MCAT Physical : Newtonian Mechanics and Motion

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for MCAT Physical

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Example Questions

Example Question #12 : Motion In Two Dimensions

A cannon fires a cannon ball at an angle of  relative to the ground. The cannon ball comes out at an initial velocity of . Assume there is no air resistance.

How far will the ball be from the cannon once it hits the ground?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We must first determine the amount of time that the ball is in the air, then use the horizontal velocity to solve for the distance travelled.

In order to solve for the amount of time, we need to know the vertical initial velocity of the cannonball. This is given by the equation . Using the initial velocity of  we determine that the vertical initial velocity is 

Knowing this, we can solve the amount of time it will take for the cannon ball to reach its maximum peak, with a velocity of  using the equation 

This is the amount of time it takes for the ball to reach its peak, not the total time it is in the air. Since the ball must drop from the maximum height, we double the time and find that total flight time is 20.8s.

The next step is determining the horizontal initial velocity from the cannon. This is determined using the equation below.

Since we assume that there is no air resistance, we can conclude that the horizontal velocity of the cannonball will remain constant throughout its flight. As a result, the total displacement equation is simplified to the following: .

Example Question #111 : Newtonian Mechanics And Motion

A 2kg lead ball is loaded into a spring cannon and the cannon is set at a 45º angle on a platform. The spring has a spring constant of 100N/m and the ball and spring system is compressed by 1m before launch. While the ball is in flight air resistance can be neglected, and the ball finishes its flight by landing at a cushion placed some distance away from the cannon.

How high does the ball fly?

Possible Answers:

5.69m

8.50m

2.57m

4.91m

Correct answer:

2.57m

Explanation:

First, solve for the initial vertical velocity of the ball.

vy = (10m/s)(sin(45o)) = 7.1m/s

Think back to the 3 main kinematics equations we know:

vf2 = vi2 + 2aΔx

vf = vi + at

Δx = vit + ½at2

We need to choose an equation that allows us to solve for the vertical height of the ball, given that we know the initial vertical velocity, final vertical velocity (zero), and the acceleration due to gravity (-9.8m/s2).

vf2 = vi2 + 2aΔy

Δy = (vf2 - vi2)/2a

Example Question #113 : Newtonian Mechanics And Motion

A 2kg lead ball is loaded into a spring cannon and the cannon is set at a 45º angle on a platform. The spring has a spring constant of 100N/m and the ball and spring system is compressed by 1m before launch. While the ball is in flight air resistance can be neglected, and the ball finishes its flight by landing at a cushion placed some distance away from the cannon.

How long does it take for the ball to land on the cushion?

Possible Answers:

3.40s

1.44s

0.72s

1.12s

Correct answer:

1.44s

Explanation:

Once again, think back to our 3 main kinematics question:

vf2  = vi2 + 2aΔx

vf = vi + at

Δx = vit + ½at2

We want an equation that allows us to determine the time the ball spends in flight. Often, it is easier to compute the time it takes for the ball to reach its maximum height, then multiply by two. However, this “shortcut” only works when the launch point and end point are at the same vertical height, as they are in this problem.

vf = vi + at

t = (vf – vi)/a

Remember to use the veritcal velocity as your initial velocity.

vy = (10m/s)(sin(45o)) = 7.1m/s

This is one half of the flight time. We multiply by two to find the total time.

t = 2(0.72s) = 1.44s

Example Question #114 : Newtonian Mechanics And Motion

A 2kg lead ball is loaded into a spring cannon and the cannon is set at a 45º angle on a platform. The spring has a spring constant of 100N/m and the ball and spring system is compressed by 1m before launch. While the ball is in flight air resistance can be neglected, and the ball finishes its flight by landing at a cushion placed some distance away from the cannon.

In order to catch the ball in the center of the cushion, how far away should the cushion be placed?

Possible Answers:

2.9m

11.0m

10.2m

7.8m

Correct answer:

10.2m

Explanation:

First, we will need the time that the ball is in flight.

Think back to our 3 main kinematics question:

vf2  = vi2 + 2aΔx

vf = vi + at

Δx = vit + ½at2

We want an equation that allows us to determine the time the ball spends in flight. Often, it is easier to compute the time it takes for the ball to reach its maximum height, then multiply by two. However, this “shortcut” only works when the launch point and end point are at the same vertical height, as they are in this problem.

vf = vi + at

t = (vf – vi)/a

Remember to use the veritcal velocity as your initial velocity.

vy = (10m/s)(sin(45o)) = 7.1m/s

This is one half of the flight time. We multiply by two to find the total time.

t = 2(0.72s) = 1.44s

Using this time with the initial horizontal velocity will allow us to solve for the total horizontal distance.

 vx = (10m/s)(cos(45o)) = 7.1m/s

Δx = vit + ½at2

Δx = (7.1m/s)(1.44s) = 10.22m

Example Question #21 : Motion In Two Dimensions

A 2kg lead ball is loaded into a spring cannon and the cannon is set at a 45º angle on a platform. The spring has a spring constant of 100N/m and the ball and spring system is compressed by 1m before launch. While the ball is in flight air resistance can be neglected, and the ball finishes its flight by landing at a cushion placed some distance away from the cannon.

What is the potential energy of the ball at the top of its arc?

Possible Answers:

119.2kJ

119.2J

50.4J

50.4kJ

Correct answer:

50.4J

Explanation:

This question asks us to consider gravitational potential energy. We are provided the mass of the ball (2kg) and know the acceleration due to gravity (9.8m/s2). Using the height of the ball at the top of its arc, we can solve for gravitational potential energy.

First, solve for the initial vertical velocity of the ball.

vy = (10m/s)(sin(45o)) = 7.1m/s

Think back to the 3 main kinematics equations we know:

vf2 = vi2 + 2aΔx

vf = vi + at

Δx = vit + ½at2

We need to choose an equation that allows us to solve for the vertical height of the ball, given that we know the initial vertical velocity, final vertical velocity (zero), and the acceleration due to gravity (-9.8m/s2).

vf2 = vi2 + 2aΔy

Δy = (vf2 - vi2)/2a

Now that we know the maximum height, we can find the potential energy from this position.

U = mgh

U = (2kg)(9.8m/s2)(2.57m) = 50.4J

Example Question #3 : Ap Physics B

A box is placed on a 30o frictionless incline. What is the acceleration of the box as it slides down the incline?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To find the acceleration of the box traveling down the incline, the mass is not needed. Using the incline of the plane as the x-direction, we can see that there is no movement in the y-direction; therefore, we can use Newton's second, F = ma, in the x-direction.

There is only one force in the x-direction (gravity), however gravity is not just equal to “mg” in this case. Since the box is on an incline, the gravitational force will be equal to mgsin(30o). Substituting force into F  =ma we find that mgsin(30o) = ma. We can now cancel out masses and solve for acceleration.

Example Question #61 : Translational Motion

A projectile is thrown at  at an angle of 30 degrees. What is the horizontal component of its initial velocity?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Consider a triangle in which the initial velocity is the hypotenuse. The horizontal component of the velocity can be found using trigonometry:

Use our given values to solve:

Example Question #62 : Translational Motion

A family is on a road trip and travels at 60 mph east for 30 minutes. They miss their exit and turn around, traveling 30 mph west for 6 minutes. What is their total displacement?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Displacement is the change in from intial position to final position. The car first travels 30 miles east and then returns 3 miles west.

East:

West:

They have traveled 27 miles east from their initial position.

Example Question #21 : Motion In Two Dimensions

What is the acceleration of a  box sliding down a frictionless plane that forms a  angle with the horizontal? 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The force of gravity on the box will be in the downward direction, but the acceleration generated will be parallel to the surface of the incline. We can break the total force of gravity into parallel (horizontal) and perpendicular (vertical) components.

Calculate the horizontal force on the box.

Now that we know the horizontal force, we can solve for the horizontal acceleration by using the mass of the box and Newton's second law.

 

Example Question #1 : Torque

A uniform rod of length 50cm and mass 0.2kg is placed on a fulcrum at a distance of 40cm from the left end of the rod. At what distance from the left end of the rod should a 0.6kg mass be hung to balance the rod?

Possible Answers:

45cm

50cm

48cm

42cm

The rod cannot be balanced with this mass

Correct answer:

45cm

Explanation:

The counterclockwise and clockwise torques about the pivot point must be equal for the rod to balance. Taking the fulcrum as the pivot point, the counterclockwise torque is due to the rod’s weight, gravitational force acting downwards at the center of the rod. If we use the pivot as our reference, then the center of the rod is 15cm from the reference.

Set this equal to the clockwise torque due to the additional mass, a distance r to the right of the pivot.

.

Solving for r gives r = 0.05m to the right of the pivot, so 40 + 5 cm from the left end of the rod.

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