AP Physics

Unit 4 - Energy

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(a) Calculate the maximum speed of the car at point \( P \).

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 \[ PE_A = mgh_A \] Calculate the potential energy at point \( A \) where \( h_A = 90 \, \text{m} \).
2 \[ KE_P = \frac{1}{2}mv_{\text{max}}^2 \] Calculate the kinetic energy at point \( P \). The speed is at maximum here, so \(\Delta h = 0\).
3 \[ PE_A = KE_P \] Use the conservation of energy: all potential energy at \( A \) converts into kinetic energy at \( P \).
4 \[ mgh_A = \frac{1}{2}mv_{\text{max}}^2 \] Set the potential energy equal to the kinetic energy. The mass \( m \) cancels out.
5 \[ v_{\text{max}} = \sqrt{2gh_A} \] Solve for \( v_{\text{max}} \) by rearranging and simplifying the equation.
6 \[ v_{\text{max}} = \sqrt{2 \times 9.8 \times 90} \] Substitute \( g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \) and \( h_A = 90 \, \text{m} \) into the equation.
7 \[\boxed{v_{\text{max}} = 42 \, \text{m/s}}\] Calculate the final value of the maximum velocity \( v_{\text{max}} \).

(b) Calculate the speed \( v_B \) at the top of the loop.

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 \[ PE_B = mgh_B \] Calculate the potential energy at point \( B \) where \( h_B = 50 \, \text{m} \).
2 \[ KE_B = \frac{1}{2}mv_B^2 \] Calculate the kinetic energy at point \( B \).
3 \[ PE_A = PE_B + KE_B \] Apply conservation of energy between points \( A \) and \( B \).
4 \[ mgh_A = mgh_B + \frac{1}{2}mv_B^2 \] Set the potential and kinetic energy sum at \( B \) equal to the potential energy at \( A \). Mass \( m \) cancels out.
5 \[ gh_A = gh_B + \frac{1}{2}v_B^2 \] Mass cancels out; simplify the equation for \( v_B \).
6 \[ v_B^2 = 2g(h_A – h_B) \] Rearrange to solve for the speed \( v_B \).
7 \[ v_B = \sqrt{2 \times 9.8 \times (90 – 50)} \] Substitute values \( g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \), \( h_A = 90 \, \text{m} \), and \( h_B = 50 \, \text{m} \) into the equation.
8 \[\boxed{v_B = 28 \, \text{m/s}}\] Calculate the speed \( v_B \) at the top of the loop.

Forces at Point B:

Normal Force (\( F_N \)): Points towards the center of the loop.
Gravitational Force (\( F_g \)): Points downwards (also towards the center when car is at the top of the loop).

(c) Calculate the magnitude of all forces and explain loop modification.

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 \[ F_N + F_g = \frac{mv_B^2}{r} \] The centripetal force required at point \( B \). Both forces point towards the center.
2 \[ F_g = mg \] Substitute gravitational force where \( m = 700 \, \text{kg} \) and \( g = 9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2 \).
3 \[ F_N + mg = \frac{mv_B^2}{r} \] Substitute the gravitational force into the centripetal force equation.
4 \[ F_N = \frac{mv_B^2}{r} – mg \] Rearrange to solve for the normal force \( F_N \).
5 \[ F_N = \frac{700 \times 28^2}{20} – 700 \times 9.8 \] Substitute known values: \( m = 700 \, \text{kg} \), \( v_B = 28 \, \text{m/s} \), \( r = 20 \, \text{m} \).
6 \[\boxed{F_N = 20580 \, \text{N}}\] Calculate the normal force at the top of the loop.

Loop Modification:

If the loop’s shape or radius is modified, the drop height should be adjusted accordingly to ensure energy conservation and keep \( v_B \) unchanged. This is supported by the equation derived in part B: \(v_B = \sqrt{2g (h_A – h_B)}\) which shows that \( v_B \) depends only on the height difference of the rollercoaster.

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  1. \(\boxed{v_{\text{max}} = 42 \, \text{m/s}}\)
  2. \(\boxed{v_B = 28 \, \text{m/s}}\)
    1. Forces at Point B: Normal Force (\( F_N \)): Points towards the center of the loop. Gravitational Force (\( F_g \)): Points downwards (also towards the center when car is at the top of the loop).
  3. \(\boxed{F_N = 20580 \, \text{N}}\), \(\boxed{F_g = 6860 \, \text{N}}\)
    1. If the loop’s shape or radius is modified, the drop height should be adjusted accordingly to ensure energy conservation and keep \( v_B \) unchanged. This is supported by the equation derived in part B: \(v_B = \sqrt{2g (h_A – h_B)}\) which shows that \( v_B \) depends only on the height difference of the rollercoaster.

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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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