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1-D Kinematics: Problem Set

Problem 1
In the 2008 Olympics, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt shocked the world as he ran the 100-meter
dash in 9.69 seconds. Determine Usain's average speed for the race.
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10.3 m/s
Problem 2
In the Funny Car competition at the Joliet Speedway in Joliet, Illinois in October of 2004, John
Force complete the ¼-mile dragster race in a record time of 4.437 seconds. Determine the
average speed of the dragster in mi/hr and m/s. GIVEN: (1.000 mi =1609 m)
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202.8 mi/hr or 90.66 m/s
Problem 3
In the qualifying round of the 50-yd freestyle in the sectional swimming championship, Dugan
got an early lead by finishing the first 25.00 yd in 10.01 seconds. Dugan finished the return leg
(25.00 yd distance) in 10.22 seconds.
a. Determine Dugan's average speed for the entire race.
b. Determine Dugan's average speed for the first 25.00 yd leg of the race.
c. Determine Dugan's average velocity for the entire race.
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a. 2.472 yd/s
b. 2.498 yd/s
c. 0 yd/s
Problem 4
In last week's Homecoming victory, Al Konfurance, the star halfback of South's football team,
broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage and darted upfield untouched. He averaged 9.8 m/s for an
80-yard (73 m) score. Determine the time for Al to run from the line of scrimmage to the end
zone.
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7.5 s
Problem 5
During the annual shuffleboard competition, Renee gives her puck an initial speed of 9.32 m/s.
Once leaving her stick, the puck slows down at a rate of -4.06 m/s/s.
a. Determine the time it takes the puck to slow to a stop.
b. Use your initial speed and the calculated time to determine the average speed and the distance
which the puck travels before stopping.
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a. 2.30 s
b. 10.7 m
Problem 6
Ken Runfast is the star of the cross-country team. During a recent morning run, Ken averaged a
speed of 5.8 m/s for 12.9 minutes. Ken then averaged a speed of 6.10 m/s for 7.1 minutes.
Determine the total distance which Ken ran during his 20 minute jog.
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7100 m (rounded from 7088 m)
Problem 7
The Lamborghini Murcielago can accelerate from 0 to 27.8 m/s (100 km/hr or 62.2 mi/hr) in a
time of 3.40 seconds. Determine the acceleration of this car in both m/s/s and mi/hr/s.
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8.18 m/s/s or 18 mi/hr/s
Problem 8
Homer Agin leads the Varsity team in home runs. In a recent game, Homer hit a 96 mi/hr sinking
curve ball head on, sending it off his bat in the exact opposite direction at 56 mi/hr. The actually
contact between ball and bat lasted for 0.75 milliseconds. Determine the magnitude of the
average acceleration of the ball during the contact with the bat. Express your answer in both
mi/hr/s and in m/s/s. (Given: 1.00 m/s = 2.24 mi/hr)
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2.0 x 105 mi/hr/s (rounded from 202,667 mi/hr/s)
9.0 x 104 m/s/s (rounded from 90,476 m/s/s)
Problem 9
A Formula One car is a single-seat racing car with an open cockpit and substantial wings located
in the front and rear. At high speeds, the aerodynamics of the car help to create a strong
downward force which allows the car to brake from 27.8 m/s (100 km/hr or 62.2 mi/hr) to 0 in as
small of a distance as 17 meters. Determine the deceleration rate (i.e., acceleration) achieved by
such a car.
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23 m/s/s (rounded from 22.7 m/s/s)
Problem 10
The position-time graph below represents the motion of South's basketball coach during the last
sixteen seconds of overtime during this past weekend's game.

Use the graph to answer the next several questions.


a. Determine the total distance walked by the coach during these 16 seconds.
b. Determine the resulting displacement of the coach during these 16 seconds.
c. Determine the displacement of the coach after 12.0 seconds.
d. At what time did the coach have the greatest displacement from his starting position?
e. What was the fastest speed which the coach walked during any of the time intervals for the last
16.0 seconds?
f. What was the average speed of the coach for these 16.0 seconds?
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a. 24 m
b. 0 m
c. 6 m
d. 4-6 seconds and again at 14 seconds
e. 4 m/s
f. 1.5 m/s
Problem 11
Mr. H is preparing to show the class a Strobe demonstration when he realizes that his absent-
mindedness has struck once more. He left the strobe on the counter in the back of the lab after
the last class period. Starting 1.0 meter from the front of the room, Mr. H walks quickly to the
back of the lab, picks up the strobe and returns to the middle of the classroom. The position-time
graph below represents his motion. Use the graph to answer the next several questions.
a. What is the total distance walked by Mr. H during these 8.0 seconds?
b. What is the average speed of Mr. H during these 8.0 seconds?
c. What is the average velocity of Mr. H during these 8.0 seconds?
d. How fast did Mr. H walk during the first 5.0 seconds?
e. How fast did Mr. H walk during the last 3.0 seconds?
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a. 16 m
b. 2.0 m/s
c. 0.5 m/s
d. 2.0 m/s
e. 2.0 m/s
Problem 12
The position-time graph below represents the motion of two students - Mac (in red) and Tosh (in
blue) - as they enter and exit the school library during a passing period.
Use the graph to determine the speeds at which the two students move. (Ignore any stationary
periods of time.) Then determine how much faster the fastest student moves than the slower
student.
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Mac's speed: 2.5 m/s
Tosh's speed: 4.0 m/s
Difference: 1.5 m/s
Problem 13
Renatta Gas did it again. She failed to fill up her tank during the last four weeks. The velocity-
time graph below represents the last six seconds of motion her car before being stranded on a
highway in route to her university.

Use this graph to determine...


a. ...the acceleration of Renatta's car.
b. ...the distance traveled during her last 6.0 seconds of motion.
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a. -3.0 m/s/s
b. 54 m
Problem 14
Marcus Tardee is driving his friends to school. With the start of school being only minutes away,
he is unfortunately following a slow garbage truck. The truck finally turns down a side street and
Marcus accelerates to a much more customary speed. The velocity-time graph below represents
his motion. Use the graph to answer the following questions.

a. How fast was Marcus traveling while following the garbage truck?
b. Determine the distance traveled during the first 4.0 seconds represented on the graph.
c. Determine the acceleration of the car once the garbage truck turned onto the side street.
d. Determine the distance traveled by the car during the last 6.0 seconds of motion.
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a. 4.0 m/s
b. 16.0 m
c. 2.67 m/s/s
d. 72.0 m
Problem 15
The velocity-time graph below represents the motion of a car on a city street.
Use the graph to determine the acceleration values of the car at ...
a. 1.4 seconds.
b. 6.8 seconds.
c. 11.6 seconds.
d. 17.6 seconds.
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a. 2.0 m/s/s
b. 0.0 m/s/s
c. 6.0 m/s/s
d. -2.0 m/s/s
Problem 16
After a long soccer practice down at the neighborhood soccer fields, Suzie begins walking up the
steep hill towards her home. She gives her soccer ball a kick up the hill and continues walking
towards it, meeting the ball as it is rolling back down. The velocity-time graph below depicts the
motion of the ball. Use the graph to answer the following questions.
a. At what time did the ball change directions and begin rolling back down the hill?
b. What is the acceleration of the ball as it rolls up the hill? down the hill?
c. How far up the hill did the ball roll before it began to roll back down?
d. Determine the total distance traveled by the ball during the 5.00 seconds - both the distance up
the hill and down the hill.
e. How far up the hill did Suzie walk between the time when she kicked the ball and the time she
met up with the ball (at 5.0 seconds)?
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a. 3.00 s
b. -4.00 m/s/s
c. 18.0 m
d. 26.0 m
e. 10.0 m
Problem 17
Jeremy has recently taken up snowboarding as a hobby. He is practicing making smooth turns
while traveling up sloped inclines. The velocity-time graph below depicts his motion traveling up
an embankment and part-way down. Use the graph to answer the following questions.

a. Determine Jeremy's acceleration at 8.0 seconds.


b. Determine the distance Jeremy traveled from 0.0 to 5.0 seconds.
c. At what time did Jeremy begin to travel back down the embankment?
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a. -2.00 m/s/s
b. 60.0 m
c. 11.0 s
Problem 18
A Cessna 150 airplane has a takeoff speed of 28 m/s (63 mi/hr). Determine the minimum length
of the runway which would be required for the plane to take off if it averages an acceleration of
1.9 m/s/s.
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210 m (rounded from 206 m)
Problem 19
Cynthia competes in luge competitions during the winter months. She rides solo on a small sled
3 inches off the ground down icy slopes, turning only by use of her feet and the shifting of her
weight on the sled. During the initial stage of one downhill luge, Cynthia accelerated from rest at
6.84 m/s/s for 2.39 seconds. Determine the distance she moved during this acceleration phase.
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8.17 m
Problem 20
Suzie Lavtaski has reached the end of the ski slope and abruptly decelerates from 29.0 m/s to 1.8
m/s in 1.45 seconds. Determine Suzie' acceleration rate and the distance she moved during this
braking period.
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a: -18.8 m/s/s
d: 22.3 m
Problem 21
Captain John Stapp is often referred to as the "fastest man on Earth." In the late 1940s and early
1950s, Stapp ran the U.S. Air Force's Aero Med lab, pioneering research into the accelerations
which humans could tolerate and the types of physiological effects which would result. After
several runs with a 185-pound dummy named Oscar Eightball, Captain Stapp decided that tests
should be conducted upon humans. Demonstrating his valor and commitment to the cause, Stapp
volunteered to be the main subject of subsequent testing.
Manning the rocket sled on the famed Gee Whiz track, Stapp tested acceleration and deceleration
rates in both the forward-sitting and backward-sitting positions. He would accelerate to aircraft
speeds along the 1200-foot track and abruptly decelerate under the influence of a hydraulic
braking system. On one of his most intense runs, his sled decelerated from 282 m/s (632 mi/hr)
to a stop at -201 m/s/s. Determine the stopping distance and the stopping time.
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Stopping distance: 198 m
Stopping time: 1.40 s
Problem 22
Julietta and Jackson are playing miniature golf. Julietta's ball rolls into a long. straight upward
incline with a speed of 2.95 m/s and accelerates at -0.876 m/s/s for 1.54 seconds until it reaches
the top of the incline and then continues along an elevated section. Determine the length of the
incline.
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3.50 m
Problem 23
Rickey Henderson, baseball's record holder for stolen bases, approaches third base. He dives
head first, hitting the ground at 6.75 m/s and reaching the base at 5.91 m/s, accelerating at -5.11
m/s/s. Determine the distance Rickey slides across the ground before touching the base.
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1.04 m
Problem 24
Win Blonehare and Kent Swimtashore are sailboating in Lake Gustastorm. Starting from rest
near the shore, they accelerate with a uniform acceleration of 0.29 m/s/s, How far are they from
the shore after 18 seconds?
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47 m
Problem 25
For years, the tallest tower in the United States was the Phoenix Shot Tower in Baltimore,
Maryland. The shot tower was used from 1828 to1892 to make lead shot for pistols and rifles and
molded shot for cannons and other instruments of warfare. Molten lead was dropped from the top
of the 234-foot (71.3 meter) tall tower into a vat of water. During its free fall, the lead would
form a perfectly spherical droplet and solidify. Determine the time of fall and the speed of a lead
shot upon hitting the water at the bottom.
• Audio Guided Solution
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time: 3.81 s
speed: 37.4 m/s
Problem 26
According to Guinness, the tallest man to have ever lived was Robert Pershing Wadlow of Alton,
Illinois. He was last measured in 1940 to be 2.72 meters tall (8 feet, 11 inches). Determine the
speed which a quarter would have reached before contact with the ground if dropped from rest
from the top of his head.
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7.30 m/s
Problem 27
A California Condor is approaching its nest with a large chunk of carrion in its beak. As it
approaches, it makes an upward swoop, achieving a momentary upward velocity of 12.8 m/s
when the carrion falls from its mouth, hitting a cliff outcropping 32.1 m below. Determine the
speed of the carrion upon hitting the outcropping.
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28.2 m/s
Problem 28
During his recent skydiving adventure, Luke Autbeloe had reached a terminal speed of 10.4 m/s
as he approached the ground with his parachute. During an attempt to snap one last photo with
his camera, Luke fumbled it from a height of 52.1 m above the ground.
a. Determine the speed with which the camera hits the ground.
b. Determine the time for the camera to free fall from Luke's hands to the ground.
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a. 33.6 m/s
b. 2.37 s
Problem 29
The speed required of a military jet when taking off from the deck of an aircraft carrier is
dependent upon the speed of the carrier and the speed of the wind into which the carrier is
moving. The takeoff speed required of a military jet relative to the deck of the carrier is 45 m/s
when the carrier travels at 45 mi/hr into a 20 mi/hr wind. And when the aircraft carrier is
traveling at 10 mi/hr into a 5 mi/hr wind, the takeoff speed relative to the deck of the carrier is 71
m/s. Determine the acceleration which a military jet must have to take off under these two
conditions from the 126-m long runway of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier.
• Audio Guided Solution
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When the carrier travels at 45 mi/hr into a 20 mi/hr wind: 8.0 m/s/s
When the carrier is travels at 10 mi/hr into a 5 mi/hr wind: 20.0 m/s/s
Problem 30
The Zero Gravity Research Facility at NASA-operated Glenn Research Center in Ohio is used to
test the behavior of fluids, flames, equipment and other objects in free fall. It consists of a 467-
foot long, 12-foot diameter, steel vacuum chamber. The steel chamber resides inside of a
concrete lined shaft which extends 510 feet below ground level. Objects falling through the
tower experience free fall over a distance of 432 feet (132 meters).
a. Determine the falling time for objects dropped from rest.
b. Determine the final speed of the objects before the braking period begins.
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a. 5.19 s
b. 50.9 m/s
Problem 31
It's breakfast time and Mr. H entertains himself once more by watching the daily beetle race
across the 35.7-cm length of the Wheaties box top. Angie the beetle typically averages 3.77
mm/s and Bessie the beetle averages 4.78 mm/s. If Bessie gives Angie a 5.4 cm head start, then
which beetle wins and by what distance?
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Bessie wins by 2.1 cm
Problem 32
Alexander's hobby is dirt biking. On one occasion last weekend, he accelerated from rest to 17.8
m/s/s in 1.56 seconds. He then maintained this speed for 9.47 seconds. Seeing a coyote cross the
trail ahead of him, he abruptly stops in 2.79 seconds. Determine Alexander's average speed for
this motion.
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23.4 m/s
Problem 33
Ima Rushin can travel from Milwaukee Avenue to the school entrance gate at a constant speed of
22.5 m/s when the lights are green and there is no traffic. On Wednesday, Ima is stopped by a red
light at Landwehr Road. She decelerates at -3.95 m/s/s, waits for 45.0 seconds before the light
turns green and accelerates back up to speed at 4.91 m/s/s.
a. Determine the total time required to decelerate, stop and accelerate back up to speed.
b. Determine the amount of time the red light costs the driver (compared to if the car had not
been stopped by the red light).
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a. 55.3 sec
b. 50.1 sec
Problem 34
A tortoise and a hare are having a 1000-meter race. The tortoise runs the race at a constant speed
of 2.30 cm/s. The hare moves at an average speed of 1.50 m/s for 10.0 minutes and then decides
to take a nap. After waking up from the nap, the hare recognizes that the tortoise is about to cross
the finish line and immediately accelerates from rest with a constant acceleration of 0.500 m/s/s
for the remaining distance of the race. If the tortoise wins by a hair (no pun intended), then what
is the time in hours that the hare napped?
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11.9 hr
Problem 35
Hayden and Matthew are riding around the neighborhood on their scooters. Hayden is at rest
when Matthew passes him moving at a constant speed of 0.37 m/s. After 1.8 seconds, Hayden
decides to chase after Matthew, accelerating at 0.91 m/s/s. How much time must Hayden
accelerate before he is side-by-side with Matthew?
• Audio Guided Solution
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1.7 s (rounded from 1.68 s)

Newton's Laws of Motion: Problem Set


Problem 1
An African elephant can reach heights of 13 feet and possess a mass of as much as 6000 kg.
Determine the weight of an African elephant in Newtons and in pounds. (Given: 1.00 N = .225
pounds)
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58800 N or 13230 lb
Problem 2
About twenty percent of the National Football League weighs more than 300 pounds. At this
weight, their Body Mass Index (BMI) places them at Grade 2 obesity, which is one step below
morbid obesity. Determine the mass of a 300 pound (1330 N) football player.
• Audio Guided Solution
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136 kg
Problem 3
With fuel prices for combustible engine automobiles increasing, researchers and manufacturers
have given more attention to the concept of an ultralight car. Using carbon composites, lighter
steels and plastics, a fuel-efficient car can be manufactured at 540 kg. How much less does an
ultralight car weigh compared to a 1450-kg Honda Accord (2007)?
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8900 N less (rounded from 8918 N)
Problem 4
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average mass of an adult American
male is 86 kg. Determine the mass and the weight of an 86-kg man on the moon where the
gravitational field is one-sixth that of the Earth.
• Audio Guided Solution
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mass: 86 kg
weight: 140 N
Problem 5
The rising concern among athletic trainers and health advocates (and parents) regarding
concussions and multiple concussions among high school football players has prompted
numerous studies of the effectiveness of protective head gear and the forces and accelerations
experienced by players. One study suggested that there is a 50% chance of concussions for
impacts rated at 75 g's of acceleration (i.e., 75 multiplied by 9.8 m/s/s). (The average head
impact results in 22 to 24 g's of acceleration.) If a player's head mass (with helmet) is 6.0 kg and
considered to be a free body, then what net force would be required to produce an acceleration of
75 g's (~740 m/s/s)?
• Audio Guided Solution
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4400 N (rounded from 4410 N)
Problem 6
Captain John Stapp of the U.S. Air Force tested the human limits of acceleration by riding on a
rocket sled of his own design. His rocket sled, known as the Gee Whiz, had a mass of about 82
kg. What net force would be required to accelerate the Gee Whiz and 82-kg Stapp at 450 m/s/s
(the highest acceleration tested by Stapp)?
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37000 N (rounded from 36900 N)
Problem 7
Sophia, whose mass is 52 kg, experienced a net force of 1800 N at the bottom of a roller coaster
loop during her school's physics field trip to the local amusement park. Determine Sophia's
acceleration at this location.
• Audio Guided Solution
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35 m/s/s (rounded from 34.6 m/s/s)
Problem 8
The Top Thrill Dragster stratacoaster at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio uses a hydraulic
launching system to accelerate riders from 0 to 54 m/s (120 mi/hr) in 3.8 seconds before
climbing a completely vertical 420-foot hill . Determine the net force required to accelerate an
86-kg man.
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1200 N (rounded from 1222 N)
Problem 9
a. Determine the net force required to accelerate a 540-kg ultralight car from 0 to 27 m/s (60
mph) in 10.0 seconds.
b. Determine the net force required to accelerate a 2160-kg Ford Expedition from 0 to 27 m/s (60
mph) in 10.0 seconds.
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a. 1500 N (rounded from 1458 N)
b. 5800 N (rounded from 5832 N)
Problem 10
Anna Litical and Noah Formula are experimenting with the effect of mass and net force upon the
acceleration of a lab cart. They determine that a net force of F causes a cart with a mass of M to
accelerate at 48 cm/s/s. What is the acceleration value of a cart with …
a. a mass of M when acted upon by a net force of 2F?
b. a mass of 2M when acted upon by a net force of F?
c. a mass of 2M when acted upon by a net force of 2F?
d. a mass of 4M when acted upon by a net force of 2F?
e. a mass of 2M when acted upon by a net force of 4F?
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a. 96 m/s/s
b. 24 m/s/s
c. 48 m/s/s
d. 24 m/s/s
e. 96 m/s/s
Problem 11
Ethan is dragging a bag of grass from the garage to the street on the
evening before garbage pick-up day. The diagram at the right is a free-
body diagram. It uses arrows to represent the forces acting upon the bag.
Each force is labeled according to type. The magnitude of the force is
represented by the size of the arrow. Use the free body diagram to
determine the net force acting upon the bag. The values of the individual
forces are:
Fgrav = Fnorm = 60.5 N
Fapp = 40.2 N
Ffrict = 5.7 N.
• Audio Guided Solution
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34.5 N, right
Problem 12
Unfortunately for Vanessa, the wheels on her suitcase are not working.
She pulls on the strap in an effort to budge it from rest and drag it to the
curbside check-in desk. The free body diagram at the right depicts the
forces acting upon the suitcase. Use force values to determine the net force, the mass and the
acceleration of the suitcase. The values of the individual forces are:
Fgrav = Fnorm = 207 N
Ftens = 182 N
Ffrict = 166 N.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Fnet: 16 N, right
m: 21.1 kg
a: 0.76 m/s/s, right
Problem 13
The shipment of the new physics supplies have arrived. They are
placed on the freight elevator and transported up to the third floor for
delivery to the physics rooms. The free body diagram at the right
depicts the forces acting upon the freight elevator as it begins its
ascent through the elevator shaft. Use force values to determine the
net force, the mass and the acceleration of the elevator. The values of
the individual forces are:
Ftens = 2340 N
Fgrav = 2120 N
Fnorm1 = Fnorm2 = 276 N.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Fnet: 220 N, up
m: 216 kg
a: 1.0 m/s/s, up
Problem 14
It's Friday night and Skyler has been assigned the noble task of baby-sitting Casey, his 2-year old
brother. He puts a crash helmet on Casey, places him in the red wagon and takes him on a stroll
through the neighborhood. As Skyler starts across the street, he exerts a 52 N forward force on
the wagon. There is a 24 N resistance force and the wagon and Casey have a combined weight of
304 N. Construct a free body diagram depicting the types of forces acting upon the wagon. Then
determine the net force, mass and acceleration of the wagon.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Fnet: 28 N, forward
m: 31.0 kg
a: 0.90 m/s/s, forward
Problem 15
After a lead-off single in the 8th inning, Earl makes an effort to steal second base. As he hits the
dirt on his head first dive, his 73.2 kg body encounters 249 N of friction force. Construct a free
body diagram depicting the types of forces acting upon Earl. Then determine the net force and
acceleration.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Fnet: 249 N, against his motion
a: 3.40 m/s/s, against his motion
Problem 16
Mira and Tariq are lab partners for the Pulley and Bricks Lab. They have determined that the
2.15-kg brick is experiencing a forward tension force of 9.54 N and a friction force of 8.69 N as
it is accelerated across the table top. Construct a free body diagram depicting the types of forces
acting upon the brick. Then determine the net force and acceleration of the brick.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Fnet: 0.85 N, forward
a: 0.40 m/s/s, forward (rounded from 0.395 m/s/s)
Problem 17
Moments after making the dreaded decision to jump out the door of the airplane, Darin's 82.5-kg
body experiences 118 N of air resistance. Determine Darin's acceleration at this instant in time.
HINT: begin by drawing a free body diagram and determine the net force.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
8.37 m/s/s, down
Problem 18
Kelli and Jarvis are members of the stage crew for the Variety Show. Between acts, they must
quickly move a Baby Grand Piano onto stage. After the curtain closes, they exert a sudden
forward force of 524 N to budge the piano from rest and get it up to speed. The 158-kg piano
experiences 418 N of friction.
a. What is the piano's acceleration during this phase of its motion?
b. If Kelli and Jarvis maintain this forward force for 1.44 seconds, then what speed will the piano
have?
• Audio Guided Solution
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a. 0.671 m/s/s, forward
b. 0.966 m/s
Problem 19
Skydiving tunnels have become popular attractions, appealing in part to those who would like a
taste of the skydiving experience but are too overwhelmed by the fear of jumping out of a plane
at several thousand feet. Skydiving tunnels are vertical wind tunnels through which air is blown
at high speeds, allowing visitors to experience bodyflight. On Natalya's first adventure inside the
tunnel, she changes her orientation and for an instant, her 46.8-kg body momentarily experiences
an upward force of air resistance of 521 N. Determine Natalya's acceleration during this moment
in time.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.3 m/s/s, up (rounded from 1.33 m/s/s)
Problem 20
A rope is used to pull a 2.89-kg bucket of water out of a deep well.
a. What is the acceleration of the bucket when the tension in the rope is 30.2 N?
b. If starting from rest, what speed will the bucket have after experiencing this force for 2.16
seconds?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 0.65 m/s/s, up
b. 1.4 m/s
Problem 21
A 0.104-kg model rocket accelerates at 45.9 m/s/s on takeoff. Determine the upward thrust
experienced by the rocket.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
5.79 N
Problem 22
Brandon is the catcher for the Varsity baseball team. He exerts a forward force on the 0.145-kg
baseball to bring it to rest from a speed of 38.2 m/s. During the process, his hand recoils a
distance of 0.135 m. Determine the acceleration of the ball and the force which is applied to it by
Brandon.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
acceleration: 5.40 x 103 m/s/s
force: 784 N
Problem 23
Alejandra is attempting to drag her 32.6-kg Golden Retriever across the wooden floor by
applying a horizontal force. What force must she apply to move the dog with a constant speed of
0.95 m/s? The coefficient of friction between the dog and the floor is 0.72.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
230 N
Problem 24
The coefficient of friction between the wheels of Dawson's 1985 Ford Coupe and the dry
pavement is 0.85. Determine the acceleration which the 1300-kg Coupe experiences while
skidding to a stop.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
8.3 m/s/s
Problem 25
Nicholas, Brianna, Dylan and Chloe are practicing their hockey on frozen Bluebird Lake. As
Dylan and Chloe chase after the 0.162 kg puck, it decelerates from 10.5 m/s to 8.8 m/s in 14
seconds.
a. Determine the acceleration of the puck.
b. Determine the force of friction experienced by the puck.
c. Determine the coefficient of friction between the ice and the puck.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 0.12 m/s/s
b. 0.020 N (rounded from 0.0197 N)
c. 0.012
Problem 26
Unbeknownst to most students, every time the school floors are waxed, the physics teachers get
together to have a barrel of phun doing friction experiments in their socks (uhm - they do have
clothes on; its just that they don't have any shoes on their feet). On one occasion, Mr. London
applies a horizontal force to accelerate Mr. Schneider (mass of 84 kg) rightward at a rate of 1.2
m/s/s. If the coefficient of friction between Mr. Schneider 's socks and the freshly waxed floors is
0.35, then with what force (in Newtons) must Mr. London be pulling?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
390 N (rounded from 389 N)
Problem 27
Dexter Eius is running through the cafeteria when he slips on some mashed potatoes and falls to
the floor. (Let that be a lesson for Dexter.) Dexter lands in a puddle of milk and skids to a stop
with an acceleration of -4.8 m/s/s. Dexter weighs 780 Newtons. Determine the coefficient of
friction between Dexter and the milky floor.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.49
Problem 28
The Harrier Jump Jet is a fixed wing military jet designed for vertical takeoff and landing
(VTOL). It is capable of rotating its jets from a horizontal to a vertical orientation in order to
takeoff, land and conduct horizontal maneuvers. Determine the vertical thrust required to
accelerate an 8600-kg Harrier upward at 0.40 m/s/s.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
8.8 x 104 N (rounded from 87720 N)
Problem 29
While skydiving, Dee Selerate opens her parachute and her 53.4-kg body immediately
accelerates upward for an instant at 8.66 m/s/s. Determine the upward force experienced by Dee
during this instant.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
986 N
Problem 30
A 1370-kg car is skidding to a stop along a horizontal surface. The car decelerates from 27.6 m/s
to a rest position in 3.15 seconds. Assuming negligible air resistance, determine the coefficient of
friction between the car tires and the road surface.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.894

Vectors and Projectiles: Problem Set


Problem 1
Coach Sweeney walks 26 yards to the north along the sideline, pauses, and walks 12 yards back
to the south.
a. Determine the distance which Coach moved.
b. Determine Coach's resultant displacement.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 38 yd
b. 14 yd, north
Problem 2
a. Rosa Boat is paddling upstream at 1.25 m/s relative to the water in a river which is flowing at
0.50 m/s relative to the banks of the river. What is the resultant velocity of Rosa's boat (relative
to the banks)?
b. Rosa Boat is paddling downstream at 1.25 m/s relative to the water in a river which is flowing
at 0.50 m/s relative to the banks of the river. What is the resultant velocity of Rosa's boat
(relative to the banks)?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 0.75 m/s, upstream
b. 1.75 m/s, downstream
Problem 3
The takeoff speed of a military aircraft from an aircraft carrier is approximately 170 mi/hr
relative to the air. They acquire this speed through a combination of a catapult system present on
the aircraft carrier and the aircraft's jet propulsion system. A common strategy is to head the
carrier and the plane into the wind. If a plane is taking off from an aircraft carrier which is
moving at 40 mi/hr into a 20 mi/hr headwind, then what speed relative to the deck of the aircraft
carrier must it obtain to takeoff?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
110 mi/hr
Problem 4
Claire de Iles is shopping. She walks 16 m to the end of an aisle. She then makes a right hand
turn and walks 21 m down the end aisle. Determine the magnitude of Claire's resultant
displacement.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
26 m
Problem 5
Jim Nazium is walking from lunch to his PE class. He exits the lunchroom and walks 43 m west.
He then turns and walks 72 m north down the hallway leading to the locker room. Determine the
magnitude and direction of Jim's resultant displacement.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
84 m, 59°N of W (or 121° CCW)
Problem 6
On her trip from home to school, Karla drives along three streets after exiting the driveway. She
drives 1.85 miles south, 2.43 miles east and 0.35 miles north. Determine the magnitude of
Karla's resultant displacement.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.86 mi
Problem 7
Sheila is captain of the Varsity cross country team. During the after-school practice on Tuesday,
she led the team on the following run from school to a nearby park where they met the coach for
a meeting: 0.68 miles, north; 1.09 miles east; 1.56 miles north; 0.32 miles, west. Determine the
magnitude and direction of the team's resultant displacement.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.37 mi, 71.0° N of E (or 71.0° CCW)
Problem 8
During the Vector Addition lab, Mac and Tosh start at the classroom door and walk 40.0 m,
north, 32.5 m east, 15.5 m south, 68.5 m west, and 2.5 m, north. Determine the magnitude and
direction of the resultant displacement of Mac and Tosh.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
45.0 m, 36.9° N of W (or 143.1° CCW)
Problem 9
Avery, the quarterback of South's Varsity football team, made the most amazing pass in the
Homecoming game against cross town rival North. He threw the pass from the exact center of
the field to the corner of the end zone, where Jamaal caught it for the game winning score. If the
football field is 160 feet wide (sideline to sideline) and it is 60 yards from midfield to the back of
the end zone, then how far did the ball travel from Avery's hands to Jamaal's hands.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
66 yd (rounded from 65.66 yd) or 197 ft
Problem 10
Consider the map of the United States below. Given the scale that 1 cm = 340 km, a protractor
and a ruler can be used to determine the magnitude and direction for the following trips. All
directions are expressed using the counter-clockwise from east convention. For each trip, use the
sine, cosine and tangent functions to determine the horizontal and vertical components of the
displacement. Be sure to indicate E, W, N, or S as the direction for each component.

Horiz. Vert.
Trip Displacement
Component Component
Chicago to Denver 1430 km, 187°
Reno to Miami 4030 km, 341°
Seattle to Washington 3480 km, 344°
Houston to Salt Lake City 2040 km, 143°
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Horiz.
Trip Displacement Vert. Component
Component
Chicago to Denver 1430 km, 187° 1419 km, West 174 km, South
Reno to Miami 4030 km, 341° 3810 km, East 1312 km, South
Seattle to Washington 3480 km, 344° 3345 km, East 959 km, South
Houston to Salt Lake City 2040 km, 143° 1629 km, West 1228 km, North
Problem 11
The pilot of a plane flying due north is notified by the flight controller that there is a second
plane flying south at about the same altitude and located in the same general area. The pilot is
told that the southward bound plane is currently located at a position which is 13.5 km, 102°
from her own plane.
a. How many miles to the north is the second plane?
b. How many miles to the west is the second plane?
c. If the two planes both have an airspeed of 290. km/hr, then how much time will elapse before
the planes are side by side?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 13.2 km
b. 2.8 km
c. 0.0228 hr (1.37 min)
Problem 12
A spelunker (person who explores caves) determines that the cave entrance is located 349 m,
253° from her current position. How far south and how far west from her current position is the
cave entrance?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
102 m, West
334 m, South
Problem 13
Avery, South's quarterback, throws a pass 36.5 yards at 21° W of S before it is caught by
Mitchell with a diving catch. Assuming that the field runs north and south, and that Avery threw
the pass from 7.2 yards behind the line of scrimmage, how many yards were gained on the play?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
26.9 yd
Problem 14:
Mia Ander exits the front door of her home and walks along the path
shown in the diagram at the right (not to scale). The walk consists of four
legs with the following magnitudes:
A = 88 m
B = 272 m
C = 136 m
D = 183 m
Determine the magnitude and direction of Mia's resultant displacement.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
218 m, 56.3° S of W (or236.3° CCW)
Problem 15:
Dora is exploring a cave. She starts at the entrance and makes the following straight line
movements:
68 m, south
112 m, 25° north of west (155° CCW)
34 m, south
182 m, 17° south of east (343° CCW)
Determine Dora's position relative to the entrance of the cave. That is, how far and in what
direction is Dora from the cave entrance?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
130. m, 56.1°S of E (or 303.9° CCW)
Problem 16:
Taylor and Drew finish their last class on the day before Spring break and decide to take a
spontaneous road trip. Their trip involves the following movements:
42 miles, 67° north of west (113° CCW)
61 miles, west
23 miles, 17° west of south (253° CCW)
Taylor's car breaks down after the last leg of the trip. How far and in what direction are Taylor
and Drew from campus?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
86 mi, 11° north of west (169° CCW)
Problem 17
A weather report shows that a tornado was sighted 12 km south and 23 km west of your town.
The storm is reported to be moving directly towards your town at a speed of 82 km/hr.
a. What distance from your town was the tornado sighted?
b. Approximately how much time (in minutes and hours) will elapse before the violent storm
arrives at your town?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 26 km (rounded from 25.9 mi)
b. 0.32 hr or 19 min
Problem 18
An airplane begins its journey into Canada from a destination located 285 mi south of the border.
The plane flies along a straight-line path at 189 mi/h in a direction of 20.5 degrees west of north.
Determine the number of minutes before the plane crosses the border. Assume that the border is
aligned directly east and west in the region where the flight takes place.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
96.6 min
Problem 19
Glenda and Harold are attempting to cross a river in a kayak. The river flows due east at 1.9 m/s.
Glenda and Harold head the kayak due north and row at 2.4 m/s (relative to the water). The river
is 38 m wide at this location.
a. Determine the resultant velocity of the boat - both magnitude and direction.
b. Determine the time for Glenda and Harold to cross the river.
c. How far downstream will the boat be when Glenda and Harold reach the opposite shore?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 3.1 m/s, 38° east of north (or 52° N of E) (or 52° CCW)
b. 16 s
c. 30. m
Problem 20
Ty Ridlegs boards a paddle boat and heads the boat westward directly across a river. The river
flows south at 48 cm/s. Ty paddles the boat with a speed of 98 cm/s.
a. Determine the resultant velocity of the boat - both magnitude and direction.
b. If the river is 22 m wide at this location, then how much time does it take Ty to cross the
river? Assume that Ty keeps his paddle boat headed west.
c. How far downstream will Ty be when he reaches the other side of the river?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 109 cm/s, 26° south of west (or 54° W of S) (or 206° CCW)
b. 22 s
c. 11 m (rounded from 10.8 m)
Problem 21
Dylan and Sophia are walking along Bluebird Lake on a perfectly calm day. Dylan, determined
to impress Sophia by his ability to skip rocks, picks up the flattest rock he can find and gives it a
sidearm launch from the edge of the water. The rock acquires a completely horizontal velocity of
26 m/s from a height of 0.45 m above the water surface.
a. How much time does it take the rock to fall to the water surface?
b. How far from the edge of the water does the rock travel before it makes its first skip?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 3.0 s
b. 7.9 m
Problem 22
In an effort to create a cannonball-style splash, eight-year old Matthew runs off the edge of the
board of the high dive at 4.6 m/s and falls 2.3 m to the water below.
a. Determine the time for Matthew to fall the 2.3 m to the water.
b. What horizontal distance from the edge of the board will Matthew plunge into the water?
c. With what speed does Matthew enter the water?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 0.69 s
b. 3.2 m
c. 8.1 m/s
Problem 23
Ima Peode wishes to throw a 2.8-kg pumpkin horizontally off the top of the school roof in order
to hit Mr. H's car. The car is parked a distance of 13.4 m away from the base of the building
below the point where Ima is standing. The building's roof is 10.4 m high. Assuming no air
resistance, with what horizontal speed must Ima toss the pumpkin in order to hit Mr. H's car.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
9.20 m/s
Problem 24
The La Quebrada Cliff Divers provide daily entertainment for the crowds at Acapulco, Mexico.
As a group of professional high divers, they dive off the cliff of La Quebrada and fall 45.1 m
(148 feet) to the water below. More than an act of bravery, the cliff divers must time their dive so
that they hit the water when the crest of an incoming wave has arrived. Determine the speed with
which Pedro must run off the cliff in order to land in the water a horizontal distance of 17.8 m
from the edge of the cliff.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
5.87 m/s
Problem 25
An emergency relief plane is dropping a care package from a plane to a group of medical
personnel working for a relief agency in an African village. The package is designed to land in a
small lake, inflate an attached raft upon impact, and finally resurface with the raft side down.
The plane will be moving horizontally with a ground speed of 59.1 m/s. The package will be
dropped a horizontal distance of 521 m from the intended target location. At what altitude above
the pond must the plane be flying in order to successfully accomplish this feat?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
381 m
Problem 26
The Choo Choo Restaurant in DesPlaines, IL is a 50’s style diner which is notorious for the
delivery of food from the kitchen to the dining room by an O-scale model train. Dinner baskets
filled with hot dogs, hamburgers, French fries and the like are mounted to the tops of flatbed
train cars and transported to table tops. On Matthew’s fifth birthday, a French fry rolled off the
top of the pile on a tight turn moving at a speed of 1.25 m/s and fell to the floor.
a. Determine the time for the French fry to fall 113 cm from the top of the pile to the floor.
b. Determine the horizontal displacement of the fry from the edge of the track.
c. Determine the speed of the French fry upon striking the floor.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 0.152 s
b. 0.190 m
c. 1.94 m/s
Problem 27
Aaron Agin and Bud Derfenger are lab partners who last year earned a reputation for breaking
beakers, spilling acid, mixing the wrong chemicals, breaking thermometers and accidentally
lighting Sophia’s hair on fire with a Bunsen burner. And now to the delight of the physics class,
Mr. H has made the mistake of allowing them to partner again. In a recent lab which utilized
expensive tracks and carts, Aaron and Bud lived up to their reputation. Despite strong warnings
from Mr. H, they allowed a cart to roll off the track and then off the table with a speed of 208
cm/s. The crash of the cart to the floor a horizontal distance of 96.3 cm from the table’s edge
turned the entire classroom silent. Use this information to determine the height of the lab tables
in Mr. H’s lab.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.05 m
Problem 28
Sharon Steady and Al Wayskachon won South’s recent egg toss contest held during
Homecoming week. In their winning toss, Sharon gave the egg an underhand toss, releasing it
with a velocity of 8.06 m/s at an angle of 30° to the horizontal. To the pleasure of the crowd, Al
caught the egg at the same height as the toss without even a fracture to its shell.
a. Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity.
b. Calculate the time for the egg to reach the midpoint of the trajectory.
c. Calculate the total time the egg is in the air.
d. Calculate the horizontal distance which the egg traveled from Sharon to Al.
e. Calculate the height of the egg (relative to the releast point) when it was at the peak of its
trajectory.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. vox = 6.98 m/s and voy = 4.03 m/s
b. 0.411 s
c. 0.822 s
d. 5.74 m
e. 0.828 m
Problem 29
Li Ping Phar, the famous Chinese ski jumper, leaves the ramp with an initial velocity of 34.9 m/s
at an angle of 35°.
a. Determine the total time of flight.
b. Determine the horizontal displacement.
c. Determine the peak height (relative to the starting height). Assume that Li lands at the same
height as the top of the ramp and that Li is a projectile.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 4.09 s
b. 117 m
c. 20.4 m
Problem 30
A tennis player stretches out to reach a ball that is just barely above the ground and successfully
'lobs' it over her opponent's head. The ball is hit with a speed of 18.7 m/s at an angle of 65.1
degrees.
a. Determine the time that the ball is in the air.
b. Determine the maximum height which the ball reaches.
c. Determine the distance the ball travels horizontally before landing.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 3.46 s
b. 14.7 m
c. 27.3 m
Problem 31:
On New Year’s eve of 2007, Robbie Maddison set the world record for the longest motorcycle
jump, traveling 98.3 m through the air from ramp to ramp. (The record has since been broken
several times by Maddision himself.) Assuming a launch angle of 45°, insignificant air resistance
and a landing location at the same height as the launch height, determine the speed with which
Maddison left the ramp.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
31.0 m/s
Problem 32:
Mr. Udadi takes his three children to the park for some summertime recreation. Olive Udadi is
enjoying swinging and jumping. On one jump, Olive leaves the swing at a 30° angle to the
horizontal with a speed of 2.2 m/s. She lands on the ground a horizontal distance of 1.09 m from
the launch location.
a. Determine the horizontal and the vertical components of the initial velocity.
b. Determine the time which Olive is in the air.
c. Determine the vertical height (relative to the landing location) from which Olive jumps from
the swing.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. vox = 1.9 m/s and voy = 1.1 m/s
b. t = 0.57 s
c. 1.0 m
Problem 33:
In an apparent effort to earn an appearance on the Destroyed in Seconds show, Caleb attempts a
bicycle maneuver in which he jumps between two ramps whose elevated edges are located a
distance of 1.8 meters apart. The ramps are angled at 35° and located at the same height.
Determine the speed (in m/s and mi/hr) that Caleb must acquire to accomplish this stunt. (Given:
1.00 m/s = 2.24 mi/hr)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
4.3 m/s or 9.7 mi/hr
Problem 34:
Albert is South’s star punter for the varsity football team. His best hang time this past season was
for a punt which he kicked at 74° above the horizontal. The punt had a 6.2 second hang time.
a. Determine the speed at which the ball was punted.
b. Determine the horizontal distance which the ball traveled.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 31.6 m/s
b. 54.0 m

Vectors and Forces in 2-D: Problem Set


Problem 1
For each collection of listed forces, determine the vector sum or the net force.
Set A Set B Set C
58 N, right 14 N, left 12 N, up
42 N, left 16 N, up 8 N, down
98 N, up 16 N, down
98 N, down
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Set A: ∑F = 16 N, right
Set B: ∑F = 14 N, left
Set C: ∑F = 4 N, up
Problem 2
Hector is walking his dog (Fido) around the neighborhood. Upon arriving at Fidella's house (a
friend of Fido's), Fido turns part mule and refuses to continue on the walk. Hector yanks on the
chain with a 67.0 N force at an angle of 30.0° above the horizontal. Determine the horizontal and
vertical components of the tension force.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Fx: 58.0 N
Fy: 33.5 N
Problem 3
Helen is parasailing. She sits in a seat harness which is attached by a tow rope to a speedboat.
The rope makes an angle of 51° with the horizontal and has a tension of 350 N. Determine the
horizontal and vertical components of the tension force.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Ftension-horizontal: 220 N
Ftension-vertical: 270 N (rounded from 272 N)
Problem 4
At one moment during a walk around the block, there are four forces exerted upon Fido - a 10.0
kg dog. The forces are:
Fapp = 67.0 N at 30.0° above the horizontal (rightward and upward)
Fnorm = 64.5 N, up
Ffrict = 27.6 N, left
Fgrav = 98 N, down
Resolve the applied force (Fapp) into horizontal and vertical components, then add the forces up
as vectors to determine the net force.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Fapp-horizontal: 58.0 N, right
Fapp-vertical: 33.5 N, up
Fnet: 30.4 N, right
Problem 5
Jerome and Michael, linebackers for South’s varsity football team, delivered a big hit to the
halfback in last weekend’s game. Striking the halfback simultaneously from different directions
with the following forces:
FJerome = 1230 N at 53°
FMichael = 1450 at 107°
Determine the resultant force applied by Jerome and Michael to the halfback. (The directions of
the two forces are stated as counter-clockwise angles of rotation with East.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2390 N at 82° N of E
Problem 6
A pack of three Artic wolves are fighting over the carcass of a
dead polar bear. A top view of the magnitude and direction of the
three forces is shown in the diagram to the right.
a. Determine the resultant or net force acting upon the carcass.
b. Determine the acceleration of the 750-kg polar bear carcass.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 190 N at 23° south of east (or 337°)
b. 0.25 m/s/s
Problem 7
Lee Mealone is sledding with his friends. Disgruntled by a coarse comment, he decides to
separate from the group. He momentarily exerts a 31 N force on the rope which is attached to his
2.5-kg sled. The rope makes an angle of 22° with the nearly frictionless surface. Use the
structure provided below to determine the net force on and acceleration of the sled.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Show Answer
Fx: 28.74 N
Fy: 11.61 N
Fgrav: 24.5 N
Fnorm: 12.89 N
Fnet: 29 N, right
a: 11 m/s/s, right (rounded from 11.497 m/s/s)
Problem 8
Renee is on Spring Break and pulling her 21-kg suitcase through the airport at a constant speed
of 0.47 m/s. She pulls on the strap with 120 N of force at an angle of 38° above the horizontal.
Determine the normal force and the total resistance force (friction and air resistance) experienced
by the suitcase.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Fresistance: 95 N
Fnorm: 130 N (rounded from 132 N)
Problem 9
Ben Laborin works for the South bookstore during the summer months to help prepare for Fall
sales. Books from one supplier are shipped to the school in large crates equipped with rope
handles on all sides. On one occasion, Ben momentarily pulled with a force of 692 N at an angle
of 36.0° above the horizontal to accelerate a 112-kg crate of books. The coefficient of friction
between the crates and the vinyl floor is 0.548. Determine the acceleration experienced by the
crate. (Suggestion: Begin with a free body diagram.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.62 m/s/s
Problem 10
A fire breaks out on a high rise building and a rescue helicopter is called to the scene. The
helicopter is equipped with a rescue basket attached by a strong cable to a winch on the
helicopter. The rescue basket is lowered to the roof and some occupants of the top floor escape to
the roof and enter the basket. As the helicopter takes off, the cable momentarily makes a 78.2°
angle to the horizontal, imparting a slight horizontal acceleration to the 621-kg basket and
occupants across the roof top. The coefficient of friction between the basket and the roof top is
0.568 and the tension in the cable is 4980 N. Determine the acceleration of the basket and
occupants. (Suggestion: Begin with a free body diagram.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.532 m/s/s
Problem 11:
The custodians clean the field house gym floor between games at the annual Holiday Basketball
Classic. Chuck exerts a force on a 1.1-kg push broom as he walks across the floor at a constant
speed. The coefficient of friction between the floor and the broom is 0.45 and the broom handle
makes an angle of 41° with the horizontal. Determine the amount of force with which Chuck
pushes downward (along the handle of the broom) in order to achieve this constant speed motion.
(Suggestion: Begin with a free body diagram.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
11 N (rounded from 10.6 N)
Problem 12
Lon Mauer is cleaning up the driveway after mowing the grass. He exerts a sudden downward
force of 56.8 N at a constant angle of 54.7° below the horizontal in order to accelerate his 1.05-
kg broom from rest. The coefficient of friction between the broom bristles and the driveway is
0.567. Determine the rate of acceleration of the broom. (Suggestion: Begin with a free body
diagram.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.670 m/s/s
Problem 13
South still displays with great pride the large sign boasting of their 1996 State Championship
Girl’s Basketball Team. The 43.1-kg sign hangs from two cables which make an angle of 34.5°
with the horizontal. Determine the tension in each of the cables.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
373 N
Problem 14
A massive light hangs over the table in Jeremy's dining room. The light is supported by four
strong chains which make an angle of 75.0° with the horizontal. The force in each chain is 35.8
N.
a. Determine the force with which a single chain pulls horizontally and vertically upon the light.
b. Determine the mass of the light.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. Fx: 9.3 N and Fy: 34.6 N
b. 14.1 kg
Problem 15
Troy Ginometri, owner of the local floral shop, displays the sale of the month in the front
window of his shop. The 5.6-kg flower pot is suspended by three chains from the ceiling. The
chains make an angle of 25° with the vertical. Determine the tension in one of the chains.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
20. N
Problem 16
The historic Stanley Center for the Arts in Utica, New York is the proud owner of the world’s
largest LED chandelier. The chandelier is 35 feet wide, 17 feet tall and has a mass of 2900 kg. It
is directly supported by four cables which make an angle of 63° with the horizontal. Determine
the tension in the cables.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
8.0 x 103 N (rounded from 7974 N)
Problem 17
Xavier went rock climbing this past weekend. During one climb
through a narrow vertical chimney, he supported his weight by
leaning with his back against one wall of the chimney and pushing
off the opposite wall with his legs. His left leg made a 26° angle
with the horizontal. The coefficient of frcition between his back
and the chimney wall is 0.508. Determine the minimum amount of
tension which would be required to support the weight of his 86-
kg body.
a. Determine the tension in his left leg.
b. Determine the normal force of the chimney wall pushing upon
his back.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 942 N
b. 846 N
Problem 18
Charles Blondin is famous for having crossed the Niagra Falls on an 1100-foot long tight-rope at
a height of 160 feet above the gorge. He accomplished the feet several times in a variety of ways
– blindfolded, in a sack, carrying his manager on his shoulders, pushing a wheelbarrow and
walking on stilts. Suppose the 65-kg Blondin is at the midpoint of the tight-rope and has stopped
to cook and eat an omelet. If the tightrope makes an angle of 5° with the horizontal, determine
the tension in the rope.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
3.7 x 103 N (3654 N)
Problem 19:
Mom and Dad have tied a rope to Matthew’s sled
and are momentarily pulling him through the snow.
Dad is pulling with force A and Mom with force B.
A: 54 N at 65° north of east
B: 130 N at 22° south of east
a. Determine the resultant force of A and B.
b. Determine the acceleration that these momentary
forces would create for a 39-kg sled and child
(assuming negligible friction).
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 140 N (rounded from 143 N)
b. 3.7 m/s/s
Problem 20
A local automobile dealership has chosen to hang a car outside
the entry to their showroom. The car has been modified so that its
mass is 645 kg. The car's weight will be supported by a heavy-
duty chain which pulls upwards and leftwards. A beam will push
outward to balance the wallward pull of the chain. The
manufacturer of the chain claims it has a breaking strength of
17400 Newtons. Village code requires that there be a safety
factor of 2.20. That is, the actual tension in the chain must be no more than 1/2.20 of the
breaking strength. What is the minimum angle (between the chain and the horizontal) at which
the dealership can hang the car?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
53.1°
Problem 21
Lab partners Anna Litical and Noah Formula placed a 0.500-kg glider on their air track and
inclined the track at 15.0° above the horizontal. Determine the net force and acceleration of the
glider along the frictionless track. Use the structure provided with the free body diagram shown
below.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Show Answer
Fnet: 1.27 N
a: 2.54 m/s/s
Problem 22
Anna Litical and Noah Formula now place a 1.38-kg brick on a wooden board and incline the
board at 24.0° above the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between the brick and the board is
0. 328. Determine the net force and the acceleration of the brick. Use the structure provided with
the free body diagram shown below.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Fnet: 1.45 N
a: 1.05 m/s/s
Problem 23
Ben Laborin exerts a force on an 86-kg crate of books to push it up the ramp of the loading dock
at a constant speed of 24 cm/s. The ramp makes an angle of 12° with the horizontal. The
coefficient of friction between the crate and the ramp is 0.74. Assuming that Ben is pushing
parallel to the inclined plane, determine the force with which he is pushing. (Suggestion: Begin
with a free body diagram.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
790 N (rounded from 785 N)
Problem 24
The infamous Lombard Street in San Francisco has an abnormally steep block which consists of
several tight hairpin turns. On average, the roadway on this block of the street is inclined at 16°.
Determine the force which would be required to pull a 23-kg wagon and child up the hill at
constant speed. Assume the force is exerted parallel to the road and that friction is negligible.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
62 N
Problem 25:
In an effort to determine the coefficient of friction between a wood block and a metal track,
Anna Litical and Noah Formula place the block on the track and slowly elevate one of its ends
until the block finally budges from rest and slides down the incline. Anna and Noah repeat
several trials and determine that the block accelerates from its rest position when the track makes
an angle of 38° above the horizontal. Use this angle value to determine the coefficient of friction.
(Suggestion: Begin with a free body diagram.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.78
Problem 26
The Splash Mountain flume ride at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida
boasts one of the steepest flume rides in the world. The boats plunge 52 feet down a 43-degree
incline near the final stage of the ride. Assuming a coefficient of friction of 0.12, determine the
acceleration of the boat and riders. (Suggestion: Begin with a free body diagram.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
5.8 m/s/s
Problem 27
Ethan recently found out that the sledding hill on the west side of Lake Bluebird is more of a
shredding hill than a sledding hill. He boarded his 60-inch sled and descended the steepest
section near the tall trees. Before his ride ended at the location of a tree stump buried a few
inches below the snow, he was accelerating at 2.5 m/s/s down the 19° incline. Determine the
coefficient of friction between the sled and the snow. (Suggestion: Begin with a free body
diagram.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.075

Momentum and Collisions: Problem Set


Problem 1
Determine the momentum of …
a. … an electron (m= 9.1 x10-31 kg) moving at 2.18 x 106 m/s (as if it were in a Bohr orbit in the
H atom).
b. … a 0.45 Caliber bullet (m = 0.162 kg) leaving the muzzle of a gun at 860 m/s.
c. … a 110-kg professional fullback running across the line at 9.2 m/s.
d. … a 360,000-kg passenger plane taxiing down a runway at 1.5 m/s
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 2.0 x 10-24 kg•m/s
b. 140 kg•m/s (rounded from 139 kg•m/s)
c. 1.0 x 103 kg•m/s
d. 5.4 x 105 kg•m/s
Problem 2
A bicycle has a momentum of 24 kg•m/s. What momentum would the bicycle have if it had …
a. … twice the mass and was moving at the same speed?
b. … the same mass and was moving with twice the speed?
c. … one-half the mass and was moving with twice the speed?
d. … the same mass and was moving with one-half the speed?
e. … three times the mass and was moving with one-half the speed?
f. … three times the mass and was moving with twice the speed?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 48 kg•m/s
b. 48 kg•m/s
c. 24 kg•m/s
d. 12 kg•m/s
e. 36 kg•m/s
f. 144 kg•m/s
Problem 3
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the fastest recorded baseball pitch was
delivered by Nolan Ryan in 1974. The pitch was clocked at 100.9 mi/hr (45.0 m/s). Determine
the impulse required to give a 0.145-kg baseball such a momentum.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
6.52 N•s (or 6.52 kg•m/s)
Problem 4
Jerome plays middle linebacker for South's varsity football team. In a game against cross-town
rival North, he delivered a hit to North's 82-kg running back, changing his eastward velocity of
5.6 m/s into a westward velocity of 2.5 m/s.
a. Determine the initial momentum of the running back.
b. Determine the final momentum of the running back.
c. Determine the momentum change of the running back.
d. Determine the impulse delivered to the running back.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 460 kg•m/s, east (rounded from 459 kg•m/s)
b. 210 kg•m/s, west (rounded from 205 kg•m/s)
c. 660 kg•m/s, west (rounded from 664 kg•m/s)
d. 660 N•s, west
Problem 5
Kara Less was applying her makeup when she drove into South's busy parking lot last Friday
morning. Unaware that Lisa Ford was stopped in her lane 30 feet ahead, Kara rear-ended Lisa's
rented Taurus. Kara's 1300-kg car was moving at 11 m/s and stopped in 0.14 seconds.
a. Determine the momentum change of Kara's car.
b. Determine the impulse experienced by Kara's car.
c. Determine the magnitude of the force experienced by Kara's car.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. -1.4 x 104 kg•m/s
b. -1.4 x 104 N•s
c. 1.0 x 105 N
Problem 6
An interesting story is often told of baseball star Johnny Bench when he was a rookie catcher in
1968. During a Spring Training game, he kept signaling to star pitcher Jim Maloney to throw a
curve ball. Maloney continuously shook off Bench's signal, opting to throw fastballs instead. The
rookie catcher walked to the mound and told the veteran Maloney that his fastball wasn't fast
enough and that he should throw some curve balls. Bench again signaled for a curve. Maloney
shook of the signal and threw a fastball. Before the ball reached the plate, Bench took off his
glove; he then caught the pitch barehanded.
a. Determine the impulse required to stop a 0.145-kg baseball moving at 35.7 m/s (80.0 mi/hr).
b. If this impulse is delivered to the ball in 0.020 seconds, then what is magnitude of the force
acting between the bare hand and the ball?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. -5.18 N•s
b. 260 N (rounded from 259 N)
Problem 7
While playing basketball in PE class, Logan lost his balance after making a lay-up and colliding
with the padded wall behind the basket. His 74-kg body decelerated from 7.6 m/s to 0 m/s in
0.16 seconds.
a. Determine the force acting upon Logan's body.
b. If Logan had hit the concrete wall moving at the same speed, his momentum would have been
reduced to zero in 0.0080 seconds. Determine what the force on his body would have been for
such an abrupt collision.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 3.5 x 103 N
b. 7.0 x 104 N
Problem 8
NASA's Langley Research Center has been experimenting with the use of air bags to soften the
landings of crew exploration vehicles (CEV) on land. What stopping time will be required in
order to safely stop a 7250 kg CEV moving at 7.65 m/s with an average force of 426000 N (an
average force of 6 Gs)?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.130 seconds
Problem 9
In a study conducted by a University of Illinois researcher, the football team at Unity High
School in Tolono, IL was equipped for an entire season with helmets containing accelerometers.
Information about every impact in practice and in games was sent to a computer present on the
sidelines. The study found that the average force on a top of the head impact was 1770 N and
endured for 7.78 milliseconds. Using a head mass of 5.20 kg and presuming the head to be a free
body, determine the velocity change experienced in such an impact.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.65 m/s
Problem 10
Cassie has just finished her session on the trampoline during PE. As she prepares to exit the
trampoline, her vertical momentum is reduced by a series of three resistive impulses with the
bounce mat. Just prior to this series of impulses, her 48.5-kg body is moving downward at 8.20
m/s. On the first impulse, Cassie experiences an average upward force of 230 N for 0.65 seconds.
The second impulse of 112 N•s lasts for 0.41 seconds. The last impulse involves an average
upward force of 116 N which cases a 84 kg•m/s momentum change. What vertical velocity does
Cassie have after these three impulses?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.08 m/s
Problem 11
Aaron Agin nodded off while driving home from play practice this past Sunday evening. His
1500-kg car hit a series of guardrails while moving at 19.8 m/s. The first guard rail delivered a
resistive impulse of 5700 N•s. The second guard rail pushed against his car with a force of 79000
N for 0.12 seconds. The third guard rail collision lowered the car's velocity by 3.2 m/s.
Determine the final velocity of the car.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
6.5 m/s
Problem 12
Mr. H ignites the enthusiasm of the class with a home-made cannon demonstration. The 1.27-kg
cannon is loaded with a 54-gram tennis ball and placed on the floor. Mr. H adds the fuel, waits
for its vapors to fill the reaction chamber and then brings a match nearby. The explosion stuns
the crowd and propels the ball forward. A photogate measurement determines that the cannon
recoiled backwards with a speed of 7.8 m/s. Determine the speed of the ball.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
180 m/s
Problem 13
An 82-kg male and a 48-kg female pair figure skating team are gliding across the ice at 7.4 m/s,
preparing for a throw jump maneuver. The male skater tosses the female skater forward with a
speed of 8.6 m/s. Determine the speed of the male skater immediately after the throw.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
6.7 m/s
Problem 14
A candy-filled piñata is hung from a tree for Matthew's birthday. During an unsuccessful attempt
to break the 4.4-kg piñata, Hayden cracks it with a 0.54-kg stick moving at 4.8 m/s. The stick
stops and the piñata undergoes a gentle swinging motion. Determine the swing speed of the
piñata immediately after being cracked by the stick.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.59 m/s
Problem 15
During an in-class demonstration of momentum change and impulse, Mr. H asks Jerome (102
kg) and Michael (98 kg) to sit on a large 14-kg skate cart. Mr. H asks Suzie (44 kg) to sit on a
second 14-kg skate cart. The two carts are placed on low friction boards in the hallway. Jerome
pushes off of Suzie's cart. Measurements are made to determine that Suzie's cart acquired a post-
impulse speed of 9.6 m/s. Determine the expected recoil speed of Jerome and Michael's cart.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.6 m/s
Problem 16
A 70.9-kg boy and a 43.2-kg girl, both wearing skates face each other at rest on a skating rink.
The boy pushes the girl, sending her eastward with a speed of 4.64 m/s. Neglecting friction,
determine the subsequent velocity of the boy.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.83 m/s, West
Problem 17
To Mr. H's disgust, a 450-g black crow is raiding the recently-filled bird feeder. As Mr. H runs
out the back door with his broom in an effort to scare the crow away, it pushes off the 670-gram
feeder with a takeoff speed of 1.5 m/s. Determine the speed at which the feeder initially recoils
backwards.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.0 m/s
Problem 18
Jaclyn plays singles for South's varsity tennis team. During the match against North, Jaclyn won
the sudden death tiebreaker point with a cross-court passing shot. The 57.5-gram ball hit her
racket with a northward velocity of 26.7 m/s. Upon impact with her 331-gram racket, the ball
rebounded in the exact opposite direction (and along the same general trajectory) with a speed of
29.5 m/s.
a. Determine the pre-collision momentum of the ball.
b. Determine the post-collision momentum of the ball.
c. Determine the momentum change of the ball.
d. Determine the velocity change of the racket.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 1.54 x 103 g•m/s, North (1.54 kg•m/s, North)
b. 1.70 x 103 g•m/s, South (1.70 kg•m/s, South)
c. 3.23 x 103 g•m/s, South (3.23 kg•m/s, South)
d. 9.76 m/s, North
Problem 19
Anna Litical and Noah Formula are doing The Cart and the Brick Lab. They drop a brick on a
2.6 kg cart moving at 28.2 cm/s. After the collision, the dropped brick and cart are moving
together with a velocity of 15.7 cm/s. Determine the mass of the dropped brick.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.1 kg
Problem 20
A Roller Derby exhibition recently came to town. They packed the gym for two consecutive
weekend nights at South's field house. On Saturday evening, the 68-kg Anna Mosity was moving
at 17 m/s when she collided with 76-kg Sandra Day O'Klobber who was moving forward at 12
m/s and directly in Anna's path. Anna jumped onto Sandra's back and the two continued moving
together at the same speed. Determine their speed immediately after the collision.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
14 m/s
Problem 21
Ima Rilla Saari rushes to her car in order to hurry home and get dressed for work. Failing to
realize the dangers of driving under slick and icy conditions, she collides her 940-kg Mazda
Miata into the rear of a 2460-kg pick-up truck which was at rest at the light on Lake Avenue.
Ima's pre-collision speed was 12.5 m/s. Determine the post-collision speed of the two entangled
cars as they slide across the ice.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
3.5 m/s
Problem 22
In a goal line stand against New Greer Academy, South's linebackers Jerome (m=102 kg) and
Michael (m=98 kg) meet the 84-kg halfback moving southward through the air at 6.4 m/s. Upon
contact, Jerome and Michael are both moving at 3.6 m/s in the exact opposite direction.
Determine the post-collision speed and direction of the collection of three players. Assume they
move together after the collision.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.64 m/s, North
Problem 23
Hayden (m=24.3-kg) is gliding along the sidewalk on his skateboard at 8.6 ft/s. As he travels
under a low-hanging branch of the tree where Matthew is sitting, he grabs the 4.5-kg bag of
soccer balls from Matthew's hands. Determine the speed of Hayden immediately after grabbing
the bag of soccer balls.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
7.3 ft/s
Problem 24
Rex (m=86 kg) and Tex (92 kg) board the bumper cars at the local carnival. Rex is moving at a
full speed of 2.05 m/s when he rear-ends Tex who is at rest in his path. Tex and his 125-kg car
lunge forward at 1.40 m/s. Determine the post-collision speed of Rex and his 125-kg car.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.61 m/s
Problem 25
Abbey and Mia are in the basement playing pool. On Abbey's recent shot, the cue ball was
moving east at 82 cm/s when it struck the slower 5-ball moving in the same direction at 24 cm/s.
The 5-ball immediately speeds up to 52 cm/s. Determine the post-collision speed of the cue ball.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
54 cm/s
Problem 26
Polly Ester and Ray Ahn are doing the Elastic Collision lab on a low-friction track. Cart A has a
mass of 1.00 kg and is moving rightward at 27.6 cm/s prior to the collision with Cart B. Cart B
has a mass of 0.50 kg and is moving leftward with a speed of 42.9 cm/s. After the magnetic
repulsion of the two carts, Cart A is moving leftward at 10.1 cm/s. Determine the post-collision
speed and direction of cart B.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
32.5 cm/s, Right
Problem 27
Bailey is on the tenth frame of her recent bowling competition and she needs to pick up the last
pin for a spare and the first place trophy. She rolls the 7.05-kg ball down the lane and it hits the
1.52-kg pin head on. The ball was moving at 8.24 m/s before the collision. The pin went flying
forward at 13.2 m/s. Determine the post-collision speed of the ball.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
5.39 m/s
Problem 28
Jack D. Ripper flipped out after missing a Must-Do-It question for the third time on his Minds
On Physics assignment. Outraged by the futility of his efforts, he flings a 4.0-gram pencil across
the room. The pencil lodges into a 221.0-gram Sponge Bob doll which is at rest on a countertop.
Once in motion, the pencil/doll combination slide a distance of 11.9 cm across the countertop
before stopping. The coefficient of friction between the doll and the countertop is 0.325.
Determine the speed at which the pencil is moving prior to striking Sponge Bob.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
43 m/s
Problem 29
A physics student hurls a 315-gram ball directly into a 3.54-kg box which is at rest on a table
top. The baseball strikes the box with a pre-impact speed of 54.1 m/s. The box is filled with
towels to help absorb the blow and effectively catch the ball. The coefficient of friction between
the box and the table is 0.714. Determine the distance which the ball and box slide across the
table after the collision.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.40 m/s
Problem 30
A 72-kg boy and a 48-kg girl, both wearing ice skates face each other at rest on a skating rink.
The boy pushes the girl, sending her eastward with a speed of 6.8 m/s. When the impulse is
completed, the boy and girl are a distance of 1.4 meters apart. Determine the distance of
separation between the boy and the girl 5.0 seconds after the impulse is completed.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
58.1 m
Problem 31
The city police are in pursuit of Robin Banks after his recent holdup at the savings and loan. The
high speed police chase ends at an intersection as a 2080-kg Ford Explorer (driven by Robin)
traveling north at 32.6 m/s collides with a 18400-kg garbage truck moving east at 12.4 m/s. The
Explorer and the garbage truck entangle together in the middle of the intersection and move as a
single object. Determine the post-collision speed and direction of the two entangled vehicles.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
11.6 m/s, 16.6° N of E
Problem 32
A 92-kg fullback moving south with a speed of 5.8 m/s is tackled by a 110-kg lineman running
west with a speed of 3.6 m/s. Assuming momentum conservation, determine the speed and
direction of the two players immediately after the tackle.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
3.3 m/s, 53° S of W

Work, Energy and Power: Problem Set


Problem 1
Renatta Gass is out with her friends. Misfortune occurs and Renatta and her friends find
themselves getting a workout. They apply a cumulative force of 1080 N to push the car 218 m to
the nearest fuel station. Determine the work done on the car.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.35 x 105 J
Problem 2
Hans Full is pulling on a rope to drag his backpack to school across the ice. He pulls upwards
and rightwards with a force of 22.9 Newtons at an angle of 35 degrees above the horizontal to
drag his backpack a horizontal distance of 129 meters to the right. Determine the work (in
Joules) done upon the backpack.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.42 x 103 J
Problem 3
Lamar Gant, U.S. powerlifting star, became the first man to deadlift five times his own body
weight in 1985. Deadlifting involves raising a loaded barbell from the floor to a position above
the head with outstretched arms. Determine the work done by Lamar in deadlifting 300 kg to a
height of 1.9 m above the ground.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
5.6 x 103 J
Problem 4
Sheila has just arrived at the airport and is dragging her suitcase to the luggage check-in desk.
She pulls on the strap with a force of 190 N at an angle of 35° to the horizontal to displace it 45
m to the desk. Determine the work done by Sheila on the suitcase.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
7.0 x 103 J
Problem 5
While training for breeding season, a 380 gram male squirrel does 32 pushups in a minute,
displacing its center of mass by a distance of 8.5 cm for each pushup. Determine the total work
done on the squirrel while moving upward (32 times).
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
10. J
Problem 6
During the Powerhouse lab, Jerome runs up the stairs, elevating his 102 kg body a vertical
distance of 2.29 meters in a time of 1.32 seconds at a constant speed.
a. Determine the work done by Jerome in climbing the stair case.
b. Determine the power generated by Jerome.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 2.30 x 103 J
b. 1.73 x 103 W
Problem 7
A new conveyor system at the local packaging plan will utilize a motor-powered mechanical arm
to exert an average force of 890 N to push large crates a distance of 12 meters in 22 seconds.
Determine the power output required of such a motor.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
490 W (rounded from 485 W)
Problem 8
The Taipei 101 in Taiwan is a 1667-foot tall, 101-story skyscraper. The skyscraper is the home
of the world’s fastest elevator. The elevators transport visitors from the ground floor to the
Observation Deck on the 89th floor at speeds up to 16.8 m/s. Determine the power delivered by
the motor to lift the 10 passengers at this speed. The combined mass of the passengers and cabin
is 1250 kg.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.06 x 105 W
Problem 9
The ski slopes at Bluebird Mountain make use of tow ropes to transport snowboarders and skiers
to the summit of the hill. One of the tow ropes is powered by a 22-kW motor which pulls skiers
along an icy incline of 14° at a constant speed. Suppose that 18 skiers with an average mass of 48
kg hold onto the rope and suppose that the motor operates at full power.
a. Determine the cumulative weight of all these skiers.
b. Determine the force required to pull this amount of weight up a 14° incline at a constant
speed.
c. Determine the speed at which the skiers will ascend the hill.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 8.5 x 103 N
b. 2.0 x 103 N
c. 11 m/s
Problem 10
The first asteroid to be discovered is Ceres. It is the largest and most massive asteroid is our solar
system’s asteroid belt, having an estimated mass of 3.0 x 1021 kg and an orbital speed of 17900
m/s. Determine the amount of kinetic energy possessed by Ceres.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
4.8 x 1029 J
Problem 11
A bicycle has a kinetic energy of 124 J. What kinetic energy would the bicycle have if it had …
a. … twice the mass and was moving at the same speed?
b. … the same mass and was moving with twice the speed?
c. … one-half the mass and was moving with twice the speed?
d. … the same mass and was moving with one-half the speed?
e. … three times the mass and was moving with one-half the speed?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 248 J
b. 496 J
c. 248 J
d. 31.0 J
e. 93.0 J
Problem 12
A 78-kg skydiver has a speed of 62 m/s at an altitude of 870 m above the ground.
a. Determine the kinetic energy possessed by the skydiver.
b. Determine the potential energy possessed by the skydiver.
c. Determine the total mechanical energy possessed by the skydiver.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 1.5 x 105 J
b. 6.7 x 105 J
c. 8.1 x 105 J
Problem 13
Li Ping Phar, the esteemed Chinese ski jumper, has a mass of 59.6 kg. He is moving with a speed
of 23.4 m/s at a height of 44.6 meters above the ground. Determine the total mechanical energy
of Li Ping Phar.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
4.24 x 104 J
Problem 14
Chloe leads South’s varsity softball team in hitting. In a game against New Greer Academy this
past weekend, Chloe slugged the 181-gram softball so hard that it cleared the outfield fence and
landed on Lake Avenue. At one point in its trajectory, the ball was 28.8 m above the ground and
moving with a speed of 19.7 m/s. Determine the total mechanical energy of the softball.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
86.2 J
Problem 15
Olive Udadi is at the park with her father. The 26-
kg Olive is on a swing following the path as
shown. Olive has a speed of 0 m/s at position A
and is a height of 3.0-m above the ground. At
position B, Olive is 1.2 m above the ground. At
position C (2.2 m above the ground), Olive projects
from the seat and travels as a projectile along the
path shown. At point F, Olive is a mere picometer
above the ground. Assume negligible air resistance throughout the motion. Use this information
to fill in the table.
Position Height (m) PE (J) KE (J) TME (J) Speed (m/s)
A 3.0 0.0
B 1.2
C 2.2
F 0
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Position Height (m) PE (J) KE (J) TME (J) Speed (m/s)
A 3.0 760 0 760 0.0
B 1.2 310 460 760 5.9
C 2.2 560 200 760 4.0
F 0 0 760 760 7.7
Problem 16
Suzie Lavtaski (m=56 kg) is skiing at Bluebird Mountain. She is moving at 16 m/s across the
crest of a ski hill located 34 m above ground level at the end of the run.
a. Determine Suzie's kinetic energy.
b. Determine Suzie's potential energy relative to the height of the ground at the end of the run.
c. Determine Suzie's total mechanical energy at the crest of the hill.
d. If no energy is lost or gained between the top of the hill and her initial arrival at the end of the
run, then what will be Suzie's total mechanical energy at the end of the run?
e. Determine Suzie's speed as she arrives at the end of the run and prior to braking to a stop.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 7.2 x 103 J
b. 1.0 x 104 J
c. 2.6 x 104 J
d. 2.6 x 104 J
e. 3.0 x 101 m/s
Problem 17
Nicholas is at The Noah's Ark Amusement Park and preparing to ride on The Point of No Return
racing slide. At the top of the slide, Nicholas (m=72.6 kg) is 28.5 m above the ground.
a. Determine Nicholas' potential energy at the top of the slide.
b. Determine Nicholas's kinetic energy at the top of the slide.
c. Assuming negligible losses of energy between the top of the slide and his approach to the
bottom of the slide (h=0 m), determine Nicholas's total mechanical energy as he arrives at the
bottom of the slide.
d. Determine Nicholas' potential energy as he arrives at the bottom of the slide.
e. Determine Nicholas' kinetic energy as he arrives at the bottom of the slide.
f. Determine Nicholas' speed as he arrives at the bottom of the slide.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 2.02 x 104 J
b. 0 J
c. 2.03 x 104 J
d. 0 J
e. 2.03 x 104 J
f. 23.6 m/s
Problem 18
Ima Scaarred (m=56.2 kg) is traveling at a speed of 12.8 m/s at the top of a 19.5-m high roller
coaster loop.
a. Determine Ima's kinetic energy at the top of the loop.
b. Determine Ima's potential energy at the top of the loop.
c. Assuming negligible losses of energy due to friction and air resistance, determine Ima's total
mechanical energy at the bottom of the loop (h=0 m).
d. Determine Ima's speed at the bottom of the loop.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 4.60 x 103 J
b. 1.07 x 104 J
c. 1.53 x 104 J
d. 23.4 m/s
Problem 19
Justin Thyme is traveling down Lake Avenue at 32.8 m/s in his 1510-kg 1992 Camaro. He spots
a police car with a radar gun and quickly slows down to a legal speed of 20.1 m/s.
a. Determine the initial kinetic energy of the Camaro.
b. Determine the kinetic energy of the Camaro after slowing down.
c. Determine the amount of work done on the Camaro during the deceleration.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 8.12 x 105 J
b. 3.05 x 105 J
c. -5.07 x 105 J
Problem 20
Pete Zaria works on weekends at Barnaby's Pizza Parlor. His primary responsibility is to fill
drink orders for customers. He fills a pitcher full of Cola, places it on the counter top and gives
the 2.6-kg pitcher a 8.8 N forward push over a distance of 48 cm to send it to a customer at the
end of the counter. The coefficient of friction between the pitcher and the counter top is 0.28.
a. Determine the work done by Pete on the pitcher during the 48 cm push.
b. Determine the work done by friction upon the pitcher .
c. Determine the total work done upon the pitcher .
d. Determine the kinetic energy of the pitcher when Pete is done pushing it.
e. Determine the speed of the pitcher when Pete is done pushing it.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 4.2 J
b. -3.4 J
c. 0.8 J
d. 0.8 J
e. 0.8 m/s
Problem 21
The Top Thrill Dragster stratacoaster at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio uses a hydraulic
launching system to accelerate riders from 0 to 53.6 m/s (120 mi/hr) in 3.8 seconds before
climbing a completely vertical 420-foot hill.
a. Jerome (m=102 kg) visits the park with his church youth group. He boards his car, straps
himself in and prepares for the thrill of the day. What is Jerome's kinetic energy before the
acceleration period?
b. The 3.8-second acceleration period begins to accelerate Jerome along the level track. What is
Jerome's kinetic energy at the end of this acceleration period?
c. Once the launch is over, Jerome begins screaming up the 420-foot, completely vertical section
of the track. Determine Jerome's potential energy at the top of the vertical section. (GIVEN: 1.00
m = 3.28 ft)
d. Determine Jerome's kinetic energy at the top of the vertical section.
e. Determine Jerome's speed at the top of the vertical section.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 0 J
b. 1.47 x 105 J
c. 1.28 x 105 J
d. 1.9 x 104 J
e. 19 m/s
Problem 22
Paige is the tallest player on South's Varsity volleyball team. She is in spiking position when
Julia gives her the perfect set. The 0.226-kg volleyball is 2.29 m above the ground and has a
speed of 1.06 m/s. Paige spikes the ball, doing 9.89 J of work on it.
a. Determine the potential energy of the ball before Paige spikes it.
b. Determine the kinetic energy of the ball before Paige spikes it.
c. Determine the total mechanical energy of the ball before Paige spikes it.
d. Determine the total mechanical energy of the ball upon hitting the floor on the opponent's side
of the net.
e. Determine the speed of the ball upon hitting the floor on the opponent's side of the net.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 5.07 J
b. 0.127 J
c. 5.20 J
d. 15.09 J
e. 11.6 m/s
Problem 23
According to ABC's Wide World of Sports show, there is the thrill of victory and the agony of
defeat. On March 21 of 1970, Vinko Bogataj was the Yugoslavian entrant into the World
Championships held in former West Germany. By his third and final jump of the day, heavy and
persistent snow produced dangerous conditions along the slope. Midway through the run,
Bogataj recognized the danger and attempted to make adjustments in order to terminate his jump.
Instead, he lost his balanced and tumbled and flipped off the slope into the dense crowd. For
nearly 30 years thereafter, footage of the event was included in the introduction of ABC's
infamous sports show and Vinco has become known as the agony of defeat icon.
a. Determine the speed of 72-kg Vinco after skiing down the hill to a height which is 49 m below
the starting location.
b. After descending the 49 m, Vinko tumbled off the track and descended another 15 m down the
ski hill before finally stopping. Determine the change in potential energy of Vinko from the top
of the hill to the point at which he stops.
c. Determine the amount of cumulative work done upon Vinko's body as he crashes to a halt.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 31 m/s
b. -4.5 x 104 J
c. -4.5 x 104 J
Problem 24
Nolan Ryan reportedly had the fastest pitch in baseball, clocked at 100.9 mi/hr (45.0 m/s) If such
a pitch had been directed vertically upwards at this same speed, then to what height would it
have traveled?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
103 m
Problem 25
In the Incline Energy lab, partners Anna Litical and Noah Formula give a 1.00-kg cart an initial
speed of 2.35 m/s from a height of 0.125 m above the lab table. Determine the speed of the cart
when it is located 0.340 m above the lab table.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.1 m/s
Problem 26
In April of 1976, Chicago Cub slugger Dave Kingman hit a home run which cleared the Wrigley
Field fence and hit a house located 530 feet (162 m) from home plate. Suppose that the 0.145-kg
baseball left Kingman's bat at 92.7 m/s and that it lost 10% of its original energy on its flight
through the air. Determine the speed of the ball when it cleared the stadium wall at a height of
25.6 m.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
85.0 m/s
Problem 27
Dizzy is speeding along at 22.8 m/s as she approaches the level section of track near the loading
dock of the Whizzer roller coaster ride. A braking system abruptly brings the 328-kg car (rider
mass included) to a speed of 2.9 m/s over a distance of 5.55 meters. Determine the braking force
applied to Dizzy's car.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.51 x 104 N
Problem 28
A 6.8-kg toboggan is kicked on a frozen pond, such that it acquires a speed of 1.9 m/s. The
coefficient of friction between the pond and the toboggan is 0.13. Determine the distance which
the toboggan slides before coming to rest.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.4 m
Problem 29
Connor (m=76.0 kg) is competing in the state diving championship. He leaves the springboard
from a height of 3.00 m above the water surface with a speed of 5.94 m/s in the upward
direction.
a. Determine Connor's speed when he strikes the water.
b. Connor's body plunges to a depth of 2.15 m below the water surface before stopping.
Determine the average force of water resistance experienced by his body.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 9.70 m/s
b. 2.41 x 103 N
Problem 30
Gwen is baby-sitting for the Parker family. She takes 3-year old
Allison to the neighborhood park and places her in the seat of
the children's swing. Gwen pulls the 1.8-m long chain back to
make a 26° angle with the vertical and lets 14-kg Allison (swing
mass included) go. Assuming negligible friction and air
resistance, determine Allison's speed at the lowest point in the
trajectory.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.9 m/s
Problem 31
Sheila (m=56.8 kg) is in her saucer sled moving at 12.6 m/s at the bottom of the sledding hill
near Bluebird Lake. She approaches a long embankment inclined upward at 16° above the
horizontal. As she slides up the embankment, she encounters a coefficient of friction of 0.128.
Determine the height to which she will travel before coming to rest.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
5.60 m
Problem 32
Matthew starts from rest on top of 8.45 m high sledding hill. He slides down the 32-degree
incline and across the plateau at its base. The coefficient of friction between the sled and snow is
0.128 for both the hill and the plateau. Matthew and the sled have a combined mass of 27.5 kg.
Determine the distance which Matthew will slide along the level surface before coming to a
complete stop.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
52.5 m

Circular Motion and Gravitation: Problem Set


Problem 1
During their physics field trip to the amusement park, Tyler and Maria took a rider on the
Whirligig. The Whirligig ride consists of long swings which spin in a circle at relatively high
speeds. As part of their lab, Tyler and Maria estimate that the riders travel through a circle with a
radius of 6.5 m and make one turn every 5.8 seconds. Determine the speed of the riders on the
Whirligig.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
7.0 m/s
Problem 2
The tallest Ferris wheel in the world is located in Singapore. Standing 42 stories high and
holding as many as 780 passengers, the Ferris wheel has a diameter of 150 meters and takes
approximately 30 minutes to make a full circle. Determine the speed of riders (in m/s and mi/hr)
on the Singapore Flyer. (GIVEN: 1.00 m/s= 2.24 mi/hr)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.26 m/s or 0.59 mi/hr
Problem 3
During the spin cycle of a washing machine, the clothes stick to the outer wall of the barrel as it
spins at a rate as high as 1800 revolutions per minute. The radius of the barrel is 26 cm.
a. Determine the speed of the clothes (in m/s) which are located on the wall of the spin barrel.
b. Determine the acceleration of the clothes.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 49 m/s
b. 9.2 x 103 m/s/s
Problem 4
Elmira, New York boasts of having the fastest carousel ride in the world. The merry-go-round at
Eldridge Park takes riders on a spin at 18 mi/hr (8.0 m/s). The radius of the circle about which
the outside riders move is approximately 7.4 m.
a. Determine the time for outside riders to make one complete circle.
b. Determine the acceleration of the riders.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 5.8 s
b. 8.7 m/s/s
Problem 5
A manufacturer of CD-ROM drives claims that the player can spin the disc as frequently as 1200
revolutions per minute.
a. If spinning at this rate, what is the speed of the outer row of data on the disc; this row is
located 5.6 cm from the center of the disc?
b. What is the acceleration of the outer row of data?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 7.0 x 102 cm/s or 7.0 m/s
b. 8.8 x 104 cm/s/s or 8.8 x 102 m/s/s
Problem 6
In the display window of the toy store at the local mall, a battery-powered plane is suspended
from a string and flying in a horizontal circle. The 631-gram plane makes a complete circle every
2.15 seconds. The radius of the circle is 0.950 m. Determine the velocity of, acceleration of, and
net force acting upon the plane.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
velocity: 2.78 m/s
acceleration: 8.11 m/s/s
net force: 5.12 N
Problem 7
Dominic is the star discus thrower on South's varsity track and field team. In last year's regional
competition, Dominic whirled the 1.6 kg discus in a circle with a radius of 1.1 m, ultimately
reaching a speed of 52 m/s before launch. Determine the net force acting upon the discus in the
moments before launch.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
3.9 x 103 N
Problem 8
Landon and Jocelyn are partners in pair figure skating. Last weekend, they perfected the death
spiral element for inclusion in their upcoming competition. During this maneuver, Landon holds
Jocelyn by the hand and swings her in a circle while she maintains her blades on the ice,
stretched out in a nearly horizontal orientation. Determine the net force which must be applied to
Jocelyn (m=51 kg) if her center of mass rotates in a circle with a radius of 61 cm once every 1.9
seconds.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
340 N
Problem 9
In an effort to rev up his class, Mr. H does a demonstration with a bucket of water tied to a 1.3-
meter long string. The bucket and water have a mass of 1.8 kg. Mr. H whirls the bucket in a
vertical circle such that it has a speed of 3.9 m/s at the top of the loop and 6.4 m/s at the bottom
of the loop.
a. Determine the acceleration of the bucket at each location.
b. Determine the net force experienced by the bucket at each location.
c. Draw a free body diagram for the bucket for each location and determine the tension force in
the string for the two locations.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. TOP: 12 m/s/s, down
BOTTOM: 32 m/s/s, up
b. TOP: 21 N, down
BOTTOM: 57 N, up
c. TOP: 3.4 N
BOTTOM: 74 N
Problem 10
A 76-kg pilot at an air show performs a loop de loop with his plane. At the
bottom of the 52-m radius loop, the plane is moving at 48 m/s. Determine
the normal force acting upon the pilot.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
4.1 x 103 N
Problem 11
Alexis is in her Toyota Camry and trying to make a turn off an
expressway at 19.0 m/s. The turning radius of the level curve is 35.0 m. Her car has a mass of
1240 kg. Determine the acceleration, net force and minimum value of the coefficient of friction
which is required to keep the car on the road.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.05
Problem 12
Sheila (m=62 kg) is riding the Demon roller coaster ride. The turning radius of the top of the
loop is 12 m. Sheila is upside down at the top of the loop and experiencing a normal force which
is one-half of her weight. Draw a free body diagram and determine Sheila's speed.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
13 m/s
Problem 13
In 2002, professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist became the first to successfully navigate a
360° full pipe turn. Determine the minimum speed which would be required at the top of the
circular loop to make it through the 1.8-m radius pipe.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
4.2 m/s
Problem 14
Justin is driving his 1500-kg Camaro through a horizontal curve on a level roadway at a speed of
23 m/s. The turning radius of the curve is 65 m. Determine the minimum value of the coefficient
of friction which would be required to keep Justin's car on the curve.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
0.83
Problem 15
A loop de loop track is built for a 938-kg car. It is a completely circular loop - 14.2 m tall at its
highest point. The driver successfully completes the loop with an entry speed (at the bottom) of
22.1 m/s.
a. Using energy conservation, determine the speed of the car at the top of the loop.
b. Determine the acceleration of the car at the top of the loop.
c. Determine the normal force acting upon the car at the top of the loop.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 14.5 m/s
b. 30. m/s/s
c. 1.9 x 104 N
Problem 16
Tyrone and Mia have masses of 84 kg and 59 kg respectively. They sit 1.0 m apart in the front
center of Mr. H's Physics class. For some time, they each have been sensing a sort of electricity
in their growing relationship. And now, six units into their Physics course, they have learned that
they are gravitationally attracted to each other. Determine the magnitude of this force of
gravitational attraction.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
3.3 x 10-7 N
Problem 17
Determine the force of gravitational attraction between the Earth and the moon. Their masses are
5.98 x 1024 kg and 7.26 x 1022 kg, respectively. The average distance separating the Earth and the
moon is 3.84 x 108 m. Determine the force of gravitational attraction between the Earth and the
moon.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
1.96 x 1020 N
Problem 18
Determine the force of gravitational attraction between the Earth and the sun. Their masses are
5.98 x 1024 kg and 1.99 x 1030 kg, respectively. The average distance separating the Earth and the
sun is 1.50 x 1011 m. Determine the force of gravitational attraction between the Earth and the
sun.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
3.53 x 1022 N
Problem 19
Determine the acceleration of the moon about the Earth. (GIVEN: MEarth = 5.98 x 1024 kg and
Earth-moon distance = 3.84 x 108 m)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.71 x 10-3 m/s/s
Problem 20
Determine the acceleration of the Earth about the sun. (GIVEN: Msun = 1.99 x 1030 kg and Earth-
sun distance = 1.50 x 1011 m)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
5.90 x 10-3 m/s/s
Problem 21
Use Newton's law of gravitation to determine the acceleration of an 85-kg astronaut on the
International Space Station (ISS) when the ISS is at a height of 350 km above Earth's surface.
The radius of the Earth is 6.37 x 106 m. (GIVEN: MEarth = 5.98 x 1024 kg)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
8.84 m/s/s
Problem 22
Determine the orbital speed of the International Space Station - orbiting at 350 km above the
surface of the Earth. The radius of the Earth is 6.37 x 106 m. (GIVEN: MEarth = 5.98 x 1024 kg)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
7.69 x 103 m/s
Problem 23
Determine the orbital speed of the Earth as it orbits about the Sun. (GIVEN: Msun = 1.99 x 1030
kg and Earth-sun distance = 1.50 x 1011 m)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
2.98 x 104 m/s
Problem 24
Hercules is hoping to put a baseball in orbit by throwing it horizontally (tangent to the Earth)
from the top of Mount Newton - 97 km above Earth's surface. With what speed must he throw
the ball in order to put it into orbit? (GIVEN: MEarth = 5.98 x 1024 kg; REarth = 6.37 x 106 m)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
7.86 x 103 m/s
Problem 25
Scientists determine the masses of planets by observing the effect of the gravitational field of
those planets on nearby objects - mainly upon their moons. By measuring the orbital period and
orbital radius of a moon about a planet, Newton's laws of motion can be used to determine the
mass of the planet. Phobos, a moon of the planet Mars, was discovered in 1877. It's orbital radius
is 9380 km and its orbital period is 0.319 days (2.77 x 104 seconds). Determine the mass of Mars
based on this data.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
6.36 x 1023 kg
Problem 26
Geostationary satellites are satellites which are orbiting the Earth above the equator and make
one complete orbit every 24 hours. Because their orbital period is synchronized with the Earth's
rotational period, a geostationary satellite can always be found in the same position in the sky
relative to an observer on Earth. (GIVEN: MEarth = 5.98 x 1024 kg)
a. Determine the orbital radius of a geostationary satellite.
b. Determine the orbital speed of a geostationary satellite.
c. Determine the acceleration of a geostationary satellite.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
a. 4.23 x 107 m
b. 3.07 x 103 m/s
c. 0.223 m/s/s
Problem 27
In 2009, NASA's Messenger spacecraft became the second spacecraft to orbit the planet
Mercury. The spacecraft orbited at a height of 125 miles above Mercury's surface. Determine the
orbital speed and orbital period of Messenger. (GIVEN: RMercury = 2.44 x 106 m; MMercury = 3.30 x
1023 kg; 1 mi = 1609 m)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Show Answer
Speed: 2.89 x 103 m/s
Period: 5.75 x 103 s

Static Electricity

Use 8.99 x109 N•m2/C2 for Coulomb's constant and 1.60x10-19 C for the charge of an electron.
Problem 1:
Determine the quantity of charge on …
a. … a plastic tube which has been rubbed with animal fur and gained 3.8x109 electrons.
b. … a vinyl balloon which has been rubbed with animal fur and gained 1.7x1012 electrons.
c. … an acetate strip which has been rubbed with wool and lost 7.3x108 electrons.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 6.1x10-10 C (of negative charge)
b. 2.7x10-7 C (of negative charge)
c. 1.2x10-10 C (of positive charge)
Problem 2:
A 250 mL aqueous solution contains 2.37 g of copper(II) chloride. The dissolved copper(II)
chloride is dissociated into copper(II) and chloride ions. Each copper(II) ion has two less
electrons than protons. A scientist wishes to use an electroplating process to reduce the 1.12 g of
copper ions to solid copper atoms. To be reduced from the ion form to the atom form, a
copper(II) ion must gain two electrons. Each gram of copper(II) ions contains 9.48 x 1021 ions.
Determine the total quantity of charge that must be supplied to turn the copper(II) ions into solid
copper atpms.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
3.40x103 C
Problem 3:
Two ping pong balls have been painted with metallic paint and charged by contact with an Van
de Graaff generator. The charge on the balls are -3.1x10-7 C and -3.7x10-7 C. Determine the force
of electrical repulsion when held a distance of 42 cm apart.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
-3
5.8x10 N
Problem 4:
A Styrofoam plate with a negative charge of -4.86x10-7 C is placed near an aluminum dish which
has been charged positively by induction to a charge of +8.29x10-8 C. The centers of positive and
negative charge are positioned 1.85 cm apart. Determine the magnitude of the force of attraction
between the Styrofoam plate and the aluminum dish.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1.06 N
Problem 5:
Let's just suppose that Tyrone transferred a Coulomb of negative charge to Mia so that Tyrone
had a +1.0 C charge and Mia had a -1.0 C charge. Determine the force of electrical attraction
between Tyrone and Mia if they are positioned …
a. … in their seats with a separation distance of 1.0 m.
b. … in South's physics classroom and at Navy Pier 52 km away.
c. … in South's physics classroom and Disney World in Orlando, Florida 1900 km away.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 9.0x109 N
b. 3.3 N
c. 2.5x10-3 N
Problem 6:
Mr. H gives two large vinyl balloons ten good rubs on what's left of his hair, transferring a total
of 2.1x1012 electrons from his hair to each balloon. He walks away, leaving the balloons to be
held by strings from a single pivot point on the ceiling. The balloons repel and reach an
equilibrium position with a separation distance of 58 cm.
a. Determine the quantity of charge on each balloon.
b. Determine the Coulomb force of repulsion between the two balloons.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 3.4x10-7 C (of negative charge)
b. 3.0x10-3 N
Problem 7:
It happened during Wednesday's physics lesson on charging by friction. A small white object
began to slowly emerge from beneath the sleeve of Mr. H's sweater. It took several laughs and
giggles from the class before the emerging sheet of fabric softener caught Mr. H's attention. He
turned the potentially embarrassing moment into a serendipitous moment. Pulling the sheet out
from beneath the sweater, Mr. H wrote the following problem on the board.
A sheet of cationic fabric softener having a surface charge of 3.6x10-12 C (positive) clings to a
wool sweater with a negative charge of 6.8x10-9 C. Determine the force of electrical attraction if
they can be treated as point objects with a separation distance of 0.019 cm.
What is the answer to this problem?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0.0061 N (6.1x10-3 N)
Problem 8:
Two vinyl balloons with an identical charge are given a separation distance of 52 cm. The
balloons experience a repulsive force of 2.74x10-3 N. Determine the magnitude of charge on each
one of the balloons.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
2.9x10-7 C
Problem 9:
Two different objects are given charges of +3.27 μC and -4.91 μC. What separation distance will
cause the force of attraction between the two objects to be 0.358 N? (GIVEN: 1 C = 106 μC)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0.635 m or 63.5 cm
Problem 10:
What mass would a pair of electrons have in order for their gravitational force of attraction to be
equal to the electrical force of repulsion? (Use G=6.67x10-11 N•m2/kg2.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1.86x10-9 kg
Problem 11:
An electron has a mass of 9.11x10-31 kg. In the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, the electron
was viewed as orbiting the lone proton of the nucleus; the centripetal force requirement was met
by the electrical attraction between the oppositely charged proton and electron. The radius of
orbit was 5.29x10-11 m. Use circular motion and electrostatic principles to determine the speed at
which the electron moves as it orbits the proton.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
2.19x107 m/s
Problem 12:
Two bowling balls with a mass of 7.25 kg are positioned in a vertical cylinder such that they fit
one above the other. What quantity of charge must the two bowling balls have such that the
electrical force of repulsion causes the top ball to levitate above the bottom ball such that their
nearest surfaces are distanced 25 cm apart? The diameter of a bowling ball is 21.8 cm. Assume
the bowling balls have an identical charge.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
4.16x10-5 C or 41.6 μC
Problem 13:
Mr. H rubs a long plastic tube with wool and imparts a charge of -45.6 nC to the tube. Ariel then
blows a soap bubble into the air. Mr. H holds the plastic tube above the bubble, causing it to
morph into an oblong shape and suspend motionless just below the tube. As the 22.8-mg bubble
polarizes, the center of positive charge of the bubble is positioned 11.4 cm from the charge on
the plastic tube; the center of negative charge is positioned 16.9 cm from the charge on the
plastic tube. Ignoring buoyant forces, determine the effective positive and negative charge on the
polarized bubble. (GIVEN: 1 C = 109 nC)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1.30x10-8 C or 13.0 nC
Problem 14:
Two objects with charges Q1 and Q2 experience an electrical force of attraction of 8.0x10-4 N
when separated by a distance of d. Determine the force of attraction if the same objects are
separated by …
a. … a distance of 2•d.
b. … a distance of 3•d.
c. … a distance of 0.5•d.
d. … a distance of 2d and each object having double the charge.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 2.0x10-4 N
b. 8.9x10-5 N
c. 3.2x10-3 N
d. 8.0x10-4 N
Problem 15:
The electric field intensity at a particular location surrounding a Van de Graaff generator is
4.5x103 N/C. Determine the magnitude of the force which this field would exert upon …
a. … an electron when positioned at this location.
b. … a charged balloon with 1.8 μC of charge when positioned at this location.
c. … a pith ball with 6.8x10-8 C of charge when positioned at this location.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 7.2x10-16 N
b. 8.1x10-3 N
c. 3.1x10-4 N
Problem 16:
There is an electric field in the atmosphere surrounding the Earth which has a magnitude of
roughly 150 N/C and a direction pointing towards the center of the Earth. Determine the
magnitude and the direction of the force experienced by a dust particle having a negative charge
of 9.2x10-16 C.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
-13
1.4x10 N, directed away from the Earth
Problem 17:
High voltage electrical cables generate an electric field in the region of space surrounding the
cables. This field can be strong enough to cause a coronal glow in grounded objects and to ignite
combustible fuels. According to one source, utility companies take measures to insure that the
electrical field intensity is no greater than 1000 N/C at the perimeter of their public lands.
Determine the force that would be experienced by a 1.0 μC charge when placed at this location.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1.0x10-3 N or 0.0010 N
Problem 18:
A test charge with a negative charge of 2.18x10-8 C experiences a northward force of 4.50x10-5
N when placed a distance of 25.0 cm from a source charge.
a. Determine the magnitude and direction of the electric field at this location.
b. Determine the magnitude and type of charge on the source.
c. Determine the strength of the electric field at a distance of 75.0 cm from the source.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 2.06x103 N/C, directed southward
b. 1.44x10-8 C
c. 2.29x102 N/C
Problem 19:
A small balloon with a 4.36x10-9 C charge is placed a distance of 41 cm from a 1.28 μC charge.
a. Determine the electric field intensity at the location where the balloon is.
b. Determine the electrical force experienced by the balloon at this location.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 6.85x104 N/C
b. 2.98x10-4 N
Problem 20:
Dry air is generally a good insulator. It’s insulating ability breaks down when the electric field
approaches a value of approximately 3x106 N/C. Determine the quantity of charge on a Van de
Graaff generator that will produce an electric field strength of 3.0x106 N/C at a distance of 50.
cm from the generator. Treat the generator as a point charge.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
-5
8.3x10 C
Problem 21:
The electric field between the plates of the cathode ray tube of an older television set can be as
high as 2.5x104 N/C. Determine the force and resulting acceleration of an electron (m = 9.11x10-
31
kg) as it travels through this electric field towards the television screen.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Force = 4.0x10-15 N
Acceleration = 4.4x1015 m/s/s
Problem 22:
Mr. H inflates a 1.4-gram balloon and charges it negatively by rubbing it on his head. He then
rubs a plastic tube with animal fur to impart a charge of -4.3x10-8 C. By holding the plastic tube
at a position of 12 cm below the balloon, he is able to levitate the balloon. Consider the two
objects to be point charges and determine the quantity of charge upon the balloon.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
-7
5.1x10 C
Problem 23:
Two identical balloons are inflated and charged in the same manner. They are
tied by threads and hung from the same pivot point on the ceiling. The balloons
hang down, with the threads making an angle of 14° with each other and the
balloons being separated by a distance of 58 cm (center-to-center). Each
balloon has a charge of -3.5x10-7 C. Draw a free-body diagram for the balloons
and consider them to act as point objects.
a. Calculate the force of electrical repulsion between the balloons.
b. What is the horizontal component of force in the thread that supports either one of the
balloons?
c. What is the vertical component of force in the thread that supports either one of the balloons?
d. What is the mass of either one of the balloons?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 3.3x10-3 N
b. 3.3x10-3 N
c. 2.7x10-2 N
d. 2.7 grams of 2.7x10-3 kg
Problem 24:
Consider the diagram below.

GIVEN: Q1 = +5.00x10-7 C; Q2 = +4.00x10-7 C; Q3 = -8.00x10-7 C; d1 = 5.00 cm; d2 = 8.00 cm.


a. Determine the magnitude and direction of the force exerted by Q2 upon Q1.
b. Determine the magnitude and direction of the force exerted by Q3 upon Q1.
c. Determine the magnitude and direction of the net electric force on Q1.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. F2 on 1 = 0.719 N, leftward
b. F3 on 1 = 0.213 N, rightward
c. Fnet electric = 0.506 N, leftward
Problem 25:
Three charges are arranged as shown in the diagram at the right.
GIVEN:
Q1 = -15 nC
Q2 = +14 nC
Q3 = +11 nC
1 nC = 1 nanoCoulomb = 1x10-9 C
a. Determine the magnitude and direction of the force exerted by Q1 upon Q2.
b. Determine the magnitude and direction of the force exerted by Q3 upon Q2.
c. Determine the magnitude and direction of the net electrostatic force on Q2.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. F1 on 2 = 3.9x10-6 N, downward
b. F3 on 2 = 1.54x10-5 N, leftward
c. Fnet electric = 1.59x10-5 N, 14° down from left (194° CCW)
Problem 26:
Determine the strength of the net electric field at a location midway between two point charges.
The charges are Q1 = +8.32x10-9 C and Q2 = +6.04x10-9 C. The separation distance is 24.6 cm.
Suggestion: construct a diagram of the arrangement of two charges and compute each individual
electric field; then sum to determine the net electric field.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1.35x103 N/C, towards Q2
Problem 27:
Two charges are separated by a distance of 40 cm. Q1 has a charge of -4.5 nC and Q2 has a
charge of +9.1 nC. (GIVEN: 1 C = 109 nC.)

Determine the location where the net electric field is 0 N/C. Express your answer as an x-
coordinate location (in cm), with Q1 being located at x=0 cm and Q2 being located at x = +40 cm
(as shown in the diagram).
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
-95 cm
Problem 28:
A thread is tied to a 2.50-gram pith ball and attached to the ceiling at a
location of a uniform electric field with an intensity of 5.00x102 N/C.
The pith ball experiences a force which causes it to deflect from an
otherwise vertical alignment by an angle of 12.6° from the vertical.
Use a free-body diagram and electrostatic principles to perform the
following calculations.
a. Determine the force of gravity acting upon the pith ball.
b. Determine the vertical component of the tension force of the thread.
c. Determine the horizontal component of the tension force of the thread.
d. Determine the quantity of charge on the pith ball.
e. What type of charge - positive or negative - does the pith ball possess?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 0.0245 N
b. 0.0245 N
c. 5.48x10-3 N
d. 1.10x10-5 C
e. Positive charge
Problem 29:
Two negatively-charged balloons with a mass of 1.78 g are suspended by threads from a
common point on the ceiling. The two balloons repel to an equilibrium position in which the
angle between the two threads is 13.1 degrees. The distance from ceiling to the center of either
one of the balloons is 155 cm. Determine the charge on each balloon. Assume the same amount
of charge is on each balloon.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1.67x10-7 C
Problem 30:
Four positive charges are positioned in such a manner than they
form a square with sides which are 5.0 cm long. A 3.0 μC
charge is placed at the (0 cm, 0 cm) mark. A 9.0 μC charge is
placed at the (0 cm, 5 cm) mark, a 3 μC charge is placed at the
(5 cm, 5 cm) mark, and a 6.0 μC charge is placed at the (5 cm,
0cm) mark. Determine the magnitude and direction of the
electric field at the exact center of the square.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
magnitude: 2.2x107 N/C
direction: directed away from Q2 and towards Q4 (OR 45° below horizontal right OR 315°)
Problem 31:
The diagram at the right shows three charges positioned to
form an equilateral triangle. Each side has a length of 46 cm
and each charge has a positive charge of 7.8 nC. Determine the
magnitude and direction of the net electric force exerted upon
the charge at point P at the top of the triangle.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
magnitude = 4.5x10-6 N
direction = upward
Problem 32:
Two point charges (Q1 and Q2) are positioned along the x-axis as shown below.

They are spaced 50. cm apart and have charges of +38 nC (Q1) and -18 nC (Q2). Determine the
location along the axis where the net electric field is 0 N/C.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
x-coordinate=+160 cm
Problem 33:
Three negative charges are arranged as shown in the diagram at the
right. The charges of the three objects are:
Q1 = -6.2 nC
Q2 = -3.8 nC
Q3 = -5.5 nC
(1 nC = 1 nanoCoulomb = 1x10-9 C)
Determine the magnitude of the net electric force exerted on Q3.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1.12x10-6 N
Electric Circuits

Problem 1:
Over the course of an 8 hour day, 3.8x104 C of charge pass through a typical computer
(presuming it is in use the entire time). Determine the current for such a computer.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1.3 A
Problem 2:
The large window air conditioner in Anita Breeze's room draws 11 amps of current. The unit
runs for 8.0 hours during the course of a day. Determine the quantity of charge that passes
through Anita's window AC during these 8.0 hours.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
3.2x105 C
Problem 3:
Determine the amount of time that the following devices would have to be used before 1.0x106 C
(1 million Coulombs) of charge passes through them.
a. LED night light (I=0.0042 A)
b. Incandescent night light (I=0.068 A)
c. 60-Watt incandescent light bulb (I=0.50 A)
d. Large bathroom light fixture (I=2.0 A)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 2.4x108 sec = 6.6x104 hr = 2.8x103 d = 7.5 yr
b. 1.5x107 sec = 4.1x103 hr = 170 d
c. 2.0x106 s = 560 hr = 23 d
d. 5.0x105 s = 140 hr = 5.8 d
Problem 4:
The heating element of an electric toaster is typically made of nichrome wire (an alloy of nickel
and chromium). As current passes through the wires, the wires heat up, thus toasting the toast.
Estimate the overall resistance of a heating element which is 220 cm long and consists of
nichrome wire with a diameter of 0.56 mm. The resistivity of nichrome is 110x10-8 Ω•m.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
9.8 Ω
Problem 5:
Determine the overall resistance of a 100-meter length of 14 AWA (0.163 cm diameter) wire
made of the following materials.
a. copper (resistivity = 1.67x10-8 Ω•m)
b. silver (resistivity = 1.59x10-8 Ω•m)
c. aluminum (resistivity = 2.65x10-8 Ω•m)
d. iron (resistivity = 9.71x10-8 Ω•m)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 0.800 Ω
b. 0.762 Ω
c. 1.27 Ω
d. 4.65 Ω
Problem 6:
A power saw at the local hardware store boasts of having a 15-Amp motor. Determine its
resistance when plugged into a 110-Volt outlet.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
7.3 Ω
Problem 7:
A coffee cup immersion heater utilizes a heating coil with a resistance of 8.5 Ω. Determine the
current through the coil when operated at 110 V.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
13 A
Problem 8:
Defibrillator machines are used to deliver an electric shock to the human heart in order to
resuscitate an otherwise non-beating heart. It is estimated that a current as low as 17 mA through
the heart is required to resuscitate. Using 100,000 Ω as the overall resistance, determine the
output voltage required of a defibrillating device.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1700 V
Problem 9:
A stun gun or TASER is designed to put out a few seconds worth of electric pulses that impress a
voltage of about 1200 V across the human body. This results in an average current of
approximately 3 mA into a human body. Using these figures, estimate the resistance of the
human body.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
4x105 Ω
Problem 10:
Determine the amount of electrical energy (in J) used by the following devices when operated for
the indicated times.
a. Hair dryer (1500 W) - operated for 5 minutes
b. Electric space heater (950 W) - operated for 4 hours
c. X-Box video game player (180 W) - operated for 2 hours
d. 42-inch LCD television (210 W) - operated for 3 hours
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 4.5x105 J
b. 1.4x107 J
c. 1.3x106 J
d. 2.3x106 J
Problem 11:
Alfredo deDarke sleeps with a 7.5-Watt night light bulb on. He turns it on before getting in bed
and turns it off 8 hours later.
a. Determine the amount of energy used during one evening in units of kiloWatt•hours.
b. Electrical energy costs 13 cents/kW•hr where Alfredo lives. Determine the annual (365 days)
cost of this practice of using a 7.5-Watt night light.
c. Determine the annual savings if Alfredo replaced his 7.5-Watt incandescent night light by a
0.5-Watt LED night light.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 0.060 kW•hr for one evening
b. $2.8 for one year
c. $2.7 savings for one year
Problem 12:
Having recently lost her job, Penny Penching is looking for every possible means of cutting
costs. She decides that her 4.0-Watt clock radio alarm does not need to be on for 24 hours every
day since she only needs it for waking up after her average 8-hour sleep. So she decides to plug it
in before going to sleep and to unplug it when waking. Penny pays 12 cents per kiloWatt•hour
for her electricity. How much money is Penny able to save over the course of a month (31 days)
with her new alarm clock usage pattern?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
24 cents
Problem 13:
The power of a 1.5-volt alkaline cell varies with the number of hours of operation. A brand new
D-cell can deliver as much as 13 A through a copper wire connected between terminals.
Determine the power of a brand new D-cell.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
20. W (rounded from 19.5 W)
Problem 14:
A central air conditioner in a typical American home operates on a 220-V circuit and draws
about 15 A of current.
a. Determine the power rating of such an air conditioner.
b. Determine the energy consumed (in kW•hr) if operated for 8 hours per day.
c. Determine the monthly cost (31 days) if the utility company charges 13 cents per kW•hr.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 3300 W
b. 26 kW•hr
c. $110 per month (rounded from $106)
Problem 15:
During the Christmas season, Sel Erbate uses the equivalent of 45 strings of 100 mini-bulbs to
light the inside and outside of his home. Each 100-bulb string of lights is rated at 40 Watts. The
average daily usage of the strings is 7 hours. The lights are used for approximately 40 days
during the holiday season.
a. Determine the resistance of each string of lights. Each is powered by 110-volt outlet.
b. Determine the energy consumed (in kW•hr) by the lights over the course of 40 days.
c. If Sel pays 12 cents/kW•hr for electrical energy, then what is the total cost of Christmas
lighting for a single season?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
2
a. 3x10 Ω (rounded from 302.5 Ω)
b. 5x102 kW•hr (rounded from 504 kW•hr)
c. $60 (rounded from $60.48)
Problem 16:
A 3-way light bulb for a 110-V lamp has two different filaments and three different power
ratings. Turning the switch of the lamp toggles the light from OFF to low (50 W) to medium
(100 W) to high (150 W) brightness. These three brightness settings are achieved by channeling
current through the high resistance filament (50 W), the low resistance filament (100 W) or
through both filaments. Determine the resistance of the 50 W and the 100 W filaments.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
50-watt filament: R = 240 Ω (rounded from 242 Ω)
100-watt filament: R = 120 Ω (rounded from 121 Ω)
Problem 17:
Compare the resistance of a 1.5-Amp interior light bulb of a car (operating off a 12-V battery) to
the resistance of a 100-Watt bulb operating on a 110-volt household circuitry.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Car light bulb: 8.0 Ω
100-W lamp bulb: 120 Ω (rounded from 121 Ω)
Problem 18:
An overhead high voltage (4.0x105 V) power transmission line delivers electrical energy from a
generating station to a substation at a rate of 1500 MW (1.5x109 W). Determine the resistance of
and the current in the cables.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Resistance: 110 Ω (rounded from 107 Ω)
Current: 3800 A (rounded from 3750 A)
Problem 19:
The UL panel on the bottom of an electric toaster oven indicates that it operates at 1500 W on a
110 V circuit. Determine the electrical resistance of the toaster oven.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
8.1 Ω
Problem 20:
Determine the equivalent resistance of a 6.0 Ω and a 8.0 Ω resistor if …
a. … connected in series.
b. … connected in parallel.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 14.0 Ω
b. 3.4 Ω
Problem 21:
Two resistors with resistance values of 6.0 Ω and 8.0 Ω are connected to a 12.0-volt source.
Determine the overall current in the circuit if the resistors are …
a. … connected in series.
b. … connected in parallel.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 0.86 A
b. 3.5 A
Problem 22:
The series circuit at the right depicts two resistors connected to a
voltage source. The voltage source (ΔVtot) is a 48-V source and the
resistor values are 6.4 Ω (R1) and 3.9 Ω (R2).
a. Determine the equivalent resistance of the circuit.
b. Determine the current in the circuit.
c. Determine the voltage drop across each individual resistor.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
a. 10.3 Ω
b. 4.7 A
c. ΔV1 = 30. V and ΔV2 = 18 V
Problem 23:
Voltmeters can be used to determine the voltage difference
between two points on a circuit. An ammeter can be used to
determine the current at any given location on a circuit. The circuit
at the right is powered by a 12.0-volt battery and utilizes two
voltmeters and two ammeters to measure voltage drops and
currents. The resistor values are 1.28 Ω (R1) and 3.85 Ω (R2).
Determine the ammeter readings and voltmeter readings.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
Ammeter readings: 2.34 A (for each)
Top voltmeter reading: 2.99 V
Bottom voltmeter reading: 9.01 V
Problem 24:
The series circuit at the right depicts three resistors connected
to a voltage source. The voltage source (ΔVtot) is a 110-V
source and the resistor values are 7.2 Ω (R1), 6.2 Ω (R2) and
8.6 Ω (R3).
a. Determine the equivalent resistance of the circuit.
b. Determine the current in the circuit.
c. Determine the voltage drops across each individual resistor.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
a. 22.0 Ω
b. 5.0 A
c. ΔV1 = 36 V, ΔV2 = 31 V and ΔV3 = 43 V
Problem 25:
Voltmeters can be used to determine the voltage across
two points on a circuit. An ammeter can be used to
determine the current at any given location on a circuit.
The circuit at the right is powered by a 60.0-volt power
source and utilizes three voltmeters and three ammeters
to measure voltage drops and currents. The resistor
values are 10.3 Ω (R1), 15.2 Ω (R2) and 12.8 Ω (R3).
Determine the ammeter readings and voltmeter readings.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
Ammeter readings: 1.57 A (for each)
Top voltmeter reading (across R1): 16.1 V
Right voltmeter reading (across R2): 23.8 V
Bottom voltmeter reading (across R3): 20.1 V
Problem 26:
A circuit powered by a 12.0-volt battery is comprised of three identical resistors in series. An
ammeter reading reveals a current of 0.360 A. Determine the resistance values of the resistors
and the voltage drops across the resistors.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
R1 = R2 = R3 = 11.1 Ω
ΔV1 = ΔV2 = ΔV3 = 4.0 V
Problem 27:
A 4.5-volt series circuit consists of two resistors. Resistor A has three times the resistance as
resistor B. An ammeter records a current of 160 mA of current. Determine the resistance values
of resistors A and B.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
RA = 21.1 Ω
RB = 7.0 Ω
Problem 28:
A 9.00-volt battery is used to power a series circuit with a 2.50 Ω and a 3.50 Ω resistor.
Determine the power rating of each resistor and the total power of the circuit.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Power of 2.5 Ω resistor: 5.63 W
Power of 3.5 Ω resistor: 7.88 W
Power of entire circuit: 13.5 W
Problem 29:
Determine the equivalent resistance of a parallel arrangement of two resistors with resistance
values of …
a. … 8.0 Ω and 8.0 Ω
b. … 5.0 Ω and 5.0 Ω
c. … 5.0 Ω and 8.0 Ω
d. … 5.0 Ω and 9.2 Ω
e. … 5.0 Ω and 27.1 Ω
f. … 5.0 Ω and 450 Ω
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. Req = 4.0 Ω
b. Req = 2.5 Ω
c. Req = 3.1 Ω
d. Req = 3.2 Ω
e. Req = 4.2 Ω
f. Req = 4.9 Ω
Problem 30:
The parallel circuit at the right depicts two resistors connected to a
voltage source. The voltage source (ΔVtot) is a 12-V source and the
resistor values are 6.4 Ω (R1) and 3.9 Ω (R2).
a. Determine the equivalent resistance of the circuit.
b. Determine the current in each branch resistor.
c. Determine the total current in the circuit.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
a. 2.4 Ω
b. I1 = 1.9 A and I2 = 3.1 A
c. 5.0 A
Problem 31:
The parallel circuit at the right depicts three resistors connected
to a voltage source. The voltage source (ΔVtot) is a 110.-V source
and the resistor values are 15.4 Ω (R1), 21.9 Ω (R2) and 11.7 Ω
(R3).
a. Determine the equivalent resistance of the circuit.
b. Determine the current in each branch resistor.
c. Determine the total current in the circuit.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
a. 5.10 Ω
b. I1 = 7.14 A, I2 = 5.02 A and I3 = 9.40 A
c. 21.57 A
Problem 32:
Voltmeters can be used to determine the voltage across two points on a circuit. An ammeter can
be used to determine the current at any given location on a circuit. The circuit below is powered
by a 24.0-volt power source and utilizes four voltmeters and three ammeters to measure voltage
drops and currents.

The resistor values are 54.5 Ω (R1), 31.7 Ω (R2) and 48.2 Ω (R3). Determine the ammeter
readings and voltmeter readings.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Left ammeter reading (in R1 branch): 0.440 A
Middle ammeter reading (in R2 branch): 0.757 A
Right ammeter reading (in R3 branch): 0.498 A
Bottom ammeter reading (outside branches): 1.695 A
Voltmeter readings: 24.0 V (for each)
Problem 33:
A 9.00-volt battery is used to power a parallel circuit with a 2.50 Ω and a 3.50 Ω resistor.
Determine the power rating of each resistor and the total power of the circuit.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Power of 2.5 Ω resistor: 32.4 W
Power of 3.5 Ω resistor: 23.1 W
Power of entire circuit: 55.5 W
Problem 34:
Cullen Ary's family loves to cook. According to Cullen's friends, they have every imaginable
kitchen gadget that exists. One Sunday afternoon, they have a cooking party in which every
member of the family participates. They get out the following small appliances, plug them in and
turn them on.
Mixer (81 Ω)
Crockpot (62 Ω)
Juicer (43 Ω)
Blender (21 Ω)
Electric Fondue (16 Ω)
Wok (12 Ω)
Rotisserie (7.5 Ω)
Deep-fat fryer (7.0 Ω)
The resistance values for each appliance is listed in parenthesis. Each appliance is plugged in to
110-volt receptacles which are wired in parallel on the same circuit. The circuit is protected by a
20-amp circuit breaker.
a. Determine the overall current on the circuit with the mixer and crockpot operating.
b. Determine the overall current on the circuit with the mixer, crockpot and juicer operating.
c. Determine the overall current on the circuit with the mixer, crockpot, juicer and blender
operating.
d. Determine the overall current on the circuit with the mixer, crockpot, juicer, blender and
electric fondue operating.
e. Determine the overall current on the circuit with the mixer, crockpot, juicer, blender, electric
fondue, and wok operating.
f. Determine the overall current on the circuit with the mixer, crockpot, juicer, blender, electric
fondue, wok, and rotisserie operating.
g. Determine the overall current on the circuit with the mixer, crockpot, juicer, blender, electric
fondue, wok, rotisserie, and the deep-fat fryer operating.
h. At what point in the progression of turning on appliances will the circuit become overloaded
and the circuit breaker interrupt the circuit.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 3.1 A
b. 5.7 A
c. 10.9 A
d. 17.8 A
e. 27.0 A
f. 41.6 A
g. 57.4 A
h. Once the wok is plugged in (part e), the circuit breaker will trip and interrupt the circuit.
Waves

Problem 1:
Jerome and Claire are doing the Period of a Pendulum Lab. They observe that a pendulum makes
exactly 10 complete back and forth cycles of motion in 21.8 seconds. Determine the period of the
pendulum.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
2.18 s
Problem 2:
Strong winds can apply a significant enough force to tall skyscrapers to set them into a back-and-
forth motion. The amplitudes of these motions are greater at the higher floors and barely
observable for the lower floors. It is said that one can even observe the vibrational motion of the
Sears Tower in Chicago on a windy day. As the Sears Tower vibrates back and forth, it makes
about 8.6 vibrations in 60 seconds. Determine the frequency and the period of vibration of the
Sears Tower.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Frequency: 0.14 Hz
Period: 7.0 s
Problem 3:
The spin rate of a CD-ROM varies according to the location on the disc from where data is being
accessed. When accessing data from the inner circles of the disc, the CD can spin at a rate as
high as 400 revolutions per minute. Determine the frequency (in Hertz) and the period (in
seconds) of the spinning CD.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Frequency = 6.67 Hz
Period = 0.150 s
Problem 4:
Like all planets, the planet Venus orbits the Sun in periodic motion and simultaneously spins
about its axis. Just as on Earth, the time to make one complete orbit (i.e., the period of orbit) is
what defines a year. And the time to make one complete revolution about its axis (i.e., the period
of rotation) is what defines a day. The period of orbit for the Earth is 365.25 days and the period
of rotation is 24 hours (1.00 day). But when these same values for Venus are expressed relative
to Earth, it is found that Venus has a period of orbit of 243 days and a period of rotation of 225
days. So for Venus inhabitants, a day would last longer than a year! Determine the frequency of
orbit and the frequency of rotation (in Hertz) on Venus.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Frequency of orbit: 4.76 x 10-8 Hz
Frequency of rotation: 5.14 x 10-8 Hz
Problem 5:
Extreme waves along ocean waters, sometimes referred to as freak waves or rogue waves, are a
focus of much research and study among scientists. Several merchant ships reports rogue waves
which are estimated to be 25 meters high and 26 meters long. Assuming that these waves travel
at speeds of 6.5 m/s, determine the frequency and the period of these waves.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Frequency: 0.25 Hz
Period: 4.0 s
Problem 6:
Tsunamis are much different than rogue waves. While rogue waves and other waves are
generated by winds, tsunamis originate from geological events such as movements of tectonic
plates. Tsunamis tend to travel very fast. A tsunami generated off the coast of Chile in 1990 is
estimated to have traveled approximately 6200 miles to Hawaii in 15 hours. Determine the speed
in mi/hr and m/s. (Given: 1.0 m/s = 2.24 mi/hr)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
410 mi/hr or 180 m/s
Problem 7:
A geological disturbance in California produces seismic waves which are detected in Phoenix,
approximately 990 km from the epicenter. If the waves travel 6.3 km/s, determine the time delay
between the disturbance and the detection.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
160 seconds (rounded from 157 seconds)
Problem 8:
Microbats use echolocation to navigate and hunt. They emit pulses of high frequency sound
waves which reflect off obstacles and objects in their surroundings. By detecting the time delay
between the emitted pulse and the return of the reflected pulse, a bat can determine the location
of the object. Determine the time delay between the sending of a pulse and the return of its
reflection from an object located 12.5 m away. Approximate the speed of the sound waves as 345
m/s.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0.0725 seconds (72.5 milliseconds)
Problem 9:
Logan, Cassie and Abbey are doing the Pulse Speed Lab. Logan and Cassie stand 6.8 m apart
and stretch a zinc-coiled snakey between them. Logan introduces a pulse into the snakey at his
end. Using a stopwatch, Abbey measures that it takes 15.1 seconds for the pulse to travel to
Cassie's end and back two times. They then repeat the experiment with a copper-coiled snakey
stretched the same distance and find that pulses travel back and forth two times in 16.9 seconds.
a. Determine the speed of the pulse in the zinc-coiled snakey.
b. Determine the speed of the pulse in the copper-coiled snakey.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 1.80 m/s
b. 1.61 m/s
Problem 10:
Sachi is rock'n to her favorite radio station - 102.3 FM. The station broadcasts radio signals with
a frequency of 1.023 x 108 Hz. The radio wave signal travel through the air at a speed of 2.997 x
108 m/s. Determine the wavelength of these radio waves.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
2.930 m
Problem 11:
A transverse wave is observed to be moving along a lengthy rope. Adjacent crests are positioned
2.4 m apart. Exactly six crests are observed to move past a given point along the medium in 9.1
seconds. Determine the wavelength, frequency and speed of these waves.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
wavelength = 2.4 m
speed = 1.6 m/s
frequency = 0.66 Hz
Problem 12:
A marine weather station detects waves which are 9.28 meters long and 1.65 meters high and
travel a distance of 50.0 meters in 21.8 seconds. Determine the speed and the frequency of these
waves.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
speed = 2.29 m/s
frequency = 0.247 Hz
Problem 13:
Humpback whales are known to produce a collection of elaborate and repeating sounds with
frequencies ranging from 20 Hz to 10 kHz. The sound waves travel through water at speeds of
approximately 1400 m/s. Determine the wavelengths of the waves at the lower and the upper end
of this frequency range.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
20 Hz sounds have a wavelength of 70 m.
10 kHz sounds have a wavelength of 0.14 m.
Problem 14:
A wave is traveling in a rope. The diagram below represents a snapshot of the rope at a particular
instant in time.

Determine the number of wavelengths which is equal to the horizontal distance between points

a. … C and E on the rope.
b. … C and K on the rope.
c. … A and J on the rope.
d. … B and F on the rope.
e. … D and H on the rope.
f. … E and I on the rope.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 1.0 wavelengths
b. 3.5 wavelengths
c. 4.0 wavelengths
d. 1.5 wavelengths
e. 2.0 wavelengths
f. 1.75 wavelengths
Problem 15:
Ryan and Carson attended their church's youth retreat at Camp Paradise this past fall. On
Saturday afternoon they took a walk out to the harbor and watched incoming waves from Lake
Michigan rock the boating piers up and down. Ryan and Carson observed that the piers made a
complete up and down vibration cycle in 6.6 seconds. The piers were positioned a distance of 24
meters apart. When one pier was at a high position, the neighboring pier was at a low position
and there was exactly one wave crest between them. Determine the wavelength, frequency and
speed of the waves.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
wavelength = 16 m
frequency = 0.15 Hz
speed = 2.4 m/s
Problem 16:
Nick and Kara were lounging on rafts in the shallow waters of the beach at Lake Bluebird. They
were spaced 1.8 meters apart. A motor boat zoomed past creating ripples which traveled towards
Nick and Kara. Nick and Kara's rafts began to bob up and down as the ripples passed by them,
making exactly 4 up and down cycles in 8.4 seconds. When Nick's raft was at a high point,
Kara's raft was at a low point and there were no crests between their boats. Determine the
wavelength, frequency and speed of the ripples Assume that the ripples traveled in a direction
parallel to the imaginary line connecting the two rafts.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
wavelength = 3.6 m
frequency = 0.48 Hz
speed = 1.7 m/s
Problem 17:
A wave with a frequency of 12.3 Hz is traveling from left to right
across a rope as shown in the diagram at the right Positions A and B in
the diagram are separated by a horizontal distance of 42.8 cm.
Positions C and D in the diagram are separated by a vertical distance
of 12.4 cm. Determine the amplitude, wavelength, period and speed of this wave.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
amplitude = 6.2 cm
wavelength = 21.4 cm
period = 0.0813 s
speed = 263 cm/s or 2.63 m/s
Problem 18:
A rope is held tightly and shook until the standing wave
pattern shown in the diagram at the right is established within
the rope. The distance A in the diagram is 3.27 meters. The
speed at which waves move along the rope is 2.62 m/s.
a. Determine the frequency of the waves creating the standing
wave pattern.
b. Determine the number of vibrational cycles which would be measured in 20.0 seconds.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
a. 1.20 Hz
b. 24.0 vibrations
Problem 19:
Anna Litical ties a rope to a tree, stands 7.2 m away, and vibrates the rope
up and down with 28 complete cycles in 5.0 seconds. The resulting
standing wave pattern is shown in the diagram at the right. Use this
information and the diagram to determine the amplitude, wavelength,
frequency and speed.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
amplitude: 0.3 m
wavelength: 4.8 m
frequency: 5.6 Hz
speed: 27 m/s
Problem 20:
In the Standing Wave Lab, lab partners Chloe and Paige adjust the frequency of a mechanical
oscillator in order to vibrate a 1.38 m length of elastic cord at one of its harmonic frequencies.
The cord vibrates with the pattern shown below when the frequency is set to 79.4 Hz. Determine
the speed of the waves in the elastic cord.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
43.8 m/s
Problem 21:
In a physics demonstration, Mr. H establishes a standing wave pattern in a snakey by vibrating it
up and down with 32 vibrations in 10 seconds. Gerald is holding the opposite end of the snakey
and is standing 6.2 m from Mr. H's end. There are four equal length sections in the snakey, each
occupied by an antinode. Determine the frequency, wavelength and speed of the wave.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
frequency = 3.2 Hz
wavelength = 3.1 m
speed = 9.9 m/s
Problem 22:
Gillian drives down Lake Avenue and observes an odd vibrational pattern of her car
antenna. She observes it vibrating back and forth in the manner shown at the right. There
is an antinode at its free end and a node at the location where the antenna mounts to the
car. Vibrations travel through the 86 cm tall antenna at 5.0 x 103 m/s. Determine the
frequency of vibrations of the antenna.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
4.4 x 103 Hz
Problem 23:
Anna Litical and Stan Dingwaives are holding an elastic cord between them. Using a 1.6 meter
long rope, they create a wave which travels at 2.4 m/s and has a frequency of 1.5 Hz. What
would be the new wavelength and speed if they double the frequency of vibration of the cord?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
wavelength: 0.8 m
speed: 2.4 m/s
Problem 24:
A standing wave pattern is established in a 246-cm long rope. A snapshot of the rope at a given
moment in time is shown in the diagram below. Vibrations travel within the rope at speeds of
22.7 m/s. Determine the frequency of vibration of the rope.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
27.7 Hz
Problem 25:
A standing wave is established in a snakey as shown in the diagram at
the right. The distance from point A to point B is known to be 4.69
meters. When not being vibrated as a standing wave, a single pulse
introduced into the medium at point A will travel to the opposite end and
back in 2.70 seconds. Determine the vibrational frequency of the wave pattern.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
1.85 Hz
Problem 26:
A 144 cm long rope undergoes exactly 64 complete vibrational cycles in 17.6 seconds when
vibrating in the third harmonic (in three equal-length sections). Determine the speed of the waves
in the rope.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
349 cm/s or 3.49 m/s
Problem 27:
In a physics lab, a rope is observed to make 240 complete vibrational cycles in 15 seconds. The
length of the rope is 2.8 meters and the measurements are made for the 6th harmonic (with six
equal length sections). Determine the speed of the waves in the rope.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
15 m/s
Problem 28:
Winston and Michal hold opposite ends of a stretched rope. Winston introduces a 68-cm tall
upward-displaced pulse on his end while Michal simultaneously introduces a 42-cm tall upward-
displaced pulse on his end. The two pulses meet in the middle of the rope.
a. What is the resultant displacement of the rope when they completely overlap?
b. What would be the resultant displacement of the rope if Michal's pulse was displaced
downward?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 110 cm, up
b. 26 cm, up
Problem 29:
During a classroom demonstration, Mr. H uses a wave machine donated to the school by Bell
Telephone Company. The wave machine consists of two 1-meter length sections of 50 steel rods.
The steel rods are connected to each other so that when the first rod is disturbed from a rest
position, the disturbance travels along the medium from rod to rod. One of the sections consists
of longer steel rods; disturbances move at 20 cm/s in this section. The other section consists of
shorter steel rods; disturbances move at 80 cm/s in this section. Mr. H connects the two sections
together so that pulses can cross the boundary from one section to the other. He introduces a
pulse with a length of 10 cm into the slower section. Determine the length of this pulse when it
crosses the boundary into the faster section.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
40 cm
Sound and Music

Problem 1:
The speed (v) at which sound travels through air is dependent upon the temperature of the air and
seems to follow the equation v = 331 m/s + 0.6 m/s/°C * T where T is the Celsius temperature
of the air. Determine the speed of sound …
a. … on a cold day when the outdoor temperature is 4°C.
b. … inside the school where the temperature is 24°C.
c. … on a warm day when the outdoor temperature is 38°C.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 333 m/s
b. 345 m/s
c. 354 m/s
Problem 2:
Herds of African elephants are generally spread over large areas. Infrasonic sound waves (sound
waves below the human range of frequency detection) are used by these elephants to locate each
other and to communicate. Sound waves with low frequencies have a greater ability to bend
around obstacles and generally carry further. Scientists have detected sound waves with
frequencies as low as 13 Hz being produced by elephants. Assuming a speed of sound of 350
m/s, determine the wavelength of these sounds waves.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
27 m
Problem 3:
Indoor pests such as mice and other rodents are sensitive to ultrasonic sound waves (sound
waves above the human range of frequency detection). Some companies have produced
(allegedly) rodent repellant devices that emit ultrasonic waves with frequencies of approximately
45 kHz. Assuming a speed of sound of 344 m/s, determine the wavelength of these sounds
waves.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0.0076 m or 7.6 mm
Problem 4:
Mama G used to be the leader of South's Pep Club. As she started in on a round of Wash Them
Down the River, her voice would ring out at an attention-drawing 855 Hz. Assuming a speed of
sound in the Titan Dome of 355 m/s, determine the wavelength of the sound waves produced by
Mama G.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0.415 m or 41.5 cm
Problem 5:
On a recent PE-sponsored adventure education program, students went hiking at Devil's Head
State Park. At one point, Jeremy let out a holler which reflected off a nearby rocky cliff and was
detected as an echo 1.80 seconds later. Determine the distance to the rocky cliffs. Assume a
speed of sound of 344 m/s.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
310 m
Problem 6:
A deep sea ocean vessel uses SONAR to detect the ocean's bottom. Sound waves are emitted
from the surface of the ocean and travel through the water at 1450 m/s. The ocean bottom is
1630 m below the surface. Determine the amount of time that passes before the sound waves are
reflected back to the surface.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
2.25 s
Problem 7:
The intensity of sound waves decreases as the distance from the source of sound increases. The
relationship between intensity (I) and distance (d) is an inverse square relationship which
follows the equation I = P/(4•π•R2) where P is the power of the sound source, usually expressed
in Watts. Jake recently purchased a stereo system for his basement recreation room. Determine
the maximum intensity of the sound waves at the following distances from his 120-Watt main
speaker.
a. 1.0 meter
b. 2.0 meter
c. 3.0 meter
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 9.5 W/m2
b. 2.4 W/m2
c. 1.1 W/m2
Problem 8:
Determine the decibel rating of the following sound sources and their estimated sound
intensities.
a. Science office at 5 PM on a weeknight: I = ~1 x 10-9 W/m2
b. South's student library after school: I = ~1 x 10-6 W/m2
c. Period 7 at the beginning of class: I = ~1 x 10-4 W/m2
d. Titan Dome on a Friday night during basketball season: I = 8.1 x 10-3 W/m2
e. Fall Out Boy concert - front row: I = 7.4 x 10-2 W/m2
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 30 dB
b. 60 dB
c. 80 dB
d. 99 dB
e. 109 dB
Problem 9:
For the following decibel levels, determine the corresponding sound intensity levels in W/m2.
a. 50 dBel
b. 90 dBel
c. 110 dBel
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 1.0 x 10-7 W/m2
b. 1.0 x 10-3 W/m2
c. 1.0 x 10-1 W/m2
Problem 10:
According to Guinness, the record for the loudest burp is held by Paul Hunn of London. In
September of 2008, his burp was measured at 107.1 dB, Determine the intensity in W/m2 of
Paul's burp.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0.05129 W/m2
Problem 11:
Mr. H recently purchased a home four blocks from the busy tollway. On a typical evening, the
decibel level resulting from tollway traffic is 62 dB at the location of his house. Determine the
decibel level on the same evening at a house 1 block from the tollway (four times closer).
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
74 dB
Problem 12:
During a Variety Show practice, Jake plucked a string on his guitar, sending vibrations through it
in both directions. The string is pulled to a tightness of 220 N and has a mass density of 0.013
kg/m. Determine the speed with which vibrations travel through the string.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
130 m/s
Problem 13:
During the Pluck It! Lab, lab partners Anna Litical and Noah Formula determined the speed of
vibrations through a 2.45-meter length of wire. The wire had a mass of 19.5 grams. If the speed
was measured to be 253 m/s, determine the tension to which it was pulled.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
509 N
Problem 14:
In a demonstration, Mr. H stretches a steel wire to a length 1.23 meters and braces both ends so
that they are not free to vibrate. He attaches a fancy piece of equipment which he calls a
mechanical oscillator to the wire and explains how it works. Then Mr. H turns the oscillator on
and tunes the frequency to 588 Hz. To the amazement of the class, the wire begins vibrating in
the sixth harmonic wave pattern.
a. Determine the speed of waves within the wire.
b. Determine the frequency at which the wire will vibrate with the first harmonic wave pattern.
c. Determine the frequency at which the wire will vibrate with the second harmonic wave
pattern.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 241 m/s
b. 98 Hz
c. 196 Hz
Problem 15:
Olivia and Mason are doing a lab which involves stretching an elastic cord between two poles
which are 98 cm apart. They use a mechanical oscillator to force the cord to vibrate with the
third harmonic wave pattern when the frequency is 84 Hz. Determine the speed of vibrations
within the elastic cord.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
55 m/s
Problem 16:
A 1.65-meter length string is forced to vibrate in its fifth harmonic. Determine the locations of
the nodal positions. Express the locations as a distance measured from one of the ends of the
string.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0 m, 0.33 m, 0.66 m, 0.99 m, 1.32 m, and 1.65 m
Problem 17:
A steel piano wire is pulled to a tension of 448 N and has a mass density of 0.00621 kg/m. The
string is 61.8 cm long and vibrates at its fundamental frequency.
a. Determine the speed at which vibrations travel through the wire.
b. Determine the wavelength of the standing wave pattern for the fundamental frequency.
c. Determine the frequency of its vibrations.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 269 m/s
b. 124 cm or 1.24 m
c. 217 Hz
Problem 18:
A steel piano wire is 72.9 cm long and has a mass of 4.54 x 10-3 kg. The fundamental frequency
of the wire is 262 Hz, corresponding to the frequency of middle C on the musical scales.
Determine the tension to which the wire is pulled in order to vibrate with this frequency.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
909 N
Problem 19:
In the singing rod demonstration, Mr. H holds a 2.13-m length of aluminum rod in the exact
center. With rosin on his fingers, he slides his sticky fingers back and forth over the rod until it
begins to sing out with a very pure tone. Assuming waves travel at speeds of 6320 m/s within the
aluminum and that the standing wave pattern is characteristic of one-half wavelength between
the rod's ends, determine the frequency of the sound.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1480 Hz (rounded from 1484 Hz)
Problem 20:
Two strings made of the same material (same mass density) and stretched to the same tension
(and thus, having the same speed) have a different length. One of the strings is 80-cm long
(String A) and the other string is 60 cm (String B). They are vibrated at various frequencies in
order to establish standing wave patterns within them. Consider the first six harmonics of the two
strings. Which harmonic of String A would have the same frequency as one of the harmonics of
String B?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
The 4th harmonic of string A and the 3rd harmonic of string B.
Problem 21:
An 80-cm length open-end air column is forced to vibrate in its fifth harmonic. Determine the
locations of the nodal positions (positions where air is undisturbed). Express the locations in cm
using the diagram below.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
Nodes are located at 8 cm, 24 cm, 40 cm, 56 cm, and 72 cm
Problem 22:
An 80-cm length closed-end air column is forced to vibrate in its fifth harmonic. Determine the
locations of the nodal positions (positions where air is undisturbed). Express the locations in cm
using the diagram below. Note that the closed end is at 0 cm.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
Nodes are located at 0 cm, 32 cm, and 64 cm
Problem 23:
An organ pipe which acts as a open-end resonator has a length of 83 cm. Its fundamental
frequency is 210 Hz.
a. Determine the speed of sound waves in the air column of the pipe.
b. Determine the frequency of the second, third and fourth harmonics of the organ pipe.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 350 m/s (rounded from 349 m/s)
b. 420 Hz, 630 Hz, 840 Hz
Problem 24:
An organ pipe which acts as a closed-end resonator has a length of 83 cm. Sound waves travel at
350 m/s through the air column of the pipe.
a. Determine the fundamental frequency of the organ pipe.
b. Determine the frequency of the next two harmonics of this closed-end organ pipe.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 110 Hz (rounded from 105.4 Hz)
b. 320 Hz (rounded from 316 Hz) and 530 Hz (rounded from 527 Hz)
Problem 25:
Middle C on a piano keyboard corresponds to a frequency of 262 Hz. Determine the length of an
open-end air column whose fundamental matches this frequency. Use a value of 348 m/s as the
speed of sound.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0.664 m or 66.4 cm
Problem 26:
In the Speed of Sound Lab, Anna Litical and Noah Formula partially submerge a plastic tube
into a column of water. The water air interface causes the tube to be a closed-end air column.
Holding a 384-Hz tuning fork above the tube, they find that they must adjust the length of air
within the air column to 22.6 cm in order to force the air column into resonance vibration with
the tuning fork. Determine the speed of sound in the air column.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
347 m/s
Problem 27:
A musical recorder acts as an open-end air column, with a vibrational antinode located at the
hole near the mouthpiece (known as the windway hole) and a vibrational antinode located at the
nearest open tone hole. Blowing gently on the mouthpiece will force the air column to vibrate at
its fundamental frequency. Assuming a speed of sound of 345 m/s, what length of air would be
required to cause the recorder to sound out at 1050 Hz?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0.164 m or 16.4 cm
Problem 28:
A 2.29-m long organ pipe acts as a closed-end resonator that produces several different harmonic
frequencies in the audible range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Assuming a speed of sound of 343
m/s, determine the 5th highest frequency that the pipe can produce.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
337 Hz
Problem 29:
The fundamental frequency of an open-end organ pipe is 392 Hz. The third harmonic of a
closed-end organ pipe has the same frequency. The speed of sound in air is 346 m/s.
a. Determine the length of the open-end pipe.
b. Determine the length of the closed-end pipe.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 0.441 m or 44.1 cm
b. 0.662 m or 66.2 cm
Problem 30:
Haley and Ariel are working on their Musical Instruments Project. They are creating a Pop
Bottle Orchestra using a collection of pop bottles filled with water to varying heights. By
blowing over the top of the pop bottles, the air column inside acts as a closed-end air column
with the water surface at the bottom forcing a vibrational node within the standing wave pattern.
Each bottle is 34.2-cm tall. Assuming a speed of sound of 345 m/s and a first harmonic wave
pattern, determine how much water must be in the bottle in order for it to produce a 416 Hz
sound wave.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
13.5 cm
Problem 31:
South's orchestra walk on stage, take their seats and attempt to tune all instruments to 440 Hz -
the A note of the oboe. Elizabeth tunes the A-string of her violin to the oboe. At one point in the
process, she detects beats of 2 Hz between her string and the oboe. If her string is playing too
low of a pitch, then what is its frequency?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
438 Hz
Problem 32:
Marc is attempting to tune his guitar. After adjusting his E4 string to 330 Hz, he begins to tackle
the B3 string. In the process, he plucks both strings simultaneously and notices beats occurring at
a rate of 12 beats in 4 seconds. When plucked individually, Marc observes the B3 string to sound
out at a higher pitch. What is the frequency of the B3 string?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
333 Hz
Topic:
Light Waves

Unless told otherwise, use 2.998x108 m/s as the value of the speed of light.
Problem 1:
In 1957, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory conducted the first ever radar measurements of the
distance from the Earth to the moon. By reflecting light from an Earth-based source off the moon
and measuring the back-and-forth time of transit, scientists determined that the moon is
approximately 3.84 x108 m from the Earth. Determine the time it takes light to travel from Earth
to the moon and back.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
2.56 s
Problem 2:
The distance from the Earth to the sun is 1.496x1011 m. A solar flare occurs on the sun’s surface
on Wednesday morning at 10:24 AM. At what time and on what day will electromagnetic
radiation from the flare reach the Earth.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
10:32 AM on Wednesday (8 minutes later)
Problem 3:
In the 1600s, Ole Roemer became one of the first scientists to
make a measurement of the speed of light. Roemer observed the
orbits of Jupiter’s nearest moon and recognized that its orbital
period was observed to be approximately 22 minutes longer when
measured from Earth when it was furthest from Jupiter compared
to when it was closest to Jupiter. Roemer reasoned that the
difference was due to the fact that it took longer for light from
Jupiter to travel the extra distance when Earth’s position was on
the opposite side of the Sun from Jupiter. The distance d2 is
2.98x1011 m greater than the distance d1. Determine Roemer’s estimate of the speed of light in
the 1600s.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
2.2x108 m/s
Problem 4:
The German-born, American physicist Albert Michelson devoted much of his life to the accurate
measurement of the speed of light. In 1923, he positioned mirrors and detectors on two different
California mountains positioned nearly 35 km (nearly 22 miles) apart. Using a sophisticated
timing method of involving the rotating of octagonal mirrors, Michelson determined the speed of
light to be 299,774 km/sec. At this speed, estimate the time it takes light to travel 35 km between
mountains.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1.2 x 10-4 s or 120 µs
Problem 5:
Mr. H catches the news on 780 AM, which broadcasts at 780. kHz. Determine the wavelength of
these radio waves.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
384 m
Problem 6:
Determine the frequency of … (GIVEN: 1 m = 109 nm)
a. … red visible light (λ = 650 nm)
b. … violet visible light (λ = 420 nm)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 4.6x1014 Hz
b. 7.1 x1014 Hz
Problem 7:
Determine the wavelength of the microwave radiation emitted …
a. … by a microwave oven (f = 2.45x109 Hz).
b. … by a cordless phone (f = 5.8x109 Hz).
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 0.122 m or 122 cm
b. 0.052 m or 5.2 cm
Problem 8:
Determine the wavelength of the infrared carrier wave transmitted by a television remote control
at 38 kHz.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
7900 m (rounded from 7889 m)
Problem 9:
a. Determine the frequency of electromagnetic radiation which would have a wavelength of 1.0
mile (1.6 km).
b. What part of the electromagnetic spectrum does this fall within?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
a. 1.9x105 Hz
b. Radio wave spectrum
Problem 10:
Like light waves, water waves emerging from two sources
interferes in the space surrounding the sources to produce a
pattern of nodes and antinodes lying along lines. The
diagram at the right represents the interference pattern
created by two water waves. The waves were created by two
objects bobbing up and down in phase at the same frequency.
Point P on the pattern is a distance of 34.0 cm from S1 and 23.8 cm from S2. Determine the
wavelength (in cm) of the water waves.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
6.8 cm
Problem 11:
The diagram at the right represents the interference pattern
created by two water waves. The waves were created by two
objects bobbing up and down in phase at the same frequency.
Point P on the pattern is a distance of 36.9 cm from S1 and
61.5 cm from S2. Determine the wavelength (in cm) of the
water waves.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
12.3 cm
Problem 12:
Water waves with a wavelength of 7.8 cm are created in a ripple tank by two in-phase sources
bobbing up and down at the same frequency. The waves form an interference pattern in the space
surrounding the sources. A point on the fourth nodal line is a distance of 58.2 cm from the
nearest source. Determine the distance from this same point to the furthest source.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
85.5 cm
Problem 13:
Mr. H takes his class to the gymnasium to investigate two point source interference patterns
produced by sound waves from two sound sources. The pure-tone output from a frequency
generator is split and fed to two audio speakers positioned about 1-meter apart. The sound from
the two speakers travels through the gymnasium and interferes constructively and destructively
to create a pattern of nodes and antinodes. Mr. H directs the class to stand with one ear facing the
speakers and the other ear covered and to walk slowly across the gymnasium, observing
positions of relatively soft and loud sounds in alternating fashion. Once initial observations are
made, Mr. H asks all the male students to stand at nodal positions and all the female students to
stand at antinodal positions. Once done, Mr. H takes a picture of their positions and then makes
several measurements of the distances between students and from some selected students to the
speakers. Some sample data are shown below. Complete the table, determining the wavelength
of the sound waves based on each student’s measurements.
Student Nodal or Distance to Distance to Wavelength
Antinodal Line Speaker 1 (m) Speaker 2 (m) (m)
Jeremy 1st Nodal 14.45 13.52
Bridget 1st Antinodal 21.64 23.42
Jane 3rd Antinodal 16.22 21.67
Jose 4th Nodal 25.22 19.10
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
Student Nodal or Distance to Distance to Wavelength
Antinodal Line Speaker 1 (m) Speaker 2 (m) (m)
Jeremy 1st Nodal 14.45 13.52 1.86
Bridget 1st Antinodal 21.64 23.42 1.78
Jane 3rd Antinodal 16.22 21.67 1.82
Jose 4th Nodal 25.22 19.10 1.75
Problem 14:
Two audio speakers have been arranged in a large room
so as to produce a sound interference pattern. Miguel
starts at a position on the central antinodal line and
begins to slowly walk parallel to the imaginary line
connecting the speakers. Miguel stops at the first
position of minimum loudness. At this position, he is a
distance of 17.9 m from the nearest speaker. Sound waves travel through the room at 345 m/s
and the speakers are sounding out a frequency of 244 Hz.
a. Determine the wavelength of the sound waves.
b. Determine the distance from Miguel to the furthest speaker.

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
a. 1.41 m
b. 18.6 m
Problem 15:
Mr. H’s period 7 physics class is attempting to duplicate Thomas Young’s experiment in which
they use a two-point source light interference pattern to measure the wavelength of light. They
red shine laser light through a slide containing a double slit; the slit spacing is 0.125 mm. The
light interference pattern created by the light which passes through the slits is projected on a
screen a distance of 10.72 m away. Justin and Shirley measure the distance from the 3rd antinodal
bright spots on opposite sides of the pattern to be 33.9 cm apart. Based on these measurements,
what is the wavelength of the red laser light.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
6.59x10-7 m or 659 nm
Problem 16:
Two narrow slits in a slide are separated by a distance of 45.0 micrometers. Light from a green
laser (λ = 532 nm) is passed through the slits and the interference pattern is projected onto a
screen 9.85 m away. Determine the distance between the central bright spot and the fourth bright
spot. (GIVEN: 1 m = 106 mm)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0.466 m or 46.6 cm
Problem 17:
Jackson and Melanie are doing the Young’s Experiment Lab using a red laser pen and a slide
with two slits spaced 25 micrometers apart. They project the interference pattern onto a
whiteboard located 2.35 m from the slits. They measure the distance from the 3rd bright band on
opposite sides of the pattern to be separated by 37 cm. Based on these measurements, what is the
wavelength of the red laser light (in nanometers)? (GIVEN: 1 m = 106 mm, 1 m = 109 nm)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
660 nm (rounded from 656 nm)
Problem 18:
Maria and Jason are doing the same lab as Jackson and Melanie (from the previous problem).
Maria and Jason determine the distance between the central bight spot and the 4th bright spot to
be 29 cm. The distance from their slide to the whiteboard (where the interference pattern is
projected) is 2.76 m. The slits in their slide are also spaced 25 micrometers apart. Based on
Maria and Jason’s measurements, what is the wavelength of the red laser light (in nanometers)?
(GIVEN: 1 m = 106 mm, 1 m = 109 nm)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
660 nm (rounded from 657 nm)
Problem 19:
Jill is helping her younger brother Nathan set up an exhibit for a Science Fair. Nathan’s exhibit
pertains to the wave-particle nature of light waves. He wishes to demonstrate the wave nature of
light by displaying the two point interference pattern of red laser light (λ = 648 nm). Nathan has
purchased a double slit slide from a science warehouse which has slits separated a distance of
0.125 mm. Nathan has asked Jill to determine the slide-to-screen distance which will result in a
2.0 cm separation between adjacent bright spots. What distance will result in this antinodal
spacing?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
3.9 m
Problem 20:
The Bluebird Library has been celebrating the lives of famous scientists. Each month, a new
scientist is selected and displays are created to feature the discoveries and contribution of the
scientist. April's scientist of the month is Thomas Young; the library wishes to develop a
Young's experient display. The library has purchased a blue laser which emits light with a
wavelength of 473 nm. They also have purchased a slide with a double slit; the slit spacing is 44
µm. The library's current plans are to project the interference pattern onto a white board which is
3 feet wide and located 28 feet from the slits. What is the maximum number of bright spots
which will appear on the board at these distances and what is the spacing distance between each
bright spot? Assume that each bright spot is bright enough to see. (GIVEN: 1 m = 3.28 ft, 1 m =
106 mm, 1 m = 109 nm)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
just barely 11 bright spots (including the central one) they are spaced a little less than 9.2 cm
apart
Problem 21:
Monochromatic yellow light (λ = 594 nm) passes throught two slits with a slit spacing of 0.125
mm and forms an interference pattern on a screen that is positioned 14.5 m away. Determine the
distance between the fifth bright spots on opposite sides of the central bright spot.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
0.689 m or 68.9 cm
Problem 22:
In a museum exhibit, monochromatic red light (λ = 648 nm) passes through a double slit and is
projected onto a screen located 16.8 m from the slits. A metric ruler located above the
interference pattern clearly shows the fifth dark fringe to be located 42.0 cm from the central
bright spot. Determine the slit separation distance.
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
1.17x10-4 m or 0.117 mm
Problem 23:
A radio station has two antennae which are used to broadcast their 582 kHz radio wave signal.
The Robinson family, who lives in the Cedar Ridge subdivision, have very poor reception when
tuned to this signal due to the destructive interference of radio waves from the two antennae. The
Robinson home is located a distance of 13.78 km from the nearest antenna. What is the likely
minimum distance from the Robinson’s home to the furthest antenna?
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
14.04 km
Problem 24:
Always thinking ahead, Mr. H is investigating possible retirement communities in Flagstaff,
Arizona. His favorite radio station in the Flagstaff area is KFIZ, broadcasting at 1420 kHz. One
of the communities Mr. H is investigating is nestled in the cliffs, directly facing the KFIZ
broadcasting station located several miles away. While driving through the neighborhood, Mr. H
observes the KFIZ signal fading in and out. Mr. H reasons that the cause of the poor reception is
that radio waves coming directly from the station undergoing are destructively interfering with
waves which reflect off the cliffs from behind the retirement community. Knowing he must
consider all factors in the purchase of a home, Mr. H decides to calculate all the possible
distances from the cliffs for which destructive interference occurs. By doing so, he will be able to
rule out the purchase of several lots in the neighborhood. Determine the six nearest distances
from the cliffs that result in destructive interference of the 1420 kHz signal. (Assume that the
reflected waves do not undergo a phase change upon reflection off the plane.)
• Audio Guided Solution
• Hide/Show Answer
53 m, 158 m, 264 m, 369 m, 475, and 581 m
Problem 25:
Noah Formula lives near the airport and frequently notices poor AM radio reception occurring as
planes use the approach path which passes over his home. Having just finished the unit on light
wave behavior, Noah now understands that the reception problem occurs because of radio wave
signals reflecting off the planes and destructively interfering with waves which approach his
antenna directly from the station. Noah’s favorite station – WFIZ – broadcasts at 1240 kHz and
is located several miles from his home. Determine the five lowest heights above his home for
which reflection off of planes will lead to destructive interference of this 1240 kHz signal.
(Assume that the reflected waves do not undergo a phase change upon reflection off the plane.)

• Audio Guided Solution


• Hide/Show Answer
121 m, 363 m, 604 km, 846 m, and 1088 m
Graph Sketching and Recognition
The following practice questions test your understanding of the graphical description of motion.
Once answering the questions #1-13, depress mouse on the pull-down menu to view the answer.
Use the See Explanation link to view an explanation of the answer. For questions #14-37, click
on the See Answer link to view the answer accompanied by an explanation. Further information
is available on-line at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

NOTE to the Student:


There is a lot of information on this page. It is suggested that you first read the questions and
make efforts to answer all the questions before peeking at the answers. Once you've answered all
the questions, then check your answers. Physics is learned most effectively when your mind is
actively engaged in the processes of analyzing and predicting. Avoid treating the information on
this page as factual information to be dumped inside of a mental receptacle. Avoid merely
looking at the answers; take the time to study the logic of the answers. If still unclear, consider
online help at The Physics Classroom Tutorial or see your teacher for further assistance.

Use the following graph to answer Questions #1 - #7.

1. Which object(s) is(are) maintaining a state of motion (i.e., maintaining a constant velocity)?
Depress mouse to see answ er.

See Explanation.

Depress mouse to see answ er.

2. Which object(s) is(are) accelerating? See Explanation.

Depress mouse to see answ er.

3. Which object(s) is(are) not moving? See Explanation.


Depress mouse to see answ er.

4. Which object(s) change(s) its direction? See


Explanation.

Depress mouse to see answ er.

5. Which object is traveling fastest? See Explanation.

Depress mouse to see answ er.

6. Which moving object is traveling slowest? See Explanation.

Depress mouse to see answ er.

7. Which object has the greatest acceleration? See Explanation.

Use the following graph to answer Questions #8 - #13.

Depress mouse to see answ er.

8. Which object(s) is(are) maintaining its state of motion? See


Explanation.

Depress mouse to see answ er.

9. Which object(s) is(are) accelerating? See


Explanation.
Depress mouse to see answ er.

10. Which object(s) is(are) not moving? See Explanation.

Depress mouse to see answ er.

11. Which object(s) change(s) its direction? See Explanation.

Depress mouse to see answ er.

12. Which accelerating object has the smallest acceleration?


See Explanation.

Depress mouse to see answ er.

13. Which object has the greatest velocity? See


Explanation.

14. Sketch a position-time graph for an object which is moving with a constant, positive velocity.
See Answer.

15. Sketch a position-time graph for an object which is moving with a constant, negative
velocity. See Answer.

16. Sketch a position-time graph for an object moving in the + dir'n and accelerating from a low
velocity to a high velocity. See Answer.

17. Sketch a position-time graph for an object moving in the + dir'n and accelerating from a high
velocity to a low velocity. See Answer.

18. Sketch a position-time graph for an object moving in the - dir'n and accelerating from a high
velocity to a low velocity. See Answer.

19. Sketch a position-time graph for an object moving in the - dir'n and accelerating from a low
velocity to a high velocity. See Answer.

20. Sketch a position-time graph for an object moving in the + dir'n with constant speed; first a
slow constant speed and then a fast constant speed. See Answer.
21. Sketch a position-time graph for an object moving in the + dir'n with constant speed; first a
fast constant speed and then a slow constant speed. See Answer.

22. Sketch a position-time graph for an object moving in the - dir'n with constant speed; first a
slow constant speed and then a fast constant speed. See Answer.

23. Sketch a position-time graph for an object moving in the - dir'n with constant speed; first a
fast constant speed and then a slow constant speed. See Answer.

24. Sketch a position-time graph for an object which moves in the + direction at a slow constant
speed and then in a - direction at a fast constant speed. See Answer.

25. Sketch a position-time graph for an object which moves in the + direction at a fast constant
speed and then in a - direction at a slow constant speed. See Answer.

26. Sketch a position-time graph for an object which moves in the - direction at a slow constant
speed and then in a + direction at a fast constant speed. See Answer.

27. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object moving with a constant speed in the positive
direction. See Answer.

28. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object moving with a constant speed in the negative
direction. See Answer.

29. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object which is at rest. See Answer.

30. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object moving in the + direction, accelerating from a
slow speed to a fast speed. See Answer.

31. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object moving in the + direction, accelerating from a fast
speed to a slow speed. See Answer.

32. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object moving in the - direction, accelerating from a slow
speed to a fast speed. See Answer.

33. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object moving in the - direction, accelerating from a fast
speed to a slow speed. See Answer.
34. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object which first moves with a slow, constant speed in
the + direction, and then with a fast constant speed in the + direction. See Answer.

35. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object which first moves with a fast, constant speed in
the + direction, and then with a slow constant speed in the + direction. See Answer

36. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object which first moves with a constant speed in the +
direction, and then moves with a positive acceleration. See Answer

37. Sketch a velocity-time graph for an object which first moves with a constant speed in the +
direction, and then moves with a negative acceleration. See Answer

Answers and Explanations

Use the following graph to answer Questions #1 - #7.

1. Objects A, B, D, and E are maintaining a state of motion (i.e., remaining with constant
velocity) as demonstrated by the constant slope. If the slope is constant, then the velocity is
constant.
2. Object C is accelerating. An acclerating object has a changing velocity. Since the slope of a p-t
graph equals the velocity, an accelerating object is represented by a changing slope.
3. Objects A and E are not moving. An object which is not moving has a zero velocity; this
translates into a line with zero slope on a p-t graph.
4. None of these objects change direction. An object changes its direction if it changes from a +
to a - velocity (or vice versa). This translates into a p-t graph with a + slope and then a - slope (or
vice versa).
5. Object B is traveling fastest. To be traveling fastest is to have the greatest speed (or greatest
magnitude of velocity). This translates into the line on a p-t graph with the greatest slope.
6. Object D is traveling slowest. To be traveling slowest is to have the smallest speed (or
smallest magnitude of velocity). This translates into the line on a p-t graph with the smallest
slope.
7. Object C has the greatest acceleration. It is the only object with an acceleration. Accelerated
motion on a p-t graph is represented by a curved line.
Return to Questions

Use the following graph to answer Questions #8 - #13.

8. Objects A and E are maintaining their state of motion. To maintain the state of motion is to
keep a constant velocity (i.e., to have a zero acceleration). This translates into a zero slope on a
v-t graph.
9. Objects B and C are accelerating (and for a while, object D). Accelerated motion is indicated
by a sloped line on a v-t graph.
10. Each of the objects are moving. If an object were not moving, then the v-t graph would be a
horizontal line along the axis (v = 0 m/s).
11. Objects B and C change their direction. An object that is changing its direction is changing
from a + to a - velocity. Thus, the line on a v-t graph will pass from the + to the - region of the
graph. Object D is not changing its direction; object D first moves in the - direction with
increasing speed and then maintains a constant speed.
12. Object B has the smallest acceleration. Acceleration is indicated by the slope of the line. The
object with the smallest acceleration is the object with the smallest slope.
13. Object A has the greatest velocity (and object E is a "close second"). The velocity is
indicated by how far above or how far below the axis the line is. Object A has a large + velocity.
Object E has a large (but not as large) - velocity.
Return to Questions

14. A position-time graph for an object which is moving with a constant, positive velocity is
shown below. A positive, constant velocity is represented by a line with constant slope (straight)
and positive slope (upwards sloping).

Return to Questions

15. A position-time graph for an object which is moving with a constant, negative velocity is
shown below. A negative, constant velocity is represented by a line with constant slope (straight)
and positive slope (upwards sloping).

Return to Questions
16. A position-time graph for an object moving in the + dir'n and accelerating from a low
velocity to a high velocity is shown below. If the object is moving in the + dir'n, then the slope of
a p-t graph would be +. If the object is changing velocity from small to large values, then the
slope must change from small slope to large slope.

Return to Questions

17. A position-time graph for an object moving in the + dir'n and accelerating from a high
velocity to a low velocity is shown below. If the object is moving in the + dir'n, then the slope of
a p-t graph would be +. If the object is changing velocity from high to low values, then the slope
must change from high slope to low slope.

Return to Questions

18. A position-time graph for an object moving in the - dir'n and accelerating from a high
velocity to a low velocity is shown below. If the object is moving in the - dir'n, then the slope of
a p-t graph would be -. If the object is changing velocity from high to low values, then the slope
must change from high slope to low slope.
Return to Questions

19. A position-time graph for an object moving in the - dir'n and accelerating from a low velocity
to a high velocity is shown below. If the object is moving in the - dir'n, then the slope of a p-t
graph would be -. If the object is changing velocity from low to high values, then the slope must
change from low slope to high slope.

Return to Questions

20. A position-time graph for an object moving in the + dir'n with constant speed; first a slow
constant speed and then a fast constant speed is shown below. If an object is moving in the +
dir'n, then the slope of the line on a p-t graph would be +. At first, the line has a small slope
(corresponding to a small velocity) and then the line has a large slope (corresponding to a large
velocity).
Return to Questions

21. A position-time graph for an object moving in the + dir'n with constant speed; first a fast
constant speed and then a slow constant speed is shown below. If an object is moving in the +
dir'n, then the slope of the line on a p-t graph would be +. At first, the line has a large slope
(corresponding to a large velocity) and then the line has a small slope (corresponding to a small
velocity).

Return to Questions

22. A position-time graph for an object moving in the - dir'n with constant speed; first a slow
constant speed and then a fast constant speed is shown below. If an object is moving in the -
dir'n, then the slope of the line on a p-t graph would be -. At first, the line has a small slope
(corresponding to a small velocity) and then the line has a large slope (corresponding to a large
velocity).
Return to Questions

23. A position-time graph for an object moving in the - dir'n with constant speed; first a fast
constant speed and then a slow constant speed is shown below. If an object is moving in the -
dir'n, then the slope of the line on a p-t graph would be -. At first, the line has a large slope
(corresponding to a large velocity) and then the line has a small slope (corresponding to a small
velocity).

Return to Questions

24. A position-time graph for an object which moves in the + direction at a slow constant speed
and then in a - direction at a fast constant speed is shown below. The object must first have a +
slope (corresponding to its + velocity) then it must have a - slope (corresponding to its -
velocity). Initially, the slope is small (corresponding to a small velocity) and then the slope is
large (corresponding to a large velocity).
Return to Questions

25. A position-time graph for an object which moves in the + direction at a fast constant speed
and then in a - direction at a slow constant speed is shown below. The object must first have a +
slope (corresponding to its + velocity) then it must have a - slope (corresponding to its -
velocity). Initially, the slope is large (corresponding to a large velocity) and then the slope is
small (corresponding to a small velocity).

Return to Questions

26. A position-time graph for an object which moves in the - direction at a slow constant speed
and then in a + direction at a fast constant speed is shown below. The object must first have a -
slope (corresponding to its - velocity) then it must have a + slope (corresponding to its +
velocity). Initially, the slope is small (corresponding to a small velocity) and then the slope is
large (corresponding to a large velocity).
Return to Questions

27. A velocity-time graph for an object moving with a constant speed in the positive direction is
shown below. To have "a constant speed in the positive direction" is to have a + velocity which
is unchanging. Thus, the line on the graph will be in the + region of the graph (above 0). Since
the velocity is unchanging, the line is horizontal. Since the slope of a line on a v-t graph is the
object's acceleration, a horizontal line (zero slope) on a v-t graph is characteristic of a motion
with zeo acceleration (constant velocity).

Return to Questions

28. A velocity-time graph for an object moving with a constant speed in the negative direction is
shown below. To have "a constant speed in the negative direction" is to have a - velocity which
is unchanging. Thus, the line on the graph will be in the - region of the graph (below 0). Since
the velocity is unchanging, the line is horizontal. Since the slope of a line on a v-t graph is the
object's acceleration, a horizontal line (zero slope) on a v-t graph is characteristic of a motion
with zeo acceleration (constant velocity).
Return to Questions

29. A velocity-time graph for an object which is at rest is shown below. To be "at rest" is to have
a zero velocity. Thus the line is drawn along the axis (v=0).

Return to Questions

30.A velocity-time graph for an object moving in the + direction, accelerating from a slow speed
to a fast speed is shown below. An object which is moving in the + direction and speeding up
(slow to fast) has a + acceleration. (If necessary, review the dir'n of the acceleration vector in the
Physics Classroom Tutorial.) Since the slope of a line on a v-t graph is the object's acceleration,
an object with + acceleration is represented by a line with + slope. Thus, the line is a straight
diagonal line with upward (+) slope. Since the velocity is +, the line is plotted in the + region of
the v-t graph.
Return to Questions

31.A velocity-time graph for an object moving in the + direction, accelerating from a fast speed
to a slow speed is shown below. An object whgich is moving in the + direction and slowing
down (fast to slow) has a - acceleration. (If necessary, review the dir'n of the acceleration vector
in the Physics Classroom Tutorial.) Since the slope of a line on a v-t graph is the object's
acceleration, an object with - acceleration is represented by a line with - slope. Thus, the line is a
straight diagonal line with downward (-) slope. Since the velocity is +, the line is plotted in the +
region of the v-t graph.

Return to Questions

32. A velocity-time graph for an object moving in the - direction, accelerating from a slow speed
to a fast speed is shown below. An object whgich is moving in the - direction and speeding up
(slow to fast) has a - acceleration. (If necessary, review the dir'n of the acceleration vector in the
Physics Classroom Tutorial.) Since the slope of a line on a v-t graph is the object's acceleration,
an object with - acceleration is represented by a line with - slope. Thus, the line is a straight
diagonal line with downward (-) slope. Since the velocity is -, the line is plotted in the - region of
the v-t graph.
Return to Questions

33. A velocity-time graph for an object moving in the - direction, accelerating from a fast speed
to a slow speed is shown below. An object whgich is moving in the - direction and slowing down
(fast to slow) has a + acceleration. (If necessary, review the dir'n of the acceleration vector in the
Physics Classroom Tutorial.) Since the slope of a line on a v-t graph is the object's acceleration,
an object with + acceleration is represented by a line with + slope. Thus, the line is a straight
diagonal line with upward (+) slope. Since the velocity is -, the line is plotted in the - region of
the v-t graph.

Return to Questions

34. A velocity-time graph for an object which first moves with a slow, constant speed in the +
direction, and then with a fast constant speed in the + direction is shown below. Since there are
two parts of this object's motion, there will be two distinct parts on the graph. Each part is in the
+ region of the v-t graph (above 0) since the velocity is +. Each part is horizontal since the
velocity during each part is constant (constant velocity means zero acceleration which means
zero slope). The second part of the graph will be higher since the velocity is greater during the
second part of the motion.
Return to Questions

35. A velocity-time graph for an object which first moves with a fast, constant speed in the +
direction, and then with a slow constant speed in the + direction is shown below. Since there are
two parts of this object's motion, there will be two distinct parts on the graph. Each part is in the
+ region of the v-t graph (above 0) since the velocity is +. Each part is horizontal since the
velocity during each part is constant (constant velocity means zero acceleration which means
zero slope). The first part of the graph will be higher since the velocity is greater during the first
part of the motion.

Return to Questions

36. A velocity-time graph for an object which first moves with a constant speed in the +
direction, and then moves with a positive acceleration is shown below. Since there are two parts
of this object's motion, there will be two distinct parts on the graph. Each part is in the + region
of the v-t graph (above 0) since the velocity is +. The slope of the first part is zero since constant
velocity means zero acceleration and zero acceleration is represented by a horizontal line on a v-t
graph (slope = acceleration for v-t graphs). The second part of the graph is an upward sloping
line since the object has + acceleration (again, the slope = acceleration for v-t graphs)
Return to Questions

37. A velocity-time graph for an object which first moves with a constant speed in the +
direction, and then moves with a negative acceleration is shown below. Since there are two parts
of this object's motion, there will be two distinct parts on the graph. Each part is in the + region
of the v-t graph (above 0) since the velocity is +. The slope of the first part is zero since constant
velocity means zero acceleration and zero acceleration is represented by a horizontal line on a v-t
graph (slope = acceleration for v-t graphs). The second part of the graph is an downward sloping
line since the object has - acceleration (again, the slope = acceleration for v-t graphs)

Vector Addition
This web page is designed to provide some additional practice with the use of scaled vector
diagrams for the addition of two or more vectors. Your time will be best spent if you read each
practice problem carefully, attempt to solve the problem with a scaled vector diagram, and then
check your answer. You are cautioned to avoid making a quick reference to the solution prior to
making your own attempt at the solution. Such a habit is likely to fail at nurturing the ability to
draw a scaled vector addition diagram. If the solution to these practice problems are still not
meaningful, you are encouraged to obtain some on-line help in The Physics Classroom - visit the
page on vector addition.
1. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.
3.0 m/s, 45 deg and 5.0 m/s, 135 deg

See Answer and Solution

2. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.


5.0 m/s, 45 deg and 2.0 m/s, 180 deg

See Answer and Solution

3. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.


6.0 m/s, 225 deg and 2.0 m/s, 90 deg

See Answer and Solution

4. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.


4.0 m/s, 135 deg and 4.0 m/s, 315 deg

See Answer and Solution

5. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.


5.0 m/s, 45 deg and 2.5 m/s, 135 deg

See Answer and Solution

6. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.


7.0 m/s, 0 deg and 2.0 m/s, 90 deg

See Answer and Solution

7. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.


8.0 m/s, 330 deg and 4.0 m/s, 45 deg

See Answer and Solution


8. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.
2.0 m/s, 150 deg and 4.0 m/s, 225 deg

See Answer and Solution

9. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.


3.0 m/s, 45 deg and 5.0 m/s, 135 deg and 2.0 m/s, 60 deg

See Answer and Solution

10. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.


2.0 m/s, 315 deg and 5.0 m/s, 180 deg and 2.0 m/s, 60 deg

See Answer and Solution

11. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.


4.0 m/s, 90 deg and 2.0 m/s, 0 deg and 2.0 m/s, 210 deg

See Answer and Solution

12. Add the following vectors and determine the resultant.


2.5 m/s, 45 deg and 5.0 m/s, 270 deg and 5.0 m/s, 330 deg

See Answer and Solution

Answers and Solutions


NOTE: Since your answers were determined using a scaled vector diagram, small errors in the
measurement of the direction and magnitude of any one of the vectors may lead to small
differences between your answers and the correct ones which are shown here. Do not have a
cow.
1. 3.0 m/s, 45 deg + 5.0 m/s, 135 deg = 5.83 m/s, 104 deg (Note: the resultant is drawn in red.)

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2. 5.0 m/s, 45 deg + 2.0 m/s, 180 deg = 3.85m/s, 66.5 deg (Note: the resultant is drawn in red.)

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3. 6.0 m/s, 225 deg+ 2.0 m/s, 90 deg= 4.80 m/s, 207.9 deg (Note: the resultant is drawn in red.)
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4. 4.0 m/s, 135 deg+ 4.0 m/s, 315 deg = 0 m/s (Note: the resultant is drawn in red.)

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5. 5.0 m/s, 45 deg+ 2.5 m/s, 135 deg= 5.59 m/s, 71.6 deg (Note: the resultant is drawn in red.)
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6. 7.0 m/s, 0 deg+ 2.0 m/s, 90 deg= 7.28 m/s, 15.9 deg (Note: the resultant is drawn in red.)

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7. 8.0 m/s, 330 deg+ 4.0 m/s, 45 deg= 9.83m/s, 352.2 deg (Note: the resultant is drawn in red.)
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8. 2.0 m/s, 150 deg+ 4.0 m/s, 225 deg= 4.91m/s, 201.8 deg (Note: the resultant is drawn in red.)

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9. 3.0 m/s, 45 deg+ 5.0 m/s, 135 deg+ 2.0 m/s, 60 deg= 7.40m/s, 93.2 deg (Note: the resultant is
drawn in red.)
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10. 2.0 m/s, 315 deg+ 5.0 m/s, 180 deg+ 2.0 m/s, 60 deg= 2.61m/s, 173 deg (Note: the resultant
is drawn in red.)

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11. 4.0 m/s, 90 deg+ 2.0 m/s, 0 deg+ 2.0 m/s, 210 deg= 3.01 m/s, 84.9 deg (Note: the resultant is
drawn in red.)
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12. 2.5 m/s, 45 deg+ 5.0 m/s, 270 deg+ 5.0 m/s, 330 deg= 8.37 m/s, 316.8 deg (Note: the
resultant is drawn in red.)

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