Part A – Angular Speed
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[T\cos(\theta)=mg\] | The vertical component of the tension \(T\) balances the gravitational force \(mg\) on the ball. |
| 2 | \[T\sin(\theta)=m\omega^2r\] | The horizontal component of \(T\) provides the centripetal force (\(m\omega^2r\)) needed for circular motion. |
| 3 | \[\frac{T\sin(\theta)}{T\cos(\theta)}=\frac{m\omega^2r}{mg}\] | Dividing the horizontal equation by the vertical one eliminates \(T\) to relate \(\omega\) and \(\theta\). |
| 4 | \[\tan(\theta)=\frac{\omega^2r}{g}\] | This simplifies the relationship between the angle \(\theta\) and the angular speed \(\omega\). |
| 5 | \[\omega^2=\frac{g\tan(\theta)}{r}\] | Solving for \(\omega^2\) in terms of \(\tan(\theta)\), \(r\), and \(g\). |
| 6 | \[\sin(\theta)=\frac{r}{\ell}\quad \text{and}\quad \cos(\theta)=\sqrt{1-\frac{r^2}{\ell^2}}=\frac{\sqrt{\ell^2-r^2}}{\ell}\] | Using the geometry of the conical pendulum, where the horizontal radius \(r\) relates to the string length \(\ell\) and angle \(\theta\). |
| 7 | \[\tan(\theta)=\frac{\sin(\theta)}{\cos(\theta)}=\frac{r}{\sqrt{\ell^2-r^2}}\] | Expressing \(\tan(\theta)\) in terms of the given variables \(r\) and \(\ell\). |
| 8 | \[\omega^2=\frac{g}{r}\cdot\frac{r}{\sqrt{\ell^2-r^2}}=\frac{g}{\sqrt{\ell^2-r^2}}\] | Substituting the expression for \(\tan(\theta)\) into the equation for \(\omega^2\) simplifies the result. |
| 9 | \[\boxed{\omega=\sqrt{\frac{g}{\sqrt{\ell^2-r^2}}}}\] | Taking the square root yields the final expression for the angular speed \(\omega\) in terms of \(\ell\), \(r\), and \(g\). |
Part B – Tension
| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[T\cos(\theta)=mg\] | The vertical component of the tension balances the weight of the ball. |
| 2 | \[T=\frac{mg}{\cos(\theta)}\] | Solving for the tension \(T\) from the vertical equilibrium equation. |
| 3 | \[\cos(\theta)=\frac{\sqrt{\ell^2-r^2}}{\ell}\] | Expressing \(\cos(\theta)\) in terms of the string length \(\ell\) and the horizontal radius \(r\) using geometry. |
| 4 | \[T=\frac{mg}{\frac{\sqrt{\ell^2-r^2}}{\ell}}=\frac{mg\ell}{\sqrt{\ell^2-r^2}}\] | Substituting \(\cos(\theta)\) into the equation for \(T\) and simplifying. |
| 5 | \[\boxed{T=\frac{mg\ell}{\sqrt{\ell^2-r^2}}}\] | This is the final expression for the tension \(T\) in the string in terms of \(L\) (\(\ell\)), \(m\), \(r\), and \(g\). |
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A ball of mass \( m \) is suspended from two strings of unequal length as shown above. The magnitudes of the tensions \( T_1 \) and \( T_2 \) in the strings must satisfy which of the following relations?
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?
Suppose an object is accelerated by a force of \( 100 \) \( \text{N} \). Suddenly a second force of \( 100 \) \( \text{N} \) in the opposite direction is exerted on the object, so that the forces cancel. The object
The escape speed of an object of mass \( m \) from a planet of mass \( M \) and radius \( r \) depends on the gravitational constant and
A neighbor’s child wants to go to a carnival to experience the wild rides. The neighbor is worried about safety because one of the rides looks particularly dangerous. She knows that you have taken physics and so asks you for advice.
The ride in question has a 4 kg chair which hangs freely from a 10 m long chain attached to a pivot on the top of a tall tower. When the child enters the ride, the chain is hanging straight down. The child is then attached to the chair with a seat belt and shoulder harness. When the ride starts up, the chain rotates about the tower. Soon the chain reaches its maximum speed and remains rotating at that speed, which corresponds to one rotation about the tower every 3 seconds.
When you ask the operator, he says the ride is perfectly safe. He demonstrates this by sitting in the stationary chair. The chain creaks but holds, and he weighs 90 kg.

Refer to the diagram above and solve all equations in terms of \(R\), \(M\), \(k\), and constants.
A ball of mass m is fastened to a string. The ball swings at constant speed in a vertical circle of radius R with the other end of the string held fixed. Neglecting air resistance, what is the difference between the string’s tension at the bottom of the circle and at the top of the circle?
A child has a toy tied to the end of a string and whirls the toy at constant speed in a horizontal circular path of radius \(R\). The toy completes each revolution of its motion in a time period \(T\). What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the toy (in terms of \(T\), \(R\), and \(g\))?
Two satellites are in circular orbits around Earth. Satellite A has speed \(v_A\). Satellite B has an orbital radius nine times that of satellite A. What is the speed of satellite B?
A car travels to right at constant velocity. The net force on the car is
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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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