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

AP Physics

Unit 3 - Circular Motion

FRQ
Mathematical
Advanced

Pro Tier

Unlimited Grading Credits, Explanations, and AI Assist

0 attempts

0% avg

Explanation 0
0
Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
A1 [katex] T – Mg = \frac{Mv^2}{L} [/katex] This is the force equilibrium equation at the bottom point. [katex] T [/katex] is the tension in the string, [katex] M [/katex] is the mass of the ball, [katex] g [/katex] is the acceleration due to gravity, [katex] v [/katex] is the velocity of the ball, and [katex] L [/katex] is the length of the string.
A2 [katex] T = 3Mg [/katex] The tension at the bottom is given to be three times the weight of the ball.
A3 [katex] 3Mg – Mg = \frac{Mv^2}{L} [/katex] Substituting the tension value into the equilibrium equation.
A4 [katex] v = \sqrt{2gL} [/katex] Simplifying the equation for [katex] v [/katex], observe [katex] M [/katex] cancels out. This is velocity at any given point around the circle.
A5 [katex] F_{\text{centripetal}} = \frac{Mv^2}{L} [/katex] At the top, we can use the velocity calculated in the previous step to find the centripetal force required to keep the ball moving in the circle.
A6 [katex] 2mg [/katex] Substitute in the equation for velocity (from step A4) so that the final equation is in terms of [katex] M \, g \, L [/katex]
B1 [katex] v_{\text{top}} = \sqrt{v^2 – 4gL} [/katex] Using conservation of energy. [katex] KE_{\text{bottom}} + PE_{\text{bottom}} = KE_{\text{top}} + PE_{\text{top}} [/katex]. The velocity at the top is found by noting the potential energy difference between top and bottom. Simplify by substituting [katex] v [/katex] from A4.
B2 [katex] v_{\text{top}} = \sqrt{2gL – 4gL} [/katex] [katex] = \sqrt{-2gL} \rightarrow [/katex] which is zero since [katex] 2gL > 4gL [/katex]
C1 [katex] t = \sqrt{\frac{4L}{g}} [/katex] Ball falls freely under gravity and has no initial vertical velocity, so [katex] \delta y = \frac{1}{2}gt^2 [/katex]; solving for [katex] t [/katex] gives the time to fall a distance [katex] L [/katex]. Note that the displacement from the top to the bottom is twice the radius of the circle or [katex] 2L [/katex].
D1 [katex] \Delta x = v_0t [/katex] The horiztontal distance traveled by any projectile is the product of the horiztonal speed and the time in air.
D2 [katex]  \sqrt{2gL} \times \sqrt{\frac{4L}{g}} [/katex] Substitute in velocity from Step A4 and time from step C1
D3 [katex] \sqrt{8}L [/katex] Simplify

(a) The net force on the ball at the top is [katex] 2Mg [/katex], downward.
(b) The velocity of the ball at the top is [katex] v = \sqrt{2gL} [/katex].
(c) The time it takes to reach the ground is [katex] \sqrt{\frac{4L}{g}} [/katex].
(d) The horizontal distance traveled is [katex] \sqrt{8}L [/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.

(a) [katex] 2Mg [/katex], downward.
(b) [katex] v = \sqrt{2gL} [/katex].
(c) [katex] \sqrt{\frac{4L}{g}} [/katex].
(d) [katex] \sqrt{8}L [/katex]

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.