0 attempts
0% avg
UBQ Credits
To solve the problem related to the balanced seesaw with a boy and a girl sitting on it, we adhere to the principles of torque and leverage. Here, the seesaw must balance so the torques due to the boy and girl must be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction.
Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
---|---|---|
1 | [katex]\tau_{boy} = \tau_{girl}[/katex] | This equation states the balancing condition where the torque ([katex]\tau[/katex]) due to the boy must equal the torque due to the girl for the seesaw to be in equilibrium. |
2 | [katex]m_{boy} \cdot g \cdot d_1 = m_{girl} \cdot g \cdot d_2[/katex] | Torque ([katex]\tau[/katex]) is calculated by the formula [katex]\tau = F \cdot d[/katex] where [katex]F[/katex] is the force (here, the weight of the children, [katex]m \cdot g[/katex]) and [katex]d[/katex] is the distance from the pivot. Here, [katex]g[/katex] is the acceleration due to gravity, [katex]m_{boy}[/katex] and [katex]m_{girl}[/katex] are the masses of the boy and girl respectively, and [katex]d_1[/katex] and [katex]d_2[/katex] are their respective distances from the fulcrum. |
3 | [katex]\frac{m_{boy}}{m_{girl}} = \frac{d_2}{d_1}[/katex] | Divide both sides of the equation by [katex]g \cdot d_1 \cdot d_2[/katex] to isolate the ratio of masses, which shows that the ratio of the boy’s mass to the girl’s mass is the inverse of their distances from the fulcrum. This ratio will ensure that their torques balance each other. |
4 | Mass of seesaw needed: [katex]m_{seesaw} \cdot g \cdot L = (m_{boy} + m_{girl}) \cdot g \cdot \frac{(d_2 – d_1)}{2}[/katex] | We need to add the minimum mass of the seesaw to keep it balanced at the pivot point itself. Assuming the mass is evenly distributed, its leverage point would be at the center ([katex]\frac{L}{2}[/katex] from the pivot). The seesaw’s mass should counteract any net torque resultant from the boy and girl’s differing distances from the pivot. Here, [katex]L[/katex] is the total length of the seesaw. |
5 | [katex]m_{seesaw} = \frac{(m_{boy} + m_{girl}) \Big(\frac{(d_1 – d_2)}{2}\Big)}{L}[/katex] | Re-arranging the equation to solve for [katex]m_{seesaw}[/katex]. This formula calculates the minimum mass of the seesaw required to achieve balance. Note that since [katex]d_1 > d_2[/katex], [katex](d_1 – d_2)[/katex] will be positive, ensuring a positive mass for the seesaw. |
6 | [katex]m_{seesaw} = \frac{(m_{boy} + m_{girl}) \Big(\frac{(d_1 – d_2)}{2}\Big)}{L}[/katex] | This is the final formula that yields the mass of the seesaw needed to balance with the boy and girl placed as described. |
Just ask: "Help me solve this problem."
A 150-kg merry-go-round in the shape of a uniform, solid, horizontal disk of radius 1.50 m is set in motion by wrapping a rope about the rim of the disk and pulling on the rope.
What constant force must be exerted on the rope to bring the merry-go-round from rest to an angular speed of 0.500 rev/s in 2.00 s?
Note: [katex] I_\text{disk} = \frac{1}{2}mr^2 [/katex]
Consider a uniform hoop of radius R and mass M rolling without slipping. Which is larger, its translational kinetic energy or its rotational kinetic energy?
A disk is initially rotating counterclockwise around a fixed axis with angular speed \( \omega_0 \). At time \( t = 0 \), the two forces shown in the figure above are exerted on the disk. If counterclockwise is positive, which of the following could show the angular velocity of the disk as a function of time?
A 25 g steel ball is attached to the top of a 24-cm-diameter vertical wheel. Starting from rest, the wheel accelerates at [katex] 470 \, \frac{rad}{s^2}[/katex]. The ball is released after [katex]\frac{3}{4} [/katex] of a revolution. How high does it go above the center of the wheel?
The moment of inertia of a solid cylinder about its axis is given by \( 0.5MR^2 \). If this cylinder rolls without slipping, the ratio of its rotational kinetic energy to its translational kinetic energy is
[katex]m_{seesaw} = \frac{(m_{boy} + m_{girl}) \Big(\frac{(d_1 – d_2)}{2}\Big)}{L}[/katex]
By continuing you (1) agree to our Terms of Sale and Terms of Use 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 |
---|---|
\(\Delta x = v_i t + \frac{1}{2} at^2\) | \(F = ma\) |
\(v = v_i + at\) | \(F_g = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2}\) |
\(v^2 = v_i^2 + 2a \Delta x\) | \(f = \mu N\) |
\(\Delta x = \frac{v_i + v}{2} t\) | \(F_s =-kx\) |
\(v^2 = v_f^2 \,-\, 2a \Delta x\) | Â |
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] |
General Metric Conversion Chart
Example of using unit analysis: Convert 5 kilometers to millimeters.Â
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 |
The most advanced version of Phy. 50% off, for early supporters. Prices increase soon.
per month
Billed Monthly. Cancel Anytime.
Trial –> Phy Pro
Try our free calculator to see what you need to get a 5 on the upcoming AP Physics 1 exam.
A quick explanation
Credits are used to grade your FRQs and GQs. Pro users get unlimited credits.Â
Submitting counts as 1 attempt.Â
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.Â
10 Free Credits To Get You StartedÂ
By continuing you agree to nerd-notes.com Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and our usage of user data.Â