| Derivation or Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[\sum \tau_{\text{about fulcrum}} = 0\] | For the seesaw to be balanced (no rotation), the net torque about the fulcrum must be zero. |
| \[r_1 = \frac{L}{2},\quad r_2 = \frac{L}{2}\] | Each child sits at an end of the plank, and the fulcrum is at the midpoint, so each is the same distance \( \frac{L}{2} \) from the pivot. |
| \[W_1 = M_1 g,\quad W_2 = M_2 g,\quad W_{\text{plank}} = Mg\] | The downward forces are the weights of the boy, the girl, and the uniform plank, each given by \(mg\). |
| \[r_{\text{plank}} = 0\] | The plank is uniform, so its center of mass is at its midpoint, which coincides with the fulcrum; thus its lever arm about the fulcrum is \(0\). |
| \[\tau_1 = M_1 g\left(\frac{L}{2}\right)\] | The boy’s weight produces a torque of magnitude \(rF = \left(\frac{L}{2}\right)(M_1 g)\) about the fulcrum. |
| \[\tau_2 = M_2 g\left(\frac{L}{2}\right)\] | The girl’s weight produces a torque of magnitude \(rF = \left(\frac{L}{2}\right)(M_2 g)\) about the fulcrum on the opposite side. |
| \[\tau_{\text{plank}} = Mg(0) = 0\] | The plank’s weight acts at the fulcrum, so it produces no torque and does not affect the balancing condition. |
| \[M_1 g\left(\frac{L}{2}\right) – M_2 g\left(\frac{L}{2}\right) = 0\] | Choose a sign convention (e.g., boy’s side torque positive, girl’s side negative). Balance requires the torques cancel. |
| \[g\left(\frac{L}{2}\right)(M_1 – M_2)=0\] | Factor out the common nonzero constants \(g\) and \(\frac{L}{2}\). |
| \[M_1 – M_2 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad \boxed{M_1 = M_2}\] | Since \(g \neq 0\) and \(\frac{L}{2} \neq 0\), the only way for the product to be zero is \(M_1=M_2\). Therefore, for a balanced seesaw with equal distances from the fulcrum, the masses must be equal. |
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The system in the Figure is in equilibrium. A concrete block of mass \(225 \, \text{kg}\) hangs from the end of a uniform strut whose mass is \(45.0 \, \text{kg}\).
A rotating, rigid body makes 10 complete revolutions in 10 seconds. What is its average angular velocity?
An object moves at a constant speed of \( 9.0 \frac{m}{s} \) in a circular path of radius of 1.5 m. What is the angular acceleration of the object?
The angular velocity of a rotating disk of radius \(20 \, \text{cm}\) increases from \(1 \, \text{rad/s}\) to \(3 \, \text{rad/s}\) in \(0.5 \, \text{s}\). What is the linear tangential acceleration of a point on the rim of the disk during this time interval?
A uniform rod of length \( L \) and mass \( M \) is free to rotate about one end, as shown in the diagram. The free end is released from rest at a horizontal position, as shown. The pivot point is supported by a stand so that only the free end can move. The moment of inertia of a rod about its end is \(\tfrac{1}{3} M L^{2}\).
A ball of radius \( r \) rolls on the inside of a circular track of radius \( R \). If the ball starts from rest at the left vertical edge of the track, what will be its speed when it reaches the lowest point of the track, rolling without slipping? For a solid spherical ball, the moment of inertia is \(\frac{2}{5} m r^2\).
| Wagon | Wheel Structure | Moment of Inertia | Wheel Mass | Wheel Radius |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wagon \(A\) | Solid disk | \[\frac{1}{2} M R^2\] | \[ 0.5 \, \text{kg} \] | \[ 0.1 \, \text{m} \] |
| Wagon \(B\) | Solid disk | \[\frac{1}{2} M R^2\] | \[ 0.2 \, \text{kg} \] | \[ 0.1 \, \text{m} \] |
| Wagon \(C\) | Hollow hoop | \[M R^2\] | \[ 0.1 \, \text{kg} \] | \[ 0.1 \, \text{m} \] |
Three wagons have identical total mass (including their wheels) and each has four wheels. However, the wheels on each wagon have different designs with varying mass distributions and radii as shown in a reference chart. When accelerating each wagon from a standstill to \( 10 \) \( \text{m/s} \), which wagon requires the most energy input?
A centrifuge rotor rotating at \( 9200 \) \( \text{rpm} \) is shut off and is eventually brought uniformly to rest by a frictional torque of \( 1.20 \) \( \text{N} \cdot \text{m} \). If the mass of the rotor is \( 3.10 \) \( \text{kg} \) and it can be approximated as a solid cylinder of radius \( 0.0710 \) \( \text{m} \), through how many revolutions will the rotor turn before coming to rest? The moment of inertia of a cylinder is given by \( \frac{1}{2} m r^2 \).
A solid sphere \( \left( I = \frac{2}{5}MR^2 \right) \) and a solid cylinder \( \left( I = \frac{1}{2}MR^2 \right) \), both uniform and of the same mass and radius, roll without slipping at the same forward speed. It is correct to say that the total kinetic energy of the solid sphere is
When a fan is turned off, its angular speed decreases from \( 10 \) \( \text{rad/s} \) to \( 6.3 \) \( \text{rad/s} \) in \( 5.0 \) \( \text{s} \). What is the magnitude of the average angular acceleration of the fan?
Yes. Both children have identical masses. See working in explanation.
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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] | |
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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