Further Kinematics Edexcel Stats/Mech Year 2

In this chapter, you will learn to use vectors to model the motion of a particle moving Variable acceleration in one dimension
in 2-dimensions. We will go through problems involving constant acceleration, So far, we have only looked at problems involving particles moving with a constant
projectile motion and variable acceleration. Vector methods with projectiles acceleration. You can be expected to solve problems where the acceleration is
You also need to be able to solve projectile motion problems using vectors. variable.
Vectors in kinematics Recall that projectile motion is motion with constant acceleration and so we
You can use the vector equivalent of the SUVAT formulae to solve problems involving can use the vector SUVAT equations. ▪ When a particle experiences variable acceleration, the acceleration will
constant acceleration. Of course, any velocities, positions and accelerations should be given as a function of time.
be given as vectors. The vector SUVAT equations are: ▪ You can consider the horizontal and vertical motion separately to
solve vector projectile motion questions, or you can use the
▪ 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 𝑟 represents the position vector SUVAT equations. You can be expected to use calculus with vectors to solve variable acceleration
vector, 𝑢 and 𝑣 represent the
initial and final velocities
problems. The following relationship between displacement, velocity and
▪ 𝑟 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2
1
respectively ▪ The acceleration of a projectile in vector form is 0𝑖 − 𝑔𝑗, or in acceleration that you covered in Pure Year 1 is important:
2 0
column notation (−𝑔 ) if we take the upwards direction to be
If a particle starts at position vector 𝑟0 and moves with constant velocity 𝑣, then its positive. This is because there is no acceleration in the horizontal Displacement (s)
position vector 𝑟 at a time 𝑡 can be expressed as: direction and the particle is under the influence of only gravity.
Integrate Differentiate

▪ 𝑟 = 𝑟0 + 𝑣𝑡 ▪ You can assume that I and j are the unit vectors horizontally and
Velocity (v)
vertically unless told otherwise.
Note that the displacement from the initial position will therefore be given by 𝑣𝑡. Integrate
Differentiate
We will now go through an example where we will need to apply the above Acceleration (a)
formulae: Example 2: A particle is projected from the origin with velocity
(4𝑖 + 5𝑗) 𝑚𝑠 −1. The particle moves freely under gravity.
Example 1: A particle A starts at the point with position vector (12𝑖 + 12𝑗). The Find: a) the position vector of P after t seconds. These functions will involve more complicated expressions, including trigonometric
initial velocity of A is (−𝑖 + 𝑗) 𝑚𝑠 −1 , and it has constant acceleration b) the greatest height of the particle. and exponential functions. You may need to use your knowledge of differentiation
(2𝑖 − 4𝑗)𝑚𝑠 −2. Another particle, B, has initial velocity 𝑖 𝑚𝑠 −1 and and integration from Pure Year 2 to solve such questions.
constant acceleration 2𝑗 𝑚𝑠 −2. After 3 seconds the two particles collide.
Find: a) the speeds of the two particles when they collide. b) the position Example 3: A particle of mass 6kg is moving on the positive 𝑥-axis. At time 𝑡
vector of the point where the two particles collide. seconds the displacement, 𝑠 of the particle from the origin 𝑂 is
3 𝑒 −2𝑡
a) Using 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 for A: −1 2 given by 𝑠 = 2𝑡 2 + 3 𝑚, where 𝑡 ≥ 0 .
𝑣 = ( ) + ( ) (3)
You can use i-j notation too but column 1 −4 a) Find the velocity of the particle when 𝑡 = 1.5.
notation is slightly easier to work with. 1
a) Using 𝑟 = 𝑢𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝑡 2 ∶ 4 1 0 b) Given that the particle is acted on by a single force of variable
−1 6 5 𝑟 = ( ) (𝑡) + ( ) (𝑡 2)
The acceleration can be expressed as 0i-gj. 5 2 −𝑔 magnitude 𝐹 𝑁 which acts in the direction of the positive 𝑥-axis, find
∴𝑣=( )+( )=( )
1 −12 −11
the value of 𝐹 when 𝑡 = 1.5.
4𝑡
Speed = √(5)2 + (−11)2 = √146 𝑚𝑠 −1 ⇒𝑟=( 𝑔𝑡 2 )
5𝑡 − 2 a) To find an expression for 𝑣, we can 𝑑𝑠 1 2
𝑣= = 3𝑡 2 − 𝑒 −2𝑡
differentiate 𝑠 ∶ 𝑑𝑡 3
Using 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 for B: 1 0 1
𝑣 = ( ) + ( ) (3) = ( ) b) The greatest height will be when the 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 Substituting 𝑡 = 1.5 : 1
2
0 2 6 𝑣 = 3 (1.52 ) − 3 (𝑒 −2(1.5) ) = 3.64𝑚𝑠 −1
vertical component of the velocity will be 4 0
𝑣 = ( )+( )𝑡 to 3 s.f.
So speed is √(1)2 + (6)2 = √37 𝑚𝑠 −1 0. We can use 𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑎𝑡 to find an 5 −𝑔
expression for the velocity at time 𝑡 in 4
𝑣=( ) b) We first need to figure out the 𝑑𝑣 3 −1 4 −2𝑡
1 −1 1 2 vector form: 5 − 𝑔𝑡 𝑎= = 𝑡 2+ 𝑒
b) Using 𝑟 = 𝑢𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 2 for A: 𝑟=( ) (3) + ( ) (32 ) acceleration and substitute it into 𝐹 = 𝑑𝑡 2 3
2
1 2 −4 𝑚𝑎 to find the force. Differentiating 𝑣 to
Equating the j component to 0 and solving 5 − 𝑔𝑡 = 0
5 find 𝑎:
−3 9 2 6 for t:
∴ 𝑡 = = 0.510𝑠 Substituting 𝑡 = 1.5 : 3 1
4
𝑟=(
3
)+ ( ) = (
2 −4 −15
) 𝑔 At 𝑡 = 1.5, 𝑎 = 2 (1.5)−2 + 3 𝑒 −2(1.5)
= 1.2911 … 𝑚𝑠−2

These problems are of the same nature as those you learnt to solve in Chapter 8 of Note that we could have also treated the I and j components separately and Substituting 𝑚 = 6, 𝑎 = 1.0850.. into ⇒ 𝐹 = 6 × 1.2911. . = 7.75𝑁 (3 s.f.)
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎:
Stats/Mechanics Year 1 and should be treated in the same way. The only difference used methods from Chapter 6 to solve this question.
here is that we use vectors, instead of treating each dimension of motion separately.

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