Physics I (Spring 2024):

Homework #1

Part 1: 4 problems

Part 2: 5 problems

Total 9 problems; 90 points in total

Due Mar. 29, 2024

1. [10 pt] Show explicitly (by writing down components by components) the following vector
identities are held in the 3D cartesian coordinate.

a) ⃗A ⋅ (𝐵
⃗ × ⃗C) = ⃗B ⋅ (C
⃗ × ⃗A)

b) ⃗A × (B
⃗ × ⃗C) = ⃗B(A
⃗ ⋅ ⃗C) − ⃗C(A
⃗ ⋅ ⃗B)

2. [10 pt] A particle is moving in 1D on the x-axis and has a time-dependent acceleration 𝑎 =
(−3𝑡 + 2) m/s 2 . If the particle is observed at 𝑥 = 5 m with 𝑣 = −2 m/s at 𝑡 = 3 s, what
was the position of the particle at 𝑡 = −3 s . Sketch 𝑎 , 𝑣 and 𝑥 as a function of t,
respectively.
3. [10 pt] A cannon ball is fired on a mountain of 100 m height aiming at a target 500 m away
at the surface, as shown below. Find the angle 𝜃0 and magnitude 𝑣0 of the firing velocity to
hit the target at 60 degrees. (Assume 𝑔 = 9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 and no air resistance)

4. [10 pt] A plane dropped a bomb (, which is initially at the same velocity 𝑣0 with the plane
then released) from the height ℎ and kept flying at the same constant velocity and height. Not
knowing the velocity due to the broken gauge, the pilot instead measured the accurate time
interval 𝜏 between the release of the bomb and the arrival of the sound of the explosion.
(Assume the speed of sound to be 𝑣𝑠 but no air resistance for the bomb). Obtain the velocity
of the plane 𝑣0 in terms of ℎ, 𝑣𝑠 , 𝜏 and 𝑔 (, where 𝑔 is the vertical acceleration).
 Physics I (Spring 2024): Homework #1(-Part 2)

Department of Physics and Astronomy, SNU

5 problems; 50 points in total; Posted Mar. 15; Due Mar. 29, 2024

• By turning in your homework, you acknowledge that you have not received any unpermitted
aid, nor have compromised your academic integrity during its preparation.
• Exhibit all intermediate steps to receive full credits. You are welcomed to use a scientific
calculator — physical one or the one on your cellphone. Obtain numerical results accurate to
two significant figures.
• Gravitational acceleration g = 9.8 m/s2 . Assume negligible friction and air resistance, unless
stated otherwise. Assume also that any cord connecting one object to another is massless,
unless stated otherwise.

1. [10 pt] A girl whirls a toy plane in uniform circular motion in a horizontal circle. At time
t1 = 2.0 second, the plane is at x1 = (2.0 m)î + (3.0 m)ĵ with velocity v1 = (9.0 m/s)ĵ and
acceleration in the positive x direction, measured on a horizontal x-y coordinate system. At
time t2 = 4.0 second, the plane has velocity v2 = (−9.0 m/s)î and acceleration in the positive
y direction. Let us assume that t2 − t1 is less than one period.
(a) What is the period of revolution, T , of this motion? What is the radius R of the plane’s
circular path? What is the magnitude of the plane’s centripetal acceleration?
(b) What is the (x, y)-position of the center of the circular path? What is the plane’s position
x2 at t2 ?

2. [10 pt] A block of mass m = 50 kg is about to slide down a long, frictionless ramp that is
fixed in space (with θ = 30◦ ; see figure).
(a) What is the magnitude of a horizontal force F1 that a worker must apply to keep the block
still? What is the magnitude of the force on the block from the ramp, i.e., the normal force?

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(b) Now, the block is being pushed up the ramp with a constant speed of v = 2.4 m/s (measured
along the slope of the ramp) by a horizontal force F2 . What are the magnitudes of F2 and the
force on the block from the ramp? Use a free-body diagram if needed.
(c) Finally, the block is pushed up the ramp with a constant acceleration of a = 3.1 m/s2
(measured along the slope of the ramp) by a horizontal force F3 . What are the magnitudes of
F3 and the force on the block from the ramp? Use a free-body diagram if needed.

3. [10 pt] Three masses are connected by cords, one of which wraps over a pulley of negligible
mass and negligible friction on its axle. m1 is on a frictionless plane inclined at angle θ = 30◦
(see figure), while the other two hang from the pulley. The three masses are m1 = 30 kg,
m2 = 40 kg, and m3 = 20 kg.
(a) When the assembly is released from rest, what is the tension T12 in the cord connecting m1
and m2 ? What about the tension T23 in the cord connecting m2 and m3 ?
(b) How far does m1 move in the first 0.5 second (assuming that m1 starts far enough away
from the pulley so it does not reach the pulley)?

4. [10 pt] A painter is working in a “man cage” hanging from a rope which wraps over a pulley
of negligible mass and negligible friction on its axle attached to the ceiling. The man cage can
be regarded as massless, while the painter weighs m = 50 kg.
(a) The rope on the right side of the pulley extends to the ground and is held by a co-worker
(see figure). What is the magnitude of force that the co-worker must apply (i.e., tension T in
the rope) to keep the painter still? With what force magnitude must the co-worker pull for the
painter to rise with a constant speed? With what force magnitude must the co-worker pull for
the painter to rise with a constant upward acceleration of 1.2 m/s2 ?
(b) The co-worker leaves and now the painter holds the rope (see figure). What force magnitude
must he apply to stay still? With what force magnitude must he pull to rise with a constant
speed? What if he wishes to rise with a constant upward acceleration of 1.2 m/s2 ?

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(c) Now a passer-by has noticed that the painter is in a difficult situation and comes to tie the
dangling rope to a box of M = 75 kg, then leaves (see figure). What is the magnitude of the
normal force FN on the box exerted by the ground? What is FN if the painter climbs up the
rope with a constant speed? What if he climbs up the rope with a constant upward acceleration
of 1.2 m/s2 ? Finally, what if he does with a constant upward acceleration of 4.9 m/s2 ?

5. [10 pt] Ski jumping, one of the most iconic winter sports, consists of three distinct phases:
inrun (sliding down the slope), flight, and landing. In each of the three phases, the athlete
must control various forces to jump as far down the hill as possible, including the gravity, lift
force, air resistance, friction on the slope, normal force, etc. After watching the performance by
the current men’s record holder at youtube.com/watch?v=RHNPxhpH6qM (or scan the first
QR code below with your cellphone camera), describe the balance — or imbalance — of the
important forces acting on the jumper in each stage. Two or more paragraphs of 3-4 sentences
each is expected to clearly convey your understandings. Use free-body diagrams if desired.

(Note: You are welcomed to study various resources on the web; but surely, your answer must be
your own work in your own words, and must reference your sources appropriately with a proper
citation convention. You may also want to watch a video about the physics behind ski jumping,
co-produced by the US National Science Foundation, at youtube.com/watch?v=BDpxSLv89Y8
(or scan the second QR code above with your cellphone camera). To access academic journals
off-campus via SNU library’s proxy service, see library.snu.ac.kr/using/proxy.)