| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \(v_f = v_i + at \) | Use the first equation of motion to relate the initial velocity, final velocity, and time. |
| 2 | \(0 \, \text{m/s} = 5.0 \, \text{m/s} – 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \cdot t \) | At maximum height, the final velocity \(v_f\) is zero, the initial velocity \(v_i\) is \(5.0 \, \text{m/s}\), and the acceleration \(a\) is \(-9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2\) (due to gravity). |
| 3 | \( t = \frac{5.0 \, \text{m/s}}{9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2} \approx 0.51 \, \text{s} \) | Calculate the time interval for the rock to reach its maximum height. This is only the time to reach the maximum height, so the total time to fall back to the original location is double this time. |
| 4 | \( t_{\text{total}} = 2 \cdot 0.51 \, \text{s} \approx 1.02 \, \text{s} \) | Multiply by 2 to get the total time interval for the rock to return to its original location. |
| 5 | \(\boxed{1.02 \, \text{s}}\) | Final answer for part (a) |
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \(v_f = v_i + at \) | Use the first equation of motion to relate the initial velocity, final velocity, and time. |
| 2 | \(v_f = 5.0 \, \text{m/s} – 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \cdot 1.02 \, \text{s} \) | The initial velocity \(v_i\) is \(5.0 \, \text{m/s}\), the acceleration \(a\) is \(-9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2\) (due to gravity), and the total time \(t\) is \(1.02 \, \text{s}\). |
| 3 | \(v_f \approx 5.0 \, \text{m/s} – 10.0 \, \text{m/s} = -5.0 \, \text{m/s} \) | Calculate the final velocity when the rock returns to the same height. Note the negative sign indicates the direction is downward. |
| 4 | \(\boxed{-5.0 \, \text{m/s}}\) | Final answer for part (b). |
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \(a = -g\) | Acceleration due to gravity is always acting downward. |
| 2 | \(a = -9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2\) | Even at maximum height, the acceleration due to gravity remains \(-9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2\). |
| 3 | \(\boxed{-9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2}\) | Final answer for part (c). |
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \(v_f = 0 \, \text{m/s}\) | At maximum height, the velocity of the rock is zero as it changes direction. |
| 2 | \(\boxed{0 \, \text{m/s}}\) | Final answer for part (d) |
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \(v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2a\Delta x\) | Use the third equation of motion to relate initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, and displacement. |
| 2 | \(0 = (5.0 \, \text{m/s})^2 + 2(-9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2)\Delta x\) | At maximum height, the final velocity \(v_f\) is zero. The initial velocity \(v_i\) is \(5.0 \, \text{m/s}\), and acceleration \(a\) is \(-9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2\). |
| 3 | \(0 = 25 – 19.6 \Delta x \) | Simplify the equation. |
| 4 | \( 19.6 \Delta x = 25 \) | Rearrange the equation to solve for height \( \Delta x \). |
| 5 | \( \Delta x = \frac{25}{19.6} \approx 1.28 \, \text{m} \) | Calculate the maximum height using the final value obtained from the rearranged equation. |
| 6 | \( \boxed{1.28 \, \text{m}} \) | Final answer for part (e). |
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Two students start \( 100 \) \( \text{m} \) apart.
• Student A walks to the right at \( 2 \) \( \text{m/s} \).
• Student B walks to the left at \( 3 \) \( \text{m/s} \).
At what time do the students meet, and how far has each student walked when they collide?
A driver is traveling at a speed of \( 18.0 \) \( \text{m/s} \) when she sees a red light ahead. Her car is capable of decelerating at a rate of \( 3.65 \) \( \text{m/s}^2 \). If it takes her \( 0.350 \) \( \text{s} \) to get the brakes on and she is \( 20.0 \) \( \text{m} \) from the intersection when she sees the light, will she be able to stop in time? How far from the beginning of the intersection will she be, and in what direction?
The International Space Station travels at \( 7660 \, \text{m/s} \). Find the average velocity of the space station if it takes \( 90 \, \text{minutes} \) to make one full orbit around Earth.
A car travels \( 60 \) \( \text{km} \) at \( 30 \) \( \text{km/h} \), then \( 60 \) \( \text{km} \) at \( 60 \) \( \text{km/h} \). What is its average speed over the entire trip?
A large beach ball is dropped from the ceiling of a school gymnasium to the floor about 10 meters below. Which of the following graphs would best represent its velocity as a function of time? (do not neglect air resistance)

A ball is tossed directly upward. Its total time in the air is \( T \). Its maximum height is \( H \). What is its height after it has been in the air a time \( T/4 \)? Air resistance is negligible.
Two balls are dropped off a cliff, 3 seconds apart. The first ball dropped is twice as heavy as the second ball dropped. Air resistance is negligible. While both balls are falling, the distance between the two balls is
Two identical metal balls are being held side by side at the top of a ramp. Alex lets one ball, \( A \), start rolling down the hill. A few seconds later, Alex’s partner, Bob, starts the second ball, \( B \), down the hill by giving it a push. Ball \( B \) rolls down an identical, parallel path to the first ball and passes it. At the instant ball \( B \) passes ball \( A \) (select all that apply):
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 \( H/2 \) ?
A) \( 1.02 \, \text{s} \)
B) \( -5 \, \text{m/s} \)
C) \( -9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)
D) \( 0 \, \text{m/s} \)
E) \( 1.28 \, \text{m} \)
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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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