| Derivation or Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[\text{Given points: }A=(0,0),\;F_1\text{ at }(0,-2),\;F_2\text{ at }(2,-2),\;F_3\text{ at }(3,-1)\] | Set the pivot at \(A\) and list each force’s application point. |
| \[\text{Let each force magnitude be }F\] | All three forces have equal magnitude \(F\). |
| \[\text{Use }\tau_z = r_x F_y – r_y F_x\] | In 2D, the torque about the pivot (out of page \(z\)-component) is given by \(\tau_z\). Positive corresponds to counterclockwise (CCW). |
| \[\vec r_1=(0,-2)-(0,0)=(0,-2)\] | Position vector from \(A\) to where \(F_1\) acts. |
| \[\vec F_1=\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2},-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)\] | “SW at \(45^\circ\) to vertical” means left and down with equal components: \(F_x<0,\;F_y<0\), each of magnitude \(F/\sqrt2\). |
| \[\tau_{1A}=r_{1x}F_{1y}-r_{1y}F_{1x}=(0)\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)-(-2)\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)=-\frac{2F}{\sqrt2}=-\sqrt2F\] | Compute torque from \(F_1\) about \(A\). Negative means clockwise (CW). |
| \[\vec r_2=(2,-2)-(0,0)=(2,-2)\] | Position vector from \(A\) to where \(F_2\) acts. |
| \[\vec F_2=\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2},\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)\] | “NW at \(45^\circ\) to vertical” means left and up with equal components: \(F_x0\). |
| \[\tau_{2A}=r_{2x}F_{2y}-r_{2y}F_{2x}=2\left(\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)-(-2)\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)=\frac{2F}{\sqrt2}-\frac{2F}{\sqrt2}=0\] | Torque from \(F_2\) cancels because the moment from its vertical component is canceled by the moment from its horizontal component about \(A\). |
| \[\vec r_3=(3,-1)-(0,0)=(3,-1)\] | Position vector from \(A\) to where \(F_3\) acts. |
| \[\vec F_3=(F,0)\] | \(F_3\) acts horizontally east: \(F_x=F,\;F_y=0\). |
| \[\tau_{3A}=r_{3x}F_{3y}-r_{3y}F_{3x}=3(0)-(-1)(F)=F\] | The line of action is above/below pivot by \(1\,\text{m}\) (since \(r_y=-1\)), producing a CCW (positive) torque. |
| \[\tau_{\text{net},A}=\tau_{1A}+\tau_{2A}+\tau_{3A}=-\sqrt2F+0+F=(1-\sqrt2)F\] | Sum the three torques about \(A\). |
| \[\boxed{\tau_{\text{net},A}=(1-\sqrt2)F\;\text{Nm}\;<0\;\Rightarrow\;\text{CW}}\] | Since \(\sqrt2\approx1.414\), \((1-\sqrt2)F<0\), so the net torque about \(A\) is clockwise. |
| Derivation or Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[B=(0,-1)\] | Set the pivot at \(B\). |
| \[\tau_z = r_x F_y – r_y F_x\] | Same torque relation about the new pivot. |
| \[\vec r_1=(0,-2)-(0,-1)=(0,-1)\] | Position vector from \(B\) to where \(F_1\) acts. |
| \[\vec F_1=\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2},-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)\] | Same force components as before. |
| \[\tau_{1B}=0\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)-(-1)\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)=-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\] | Torque from \(F_1\) about \(B\) is negative (CW). |
| \[\vec r_2=(2,-2)-(0,-1)=(2,-1)\] | Position vector from \(B\) to where \(F_2\) acts. |
| \[\vec F_2=\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2},\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)\] | Same \(F_2\) components as before. |
| \[\tau_{2B}=2\left(\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)-(-1)\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)=\frac{2F}{\sqrt2}-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}=\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\] | Net torque from \(F_2\) about \(B\) is positive (CCW). |
| \[\vec r_3=(3,-1)-(0,-1)=(3,0)\] | Position vector from \(B\) to where \(F_3\) acts. |
| \[\vec F_3=(F,0)\] | Same horizontal force. |
| \[\tau_{3B}=3(0)-0(F)=0\] | Since \(\vec r_3\) is purely horizontal and \(\vec F_3\) is also horizontal, the line of action passes through the pivot height, giving zero moment arm about \(B\). |
| \[\tau_{\text{net},B}=\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)+\left(\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)+0=0\] | Sum of torques cancels exactly. |
| \[\boxed{\tau_{\text{net},B}=0\;\text{Nm}\;\Rightarrow\;\text{zero}}\] | Equal and opposite torques from \(F_1\) and \(F_2\) cancel, and \(F_3\) produces no torque about \(B\). |
| Derivation or Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[C=(1,-1)\] | Set the pivot at \(C\). |
| \[\tau_z = r_x F_y – r_y F_x\] | Same torque formula. |
| \[\vec r_1=(0,-2)-(1,-1)=(-1,-1)\] | Position vector from \(C\) to where \(F_1\) acts. |
| \[\vec F_1=\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2},-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)\] | Same \(F_1\) components. |
| \[\tau_{1C}=(-1)\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)-(-1)\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)=\frac{F}{\sqrt2}-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}=0\] | About \(C\), the perpendicular effects of \(F_1\)’s components cancel, giving zero net torque from \(F_1\). |
| \[\vec r_2=(2,-2)-(1,-1)=(1,-1)\] | Position vector from \(C\) to where \(F_2\) acts. |
| \[\vec F_2=\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2},\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)\] | Same \(F_2\) components. |
| \[\tau_{2C}=1\left(\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)-(-1)\left(-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}\right)=\frac{F}{\sqrt2}-\frac{F}{\sqrt2}=0\] | Similarly, \(F_2\)’s component torques cancel about \(C\). |
| \[\vec r_3=(3,-1)-(1,-1)=(2,0)\] | Position vector from \(C\) to where \(F_3\) acts. |
| \[\vec F_3=(F,0)\] | Horizontal eastward force. |
| \[\tau_{3C}=2(0)-0(F)=0\] | \(\vec r_3\) is horizontal and \(\vec F_3\) is horizontal, so there is no moment arm about \(C\). |
| \[\tau_{\text{net},C}=0+0+0=0\] | All three individual torques are zero about \(C\). |
| \[\boxed{\tau_{\text{net},C}=0\;\text{Nm}\;\Rightarrow\;\text{zero}}\] | The lines of action produce no net rotational tendency about \(C\); each force has either zero moment arm or cancels via its components. |
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A 150-kg merry-go-round in the shape of a uniform, solid, horizontal disk of radius 1.50 m is set in motion by wrapping a rope about the rim of the disk and pulling on the rope.
What constant force must be exerted on the rope to bring the merry-go-round from rest to an angular speed of 0.500 rev/s in 2.00 s?
Note: \( I_\text{disk} = \frac{1}{2}mr^2 \)
A solid sphere \( \left( I = \frac{2}{5}MR^2 \right) \) and a solid cylinder \( \left( I = \frac{1}{2}MR^2 \right) \), both uniform and of the same mass and radius, roll without slipping at the same forward speed. It is correct to say that the total kinetic energy of the solid sphere is
A horizontal, uniform board of weight 125 N and length 4 m is supported by vertical chains at each end. A person weighing 500 N is sitting on the board. The tension in the right chain is 250 N. How far from the left end of the board is the person sitting?
A uniform copper disk of radius \( R \) has a moment of inertia \( I \) around an axis passing through the center of the disk perpendicular to its plane. If the radius of the disk were only \( \dfrac{R}{2} \), but the thickness were the same, what would be the moment of inertia in terms of \( I \)? Hint: The moment of inertia of a solid disk about its center is \(\frac{1}{2} M R^{2}\).
Find the following three values using just rotational kinematics.

A disk of radius \( R = 0.5 \) \( \text{cm} \) rests on a flat, horizontal surface such that frictional forces are considered to be negligible. Three forces of unknown magnitude are exerted on the edge of the disk, as shown in the figure. Which of the following lists the essential measuring devices that, when used together, are needed to determine the change in angular momentum of the disk after a known time of \( 5.0 \) \( \text{s} \)?

A point on the edge of a disk rotates around the center of the disk with an initial angular velocity of 3 rad/s clockwise. The graph shows the point’s angular acceleration as a function of time. The positive direction is considered to be counterclockwise. All frictional forces are considered to be negligible.
A solid sphere of mass \( 1.5 \, \text{kg} \) and radius \( 15 \, \text{cm} \) rolls without slipping down a \( 35^\circ\) incline that is \( 7 \, \text{m} \) long. Assume it started from rest. The moment of inertia of a sphere is \( I= \frac{2}{5}MR^2 \).
Two uniform solid balls, one of radius \( R \) and mass \( M \), the other of radius \( 2R \) and mass \( 8M \), roll down a high incline. They start together from rest at the top of the incline. Which one will reach the bottom of the incline first?
Two uniform disks have the same mass but different radii: disk \( 1 \) has a radius \( R \) and disk \( 2 \) has a radius \( 2R \). What is the ratio of the moment of inertia of the first disk to the second disk?
\(\tau_{\text{net},A}=(1-\sqrt2)F\;\text{Nm}\;\text{(clockwise)},\;\tau_{\text{net},B}=0\;\text{Nm},\;\tau_{\text{net},C}=0\;\text{Nm}\)
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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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