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| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[\sum \vec p_i=\sum \vec p_f\] | Conservation of momentum (always valid for the two-body system during the collision, assuming negligible external impulse). |
| 2 | For the \(7\,\text{kg}\) mass after collision (angle \(22^\circ\) below \(+x\)): \[v_{2x}=2\cos 22^\circ,\qquad v_{2y}=-2\sin 22^\circ\] |
Decompose the given velocity into components. “Below the horizontal” means the \(y\)-component is negative. |
| 3 | Momentum in \(x\): \[m_1u_{1x}+m_2u_{2x}=m_1v_{1x}+m_2v_{2x}\] \[4(10)+7(0)=4v_{1x}+7\bigl(2\cos 22^\circ\bigr)\] |
Apply conservation of momentum in the horizontal direction. |
| 4 | \[ 40=4v_{1x}+14\cos 22^\circ \] \[ 14\cos 22^\circ \approx 12.98 \] |
Compute the \(x\)-momentum contribution of the \(7\,\text{kg}\) mass using the correct trig value. |
| 5 | \[ 4v_{1x}=40-12.98=27.02 \] \[ v_{1x}=\frac{27.02}{4}\approx 6.755\ \text{m/s} \] |
Solve for the \(4\,\text{kg}\) mass’s horizontal component. |
| 6 | Momentum in \(y\): \[m_1u_{1y}+m_2u_{2y}=m_1v_{1y}+m_2v_{2y}\] \[0=4v_{1y}+7\bigl(-2\sin 22^\circ\bigr)\] |
Initial vertical momentum is zero. Since the \(7\,\text{kg}\) mass goes downward (negative \(y\)), the \(4\,\text{kg}\) mass must have positive \(v_{1y}\) to keep total \(y\)-momentum zero. |
| 7 | \[ 0=4v_{1y}-14\sin 22^\circ \] \[ 14\sin 22^\circ \approx 5.244 \] |
Compute the vertical momentum magnitude associated with the \(7\,\text{kg}\) mass (downward). |
| 8 | \[ 4v_{1y}=5.244 \] \[ v_{1y}=\frac{5.244}{4}\approx 1.311\ \text{m/s} \] |
Solve for the \(4\,\text{kg}\) mass’s vertical component (positive = upward). |
| 9 | Speed and direction of the \(4\,\text{kg}\) mass: \[ v_1=\sqrt{v_{1x}^2+v_{1y}^2},\qquad \theta=\arctan\!\left(\frac{v_{1y}}{v_{1x}}\right) \] |
Combine components to get the velocity magnitude and the angle relative to the \(+x\) axis. |
| 10 | \[ v_1=\sqrt{(6.755)^2+(1.311)^2} =\sqrt{45.63+1.72} =\sqrt{47.35}\approx 6.88\ \text{m/s} \] |
Compute the magnitude using the corrected components. |
| 11 | \[ \theta=\arctan\!\left(\frac{1.311}{6.755}\right)\approx 11.0^\circ \] |
The \(4\,\text{kg}\) mass travels about \(11^\circ\) above the horizontal (since \(v_{1y}>0\)). |
| 12 | Elastic-collision check (kinetic energy must also be conserved): \[ K_i=\tfrac12(4)(10^2)=200\ \text{J} \] \[ K_f=\tfrac12(4)v_1^2+\tfrac12(7)(2^2) =2(47.35)+14\approx 108.7\ \text{J} \] |
An elastic collision requires \(K_i=K_f\). Using the given \(2\,\text{m/s}\) for the \(7\,\text{kg}\) mass gives \(K_f\neq K_i\), so the stated data are not consistent with an elastic collision (they describe a non-elastic outcome if momentum is conserved). |
| 13 | \[ \boxed{\vec v_1 \approx (6.755\,\hat i+1.311\,\hat j)\ \text{m/s}} \] \[ \boxed{v_1\approx 6.88\ \text{m/s at }11.0^\circ\text{ above horizontal}} \] |
Final velocity of the \(4\,\text{kg}\) mass from momentum conservation with the given \(7\,\text{kg}\) motion; note this contradicts the “elastic” requirement because kinetic energy is not conserved. |
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Two blocks are on a horizontal, frictionless surface. Block \( A \) is moving with an initial velocity of \( v_0 \) toward block \( B \), which is stationary. The two blocks collide, stick together, and move off with a velocity of \( \frac{v_0}{3} \). Which block, if either, has the greater mass?
A child (\(m = 32 \, \text{kg}\)) in a boat (\(m = 71 \, \text{kg}\)) throws a \(7.1 \, \text{kg}\) package out horizontally with a speed of \(12.2 \, \text{m/s}\). Calculate the velocity of the boat immediately after, assuming it was initially at rest. Ignore water resistance.
Two people, one of mass \( 88 \) \( \text{kg} \) and the other of mass \( 55 \) \( \text{kg} \), sit in a rowboat of mass \( 70 \) \( \text{kg} \). With the boat initially at rest, the two people, who have been sitting at opposite ends of the boat \( 3.1 \) \( \text{m} \) apart from each other, now exchange seats.
A \(3800 \, \text{kg}\) open railroad car coasts along with a constant speed of \(8.60 \, \text{m/s}\) along a level track. Snow begins to fall vertically and fills the car at a rate of \(3.50 \, \text{kg/min}\). Ignoring friction with the tracks, what is the speed of the car after \(90 \, \text{min}\)?

From the figure above, determine which characteristic fits this collision best.
A golf club exerts an average horizontal force of \(1000 \, \text{N}\) on a \(0.045 \, \text{kg}\) golf ball that is initially at rest on the tee. The club is in contact with the ball for \(1.8 \, \text{milliseconds}\). What is the speed of the golf ball just as it leaves the tee?
A moderate force will break an egg. However, an egg dropped on the road usually breaks, while one dropped on the grass usually does not break because for the egg dropped on the grass:
A rubber ball with a mass of \(0.25 \, \text{kg}\) and a speed of \(19.0 \, \text{m/s}\) collides perpendicularly with a wall and bounces off with a speed of \(21 \, \text{m/s}\) in the opposite direction. What is the magnitude of the impulse acting on the rubber ball?
A pendulum consists of a mass \( M \) hanging at the bottom end of a massless rod of length \( \ell \) which has a frictionless pivot at its top end. A mass \( m \), moving with velocity \( v \), impacts \( M \) and becomes embedded. In terms of the given variables and constants, what is the smallest value of \( v \) sufficient to cause the pendulum (with embedded mass \( m \)) to swing clear over the top of its arc?

A platform is initially rotating on smooth ice with negligible friction, as shown above. A stationary disk is dropped directly onto the center of the platform. A short time later, the disk and platform rotate together at the same angular velocity, as shown at right in the figure. How does the angular momentum of only the platform change, if at all, after the disk drops? And what is the best justification.
6.81 m/s at 8.8° above the horizontal
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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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