Task 1: Vector components and free body diagrams

Question 1: For each of the following, determine the components that make up the
resultant vector.

a. ∣∣F⇀g∣∣=40NF⇀g=40N

Given: Fg = 40N

θ = 25°
Unknown: Fgy=?

Fgx=?

Solving for Horizontal-Component:

Sinθ=Fgx/Fg

Fgx=Fg Sinθ

=(40N)(Sin25o)

=16.9N

=-17N

Solving for Vertical-Component:

Cosθ=Fgy/Fg

Fgy=Fg Cosθ

=(40N)(Cos25o)
 = 36.3N

= -36N

Statement:

Therefore, the Horizontal-Component, Fgx of this vector is -17N and the Vertical-Component,
Fgy of this vector is -36N.

b. v⇀=25m/s[N15°E]

Given: v = 25m/s
θ = 15o
Unknown: vx = ?
vy = ?
Solving for Horizontal-Component:
Sinθ=vx/v
Vx = vSinθ
= (25m/s)(sin15o)
=6.47 m/s
= 6.5 m/s [E]
Solving for Vertical-Component:
Cosθ=vy/v
Vy=vCosθ
=(25m/s)(cos15o)
 = 24.2 m/s
=24 m/s [N]
Statement:
Therefore, the Horizontal-Component, vx of this vector is 6.5 m/s [E] and the Vertical-
Component, vy of this vector s 24 m/s [N].
c. A person throws a ball with an initial velocity of 16 m/s, 65° above the

horizontal. 

Given: v = 17 m/s

θ = 65o

Unknown: vx = ?
vy = ?
Solving for Vertical-Component:
Sinθ=vy/v
Vy=vSinθ
=(17 m/s)(sin65o)
= 15.4 m/s
= 15 m/s [N]
Solving for Horizontal-Component:
Cosθ=vx/v
Vx=vCosθ
=(17 m/s)(cos65o)
 = 7.18 m/s
= 7.2 m/s [E]
Statement:
Therefore, the Horizontal-Component, vx of this vector is 7.2 m/s [E] and the Vertical-
Component, vy of this vector s 15 m/s [N].

Question 2: For each of the following draw a free body diagram that includes all of the
forces acting on the object described.

a. A 40 kg box on a level floor is pulled by a rope attached to the box. The ropes makes
an angle of 21° with the horizontal. A force of friction opposes the motion.

b. A refrigerator sits on a level floor and a person tries to push on it with a force parallel
to the floor. The refrigerator does not move.
Task 2: Relative velocity and projectile motion problem solving

For the problems below, complete the procedural instructions for each problem.

Question 1: A helicopter flies with an airspeed of 42.5 m/s [W]. If the wind is traveling with
a velocity of 25.0 m/s [E30°S] relative to the ground then determine the velocity of the
helicopter relative to the ground.

a. Use the data from the question to determine the velocity components for the
helicopter’s speed relative to the air and the wind’s speed relative to the ground.

Given: Vpa (velocity of helicopter relative to the air)= 42.5 m/s [W]

Vag (velocity of wind relative to the ground) =25.0 m/s [E30oS]

Unknown: Vpax=?

Vpay=?

Vagx=?

Vagy=?

Solving for Vpax:

The vector only has a horizontal component which is 42.5 m/s [W].

Solving for Vpay:

There is no vertical component.

Solving for Vagx:

Cosθ = Vagx/Vag

Vagx = Vagcosθ

= (25.0 m/s)(cos30o)

= 21.65 m/s

= 21.7 m/s [E]

Solving for Vagy:

Sinθ = Vagy/Vag

Vagy = Vagsinθ
 = (25.0 m/s)(sin30o)

= 12.5 m/s [S]

Statement:

The Horizontal-Component, Vpax of the helicopter’s airspeed is 42.5 m/s [W] and the
Vertical-Component, Vpay of the helicopter’s airspeed is 0 m/s [S].

The Horizontal-Component, Vagx of the airspeed relative to the ground is 21.7 m/s [E] and
the Vertical-Component, Vagy of the airspeed relative to the ground is 12.5 m/s [S].

b. Use your velocity components from part (a) and determine the resultant velocity for
each component. (In other words, determine the resultant horizontal component for
the helicopter’s ground speed and the resultant vertical component for the
helicopter’s ground speed).

Given: Vpax = 42.5 m/s [W]

Vpay = 0 m/s [S]

Vagx = 21.7 m/s [E]

Vagy = 12.5 m/s [S]

Unkown: Vpgx = ?

Vpgy = ?

Solving for Vpgx:

Vpgx = Vpax + Vagx

= 42.5 m/s [W] + 21.7 m/s [E]

= 42.5 m/s [W] + (-21.7 m/s [W])

= 20.8 m/s [W]

Solving for Vpgy:

Vpgy = Vpay + Vagy

= 0 m/s [S] + 12.5 m/s [S]

= 12.5 m/s [S]

Statement:
Therefore the resultant horizontal component for the helicopter’s ground speed, Vpgx is 20.8
m/s [W] and the resultant vertical component for the helicopter’s ground speed, V pgy is 12.5
m/s [S].

c. Using your data, determine the resultant velocity of the helicopter relative to the
ground.

Given: Vpgx = 20.8 m/s [W]

Vpgy = 12.5 m/s [S]

Unknown: Vpg = ?

Solving for Vpg:

Vpg = Vpgx + Vpgy

= √ Vpg x 2 +Vpg y 2

m 2 2
m
=
√( 20.8
s )(+ 12.5
s )
= √ 432.64+ 156.25

= √ 588.89

= 24.27 m/s

= 24.3 m/s

Tanθ = Vpgy/Vpgx

Θ = tan-1(Vpgy/Vpgx)

= tan-1(12.5 m/s /20.8 m/s)

= tan-1(0.6009615385)

= 31o

Statement:

Therefore, the resultant velocity of the helicopter relative to the ground, Vpg is 24.3 m/s
[W31oS]
Question 2: A golf ball is hit from 4.3 m above a golfing fairway with an initial velocity of
30.0 m/s at an angle of 35° above the horizontal.

a. Determine the time of flight for the ball.

Given: a = 9.8 m/s2 [down]

Δ dy = 4.3 m [down]
Vi = 30.0 m/s [35o above the horizontal]

Unknown: viy =?

vix = ?

vfy = ?

Δt=?
Solving for Viy:

Sinθ = Viy/vi

Viy = visinθ

= (30.0 m/s)(sin35o)

= 17.2 m/s [up]

= 17 m/s [up]

Solving for vix:

Cosθ = vix/vi

Vix = vicosθ

= (30.0 m/s)(cos35o)

= 24.57 m/s
 = 25 m/s [right]

Solving for Vfy:

Vfy2= viy2+2aΔdy
= ((17.2 m/s)2)+2(-9.8 m/s2)(-4.3 m)
= 295.84+84.28
Vfy = √ 380.12
= 19.5 m/s
= -19.5 m/s [up]

Solving for Δ t:

Vf = Vi + a Δ t

Δ t = (Vf – Vi)/a
= (-19.5 m/s - 17.2 m/s)/-9.8 m/s
= (-36.7)/-9.8
= 3.74
= 3.7 s
Statement:

Therefore, the time of flight for the ball, Δ t is approximately 3.7 seconds.

b. Determine the range for the golf ball.

Given: Vix= 24.6 m/s [right]

Δ t = 3.7 s

Unknown: Δdx

Solving for Δdx:

Vx = Δdx/ Δt

Δ dx = V x Δ t
= (24.6 m/s)(3.7 s)

= 91.02
 = 91 m [righ t]

Statement:

Therefore, the range for the golf ball, Δdx is approximately 91 m [right].

c. Determine the velocity for the golf ball the instant before the ball impacts the
ground.

  Given: a = 9.81 m/s2 [down]

Vfy = 19.5 m/s [down]

Δdy = 4.3 m [down]

Unknown: Vf = ?
θ=?
Solving for Vf:

Vf = √ V x 2 +V f 2

=√ ( 24.6 m/s )2+ ( 19.5 m/s )2

=√ 985.41 m2 / s2

= 31.4 m/s [down]

Answers must include a full solution process. Your final answer must include the correct
final units and the correct significant figures.

Question 1: A 120 kg piano is at the top of a ramp that makes an angle of 30° with the level
ground. As the piano slides down the ramp it experiences a force of friction. The coefficient
of kinetic friction is 0.10.

a. Draw free body diagram that represents the forces acting on the piano.

b. Determine the magnitude of the normal force acting on the piano.

Given: m = 120 kg

θ = 30o

μk = 0.10

Unknown: FN = ?

Solving for FN:

Fnety = FN + Fgy

Fnety = FN + (-mg cosθ)

There is no net force in the y direction so it can be simplified to:

FN = mg cosθ

= (120 kg)(9.8 m/s2)(cos30o)

= (1176)(cos30o)

= 1018.4 N [up]

= 1020 N [up]
Statement:

Therefore, the normal force acting on the piano is 1020 N [up] (perpendicular to the ramp).

c. Determine the magnitude of the kinetic force of friction acting on the piano.

Given: m = 120 kg

θ = 30o

μk = 0.10

FN = 1018 N

Unkown: Ff = ?

Solving for Ff:

Ff = μk FN

= (0.10)(1018 N)

= 101.8

= 102 N [right]

Statement:

Therefore, the magnitude of the kinetic force of friction acting on the piano s 102 N [right]
(parallel to the ramp).

d. Determine the acceleration of the piano along the axis parallel to the ramp (i.e. what
is the acceleration down the ramp?).

Given: m = 120 kg

θ = 30o

μk = 0.10

FN = 1018 N [up]

Ff = 102 N [right]

Unknown: Fnetx = ?

ax = ?
Solving for Fnetx:

Fnetx = Fgx + Ff

= mg sinθ + (-Ff)

= (120 kg)(9.8 m/s2)(sin30o) + (-102N)

= (1176)(sin30o)-102N

=588-102N

= 486 N

Solving for ax:

Fnetx = max

ax = Fnetx/m

= 486N/120 kg

= 4.05 m/s2 [left]

= 4.1 m/s2 [left]

Statement:

Therefore, the acceleration of the piano along the axis parallel to the ramp is 4.1 m/s 2 [left]
(parallel to the ramp).

Question 2: Keys with a combined mass of 0.100 kg are attached to a 0.25 m long string and
swung in a circle in the vertical plane.

a. Determine the slowest speed that the keys can swing and still maintain a circular
path.

Given: m = 0.100 kg

g = 9.8 m/s2 [down]

r = 0.25 m

Unknown: vmin =?

Solving for vmin:

FC = Fg

mv2/r = mg

This can be simplified to:

V = √ rg

m
√
= (0.25 m)(9.8
s2
)

= √ 2.45

= 1.565

= 1.57 m/s

Statement:

The slowest speed that the keys could swing and still maintain a circular path is 1.57 m/s.

b. Determine the magnitude of the tension in the string at the bottom of the circle.

Given: m = 0.100 kg

g = 9.8 m/s2 [down]

r = 0.25 m

vmin = 1.57 m/s

Unknown: FT = ?

FC = FT – Fg

mv2/r = FT – mg

FT = mv2/r + mg

= (0.100 kg)(1.57 m/s)2/(0.25 m) + (0.25 m)(9.8 m/s2)

= 0.628 + 2.45

= 3.078 N

= 3.08 N
Statement:

Therefore, the magnitude of the tension in the string at the bottom of the circle is 3.08 N
[toward the centre].

Question 3: Two objects are connected by a string passing over a frictionless pulley. When
the objects are in motion object A experiences a force of kinetic friction with a magnitude
equal to 5.0 N. The mass of object A is 2.1 kg and the mass of object B is 3.3 kg.

a. Determine the magnitude of acceleration for the system.

Given: g = a = 9.8 m/s2 [down]

m1 = 2.1 kg

m2 = 3.3 kg

Unknown: a = ?

Solving for a:

For m1:

Fnet = FT – Ff

m1a + Ff= FT

(2.1 kg)a + (5.0 N) = FT (Equation 1)

For m2:

Fnet = Fg2 – FT

m2 a = m 2 g – F T

(3.3 kg)a = (3.3 kg)(9.8 m/s2) – FT

(3.3 kg)a = (32.34 N) – FT (Equation 2)

Substituting equation 1 into equation 2:

(3.3 kg)a = (32.34 N) – ( (2.1 kg)a + (5.0 N) )

(5.4 kg)a = 27.34 N

a = 5.06 m/s2
 = 5.1 m/s2

Statement:

Therefore, the magnitude of acceleration for the system is 5.1 m/s 2.

b. Determine the magnitude of the tension in the string.

Given: g = a = 9.8 m/s2 [down]

m1 = 2.1 kg

m2 = 3.3 kg

a = 5.1 m/s2

Unknown: FT = ?

Solving for FT:

Fnet = FT – Ff

FT = m1a + Ff

= (2.1 kg)(5.1 m/s2) + 5.0N

= 10.71 N + 5.0 N

= 15.71 N

= 16 N

Statement:

Therefore, the magnitude of the tension in the string is 16 N.