| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[ \Delta L = \tau_{\text{net}} \times \Delta t \] | The change in angular momentum \( \Delta L \) is given by the product of the net torque \( \tau_{\text{net}} \) and the time interval \( \Delta t \). |
| 2 | \[ \tau = r \times F \times \sin(\theta) \] | The torque \( \tau \) due to a force \( F \) is the product of the force, the distance \( r \) from the axis, and the sine of the angle \( \theta \) between the force and the lever arm. |
| 3 | – | To calculate \( \tau_{\text{net}} \), you need to measure the magnitude of the forces (using a force probe) and the angles (using a protractor). |
| 4 | – | The electronic balance is not needed as mass is not required to determine the change in angular momentum. Motion sensor data is also redundant because time is already given. |
| 5 | – | Therefore, the essential measuring devices needed are a force probe and a protractor. |
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Two uniform disks have the same radius but different masses: disk \( 1 \) has a mass \( M \), disk \( 2 \) has a mass \( 2M \). What is the ratio of the moment of inertia of the first disk to the second disk?

A uniform rod of mass \( M_0 \) and length \( L \) is free to rotate about a pivot at its left end and is released from rest when the rod is \( 30^{\circ} \) below the horizontal, as shown in the figure. With respect to the pivot, the rod has rotational inertia \( I_0 = \dfrac{1}{3} M_0 L^2 \). Which of the following expressions correctly represents the magnitude of the net torque exerted on the rod about the pivot at the moment the rod is released?
The moment of inertia of a solid cylinder about its axis is given by \( I = \frac{1}{2}mR^2 \). If this cylinder rolls without slipping, the ratio of its rotational kinetic energy to its translational kinetic energy is
Two forces produce equal torques on a door about the door hinge. The first force is applied at the midpoint of the door; the second force is applied at the doorknob. Both forces are applied perpendicular to the door. Which force has a greater magnitude?
A rotating merry-go-round makes one complete revolution in 4.0 s. What is the linear speed and acceleration of a child seated 1.2 m from the center?

A traffic light hangs from a pole as shown in the diagram. The uniform aluminum pole AB is of length \( 7.20 \) \( \text{m} \) and has a mass of \( 12.0 \) \( \text{kg} \). The mass of the traffic light is \( 21.5 \) \( \text{kg} \). The point C is located \( 3.80 \) \( \text{m} \) vertically above the pivot A. A massless horizontal cable CD is attached at C and connects to the pole at point D, where the pole makes an angle of \( 37^{\circ} \) with the cable.
A person’s center of mass is easily found by having the person lie on a reaction board. A horizontal, \( 2.3 \) \( \text{m} \)-long, \( 6.1 \) \( \text{kg} \) reaction board is supported only at the ends, with one end resting on a scale and the other on a pivot. A \( 64 \) \( \text{kg} \) woman lies on the reaction board with her feet over the pivot. The scale reads \( 27 \) \( \text{kg} \). What is the distance from the woman’s feet to her center of mass? Express your answer with the appropriate units.
Young David experimented with slings before tackling Goliath. He found that he could develop an angular speed of \( 8.0 \) \( \text{rev/s} \) in a sling \( 0.60 \) \( \text{m} \) long. If he increased the length to \( 0.90 \) \( \text{m} \), he could revolve the sling only \( 6.0 \) times per second.
A solid sphere, solid cylinder, and a hollow pipe all have equal masses and radii. If the three of them are released simultaneously at the top of an inclined plane and do not slip, which one will reach the bottom first? \( I_{sphere} = \frac{2}{5}MR^2\), \( I_{cylinder} = \frac{1}{2}MR^2\), \( I_{pipe} = MR^2\)
A centrifuge in a medical laboratory is rotating at an angular speed of \( 3600 \) \( \text{rev/min} \). When switched off, it rotates \( 50.0 \) times before coming to rest. Find the constant angular deceleration of the centrifuge.
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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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