AP Physics

Unit 6 - Rotational Motion

Advanced

Mathematical

FRQ

You're a Pro Member

Supercharge UBQ

0 attempts

0% avg

UBQ Credits

Verfied Answer
Verfied Explanation 0 likes
0

Part (a): Moment of Inertia

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 $$ T_{1} – m_{1}g = m_{1}a $$ This is Newton’s second law for mass \(m_{1}\) moving upward.
2 $$ m_{2}g – T_{2} = m_{2}a $$ This is Newton’s second law for mass \(m_{2}\) moving downward.
3 $$ T_{1} = m_{1}g + m_{1}a \quad \text{and} \quad T_{2} = m_{2}g – m_{2}a $$ Rearrange the equations to solve for the tensions in the string.
4 $$ (T_{2} – T_{1})R = I\left(\frac{a}{R}\right) $$ This relates the net torque on the pulley to its moment of inertia \(I\) using the no‐slip condition \(\alpha = \frac{a}{R}\).
5 $$ T_{2} – T_{1} = \frac{I\,a}{R^{2}} $$ Simplify the torque equation by dividing both sides by \(R\).
6 $$ (m_{2}g – m_{2}a) – (m_{1}g + m_{1}a) = $$$$(m_{2}-m_{1})g – (m_{2}+m_{1})a =$$$$\frac{I\,a}{R^{2}} $$ Substitute the expressions for \(T_{1}\) and \(T_{2}\) into the torque equation.
7 $$ I = \frac{R^{2}}{a}\Bigl[(m_{2}-m_{1})g – (m_{2}+m_{1})a\Bigr] $$ Rearrange the equation to solve for the moment of inertia \(I\).
8 $$ h = \frac{1}{2}at^{2} $$ Use the kinematics relation for the heavy mass \(m_{2}\) falling a distance \(h\) from rest.
9 $$ a = \frac{2h}{t^{2}} $$ Solve for the acceleration \(a\) from the kinematics equation.
10 $$ I = \frac{R^{2}}{\frac{2h}{t^{2}}}\Bigl[(m_{2}-m_{1})g – (m_{2}+m_{1})\frac{2h}{t^{2}}\Bigr] $$ Substitute \(a = \frac{2h}{t^{2}}\) into the expression for \(I\).
11 $$ I = \frac{R^{2}t^{2}}{2h}\Bigl[(m_{2}-m_{1})g\Bigr] – R^{2}(m_{2}+m_{1}) $$ Simplify the expression to obtain \(I\) solely in terms of \(m_{1}, m_{2}, R, h, t\) and \(g\).
12 $$ \boxed{I = \frac{R^{2}t^{2}}{2h}\Bigl[(m_{2}-m_{1})g\Bigr] – R^{2}(m_{2}+m_{1})} $$ This is the final algebraic expression for the pulley’s moment of inertia.

Part (b): Pulley Rotation

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
1 $$ \Delta x = R\theta $$ This equation relates the linear displacement \(\Delta x\) to the angular displacement \(\theta\) of the pulley.
2 $$ h = R\theta $$ Since the heavy mass \(m_{2}\) falls a distance \(h\), the length of the unwound rope is \(h\), which equals \(R\theta\).
3 $$ \theta = \frac{h}{R} $$ Solve for the angular displacement \(\theta\) of the pulley.
4 $$ \boxed{\theta = \frac{h}{R}} $$ This is the final expression for the total rotation of the pulley in radians.

Need Help? Ask Phy To Explain

Just ask: "Help me solve this problem."

Just Drag and Drop!
Quick Actions ?
×

Topics in this question

Join 1-to-1 Elite Tutoring

See how Others Did on this question | Coming Soon

Discussion Threads

Leave a Reply

  1. \(\frac{R^{2}t^{2}}{2h}\Bigl[(m_{2}-m_{1})g\Bigr] – R^{2}(m_{2}+m_{1})\)
  2. \(\frac{h}{R}\)

Nerd Notes

Discover the world's best Physics resources

Continue with

By continuing you (1) agree to our Terms of Sale and Terms of Use and (2) consent to sharing your IP and browser information used by this site’s security protocols as outlined in our Privacy Policy.

Error Report

Sign in before submitting feedback.

Sign In to View Your Questions

Share This Question

Enjoying UBQ? Share the 🔗 with friends!

Link Copied!
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.

Phy Pro

The most advanced version of Phy. 50% off, for early supporters. Prices increase soon.

$11.99

per month

Billed Monthly. Cancel Anytime.

Trial  –>  Phy Pro

📚 Predict Your AP Physics Exam Score

Try our free calculator to see what you need to get a 5 on the upcoming AP Physics 1 exam.

You can close this ad in 5 seconds.

Ads show frequently. Upgrade to Phy Pro to remove ads.

You can close this ad in 7 seconds.

Ads display every few minutes. Upgrade to Phy Pro to remove ads.

You can close this ad in 5 seconds.

Ads show frequently. Upgrade to Phy Pro to remove ads.

Jason here! Feeling uneasy about your next physics test? We will help boost your grade in just two hours.

We use site cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse on this website, you accept the use of cookies as outlined in our privacy policy.