| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}\] | Use the period formula for a mass–spring system, where \(T\) is the period, \(m\) the mass, and \(k\) the spring constant. |
| 2 | \[k = \frac{4\pi^2m}{T^2}\] | Solve for \(k\) by squaring the period equation and isolating \(k\). |
| 3 | \[k = \frac{4\pi^2 (5000)}{10^2} = \frac{4\pi^2 (5000)}{100} = 200\pi^2\] | Substitute \(m=5000\;\text{kg}\) and \(T=10\;\text{s}\) into the equation. |
| 4 | \[\boxed{k = 200\pi^2 \;\text{N/m}}\] | This is the final expression for the spring constant. |
Part (b): Equation of Motion
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[x(t) = A \cos(\omega t + \phi)\] | This is the standard form for simple harmonic motion, with amplitude \(A\), angular frequency \(\omega\), and phase \(\phi\). |
| 2 | \[A = 2,\quad \phi = 0\] | The elephant is pulled \(2\;\text{m}\) from equilibrium and released from rest, so the amplitude is \(2\;\text{m}\) and the initial phase is zero. |
| 3 | \[\omega = \frac{2\pi}{T} = \frac{2\pi}{10} = \frac{\pi}{5}\] | Calculate the angular frequency using the given period \(T=10\;\text{s}\). |
| 4 | \[x(t) = 2 \cos\Big(\frac{\pi}{5}t\Big)\] | Substitute \(A=2\), \(\omega=\pi/5\), and \(\phi=0\) into the standard equation. |
| 5 | \[\boxed{x(t) = 2 \cos\Big(\frac{\pi}{5}t\Big)}\] | This is the final equation of motion for the elephant on the spring. |
Part (c): Time to Travel from a Displacement of \(0.5\;\text{m}\) to \(1\;\text{m}\)
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[x(t) = 2 \cos\Big(\frac{\pi}{5}t\Big)\] | Recall the equation of motion from part (b). |
| 2 | \[2 \cos\Big(\frac{\pi}{5}t_1\Big) = 1\] | Set \(x(t_1)=1\;\text{m}\) to find the time \(t_1\) when the displacement is \(1\;\text{m}\). |
| 3 | \[\cos\Big(\frac{\pi}{5}t_1\Big) = \frac{1}{2}\] | Simplify the equation from step 2. |
| 4 | \[\frac{\pi}{5}t_1 = \cos^{-1}\Big(\frac{1}{2}\Big) = \frac{\pi}{3}\] | Use the inverse cosine; note that \(\cos^{-1}(1/2) = \pi/3\) within the relevant interval. |
| 5 | \[t_1 = \frac{5}{\pi}\cdot \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{5}{3}\] | Solve for \(t_1\) by isolating it. |
| 6 | \[2 \cos\Big(\frac{\pi}{5}t_2\Big) = 0.5\] | Set \(x(t_2)=0.5\;\text{m}\) to determine the time \(t_2\) when the displacement is \(0.5\;\text{m}\). |
| 7 | \[\cos\Big(\frac{\pi}{5}t_2\Big) = 0.25\] | Simplify the equation from step 6. |
| 8 | \[\frac{\pi}{5}t_2 = \cos^{-1}(0.25)\] | Express \(t_2\) in terms of the inverse cosine. |
| 9 | \[t_2 = \frac{5}{\pi}\cos^{-1}(0.25)\] | Solve for \(t_2\) by isolating it. |
| 10 | \[\Delta t = \Big|t_2 – t_1\Big| = \frac{5}{\pi}\Big|\cos^{-1}(0.25) – \frac{\pi}{3}\Big|\] | The time interval required to travel between the two displacements is the difference between \(t_2\) and \(t_1\). The absolute value ensures a positive time difference regardless of the order of passage. |
| 11 | \[\boxed{\Delta t = \frac{5}{\pi}\Big(\cos^{-1}(0.25) – \frac{\pi}{3}\Big) \approx 0.43\;\text{s}}\] | This is the final expression and its approximate numerical value for the time interval. |
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.
An elastic cord is \( 80\) \( \text{cm} \) long when it is supporting a mass of \( 10. \) \( \text{kg} \) hanging from it at rest. When an additional \( 4.0 \) \( \text{kg} \) is added, the cord is \( 82.5 \) \( \text{cm} \) long.
What is the defining characteristic of the restoring force that causes an object to undergo Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)?
When can the motion of a pendulum be modeled as simple harmonic motion?
A 84.4 kg climber is scaling the vertical wall. His safety rope is made of a material that behaves like a spring that has a spring constant of 1.34 x 103 N/m. He accidentally slips and falls 0.627 m before the rope runs out of slack. How much is the rope stretched when it breaks his fall and momentarily brings him to rest?
A spring in a pogo-stick is compressed \( 12 \) \( \text{cm} \) when a \( 40. \) \( \text{kg} \) girl stands on it. What is the spring constant for the pogo-stick spring?

Students attach a thin strip of metal to a table so that the strip is horizontal in relation to the ground. A section of the strip hangs off the edge of the table. A mass is secured to the end of the hanging section of the strip and is then displaced so that the mass-strip system oscillates, as shown in the figure. Students make various measurements of the net force \( F \) exerted on the mass as a result of the force due to gravity and the normal force from the strip, the vertical position \( y \) of the mass above and below its equilibrium position \( y \), and the period of oscillation \( T’ \) when the mass is displaced by different amplitudes \( A \). Which of the following explanations is correct about the evidence required to conclude that the mass undergoes simple harmonic motion?
A spring with spring constant \( k = 2.3 \) \( \text{N/m} \) is attached to an object of mass \( 10 \) \( \text{kg} \). If the object is hung from the ceiling by this spring, how much would the spring be stretched?
The launching mechanism of a toy gun consists of a spring with an unknown spring constant, \( k \). When the spring is compressed \( 0.120 \, \text{m} \) vertically, a \( 35.0 \, \text{g} \) projectile is able to be fired to a maximum height of \( 25 \, \text{m} \) above the position of the projectile when the spring is compressed. Assume that the barrel of the gun is frictionless.
For an object oscillating in SHM, what is the relationship between its displacement, velocity, and acceleration graphs as a function of time?
A mass–spring system is oscillating in simple harmonic motion. At the exact moment the mass passes through its equilibrium position, which of the following statements is true?
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] | 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 |
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.
A quick explanation
Credits are used to grade your FRQs and GQs. Pro users get unlimited credits.
Submitting counts as 1 attempt.
Viewing answers or explanations count as a failed attempts.
Phy gives partial credit if needed
MCQs and GQs are are 1 point each. FRQs will state points for each part.
Phy customizes problem explanations based on what you struggle with. Just hit the explanation button to see.
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
NEW! PHY AI accurately solves all questions
🔥 Get up to 30% off Elite Physics Tutoring
🧠 NEW! Learn Physics From Scratch Self Paced Course
🎯 Need exam style practice questions?