Physics 120 Review Sheet

Newtons Laws of Motion

Calculating the Range of a Projectile

1. If the net force on a body is zero, it cannot accelerate.

Example Problem: How far will a ball go if you kick it with an

initial velocity of 15 m/s at 40 to the ground?

An object will remain in its state of motion unless acted upon by an outside
force

Step 1: Draw diagram

2. The net force on a body is equal to the product of mass and acceleration;
=
3. When two bodies interact, the forces on the bodies are always equal in
magnitude an opposite in direction.

Work, Energy, Power

Step 2: Write out relevant equations

Work (J) is the dot product of force and displacement vector

0 = 0 cos(0 )

and

= 0 cos(0 )

0 = 0 sin(0 )

and

= 0 sin(0 ) 2

W = 2 ()
1

and

= ()

Work energy theorem is = and recall KE is

1
2

1
2

Step 3: Solve in terms of variables

Since we want the distance when the ball hits the ground, y=0

Power =

0 cos(0 )

0 = 0 sin(0) 2 and

Keplers Laws

So plugging that in 0 = 0 sin(0) (

1. All orbits are elliptical.

Which simplifies to 0 = tan(0 )

0 cos(0 )

) (

0 cos(0 )

20 2 cos()2

)2

2. Equal areas drawn out by point everywhere on trajectory.

Step 4: Substitute in
3. The square of the period of a satellite is proportional to the cube of the
semi major axis of its orbit

Collisions
Elastic Momentum and KE conserved

Plugging in the values, you will get a quadratic which you can plug into a
calculator and find the zeros of. The positive value will be the distance x, where
y = 0.
The answer to this question is = 22.59

Oscillation stuff

Inelastic Total KE not conserved, but momentum is still

conserved along with total energy.
1 1 + 2 2 = 1 1 + 2 2

For a spring, =
Angular frequency can also be = 2 =

For a head on Elastic Collision, with the target at rest:

1 1 = 1 1 + 2 2
1 =

(1 2 )

(1 +2 ) 1

2 =

21

(1 +2 ) 1

If a small car collides with a massive truck they will both

experience the same impulse and change in momentum.
However the acceleration for the small car as well as
change in velocity are both much greater than that of the
truck.

Recall here must be small. Then we can say

2 =

=
=

2 2

Moment of Inertia
Derivation: Solid
Hollow Cylinder

Center of mass
=

Cross Product
1 1 + 2 2
1 + 2

Rotation
Parallel Axis Theorem:

Fluids

= +

= 2

= +

Perpendicular Axis Theorem:

0 =

=
=

= +

Work =

= 1000 /3

= ( + )2 2

= 2 + 2 + 2 2

Remember rolling without slipping is the only time

when we can apply this.

Or = 2

= 2
= 2

Remember when an object is rotating, and

translating the total energy is the sum of both.

Substitute that into dm

= 2

Angular Momentum
=

Substitute that into dI

= 3 2

() = ( + )

Now Integrate
2

= 2

() = 2 sin() = 2 ()

For a physical pendulum:

(22 12 )

1
2
2

=
=
=

2 =

Waves:
2

1
2 2
2

A wave propagates, but the particles only

oscillate.
Transverse Polarization - particles move up
and down
Longitudinal Polarization - particles move
back and forth

For a wave: =

Frequency of wave determined by source

1
2 2
2

As seen above, the force at the bottom of

a container only depends on height
Pressure also equals Force x Area.
Pascals Law: An increase in pressure
anywhere through an incompressible fluid
is transmitted equally everywhere
throughout the fluid.
This gives the equation for hydraulic lift:
1
2
= 1 = 2 =
1
2

() = cos()

Simple Harmonic Motion

Specific gravity is ratio of density of

material to that of water (which is
displayed above)

Speed of wave determined by medium

Force on a dam:
=
=

= 0 ( )
1
4
= [ 2 ]
2
0
1

= 2
2

Buoyant Force:

w is width

= g

Bernoullis Equation:
1
1
+ 1 + 12 = + 2 + 22
2
2