Dynamics is the branch of mechanics which deals with the study of bodies in motion.

Branches of Dynamics
Dynamics is divided into two branches called kinematics and kinetics.
Kinematics is the geometry in motion. This term is used to define the motion of a
particle or body without consideration of the forces causing the motion.
Kinetics is the branch of mechanics that relates the force acting on a body to its mass
and acceleration.

Symbols and Notations

s = distance
x = horizontal displacement
y = vertical displacement
v = velocity
vf = final velocity
vi = initial velocity
a = acceleration
g = acceleration due to gravity
t = time

Motion of a Particle
Particle is a term used to denote an object of point size. A system of particles which
formed into appreciable size is termed as body. These terms may apply equally to the
same object. The earth for example may be assumed as a particle in comparison with
its orbit, whereas to an observer on the earth, it is a body with appreciable size. In
general, a particle is an object whose size is so small in comparison to the size of its
path.

Rectilinear Translation (Motion Along a Straight Line)

Motion with constant velocity (uniform motion)

s=vt

Motion with constant acceleration

vf=vi+at
s=vit+12at2
vf2=vi2+2as

Free-falling body

v=gt
h=12gt2
v2=2gh
Note: From motion with constant acceleration, set vi = 0, vf = v, s = h, and a =
g to get the free-fall formulas.

Motion with variable acceleration

a=dvdt
v=dsdt
vdv=ads

Where
s = distance
h = height

v = velocity
vi = initial velocity
vf = final velocity
a = acceleration
g = acceleration due to gravity (g = 9.81 m/s2 in SI = 32.2 ft/s2 in English)
t = time
Note:
a is positive (+) if
a is negative (-) if

v is increasing (accelerate).
v is decreasing (decelerate).

g is positive (+) if the particle is moving downward.

g is negative (-)if the particle is moving upward.

Useful conversion factors:

From

To

Multiply by

Kilometers per hour (kph)

Meter per second (m/sec)

1 / 3.6

Meter per second (m/sec)

Kilometers per hour (kph or km/hr)

Miles per hour (mph)

Feet per second (fps or ft/sec)

22 / 15

Feet per second (ft/sec)

Miles per hour (mph or mi/hr)

15 / 22

3.6

1. On a certain stretch of track, trains run at 60 mph (96.56 kph). How far back of
a stopped train should be a warning torpedo be placed to signal an oncoming train?
Assume that the brakes are applied at once and retard the train at the uniform rate
of 2 ft/sec2 (0.61 m/s2).
English System
Initial velocity

vi=60 mph=60(2215)
vi=88 ft/sec
vf2=vi2+2as
02=8822(2)s
s=1936 ft

answer

SI units
Initial velocity

vi=96.56 kph=96.56(13.6)
vi=26.82 m/sec
vf2=vi2+2as
02=26.8222(0.61)s
s=589.7 m

answer

2. A stone is thrown vertically upward and return to earth in 10 sec. What was its
initial velocity and how high did it go?

Solution

Return in 10 seconds = 5 seconds upward + 5 seconds downward

SI Units
Going upward (velocity at the highest point is zero):

vf=vigt
0=vi9.81(5)
vi=49.05 m/sec

answer

Going downward (initial velocity is zero; free-fall):

h=12gt2
h=12(9.81)(52)
h=122.625 m

answer

English System
Going upward (velocity at the highest point is zero):

vf=vigt
0=vi32.2(5)
vi=161 ft/sec

answer

Going downward (initial velocity is zero; free-fall):

h=12gt2
h=12(32.2)(52)
h=402.5 ft

answer

3. A ball is dropped from the top of a tower 80 ft (24.38 m) high at the same

instant that a second ball is thrown upward from the ground with an initial
velocity of 40 ft/sec (12.19 m/s). When and where do they pass, and with what
relative velocity?
h = 80 ft
vA = 0
vB = 40 ft/s
g = 32.2 ft/s2

From A to C (free-fall)

h1=12gt2
h1=12(32.2)t2
h1=16.1t2
From B to C (upward motion)
From the formula s = vit + at2

h2=vBt12gt2
h2=40t12(32.2)t2
h2=40t16.1t2
A to C plus B to C is equal to height of the tower

h1+h2=h
16.1t2+(40t16.1t2)=80
40t=80
t=2 sec
h1=16.1(22)
h1=64.4 ft
They pass each other after 2 seconds at 64.4 ft from the top of the tower.

answer

Velocity at C of stone from A (after 2 seconds)

vC1=gt=32.2(2)
vC1=64.4 ft/s
Velocity at C of stone from B (after 2 seconds)

vC2=vBgt==4032.2(2)
vC2=24.4 ft/s the negative sign indicates that the stone is moving downward
Relative velocity:

vr=vC1+vC2=64.424.4

vr=40 ft/sec

answer

4. A stone is dropped down a well and 5 sec later, the sounds of the splash is heard. If
the velocity of sound is 1120 ft/sec (341.376 m/s), what is the depth of the well?

tstone+tsound=5
For tstone (free-falling body):

h=12gt2
t=2hg

For tsound (uniform motion):

h=vt
t=hv
Thus,

2hg+hv=5

English System

2h32.2+h1120=5
2h32.2=5h1120
2h32.2=(5h1120)2
10h161=25h112+h21254400
11254400h21832576h+25=0
h=88759.73 and 353.31

For h = 88 759.73 ft

t=2(88759.73)32.2
t=74.2 sec >5 sec

(not okay!)

For h = 353.31 ft

t=2(353.31)32.2
$t = 4.68 \, \text{ sec } okay!)

Thus, h = 353.31 ft

answer

SI Units

2h9.81+h341.376=5
2h9.81=5h341.376
200h981=5125h42672
200h981=(5125h42672)2
200h981=25625h21336+15625h21820899584
156251820899584h216267756976872h+25=0
h=27065.05 and 107.64
For h = 27 065.05 m

t=2(27065.05)9.81
t=74.2 sec >5 sec

(not okay!)

For h = 107.64 m

t=2(107.64)9.81
$t = 4.68 \, \text{ sec } okay!)

Thus, h = 107.64 m

answer

5. A stone is dropped from a captive balloon at an elevation of 1000 ft (304.8 m). Two
seconds later another stone is thrown vertically upward from the ground with a velocity
of 248 ft/s (75.6 m/s). If g = 32 ft/s 2 (9.75 m/s2), when and where the stones pass
each other?
Solution in English Units

h=1000 ft
vi2=248 ft/s
g=32 ft/s2
Stone dropped from captive balloon (free-falling body):

h1=12gt2=12(32)t12
h1=16t12
Stone thrown vertically from the ground 2 seconds later

s=vi2t212gt22
h2=248t212(32)t22
h2=248(t12)16(t12)2
h1+h2=h
16t12+[248(t12)16(t12)2]=1000
16t12+248(t12)16(t124t1+4)=1000
16t12+248t149616t12+64t164=1000
16t12+248t149616t12+64t164=1000
312t1=1560

t1=5 sec
The stones will pass each other 5 seconds after the first stone was dropped from the captive
balloon.
answer

h2=248(52)16(52)2
h2=600 ft
The stones will meet at a point 600 ft above the ground.

answer

Solution in SI Units

h=304.8 m
vi2=75.6 m/s
g=9.75 ft/s2
Stone dropped from captive balloon (free-falling body):

h1=12gt2=12(9.75)t12
h1=4.875t12
Stone thrown vertically from the ground 2 seconds later

s=vi2t212gt22
h2=75.6t212(9.75)t22
h2=75.6(t12)4.875(t12)2
h1+h2=h
4.875t12+[75.6(t12)4.875(t12)2]=304.8
4.875t12+75.6(t12)4.875(t124t1+4)=304.8
4.875t12+75.6t1151.24.875t12+19.5t119.5=304.8
4.875t12+75.6t1151.24.875t12+19.5t119.5=304.8
95.1t1=475.5
t1=5 sec

The stones will pass each other 5 seconds after the first stone was dropped from the captive
balloon.
answer

h2=75.6(52)4.875(52)2
h2=182.925 m
The stones will meet at a point 182.925 m above the ground.

answer

6. A stone is thrown vertically upward from the ground with a velocity of 48.3 ft per sec
(14.72 m per sec). One second later another stone is thrown vertically upward with a
velocity of 96.6 ft per sec (29.44 m per sec). How far above the ground will the stones
be at the same level?
Solution in English System

s=vit+12at2
h=vit12gt2
h=vit12(32.2)t2
h=vit16.1t2
For the first stone:

h1=48.3t16.1t2
For the second stone

h2=96.6(t1)16.1(t1)2
h2=96.6(t1)16.1(t22t+1)
h2=96.6t96.616.1t2+32.2t16.1
h2=16.1t2+128.8t112.7
h1=h2
48.3t16.1t2=16.1t2+128.8t112.7
80.5t=112.7
t=1.4 s
h=48.3(1.4)16.1(1.42)

h=36.064 ft

answer

Solution in SI

s=vit+12at2
h=vit12gt2
h=vit12(9.81)t2
h=vit4.905t2
For the first stone:

h1=14.72t4.905t2
For the second stone

h2=29.44(t1)4.905(t1)2
h2=29.44(t1)4.905(t22t+1)
h2=29.44t29.444.905t2+9.81t4.905
h2=4.905t2+39.25t34.345
h1=h2
14.72t4.905t2=4.905t2+39.25t34.345
24.53t=34.345
t=1.4 s
h1=14.72(1.4)4.905(1.42)
h=10.994 m

answer

7. A ball is shot vertically into the air at a velocity of 193.2 ft per sec (58.9 m per sec).
After 4 sec, another ball is shot vertically into the air. What initial velocity must the
second ball have in order to meet the first ball 386.4 ft (117.8 m) from the ground?
Solution: English System of Units

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

s=vit+12at2

a=g=32.2 ft/s2
s=386.4 ft
Thus,

386.4=vit16.1t2
First ball:

386.4=193.2t16.1t2
t212t+24=0
t=9.46 and 2.5
Use t=9.46 s
Second ball:

386.4=vi(t4)16.1(t4)2
386.4=vi(9.464)16.1(9.464)2
vi=158.67 ft/s

answer

Solution: International System of Units

s=vit+12at2
a=g=9.81 m/s2
s=117.8 ft
Thus,

117.8=vit4.905t2
First ball:

117.8=58.9t4.905t2
4.905t258.9t+117.8=0
t=9.47 and 2.54
Use t=9.47 s

Second ball:

117.8=vi(t4)4.905(t4)2
117.8=vi(9.474)4.905(9.474)2
vi=48.36 m/s

answer

8. A stone is thrown vertically up from the ground with a velocity of 300 ft per sec
(91.44 m/s). How long must one wait before dropping a second stone from the top of a
600-ft (182.88-m) tower if the two stones are to pass each other 200 ft (60.96 m) from
the top of the tower?
English System Solution

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

Stone from the ground:

s=vit+12at2
h1=vi1t12gt2
600200=300t1232.2t2
16.1t2300t+400=0
t=17.19 sec and 1.44 sec
Stone from the top of the tower:
Let t2 = time to wait before dropping the second stone

h=12g(tt2)2
With t = 17.19 sec

200=12(32.2)(17.19t2)2
t2=13.67 sec
With t = 1.44 sec

200=12(32.2)(1.44t2)2
t2=2.08 sec (meaningless)
Use t2=13.67 sec

answer

System International Solution

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

Stone from the ground:

s=vit+12at2
h1=vi1t12gt2
182.8860.96=91.44t129.81t2
4.905t291.44t+121.92=0
t=17.19 sec and 1.44 sec
Stone from the top of the tower:
Let t2 = time to wait before dropping the second stone

h=12g(tt2)2
With t = 17.19 sec

60.96=12(9.81)(17.19t2)2
t2=13.67 sec
With t = 1.44 sec

60.96=12(32.2)(1.44t2)2
t2=2.08 sec (meaningless)
Use t2=13.67 sec

answer

9. A ship being launched slides down the ways with constant acceleration. She
takes 8 sec to slide (the first foot | 0.3048 meter). How long will she take to
slide down the ways if their length is (625 ft | 190.5 m)?
Solution

s=vit+12at2 where vi=0

Thus

s=12at2
English Units

SI Units

1=12a(82)

0.3048=12a(82)

a=0.03125 ft/sec2

a=0.009525 m/sec2

625=12(0.03125)t2

190.5=12(0.009525)t2

t=200 sec

t=200 sec

t=3 min 20 sec

answer

t=3 min 20 sec

answer

10. A train moving with constant acceleration travels 24 ft (7.32 m) during the 10th sec
of its motion and 18 ft (5.49 m) during the 12th sec of its motion. Find its initial
velocity and its constant acceleration.
Solution in English Units

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

vf=vi+at

24=vo+10a equation (1)

18=vo+12a equation (2)
Equation (1) minus equation (2)

6=2a
a=3 ft/sec2
From equation (1)

24=vo+10(3)

answer

vo=54 ft/sec

answer

Solution in SI Units

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

vf=vi+at

7.32=vo+10a equation (1)

5.49=vo+12a equation (2)
Equation (1) minus equation (2)

1.83=2a
a=0.915 m/sec2

answer

From equation (1)

7.32=vo+10(0.915)
vo=16.47 m/sec

answer

11. The motion of a particle is given by the equation

meter and

t in seconds. Compute the values of v and a when t=2 sec.

Solution 1019

s=2t416t3+2t2
v=dsdt

s=2t416t3+2t2 where s is in

v=8t312t2+4t
a=dvdt
a=24t2t+4
When t = 2 sec

v=8(23)12(22)+4(2)
v=70 m/s

answer

a=24(22)2+4
a=98 m/s2

answer

Projectile motion follows a parabolic trajectory. The vertical component of projectile is

under constant gravitational acceleration and the horizontal component is at constant
velocity. For easy handling, resolve the motion into x and y components and use the

formulas in rectilinear translation.

Form the figure below:

vox=vocos
voy=vosin

At any point B
For the x-component of motion, acceleration is zero (constant velocity), thus
ax = 0.

vBx=vox
x=voxt

For the y-component of motion, ay = -g. Notice that the first three formulas that
follow are taken from motion with constant acceleration.

vBy=voygt
y=voyt12gt2
vBy2=voy22gy

From x = voxt, t = x/vox. Substitute t = x/vox to y = voyt - gt2.

y=voy(xvox)12g(xvox)2
y=voy(xvox)12g(x2vox2)
y=vosin(xvocos)12g[x2(vocos)2]
y=xsincosgx22vo2cos2
y=xtangx22vo2cos2

At point A
At the highest point or summit, vAy = 0.

H=voy22g
t=voyg

At point C
x = R, y = 0, vC = vo, and vy = -voy

R=vo2sin2g
t=2voyg=2vosing

Note:

vy is positive if directed upward and negative if directed downward

At any point D below the origin O, the sign of y is negative.

1. A projectile is fired up the inclined plane at an initial velocity of 15 m/s. The plane is
making an angle of 30 from the horizontal. If the projectile was fired at 30 from the
incline, compute the maximum height z measured perpendicular to the incline that is
reached by the projectile. Neglect air resistance.

Solution:

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

vo=15 m/s
vox=15cos60=7.5 m/s
voy=15sin60=12.99 m/s
vAx=vox=7.5 m/s
vAy=7.5tan30=4.33 m/s

vAy=voygt
4.33=12.999.81t
t=0.8828 s
x=voxt=7.5(0.8828)
x=6.62 m
vAy2=voy22gy
4.332=12.9922(9.81)y
y=7.64 m

a=xtan30=6.62tan30
a=3.82 m
cos30=zya
z=(ya)cos30
z=(7.643.82)cos30
z=3.31 m

answer

2. A bullet is fired at an initial velocity of 150 m/s and an angle of 56 at the top of a
120 m tall building. Neglecting air resistance, determine the following:
1.

The maximum height above the level ground that can be reached by the bullet.

2.

The time for the bullet to hit the ground.

3.

The velocity with which the bullet will hit the ground.
Solution 02

4. vox=150cos56=83.88 m/sec
5. voy=150sin56=124.36 m/sec

6.
7.

8. ymax=voy22g=124.3622(9.81)
9. ymax=788.19 m
10. Hmax=120+ymax=120+788.19
11. Hmax=908.19 m

answer

12. y=voyt12gt2
13. 120=124.36t12(9.81)t2
14. 4.905t2124.36t120=0
15. t=26.284 sec

answer

16. vGx=vox=83.88 m/sec

17. v2Gy=v2oy2gy
18. v2Gy=124.3622(9.81)(120)
19. vGy=133.49 m/sec
20. vG=vGx2+vGy2=83.882+133.492
21. vG=157.656 m/sec

answer