AP Physics B

2014 Free-Response Questions

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TABLE OF INFORMATION, EFFECTIVE 2012

CONSTANTS AND CONVERSION FACTORS
Proton mass, m p = 1.67 10 -27 kg
Neutron mass, mn = 1.67 10 -27 kg

1 electron volt, 1 eV = 1.60 10 -19 J

Electron mass, me = 9.11 10 -31 kg

c = 3.00 108 m s

Speed of light,
Universal gravitational
constant,
Acceleration due to gravity
at Earths surface,

Avogadros number, N 0 = 6.02 1023 mol-1

R = 8.31 J (mol iK)

Universal gas constant,

e = 1.60 10 -19 C

Electron charge magnitude,

G = 6.67 10 -11 m 3 kgis2

g = 9.8 m s2

Boltzmanns constant, k B = 1.38 10 -23 J K

1 u = 1.66 10 -27 kg = 931 MeV c 2

1 unified atomic mass unit,

h = 6.63 10 -34 J is = 4.14 10 -15 eV is

Plancks constant,

hc = 1.99 10 -25 J im = 1.24 103 eV i nm

0 = 8.85 10 -12 C2 N im 2

Vacuum permittivity,

Coulombs law constant, k = 1 4 p 0 = 9.0 109 N im 2 C2

m0 = 4 p 10 -7 (T im) A

Vacuum permeability,

Magnetic constant, k = m0 4 p = 1 10 -7 (T i m) A

1 atm = 1.0 105 N m 2 = 1.0 105 Pa

1 atmosphere pressure,

UNIT
SYMBOLS

meter,
kilogram,
second,
ampere,
kelvin,

PREFIXES
Factor
Prefix
Symbol

m
kg
s
A
K

mole,
hertz,
newton,
pascal,
joule,

mol
Hz
N
Pa
J

watt,
coulomb,
volt,
ohm,
henry,

W
C
V
W
H

farad,
tesla,
degree Celsius,
electron-volt,

F
T
C
eV

VALUES OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS FOR COMMON ANGLES

q
30
0
37
45
53
60
90

10 9

giga

sin q

12

35

2 2

45

3 2

106

mega

cos q

3 2

45

2 2

35

12

103

kilo

tan q

3 3

34

43

-2

centi

10 -3

milli

10 -6

micro

10 -9

nano

10 -12

pico

10

The following conventions are used in this exam.

I. Unless otherwise stated, the frame of reference of any problem is
assumed to be inertial.
II. The direction of any electric current is the direction of flow of positive
charge (conventional current).
III. For any isolated electric charge, the electric potential is defined as zero at
an infinite distance from the charge.
IV. For mechanics and thermodynamics equations, W represents the work
done on a system.

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ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS B EQUATIONS, EFFECTIVE 2012

NEWTONIAN MECHANICS

u = u0 + at

x = x0 + u0 t +

1 2
at
2

u 2 = u0 2 + 2a ( x - x0 )

F = Fnet = ma
F fric m N
ac =

u2
r

t = r F sin q

p = mv
J = FDt = Dp
1
K = mu 2
2

DUg = mgh
W = F Dr cos q
Pavg =

a
F
f
h
J
K
k
m
N
P
p
r
T
t
U
u
W

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

x
m
q
t

=
=
=
=

acceleration
force
frequency
height
impulse
kinetic energy
spring constant
length
mass
normal force
power
momentum
radius or distance
period
time
potential energy
velocity or speed
work done on
a system
position
coefficient of friction
angle
torque

ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

F =

kq1q2
r2

E=

F
q

A
B
C
d
E

UE = qV =
Eavg = -

kq1q2
r

V
d

q
q
q

V = k 1 + 2 + 3 + ...
r1

r2
r3
C =
C =
Uc =

Q
V

0 A
d
1
1
QV = CV 2
2
2

I avg =
R=

DQ
Dt

r
A

V = IR

W
Dt

P = IV

P = F u cos q

C p = C1 + C2 + C3 + ...

Fs = - k x

1
1
1
1
=
+
+
+ ...
Cs
C1 C2 C3

Us =

1 2
kx
2

m
k

Ts = 2 p
Tp = 2p

T =

UG = -

1
1
1
1
=
+
+
+ ...
Rp
R1 R2 R3
FB = qu B sin q
FB = BI sin q
B=

1
f

FG = -

Rs = R1 + R2 + R3 + ...

Gm1m2
r2

Gm1m2
r

m0 I
2p r

fm = BA cos q

eavg

=-

= B u

-3-

Dfm
Dt

F
I
P
Q
q
R
r
t
U

=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=

V=
u =
r =
q =
fm =

area
magnetic field
capacitance
distance
electric field
emf
force
current
length
power
charge
point charge
resistance
distance
time
potential (stored)
energy
electric potential or
potential difference
velocity or speed
resistivity
angle
magnetic flux

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS B EQUATIONS, EFFECTIVE 2012

FLUID MECHANICS AND THERMAL PHYSICS

WAVES AND OPTICS

r= mV

u = fl

P = P0 + r gh
Fbuoy = rVg

A1u1 = A2 u2
P + r gy +
D =a

1 2
ru = const.
2

0 DT

H =

kA DT
L

P=

F
A

PV = nRT = Nk BT
K avg =

urms =

3
k T
2 B

3 RT
=
M

W = - P DV
DU = Q + W

e=

W
QH

ec =

TH - TC
TH

3k B T
m

A = area
e = efficiency
F = force
h = depth
H = rate of heat transfer
k = thermal conductivity
Kavg = average molecular
kinetic energy
= length
L = thickness
m = mass
M = molar mass
n = number of moles
N = number of molecules
P = pressure
Q = heat transferred to a
system
T = temperature
U = internal energy
V = volume
u = velocity or speed
urms = root-mean-square
velocity
W = work done on a system
y = height
a = coefficient of linear
expansion
m = mass of molecule
r = density

K max = hf - f
l =

h
p

D E = ( Dm ) c

c
u

n 1 sin q1 = n 2 sin q2
sin qc =

n2
n1

1
1
1
+
=
si
s0
f

h
s
M = i =- i
h0
s0
R
2
d sin q = ml
f =

xm

m lL
d

GEOMETRY AND TRIGONOMETRY

Rectangle
A = bh
Triangle
1
A = bh
2
Circle
A = pr2
C = 2p r
Rectangular Solid
V = wh
Cylinder
V = pr2

A=
C=
V=
S =
b =
h =
=
w=
r =

area
circumference
volume
surface area
base
height
length
width
radius

S = 2p r + 2p r 2
Sphere
4
V = pr3
3

ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS

E = hf = pc

n=

d = separation
f = frequency or
focal length
h = height
L = distance
M = magnification
m = an integer
n = index of
refraction
R = radius of
curvature
s = distance
u = speed
x = position
l = wavelength
q = angle

S = 4p r 2

E = energy
f = frequency
K = kinetic energy
m = mass
p = momentum
l = wavelength
f = work function

Right Triangle
a 2 + b2 = c2
a
sin q =
c
b
cos q =
c
a
tan q =
b

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a
90

q
b

2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

PHYSICS B
SECTION II
Time 90 minutes
7 Questions
Directions: Answer all seven questions, which are weighted according to the points indicated. The suggested times
are about 17 minutes for answering each of Questions 1 and 5, and about 11 minutes for answering each of
Questions 2-4 and 6-7. The parts within a question may not have equal weight. Show all your work in this booklet in
the spaces provided after each part.

1. (15 points)
Starting from rest at point A, a 50 kg person swings along a circular arc from a rope attached to a tree branch
over a lake, as shown in the figure above. Point D is at the same height as point A. The distance from the point of
attachment to the center of mass of the person is 6.4 m. Ignore air resistance and the mass and elasticity of the
rope.
(a) The person swings two times, each time letting go of the rope at a different point.
i. On the first swing, the person lets go of the rope when first arriving at point C. Draw a solid line to
represent the trajectory of the center of mass after the person releases the rope.
ii. A second time, the person lets go of the rope at point D. Draw a dashed line to represent the trajectory
of the center of mass after the person releases the rope.

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2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

(b) The center of mass of the person standing on the platform is at point A, 4.1 m above the surface of the water.
Calculate the gravitational potential energy when the person is at point A relative to when the person is at the
surface of the water.
(c) The center of mass of the person at point B, the lowest point along the arc, is 2.4 m above the surface of the
water. Calculate the persons speed at point B.
(d) Suppose that the person swings from the rope a third time, letting go of the rope at point B. Calculate R, the
horizontal distance moved from where the person releases the rope at point B to where the person hits the
water.
(e) If the person does not let go of the rope, how does the magnitude of the persons momentum pC at point C
compare with the magnitude of the persons momentum pB at point B ?
____ pC > pB

____ pC < pB

____ pC = pB

Provide a physical explanation to justify your answer.

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2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

2. (10 points)
A cube of mass m and side length L is completely submerged in a tank of water and is attached to the bottom of
the tank by a string, as shown in the figure above. The tension in the string is 0.25 times the weight of the cube.
3
The density of water is 1000 kg/m .
(a) On the dot below that represents the cube, draw and label the forces (not components) that act on the cube
while it is attached to the string. Each force must be represented by a distinct arrow starting on, and pointing
away from, the dot.

(b) Calculate the density of the cube.

(c) The string is now cut. Calculate the magnitude of the acceleration of the cube immediately after the string is
cut. If you need to draw anything other than what you have shown in part (a) to assist in your solution, use
the space below. Do NOT add anything to the figure in part (a).
(d) Indicate whether the magnitude of the buoyant force on the cube increases, decreases, or remains the same
while the cube is rising, but before it reaches the surface.
____ Increases

____ Decreases

____ Remains the same

Justify your answer.

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2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

3. (10 points)
A sample containing three moles of an ideal gas is taken through a series of equilibrium states, as represented by
the closed path ABCDA in the diagram above.
(a)
i. Rank the temperatures at the 4 labeled points from least to greatest, using 1 for the lowest temperature.
If two or more points have the same temperature, give them the same ranking.
____ A

____ B

____ C

____ D

ii. Determine the temperature TD at point D in terms of P0 , V0 , and fundamental constants, as

appropriate.
(b) Indicate all segments of the path ABCDA, if any, for which the work done by the gas is positive. If the work
done by the gas is not positive for any of the segments, then check None.
____ AB

____ BC

____ CD

____ DA

____ None

Justify your answer.

(c) In process AB, is the energy transferred to the gas by heating positive, negative, or zero?
____ Positive

____ Negative

____ Zero

Justify your answer.

(d) Derive an expression for the net work done on the gas during the entire process ABCDA. Express your
answer in terms of P0 , V0 , and fundamental constants, as appropriate.

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2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

4. (10 points)
Two point charges are fixed at the coordinates shown in the diagram above. The charges are q1 = -2.0 nC and
q2 = +6.0 nC .
(a) Calculate the magnitudes of the x and y components of the net electric field at the origin (0, 0).
(b) On the diagram below, draw a single vector (not components) originating at the origin (0,0) to represent the
direction of the net electric field at that point.

(c) Calculate the electric potential at the origin (0, 0).

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2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

A third charge, q3 = +3.0 nC , is moved by an external force from very far away to the origin. The third charge
has the same speed at the start and end of the motion.
(d) Indicate whether the total work done by the external force is positive, negative, or zero.
____ Positive

____ Negative

____ Zero

Justify your answer.

(e) Calculate the magnitude of the net force on q3 due to the other two charges when q3 is at the origin.

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2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

5. (15 points)
A conducting rod of mass m and length L hangs at rest from two identical conducting springs, each with spring
constant k, as shown in the figure at left above. The upper ends of the springs are fixed at points P and Q, and the
rod is in a uniform magnetic field B directed into the page. A battery is then connected between points P and Q,
as shown in the figure at right above, resulting in a current I in the rod. The rod is displaced downward,
eventually reaching a new equilibrium position with the springs stretched an additional distance Dy.
(a) Which point, P or Q, is connected to the positive terminal of the battery?
____ P

____ Q

Justify your answer.

(b) On the dot below that represents the rod, draw and label the forces (not components) that act on the rod in its
new equilibrium position. Each force must be represented by a distinct arrow starting on, and pointing away
from, the dot.

(c) Derive an expression for Dy in terms of k, m, L, I, the magnetic field strength B, and fundamental constants,
as appropriate.

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2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

An experiment is conducted with batteries of different emf connected between points P and Q. The current I in
the rod and the stretch of the springs Dy are measured and recorded in the table below.

I (amperes)

Dy (meters)

1.0

0.0028

2.0

0.0050

3.0

0.0084

4.0

0.0119

5.0

0.0140

(d) On the grid below, plot the data points for Dy as a function of I. Be sure to label your axes with variables,
units, and scale. Draw a straight line that best represents the data.

(e) Using the straight line you drew in part (d), calculate the value B for the magnetic field if m is 0.019 kg, L is
0.35 m, and k is 25 N/m.

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2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

6. (10 points)
The apparatus shown above is used in determining the work function of a particular metal using the photoelectric
effect. The experiment is set up with an ammeter A and a variable power supply. A light source that emits
photons of frequency 7.5 1014 Hz is used. The emf e provided by the power supply is slowly increased from
zero until the ammeter shows that the current between the collector and metal emitter is zero. The magnitude of
the emf is 0.65 V when the current becomes zero.
(a) Determine the wavelength of the incident photons.
(b) Calculate the work function of the metal.
(c) Calculate the minimum frequency of light at which electrons would be emitted.
(d) If the power per unit area (intensity) of the incident light is increased and the wavelength stays the same,
does the magnitude of the emf needed to stop the current increase, decrease, or remain the same?
____ Increases

____ Decreases

____ Remains the same

Justify your answer.

(e) If the wavelength of light is decreased while the power per unit area (intensity) of the incident light stays
the same, does the number of electrons emitted from the metal surface per unit time increase, decrease, or
remain the same? (Assume that the light is initially above the threshold frequency.)
____ Increases

____ Decreases

____ Remains the same

Justify your answer.

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2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

7. (10 points)
A thin layer of transparent oil is placed on top of a transparent plate. The oil film is then illuminated by white
light shining onto the oils surface, as shown in the figure above. To an observer standing right next to the light
source and looking straight down on the oil film, the oil film appears green, corresponding to a wavelength of
520 nm in air. The oil has an index of refraction of 1.52.
(a) Determine the frequency of the green light in the air.
(b) Determine the frequency of the green light in the oil film.
(c) Calculate the wavelength of the green light in the oil film.
(d) The oil film thickness is half of the wavelength you found in part (c). Is the index of refraction of the plate
greater than, less than, or equal to that of the oil?
____ Greater than

____ Less than

____ Equal to

Justify your answer.

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2014 AP PHYSICS B FREE-RESPONSE QUESTIONS

(e) As the observer starts moving to the right away from the light source, as shown in the figures above, the film
appears to change color. Describe the color change and give an explanation for this phenomenon.

STOP
END OF EXAM

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