2004 Mathematics Extension 2, 1990 Syllabus

Topic 6: Mechanics

Simple Harmonic Motion

Sample typical question:
Today, low water for a harbour occurs at 3.30 am and high water at 9.45 am, the
corresponding depths being 5 m and 15 m. Find: (a) between what times during the
morning a ship drawing 12.5 m of water can safely enter the harbour [hint: x = 0 is the
centre of oscillation, at depth = 10] (b) the rate at which the level of water is rising or
falling when the depth of water is 13 m.
Sample more creative question:
At ground level, where g = 9.81, a pendulum beats exact seconds (each half-oscillation
takes one second). If it is taken up a mountain where g = 9.80, find by how many seconds
per day it will be wrong. Assume that a pendulum of length L has period 2 L .
g
ANSWER: On the ground, the period is 2 seconds 2 2 L

L 9.81 2 . It
9.81

makes G = 0.5 24 3600 oscillations per day. On the mountain, G oscillations are made
in G 2 L
seconds, but it should be in 24 3600 seconds if it was correct.
9.80
Resisted Motion in One Dimension (and Some Other Motion in One Dimension)
Questions on this topic will tell something about forces. Our process is essentially:
Find an expression for the net force (the sum of all forces)
Use F m a (where if F is in Newton, m is in kg and a is in ms-2) to find the
expression for a
Work from the acceleration expression
Another unit for force: 1 kg wt = 9.8 N [thats the gravitational force on a 1 kg object]
Working from the Acceleration Expression
Three important expressions for acceleration ( x ), and their proofs:
dv
d 2 x d dx dv

; very obvious but anyway Ill write x 2

for proof
dt
dt dt dt
dt
dv dv dv dx
v
;
[chain rule, adding extra variables that get cancelled]

dx dt dx dt
d 1 2
dv dv
dv d 1 2

v
v [integrate v and differentiate again] then
v ;
dx 2
dt dx
dx dv 2
cross out the dvs
Which expression for acceleration to use?
Find out what relation or function you want by interpreting the question. For example,
if the question asks find the velocity at the end of 4 s, then you need v as a function
of t. If it asks find the maximum height when the ball is thrown upwards, then you
need x as a function of v (maximum height is when v reaches zero). When you want a
relation between x and t, either (i) find two relations, between v and x and between v
and t, then solve them simultaneously OR (ii) find v as a function of t and integrate it
using v dx dt .
If you want a relation involving v and x (i.e. v as a function of x OR the other way
around), the expression for acceleration needs to contain the letters v and x (note: dv
contains the letter v) thats all. If you want a relation between v and t then it needs to
contain v and t.
We can integrate the appropriate expression to get the relation. You may well need to
remember the technique of flipping the derivative. For example, we have x g kv2
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2004 Mathematics Extension 2, 1990 Syllabus

Topic 6: Mechanics

dv
dv g kv2
(notice I
g kv2

dx
dx
v
g
dx
v
v
dont try to write it as kv )

x
dv .
2
v
dv g kv
g kv2
dv
d 1
So, it doesnt matter to choose x v 2 or x v
? It does, in a way. When
dx
dx 2
dv
dv
you have x in terms of v, using x v
is generally quicker (think of x v
dx
dx
likes v). When you have x in terms of x, either one is fine. You just have to use
different process as illustrated in the following example with x x 2 .
d 1 2
1 2
2
2
v x v x dx
dx 2
2
dv
v
x 2 v dv x 2 dx v dv x 2 dx
dx
Things to revise on:
Integration techniques. Also remember that if after integration you have the relation in
the wrong order (for example, you have x ln v C , but want v as a function of x),
make sure you find the constant first (dont think its v e x D ).
Properties of ln and e function, such as the fact that they can cancel each other, domain
of ln, n log a log a n and log a log b loga b .
and we need a relation between x and v. v

Finding the Net Force

Some forces acting on a body or object (with their common symbols):
Gravity (mg): always directed downwards
Friction or resistance (R or F): acts in opposite direction to motion
Tension (T): directed along a string, moving away from the body
Normal or reaction (N): always exists when the body touches a surface or another
body, acts at right angles to the surface, is also called reaction force
The thing that governs acceleration is the sum of all forces the net or resultant force.
Three types of common resisted motion in one dimension: horizontal, upwards and
downwards. A fourth type is sliding down a rough surface. In all of them:
The body has a non-zero initial speed but theres no engine in the body that pushes it
forwards after t 0
Make x 0 at t 0
Take the direction of motion as positive (even when its downwards)
Draw a diagram showing all forces, the positive direction, and initial conditions
(t 0 , x 0, v u )
The forces we are concerned with:
Horizontal motion: friction (there are gravity and normal but they cancel out)
(Vertically) upwards or downwards motion: gravity and air friction
Sliding down on a surface: normal, friction and gravity (dont worry about this type
until youve read the General Information on Vectors section)
A fifth type is when an object is fired vertically upwards to very high altitudes and so is
subject to decreasing gravity. The object will escape the earth when v 0 as x .
Doing Questions

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2004 Mathematics Extension 2, 1990 Syllabus

Topic 6: Mechanics

Terminal velocity is the maximum velocity experienced by a falling object. To find it, let
t or x 0 (both conditions are basically equivalent).
Impact speed is the speed when a projectile hits the ground.
If a question involves both upwards and downwards motion, the upwards and downwards
sections need to be investigated separately (choose a new t 0 , x 0 and +ve direction).
Note: when an object is thrown upwards from x 0 with speed V, with air resistance, it
wont have V speed at x 0 when it comes down. The time taken wont be equal either.
Sample question: A particle of unit mass moves in a straight line against a resistance
proportional to v v 3 . Initially, the particle is travelling at v Q . Show that

Qv
for some constant c. HINT: F mk v v 3 but mass is 1 unit. You
x c tan 1

1 Qv
Qv
will then get kx tan 1 Q tan 1 v . Notice some similarity in
with the compound
1 Qv
angle result. So, take tan of both sides of kx tan 1 Q tan 1 v , treating tan 1 Q and
tan 1 v as angles and using compound angle formula to simplify RHS.

Projectile Motion
Many questions will rely on some idea of the path of the projectile. At this stage I think
its beneficial to commit to memory that x V cos and y V sin gt (I mean, dont
waste time drawing triangles).
Sample question: A particle is projected upwards over horizontal ground with velocity U,
inclined at an angle to the horizontal. A second particle is projected simultaneously from
the same point in the same direction with velocity V U .
(a) Show that throughout the motion, the line joining the positions of the particles makes a
constant angle with the horizontal. HINT: naming the particles 1 and 2, find x1 , y1 , x2 , y 2
and the gradient of the line. It will be m tan so the angle is .
1
(b) given that the range and time of flight of the first particle are respectively U 2 sin 2
g
2
and U sin , find the positions of the faster particle and the direction of its velocity
g
2
vector when the slower particle hits the ground. HINT: put t U sin into the
g
expression for x 2 and y2 . Find x 2 and y 2 . Then youll get (if the velocity makes an angle
V 2U
V 2U
with the horizontal) tan
tan . Note that
can be positive or
V
V

U
negative. tan 1 1 2 tan .
V

(c) If this velocity vector is directed upwards at an angle 1 , find U in terms of

2
V
1 U 1
U
1
and deduce that
. HINT: tan 1 2 tan and use the t-formula.
4 V 2
V
2
U 1 2
1
1
You will get
T 1 sec 2 but 0 90 .
V 4
4
2

General Information on Vectors

Force, acceleration, velocity and displacement are all vector quantities.
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2004 Mathematics Extension 2, 1990 Syllabus

Topic 6: Mechanics

Vector quantities can be numerically added when their directions are on the same line (e.g.
upwards and downwards are on the vertical line). Lets invent the term main line and
define it as the line on which the object is moving (or more correctly, to fit with the
circular motion topic, its the line associated with the net force). To be useful, force and
acceleration are to be expressed in terms of the main line and another line perpendicular to
it. Any force that is on a different line needs to be separated into two perpendicular
components on those two lines. The components are often horizontal and vertical but can
be something else. For example, in the case of sliding down on a surface, the main line is
the sloping surface.
The force mg is out of line. You want a
component which is in line with the surface and
another component which is in line with the N.
Using simple geometry to determine the angles,
youll find the two components on the diagram.
because
Fnet mg sin
N mg cos 0
(otherwise P floats or sinks).
Note on deciding whether a component has sin or cos :
The side (of the triangle) opposite the angle always has sin ; the other has cos .
Circular Motion, Conical Pendulum and Movement on a Banked Track
The there are two ways to express velocity and acceleration: angular expression and linear
expression. Angular expressions use the symbol and relate to radian in order for other
formulas to work.
d

Angular velocity:
dt
dl
Linear velocity: v
(l = arc length = r ) v r , directed tangential to circle
dt
d
d 1 2
Angular acceleration: w , which can also be written as

d d 2
A body moving in circle is affected by two forces: one directed towards the centre (radial
force) and another directed at tangential to a particular point on the circle (tangential
force). The radial force maintains its orbit by changing the direction of velocity, while the
tangential force changes its speed. Linear acceleration consists of:
aR r 2

v2

(putting v r to the above)

r
aT r
Proving guideline:
Drawing a circle on a number plane,
x r cos and y r sin

dx d

r sin
d dt
To derive x, y , use the product rule then the chain rule (remembering is a variable):
x r 2 cos r sin and y r 2 sin r cos
Add two like terms to form a R and the other two to form aT using triangles; for

Use the chain rule to derive x, y : x

example: a R r 2 cos
2

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r
2

sin

r 2 4 sin 2 cos 2

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2004 Mathematics Extension 2, 1990 Syllabus

Topic 6: Mechanics

Why is it the two like terms? Consider a case when there is no tangential force (so the
angular speed is constant and 0 ): a R contains the two like terms above.
Uniform Circular Motion
2
Theres no tangential force and speed is constant.
2 f .
T
Doing Questions on Uniform Circular Motion (Including Pendulum and Motion
around a Banked Track)
Radial force is provided by the tension in the string attached to the body, by the friction
force, by the normal force, or a combination of them.
As the speed increases, normal and friction decrease, and become zero when the body
leaves the surface.
Draw a dimension diagram, showing relevant data such as direction of motion, two
+ve directions (with inwards made +ve), masses, angles and relations between lengths.
Identify all forces acting on each moving body (if there are more than one), draw
them in a separate force diagram if necessary.
Resolve the forces into two perpendicular directions if theyre not so already. One
direction will be along the radius. Draw components in dotted lines to distinguish
them from the real forces. Draw separate force resolution diagrams if necessary.
Always start with two equations: one summing the forces radially and the other
summing the forces on the other direction. Recognise that the radial net force is m a R .
Label each new equation as you go. Keep in mind the relations between lengths (such
as in question #2). The key to some problems is to be able to cleverly select some
equations to be solved simultaneously.
Question #1: A car of mass 1 tonne passes over a bridge formed by the arc of a circle of
radius 10 metres.
(i) Find the force exerted by the car on the road at the top of the bridge if the car is
travelling at 8 m/s.
ANS: We need to consider the conditions at topmost point on the bridge only. Let N be the
reaction or normal force of the bridge on the car, P be the tractive force of the engine, and
F be the friction. N is the force exerted by the road on the car, but its also the force
exerted by the car on the road (Newtons third law).
mv 2
mv 2
Horizontally: P F 0 1
Radially: mg N
N mg
2
r
r
(ii) What speed would cause the car to be on the point of leaving the bridge?
ANS: This happens when N 0
Question #2: A particle P of mass m travels with constant speed in a horizontal circle
around the inside of a smooth hemispherical bowl of radius R, centre O. C is the centre of
the circle of motion and OP makes an angle with OC [note: O is directly on top of C].
g
Show that 2
and find the reaction force in terms of . Describe what would
R cos
happen if were increased.
ANS: Let N be the normal at P. Its
direction is perpendicular to (the
tangent of) the surface, so its
towards O (centre of the bowl).
Vertically: N cos mg 0 1
[because P is not moving up or
down]

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2004 Mathematics Extension 2, 1990 Syllabus

Topic 6: Mechanics

Radially (towards C): N sin mr 2 2

There are common variables in (1) and (2). One of them is N. Lets make N the subject so
we can equate the two equations.
mg
From (1): N
cos
mr 2
g
From (2): N
, but we need something with R because we need 2
.
R cos
sin
mR sin 2
N
mR 2 3 . Then, equate 1 3 .
sin
g
Now, if were increased, from 2
we know that cos would decrease and
R cos
would increase, hence the particle moves up.
Conical Pendulum
It is formed by a bob and a string tied to a fixed point, with the bob moving on horizontal
circle. Question #2 above is essentially a conical pendulum with an invisible string. Often,
you need to eliminate either T or N from two equations.
Question #3: a string passing through a smooth hole in a smooth table connects a particle
P of mass m on the table to a particle Q of mass M suspended below the table. P and Q are
both performing uniform circular motion with angular velocity , where Q moves in
horizontal circle at a depth h below the table. The lengths of the string above and below
l M
the table are l and L respectively. Show that h depends only on , and that
.
L m
ANS: The tension in L has equal magnitude with that in l.

We dont want r in (4) but we want L, because h L cos . Use r L sin and we get:
h g 2.
T ML 2 5 . Eliminate T by division, 3 5 : cos g
L 2

l M
Equate (2) with (5) and we get
.
L m
Motion on a Banked Circular Track
When a car or train turns a corner circularly, theres a lateral force exerted on the car
towards the centre of the circle. On a banked track, this force is provided by the horizontal
components of friction and normal forces. With a particular car travelling with a particular
radius, the friction force may act either up or down the plane depending on the speed of
the car. At a particular speed, there would be no friction. This speed is called the optimum
speed. By considering a case where theres no friction, it can be shown that
vo Rg tan (not to memorise).
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2004 Mathematics Extension 2, 1990 Syllabus

Topic 6: Mechanics

The conditions of the road (e.g. wet or not) and of the tyres influence how much friction
can be provided. If insufficient friction is provided, the car will slide. At the optimum
speed, the car wont slide whatsoever because no friction is needed. It can also be shown,
2
by finding the expression for F and combining it with tan vo
(also not to
Rg
memorise), that when v vo , the car will slide down and the friction acts up the slope,
and when v vo the friction acts down the slope.
In our examples, the car and train have their centre of gravity on the surface of the track.
In a train, upwards friction is provided by the inner rail and downwards friction is given
by the outer rail.
sin h .
d
For small angles, less than about 15 ,
sin tan .
Multiplication by sin or cos is often
required to solve simultaneously.
Question #4: A railway line around a circular arc of radius 800 m is banked by raising the
outer rail h m above the inner rail, where the distance between the rails is 1.5 m. when the
train travels around the curve at 10 ms-1, the lateral thrust on the inner rail is equal to the
lateral thrust on the outer rail when the speed is 20 ms-1. Calculate (i) the value of h and
(ii) the speed of the train when no lateral thrust is exerted on the rails. (Take g = 9.8 ms-2.)
ANSWER:
When v 10 ms 1 (upwards friction):
Vertically: N1 cos F1 sin mg 1

mv 2
2
r
We want to equate F values of the10 ms-1 and 20 ms-1, so we want to eliminate N 1 .
1 sin : N1 sin cos F1 sin 2 mg sin
Radially (in this case horizontally): N1 sin F1 cos

2 cos :

N1 sin cos F1 cos 2

mv 2
cos
r

v2
1

F1 magnitude m g sin cos m g sin cos A

r
8

When v 20 ms 1 (downwards friction):

Without going through the derivation process but noting that F2 is in the opposite

v2
1

direction of F1 : F2 magnitude m g sin cos m cos g sin B .

r
2

h ( d 1.5 ).
(i) Equate A B and we get tan 5
. This means sin 5
16 g
d
16 g
(ii) Optimum speed is when F 0 . Use either of the two F expressions above. Youll get
v2
v2
g sin cos g tan
(dividing by cos ). We know r 800 , tan 5
.
16 g
r
r

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