SOLIDS: Determining the Mass of a Golden Sphere

Q: Gold has an atomic mass of 197 amu. If a golden sphere has a diameter of 0.10 m, how many atoms does it contain? A: In order to determine what volume ( V ) is occupied by the sphere, we must obtain a value for the sphere’s radius ( r ). Fortunately, the radius

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Energy and Power ( Part 1 )

Although, energy and power are interrelated concepts, they possess distinct identities of their own. Consider the relatively simple task of inflating a balloon. Blowing a small puff of air into a balloon over a short time-interval will cause the balloon to expand slightly before recoiling to its previous state. Breathing more forcefully into a balloon

ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: The Joule

The International System of Units ( SI ) uses seven base units to describe seven fundamental quantities that can be measured by scientists: Symbol Name  Base quantity second ( s )     time meter ( m )        length kilogram ( kg )  mass ampere ( A ) electric current kelvin (

AP PHYSICS: Acceleration

An object that moves at a constant speed ( or velocity ) will continue doing so until it is acted upon by a force. Whether such an object speeds up or slows down after being impacted by a force, the change in motion is called an acceleration. Typically, a decrease in motion is referred to

ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: Elastic Collision Determination ( Part 2 )

Q: An elastic collision occurs between two objects of mass ( m1 ) and ( m2 ). Prior to the collision, mass ( m2 ) is stationary and approached by ( m1 ) with a velocity ( v1 ). If only the values of ( m1 ), ( m2 ), and ( v1 ) are

ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: Final Velocity of Target and Projection After Elastic Collision ( Part 1 )

Q: Within a given system, a projectile moves with a constant velocity ( v1 ) prior to colliding with a stationary target of equal mass ( m1 = m2 ). Since the system is isolated from outside forces, momentum ( p ) and kinetic energy ( KE ) both are conserved during the collision. (

FORCE AND ACCELERATION: Net Force Exerted on a Ring

Q: How may we determine the net force ( F ) exerted on the ring below? A: We must first reduce the F1 and F2 vectors into their x/y-components: The F1y and F2y components of F1 and F2 oppose the motion of F3. The net force in the y-direction is as follows: Fnety = F2y

FORCE AND ACCELERATION: 3-4-5 Right-Triangle Mathematics

Q: Two men attempt to pull a box in the diagram below: What is the resultant force in Newtons ( N ) exerted on the box? A: This is a classic question involving a 3-4-5 right triangle. Trigonometry and the Pythagorean Theorem enable us to solve the problem using the numbers 3, 4, and 5.

ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: What is the Initial Velocity of the Marble?

Q: A collision occurs between two marbles of equal mass ( m1 = m2 ). Marble ( m2 ) is initially at rest, and ( m1 ) travels with a velocity ( v1 ). After colliding, ( m2 ) acquires a velocity ( v2′y ) of 1.10 m/s and travels 400 from the original line

ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: A Windy Day at the Lake

Q: Wind blows a 43.0 kg raft across a lake at 1.1 m/s northward relative to the water underneath. It carries a passenger whose mass is 38.0 kg. The passenger begins to walk westward at 0.71 m/s. What is the final velocity of the raft relative to the water? A: We first determine the momentum