Sample problems based on velocity

Problem 1. In a projectile motion, velocity at maximum height is [AIEEE 2002]

(a)
2
cosu u
(b) u cos u (c)
2
sinu u
(d) None of these
Solution : (b) In a projectile motion at maximum height body possess only horizontal
component of velocity i.e. u cosu.
Problem 2. A body is thrown at angle 30
o
to the horizontal with the velocity of 30
m/s. After 1 sec, its velocity will be (in m/s) (g = 10 m/s
2
)
(a) 7 10 (b) 10 700 (c) 7 100 (d) 40
Solution : (a) From the formula of instantaneous velocity u sin 2
2 2 2
t g u t g u v + =
o
v 30 sin 1 10 30 2 1 ) 10 ( ) 30 (
2 2 2
+ = s m / 7 10 =

Problem 3. A projectile is fired at 30
o
to the horizontal. The vertical component
of its velocity is 80 ms
1
. Its time of flight is T. What will be the
velocity of the projectile at t = T/2
(a) 80 ms
1
(b) 3 80 ms
1
(c) (80/ 3 ) ms
1
(d) 40 ms
1

Solution : (b) At half of the time of flight, the position of the projectile will
be at the highest point of the parabola and at that position particle
possess horizontal component of velocity only.
Given u
vertical
80 sin = = u u s m u
o
/ 160
30 sin
80
= =
. / 3 80 30 cos 160 cos s m u u
o
horizontal
= = = u
Problem 4. A particle is projected from point O with velocity u in a direction
making an angle o with the horizontal. At any instant its position is
at point P at right angles to the initial direction of projection. Its
velocity at point P is

(a) u tano (b) u coto
(c) u coseco (d) u seco
Solution : (b) Horizontal velocity at point o cos ' ' u O =
Horizontal velocity at point o sin ' ' v P =
In projectile motion horizontal component of
velocity remains constant throughout the motion
o o cos sin u v = o cot u v =

Problem5. A particle P is projected with velocity u
1
at an angle of 30
o
with the
horizontal. Another particle Q is thrown vertically upwards with
velocity u
2
from a point vertically below the highest point of path of
P. The necessary condition for the two particles to collide at the
highest point is
(a)
2 1
u u =
u2
u1
30
o


P
Q
90
o

u
v
o
O
P
v sino
90
o

o
u

s
i
n
o

u coso
90
o

u
v
o
O
P
(b)
2 1
2u u =
(c)
2
2
1
u
u =
(d)
2 1
4u u =
Solution : (b) Both particle collide at the highest point it means the vertical
distance travelled by both the particle will be equal, i.e. the
vertical component of velocity of both particle will be equal
2 1
30 sin u u =
2
1
2
u
u
=
2 1
2u u =
Problem 6. Two seconds after projection a projectile is travelling in a direction
inclined at 30
o
to the horizontal after one more sec, it is travelling
horizontally, the magnitude and direction of its velocity are [RPET 1999]
(a)
o
m 60 sec, / 20 2 (b)
o
m 60 sec, / 3 20 (c)
o
m 30 sec, / 40 6 (d)
o
m 30 sec, / 6 40
Solution : (b) Let in 2 sec body reaches upto point A and after one more sec upto
point B.
Total time of ascent for a body is given 3 sec i.e. 3
sin
= =
g
u
t
u

30 3 10 sin = = u u ..(i)
Horizontal component of velocity remains always constant
= 30 cos cos v u u ..(ii)
For vertical upward motion between point O and A
2 sin 30 sin = g u v
o
u | | t g u v = Using
20 30 30 sin =
o
v | | 30 sin As = u u
. / 20 s m v =
Substituting this value in equation (ii)
o
u 30 cos 20 cos = u 3 10 =
..(iii)
From equation (i) and (iii) 3 20 = u and = 60 u
Problem 7. A body is projected up a smooth inclined plane (length = m 2 20 ) with
velocity u from the point M as shown in the figure. The angle of
inclination is 45
o
and the top is connected to a well of diameter 40 m.
If the body just manages to cross the well, what is the value of v
(a)
1
40

ms
(b)
1
2 40

ms
(c)
1
20

ms
(d)
1
2 20

ms
Solution : (d) At point N angle of projection of the body will be 45. Let velocity
of projection at this point is v.
If the body just manages to cross the well then well of Diameter Range =
40
2 sin
2
=
g
v u
| | = 45 As u
400
2
= v s m v / 20 =
But we have to calculate the velocity (u) of the body at point M.
For motion along the inclined plane (from M to N)
Final velocity (v) = 20 m/s,
40 m

45
o

M


40 m

45
o

M


R
N


u


v


u
O
u
B
v
A
30
o

u cosu
acceleration (a) = g sino = g sin 45
o
, distance of inclined plane
(s) = 2 20 m
2 20 .
2
2 ) 20 (
2 2
g
u = [Using v
2
= u
2
+ 2as]
400 20
2 2
+ = u u . / 2 20 s m =
Problem 8. A projectile is fired with velocity u making angle u with the
horizontal. What is the change in velocity when it is at the highest
point
(a) u cosu (b) u (c) u sinu (d) (u cosu u)
Solution : (c) Since horizontal component of velocity remain always constant
therefore only vertical component of velocity changes.
Initially vertical component u sin u and Finally it becomes zero. So
change in velocity u sin u =