| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \( F_{\text{gravity}} = mg \) | Calculate the gravitational force acting on the crate. This uses the mass of the crate \(m = 25.0 \, \text{kg}\) and the acceleration due to gravity \(g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2\). |
| 2 | \( F_{\text{gravity}} = 25.0 \times 9.8 = 245 \, \text{N} \) | Performing the calculation gives the gravitational force acting on the crate. |
| 3 | \( F_{\text{gravity, parallel}} = F_{\text{gravity}} \sin(\theta) \) | Determine the component of the gravitational force that acts parallel to the slope. Here, \(\theta = 38.0^\circ\). |
| 4 | \( F_{\text{gravity, parallel}} = 245 \sin(38.0^\circ) = 150.8 \, \text{N} \) | Calculation of the parallel component of gravitational force using the angle’s sine value. |
| 4.5 | \( F_{\text{gravity, parallel}} = F_{\text{friction needed}} \) | Answer – \( \boxed{150.8 \, \text{N}} \). This is the total force frictional force needed to hold the box in place. To verify the static friction can provide enough force we can continue calculate the MAX static friction force. This number should be greater than \( 150.8 \, \text{N} \). |
| 5 | \( f_{max} = \mu_s F_{\text{normal}} \) | Maximum force of static friction that can be applied. |
| 6 | \( F_{\text{normal}} = F_{\text{gravity}} \cos(\theta) + F_{\text{applied}} \) | The normal force is affected by both the gravitational perpendicular force and the additional applied force of 59 N, which acts perpendicular to the slope, reducing the normal force. |
| 6 | \( F_{\text{normal}} = 245 \cos(38.0^\circ) + 59 = 252.1 \, \text{N} \) | Calculation of the normal force considering the cosine of the incline angle and the applied force. |
| 7 | \( f_s = \mu_s F_{\text{normal}} \) | Calculation of the max static friction force, where \(\mu_s\) is the coefficient of static friction between the crate and the pavement. |
| 8 | \( f_s = 0.599 \times 252.1 = 151 \, \text{N} \) | The magnitude of the maximum frictional force is \(151 \, \text{N}\) which is greater than the \( 150.8 \, \text{N} \). to keep it in place. Thus the scenario is possible. |
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A rocket launches upward by expelling exhaust gases downward. This is an illustration of Newton’s ____ Law.

Block \(m_2\) is stacked on top of block \(m_1\). Block \(m_1\) is connected by a light cord to block \(m_3\), which is pulled along a frictionless surface with a force \(F\) as shown in the diagram above. Block \(m_1\) is accelerated at the same rate as block \(m_2\) because of the frictional forces between the two blocks. If all three blocks have the same mass \(m\), what is the minimum coefficient of static friction between block \(m_1\) and block \(m_2\)?
Two balls have their centers \( 2.0 \) \( \text{m} \) apart. One ball has a mass of \( 8.0 \) \( \text{kg} \). The other has a mass of \( 6.0 \) \( \text{kg} \). What is the gravitational force between them?
Three blocks of masses \(5 \, \text{kg}\), \(4 \, \text{kg}\), and \(3 \, \text{kg}\) are placed side by side in that order. A \(25 \, \text{N}\) force applied on the \(5 \, \text{kg}\) block accelerates all three blocks together to the right. Find the acceleration of the blocks and the normal force the \(4 \, \text{kg}\) block exerts on the \(3 \, \text{kg}\) block.
A group of astronauts in a spaceship are attempting to land on Mars. As they approach the planet, they begin to plan their descent to the surface.
You are pushing a heavy box across a rough floor. When you are initially pushing the box and it is accelerating,
Find the downward acceleration of an elevator, given that the ratio of a person’s stationary weight to their weight in the elevator is \(5:4\).
What would your bathroom scale read if you weighed yourself on an inclined plane? Assume the mechanism functions properly, even at an angle.
During lunch, Alex and Jordan argue about inertia. Alex says if she spins a basketball faster, it will have greater inertia. Jordan argues that inertia only depends on the ball’s mass, not its speed. Who is correct?
A horizontal, uniform board of weight \( 125 \, \text{N} \) and length \( 4 \, \text{m} \) is supported by vertical chains at each end. A person weighing \( 500 \, \text{N} \) is hanging from the board. The tension in the right chain is \( 250 \, \text{N} \).
\( 150.8 \, \text{N}} \).
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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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