Plane polar Co-ordinate System

𝑥̈ 𝑥+𝑦̈ 𝑦
⃗⃗⃗⃗𝑟 | = (𝑟̈ − 𝑟𝜃̇ 2 ) =
1. Show that the radial acceleration in two-dimensional space is given by |𝑎 .
√𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
2. The polar coordinates of a particle moving in a plane are given by 𝑟 = 𝑎 sin 𝜔1 𝑡, 𝜃 = 𝜔2 𝑡. Obtain
expressions for the polar components of the velocity and the acceleration of the particle.
[Ans: 𝑣𝑟 = 𝑎 𝜔1 cos 𝜔1 𝑡, 𝑣𝜃 = 𝑎𝜔2 sin 𝜔1 𝑡 and 𝑎𝑟 = −𝑎(𝜔1 2 + 𝜔2 2 ) sin 𝜔1 𝑡, 𝑎𝜃 =
2𝑎𝜔1 𝜔2 cos 𝜔1 𝑡]
3. Show that plane polar coordinates are orthogonal to each other.
4. Show that the magnitudes of the radial and the cross-radial velocity in two-dimensional space are
𝑥̇ 𝑥+𝑦̇ 𝑦 𝑦̇ 𝑥−𝑥̇ 𝑦
given respectively by (i) |𝑣
⃗⃗⃗𝑟 | = , (ii) |𝑣
⃗⃗⃗⃗𝜃 | =
√𝑥 2 +𝑦 2 √𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
5. Show that the velocity of a particle moving in a three-dimensional space is
𝑑𝑟̂
⃗ = 𝑟̇ 𝑟̂ + 𝑟 = 𝑟̇ 𝑟̂ + 𝑟𝜃̇ 𝜃̂ + 𝑟 sin 𝜃 𝜑̇ 𝜑̂. Where (𝑟, 𝜃, 𝜑) are the spherical polar coordinates of the
𝒗 𝑑𝑡
particle. Give the physical significance of each term.
6. Prove that for the motion of a particle in a plane 𝑣 = 𝑟̇ 𝑟̂ + 𝑟𝜃̇ 𝜃̂ and
𝑎 = {𝑟̈ − 𝑟𝜃̇ 2 }𝑟̂ + (2𝑟̇ 𝜃̇ + 𝑟𝜃̈ )𝜃̂ . where the symbols have their usual meanings.
7. A particle moves along the curve 𝑥 = 2𝑡 2 , 𝑦 = 𝑡 2 − 4𝑡, 𝑧 = 3𝑡 − 5 where 𝑡 is the time. Find the
component of its velocity and acceleration at time 𝑡 = 1 in the direction 𝑖̂ − 3𝑗̂ + 2𝑘̂. [Ans: 16 unit
& -2 unit]

Newton’s Laws of Motion, Work, Energy and Momentum

1. A particle moves along the space curve 𝑟 = (𝑡 2 + 𝑡)𝑖̂ + (3𝑡 − 2)𝑗̂ + (2𝑡 3 − 4𝑡 2 )𝑘̂. Find the (a)
velocity, (b) acceleration, (c) speed or magnitude of velocity and (d) magnitude of acceleration at
time 𝑡 = 2. [Ans: (a) 5𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ + 8𝑘̂, (b) 2𝑖̂ + 16𝑘̂, (c) 7√2, (d) 2√65]
2. A particle moves in a force field given by 𝐹 = 𝑟 3 𝑟. Where 𝑟 is the position vector of the particle.
Prove that the angular momentum of the particle is conserved.
3. A particle of mass 2 units moves along the space curve defined by 𝑟 = (4𝑡 2 − 𝑡 3 )𝑖̂ − 5𝑡𝑗̂ +
(𝑡 4 − 2)𝑘̂. Find (a) the momentum and (b) the force acting on it at 𝑡 = 1. [Ans: (a) 10𝑖̂ − 10𝑗̂ +
8𝑘̂, (b) 4𝑖̂ + 24𝑘̂.
4. A particle moving in a force field 𝐹 has its momentum given at any time 𝑡 by 𝑃⃗ = 3𝑒 −𝑡 𝑖̂ −
2 cos 𝑡 𝑗̂ − 3 sin 𝑡 𝑘̂. Find 𝐹 . [Ans: −3𝑒 −𝑡 𝑖̂ + 2 sin 𝑡 𝑗̂ − 3 cos 𝑡 𝑘̂ ]
5. Under the influence of a force field a particle of mass 𝑚 moves along the ellipse 𝑟 = acos 𝜔𝑡 𝑖̂ +
𝑏 sin 𝜔𝑡 𝑗̂. If 𝑃⃗ is the momentum and 𝐹 is the force acting on the particle, prove that (a) 𝑟 × 𝑃⃗ =
1
𝑚𝑎𝑏𝜔𝑘̂, (b) 𝑟. 𝑃⃗ = 2 𝑚𝑤(𝑏 2 − 𝑎2 ) sin 2𝜔𝑡 and (c) 𝑟 × 𝐹 = 0. Explain what this means
physically.
6. A force of 100 dynes in the direction of the positive 𝑥 axis acts on a particle of mass 2 g for 10
minutes. What velocity does the particle acquire assuming that it starts from rest? [Ans:
3 × 104 𝑐𝑚/𝑠]
7. A force of 20 newtons in the direction of the positive 𝑥 axis acts on a particle of mass 1o kg for
10 minutes. What velocity does the particle acquire assuming that it starts from rest? [Ans:
1200 𝑚/𝑠]
8. (a) Find the constant force needed to accelerate a mass of 40 kg from the velocity 4𝑖̂ − 5𝑗̂ + 3𝑘̂
m/s to 8𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ − 5𝑘̂ m/s in 20 seconds. (b) What is the magnitudes of the force in (a)? [Ans: (a)
8𝑖̂ + 16𝑗̂ − 16𝑘̂ newtons, (b) 24 newtons]
9. An elevator moves from the top floor of a tall building to the ground floor without stopping. (a)
Explain why a blindfold person in the elevator may believe that the elevator is not moving at all.
(b) Can the person tell when the motion begins or stops? Explain.
10. A particle of unit mass moves in a force field given in terms of time 𝑡 by
𝐹 = (6𝑡 − 8)𝑖̂ − 60𝑡 3 𝑗̂ + (20𝑡 3 + 36𝑡 2 )𝑘̂
Its initial position and velocity are given respectively by ⃗⃗⃗ 𝑟0 = 2𝑖̂ − 3𝑘̂ and ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑣0 = 5𝑖̂ + 4𝑗̂. Find the
(a) position and (b) velocity of the particle at 𝑡 = 2. [Ans: (a) 4𝑖̂ − 88𝑗̂ + 77𝑘̂, (b) 𝑖̂ − 236𝑗̂ +
176𝑘̂]
11. The force acting on a particle of mass 𝑚 is given in terms of time 𝑡 by 𝐹 = 𝑎 cos 𝜔𝑡 𝑖̂ + 𝑏 sin 𝜔𝑡 𝑗̂ .
If the particle is initially at rest at the origin, find its (a) position and (b) velocity at any later time.
𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
[Ans: (a) 2
(1 − cos 𝜔𝑡)𝑖̂ + 2
(𝜔𝑡 − sin 𝜔𝑡)𝑗̂, (b) sin 𝜔𝑡 𝑖̂ + (1 − cos 𝜔𝑡)𝑗̂]
𝑚𝜔 𝑚𝜔 𝑚𝜔 𝑚𝜔
12. A particle is moved by a force 𝐹 = 20𝑖̂ − 30𝑗̂ + 15𝑘̂ along a straight line from point 𝐴 to point
𝐵 with position vectors 2𝑖̂ + 7𝑗̂ − 3𝑘̂ and 5𝑖̂ − 3𝑗̂ − 6𝑘̂ respectively. Find the work done. [Ans:
315]
13. Find the kinetic energy of a particle of mass 20 moving with velocity 3𝑖̂ − 5𝑗̂ + 4𝑘̂. [Ans: 500]
14. Due to a force field 𝐹 , a particle of mass 4 moves along the space curve 𝑟 = (3𝑡 2 − 2𝑡)𝑖̂ + 𝑡 3 𝑗̂ −
𝑡 4 𝑘̂. Find the work done by the field in moving the particle from the point where 𝑡 = 1 to the
point where 𝑡 = 2. [Ans: 2454]
15. At one particular instant of time a particle of mass 10 is travelling along a space curve with
velocity given by 4𝑖̂ + 16𝑘̂. At a later instant of time its velocity is 8𝑖̂ + 20𝑗̂. Find the work done
on the particle between the two instants if time. [Ans: 960]
16. A particle of mass 𝑚 moves under the influence of the force field given by 𝐹 = 𝑎(sin 𝜔𝑡 𝑖̂ +
cos 𝜔𝑡 𝑗̂). If the particle is initially at rest at the origin, prove that the work done on the particle
𝑎2
up to time 𝑡 is given by ( ) (1 − cos 𝜔𝑡). Also, prove that the instantaneous power applied to
𝑚𝜔2
𝑎2
the particle is (𝑚𝜔) sin 𝜔𝑡.
17. A particle moves with velocity 5𝑖̂ − 3𝑗̂ + 6𝑘̂ under the influence of a constant force 𝐹 = 20𝑖̂ +
10𝑗̂ + 15𝑘̂. What is the instantaneous power applied to the particle? [Ans: 160]
18. (a) Prove that the force field 𝐹 = (𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 3 )𝑖̂ + (3 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥 2 𝑧 3 )𝑗̂ + (6𝑧 3 − 3𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 2 )𝑘̂ is
conservative. (b) Find the potential 𝑉 associated with the force field in (a). [Ans: (b) −𝑥𝑦 2 +
3
𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 3 − 3𝑦 − 𝑧 4 )]
2
19. A particle moves in the force field of 𝐹 = (𝑦 2 − 2𝑥𝑦𝑧 3 )𝑖̂ + (3 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑥 2 𝑧 3 )𝑗̂ + (6𝑧 3 −
3𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 2 )𝑘̂ from the point (2, −1, 2) to (−1,3, −2). Find the work done. [Ans: 7, Hints: 𝑊 =
𝐵 𝐵 𝐵
∫ 𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 = − ∫ ⃗∇𝑉. 𝑑𝑟 = − ∫ d𝑉 = −𝑉|𝐵𝐴 ]
𝐴 𝐴 𝐴
20. (a) Find constants 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 so that the force field defined by 𝐹 = (𝑥 + 2𝑦 + 𝑎𝑧)𝑖̂ +
(𝑏𝑥 − 3𝑦 − 𝑧)𝑗̂ + (4𝑥 + 𝑐𝑦 + 2𝑧)𝑘̂ is conservative. (b) What is the potential associated with the
1 3
force field in (a)? [Ans: (a) 𝑎 = 4, 𝑏 = 2, 𝑐 = −1, (b) 𝑉 = − 2 𝑥 2 + 2 𝑦 2 − 𝑧 2 − 2𝑥𝑦 − 4𝑥𝑧 +
𝑦𝑧]
21. Find the work done in moving a particle from the point (1, −1, 2) to (2, 3, −1) in a force field
with potential 𝑉 = 𝑥 3 − 𝑦 3 + 2𝑥𝑦 − 𝑦 2 + 4𝑥. [Ans: 11]
22. Determine whether the force field 𝐹 = (𝑥 2 𝑦 − 𝑧 3 )𝑖̂ + (3𝑥𝑦𝑧 + 𝑥𝑧 2 )𝑗̂ + (2𝑥 2 𝑦𝑧 + 𝑦𝑧 4 )𝑘̂ is
conservative. [Ans: Not conservative]
23. Find the work done in moving a particle in the force field 𝐹 = 3𝑥 2 𝑖̂ + (2𝑥𝑧 − 𝑦)𝑗̂ + 𝑧𝑘̂ along (a)
the straight line from (0,0,0) to (2,1,3). (b) the space curve 𝑥 = 2𝑡 2 , 𝑦 = 𝑡, 𝑧 = 4𝑡 2 − 𝑡 from 𝑡 =
0 to 𝑡 = 1. Is the work, independent of the path? Explain. [Ans: (a) 16, (b) 14.2]
24. (a) Evaluate ∮𝑐 𝐹 . 𝑑𝑟 where 𝐹 = (𝑥 − 3𝑦)𝑖̂ + (𝑦 − 2𝑥)𝑗̂ and 𝐶 is the closed curve in the 𝑥𝑦 plane
𝑥 = 2 cos 𝑡, 𝑦 = 3 sin 𝑡 from 𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡 = 2𝜋. (b) Give a physical interpretation to the result in
(a). [Ans: (a) 6𝜋 if 𝐶 traversed in the positive (counter clockwise direction.]
 25. (a) Show that the force field 𝐹 = −𝑘𝑟 3 𝑟 is conservative.
(b) Write the potential energy of a particle moving in the force filed of (a).
(c) if a particle at mass 𝑚 moves with velocity 𝑣 = 𝑑𝑟/𝑑𝑡 in this field, show that if 𝐸 is the
1 1
constant total energy then 𝑚(𝑑𝑟/𝑑𝑡)2 + 𝑘𝑟 5 = 𝐸. What important physical principle does this
2 5
illustrate?
26. A particle of mass 4 moves in the force field defined by 𝐹 = −200𝑟/𝑟 3 . (a) Show that the field
is conservative and find the potential energy. (b) If a particle starts at 𝑟 = 1 with speed 20, what
will be its speed at = 2 ? [Ans: (a) 𝑉 = 200/𝑟, (b) 15√2]
27. A particle of unit mass moves in a force field given by 𝐹 = (3𝑡 2 − 4𝑡)𝑖̂ + (12𝑡 − 6)𝑗̂ +
(6𝑡 − 12𝑡 2 )𝑘̂ where 𝑡 is the time. (a) Find the change in momentum of the particle from time 𝑡 =
1 to 𝑡 = 2. (b) If the velocity at 𝑡 = 1 is 4𝑖̂ − 5𝑗̂ + 10𝑘̂, what is the velocity at 𝑡 = 2? [Ans: (a)
𝑖̂ + 12𝑗̂ − 19𝑘̂. (b) 5𝑖̂ + 7𝑗̂ − 9𝑘̂]
28. A particle moves in a force field given by 𝐹 = ∅(𝑟)𝑟. Prove that the angular momentum of the
particle about the origin is constant.
29. Find (a) the torque and (b) the angular momentum about the origin at the time 𝑡 = 2 for the particle
of unit mass acting under this force field 𝐹 = (3𝑡 2 − 4𝑡)𝑖̂ + (12𝑡 − 6)𝑗̂ + (6𝑡 − 12𝑡 2 )𝑘̂,
80
assuming that at 𝑡 = 0 it is located at the origin. [Ans: (a) −(80𝑗̂ + 40𝑘̂ ), (b) 16𝑖̂ − 𝑗̂ − 16𝑘̂]
3
30. Find the impulse developed by a force given by 𝐹 = 4𝑡𝑖̂ + (6𝑡 2 − 2)𝑗̂ + 12𝑘̂ from 𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡 =
2. [Ans: 8𝑖̂ + 12𝑗̂ + 24𝑘̂]
31. What is the magnitude of the impulse developed by a mass of 200 g which changes its velocity
from 5𝑖̂ − 3𝑗̂ + 7𝑘̂ m/s to 2𝑖̂ + 3𝑗̂ + 𝑘̂ m/s? [Ans: 1.8 × 105 𝑑𝑦𝑛 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐]
32. The potential of a particle moving in the 𝑥𝑦 plane is given by 𝑉 = 2𝑥 2 − 5𝑥𝑦 + 3𝑦 2 + 6𝑥 − 7𝑦.
(a) Prove that there will be one and only one point at which a particle will remain in equilibrium
and (b) find the coordinates of this point. [Ans: (b) (1,2)]
33. A particle describes a semi-circular path of radius 1 m/ the force on the particle is 5N acting at
angle of 60° with the tangent to the circular path. Work done by the force is - - - - [Ans: 7.85 J]
34. A particle of mass 𝑚 moves in a straight line acted upon by a constant resisting force of magnitude
𝑚𝑣
𝐹. If it starts with a speed of 𝑣0 , find the time after which it will come to rest? [Ans: 𝐹 0]
35. What is a non-conservative force? Show that in such a force field, mechanical energy is not
conserved.

Dissipative forces, resistive motion and friction

UNIFORM FORCE FIELDS AND LINEAR MOTION OF FREELY FALLING BODIES
1. At time 𝑡 = 0 a parachutist having weight of magnitude 𝑚𝑔 is located at 𝑧 = 0 and is travelling
vertically downward with speed 𝑣0 . If the force or air resistance acting on the parachute is
proportional to the instantaneous speed, find the (a) speed, (b) distance travelled and (c) acceleration
at any time 𝑡 > 0.
2. An object of mass 𝑚 is thrown vertically upward from the earth’s surface with speed 𝑣0 . Find (a)
the position at any time, (b) the time taken to reach the highest point and (c) the maximum height
reached.
3. An object of mass 𝑚 is dropped from a height 𝐻 above the ground. Prove that if air resistance is
negligible, then it will reach the ground (a) in a time √2𝐻/𝑔 and (b) with speed √2𝑔𝐻.
4. An object of mass 𝑚 is thrown vertically downward from a height 𝐻 above the ground with an initial
velocity of magnitude 𝑣0 . Prove that if air resistance is negligible, then it will reach the ground (a) in
a time (√𝑣02 + 2𝑔𝐻 − 𝑣0 )/𝑔 and (b) with speed √𝑣02 + 2𝑔𝐻.
5. Prove that if an object of mass 𝑚 is thrown vertically upward from the earth’s surface with speed
𝑣0 , returns to the earth’s surface (a) with the same speed as the initial speed and (b) in a time which
is twice that taken to reach the maximum height.
6. A ball which is thrown upward reaches its maximum height of 30 m and then returns to the starting
point. (a) With what speed was it thrown? (b) How long does it take to return? [Ans: (a) 24.25 m/s,
(b) 4.85 s]
7. A ball which is thrown vertically upward reaches a particular height 𝐻 after a time 𝑡1 on the way
up and a time 𝑡2 on the way down. Prove that (a) the initial velocity with which the ball was thrown
1 1
has magnitude 𝑔(𝑡1 + 𝑡2 ), (b) the height 𝐻 = 𝑔𝑡1 𝑡2 and (c) the maximum height reached
2 2
1
𝑔(𝑡1 + 𝑡2 )2.
8
8. Two objects are dropped from the top of a cliff of height 𝐻. The second is dropped when the first
has travelled a distance 𝐷. Prove that at the instant when the first object has reached the bottom,
the second object is at a distance above it given by 2√𝐷𝐻 − 𝐷.
9. An elevator starts from rest and attains a speed of 5 m/s in 2 s. Find the weight of a 80 kg man in
the elevator if the elevator is (a) moving up (b) moving down. [Ans: (a) 100 kg, (b) 60 kg]
10. A particle of mass 3 kg moving in a straight line decelerates uniformly from a speed of 40 m/s to 20 m/s in a
distance of 300 m. (a) Find the magnitude of the deceleration. (b) How much further does it travel before it
comes to rest and how much longer will this take? (c) what is the total work done in bringing the particle to
rest from the speed of 40 m/s? [Ana. (a) 2 m/s 2 , (b) 100 m; 10 a, (c) 2400 newton meters (or joules)]

MOTION OF PROJECTILES
1. A projectile is launched with a muzzle velocity of 2900 km/h at an angle of 60° with a horizontal
and lands on the same plane. Find (a) the maximum height reached, (b) the time to reach the
maximum height, (c) the total time of fight, (d) the range, (e) the speed after 1 minute of flight, (f)
the speed at a height of 10,000 m. [Ans. (a) 24.8 km, (b) 71.l 1 s, (c) 142.23 s, (d) 57.29 km, (e)
1602 km/h, (f) 2421 km/h.]
2. (a) What is the maximum range possible for a projectile fired from a cannon having muzzle velocity
1.6 km/s and (b) what is the height reached in this case? [Ans. (a) 229 km, (b) 57.34 km.]
3. A cannon has its maximum range given by 𝑅𝑚𝑎𝑥 . Prove that (a) the height reached in such case is
1
𝑅
4 𝑚𝑎𝑥
and (b) the time of flight is √𝑅𝑚𝑎𝑥 /2𝑔.
4. It is desired to launch a projectile from the ground as to hit a given point on the ground which is at
a distance less than the maximum range, Prove that there are two possible angles for the launching,
one which is less than 45° by a certain amount and the other greater than 45° by the same amount.
5. A projectile having horizontal range R reaches a maximum height H. Prove that it must have been
launched with (a) an initial speed equal to √𝑔(𝑅 2 + 16𝐻 2 )/8𝐻 and (b) at an angle with the
horizontal given by 𝑠𝑖𝑛−1 (4𝐻/√𝑅 2 + 16𝐻 2 ).
6.
A projectile is launched at an angle a from a cliff of height H above
sea level. If it falls into the sea at a distance D from the base of the
cliff, prove that its maximum height above sea level is
𝐷2 tan2 𝛼
𝐻+
4(𝐻 + 𝐷 tan 𝛼)

MOTION IN A RESISTING MEDIUM

1. An object of weight 𝑊 is thrown vertically upward with speed 𝑣0 . Assuming that air resistance is
proportional to the instantaneous velocity and that the constant of proportionality is 𝑘, prove that (a) the
object will reach a maximum height of
2. A man on a parachute falls from rest and acquires a. limiting speed of 24 km/h. Assuming that air
resistance is proportional to the instantaneous speed, determine how long it takes to reach the speed of
22.5 km/h. [Ans. 1.89 s]
3. A mass m moves. along a straight line under the influence of a constant force F. Assuming that
there is a resisting force numerically equal to 𝑘𝑣 2 where 𝑣 is the instantaneous speed and 𝑘 is a -
𝑚 𝐹−𝑘𝑣 2
constant, prove that the distance travelled in going from speed 𝑣1 to 𝑣2 is 2𝑘 ln (𝐹−𝑘𝑣12 ).
2
4. A particle of mass 𝑚 moves in a straight line acted upon by a constant resisting force of magnitude
𝐹. If it starts with a speed of 𝑣0 , (a) how long will it take before coming to rest and (b) what distance
will it travel in this time? [Ans. (a) 𝑚𝑣0 /𝐹, (b) 𝑚𝑣02 /2𝐹]
Can this Problem be worked by energy considerations? Explain.
5. A locomotive of mass m travels with constant speed 𝑣0 along a horizontal track. (a) How long will
it take for the locomotive to come to rest after the ignition is turned off, if the resistance to the
motion is given by 𝛼 + 𝛽𝑣 2 where 𝑣 is the instantaneous speed and 𝛼 and 𝛽 are constants? (b)
What is the distance travelled? [Ans. (a) 𝑚√𝛼𝛽 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (𝑣0 √𝛽/𝛼)(b) (𝑚/2𝛽) ln(1 + 𝛽𝑣02 /𝛼)]
6. A particle moves along the 𝑥 axis acted upon only by a resisting force which is proportional to the
cube of the instantaneous speed. It the initial speed is 𝑣0 and after a time 𝜏 the speed is ½𝑣0 , (a)
1
prove that the speed will be 4 𝑣0 in time 5𝜏, (b) find the distance travelled by the particle in reaching
1 2
the speeds (i) ½𝑣0 , (ii) 4 𝑣0 . [Ans: (a) 8 𝑣0 𝜏, (ii) 𝑣0 𝜏]