| Step | Derivation/Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[ \tau = F r \] | Torque is defined as the product of the applied force \(F\) and the perpendicular distance \(r\) from the pivot (the hinges). |
| 2 | \[ r_{\text{edge}} > r_{\text{hinge}} \] | The distance from the hinge to the knob on the far side, \(r_{\text{edge}}\), is greater than any distance closer to the hinges, \(r_{\text{hinge}}\). |
| 3 | \[ \tau_{\text{edge}} = F r_{\text{edge}} \] | Applying the same force \(F\) at the knob (far side) yields a torque proportional to the larger lever arm \(r_{\text{edge}}\). |
| 4 | \[ \tau_{\text{hinge}} = F r_{\text{hinge}} \] | If the knob were near the hinges, the lever arm \(r_{\text{hinge}}\) would be much smaller, producing smaller torque. |
| 5 | \[ \tau_{\text{edge}} > \tau_{\text{hinge}} \] | Because \(r_{\text{edge}} > r_{\text{hinge}}\), the torque produced at the knob’s usual position is greater, making the door easier to rotate open for the same applied force. |
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A horizontal uniform rod of length L and mass M is pivoted at one end and is initially at rest. A small ball of mass M (same masses) is attached to the other end of the rod. The system is released from rest. What is the angular acceleration of the rod just immediately after the system is released?
In an experiment, an external torque is applied to the edge of a disk of radius \( 0.5 \) \( \text{m} \) such that the edge of the disk speeds up as it continues to rotate. The tangential speed as a function of time is shown for the edge of the disk. The rotational inertia of the disk is \( 0.125 \) \( \text{kg} \cdot \text{m}^2 \). Can a student use the graph and the known information to calculate the net torque exerted on the edge of the disk?
Three masses are attached to a \( 1.5 \, \text{m} \) long massless bar. Mass 1 is \( 2 \, \text{kg} \) and is attached to the far left side of the bar. Mass 2 is \( 4 \, \text{kg} \) and is attached to the far right side of the bar. Mass 3 is \( 4 \, \text{kg} \) and is attached to the middle of the bar. At what distance from the far left side of the bar can a string be attached to hold the bar up horizontally?
A uniform ladder of length \(L\) and weight \(W = 50 \, \text{N}\) rests against a smooth vertical wall. If the coefficient of static friction between the ladder and the ground is \(\mu = 0.4\).
A rod may freely rotate about an axis that is perpendicular to the rod and is along the plane of the page. The rod is divided into four sections of equal length of 0.2 m each, and four forces are exerted on the rod, as shown in the figure. Frictional forces are considered negligible. Which of the following describes an additional torque that must be applied in order to keep the rod from rotating?
During the experiment, students collect data about the angular momentum of a rigid, uniform spinning wheel about an axle as a function of time, which was used to create the graph that is shown. A frictional torque is exerted on the wheel. A student makes the following statement about the data. “The frictional torque exerted on the wheel is independent of the wheel’s angular speed.” Does the data from the graph support the student’s statement? Justify your selection.
A ladder at rest is leaning against a wall at an angle. Which of the following forces must have the same magnitude as the frictional force exerted on the ladder by the floor?
An object weighing 120 N is set on a rigid beam of negligible mass at a distance of 3 m from a pivot, as shown above. A vertical force is to be applied to the other end of the beam a distance of 4 m from the pivot to keep the beam at rest and horizontal. What is the magnitude F of the force required?
A uniform solid sphere of mass M and radius R is placed on a frictionless horizontal surface. A massless string is wrapped around the sphere and is pulled with a force F. The string makes an angle of θ with the horizontal. What is the minimum value of the coefficient of static friction between the sphere and the surface required for the sphere to start rolling without slipping?
\(\text{To maximize torque by using the largest possible lever arm so less force is needed to open the door}\)
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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] | |
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] |
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