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/s 2 in SI = 32.2 ft/s2 in English)
t
= time
Note:
a
is positive (+) if v is increasing (accelerate).
a is negative (-) if 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)

3.6

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

Problem 1002
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).
Solution
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

Problem 1003
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

Problem 1004
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?
Solution in English System
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

Solution in SI Units
h = 24.38 m
vA = 0
vB = 12.19 m/s
g = 9.81 m/s2
From A to C (free-fall)
h1=12gt2
h1=12(9.81)t2
h1=4.905t2
From B to C (upward motion)
From the formula s = vit + at2
h2=vBt12gt2
h2=12.19t12(9.81)t2
h2=12.19t4.905t2
A to C plus B to C is equal to height of the tower
h1+h2=h
4.905t2+(12.19t4.905t2)=24.38
12.19t=24.38
t=2 sec
h1=4.905(22)
h1=19.62 m
They pass each other after 2 seconds at 19.62 m from the top of the tower.
answer
Velocity at C of stone from A (after 2 seconds)
vC1=gt=9.81(2)
vC1=19.62 m/s
Velocity at C of stone from B (after 2 seconds)
vC2=vBgt==12.199.81(2)
vC2=7.43 m/s
the negative sign indicates that the stone is now moving downward
Relative velocity:
vr=vC1+vC2=19.627.43
vr=12.19 m/sec
answer

Problem 1007
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/s2 (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.

Solution in SI Units

h=304.8 m

answer

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

Problem 1008
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

Problem 1009
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

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

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

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

Problem 1010
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
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
Use t2=13.67

(meaningless)

sec

answer

System International 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
Use t2=13.67

(meaningless)

sec

answer

Problem 1011
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)
a=0.03125 ft/sec2

625=12(0.03125)t2
t=200 sec
t=3 min 20 sec
answer

0.3048=12a(82)

a=0.009525 m/sec2

190.5=12(0.009525)t2
t=200 sec
t=3 min 20 sec
answer

Problem 1012
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

vf=vi+at

24=vo+10a
equation (1)

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

6=2a
a=3 ft/sec2

answer

From equation (1)

24=vo+10(3)
vo=54 ft/sec

answer

Solution in SI Units

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

Problem 1019
The motion of a particle is given by the equation s=2t416t3+2t2 where s is in meter and t
in seconds. Compute the values of v and a when t=2
.
Solution 1019

s=2t416t3+2t2

v=dsdt
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

sec