FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA

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 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

Question 1

Which one of the physical quantities listed below is NOT correctly paired with its SI unit and
dimension?

SOLUTION

Quantity Unit Dimension

displacement m/s2 [L]/[T]2

In fact, the Unit and Dimension for the displacement are m and [L]. respectively.

Answer: D

Question 2

In the process of delivering mail, a postal worker walks 161 m, due east from his truck. He then
turns around and walks 194 m, due west from his truck. What is the worker's displacement relative
to his truck?

SOLUTION

S = displacement, W = worker, T = Truck

161 m

194 m

𝑆WT = −194 + 161 = −33 m

The worker's displacement relative to his truck 33 m, due west

Answer: D

Question 3

A car travels due east at 22 m/s. It makes a turn due south and continues to travel at 22 m/s. What
is the change in velocity of the car?
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

SOLUTION

∆v = vf − v0

∆v = −22𝑦̂ − 22𝑥̂

22 m/s
θ
22 m/s

|∆v| = √2(22)2 = 31.1 m/s

𝜃 = tan−1 1 = 45° south of west

31 m/s, 45° south of west

Answer: E

Question 4

Two-point masses m and M are separated by a distance d. If the distance between the masses is
increased to 3d, how does the gravitational force between them change?

SOLUTION

1
𝐹𝑔 ∝
𝑑2

1 1
𝐹𝑔′ ∝ 2
= 𝐹𝑔
(3𝑑) 9

The force will be one-ninth as great.

Answer: E

Question 5

A roller-coaster car is moving at 20 m/s along a straight horizontal track. What will its speed be
after climbing the 15-m hill shown in the figure, if friction is ignored?
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

SOLUTION

EM (before) = EM (after)

1 1
0 + mv02 = mghf + mvf2
2 2
1 2 1
v0 = ghf + vf2
2 2
1 1
(20)2 = (9.81)(15) + vf2
2 2

vf = 10.3 m/s ≈ 10 m/s

OR

Using the equation of motion

0 + v02 = vf2 + 2gh

(20)2 = vf2 + 2(9.81)(15)

vf = 10.3 m/s ≈ 10 m/s

Answer: D

Question 6

If the coefficient of kinetic friction, μk , between the block and the horizontal surface is 0.30 and
the magnitude of the frictional force is 80.0 N, what is the weight of the block?
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

SOLUTION

Note: N = Normal Force, W = weight and N = Newtons

W = mg

N = mg

𝑓 = 𝜇𝑁

80.0 = 0.30𝑁

80.0
𝑁=𝑊= = 266.7 N
0.30

𝑊 = 270 N

Answer: E

Question 7

A 2.0-N rock slides on a frictionless inclined plane. Which one of the following statements is
true concerning the normal force that the plane exerts on the rock?

SOLUTION

0 N < 𝑁 = 2.0 N cos 𝜃 < 2.0 N

The normal force is less than 2.0 N, but greater than zero newtons.

Answer: B
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

Question 8

Which one of the following statements concerning kinetic energy is true?

SOLUTION

Kinetic energy is always positive.

Answer: C

Question 9

Complete the following statement: A force that acts on an object is said to be conservative if

SOLUTION

the work it does on the object is independent of the path of the motion.

Answer: A

Question 10

Complete the following statement: Different types of collisions between interacting bodies are
categorized on the basis of

SOLUTION

During elastic collision, kinetic energy is conserved. In contrast, during inelastic collision,
kinetic energy is not conserved.

Therefore, “Different types of collisions between interacting bodies are categorized on the basis
of kinetic energy conservation.”

Answer: A

Question 11

A wheel with a 0.10-m radius is rotating at 35 rev/s. It then slows uniformly to 15 rev/s over a
3.0-s interval. What is the angular acceleration of a point on the wheel?

SOLUTION
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

∆𝜔
𝛼=
∆𝑡

𝜔f − 𝜔0 15 − 35
𝛼= = = −6.7 rev/s2
∆𝑡 3.0

Answer: E

Question 12

Kinetic energy K has dimensions kg m2/s2. It can be written in terms of the momentum p and
mass m as

Determine the proper units for momentum using dimensional analysis.

SOLUTION

𝑝2 = 2𝑚𝐾

𝑝 = √2𝑚𝐾

the proper units for momentum using dimensional analysis

[𝐿] 2 [𝑀][𝐿]
√[𝑀][𝑀] ( ) =
[𝑇] [𝑇]

Answer: C

Question 13

The position of a particle moving under uniform acceleration is some function of time and the
acceleration. Suppose we write this position as , where k is a dimensionless
constant. Determine the dimensions of the constants, m and n.

SOLUTION

𝐿 𝑚 𝐿 1
[𝐿] = [ 2 ] [𝑇] = [ 2 ] [𝑇]2
𝑛
𝑇 𝑇
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

Therefore m =1 and n = 2

Answer: B

Question 14

Express the speed limit of 65 miles/hour in terms of meters/second.

SOLUTION

Answer: B

Question 15

The distance d that a certain particle moves may be calculated from the expression 𝑑 = 𝑎𝑡 +
𝑏𝑡 2 , where a and b are constants; and t is the elapsed time. What must be the dimensions of the
quantities a and b be, respectively?

SOLUTION

𝑑 = 𝑎𝑡 + 𝑏𝑡 2

[𝐿] [𝐿]
𝐿= × [𝑇] + 2
× [𝑇]2
[𝑇] [𝑇]

[𝐿] [𝐿]
and 2 , respectively
[𝑇] [𝑇]

Answer: A
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

Question 16

A model rocket rises with constant acceleration to a height of 3.2 m, at which point its speed is
26.0 m/s. To determine the magnitude of the rocket’s acceleration, which of the following
equations is correct to be used.

SOLUTION

Using equation of motion;

𝑣f2 = 𝑣02 + 2𝑎∆𝑥

𝑣f2 − 𝑣02
𝑎=
2∆𝑥

Answer: D

Question 17

A 2.00-kg projectile is fired at an angle of 20.0°. What is the magnitude of the force exerted on
the projectile when it is at the highest position in its trajectory? Neglect any effects of air
resistance.

SOLUTION

𝐹 = 𝑚g

20.0o

𝐹 = (2.00)(9.81) = 19.6 N

Answer: E

Question 18
Which expression is FALSE concerning the vectors shown in the sketch.
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

SOLUTION

Because this is a closed triangle,

Answer: C

Question 19

Two boxes are connected to each other as shown. The system is released from rest and the 1.00-
kg box falls through a distance of 1.00 m. The surface of the table is frictionless. What is the
kinetic energy of box B just before it reaches the floor?

SOLUTION

mA = 3.00 kg
T

𝑇 = 𝑚𝐴 𝑎
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

T
mB = 1.00 kg
W = mBg

𝑚𝐵 g − 𝑇 = 𝑚𝐵 𝑎

𝑚𝐵 g − 𝑚𝐴 𝑎 = 𝑚𝐵 𝑎

𝑚𝐵 g
𝑎=
𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵
𝑚𝐵
𝑚𝐵 𝑎∆𝑦 = (𝑚 g∆𝑦)
𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 𝐵
𝑚𝐵
∆𝐾𝐵 = (𝑚 g∆𝑦)
𝑚𝐴 + 𝑚𝐵 𝐵

1.00
𝐾𝐵f = (1.00)(9.81)(1.00)
3.00 + 1.00

= 2.45 J

Answer: E

Question 20

A tennis ball is thrown upward at an angle from point A. It follows a parabolic trajectory and
hits the ground at point D. At the instant shown, the ball is at point B. Point C represents the
highest position of the ball above the ground.

While in flight, how do the x and y components of the velocity vector of the ball compare at the
points B and C?
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

SOLUTION

The x components are the same; the y component at C is zero m/s.

Answer: C

Question 21

In which one of the following situations does the car have a westward acceleration?

SOLUTION

For the car to have a westward acceleration, the car must decelerate towards eastward direction
or simply say the car travels eastward and slows down.

Answer: D

Question 22

An elevator is moving upward with a speed of 11 m/s. Three seconds later, the elevator is still
moving upward, but its speed has been reduced to 5.0 m/s. What is the average acceleration of
the elevator during the 3.0 s interval?

SOLUTION

vf − v0 5.0 − 11
𝑎av = = = −2 m/s2
∆t 3.0

𝑎av = 2 m/s 2 , downward

Answer: B

Question 23

Three vectors , , and add together to yield zero: + + = 0. The

SOLUTION

Using

⃗𝑨 ⃗ + ⃗𝑪 = 𝟎
⃗ + ⃗𝑩

If ⃗𝑪 = 𝐶𝒙 ⃗⃗ = −2𝐶𝒙
̂ and 𝑨 ̂
 FIC1502 (ENGINEERING QUALIFICATIONS) ASSIGNMENT 01 2021

̂ + ⃗𝑩
then −2𝐶𝒙 ⃗ + 𝐶𝒙
̂=𝟎

That is

⃗⃗ = 𝐶𝒙
𝑩 ̂

⃗ and ⃗𝑪 have equal magnitudes and point in the same direction

Answer: E

Question 24

If a vector has components Ax < 0, and Ay < 0, then the angle that this vector makes with the
positive x-axis must be in the range ….

SOLUTION

Ax < 0
o
180

Ay < 0

270o
Then the angle that this vector makes with the positive x-axis must be in the range 180° to 270°

Answer: A

Question 25

A student adds two displacement vectors with magnitudes of 6.0 m and 8.0 m, respectively.
Which one of the following could NOT be a possible choice for the resultant?

SOLUTION

8.0 m − 6.0 m ≤ 𝑅 ≤ 8.0 m + 6.0 m

2.0 ≤ 𝑅 ≤ 14.0

𝑅 = 14.8 m

Answer: A