| Step | Derivation / Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[v_{x}^{2}=v_{i}^{2}+2(-g)\Delta x\] | Use the kinematic relation \(v_{x}^{2}=v_{i}^{2}+2a\Delta x\) with upward positive (so \(a=-g\)). \(v_{x}=14\,\text{m/s}\) at the window, \(\Delta x=18\,\text{m}\). |
| 2 | \[v_{i}^{2}=v_{x}^{2}+2g\Delta x\] | Algebraically solve for \(v_{i}^{2}\). |
| 3 | \[v_{i}^{2}=14^{2}+2(9.8)(18)=196+352.8=548.8\] | Substitute the numerical values. |
| 4 | \[\boxed{v_{i}=23.43\,\text{m/s}}\] | Take the square root to obtain the initial speed. |
| Step | Derivation / Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[0=v_{i}^{2}+2(-g)\Delta x_{\text{max}}\] | At the peak, the final velocity is zero, so set \(v_{x}=0\). |
| 2 | \[\Delta x_{\text{max}}=\frac{v_{i}^{2}}{2g}\] | Re-arrange for the upward displacement from the street. |
| 3 | \[\Delta x_{\text{max}}=\frac{548.8}{19.6}=28\,\text{m}\] | Insert \(v_{i}^{2}=548.8\) and \(g=9.8\,\text{m/s}^{2}\). |
| 4 | \[\boxed{28\,\text{m}}\] | The ball rises 28 m above the street. |
| Step | Derivation / Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[v_{x}=v_{i}-g t_{1}\] | Use \(v_{x}=v_{i}+at\) with \(a=-g\) to relate velocities and time. |
| 2 | \[t_{1}=\frac{v_{i}-v_{x}}{g}\] | Solve for \(t_{1}\), the interval from the throw to passing the window upward. |
| 3 | \[t_{1}=\frac{23.5-14}{9.8}=0.964\,\text{s}\] | Insert the numerical values. |
| 4 | \[\boxed{0.96\,\text{s}}\] | The ball was thrown roughly one second before being seen at the window. |
| Step | Derivation / Formula | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | \[T_{\text{total}}=\frac{2v_{i}}{g}\] | For motion that starts and ends at the same height, total flight time is twice the time to the peak, \(v_{i}/g\). |
| 2 | \[T_{\text{total}}=\frac{2(23.5)}{9.8}=4.79\,\text{s}\] | Insert \(v_{i}=23.5\,\text{m/s}\) and \(g=9.8\,\text{m/s}^{2}\). |
| 3 | \[t_{\text{after window}}=T_{\text{total}}-t_{1}=4.79-0.96=3.83\,\text{s}\] | Subtract the elapsed time before passing the window to find the interval after it. |
| 4 | \[\boxed{4.8\,\text{s}\;\text{(total from throw)}}\] | The ball returns to the street 4.8 s after being thrown, i.e., about 3.8 s after passing the window. |
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Two balls are dropped off a cliff, 3 seconds apart. The first ball dropped is twice as heavy as the second ball dropped. Air resistance is negligible. While both balls are falling, the distance between the two balls is

A cart begins to move from rest on a horizontal track. Which of the following correctly indicates the magnitude of the average velocity of the cart during the interval shown and provides a valid explanation?
Hint: when solving this, its consider that the area of the acceleration vs time graph tells you the change in velocity.
Which of the following graphs shows runners moving at the same speed? Assume the \(y\)-axis is measured in meters and the \(x\)-axis is measured in seconds.
An object is moving in the \( +x \) direction and begins to slow down. What must be true about its acceleration?
A 1100 kg car accelerates from 32 m/s to 8.0 m/s in 4.0 sec. What amount of force was needed to slow it down?
An object is released from rest near the surface of a planet. The velocity of the object as a function of time is expressed in the following equation. \( v_y = (-3) \, \text{m/s}^2 \, t \) All frictional forces are considered to be negligible. What distance does the object fall \( 10 \) \( \text{s} \) after it is released from rest?
A projectile is launched at \( 25 \) \( \text{m/s} \) at an angle of \( 37^{\circ} \). It lands on a platform that is \( 5.0 \) \( \text{m} \) above the launch height.
An object is thrown downward at \(23 ~\text{m/s}\) from the top of a \(200 ~\text{m}\) tall building.
Can an object have a non-zero distance and zero average speed?
A teacher walks the following path in \( 10 \) \( \text{s} \): \( 2 \) \( \text{m} \) south, \( 4 \) \( \text{m} \) east, \( 2 \) \( \text{m} \) north, \( 4 \) \( \text{m} \) west. What is the teacher’s average velocity?
\(23.43\,\text{m/s}\)
\(28\,\text{m}\)
\(0.96\,\text{s}\)
\(4.8\,\text{s}\)
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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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