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AP Physics

Unit 3 - Circular Motion

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Mathematical
Intermediate

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Part (a): Period

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 \[T = t_{\text{rev}}\] By definition, the period $(T)$ equals the time for one complete revolution $(t_{\text{rev}})$.
2 \[\boxed{T = 0.40\,\text{s}}\] The problem states that one revolution takes $(0.40\,\text{s})$, so this is the period.

Part (b): Speed

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 \[v = \frac{\Delta x}{T}\] For uniform circular motion, speed $(v)$ equals displacement $(\Delta x)$ per period $(T)$.
2 \[v = \frac{2\pi r}{T}\] One revolution covers the circumference $(2\pi r)$, which is the displacement $(\Delta x)$.
3 \[v = \frac{2\pi (0.70)}{0.40} = 11.0\,\text{m/s}\] Substitute $(r = 0.70\,\text{m})$ and $(T = 0.40\,\text{s})$ and perform the arithmetic.
4 \[\boxed{v = 11.0\,\text{m/s}}\] Final speed to three significant figures.

Part (c): Tension at top

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 \[T_{\text{top}} + mg = m\frac{v^2}{r}\] At the top, both tension $(T_{\text{top}})$ and weight $(mg)$ act toward the center, supplying the centripetal force $(m v^2 / r)$.
2 \[T_{\text{top}} = m\frac{v^2}{r} – mg\] Rearrange to isolate $(T_{\text{top}})$.
3 \[T_{\text{top}} = (2)\frac{(11.0)^2}{0.70} – (2)(9.8) = 3.26\times10^{2}\,\text{N}\] Insert $(m = 2\,\text{kg})$, $(v = 11.0\,\text{m/s})$, $(r = 0.70\,\text{m})$, and $(g = 9.8\,\text{m/s}^2)$.
4 \[\boxed{T_{\text{top}} \approx 3.26 \times 10^{2}\,\text{N}}\] Boxed value of the tension at the highest point.

Part (d): Tension at bottom

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 \[T_{\text{bottom}} – mg = m\frac{v^2}{r}\] At the bottom, tension is toward the center while weight opposes it, so their difference provides the centripetal force.
2 \[T_{\text{bottom}} = m\frac{v^2}{r} + mg\] Solve for $(T_{\text{bottom}})$.
3 \[T_{\text{bottom}} = (2)\frac{(11.0)^2}{0.70} + (2)(9.8) = 3.65\times10^{2}\,\text{N}\] Use the same numeric values to compute the tension at the lowest point.
4 \[\boxed{T_{\text{bottom}} \approx 3.65 \times 10^{2}\,\text{N}}\] Boxed value of the tension at the lowest point.

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  1. \(0.40\text{ s}\)
  2. \(11.0\text{ m/s}\)
  3. \(3.26\times10^{2}\text{ N}\)
  4. \(3.65\times10^{2}\text{ N}\)

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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]

Metric Prefixes

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]

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