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. |
A Major Upgrade To Phy Is Coming Soon — Stay Tuned
We'll help clarify entire units in one hour or less — guaranteed.
A self paced course with videos, problems sets, and everything you need to get a 5. Trusted by over 15k students and over 200 schools.
The diagram above shows a marble rolling down an incline, the bottom part of which has been bent into a loop. The marble is released from point A at a height of \(0.80 \, \text{m}\) above the ground. Point B is the lowest point and point C the highest point of the loop. The diameter of the loop is \(0.35 \, \text{m}\). The mass of the marble is \(0.050 \, \text{kg}\). Friction forces and any gain in kinetic energy due to the rotating of the marble can be ignored. When answering the following questions, consider the marble when it is at point C.
A \(2,000 \, \text{kg}\) car collides with a stationary \(1,000 \, \text{kg}\) car. Afterwards, they slide \(6 \, \text{m}\) before coming to a stop. The coefficient of friction between the tires and the road is \(0.7\). Find the initial velocity of the \(2,000 \, \text{kg}\) car before the collision?
A box of mass \(m\) is initially at rest at the top of a ramp that is at an angle \(\theta\) with the horizontal. The block is at a height \(h\) and length \(L\) from the bottom of the ramp. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the ramp is \(\mu\). What is the kinetic energy of the box at the bottom of the ramp?
The efficiency of a pulley system is 55%. The
pulleys are used to raise a mass of 90.0 kg to a height of
5.60 m. What force is exerted on the rope of the pulley
system if the rope is pulled for 22 m in order to raise
the mass to the required height?
A spring launches a \(4 \, \text{kg}\) block across a frictionless horizontal surface. The block then ascends a \(30^\circ\) incline with a kinetic friction coefficient of \(\mu_k = 0.25\), stopping after \(55 \, \text{m}\) on the incline. If the spring constant is \(800 \, \text{N/m}\), find the initial compression of the spring. Disregard friction while in contact with the spring.
A person holds a book at rest a few feet above a table. The person then lowers the book at a slow constant speed and places it on the table. Which of the following accurately describes the change in the total mechanical energy of the Earth–book system?
An object is projected vertically upward from ground level. It rises to a maximum height \( H \). If air resistance is negligible, which of the following must be true for the object when it is at a height \( H/2 \) ?
Find the escape speed from a planet of mass \(6.89 \times 10^{25} \, \text{kg}\) and radius \(6.2 \times 10^{6} \, \text{m}\).
A comet of mass \( m_c = 3.2 \times 10^{14} \) \( \text{kg} \) is orbiting a star with mass \( m_s = 1.8 \times 10^{30} \) \( \text{kg} \). The comet’s orbit is elliptical. At its closest point, the comet is a distance \( r_1 = 8.3 \times 10^{10} \) \( \text{m} \) from the star, and at its farthest point, the comet is a distance \( r_2 = 4.9 \times 10^{11} \) \( \text{m} \) from the star. What is the change in the kinetic energy of the comet as it moves along its orbit from distance \( r_2 \) to distance \( r_1 \) from the star?
In the laboratory, you are given a cylindrical beaker containing a fluid and you are asked to determine the density \( \rho \) of the fluid. You are to use a spring of negligible mass and unknown spring constant \( k \) that is attached to a vertical stand.
\(\Delta x \approx 5.69\,\text{m}\)
By continuing you (1) agree to our Terms of Use and Terms of Sale 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 |
|---|---|
| \(\Delta x = v_i t + \frac{1}{2} at^2\) | \(F = ma\) |
| \(v = v_i + at\) | \(F_g = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2}\) |
| \(v^2 = v_i^2 + 2a \Delta x\) | \(f = \mu N\) |
| \(\Delta x = \frac{v_i + v}{2} t\) | \(F_s =-kx\) |
| \(v^2 = v_f^2 \,-\, 2a \Delta x\) |
| 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] |
One price to unlock most advanced version of Phy across all our tools.
per month
Billed Monthly. Cancel Anytime.
We crafted THE Ultimate A.P Physics 1 Program so you can learn faster and score higher.
Try our free calculator to see what you need to get a 5 on the 2026 AP Physics 1 exam.
Understand you mistakes quicker.
Phy automatically provides feedback so you can improve your responses.
10 Free Credits To Get You Started
By continuing you agree to nerd-notes.com Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and our usage of user data.
Feeling uneasy about your next physics test? We'll boost your grade in 3 lessons or less—guaranteed
