| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \(F = ma\) | The net force acting on each vehicle due to friction is equal to the mass of the vehicle times its acceleration (Newton’s Second Law). |
| 2 | \(a = \frac{F}{m}\) | Acceleration \( a \) can be expressed as the force divided by the mass. Given that \( F \) is the same for both, the acceleration is inversely proportional to the mass. |
| 3 | \(v_f = v_i + at\) | The final velocity \(v_f\) of each vehicle can be found using the kinematic equation where \(v_i\) is the initial velocity and \(t\) is the time. |
| 4 | \(v_f = v – \frac{F}{m}t\) | Substituting for \(a\) in the kinematic equation. Note that different masses will lead to different decelerations if \(F\) is constant. |
| 5 | \(\Delta s = v_it + \frac{1}{2}at^2\) | The distance \(\Delta s\) traveled under acceleration (deceleration in this case) is found using this formula, where the initial speed \(v_i\) is \(v\), and the acceleration \(a\) is known. |
| 6 | \(D = vt – \frac{F}{2m}t^2\) | Substituting \(-a\) (since it’s deceleration) and simplifying, configuring the equation in terms of \(t\). |
| 7 | Solve for \( t \) | Solve the quadratic equation for \( t \) to find the time each vehicle takes to travel the distance \( D \). Each vehicle, having different mass, will have a different \( t \). |
| 8 | \(\text{Work done, } W = F \times D\) | The work done by the friction force over the distance \( D \) is the product of the force and the distance, which is the same for both since both \( F \) and \( D \) are constant. |
| 9 | \(P = \frac{W}{t}\) | Power \( P \) is defined as work done per unit time. Given the same work done but different times, power will be different. |
| 10 | \(KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2_f\) | The kinetic energy at any point in time can be calculated using the mass and the velocity at that time. Since both mass and \(v_f\) differ for the two vehicles, kinetic energy will also differ. |
Correct answers based on these steps:
– (c) The work done on both vehicles is the same – since they are subject to the same force over the same distance. Other statements are false due to different masses and resulting differences in acceleration, velocity, time, and power.
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A \( 0.30 \text{-kg} \) mass is suspended on a spring. In equilibrium the mass stretches the spring \( 2.0 \) \( \text{cm} \) downward. The mass is then pulled an additional distance of \( 1.0 \) \( \text{cm} \) down and released from rest. Write down its equation of motion.
A spring launches a \(4 \, \text{kg}\) block across a frictionless horizontal surface. The block then ascends a \(30^\circ\) incline with a kinetic friction coefficient of \(\mu_k = 0.25\), stopping after \(55 \, \text{m}\) on the incline. If the spring constant is \(800 \, \text{N/m}\), find the initial compression of the spring. Disregard friction while in contact with the spring.

A \( 4700 \, \text{kg} \) truck carrying a \( 900 \, \text{kg} \) crate is traveling at \( 25 \, \text{m/s} \) to the right along a straight, level highway, as shown above. The truck driver then applies the brakes, and as it slows down, the truck travels \( 55 \, \text{m} \) in the next \( 3.0 \, \text{s} \). The crate does not slide on the back of the truck.
A 0.035 kg bullet moving horizontally at 350 m/s embeds itself into an initially stationary 0.55 kg block. Air resistance is negligible.
An elastic cord is \( 80\) \( \text{cm} \) long when it is supporting a mass of \( 10. \) \( \text{kg} \) hanging from it at rest. When an additional \( 4.0 \) \( \text{kg} \) is added, the cord is \( 82.5 \) \( \text{cm} \) long.
List at least 2 everyday forces that are not conservative, and explain why they aren’t.
A sphere of mass \( M \) and radius \( r \), and rotational inertia \( I \) is released from the top of an inclined plane of height \( h \). The surface has considerable friction. Using only the variables mentioned, derive an expression for the sphere’s center of mass velocity.
A bullet of mass \(0.0500 \, \text{kg}\) traveling at \(50.0 \, \text{m/s}\) is fired horizontally into a wooden block suspended from a long rope. The mass of the wooden block is \(0.300 \, \text{kg}\) and it is initially at rest. The collision is completely inelastic and after impact the bullet + wooden block move together until the center of mass of the system rises a vertical distance \(h\) above its initial position.
A \(100 \, \text{kg}\) person is riding a \(10 \, \text{kg}\) bicycle up a \(25^\circ\) hill. The hill is long and the coefficient of static friction is \(0.9\). The person rides \(10 \, \text{m}\) up the hill then takes a rest at the top. If she then starts from rest from the top of the hill and rolls down a distance of \(7 \, \text{m}\) before squeezing hard on the brakes locking the wheels, how much work is done by friction to bring the bicycle to a full stop, knowing that the coefficient of kinetic friction is \(0.65\)?
A person holds a book at rest a few feet above a table. The person then lowers the book at a slow constant speed and places it on the table. Which of the following accurately describes the change in the total mechanical energy of the Earth–book system?
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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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