| 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.
A self paced course with videos, problems sets, and everything you need to get a 5. Trusted by over 15k students and over 200 schools.
The two blocks of masses \( M \) and \( 2M \) travel at the same speed \( v \) but in opposite directions. They collide and stick together. How much mechanical energy is lost to other forms of energy during the collision?
A simple pendulum consists of a sphere tied to the end of a string of negligible mass. The sphere is pulled back until the string is horizontal and then released from rest. Assume the gravitational potential energy is zero when the sphere is at its lowest point.
What angle will the string make with the horizontal when the kinetic energy and the potential energy of the sphere-Earth system are equal?
A \(15 \, \text{g}\) marble moves to the right at \(3.5 \, \text{m/s}\) and makes an elastic head-on collision with a \(22 \, \text{g}\) marble. The final velocity of the \(22 \, \text{g}\) marble is \(2.0 \, \text{m/s}\) to the right, and the final velocity of the \(15 \, \text{g}\) marble is \(5.4 \, \text{m/s}\) to the left. What was the initial velocity of the \(22 \, \text{g}\) marble?
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 baseball, mass \(0.5 \, \text{kg}\), is traveling to the right at \(32.2 \, \text{m/s}\) when it is hit by a bat and travels the opposite direction at \(72.2 \, \text{m/s}\). The bat hits the ball with a force of \(1,222 \, \text{N}\). What is the ball’s change in momentum and how long was the ball in contact with the bat?
A \(0.50 \, \text{kg}\) mass is attached to a spring constant \(20 \, \text{N/m}\) along a horizontal, frictionless surface. The object oscillates in simple harmonic motion and has a speed of \(1.5 \, \text{m/s}\) at the equilibrium position. What is the total energy of the system?
A person holds a book at rest a few feet above a table. The person then lowers the book at a slow constant speed and places it on the table. Which of the following accurately describes the change in the total mechanical energy of the Earth–book system?
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?

A 0.5 kg pendulum bob is raised to 1.0 m above the floor, as shown in the figure. The bob is then released from rest. When the bob is 0.8 m above the floor, its speed is most nearly
Astronaut Jennifer’s lifeline to her spaceship comes loose and she finds herself stranded, “floating” \( 100 \) \( \text{m} \) from the mothership. She suddenly throws her \( 2.00 \) \( \text{kg} \) wrench at \( 20 \) \( \text{m/s} \) in a direction away from the ship. If she and her spacesuit have a combined mass of \( 200 \) \( \text{kg} \), how long does it take her to coast back to her spaceship?
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?