| Derivation or Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[v_x^2 = v_i^2 + 2a\Delta x\] | Use a constant-acceleration kinematics relation along the incline. Here, \(\Delta x\) is the distance traveled along the incline, \(v_i\) is the initial speed up the incline, and \(v_x\) is the final speed at the end. |
| \[v_x = 0\] | “Rolls to the end” on a friction-free incline implies the skateboarder just comes to rest at the end of the incline, so the final speed is \(0\). |
| \[\Delta x = 25\,\text{m},\quad v_i = 20.0\,\text{m/s}\] | Given incline length is the along-slope displacement \(\Delta x\), and the initial speed is \(v_i\). |
| \[0^2 = (20.0)^2 + 2a(25)\] | Substitute \(v_x\), \(v_i\), and \(\Delta x\) into \(v_x^2 = v_i^2 + 2a\Delta x\). |
| \[0 = 400 + 50a\] | Simplify the substituted equation algebraically. |
| \[a = -8.0\,\text{m/s}^2\] | Solve for \(a\): \(50a = -400\Rightarrow a = -400/50 = -8.0\,\text{m/s}^2\). |
| \[a = -g\sin(\theta)\] | On a friction-free incline, the acceleration along the slope is due to the component of gravity parallel to the incline. The negative sign indicates acceleration is opposite the uphill direction. |
| \[-8.0 = -g\sin(\theta)\] | Set the kinematics-based acceleration equal to the gravity-component acceleration. |
| \[8.0 = g\sin(\theta)\] | Multiply both sides by \(-1\) to remove the negative signs. |
| \[\sin(\theta) = \frac{8.0}{g}\] | Solve for \(\sin(\theta)\) algebraically. |
| \[\sin(\theta) = \frac{8.0}{9.8} \approx 0.816\] | Substitute \(g \approx 9.8\,\text{m/s}^2\). |
| \[\theta = \sin^{-1}(0.816) \approx 54.8^\circ\] | Take the inverse sine to find the incline angle above the horizontal. |
| \[\boxed{\theta \approx 55^\circ}\] | Rounded to an appropriate number of significant figures based on given data. |
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An object can move upward while having a downward acceleration.
Which of the following must be true for an object at translational equilibrium?
A space probe far from the Earth is traveling at 14.8 km/s. It has mass 1312 kg. The probe fires its rockets to give a constant thrust of 156 kN for 220 seconds. It accelerates in the same direction as its initial velocity. In this time it burns 150 kg of fuel. Calculate final speed of the space probe in km/s.
Note: This is a bonus question. Skip if you haven’t yet taken calculus.
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 rollercoaster leaves the station at rest. Its speed increases steadily for \( 6 \) \( \text{s} \) as it heads down the first drop. The ride then levels out and it moves at a constant speed for \( 4 \) \( \text{s} \) before hitting the brakes and stopping in \( 3 \) \( \text{s} \). Draw the velocity vs. time graph or explain it in terms of functions.
The graph below is a plot of position versus time. For which labeled segments is the velocity positive and the acceleration negative?
An elevator of height \(h\) ascends with constant acceleration \(a\). When it crosses a platform, it has acquired a velocity \(u\). At this instant a bolt drops from the top of the elevator. Find the time for the bolt to hit the floor of the elevator. Give your answer in terms of \(h\), \(a\), and any constant.
The alarm at a fire station rings and a 79.34-kg fireman, starting from rest, slides down a pole to the floor below (a distance of 4.20 m). Just before landing, his speed is 1.36 m/s. What is the magnitude of the kinetic frictional force exerted on the fireman as he slides down the pole?
The Moon does not crash into the Earth because:
Above is a graph of the \(distance\) vs. time for car moving along a road. According the graph, at which of the following times would the automobile have been accelerating positively?
\(\theta \approx 55^\circ\)
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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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