PLATE 1

1. A person weighs 30 lb on the moon, where g=5.32 ft /s 2. Determine (a) the mass of the
person; and (b) the weight of the person on earth.
(a)
W =mg

(
30 lb=m 5.32
ft
s
2 )
2
lb∗s
m=5.639 ∨5.639 slugs
ft
(b)

( )
2
lb∗s ft
W =5.639 32.2 2
ft s
W =181.58 lb

2. The radius and length of a steel cylinder are 60 mm and 120 mm, respectively. If the
kg
mass density of steel is 7850 3 , determine the weight of the cylinder in pounds.
m
m
ρ=
v

( )[ ( ) ( 1000 m)
]
2
kg 60 120
m=ρv= 7850 3
π m
m 1000
m=10.654 kg

W =10.654 kg 9.81
( m
s)2
kgm
=104.516 2 ∨104.516 N
s
1 lb=4.45 N
1 lb
W =104.516 N x
4.45 N
W =23.49 lb
 lb
3. Convert the following: (a) 100 kN /m2 to 2 ; (b) 30 m/s to mi/h; (c) 800 slugs to Mg; (d)
in
N
2
20 lb /f t to .
2 Use the conversion charts given on the inside cover.
m

(a)

1 inch=25.4 mm ; 1 lb=4.45 N

kN kN 1000 N 1 lb
100 =100 2 x x x¿¿
m
2
m 1 kN 4.45 N

kN lb
100 2
=14.50 2
m in

(b)

1 mi=1.61 km

m m 1 km 1 mi 60 sec 60 min
30 =30 x x x x
s s 1000 m 1.61 km 1 min 1 hour

m mi
30 =67.08
s h

(c)

1 slug=14.6 kg ; 1 Mg=1000 kg

14.6 kg 1 Mg
800 slugs=800 slugs x x
1 slug 1000 kg

800 slugs=11.68 Mg

(d)

1 lb=4.45 N ; 0.305 m=1 ft

 ( )
2
lb lb 4.45 N 1 ft
20 2
=20 2 x x
ft ft 1lb 0.305 m

lb N
20 2
=956.73 2
ft m

4. The mass moment of inertia of a certain body is I =20 kg m2. Express I in terms of the
base units of the U.S Customary system.
2 2
1 slug∗f t =1.36 kg∗m
2
2 2 1 slug∗f t
20 kg ¿ m =20 kg∗m x 2
1.36 kg∗m
2 2
20 kg∗m =14.71 slug∗f t
5. When a rigid body of mass m undergoes plane motion, its kinetic energy (KE) is
1 2 1 2 2
KE= m v + m k ω where v is the velocity of its mass center, k is a constant, and ω is
2 2
the angular velocity of the body in rad/s. Express the units of KE and k in terms of the
base units of (a) the SI system; and (b) the U.S. Customary system.
(a) SI SYSTEM
L
v T 1
ω= = ; ω=
r L T

() ( )
2 2
1 L 1 2 1
[ KE]= ( M ) + (M)k
2 T 2 T

[ ] [ ]
2
L 1
[ KE]=[ M ] =[ M ] [ k ] 2
2
2
T T

[ M ] [k 2] [ ] [ ]
1
T2
L2
=[ M ] 2
T
[ k ]=[ L¿ ¿ 2]; [ k ] =[ L]¿
[ k ]=[ L]; k=m

[ ]
2 2
L kg∗m
[ KE]=[ M ] 2 ; KE= 2
T s
2
FT
(b) U.S. Customary System; For gravitational [FLT] system, M =
L
[ k ]= [ L ] ; k=ft
 [ ][ ]
2 2
[ KE ] = F T L2 =[FL]
L T
KE=lb∗ft

6. In a certain application, the acceleration a and the position coordinate x of a particle are
gkx
related by a= where g is the gravitational acceleration, k is constant, and W is the
W
weight of the particle. Show that this equation is dimensionally consistent if the
dimension of k is [F/L].

[ ][ ] L F
[ L]
[ ]
L T
2
L
=
[ ]
2
T ML
2
T
FL
][
[ ]
2
L T
=
[ ]
2
T ML
2
T

[ ] [ ][ ]
2
L FL T
2
= 2
T T ML

[ ][ ]
L
T
2
=
F
M
2
FT
For gravitational [FLT] system, M =
L

[ ][
L
T 2
=
F
FT2
]
L

[ ][ ]
L
T
2
L
= 2 Consistent
T
7. When a force F acts on a linear spring, the elongation x of the spring is given by F = kx,
where k is called the stiffness of the spring. Determine the dimension of k in terms of the
base dimensions of an absolute [MLT] system of units.
F=kx
 [ ]
ML
T
2
=[k ][L]

[k ]=
[ ]
M
T
2

8. Determine the dimensions of the following in terms of the base dimensions of a

gravitational [FLT] system of units: (a) mv^2; (b) mv; and (c) ma. The dimensions of the
variables are [m] = [M], [v] = [L/T] and a = [L/T^2]
(a)
2
FT
For gravitational [FLT] system, M =
L

[ ]
L2
[m v ]=[ M ] 2
2

[ ][ ]
2 2
2 FT L
[m v ]= 2
L T
[ m v 2 ]=[FL]

(b)

[mv]=[ M ]
[ ] L
T

[ ][ ]
2
FT L
[mv]=
L T
[ mv ] =[ FT ]
(c)

[ma]=[ M ]
[ ] L
T
2

[ ][ ]
2
FT L
[ma]= 2
L T

[ ma ] =[F ]
9. A geometry textbook gives the equation of a parabola as y = x^2, where x and y are
measured in inches. How can this equation be dimensionally correct?
2 2
y=x can be written as 1 y=x
 Let k = 1 and solve for the dimension of k
2
ky =x
[k ] [ L ] =[ L ]
2

[ k ]=[ L]
Using the solved value where k = 1 has a dimensional unit of L
2
ky =x
[ L ][ L ] =[L2 ]
[ L¿ ¿2 ]=[ L2 ] Consistent ¿
10. The mass moment of inertia I of a homogenous sphere about its diameter is I =
(2/5)mR^2, where m and R are its mass and radius, respectively. Find the dimension of I
in terms of the base dimensions of (a) a gravitational [FLT] system; and (b) an absolute
[MLT] system.
2
FT
(a) For gravitational [FLT] system, M =
L

2
[I ]= [ M ] [ L ]
2
5

[ ]
2
2 FT 2
[I ]= [L ]
5 L

2 2
[I ]= [ FLT ]
5

[ I ] =[ FLT 2 ]

(b)
2
[I ]= [ M ] [ L ]
2
5

2
[I ]=[ M L ]

11. Determine the dimensions of constants A and B in the following equations, assuming
2
each equation to be dimensionally correct (a) v 3=A x 2+ Bv t 2 ; and (b) x 2= A t 2 e B t . The
dimension of the variables are [x] = [L], [v] = [L/T] and [a] = [L/T^2].
(a)

3 2 2
v =A x + Bv t

[ ] []
3
L L
=[ A ] [ L ] +[B]
2 2
3
[T ]
T T

[ ]
L3
T 3
=[ A][L2 ]

L
[ A ] =[ 3
]
T

[ ] []
L3
T 3
=[B]
L
T
[T 2]

[ ]
2
[ B ]= L 4
T

(b)
2

x 2= A t 2 e B t

[ L ] 2=¿

( 1 ) [ L ] = [ A ] [ T 2 ] [e B T ]
2
2

[ B ] [T 2 ]=1

[B]=
[ ]1
T
2

[ L ] 2=[ A][T 2 ]

[ ]
2
[ A ]= L 2
T
12. In a certain vibration problem the differential equation describing the motion of a particle
2
d x dx
of mass m is m 2 +c +kx =P 0 sinωt where x is the displacement of the particle. What
dt dt
are the dimensions of constants c, k, P_0, and ω in terms of the base dimensions of a
gravitational [FLT] system?
2
FT
For gravitational [FLT] system, M =
L

[ ] [ ]
2
[ m ] d x2 = [ M ] L2
dt T

[ ] [ ][ ]
2 2
[ m ] d x2 = F T L
=[F ]
dt L T2

[ ] [ ]
[ c ] dx = [ c ] L =[ F ] ; [ c ] = FT
dt T [ ] L

] [ ] [ ]
[ k ][ x ]= [ k ][ L ] =[ F ; k = F
L

ωt= [ ω ] [ T ] =1 ; ω = [ ] [ ] 1
T
P0 sin ( ωt )=[ P0 ] ( 1 )=[ F ] ; [ P0 ]=[F ]

13. Using Eq. (11.17), derive the dimensions of the universal gravitational constant G in
terms of the base dimensions (a) a gravitational [FLT] system; and (b) an absolute [MLT]
system.
2
FT
(a) For gravitational [FLT] system, M =
L
m A mB
F=G 2
R

[ ][ ]
2 2
FT FT
L L
[ F ] =[G] 2
[L ]

[ ]
2 4
F T
2
L
[F ]=[G] 2
[L ]
 [ F2T 4]
[ F ] =[G] 4
[L ]

[ ]
4
[ G ]= L 4
FT
(b)
[M ¿¿ 2]
[ F ] =[G] 2
¿
[L ]

[ ]
2
ML M
2
=G 2
T L

[ ]
3
[ G ]= L 2
MT
14. A famous equation of Einstein is E = mc^2, where E is energy, m is mass, and c is the
speed of light. Determine the dimension of energy in terms of the base dimensions of (a)
a gravitational [FLT] system; and (b) an absolute [MLT] system.
2
FT
(a) For gravitational [FLT] system, M =
L
2
E=m c

[ ]
2
L
[ E]= [ M ] 2
T

[ E]= [ ][ ]
F T 2 L2
L T2

[ ][ ]
2 2
FT L
[ E]= 2
L T
[ E ] =[FL]
(b)
2
E=m c

[ ]
2
L
[ E]= [ M ] 2
T

[ ]
2
[ E ] = M L2
T
15. Two 10-kg particles are placed 500 mm apart. Express the gravitational attraction acting
on one of the particles as a percentage of its weight on earth.

m A mB
( )
3
−11 m (10 kg)(10 kg)
F=G = 6.67 x 10
( )
2 2 2
R kg∗s 500
m
1000
−8 m∗kg −8
F=2.668 x 10 2
∨2.668 x 10 N
s

W =mg=( 10 kg ) 9.81
( m
s)2
=98.1
m∗kg
s
2
∨98.1 N

F
Percentage= x 100 %
W
−8
2.668 x 10 −8
Percentage= x 100=2.720 x 10 %
98.1
F=( 2.720 x 10−8 % ) W
16. Two identical spheres of weight 3 lb and radius 9 in. are placed in contact. Find the
gravitational attraction between them.

1 ft = 12 in

(
[
slugs )( slugs )

]
3 3

( slugs∗s )
3
m A mB −8 ft 32.2 32.2
F=G = 3.44 x 10
( 129 + 129 ft )
2 2 2
R

( )( )
3 2
−8 ft −3 slug s
F= 3.44 x 10 2
3.858 x 10 2
slugs∗s ft
−4 ft∗slug
F=1.327 x 10 2
s
 2
lb∗s
1 =1 slug
ft
2
lb∗s
ft∗( )
−4 ft
F=1.344 x 10 2
s
−10
F=1.327 x 10 lb

17. Find the mass of an object (in kg) that weighs 2 kN at a height of 1800 km above the
earth’s surface.
2 kN =2000 N ,1800 km=1800 ( 1000 ) m , 6378 km=6378 ( 1000 ) m
24
m A =5.9742 x 10 kg
mb=mass of the object
R=1800 (1000 )+ 6378 (1000 )=8178000 m
3
−11 m
G=6.67 x 10 2
kg∗s
F=2000 N
m A mB
F=G 2
R
2
FR
mB =
mA G

mB =
(2000 kg∗m
s )2
( 8178000 m ) 2

( )
3
( 5.9742 x 1024 kg ) 6.67 x 10−11 m 2
kg∗s
mB =335.68 kg
18. Prove that the weight of an object on the moon is approximately one-sixth of its weight
on earth.
m A mB
F=G 2
R
M E mo
W E=G 2
RE
 M M mo
W M =G 2
RM
G M E mo
2 2
WE RE M R
= = E M2
W M G M M mo M M R E
R2M
WE ( 5.9742 x 10 24 kg ) ( 1737 km )2
=
W M ( 0.073483 x 1024 kg ) ( 6378 km )2
WE
=6.030
WM
1
WM≈ WE
6
19. A man weighs 150 lb on the surface of the earth. Find his weight at an elevation equal to
the radius of the earth.
1 lb=4.45 N
m A mB
F=G 2
R

)( )
24

( (5.9742 x 10 kg)m B
3
4.45 N −11 m
150 lb x = 6.67 x 10 2 2
1 lb kg∗s [ 6378 ( 1000 ) m ]
kg∗m m
667. 5 N =667.5 2
=9.796 2 m B
s s
mB =68.140 kg

( )(5.9742 x 1024 kg)( 68.140 kg)

3
−11 m
F= 6.67 x 10 2 2
kg∗s [ 6378 ( 1000 ) +6378 ( 1000 ) ]
1 lb
F=166.870 N x ; F=37.50 lb
4.45 N
20. Determine the gravitational force exerted by the sun on a 1.0-kg object on the surface of
the earth.
m A mB
F=G 2
R
 ( )
3 30
−11 m (1.9891 x 10 kg)(1 kg)
F= 6.67 x 10 2 2
kg∗s [ ( 149.6 x 10 6 ) ( 1000 ) m ]

−3 kg m −3
F=5.928 x 10 2
∨5.928 x 10 N
s
21. A spacecraft travels along the straight line connecting the earth and the sun. At what
distance from earth will the gravitational forces of the earth and the sun be equal?

F E =F S
mE m SC m S m SC
F E =G 2
; F S =G 2
;
R R
m E mSC ms mSC
G 2
=G
r ( R−r )2
mE ms
2
=
r ( R−r )2
24 30
5.9742 x 10 kg 1.9891 x 10 kg
2
=
r ( R−r )2
24 30
5.9742 x 10 kg 1.9891 x 10 kg
2
= 2 2
r R −2 Rr +r
2
−6 r
3.00347 x 10 = 2 2
R −2 Rr+ r

( 3.00347 x 10−6 ) R2−( 6.00694 x 10−6 ) Rr +(3.00347 x 10−6) r 2=r 2

( 3.00347 x 10−6 ) (149.6 x 106 )2−( 6.00694 x 10−6 ) (149.6 x 106 )r +(3.00347 x 10−6)r 2=r 2
10 2
6.72181 x 10 −898.63822r −r

r =258815.607 km∧r =−259714.245 km

r =258815.61 km