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AP Physics

Unit 5 - Linear Momentum

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Mathematical
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Explanation 0
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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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6.81 m/s at 8.8° above the horizontal

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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]

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