General Physics 1

Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Relative Motion
 Lesson

5 Relative Motion
In this module, the learners will be able to Describe motion using the concept
of relative velocities in 1D and 2D, deduce the consequences of the
independence of vertical and horizontal components of projectile motion,
calculate range, time of flight, an maximum Heights of projectiles infer
quantities associated with circular motion, and solve problems involving 2
dimensional motion.

What is It

POSITION VECTOR IN 2D AND 3D

The position vector is a vector that points from the origin of a coordinate
system to the position of an object. The location of a particle relative to the
origin of a coordinate system is given by a position vector 𝒓 ⃗ . Refer to the
following diagram:
In unit vector notation, it is
given by:

̂
⃗ = 𝒙 𝒊̂ + 𝒚 𝒋̂ + 𝒛 𝒌
𝒓

Sample problems:

a. 2D : An ant is located at x =
1m, y = 2m. what is the
position vector of the ant?
Answer: 𝒓⃗ = 𝟏 𝒎 𝒊̂ + 𝟐 𝒎𝒋̂

b. 3D: A fly is located at x =

3m , y =1m, z = 2m. what is
the position vector of the fly?
Answer:
̂
⃗ = 𝟑 𝒎 𝒊̂ + 𝟏 𝒎𝒋̂ + 𝟐 𝒎𝒌
𝒓

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 c. A rabbit runs across a Parking lot on which a set of coordinate access
has, strangely enough, being drawn. The coordinates (meters) of the
rabbit’s position as functions of time t (seconds) are given by

𝑥 = −0.31𝑡 2 + 7.2𝑡 + 28
𝑦 = 0.22𝑡 2 − 9.1𝑡 + 30
At t=15s, what is the Rapids position vector 𝒓
⃗ in (a) unit vector notation and
in (b) magnitude-angle notation?

Solution:

a. We can write
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑟(𝑡) = 𝑥(𝑡) 𝑖̂ + 𝑦(𝑡)𝑗̂
Since x and y are a function of t, then r is also a function of t, at t=15s, the
scalar components are:
𝑥 = −0.31(15)2 + 7.2(15) + 28 = 66𝑚
𝑦 = 0.22(15)2 − 9.1(15) + 30 = −57𝑚
So its, vector notation is given by
⃗𝒓 = 𝟔𝟔𝒎 𝒊̂ − 𝟓𝟕𝒎 𝒋̂ → answer

b. To get the magnitude an angle of 𝒓 ⃗ , notice that the components form the
legs of a right triangle and r is the hypotenuse. So we solve,

𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = √(66𝑚)2 + (−57𝑚)2 = 𝟖𝟕𝒎

and,
𝑦 −57𝑚
𝜃 = tan−1 = tan−1 = −𝟒𝟏°
𝑥 66𝑚

⃗ = 𝟖𝟕𝒎 𝟒𝟏° 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕

𝒓

DISPLACEMENT VECTOR IN 2D AND 3D

Suppose a particle is at position A at

time t1 and at position B add time t2.
During the time intervals from time t1 to
time t2, the particle moves along the curve
ACB.

The length of the path ACB is the

distance traveled by the particle during the
time interval t1 to t2.

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 we can draw a factor with its tail at the initial position, A, and head at
the final position B. this vector is the displacement vector of the particle
during time interval t1 to t2. Mathematically, we can express the displacement
vector ∆𝒓
⃗ , as the difference between the final position vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗ 𝒓𝟐 and initial
position vector ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒓𝟏 , or,

⃗ = ⃗⃗⃗⃗
∆𝒓 𝒓𝟐 − ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒓𝟏
Sample problem:

At time t1 = 1.0s an ant is located at the x-y coordinates (3.0 m, 4.0 m). At
time t2 = 3.0 s the same ant is located at the x-y coordinates (5.0 m, 2.0 m).
In the time interval t1 to t2 determine the following: a. displacement, b.
magnitude of the displacement, and c. Distance traveled by the ant.

a. Given: ⃗⃗⃗
𝑟1 = 3 𝑚 𝑖̂ + 4 𝑚𝑗̂ 𝑟2 = 5 𝑚 𝑖̂ + 2 𝑚𝑗̂
⃗⃗⃗
Solution:
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = ⃗⃗⃗𝑟2 − ⃗⃗⃗
𝑟1
∆𝑟 = (5 𝑚 𝑖̂ + 2 𝑚𝑗̂) − (3 𝑚 𝑖̂ + 4 𝑚𝑗̂)
⃗ = (𝟐 𝒎 𝒊̂ − 𝟐 𝒎𝒋̂)
∆𝒓
b. Solution:
The magnitude of the displacement is:
⃗ = √𝟐𝟐 + 𝟐𝟐 ≈ 𝟐. 𝟖𝒎
∆𝒓
c. The information given is a problem is insufficient because we need
the length of the actual path taken by the ant.

AVERAGE VELOCITY, INSTANTANEOUS VELOCITY, INSTANTANEOUS

SPEED, AVERAGE SPEED

The average speed of a particle in a time interval, is defined as

distance traveled along the path, divided by the time elapsed.

The average velocity of a particle in a time interval is just its net

displacement per unit time:
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒓𝟐 − ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒓𝟏 ∆𝒓 ⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒗𝒂𝒗 = =
𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕𝟏 ∆𝒕
Sample Problem:

A jogger runs along a semi-circular track with radius 100 m for 3.00
minutes. She starts from one end of the track and finishes at the other end.
What is her average speed? What is the magnitude of her average velocity?
(recall formula from previous lesson)
a. Given: r = 100m t = 3 mins
Solution:

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 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 100𝜋 𝑚 314𝑚
𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = = = 180 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑠 ≈ 𝟏. 𝟕𝟓 𝒎/𝒔
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑠𝑒𝑑 3 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠

⃗
∆𝒓 |∆𝒓
⃗|
b. 𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 = |⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑣𝑎𝑣 | = | | =
∆𝒕 ∆𝑡
𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 200 𝑚
= = ≈ 𝟏. 𝟏𝟏 𝒎/𝒔
𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑝𝑠𝑒𝑑 180𝑠

Another sample problem:

If a particle moves through displacement 12𝑚 𝑖̂ + 3𝑚 𝑘̂ in 2.0s, then its

average velocity during that move is,

∆𝑟 ∆𝑥 ∆𝑧 12𝑚 𝑖̂ + 3𝑚 𝑘̂
𝑣𝑎𝑣 =
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗ = 𝑖̂ + 𝑗̂ =
∆𝑡 ∆𝑡 ∆𝑡 2.0 𝑠

𝟔𝒎 𝟏.𝟓𝒎
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒗𝒂𝒗 = 𝒊̂ + ̂ → the average velocity (vector quantity) has a
𝒌
𝒔 𝒔
component of 6m/s along the x axis and a component of 1.5m/s along
the z axis

The instantaneous velocity, or velocity, of a particle is the

instantaneous rate of change of the position:
⃗
∆𝒓 𝒅𝒓⃗
⃗ = 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒗 =
∆𝒕→𝟎 ∆𝒕 𝒅𝒕

Sample problem:
Using the same problem about the rabbit run found on page 3, find
the 𝒗
⃗ by taking the derivatives of the components of the rabbit’s position
vector.

Solution:
x component of 𝒗
⃗ is,
𝑑𝑥 𝑑
𝑣𝑥 = = (−0.31𝑡 2 + 7.2𝑡 + 28)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥
𝑣𝑥 = = −0.62𝑡 + 7.2
𝑑𝑡
At t=15s, this gives
𝑣𝑥 = −0.62(15) + 7.2 = −𝟐. 𝟏𝒎/𝒔
Similarly, the y component of of 𝒗⃗ is,
𝑑𝑦 𝑑
𝑣𝑦 = = (0.22𝑡 2 − 9.1𝑡 + 30)
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑦
𝑣𝑦 = 𝑑𝑡 = 0.44𝑡 − 9.1
At t=15s, this gives
𝑣𝑥 = 0.44(15) − 9.1 = −𝟐. 𝟓𝒎/𝒔
The position vector is then,
⃗ = −𝟐. 𝟏𝒎/𝒔 𝒊̂ − 𝟐. 𝟓𝒎/𝒔 𝒋̂ → answer
𝒗

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 The instantaneous speed or speed of a particle is the magnitude of the
velocity of the particle.

The average acceleration of a particle in an interval is the chance in

velocity divided by the time elapsed:
⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒗𝟐 − ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒗𝟏 ∆𝒗 ⃗
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝒂𝒂𝒗 = =
𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕𝟏 ∆𝒕
The instantaneous acceleration, or acceleration, of a particle is the
instantaneous rate of change of its velocity:
⃗
∆𝒗 ⃗
𝒅𝒗
⃗ = 𝐥𝐢𝐦
𝒂 =
∆𝒕→𝟎 ∆𝒕 𝒅𝒕

Sample problem:
Using the same problem about the rabbit run found on page 3 and 5,
find the acceleration 𝒂
⃗ at time t=15s.

Solution:
Finding the x component of 𝒂
⃗

𝑑𝑣𝑥 𝑑
𝑎𝑥 = = 𝑑𝑡 (−0.62𝑡 + 7.2)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑣𝑥
𝑎𝑥 = = −𝟎. 𝟔𝟐𝒎/𝒔𝟐
𝑑𝑡
Finding the y component of ⃗𝒂

𝑑𝑣𝑦 𝑑
𝑎𝑦 = = 𝑑𝑡 (0.44𝑡 − 9.1)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑣𝑦
𝑎𝑦 = = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝒎/𝒔𝟐
𝑑𝑡
we get the acceleration,
⃗ = −𝟔. 𝟐𝒎/𝒔𝟐 𝒊̂ + 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝒎/𝒔𝟐 𝒋̂
𝒂 → answer
the magnitude for the acceleration is,
0.44𝑚 2
𝑎 = √𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑦 2 = √(−0. 62𝑚/𝑠 2 )2 + ( )
𝑠2

𝒂 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟔𝒎/𝒔𝟐→ answer
For the angle, we get,
𝑎𝑦 0.44𝑚/𝑠2
𝜃 = tan−1 𝑎 = tan−1 −0.62𝑚/𝑠 2 = −𝟑𝟓° → answer
𝑥

PROJECTILE MOTION

Projectile motion is the motion of a particle that is launched with an

initial velocity ⃗⃗⃗⃗
𝑣0 . during its flight, the particle’s horizontal acceleration is
zero and its vertical acceleration is the free fall acceleration -g (upward is

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taken to be a positive direction). If 𝑣
⃗⃗⃗⃗0 is expressed as a magnitude (the speed
𝑣0 ) and an angle 𝜃0 (Measured from the horizontal), the particle’s equations of
motion along the horizontal x axis and vertical y axis are

𝑥 − 𝑥0 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 )𝑡 → eq 1
1
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 )𝑡 − 𝑔𝑡 2
→ eq 2
2
𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 − 𝑔𝑡 → eq 3
𝑣𝑦2 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 )2 − 2𝑔(𝑦 − 𝑦0 ) → eq 4

The trajectory (path) about particle in projectile motion is parabolic and is

given by,

𝑔𝑥 2
𝑦 = (𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃0 )𝑥 − → eq 5
2(𝑣0 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃0 )2

If 𝑥0 and 𝑦0 of eq 1 and 4 are zero. The particle’s horizontal range R, which

is the horizontal distance from the launch point to the point at which the
particle returns to the launch is,
𝑣02
𝑅= sin 2 𝜃0 → eq 6
𝑔

Sample problem:

A rescue plane flies at 198 km/h (=55m/s) and constant height h=500m towrd
a point directly over a victim, where a rescue capsule is to land. (a) What
should the angle ∅ of the pilot’s line of sight to the victim when the capsule
release is made? (b) As the capsule reaches the water, what is its velocity 𝑣?

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Solution:
a. Once released, the capsule is a projectile, so its horizontal and vertical
motions can be considered separately (we need not consider the actual
curved path of the capsule).

In the figure, we see that ∅ is given by,

𝑥
∅ = tan−1
ℎ
where x is the horizontal coordinate of the victim (and of the capsule when it
hits the water) and h =500 m. We should be able to find x using equation 1
page 7.
𝑥 − 𝑥0 = (𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 )𝑡
here we know that x0 =0 because the origin is placed at the point of release.
Because the capsule is released and not shot from the plane, its initial velocity
𝒗𝟎 is equal to the plane’s velocity. Thus, we know also that the initial velocity
⃗⃗⃗⃗
has magnitude v0 =55.0 m/s and angle ɵ0 =0° (measured relative to the
positive direction of the x axis). However, we do not know the time t the
capsule takes to move from the plane to the victim. To find t, we next consider
the vertical motion and equation 2 page 7
1
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = (𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 )𝑡 − 2 𝑔𝑡 2
Here the vertical displacement y – y0 of the capsule is -500 m (the negative
value indicates that the capsule moves downward). So,
1
−500𝑚 = (55 𝑚/𝑠)(sin 0°)𝑡 − 2 (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )𝑡 2
Solving for t, we get,
𝑡 = 10.1 𝑠
Then we get back to the equation 1 and substitute the value of t, we get,
𝑚
𝑥 − 0 = ((55 𝑠 ) cos 0) (10.1𝑠)
𝑥 = 555.5m
We then solve for the angle

555.5 𝑚
∅ = tan−1 = 𝟒𝟖° → answer
500𝑚

b. Note: the Horizontal and vertical components of the capsule's velocity are
independent. x-component does not change from its initial value because
there is no horizontal acceleration while y-component changes from its
initial value because there is a vertical acceleration.

When the capsule reaches the water,

𝑣𝑥 = 𝑣0 cos 𝜃0 = (55 𝑚/𝑠)(𝑐𝑜𝑠0°) = 55𝑚/𝑠
Using equation 3 page 7, when t=10.1s, we get,
𝑣𝑦 = 𝑣0 sin 𝜃0 − 𝑔𝑡 = (55 𝑚/𝑠)(𝑠𝑖𝑛0°) − (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(10.1𝑠)
𝑣𝑦 = −99.0𝑚/𝑠
Thus, at the water,

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 ⃗ = 𝟓𝟓 𝒎/𝒔 𝒊̂ − 𝟗𝟗 𝒎/𝒔 𝒋̂ → answer
𝒗
the magnitude for the velocity is,
𝑣 = √𝑣𝑥 2 + 𝑣𝑦 2 = √(55 𝑚/𝑠 + (−99 𝑚/𝑠)2

𝒂 = 𝟏𝟏𝟑 𝒎/𝒔→ answer

For the angle, we get,
𝑣𝑦 −99 𝑚/𝑠
𝜃 = tan−1 𝑣 = tan−1 = −𝟔𝟎. 𝟗° → answer
𝑥 55 𝑚/𝑠

UNIFORM CIRCULAR MOTION

If a particle travels along a circle or circular arc of radius r at constant

speed v, it is said to be in uniform circular motion and has an acceleration of
constant magnitude 𝑎 of constant magnitude
𝒗𝟐
𝒂= (centripetal acceleration) → eq 7
𝒓

The acceleration associated with uniform circular motion is called a

centripetal (meaning “center seeking”) acceleration.

The direction of 𝑎 is toward the center of the circle or circular arc, and
𝑎 is said to be centripetal. The time for the particle to complete a circle is
𝟐𝝅𝒓
𝑻= (period) → eq 8
𝒗
T is called the period of revolution, or simply the period, of the motion.
It is, in general, the time for a particle to go around a closed path exactly once.

Sample problem:

What is the magnitude of the acceleration, in g units, of a pilot whose aircraft

enters a horizontal circular turn with a velocity of 𝒗⃗ = (𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝒊̂ + 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝒋̂)𝒎/𝒔 and 24s
later leaves the turn with a velocity of 𝒗
⃗ = (−𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝒊̂ − 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝒋̂)𝒎/𝒔?

Solution:

Manipulate eq 7 to get r, then substitute it to eq 8. Manipulate the equation to get

acceleration, or
𝑣2 𝑣2
𝑎= → becomes → 𝑟 = then, substitute this to eq 8
𝑟 𝑎

𝑣2
2𝜋( ) 𝟐𝝅𝒗
𝑇= 𝑎
→ becomes → 𝑎 = → new equation
𝑣 𝑇
Solving for initial velocity, we get,
𝑣 = √(400 𝑚/𝑠)2 + (500 𝑚/𝑠)2 = 640.31 𝑚/𝑠
Then we substitute the value of v to the equation, we get,
2𝜋𝑣 2𝜋(640.31 𝑚/𝑠)
𝑎= = = 𝟖𝟑. 𝟖𝟏 𝒎/𝒔𝟐 ≈ 𝟖. 𝟔𝒈 → answer
𝑇 48 𝑠

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 Activity 4
Instruction: Solve for what is asked. Write your answer in your
answer sheet and show solutions. Place your final answer in a
box with the correct unit (use yellow paper and staple it to the
module upon returning)

1. A positron undergoes a displacement ∆𝑟 = 2.0 𝑖̂ − 3.0 𝑗̂ + 6.0 𝑘̂ , ending with

the position vector 3.0 𝑗̂ − 4.0 𝑘̂ , in meters. What was the positron’s initial
position vector?

2. An ion’s position vector is initially 𝑟 = 5.0 𝑖̂ − 6.0 𝑗̂ + 2.0 𝑘̂ and 10s later it is
𝑟 = −2.0𝑖̂ + 8.0 𝑗̂ − 2.0 𝑘̂ all in meters. In unit vector notation, what is the
𝑣𝑎𝑣𝑔 during the 10s?
⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗⃗

3. A particle moves so that its position (in meters) as a function of time in

(seconds) is 𝑟 = 𝑖̂ + 4𝑡 2 𝑗̂ + 𝑡 𝑘̂ . Write expressions for (a) its velocity and (b)
its acceleration as functions of time.

4. The positron 𝑟 of a particle moving in an xy plane is given by 𝑟 = (2𝑡 3 −

5𝑡)𝑖̂ + (6 − 7𝑡 4 )𝑗̂ , with 𝑟 in meters and t in seconds. In unit-vector notation,
calculate (a) 𝑟 (b) 𝑣 (c) 𝑎 for t = 2s.

5. A dart is thrown horizontally with an initial speed of 10 m/s toward point

P, the bull’s eye on a dart board. It hits the point Q on the rim, vertically
below P, 0.19s later. (a) What is the distance PQ? (b) How far away from
the dart board is the dart released?

6. A batter hits a pitched ball when the center of the ball is 1.22 m above the
ground. The ball leaves the bat at an angle of 45° with the ground. With
that launch, the ball should have a horizontal range of 107m. (a) Does the
ball clear a 7.32m-high fence that is 97.5 m horizontally from the launch
point? (b) At the fence, what is the distance between the fence top and the
ball center?

7. An earth satellite moves in a circular orbit 640km (uniform circular motion)

above Earth’s surface with a period of 98.0 min. what are (a) the speed and
(b) the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration of the satellite? (Note:
Earth’s radius is 6371km)

8. A rotating fan completes 1200 revolutions every minute. Consider the tip
of the blade, at a radius of 0.15m. (a) Through what distance does the tip
move in one revolution? What are (b) the tip’s speed and (c) the magnitude
of its acceleration? (d) What is the period of the motion?

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