AP Physics C Practice Multiple Choice Test 4

Questions 1-2 refers to the following information 7. A person holds a portable fire extinguisher that ejects
Starting from rest, a vehicle accelerates on a straight level road 1.0 kg of water per second horizontally at a speed of
at the rate of 4.0 m/s2 for 5.0 s. 6.0 m/s. What horizontal force in newtons must the
person exert on the extinguisher in order to prevent it
1. What is the speed of the vehicle at the end of this time from accelerating?
interval?
(A) 0 N (B) 6 N (C) 10 N (D) 18 N (E) 36 N
(A) 1.3 m/s (B) 10 m/s (C) 20 m/s
(D) 80 m/s (E) 100 m/s 8. A disk is free to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the
disk through its center. If the disk starts from rest and
2. What is the total distance the vehicle travels during this accelerates uniformly at the rate of 3 rad/s2 for 4 s, its
time interval angular displacement during this time is
(A) 10 m (B) 20 m (C) 25 m (D) 40 m (E) 50 m (A) 6 radians (B) 12 radians (C) 18 radians
3. All the following are units of power EXCEPT (D) 24 radians (E) 48 radians
(A) W (B) J/s (C) eV/s Questions 9-10 refers to the following information
(D) Nžm/s (E) kgžm/s
A 2 kg mass connected to a spring oscillates on a horizontal,
4. A dart gun is used to fire two rubber darts with different frictionless surface with simple harmonic motion of amplitude
but unknown masses, M1 and M2 . The gun exerts the 0.4 m. The spring constant is 50 N/m.
same constant force on each dart, but its magnitude F is
9. The period of this motion is
unknown. The magnitudes of the accelerations of both
darts, a1 and a2 , respectively, are measured. Which of (A) 0.04π s (B) 0.08π s (C) 0.4π s
the following can be determined from these data? (D) 0.8π s (E) 1.26π s
(A) F only 10. The maximum velocity occurs where the
(B) M1 and M2 only (A) potential energy is a maximum
(C) The ratio of M1 and M2 only (B) kinetic energy is a minimum
(D) F and the ratio of M1 and M2 only (C) displacement from equilibrium is equal to the
(E) F , M1 , and M2 amplitude of 0.4 meter
5. An object is thrown vertically upward in a region where (D) displacement from equilibrium is half the amplitude
g is constant and air resistance is negligible. Its speed is (E) displacement from equilibrium is equal to zero
recorded from the moment it leaves the thrower’s hand 11. A student is asked to determine the mass of Jupiter.
until it reaches its maximum height. Which of the Knowing which of the following about Jupiter and one of
following graphs best represents the object’s speed v its moons will allow the determination to be made?
versus time t ?
I. The time it takes for Jupiter to orbit the Sun
(A) (B) II. The time it takes for the moon to orbit Jupiter
III. The average distance between the moon and Jupiter
(A) I only (B) II only (C) III only
(D) I and II (E) II and III

(C) (D)

(D) 12. A disk sliding on a horizontal surface that has negligible

friction collides with a rod that is free to move and rotate
on the surface, as shown in the top view above. Which of
the following quantities must be the same for the disk-rod
system before and after the collision?
I. Linear momentum
6. If air resistance is negligible, the speed of a 2 kg sphere II. Angular momentum
that falls from rest through a vertical displacement of III. Kinetic energy
0.2 m is most nearly (A) I only (B) II only (C) I and II only
(A) 1 m/s (B) 2 m/s (C)3 m/s (D) 4 m/s (E) 5 m/s (D) II and III only (E) I, II, and III
AP Physics C Practice Multiple Choice Test 4
19. A skier slides at constant speed down a slope inclined at
an angle ϕ to the horizontal. If air resistance is
negligible, the coefficient of friction μ between the skis
and the snow is equal to
1 1
(A) (B) (C) sin φ
tan φ cos φ
(D) cos φ (E) tan φ
13. The velocity v of an elevator moving upward between
adjacent floors is shown as a function of time t in the 20. A 2000 kg car, initially at rest, is accelerated along a
graph above. At which of the following times is the force horizontal roadway at 3 m/s2. What is the average power
exerted by the elevator on a passenger the least? required to bring the car to a final speed of 20 m/s?
(A) 1 s (B) 3 s (C) 4 s (D) 5 s (E) 6 s (A) 6 × 103 W (B) 2 × 104 W (C) 3 × 104 W
(D) 4 × 104 W (E) 6 × 104 W

14. An object of mass m moves with acceleration a down a

frictionless incline that makes an angle with the
horizontal, as shown above. If N is the normal force 21. A person is standing at one end of a uniform raft of length
exerted by the plane on the block, which of the following L that is floating motionless on water, as shown above.
is correct? The center of mass of the person-raft system is a distance
(A) N = mg (B) N = ma (C) a = mg sin θ d from the center of the raft. The person then walks to the
other end of the raft. If friction between the raft and the
(D) a = g sin θ (E) a = mg cos θ water is negligible, how far does the raft move relative to
15. A disc of mass m slides with negligible friction along a the water?
flat surface with a velocity v. The disc strikes a wall (A) L/2 (B) L (C) d/2 (D) d (E) 2dx
head-on and bounces back in the opposite direction with a
kinetic energy one-fourth of its initial kinetic energy.
What is the final velocity of the disc?
(A) v / 4 (B) v / 2 (C) −v (D) −v / 2 (E) −v / 4
Questions 16-18 refers to the following information
The following pairs of equations show how the x- and y- 22. The object of mass m shown at the right is dropped from
coordinates of a particle vary with time t . In the equations, rest near Earth’s surface and experiences a resistive force
A , B , and ω are nonzero constants. Choose the pair of of magnitude kv , where v is the speed of the object and
equations that best answers each of the following questions. A k is a constant. Which of the following expressions can
choice may be used once, more than once, or not at all be used to find v as a function of time t ? (Assume that
(A) x = Acos ω t (B) x = Acos ω t the direction of the gravitational force is positive.)
y = Asin ω t y = 2 Acos ω t v
dv
t
dt
t
dv
v
dt
(C) x = At (D) x = At 2
(A)
∫ mg − kv
= ∫ m
(B)
∫ mg − kv
= ∫m
0 0 0 0
y = Bt y = Bt 2 v t v t

∫( )
dv dt
(E) x = At (C)
∫ kv
= ∫ m
(D) mg − kv dv = ∫ m dt
0 0 0 0
y = Bt 2
v t
16. Which pair of equations can describe the path of a particle
moving with zero acceleration?
(E)
∫ ( mg − kv ) dt = ∫ m dv
0 0
17. Which pair of equations can describe the path of a particle 23. Objects 1 and 2 have the same momentum. Object 1 can
moving with an acceleration that is perpendicular to the have more kinetic energy than object 2 if, compared with
velocity of the particle at t = 0 and remains constant in object 2, it
magnitude and direction?
(A) has more mass (B) has the same mass
18. Which pair of equations can describe the path of a particle (C) moves at the same speed (D) is moving slower
that moves with a constant speed and with a nonzero (E) is moving faster
acceleration that is constant in magnitude?
AP Physics C Practice Multiple Choice Test 4
Questions 24-25 refers to the following information

30. Two balls with masses m and 2m approach each other

with equal speeds v on a horizontal frictionless table, as
shown in the top view above. Which of the following
shows the possible velocities of the balls for a time soon
after the balls collide?
(A) (B)

A solid cylinder of mass m and radius R has a string wound

around it. A person holding the string pulls it vertically
upward, as shown at the right, such that the cylinder is
suspended in midair for a brief time interval Δt and its center
of mass does not move. The tension in the string is T, and the
rotational inertia of the cylinder about its axis is ½ MR2 . (C) (D)

24. The net force on the cylinder during time interval Δt is

(A) T (B) mg (C) T − mgR
(D) mgR − T (E) zero

25. The linear acceleration of the person’s hand during the

time interval Δt is (E)
T − mg g T
(A) (B) 2g (C) (D) (E) zero
m 2 m
26. A figure skater goes into a spin with arms fully extended.
Which of the following describes the changes in the
rotational kinetic energy and angular momentum of the 31. An object of unknown mass is initially at rest and dropped
skater as the skater’s arms are brought toward the body? from a height h. It reaches the ground with a velocity v1.
Rotational Kinetic Energy Angular Momentum The same object is then raised again to the same height h
(A) Remains the same Increases but this time is thrown downward with velocity v1. It now
(B) Remains the same Remains the same reaches the ground with a new velocity v2. How is v2
(C) Increases Remains the same related to v1 ?
(D) Decreases Increases (A) v2 = v1 2 (B) v2 = v1 (C) v2 = 2 v1
(E) Decreases Remains the same
(D) v2 = 2v1 (E) v2 = 4v1
27. A 5 kg object is propelled from rest at time t = 0 by a net
force F that always acts in the same direction. The
magnitude of F in newtons is given as a function of t ,
F = 0.5t . What is the object’s speed at t = 4 s?
(A) 0.5 m/s (B) 0.8 m/s (C)2.0 m/s
(D) 4.0 m/s (E) 8.0 m/s
28. A projectile is launched from level ground with an initial
speed v0 at an angle θ with the horizontal. If air
resistance is negligible, how long will the projectile
remain in the air? 32. The figure above represents satellites S2 and S3 of equal
(A) 2v0 / g (B) 2v0 cos q / g mass orbiting Earth in circles of radii 2Re and 3Re ,
(C) v0 cos q / g (D) v0 sin q / g respectively, where Re is the radius of Earth. How do the
(E) 2v0 sin q / g kinetic energy and the angular momentum of S3 compare
29. One end of a string is fixed. An object attached to the with those of S2 ?
other end moves on a horizontal plane with uniform Kinetic Energy Angular Momentum
circular motion of radius R and frequency f . The (A) Less for S3 Greater for S3
tension in the string is Fs . If both the radius and (B) Greater for S3 Greater for S3
frequency are doubled, the tension is (C) The same for both The same for both
1 1 (D) Less for S3 Less for S3
(A) F (B) F (C) 2Fs (D) 4Fs (E) 8Fs (E) Greater for S3 Less for S3
4 s 2 s
AP Physics C Practice Multiple Choice Test 4

33. Three identical disks are initially at rest on a frictionless,

horizontal table with their edges touching to form a
triangle, as shown in the top view above. An explosion 35. A block of mass m is placed against the inner wall of a
occurs within the triangle, propelling the disks PHYSICS 1
hollow cylinder of radius R that rotates about a vertical
horizontally along the surface. Which of the following axis with a constant angular velocity ω , as shown PHYSICS
Section I1
above.
diagrams shows a possible position of the disks at a later In order for friction to prevent the mass Time—1 hour
from sliding andI30 minutes
Section
time? (In these diagrams, the triangle is shown in its down the wall, the coefficient of staticTime—1friction hour
0μQuestions
between
and 30 minutes
original position.) the mass and the wall must satisfy which of the0following Questions
(A) (B) inequalities?
Note: To simplify calculations, you may use g = 10 2m s2 in all problem
Note: g ω mR s2 in all problems
use gµ =≥10
(A) To
Note: µ simplify
To ≥ mg calculations,
simplify (B) µ ≥ you may(C)
Directions: Each of the questions ω 2or g
R incomplete statements below is follo
(C) (D) Directions:
Directions: Each
completions. Each ofthe
Select theone
questions or incomplete
that is 2best statements
in each case and thenbelow
fill in is
thefollow
corr
completions. g the one that ω R
(D) µ ≤ Select
completions. Select (E) µ ≤ is best in each case and then fill in the corr
ω2R g

(E)

36. The figure above shows a truck pulling three crates across
1. The figure above shows a truck pulling three 2. Two blo
1. acrates
1. rough
The
The road.
figure
figure
across aWhich
above of the
shows
rough following
a truck
road. Whichpulling shows
of thethree the directions
following 2. Two blo
crates
of across
all the a rough road. Which
horizontal of
onthe following surface.
34. A car is traveling along a straight, level road when it runs
crates
shows the directions forces
across acting
of all the crate
horizontal 2?
forces surface.
shows
shows the
the directions of all the horizontal forces velocity
out of gas at time t = 0. From this time on, the net force (A)
acting on crate 2 ? velocity
acting on crate 2 ?
acting on crate 2 ? stationa
on the car is a resistive force of −kv, where v is velocity (A) stationar
and k is a constant. Which of the following pairs of (A)
(A) collide, s
collide,
graphs best represents the speed v and position x of the
(B) aa velocit
veloci
car as functions of time after t = 0 ? has the gg
has the
(B)
(B)
(B)
(A) (A) Blo
Blo
(A)
(C) (B) Blo
(B) Blo
(C)
(C)
(C) (C) Nei
(C) Nei
(D) The
(D) The
kn
kn
(B) (D)
(D)
(D)
(D)

(C)

37. A box of mass m is initially at rest at the top of a ramp

(D) that is at an angle q with the horizontal. The block is at a
height h and length L from the bottom of the ramp. The
block is released and slides down the ramp. The
coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the
ramp is µ . What is the kinetic energy of the box at the
bottom of the ramp?
(E)
(A) mgh
(B) µmgLcosq
(C) mgh - µmgLcosq
Unauthorized - µmghcos
(D) mgLcopying
Unauthorized copying or reuse
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AP Physics C Practice Multiple Choice Test 4
Questions 38 and 39 refer to the following. Questions 40-42 refer to the following material.

A cylinder at rest is released from the top of a ramp, as

shown above. The ramp is 1.0 m high, and the cylinder rolls
down the ramp without slipping. At the bottom of the ramp,
the cylinder makes a smooth transition to a small section of a
horizontal table and then travels over the edge at a height of
1.0 m above the floor, eventually landing on the floor at a
horizontal distance of 1.5 m from the table.
40. As the cylinder rolls down the ramp, how do the potential
energy of the cylinder-Earth system and the kinetic
energy of the cylinder change, if at all?
Two students need to move two identical boxes of mass M0 Potential Energy of Kinetic Energy
across a room where friction between the floor and the boxes Cylinder-Earth System of Cylinder
cannot be neglected. One student moves the first box by (A) Stays the same Increases
pushing with a force of magnitude F0 at an angle q from the (B) Stays the same Decreases
horizontal, as shown in the figure for scenario 1. The other (C) Decreases Increases
student moves the second box by pulling with a force of (D) Decreases Decreases
magnitude F0 at the same angle q from the horizontal, as 41. After the cylinder leaves the table, but before it lands,
shown in the figure for scenario 2. how do the rotational kinetic energy and translational
38. Which of the following graphs could describe the motion kinetic energy of the cylinder change, if at all?
of the two boxes as they are moved across the room? Rotational Translational
(A) (B) Kinetic Energy Kinetic Energy
(A) Increases Increases
(B) Increases Stays the same
(C) Stays the same Increases
(D) Stays the same Stays the same
42. A sphere with the same mass and radius as the original
cylinder, but a smaller rotational inertia, is released from
(C) (D) rest from the top of the ramp. KS and KC are the
sphere’s and the cylinder’s total kinetic energy at the
bottom of the ramp, respectively. How do KS and KC
compare, and why?
(A) KS < KC , because the sphere will gain less rotational
kinetic energy.
(B) KS < KC , because the sphere has a greater
39. Which of the following is a correct expression for the acceleration and therefore has less time to gain
acceleration of the box in scenario 2 ? kinetic energy.
(C) KS = KC , because both objects accelerate at the same
(A) rate
(D) KS = KC , because the gravitational force does equal
work on each object as it rolls down the ramp.
(B) 43. An apple is released from rest 500 m above the ground.
Due to the combined forces of air resistance and gravity,
it has a speed of 40 m/s when it reaches the ground. What
(C) percentage of the initial mechanical energy of the apple-
Earth system was dissipated due to air resistance? Take
the potential energy of the apple-Earth system to be zero
(D) when the apple reaches the ground.
(A) 16% (B) 40% (C) 60% (D) 84%
AP Physics C Practice Multiple Choice Test 4

47. A meterstick is held as shown above and then released

44. A block is released from rest and slides down a
from rest. The tabletop has negligible friction. Which
frictionless ramp inclined at 30o from the horizontal.
figure below best indicates the path of the center of mass
When the block reaches the bottom, the block-Earth
of the meterstick as it falls?
system has mechanical energy E0 . The experiment is
repeated, but now horizontal and vertical forces of (A)
magnitude F are exerted on the block while it slides, as
shown above. When the block reaches the bottom, the
mechanical energy of the block-Earth system
(A) is greater than E0 (B)
(B) is equal to E0
(C) is less than E0
(D) cannot be determined without knowing F
Questions 45-46 refer to the following material. (C)

(D)

Three identical rocks are launched with identical speeds

from the top of a platform of height h0 . The rocks are
launched in the directions indicated above.
45. Which of the following correctly relates the magnitude vy
of the vertical component of the velocity of each rock
immediately before it hits the ground?
(A) (vy1 = vy2)> vy3
(B) vy1 > vy3 > vy2 48. Blocks X and Y are glued together and released from rest
(C) vy2 > vy3 > vy1 on a ramp with negligible friction, as shown in trial 1. The
(D) vy1 = vy2 = vy3 blocks are then separated and connected by a light spring,
as shown in trial 2. The spring is compressed and the
46. Rock 1, of mass m, reaches a maximum height hmax after
blocks are again released from rest on the ramp.
being launched. During the time between the instant rock
Immediately after the blocks are released, is the net force
1 is launched from height h0 and the instant it returns to
on the two-block system the same or different between
height h0 , the work done on the rock by the gravitational
trial 1 and trial 2 ? Immediately after the blocks are
force is
released, is the net force on block Y the same or different
(A) 0 between trial 1 and trial 2 ?
(B) -mgh0
Force on System Force on Block Y
(C) -mg(hmax - h0 )
(A) Different Different
(D) 2mg(hmax - h0 )
(B) Different The same
(C) The same Different
(D) The same The same
AP Physics C Practice Multiple Choice Test 4

49. Block 1 slides rightward on the floor toward an ideal

spring attached to block 2, as shown. At time t1 , block 1
reaches the spring and starts compressing it as block 2
also starts to slide to the right. At a later time, t2 , block 1
loses contact with the spring. Both blocks slide with
negligible friction. Taking rightward as positive, which
pair of graphs could represent the acceleration of block 2
and the center-of-mass acceleration of the two-block
system?
(A)

(B)

50. Two carts of masses 1 kg and 2 kg travel together, as

shown in Figure 1. At time t = 2s, a compressed spring
inside the 2 kg cart expands, and the carts separate. Figure
2 shows a graph of the carts’ velocities as a function of
time. What is the magnitude of the change in linear
momentum, if any, of the two-cart system between t = 0s
(C) and t = 4s ?
(A) 0 kg × m/s
(B) 0.5 kg × m/s
(C) 1.0 kg × m/s
(D) 2.0 kg × m/s

(D)