| 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. |
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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 motorcycle has tires with a diameter of \( 44.0 \) \( \text{cm} \). Cruising down the highway, they are rotating at \( 1150 \) \( \text{rpm} \) (revolutions per minute).

A rod is initially at rest on a rough horizontal surface. Three forces are exerted on the rod with the magnitudes and directions shown in the figure. The force exerted in the center of the rod is an equidistant 0.5 m from both ends of the rod. If friction between the rod and the table prevents the rod from rotating, what is the magnitude of the torque exerted on the rod about its center from frictional forces?

In both cases, a massless rod is supported by a fulcrum, and a \(200 \, \text{kg}\) hanging mass is suspended from the left end of the rod by a cable. A downward force \(F\) keeps the rod in rest. The rod in Case A is \(50 \, \text{cm}\) long, and the rod in Case B is \(40 \, \text{cm}\) long (each rod is marked at \(10 \, \text{cm}\) intervals). The magnitude of each vertical force \(F\) exerted on the rod will be
If a constant net torque is applied to an object it will (select all that applies):
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A discus is held at the end of an arm that starts at rest. The average angular acceleration of \(54 \, \text{rad/s}^2 \) 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 \( 50 \, \text{kg} \) person is sitting on a seesaw \( 1.2 \, \text{m} \) from the balance point. On the other side, a \( 70 \, \text{kg} \) person is balanced. How far from the balance point is the second person sitting?
\(2.03 \text{ m/s}\)
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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] |
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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