SAT II Physics : Kinematics Equations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT II Physics

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Kinematics Equations

An egg falls from a nest in a tree that is  tall. A girl,  away, runs to catch the egg. If she catches it right at the moment before it hits the ground, how fast does she need to run?

Possible Answers:

More information is needed to solve

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The important thing to recognize here is that the amount of time the egg is falling will be equal to the amount of time the girl is running.

Our first step will be to find the time that the egg is in the air.

We know it starts from rest  above the ground, and we know the gravitational acceleration. Its total displacement will be , since it falls in the downward direction. We can use the appropriate motion equation to solve for the time:

Use the given values in the formula to solve for the time.

Now that we have the time, we can use it to find the speed of the girl. Her speed will be determined by the distance she travels in this amount of time.

Use our values for her distance and the time to solve for her velocity.

 

Example Question #1 : Kinematics Equations

A ball is dropped from the roof a building that is tall. How long will it be before the ball hits the ground?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

We can solve this problem using the kinematics equations. Note that the initial velocity will be zero, since the ball is dropped, and the acceleration will be equal to the acceleration of gravity.

This can be simplified, since the initial velocity is zero.

Use the given value for the distance (the height of the building) and the acceleration of gravity to solve for the time.

Example Question #11 : Linear Motion

Q6

If the block of mass  slides up a frictionless incline plane and is pulled by mass  which is falling then what is the acceleration of the block on the ramp if  and  and the angle of incline is 30 degrees?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Begin by making a free body diagram for each block:

Q62

Use the diagram to write an equation for net force on each block:

Since  for the block on the ramp and  for falling block we can substitute into these equations:

Then add the equations to get:

Next rearrange to isolate :

Substitute the given values from the question and solve:

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