AP Physics

Unit 8 - Fluids

Intermediate

Mathematical

FRQ

You're a Pro Member

Supercharge UBQ

0 attempts

0% avg

UBQ Credits

Verfied Answer
Verfied Explanation 0 likes
0

Part A – Explanation of forces on FBD

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
a) \(B\) This is the buoyant force acting upward on the balloon, equal to the weight of the displaced air.
a) \(W_{\text{balloon}} = (0.0050\,\text{kg})\,g\) This is the weight of the balloon (including helium) acting downward.
a) \(T\) This is the tension in the string, which transmits the downward pull from the attached \(0.015\,\text{kg}\) object.
(Only the balloon is considered here so its forces include the upward buoyant force and the two downward forces: its own weight and the tension from the string.)

Part B – Buoyant force on the balloon

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
b) 1 \(B = W_{\text{balloon}} + W_{\text{object}} = (0.0050\,\text{kg} + 0.015\,\text{kg})\,g = 0.0200\,g\) The balloon is just prevented from rising, so its upward buoyant force exactly balances the combined weight of the balloon and the attached object.
(The buoyant force on the object is negligible.)
b) 2 \(B = 0.0200 \times 9.8 \; (\text{m/s}^2) = \boxed{0.196\,\text{N}}\) Substitute \(g \approx 9.8\,\text{m/s}^2\) to calculate the buoyant force in newtons.

Part C – Volume of the balloon

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
c) 1 \(B = \rho_{\text{air}} \; g \; V\) This is Archimedes’ principle stating that the buoyant force is equal to the weight of the displaced air.
Here \(\rho_{\text{air}} = 1.29\,\text{kg/m}^3\), and \(g = 9.8\,\text{m/s}^2\).
c) 2 \(V = \displaystyle \frac{B}{\rho_{\text{air}} \; g} = \frac{0.196}{1.29 \times 9.8}\) Rearrange the equation to solve for the volume \(V\) of the balloon.
c) 3 \(V \approx \frac{0.196}{12.642} \approx \boxed{0.0155\,\text{m}^3}\) Calculate the denominator (\(1.29 \times 9.8 \approx 12.642\)) and then evaluate \(V\).
The volume of the balloon is approximately \(0.0155\,\text{m}^3\).

Part D – Position of ballon in the car

Step Derivation/Formula Reasoning
d) 1 Effective gravity: \(\vec{g}_{\text{eff}} = \vec{g} – \vec{a}\) When the car accelerates forward with acceleration \(a\), the effective gravitational field in the car’s frame tilts backward. This is a standard result for non-inertial frames.
d) 2 For a mass not affected by buoyancy, the equilibrium direction of the string makes an angle \(\theta\) where \(\tan(\theta)=\frac{a}{g}\). The heavy \(0.015\,\text{kg}\) object behaves as a normal pendulum, aligning along the effective gravitational field.
This causes it to deflect opposite to the car’s acceleration (i.e., towards the rear of the car).
d) 3 Result: The \(0.015\,\text{kg}\) object \(\rightarrow\) moves backward relative to the car. Thus, when the car accelerates forward, the object swings toward the back of the car, while the buoyant balloon (not shown here) would deflect forward.
Since the child holds the string midway, the object is pulled into its equilibrium position defined by \(\vec{g}_{\text{eff}}\).

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. Bouant force acts upwards, weight and tension act downwards
  2. \(\boxed{0.196\,\text{N}}\)
  3. \(\boxed{0.0155\,\text{m}^3}\)
  4. The \(0.015\,\text{kg}\) object swings toward the back of the car when it accelerates forward.

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

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.