AP Physics 1 : Newtonian Mechanics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Physics 1

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Tension

Consider the following system:


Slope_2

If the block has a mass of \(\displaystyle 5kg\) and the angle measures \(\displaystyle 20^{\circ}\), what is the minimum value of the coefficient of static friction that will result in a tension of \(\displaystyle 0N\)?

\(\displaystyle g = 10\frac{m}{s^2}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 0.45\)

\(\displaystyle 0.40\)

\(\displaystyle 0.27\)

\(\displaystyle 0.36\)

\(\displaystyle 0.11\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0.36\)

Explanation:

Since there is no tension, there are only two relevant forces acting on the block: friction and gravity. Since the block is motionless, we can also write:

\(\displaystyle F_{net} = 0\)

\(\displaystyle F_g - F_f = 0\)

\(\displaystyle F_g = F_f\)

Substitute the expressions for these two forces:

\(\displaystyle mgsin(\theta) = \mu_s gcos(\theta)\)

Canceling out mass and gravitational acceleration, and rearranging for the coefficient of static friction, we get:

\(\displaystyle \mu_s = \frac{sin(\theta)}{cos(\theta)}=tan(\theta)\)

\(\displaystyle \mu_s = 0.36\)

Example Question #1 : Tension

Consider the following system:

Slope_2

If the mass is accelerating at a rate of \(\displaystyle 2\frac{m}{s^2}\), the angle measures \(\displaystyle 30^{\circ}\), the mass of the block is \(\displaystyle 2kg\), and the coefficient of kinetic friction is \(\displaystyle 0.55\), what is the tension \(\displaystyle T\)?

\(\displaystyle g = 10\frac{m}{s^2}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1.1N\)

\(\displaystyle 11.7N\)

\(\displaystyle 24.6N\)

\(\displaystyle 0.12N\)

\(\displaystyle 3.4N\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 0.12N\)

Explanation:

There are three relevant forces acting on the block in this situtation: friction, gravity, and tension. We can use Newton's second law to express the system:

\(\displaystyle F_{net}=ma\)

\(\displaystyle F_g -F_f - T = ma\)

Substituting expressions in for the forces, we get:

\(\displaystyle mgsin(\theta) - \mu_kmgcos(\theta)-T = ma\)

Canceling out mass and rearranging to solve for tension, we get:

\(\displaystyle T = \frac{gsin(\theta)-\mu_kgcos(\theta)}{a}\)

We have values for each variable, allowing us to solve:

\(\displaystyle T = \frac{(10\frac{m}{s^2})sin(30^{\circ})-(0.55)(10\frac{m}{s^2})cos(30^{\circ})}{2\frac{m}{s^2}}\)

\(\displaystyle T = 0.12 N\)

Example Question #7 : Tension

Vt physics ramp pulley problem

A 12kg block is sliding down a \(\displaystyle 30^{o}\) incline with an acceleration of \(\displaystyle 1.5\: \frac{m}{s^{2}}\) as shown in the diagram. If the coefficient of kinetic friction of block 1 on the ramp is 0.18, what is the mass of block 2?

\(\displaystyle g=9.8\frac{m}{s^2}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2.28kg\)

\(\displaystyle 8.12kg\)

\(\displaystyle 3.47kg\)

\(\displaystyle 5.84kg\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2.28kg\)

Explanation:

In order to find the mass of block 2, we're going to need to calculate a few other things, such as the tension in the rope.

To begin with, we'll need to identify the various forces on our free-body diagram. To do this, we will begin with block 1 and use a rotated coordinate system to simplify things. In such a system, the x-axis will run parallel to the surface of the ramp, while the y-axis will be perpendicular to the ramp's surface, as shown below:

Vt physics ramp pulley problem rotated coordinatesVt physics ramp pulley problem free body diagram

Now we can identify the forces acting on block 1. Along the rotated y-axis, the force of gravity acting on the block is equal to \(\displaystyle mg\cos(\theta)\), and the force of the ramp on the block is just the normal force, \(\displaystyle N\). Since block 1 is not moving in the y direction, we can set these two forces equal to each other.

\(\displaystyle N=m_{1}gcos(\theta )\)

Now, considering the forces acting along the rotated x-axis, we have a force pointing downwards equal to \(\displaystyle m_{1}g\sin\left ( \theta \right )\). Pointing upwards, we have the tension force \(\displaystyle T\) and we also have the frictional force, \(\displaystyle F_{k}\).

The formula for calculating the force due to kinetic friction is:

\(\displaystyle F_{k}=\mu _{k}N\)

Since we have already determined what the normal force is, we can substitute that expression into the above equation to obtain:

\(\displaystyle F_{k}=\mu _{k}m_{1}gcos(\theta )\)

Now, we can write an expression for the net force acting upon block 1 in the x direction:

\(\displaystyle F_{1(net)}=m_{1}a=m_{1}gsin\left ( \theta \right )-T-\mu _{k}m_{1}gcos(\theta )\)

Rearrange the above expression to solve for tension.

\(\displaystyle T=m_{1}gsin(\theta )-\mu _{k}m_{1}gcos(\theta )-m_{1}a\)

So far, we have only been looking at block 1. Now let's turn our attention to block 2 and see what forces are acting on it. In the downward direction we have the weight of the block due to gravity, which is equal to \(\displaystyle m_{2}g\). In the upward direction, as we can see in the diagram, we have the tension of the rope, \(\displaystyle T\). We need to write an expression that tells us the net force acting upon block 2.

\(\displaystyle F_{2(net)}=m_{2}a=T-m_{2}g\)

Since we calculated the expression for tension from the information regarding block 1, we can plug that expression into the above equation in order to obtain:

\(\displaystyle m_{2}a=[m_{1}gsin(\theta )-\mu _{k}m_{1}gcos(\theta )-m_{1}a]-m_{2}g\)

Now rearrange to solve for the mass of block 2.

\(\displaystyle m_{2}a+m_{2}g=m_{2}(a+g)=m_{1}gsin(\theta )-\mu _{k}m_{1}gcos(\theta )-m_{1}a\)

\(\displaystyle m_{2}=\frac{[m_{1}gsin(\theta )-\mu _{k}m_{1}gcos(\theta )-m_{1}a]}{(a+g)}\)

Then plugging in values, we can finally calculate block 2's mass:

\(\displaystyle m_{2}=\frac{[(12kg*9.8\frac{m}{s^{2}}* sin(30^{o}))-(0.18* 12kg* 9.8\frac{m}{s^{2}}* cos(30^{o}))-(12kg* 1.5\: \frac{m}{s^{2}})]}{(1.5 \frac{m}{s^{2}}+9.8 \frac{m}{s^{2}})}\)

\(\displaystyle m_{2}=2.28kg\)

Example Question #1 : Tension

What is the tension force on a wire holding a 10kg ball 20ft above the ground, if the ball is not moving at that height?

\(\displaystyle g=9.8 \frac{m}{s^2}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 0N\)

\(\displaystyle 49N\)

\(\displaystyle 6N\)

\(\displaystyle 98N\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 98N\)

Explanation:

Since the gravitational force must be cancelled by the tension force, as the ball is experiencing no acceleration, and no other forces are being applied to it:

\(\displaystyle F_{grav}=F_{tension}=mg\)

\(\displaystyle F_{grav}=10kg*9.8 \frac{m}{s^2}=98N= F_{tension}\)

Example Question #9 : Tension

A block weighing \(\displaystyle 10kg\) is hanging from a string. Bruce begins applying a \(\displaystyle 3N\) force up on the block. What is the force of tension in the string? 

\(\displaystyle g=10\frac{m}{s^2}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 97N\)

\(\displaystyle 103N\)

\(\displaystyle 30N\)

\(\displaystyle 7N\)

\(\displaystyle 13N\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 97N\)

Explanation:

The block has three forces on it: the force of tension, the force of gravity, and the force from Bruce. The force of gravity is:

\(\displaystyle F_{grav}= mg\)

\(\displaystyle F_{grav}=10kg*10\frac{m}{s^2}=100N\)

The force from Bruce plus the force of tension has to equal gravity (since Bruce's force and tension are up while gravity is down) so the block is in equilibrium. 

\(\displaystyle F_{grav}=F_{Bruce}+F_{T}\)

\(\displaystyle 100N=3N+F_{T}\)

\(\displaystyle F_{T}=97N\)

Example Question #10 : Tension

A helicopter is lifting a box of mass \(\displaystyle 1500kg\) with a rope. The helicopter and box are accelerating upward at \(\displaystyle 1\frac{m}{s^2}\). Determine the tension in the rope.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 12.7kN\)

\(\displaystyle 18.8kN\)

\(\displaystyle 16.2kN\)

\(\displaystyle 10.1kN\)

\(\displaystyle 24.3kN\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 16.2kN\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle F_{total}=F_1+F_2+...\)

\(\displaystyle ma=F_{rope}+F_{gravity}\)

\(\displaystyle ma=T+mg\)

Plug in values:

\(\displaystyle 1500*1=T+1500*-9.8\)

Solve for \(\displaystyle T\)

\(\displaystyle T=16.2kN\)

Example Question #761 : Newtonian Mechanics

Earth mass: \(\displaystyle 5.97*10^{24}kg\)

Earth's distance from the Sun: \(\displaystyle 149.6*10^9m\)

Velocity of the Earth: \(\displaystyle \frac{2\pi*149.6*10^9meters}{1 year}\)

Imagine that, instead of gravity, the earth was attached to the sun with a giant, unbreakable rope. Determine what the tension would be in the rope.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1.52*10^{22}N\)

\(\displaystyle 2.54*10^{22}N\)

\(\displaystyle 3.57*10^{22}N\)

\(\displaystyle 5.31*10^{22}N\)

\(\displaystyle 3.20*10^{22}N\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3.57*10^{22}N\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle F_{cent}=T=m\frac{v^2}{r}\)

The velocity of the earth is \(\displaystyle \frac{\left(2\pi*149.6*10^9meters\right)}{1 year}\)

Convert to \(\displaystyle \frac{meters}{second}\):

\(\displaystyle \frac{9.40*10^{11}meters}{year}*\frac{1 year}{365.25 days}*\frac{1 day}{24 hours}*\frac{1 hour}{3600 seconds}=\frac{2.99*10^4m}{s}\)

Plug in values:

\(\displaystyle F_{cent}=T=5.97*10^{24}kg\frac{\left (\frac{2.99*10^4m}{s}\right)^2}{149.6*10^9m}\)

\(\displaystyle T=3.57*10^{22}N\)

Example Question #801 : Ap Physics 1

An elevator accelerates upward for a short period of time at a rate of \(\displaystyle 2\frac{m}{s^2}\). A mass of \(\displaystyle 4kg\) is hung by a rope from the top of the elevator.  

During the period when the elevator is accelerating, what is the magnitude of the tension in the rope?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 8N\)

\(\displaystyle 31.2N\)

None of the other answers

\(\displaystyle 47.2N\)

\(\displaystyle 39.2N\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 31.2N\)

Explanation:

Elevator tension

Here is a (simplistic) diagram of the elevator. There are three forces acting on this object. There is it's own weight due to gravity \(\displaystyle mg\); the tension in the rope holding it up, which we will call \(\displaystyle T\); and there is an external force \(\displaystyle ma\) due to the fact that the elevator is accelerating upward. Since the mass is fixed, it has zero velocity with respect to the elevator, and therefore the net force on the mass is 0 by Newton's 2nd law. The net force is given by \(\displaystyle T+ma-mg=0\). Solving this equation for \(\displaystyle T\) and plugging in the values gives us:

\(\displaystyle T=mg-ma=(4kg)(9.8\frac{m}{s^2})-(4kg)(2\frac{m}{s^2})=31.2N\)

Since we want the magnitude of the tension, and not the value of the vector, we omit the minus sign. Therefore the tension in the rope is \(\displaystyle 31.2N\), as desired.

 

Example Question #201 : Specific Forces

Suppose that a \(\displaystyle 25\:kg\) object is lifted upwards while hanging to a rope. If the object accelerates upwards at a rate of \(\displaystyle 8\: \frac{m}{s^{2}}\), what is the tension in the rope?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 200\:N\)

\(\displaystyle 445\:N\)

\(\displaystyle 245\:N\)

\(\displaystyle 45\:N\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 445\:N\)

Explanation:

For this question, we're presented with a scenario in which an object of a given mass is hanging to a rope. That rope is being pulled on, causing the object to accelerate upwards at a certain rate. We're then asked to calculate the tension that results in the rope.

In order to answer this question, it's best if we approach this by examining a force diagram. Since there are no pertinent forces occurring in the x direction, the only concern we have is in the y direction.

One of the forces acting on the object is the downward force of gravity. Another force is the upward tension caused by the rope. Hence, we know what force components contribute to the net force. Furthermore, we're told that as it is pulled up, the object accelerates at a rate of \(\displaystyle 8\: \frac{m}{s^{2}}\). Since this is the net acceleration in the y direction, we can determine the net force in the y direction.

\(\displaystyle \Sigma F_{y}=T-mg=ma\)

Next, we can rearrange the above terms in order to isolate the term for tension.

\(\displaystyle T=mg+ma=m(g+a)\)

Finally, if we plug in the values that we know, we can calculate our answer.

\(\displaystyle T=(25\: kg)(8\: \frac{m}{s^{2}}+9.8\: \frac{m}{s^{2}})\)

\(\displaystyle T=445\: N\)

Example Question #801 : Ap Physics 1

Two objects of equivalent mass are attached with a very strong rope that goes through a pulley. The masses are left to hang. What will happen?

Possible Answers:

The masses will remain motionless.

Both masses will rise.

One mass will fall and the other will rise.

None of these

Both masses will fall.

Correct answer:

The masses will remain motionless.

Explanation:

The masses will each provide an equal force to each other through the rope. Thus, there will be no net force and no net acceleration.

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