From c1efa828d2110a5d18822718f3279a4a90a6dc76 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Krishna Ayyalasomayajula Date: Mon, 4 May 2026 23:25:59 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] =?UTF-8?q?content(warnings):=20Add=20W1-W2,=20X1,=20N1,?= =?UTF-8?q?=20F1=20=E2=80=94=20mechanics=20misconceptions=20+=20cross-refs?= =?UTF-8?q?=20+=20notes?= MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit --- concepts/mechanics/u2/m2-1-newton-laws.tex | 7 +++++++ concepts/mechanics/u7/m7-4-simple-pendulum.tex | 2 ++ 2 files changed, 9 insertions(+) diff --git a/concepts/mechanics/u2/m2-1-newton-laws.tex b/concepts/mechanics/u2/m2-1-newton-laws.tex index d11d8a6..9fa2a86 100644 --- a/concepts/mechanics/u2/m2-1-newton-laws.tex +++ b/concepts/mechanics/u2/m2-1-newton-laws.tex @@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ This is the main working law for AP mechanics. These two forces act on different bodies, so they do not cancel on a single free-body diagram. \end{enumerate}} +\wc{Net force causes acceleration, not motion}{A body can move at constant velocity with \emph{zero} net force (Newton's law I). Net force determines \emph{how} motion changes, not \emph{if} motion exists. An object with zero net force does not stop --- it continues at whatever velocity it already had.} + \pf{Why the vector law becomes component equations}{Choose Cartesian axes with unit vectors $\hat{\imath}$ and $\hat{\jmath}$. Let the acceleration be \[ \vec{a}=a_x\hat{\imath}+a_y\hat{\jmath}, @@ -56,6 +58,8 @@ In practice, one first draws only the actual forces on the free-body diagram, th \cor{Zero net force and equilibrium}{If $\vec{F}_{\mathrm{ext}}=\vec{0}$, then Newton II gives $\vec{a}=\vec{0}$. This does \emph{not} mean the velocity must be zero. A body can have zero net force while moving with a nonzero constant velocity. A special case is equilibrium: if a body is initially at rest and $\vec{F}_{\mathrm{ext}}=\vec{0}$, then it remains at rest.} +See also the kinematics in Unit 1 for the constant-velocity case, and Unit 3 for the work-energy connection to zero net force. + \qs{Worked example}{A block of mass $m=5.0\,\mathrm{kg}$ rests on a frictionless incline that makes an angle $\theta=30^\circ$ with the horizontal. Let $g=9.8\,\mathrm{m/s^2}$ denote the magnitude of the gravitational field near Earth. Choose the system to be the block. Find the acceleration of the block and the magnitude of the normal force exerted by the incline on the block.} @@ -114,6 +118,9 @@ Therefore, \[ N=mg\cos\theta. \] + +\wc{Normal force is not always equal to weight}{On a horizontal surface with only gravity and normal force, $N=mg$. But on an incline $N=mg\cos\theta$, and if another force pushes on the object, $N$ adjusts accordingly. The normal force is \emph{whatever value is required} to prevent the object from penetrating the surface. Never assume $N=mg$.} + Substitute the stated values: \[ N=(5.0\,\mathrm{kg})(9.8\,\mathrm{m/s^2})\cos 30^\circ. diff --git a/concepts/mechanics/u7/m7-4-simple-pendulum.tex b/concepts/mechanics/u7/m7-4-simple-pendulum.tex index 3a11807..b0d3a9a 100644 --- a/concepts/mechanics/u7/m7-4-simple-pendulum.tex +++ b/concepts/mechanics/u7/m7-4-simple-pendulum.tex @@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ and small-angle frequency f=\frac{1}{T}=\frac{1}{2\pi}\sqrt{\frac{g}{\ell}}. \]} +\nt{The small-angle approximation $\sin\theta\approx\theta$ introduces error that grows with amplitude. For $\theta_{\max}=10^\circ\approx0.17$ rad, the period error is about $0.2\%$. For $\theta_{\max}=30^\circ$, the period error is about $1.7\%$. The exact period is $T_{\mathrm{exact}}=T_0\big(1+\tfrac14\sin^2\frac{\theta_{\max}}{2}+\tfrac{9}{64}\sin^4\frac{\theta_{\max}}{2}+\cdots\big)$, where $T_0=2\pi\sqrt{\ell/g}$. For AP Physics C, the small-angle model is the standard unless stated otherwise.} + \pf{Short derivation from torque and linearization}{About the pivot, the gravitational torque on the bob is restoring, so \[ \tau=-mg\ell\sin\theta.