Lesson 4:
Kinetics of Rectilinear Translation.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
After studying this lesson, the learner shall be able to
1. determine the unbalanced force that brings the body in rectilinear motion
2. determine the acceleration of a body moving in rectilinear motion under the effect of
unbalanced force
Discussion
Analysis as a Particle
In rectilinear translation of a rigid body all particles of the body move in parallel straight lines, and
hence the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of any particle are parallel to the line of motion. The
kinetic equations of rectilinear translation are obtained from the general equation governing the motion
of the center of gravity. There it was shown that any body could be treated as though it were a particle
which had the same mass as the body and the same motion as the center of gravity of the body, i.e.,
𝑊
𝑅 = 𝑔 𝑎̅. When this equation is applied to the motion of rectilinear translation in which all particles have
the same acceleration, the bar sign which refers to the center of gravity can be omitted. Thus we obtain
𝑊
𝑅 = 𝑔 𝑎, for the motion of a particle.
It is convenient to take the line of motion as the X axis. Let this axis be considered positive in the
initial direction of motion. Using this convention, we consider displacement, velocity, acceleration, and X
components of forces as positive when directed in the initial direction of motion. Since the resultant force
must act parallel to the direction of motion, its magnitude is determined by ƩX, which represents the
summation of the X components of the forces acting on the body.
The general equations of kinetics, when applied to rectilinear translation, is
Note carefully that the X axis coincides with the line of motion of the body, and that it is
considered positive in the initial direction of motion.
A general plan for the solution of problems consists of the following steps:
1. Draw a free-body diagram for each body involved in the problem. Indicate thereon ail forces,
both known and unknown, representing the latter by an appropriate symbol. If the direction
of any unknown (except friction) is incorrectly assumed, the solution will yield its correct
magnitude but with a negative sign. Friction forces, however, must always be directed to
oppose the motion.
2. Determine the direction of motion if not evident or specified and indicate it by a dashed arrow
near each free-body diagram.
3. Determine the kinematic relations between the bodies involved in the problem.
𝑊
4. Select the X axis as positive in the direction of motion and apply ∑ 𝑌 = 0 and ∑ 𝑋 = 𝑔 𝑎 to
each body.
5. Solve for the unknowns, using such additional equations of kinematics as may be required to
determine relations between s, v, and t.
Solution:
Formative Assessments:
1. An elevator weighing 3000 lb starts from rest and acquires an upward velocity of 700 ft per
min in a distance of 20 ft. If the acceleration is constant, what is the tension in the elevator
cable?
2. A man weighing 150 lb is in an elevator moving upward with an acceleration of 8 ft per sec2,
(a) What pressure does he exert on the floor of the elevator? (b) What will the pressure be if
the elevator is descending with the same acceleration?
3. The block in figure shown below reaches a velocity of 50 ft per sec in 120 ft, starting from rest.
Compute the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the ground.
4. Determine the force P that will give the body in figure shown below an acceleration of 10 ft
per sec2. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.15.
5. When a 644-lb boat is moving at 10 ft per sec, the motor conks out. How much farther will
the boat glide, assuming its resistance to motion is 2 v lb where v is in feet per second?
Ans. 8 = 100 ft
6. A bullet weighing 1lb is fired vertically upward with a muzzle velocity of 3000 ft per sec. If the
velocity is 2950 ft per sec after 1 sec, what is the average air resistance on the bullet? What
maximum height will the bullet reach, assuming that the air resistance remains constant?
Ans. R = 0.55 lb; Max h = 90,000 ft
7. If the pulleys in Fig. P-1055 are weightless and frictionless, find the acceleration of body A.
8. Determine the acceleration of body B in Fig. P-1056, assuming the pulleys to be weightless
and frictionless. Ans. aB = 5.85 ft per sec2
9. The coefficient of kinetic friction under block A in Fig. P-1057 is 0.30 and under block B it is
0.20. Find the acceleration of the system and the tension in each cord.
10. Determine the magnitude of W in Fig.P-1058 so that the 200-lb body will have an acceleration
up the plane of 4.025 ft per sec2.
Ans. W = 340 lb
11. In Fig. P-1060, compute the acceleration of body B and the tension in the cord attached to it.
