Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Module 7 Title: Rectilinear Motion with Constant Acceleration and

Free Falling Bodies (Air Resistance Neglected)

Module Introduction/Rationale:

In this module, we will discuss the principles of dynamics and its applications based on the
Newton’s Laws of Motion for a particle.

Module Outcomes:
CO3: Analyze static and dynamic equilibrium of particles and rigid bodies.
CO4: Analyze particles and rigid bodies in motion using energy and momentum methods.

Lesson 1 Title: Rectilinear Motion with Constant Acceleration and Free Falling Bodies (Air Resistance Neglected)
Lesson Outcomes:
At the end of this topic the learner should be able to:
1. define dynamics and identify the two branches of dynamics
2. determine the value of displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time
3. solve the different parameters based on the formula of rectilinear motion and free falling
bodies

PRINCIPLES OF DYNAMICS

Dynamics is the branch of mechanics which deals with the study of bodies in motion.

Three Kinds of Units which form the foundation of Dynamics

1. Force
2. Length
3. Time

Two Branches of Dynamics

1. Kinematics – used to define the motion of a particle or body without consideration of the forces
causing or affecting the motion. It is essentially a treatment of the relations between
displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

2. Kinetics – is that part of dynamics which relates the force acting on a body to its mass and acceleration.

Kinds of Motion
1. Rectilinear Motion – if the particle moves along a straight line.
2. Curvilinear Motion – if the particle moves along a curved path.

Particle – usually denotes an object of point size.

Body – denotes a system of particles which form an object of appreciable size.

Displacement – it’s the change in position referred to some fixed point. Displacement is a vector quantity
since it has magnitude, direction and position.

Distance = 500 meters

Displacement = 500 meters from A to B, 500 meters going down south

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Velocity – is defined as the time rate of change of displacement.

Speed = 20 km/hr
Velocity = 20 km/hr from A to B, 20 km/hr going down south

Acceleration – is defined as the time rate of change of velocity.

Acceleration = 3 km/sec per sec = 3 km/sec2 (direction is the same with the velocity)

Newton’s Laws of Motion for a Particle

1. Law of Inertia

A body remains at rest or continues in uniform motion along a straight line unless it is impelled by
an external force to change that state.

A particle acted upon by a balanced force system has no acceleration

2. Law of Mass and Acceleration

A body acted upon by an external force receives acceleration in the direction of the force that is
proportional to the force and inversely proportional to the mass of the body.

A particle acted upon by an unbalanced force system has an acceleration in line with and directly
proportional to the resultant of the force system.

3. Law of Action and Reaction

For every action upon a body, it exerts an equal, opposite, and collinear reaction.
Action and reaction forces between two particles are always equal and oppositely directed.

According to Newton’s Third Law of Motion

In the case of a particle accelerated by a resultant force, this reaction is called the inertia of the
particle. If the inertia force is considered to act on a particle together with the resultant force, the particle
will be in a state of equilibrium. This will be called dynamic equilibrium.

Inertia Force – is the equal but oppositely directed reactions to the resultant force which causes the
particle to move.

Dynamic Equilibrium – the particle is at rest or is moving with constant velocity.

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Rectilinear Motion with Constant Acceleration

Three Kinematic Equations of Motion with Constant Acceleration

Vf = Vi + at
S = Vi t + ½ at 2
Vf 2 = Vi 2 +2aS

Where: Vf = final velocity

Vi = initial velocity
S = distance travelled
t = time
a = acceleration

Note: motion with uniform velocity is a special case of constant acceleration in which the acceleration is
zero.

Free Falling Bodies (Air Resistance Neglected)

Vf = Vi + gt Vf = 0
Y = Vi t + ½ gt 2
Vf 2 = Vi 2 +2gY

Where: Vf = final velocity

Vi = initial velocity Vi (+) V (-)
Y = vertical distance travelled Y (+) Y (+)
t = time g (-) g (+)
g = gravitational acceleration
g = 9.81 m/sec2 or 32.20 ft/sec2

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Sample Problem:
1. A car accelerates from 12 m/sec to 50 m/sec in 10 seconds. Determine the average acceleration of the
car.
Solution:

Vi = 12 m/sec
Vf = 50 m/sec
t = 10 seconds
Vf = Vi + at
Vf  Vi 50m / sec  12m / sec 38m / sec
a = =
t 10 sec 10 sec
2
a = 3.80 m/sec/sec = 3.80 m/sec answer

2. A motorcycle accelerates from rest at a constant rate of 0.75 m/sec2. Determine the speed of the
motorcycle 20 seconds later.
Solution:

Vi = 0
2
a = 0.75 m/sec
t = 20 seconds
Vf = Vi + at
Vf = 0 + (0.75)(20)
Vf = 15 m/sec answer

3. An automobile starting from rest speeds up to 48 ft/sec with a constant acceleration of 4 ft/sec2, runs
this speed for a time, and finally comes to rest with a deceleration of 6 ft/sec2. If the total distance
travelled is 1200 ft, find the total time required.
2 2
a = 4 ft/sec a = – 6 ft/sec
V=0 V=0
A’ B’
A B
SA-A’ SA’-B’ SB’-B

Total distance = 1200 ft

Solution:

From A to A’ From B’ to B From A’ to B’ (the automobile is moving on a uniform

velocity)
Vi = 0 (from rest) Vi = 48 ft/sec
Vf = 48 ft/sec Vf = 0 (to rest) Total Distance = SAA’ + SA’B’ + SB’B
a = 4 ft/sec
2
a = – 6 ft/sec
2 1200 = 288 + + SA’B’ + 192
Vf = Vi + at Vf = Vi + at SA’B’ = 720 ft.
48 = 0 + (4) t 0 = 48 + (– 6) t
a = 0 (constant acceleration)
48 ft / sec 48 ft / sec V = 48 ft/sec
t= 2
t= S = 720 ft
4 ft / sec 6 ft / sec 2
S = Vt
t = 12 sec. t = 8 sec. 720 = (48) t
2 2
S = Vi t + ½ at S = Vi t + ½ at t = 15 sec
2 2
S = 0 + ½ (4) (12) S = 48(8) + ½ (– 6) (8) Total Time = 12 + 8 + 15 = 35 sec. answer
S = 288 ft S = 192 ft.
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4. Two cars A and B have a velocity of 88 ft/sec in the same direction. Car A is 250 ft behind car B when
the brakes are applied to car B causing it to decelerate at the constant rate of 10 ft/sec2. In what time
will car A overtake car B, and how far will each car have travelled?

V = 88 ft/sec tA = t B
A

A B 2 B
aB= – 10 ft/sec

250 ft SB

SA = 250 + SB

Solution:

For car A
V = 88 ft/sec
a = 0 (moving on a uniform velocity)
2
SA = Vi t + ½ at
SA = (88) tA ------------- equation 1

For car B
V = 88 ft/sec
2
a = – 10 ft/sec
2
SB = Vi tB + ½ atB
2
SB = (88) tB + ½ (– 10) tB
2
SB = 88 tB – 5 tB ------------ equation 2

SA = 250 + SB ---------------- equation 3

t A = tB

In equation 3
SA = 250 + SB
2
88 tA = 250 + 88 tB – 5 tB but tA = tB
2
88 tB = 250 + 88 tB – 5 tB 88 tB can be cancelled out
2
5 tB = 250
250
tB = = 7.07 sec.
5
tA = tB = 7.07 sec. answer ---------- substitute in equation 1 and 2

SA = (88) tA = 88(7.07) = 622.16 feet answer

2 2
SB = 88 tB – 5 tB = 88(7.07) – 5 (7.07) = 372. 24 feet answer

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5. An automobile moving on a constant velocity of 15 m/sec passes a gasoline station. Two seconds later,
another automobile leaves the gasoline station and accelerates at the constant rate of 2 m/sec2. How
soon will the second automobile overtake the first automobile?

Gas Station

2
B aB= 2 m/sec

B
A A
V = 15 m/sec

SA =SB

Solution:

For car A
V = 15 m/sec
a = 0 (moving on a uniform velocity)
2
SA = Vi t + ½ at
SA = (15) tA ------------- equation 1

For car B
Vi = 0 (from rest)
2
a = 2 m/sec
2
SB = Vi tB + ½ atB
2
SB = (0) tB + ½ (2) tB
2
SB = tB ------------ equation 2

SA = SB ---------------- equation 3
tA = tB + 2 seconds (additional 2 sec is the delay of car B)

In equation 3
SA = SB
2
15 tA = tB but tA = tB + 2
2
15 (tB + 2) = tB
2
15 tB + 30 = tB
2
tB – 15 tB – 30 = 0 solve tB using quadratic equation

 b  b 2  4ac
X
2a
a=1
b = –15
c = –30
 (15)  (15) 2  4(1)(30) 15  345 15  18.57
tB  = =
2(1) 2 2
tB (+) = 16.79 seconds
tB (–) = –1.79 seconds

tB = 16.79 seconds answer

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6. A stone is thrown vertically upward and return to the ground in 3 seconds. What is the initial velocity of
the stone and how high did it go?

Solution: V=0
B
From A to B
Vf = 0
2
g = – 9.81 m/sec (– is going upward)
tAB = 1.50 sec. (half of 3 sec)

Vf = Vi + gt Y = YAB = YBC
0 = Vi + (– 9.81) (1.5)
Vi = 14.72 m/sec answer
2
Y = Vi t + ½ gt
2
Y = (14.72)(1.5) + ½ (–9.81)(1.5)
Y = 11.04 m answer A C

7. A stone is dropped down a well and 2 seconds later the sound of splash is heard. If the velocity of sound
is 1120 ft/sec, what is the depth of the well?

Solution:
V=0
For the stone
Vi = 0 (the stone is dropped from the top)
2
g = + 32.20 m/sec (+ is going downward)
t1 = time for the stone to reach the surface of the water Y well = Y sound = Y stone
2
Y = Vi t + ½ gt
2
Y = (0)(t1) + ½ (32.20)t1
2
Y = 16.10 t1 ------------ equation 1

For the sound

Vi = 1120 ft/sec
g = 0 (no effect on the sound)
t2 = time for the sound to reach the top of the well
2
Y = Vi t + ½ gt
2
Y = (1120)(t2) + ½ (0)t2
Y = 1120 t2 ------------ equation 2

t = total time = 2 sec = t1 + t2

Equate 1 = 2
2
16.10 t1 = 1120 t2 but t2 = 2 – t1 t2 = 2 – t1 = 2 – 1.9456 = 0.0544 sec
2
16.10 t1 = 1120 (2 – t1)
2
16.10 t1 = 2240 – 1120 t1 in equation 1
2
2
16.10 t1 + 1120 t1 – 2240 = 0 use Q. E. Y = 16.10 t1
2
Y = 16.10 (1.9456) = 60.94 feet answer

 1120  1120 2  4(16.10)(2240) in equation 2

t1 =
2(16.10) Y = 1120 t2
t1 (+) = 1.9456 sec t1 (–) = – 71.5108 sec Y = 1120 (0.0544) = 60.93 feet answer
use t1 = 1.9456 sec

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8. A stone is dropped from the top of a tower 30 meters high. Two seconds later, another stone is thrown
vertically upward from the ground with an initial velocity of 10 m/sec. How far from the top of the
tower will the stones be at the same level?
stone A

Y stone A
(from the top of the tower)
Y tower = 30 m

Y stone B (from the ground)

Solution: stone B

For stone A
Vi = 0 (the stone is dropped from the top)
2
g = + 9.81 m/sec (+ is going downward)
t1 = time for the stone A
2
Y = Vi t + ½ gt
2
Y = (0)(t1) + ½ (9.81)t1
2
YA = 4.905 t1 ------------ equation 1

For stone B
Vi = 10 m/sec
2
g = – 9.81 m/sec (– is going upward)
t2 = time for stone B
2
Y = Vi t + ½ gt
2
Y = (10)(t2) + ½ (–9.81)t2
2
YB = 10 t2 – 4.905 t2 ------------ equation 2

t1 = t2 + 2
Y = YA + YB = 30
2 2
4.905 t1 + 10 t2 – 4.905 t2 = 30
2 2
4.905(t2 + 2) + 10 t2 – 4.905 t2 = 30
2 2
4.905 (t2 + 4t2 + 4) + 10 t2 – 4.905 t2 = 30
2 2
4.905 t2 + 19.62 t2 + 19.62 + 10 t2 – 4.905 t2 = 30
29.62t2 + 19.62 = 30
t2 = 0.3504 sec
t1 = 2 + 0.3504 = 2.3504 sec

In equation 1
2
YA = 4.905 t1
2
YA = 4.905 (2.3504)
YA = 27.10 m answer

In equation 2
2
YB = 10 t2 – 4.905 t2
2
YB = 10(0.3504) – 4.905 (0.3504)
YB = 2.90 m
Y = YA + YB = 30
Y = 27.10 + 2.90 = 30
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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

9. A ball is shot vertically upward from the ground with a velocity of 60 m/sec. After 4 sec, another ball is
shot vertically upward into the air. Determine the initial velocity of the second ball in order to meet the
first ball at 120 feet from the ground.
V=0

Y ball A (from the max H)

Y = max H that ball A

could reach

Y ball B (from the ground) = 120 m

Solution:

For Ball A Ball A Ball B

Vi = 60 m/sec
2
g = – 9.81 m/sec (– is going upward)

Solve for maximum height

2 2
Vf = Vi +2gY
2 2
(0) = (60) + 2(– 9.81) Y
Y = 183.49 m

Solve for the time to reach the max H

Vf = Vi + gt
(0) = (60) + (– 9.81)t
t = 6.11 sec

Solve for YA
183.49 = YA + YB wherein YB = 120 m
YA = 63.49 m

Time elapsed from the max H till YA

2
Y = Vi t + ½ gt
2
63.49 = (0)(tA) + ½ (9.81)tA
tA = 3.60 sec

total time of ball A = 6.11 + 3.60 = 9.71 sec

tA = tB + 4 seconds (additional 4 sec is the delay of ball B)

For Ball A
YB = 120 m
tB = tA – 4 = 9.71 – 4 = 5.71 sec.
2
Y = Vi t + ½ gt
2
120 = Vi (5.71) + ½ (–9.81) (5.71)
120 = Vi (5.71) – 159.92
Vi = 49.02 m/sec answer

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 Notes in Engineering Mechanics

Problem Set – Module 7

1. A car travelling at 20 m/sec applies the brake and comes to rest in 6 seconds. Determine the
acceleration of the car.

2. Two cars moving on the same direction have a velocity of 90 ft/sec. Car A is 100 feet behind car B. After
5 seconds, car A accelerates so that it can overtake car B. Determine the required acceleration of car A
in order to overtake car B.

3. Car A moving at a constant velocity of 25 m/sec passes a gasoline station. At the same instant, car B
leaves the same gasoline station and travels the same direction as that of car A. Determine the
required acceleration of car B in order to overtake car A after 35 seconds.

4. Two cars A and B are travelling in the same direction with a velocity of 30 m/sec. Car A is 250 meters
behind car B. After 17 seconds, car B decelerates at a constant rate. Determine the deceleration of car
B so that car A can overtake after 17 seconds.

5. A car from rest takes 5 seconds to travel a distance of 30 feet. How long will it take for the car to travel
a distance of 500 feet?

6. A train travels between two stations 1500 meters apart in a minimum time of 70 seconds. If the train
accelerates and decelerates at 2.90 m/sec2, starting from rest at the first station and coming to a stop
at the second station. Determine the maximum speed. How long does it travel at this top speed?

7. A stone is dropped from the top of a 60 ft-tower. At the same instant another stone is thrown vertically
upward from the ground. Compute the initial velocity of the second stone if they will pass each other
15 ft from the ground.

8. A stone is thrown vertically upward from the ground with a velocity of 12 m/sec. How long must one
wait before dropping a second stone from the top of a 9.0 m- tower if the two stones are to pass each
other 3.0 m from the top of the tower?

9. A stone is thrown vertically upward into the air from the top of a tower 30 ft high with a velocity of 40
ft/sec. At the same time another stone is thrown vertically upward from the ground with a velocity of
60 ft/sec. When and where will the stones be at the same height from the ground?

10. A stone is dropped from the top of a building with a height of 90 meters. Two seconds later another
stone is projected vertically upward from the ground with a velocity of 38 m/sec. When and where will
the stones pass each other from the ground?

11. A stone is dropped from the top of the tower and at the same time another stone is thrown vertically
upward with a velocity of 10 m/sec. If the two stones will pass each other 4.0 m from the top of the
tower, determine the height of the tower.

12. A stone is thrown vertically upward from the ground with a velocity of 15 m/sec. One second later
another stone is thrown vertically upward with a velocity of 30 m/sec. How far above the ground will
the two stones be at the same level?

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