| Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[\tau = I \alpha\] | Torque needed to spin a disk scales with its moment of inertia \( I \) and angular acceleration \( \alpha \). The disks are the same size, so \( I \) is the same in both cases. |
| \[\alpha = \frac{\Delta \omega}{\Delta t}\] | Angular acceleration is change in angular speed \( \Delta \omega \) over spin-up time \( \Delta t \). Both start from rest \( \omega_i = 0 \), and the times are about equal. |
| \[\frac{\tau_{75}}{\tau_{45}} = \frac{I \alpha_{75}}{I \alpha_{45}} = \frac{\alpha_{75}}{\alpha_{45}}\] | With the same \( I \), the torque ratio equals the ratio of angular accelerations. |
| \[\frac{\alpha_{75}}{\alpha_{45}} = \frac{\omega_{x,75}/\Delta t}{\omega_{x,45}/\Delta t} = \frac{\omega_{x,75}}{\omega_{x,45}}\] | Since \( \omega_i = 0 \), \( \Delta \omega = \omega_x \). Similar \( \Delta t \) cancels. |
| \[\frac{\omega_{x,75}}{\omega_{x,45}} = \frac{75}{45} = \frac{5}{3}\] | The conversion from RPM to rad/s cancels in the ratio, so the numeric RPM ratio suffices. Thus \( \tau_{75} \) must exceed \( \tau_{45} \) by a factor \( \tfrac{5}{3} \). |
| \[\boxed{\tau_{75} = \tfrac{5}{3}\,\tau_{45}}\] | Therefore the torque is larger in the second case; correct choice is (c). |
| \[\tau = I \alpha\] | Why (a) is incorrect: Having the same \( I \) does not force the same \( \tau \); different \( \alpha \) values imply different \( \tau \). |
| \[L = I \omega\] | Why (b) is incorrect: Angular momentum \( L \) is not conserved while an external driving torque is applied; the system is not isolated. |
| \[\tau = rF\] | Why (d) is incorrect: The lever arm \( r \) (disk radius) is the same for both, so the difference does not come from a larger \( r \); the larger \( \tau \) arises from the larger required \( \alpha \). |
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A solid sphere is rotating about an axis through its center at a constant rotation rate. Another hollow sphere of the same mass and radius is rotating about its axis through the center at the same rotation rate. Which sphere has a greater rotational kinetic energy?
A solid ball and a cylinder roll down an inclined plane. Which reaches the bottom first?
A rotating merry-go-round makes one complete revolution in 4.0 s. What is the linear speed and acceleration of a child seated 1.2 m from the center?
A high-speed drill rotating counterclockwise at \( 2400 \) \( \text{rpm} \) comes to a halt in \( 2.5 \) \( \text{s} \).

A meterstick is supported at its center, which is aligned with the center of a cradle located at position \( x = 0 \) \( \text{m} \). Two identical objects of mass \( 1.0 \) \( \text{kg} \) are suspended from the meterstick. One object hangs \( 0.25 \) \( \text{m} \) to the left of the support point, and the other object hangs \( 0.50 \) \( \text{m} \) to the right of the support point. The system is released from rest and is free to rotate. Which of the following claims correctly describes the subsequent motion of the system containing the meterstick, cradle, and the two objects?
A net torque is applied to the edge of a spinning object as it rotates about its internal axis. The table shows the net torque exerted on the object at different instants in time. How can a student use the data table to determine the change in angular momentum of the object from \( 0 \) to \( 6 \) \( \text{s} \)? Justify your selection.
| Time \( (\text{s}) \) | Net Torque \( (\text{N} \cdot \text{m}) \) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 1.5 |
| 4 | 3.0 |
| 6 | 4.5 |
A seesaw is balanced on a fulcrum, with a boy of mass \( M_1 \) sitting on one end and a girl of mass \( M_2 \) sitting on the other end. The seesaw is a uniform plank of length \( L \) and mass \( M \). The fulcrum is located at the midpoint of the plank. Does \( M_1 = M_2 \)? Justify your working.

Pulleys \( X \) and \( Y \) are each attached to a block by a string that wraps around the pulley. Both blocks are released and have the same linear acceleration \( a \). As the blocks fall, the pulleys rotate about their centers. Pulley \( Y \) has a larger radius than Pulley \( X \). How does the angular acceleration \( \alpha_X \) of Pulley \( X \) compare to the angular acceleration \( \alpha_Y \) of Pulley \( Y \)?

The figure shows scale drawings of four objects, each of the same mass and uniform thickness, with the mass distributed uniformly. Which one has the greatest moment of inertia when rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the drawing at point P?
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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] | 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 |
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