| Derivation or Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[m = 1509\,\text{g} = 1.509\,\text{kg}\] | The graph gives forces, but the coefficients of friction need the mass in \(\text{kg}\) so it can be multiplied by \(g\). |
| \[N = mg = (1.509\,\text{kg})(9.8\,\text{m\,s}^{-2}) = 14.8\,\text{N}\] | The normal force \(N\) on a horizontal surface equals weight \(mg\). |
| \[F_{\text{s,max}} \approx 1.1\,\text{N}\] | The peak of the force–time graph (just before motion begins) is read as about \(1.1\,\text{N}\). This is the maximum static-friction force. |
| \[F_k \approx 0.80\,\text{N}\] | The flat portion while the block moves at constant speed is at \(0.80\,\text{N}\); that equals the kinetic-friction force. |
| \[\mu_s = \frac{F_{\text{s,max}}}{N} = \frac{1.1}{14.8} = 0.074\] | Static coefficient is maximum static-friction force divided by the normal force. |
| \[\mu_k = \frac{F_k}{N} = \frac{0.80}{14.8} = 0.054\] | Kinetic coefficient is kinetic-friction force divided by the normal force. |
| \[\boxed{F_{\text{start}} \!\approx\! 1.1\,\text{N}},\; \boxed{\mu_s \!\approx\! 0.074},\; \boxed{\mu_k \!\approx\! 0.054}\] | Collected results for the required force to start motion, static coefficient, and kinetic coefficient. |
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On a harsh winter day, a \( 1500 \) \( \text{kg} \) vehicle takes a circular banked exit ramp (radius \( R = 150 \) \( \text{m} \); banking angle of \( 10^\circ \)) at a speed of \( 30 \) \( \text{mph} \), since the speed limit is \( 35 \) \( \text{mph} \). However, the exit ramp is completely iced up (frictionless). To make matters worse, a wind is blowing parallel to the ramp in a downward direction. The wind exerts a force of \( 3000 \) \( \text{N} \). Under these conditions, can the driver continue to follow a safe horizontal circle on the exit ramp and stay below the speed limit?
To convert \( \text{mph} \) into \( \text{m/s} \), use \( 1 \) \( \text{mi} = 1607 \) \( \text{m} \) and \( 1 \) \( \text{hr} = 3600 \) \( \text{s} \).
A \(1 \, \text{kg}\) mass and an unknown mass \(M\) hang on opposite sides of a pulley suspended from the ceiling. When the masses are released, \(M\) accelerates downward at \(5 \, \text{m/s}^2\). Find the value of \(M\).
A \(3300 \, \text{m}\)-high mountain is located on the equator. How much faster does a climber on top of the mountain move than a surfer at a nearby beach? The Earth’s radius is \(6400 \, \text{km}\) and the Earth’s mass is \(5.97 \times 10^{24} \, \text{kg}\).
A block of mass \( 4.0 \) \( \text{kg} \) rests on an inclined plane. The coefficient of static friction between the block and the plane \( \mu_s \) is \( 0.4 \). Which of the following gives the angle of inclination at which the block will start to slide?

Two wires are tied to the \(500 \, \text{g}\) sphere as shown above. The sphere revolves in a horizontal circle at a constant speed of \(7.2 \, \text{m/s}\). What is the tension in the upper wire? What is the tension in the lower wire?
A child slides down a slide with a \( 34^\circ \) incline, and at the bottom her speed is precisely half what it would have been if the slide had been frictionless. Calculate the coefficient of kinetic friction between the slide and the child.
The coefficient of static friction between hard rubber and normal street pavement is about \(0.85\). On how steep a hill (maximum angle) can you leave a car parked?
A sled glides across ice and eventually stops. This stopping is best explained by ____.
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| Kinematics | Forces |
|---|---|
| \(\Delta x = v_i t + \frac{1}{2} at^2\) | \(F = ma\) |
| \(v = v_i + at\) | \(F_g = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2}\) |
| \(v^2 = v_i^2 + 2a \Delta x\) | \(f = \mu N\) |
| \(\Delta x = \frac{v_i + v}{2} t\) | \(F_s =-kx\) |
| \(v^2 = v_f^2 \,-\, 2a \Delta x\) |
| Circular Motion | Energy |
|---|---|
| \(F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}\) | \(KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2\) |
| \(a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}\) | \(PE = mgh\) |
| \(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{r}{g}}\) | \(KE_i + PE_i = KE_f + PE_f\) |
| \(W = Fd \cos\theta\) |
| Momentum | Torque 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 Motion | Fluids |
|---|---|
| \(F = -kx\) | \(P = \frac{F}{A}\) |
| \(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}\) | \(P_{\text{total}} = P_{\text{atm}} + \rho gh\) |
| \(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}\) | \(Q = Av\) |
| \(x(t) = A \cos(\omega t + \phi)\) | \(F_b = \rho V g\) |
| \(a = -\omega^2 x\) | \(A_1v_1 = A_2v_2\) |
| Constant | Description |
|---|---|
| [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 |
| Variable | SI 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] |
| Variable | Derived 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.
Start with the given measurement: [katex]\text{5 km}[/katex]
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]
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]
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] | 0.000000000001 |
Nano- | n | [katex]10^{-9}[/katex] | 0.000000001 |
Micro- | µ | [katex]10^{-6}[/katex] | 0.000001 |
Milli- | m | [katex]10^{-3}[/katex] | 0.001 |
Centi- | c | [katex]10^{-2}[/katex] | 0.01 |
Deci- | d | [katex]10^{-1}[/katex] | 0.1 |
(Base unit) | – | [katex]10^{0}[/katex] | 1 |
Deca- or Deka- | da | [katex]10^{1}[/katex] | 10 |
Hecto- | h | [katex]10^{2}[/katex] | 100 |
Kilo- | k | [katex]10^{3}[/katex] | 1,000 |
Mega- | M | [katex]10^{6}[/katex] | 1,000,000 |
Giga- | G | [katex]10^{9}[/katex] | 1,000,000,000 |
Tera- | T | [katex]10^{12}[/katex] | 1,000,000,000,000 |
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