Part of ME-02 — Kinematics

Kinematics — Common Errors and Misconceptions

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Velocity at Projectile Peak = Zero (Wrong): Only the vertical component vyv_y reaches zero at the highest point. The horizontal component vx=ucosθv_x = u\cos\theta never changes because there is no horizontal force. Speed at the peak = ucosθu\cos\theta, the minimum speed during the trajectory.

Heavier Objects Fall Faster (Wrong): In free fall (ignoring air resistance), all objects accelerate at g=9.8g = 9.8 m/s2s^{2} regardless of mass. Galileo established this experimentally. NEET may present a direct comparison question testing this understanding.

Negative Acceleration Always Means Slowing Down (Wrong): Deceleration (slowing down) requires acceleration and velocity to have opposite signs. A body moving in the negative direction with negative acceleration (aa in same direction as vv) is speeding up, not slowing down.

Area Under x-t Graph = Displacement (Wrong): The slope of the x-t graph is velocity; the area under the x-t graph is [LT][L \cdot T], which is not a standard physical quantity. The area under the v-t graph is displacement.

sns_n Formula Gives Cumulative Displacement (Wrong): sn=u+a(2n1)2s_n = u + \frac{a(2n-1)}{2} gives displacement only during the nth second. Total displacement after nn seconds is s=un+12an2s = un + \frac{1}{2}an^2.

Range is Maximum at 90° (Wrong): R=u2sin2θgR = \frac{u^2\sin 2\theta}{g} is maximum when sin2θ=1\sin 2\theta = 1, i.e., 2θ=90°2\theta = 90°, so θ=45°\theta = 45°. At 90°, sin180°=0\sin 180° = 0, giving zero range (vertical throw).

sin2θ=2sinθ\sin 2\theta = 2\sin\theta (Wrong): The correct identity is sin2θ=2sinθcosθ\sin 2\theta = 2\sin\theta\cos\theta.

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