ESM 2042 Midterms Summative Assessment

Ateneo de Davao University

April 2, 2025

Problem 1. Determine the rectangular components of the velocity 80 m/s where it is angled 30◦
from the positive x-axis.
Answer. Vx = 69.28 m/s, Vy = 40.00 m/s .
Solution. Since |V | = 80 m/s, then Vx = |V | cos 30 = 80 cos 30 = 69.28 m/s and Vy = 80 sin 30 =
40.00 m/s

Problem 2. A jet plane travels along a vertical parabolic path defined by the equation y = 0.4x2 .
At point A, the jet has a speed of 200 m/s, which is increasing at the rate of 0.8 m/s2 . What is
the magnitude of the plane’s acceleration when it is at Point A.

Answer. 0.921 m/s2 .

Solution. Recall that the radius of curvature is defined as
  2 3/2
dy
1 + dx
ρ= d2 y
dx2

With that said, then dy(5)/dx = 0.8(5) = 4 and d2 y(5)/dx2 = 0.8 Therefore, ρ = 171.5 /0.8 = 87.62
km or 87620 m. Now, recall the definition of the normal acceleration:

v2
an =
ρ

Usingpthis formula, we get an = 0.46 m/s2 . Henceforth, the magnitude of the acceleration is just
|a| = a2n + a2t = 0.921 m/s2

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ESM 2042 Midterms Summative Assessment

Problem 3. The elevator shown in the figure moves downward with a constant velocity of 15 ft/s.
Determine (a) the velocity of the cable C, (b) the velocity of the counterweight W , (c) the relative
velocity of the cable C with respect to the elevator, (d) the relative velocity of the coun terweight
W with respect to the elevator.

Answer. (a) 30 m/s ↑, (b) 15 m/s ↑, (c) 45 m/s ↑, (d) 30 m/s ↑ .

Solution (a). On rope 1, we have yC + 2yE = const. and on rope 2, yE + yW = const.. Taking
the time derivative of the relationship of rope 1, vC = −2vE . Given that vE is going down then by
that relationship, vC must go up. Hence, vC = −2(15) = −30 ft/s =⇒ vC = 30 ft/s ↑
Solution (b). The velocities of W and E are equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. Thus,
vW = −15 ft/s =⇒ vW = 15 ft/s ↑
Solution (c). By the definition of dependent motion, vC/E = vC − vE . In this case, vC/E =
−30 − 15 = −45 ft/s =⇒ vC/E = 45 ft/s ↑
Solution (d). By the definition of dependent motion, vW /E = vW − vE . In this case, vC/E =
−15 − 15 = −30 ft/s =⇒ vC/E = 30 ft/s ↑
Problem 4. The acceleration of a particle is defined by the relation a = A − 6t2 where A is a
constant. At t = 0, the particle starts at x = 8 m with v = 5 m. Knowing that at t = 1 s, v = 30
m/s, determine (a) the times at which the velocity is zero, (b) the total distance traveled by the
particle when t = 5 s.
Answer. (a) t = 0 s, 4 s; (b) 168.5 m .
Solution (Preliminaries). By derivative definition, dv/dt = A − 6t2 . Hence,

dv = (A − 6t2 )dt =⇒ v = At − 2t3 + C1 .

At t0 , C1 = 0, and we have
v = At − 2t3 .
Getting its derivative and noting that x0 = 8 when t = 0,
At2 t4
x= − +8
2 2
When t = 1 then we obtain A = 32. Therefore we have the equations

v = 32t − 2t3

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ESM 2042 Midterms Summative Assessment

and
t4
x = 16t2 − +8
2
Solution (a). When v = 0,

0 = 32t − 2t3 =⇒ 0 = 2t(16 − t2 )

then we have the solutions t = 0 s and t = 4 s.

Solution (b). At t = 0 s to t = 4s, we have:
4
t4
x = 16t2 − +8 =⇒ x0−4 = 128 m
2 0

From t = 4 s to t = 5 s, we have
4
t4
x4−5 = x = 16t − + 8
2
=⇒ x4−5 = −40.5 m
2 0

Therefore, the total distance covered at 5 seconds is 128 − (−40.5) = 168.5 m

Problem 5. A cart is moving horizontally with a constant acceleration. Within the cart is a steel
ball suspended by two cords A and B. Determine the acceleration of the cart if tension in A is
twice in B.

Answer. 0.1925g .
Solution. When the cart moves with acceleration ⃗a going to the right then same as true as the
ball.
X
Fy = 0 =⇒ TA sin 60 + TB sin 60 − Wball = 0 (1)

X Wball
Fx = ma =⇒ TA cos 60 − TB cos 60 = (a) (2)
g
Since TA = 2TB , then we have
X
Fy = 0 =⇒ 3TB sin 60 = Wball (3)

Wball
TB cos 60 = (a) (4)
g
g(TB cos 60)
Therefore, we have a = = 0.1925g
3TB sin 60

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ESM 2042 Midterms Summative Assessment

Problem 6. The 0.5-kg collar C starts from rest at A and slides with negligible friction on the
fixed rod in the vertical plane. Determine the velocity v with which the collar strikes end B when
acted upon by the 5-N force, which is constant in direction. Neglect the small dimensions of the
collar.

Answer. 2.32 m/s .

Solution 1. In terms of the y-axis, we have the following equation:
r
1 W h(W − F sin θ)
(W − F sin θ)(0.2) = · (vBy )2 =⇒ vBy = 2g ·
2 g W
In terms of the y-axis, we have the following equation:
r
1 W F cos θ
F cos 30(h) = · (vBx )2 =⇒ vBx = 2gh
2 g W
2 + v 2 then we have
Since v 2 = vB y Bx
s  
W + F (cos θ − sin θ)
vB = 2gh
W

Substituting the values, we have the final answer of vB = 2.32 m/s.

Solution 2. We can directly find the velocity in B. Note that U = ∆T .
1
5 cos 30(0.2) − 5 sin 30(0.2) + 0.5(9.81)(0.2) = (0.5)(v 2 − 0) =⇒ v = 2.32 m/s
2
Problem 7. The car is moving with a speed vo = 65 mi/hr. up the 6-percent grade, and the driver
applies the breaks at point A, causing all wheels to skid. The coefficient of kinetic friction of the
surface is 0.60. Determine the stopping distance sAB between A and B. (Repeat your calculation
for the case when the car is moving downhill from B to A. Express your answer in feet.)

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ESM 2042 Midterms Summative Assessment

Answer. sAB = 214.06 ft, sBA = 262 ft .

Solution (a). To find the distance AB, we have:
    
1 W 2 6 6
· v − W sin arctan + 0.6 cos arctan sAB = 0
2 g o 100 100

and then
vo2
=⇒ sAB =     
6 6
2g sin arctan + 0.6 cos arctan
100 100
Therefore by substitution, we have sAB = 214.06 ft
Solution (b). To find the distance BA, we have:
    
1 W 2 6 6
· v − W sin arctan + 0.6 cos arctan sAB = 0
2 g o 100 100

and then
vo2
=⇒ sAB =     
6 6
2g 0.6 cos arctan − sin arctan
100 100
Therefore by substitution, we have sBA = 262 ft

Problem 8. A roller coaster starts from rest at A, rolls down the track to B, describes a circular
loop of 40-ft diameter, and moves up and down past point E. Knowing that h = 60 ft and assuming
no energy loss due to friction, determine (a) the force exerted by his seat on a 160-lb rider at B
and D, (b) the minimum value of the radius of curvature at E if the roller coaster is not to leave
the track at that point.

Answer. (a) 1120 lb, (b) 80ft .

Solution (a). To determine the force exerted by his seat on a 160-lb, we can use the second law:
 
W an
N −W = an =⇒ N = W +1
g g

v2
whereas an = B However we do not have the value of vB . Fortunately, we can obtain its value by
r
using the conservation of energy:
TA + UAB = TB .

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ESM 2042 Midterms Summative Assessment

From the conditions given, TA = 0, UAB is gravitational potential energy (or W h) and TB =
1 W
· (vB )2 . Therefore,
2 g
1 W p
Wh = · (vB )2 =⇒ vB = 2gh.
2 g
2
2 = 3864 ft2 /s . Hence, a = 3864/20 = 193.2 and finally, N = [(193.2/32.2)+
Substituting, we have vB n
1]W =⇒ N = 7W . Hence, the force exerted is just 1120 lb
Solution (b). By Newton’s Law,
 2
W W vE v2
W = an =⇒ W = ⇐⇒ ρ = E
g g ρ g
2 , we can use the previous equation from (a):
Finding vE
2
vE 2
= 2g∆h =⇒ vE = 2(32.2)(60 − 20) = 2576.

Hence, ρ = 2576/32.2 = 80 ft