Tutorial 1 Solutions

1. We use Eq. 2-2 and Eq. 2-3. During a time tc when the velocity remains a positive
constant, speed is equivalent to velocity, and distance is equivalent to displacement,
with ∆x = v tc.

(a) During the first part of the motion, the displacement is ∆x1 = 40 km and the time
interval is
(40 km)
t1 = = 1.33 h.
(30 km / h)

During the second part the displacement is ∆x2 = 40 km and the time interval is

(40 km)
t2 = = 0.67 h.
(60 km / h)

Both displacements are in the same direction, so the total displacement is

∆x = ∆x1 + ∆x2 = 40 km + 40 km = 80 km.

The total time for the trip is t = t1 + t2 = 2.00 h. Consequently, the average velocity is

(80 km)
vavg = = 40 km / h.
(2.0 h)

(b) In this example, the numerical result for the average speed is the same as the
average velocity 40 km/h.

(c) As shown below, the graph consists of two contiguous line segments, the first
having a slope of 30 km/h and connecting the origin to (t1, x1) = (1.33 h, 40 km) and
the second having a slope of 60 km/h and connecting (t1, x1) to (t, x) = (2.00 h, 80 km).
From the graphical point of view, the slope of the dashed line drawn from the origin
to (t, x) represents the average velocity.

2. The speed (assumed constant) is v = (90 km/h)(1000 m/km) ⁄ (3600 s/h) = 25 m/s.
Thus, in 0.50 s, the car travels (0.50 s)(25 m/s) ≈ 13 m.

3. Using x = 3t – 4t2 + t3 with SI units understood is efficient (and is the approach we

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Tutorial 1 Solutions

will use), but if we wished to make the units explicit we would write

x = (3 m/s)t – (4 m/s2)t2 + (1 m/s3)t3.

We will quote our answers to one or two significant figures, and not try to follow the
significant figure rules rigorously.

(a) Plugging in t = 1 s yields x = 3 – 4 + 1 = 0.

(b) With t = 2 s we get x = 3(2) – 4(2)2+(2)3 = –2 m.

(c) With t = 3 s we have x = 0 m.

(d) Plugging in t = 4 s gives x = 12 m.

For later reference, we also note that the position at t = 0 is x = 0.

(e) The position at t = 0 is subtracted from the position at t = 4 s to find the

displacement ∆x = 12 m.

(f) The position at t = 2 s is subtracted from the position at t = 4 s to give the

displacement ∆x = 14 m. Eq. 2-2, then, leads to

∆x 14 m
vavg = = = 7 m/s.
∆t 2s

(g) The horizontal axis is 0 ≤ t ≤ 4 with SI units understood.

Not shown is a straight line drawn from the point at (t, x) = (2, –2) to the highest point
shown (at t = 4 s) which would represent the answer for part (f).

d
4. Using the general property dx exp(bx ) = b exp(bx ) , we write

dx  d (16t )  −t  de −t 
v= =  ⋅ e + (16t ) ⋅  
dt  dt   dt 

If a concern develops about the appearance of an argument of the exponential (–t)

apparently having units, then an explicit factor of 1/T where T = 1 second can be
inserted and carried through the computation (which does not change our answer).

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Tutorial 1 Solutions

The result of this differentiation is

v = 16(1 − t ) e − t

with t and v in SI units (s and m/s, respectively). We see that this function is zero
when t = 1 s. Now that we know when it stops, we find out where it stops by
plugging our result t = 1 into the given function x = 16te–t with x in meters. Therefore,
we find x = 5.9 m.

5. We use Eq. 2-2 for average velocity and Eq. 2-4 for instantaneous velocity, and
work with distances in centimeters and times in seconds.

(a) We plug into the given equation for x for t = 2.00 s and t = 3.00 s and obtain x2 =
21.75 cm and x3 = 50.25 cm, respectively. The average velocity during the time
interval 2.00 ≤ t ≤ 3.00 s is

∆x 50.25 cm − 2175
. cm
vavg = =
∆t 3.00 s − 2.00 s

which yields vavg = 28.5 cm/s.

(b) The instantaneous velocity is v = dx

dt = 4.5t 2 , which, at time t = 2.00 s, yields v =
(4.5)(2.00)2 = 18.0 cm/s.

(c) At t = 3.00 s, the instantaneous velocity is v = (4.5)(3.00)2 = 40.5 cm/s.

(d) At t = 2.50 s, the instantaneous velocity is v = (4.5)(2.50)2 = 28.1 cm/s.

(e) Let tm stand for the moment when the particle is midway between x2 and x3 (that is,
when the particle is at xm = (x2 + x3)/2 = 36 cm). Therefore,

. t m3
xm = 9.75 + 15 ⇒ t m = 2.596

in seconds. Thus, the instantaneous speed at this time is v = 4.5(2.596)2 = 30.3 cm/s.

(f) The answer to part (a) is given by the slope of the straight line between t = 2 and t
= 3 in this x-vs-t plot. The answers to parts (b), (c), (d) and (e) correspond to the
slopes of tangent lines (not shown but easily imagined) to the curve at the appropriate
points.

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Tutorial 1 Solutions

6. We represent its initial direction of motion as the +x direction, so that v0 = +18 m/s
and v = –30 m/s (when t = 2.4 s). Using Eq. 2-7 (or Eq. 2-11, suitably interpreted) we
find

30 m/s  18 m/s

   20 m/ss
2.4 s

which indicates that the average acceleration has magnitude 20 m/s2 and is in the
opposite direction to the particle’s initial velocity.

7. We use Eq. 2-2 (average velocity) and Eq. 2-7 (average acceleration). Regarding
our coordinate choices, the initial position of the man is taken as the origin and his
direction of motion during 5 min ≤ t ≤ 10 min is taken to be the positive x direction.
We also use the fact that ∆x = v∆t ' when the velocity is constant during a time
interval ∆t' .

(a) The entire interval considered is ∆t = 8 – 2 = 6 min which is equivalent to 360 s,

whereas the sub-interval in which he is moving is only ∆t' = 8 − 5 = 3min = 180 s.
His position at t = 2 min is x = 0 and his position at t = 8 min is x = v∆t' = (2.2)(180)
= 396 m . Therefore,

396 m − 0
vavg = = 110
. m / s.
360 s

(b) The man is at rest at t = 2 min and has velocity v = +2.2 m/s at t = 8 min. Thus,
keeping the answer to 3 significant figures,

2.2 m / s − 0
aavg = = 0.00611 m / s2 .
360 s

(c) Now, the entire interval considered is ∆t = 9 – 3 = 6 min (360 s again), whereas the
sub-interval in which he is moving is ∆t' = 9 − 5 = 4 min = 240 s ). His position at
t = 3 min is x = 0 and his position at t = 9 min is x = v∆t ' = (2.2)( 240) = 528 m .
Therefore,

528 m − 0
vavg = = 147
. m / s.
360 s

(d) The man is at rest at t = 3 min and has velocity v = +2.2 m/s at t = 9 min.
Consequently, aavg = 2.2/360 = 0.00611 m/s2 just as in part (b).

(e) The horizontal line near the bottom of this x-vs-t graph represents the man
standing at x = 0 for 0 ≤ t < 300 s and the linearly rising line for 300 ≤ t ≤ 600 s
represents his constant-velocity motion. The dotted lines represent the answers to part
(a) and (c) in the sense that their slopes yield those results.

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Tutorial 1 Solutions

The graph of v-vs-t is not shown here, but would consist of two horizontal “steps”
(one at v = 0 for 0 ≤ t < 300 s and the next at v = 2.2 m/s for 300 ≤ t ≤ 600 s). The
indications of the average accelerations found in parts (b) and (d) would be dotted
lines connecting the “steps” at the appropriate t values (the slopes of the dotted lines
representing the values of aavg).

8. We use v = v0 + at, with t = 0 as the instant when the velocity equals +9.6 m/s.

(a) Since we wish to calculate the velocity for a time before t = 0, we set t = –2.5 s.
Thus, Eq. 2-11 gives

c h
v = ( 9.6 m / s) + 3.2 m / s2 ( −2.5 s) = 16
. m / s.

(b) Now, t = +2.5 s and we find

c h
v = ( 9.6 m / s) + 3.2 m / s2 ( 2.5 s) = 18 m / s.

9. The constant-acceleration condition permits the use of Table 2-1.

(a) Setting v = 0 and x0 = 0 in v 2 = v02 + 2a ( x − x0 ) , we find

1 v02 1 (5.00 × 106 ) 2

x= − =− = 0.100 m .
2 a 2 −1.25 × 1014

Since the muon is slowing, the initial velocity and the acceleration must have opposite
signs.

(b) Below are the time-plots of the position x and velocity v of the muon from the
moment it enters the field to the time it stops. The computation in part (a) made no
reference to t, so that other equations from Table 2-1 (such as v = v0 + at and
x = v0 t + 12 at 2 ) are used in making these plots.

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Tutorial 1 Solutions

10. We take +x in the direction of motion, so v0 = +24.6 m/s and a = – 4.92 m/s2. We
also take x0 = 0.

(a) The time to come to a halt is found using Eq. 2-11:

24.6 m/s
0 = v0 + at ⇒ t = = 5.00 s .
− 4.92 m/s 2

(b) Although several of the equations in Table 2-1 will yield the result, we choose Eq.
2-16 (since it does not depend on our answer to part (a)).

(24.6 m/s) 2
0 = v02 + 2ax ⇒ x = − = 61.5 m .
(
2 − 4.92 m/s 2 )
(c) Using these results, we plot v0t + 12 at 2 (the x graph, shown next, on the left) and
v0 + at (the v graph, on the right) over 0 ≤ t ≤ 5 s, with SI units understood.

11. We assume the periods of acceleration (duration t1) and deceleration (duration t2)
are periods of constant a so that Table 2-1 can be used. Taking the direction of motion
to be +x then a1 = +1.22 m/s2 and a2 = –1.22 m/s2. We use SI units so the velocity at t
= t1 is v = 305/60 = 5.08 m/s.

(a) We denote ∆x as the distance moved during t1, and use Eq. 2-16:

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Tutorial 1 Solutions

(5.08 m/s) 2
v 2 = v02 + 2a1∆x ⇒ ∆x = = 10.59 m ≈ 10.6 m.
2(1.22 m/s 2 )

(b) Using Eq. 2-11, we have

v − v0 5.08 m/s
t1 = = = 4.17 s.
a1 1.22 m/s 2

The deceleration time t2 turns out to be the same so that t1 + t2 = 8.33 s. The distances
traveled during t1 and t2 are the same so that they total to 2(10.59 m) = 21.18 m. This
implies that for a distance of 190 m – 21.18 m = 168.82 m, the elevator is traveling at
constant velocity. This time of constant velocity motion is

168.82 m
t3 = = 33.21 s.
5.08 m / s

Therefore, the total time is 8.33 s + 33.21 s ≈ 41.5 s.

12. (a) Eq. 2-15 is used for part 1 of the trip and Eq. 2-18 is used for part 2:

1 900
∆x1 = vo1 t1 + 2
a1 t12 where a1 = 2.25 m/s2 and ∆x1 = 4
m

1 3(900)
∆x2 = v2 t2 − 2
a2 t22 where a2 = −0.75 m/s2 and ∆x2 = 4
m

In addition, vo1 = v2 = 0. Solving these equations for the times and adding the results
gives t = t1 + t2 = 56.6 s.

(b) Eq. 2-16 is used for part 1 of the trip:

900
v2 = (vo1)2 + 2a1∆x1 = 0 + 2(2.25)( 4
) = 1013 m2/s2

which leads to v = 31.8 m/s for the maximum speed.

13. We assume the train accelerates from rest ( v0 = 0 and x0 = 0 ) at

a1 = +134. m / s2 until the midway point and then decelerates at a2 = −134 . m / s2
b g
until it comes to a stop v2 = 0 at the next station. The velocity at the midpoint is v1
which occurs at x1 = 806/2 = 403m.

(a) Eq. 2-16 leads to

v12 = v02 + 2a1 x1 ⇒ v1 = 2 (1.34 m/s 2 ) ( 403 m ) = 32.9 m/s.

(b) The time t1 for the accelerating stage is (using Eq. 2-15)

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Tutorial 1 Solutions

1 2 2 ( 403 m )
x1 = v0t1 + a1t1 ⇒ t1 = = 24.53 s .
2 1.34 m/s 2

Since the time interval for the decelerating stage turns out to be the same, we double
this result and obtain t = 49.1 s for the travel time between stations.

(c) With a “dead time” of 20 s, we have T = t + 20 = 69.1 s for the total time between
start-ups. Thus, Eq. 2-2 gives
806 m
vavg = = 11.7 m / s .
69.1 s

(d) The graphs for x, v and a as a function of t are shown below. SI units are
understood. The third graph, a(t), consists of three horizontal “steps” — one at 1.34
during 0 < t < 24.53 and the next at –1.34 during 24.53 < t < 49.1 and the last at
zero during the “dead time” 49.1 < t < 69.1).

14. Neglect of air resistance justifies setting a = –g = –9.8 m/s2 (where down is our –y
direction) for the duration of the fall. This is constant acceleration motion, and we
may use Table 2-1 (with ∆y replacing ∆x).

(a) Using Eq. 2-16 and taking the negative root (since the final velocity is downward),
we have

v = − v02 − 2 g ∆y = − 0 − 2(9.8 m/s 2 )(−1700 m) = −183 m/s .

Its magnitude is therefore 183 m/s.

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Tutorial 1 Solutions

(b) No, but it is hard to make a convincing case without more analysis. We estimate
the mass of a raindrop to be about a gram or less, so that its mass and speed (from part
(a)) would be less than that of a typical bullet, which is good news. But the fact that
one is dealing with many raindrops leads us to suspect that this scenario poses an
unhealthy situation. If we factor in air resistance, the final speed is smaller, of course,
and we return to the relatively healthy situation with which we are familiar.

15. We neglect air resistance, which justifies setting a = –g = –9.8 m/s2 (taking down
as the –y direction) for the duration of the motion. We are allowed to use Table 2-1
(with ∆y replacing ∆x) because this is constant acceleration motion. We are placing
the coordinate origin on the ground. We note that the initial velocity of the package is
the same as the velocity of the balloon, v0 = +12 m/s and that its initial coordinate is y0
= +80 m.

(a) We solve y = y0 + v0t − 21 gt 2 for time, with y = 0, using the quadratic formula
(choosing the positive root to yield a positive value for t).

t=
v0 + v02 + 2 gy0
=
b gb g = 5.4 s
12 + 12 2 + 2 9.8 80
g 9.8

(b) If we wish to avoid using the result from part (a), we could use Eq. 2-16, but if
that is not a concern, then a variety of formulas from Table 2-1 can be used. For
instance, Eq. 2-11 leads to

v = v0 – gt = 12 – (9.8)(5.4) = – 41 m/s.

Its final speed is 41 m/s.

16. To find the “launch” velocity of the rock, we apply Eq. 2-11 to the maximum
height (where the speed is momentarily zero)

v = v0 − gt ⇒ 0 = v0 − ( 9.8 m/s 2 ) ( 2.5 s )

so that v0 = 24.5 m/s (with +y up). Now we use Eq. 2-15 to find the height of the
tower (taking y0 = 0 at the ground level)

1 2 1 2
y − y0 = v0t + at ⇒ y − 0 = ( 24.5 m/s )(1.5 s ) − ( 9.8 m/s 2 ) (1.5 s ) .
2 2

Thus, we obtain y = 26 m.