Chapter II

ELEMENTARY
MECHANICS

1
 Rest and Motion
Rest
Define :
Position of the body
does not change with
time.
At rest ,velocity = 0

2
 Rest and Motion
Motion
Define :
Position of the body
changes with time.

3
 Distance
Define :
Total length
travelled by the
body , in any
direction.
Scalar quantity
4
 Displacement
Define :
Shortest distance
travelled by the body
from initial to final
position,
in one direction.
• Vector quantity
6
7
8
 Example
Mr. Salim starts from his house and
walks 200 m in the east direction. Then
he goes 200 m in the south direction
and then turns to the west and walks
200 m. Finally he turns 200 m to the
north and reaches home.
What is the total distance
travelled by Mr.Salim?
What is the net displacement?
(Distance =800 m,
Displacement =0 m)
11
 Distance = 200 m + 200 m + 200 m
+ 200 m
= 800 m
Displacement =0 m
( As the initial and final positions 12
 Example
If a camel starts its walk from the point A
to B to C to D and stops at the point E,
calculate its distance and displacement.

13
Solution

14
 Exercises
1) A car moves from A-B-C-D-E-F.
Calculate the distance and the
displacement of the car.

Distance=18 m,
Displacement=8.246 m
15
16
 Example
An object moves from point A to B
along the circle shown in the figure
below.
a)Find the distance covered by the
moving object.
b) Find the magnitude of the
displacement of the object.

17
18
19
20
 HOMEWORK
An object moves from point a)A to C
b) A to D c) A to A along the circle
shown in the figure below.
i)Find the distance covered by the
moving object.
ii) Find the magnitude of the
displacement of the object.

21
a)A to C.

22
b)A to D

23
c)A to A

24
Speed,Velocity and Acceleration

25
Speed

26
Speed

27
Velocity

28
Speed = 100 m/ s

Velocity = 100 m/ s ,
west

29
 Acceleration

𝒗 −𝒖 𝒎
𝒂= ( )
𝒕 𝒔
𝟐

a = 8 m/s – 2 m/s = 6 m/s = 2

m/s2 3s 3s
30
 Conditions

1) If v >u (velocity
increases) ,then a= positive
and a is called acceleration.
2) If v<u (velocity
decreases), then a= negative
and a is called retardation.
3) If v=u (velocity is uniform
or constant), then a=0,no
acceleration.
31
32
 Conditions

1) If v > u ( velocity
increases )
then a = positive .
It is called acceleration.

33
 Conditions

2) If v < u , (velocity
decreases )
then a = negative
It is called retardation.

35
36
 Conditions

3) If v = u (velocity – uniform or
constant),
then a = 0. There is no
acceleration .

Velocity of car = v = u = 100 m / s

37
 Example # 4
2)A cycle accelerates from 0 m/s to 8 m/s in 3

seconds. A car accelerates from 0 m/s to 30 m/s

in 8 seconds? Which one has higher acceleration .

(cycle : a=2.66 m/s2 ,

car : a =3.75 m/s2 )

38
 Solution
cycle car
u = 0 m/s u = 0 m/s
v = 8 m/s v = 30 m/s
t=3s t=8s

Car has higher acceleration.

39
Problem

40
HW

41
 Horizontal motion
Equations of motion
1) v = u + (at)
2) v2 = u2 + (2as)
3) s = u t + ( ½ at2 )

45
 Exercises
3) A bus starting from rest moves with
a uniform acceleration of 0.1 m/s2 for 2
min. Find the speed acquired and the
distance covered by the bus?

(v=12 m/s, s =720 m)

48
 Exercises
4) A foot ball moving with
5 m/s comes to rest after
moving a distance of 50
meters.
Find the retardation?

49
50
 Exercises
5) An airplane accelerates from rest
on a runway at 3.20 m/s2 for 32.8 sec,
until it finally lifts off the ground.
Determine the distance travelled
before takeoff.

(s=1721.34 m)
51
52
 HW

Salim is waiting at a traffic signal.

When it finally turns green, he
accelerated from rest at a rate of
6 m/s2 for a time of 4.10 seconds.
Determine the displacement of
Salim's car.

53
 Solved problems
from course material
A racing car is travelling with an initial velocity of 10 m/s. It
accelerates uniformly covering a distance of 725 m in 10 s.
Find its acceleration.
Given Find
Initial velocity, u = 10 m/s a =?
Distance, s = 725 m
Time, t = 10 s
s = u t + ½ a t2
725 = (10 x 10) + [½ x a x (10)2]
725 = (100) + [½ x a x 100]
725 –100 = 50 x a
625 = 50 x a
55
2
 HW
A car going at 20 m/s comes to rest in a
distance of 30 m. What is its retardation?

56
 Vertical motion

Upward motion Downward

motion
(body thrown up) (free falling
motion)

58
Vertical motion

59
 Vertical motion

Upward motion (A body is

thrown up )

60
 Vertical motion
B. Downward motion (or) Free falling
motion

61
 Vertical motion
Gravity:
Force that attracts a body
towards the centre of the earth.
Acceleration due to Gravity:
Acceleration with which a body is
attracted towards the ground .
(for Earth g = 9.8 m/s2 )

62
Vertical motion

63
 2. Vertical motion
Vertical motion
Upward motion Downward motion
Initial velocity in the Initial velocity at
ground = u maximum height = u = 0
Final velocity Final velocity in the
at maximum height = v = 0 ground = v
2 2
a = – g = – 9.8 m/s a = g = 9.8 m/s

64
Conditions for upward motion:

a) a = – g = – 9.8 m/s2
b) v = 0 m/s
Conditions for downward motion:
a) a = g = 9.8 m/s2
b) u = 0 m/s

65
66
 Exercises
6) Said throws a ball vertically upwards
with an initial velocity of
10 m/s. Determine the height
to which the ball will rise
above its initial height.

( s = 5.1 m)

67
68
 Exercises
7) Abdulla throws a tennis ball
straight up into the air.
It reaches a height of 360 cm.
Determine the
initial velocity
of the tennis ball. Find the
time taken to reach its
maximum height?
(u =8.4m/s , t = 69
70
71
72
8) Mazen drops a ball from the top of a
roof located 5 meters above the
ground.
Determine the time taken by the ball
to
reach the ground.

73
74
 Exercises
8) Mazen drops a ball from the top of a
roof located 5 meters above the ground.
Determine the time taken by the ball to
reach the ground.

(t =1.01 sec )

75
 Exercises
9) A ball is dropped vertically from
a tower. If the ball takes 5 s to fall
to the floor,
calculate:
a) its speed as it lands
b) the height from which it fell.

(v = 49m/s, s
=122.5 m )
76
.

77
 Home work
A construction worker accidentally
knocks a brick from a building so that it
falls vertically down a distance of 50m
to the ground. Calculate (a) the time
taken for the brick to reach the ground,
(b) the speed of the brick as it hits the
ground.

t =3.19 s
v =31.3
m/s 78
 Home work
A ball is thrown straight upward
from the ground with initial velocity
50 m/s.
Find the maximum height that the
ball attains and the time taken to
reach maximum height.

79
80
81
 Up and down
Amer throws a ball vertically
upwards with an initial velocity of
2.5 m/s. With what velocity should
his friend Suhail throw the ball so
that it reaches double the
height of that of Amer?
(2.0 marks)
82
 Projectiles
Let a body be thrown into air with initial velocity u at an

angle of projection, θ to horizontal (θ should be between 0o to

90o).

It takes a parabolic path.

Projectile:

Define:

A body, which is thrown into air that moves in a parabolic path is a called a projectile.

85
86
87
 Projectiles
Example:
Motion of a football or a golf
ball in air.

88
Projectiles

89
Projectiles

90
 Time of flight ,T

Definition : It is the time taken

by the projectile to cover the
distance between its initial and
final position.

91
 Range or Horizontal
distance ,R
Definition :

It is the maximum distance

covered by the projectile along
the x-axis.

R = u2 Sin 2θ (m)
g 92
Maximum Range

93
Maximum Range

94
 Maximum height or
Vertical height H

Definition :
It is the greatest height
attained by the projectile along
the y-axis.

95
Maximum height or
Vertical height H

96
 Exercises
10) A football is hit with a velocity of
20 m/s at an angle of 30o to the
ground. Find it’s
a) Time of flight
b) Range
c) Maximum height

(T= 2.04 s, R = 35.347 m, H = 5.1

m) 98
 Solution
Given
Initial velocity = u = 20 m/s
Angle , θ = 30o
Acceleration due to gravity = g = 9.8 m/s2

Find
T= ? R=? H=?
a) Time of flight :
(s)

T = 2.04 s
99
 Solution

b) Range :
(m)

R = 35.347 m

10
 Solution
C ) Maximum height :

H = 5.1 m

10
 Exercise
11) Find the maximum range
of a projectile if it is thrown
with an initial velocity 20m/s.

(Rmax= 40.81 m)

10
 Solution

Maximum Range :
Rmax(m)
Rmax
Rmax 40.81 m

10
Multiple Choice Questions

1) A student goes to Muscat from Salalah and

comes back to Salalah. The displacement is
(the distance between Salalah and Muscat =
1000Km ).
a)1000 km c) 2000 km
b) 0 km d) 500 km

2) A car initially at rest starts accelerating

uniformly at the rate of 3 ms-2. The speed of
the car after 20 seconds is
a) 70 m/s c)60 m/s
b) 40 m/s d) 80 m/s
10
Multiple Choice Questions

1) A student goes to Muscat from Salalah and

comes back to Salalah. The displacement is
(the distance between Salalah and Muscat =
1000Km ).
a)1000 km c) 2000 km
b) 0 km d) 500 km

2) A car initially at rest starts accelerating

uniformly at the rate of 3 ms-2. The speed of
the car after 20 seconds is
a) 70 m/s c)60 m/s
b) 40 m/s d) 80 m/s
10
3) If a bus travelling at 20 m/s is
subjected to retardation of 5
m/s2, how much time it takes to
come to rest.
a) 2 s b) 3 s
c) 4 s d) 5 s
4) A body is thrown upwards. What is
its velocity at maximum height?
a) Zero c) maximum
b) Negative d) none of the
above

10
3) If a bus travelling at 20 m/s is
subjected to retardation of 5
m/s2, how much time it takes to
come to rest.
a) 2 s b) 3 s
c) 4 s d) 5 s
4) A body is thrown upwards. What is
its velocity at maximum height?
a) Zero c) maximum
b) Negative d) none of the
above

10
5) An object is travelling with a velocity
60 kmph , the displacement covered in 2
hours
a) 60 km c) 1 km
b) 120 km d) 180 km
6) A car starts from rest and uniformly
accelerates to a final speed of 20 m/s in a
time of 15 seconds. What is the
acceleration of the car?
a) 1.33 m/s2 c) 8 m/s 2

b) 4.3 m/s2 d) 4 m/s

10
5) An object is travelling with a velocity
60 kmph , the displacement covered in 2
hours
a) 60 km c) 1 km
b) 120 km d) 180 km
6) A car starts from rest and uniformly
accelerates to a final speed of 20 m/s in a
time of 15 seconds. What is the
acceleration of the car?
a) 1.33 m/s2 c) 8 m/s 2

b) 4.3 m/s2 d) 4 m/s

10
7) A body is thrown upwards with 10
m/s. What is its velocity in the
ground?
a) 10 m/s c) 20 m/s
b) 0 m/s d) 1 m/s

8) The velocity of a freely falling

body, when it touches the ground is
a) Minimum c)Zero
b) Maximum d) We
cannot say
11
7) A body is thrown upwards with 10
m/s. What is its velocity in the
ground?
a) 10 m/s c) 20 m/s
b) 0 m/s d) 1 m/s

8) The velocity of a freely falling

body, when it touches the ground is
a) Minimum c)Zero
b) Maximum d) We
cannot say
11
 9) A ball is dropped from the top
of building. It strikes the ground
with a speed of 30 m/s. Find the
time taken to reach the ground.
a) 5 s c) 3 s
b) 4 s d) 6 s

11
 9) A ball is dropped from the top
of building. It strikes the ground
with a speed of 30 m/s. Find the
time taken to reach the ground.
a) 5 s c) 3 s
b) 4 s d) 6 s

11
 10) A ball is projected vertically
upwards with a certain velocity. It
takes 40 seconds for its upward
journey. The time taken for its
downward journey is
a) 10 s c) 30 s
b) 20 s d) 40 s

11
 10) A ball is projected vertically
upwards with a certain velocity. It
takes 40 seconds for its upward
journey. The time taken for its
downward journey is
a) 10 s c) 30 s
b) 20 s d) 40 s

11
11) A free falling body reaches the ground with
g equal to _________.
a) 9.8 m/s2 c) 0 m/s2
b) - 9.8 m/s2 d) 1.63 m/s2

12) A ball which is thrown up, reaches

maximum height with g equal to
________.
a) 9.8 m/s2 c) 0 m/s2
b) - 9.8 m/s2 d) 1.63 m/s2

11
11) A free falling body reaches the ground with
g equal to _________.
a) 9.8 m/s2 c) 0 m/s2
b) - 9.8 m/s2 d) 1.63 m/s2

12) A ball which is thrown up, reaches

maximum height with g equal to
________.
a) 9.8 m/s2 c) 0 m/s2
b) - 9.8 m/s2 d) 1.63 m/s2

11
13) When a car is speeding , its
acceleration
is ________________.
a) positive c) negative
b) zero d) constant

14) When an airplane is landing , its

acceleration is ________________ .
a) positive c) negative
b) zero d) constant
11
13) When a car is speeding , its
acceleration
is ________________.
a) positive c) negative
b) zero d) constant

14) When an airplane is landing , its

acceleration is ________________ .
a) positive c) negative
b) zero d) constant
11
15) The path of a projectile is a
________________ .
a) circle c) parabola
b) ellipse d) straight line
16) The angle of projection is _________

to get maximum range in a

projectile.
a) 30o c) 60o
b) 45o d) 90o
12
15) The path of a projectile is a
________________ .
a) circle c) parabola
b) ellipse d) straight line
16) The angle of projection is _________

to get maximum range in a

projectile.
a) 30o c) 60o
b) 45o d) 90o
12
 Home work question
1) A jet plane needs a speed of 100m/s
before it can take off. If such a plane
spends 30s on the runway, find
a) Its acceleration
b) the minimum length of the runway
(a = 3.33 m/s2 , s = 1498.5 m)

12
 Upward and downward
motion
Anas throws a ball upwards with a velocity of 6
m/s from a top of a cliff at a height of 95 m from
the ground. The ball then moves downwards and
hits the ground.
a) What is the distance covered before it hits the
ground?
b) What is its velocity when it hits the ground?
c) How long does it take for the ball to hit the
ground?
(4 marks)

12
12
12