Category Archives: Engineering Mathematics Blog

College Physics by Openstax Chapter 3 Problem 11

Find the components of vtot along the x- and y-axes in Figure 3.55.

The figure shows v_A directed 22.5° from the positive x-axis, and v_B started from the head of v_A and is directed 23.0° from the resultant. The resultant is given to be 6.72 m/s and is directed 26.5° from v_A. In total, the resultant is measured 49° from the positive x-axis.
Figure 3.55

Solution:

By isolating the vtot from the rest of the other vectors, we come up with the following figure. Also, the x and y-components are shown.

The resultant velocity and its x and y components

The resultant velocity has a magnitude of 6.72 m/s and is directed 49° from the positive x-axis. To solve for the x and y components, we just need to solve the legs of the right triangle formed by the three vectors. That is, 

 \text{x-component}=\left(6.72\:\text{m/s}\right)\cos 49^{\circ} =4.41\:\text{m/s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\text{y-component}=\left(6.72\:\text{m/s}\right)\sin 49^{\circ} =5.07\:\text{m/s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 3 Problem 10

Find the magnitudes of velocities vA and vB in Figure 3.55

The figure shows v_A directed 22.5° from the positive x-axis, and v_B started from the head of v_A and is directed 23.0° from the resultant. The resultant is given to be 6.72 m/s and is directed 26.5° from v_A. In total, the resultant is measured 49° from the positive x-axis.
Figure 3.55

Solution:

Basically, we are given an oblique triangle. First, we shall determine the value of the interior angle at the intersection of vA and vB. We can solve this knowing that the sum of the interior angles of a triangle is 180°.

To solve for vA and vB, we will use the sine law. 

\begin{align*}
 \frac{\text{v}_{\text{A}}}{\sin 23^{\circ} } & =\frac{6.72\:\text{m/s}}{\sin 130.5^{\circ} } \\
\text{v}_{\text{A}} & =\frac{6.72\:\text{m/s}\:\sin \:23^{\circ }\:}{\sin \:130.5^{\circ }\:} \\
\text{v}_{\text{A}} & =3.45\:\text{m/s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)

\end{align*}

Using the same law to solve for the value of vB, we have

\begin{align*}
\frac{\text{v}_{\text{B}}}{\sin 26.5^{\circ} } & =\frac{6.72\:\text{m/s}}{\sin 130.5^{\circ} } \\
\text{v}_{\text{B}} & =\frac{6.72\:\text{m/s}\:\sin \:26.5^{\circ }\:\:}{\sin \:130.5^{\circ }\:} \\
\text{v}_{\text{B}} & =3.94\:\text{m/s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)

\end{align*}
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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 3 Problem 9

Show that the sum of the vectors discussed in Example 3.2 gives the result shown in Figure 3.24.

Figure 3.24

Solution:

So, we are given the two vectors shown below.

Vectors A and B

If we use the graphical method of adding vectors, we can join the two vectors using head-tail addition and come up with the following:

Figure 3.9B: Vectors A and B added graphically

The resultant is drawn from the tail of the first vectors (the origin) to the head of the last vector. The resultant is shown in red in the figure below.

Solve for the value of the angle 𝛼 by geometry.

\alpha = 66^\circ +\left( 180^\circ-112^\circ \right) = 134^\circ

Solve for the magnitude of the resultant using cosine law.

\begin{align*}
R^2 & = A^2+B^2-2AB\cos \alpha \\
R & = \sqrt{A^2+B^2-2AB\cos \alpha} \\
R & = \sqrt{\left( 27.5 \ \text{m} \right)^2+\left( 30.0 \ \text{m} \right)^2-2\left( 27.5\ \text{m} \right)\left( 30.0\ \text{m} \right) \cos 134^\circ} \\
R & =52.9380 \ \text{m} \\
R & = 52.9 \ \text{m} \ \qquad \ {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}
\end{align*}

Solve for 𝛽 using sine law. 

\begin{align*}
\frac{\sin \beta}{B} & = \frac{\sin \alpha}{R} \\
\beta & = \sin ^{-1} \left( \frac{B \sin \alpha }{R} \right) \\
\beta & = \sin ^{-1} \left( \frac{30.0\ \text{m} \sin 134^\circ}{52.9380 \ \text{m}} \right) \\
\beta & = 24.0573^\circ
\end{align*}

Finally, solve for 𝜃.

\theta = 66^\circ+24.0573^\circ = 90.1^\circ \ \qquad \ {\color{Orange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}

The result is in conformity with that in figure 3.24 shown on the question shown above.

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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 3 Problem 8

Show that the order of addition of three vectors does not affect their sum. Show this property by choosing any three vectors A, B, and C, all having different lengths and directions. Find the sum A + B + C then find their sum when added in a different order and show the result is the same. (There are five other orders in which A, B, and C can be added; choose only one.)

Solution:

Consider the three vectors shown in the figures below:

Vector A

Vector B

Vector C

First, we shall add them A+B+C. Using the head-tail or graphical method of vector addition, we have the figure shown below.

Figure 3.8B: The resultant force of A+B+C

Now, let us try to find the sum of the three vectors by reordering vectors A, B, and C. Let us try to find the sum of C+B+A in that order. The result is shown below.

Figure 3.8C: The resultant of 3 vectors added in different order.

We can see that the resultant is the same directed from the origin upward. This proves that the resultant must be the same even if the vectors are added in different order.

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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 2 Problem 66

Figure 2.68 shows the position graph for a particle for 6 s. (a) Draw the corresponding Velocity vs. Time graph. (b) What is the acceleration between 0 s and 2 s? (c) What happens to the acceleration at exactly 2 s?

position graph for a particle for 6 s.
Figure 2.68

Solution:

Part A

The velocity of the particle is the slope of the position vs time graph. Since the position graph is composed of straight lines, we can say that the velocity is constant for several time ranges.

Time RangeSlope of the Position vs Time Graph
0 to 2 seconds=\frac{2-0}{2-0}=1\:\text{m/s}
2 to 3 seconds=\frac{-3-2}{3-2}=\frac{-5}{1}=-5\:\text{m/s}
3 to 5 seconds=0 \ \text{m/s}
5 to 6 seconds=\frac{-2-\left(-3\right)}{6-5}=\frac{1}{1}=1\:\text{m/s}

Based on the data in the table, we can draw the velocity diagram

velocity vs time graph
velocity vs time graph

Part B

Since the velocity is constant between 0 seconds and 2 seconds, we say that the acceleration is 0.

Part C

Since there is a sudden change in velocity at exactly 2 seconds in a very short amount of time, we say that the acceleration is undefined in this case.

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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 2 Problem 65

A graph of v(t) is shown for a world-class track sprinter in a 100-m race. (See Figure 2.67). (a) What is his average velocity for the first 4 s? (b) What is his instantaneous velocity at t=5 s? (c) What is his average acceleration between 0 and 4 s? (d) What is his time for the race?

A graph of v(t) is shown for a world-class track sprinter in a 100-m race.
Figure 2.67

Solution:

Part A

To find the average velocity over the straight line graph of the velocity vs time shown, we just need to locate the midpoint of the line. In this case, the average speed for the first 4 seconds is

v_{\text{ave}}=6\:\text{m/s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)

Part B

Looking at the graph, the velocity at exactly 5 seconds is 12 m/s.

Part C

If we are given the velocity-time graph, we can solve for the acceleration by solving for the slope of the line.

Consider the line from time zero to time, t=4 seconds. The slope, or acceleration, is

a=\text{slope}=\frac{12\:\text{m/s}-0\:\text{m/s}}{4\:\text{s}}=3\:\text{m/s}^2 \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)

Part D

For the first 4 seconds, the distance traveled is equal to the area under the curve.

\text{distance}=\frac{1}{2}\left(4\:\sec \right)\left(12\:\text{m/s}\right)=24\:\text{m}

So, the sprinter traveled a total of 24 meters in the first 4 seconds. He still needs to travel a distance of 76 meters to cover the total racing distance. At the constant rate of 12 m/s, he can run the remaining distance by

\text{t}=\frac{\text{distance}}{\text{velocity}}=\frac{76\:\text{m}}{12\:\text{m/s}}=6.3\:\sec

Therefore, the total time of the sprint is

\text{t}_{\text{total}}=4\:\sec +6.3\:\sec =10.3\:\sec \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.33

Estimate the average speed with which the hair on your head grows. Give your answer in both m/s and µm/hour. Briefly describe how you arrived at this estimate.

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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.32

Estimate the average speed with which you go from home to campus via whatever mode of transportation you use most commonly. Give your answer in both mph and m/s. Briefly describe how you arrived at this estimate.

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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.31

Estimate the height of a telephone pole. Give your answer in both feet and meters. Briefly describe how you arrived at this estimate.

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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.30

Estimate (don’t measure!) the length of a typical car. Give your answer in both feet and meters. Briefly describe how you arrived at this estimate.

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