AP Physics

Unit 5 - Linear Momentum

Intermediate

Mathematical

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Part (a): Find the speed of the third piece

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 Let [katex] m [/katex] be the mass of each smaller piece, thus the mass of the third piece is [katex] 2.5m [/katex]. According to the problem, the third piece has 2.5 times the mass of each of the other two pieces.
2 [katex] \vec{p}_{\text{total}} = \vec{0} [/katex] The total initial momentum is zero since the coconut was stationary before exploding.
3 Let [katex] \vec{v}_3 [/katex] be the velocity of the third piece and [katex] \theta [/katex] its angle from west towards south. Then,
[katex]
\vec{p}_{\text{total}} = m \vec{v}_S + m \vec{v}_W + 2.5m \vec{v}_3 = \vec{0}
[/katex]
[katex]
\vec{v}_S = 18\, \text{m/s} \, \hat{j} \quad \text{and} \quad \vec{v}_W = -18\, \text{m/s} \, \hat{i}
[/katex]
[katex]
-m \cdot 18 \, \hat{i} + m \cdot 18 \, \hat{j} + 2.5m \vec{v}_3 = \vec{0}
[/katex]
Set the total momentum as the vector sum of individual momenta. The pieces are moving south and west with the same speed but in perpendicular directions.
4 [katex]
\vec{v}_3 = \left(\frac{18}{2.5}\right) \hat{i} – \left(\frac{18}{2.5}\right) \hat{j}
[/katex]
[katex]
\vec{v}_3 = 7.2 \hat{i} – 7.2 \hat{j} \; \text{m/s}
[/katex]
Rearrange to find the velocity vector of the third piece. Cancel [katex]m[/katex] and solve for [katex] \vec{v}_3 [/katex].
5 [katex]
\text{Speed of third piece } |\vec{v}_3| = \sqrt{(7.2)^2 + (7.2)^2} = \sqrt{103.68} \approx 10.18 \; \text{m/s}
[/katex]
Calculate the magnitude to find the speed of the third piece.
6 10.18 m/s Answer for part (a), the speed of the third piece.

Part (b): Find the direction of the third piece

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 [katex]
\tan(\theta) = \frac{-7.2}{7.2} = -1
[/katex]
[katex]
\theta = \tan^{-1}(-1) = 135^\circ \, \text{(from east counterclockwise)}
[/katex]
The angle [katex] \theta [/katex] is measured from the negative x-axis, thus the piece is moving to the northeast.
2 135 degrees from east or northwest Answer for part (b).

Part (c): Reducing the impact force of the collision for the bystander

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 [katex] F = \frac{\Delta p}{\Delta t} [/katex] Force experienced by the bystander can be reduced by increasing the impact time [katex]\Delta t[/katex] or reducing the momentum change [katex]\Delta p[/katex].
2 Wear protective gear or position a net/barrier By wearing protective gear or positioning an absorbent barrier (like a net), the bystander can prolong the impact time and reduce the force.
3 Use protective measures or barriers Answer for part (c), suggesting that protective gear or an impact-absorbing barrier would reduce the effect of the collision.

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  1. 10.18 m/s
  2. 135 degrees from east or northwest
  3. Use protective measures or barriers that increase the time of impact, and therefore reduce the force imparted by the mass.

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KinematicsForces
\(\Delta x = v_i t + \frac{1}{2} at^2\)\(F = ma\)
\(v = v_i + at\)\(F_g = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2}\)
\(v^2 = v_i^2 + 2a \Delta x\)\(f = \mu N\)
\(\Delta x = \frac{v_i + v}{2} t\)\(F_s =-kx\)
\(v^2 = v_f^2 \,-\, 2a \Delta x\) 
Circular MotionEnergy
\(F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}\)\(KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2\)
\(a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}\)\(PE = mgh\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{r}{g}}\)\(KE_i + PE_i = KE_f + PE_f\)
 \(W = Fd \cos\theta\)
MomentumTorque 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 MotionFluids
\(F = -kx\)\(P = \frac{F}{A}\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}\)\(P_{\text{total}} = P_{\text{atm}} + \rho gh\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}\)\(Q = Av\)
\(x(t) = A \cos(\omega t + \phi)\)\(F_b = \rho V g\)
\(a = -\omega^2 x\)\(A_1v_1 = A_2v_2\)
ConstantDescription
[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
VariableSI 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]
VariableDerived 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. 

  1. Start with the given measurement: [katex]\text{5 km}[/katex]

  2. 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]

  3. 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]

  4. 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]

  1. 1. Some answers may vary by 1% due to rounding.
  2. Gravity values may differ: \(9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2\) or \(10 \, \text{m/s}^2\).
  3. Variables can be written differently. For example, initial velocity (\(v_i\)) may be \(u\), and displacement (\(\Delta x\)) may be \(s\).
  4. Bookmark questions you can’t solve to revisit them later
  5. 5. Seek help if you’re stuck. The sooner you understand, the better your chances on tests.

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