0 attempts
0% avg
UBQ Credits
| Step | Derivation / Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[E = \tfrac{1}{2}kA^{2}\] | Total mechanical energy of mass–spring system is constant and equals spring potential energy at amplitude \(A\). |
| 2 | \[E = \tfrac{1}{2}mv^{2}+\tfrac{1}{2}kx^{2}\] | At any position \(x\) the energy splits into kinetic \(\tfrac{1}{2}mv^{2}\) and elastic potential \(\tfrac{1}{2}kx^{2}\). |
| 3 | \[v_{\!\text{max}} = \sqrt{\tfrac{k}{m}}\,A\] | Set \(x=0\) in Step 2 to find the maximum speed at equilibrium. |
| 4 | \[v = 0.5\,v_{\!\text{max}} = 0.5\sqrt{\tfrac{k}{m}}\,A\] | Given condition: speed is \(50\%\) of the maximum. |
| 5 | \[\tfrac{1}{2}kA^{2}=\tfrac{1}{2}m\bigl(0.5\sqrt{\tfrac{k}{m}}A\bigr)^{2}+\tfrac{1}{2}kx^{2}\] | Substitute Step 4 into the energy equation of Step 2 and equate to total energy from Step 1. |
| 6 | \[0.25kA^{2}=kA^{2}-kx^{2}\] | Simplify Step 5; both sides contain the factor \(\tfrac{1}{2}k\) which cancels. |
| 7 | \[x^{2}=0.75A^{2}\] | Rearrange Step 6 to isolate \(x^{2}\). |
| 8 | \[\boxed{|x|=\tfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}A}\] | Take the positive square root to obtain the magnitude of the position. |
| Step | Derivation / Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[\tfrac{1}{2}kx^{2}=0.5\bigl(\tfrac{1}{2}kA^{2}\bigr)\] | The elastic potential energy equals \(50\%\) of the total energy. |
| 2 | \[x^{2}=\tfrac{1}{2}A^{2}\] | Cancel \(\tfrac{1}{2}k\) on both sides and solve for \(x^{2}\). |
| 3 | \[\boxed{|x|=\tfrac{A}{\sqrt{2}}}\] | Take the positive square root to get the magnitude of the position. |
Just ask: "Help me solve this problem."
A \(81 \, \text{kg}\) student dives off a \(45 \, \text{m}\) tall bridge with an \(18 \, \text{m}\) long bungee cord tied to his feet and to the bridge. You can consider the bungee cord to be a flexible spring. What spring constant must the bungee cord have for the student’s lowest point to be \(2.0 \, \text{m}\) above the water?
A mechanic pushes a [katex]2500 \, \text{kg}[/katex] car from rest to a final speed [katex]v[/katex] by doing [katex]5.0 \times 10^3 \, \text{J}[/katex] of work on the car. Frictional effect between the car and the ground are negligible. What is the final speed of the car?
You kick a ball straight up. Compare the sign of the work done by gravity on the ball while it goes up with the sign of the work done by gravity while it goes down.
A student sets an object attached to a spring into oscillatory motion and uses a motion detector to record the velocity of the object as a function of time. The total change in the object’s speed between \(1.0 \, \text{s}\) and \(1.1 \, \text{s}\) is most nearly
A projectile of mass 0.750 kg is shot straight up with an initial speed of 18.0 m/s.
\(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}A\)
\(\frac{A}{\sqrt{2}}\)
By continuing you (1) agree to our Terms of Use and Terms of Sale and (2) consent to sharing your IP and browser information used by this site’s security protocols as outlined in our Privacy Policy.
| 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] |
General Metric Conversion Chart
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] |
The most advanced version of Phy. 50% off, for early supporters. Prices increase soon.
per month
Billed Monthly. Cancel Anytime.
Trial –> Phy Pro
We crafted THE Ultimate A.P Physics 1 Program so you can learn faster and score higher.
Try our free calculator to see what you need to get a 5 on the 2026 AP Physics 1 exam.
Understand you mistakes quicker.
Phy automatically provides feedback so you can improve your responses.
10 Free Credits To Get You Started
By continuing you agree to nerd-notes.com Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and our usage of user data.
Feeling uneasy about your next physics test? We'll boost your grade in 3 lessons or less—guaranteed
