AP Physics

Unit 2 - Linear Forces

Intermediate

Mathematical

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Part (a): The Acceleration of the 4-kilogram Block

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 \( F_{\text{net}} = m_{4}a \) The net force acting on the \(4 \, \text{kg}\) block is equal to its mass times its acceleration.
2 \( F_{\text{gravity}} = m_{4}g \) The force of gravity acting on the \(4 \, \text{kg}\) block is equal to its mass times the acceleration due to gravity \(g\).
3 \( F_{\text{net}} = m_{4}g – T \) The net force acting on the \(4 \, \text{kg}\) block is the gravitational force minus the tension in the string.
4 \( m_{4}a = m_{4}g – T \) Substitute the net force into Newton’s second law.
5 \( T = m_{1}g + m_{1}a + m_{2}g + m_{2}a \) The tension in the string also depends on the forces acting on the \(1.0\, \text{kg}\) and \(2.0 \, \text{kg}\) blocks.
6 \( T = m_{1}(g + a) + m_{2}(g + a) \) Combine the tensions for the \(1.0 \, \text{kg}\) and \(2.0 \, \text{kg}\) blocks since they share the same strings.
7 \( m_{4}a = m_{4}g – \left[m_{1}(g + a) + m_{2}(g + a)\right] \) Substitute the tension \(T\) from step 6 into the equation from step 4.
8 \( 4a = 4g – (1 + 2)(g + a) \) Substitute \(m_{4} = 4\, \text{kg}\), \(m_{1} = 1\, \text{kg}\), and \(m_{2} = 2\, \text{kg}\).
9 \( 4a = 4g – 3(g + a) \) Combine the masses for the \(1.0 \, \text{kg}\) and \(2.0 \, \text{kg}\) blocks.
10 \( 4a = 4g – 3g -3a \) Distribute the 3 to both terms.
11 \( 7a = g \) Combine like terms to isolate \(a\).
12 \( a = \frac{g}{7} \approx \frac{9.8\, \text{m/s}^2}{7} \approx 1.4\, \text{m/s}^2 \) Solve for \(a\), the acceleration of the \(4 \, \text{kg}\) block.

Part (b): The Tension in the String Supporting the 4-kilogram Block

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 \(T = m_4 g – m_4 a\) The tension in the string is the gravitational force on the \(4 \, \text{kg}\) block minus the force due to its acceleration.
2 \(T = 4 \times 9.8 – 4 \times 1.4\) Substitute \(m_4 = 4\, \text{kg}\), \(g = 9.8\, \text{m/s}^2\), and \(a = 1.4\, \text{m/s}^2\).
3 \(T = 39.2 – 5.6\) Calculate the products.
4 \( T = 33.6 \, \text{N} \) Final value for the tension in the string supporting the \(4 \, \text{kg}\) block.

Part (c): The Tension in the String Connected to the 1-kilogram Block

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 \( T_1 = m_1 (g + a) \) The tension in the string is the gravitational force on the \(1 \, \text{kg}\) block plus the force due to its acceleration.
2 \( T_1 = 1 \times (9.8 + 1.4) \) Substitute \(m_1 = 1\, \text{kg}\), \(g = 9.8\, \text{m/s}^2\), and \(a = 1.4\, \text{m/s}^2\).
3 \( T_1 = 1 \times 11.2 \) Combine the terms inside the parentheses.
4 \( T_1 = 11.2 \, \text{N} \) Final value for the tension in the string connected to the \(1 \, \text{kg}\) block.

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  1. \(\approx 1.4\, \text{m/s}^2 \)
  2. \( T_4 = 33.6 \, \text{N} \)
  3. \( T_1 = 11.2 \, \text{N} \)

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KinematicsForces
\(\Delta x = v_i t + \frac{1}{2} at^2\)\(F = ma\)
\(v = v_i + at\)\(F_g = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2}\)
\(v^2 = v_i^2 + 2a \Delta x\)\(f = \mu N\)
\(\Delta x = \frac{v_i + v}{2} t\)\(F_s =-kx\)
\(v^2 = v_f^2 \,-\, 2a \Delta x\) 
Circular MotionEnergy
\(F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}\)\(KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2\)
\(a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}\)\(PE = mgh\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{r}{g}}\)\(KE_i + PE_i = KE_f + PE_f\)
 \(W = Fd \cos\theta\)
MomentumTorque 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 MotionFluids
\(F = -kx\)\(P = \frac{F}{A}\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}\)\(P_{\text{total}} = P_{\text{atm}} + \rho gh\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}\)\(Q = Av\)
\(x(t) = A \cos(\omega t + \phi)\)\(F_b = \rho V g\)
\(a = -\omega^2 x\)\(A_1v_1 = A_2v_2\)
ConstantDescription
[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
VariableSI 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]
VariableDerived 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. 

  1. Start with the given measurement: [katex]\text{5 km}[/katex]

  2. 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]

  3. 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]

  4. 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]

  1. 1. Some answers may vary by 1% due to rounding.
  2. Gravity values may differ: \(9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2\) or \(10 \, \text{m/s}^2\).
  3. Variables can be written differently. For example, initial velocity (\(v_i\)) may be \(u\), and displacement (\(\Delta x\)) may be \(s\).
  4. Bookmark questions you can’t solve to revisit them later
  5. 5. Seek help if you’re stuck. The sooner you understand, the better your chances on tests.

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