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A block is initially at rest on top of an inclined ramp that makes an angle \( \theta_0 \) with the horizontal. The distance measured along the base of the ramp is \( D \). After the block is released from rest, it slides down the frictionless ramp and then continues onto a rough horizontal surface until it finally comes to rest at the position \( x = 4D \) measured from the base of the ramp. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the rough horizontal surface is \( \mu_k \).(a) On the axes provided, sketch and label graphs of the following quantities as a function of the position \( x \) of the block for \( -D \le x \le 4D \). Both graphs must use the same vertical scale. i. The kinetic energy \( K \) of the block ii. The gravitational potential energy \( U_g \) of the block–Earth system(b) The block is now released from the top of a different ramp that still makes the same angle \( \theta_0 \) with the horizontal but whose base length is \( 2D \). A student is asked whether the block’s final horizontal position will now be twice as far (i.e., at \( x = 8D \)) compared with the original situation. The student reasons that, because the new height is twice the original height, the block will have more energy at the base of the new ramp and therefore will slide farther along the horizontal surface until stopping at \( x = 8D \). i. Which aspects of the student’s reasoning, if any, are correct? If none are correct, write “none”. ii. Which aspects of the student’s reasoning, if any, are incorrect? If none are incorrect, write “none”.(c) Derive an equation for the new final position of the block in terms of \( D \).(d) Referring to the mathematical relationships you obtained in part (c): • For any correct aspects identified in part (b)(i), explain how your relationships support the student’s reasoning. • For any incorrect aspects identified in part (b)(ii), explain how your relationships correct the student’s reasoning.

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A comet of mass \( m_c = 3.2 \times 10^{14} \) \( \text{kg} \) is orbiting a star with mass \( m_s = 1.8 \times 10^{30} \) \( \text{kg} \). The comet’s orbit is elliptical. At its closest point, the comet is a distance \( r_1 = 8.3 \times 10^{10} \) \( \text{m} \) from the star, and at its farthest point, the comet is a distance \( r_2 = 4.9 \times 10^{11} \) \( \text{m} \) from the star. What is the change in the kinetic energy of the comet as it moves along its orbit from distance \( r_2 \) to distance \( r_1 \) from the star?

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A theme park ride consists of a large vertical wheel of radius \( R \) that rotates counterclockwise on a horizontal axle through its center, as shown. The cars on the wheel move at a constant speed \( v \). Points \( A \) and \( D \) represent the position of a car at the highest and lowest point of the ride, respectively. While passing point \( A \), a student releases a small rock of mass \( m \), which falls to the ground without hitting anything. Which of the following best represents the kinetic energy of the rock when it is at the same height as point \( D \)?

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A block is attached to a horizontal spring and is initially at rest at the equilibrium position \( x = 0 \), as shown in Figure \( 1 \). The block is then moved to position \( x = -A \), as shown in Figure \( 2 \), and released from rest, undergoing simple harmonic motion. At the instant the block reaches position \( x = +A \), another identical block is dropped onto and sticks to the block, as shown in Figure \( 3 \). The two–block–spring system then continues to undergo simple harmonic motion. Which of the following correctly compares the total mechanical energy \( E_{\text{tot},2} \) of the two–block–spring system after the collision to the total mechanical energy \( E_{\text{tot},1} \) of the one–block–spring system before the collision?

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