PHY 2048 Section 802

Spring 2015

Example Questions for Exam #1

Note: These problems are provided as an example of the types of questions I might ask and the
level of understanding that I expect. This is in no way a comprehensive study guide. While the
examples listed below are mostly computational, I will include quite a few conceptual questions
on the exam.
I encourage you to work through the discussion questions at the end of each chapter. They will
help you to test your understanding of the concepts.
I have posted solutions to selected textbook problems. I suggest trying to work them out on your
own before looking at the answers. Below is a list of some additional problems that you may
want to consider.
3.37
3.40
3.43
3.51
3.73
3.83
4.1
4.37
4.51
4.61

. The magnitude of
is 4.00 and the magnitude of
1)
You are given two vectors,
, and

is 3.50. If =

, then what is ?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

0
56.0
14.0
16.3
35.4

and
. The dot product of
Since is the cross product of
and
, it is perpendicular to both
any two perpendicular vectors is zero, so = 0.

2)
In which of the frames of reference will Newtons laws of motion hold? (Ignore any
small vibrations and the rotation/orbit of the earth.)
Frame 1:
Frame 2:
Frame 3:
Frame 4:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

An airplane flying in a straight line at a constant speed

A train traveling along a curved track at a constant speed
An elevator moving upwards with a constant speed
A car driving over a hill at a constant speed

Frames 1 and 3
Frames 1, 3, and 4
Frames 2 and 4
All of the frames
None of the frames

Newtons laws of motion are valid in any inertial frame of reference. An inertial frame of
reference is one whose acceleration is zero. In frames 2 and 4, the speed is constant, by the
direction of the velocity changes, so they are accelerating. Frames 1 and 3 are moving with
constant velocity and are therefore inertial frames.

3)
An airplane is flying horizontally at a constant velocity at an altitude of 1000 m when it
begins a sharp climb with an acceleration of 2. The direction of this acceleration is purely
vertical. When the plane reaches an altitude of 3000 m, its speed is 400 m/s. What was its
speed before the climb?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

312 m/s
126 m/s
483 m/s
286 m/s
221 m/s

Using the kinematic equations for constant acceleration, we will find the magnitude of the
vertical component of the velocity after the climb and then use that and the given speed to find
the horizontal component. Then, we can calculate the initial speed.
We will choose a coordinate system such that up is positive . Initially, the plane is flying
, and 0 = 0. For the acceleration, = 0 and =
horizontally, so its velocity is 0 =
2. Since there is no horizontal acceleration, at any time is still 0 .
In the direction, solving for after the climb,

2
+ 2 ( 0 )
2 =

2 = 4

Using the speed after the climb, , solve for 0

2
= 0
+ 2

0 = 2 2 = 2 4 = 400

m 2
m
4 9.8 2 (2000 m) = 286 m/s
s
s

0 = 0 = 286 m/s

4)
A block, with mass = 5.00 kg, is at rest
atop a long frictionless horizontal table. A force, ,
with a magnitude of 6.00 N is applied to the block at
an angle of 30 below the horizontal for 1.5 s. The
block then slides off the table and lands a distance of
82 cm from the base of the table. What is the height
of the table?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

1.02 m
0.83 m
1.35 m
2.11 m
1.54 m

The block is accelerated along the table by the force for = 1.5 s. After that time it continues
to move with the same velocity 0 in the horizontal direction until it slides off the table. From
the horizontal speed and the horizontal distance, = 0.82 m, we can find the time of flight, .
Then, we use that time to calculate the height from which it fell.
=

Distance, = 0

6N
=
= 1.20 m/s2
5 kg

0 = = (1.2 m/s2 )(1.5 s) = 1.80 m/s

=

0.82 m
=
= 0.456 s
0 1.80 m/s
1

The height is = 0 , and = 0. From = 0 + 0 + 2 2 ,

=

1
0 = 2
2

1 2 1
= (9.8 m/s2 )(0.456 s)2 = 1.017 m
2 2
= 1.02 m

5)
A ball, mass 750 g, is connected to a 1.00 m long wire
and swings in uniform circular motion as shown in the figure
to the right. The wire makes an angle of = 30 with the
vertical. What is the speed of the ball?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

0.93 m/s
1.14 m/s
2.85 m/s
1.37 m/s
1.68 m/s

The ball is moving in a circle because it is accelerating towards the center at a rate of rad =

Drawing a free body diagram, we see there are two forces acting on the ball: tension and weight.
We can express the tension in terms of its horizontal and vertical components. There is no
acceleration in the vertical direction, so:
= cos = 0

(0.75 kg)(9.8 m/s2 )

=
= 8.49 N
=
cos
cos 30

In the horizontal direction, we have an acceleration of rad =

. We can find the radius of the

circle with trigonometry, looking at the triangle whose hypotenuse, = 1 m, is the wire. ( =
sin )
= sin = =

2
2
=

sin

= sin2 / = (1 m)(8.49 N)(sin 30)/(0.75 kg) = 1.68 m/s