ANSWERS - AP Physics C Multiple Choice Practice Work and Energy

Solution Answer

1. The force needed to lift something at a constant speed is equal to the object weight F=mg. The B
power is then found by P = Fd / t = mgh / t
2. As the system moves, m2 loses energy over distance h and m1 gains energy over the same distance A
h but some of this energy is converted to KE so there is a net loss of U. Simply subtract the U2
U1 to find this loss
3. In a force vs. displacement graph, the area under the line gives the work done by the force and the E
work done will be the change in the K so the largest area is the most K change
4. Since the speed is constant, the pushing force F must equal the friction force fk =Fn=mg. The C
power is then given by the formula P = Fv = mgv
5. velocity is the derivative of position therefore is proportional to t1/2 and sonce KE is propotional to C
v2, KE is proportional to t
6. Compare the U+K ( mgh + mv2 ) at the top, to the K ( mv2 ) at the bottom and subtract them C
to get the loss.
7. Use energy conservation, U top = K bottom. As in problem #6 (in this document), the initial A
height is given by L Lcos , with cos 60 = .5 so the initial height is L.
8. Use application of the net work energy theorem which says Wnet = K. The net work is the A
work done by the net force which gives you the answer
9. F = dU/dx = 12x + 4 B
10. First use the given location (h=10m) and the U there (50J) to find the mass. B
U=mgh, 50=m(10)(10), so m = 0.5 kg. The total mechanical energy is given in the problem as
U+K = 100 J. The max height is achieved when all of this energy is potential. So set 100J = mgh
and solve for h
11. Simple P = Fv to solve E
12. The force needed to lift something at a constant speed is equal to the object weight F=mg. The E
power is then found by P = Fd / t = mgh / t
13. U(x1) = 2 J and K(x1) = 1 J so E = K + U = 1J. The horizontal line drawn at E = 1 J has E
turning points greater than x0 and less than x2
14. The work done by a field is path independent and only depends upon the initial and final positions A
15. To find work we use the parallel component of the force to the distance, this gives Fcos d B
16. In a circle at constant speed, the work done is zero since the Force is always perpendicular to the A
distance moved as you move incrementally around the circle
17. K(r0) = 0 and U(r0) = 3U0 so E(r0) = K + U = 3U0 = U(2r0) + K(2r0) = U0 + mv2 C
18. F = dU/dr A
19. At the maximum displacement the K=0 so the 10J of potential energy at this spot is equal to the B
total amount of mechanical energy for the problem. Since energy is conserved in this situation,
the situation listed must have U+K add up to 10J
20. Using the work-energy theorem. Wnc = ME, A
WFt = U+K,
Fd = (mghf mghi) + ( mvf 2 mvi 2),
(11000)(8) = (0 (1000)(10)(8)) + (0 (1000)(vi2) solve for vi
21. U = F s dx= ( 40 x6 x 2 ) dx=20 x 22 x 3 D

22. Wg(AB) = Wg(BA) (independent of path) C

23. First, the speed is constant, so you expect (by the Work-Energy Theorem) that there isn't any A
work. Beyond that, the definition of work for a constant force is Fr = Fr cos . Since the force
of the string is always radial, and the displacement tangential, the angle between these is 90; the
string can do no work. (It's basically the same story as with magnetic fields acting on free charges;
no work can be done by the magnetic field because the force is at right angles to the
displacement.) All the given numbers are merely distracters.
24. 1 E
W = Fdx= k x 02 dx= k x 03
3
25. Power, in Watts, is work divided by time; power times time gives work. So the work performed by C
the motor is 1000W10 s = 104 J. This is equal to the potential energy mgh gained by the safe =
100 kg 10 m/s2 h, so h = 104 J/1000 N = 10 m.
26. kg m/s is a unit of momentum E
27. K is a scalar. Kf = Ki; mvf2 = ( mvi2) which gives vf = vi but since it is traveling in the D
opposite direction vf (a vector) will be negative
28. Pavg = Fnetvavg = mavavg = (2000 kg)(3 m/s2)(10 m/s) E