| Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| \[m g – T = m a\] | Applying Newton’s second law to the block; downward positive, so the difference between weight \(m g\) and tension \(T\) equals \(m a\), where \(a\) is the given constant acceleration. |
| \[T R = I \alpha\] | The string’s tension exerts a torque on the pulley. With radius \(R\) and moment of inertia \(I\), this gives a constant torque–angular acceleration relation. |
| \[a = R \alpha\] | No slipping means the linear acceleration \(a\) of the string equals the tangential acceleration \(R \alpha\) of the rim. |
| \[T = m g – m a\] | Solving the first two equations simultaneously and using \(a = \text{constant}\) shows that the tension \(T\) (and therefore the torque) is constant in time. |
| \[\tau = T R = \text{constant}\] | Since \(T\) is constant and \(R\) is fixed, the torque \( \tau \) exerted by the string on the pulley does not change from one instant to the next. |
| \[W_{\text{per\,rev}} = \tau \theta = \tau (2\pi)\] | The work done on the pulley during one complete rotation is torque times angular displacement \( \theta = 2\pi\,\text{rad}\). Because \( \tau \) is constant, this work is the same for every rotation. |
| \[\boxed{W_{\text{per\,rev}}=\text{constant}}\] | Therefore the amount of work delivered by the string to the pulley in each successive rotation remains constant. |
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How long does it take for a rotating object to speed up from 15.0 rad/s to 33.3 rad/s if it has a uniform angular acceleration of 3.45 rad/s2?

A disk of radius \( R = 0.5 \) \( \text{cm} \) rests on a flat, horizontal surface such that frictional forces are considered to be negligible. Three forces of unknown magnitude are exerted on the edge of the disk, as shown in the figure. Which of the following lists the essential measuring devices that, when used together, are needed to determine the change in angular momentum of the disk after a known time of \( 5.0 \) \( \text{s} \)?
A boy is sitting at a distance \( d_1 \) from the fulcrum, and girl is sitting at a distance \( d_2 \) from the fulcrum, with \( d_1 > d_2 \). The seesaw is level, with the two ends at the same height. Derive an equation for the minimum mass of the seesaw that will keep it balanced with the two children on it.
Why are doorknobs located on the side of the door opposite the hinges?
A Christmas ornament made from a thin hollow glass sphere hangs from a thin wire of negligible mass. It is observed to oscillates with a frequency of \( 2.50 \) \( \text{Hz} \) in a city where \( g = 9.80 \) \( \text{m/s}^2 \). What is the radius of the ornament? The moment of inertia of the ornament is given by \( I = \frac{5}{3} mr^2 \).

A uniform meter stick has a mass of \( 45.0 \) \( \text{g} \) placed at the \( 20 \) \( \text{cm} \) mark. If a pivot is placed at the \( 42.5 \) \( \text{cm} \) mark and the meter stick remains horizontal in static equilibrium, what is the mass of the meter stick?
The driver of a car traveling at \( 30.0 \) \( \text{m/s} \) applies the brakes and undergoes a constant negative acceleration of \( 2.00 \) \( \text{m/s}^2 \). How many revolutions does each tire make before the car comes to a stop, assuming that the car does not skid and that the tires have radii of \( 0.300 \) \( \text{m} \)?

A hungry bear weighing 700 N walks out on a beam in an attempt to retrieve a basket of goodies hanging at the end of the beam. The beam is uniform, weighs 200 N, and is 6.00 m long. The goodies weigh 80 N.
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 \(I = \frac{1}{2}mR^{2}\).
The downward motion of an elevator is controlled by a cable that unwinds from a cylinder of radius \( 0.20 \) \( \text{m} \). What is the angular velocity of the cylinder when the downward speed of the elevator is \( 1.2 \) \( \text{m/s} \)?
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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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