MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. In rectilinear motion, which statement does not state the relationship of position (s), velocity (v), and acceleration (a) of a particle at any
time (t)?
a. The change in velocity is the area under the v-t curve.
b. Velocity is the slope of s-t graph.
c. Displacement is the area under the v-t curve.
d. Acceleration is equal to the velocity times the slope of v-s graph.
2. The following are false except _________________.
a. Average acceleration can be determined provided that the velocity of the particle is known at 2 points.
b. Velocity, and acceleration of a particle in changing motion can be described by a single mathematical function along the entire path.
c. Position of a particle in changing motion can be described by a single mathematical function along the entire path.
d. The velocity versus time (v-t) graph of any particle will always be a sloping line.
3. Two particles P and Q are moving on two different curved paths. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
a. The relative velocity and relative acceleration of P with respect to Q is always constant with time.
b. The absolute acceleration of P is equal to the sum of the absolute acceleration of Q and the relative acceleration of P with respect to
Q.
c. When P and Q are located at the same point in space (e.g. at an intersection of the two curved paths), the relative velocity of P with
respect to Q is always equal to zero.
d. The velocity of P with respect to Q has the same magnitude and direction as the velocity of Q with respect to P.
4. In a curvilinear motion, the acceleration of the particle is equal to zero if,
a. The tangential component of acceleration is zero.
b. The normal component of acceleration is zero.
c. Both the tangential and normal components of acceleration are zero.
d. None of the above
5. Which of the following statement correctly describes an ideal projectile motion?
a. The magnitude of the tangential component of acceleration is maximum when the particle is at the highest point of its trajectory.
b. The normal component of acceleration is always directed downwards.
c. The velocity of the particle is zero at its maximum height.
2
d. The absolute acceleration is equal to 𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚⁄𝑠 .
6. A race car starting from rest moves along a straight track with an acceleration as
shown in the graph (where for t ≥ 10 s, a = 8 m/s2). Determine the time t for the car
to reach a speed of 50 m/s.
a. t = 11.25 s
b. t = 6.25 s
c. t = 12.5 s
d. t = 3.53 s
7. The position of a particle moving along the x axis is given by x = (21 + 22t - 6.0t2) m,
where t is in s. What is the average velocity during the time interval t = 1.0 s to t = 3.0 s?
a. -6.0 m/s
b. -4.0 m/s
c. -2.0 m/s
d. -8.0 m/s
8. Which of the following expressions for acceleration is/are false?
𝑑2𝑥
a. 𝑎=
𝑑𝑡 2
𝑑𝑣
b. 𝑎=𝑣
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑣
c. 𝑎 = 𝑑𝑡
d. None of the above
9. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
a. The tangential component of acceleration is independent to the change in speed of the particle.
b. The tangential component of acceleration reflects the change in the direction of motion.
c. The vector component 𝑎𝑛 is always directed towards the center of curvature of the path of the
particle.
d. In a curvilinear motion, the acceleration of a particle will be zero if one or both of its
components are zero.
10. Wedge A and block B are initially at rest. As wedge A starts to slide up with a constant acceleration,
block B starts to slide leftward relative to wedge A. Which of the following statements is true?
a. Relative acceleration of any particle B with respect to A is always constant over time.
b. 𝑎𝐵⁄𝐴 = −𝑎𝐴⁄𝐵
c. Relative velocity of any particle B with respect to A is always constant over time.
d. 𝑉𝐵⁄𝐴 = 𝑉𝐴 − 𝑉𝐵

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11. Two cars are approaching an intersection at constant speeds as shown. What velocity will car B appear to have to an observer in car A?
a.
b.
c.
d.

12. Ball A is thrown straight up with an initial speed v0 and reaches a maximum elevation h before falling back down. When A reaches its
maximum elevation, a second ball is thrown straight upward with the same initial speed v0. At what height, y, will the balls cross paths?
a. y = h
b. y > h/2
c. y = h/2
d. y < h/2

13. Two cars A and B race each other down a straight road. The position of each
car as a function of time is shown. Which of the following statements are true?
a. At time t2 both cars have travelled the same distance
b. At time t1 both cars have the same speed
c. Both cars have the same speed at some time t < t1
d. Both cars have the same acceleration at some time t < t1

14. The acceleration of a particle is defined by the relation 𝑎 = −8 𝑚/𝑠 2. Knowing that 𝑥 = 20 𝑚 when 𝑡 = 4 𝑠 and that 𝑥 = 4 𝑚 when 𝑣 =
16 𝑚/𝑠, determine the velocity and the total distance traveled when 𝑡 = 11 𝑠.
a. −56 𝑚⁄𝑠 , 260 𝑚
b. 56 𝑚⁄𝑠 , 260 𝑚
c. −56 𝑚⁄𝑠 , −260 𝑚
d. 56 𝑚⁄𝑠 , −260 𝑚

15. Given that 𝑥𝐵/𝐴 = 𝑥𝐵 − 𝑥𝐴 , such that 𝑥𝐴 and 𝑥𝐵 are the positions of A and B measured from the same origin and that 𝑥𝐵/𝐴 is the relative
position of B with respect to A. Which of the following statements is not true?
a. B is to the right of A when 𝑥𝐵/𝐴 is positive, if and only if both the particles are on the same side with respect to the origin.
b. B is to the right of A when 𝑥𝐵/𝐴 is positive and when both the particles are on the right side with respect to the origin.
c. B is to the right of A when 𝑥𝐵/𝐴 is positive and when both the particles are on the left side with respect to the origin.
d. None of the above

PROBLEM SOLVING

1. Block C starts from rest at t=0 and moves downward with a constant acceleration of 3 𝑚/𝑠 2. Knowing that block
B has a constant velocity of 1.8 m/s upward, determine:
a) The time when velocity of block A is zero
b) The time when the velocity of block A is equal to the velocity of Block D
c) The change in position of block A after 4 s

2. A sled passes the end of a ramp angled 30 degrees from the ground with a speed of 7m/s. The sled launches
into air as a projectile. Determine the value of the following:
a) The rate of change of the speed of the sled at 0.2 s after passing the end of the ramp
b) The radius of curvature of the trajectory of the sled at the same time

3. In slow pitch softball, the underhand pitch must reach a maximum height of between 1.8 m and 3.7 m above the ground. A pitch made 0.6
m above the ground with an initial velocity 𝑣0 of magnitude 13 m/s at an angle of 33° with respect to the horizontal. Determine:
a) If the pitch meets the maximum height requirement,
b) The height of the ball if it reaches the batter 15.2 m away from the pitcher

4. The velocities of commuter trains A (66 kph) and B (48 kph) are as shown. The
speed of each train is constant. B reaches the crossing 10 min after A passed
through the same crossing. Determine:
a) The relative velocity of B with respect to A
b) The distance between the fronts of the engines 3 min after A passed
through the crossing

5. The slider crank shown below has a velocity 15m/s at point

B with a direction perpendicular to link 2 (rod AB). Given
the following configuration, find the magnitude and
direction of the velocity at point C which is connected to the
slider.

ENGINEERING ACADEMIC CIRCLE

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ANSWER KEY b) radius of curvature at t=0.2
𝑎 = 𝑎𝑡 + 𝑎𝑛
MULTIPLE CHOICE 2.4124𝑚
𝑎𝑡 = 9.81 sin(14.2358°) = 𝑠 2
1. a 𝑣2
2. a 𝑎𝑛 = 9.81 cos(14.2358°) = 9.5088 = 𝜌
3. b 𝑣2
𝜌 = 𝑎 = 𝟒. 𝟏𝟏𝟑𝟖 𝒎
4. c 𝑛
5. d
6. a 3. Establish a reference system:
7. c
8. b
9. c
10. b
11. d
12. b
13. c
14. a
15. a

PROBLEM SOLVING

1. 𝑦0 = 0.2 𝑚
Cord ABC: 2𝑦𝐴 + 2𝑦𝐵 + 𝑦𝐶 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑣0 = 13 𝑚/𝑠, 33° with respect to the horizontal
Then, 2𝑣𝐴 + 2𝑣𝐵 + 𝑣𝐶 = 0 𝑣0𝑥 = +10.90 𝑚/𝑠, 𝑣0𝑦 = +7.08 𝑚/𝑠
2𝑎𝐴 + 2𝑎𝐵 + 𝑎𝐶 = 0 𝑥𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 15.2 𝑚
Cord ADB: (𝑦𝐷 − 𝑦𝐴 ) + (𝑦𝐷 − 𝑦𝐵 ) = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
Then, 2𝑣𝐷 − 𝑣𝐴 − 𝑣𝐵 = 0 𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0𝑦 − 𝑔𝑡 At peak (maximum height) 𝑣𝑦 = 0.
2𝑎𝐷 − 𝑎𝐴 − 𝑎𝐵 = 0
Thus, 𝑡𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 = 𝑣0𝑦 /𝑔 𝑡𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 = 0.722 𝑠
Motion of block C: 𝑣𝐶 = 𝑣𝐶0 + 𝑎𝐶 𝑡
𝑣𝐶 = 3𝑡 𝑚/𝑠 𝑦 = 𝑦0 + 𝑣0𝑦 𝑡 − 0.5𝑔𝑡 2
𝑎𝐶 = 3 𝑚/𝑠 2 @ 𝑡𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘 , 𝑦𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 3.15 𝑚
𝑚 Yes, maximum height requirement is satisfied.
Motion of block B: 𝑣𝐵 = −1.8
𝑠
𝑎𝐵 = 0 𝑡𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 𝑥𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 /𝑣0𝑥 = 1.394 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑠
Motion of Block A: 2𝑣𝐴 = −2𝑣𝐵 − 𝑣𝐶
1 𝑦 = 𝑦0 + 𝑣0𝑦 𝑡 − 0.5𝑔𝑡 2
𝑣𝐴 = −𝑣𝐵 − 2 𝑣𝐶 @ 𝑡𝑏𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟 , 𝒚 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟑𝟕 𝒎
𝑣𝐴 = 1.8 − 1.5𝑡 𝑚/𝑠
2𝑎𝐴 = −2𝑎𝐵 − 𝑎𝐶 4.
1
𝑎𝐴 = −𝑎𝐵 − 2 𝑎𝐶 a) Determine the relative velocity of B with respect to A.
𝑎𝐴 = −1.5 𝑚/𝑠 2 𝑣𝐵/𝐴 = 𝑣
⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑⃑ ⃑⃑⃑⃑𝐵 + (−𝑣
⃑⃑⃑⃑𝐴 )
Motion of Block D: 2𝑣𝐷 = 𝑣𝐴 + 𝑣𝐵
1 1
𝑣𝐷 = 2 𝑣𝐴 + 2 𝑣𝐵
1 1
𝑣𝐷 = 2 (1.8 − 1.5𝑡) + 2 (−1.8)
𝑣𝐷 = −0.75𝑡

a) time when 𝑣𝐴 = 0,
0 = 1.8 − 1.5𝑡
𝒕 = 𝟏. 𝟐𝒔

b) time when 𝑣𝐴 = 𝑣𝐷,

1.8 − 1.5𝑡 = −0.75𝑡
𝒕 = 𝟐. 𝟒 𝒔 𝑣𝐵/𝐴 = √(48 cos 25 + 66)2 + (48 sin 25)2 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟒 𝒌𝒎/𝒉
48 sin 25
𝜃 = tan−1 48 cos 25+66 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟓𝟎°
c) change in position of A after 4s
1
∆𝑦𝐴 = 𝑣𝐴0 𝑡 + 2 𝑎𝐴 𝑡 2 b) Determine the distance between the fronts of the engines 3
1
∆𝑦𝐴 = 1.8(4) + 2 (−1.5)(42 ) min after A passed through the crossing.
∆𝒚𝑨 = −𝟒. 𝟖 𝒎 = 𝟒. 𝟖 𝒎 ↑
When A is at the crossing, the distance of B from the
crossing is:
2. 𝑘𝑚 1ℎ
Velocity of the sled with respect to x at t = 0.2 s: 𝑟𝐵1 = (48 ℎ ) (60 𝑚𝑖𝑛) (10 min) = 8 𝑘𝑚
𝑣𝑋 = 𝑣0 cos(30°)
7√3 𝑚 After 3 minutes,
𝑣𝑋 = 2 𝑠
𝑘𝑚 1ℎ
Velocity of the sled with respect to y at t = 0.s: 𝑟𝐵2 = 8 𝑘𝑚 − (48 ℎ ) (60 𝑚𝑖𝑛) (3 min) = 5.6 km
𝑣𝑌 = 𝑣0,𝑌 − 𝑔𝑡 𝑟𝐴 = (66
𝑘𝑚 1ℎ
) (60 𝑚𝑖𝑛) (3 min) = 3.3 𝑘𝑚
ℎ
𝑣𝑌 = 7 sin(30°) − 9.81(0.2)
𝑚
𝑣𝑌 = 1.538
𝑠 𝑟𝐵/𝐴 = √5.62 + 3.32 − 2(5.6)(3.3)cos(25) = 𝟐. 𝟗𝟔 𝒌𝒎
a) velocity at t = 0.2 s
magnitude: 𝑣 = √𝑣𝑋2 + 𝑣𝑌2
𝑣 = 6.2542 𝑚/𝑠
𝑦
direction: tan−1 𝑥 = 14.2358°∠
𝒎
𝒗 = 𝟔. 𝟐𝟓𝟒𝟐 𝒔 , 𝟏𝟒. 𝟐𝟑𝟓𝟖°∠

ENGINEERING ACADEMIC CIRCLE

Page 3 of 4
5. BIBLIOGRAPHY
In order to find Vc, the relative velocity equation must be set up
first: Beer, Ferdinand P. 11 Kinematics of Particles. Vector Mechanics
𝑉𝑐 = 𝑉𝐵 + 𝑉𝐶 for Engineers. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013. Print.
𝐴

We know the magnitude and direction of B from the given. We also Beer, Ferdinand P., E. Russell Johnston, Jr., David F. Mazurek,
know that point C is sliding parallel to the ground and that means and Phillip J. Cornwell. Vector Mechanics for Engineers:
it is moving in the horizontal direction. Because link 3 (rod BC) is Statics and Dynamics. 10th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013.
rigid, the velocity of point C with respect to point B is in the direction Print.
perpendicular to rod BC ( 𝜔3 × 𝐵𝐶).
Hibbeler, Russell C. Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics. 13th ed.
Knowing all of this, we can now draw the velocity triangle and start Banol, 2007. Print.
our calculation.
Hibbeler, Russell C., Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics. 13th ed.
Prentice Hall. 2012. Print.

Lumbera, Maxell P. “ES 12 Lectures 1-2: Rectilinear and

Curvilinear Motion.” Institute of Civil Engineering. Lecture
Slides. 2015. Lecture.

Lumbera, Maxell P. “ES 12 Lecture 4: Relative Motion and

Dependent Motion.” Institute of Civil Engineering. Lecture
Slides. 2015. Lecture.

ES 12 Exam July 8, 2006

In drawing the velocity triangle, we start by drawing the direction
line of Vc from the origin. Next, we draw VB in the known direction ES 12 First Exam July 10, 2009
starting from the origin.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/
Drawing the direction line of Vc/b finally closes the velocity triangle,
and we can now compute for the value of Vc.

Using sine law:

15 𝑉𝑐
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛80 𝑠𝑖𝑛80

Solving, we get Vc = 15m/s 

ENGINEERING ACADEMIC CIRCLE

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