Practice Exam

Exam Content and Format

The AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam is 3 hours long. There are two sections:
• Section I is 1 hour and 20 minutes and consists of 40 multiple-choice
questions, accounting for 50 percent of the final score.
• Section II is 1 hour and 40 minutes and consists of 4 free-response
questions, accounting for 50 percent of the final score.

Administering the Practice Exam

This section contains instructions for administering the AP Physics C:
Mechanics Practice Exam. You may wish to use these instructions to create an
exam situation that resembles an actual administration. If so, read the indented,
boldface directions to the students; all other instructions are for administering
the exam and need not be read aloud. Before beginning testing, have all exam
materials ready for distribution. These include test booklets and answer sheets.
(Reminder: Final instructions for every AP Exam are published in the AP Exam
Instructions book.)

SECTION I: Multiple-Choice Questions

When you are ready to begin Section I, say:

Section I is the multiple-choice portion of the exam. Mark all of your

responses on your answer sheet, one response per question. If you
need to erase, do so carefully and completely. Your score on the
multiple-choice section will be based solely on the number of
questions answered correctly. You may use a four-function (with
square root), scientific, or graphing calculator. Are there any
questions?

You have 1 hour and 20 minutes for this section. Once final time is
called for Section I, stop working immediately. Now open your
Section I booklet and begin.

Note Start Time . Note Stop Time .

After 1 hour and 10 minutes, say:

There are 10 minutes remaining.

After 10 minutes, say:

Stop working. Close your exam booklet and put it and your answer
sheet faceup on your desk. I will now collect your Section I booklet
and multiple-choice answer sheet.

There is a 10-minute break between Sections I and II.

4 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

SECTION II: Free-Response Questions

After the break, say:

Section II is the free-response portion of the exam.

You have 1 hour and 40 minutes to answer the questions. You are
responsible for pacing yourself, and may proceed freely from one
question to the next. Write your answers in the space provided for
each question. If you need more paper during the exam, raise your
hand. At the top of each extra piece of paper you use, be sure to write
your name and the number of the question you are working on. Are
there any questions? Open your Section II booklet and begin.

Note Start Time . Note Stop Time .

After 1 hour and 30 minutes, say:

There are 10 minutes remaining.

After 10 more minutes, say:

Stop working and close your exam booklet. Place your exam booklet faceup
on your desk. Remain in your seat, without talking, while the exam
materials are collected.

Collect a Section II booklet from each student and check that each student wrote
his or her answers in the space corresponding to each question. Then say:

You are now dismissed.

AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 5

 Name: _________________________________

AP® Physics C: Mechanics

Answer Sheet
for Multiple-Choice Section

No. Answer No. Answer

1 21
2 22
3 23
4 24
5 25
6 26
7 27
8 28
9 29
10 30
11 31
12 32
13 33
14 34
15 35
16 36
17 37
18 38
19 39
20 40

6 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam
®

SECTION I: Multiple Choice

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

At a Glance Instructions
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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 7

 ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS MECHANICS TABLE OF INFORMATION

CONSTANTS AND CONVERSION FACTORS

( )
Universal gravitational constant, G = 6.67 × 10−11 m 3 kg ⋅ s 2 = 6.67 × 10−11 N ⋅m 2 kg 2

Acceleration due to gravity at Earth’s surface, g = 9.8 m s 2

Magnitude of the gravitational field strength at the Earth’s surface, g = 9.8 N kg

PREFIXES hertz, Hz newton, N

Factor Prefix Symbol UNIT joule, J second, s
10 12
tera T SYMBOLS kilogram, kg watt, W
109 giga G meter, m
106 mega M
103 kilo k VALUES OF TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTIONS FOR
10 −2
centi c COMMON ANGLES
10−3 milli m θ 0° 30° 37° 45° 53° 60° 90°
10−6 micro m sin θ 0 12 35 2 2 45 3 2 1
10−9 nano n
cos θ 1 3 2 45 2 2 35 12 0
10−12 pico p
tan θ 0 3 3 34 1 4 3 3 ∞

The following assumptions are used in this exam.

• The frame of reference of any problem is assumed to be inertial unless otherwise stated.
• Air resistance is assumed to be negligible unless otherwise stated.
• Springs and strings are assumed to be ideal unless otherwise stated.

8 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

 MECHANICS
a = acceleration a = acceleration
E = energy d = distance
f = frequency f = frequency
F = force F = force
h = height I = rotational inertia
J = impulse k = spring constant
k = spring constant K = kinetic energy
K = kinetic energy ℓ = length
ℓ = length L = angular momentum
m = mass m = mass
M = mass M = mass
p = momentum p = momentum
P = power r = radius, distance, or
r = radius, distance, or position position
t = time t = time
T = period T = period
U = potential energy v = velocity or speed
v = velocity or speed W = work
W = work x = position or distance
x = position or distance a = angular acceleration
y = height q = angle
l = linear mass density t = torque
m = coefficient of friction f = phase angle
w = angular frequency
or angular speed

AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 9

 GEOMETRY AND TRIGONOMETRY
Rectangle Rectangular Solid A = area Right Triangle
V = ℓwh b = base a 2 + b2 = c 2
C = circumference a
Triangle Cylinder s h = height sin =
c
1 V r 2ℓ r ℓ = length
A = bh r = radius b
2 cos
S= rℓ + r2 s = arc length c
S = surface area a
Circle Sphere tan =
V = volume b
A r2 4 3 w = width c
V= r a
C r 3 q = angle 90°
S = 4 r2 b

VECTORS CALCULUS IDENTITIES

10 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

 PHYSICS C: MECHANICS
SECTION I
Time—1 hour and 20 minutes
40 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. A conservative net force Fx is exerted on an

object within a system. The force varies as a
function of the position x of the object, as
shown in the graph. There are no net external
forces exerted on the system. Which of the
following correctly describes the potential
energy Usys of the system as the object moves
from 0 m to 0.10 m ?

(A) Usys increases only.

(B) Usys decreases only.
(C) Usys decreases and then increases.
(D) Usys does not change.

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 11

 2. A constant force is exerted on a block, causing the block to move across a horizontal surface in the positive
x -direction. There is nonnegligible friction between the block and the horizontal surface. The diagram shows
the position of the block at 0.5 s time intervals. Which of the following provides a velocity-time graph that
could correspond to the diagram and provides correct reasoning?

Velocity-Time Graph Reasoning

The distance traveled by the block during each half-second interval

A
increases, so the velocity of the block must increase.

B The block is traveling in the positive x -direction, so the velocity

graph must have a positive slope.

The force of friction exerted on the block causes the acceleration of

C
the block to decrease.

D The block reaches a constant speed.

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

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12 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

3. Two disks, A and B, rotate for 4 seconds. Each of their angular velocities, w , are measured over time and
graphed in the figure. Which of the following correctly compares the angular displacements ΔqA and Δq B of
disks A and B, respectively, during the period shown, and provides a correct reasoning?

(A) ΔqA = Δq B because Disk A has a greater angular velocity at the end of the time interval shown.
(B) ΔqA = Δq B because neither curve has a decreasing slope.
(C) ΔqA π Δq B because Disk B stops rotating after 1 second.
(D) ΔqA π Δq B because the area under Disk A’s curve is greater than the area under Disk B’s curve.

4. Block X of mass 3.0 kg and Block Y of mass 5.0 kg are connected by a string and are on a level horizontal
surface. There is negligible friction between the blocks and the surface. A force F = 12 N is exerted on Block
Y , as shown. What is the tension in the string connecting the two blocks?

(A) 1.5 N
(B) 3.0 N
(C) 4.5 N
(D) 7.5 N

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 13

 5. Student 1 is standing on a cart holding a small stone, while Student 2 is standing at rest on the ground, as
shown. The cart is moving at a constant speed v in the + x-direction, as indicated by the coordinate system.
Student 1 drops the stone just as they pass Student 2 . Which of the following best represents the path of the
falling stone observed by Student 1 and the path of the falling stone observed by Student 2 ?

Path Observed by Student 1 Path Observed by Student 2

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

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14 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

Questions 6 and 7 refer to the following material.

A physical pendulum is constructed of a small block of mass 2m attached to the end of a uniform rod of length 
1
and mass m. The rotational inertia of the rod about its end is m  2 . The rod is pulled back a small angle q and
3
released at time t = 0, as shown. The rod is vertical at time tv .

6. Which of the following is a correct expression 7. Which of the following correctly justifies why
for tv ? the motion can be called simple harmonic
motion?
p 2
(A) tv = (A) The torque is directly proportional to the
2 15g sine of the angle that the pendulum makes
p 14  with the vertical, regardless of how large
(B) tv = the angle is.
2 15g
(B) The pendulum is released at a small angle,
p  so the torque is directly proportional to
(C) tv = the angle that the pendulum makes with
2 g
the vertical.
p 14  (C) The torque is directly proportional to how
(D) tv = far the end of the pendulum is from its
2 5g
equilibrium position, regardless of how
far from equilibrium it is.
(D) The torque is directly proportional to the
length of the pendulum.

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 15

 8. A small sphere of mass m is attached at the right end of a rigid rod of length  . The mass of the rod is
negligible compared to m. The rod is free to rotate about a pivot at its left end, as shown. The rod-sphere
system has rotational inertia I about the pivot. By what factor should the length of the rod be increased to
increase the rotational inertia of the rod-sphere system to 2I ?

1
(A) 
2
1
(B) 
2

(C) 2

(D) 2 

9. Spheres X, Y , and Z have the masses and locations indicated in the figure. What is the magnitude of the net
gravitational force on Sphere X due to the other two spheres?

2Gm2
(A)
9r 2
Gm2
(B)
r2
11Gm2
(C)
9r 2

3Gm2
(D)
2r 2

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16 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

10. Two stones are thrown from the same height and
with the same initial speed. Stone A is thrown
vertically downward, and Stone B is thrown
horizontally, as shown. If the stones are thrown
at the same time and air resistance is negligible,
which of the following is true?

(A) The two stones reach the ground at the

same time with the same speed.
(B) The two stones reach the ground at the
same time but with different speeds.
(C) Stone A reaches the ground first, but the
two stones have the same speed just
before they hit the ground.
(D) Stone A reaches the ground first and has
greater speed just before hitting the
ground.

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 17

 11. Four satellites A, B, C, and D have circular orbits about Planets X and Y , as shown. Planet Y has twice the
mass of Planet X. Satellite A has mass m and orbits a distance R from the center of Planet X. Satellites B and
C have masses m and 2m , respectively, and orbit a distance 2R from the center of Planet X. Satellite D has
mass m and orbits Planet Y in a distance 2R from the center of the Planet X. Which of the following correctly
ranks the orbital periods TA , TB , TC , and TD of satellites A, B, C, and D, respectively, from least to greatest?

(A) TA < TD < (TB = TC )

(B) TA < (TB = TC = TD)
(C) TD < TA < (TB = TC )
(D) TD < TA < TB < TC

12. Cart A of mass 2m is moving with constant speed v to the right on a horizontal track. Cart B of mass m is
initially at rest, as shown. The carts collide elastically. Which of the following best describes the motion of the
carts immediately after the collision?

(A) Cart A is moving to the left and Cart B is moving to the right.
(B) Cart A is stationary and Cart B is moving to the right.
(C) Both carts are moving to the right at the same speed.
(D) Both carts are moving to the right, but they travel at different speeds.

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18 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

13. A block of mass m is attached to one end of a spring with the other end of the spring attached to a wall. The
block slides with negligible friction on a horizontal surface, as shown. When the block is at position x = x 0, the
block has speed v = v0 and the total energy of the block-spring system is E 0 . When the block reaches position
x = 2x 0, the block momentarily comes to rest. Which of the following correctly represents the total energy of
the block-spring system when the block reaches position x = 2x 0 ?

(A) 0
(B) E 0
(C) 2E 0
(D) 4E 0

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 19

 14. An object is moving along the y -axis. The
object’s position as a function of time is given
by y = at 3 − bt + φ , where a = 1 m/s3,
b = 4 m/s, and φ = 5 m. What is the acceleration
of the object at time t = 3.0 s ?

15. A nonideal spring is fixed to a wall. A small

(A) 6 m/s2
bumper on the end of the spring is initially at
(B) 18 m/s2
position x = 0 when the spring is at its
(C) 20 m/s2 equilibrium length, as shown. When the spring is
compressed a distance x from equilibrium, the
(D) 23 m/s2
elastic potential energy Us of the spring in joules
is given by Us = 3x 3 − 4x 2 + 2x . What is the
spring force Fs as a function of x ?

(A) Fs = 9x 2 − 8x + 2

(B) Fs = − 9x 2 + 8x − 2
3 4 4
(C) Fs = x − x3 + x2
4 3
3 4 4 3
(D) Fs = − x + x − x2
4 3

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20 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

16. A narrow hole is drilled from the surface of a spherical asteroid to its center. The asteroid has a mass M and

radius R. A small object is dropped into the hole. What is the acceleration of the object when it reaches a
R
distance from the center of the asteroid?
3

1 GM
(A)
9 R2
1 GM
(B)
3 R2
GM
(C) 3
R2
GM
(D) 9
R2

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 21

 17. A sphere is held at rest at the top of a ramp, as shown. The sphere is released and rolls without slipping down
the ramp. The gravitational potential energy of the sphere-Earth system is zero at the bottom of the ramp.
Which of the following is true of the sphere when it reaches the bottom of the ramp?

(A) The sphere’s rotational kinetic energy equals the initial potential energy of the sphere-Earth system.
(B) The sphere’s translational kinetic energy equals the initial potential energy of the sphere-Earth system.
(C) The sphere’s translational kinetic energy and rotational kinetic energy are equal.
(D) The sum of the sphere’s translational kinetic energy and rotational kinetic energy equals the initial
potential energy of the sphere-Earth system.

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22 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

18. A board of length L and mass M is horizontally suspended from strings A and B which are attached to the

left and right ends of the board, respectively. A small block of mass 2M is attached to the board a distance x

from the left end of the board, as shown. At time t = 0, String B is cut. What is the angular acceleration of the
1
board immediately after t = 0 ? The rotational inertia of the board rotating about its edge is ML 2.
3

3 g
(A)
2L
g(L + 2x)
(B)
1 2
L + 2x 2
3
⎛1 ⎞
g⎜⎜ L + x ⎟⎟⎟
⎜⎝ 2 ⎠
(C)
1 2
L + x2
3
⎛1 ⎞
g⎜⎜ L + 2x ⎟⎟⎟
⎜⎝ 2 ⎠
(D)
1 2
L + 2x 2
3

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 23

 19. Two small blocks A and B have masses m and 21. Two cars A and B are driven on a section of
2m , respectively. Both blocks are released from road that has a circular curve. When both cars
the same location and slide down an incline with are driven through the curve at their maximum
negligible friction. Both blocks travel a vertical speeds before they slip on the road, the
distance Dh before smoothly transitioning to a centripetal acceleration of Car B is twice that of
Car A. The maximum speed Car A can drive
horizontal surface. The coefficients of kinetic
through the curve without slipping is 10 m/s.
friction between the horizontal surface and
Which of the following is closest to the
blocks A and B are m A and m B, respectively,
maximum speed Car B can drive through the
where 2mA = m B. Block A travels a distance D curve without slipping?
before coming to rest on the horizontal surface.
What is the distance Block B travels along the (A) 7.0 m/s
horizontal surface before coming to rest? (B) 10 m/s
(C) 14 m/s
1
(A) D (D) 20 m/s
4
1
(B) D
2
(C) 2D
(D) 4D

20. The work done on an object is described by the

equation W = 3t 2 + 5t − 1, where W is in
joules and t is in seconds. What is the power
delivered to the object at t = 2.0 s ?

(A) 10.5 W
(B) 16.0 W
(C) 17.0 W
(D) 21.0 W

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24 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

22. A box of mass m is pulled across a horizontal surface by a rope. The rope exerts a variable force Frope directed
at an angle q from the horizontal that is described by the function Frope = cos(bx), where b is a positive
constant. The box is pulled from position x = 0 to x = D , where Frope < mg. Which of the following is the
work done on the box by the rope as it is pulled from x = 0 to x = D ?

(A) D cos(bD)
(B) D cos(bD)cos q
(C) b sin(bD)cos q
1
(D) sin(bD)cos q
b

23. A block on a horizontal surface is attached to one end of a horizontal spring. The other end of the spring is

attached to a wall. The block oscillates with amplitude A and period T , as shown. There is negligible friction

between the block and surface. At time t = 0 the net force on the block is zero. Which of the following is an
T
expression for the speed of the block at time t = ?
6

pA
(A) v =
T
3 3A
(B) v =
T
p 3A
(C) v =
T

2 p 2A
(D) v =
3T

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 25

 24. A 2.0 kg block is attached to a string that passes
over a pulley and is attached to an ideal spring of
spring constant k = 100 N/m, as shown. The
pulley and string have negligible mass, and there
is negligible friction in the pulley. The block is
held in place with the spring at its original
unstretched length and then released from rest.
Which of the following is approximately equal
to the amplitude of the resulting motion?

(A) 0.02 m
(B) 0.10 m
(C) 0.20 m
(D) 0.40 m

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26 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

25. A wedge of mass M is balanced about its center with a small cylinder of mass m attached to its narrowest end,

as shown. The linear mass per length of the wedge can be modeled by an equation of the form: l = bx 2 , where
M
b is a constant with appropriate units and x is the distance from the narrowest end. What is the ratio of the
m
masses of the two objects?

2
(A)
3
(B) 1
(C) 2
(D) 3

26. While a satellite orbits the Earth at a constant

distance of one Earth radius R above Earth’s
surface, the total energy of the satellite-Earth
system is ER . When the satellite is moved to a
circular orbit a distance 3R above Earth’s
surface, the satellite-Earth system has a total
energy E 3R . Which of the following correctly
relates E 3R to ER ?

1
(A) E 3R = ER
3
1
(B) E 3R = ER
2
(C) E 3R = 2ER
(D) E 3R = 3ER

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 27

 27. Two identical carts A and B are on a horizontal surface with negligible friction. Cart A approaches Cart B,
which is initially at rest. Attached to Cart B is a spring that is initially compressed, as shown in Figure 1. At the
instant Cart A collides with Cart B, the spring is released, and the carts move away from each other, as shown
in Figure 2 . Which of the following correctly compares the kinetic energy and the momentum of the
two-cart-spring system after the collision to those quantities before the collision?

Kinetic Energy Magnitude of Momentum

A Increases Decreases
B Increases Stays the same
C Stays the same Increases
D Stays the same Stays the same

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

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28 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

28. A motor is attached to a turntable by a belt, as shown in the Top View figure. When the motor is turned on, the
3
2
angular displacement of the turntable is modeled by the equation q (t ) = 6t − 2 t + 2p , where q is in radians

and t is in seconds. What is the angular velocity w of the turntable as a function of time?

5
12 2
(A) w(t ) = t − t 2 + 2pt
5
1
2
(B) w(t ) = 9 t − 2
1
(C) w(t ) = 6 t 2 − 2
1
9 −
(D) w(t ) = t 2
2

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 29

 29. A ball is launched from the top of a 30 m tall 31. The work required to accelerate an object from
hill with a speed 25 m/s directed at an angle 40° 10 m/s to 20 m/s is WA. The work required to
above the horizontal and lands on the ground accelerate the object from 20 m/s to 30 m/s is
below. Which of the following is approximately WB . Which of the following correctly compares
equal to the speed of the ball at the top of its WA to WB ?
path?
(A) WA < WB
(A) 0
(B) WA = WB
(B) 16 m/s
(C) WA > WB
(C) 19 m/s
(D) The mass of the object must be known to
(D) 25 m/s compare the relative magnitudes of WA
and WB .

30. A 1500 kg car pushes a 4000 kg truck. The car

and truck are accelerating at 2.0 m/s2. Assuming
that the frictional force on the truck is negligible,
what is the magnitude of the force exerted by the
truck on the car?

(A) 3000 N
(B) 5000 N
(C) 8000 N
(D) 11,000 N

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30 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

32. A 2 kg object is released from rest from a height
of 3 m above Earth’s surface. How much kinetic
energy does the object have when it reaches a
height of 1 m ?

(A) 20 J
(B) 40 J
(C) 60 J
(D) 80 J

33. A torsion spring is fixed to the end of a rod of

rotational inertia IR . The torsion spring is fixed
to a horizontal table with negligible friction, as
shown in the Top View. When the rod is
displaced an angle q from equilibrium, the
torsion spring exerts a restoring torque of
magnitude t = 2kq 2 , where k is a positive
constant with appropriate units. After being
displaced by an angle q 0, the rod is released and
rotates through its equilibrium position with
angular speed w 0 . Which of the following is a
correct expression for w 0 ?

(A) Zero
2kq 30
(B)
3IR

kq 20
(C) 2
IR

kq 30
(D) 2
3IR

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 31

 Questions 34 and 35 refer to the following material.

Two pucks A and B have masses m and 3m , respectively. The initial speed of Puck B is v B. The pucks move
toward each other in the xy -plane, collide, stick together, and then move in the + y-direction. There is zero net
external force on the two-puck system. The paths and directions of the pucks before and after the collision are shown
in the diagram.

34. Which of the following expressions best

represents the speed of the two pucks after the
collision?

1
(A) vB
2
3
(B) vB
4
(C) v B

3
(D) vB
2

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32 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

35. The collision is repeated, but Puck A is replaced with Puck C, which has half the mass and twice the speed of
Puck A in the original collision. Pucks B and C stick together after the collision. Which of the following best
describes how the direction of pucks B and C compares with the direction of pucks A and B after the original
collision, and provides an appropriate justification?

Direction of Pucks B and C after Justification

Collision

The initial momentum of Puck C is the

A Same direction as Pucks A and B
same as the initial momentum of Puck A

B Same direction as Pucks A and B Both collisions are inelastic.

The speed of Puck C is greater than the

C Different direction than Pucks A and B
speed of Puck A

D Different direction than Pucks A and B The total mass of the two-puck systems is
different in each collision.

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

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 33

 36. The magnitude of the momentum of an object as
a function of time, in seconds, is given by
p = (4 kg ◊ m/s3) t 2. The magnitudes of the net
force exerted on the object at times t1 and
t2 = 2t1 are F1 and F2, respectively. Which of
the following correctly compares F2 and F1 ?

(A) F2 = 2F1
(B) F2 = 4F1
(C) F2 = 8F1
(D) F2 = 16F1

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34 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

37. Cars A and B are moving in opposite directions along a straight road. At time t = t p the cars pass each other.
The velocities v of the cars are given as functions of time are shown in the graph. Which of the following
graphs represents the distance d between the cars as a function of time?

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 35

 38. An object of mass m = 2.0 kg is moving in the
xy -plane at a constant speed v = 0.80 m/s in the
+x-direction along the line y = 4.0 m . When the
object is at the location (3 . 0 m, 4 . 0 m), what is
the magnitude of its angular momentum with
respect to the origin?

(A) 0
(B) 4.8 kg ◊ m2 /s

(C) 6.4 kg ◊ m2 /s

(D) 8.0 kg ◊ m2 /s

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36 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

39. A block on an incline is initially at rest. There is nonnegligible friction between the block and the incline. In
Scenario 1, the block is given a brief push at time t = 0, and begins to slide down the incline with speed v0. In
Scenario 2 , the block is placed at the same initial position, is given a brief push at time t = 0, and begins to
slide up the incline with initial speed v0, as shown. The direction down the ramp corresponds to positive
velocity. Which of the following pairs of velocity-time graphs could correctly represent the motion of the block
in Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 ?

Scenario 1:Block Travels Down Incline Scenario 2 :Block Travels Up Incline

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

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AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 37

 40. A linear graph of the acceleration of an object as
a function of time has a slope S . The area
bounded by the line and the time axis from t = 0
to t = t1 is A. The velocity of the object at t = 0
is v0. Which of the following expressions
represent the velocity v1 of the object at time t1 ?

(A) v0 + A
(B) v0 + At1
(C) Sv0
(D) v0 + St1

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38 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

 END OF SECTION I

IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED, YOU MAY

CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION.

DO NOT GO ON TO SECTION II UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

____________________________________________________________________________

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DONE THE FOLLOWING:

• PLACED YOUR AP ID LABEL ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET

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ANSWER SHEET
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PLACED IT ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET

AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 39