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| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[ U_i = m_z g (2.5) + m_y g (0) \] | Initial gravitational potential energy is only from \(m_z\) at a height of 2.5 m since \(m_y\) is on the ground. |
| 2 | \[ U_f = m_z g (0) + m_y g (2.5) \] | Final gravitational potential energy has \(m_y\) raised 2.5 m while \(m_z\) reaches the ground. |
| 3 | \[ \Delta U = U_f – U_i = (m_y – m_z)g (2.5) \] | The change in potential energy is the difference between the final and initial energies. Since \(m_y < m_z\) the result is negative, indicating energy conversion to kinetic energy. |
| 4 | \[ KE_{\text{total}} = \frac{1}{2}(m_z+m_y)v^2 + \frac{1}{2}I\omega^2 \] | The total kinetic energy is the sum of the translational kinetic energies of both masses and the rotational kinetic energy of the pulley. |
| 5 | \[ I = \frac{1}{2}MR^2 \quad \text{and} \quad \omega = \frac{v}{R} \] | For a uniform cylinder, the moment of inertia is \(\frac{1}{2}MR^2\), and the no-slip condition gives \(\omega = v/R\). |
| 6 | \[ KE_{\text{pulley}} = \frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{1}{2}MR^2\right)\left(\frac{v}{R}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{4}Mv^2 \] | This expresses the pulley’s rotational kinetic energy in terms of \(v\). |
| 7 | \[ (m_z-m_y)g(2.5) = \frac{1}{2}(m_z+m_y)v^2 + \frac{1}{4}Mv^2 \] | Conservation of energy requires the loss in gravitational potential energy to equal the gain in kinetic energy. |
| 8 | \[ v^2 = \frac{(m_z-m_y)g(2.5)}{\frac{1}{2}(m_z+m_y) + \frac{1}{4}M} \] | Algebraically solving for \(v^2\) isolates the speed in terms of the given masses, gravity, and pulley mass. |
| 9 | \[ v = \sqrt{\frac{(38-32)(9.8)(2.5)}{\frac{1}{2}(32+38) + \frac{1}{4}(3.1)}} \] | Substitute \(m_z=38\) kg, \(m_y=32\) kg, and \(M=3.1\) kg. The numerator is \(6\cdot9.8\cdot2.5=147\) and the denominator is \(35+0.775=35.775\). |
| 10 | \[ v \approx \sqrt{\frac{147}{35.775}} \approx \sqrt{4.107} \approx 2.03 \text{ m/s} \] | Taking the square root gives the speed of \(m_z\) just before impact. |
| 11 | \[ \boxed{v = 2.03 \text{ m/s}} \] | This is the final answer using energy conservation. |
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[ m_zg – T_z = m_za \] | For the falling mass \(m_z\), the net force is its weight minus the tension \(T_z\). |
| 2 | \[ T_y – m_yg = m_ya \] | For the rising mass \(m_y\), the net force is the tension \(T_y\) minus its weight. |
| 3 | \[ (T_z – T_y)R = I\alpha \] | The difference in tension produces a net torque on the pulley. With \(\alpha = \frac{a}{R}\) (no slip), this relates linear acceleration to angular acceleration. |
| 4 | \[ I = \frac{1}{2}MR^2 \quad \text{and} \quad \alpha = \frac{a}{R} \] | Substitute the moment of inertia for a uniform cylinder and express \(\alpha\) in terms of \(a\). |
| 5 | \[ T_z – T_y = \frac{1}{2}Ma \] | Simplify the torque equation using the expression for \(I\): \((T_z-T_y)R = \frac{1}{2}MR^2\cdot\frac{a}{R}\) leads to this equation. |
| 6 | \[ T_z = m_zg – m_za \quad \text{and} \quad T_y = m_yg + m_ya \] | Express tensions from the force equations for each mass. |
| 7 | \[ (m_z-g – m_z\,a) – (m_yg + m_ya) = (m_z-m_y)g – (m_z+m_y)a = \frac{1}{2}Ma \] | Subtracting the two tension expressions gives a relation between \(a\) and the masses. |
| 8 | \[ a = \frac{(m_z-m_y)g}{(m_z+m_y)+\frac{1}{2}M} \] | Rearrange the equation to solve for the linear acceleration \(a\). |
| 9 | \[ a = \frac{(38-32)\,9.8}{(38+32)+\frac{1}{2}(3.1)} = \frac{6\cdot9.8}{70+1.55} \] | Substitute \(m_z=38\) kg, \(m_y=32\) kg, and \(M=3.1\) kg. The denominator becomes \(70+1.55=71.55\) and the numerator is \(58.8\). |
| 10 | \[ a \approx \frac{58.8}{71.55} \approx 0.821 \text{ m/s}^2 \] | This yields the acceleration of the masses. |
| 11 | \[ v^2 = 2a\Delta x \quad \text{with} \quad \Delta x = 2.5 \text{ m} \] | Use the kinematic equation for constant acceleration, where \(\Delta x\) is the distance \(m_z\) falls. |
| 12 | \[ v = \sqrt{2(0.821)(2.5)} \approx \sqrt{4.105} \approx 2.03 \text{ m/s} \] | Taking the square root gives the final speed of \(m_z\), which verifies the answer from part (a). |
| 13 | \[ \boxed{v = 2.03 \text{ m/s}} \] | This confirms the speed obtained using the forces, torque, and kinematics method. |
Just ask: "Help me solve this problem."

The diagram above shows a top view of a child of mass \(M\) on a circular platform of mass \(5M\)that is rotating counterclockwise. Assume the platform rotates without friction. Which of the following describes an action by the child that will result in an increase in the total angular momentum of the child-platform system?
A student is asked to design an experiment to determine the change in angular momentum of a disk that rotates about its center and the product of the average torque applied to the disk and the time interval in which the torque is exerted. A net force is applied tangentially to the surface of the disk. The rotational inertia of the disk about its center is [katex]I = MR^2[/katex]. Which two of the following quantities should the student measure to determine the change in angular momentum of the disk after 10 s? Select two answers.
In a demonstration, a teacher holds the axle of a wheel that is spinning with constant angular speed. The teacher then releases the axle and the wheel begins to fall toward the ground. As the wheel falls, its angular speed remains constant. Which of the following correctly describes how the rotational kinetic energy \( K_{\text{rot}} \) of the wheel and the total kinetic energy \( K_{\text{tot}} \) of the wheel change, if at all, after the wheel is released but before it reaches the ground?
| \( K_{\text{rot}} \) | \( K_{\text{tot}} \) | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Constant | Constant |
| B | Constant | Increasing |
| C | Increasing | Constant |
| D | Increasing | Increasing |
A 0.72-m-diameter solid sphere can be rotated about an axis through its center by a torque of 10.8 N·m which accelerates it uniformly from rest through a total of 160 revolutions in 15.0 s. What is the mass of the sphere?
You try to open a door, but you are unable to push at a right angle to the door. So, you push the door at an angle of \( 35^{\circ} \) from the horizontal. How much harder would you have to push to open the door just as fast as if you were to push it at \( 90^{\circ} \)?
\(2.03 \text{ m/s}\)
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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] |
General Metric Conversion Chart
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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