Tag Archives: Physics Solution Manual

College Physics by Openstax Chapter 4 Problem 6


The same rocket sled drawn in Figure 4.30 is decelerated at a rate of 196 m/s2. What force is necessary to produce this deceleration? Assume that the rockets are off. The mass of the system is 2100 kg.


Solution:

Since the rockets are off, the only force acting on the sled is the friction f. This force is against the direction of motion. By using Newton’s Second Law of Motion, we have.

\begin{align*}
\Sigma F & = ma \\
-f & = ma \\
-f & = \left( 2100 \ \text{kg} \right)\left( -196 \ \text{m/s}^{2} \right) \\
-f & = -411600 \ \text{N} \\
f & = 411600 \ \text{N} \\ 
f & = 411.6 \ \text{kN} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

The force necessary to produce the given deceleration is 411.6 kN.


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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 4 Problem 5


In Figure 4.7, the net external force on the 24-kg mower is stated to be 51 N. If the force of friction opposing the motion is 24 N, what force F (in newtons) is the person exerting on the mower? Suppose the mower is moving at 1.5 m/s when the force F is removed. How far will the mower go before stopping?

Figure for College Physics by Openstax Chapter 4 Problem 5: A person is pushing a mower to the right.

Solution:

We can isolate the mower and expose the forces acting on it. This is the free-body diagram.

The free-body diagram of the mower: the force F exerted by the person and the friction force f exerted by the ground on the mower.

There are two forces acting on the mower in the horizontal directions:

  1. \textbf{F}:This is the force exerted by the person on the mower, and it is going to the right. This is the first unknown in the problem. We treat this as a positive force since it is directed to the right. The value of this force is F=51 \ \text{N}
  2. \textbf{f}: This is the friction force directed opposite the motion of the mower. We treat this as a negative force because it is directed to the left. The value of this force is f=24 \ \text{N}.

Part A. The third force in the figure is the net force, F_{net}. This is the vector sum of the forces F and f. That is

\begin{align*}
F_{net} & =F-f \\
51 \ \text{N} & = F-24 \ \text{N} \\
F & = 51 \ \text{N} +24 \ \text{N} \\
F & = 75 \ \text{N} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

The person should exert a force of 75 N to produce a net force of 51 N.

Part B. When the force F is removed, the friction is now the only force acting on the mower. The friction is acting opposite the direction of motion. The direction of motion is indicated by the blue arrow in the figure below, and the friction force is the red arrow.

The free-body diagram of the mower when force F is removed.

Using Newton’s Second Law, we can solve for the deceleration of the mower.

\begin{align*}
\Sigma F & = ma \\
-24 \ \text{N} & = \left( 24 \ \text{kg} \right) \ a \\
\frac{-24 \ \text{N}}{24 \ \text{kg}} & = \frac{\cancel{24 \ \text{kg}}\ \ a}{\cancel{24 \ \text{kg}}} \\
a & = \frac{-24 \ \text{N}}{24 \ \text{kg}} \\
a & = -1 \ \text{m/s}^{2} \\
\end{align*}

Using this deceleration computed above, we can solve for the distance traveled by the mower before coming to stop.

\begin{align*}
\left( v_{f} \right)^{2} & = \left( v_{o} \right)^{2}+2a\Delta x \\
\left( 0 \ \text{m/s} \right)^{2} & = \left( 1.5 \ \text{m/s} \right)^{2}+2\left( -1 \ \text{m/s}^{2} \right)\Delta x \\
 0 & = 2.25-2 \Delta x \\
2 \Delta x & = 2.25 \\
\frac{\cancel{2}\Delta x}{\cancel{2}} & =\frac{2.25}{2} \\
\Delta x & = 1.125 \ \text{m} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 4 Problem 4


Since astronauts in orbit are apparently weightless, a clever method of measuring their masses is needed to monitor their mass gains or losses to adjust diets. One way to do this is to exert a known force on an astronaut and measure the acceleration produced. Suppose a net external force of 50.0 N is exerted and the astronaut’s acceleration is measured to be 0.893 m/s2. (a) Calculate her mass. (b) By exerting a force on the astronaut, the vehicle in which they orbit experiences an equal and opposite force. Discuss how this would affect the measurement of the astronaut’s acceleration. Propose a method in which recoil of the vehicle is avoided.


Solution:

We are given the following: \sum F = 50.0 \ \text{N}, and a=0.893 \ \text{m/s}^{2}.

Part A. We can solve for the mass, m by using Newton’s second law of motion.

\begin{align*}
\sum F & = ma \\
50.0 \ \text{N} & = m \left( 0.893 \ \text{m/s}^{2} \right) \\
m & = \frac{50.0 \ \text{N}}{0.893 \ \text{m/s}^{2}} \\
m & = 56.0 \ \text{kg}\ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

Part B. The measured acceleration is equal to the sum of the accelerations of the astronauts and the ship. That is

a_{measured}=a_{astronaut}+a_{ship}

If a force acting on the astronaut came from something other than the spaceship, the spaceship would not undergo a recoil. \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)


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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 4 Problem 3


A cleaner pushes a 4.50-kg laundry cart in such a way that the net external force on it is 60.0 N. Calculate its acceleration.


Solution:

From Newton’s Second Law of Motion, \sum F =ma. Substituting the given values, we have

\begin{align*}
\sum F & = ma \\
60.0 \ \text{N} & = \left( 4.50 \ \text{kg} \right) \ a \\
a & = \frac{60.0 \ \text{N}}{4.50 \ \text{kg}} \\
a & = 13.3 \ \text{m/s}^{2} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 4 Problem 2


If the sprinter from the previous problem accelerates at that rate for 20 m, and then maintains that velocity for the remainder of the 100-m dash, what will be his time for the race?


Solution:

Solving for the time it takes to reach the first 20 meters.

\begin{align*}
\Delta x & =v_{0}t+\frac{1}{2}at^{2} \\
20 \ \text{m} & = \left( 0 \ \text{m/s} \right)t + \frac{1}{2}\left( 4.20 \ \text{m/s}^{2} \right)t^{2} \\
20 & = 2.1 t^{2} \\
\frac{20}{2.1}& = \frac{\cancel{2.1} \ t^{2}}{\cancel{2.1}} \\
t^{2} & = 9.5238 \\
\sqrt{t^{2}} & = \sqrt{9.5238} \\
t_{1} & = 3.09 \ \text{s}
\end{align*}

We can compute the velocity of the sprinter at the end of the first 20 meters.

\begin{align*}
v^2 & = v_{0}^2 + 2ax \\
v^2 & = \left( 0 \ \text{m/s} \right)^2 + 2\left( 4.20 \ \text{m/s}^2 \right) \left( 20 \ \text{m} \right) \\
v & = \sqrt{2\left( 4.20 \right)\left( 20 \right)} \ \text{m/s} \\
v & = 12.96 \ \text{m/s}
\end{align*}

For the remaining 80 meters, the sprinter has a constant velocity of 12.96 m/s. The sprinter’s time to run the last 80 meters can be computed as follows.

\begin{align*}
\Delta x & = vt \\
80 \ \text{m} & = \left( 12.96 \  \text{m/s} \right)\  t_{2} \\
\frac{80 \ \text{m}}{12.96 \ \text{m/s}} & =\frac{\cancel{12.96 \ \text{m/s} } \ \ t_{2}}{\cancel{12.96 \ \text{m/s}}} \\
t_{2} & = \frac{80}{12.96} \ \text{s} \\
t_{2} & = 6.17 \ \text{s} \\
\end{align*}

The sprinter’s total time, t_{T}, to finish the 100-m race is the sum of the two times.

\begin{align*}
t_{T} & = t_{1} + t_{2} \\
t_{T} & = 3.09 \ \text{s} + 6.17 \ \text{s} \\
t_{T} & = 9.26 \ \text{s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 3 Problem 18


You drive 7.50 km in a straight line in a direction 15º east of north. (a) Find the distances you would have to drive straight east and then straight north to arrive at the same point. (This determination is equivalent to find the components of the displacement along the east and north directions.) (b) Show that you still arrive at the same point if the east and north legs are reversed in order.


Solution:

Part A

Consider the illustration shown.

Let DE be the east component of the distance, and DN be the north component of the distance.

\begin{align*}
D_E & = 7.50 \  \sin 15^\circ  \\
D_E & = 1.9411 \ \text{km} \\
D_E & = 1.94 \ \text{km} \ \qquad \ {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}
\end{align*}
\begin{align*}
D_N & = 7.50 \  \cos 15^\circ  \\
D_N & = 7.2444\ \text{km} \\
D_N & = 7.24 \ \text{km} \ \qquad \ {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}
\end{align*}

Part B

It can be obviously seen from the figure below that you still arrive at the same point if the east and north legs are reversed in order.


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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 3 Problem 17


Repeat Exercise 3.16 using analytical techniques, but reverse the order of the two legs of the walk and show that you get the same final result. (This problem shows that adding them in reverse order gives the same result—that is, B + A = A + B .) Discuss how taking another path to reach the same point might help to overcome an obstacle blocking your other path.

Figure 3.58 The two displacements A and B add to give a total displacement R having magnitude R and direction θ.

Solution:

Considering the right triangle formed by the vectors A, B, and R. We can solve for the magnitude of R using the Pythagorean Theorem. That is

\begin{align*}
R & = \sqrt{A^2+B^2} \\
& = \sqrt{\left( 18.0 \text{m} \right)^2+\left( 25.0 \text{m} \right)^2} \\
& =30.806  \text{m} \\
& \approx 30.8  \text{m}  \qquad  {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}
\end{align*}

Then we solve for the compass direction by solving the value θ using the same right triangle.

\begin{align*}
\theta & = \arctan \left( \frac{B}{A} \right)  \\
& = \arctan \left( \frac{25.0 \text{m}}{18.0 \text{m}} \right) \\
& = 54.246 ^\circ \\
& \approx  54.2 ^ \circ \\
\end{align*}

Therefore, the compass direction of the resultant is 54.2° North of West.


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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 3 Problem 16


Solve the following problem using analytical techniques: Suppose you walk 18.0 m straight west and then 25.0 m straight north. How far are you from your starting point, and what is the compass direction of a line connecting your starting point to your final position? (If you represent the two legs of the walk as vector displacements A and B, as in Figure 3.58, then this problem asks you to find their sum R=A+B.)

Figure 3.58 The two displacements A and B add to give a total displacement R having magnitude R and direction θ.

Solution:

Considering the right triangle formed by the vectors A, B, and R. We can solve for the magnitude of R using the Pythagorean Theorem. That is

\begin{align*}
R & = \sqrt{A^2+B^2} \\
& = \sqrt{\left( 18.0\ \text{m} \right)^2+\left( 25.0\ \text{m} \right)^2} \\
& =30.806 \ \text{m} \\
& \approx 30.8 \ \text{m} \ \qquad \ {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}
\end{align*}

Then we solve for the compass direction by solving the value θ using the same right triangle.

\begin{align*}
\theta & = \arctan\left( \frac{B}{A} \right) \\
& = \arctan\left( \frac{25.0\ \text{m}}{18.0\ \text{m}} \right) \\
& = 54.246 ^\circ \\
& \approx  54.2 ^ \circ 
\end{align*}

Therefore, the compass direction of the resultant is 54.2° North of West.


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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 3 Problem 15


Find the north and east components of the displacement from San Francisco to Sacramento shown in Figure 3.57.

Figure 3.57

Solution:

Consider the following figure.

Using the right triangle formed, we can solve for the east component and the north component. Let SE be the east component and SN be the north component of S.

\begin{align*}
S_E & = S \cos 45^\circ \\
& = \left( 123 \ \text{km} \right) \cos45^\circ \\
& = 86.974 \ \text{km} \\
& \approx 87.0 \ \text{km} \ \qquad \ {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}
\end{align*}
\begin{align*}
S_N & = S \sin 45^\circ \\
& = \left( 123 \ \text{km} \right) \sin 45^\circ \\
& = 86.974 \ \text{km} \\
& \approx 87.0 \ \text{km} \ \qquad \ {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}
\end{align*}

Therefore, the east and north components are equal at about 87.0 km.


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College Physics by Openstax Chapter 3 Problem 14


Find the following for path D in Figure 3.56: (a) the total distance traveled and (b) the magnitude and direction of the displacement from start to finish. In this part of the problem, explicitly show how you follow the steps of the analytical method of vector addition.

Figure 3.56 The various lines represent paths taken by different people walking in a city. All blocks are 120 m on a side.

Solution:

Part A

Looking at path D, we can see that it moves 2 blocks downward, 6 blocks to the right, 4 blocks upward, and 1 block to the left. Thus, the total distance of path D is

\begin{align*}
\text{distance} & = \left( 2\times 120\ \text{m} \right)+\left( 6\times 120\ \text{m} \right)+\left( 4\times 120\ \text{m} \right)+\left( 1\times 120\ \text{m} \right) \\
& = 1\ 560 \ \text{m} \\
& = 1.56 \times 10^{3} \ \text{m} \ \qquad \ {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}
\end{align*}

Part B

Looking at the initial and final position of path D, the final position is 5 blocks to the right or 600 meters to the right of the initial position, and 2 blocks or 240 meters upward from the initial position. Refer to the figure below.

Using the right triangle, we can solve for the displacement using the Pythagorean Theorem.

\begin{align*}
\text{displacement} & = \sqrt{\left( 600\ \text{m} \right)^2+\left( 240\ \text{m} \right)^2} \\
& = 646.2198 \ \text{m} \\
& \approx 646 \  \text{m} \ \qquad \ {\color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)}
\end{align*}

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