| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[\theta_v = 90^\circ – 40^\circ = 50^\circ\] | The chain angle is given with the horizontal. For a conical pendulum, it is easiest to use the angle from the vertical, so convert using complementary angles: the angle from vertical is \(\theta_v\). |
| 2 | \[r = L\sin(\theta_v) = (8\,\text{m})\sin(50^\circ)\] | The person moves in a horizontal circle of radius \(r\). Geometry of the chain gives the horizontal radius as \(r\) equal to the horizontal component of \(L\). |
| 3 | \[\Sigma F_y = 0:\quad T\cos(\theta_v) – mg = 0\quad\Rightarrow\quad T\cos(\theta_v)=mg\] | Vertical acceleration is zero (the motion is horizontal). So the vertical component of tension balances weight. |
| 4 | \[\Sigma F_r = m\frac{v^2}{r}:\quad T\sin(\theta_v)=m\frac{v^2}{r}\] | The horizontal (radial) component of tension provides the centripetal force for circular motion. |
| 5 | \[\frac{T\sin(\theta_v)}{T\cos(\theta_v)}=\frac{m\frac{v^2}{r}}{mg}\quad\Rightarrow\quad \tan(\theta_v)=\frac{v^2}{rg}\] | Divide the radial equation by the vertical equation to eliminate \(T\) and \(m\), giving a direct relation between \(v\), \(r\), and \(\theta_v\). |
| 6 | \[v^2 = rg\tan(\theta_v)\] | Rearrange to solve for \(v\). This uses only algebra. |
| 7 | \[v = \sqrt{rg\tan(\theta_v)}=\sqrt{\big((8\,\text{m})\sin(50^\circ)\big)(9.8\,\text{m/s}^2)\tan(50^\circ)}\] | Substitute \(r=L\sin(\theta_v)\), \(g=9.8\,\text{m/s}^2\), and \(\theta_v=50^\circ\) into the speed expression. |
| 8 | \[v\approx \sqrt{\big(8\sin(50^\circ)\big)(9.8)\tan(50^\circ)}\approx \sqrt{71.6}\approx \boxed{8.46\,\text{m/s}}\] | Compute numerically: \(8\sin(50^\circ)\approx 6.13\,\text{m}\), \(\tan(50^\circ)\approx 1.19\), so \(v\approx 8.46\,\text{m/s}\). |
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A simple pendulum consists of a bob of mass 1.8 kg attached to a string of length 2.3 m. The pendulum is held at an angle of 30° from the vertical by a light horizontal string attached to a wall, as shown above.
Two satellites of equal mass, \( S_1 \) and \( S_2 \), orbit the Earth. \( S_1 \) is orbiting at a distance \( r \) from the Earth’s center at speed \( v \). \( S_2 \) orbits at a distance \( 2r \) from the Earth’s centre at speed \( \dfrac{v}{\sqrt{2}} \). The ratio of the centripetal force on \( S_1 \) to the centripetal force on \( S_2 \) is
A concrete highway curve of radius \(60.0 \, \text{m}\) is banked at a \(12.0^\circ\) angle. What is the maximum speed with which a \(1300 \, \text{kg}\) rubber-tired car can take this curve without sliding? (Take the static coefficient of friction of rubber on concrete to be \(1.0\).)
A delivery truck is traveling north. It then turns along a leftward circular curve. The packages in the truck to slide to the RIGHT. Which of the following is true of the net force on the packages as they are sliding?
An airplane can safely bank when subjected to a centripetal acceleration of 8 g’s. If the airplane flies at a constant speed of 400 m/s, how long does it take to make a 180° turn?
The occupants of a car traveling at a speed of \( 30 \) \( \text{m/s} \) note that on a particular part of a road their apparent weight is \( 15\% \) higher than their weight when driving on a flat road.
A 2.2 kg ball on the end of a 0.35 m long string is moving in a vertical circle. At the bottom of the circle, its speed is 5.3 m/s. Find the tension in the string.
A discus is held at the end of an arm that starts at rest. The average angular acceleration of [katex]54 \, \text{rad/s}^2 [/katex] lasts for 0.25 s. The path is circular and has radius 1.1 m.
Note: A discuss is a heavy, flattened circular object for throwing.
A car is safely negotiating an unbanked circular turn at a speed of 21 m/s. The road is dry, and the maximum static frictional force acts on the tires. Suddenly a wet patch in the road decreases the maximum static frictional force to one-third its dry road value. If the car is to continue safely around the curve, to what speed must the driver slow the car?

An adult exerts a horizontal force on a swing that is suspended by a rope of length \( L \), holding it at an angle \( \theta \) with the vertical. The child in the swing has a weight \( W \) and dimensions that are negligible. In terms of \( W \) and \( \theta \), determine:
\(8.46\,\text{m/s}\)
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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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