Ch 4 MOTION IN A PLANE

Scalar and vector quantities;

position and displacement vectors,
general vectors and their notations;
equality of vectors,
multiplication of vectors by a real number;
addition and subtraction of vectors,
Unit vector;
resolution of a vector in a plane, rectangular components,
Scalar and Vector product of vectors.

projectile motion,
uniform circular motion.
Projectile motion & circular motion are egs of motion in a plane.

Vectors are used to describe motion in a plane ( two- dimentional motion )

Q
Graphical representation of a vector :

Length of PQ is proportional to the magnitude and

arrow indicates the direction of the vector.
P
The end P is called tail and Q is the head of the vector.

Analytical representation : v

Its magnitude is v or v

Kinds of vectors :

(i) Localized or fixed vectors: A vector whose tail is fixed

(ii) Non localized or free vectors: A vector whose tail is not fixed
(iii) Collinear vectors: vectors having same direction
(iv) Equal vectors: vectors having both magnitude and direction same
(v) Negative vector: Two vectors having equal magnitude but opposite
direction
(vi) Unit vector: A vector having unit magnitude.
It is represented as ^
n
^ = 1
n
^
n =A
A

A = A^
n
(vii) Orthogonal Unit vectors: Unit vectors along x- axis, y-axis and z -axis
which are mutually perpendicular to each other
^ ^ ^
They are represented as i , j , k respectively

(viii) Coplanar vectors :Vectors lying on the same plane

(ix) Null vector/ zero vector: A vector having zero magnitude

It is represented as O
(x) parallel vectors: The vectors whose lines of action are parallel

(xi) concurrent vectors / co-initial vectors :The vectors having same initial point.

Multiplication of vectors by real numbers:

If A is multiplied by 2, the resultant vector is 2A which has the same direction
as A but magnitude 2 times.

If A is multiplied by – 2 , the resultant vector is – 2 A, which has direction

opposite to that of A and its magnitude 2 times.

Addition of vectors ( Graphical method)

A+B=R R is called resultant vector

There are 3 laws of vector addition: Triangle law

Parallelogram law
Polygon law
1 . Triangle law of vector addition: If two vectors can be
represented in magnitude and direction by the two
sides of a triangle taken in order, then the resultant
vector can be represented by the third side of the
triangle taken in the opposite order.

Let A & B be represented by the two sides of the

triangle, the resultant R is given by the third side

R=A+B
2. Parallelogram law of vector addition: If two vectors can
be represented in magnitude and direction by the two
adjacent sides of a parallelogram drawn from a point, the
resultant vector is represented by the diagonal of the
parallelogram passing through that point.
Let A & B be two vectors represented by the adjacent sides of a parallelogram ,
the resultant R is given by the diagonal of the parallelogram .

R=A+B
Magnitude of R is R = √ A2 + B2 + 2AB cos ө , ө is angle b/w A & B
Direction is given by tan α = B sin ө
A + B cos ө α is the angle made by R with A
Properties of vector addition:

1.It is Commutative : A + B = B + A
2.It is associative: ( A + B ) + C = A + ( B + C)
3. A – A = 0 , zero vector
A+0=A
0A=0
20= 0
Subtraction of vectors:

Subtraction of B from A is defined as the addition of - B to A

A–B=A+ (-B)= R
Magnitude & Direction of resultant of two vectors :

A & B are two vectors and ө is the angle b/w them.

From the parallelogram law of vector addition, the

diagonal OS represents the resultant , R = A + B

Draw SN perpendicular to OP produced.

From ∆ OSN , OS 2 = ON 2 + SN 2
OS 2 =(OP+PN) 2 + SN 2 ………(1)
OS= R
From ∆ PSN, sin ө = SN OP= A
PS PS =B
SN = PS sin ө = B sin ө PN= B cos ө
SN= B sin ө
cos ө = PN
PS

PN = PS cos ө = B cos ө

Substituting in (1)

R 2 = (A + Bcos ө) 2 + (B sin ө) 2
R 2 = A 2 + B 2 cos 2 ө + 2AB cos ө + B 2 sin 2 ө
cos 2 ө + sin 2 ө = 1
R 2 = A 2 + B 2 (cos 2 ө + sin 2 ө) + 2AB cos ө
R 2 = A 2 + B 2 + 2AB cos ө
A & B are magnitudes
of A & B
R = √A 2 + B 2 + 2AB cos ө

Direction:
Let α be the angle made by R with A
From ∆ OSN , tan α = SN = SN = B sin ө
ON OP+PN A + B cos ө

tan α = B sin ө
A + B cos ө

If ө = 90, R = √A 2 + B 2
tan α = B
A
 (Expressing a vector in
Resolution of vectors: terms of its rectangular components)
Consider A that lies in X-Y plane.

A=Ax+Ay A x & A y are the rectangular

components of A along X- axis & Y- axis respectively.
^
Ax=Axi A x is magnitude of A x
^
A y = A yj A y is magnitude of A y
^ ^
Hence A = A x i + A y j

Let ө be the angle made by A with X- axis

sin ө = A y cos ө = A x
A A

A y = A sin ө , A x = A cos ө
A 2x + A 2y = (A cos ө) 2 + (A sin ө) 2 = A 2 (cos 2ө + sin 2ө) = A 2

A =√ A 2x + A 2y tan ө = A y ө = tan -1 A y
Ax Ax
 ^ ^ ^
In 3- dimension, A = A x i + A y j + A z k

Motion in a plane:
Position vector:
Position vector of a particle at P is represented as
^ ^
r=xi+yj
Its magnitude r = √ x2 + y2
tan ө = y
x
Displacement vector:
∆r = ∆x+∆y
∆x= x 2 -x 1
∆y= y 2- y 1
∆r =√ ∆x 2 +∆y 2

velocity vector: v avg = ∆r

∆t

Instantaneous vel v = dr v x = dx v y = dy
^ ^ dt dt dt
v = vx i + v yj
Magnitude , v =√ v 2 x + v 2 y

tan ө = v y
vx

Acceleration :

aavg = ∆v
∆t

Instantaneous accel, a = dv
dt
^ ^ ax = dv x a y = dv y
a = ax i + a yj
dt dt

Magnitude , a =√ a 2x + a 2y

tan ө = ay
ax
Motion in a plane with constant acceleration:

v = u + at
v x = u x + a x t for motion along X axis
v y = u y + a yt for motion along Y axis

r – r 0 = ut + 1 at 2 r – r 0 = ∆r (displacement)
2

x– x 0 = u x t + 1 a x t 2 for motion along X axis

2
y– y 0 = u y t + 1 a y t 2 for motion along y axis

2
Motion in a plane can be treated as two simultaneous 1- dimensional motions
along two mutually perpendicular directions.
Q: Rain is falling vertically with a speed of 35 m/s .Wind starts blowing with a
speed of 12 m/s in east to west direction. What is the resultant velocity? In
which direction should a boy waiting at the bus stop hold his umbrella ?
N
Resultant velocity of rain & wind, R = √ v 2r+ v 2w

= √ 35 2+ 12 2

= 37 m/s

Direction: tan ө = v w = 12 =
vr 35
vw
S
 tan ө = 0.343

ө = tan -1 (0.343) = 19 0

The boy should hold the umbrella at an angle 19 0 with the vertical towards the
east
^ ^ ^
Q: The position of a particle is given by r = 3.0 t i + 2.0 t2 j + 5.0 k where t is in
seconds & r is in m
(i) Find v (t)
(ii) a (t) of the particle.
(iii) Also find the magnitude & direction of v(t) at t = 1.0 s

v = dr = d ( 3 t^i + 2 t 2^j + 5 ^k)

dt dt
^ ^
v = 3i+4tj

a = dv = 4 ^ j a = 4 m/s2 along y- direction

dt
^ ^
At t = 1 s, v= 3 i + 4 j Its magnitude, v= √ 3 2 + 4 2
v = 5 m/s

Direction : tan ө = v y = 4 = 1.33

vy
vx 3
vx
ө = 53 0 with x axis

Projectile Motion
An object thrown into space with an initial velocity at an angle to the horizontal
is called a projectile.

The path traced by the projectile is called its trajectory and it is a parabola.

The velocity with which the object is projected – velocity of projection (u)

The angle b/w the direction of projection and the horizontal – angle of
projection ,ө
Expression for trajectory of a projectile
Consider a body projected from a point O
with initial velocity u at an angle ө with
the horizontal.
Its acceleration is acceleration due to
gravity which acts vertically downwards.
ax= 0 ( no horizontal force)
a y = - g ( body moving upwards) O
u has 2 components: ux = u cos ө
u y = u sin ө
ux remains constant since a x = 0
But u y decreases , become 0 at max height, then increases in opposite direction.
The vertical distance, y = u y t + 1 a y t 2
2
y = (usinө)t – 1 g t 2 ............(1)
2
Horizontal distance x = u x t + 1 a x t 2 but a x =0
2
x = (u cosө) t or t = x substituting for t in (1)
u cosө
y = (u sinө) x – 1 g x 2
ucosө 2 u 2cos2 ө
y = x tan ө – 1 g x2
2 u 2cos2 ө

This equation is in the form y = ax + bx 2 which represents a parabola

Hence the trajectory of a projectile is a parabola.

Time taken to reach maximum height :

At the max height, v y = 0

vy = uy + ay t (for vertical motion)

0 = u sin ө - gt (but a y = -g )

gt = u sin ө

Time of ascent, t = u sin ө

g

Time of flight :
Time of ascent = Time of descent
Total time = 2t T = 2u sin ө
g
Maximum height of the projectile:
The vertical distance, y = u y t + 1 a y t 2
2
y = (usinө)t – 1 g t 2
2
Time taken to reach max height, t = u sin ө
g
Substituting for t , y = (usinө) u sin ө – 1 g u sin ө 2

g 2 g

H =u 2 sin 2 ө - 1 u 2 sin 2 ө
g 2 g

H = u 2 sin 2 ө 1 - 1
g 2

H = u 2 sin 2 ө
2g
 Range of the Projectile :

Maximum distance travelled by the projectile in the horizontal direction is called

range of projectile.
Horizontal distnace, x = u x t + 1 a x t 2 but a x =0
2
x = (u cosө) t
Here t = T ( Total time of flight)

T = 2 u sin ө substituting for t

g

R= u cosө 2 u sin ө = u 2 2sinө cosө ( But 2 sinө cosө = sin2ө)

g g

R = u 2 sin 2ө
g

Note:
1.For a given velocity of projection, the range is maximum when sin2ө is max
i.e, sin2ө =1 , 2ө= 90 0 , ө = 45 0
i.e, Range is max when angle of projection is 45 0
2. For same range R there are two angles of projection: ө & (90 – ө)
Because sin 2 ө has same value for ө & 90 - ө

Eg : For same R , if ө= 30 0 , then (90- ө) = 60 0

If ө = 15 0 , then (90- ө) = 75 0

Q: A football player kicks a ball at an angle of 35 0 to the horizontal with an initial

velocity of 15 m/s .Calculate (a) Maximum height (b) time of flight (c)
horizontal range

u = 15 m/s
Ө = 35 0
(a) H = u 2 sin 2 ө =
2g
(b) T = 2 u sin ө =
g
(c) R = u 2 sin2ө =
g
H = 3.78 m
T = 1.76 s
R = 21.57 m

Q: A bullet fired at an angle of 30 0 with the horizontal hits the ground 3 km away.
By adjusting the angle of projection , can one hope to hit a target 5 km away?

R = 3 km= 3000 m
Ө = 30 0
R = u 2 sin2ө = 3000
g
u=

R’ = 5 km = 5000 m
R = u 2 sin2ө = 5000
g

sin2ө =

(If this value is < 1, it is possible, otherwise, not possible)

Q: A boy can throw a stone upto a max height of 10 m.What is the max range
that the boy can throw it?

H = u 2 sin 2 ө
2g

H max = u 2 = 10 m
2g

u=

R = u 2 sin2ө
g
R max = u 2 =
g
Uniform Circular Motion

The motion of a body along the circumference of a circle with uniform speed is
called uniform circular motion.
The angle described by the radius vector - angular displacement , ө
Rate of angular displacement - angular velocity , ω

ω= ө
t

Unit is rad/s

During uniform circular motion, speed remains constant, but direction

changes continuously.
Direction of velocity at any instant is given by the tangent to the circle.
 v
Relation b/w angular velocity & linear speed :
v
Consider a particle moving along a circular path of
radius r with velocity v
The particle move from A to B in time t through a
distance s
If ө is the angular displacement, angle = arc
radius
Ө=s
r
s=rӨ
Linear speed, v= s = r Ө
t t

[ But Ө = ω , angular velocity ]

t

Thus v = ωr

v= ω x r
Period of revolution( T) :The time taken by the particle to complete one circle

Frequency ( ᵞ) : The no of revolutions made by the particle in 1 second

ᵞ= 1
T
For 1 circle, angular dispalcement, Ө = 2π & time taken is T

ω=Ө
t

ω = 2π = 2π ᵞ
T

Centripetal accelaration :
When a particle is in uniform circular motion , the acceleration of the particle
which is acting along the radius towards the centre of the circular path is called
centripetal acceleration.
Consider a particle moving with uniform
speed , v in a circle of radius r.
2
The object move from P 1 to P2 in a time
interval ∆t.

At P 1 let r 1 be the position vector & v 1

1
velocity of the particle.
At P 2 let r 2 be the position vector & v 2 velocity
of the particle.
Change in velocity when particle move from P 1 to P 2in time ∆t, ∆v = v 2 - v 1
Change in position, ∆r = r 2 - r 1

v 1 is perpendicular to r 1

v 2 is perpendicular to r 2

Therefore ∆ v is perpendicular to ∆ r
a is in the direction of ∆v i.e , towards the centre of the circle

Instantaneous acceleration , a = lim ∆v .............(1)

∆t 0 ∆t
Angle b/w r 1 & r 2 is ∆ө, then angle b/w v 1 & v 2 is also ∆ө
r1 = r2 = r
v 1 = v 2 = v Therefore traingle ABC is similar to triangle OP1P 2
Hence ∆v = ∆r
v r

∆v = v ∆r
r
a = lim ∆v = lim v∆r
∆t 0 ∆t ∆t 0 r∆t

= v lim ∆r But lim ∆r =v

r ∆t 0 ∆t ∆t 0 ∆t

a=v(v)
r
aC= v 2 since v = ωr
r a C = ω2r
Q: A stone tied to the end of a string 80 cm is whirled in a horizontal circle with
a constant speed.If the stone makes 14 revolutions in 25 s , what is the
magnitude & direction of acceleration of the stone?

r = 0.8 m
ᵞ = 14 rps
25

a C = ω2r = ω = 2∏ ᵞ =

Direction of a C is along the radius towards the centre of the circular path
 a C = 9.9 ms -2

Q: An aircraft executes a horizontal loop of radius 1 km with a steady speed of

900 km/h .Compare the centripetal acceleration to accelertion due to gravity.

r = 1 km = 1000 m
v = 900 x 5 m/s = 250 m/s
18

a C= v2 =
r

aC =
g

true or false:
(a) The net acceleration of a particle in circular motion is always along the radius of the circle
towards the centre.
(b) The velocity vector of a particle at a point is always along the tangent to the path of the
particle at that point.
(c) The acceleration vector of a particle in uniform circular motion averaged over one cycle is a
null vector.
a C= 62.5 ms -2

a C= 6.38
g

Q: A cyclist is riding with a speed of 27 km/h. As he approaches a circular turn on the road
of radius 80 m, he applies brakes and reduces his speed at the constant rate of 0.50 m/s
every second. What is the magnitude and direction of the net acceleration of the cyclist on
the circular turn?