Name:____________________________________

Answer Sheet for AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

Practice Exam, Section I

No. Answer No. Answer

1 26
2 27
3 28
4 29
5 30
6 31
7 32
8 33
9 34
10 35
11 36
12 37
13 38
14 39
15 40
16 41
17 42
18 43
19 44
20 45
21 131
22 132
23 133
24 134
25 135
AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Exam
®

SECTION I: Multiple Choice

DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

Instructions
At a Glance
Section I of this exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions. Pages containing equations
Total Time and other information are also printed in this booklet. Calculators, rulers, and
1 hour and 30 minutes straightedges may be used in this section.
Number of Questions
50 Indicate all of your answers to the multiple-choice questions on the answer sheet. No
Percent of Total Score credit will be given for anything written in this exam booklet, but you may use the booklet
50% for notes or scratch work.
Writing Instrument
Pencil required Because this section offers only four answer options for each question, do not mark the
Electronic Device (E) answer circle for any question. If you change an answer, be sure that the previous
Calculator allowed mark is erased completely.
For questions 1 through 45, select the single best answer choice for each question. After
you have decided which of the choices is best, completely fill in the corresponding circle
on the answer sheet. Here is a sample question and answer.

For questions 131 through 135, select the two best answer choices for each question.
After you have decided which two choices are best, completely fill in the two
corresponding circles on the answer sheet. Here is a sample question and answer.

Use your time effectively, working as quickly as you can without losing accuracy. Do not
spend too much time on any one question. Go on to other questions and come back to
the ones you have not answered if you have time. It is not expected that everyone will
know the answers to all of the multiple-choice questions.
Your total score on Section I is based only on the number of questions answered correctly.
Points are not deducted for incorrect answers or unanswered questions.
 AP® PHYSICS 1 TABLE OF INFORMATION
CONSTANTS AND CONVERSION FACTORS
Proton mass, mp  1.67  1027 kg Electron charge magnitude, e  1.60  10 19 C
Neutron mass, mn  1.67  10 27 kg Coulomb’s law constant, k  1 4 pe0  9.0  10 9 N  m 2 C2
Universal gravitational
Electron mass, me  9.11  10 31 kg 11
m 3 kgs2
constant, G  6.67  10
Acceleration due to gravity
Speed of light, c  3.00  108 m s at Earth’s surface, g  9.8 m s
2

meter, m kelvin, K watt, W degree Celsius, C

UNIT kilogram, kg hertz, Hz coulomb, C
SYMBOLS second, s newton, N volt, V
ampere, A joule, J ohm, W

PREFIXES VALUES OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS FOR COMMON ANGLES

Factor Prefix Symbol       
q 0 30 37 45 53 60 90
12 tera T
10
sinq 0 12 35 2 2 45 3 2 1
10 9 giga G
10 6 mega M cosq 1 3 2 45 2 2 35 12 0
10 3 kilo k tanq 0 3 3 34 1 43 3 
2 centi c
10
3 milli m
10 The following conventions are used in this exam.
10 6 micro m I. The frame of reference of any problem is assumed to be inertial unless
otherwise stated.
9 nano n
10 II. Assume air resistance is negligible unless otherwise stated.
10 12 pico p III. In all situations, positive work is defined as work done on a system.
IV. The direction of current is conventional current: the direction in which
positive charge would drift.
V. Assume all batteries and meters are ideal unless otherwise stated.
 AP® PHYSICS 1 EQUATIONS
MECHANICS ELECTRICITY
à x  Ãx 0  a x t a = acceleration  qq A = area
A = amplitude FE  k 1 2 2 F = force
r
1 2 d = distance I = current
x  x0  Ãx 0 t  at Dq
2 x E = energy I   = length
Dt
f = frequency P = power
Ãx2  Ãx20  2 a x  x  x0  F = force R
r
q = charge
  I = rotational inertia A R = resistance
 F Fnet K = kinetic energy DV r = separation
a  I 
m m k = spring constant R t = time
  L = angular momentum P  I DV V = electric potential
Ff  m Fn
 = length Rs   Ri r = resistivity
m = mass i
2
à 1 1
ac 
r
P
p
=
=
power
momentum Rp
  Ri
  i
p  mv r = radius or separation
  T = period
Dp  F Dt t = time WAVES
U = potential energy f = frequency
1 v
K  mv2 V = volume l  v = speed
2 f
v = speed l = wavelength
DE  W  Fd  Fd cos q W = work done on a system
GEOMETRY AND TRIGONOMETRY
x = position
DE y = height Rectangle A = area
P a = angular acceleration A  bh C = circumference
Dt
m = coefficient of friction V = volume
1 2 Triangle S = surface area
q  q0  w0t  at q = angle
2 1 b = base
r = density A bh
2 h = height
w  w0  at t = torque  = length
w = angular speed Circle w = width
x  A cos 2 p ft 
A  pr 2 r = radius
  DUg  mg Dy
 t t net C  2 pr
a 
I I
2p 1 Rectangular solid Right triangle
T  
t  r F  rF sin q w f V  wh c 2  a 2  b2
L  Iw m a
Ts  2 p Cylinder sin q 
k c
DL  t Dt V  pr 2
b
 S  2 pr   2 pr 2 cos q 
Tp  2 p c
1 g
K  Iw2 a
2 Sphere tan q 
  mm b
 Fg  G 1 2 2 4 3
Fs  k x V  pr
r 3 c a
 90°
Us 
1 2
kx  Fg S  4pr 2 q
2 g  b
m
m Gm1m2
r UG  
V r
 PHYSICS 1
SECTION I
Time—1 hour and 30 minutes
50 Questions

Note: To simplify calculations, you may use g ! 10 m/s2 in all problems.

Directions: Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by four suggested answers or
completions. Select the one that is best in each case and then fill in the corresponding circle on the answer sheet.

1. The figure above shows a truck pulling three crates across a rough road. Which of the following shows the
directions of all the horizontal forces acting on crate 2 ?

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

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2. Two blocks are on a horizontal, frictionless surface. Block A is moving with an initial velocity of v0 toward
block B, which is stationary, as shown above. The two blocks collide, stick together, and move off with a
velocity of v0 / 3. Which block, if either, has the greater mass?

(A) Block A
(B) Block B
(C) Neither; their masses are the same.
(D) The answer cannot be determined without knowing the mass of one of the blocks.

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Questions 3 through 5 refer to the following material.

A student sets an object attached to a spring into oscillatory motion and uses a motion detector to record the velocity
of the object as a function of time. A portion of the recorded data is shown in the figure above.

3. The total change in the object’s speed between 5. The frequency of oscillation is most nearly
1.0 s and 1.1 s is most nearly
(A) 0.63 Hz
(A) zero (B) 0.80 Hz
(B) 5 cm / s (C) 1.25 Hz
(C) 10 cm / s (D) 1.60 Hz
(D) 15 cm / s

4. The acceleration of the object at time t = 0.7 s is

most nearly equal to which of the following?

(A) The value of the graph where it crosses the

0.7 s grid line
(B) The slope of the line connecting the origin
and the point where the graph crosses the
0.7 s grid line
(C) The area under the curve between where
the graph crosses the time axis near
0.63 s and time 0.7 s
(D) The slope of the tangent to a best-fit
sinusoidal curve at 0.7 s

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Questions 6 and 7 refer to the following.

Two students need to move two identical boxes of mass M0 across a room where friction between the floor and the
boxes cannot be neglected. One student moves the first box by pushing with a force of magnitude F0 at an angle q
from the horizontal, as shown in the figure for scenario 1. The other student moves the second box by pulling with a
force of magnitude F0 at the same angle q from the horizontal, as shown in the figure for scenario 2.

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6. Which of the following graphs could describe the motion of the two boxes as they are moved across the room?

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

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7. Which of the following is a correct expression
for the acceleration of the box in ?

F0 cos q − m(M0 g − F0 sin q)

(A)
M0
F0 cos q − m(M0 g + F0 sin q)
(B)
M0
F0 cos q + m(M0 g − F0 sin q)
(C)
M0
F0 cos q + m(M0 g + F0 sin q)
(D)
M0

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8. A box of mass m is initially at rest at the top of
a ramp 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 m .
What is the kinetic energy of the box at the
bottom of the ramp?

(A) mgh
(B) mmgL cosq
(C) mgh − mmgL cosq
(D) mgL − mmgh cosq

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 9. During an experiment a student records the net horizontal force exerted on an object moving in a straight line
along a horizontal frictionless track. The graph above shows the force as a function of time. Of the following,
which is the best approximation of the magnitude of the change in momentum of the object between 0 s and
4s?

(A) 20 kg · m / s
(B) 30 kg · m / s
(C) 40 kg · m / s
(D) The magnitude of the change in momentum cannot be determined without knowing the mass of the
object.

11. The figure above shows the paths of two stars of

equal mass as they orbit their common center of
mass. The positions of the stars at four different
times are labeled in the figure. At which of the
10. Four different constant forces are exerted on a positions do the stars have their greatest speed?
2.0 kg object. The figure represents the
magnitude and direction of each force. If the (A) Position 2 only
object is initially at rest, how long will it take the (B) Position 4 only
object to reach a speed of 2.0 m/s ?
(C) Positions 1 and 3 only
(A) 0.20 s (D) All of the positions, since the stars move
with constant speed
(B) 1.0 s
(C) 2.0 s
(D) 4.0 s

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Questions 12 through 14 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.

12. 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?

(A) Potential Energy of

Kinetic Energy of Cylinder
Cylinder-Earth System
Stays the same Increases

(B) Potential Energy of

Kinetic Energy of Cylinder
Cylinder-Earth System
Stays the same Decreases

(C) Potential Energy of

Kinetic Energy of Cylinder
Cylinder-Earth System
Decreases Increases

(D) Potential Energy of

Kinetic Energy of Cylinder
Cylinder-Earth System
Decreases Decreases

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13. After the cylinder leaves the table, but before it lands, how do the rotational kinetic energy and translational
kinetic energy of the cylinder change, if at all?

(A)
Translational Kinetic
Rotational Kinetic Energy
Energy
Increases Increases

(B) Translational Kinetic

Rotational Kinetic Energy
Energy
Increases Stays the same

(C) Translational Kinetic

Rotational Kinetic Energy
Energy
Stays the same Increases

(D) Translational Kinetic

Rotational Kinetic Energy
Energy
Stays the same Stays the same

14. A sphere with the same mass and radius as the

original cylinder, but a smaller rotational inertia,
is released from 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
acceleration and therefore has less time to
gain kinetic energy.
(C) Ks = Kc, because both objects accelerate at
the same rate.
(D) Ks = Kc, because the gravitational force
does equal work on each object as it rolls
down the ramp.

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15. A student swings a ball on a light rod at a constant speed in a vertical circle, as shown in the figure. Which of
the following correctly ranks the magnitudes of the forces exerted by the rod on the ball F1, F2, F3, and F4
when the ball is at locations 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively?

(A) F1 = F2 = F3 = F4
(B) (F2 = F3) > F4 > F1
(C) F4 > F1 > (F2 = F3)
(D) F1 > F4 > (F2 = F3)

17. A 0.5 kg pendulum bob is raised to 1.0 m above

16. A small block slides without friction along a the floor, as shown in the figure above. The bob
track toward a circular loop. The block has more is then released from rest. When the bob is
than enough speed to remain firmly in contact 0.8 m above the floor, its speed is most nearly
with the track as it goes around the loop. The
magnitude of the block’s acceleration at the top (A) 5 m / s
of the loop is
(B) 4 m / s
(A) zero (C) 2 m / s
(B) greater than zero but less than g (D) 1 m / s
(C) equal to g
(D) greater than g

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18. A block is released from rest and slides down a frictionless ramp inclined at 30° from the horizontal. When the
block reaches the bottom, the block-Earth system has mechanical energy E 0 . The experiment is repeated, but
now horizontal and vertical forces of 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 E 0

(B) is equal to E 0
(C) is less than E 0
(D) cannot be determined without knowing F

19. 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 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 when the apple reaches the ground.

(A) 16%
(B) 40%
(C) 60%
(D) 84%

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Questions 20 and 21 refer to the following material.

Three identical rocks are launched with identical speeds from the top of a platform of height h 0 . The rocks are
launched in the directions indicated above.

20. 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
(C) vy2 > vy3 > vy1
(D) vy1 = vy2 = vy3

21. Rock 1, of mass m, reaches a maximum height

h max after being launched. During the time
between the instant rock 1 is launched from
height and the instant it returns to height h 0 , the
work done on the rock by the gravitational force
is

(A) 0
(B) −mgh 0
(C) −mg(h max − h 0)
(D) 2mg(h max − h 0)

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22. A 2.5 g marshmallow is placed in one end of a 40 cm pipe, as shown in the figure above. A person blows into
the left end of the pipe to eject the marshmallow from the right end. The average net force exerted on the
marshmallow while it is in the pipe is 0.7 N . The speed of the marshmallow as it leaves the pipe is most nearly

(A) 4.7 m / s
(B) 11 m / s
(C) 15 m / s
(D) 280 m / s

23. A meterstick is held as shown above and then

released from rest. The tabletop has negligible
friction. Which figure below best indicates the
path of the center of mass of the meterstick as it
falls?

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

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24. Blocks X and Y are glued together and released from rest on a ramp with negligible friction, as shown in trial 1.
The blocks are then separated and connected by a light spring, as shown in trial 2. The spring is compressed
and the blocks are again released from rest on the ramp. Immediately after the blocks are released, is the net
force on the two-block system the same or different between trial 1 and trial 2 ? Immediately after the blocks
are released, is the net force on block Y the same or different between trial 1 and trial 2 ?

(A) Force on System Force on Block Y

Different Different

(B) Force on System Force on Block Y

Different The same

(C) Force on System Force on Block Y

The same Different

(D) Force on System Force on Block Y

The same The same

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 Interval Mechanical Energy Dissipated due to Friction
1 0

2 W2

3 W3

4 W4

25. A block slides down an inclined plane whose roughness varies. Only during time interval 1 does the block slide
with negligible friction. The coefficient of kinetic friction during time interval 3 is twice the coefficient of
kinetic friction during time interval 2. The graph shows the block’s velocity as a function of time. The table
lists the mechanical energy dissipated due to friction over the different time intervals. Which of the following
claims is true?

(A) W4 > W3 > W2

(B) W2 = W3 = W4
(C) W3 > W2 > W4

(D) ( W2 = W4 )> W3

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26. Two identical objects, X and Y, move toward each other at different speeds on a horizontal surface with
negligible friction, as shown in the top figure. The objects then collide elastically and move away from each
other. The kinetic energy of object X as a function of time is shown in the graph. Which of the following is true
of the speed vY of object Y?

(A) vY after the collision is greater than it was before the collision.
(B) vY after the collision is equal to what it was before the collision.
(C) vY after the collision is less than it was before the collision.
(D) vY after the collision cannot be compared to what it was before the collision without knowing the mass of
the objects.

27. The figure above represents a stick of uniform density that is attached to a pivot at the right end and has equally
spaced marks along its length. Any one of the four forces shown can be exerted on the stick as indicated. Which
force will create the largest rate of change in the stick’s angular momentum?

(A) The 30 N force

(B) The 40 N force
(C) The 60 N force
(D) The 150 N force

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28. A disk with radius of 0.5 m is free to rotate
around its center without friction. A string
wrapped around the disk is pulled, as shown
above, exerting a 2 N force tangent to the edge
of the disk for 1 s. If the disk starts from rest,
what is its angular speed after 1 s ?

(A) 0 rad / s
(B) 1 rad / s
(C) 4 rad / s
(D) It cannot be determined without knowing
the rotational inertia of the disk.

29. The figure above shows a rod that is fixed to a horizontal surface at pivot P. The rod is initially rotating without
friction in the counterclockwise direction. At time t , three forces of equal magnitude are applied to the rod as
shown. Which of the following is true about the angular speed and direction of rotation of the rod immediately
after time t ?

(A) Angular Speed Direction of Rotation

Decreasing Counterclockwise

(B) Angular Speed Direction of Rotation

Decreasing Clockwise

(C) Angular Speed Direction of Rotation

Increasing Counterclockwise

(D) Angular Speed Direction of Rotation

Increasing Clockwise

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30. Two systems are in oscillation: a simple
pendulum swinging back and forth through a
very small angle and a block oscillating on a
spring. The block-spring system takes twice as
much time as the pendulum to complete one
oscillation. Which of the following changes
could make the two systems oscillate with the
same period?

(A) Increasing the mass of the pendulum bob

(B) Increasing the angle through which the
pendulum swings by a small amount
(C) Decreasing the mass of both the block and
the pendulum bob
(D) Shortening the pendulum

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Questions 31 and 32 refer to the following.

The position as a function of time for two objects moving along a straight line is shown in the graph.

31. At which of the following times do the two

objects have the same velocity?

(A) tA
(B) tB
(C) tC
(D) tD

32. Which statement is true about the distances the

two object have traveled at time t f ?

(A) Object 1 has traveled a greater distance.

(B) Object 2 has traveled a greater distance.
(C) Both objects have traveled the same
distance.
(D) The total distance traveled by each object
cannot be compared using the graph.

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33. A hollow plastic ball is projected into the air.
There is significant air resistance opposing the
ball’s motion, so the magnitude of the ball’s
acceleration is not equal to g . At time t , the ball
is moving up and to the right at an angle of 45°
to the horizontal, as shown above. Which of the
following best shows the magnitude a and the
direction of the ball’s acceleration at time t ?

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

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34. At time t = 0 two figure skaters are moving together over ice with negligible friction, as shown above. Skater
1, represented by the large black dot, is twice as massive as skater 2 , represented by the gray dot. At t = 2 s the
skaters push off of one another. The location of skater 1 is shown at t = 4 s. At t = 4 s, skater 2 is located at
which of the labeled points?

(A) Point A
(B) Point B
(C) Point C
(D) Point D

35. A regular hexagon of uniform density is initially

at rest and free to rotate about an axis at its
center. Three forces, FA, FB , and FC , have equal
magnitude and are able to be applied in the
direction and at the point shown in the figure.
Which of these forces, if applied individually
and for the same time interval, will produce the
greatest increase in the hexagon’s angular
speed?

(A) Force FA
(B) Force FB
(C) Force FC
(D) All three forces produce the same change
in the hexagon’s angular speed.

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36. The graphs above show the magnitude F of a force exerted on an object as a function of the object’s position x
for two trials in an experiment. W1 and W2 are the work done on the object by force 1 and force 2, respectively.
How do W1 and W2 compare, and why?

(A) W1 > W2, because the maximum value of force 1 is greater than the maximum value of force 2.
(B) W1 > W2, because the slope of force 1’s graph increases, while the slope of force 2’s graph decreases.
(C) W1 < W2, because the average value of force 1 is smaller than the average value of force 2.
(D) W1 < W2, because at the midpoint, x = 0 . 5 m , the value of force 1 is less than the value of force 2.

37. Two identical cars, car 1 and car 2, are moving in opposite directions on a straight road. The position of each
car as a function of time is represented in the graph. What is the speed of the center of mass of the two-car
system?

(A) Zero
(B) 10 m/s
(C) 20 m/s
(D) 40 m/s

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38. Two identical spheres are attached to opposite
ends of a thin rod of negligible mass, as shown
in the figure. The spheres-rod system is thrown
straight upward and is rotating counterclockwise
as it moves through the air. Which of the
following is correct about the angular
momentum of the spheres-rod system while it is
in the air? What is a valid justification?

(A) The angular momentum remains constant

because there is never a net torque acting
on the system.
(B) The angular momentum remains constant
because there is a changing net torque
acting on the system that averages to zero
over time.
(C) The angular momentum constantly
decreases because there is a constant net
torque acting on the system.
(D) The angular momentum constantly
increases because there is a constant net
torque acting on the system.

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39. A 2 kg box is pushed from rest across a horizontal surface where friction between the box and the surface is
negligible. Students record the applied force at several equally spaced positions while pushing the box and
create the graph shown. The change in momentum of the box is most nearly

(A) 2 kg · m / s
(B) 6 kg · m / s
(C) 12 kg · m / s
(D) 36 kg · m / s

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40. 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)

(C)

(D)

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41. On a straight horizontal track along which blocks can slide with negligible friction, block 1 slides toward block
2, which is initially at rest. Block 1 collides with an electronic force probe attached to block 2, generating a
force vs. time graph and causing block 2 to start sliding. What additional measurements must be made to
determine the momentum of block 2 after the collision?

(A) None
(B) The mass of block 2 only
(C) The post-collision speed of block 2 only
(D) Both the mass and the post-collision speed of block 1

42. Three identical forces of magnitude F0 are applied to a meterstick that rests on a horizontal table, as shown in
the diagram. At what location on the meterstick would a fourth force, also of magnitude F0, need to be applied
in order to establish static equilibrium?

(A) A
(B) B
(C) C
(D) D

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43. Two carts of masses 1 kg and 2 kg travel together, as shown in Figure 1. At time t = 2 s, 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 = 0 s and t = 4 s ?

(A) 0 kg · m / s
(B) 0.5 kg · m / s
(C) 1.0 kg · m / s
(D) 2.0 kg · m / s

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44. A cart of mass m rolls past the circular bottom of a hill (point P). Which of the following statements about the
normal force Fn exerted on the cart at point P is correct?

(A) Fn = mg, because the normal force on an incline is equal to mg cosq and q = 0 at point P.
(B) Fn = mg, because the speed of the cart is neither increasing nor decreasing at point P.
(C) Fn is equal to the centripetal force on the cart at point P, because only the track can exert a force toward
the center of the circle.
(D) Fn is greater than mg at point P, because the cart is experiencing an upward acceleration.

45. A meterstick with a uniformly distributed mass of 0.5 kg is supported by a pivot placed at the 0.25 m mark
from the left, as shown. At the left end, a small object of mass 1.0 kg is placed at the zero mark, and a second
small object of mass 0.5 kg is placed at the 0.5 m mark. The meterstick is supported so that it remains
horizontal, and then it is released from rest. One second after it is released, what is the change in the angular
momentum of the meterstick?

(A) 0
(B) 500 kg·m2/s
(C) 1000 kg·m2/s
(D) The change in angular momentum of the meterstick cannot be determined from this information.

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A water-skier with weight Fg = mg moves to the
right with acceleration a . A horizontal tension
force T is exerted on the skier by the rope, and a
horizontal drag force Fd is exerted by the water
on the ski. The water also exerts a vertical lift
force L on the skier. Which of the following are
correct relationships between the forces exerted
on the skier-ski system? Select two answers.

(A) T − Fd = ma
(B) L − Fg = ma
(C) L − Fg = 0
(D) T − Fd = 0

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Two model cars, A and B, have the same mass but different bumpers. The acceleration of each car during its
collision with a wall is measured, and the data are shown in the graphs above. Which of the following
statements about the collisions are correct? Select two answers.

(A) Both cars reach their maximum speed at 10.05 s.

(B) The cars experience approximately the same impulse.
(C) Car B experiences a nonzero force for a longer time than car A.
(D) The change in momentum for car B occurs over a shorter period of time than for car A.

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133. The graph above shows the speed of a truck as it moves along a straight, level road. Which of the following
describe a method to determine the distance d the truck travels during the 10 s time interval shown? Select two
answers.

(A) Multiply the average speed of 18 m / s by the 10 s travel time.

(B) Multiply half the initial speed of 30 m / s by the 10 s travel time.
(C) Calculate the slope of the line in the graph to determine the acceleration a and then use d = (1 / 2)at 2 ,
where t is the travel time.
(D) Calculate the area under the line in the graph.

134. A vehicle lands on Mars and explores its

surface. The average gravitational field on the
surface of Mars is 3.7 N / kg. The weight of the
vehicle is defined as the gravitational force
exerted on it. Which of the following statements
are true about the vehicle’s weight? Select two
answers.

(A) The vehicle’s weight was constant until it

reached the surface of Mars.
(B) The vehicle’s weight increased while it was
descending to the surface of Mars.
(C) The vehicle’s weight always equals the
normal force exerted by Mars on the
vehicle while it is landing.
(D) The vehicle weighs less on the surface of
Mars than on the surface of Earth.

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The energy bar charts shown in the figure indicate the gravitational potential energy U and total kinetic energy
K for a system at two different times, t1 and a later time t2. The tables describe four different situations.

For which of the situations could the energy bar charts accurately depict U and K at the two times? Select two
answers.

(A) Situation A
(B) Situation B
(C) Situation C
(D) Situation D

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AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Exam
®

SECTION II: Free Response

DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO. on Information
PLEASE PRINT WITH PEN:
1. First two letters of your last name
At a Glance 4. Unless I fill in the circle below, I grant
College Board the unlimited right to use,
First letter of your first name reproduce, and publish my free-response
Total Time materials, both written and oral, for educational
1 hour and 30 minutes research and instructional purposes. My name
Number of Questions 2. Date of birth and the name of my school will not be used in
5 any way in connection with my free-response
Percent of Total Score materials. I understand that I am free to
Month Day
50% mark “No” with no effect on my score or
3. Six-digit school code its reporting.
Writing Instrument
Either pencil or pen with No, I do not grant College Board
black or dark blue ink Month Day these rights.
Electronic Device
Calculator allowed
Suggested Time
Approximately
25 minutes each for
questions 2 and 3 and
13 minutes each for Instructions
questions 1, 4, and 5
Weight The questions for Section II are printed in this booklet. A table of information and lists of
Approximate weights: equations that may be helpful are printed in the orange Reference booklet. You may use
Questions 2 and 3: any blank space in the orange booklet for scratch work, but you must write your answers
26% each in the spaces provided for each answer in this Free Response booklet. No credit will be
Questions 1, 4, and 5:
16% each given for any work written in the orange booklet. Calculators, rulers, and straightedges
may be used in this section.
All final numerical answers should include appropriate units. Credit for your work
depends on demonstrating that you know which physical principles would be appropriate
to apply in a particular situation. Therefore, you should show your work for each part in
the space provided after that part. If you need more space, be sure to clearly indicate
where you continue your work. Credit will be awarded only for work that is clearly
designated as the solution to a specific part of a question. Credit also depends on the
quality of your solutions and explanations, so you should show your work.
Write clearly and legibly. Do not write outside the box. Cross out any errors you make;
erased or crossed-out work will not be scored. You may lose credit for incorrect work that
is not crossed out.
Manage your time carefully. You may proceed freely from one question to the next. You
may review your responses if you finish before the end of the exam is announced.
 AP® PHYSICS 1 TABLE OF INFORMATION
CONSTANTS AND CONVERSION FACTORS
Proton mass, mp  1.67  1027 kg Electron charge magnitude, e  1.60  10 19 C
Neutron mass, mn  1.67  10 27 kg Coulomb’s law constant, k  1 4 pe0  9.0  10 9 N  m 2 C2
Universal gravitational
Electron mass, me  9.11  10 31 kg 11
m 3 kgs2
constant, G  6.67  10
Acceleration due to gravity
Speed of light, c  3.00  108 m s at Earth’s surface, g  9.8 m s
2

meter, m kelvin, K watt, W degree Celsius, C

UNIT kilogram, kg hertz, Hz coulomb, C
SYMBOLS second, s newton, N volt, V
ampere, A joule, J ohm, W

PREFIXES VALUES OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS FOR COMMON ANGLES

Factor Prefix Symbol       
q 0 30 37 45 53 60 90
12 tera T
10
sinq 0 12 35 2 2 45 3 2 1
10 9 giga G
10 6 mega M cosq 1 3 2 45 2 2 35 12 0
10 3 kilo k tanq 0 3 3 34 1 43 3 
2 centi c
10
3 milli m
10 The following conventions are used in this exam.
10 6 micro m I. The frame of reference of any problem is assumed to be inertial unless
otherwise stated.
9 nano n
10 II. Assume air resistance is negligible unless otherwise stated.
10 12 pico p III. In all situations, positive work is defined as work done on a system.
IV. The direction of current is conventional current: the direction in which
positive charge would drift.
V. Assume all batteries and meters are ideal unless otherwise stated.
 AP® PHYSICS 1 EQUATIONS
MECHANICS ELECTRICITY
à x  Ãx 0  a x t a = acceleration  qq A = area
A = amplitude FE  k 1 2 2 F = force
r
1 2 d = distance I = current
x  x0  Ãx 0 t  at Dq
2 x E = energy I   = length
Dt
f = frequency P = power
Ãx2  Ãx20  2 a x  x  x0  F = force R
r
q = charge
  I = rotational inertia A R = resistance
 F Fnet K = kinetic energy DV r = separation
a  I 
m m k = spring constant R t = time
  L = angular momentum P  I DV V = electric potential
Ff  m Fn
 = length Rs   Ri r = resistivity
m = mass i
2
à 1 1
ac 
r
P
p
=
=
power
momentum Rp
  Ri
  i
p  mv r = radius or separation
  T = period
Dp  F Dt t = time WAVES
U = potential energy f = frequency
1 v
K  mv2 V = volume l  v = speed
2 f
v = speed l = wavelength
DE  W  Fd  Fd cos q W = work done on a system
GEOMETRY AND TRIGONOMETRY
x = position
DE y = height Rectangle A = area
P a = angular acceleration A  bh C = circumference
Dt
m = coefficient of friction V = volume
1 2 Triangle S = surface area
q  q0  w0t  at q = angle
2 1 b = base
r = density A bh
2 h = height
w  w0  at t = torque  = length
w = angular speed Circle w = width
x  A cos 2 p ft 
A  pr 2 r = radius
  DUg  mg Dy
 t t net C  2 pr
a 
I I
2p 1 Rectangular solid Right triangle
T  
t  r F  rF sin q w f V  wh c 2  a 2  b2
L  Iw m a
Ts  2 p Cylinder sin q 
k c
DL  t Dt V  pr 2
b
 S  2 pr   2 pr 2 cos q 
Tp  2 p c
1 g
K  Iw2 a
2 Sphere tan q 
  mm b
 Fg  G 1 2 2 4 3
Fs  k x V  pr
r 3 c a
 90°
Us 
1 2
kx  Fg S  4pr 2 q
2 g  b
m
m Gm1m2
r UG  
V r
 Begin your response to QUESTION 1 on this page.

1. (7 points, suggested time 13 minutes)

A toy consists of two identical solid spheres connected by a string with negligible mass. The toy is thrown at an
angle above the horizontal (not straight up) such that the string remains taut and both spheres are revolving
counterclockwise in a vertical plane around the center of the string, as shown above.

(a) Sketch graphs of the horizontal and vertical components of the velocity of the center of the string as a function
of time, from the instant the spheres are released at time t = 0 until the instant the system returns to its initial
height at time t f . Take the positive direction to be toward the right for the horizontal component and the
positive direction to be upward for the vertical component.

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 Continue your response to QUESTION 1 on this page.

(b) The figure above shows the toy at the instant the center of the string reaches the top of its trajectory. This is a
side view: the sphere on the left is higher than the sphere on the right.
i. On the dot below, which represents the left sphere only, draw and label the forces (not components) exerted
on the left sphere at this instant. Represent each force by a distinct arrow starting on, and pointing away from,
the dot. The dashed line is drawn at the same angle as the string.

ii. On the dot below, which represents the whole toy (the spheres-string system), draw and label the
forces (not components) that act on the system at this instant. Represent each force by a distinct arrow starting
on, and pointing away from, the dot. The dashed line is drawn at the same angle as the string.

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 Continue your response to QUESTION 1 on this page.
iii. When the toy was released, the center of the string was moving with an initial speed of 15 m / s at a 60° angle
above the horizontal. Calculate the speed of the center of the string at the instant shown above, when the center
of the string reaches the top of its trajectory.

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 Begin your response to QUESTION 2 on this page.

2. (12 points, suggested time 25 minutes)

A heavy lab cart moves with kinetic energy K init on a track and collides with a lighter lab cart that is initially at

rest. The carts bounce off each other but the collision is not perfectly elastic, causing the two-cart system to lose

kinetic energy Klost. A student wonders if the fraction of kinetic energy lost from the two-cart system during the

⎛ Klost ⎞
collision ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ depends on the speed of the first cart before the collision and plans to perform an experiment.
⎜⎝ K init ⎟⎠⎟

(a) The student hypothesizes that a greater fraction of kinetic energy is lost from the system during the collision
when the speed of the first cart is greater.

Briefly state one reason the hypothesis might be correct.

(b) Design an experimental procedure that could be used to test the student’s hypothesis. Assume equipment
usually found in a school physics laboratory is available.

In the table below, list the quantities that would be measured and the equipment that would be used to measure
each quantity. Also, define a symbol to represent each quantity. You do not need to use every row and may add
additional rows as needed.

Equipment for
Quantity to be Measured Symbol
Measurement

Describe the overall procedure to be used, referring to the table above. Provide enough detail so that another
student could replicate the experiment. As needed, use the symbols defined in the table and/or include a simple
diagram of the setup. Be sure to address how experimental uncertainty could be reduced.

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 Continue your response to QUESTION 2 on this page.
(c) Describe how the experimental data could be analyzed to confirm or disconfirm the hypothesis that a greater
fraction of kinetic energy is lost from the system during the collision when the speed of the first cart is greater.
Include a description or example of any equations, data tables, graphs, or other representations that could be
used.

(d) Consider a different scenario in which the carts stick together after the collision. The masses of the heavier and

⎛K ⎞
lighter cart are m1 and m 2 respectively. Derive an expression for the fraction of kinetic energy lost ⎜⎜ lost ⎟⎟⎟
⎜⎜⎝ K init ⎟⎠

during the collision. Express your answer in terms of m1 and m 2.

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 Begin your response to QUESTION 3 on this page.

3. (12 points, suggested time 25 minutes)

A crane and box are both initially at rest. At time t = 0 s, the crane begins to drive forward at a constant speed of
m m
0.5 , while also lifting the box with an upward acceleration of 1 2 . The box does not swing while being lifted
s s
by the crane.

(a) On the dot below, which represents the box, draw and label the forces (not components) that are exerted on the
box during the scenario described above. Represent each force by a distinct arrow starting on, and pointing
away from, the dot.

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 Continue your response to QUESTION 3 on this page.
Note: Draw the relative lengths of all vectors to reflect the relative magnitudes of all the forces.

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 Continue your response to QUESTION 3 on this page.

(b) On the grid below, sketch the shape of the path taken by the box as it is lifted by the crane as viewed by a
stationary observer.

Justify the shape of the path you drew above.

(c) Assume that, at t = 0 s , the horizontal position of the box is x = 0 and it has a vertical position of y = 0 .
Derive an equation that describes the vertical position y of the box as a function of the horizontal position x
of the box.

(d) Does your equation from part (c) agree with your sketch in part (b)? Justify your response.

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 Continue your response to QUESTION 3 on this page.

At time t = t1, the crane begins to accelerate forward, reaching a new constant velocity at time t = t2. The box
accelerates upward during the entire time interval t1 < t < t2 .

(e) The dot below represents the box during the time interval t1 < t < t2 . On the dot, draw an arrow indicating the
direction of the net force exerted on the block during this interval. The arrow should start on, and point away
from, the dot.

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 Begin your response to QUESTION 4 on this page.

4. (7 points, suggested time 13 minutes)

A student strikes a block at the bottom of a ramp, giving it an initial speed v0 up the ramp, as shown. There is
friction between the ramp and the block as it slides a distance x up the ramp and then slides back down.

(a) On the dots below, which represent the block as it is sliding up the ramp and down the ramp, draw and label
the forces (not components) exerted on the block. Represent each force by a distinct arrow starting on, and
pointing away from, the dot. The dashed lines are drawn at the same angle as the surface of the ramp.

(b) The block takes time t up to slide up the ramp a distance x . The block then takes time tdown to slide back down
to the bottom of the ramp, where it has speed vf . Is tdown greater than, equal to, or less than t up ?

___tdown > t up ___tdown = t up ___ tdown < t up

In a clear, coherent paragraph-length response that may also contain figures and/or equations, explain your
reasoning. If you need to draw anything other than what you have shown in part (a) to assist in your response, use
the space below. Do NOT add anything to the figures in part (a).

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 Begin your response to QUESTION 5 on this page.

5. (7 points, suggested time 13 minutes)

A student in a physics lab drops a ball of mass 0.50 kg from a height of 1.5 m onto a force plate. The ball hits the
force plate and rebounds upward. The student records the maximum height of the ball after it rebounds to
be 1.1 m .

(a) The student uses their observations to correctly claim that the collision between the ball and the force plate is
inelastic. Use the student’s observations to justify their claim.

(b) Calculate the impulse exerted on the ball by the force plate.

The force plate records the following data for the magnitude of the force as a function of time for the 1 ms the ball
was in contact with the force sensor.

(c) Does the force plate data provide a reliable measurement of the impulse exerted on the ball by the force
sensor? Justify your answer

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