| 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. |
A Major Upgrade To Phy Is Coming Soon — Stay Tuned
We'll help clarify entire units in one hour or less — guaranteed.
Water balloons are tossed from the roof of a building, all with the same speed but with different launch angles. Which one has the highest speed when it hits the ground? Ignore air resistance. Without using equations, explain your answer.
Block \( 1 \) of mass \( m_1 \) and Block \( 2 \) of mass \( m_2 = 2 m_1 \) are each attached to identical horizontal springs. Each block is displaced from equilibrium by an unknown amount and the blocks are released from rest simultaneously, undergoing simple harmonic motion. A student claims that Block \( 1 \) will make its first return to its equilibrium position before Block \( 2 \) first returns to its equilibrium position. Is this claim correct? Why or why not?
An object in simple harmonic motion obeys the following position versus time equation: \( y = (0.50 \text{ m}) \sin \left( \frac{\pi}{2} t \right) \). What is the amplitude of vibration?
From the figure above, determine which characteristic fits this collision best.
A pendulum has a period of \(2.0 \, \text{s}\) on Earth. What is its length?
A \(20 \, \text{g}\) piece of clay moving at a speed of \(50 \, \text{m/s}\) strikes a \(500 \, \text{g}\) pendulum bob at rest. The length of a string is \(0.8 \, \text{m}\). After the collision, the clay-bob system starts to oscillate as a simple pendulum.
A \(2 \, \text{kg}\) model rocket is launched with a thrust force of \(275 \, \text{N}\) and reaches a height of \(90 \, \text{m}\), at which point the thrust cuts out, but the rocket continues moving at \(150 \, \text{m/s}\). What is the average air resistance force acting on the rocket during its ascent?
A pump, submerged at the bottom of a well that is \( 35 \) \( \text{m} \) deep, is used to pump water uphill to a house that is \( 50 \) \( \text{m} \) above the top of the well, as shown to the right. The density of water is \( 1000 \) \( \text{kg/m}^3 \). All pressures are gauge pressures. Neglect the effects of friction, turbulence, and viscosity.
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 “doomsday” asteroid with a mass of \( 1010 \, \text{kg} \) is hurtling through space. Unless the asteroid’s speed is changed by about \( 0.20 \, \text{cm/s} \), it will collide with Earth and cause tremendous damage. Researchers suggest that a small “space tug” sent to the asteroid’s surface could exert a gentle constant force of \( 2.5 \, \text{N} \). For how long must this force act?
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] | |
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] |
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.
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
