Motion in two & three dimensions

Projectile: An object thrown into space which moves under the action of gravity is called
a project title.
The motion of a project title is known as projectile motion.
The velocity with which the body is projected is known as velocity of projection.
The angle between the horizontal & the direction of projection is known as angle of
projection.
Trajectory: The path traced by a project title is trajectory.

Equation for projectile motion:

Consider a particle is projected with a velocity u making an angle `` w.r.t the
horizontal.
y
Let us resolve the velocity into its
corresponding components
u
i.e. u cos along horizontal & u sin along
vertical direction. u cos remains constant
H

because it is not affected by gravitational

O
x
force.
Let the particle travel `x` distance in `t` seconds.
Then u

x/t

x ut
x ucos
x
t
ucos

(1)

Let `y` be the vertical distance traveled during this time. Then using

S
y

usin t

ut

1 2
at
2

1 2
gt
2

(2)

Substitute the value of `t` from equation in (2) we have

2
x
1
x
y usin
g
ucos
2 ucos

xtan

1 gx2
2 u 2 cos 2

The above equation is of the form y

ax

bx2 where a

tan

and

gx 2
2u 2 cos 2
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M.N.Sharath kumar

This represents a parabola. Thus the trajectory of a project title is parabola.

Maximum height reached(H):

Let the project title reaches a maximum height of H in `t`
seconds. At that point the velocity of the body is zero.
2
2
Apply v u 2as

0 (usin )2 2gH
2gH u 2 sin 2
H

u 2 sin 2
2g

Time of flight: Let the project title take `t` seconds to reach the maximum height. Then we
know

v = u + at
0 = usin - gt
gt = usin
usin
t
g
Since the time of ascent is same as that of descent, time of flight T = 2t

2usin
g

It is defined as the time taken by the projectile to travel from initial point to final point.
Horizontal range(R): It is defined as the total horizontal distance traveled by the project
title.
Range = Horizontal component of velocity Time of flight

2usin
g
2u 2 cos sin

g
u 2 (2cos sin )

R ucos

u 2 sin 2
R
g
When the body is projected at an angle of 45 range will be maximum.

u 2 sin(2 45)
i.e. R
g
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M.N.Sharath kumar

u 2 sin900
R max
g
u2
R max
g

Uniform circular motion:

A particle is said to be in circular motion if it follows a
circular path.
Q
If the particle moves with a constant speed in a circular
path then, it is termed as uniform circular motion. Here

P
O
the velocity of the body changes since its direction of
motion varies but the magnitude of velocity remains
constant throughout the path. The figure shows particle
moving around O with a constant speed v. The direction
of motion is obtained by drawing a tangent at that point.
Centripetal force: The force acting along the radius towards the centre of the circular path
along which the body is moving with uniform speed & is always directed towards the
centre.
Its always a centre seeking force i.e. the force is always directed
towards the centre of circular path along the radius.

Parameters of uniform circular motion:

If a particle covers an angle in a time `t` then angular velocity
is given by

The unit of angular velocity is rad/sec.

The relation connecting linear velocity & angular velocity with the radius is given
by
w.k.t v

s r

t
t
v rw

w
t

Expression for centripetal force:

Consider a particle of mass `m` along a circular path
of radius `r`. At time t the particle was at A & it moved to
B making an angle w.r.t initial in the next interval of
time.
Resolving the instantaneous velocity component at B we have
v cos along Bp & v sin along Bq.
The change in velocity along AL is
AL = v cos v (horizontal component)
For small angles of , cos 1
Change in velocity along horizontal= v v
=0
27

r
A

v
P

M.N.Sharath kumar

Thus there is no change in velocity along horizontal or tangential direction.

The change in velocity takes place only along the vertical direction.
Now consider the change along AO
i.e. change in velocity along vertical = v sin 0
for small angles of , sin
Change in velocity along vertical = v
v
Rate of change of velocity along AO
t

v
t
a vw
But v rw
a r.w 2

Acceleration, a

Or a

v.v
r

v2
a
(1)
r
Equation (1) is the acceleration which acts along the radius & directed towards the
centre. This acceleration is known as centripetal or radial acceleration.
From Newtons second law of motion we have

F ma
Substituting value of a in this we get

mv 2
F
r

Note: Work done by a centripetal force is zero.

Illustrations of centripetal force:
1) When a stone is whirled in a circle using a thread, the thread constantly pulls
the stone exerting a centripetal force.
2) A bicycle rider leans inward while taking a turn on the road.
3) Motion of planets round the sun.
4) Electrons orbiting round the nucleus.
Banking of roads: The outer edge of the road is slightly
R
R cos
raised above the inner edge known as banking of roads.

The angle made by the surface of the road with the

R sin
horizontal is called angle of banking.
Let the outer edge of the road is slightly raised to an angle
mg
as shown. Consider a body of mass `m` moving along a

curved path road of radius `r` with a velocity v. As a

result of banking the normal reaction R becomes inclined at an angle to the horizontal.
Let R cos be the horizontal component & R sin be the horizontal component.
The horizontal component R cos balances the weight `mg` of the body. The vertical
component R sin supplies the necessary centripetal force.
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M.N.Sharath kumar

mv 2

r sin ; mg R cos
r
2
R
sin mv
/r

R
cos
mg

2
v
tan
rg
This equation shows that the angle of banking depends on the speed of the body, radius
of the curve & is independent of the weight of the vehicle.
Centrifugal force: The force which acts always away from the centre. Its a pseudo
force & is dependent on the frame of reference. The effect of this force is observed only
from rotating frame of reference.
mv 2
The magnitude of the force is same as that of centripetal force i.e.
.
r
Examples for centrifugal force:
1) A person in a car is thrown outwards when the car takes a sharp curve.
2) Drying machine: When the wet cloth in the machine is rotated at a very high
speed, water drops go off in a tangential direction & cloth gets dried.
3) Extraction of cream from milk: The lower density cream in milk collects at
the centre when the milk is made to move in a high speed along a circular path.
4) Centrifuge: It is a device to separate particles of different masses present in a
liquid. When the machine is made to rotate with a very high sped, the heavier
particles move in paths of larger radii & are separated from smaller particles.

Motion in three -dimension:

For a body moving in three dimensions, the position vector `r` is represented as

r xi yj zk

Where x,y,z are the co-ordinates of the point representing the position of the body.
Velocity of the body in 3 -D is given by

dr d

(xi yj zk)
dt dt
dx dy dz

i
j
k , v vx i vy j vz k
dt
dt
dt
v

The acceleration of the body is given by

dvy dvz
dv
dv
,
x i
j
k
dt
dt
dt
dt
a ax i ay j az k

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M.N.Sharath kumar