Unit 2

Energy, Momentum, Gravity, and Relativity

Study circular and rotational motion, Newton's law of gravitation, momentum and impulse, work, energy, simple machines, and an introduction to special relativity.

Unit 2 · 21 pages

Chapters

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Unit overview, learning objectives, and vocabulary for Unit 2.

Circular Motion

Analyze centripetal acceleration and force for objects moving in circular paths; relate period, frequency, and speed.

Rotational Motion and Torque

Apply angular velocity, angular acceleration, and torque to analyze rotating objects and rotational equilibrium.

Newton's Law of Gravitation

Apply Newton's law of universal gravitation to calculate gravitational force between masses and gravitational field strength.

Orbital Motion and Kepler's Laws

Use Kepler's three laws to describe planetary orbits and calculate orbital speed and escape velocity.

Linear Momentum

Define linear momentum, apply the impulse-momentum theorem, and analyze momentum in one-dimensional problems.

Impulse and Collisions

Calculate impulse from force-time graphs and distinguish elastic from inelastic collisions.

Conservation of Momentum

Apply conservation of momentum to solve elastic, inelastic, and explosion problems in one and two dimensions.

Work and Power

Calculate work done by constant and variable forces, and compute power as the rate of energy transfer.

Kinetic and Potential Energy

Apply the work-energy theorem; calculate gravitational and elastic potential energy stored in systems.

Conservation of Energy

Apply conservation of mechanical energy to solve problems involving pendulums, ramps, springs, and projectiles.

Simple Machines

Analyze levers, pulleys, inclined planes, and other simple machines using mechanical advantage and efficiency.

Frames of Reference and Relativity

Distinguish inertial from non-inertial reference frames and state Einstein's two postulates of special relativity.

Time Dilation and Length Contraction

Calculate time dilation and length contraction for objects moving at relativistic speeds using the Lorentz factor.

Mass–Energy Equivalence

Apply E = mc² to calculate rest energy and understand the relationship between mass and energy in nuclear reactions.

Unit Review

Consolidate your understanding of circular motion, gravity, momentum, energy, and special relativity with mixed problems and a student self-check.

Circular Motion and Rotation

Analyze centripetal acceleration and force, angular velocity, period, and frequency for objects moving in circular paths.

Gravity and Planetary Motion

Apply Newton's law of universal gravitation to gravitational force, orbital speed, escape velocity, and Kepler's laws.

Momentum and Collisions

Define momentum and impulse, apply the impulse-momentum theorem, and use conservation of momentum to analyze elastic and inelastic collisions.

Work, Energy, and Machines

Calculate work, kinetic and potential energy, and power; apply the work-energy theorem and conservation of mechanical energy; analyze simple machines.

Foundations of Special Relativity

Explore Einstein's postulates of special relativity, time dilation, length contraction, relativistic momentum, and mass-energy equivalence.

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