0 attempts
0% avg
| 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]
Just ask: "Help me solve this problem."
We'll help clarify entire units in one hour or less — guaranteed.
A baseball rolls off a 0.70 m high desk and strikes the floor 0.25 m away from the base of the desk. How fast was the ball rolling?
A ball of mass m is fastened to a string. The ball swings at constant speed in a vertical circle of radius R with the other end of the string held fixed. Neglecting air resistance, what is the difference between the string’s tension at the bottom of the circle and at the top of the circle?
A projectile is launched at \( 25 \) \( \text{m/s} \) at an angle of \( 45^\circ \). It lands on a slope \( 5 \) \( \text{m} \) below the launch height. On landing, it rebounds vertically with \( 80\% \) of its speed and falls straight down from there. Find the total time from launch to final impact at the base of the slope.

An adult exerts a horizontal force on a swing that is suspended by a rope of length \( L \), holding it at an angle \( \theta \) with the vertical. The child in the swing has a weight \( W \) and dimensions that are negligible. In terms of \( W \) and \( \theta \), determine:
A car of mass \( M \) moves around a circularly banked curve on a freeway off-ramp. The off-ramp has a radius of curvature \( R \) and is raised to an angle \( \theta \) from the horizontal. The road is slick, and friction is negligible.
An \(80 \, \text{kg}\) person sits on a swing ride that moves in a horizontal circle. The swing is suspended by a chain of length \(8 \, \text{m}\). While in motion, the chain makes a \(40^\circ\) angle with the horizontal. What is the speed of the person?
In 2014, the European Space Agency placed a satellite in orbit around comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko and then landed a probe on the surface. The actual orbit was elliptical, but we can approximate it as a 50 km diameter circular orbit with a period of 11 days.
A projectile has the least speed at what point in its path?
A ball is launched and lands \( 20 \) \( \text{m} \) away below the launch point \( 2.5 \) \( \text{s} \) later. The maximum height reached is \( 8.0 \) \( \text{m} \). What was the original launch velocity?
A gun can fire a bullet to height \( h \) when fired straight up. If the same gun is pointed at an angle of \( 45^\circ \) from the vertical, what is the new maximum height of the projectile?
(a) [katex] 2Mg [/katex], downward.
(b) [katex] v = \sqrt{2gL} [/katex].
(c) [katex] \sqrt{\frac{4L}{g}} [/katex].
(d) [katex] \sqrt{8}L [/katex]
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.
| 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 |
One price to unlock most advanced version of Phy across all our tools.
per month
Billed Monthly. Cancel Anytime.
We crafted THE Ultimate A.P Physics 1 Program so you can learn faster and score higher.
Try our free calculator to see what you need to get a 5 on the 2026 AP Physics 1 exam.
A quick explanation
Credits are used to grade your FRQs and GQs. Pro users get unlimited credits.
Submitting counts as 1 attempt.
Viewing answers or explanations count as a failed attempts.
Phy gives partial credit if needed
MCQs and GQs are are 1 point each. FRQs will state points for each part.
Phy customizes problem explanations based on what you struggle with. Just hit the explanation button to see.
Understand you mistakes quicker.
Phy automatically provides feedback so you can improve your responses.
10 Free Credits To Get You Started
By continuing you agree to nerd-notes.com Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and our usage of user data.
Feeling uneasy about your next physics test? We'll boost your grade in 3 lessons or less—guaranteed
NEW! PHY AI accurately solves all questions
🔥 Get up to 30% off Elite Physics Tutoring
🧠 NEW! Learn Physics From Scratch Self Paced Course
🎯 Need exam style practice questions?