HOTS Kinematics

Problem 1: A particle moves along X-axis obeying the equation x = t (t 1) (t 2) where x is

in metre & t in second. Find the (a) initial velocity and acceleration of the particle (b)
velocity & acceleration of the particle when its displacement is zero (c) displacement &
acceleration of the particle when its velocity is zero.

Solution :
(a) x = t (t 1) (t 2)

. . . (i)

x = t3 3t2 + 2t
v = dx/dt = 3t2 6t + 2

. . . (ii)

At time t = 0 , v = 2 m/sec. &

a = dv/dt = 6t 6 = 6(t 1)

. . . (iii)

at time t = 0, a = -6m/sec2 .

(b) Displacement of the particle is zero at time t given by

x = t (t 1) (t2) = 0

t=0,t=1&t=2

putting the values of t in eq. (ii) & (iii) we obtain,

velocity v = +2 , -1 & +2 m/sec. respectively.
Acceleration a = 6 , 0 & +6 m/sec2 respectively.

(c) velocity v = 0
v = 3t2 6t + 2 = 0
t = 1 + (1/3)

& t = 1 (1/3)

By putting these values of t in eq. (i) we obtain,

x = (2/33) & (2/33) m respectively & the corresponding acceleration can be obtained
by putting the values of t in equation (iii) given by
a = 23 m/sec2 & 23 m/s2 respectively
Problem 3 : An elevator of height h is ascending with an acceleration a. After a time t a coin
is dropped from the top of the elevator. When will the coin strike the bottom of the elevator ?
Solution: Let after a time t from the instant of release, the coin strikes the floor of the elevator.
The coin was moving with the elevator with a velocity, say v. Just after losing contact it begins to
ascend with same velocity v (obeying the law of inertia of motion).
Since the net displacement S1 of the coin during time t is downward (w.r.t the initial position or
point of release)
S1 = gt2 vt

(i)

The net displacement S2 of the ascending elevator during time t is upwards (w.r.t. the initial
position)
S2 = vt + at2

(ii)

Now, S1 + S2 = h

(iii)

Putting S1 and S2 from (i) & (ii) respectively in (iii) we obtain

Problem 4: Shown in the figure is a ring sliding freely along an inextensible string that
passes through the smooth pegs (1) & (2) at the same level. One end of the string is fixed. The
other end P is pulled with a constant velocity v, find the velocity of the ring.

Solution:

Pythagoras theorem yields

x2 + y2 = , Differentiating both sides w.r.t. t, we obtain

Since the ring slides smoothly, it always lie at the mid position maintaining equal distance from
the pegs; Therefore, x remains constant
dy/dt = vring , setting dl/dt = rate of pulling of the string = v , we find

Putting l/y = sec , we obtain vring = v sec

roblem 5: A particle is projected up from the bottom of an inclined plane of inclination a with
velocity v0. If it returns to the point of projection after an elastic impact with the plane, find
the total time of motion of the particle.
Solution: To return to the point of projection after one elastic collision the particle must meet
the plane at right angle of the particle along x axis.
vx vxo = (-g sin a)to
0 vo cos q = (-g sin a)to

(i)

Motion of the particle along y axis

vy vyo = ( gcos ) to
vy + vyo = ( gcos ) to
vo sin + (+vo sin ) = g cos to

(ii)
Equating (i) & (ii)

cot q = 2 tan a (iii)

Time of flight for to & fro motion of the particle

(from (i))

Problem 6: A particle when fired at an angle = 600 along the direction of the breadth of a
rectangular building of dimension 9m 8m 4m so as to sweep the edges. Find the range of
the projectile.
Solution :

Since the projectile touches A & B, both of these points lie on the path of the projectile. After
putting the coordinate of A in the trajectory equation of projectile we obtain ,

(i)
As we know that

(ii)
Using (i) & (ii)

 R2 4Rh cot 4h2 = 0

R = 2h (cot + cosec )
= 2h(1+ cos)/sin
= 2h cot (/2)
putting = 600 & h = 4m
R = 2 4 cot 300 = 8 3 m
Problem 7: Find the radius of a rotating wheel if the linear velocity v1 of a point on the rim is
2.5 times greater than the linear velocity v2 of a point 5 cm closer to wheel axle.
Solution :

Let the radius of the disc = r (in cm.)

v1 is 2.5 times greater than v2.

r = 2.5 r 12.5
1.5 r = 12.5
r = 12.5/1.5 = 8.33 cm.

Problem 8: A bullet is moving horizontally with certain velocity. It pierces two paper discs
rotating co-axially with angular speed w separated by a distance l . If the hole made by the
bullet on 2nd disc is shifted through an angle with respect to that in the first disc, find the
velocity of the bullet. (change of velocity in the bullet is neglected.).
Solution:

Let the bullet take a time t to travel from one disc to the other with a velocity v.
The distance between the discs l = v.t
t = l/v

(a)

When the bullet is about to hit the second disc at Q, the hole made by the bullet on the first disc
at P will rotate through an angle during the time t = l/v
= t ..(b)
Using (a) & (b)
t = l/v = /
v = l/