Course Notes

Notes: Kinematics: Two-Dimensional Motion (PDF - 3.0MB)

Suggested Textbook Reading (Optional)

Chapter 3.1-3.3, 3.5. Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics: with Modern Physics. 12th ed. San Francisco, CA: Addison-Wesley, 2007. ISBN: 9780805321876.

Video Excerpts

Watch the following excerpts from the Physics I lecture videos:

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» Clip 1: Decomposition of 3D Vectors r, v, and a (7 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 3 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 2: Projectile Motion in the Vertical Plane (30 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 3 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 3: The Motion of Projectiles (53 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 4 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

» Clip 4: Trajectories (3 min)
» Transcript (PDF)

From Lecture 9 of 8.01 Classical Mechanics, Fall 1999

Download the complete lectures from this course:

» iTunes U
» Internet Archive

Guided Activities

Read through the class slides carefully. They explain all of the concepts from the module.

Slides: Two-Dimensional Kinematics (PDF)

Self-Assessment

Do the Concept Questions first to make sure you understand the main concepts from this module. Then, when you are ready, try the Challenge Problems. If you are struggling with the Challenge Problems, watch the Homework Help Session videos, which will give you tips on how to tackle problems of this type.

Concept Questions

Try this concept test to make sure you understand the concepts presented in this module.

Concept Questions (PDF)

Solutions (PDF)

Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems (PDF)

Solutions (PDF - 3.5MB)

Problem Solving Help

In the following videos Prof. Walter Lewin explains how to approach the Challenge Problems.

Help Session 1

Help Session 2

There are countless resources available online to help you learn physics. Try these:

• Try out a few interactive simulations from PhET:
  • Maze Game
  • Projectile Motion
  • Ladybug Motion 2D
  • Motion in 2D
• Read Lesson 2 on projectile motion from the Physics Classroom.
• Get help working out homework problems using this projectile motion formula calculator and list of equations.