Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page

Chapter 4

Check Your Understanding

4.1

(a) Taking the derivative with respect to time of the position function, we have v→(t)=9.0t2i^andv→(3.0s)=81.0i^m/s.v→(t)=9.0t2i^andv→(3.0s)=81.0i^m/s. (b) Since the velocity function is nonlinear, we suspect the average velocity is not equal to the instantaneous velocity. We check this and find
v→avg=r→(t2)−r→(t1)t2−t1=r→(4.0s)−r→(2.0s)4.0s−2.0s= [(192–24)i^+(4–4)i^]m 2.0s =84j^m/s,v→avg=r→(t2)−r→(t1)t2−t1=r→(4.0s)−r→(2.0s)4.0s−2.0s= [(192–24)i^+(4–4)i^]m 2.0s =84j^m/s,
which is different from v→(3.0s)=81.0i^m/s.v→(3.0s)=81.0i^m/s.

4.2

The acceleration vector is constant and doesn’t change with time. If a, b, and c are not zero, then the velocity function must be linear in time. We have v→(t)=∫a→dt=∫(ai^+bj^+ck^)dt=(ai^+bj^+ck^)tm/s,v→(t)=∫a→dt=∫(ai^+bj^+ck^)dt=(ai^+bj^+ck^)tm/s, since taking the derivative of the velocity function produces a→(t).a→(t). If any of the components of the acceleration are zero, then that component of the velocity would be a constant.

4.3

(a) Choose the top of the cliff where the rock is thrown from the origin of the coordinate system. Although it is arbitrary, we typically choose time t = 0 to correspond to the origin. (b) The equation that describes the horizontal motion is x=x0+vxt.x=x0+vxt. With x0=0,x0=0, this equation becomes x=vxt.x=vxt. (c) Equation 4.16 through Equation 4.18 and Equation 4.19 describe the vertical motion, but since y0=0andv0y=0,y0=0andv0y=0, these equations simplify greatly to become y=12(v0y+vy)t=12vyt,y=12(v0y+vy)t=12vyt,vy=−gt,vy=−gt,y=−12gt2,y=−12gt2, and vy2=−2gy.vy2=−2gy. (d) We use the kinematic equations to find the x and y components of the velocity at the point of impact. Using vy2=−2gyvy2=−2gy and noting the point of impact is −100.0 m, we find the y component of the velocity at impact is vy=44.3m/s.vy=44.3m/s. We are given the x component, vx=15.0m/s,vx=15.0m/s, so we can calculate the total velocity at impact: v = 46.8 m/s and θ=71.3°θ=71.3° below the horizontal.

4.4

The golf shot at 30°.30°.

4.5

134.0 cm/s

4.6

Labeling subscripts for the vector equation, we have B = boat, R = river, and E = Earth. The vector equation becomes v→BE=v→BR+v→RE.v→BE=v→BR+v→RE. We have right triangle geometry shown in Figure 04_05_BoatRiv_img. Solving for v→BEv→BE, we have
vBE=vBR2+vRE2=4.52+3.02vBE=vBR2+vRE2=4.52+3.02
vBE=5.4m/s, θ=tan−1(3.04.5)=33.7°.vBE=5.4m/s, θ=tan−1(3.04.5)=33.7°.

Conceptual Questions

1.

straight line

3.

The slope must be zero because the velocity vector is tangent to the graph of the position function.

5.

No, motions in perpendicular directions are independent.

7.

a. no; b. minimum at apex of trajectory and maximum at launch and impact; c. no, velocity is a vector; d. yes, where it lands

9.

They both hit the ground at the same time.

11.

yes

13.

If he is going to pass the ball to another player, he needs to keep his eyes on the reference frame in which the other players on the team are located.

15.

Problems

17.

r → = 1.0 i ^ − 4.0 j ^ + 6.0 k ^ r → = 1.0 i ^ − 4.0 j ^ + 6.0 k ^

19.

Δ r → Total = 472.0 m i ^ + 80.3 m j ^ Δ r → Total = 472.0 m i ^ + 80.3 m j ^

21.

Sum of displacements = −6.4 km i ^ + 9.4 km j ^ Sum of displacements = −6.4 km i ^ + 9.4 km j ^

23.

a. v→(t)=8.0ti^+6.0t2k^,v→(0)=0,v→(1.0)=8.0i^+6.0k^m/sv→(t)=8.0ti^+6.0t2k^,v→(0)=0,v→(1.0)=8.0i^+6.0k^m/s,
b. v→avg=4.0​i^+2.0k^m/sv→avg=4.0​i^+2.0k^m/s

25.

Δr→1=20.00mj^,Δr→2=(2.000×104m)(cos30°i^+sin30°j^)Δr→1=20.00mj^,Δr→2=(2.000×104m)(cos30°i^+sin30°j^)
Δr→=1.700×104mi^+1.002×104mj^Δr→=1.700×104mi^+1.002×104mj^

27.

a. v→(t)=(4.0ti^+3.0tj^)m/s,v→(t)=(4.0ti^+3.0tj^)m/s,r→(t)=(2.0t2i^+32t2j^)mr→(t)=(2.0t2i^+32t2j^)m,
b. x(t)=2.0t2m,y(t)=32t2m,t2=x2⇒y=34xx(t)=2.0t2m,y(t)=32t2m,t2=x2⇒y=34x

29.

a. v→(t)=(6.0ti^−21.0t2j^+10.0t−3k^)m/sv→(t)=(6.0ti^−21.0t2j^+10.0t−3k^)m/s
b. a→(t)=(6.0i^−42.0tj^−30t−4k^)m/s2a→(t)=(6.0i^−42.0tj^−30t−4k^)m/s2
c. v→(2.0s)=(12.0i^−84.0j^+1.25k^)m/sv→(2.0s)=(12.0i^−84.0j^+1.25k^)m/s
d. v→(1.0s)=6.0i^−21.0j^+10.0k^m/s,|v→(1.0s)|=24.0m/sv→(1.0s)=6.0i^−21.0j^+10.0k^m/s,|v→(1.0s)|=24.0m/s
v→(3.0s)=18.0i^−189.0j^+0.37k^m/s,v→(3.0s)=18.0i^−189.0j^+0.37k^m/s,, |v→(3.0s)|=190m/s|v→(3.0s)|=190m/s
e. r→(t)=(3.0t2i^−7.0t3j^−5.0t−2k^)mr→(t)=(3.0t2i^−7.0t3j^−5.0t−2k^)m, v→avg=9.0i^−49.0j^+3.75k^m/sv→avg=9.0i^−49.0j^+3.75k^m/s

31.

a. v→(t)=−sin(1.0t)i^+cos(1.0t)j^+k^v→(t)=−sin(1.0t)i^+cos(1.0t)j^+k^, b. a→(t)=−cos(1.0t)i^−sin(1.0t)j^a→(t)=−cos(1.0t)i^−sin(1.0t)j^

33.

a. t=0.55st=0.55s, b. x=110mx=110m

35.

a. t=0.24s,d=0.28mt=0.24s,d=0.28m, b. They aim high.

37.

a., t=12.8s,x=5619mt=12.8s,x=5619m b. vy=125.0m/s,vx=439.0m/s,|v→|=456.0m/svy=125.0m/s,vx=439.0m/s,|v→|=456.0m/s

39.

a. vy=v0y−gt,t=10s,vy=0,v0y=98.0m/s,v0=196.0m/svy=v0y−gt,t=10s,vy=0,v0y=98.0m/s,v0=196.0m/s,
b. h=490.0m,h=490.0m,
c. v0x=169.7m/s,x=3394.0m,v0x=169.7m/s,x=3394.0m,
d. x=169.7m/s(15.0s)=2550m y=(98.0m/s)(15.0s)–4.9(15.0s)2=368m sr=2550mi^+368mj^x=169.7m/s(15.0s)=2550m y=(98.0m/s)(15.0s)–4.9(15.0s)2=368m sr=2550mi^+368mj^

41.

−100m=(−2.0m/s)t−(4.9m/s2)t2,−100m=(−2.0m/s)t−(4.9m/s2)t2, t=4.3s,t=4.3s,x=86.0mx=86.0m

43.

R M o o n = 48 m R M o o n = 48 m

45.

a. v0y=24m/sv0y=24m/svy2=v0y2−2gy⇒h=29.3mvy2=v0y2−2gy⇒h=29.3m,
b. t=2.4sv0x=18m/sx=43.2mt=2.4sv0x=18m/sx=43.2m,
c. y=−100my0=0y=−100my0=0 y−y0=v0yt−12gt2−100=24t−4.9t2y−y0=v0yt−12gt2−100=24t−4.9t2 ⇒t=7.58s⇒t=7.58s,
d. x=136.44mx=136.44m,
e. t=2.0sy=28.4mx=36mt=2.0sy=28.4mx=36m
t=4.0sy=17.6mx=72mt=4.0sy=17.6mx=72m
t=6.0sy=−32.4mx=108mt=6.0sy=−32.4mx=108m

47.

v0y=12.9m/sy−y0=v0yt−12gt2−20.0=12.9t−4.9t2v0y=12.9m/sy−y0=v0yt−12gt2−20.0=12.9t−4.9t2
t=3.7sv0x=15.3m/s⇒x=56.7mt=3.7sv0x=15.3m/s⇒x=56.7m
So the golfer’s shot lands 13.3 m short of the green.

49.

a. R=60.8mR=60.8m,
b. R=137.8mR=137.8m

51.

a. vy2=v0y2−2gy⇒y=2.9m/svy2=v0y2−2gy⇒y=2.9m/s
y=3.3m/sy=3.3m/s
y=v0y22g=(v0sinθ)22g⇒sinθ=0.91⇒θ=65.5°y=v0y22g=(v0sinθ)22g⇒sinθ=0.91⇒θ=65.5°

53.

R = 18.5 m R = 18.5 m

55.

y = ( tan θ 0 ) x − [ g 2 ( v 0 cos θ 0 ) 2 ] x 2 ⇒ v 0 = 16.4 m / s y = ( tan θ 0 ) x − [ g 2 ( v 0 cos θ 0 ) 2 ] x 2 ⇒ v 0 = 16.4 m / s

57.

R = v 0 2 sin 2 θ 0 g ⇒ θ 0 = 15.9 ° R = v 0 2 sin 2 θ 0 g ⇒ θ 0 = 15.9 °

59.

(a) It takes the wide receiver 1.1 s to cover the last 10 m of his run.
Ttof=2(v0sinθ)g⇒sinθ=0.27⇒θ=15.6°Ttof=2(v0sinθ)g⇒sinθ=0.27⇒θ=15.6°
(b) x=v02sin(2θ)g=21 mx=v02sin(2θ)g=21 m
Therefore, the ball will be overthrown, and the receiver will not be able to catch it.

61.

a C = 40 m / s 2 a C = 40 m / s 2

63.

aC=v2r⇒v2=raC=78.4,v=8.85m/saC=v2r⇒v2=raC=78.4,v=8.85m/s
T=5.68s,T=5.68s, which is 0.176rev/s=10.6rev/min0.176rev/s=10.6rev/min

65.

Venus is 108.2 million km from the Sun and has an orbital period of 0.6152 y.
r=1.082×1011mT=1.94×107sr=1.082×1011mT=1.94×107s
v=3.5×104m/s,aC=1.135×10−2m/s2v=3.5×104m/s,aC=1.135×10−2m/s2

67.

360rev/min=6rev/s360rev/min=6rev/s
v=3.8m/sv=3.8m/s aC=144.m/s2aC=144.m/s2

69.

a. O′(t)=(4.0i^+3.0j^+5.0k^)tmO′(t)=(4.0i^+3.0j^+5.0k^)tm,
b. r→PS=r→PS′+r→S′S, r→PS=r→PS′+r→S′S,  r→(t)=r→′(t)+(4.0i^+3.0j^+5.0k^)tmr→(t)=r→′(t)+(4.0i^+3.0j^+5.0k^)tm,
c. v→(t)=v→′(t)+(4.0i^+3.0j^+5.0k^)m/sv→(t)=v→′(t)+(4.0i^+3.0j^+5.0k^)m/s, d. The accelerations are the same.

71.

v → P C = ( 2.0 i ^ + 5.0 j ^ + 4.0 k ^ ) m / s v → P C = ( 2.0 i ^ + 5.0 j ^ + 4.0 k ^ ) m / s

73.

a. A = air, S = seagull, G = ground
v→SA=9.0m/sv→SA=9.0m/s velocity of seagull with respect to still air
v→AG=?v→SG=5m/sv→AG=?v→SG=5m/s v→SG=v→SA+v→AG⇒v→AG=v→SG−v→SAv→SG=v→SA+v→AG⇒v→AG=v→SG−v→SA
v→AG=−4.0m/sv→AG=−4.0m/s
b. v→SG=v→SA+v→AG⇒v→SG=−13.0m/sv→SG=v→SA+v→AG⇒v→SG=−13.0m/s
−6000m−13.0m/s=7 min 42 s−6000m−13.0m/s=7 min 42 s

75.

Take the positive direction to be the same direction that the river is flowing, which is east. S = shore/Earth, W = water, and B = boat.
a. v→BS=11km/hv→BS=11km/h
t=8.2mint=8.2min
b. v→BS=−5km/hv→BS=−5km/h
t=18mint=18min
c. v→BS=v→BW+v→WSv→BS=v→BW+v→WS θ=22°θ=22° west of north


d. |v→BS|=7.4km/h|v→BS|=7.4km/h t=6.5mint=6.5min
e. v→BS=8.54km/h,v→BS=8.54km/h, but only the component of the velocity straight across the river is used to get the time


t=6.0mint=6.0min
Downstream = 0.3 km

77.

v→AG=v→AC+v→CGv→AG=v→AC+v→CG
|v→AC|=25km/h|v→CG|=15km/h|v→AG|=29.15km/h|v→AC|=25km/h|v→CG|=15km/h|v→AG|=29.15km/h v→AG=v→AC+v→CGv→AG=v→AC+v→CG
The angle between v→ACv→AC and v→AGv→AG is 31°,31°, so the direction of the wind is 14°14° north of east.

Additional Problems

79.

a C = 39.6 m / s 2 a C = 39.6 m / s 2

81.

90.0km/h=25.0m/s,9.0km/h=2.5m/s,90.0km/h=25.0m/s,9.0km/h=2.5m/s, 60.0km/h=16.7m/s60.0km/h=16.7m/s
aT=−2.5m/s2,aC=1.86m/s2,a=3.1m/s2aT=−2.5m/s2,aC=1.86m/s2,a=3.1m/s2

83.

The radius of the circle of revolution at latitude λλ is REcosλ.REcosλ. The velocity of the body is 2πrT.aC=4π2REcosλT22πrT.aC=4π2REcosλT2 for λ=40°,aC=0.26%gλ=40°,aC=0.26%g

85.

aT=3.00m/s2aT=3.00m/s2
v(5s)=15.00m/saC=150.00m/s2θ=88.8°v(5s)=15.00m/saC=150.00m/s2θ=88.8° with respect to the tangent to the circle of revolution directed inward. |a→|=150.03m/s2|a→|=150.03m/s2

87.

a→(t)=−Aω2cosωti^−Aω2sinωtj^a→(t)=−Aω2cosωti^−Aω2sinωtj^
aC=5.0mω2ω=0.89rad/saC=5.0mω2ω=0.89rad/s
v→(t)=−2.24m/si^−3.87m/sj^v→(t)=−2.24m/si^−3.87m/sj^

89.

r → 1 = 1.5 j ^ + 4.0 k ^ r → 2 = Δ r → + r → 1 = 2.5 i ^ + 4.7 j ^ + 2.8 k ^ r → 1 = 1.5 j ^ + 4.0 k ^ r → 2 = Δ r → + r → 1 = 2.5 i ^ + 4.7 j ^ + 2.8 k ^

91.

vx(t)=265.0m/svx(t)=265.0m/s
vy(t)=20.0m/svy(t)=20.0m/s
v→(5.0s)=(265.0i^+20.0j^)m/sv→(5.0s)=(265.0i^+20.0j^)m/s

93.

R = 1.07 m R = 1.07 m

95.

v 0 = 20.1 m / s v 0 = 20.1 m / s

97.

v=3072.5m/sv=3072.5m/s
aC=0.223m/s2aC=0.223m/s2

Challenge Problems

99.

a. −400.0m=v0yt−4.9t2359.0m=v0xtt=359.0v0x−400.0=359.0v0yv0x−4.9(359.0v0x)2−400.0m=v0yt−4.9t2359.0m=v0xtt=359.0v0x−400.0=359.0v0yv0x−4.9(359.0v0x)2
−400.0=359.0tan40−631,516.9v0x2⇒v0x2=900.6v0x=30.0m/sv0y=v0xtan40=25.2m/s−400.0=359.0tan40−631,516.9v0x2⇒v0x2=900.6v0x=30.0m/sv0y=v0xtan40=25.2m/s
v=39.2m/sv=39.2m/s, b. t=12.0st=12.0s

101.

a. r→TC=(−32+80t)i^+50tj^,|r→TC|2=(−32+80t)2+(50t)2r→TC=(−32+80t)i^+50tj^,|r→TC|2=(−32+80t)2+(50t)2
2rdrdt=2(−32+80t)(80)+5000tdrdt=160(−32+80t)+5000t2r=02rdrdt=2(−32+80t)(80)+5000tdrdt=160(−32+80t)+5000t2r=0
17800t=5184⇒t=0.29 hr17800t=5184⇒t=0.29 hr,
b. |r→TC|=17km|r→TC|=17km

Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-1/pages/1-introduction

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-1/pages/1-introduction

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Jun 11, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.