0 attempts
0% avg
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[ m_b \, v_i = \Bigl(m_b + m_{\text{block}}\Bigr) \, v_x \] | Apply conservation of momentum for the inelastic collision where the bullet embeds in the block. |
| 2 | \[ 0.05 \times 200 = (0.05 + 1.3) \, v_x \] | Substitute the given values: bullet mass \(m_b=0.05\,\text{kg}\), bullet initial speed \(v_i=200\,\text{m/s}\), and block mass \(1.3\,\text{kg}\). |
| 3 | \[ 10 = 1.35 \, v_x \] | Simplify the multiplication and sum of masses. |
| 4 | \[ v_x = \frac{10}{1.35} \] | Solve for the block’s speed immediately after the collision. |
| 5 | \[ \boxed{ v_x \approx 7.41\,\text{m/s} } \] | This is the final speed of the block (with bullet embedded) immediately after impact. |
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[ \frac{1}{2} (m_b+m_{\text{block}}) \, v_x^2 = \frac{1}{2} k \, (\Delta x)^2 \] | At maximum compression of the spring the block’s kinetic energy is completely converted into spring potential energy. |
| 2 | \[ (m_b+m_{\text{block}}) \, v_x^2 = k \, (\Delta x)^2 \] | Simplify by canceling the common factor \( \frac{1}{2} \) on both sides. |
| 3 | \[ (\Delta x)^2 = \frac{(m_b+m_{\text{block}}) \, v_x^2}{k} \] | Rearrange to solve for the square of the displacement (amplitude) \( \Delta x \). |
| 4 | \[ \Delta x = \sqrt{\frac{1.35 \times (7.41)^2}{2500}} \] | Substitute \(m_b+m_{\text{block}}=1.35\,\text{kg}\), \(v_x\approx7.41\,\text{m/s}\), and \(k=2500\,\text{N/m}\). |
| 5 | \[ \Delta x \approx \sqrt{\frac{1.35 \times 54.93}{2500}} \] | Since \((7.41)^2 \approx 54.93\), the numerator calculates to approximately \(74.15\). |
| 6 | \[ \Delta x \approx \sqrt{0.02966} \] | Divide the numerator \(74.15\) by \(2500\) to obtain the value inside the square root. |
| 7 | \[ \boxed{ \Delta x \approx 0.172\,\text{m} } \] | This is the amplitude of the resulting oscillation of the block-spring system. |
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[ \omega = \sqrt{\frac{k}{m_b+m_{\text{block}}}} \] | For a mass-spring system executing simple harmonic motion, the angular frequency \( \omega \) is determined by this formula. |
| 2 | \[ \omega = \sqrt{\frac{2500}{1.35}} \] | Substitute \(k=2500\,\text{N/m}\) and \(m_b+m_{\text{block}}=1.35\,\text{kg}\) into the formula. |
| 3 | \[ \omega \approx 43.03\,\text{rad/s} \] | Calculate the square root to approximate the angular frequency. |
| 4 | \[ f = \frac{\omega}{2\pi} \] | The relationship between angular frequency \( \omega \) and frequency \( f \) is given by \( f = \omega/(2\pi) \). |
| 5 | \[ f \approx \frac{43.03}{2\pi} \] | Substitute the computed value of \( \omega \) into the frequency expression. |
| 6 | \[ \boxed{ f \approx 6.85\,\text{Hz} } \] | This is the frequency of the oscillatory motion of the block. |
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[ x(t) = \Delta x \, \sin(\omega t) \] | The standard equation for simple harmonic motion where the displacement is zero at \(t=0\) and the velocity is maximum. |
| 2 | \[ x(t) = 0.172 \, \sin(43.03\,t) \] | Substitute the amplitude \(\Delta x \approx 0.172\,\text{m}\) and angular frequency \(\omega \approx 43.03\,\text{rad/s}\) into the general equation. |
| 3 | \[ \boxed{ x(t) = 0.172 \, \sin(43.03\,t) } \] | This is the complete equation of motion for the block on the spring, with \(x(0)=0\). |
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[ T = \frac{2\pi}{\omega} \] | The period \(T\) of a simple harmonic oscillator is given by this formula. |
| 2 | \[ T = \frac{2\pi}{43.03} \] | Substitute the angular frequency \(\omega \approx 43.03\,\text{rad/s}\) into the period formula. |
| 3 | \[ \boxed{ T \approx 0.146\,\text{s} } \] | This is the period of the oscillation of the block-spring system. |
Just ask: "Help me solve this problem."
We'll help clarify entire units in one hour or less — guaranteed.
An average adult elephant \( (5000 \, \text{kg}) \) is strapped to a spring, which is then pulled \( 2 \, \text{meters} \) away from its equilibrium position and released. The elephant starts oscillating back and forth with a period of \( 10 \) seconds.
If the coefficient of static friction is \( \mu_s = 0.5 \), how much force must be applied to a spring (spring constant of \( 0.8 \) \( \text{N/m} \)) which is attached to a block of wood (mass \( 4.0 \) \( \text{kg} \)) in order to just begin to move the block?
You are lying in bed and want to shut your bedroom door. You have a bouncy “superball” and a blob of clay, both with the same mass \( m \). Which one would be more effective to throw at your door to close it?
A cart with a mass of \( 20 \) \( \text{kg} \) is pressed against a wall by a horizontal spring with spring constant \( k = 244 \) \( \text{N/m} \) placed between the cart and the wall. The spring is compressed by \( 0.1 \) \( \text{m} \). While the spring is compressed, an additional constant horizontal force of \( 20 \) \( \text{N} \) continues to push the cart toward the wall. What is the resulting acceleration of the cart?

A \( 4700 \, \text{kg} \) truck carrying a \( 900 \, \text{kg} \) crate is traveling at \( 25 \, \text{m/s} \) to the right along a straight, level highway, as shown above. The truck driver then applies the brakes, and as it slows down, the truck travels \( 55 \, \text{m} \) in the next \( 3.0 \, \text{s} \). The crate does not slide on the back of the truck.
A moderate force will break an egg. However, an egg dropped on the road usually breaks, while one dropped on the grass usually does not break because for the egg dropped on the grass:
A \( 0.0350 \) \( \text{kg} \) bullet moving horizontally at \( 425 \) \( \text{m/s} \) embeds itself into an initially stationary \( 0.550 \) \( \text{kg} \) block.
A spring with a spring constant of \( 50. \) \( \text{N/m} \) is hanging from a stand. A second spring with a spring constant of \( 100. \) \( \text{N/m} \) is hanging from the first spring. How far do they stretch if a \( 0.50 \) \( \text{kg} \) mass is hung from the bottom spring?

A ball of mass \(m\) is released from rest at a distance \(h\) above a frictionless plane inclined at an angle of \(45^\circ\) to the horizontal as shown above. The ball bounces horizontally off the plane at point \(P_1\) with the same speed with which it struck the plane and strikes the plane again at point \(P_2\). In terms of \(g\) and \(h\), determine each of the following quantities:
What is the defining characteristic of the restoring force that causes an object to undergo Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)?
By continuing you (1) agree to our Terms of Use and Terms of Sale and (2) consent to sharing your IP and browser information used by this site’s security protocols as outlined in our Privacy Policy.
| 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 |
One price to unlock most advanced version of Phy across all our tools.
per month
Billed Monthly. Cancel Anytime.
We crafted THE Ultimate A.P Physics 1 Program so you can learn faster and score higher.
Try our free calculator to see what you need to get a 5 on the 2026 AP Physics 1 exam.
A quick explanation
Credits are used to grade your FRQs and GQs. Pro users get unlimited credits.
Submitting counts as 1 attempt.
Viewing answers or explanations count as a failed attempts.
Phy gives partial credit if needed
MCQs and GQs are are 1 point each. FRQs will state points for each part.
Phy customizes problem explanations based on what you struggle with. Just hit the explanation button to see.
Understand you mistakes quicker.
Phy automatically provides feedback so you can improve your responses.
10 Free Credits To Get You Started
By continuing you agree to nerd-notes.com Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and our usage of user data.
Feeling uneasy about your next physics test? We'll boost your grade in 3 lessons or less—guaranteed
NEW! PHY AI accurately solves all questions
🔥 Get up to 30% off Elite Physics Tutoring
🧠 NEW! Learn Physics From Scratch Self Paced Course
🎯 Need exam style practice questions?