| Derivation or Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[ Mg\sin\theta – f = Ma \] | This is Newton’s second law for translation along the incline, where \(Mg\sin\theta\) is the component of gravity down the plane and \(f\) is the friction force. |
| \[ fR = I\alpha \quad \text{with} \quad a = \alpha R \] | The friction force provides the torque needed for rolling without slipping, and the rolling condition relates linear acceleration \(a\) to angular acceleration \(\alpha\). |
| \[ f = \frac{Ia}{R^2} \] | Rearranging the torque equation yields an expression for \(f\) in terms of \(a\). |
| \[ f = \frac{2}{5}Ma \] | Substitute the moment of inertia for a uniform solid sphere \(I = \frac{2}{5}MR^2\) into the previous expression. |
| \[ Mg\sin\theta – \frac{2}{5}Ma = Ma \] | Insert \(f = \frac{2}{5}Ma\) into Newton’s second law and set up the equation for \(a\). |
| \[ Mg\sin\theta = \left(1+\frac{2}{5}\right)Ma = \frac{7}{5}Ma \] | Simplify the equation to combine like terms and isolate \(a\). |
| \[ a = \frac{5}{7}g\sin\theta \] | Solve for the linear acceleration \(a\) of the sphere along the incline. |
| \[ f = \frac{2}{5}M\left(\frac{5}{7}g\sin\theta\right) = \frac{2}{7}Mg\sin\theta \] | Determine the friction force required for rolling by substituting \(a\) back into \(f = \frac{2}{5}Ma\). |
| \[ \frac{2}{7}Mg\sin\theta = \mu Mg\cos\theta \] | For the sphere to roll without slipping, the required friction force must be available, i.e., it must equal the maximum static friction \(\mu Mg\cos\theta\). |
| \[ \mu = \frac{2}{7}\tan\theta \] | Solve for the minimum coefficient of friction \(\mu\) needed to prevent slipping. |
| \[ \boxed{\mu = \frac{2}{7}\tan\theta} \] | This boxed expression is the final answer for part (a). |
| Derivation or Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[ Mgh = \frac{1}{2}Mv_x^2 + \frac{1}{2}I\left(\frac{v_x}{R}\right)^2 \quad \Rightarrow \quad v_x = \sqrt{\frac{10}{7}gh} \] | For a rolling sphere, the gravitational potential energy converts into both translational and rotational kinetic energy. |
| \[ Mgh = \frac{1}{2}Mv_x^2 \quad \Rightarrow \quad v_x = \sqrt{2gh} \] | Without friction (\(\mu = 0\)), the sphere slides without rotating, so all potential energy becomes translational kinetic energy. |
| \[ \sqrt{2gh} > \sqrt{\frac{10}{7}gh} \] | Since \(2 > \frac{10}{7}\), the translational speed of a sliding sphere is higher than that of a rolling sphere, where some energy goes into rotation. |
| \(\text{Speed is greater when } \mu = 0\) | Thus, with zero friction the sphere attains a higher speed at the bottom because no energy is diverted to rotational motion. |
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The speed of a \(40 \, \text{N}\) hockey puck, sliding across a level ice surface, decreases at the rate of \(0.61 \, \text{m/s}^2\). The coefficient of kinetic friction between the puck and ice is
Initially, a ball has an angular velocity of \( 5.0 \) \( \text{rad/s} \) counterclockwise. Some time later, after rotating through a total angle of \( 5.5 \) \( \text{radians} \), the ball has an angular velocity of \( 1.5 \) \( \text{rad/s} \) clockwise.
A solid ball of mass \( M \) and radius \( R \) has rotational inertia \( \frac{2}{5} M R^{2} \) about its center. It rolls without slipping along a level surface at speed \( v \) just before it begins rolling up an inclined plane. Which of the following expressions correctly represents the maximum vertical height the solid ball can ascend to when it rolls up the incline without slipping?
A \( 15 \) \( \text{N} \) force is pushing a \( 40 \) \( \text{N} \) block down a incline. The angle of the inline is \( \alpha = 40^{\circ} \). The coefficient of static friction between the block and the incline is \( \mu_s = 0.75 \) and the coefficient of kinetic friction is \( \mu_k = 0.65 \).
A solid ball and a cylinder roll down an inclined plane. Which reaches the bottom first? Hint the rotational inertia of a sphere about its center is \(I = \frac{2}{5}mR^{2}\) and the rotational inertia of a cylinder about its center is \(I = \frac{1}{2}mR^{2}\).
A solid ball and a cylinder roll down an inclined plane. Which reaches the bottom first?

A hoop with a mass \(m\) and unknown radius is rolling without slipping on a flat surface with an angular speed \(\omega\). The hoop encounters a hill and continues to roll without slipping until it reaches a maximum height \(h\).
Four systems are in rotational motion. Which of the following combinations of rotational inertia and angular speed for each of the systems corresponds to the greatest rotational kinetic energy?
| System | Rotational Inertia | Angular Speed |
|---|---|---|
| A | \( I_0 \) | \( \omega_0 \) |
| B | \( I_0 \) | \( 4\, \omega_0 \) |
| C | \( 2 I_0 \) | \( 2\, \omega_0 \) |
| D | \( 6 I_0 \) | \( \omega_0 \) |
The moment of inertia of a solid cylinder about its axis is given by \( I = \frac{1}{2}mR^2 \). If this cylinder rolls without slipping, the ratio of its rotational kinetic energy to its translational kinetic energy is

A meter stick with a uniformly distributed mass of \(0.5 \, \text{kg}\) is supported by a pivot placed at the \(0.25 \, \text{m}\) mark from the left. At the left end, a small object of mass \(1.0 \, \text{kg}\) is placed at the zero mark, and a second small object of mass \(0.5 \, \text{kg}\) is placed at the \(0.5 \, \text{m}\) mark. The meter stick is supported so that it remains horizontal, and then it is released from rest. Find the change in the angular momentum of the meter stick, one second after it is released.
\(\mu = \frac{2}{7}\tan\theta\)\n\(\text{Greater}\)
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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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