𝑣 = = 3.0𝚤𝚤̂ + 4.0𝑡𝑡𝚥𝚥̂
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑎𝑎 = = 4.0𝚥𝚥̂ = constant acceleration in 𝑦𝑦 direction
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
b) velocity at 𝑡𝑡 = 1𝑠𝑠
𝑣𝑣 = 3.0𝚤𝚤̂ + 4.0𝚥𝚥̂
|𝑣𝑣⃗| = √32 + 42 = 5.0𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠
Direction of velocity,
𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 4
𝜃𝜃 = tan−1 � � = tan−1 � � = 53° with 𝑥𝑥-axis
𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 3

APNI KAKSHA 5
Equation of Motion for 2-D Motion:
1 1
𝑠𝑠𝑥𝑥 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 2 𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 2
2 2
𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡
𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥2 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥2 + 2𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑠𝑠𝑥𝑥 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦2 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦2 + 2𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦
Motion in a plane (two-dimensions) can be treated as two separate simultaneous one-dimensional motions with
constant acceleration along two perpendicular directions.

Q. A particle starts from origin at 𝑡𝑡 = 0 with velocity 5.0𝚤𝚤̂ 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠 and moves in 𝑥𝑥-𝑦𝑦 plane under action of
a force which produces a constant acceleration of (3.0𝚤𝚤̂ + 2.0𝚤𝚤̂) 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠 2 . (a) What is the 𝑦𝑦-coordinate of
the particle at the instant its 𝑥𝑥-coordinate is 84 𝑚𝑚? (b) What is the speed of the particle at this time?
1 1
Sol. a) 𝑠𝑠𝑥𝑥 = 84 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 2 ⇒ 5𝑡𝑡 + × 3𝑡𝑡 2
2 2
168 = 3𝑡𝑡 2 + 10𝑡𝑡 ⇒ 𝑡𝑡 = 6𝑠𝑠
𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦 at 𝑡𝑡 = 6𝑠𝑠
1 1
𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 2 = × 2 × (6)2 = 36
2 2
at 𝑡𝑡 = 0, 𝑦𝑦 = 0 and in 6 𝑠𝑠 displacement in by direction is 36 that means partical is at 𝑦𝑦 =
36 at 𝑡𝑡 = 6 𝑠𝑠
b) At 𝑡𝑡 = 6
𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 = 5 + 3 × 6 = 23
𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 = 0 + 2 × 6 = 12

Speed = Magnitude of velocity = �𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦2 = �(23)2 + (12)2 = 26

Relative Velocity in 2-D:

Velocity of 𝐴𝐴 with respect to 𝐵𝐵 is represented by
𝑣𝑣⃗𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 𝑣𝑣⃗𝐴𝐴 − 𝑣𝑣⃗𝐵𝐵
Acceleration of 𝐵𝐵 with respect to 𝐴𝐴 is represented by
𝑎𝑎⃗𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 𝑎𝑎⃗𝐵𝐵 − 𝑎𝑎⃗𝐴𝐴
Relative velocity of Rain:
�⃗𝑅𝑅 and an observer is moving horizontally with velocity 𝑉𝑉
Case 1: If rain is falling vertically with a velocity 𝑉𝑉 �⃗𝑀𝑀 then
the velocity of rain with respect to observer will be

𝑉𝑉𝑀𝑀
�⃗𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = 𝑉𝑉
𝑉𝑉 �⃗𝑅𝑅 − 𝑉𝑉
�⃗𝑀𝑀 𝑉𝑉𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 = �𝑉𝑉𝑅𝑅2 + 𝑉𝑉𝑀𝑀2 𝜃𝜃 = 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡−1 � �
𝑉𝑉𝑅𝑅

Deleted
So in order to save himself from wetting person should hold umbrella at angle 𝜃𝜃 with verticle.

APNI KAKSHA 6
(iv) For Minimum Time
To cross the river in minimum time the velocity along 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴(𝑉𝑉𝑀𝑀 cos 𝜃𝜃) should be maximum. It is possible if
𝜃𝜃 = 0, i.e. Swimming should start perpendicular to water current.
DeleDue to effect of river velocity i.e. his displacement will not be
minimum but time taken to cross the river will be minimum.

𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
𝑑𝑑
𝑉𝑉𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀

In time 𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 swimmer travels distance𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 along the river with speed of
river 𝑉𝑉𝑅𝑅
Deleted
𝑑𝑑
∴ 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑉𝑉𝑅𝑅 = 𝑉𝑉
𝑉𝑉𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 𝑅𝑅

Distance travelled along river flow = drift of man = 𝑡𝑡𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑉𝑉𝑅𝑅

Q. If Velocity of 𝐴𝐴 is given as 3𝚤𝚤̂ + 4𝚥𝚥̂ and velocity of 𝐵𝐵 is given as 5𝚤𝚤̂ − 3𝚥𝚥̂ find out the following
(a) Velocity of 𝐴𝐴 with respect to 𝐵𝐵
(b) Velocity of 𝐵𝐵 with respect to 𝐴𝐴
Sol. a) 𝑣𝑣⃗𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 𝑣𝑣⃗𝐴𝐴 − 𝑣𝑣⃗𝐵𝐵 = 3𝚤𝚤̂ + 4𝚥𝚥̂ − (5𝚤𝚤̂ − 3𝚥𝚥̂) = −2𝚤𝚤̂ + 7𝚥𝚥̂
b) 𝑣𝑣⃗𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 = 𝑣𝑣⃗𝐵𝐵 − 𝑣𝑣⃗𝐴𝐴 = 5𝚤𝚤̂ − 3𝚥𝚥̂ − (3𝚤𝚤̂ + 4𝚥𝚥̂) = 2𝚤𝚤̂ − 7𝚥𝚥̂

Q. Rain is falling vertically with a speed of 35 𝑚𝑚𝑠𝑠 −1 . A woman rides a bicycle with a speed of 12 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1
in east to west direction. What is the direction in which she should hold her umbrella.
Sol. Let 𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 and 𝑣𝑣𝑏𝑏 are the velocities of rain and bicycle respectively so in order to save herself from
wetting she should hold the umbrella in the direction opposite velocity of rain with respect to
herself (𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 )
𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = 𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 − 𝑣𝑣𝑏𝑏
𝑣𝑣 12
Tan 𝜃𝜃 = 𝑏𝑏 = = 0.343
𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 35
⇒ 𝜃𝜃 = 18.92°

Projectile Motion:
A particle thrown in the space which moves under the effect of gravity alone is called projectile and its motion
is called projectile motion.

For Example:
i) Motion of a ball after it strikes with bat. 𝑔𝑔
ii) Motion of football after kick

APNI KAKSHA 8
𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 = 𝑥𝑥 component of initial velocity = 𝑢𝑢 cos 𝜃𝜃

𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 = 𝑦𝑦 component of initial velocity = 𝑢𝑢 sin 𝜃𝜃

𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 = −𝑔𝑔 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠 2

𝒙𝒙 component of velocity at any time 𝒕𝒕

𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑢𝑢 cos 𝜃𝜃

𝒚𝒚 component of velocity at any time 𝒕𝒕

𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑢𝑢 sin 𝜃𝜃 − 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
Displacement in 𝒙𝒙 in time 𝒕𝒕
1
𝑠𝑠𝑥𝑥 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 2 = (𝑢𝑢 cos 𝜃𝜃)𝑡𝑡
2
Displacement in 𝒚𝒚 in time 𝒕𝒕

1 1
𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 2 = (𝑢𝑢 sin 𝜃𝜃)𝑡𝑡 − 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 2
2 2
Angle of velocity with 𝒙𝒙-axis at any time 𝒕𝒕

𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 𝑢𝑢 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝜃𝜃 − 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔

𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝛼𝛼 = =
𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 𝑢𝑢 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝜃𝜃

A) Maximum Height:
Maximum height achieved during the whole motion.
We can observe that during upward motion velocity is decreasing because of acceleration due to gravity
and at some point velocity in 𝑦𝑦 direction became zero. This is the point where maximum height is achieved.
We know that,
𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦2 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦2 + 2𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦

When 𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦 is equal to maximum height 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 = 0

0 = (𝑢𝑢 sin 𝜃𝜃)2 − 2𝑔𝑔𝐻𝐻𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚

𝑢𝑢2 sin2 𝜃𝜃 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦2

𝐻𝐻𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = =
2𝑔𝑔 2𝑔𝑔

B) Time of Flight:
Total time 𝑇𝑇 during which the projectile is in flight.
When ball is in projectile motion thrown from the ground reaches to the ground again after time 𝑇𝑇 we can
observe that displacement in 𝑦𝑦 direction is zero.
1
𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 2
2
1
0 = (𝑢𝑢 sin 𝜃𝜃)𝑇𝑇 − 𝑔𝑔𝑇𝑇 2
2
2𝑢𝑢 sin 𝜃𝜃 2𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦
𝑇𝑇 = =
𝑔𝑔 𝑔𝑔

APNI KAKSHA 9
C) Horizontal Range:

It is the displacement in 𝑥𝑥 direction during time 𝑇𝑇 (time of light)

1
𝑠𝑠𝑥𝑥 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 2
2
𝑅𝑅 = (𝑢𝑢 cos 𝜃𝜃)𝑇𝑇

2𝑢𝑢 sin 𝜃𝜃 2𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 𝑢𝑢2 sin 2𝜃𝜃

𝑅𝑅 = (𝑢𝑢 cos 𝜃𝜃) � �= =
𝑔𝑔 𝑔𝑔 𝑔𝑔

D) Equation of Trajectory:
1
We know that 𝑥𝑥 = (𝑢𝑢 cos 𝜃𝜃)𝑡𝑡 and 𝑦𝑦 = (𝑢𝑢 sin 𝜃𝜃)𝑡𝑡 − 𝑔𝑔𝑡𝑡 2 on eliminating 𝑡𝑡 from these two equations, we get
2
𝑥𝑥 1 𝑥𝑥 2
𝑦𝑦 = (𝑢𝑢 sin 𝜃𝜃) � � − 𝑔𝑔 � �
𝑢𝑢 cos 𝜃𝜃 2 𝑢𝑢 cos 𝜃𝜃
Or

1 𝑥𝑥 2
𝑦𝑦 = 𝑥𝑥 tan 𝜃𝜃 − 𝑔𝑔 2
2 𝑢𝑢 cos 2 𝜃𝜃

This is the equation of parabola. [𝑦𝑦 = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 − 𝑏𝑏𝑥𝑥 2 ]

Q. A hiker stands on the edge of a cliff 490 m above the ground and throws a stone horizontally with an
initial speed of 15 𝑚𝑚𝑠𝑠 −1 . Neglecting air resistance, find the time taken by the stone to reach the ground,
and the speed with which it hits the ground. (Take 𝑔𝑔 = 9.8 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −2 ).

Sol. When ball reaches to ground its displacement in 𝑦𝑦 will be −490 𝑚𝑚.
1
𝑠𝑠𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 2
2
1
−490 = (−9.8) × 𝑡𝑡 2
2

2 × 490
𝑡𝑡 = � = 10 𝑠𝑠
9.8

Let, 𝑥𝑥-component of velocity when it reaches

to ground is 𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 and 𝑦𝑦-component of velocity

when it is reaches to ground is 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦

𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥 = 𝑢𝑢𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎𝑥𝑥 𝑡𝑡 = 15

𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦 = 𝑢𝑢𝑦𝑦 + 𝑎𝑎𝑦𝑦 𝑡𝑡 = 0 + (−9.8)10 = −9.8

𝑣𝑣 = �𝑣𝑣𝑥𝑥2 + 𝑣𝑣𝑦𝑦2 = �(15)2 + (98)2 = 99 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠

APNI KAKSHA 10
Uniform Circular Motion:
When an object follows a circular path at a constant speed, the motion of the object is called uniform cicular
motion.
In uniform circular motion speed is constant but direction is changing continuously so there is some
acceleration present in circular motion

Angular Displacement (𝜽𝜽):

Angle traced by position vector of a particle moving w.r.t. some fixed point is called angular displacement.

𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃
Angular displacement 𝜃𝜃 =
𝑟𝑟

• Its direction is perpendicular to plane of rotation and given by right hand screw rule.
• It is dimensionless and has SI unit ‘Radian’
2𝜋𝜋 radian = 360° = 1 revolution.

Angular Velocity (𝝎𝝎):

It is defined as the rate of change of angular displacement of moving object with time.
Angle traced
Angular Velocity =
Time taken

∆𝜃𝜃 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝜔𝜔 = lim =
∆𝑡𝑡→𝑂𝑂 ∆𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

• Its SI unit is radian/sec.

• It is an axial vector quantity. Its direction is perpendicular to the plane of rotation and along the axis
according to right hand screw rule.
Frequency (𝒏𝒏):
Number of revolutions describes by particle per second is its frequency.

Its unit is revolution per sec. (r.p.s.)

Time Period (𝑻𝑻):

It is time taken by particle to complete one revolution.

1
T=
n

Relation between Linear and Angular Velocity:

𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 ∆𝑆𝑆
Angle = or ∆𝜃𝜃 =
𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 𝑟𝑟

or ∆𝑆𝑆 = 𝑟𝑟 ∆𝜃𝜃

∆𝑆𝑆 𝑟𝑟∆𝜃𝜃 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟

= if ∆𝑡𝑡 → 0 then =
∆𝑡𝑡 ∆𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

APNI KAKSHA 11
or 𝑉𝑉 = 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟

�⃗ = 𝜔𝜔
In vector form 𝑉𝑉 �⃗ × 𝑟𝑟⃗

�⃗ is according to right hand thumb rule.

Direction of 𝑉𝑉

Average Angular Velocity (𝝎𝝎𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂 ):

𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟
𝜔𝜔𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 =
𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡
𝜃𝜃2 − 𝜃𝜃1 ∆𝜃𝜃
𝜔𝜔𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = =
𝑡𝑡2 − 𝑡𝑡1 ∆𝑡𝑡

Where 𝜃𝜃1 and 𝜃𝜃2 are angular position of the particle at instant 𝑡𝑡1 and 𝑡𝑡2 .

Instantaneous Angular Velocity (𝝎𝝎):

It is the angular velocity at a particular instant.

∆𝜃𝜃 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 ��⃗

𝑑𝑑𝜃𝜃
𝜔𝜔 = lim = or 𝜔𝜔
�⃗ =
∆𝑡𝑡→𝑂𝑂 ∆𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Angular Acceleration (𝜶𝜶):

The rate of change of angular velocity is called angular acceleration.
∆𝜔𝜔 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝛼𝛼 = lim =
∆𝑡𝑡→0 ∆𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
or

𝑑𝑑𝜔𝜔
�⃗
𝛼𝛼⃗ =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• It is an axial vector quantity. Its direction is along the axis according to the ‘Right hand Rule’.
• Its SI unit is radian/sec2.

Relation between Angular and Linear Acceleration:

We know that 𝑣𝑣⃗ = 𝜔𝜔
�⃗ × 𝑟𝑟⃗

Here 𝑣𝑣⃗ is a tangential vector, 𝜔𝜔

�⃗ is a axial vector and 𝑟𝑟⃗ is a radial vector. These three vectors are mutually
perpendicular.
𝑑𝑑𝑣𝑣�⃗ 𝑑𝑑
but 𝑎𝑎⃗ = ⇒ 𝑎𝑎⃗ = (𝜔𝜔
�⃗ × 𝑟𝑟⃗)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑑𝑑𝜔𝜔
���⃗ 𝑑𝑑𝑟𝑟�⃗
or 𝑎𝑎⃗ = × 𝑟𝑟⃗ + 𝜔𝜔
�⃗ ×
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑎𝑎⃗ = 𝛼𝛼⃗ × 𝑟𝑟⃗ + 𝜔𝜔

�⃗ × 𝑣𝑣⃗

𝑎𝑎⃗ = 𝑎𝑎⃗ 𝑇𝑇 + 𝑎𝑎⃗𝐶𝐶

Here 𝛼𝛼⃗ 𝑇𝑇 is tangential acceleration and 𝛼𝛼⃗𝐶𝐶 is centripetal acceleration.

Hence 𝛼𝛼⃗ 𝑇𝑇 and 𝛼𝛼⃗𝐶𝐶 are two components of net linear acceleration.

APNI KAKSHA 12
Tangential Acceleration (𝒂𝒂
�⃗𝒓𝒓 ):
𝑎𝑎⃗ 𝑇𝑇 = 𝛼𝛼⃗ × 𝑟𝑟⃗, its direction is parallel to velocity.

As 𝜔𝜔
�⃗ and 𝛼𝛼⃗ both are parallel and along the axis so that 𝑣𝑣⃗ and 𝑎𝑎⃗ 𝑇𝑇 are also parallel and along the tengential
direction.

Magnitude of tangential acceleration is

𝑎𝑎 𝑇𝑇 = 𝛼𝛼 𝑟𝑟 sin 90° ⇒ 𝑎𝑎 𝑇𝑇 = 𝛼𝛼 𝑟𝑟

As 𝑎𝑎⃗ 𝑇𝑇 is along the direction of motion (along 𝑣𝑣⃗) so that 𝑎𝑎⃗ 𝑇𝑇 is responsible for change in speed of particle. Its
magnitude is rate of change of speed of the particle. On circular path with constant speed tangential acceleration
is zero.

Centripetal Acceleration (𝒂𝒂𝒄𝒄 ):

𝑎𝑎⃗𝑐𝑐 = 𝜔𝜔 �⃗ × (𝜔𝜔
�⃗ × 𝑣𝑣⃗ ⇒ 𝑎𝑎⃗𝑐𝑐 = 𝜔𝜔 �⃗ × 𝑟𝑟⃗)

�⃗ is in 𝚥𝚥̂ direction, then direction of 𝑎𝑎⃗𝑐𝑐 is along 𝚥𝚥̂ × (𝚥𝚥̂ × 𝚤𝚤̂)

Let 𝑟𝑟⃗ is in 𝚤𝚤̂ direction and 𝜔𝜔

= 𝚥𝚥̂ × �−𝑘𝑘� � = −𝚤𝚤̂ opposite direction of 𝑟𝑟⃗ i.e. from 𝑃𝑃 to 𝑂𝑂 and it is centripetal
direction.

Magnitude of centripetal acceleration is

𝑣𝑣 2 𝑣𝑣 2
𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 = 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔 = = 𝜔𝜔2 𝑟𝑟 ⇒ 𝑎𝑎⃗𝑐𝑐 = (−𝑟𝑟̂ )
𝑟𝑟 𝑟𝑟

Net Linear Acceleration:

As 𝑎𝑎 𝑇𝑇 ⊥ 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 so that

By 𝑎𝑎⃗ = 𝑎𝑎⃗ 𝑇𝑇 + 𝑎𝑎⃗𝑐𝑐 ⇒ |𝑎𝑎⃗| = �𝑎𝑎2𝑇𝑇 + 𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐2

Uniform Circular Motion:

When a particle moves in a circle at a constant speed then the motion is said to be a uniform circular motion.

In this motion, position vector Keep changing continuously.

Speed is constant, so that

𝑎𝑎⃗ 𝑇𝑇 = 0 𝛼𝛼 = 0

Acceleration of particle 𝑎𝑎⃗ = 𝑎𝑎⃗𝑐𝑐 = 𝜔𝜔

�⃗ × 𝑣𝑣⃗

Or 𝑎𝑎 = 𝜔𝜔𝜔𝜔

𝑣𝑣 2
∴ 𝑎𝑎 = = 𝜔𝜔2 𝑟𝑟 = Centripetal acceleration
𝑟𝑟
Due to centripetal acceleration the velocity of the particle keeps on changing the direction i.e. the particle is
accelerated.

APNI KAKSHA 13
Practice Questions

Q1. A cyclist starts from the centre 𝑂𝑂 of a circular park of radius 1 km, reaches the edge 𝑃𝑃 of the park, then
cycles along the circumference, and returns to the centre along 𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄 as shown in Fig. If the round trip
takes 10 min, what is the (a) net displacement, (b) average velocity, and (c) average speed of the cyclist?
[NCERT Exercise]

Sol. a) As the initial and the final pointscoincide at the centre of the circle therefore, the net
displacement of the cyclist is zero.
b) The average velocity is the ratio of net displacement to the total time taken during the motion.
Since, the net displacement of the cyclist is zero therfore, the average velocity is also zero.
c) Average speed of the cyclist is given by the relation:
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝ℎ 𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙ℎ
Average speed =
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡
1
Total path length = 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂 + 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 + 𝑄𝑄𝑄𝑄 = 1 + (2𝜋𝜋 × 1) + 1
4
1
= 2 + 𝜋𝜋 = 3.570 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
2
10 1
Time taken = 10 min = = ℎ
60 6
3.570
∴ Average speed = = 21.42 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/ℎ
1
6

Q2. A passenger arriving in a new town wishes to go from the station to a hotel located 10 km away on a
straight road from the station. A dishonest cabman takes him along a circuitous path 23 km long and
reaches the hotel in 28 min. What is (a) the average speed of the taxi, (b) the magnitude of average
velocity? Are the two equal? [NCERT Exercise]

Sol. Given, the actual path length travelled is 23 km, displacement is 10 km and the time taken is 28 min.
a) Average speed of the taxi is given as,
Total Path length
𝑣𝑣𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 =
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇

Substitute the values in above equation.

Total Path length 23𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 23𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑣𝑣𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = = = 28 = 49.3 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/ℎ
𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 28 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
60ℎ𝑟𝑟
Hence, the average speed of the taxi is 49.3 km/h.
b) Magnitude of the average velocity is given as,
𝑣𝑣𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = Displacement/Time
Substitute the values in the above equation.
10 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
𝑣𝑣𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = Displacement/Time = 10 km/(28 min) = 28 = 21.4 km/h
ℎ𝑟𝑟
60

c) From the calculation in (a) and (b), it is obtained that the average speed is not equal to the
magnitude of average velocity.

APNI KAKSHA 14
Q3. Rain is falling vertically with a speed of 30 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1 . A woman rides a bicycle with a speed of 10 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑠 −1
in the north to south direction. What is the direction in which she should hold her umbrella?
[NCERT Exercise]
Sol. Given: The velocity of rain falling vertically is 30 𝑚𝑚𝑠𝑠 −1 and velocity of bicycle is 10 𝑚𝑚𝑠𝑠 −1 in north to
south direction.
The situation can be described as shown in the figure below.
The direction in which the woman holds the
umbrella is given by,
|𝑣𝑣𝑏𝑏 |
tan 𝜃𝜃 =
|𝑣𝑣𝑅𝑅 |
Where, velocity of bicycle is 𝑣𝑣𝑏𝑏 and velocity of rain is 𝑣𝑣𝑅𝑅 .
By substituting the given values in the above expression,
we get
1
tan 𝜃𝜃 = 10/30 = 𝜃𝜃 = tan−1 � � = 18°26′
3
Thus, the woman must hold the umbrella toward the
south, at an angle of 18°26′ with the vertical.

Q4. A man can swim with a speed of 4.0 km/h in still water. How long does he take to cross a river 1.0 km
wide if the river flows steadily at 3.0 km/h and he makes his strokes normal to the river current? How
far down the river does he go when he reaches the other bank? [NCERT Exercise]

Sol. Here vector 𝑣𝑣𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = 4 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘ℎ−1 = velocity of man in still water.

Vector 𝑣𝑣𝑟𝑟 = 3 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘ℎ−1
OA = 1 km
Let 𝑡𝑡 = time taken by man to reach the other bank
1
Then, 𝑡𝑡 = 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂/𝑣𝑣𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀 = = 0.25 ℎ = 15 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚.
4

Distance, 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 𝑣𝑣𝑅𝑅 × 𝑡𝑡 = 3 × 0.25 = 0.75 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 750 𝑚𝑚.

Q5. A cricketer can throw a ball to a maximum horzontal distance of 100 m. How much high above the
ground can the cricketer throw the same ball? [NCERT Exercise]
Sol. Maximum horizontal distance, 𝑅𝑅 = 100 𝑚𝑚
The cricketer will only be able to throw the ball to the maximum horizontal distance when the angle
of projection is 45°, i.e., 𝜃𝜃 = 45°.
The horizontal range for a projection velocity 𝑣𝑣, is given by the relation:
𝑅𝑅 = (𝑢𝑢 2 sin 2𝜃𝜃)/𝑔𝑔
100 = (𝑢𝑢2 sin 90°)/𝑔𝑔
𝑢𝑢2 /𝑔𝑔 = 100 …(i)
The balll will achieve the maximum height when
it is thrown vertcally upward. For such motion,
the final velocity 𝑣𝑣 is zero at the maximum height 𝐻𝐻.
Acceleration , 𝑎𝑎 = −𝑔𝑔
Using the third equation of motion:
𝑣𝑣 2 − 𝑢𝑢2 = −2𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔
𝑢𝑢2 100
𝐻𝐻 = = = 50 𝑚𝑚
2𝑔𝑔 2

APNI KAKSHA 15