| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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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At what distance from the Earth will a spacecraft traveling directly from the Earth to the Moon experience zero net force because the Earth and Moon pull in opposite directions with equal force?
Two spherical objects have equal masses and experience a gravitational force of \( 25 \) \( \text{N} \) towards one another. Their centers are \( 36 \) \( \text{cm} \) apart. Determine each of their masses.
A runner pushes against the track to sprint forward. Which two action–reaction FORCE pairs are involved? Select two letters.
An object weighs \( 432 \) \( \text{N} \) on the surface of Earth. At a height of \( 3R_{\text{Earth}} \) above Earth’s surface, what is its weight?
Which pulls harder gravitationally, the Earth on the Moon, or the Moon on the Earth? Which accelerates more?
By pressing a painting of mass \( 2.00 \) \( \text{kg} \) against a wall, a man is trying to determine whether it is appropriately positioned. The wall is perpendicular to the pushing force. The coefficient of static friction between the image and the wall is \( 0.660 \). What is the bare minimum pushing force that must be applied?
During lunch, Alex and Jordan argue about inertia. Alex says if she spins a basketball faster, it will have greater inertia. Jordan argues that inertia only depends on the ball’s mass, not its speed. Who is correct?
A child whirls a ball in a vertical circle. Assuming the speed of the ball is constant (an approximation), when would the tension in the cord connected to the ball be greatest?
Why does a child in a wagon seem to fall backward when you give the wagon a sharp pull forward?
A 135.0 N force is applied to a 30.0 kg box at 42 degree angle to the horizontal. If the force of friction is 85.0, what is the net force and acceleration? If the object starts from rest, how far has it traveled in 3.3 sec?
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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] | |
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] |
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