Solving as a single conservation of energy equation:
| Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[W_F = F(6)\] | Work done by the applied horizontal force over \(6\,\text{m}\). |
| \[W_{f,h} = \mu_h m g (6)\] | Magnitude of work done by kinetic friction on the horizontal; friction is \(\mu_h m g\) and acts over \(6\,\text{m}\). |
| \[N_i = m g \cos\theta\] | Normal force on the incline is reduced by the angle, giving \(N_i\). |
| \[W_{f,i} = \mu_i m g \cos\theta\, \Delta x\] | Magnitude of work done by kinetic friction on the incline over distance \(\Delta x\). |
| \[U_g = m g\, \Delta x\, \sin\theta\] | Final gravitational potential energy; vertical rise is \(\Delta x\sin\theta\). Final kinetic energy is zero. |
| \[F(6) – \mu_h m g (6) – \mu_i m g \cos\theta\, \Delta x = m g\, \Delta x\, \sin\theta\] | Single energy balance: input work from the horizontal force minus both friction works equals the final gravitational potential energy. |
| \[F(6) – \mu_h m g (6) = m g\,(\sin\theta + \mu_i \cos\theta)\, \Delta x\] | Collect the \(\Delta x\) terms on the right and factor. |
| \[\Delta x = \frac{F(6) – \mu_h m g (6)}{m g\,(\sin\theta + \mu_i \cos\theta)}\] | Algebraic solution for \(\Delta x\). |
| \[\Delta x = \frac{110(6) – 0.25(12)(9.8)(6)}{(12)(9.8)\left(\sin(17^\circ) + 0.45\cos(17^\circ)\right)}\] | Substitute \(F = 110\,\text{N}\), \(\mu_h = 0.25\), \(\mu_i = 0.45\), \(m = 12\,\text{kg}\), \(g = 9.8\,\text{m/s}^2\), \(\theta = 17^\circ\). |
| \[\Delta x = \frac{660 – 176.4}{(12)(9.8)\left(\sin(17^\circ) + 0.45\cos(17^\circ)\right)}\] | Compute the numerator: \(110\times 6 = 660\), \(0.25\times 12\times 9.8\times 6 = 176.4\). |
| \[\sin(17^\circ) \approx 0.2924,\quad \cos(17^\circ) \approx 0.9563\] | Numerical trig values for \(17^\circ\). |
| \[\sin(17^\circ) + 0.45\cos(17^\circ) \approx 0.7227\] | Combine the angle terms in the denominator. |
| \[(12)(9.8)(0.7227) \approx 84.99\] | Evaluate \(m g(\sin\theta + \mu_i\cos\theta)\). |
| \[\Delta x \approx \frac{483.6}{84.99} \approx 5.7\,\text{m}\] | Final numerical evaluation for \(\Delta x\). |
| \[\boxed{\Delta x \approx 5.7\,\text{m}}\] | Distance slid up the incline before stopping. |
Alternatively you can split the motion up into (1) horizontal motion and (2) motion up the incline, then apply conservation of energy to each part to yield the same answer:
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[N = m g\] | The normal force on a horizontal surface equals the object’s weight \(m g\). |
| 2 | \[f_k = \mu_k N = \mu_k m g\] | Kinetic friction magnitude is the product of coefficient \(\mu_k\) and normal force. |
| 3 | \[F_{\text{net}} = F_{\text{app}} – f_k\] | Net force equals applied force minus friction (opposite direction). |
| 4 | \[W_{\text{net}} = F_{\text{net}}\, \Delta x\] | Work by the net force over displacement \(\Delta x = 6\,\text{m}\). |
| 5 | \[W_{\text{net}} = \tfrac12 m v_x^2 – \tfrac12 m v_i^2\] | Work–energy theorem; the object starts from rest so \(v_i = 0\). |
| 6 | \[v_x = \sqrt{\frac{2 F_{\text{net}}\, \Delta x}{m}}\] | Solving the work–energy relation for the final speed. |
| 7 | \[v_x = \sqrt{\frac{2 (110\,\text{N} – 0.25\, (12\,\text{kg})(9.8\,\text{m/s}^2)) (6\,\text{m})}{12\,\text{kg}}} \;\approx\; 9.0\,\text{m/s}\] | Numeric substitution gives the speed at the base of the incline. |
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[KE_{\text{base}} = \tfrac12 m v_x^2\] | Kinetic energy as the object reaches the incline. |
| 2 | \[\Delta PE = m g (\Delta x \sin \theta)\] | Gravitational potential gain on an incline: height is \(\Delta x \sin \theta\). |
| 3 | \[W_{f} = -\mu_k m g \cos \theta \; \Delta x\] | Work done by kinetic friction along the incline (opposite motion). |
| 4 | \[KE_{\text{base}} = \Delta PE + |W_{f}|\] | All initial kinetic energy is dissipated by gravity and friction until rest. |
| 5 | \[\tfrac12 m v_x^2 = m g (\sin \theta + \mu_k \cos \theta) \, \Delta x\] | Combine energy losses (gravity + friction) into a single factor. |
| 6 | \[\Delta x = \frac{\tfrac12 m v_x^2}{m g (\sin \theta + \mu_k \cos \theta)}\] | Algebraic isolation of the distance up the incline. |
| 7 | \[\Delta x = \frac{\tfrac12 (12)(9.0^2)}{(12)(9.8)(\sin 17^\circ + 0.45 \cos 17^\circ)} \;\approx\; \boxed{5.7\,\text{m}}\] | Substituting numbers (\(\sin 17^\circ \approx 0.292\), \(\cos 17^\circ \approx 0.956\)) yields the sliding distance. |
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A sphere of mass \( M \) and radius \( r \), and rotational inertia \( I \) is released from the top of an inclined plane of height \( h \). The surface has considerable friction. Using only the variables mentioned, derive an expression for the sphere’s center of mass velocity.
A pendulum with a period of \( 1 \) \( \text{s} \) on Earth, where the acceleration due to gravity is \( g \), is taken to another planet, where its period is \( 2 \) \( \text{s} \). The acceleration due to gravity on the other planet is most nearly
A simple pendulum consists of a sphere tied to the end of a string of negligible mass. The sphere is pulled back until the string is horizontal and then released from rest. Assume the gravitational potential energy is zero when the sphere is at its lowest point.
What angle will the string make with the horizontal when the kinetic energy and the potential energy of the sphere-Earth system are equal?
A 0.035 kg bullet moving horizontally at 350 m/s embeds itself into an initially stationary 0.55 kg block. Air resistance is negligible.
In which one of the following circumstances does the principle of conservation of mechanical energy apply, even though a nonconservative force acts on the moving object?
A car traveling to the right with a speed \( v \) brakes to a stop in a distance \( d \). What is the work done on the car by the frictional force \( F \)? (Assume that the frictional force is constant)
A horizontal spring with spring constant 162 N/m is compressed 50 cm and used to launch a 3 kg box across a frictionless, horizontal surface. After the box travels some distance, the surface becomes rough. The coefficient of kinetic friction of the box on the rough surface is 0.2. Find the total distance the box travels before stopping.
A stone is falling at a constant velocity vertically down a tube filled with oil. Which of the following statements about the energy changes of the stone during its motion are correct?
I. The gain in kinetic energy is less than the loss in gravitational potential energy.
II. The sum of kinetic and gravitational potential energy of the stone is constant.
III. The work done by the force of gravity has the same magnitude as the work done by friction.
A \( 7.3 \) \( \text{kg} \) mass is placed on a spring with a spring constant of \( 34 \) \( \text{N/cm} \). How much does this stretch the spring?

A small block of mass \( M \) is released from rest at the top of the curved frictionless ramp shown above. The block slides down the ramp and is moving with a speed \( 3.5v_0 \) when it collides with a larger block of mass \( 1.5M \) at rest at the bottom of the incline. The larger block moves to the right at a speed \( 2v_0 \) immediately after the collision.
Express your answers to the following questions in terms of the given quantities and fundamental constants.
\(\Delta x \approx 5.69\,\text{m}\)
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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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