AP Physics C Review

Mechanics
CHSN Review Project

This is a review guide designed as preparatory information for the AP1 Physics C
Mechanics Exam on May 11, 2009. It may still, however, be useful for other purposes
as well. Use at your own risk. I hope you find this resource helpful. Enjoy!
This review guide was written by Dara Adib based on inspiration from Shelun Tsais
review packet.
This is a development version of the text that should be considered a work-inprogress.
This review guide and other review material are developed by the CHSN Review
Project.
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Why do we love ideal worlds? . . . Ive been doing this for 38 years and school is an
ideal world. Steven Henning

Contents
Kinematic Equations

Free Body Diagrams

Projectile Motion

Circular Motion

Friction

Momentum-Impulse

Center of Mass

Energy

Rotational Motion

Simple Harmonic Motion

Gravity

Graphic Credits
Figure 1 on page 3 is based off a public domain graphic by Concordia College and vectorized
by Stannered: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Incline.svg.
Figure 2 on page 3 is based off a public domain graphic by Mpfiz: http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/File:AtwoodMachine.svg.
Figure 5 on page 7 is a public domain graphic by Rsfontenot: http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/File:Reference_line.PNG.
Figure 6 on page 7 was drawn by Enoch Lau and vectorized by Stannered: http://en.
wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Angularvelocity.svg. It is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/
2.5/.
Figure 7 on page 8 is based off a public domain graphic by Mazemaster: http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/File:Simple_Harmonic_Motion_Orbit.gif.
Figure 8 on page 9 is a public domain graphic by Chetvorno: http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/File:Simple_gravity_pendulum.svg.

Figure 1: Normal Force

Kinematic Equations
1
x = at2 + v0 t
2

Figure 2: Atwoods Machine

v = at

(v)2 (v0 )2 = 2a(x)

Figure 3: Draw a banked curve diagram
v0 + v
x =
t
2

Pulled Weights

Free Body Diagrams

a=

Ff
m

N Normal Force
f Frictional Force

T = ma

T Tension
mg Weight

Elevator
Normal force acts upward, weight acts downward.

F = ma

Accelerating upward: N = |ma| + |mg|

In a particular direction:

Constant velocity: N = |mg|

F = (m)a

Accelerating downward: N = |mg| |ma|

Atwoods Machine2

a=

2 Pulley

Banked Curve

|(m2 m1 )|g
m1 + m2

Friction can act up the ramp (minimum velocity

when friction is maximum) or down the ramp
(maximum velocity when friction is maximum).
videal =

and string are assumed to be massless.

rg tan

Range
s
vmin =

rg(tan )
tan + 1

represents the smaller angle from the x-axis to

the direction of the projectiles initial motion.
Starting from a height of x = 0:

s
vmax =

rg(tan + )
1 tan

xmax =

Projectile Motion

Circular Motion

Position

Centripetal (radial)

(v0 )2 sin 2
g

Centripetal acceleration and force is directed towards the center. It refers to a change in direction.

x = vx t
1
y = gt2 + (vy )0 t
2

ac =

v2
r

Velocity
Fc = mac =

represents the smaller angle from the x-axis to

the direction of the projectiles initial motion.

mv2
r

Tangential

(vx )0 = v0 cos

Tangential acceleration is tangent to the objects

motion. It refers to a change in speed.
(vy )0 = v0 sin
at =

d|v|
dt

vx = 0

Combined
vy = gt
atotal =

(ac )2 + (at )2

Height
represents the smaller angle from the x-axis to Vertical loop
the direction of the projectiles initial motion.
In a vertical loop, the centripetal acceleration is
Starting from a height of x = 0:
caused by a normal force and gravity (weight).
ymax =

(v0 sin )2
2g

Top

Elastic
Kinetic energy is conserved.
F = ma
N + mg = m
N =

v2
r

m1 v1 + m2 v2 = m1 v10 + m2 v20

mv2
mg
r

(v20 v10 ) = v2 v1

Bottom
Inelastic
F = ma

Kinetic energy is not conserved.

v2
N mg = m
r
2
mv
+ mg
N =
r

m1 v1 + m2 v2 = (m1 + m2 )v0

Center of Mass

Friction
Friction converts mechanical energy into heat.
Static friction (at rest) is generally greater than
kinematic friction (in motion).

rcm =

fmax = N

m =

p = mv

Z
dm =

dx

(m)vCM = mv = p

dp
dt

Fnet = (m)aCM

Z
I=

dm
M
=
dx
L

Momentum-Impulse

F=

Z
Z
1
1
mr
rdm =
xdx
=
m
m
m

Energy

Fdt = Ft = p = mv

Work
Collisions
Z
Total momentum is always conserved when there
are no external forces (F = dp
dt = 0).

W=

Fdx = K

Power
Pavg =

Fx
W
=
t
t

Pinstant =

dW
= Fv
dt

Kinetic Energy
Linear

1
K = mv2
2

Potential Energy
dU
F=
dx
Z xf
U =

FC dx = WC

UHooke

v=

dx
dt

x
t

d
dt

a=

dv
dt

v
t

d
dt

x = 12 at2 + v0 t

= 12 t2 + 0 t

v = at

= t

(v)2 (v0 )2 = 2a(x)

()2 (0 )2 = 2()

x =

xi

1
= FHooke dx = kxdx = kx2
2

Ug = mgh
equilibrium point F = du
dx = 0 (extrema)
stable equilibrium U is a minimum

v0 + v
t
2

0 +
t
2

F = ma
Rx
W = x0 Fdx

= I
R
Wrot = 0 d

W = 12 mv2 12 m(v0 )2

Wrot = 21 m2 12 m(0 )2

P = Fv

Prot =

p = mv

L = I

F=

unstable equilibrium U is a maximum

Angular

dp
dt

Figure 4: Rotational Motion

Total
E = K+U

Ei + WNC = Ef
WNC represents non-conservative work that converts mechanical energy into other forms of energy. For example, friction converts mechanical
energy into heat.

dL
dt

Torque
= r F = rF sin
= I

Moment of Inertia
Z
2

I = mr =

r2 dm

Figure 5: Arc Length

I = Icm + Mh2
(h represents the distance from the center)
Values
1
2
12 ml
1
2
3 ml

rod (center)
Figure 6: Angular Velocity

rod (end)

hollow hoop/cylinder mr2

Rotational Motion

1
2
2 mr
The same equations for linear motion can be mod- hollow sphere 2 mr2
3
ified for use with rotational motion (Figure 4 on
2
solid sphere 5 mr2
the previous page).

solid disk/cylinder

Atwoods Machine

Angular Motion
=

s
r

v
r

at
r

at = r

a=

|(m2 m1 )|g
m1 + m2 + 12 M

Angular Momentum
L = I
L = r p = rp sin = rmv sin

2 + 4

ac = 2 r

1
1
Krolling = I2 + mv2
2
2

dL
dt

Total angular momentum is always conserved

when there are no external torques ( = dL
dt = 0).

 = 2f
r
A=

(x0 )2 +


= arctan

 v 2
0

v0
x0

1
E = kA2
2

Spring

Figure 7: Simple Harmonic Motion

Fs = kx

Simple Harmonic Motion

r
Simple harmonic motion is the projection of uniform circular notion on to a diameter. Likewise,
uniform circular motion is the combination of
simple harmonic motions along the x-axis and
y-axis that differ by a phase of 90 .

Ts = 2
r
s =

m
k

k
m

amplitude (A) maximum magnitude of displacePendulum

ment from equilibrium
cycle one complete vibration

Simple

period (T ) time for one cycle

s

frequency (f) cycles per time

T = 2

angular frequency () radians per time

r

x = Acos(t + )

A cable with a moment of inertia swings back

and forth. d represents the distance from the
pendulums pivot to its center of mass.
s
I
T = 2
mgd

a = 2 A cos(t + ) = 2 x

2
1
=

r
f=

g
L

Compound

v = A sin(t + )

T=

L
g

=
T
2

mgd
I

frictionless pivot

Energy

amplitude

U=

massless rod

E=

bob's
trajectory

massive bob

equilibrium
position

Gm1 m2
R
GMm
2r

v=

Figure 8: Simple Pendulum

2R
T
r

vescape =
Torsional

2GM
re

For orbits around the earth, re represents the raA horizontal mass with a moment of inertia is dius of the earth.
suspended from a cable and swings back and
forth.
r
T = 2

I
k

k
I

Gravity

F=

Gm1 m2
R2

G 6.67 1011

Nm2
kg2

Keplers Laws
1. All orbits are elliptical.
2. Law of Equal Areas.
2

4
3. T 2 = GM
R3 = Ks R3 , where Ks is a uniform
constant for all satellites/planets orbiting
a specific body