AP Physics

Unit 1 - Vectors and Kinematics

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Step Reasoning
Identify the target quantity and symmetry considerations.
\[ E = E_x = \int dE_x = \int \dfrac{1}{4\pi \varepsilon_0} \dfrac{dq}{r^2} \cos\theta \]
The question asks for the net electric field magnitude at the origin O produced by the surface charge distribution. Due to symmetry about the x-axis, the y-components of the field cancel, leaving only the net x-component.
Express the differential charge element dq in polar coordinates.
\[ dq = \sigma(r) \, dA = \left(\sigma_0 \dfrac{r}{R}\right) (r \, dr \, d\theta) = \dfrac{\sigma_0}{R} r^2 \, dr \, d\theta \]
The charge element depends on the given position-dependent surface charge density \(\sigma(r)\) and differential area element \(dA = r \, dr \, d\theta\).
Substitute dq into the differential field component expression.
\[ dE_x = \dfrac{1}{4\pi \varepsilon_0} \dfrac{\frac{\sigma_0}{R} r^2 \, dr \, d\theta}{r^2} \cos\theta = \dfrac{\sigma_0}{4\pi \varepsilon_0 R} \cos\theta \, dr \, d\theta \]
To establish the integrand, combine the expression for dq into \(dE_x\) and simplify the radial dependence.
Set up and evaluate the double integral over the sector bounds.
\[ E = \dfrac{\sigma_0}{4\pi \varepsilon_0 R} \left( \int_0^R dr \right) \left( \int_{-\theta_0/2}^{\theta_0/2} \cos\theta \, d\theta \right) \]
Integrate r from 0 to R and \(\theta\) from \(-\theta_0/2\) to \(+\theta_0/2\) to sum contributions from all charge elements.
Compute the definite integrals and simplify.
\[ E = \dfrac{\sigma_0}{4\pi \varepsilon_0 R} (R) \left( 2\sin\left(\dfrac{\theta_0}{2}\right) \right) = \dfrac{\sigma_0 \sin(\theta_0/2)}{2\pi \varepsilon_0} \]
Evaluating \(\int_0^R dr = R\) and \(\int_{-\theta_0/2}^{\theta_0/2} \cos\theta \, d\theta = 2\sin\left(\dfrac{\theta_0}{2}\right)\) yields the final expression.

Why each choice is correct or incorrect:

(A) This choice omits the \(\cos\theta\) vector projection factor and integrates the scalar field magnitude directly over \(d\theta\), giving \(\theta_0\) instead of \(2\sin(\theta_0/2)\).

(B) This is the correct answer.

(C) This choice incorrectly evaluates the integral \(\int_{-\theta_0/2}^{\theta_0/2} \cos\theta \, d\theta\) as \(\sin(\theta_0/2)\) rather than \(\sin(\theta_0/2) – \sin(-\theta_0/2) = 2\sin(\theta_0/2)\).

(D) This choice uses integration limits from \(0\) to \(\theta_0\), giving \(\int_0^{\theta_0} \cos\theta \, d\theta = \sin\theta_0\), which does not match the symmetric sector spanning \(-\theta_0/2\) to \(+\theta_0/2\).

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KinematicsForces
\(\Delta x = v_i t + \frac{1}{2} at^2\)\(F = ma\)
\(v = v_i + at\)\(F_g = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2}\)
\(v^2 = v_i^2 + 2a \Delta x\)\(f = \mu N\)
\(\Delta x = \frac{v_i + v}{2} t\)\(F_s =-kx\)
\(v^2 = v_f^2 \,-\, 2a \Delta x\) 
Circular MotionEnergy
\(F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}\)\(KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2\)
\(a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}\)\(PE = mgh\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{r}{g}}\)\(KE_i + PE_i = KE_f + PE_f\)
 \(W = Fd \cos\theta\)
MomentumTorque and Rotations
\(p = mv\)\(\tau = r \cdot F \cdot \sin(\theta)\)
\(J = \Delta p\)\(I = \sum mr^2\)
\(p_i = p_f\)\(L = I \cdot \omega\)
Simple Harmonic MotionFluids
\(F = -kx\)\(P = \frac{F}{A}\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}\)\(P_{\text{total}} = P_{\text{atm}} + \rho gh\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}\)\(Q = Av\)
\(x(t) = A \cos(\omega t + \phi)\)\(F_b = \rho V g\)
\(a = -\omega^2 x\)\(A_1v_1 = A_2v_2\)
ConstantDescription
[katex]g[/katex]Acceleration due to gravity, typically [katex]9.8 , \text{m/s}^2[/katex] on Earth’s surface
[katex]G[/katex]Universal Gravitational Constant, [katex]6.674 \times 10^{-11} , \text{N} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{kg}^2[/katex]
[katex]\mu_k[/katex] and [katex]\mu_s[/katex]Coefficients of kinetic ([katex]\mu_k[/katex]) and static ([katex]\mu_s[/katex]) friction, dimensionless. Static friction ([katex]\mu_s[/katex]) is usually greater than kinetic friction ([katex]\mu_k[/katex]) as it resists the start of motion.
[katex]k[/katex]Spring constant, in [katex]\text{N/m}[/katex]
[katex] M_E = 5.972 \times 10^{24} , \text{kg} [/katex]Mass of the Earth
[katex] M_M = 7.348 \times 10^{22} , \text{kg} [/katex]Mass of the Moon
[katex] M_M = 1.989 \times 10^{30} , \text{kg} [/katex]Mass of the Sun
VariableSI Unit
[katex]s[/katex] (Displacement)[katex]\text{meters (m)}[/katex]
[katex]v[/katex] (Velocity)[katex]\text{meters per second (m/s)}[/katex]
[katex]a[/katex] (Acceleration)[katex]\text{meters per second squared (m/s}^2\text{)}[/katex]
[katex]t[/katex] (Time)[katex]\text{seconds (s)}[/katex]
[katex]m[/katex] (Mass)[katex]\text{kilograms (kg)}[/katex]
VariableDerived SI Unit
[katex]F[/katex] (Force)[katex]\text{newtons (N)}[/katex]
[katex]E[/katex], [katex]PE[/katex], [katex]KE[/katex] (Energy, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy)[katex]\text{joules (J)}[/katex]
[katex]P[/katex] (Power)[katex]\text{watts (W)}[/katex]
[katex]p[/katex] (Momentum)[katex]\text{kilogram meters per second (kgm/s)}[/katex]
[katex]\omega[/katex] (Angular Velocity)[katex]\text{radians per second (rad/s)}[/katex]
[katex]\tau[/katex] (Torque)[katex]\text{newton meters (Nm)}[/katex]
[katex]I[/katex] (Moment of Inertia)[katex]\text{kilogram meter squared (kgm}^2\text{)}[/katex]
[katex]f[/katex] (Frequency)[katex]\text{hertz (Hz)}[/katex]

Metric Prefixes

Example of using unit analysis: Convert 5 kilometers to millimeters. 

  1. Start with the given measurement: [katex]\text{5 km}[/katex]

  2. Use the conversion factors for kilometers to meters and meters to millimeters: [katex]\text{5 km} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{m}}{1 \, \text{km}} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{mm}}{1 \, \text{m}}[/katex]

  3. Perform the multiplication: [katex]\text{5 km} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{m}}{1 \, \text{km}} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{mm}}{1 \, \text{m}} = 5 \times 10^3 \times 10^3 \, \text{mm}[/katex]

  4. Simplify to get the final answer: [katex]\boxed{5 \times 10^6 \, \text{mm}}[/katex]

Prefix

Symbol

Power of Ten

Equivalent

Pico-

p

[katex]10^{-12}[/katex]

Nano-

n

[katex]10^{-9}[/katex]

Micro-

µ

[katex]10^{-6}[/katex]

Milli-

m

[katex]10^{-3}[/katex]

Centi-

c

[katex]10^{-2}[/katex]

Deci-

d

[katex]10^{-1}[/katex]

(Base unit)

[katex]10^{0}[/katex]

Deca- or Deka-

da

[katex]10^{1}[/katex]

Hecto-

h

[katex]10^{2}[/katex]

Kilo-

k

[katex]10^{3}[/katex]

Mega-

M

[katex]10^{6}[/katex]

Giga-

G

[katex]10^{9}[/katex]

Tera-

T

[katex]10^{12}[/katex]

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