Derive the equations of motion for a body moving in two dimensions: $\vec{v} = \vec{v_0} + \vec{a}t$ and $\vec{r} = \vec{r_0} + \vec{v_0}t + \frac{1}{2}\vec{a}t^2$.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
Consider a particle moving in a plane with constant acceleration $\vec{a}$. At time $t=0$,the velocity is initial velocity $\vec{v_0}$ and the position is $\vec{r_0}$. At time $t=t$,the velocity is $\vec{v}$ and the position is $\vec{r}$.
$1$. Derivation of $\vec{v} = \vec{v_0} + \vec{a}t$:
Since the acceleration is constant,the instantaneous acceleration is given by:
$\vec{a} = \frac{\vec{v} - \vec{v_0}}{t - 0}$
$\vec{a} = \frac{\vec{v} - \vec{v_0}}{t}$
$\vec{v} = \vec{v_0} + \vec{a}t$
In component form:
$v_x = v_{0x} + a_x t$
$v_y = v_{0y} + a_y t$
$2$. Derivation of $\vec{r} = \vec{r_0} + \vec{v_0}t + \frac{1}{2}\vec{a}t^2$:
For constant acceleration,the average velocity is $\vec{v}_{avg} = \frac{\vec{v} + \vec{v_0}}{2}$.
The displacement is $\vec{r} - \vec{r_0} = \vec{v}_{avg} \cdot t = \left( \frac{\vec{v} + \vec{v_0}}{2} \right) t$.
Substituting $\vec{v} = \vec{v_0} + \vec{a}t$:
$\vec{r} - \vec{r_0} = \left( \frac{\vec{v_0} + \vec{a}t + \vec{v_0}}{2} \right) t$
$\vec{r} - \vec{r_0} = \left( \frac{2\vec{v_0} + \vec{a}t}{2} \right) t$
$\vec{r} = \vec{r_0} + \vec{v_0}t + \frac{1}{2}\vec{a}t^2$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ particle starts from the origin at $t=0$ with a velocity $5.0 \hat{i} \; m/s$ and moves in the $x-y$ plane under the action of a force which produces a constant acceleration of $(3.0 \hat{i} + 2.0 \hat{j}) \; m/s^2$.
$(a)$ What is the $y$-coordinate of the particle at the instant its $x$-coordinate is $84 \; m$?
$(b)$ What is the speed of the particle at this time?

$A$ particle initially at the origin starts moving in the $xy$-plane with a velocity component $\vec{V} = (6 + 2t) \hat{i} + (4 + 2\sqrt{3}t) \hat{j} \text{ m/s}$. The acceleration of the particle in $\text{m/s}^2$ is ($x, y$ are measured in meters, $t$ in seconds, respectively).

The magnitude of acceleration and velocity of a particle moving in a plane, whose position vector is $\vec{r} = 3t^2 \hat{i} + 2t \hat{j} + \hat{k}$ at $t = 2 \text{ s}$, are, respectively:

$A$ particle projected from the origin moves in the $x-y$ plane with a velocity $\vec{v} = 3 \hat{i} + 6x \hat{j}$,where $\hat{i}$ and $\hat{j}$ are the unit vectors along the $x$ and $y$ axes. Find the equation of the path followed by the particle.

Difficult
View Solution

$A$ particle starts from the origin at $t=0 \; s$ with a velocity of $10.0 \hat{j} \; m/s$ and moves in the $x-y$ plane with a constant acceleration of $(8.0 \hat{i} + 2.0 \hat{j}) \; m/s^2$.
$(a)$ At what time is the $x$-coordinate of the particle $16 \; m$? What is the $y$-coordinate of the particle at that time?
$(b)$ What is the speed of the particle at that time?

Difficult
View Solution

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo