New Tool FRQ Atlas - Find, Solve, and Grade Any FRQ In Seconds.

AP Physics

Unit 3 - Circular Motion

GQ
Mathematical
Advanced

Pro Tier

Unlimited Grading Credits, Explanations, and AI Assist

0 attempts

0% avg

Explanation 0
0

Before solving the question, we can find the radius of the ball using Pythagorean theorem to get .866 m. We can also use the trig to solve for the angle each rope makes with the horizontal (30° for both ropes).

Sum of Forces in the Horizontal Direction:

Step Formula Derivation Reasoning
1 [katex] \cos(30) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} [/katex] Cosine of [katex]30^\circ[/katex].
2 [katex] F_{\text{centripetal}} = \frac{mv^2}{r} [/katex] Centripetal force for circular motion.
3 [katex] T_1 \cos(\theta) + T_2 \cos(\theta) = \frac{mv^2}{r} [/katex] Sum of horizontal components of tension equals centripetal force.
4 [katex] T_1 \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} + T_2 \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} = \frac{(0.5)(7.2)^2}{0.866} [/katex] Substitute values for [katex]m[/katex], [katex]v[/katex], [katex]r[/katex], and [katex]\cos(\theta)[/katex].
5 [katex] \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}(T_1 + T_2) = 29.93 [/katex] Calculate centripetal force and factor out [katex]\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}[/katex].

Sum of Forces in the Vertical Direction:

Step Formula Derivation Reasoning
1 [katex] \sin(30) = \frac{1}{2} [/katex] Sine of [katex]30^\circ[/katex].
2 [katex] w = mg [/katex] Weight of the sphere.
3 [katex] T_2 \sin(\theta) + mg – T_1 \sin(\theta) = 0 [/katex] Vertical forces must balance: upward tensions and downward weight.
4 [katex] T_2 \frac{1}{2} + (0.5)(9.8) – T_1 \frac{1}{2} = 0 [/katex] Substitute values for [katex]m[/katex], [katex]g[/katex], and [katex]\sin(\theta)[/katex].
5 [katex] \frac{1}{2}(T_2 – T_1) + 4.9 = 0 [/katex] Factor out [katex]\frac{1}{2}[/katex] and calculate weight.

Solving for Tensions:

Step Formula Derivation Reasoning
1 Solve equations Use the system of equations to solve for [katex]T_1[/katex] and [katex]T_2[/katex].
2 [katex] T_1 \approx 22.18 \text{ N} [/katex] Numerical solution for [katex]T_1[/katex].
3 [katex] T_2 \approx 12.38 \text{ N} [/katex] Numerical solution for [katex]T_2[/katex].

Final Tensions:

  • Upper wire: [katex]\boxed{T_1 \approx 22.18 \text{ N}}[/katex]
  • Lower wire: [katex]\boxed{T_2 \approx 12.38 \text{ N}}[/katex]

Need Help? Ask Phy To Explain

Just ask: "Help me solve this problem."

Just Drag and Drop!
Quick Actions ?
×

Topics in this question

We'll help clarify entire units in one hour or less — guaranteed.

NEW AI Quiz Builder

Be the first to use our new Quiz platform to create and grade quizzes from scratch. Join the waitlist and we'll email you for early access.

Go Pro to remove ads + unlimited access to our AI learning tools.

Upper wire: \(22 \, \text{N}\)
Lower wire: \(12 \, \text{N}\)

Nerd Notes

Discover the world's best Physics resources

Continue with

By continuing you (1) agree to our Terms of Use and Terms of Sale and (2) consent to sharing your IP and browser information used by this site’s security protocols as outlined in our Privacy Policy.

Error Report

Sign in before submitting feedback.

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]

Sign In to View Your Questions

Share This Question

Enjoying UBQ? Share the 🔗 with friends!

Link Copied!

Phy Pro

One price to unlock most advanced version of Phy across all our tools.

$11.99

per month

Billed Monthly. Cancel Anytime.

Physics is Hard, But It Does NOT Have to Be

We crafted THE Ultimate A.P Physics 1 Program so you can learn faster and score higher.

Trusted by 10k+ Students

📚 Predict Your AP Physics Exam Score

Try our free calculator to see what you need to get a 5 on the 2026 AP Physics 1 exam.

Feeling uneasy about your next physics test? We'll boost your grade in 3 lessons or less—guaranteed

We use cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse on Nerd Notes, you accept the use of cookies as outlined in our privacy policy.