Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

Introduction
to Dynamics
Lecture 1 – Dynamics of Rigid Bodies – Answer Key

Objective To provide students with complete set of solutions as a guide,

especially to those who prefers to just listen to the discussion
instead of jotting down notes.

Content Complete solutions for sample problems of the following:

• Determination of Motion of Particles
• Rectilinear Motion

References L.G. Kraige and J.L. Meriam, (2012). Engineering Mechanics

Volume 2 Dynamics 7th Edition. Massachusetts, USA: John Wiley
& Sons, Inc.
R.C. Hibbeler, (2010). Engineering Mechanics Statics & Dynamics
Twelfth Edition. New Jersey, USA: Pearson Prentice Hall

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021
I. DETERMINATION OF MOTION OF PARTICLES

Sample Problem 1:

The car moves in a straight line such that for a short time, its velocity is defined by v = (3t2 + 2t) ft/s,
where t is in seconds. Determine its position and acceleration when t = 3 s. When t = 0, s = 0.
Given:

Velocity = v = (3t2 + 2t) ft/s

Time = t = 3s
When time = t = 0s, position = s = 0 ft.
⸫ The car started at rest.
Required:

Position when time is at 3 seconds = s

Acceleration when time is at 3 seconds = a
Solution:

∂ Solving for position when time is at 3 seconds = s

• We are given the equation of velocity in terms of time t.

• We are to get the position of the car at the instant of 3 seconds after it left its first
position.
• Therefore, we can deduce that the given equation of velocity is the instantaneous
velocity.
• Looking back at the formula for instantaneous velocity, we know that:

∆𝑠𝑠
𝑣𝑣 = lim = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
∆𝑡𝑡→0 ∆𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Or simply:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑣𝑣 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

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 Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

• We can substitute the equation given for velocity to this formula, giving us:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
3t2 + 2t =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Looking at the formula above, we can simplify it to this format to make it
solvable:
(3t2 + 2t)dt = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

• Now, to bring back a derived variable (ds) to its original value (s), we integrate:

∫(3t2 + 2t)dt = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

o No limits are to be considered at the moment since

our goal here is to get the equation of the position.

o To integrate, recall the power rule of integration:

𝑥𝑥𝑛𝑛+1
∫ 𝑥𝑥𝑛𝑛𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = + 𝐶𝐶
𝑛𝑛 + 1

o Or, for a more usable form:

𝑢𝑢𝑛𝑛+1
∫ 𝑢𝑢𝑛𝑛𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = + 𝐶𝐶
𝑛𝑛 + 1
∗ 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑢𝑢 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑎𝑎 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒.

• Going back to our solution, we need to integrate both sides to preserve the
equality of both sides of the equation.

• For the right side of the equation:

∫ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑠𝑠 + 𝐶𝐶

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

• For the right side of the equation:

3t2+1 2t1+1
∫(3t2 + 2t)dt = ∫(3t2)dt + ∫(2t)dt = +
2 + 1 1 + 1 + 𝐶𝐶

3t3 2t2
= + + 𝐶𝐶
3 2
= t3 + t2 + 𝐶𝐶

• Putting the equations together again:

t3 + t2 + 𝐶𝐶 = 𝑠𝑠 + 𝐶𝐶
o Since “C” is still an unknown
CONSTANT (not variable), transposing
1 C to the other side will not make C – C
in the equation.
o Algebraic solutions in combining C in
calculus is not applicable. All C
combined in the equation will only be
equal to C.
• Therefore:

t3 + t2 + 𝐶𝐶 = 𝑠𝑠
• For better look of the equation:

𝑠𝑠 = t3 + t2 + 𝐶𝐶
• To get the value of C, we need to substitute into the equation our Boundary
Conditions stated in the problem which is “When time = t = 0s, position = s =
0ft”:

0 = 03 + 02 + 𝐶𝐶

• Therefore:

0 = 𝐶𝐶
• Substituting the value of C, we can now get the whole equation of position:

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

𝑠𝑠 = t3 + t2

• To get the position s when time t = 3s, simply substitute the value of t to the
equation:

𝑠𝑠 = t3 + t2

𝑠𝑠 = 33 + 32

𝑠𝑠 = 27 + 9

𝑠𝑠 = 36 ft

⸫ after 3 seconds from starting at rest, the vehicle is at the position 36ft from the first position.

∂ Solving for acceleration when time is at 3 seconds = a

SOLUTION 1:
• We are given the equation of velocity in terms of time t.
• We are to get the acceleration of the car at the instant of 3 seconds after it left its
first position.
• Therefore, we can deduce that the given equation of velocity is the instantaneous
velocity and the acceleration required is the instantaneous acceleration.
• Looking back at the formula for instantaneous acceleration, we know that:

∆𝑣𝑣 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑑𝑑 𝑠𝑠2
2
𝑎𝑎 = lim =
∆𝑡𝑡→0 ∆𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Or simply:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑎𝑎 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

• We can substitute the equation given for velocity to this formula, giving us:
𝑑𝑑(3t2 + 2t)
𝑎𝑎 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

• Looking at the formula above, we can simplify it to this format to make it

solvable:
𝑑𝑑
𝑎𝑎 = (3t2 + 2t)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Now, looking at the equation, it is clear that we need to derive the right side
equation with respect to t to get the equation for acceleration:
𝑑𝑑
𝑎𝑎 = (3t2 + 2t)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

o To derive, recall the power rule of derivation:

𝑑𝑑 𝑛𝑛
𝑥𝑥 = 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛−1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

o Or, for a more usable form:

𝑑𝑑 𝑛𝑛
𝑢𝑢 = 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛−1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

∗ 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑢𝑢 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑎𝑎 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒.

• Going back to our solution:

𝑑𝑑
𝑎𝑎 = (3t2 + 2t)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑎𝑎 = 2(3t2−1) + 1(2t1−1)

𝑎𝑎 = 6t1 + 2t0

𝑎𝑎 = 6t + 2

• Therefore, the equation for acceleration is:

𝑎𝑎 = 6t + 2

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

• To get the acceleration a when time t = 3s, simply substitute the value of t to the
equation:

𝑎𝑎 = 6t + 2

𝑎𝑎 = 6(3) + 2

𝑎𝑎 = 18 + 2

𝑎𝑎 = 20 ft/𝑠𝑠2
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
⸫ after 3 seconds from starting at rest, the vehicle is accelerating at a rate of 20 𝑠𝑠2 .

SOLUTION 2:
• We are given the equation of position s in terms of time t.

• We are to get the acceleration of the car at the instant of 3 seconds after it left its
first position.
• Therefore, we can deduce that the acceleration required is the instantaneous
acceleration.
• Looking back at the formula for instantaneous acceleration, we know that:

∆𝑣𝑣 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑑𝑑 𝑠𝑠2
2
𝑎𝑎 = lim =
∆𝑡𝑡→0 ∆𝑡𝑡 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• Or simply:
𝑑𝑑2𝑠𝑠
𝑎𝑎 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑2

• We can substitute the equation we solved for position 𝑠𝑠 = t3 + t2 to this formula,

giving us:
𝑑𝑑2(t3 + t2)
𝑎𝑎 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑2

• Looking at the formula above, we can simplify it to this format to make it

solvable:

7
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

𝑑𝑑2
𝑎𝑎 = 2 (t3 + t2)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

• Now, looking at the equation we know that acceleration is the second derivative
of the equation for position. So, it is clear that we need to derive the right side
equation TWO TIMES with respect to t to get the equation for acceleration:
𝑑𝑑2
𝑎𝑎 = 2 (t3 + t2)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

o To derive, recall the power rule of derivation:

𝑑𝑑 𝑛𝑛
𝑥𝑥 = 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛−1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

o Or, for a more usable form:

𝑑𝑑 𝑛𝑛
𝑢𝑢 = 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛−1
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

∗ 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑢𝑢 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑎𝑎 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒.

• Going back to our solution:

𝑑𝑑2 𝑑𝑑
𝑎𝑎 = 2 (t3 + t2) = (3t3−1 + 2t2−1)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑑𝑑
𝑎𝑎 = (3t2 + 2t1)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑎𝑎 = 2(3t2−1) + 1(2t1−1)

𝑎𝑎 = 6t1 + 2t0

𝑎𝑎 = 6t + 2

8
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

• We arrived at the same equation for acceleration.

• And therefore will get the same answer:

𝑎𝑎 = 20 ft/𝑠𝑠2
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
⸫ after 3 seconds from starting at rest, the vehicle is accelerating at a rate of 20 𝑠𝑠2.

Advice: If your unknown has letter “d” beside it (e.g. ds, dv) in the equation, then you need to integrate
both sides of the equation. If it does not have “d” beside it (e.g. a, v, s) in the equation, then you need to
derive the other side of the equation when you successfully isolated your unknown at one side.

Sample Problem 2:

A small projectile is fired vertically downward into a fluid medium with an initial velocity of 60 m/s.
Due to the drag resistance of the fluid, the projectile experiences a deceleration of a = (-0.4v3) m/s2,
where v is in m/s. Determine the projectile’s velocity and position 4 s after it is fired.

Given:
Initial Velocity = vo = 60 m/s
acceleration = a = (-0.4v3) m/s2
Time = t = 4s
⸫ Since there is an initial velocity, we can say that
when v = 60 m/s, t = 0s
Required:
Velocity when time is at 4 seconds = v
Position when time is at 4 seconds = s
Solution:

∂ Solving for Velocity when time is at 4 seconds = v

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑎𝑎 = = −0.4𝑣𝑣3
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= −0.4𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑣𝑣3

∫ 𝑣𝑣−3𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = ∫ −0.4𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

𝑣𝑣−2
( + 𝐶𝐶) = (−0.4𝑡𝑡 + 𝐶𝐶)
−2

𝑣𝑣−2
−2 ( + 𝐶𝐶) = −2(−0.4𝑡𝑡 + 𝐶𝐶)
−2
1
( 2) = (0.8𝑡𝑡 + 𝐶𝐶)
𝑣𝑣

• Boundary Conditions: When v = 60 m/s, t = 0s

1
= 0.8(0) + 𝐶𝐶
602
1
= 𝐶𝐶
3600

• Substitute to original equation:

1 1
= 0.8(𝑡𝑡) +
𝑣𝑣2 3600

• Simplify:
1
= 𝑣𝑣2
1
0.8(𝑡𝑡) +3600

1
√ 2
√ 1 = 𝑣𝑣
0.8(𝑡𝑡) + 3600

1
√ 1 = 𝑣𝑣
0.8(𝑡𝑡) + 3600

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

• Therefore, the equation of the velocity is:

1
𝑣𝑣 = √ 1
0.8(𝑡𝑡) + 3600

• Velocity when time is at 4 seconds = v

1
𝑣𝑣 = √ 1
0.8(4) + 3600
𝑣𝑣 = 0.5590 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠

∂ Solving for Position when time is at 4 seconds = s

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑣𝑣 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

1 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
√ 1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
0.8(𝑡𝑡) + 3600

1
2
1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
( 1 ) = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
0.8(𝑡𝑡) + 3600

1
2
1
( 1 ) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
0.8(𝑡𝑡) + 3600

1
2
1
∫( 1 ) 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = ∫ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
0.8(𝑡𝑡) + 3600

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

1
𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙 𝑢𝑢 = 0.8(𝑡𝑡) +
3600

𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒, 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = 0.8𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎, 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 =
0.8
−
1 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
∫ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 = ∫ [(𝑢𝑢) 2] ( )
0.8

1 1
𝑠𝑠 = ( ) ∫ [(𝑢𝑢) −2] 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
0.8

1
1
(𝑢𝑢)2
𝑠𝑠 = ( ) [ 1 ] + 𝐶𝐶
0.8
2

1 1
𝑠𝑠 = ( ) (𝑢𝑢)2 + 𝐶𝐶
0.4

1
1 1 2
𝑠𝑠 = ( ) (0.8(𝑡𝑡) + ) + 𝐶𝐶
0.4 3600

• Boundary Conditions: We denote the starting point position as s = 0. Therefore, when

t = 0s, s = 0 m
1
1 1 2
0=( ) (0.8(0) + ) + 𝐶𝐶
0.4 3600
1
𝐶𝐶 = (− )
24

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

• Substitute to original equation:

1
1 1 21
𝑠𝑠 = ( ) (0.8(𝑡𝑡) + ) −
0.4 3600 24

• Position when time is at 4 seconds = s

1
1 1 2 1
𝑠𝑠 = ( ) (0.8(4) + ) −
0.4 3600 24

𝑠𝑠 = 4.4307 𝑚𝑚

Sample Problem 3:
The s–t graph for a train has been experimentally determined. From the data, construct the v–t and a–t
graphs for the motion; 0 ≤ t ≤ 40 s. For 0 ≤ t ≤ 30 s, the curve is s = (0.4t2) m, and then it becomes
straight for t ≥ 30 s.

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

S-T Graph
1000

900

800

700

600
POSITION (S)

500

400

300

200

100

0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51
TIME (T)

Recall:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
= 𝑚𝑚 = 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Therefore:
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑(0.4𝑡𝑡2)
= 𝑚𝑚 =
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝑑𝑑
𝑚𝑚 = (0.4𝑡𝑡2) = (0.8𝑡𝑡)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑

Slope at the end of the curve is the slope of the proceeding linear graph. Therefore:

14
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

𝑚𝑚 = (0.8(30)) = 24

Using Point-Slope Form:

𝑦𝑦 − 𝑦𝑦1
= 𝑚𝑚
𝑥𝑥 − 𝑥𝑥1
𝑦𝑦 − 360
= 24
𝑥𝑥 − 30

But, s is in y-axis and t is in x-axis. Therefore, s=y and t=x

𝑠𝑠 − 360
= 24
𝑡𝑡 − 30
𝑠𝑠 − 360 = 24(𝑡𝑡 − 30)

𝑠𝑠 = 24𝑡𝑡 − 360 → Eq’n of the line after the curve s = 0.4t2

At t = 40s
𝑠𝑠 = 24(40) − 360 = 600𝑚𝑚

@ 0s ≤ t ≤ 30s, equation of the graph is 𝐬𝐬 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟐𝟐

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Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021
ds d
𝑣𝑣 = = (0.4t2)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝒗𝒗 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖 → Eq’n of the velocity v @ 0s ≤ t ≤ 30s

@t = 0s, v = 0m/s
@t = 30s, v = 0.8(30) = 24m/s

@ t ≥ 30s, equation of the graph is 𝒔𝒔 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 − 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑

ds d
𝑣𝑣 = = (𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 − 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝒗𝒗 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 → Eq’n of the velocity v @ t ≥ 30s

V-T Graph
30
VELOCITY (V)

20

10

0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49
TIME (T)

@ 0s ≤ t ≤ 30s, equation of the graph is 𝒗𝒗 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖

dv d
𝑎𝑎 = = (𝟎𝟎. 𝟖𝟖𝟖𝟖)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝒂𝒂 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟖𝟖 → Eq’n of the acceleration a @ 0s ≤ t ≤ 30s

@t = 0s, a = 0m/s
@t = 30s, a = 0.8 m/s2
@ t ≥ 30s, equation of the graph is 𝒗𝒗 = 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐
dv d
𝑎𝑎 = = (𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐)
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
𝒂𝒂 = 𝟎𝟎 → Eq’n of the acceleration a @ t ≥ 30s

16
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

A-T Graph
1
ACCELERATION (A)

0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49
TIME (T)

Sample Problem 4:
A particle moves along a horizontal path with a velocity of v = (3t2 - 6t) m/s, where t is the time in
seconds. If it is initially located at the origin O, determine the distance traveled in 3.5 s, and the
particle’s average velocity and average speed during the time interval.

17
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021
II. RECTILINEAR MOTION

Sample Problem 5:

Initially, the car travels along a straight road with a speed of 35 m/s. If the brakes are applied and the
speed of the car is reduced to 10 m/s in 15s, determine the constant deceleration of the car.

Given:
Initial Velocity (vo)= 35 m/s
Final Velocity (v)= 10 m/s
Time = 15s

Required:
Deceleration = Negative acceleration
Solution:
𝑣𝑣 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

10 = 35 + 𝑎𝑎(15)
10 − 35
= 𝑎𝑎
15
5
𝑎𝑎 = − 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠2 = −1.6667 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠2
3

18
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021
Sample Problem 6:
A car starts from rest and with constant acceleration achieves a velocity of 15 m/s when it travels a
distance of 200 m. Determine the acceleration of the car and the time required.
Given:
vo = 0 m/s
v = 15 m/s
s = 200 m

Required:
Time (t)
Acceleration (a)

Solution:
𝑣𝑣2 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜2 + 2𝑎𝑎∆𝑠𝑠
152 = 02 + 2𝑎𝑎(200)
152
= 𝑎𝑎
400

𝑎𝑎 = 0.5625 𝑚𝑚/𝑠𝑠2

𝑣𝑣 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

15 = 0 + (0.5625)(𝑡𝑡)
15
= 𝑡𝑡
0.5625
80
𝑡𝑡 = 𝑠𝑠 = 26.6667𝑠𝑠
3

19
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021

Sample Problem 7:
An elevator descends from rest with an acceleration of 5 ft/s2 until it achieves a velocity of 15 ft/s.
Determine the time required and the distance traveled.

Given:
a = 5 ft/s2
vo = 0 ft/s
v = 15 ft/s

Required:
Time (t)
Distance (s)

Solution:

𝑣𝑣 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎

15 = 0 + (5)(𝑡𝑡)

𝑡𝑡 = 3𝑠𝑠
1 2
∆𝑠𝑠 = (0)(3) + (5)(3 )
2

∆𝑠𝑠 = 22.5 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

Sample Problem 8:

Car A starts from rest at t = 0 and travels along a straight road with a constant acceleration of 6 ft/s2 until
it reaches a speed of 80 ft/s. Afterwards, it maintains this speed. Also, when t = 0, car B located 6000 ft
down the road is traveling towards A at a constant speed of 60 ft/s. Determine the distance traveled by
car A when they pass each other.

Given:

20
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021
Car A:
vo = 0 ft/s @ t = 0s
a = 6 ft/s2
v = 80 ft/s

Car B:
vo = 60 ft/s @ t = 0s
a = 0 ft/s2
v = 60 ft/s
s = 6000 ft

Required:

x = Distance traveled by car A when they pass each other.

Solution:
𝑣𝑣 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
80 = 0 + (6)(𝑡𝑡)
40 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
𝑡𝑡 = 𝑠𝑠 → 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝐴𝐴 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎ℎ𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 80 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣
3 𝑠𝑠

1 2
∆𝑠𝑠1 = 𝑣𝑣𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑡 + 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
2
40 1 40 2
∆𝑠𝑠1 = (0) ( ) + (6) ( )
3 2 3

21
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021
1600 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
∆𝑠𝑠1 = 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 = 533.3333 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 → 𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷𝐷 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎ℎ𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 80 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣
3 𝑠𝑠

∆𝑠𝑠2 = 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐(𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡)

∆𝑠𝑠2 = 60(𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡)
→ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝐵𝐵 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝐴𝐴

40
∆𝑠𝑠3 = 𝑣𝑣𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 (𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 − )
3
40
∆𝑠𝑠3 = 80 (𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 − )
3
→ 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝐴𝐴 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑡𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎ℎ𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓
80 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝐵𝐵
𝑠𝑠

∆𝑠𝑠1 + ∆𝑠𝑠2 + ∆𝑠𝑠3 = 6000

1600 40
+ 60(𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡) + 80 (𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 − ) = 6000
3 3
140
𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 = 𝑠𝑠 = 46.6667 𝑠𝑠
3
→ 𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏ℎ 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝐴𝐴 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝐵𝐵 𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒ℎ 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒.
Distance travelled by car A:
𝑥𝑥 = ∆𝑠𝑠1 + ∆𝑠𝑠3

1600 40
𝑥𝑥 = + 80 (𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡𝑡 − )
3 3

1600 140 40
𝑥𝑥 = + 80 ( − )
3 3 3

𝑥𝑥 = 3200 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓

22
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021
Sample Problem 9:
A ball is thrown with an upward velocity of 5 m/s from the top of a 10-m high building. One second later,
another ball is thrown vertically from the ground with a velocity of 10 m/s. Determine the height from the
ground where the two balls pass each other.

23
Dynamics of Rigid Bodies School of Engineering

Lecture 1 – Answer Key and Architecture

Civil Engineering Department
School Year 2020-2021
Sample Problem 10:
A car starts from rest and moves with a constant acceleration of 1.5 m/s2 until it achieves a velocity of
25 m/s. It then travels with constant velocity for 60 seconds. Determine the average speed and the total
distance traveled.

24