| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Define a right–handed coordinate system with the pivot as the origin.
Choose counter-clockwise (CCW) moments about the +z axis as positive. |
The stick rotates in the horizontal plane about a vertical axis, so the relevant component of the torque vector is its z-component. All forces are vertical (±y direction); their moment arms lie along ±x. Hence every torque vector points along ±z, making scalar bookkeeping convenient. |
| 2 | \[\vec\tau = \vec r \times \vec F\] | The torque produced by a force is the cross product of the position vector \(\vec r\) (from pivot to the point of application) and the force vector \(\vec F\). Because \(\vec r\) is horizontal and \(\vec F\) is vertical, \(\vec\tau\) is purely along the ±z direction. |
| 3 | Left mass (0.10 kg) at \(x=-0.50\,\text{m}\) : \[\tau_{\text L}=(-0.50\,\hat\imath)\times(-0.10g\,\hat\jmath)=+0.50(0.10g)\,\hat k\] \[\tau_{\text L}=+0.49\,\text{N·m}\] |
The cross product gives a +z (CCW) torque. Numerically, \(0.50\,\text{m}\times0.10\,\text{kg}\times9.8\,\text{m/s}^2=0.49\,\text{N·m}.\) |
| 4 | Right mass (0.15 kg) at \(x=+0.50\,\text{m}\) : \[\tau_{\text R}=(+0.50\,\hat\imath)\times(-0.15g\,\hat\jmath)=-0.50(0.15g)\,\hat k\] \[\tau_{\text R}=-0.735\,\text{N·m}\] |
The torque is −z (clockwise). Its magnitude is \(0.50\times0.15g=0.735\,\text{N·m}.\) |
| 5 | Tension \(T\) applied vertically at the left end: \[\tau_T=(-0.50\,\hat\imath)\times(+T\,\hat\jmath)=-0.50T\,\hat k\] |
We take the string to pull straight up (+y). Its lever arm is still 0.50 m, and the resulting torque is along −z (same sense as the heavier right mass). |
| 6 | Static rotational equilibrium about the vertical axis: \[\tau_{\text L}+\tau_{\text R}+\tau_T = 0\] |
The stick is not twisting about the pivot, so the algebraic sum of all z-components of torque must vanish. |
| 7 | \[ 0.49 – 0.735 – 0.50T = 0 \quad\Rightarrow\quad T = -0.49\,\text{N} \] |
Solving the equilibrium equation yields a negative sign, meaning the actual tension direction is downward (−y) at the left end. Its magnitude is 0.49 N. |
| 8 | \[|T| = 0.49\,\text{N}\quad\text{(directed downward at the left end)}\] | The string must pull downward with 0.49 N to balance the unequal weights and keep the stick from tilting while it is free to spin in the horizontal plane. |
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Which of the following statements about the acceleration due to gravity is TRUE?
A net torque is applied to the edge of a spinning object as it rotates about its internal axis. The table shows the net torque exerted on the object at different instants in time. How can a student use the data table to determine the change in angular momentum of the object from \( 0 \) to \( 6 \) \( \text{s} \)? Justify your selection.
| Time \( (\text{s}) \) | Net Torque \( (\text{N} \cdot \text{m}) \) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 1.5 |
| 4 | 3.0 |
| 6 | 4.5 |
A system consists of a disk rotating on a frictionless axle and a piece of clay moving toward it, as shown in the figure above. The outside edge of the disk is moving at a linear speed \( v \), and the clay is moving at speed \( \frac{v}{2} \). The clay sticks to the outside edge of the disk. How does the angular momentum of the system after the clay sticks compare to the angular momentum of the system before the clay sticks, and what is an explanation for the comparison?
At what distance from the Earth will a spacecraft traveling directly from the Earth to the Moon experience zero net force because the Earth and Moon pull in opposite directions with equal force?
An airliner arrives at the terminal, and the engines are shut off. The rotor of one of the engines has an initial clockwise angular velocity of \( 2000 \) \( \text{rad/s} \). The engine’s rotation slows with an angular acceleration of magnitude \( 80.0 \) \( \text{rad/s}^2 \).
A mechanical wheel initially at rest on the floor begins rolling forward with an angular acceleration of \( 2\pi \, \text{rad/s}^2 \). If the wheel has a radius of \( 2 \, \text{m} \), what distance does the wheel travel in \( 3 \) seconds?
An airplane of weight \( W \) is flying horizontally with constant velocity. The total forward thrust of the engines is \( 3W \). What is the magnitude of the force of air on the plane in terms of \( W \)?
A car slides up a frictionless inclined plane. How does the normal force of the incline on the car compare with the weight of the car?
In an experiment where a constant horizontal force pulls on a box across a rough floor starting from rest, what would happen to the acceleration of the box if its mass were doubled but the pulling force remained unchanged?
Consider a neutron star with a mass equal to the sun, a radius of 10 km, and a rotation period of 1.0 s. What is the radius of a geosynchronous orbit about the neutron star? The mass of the sun can be found in the formula sheet above.
\(0.49\,\text{N downward}\)
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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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