Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics Name:________________

Position Acceleration
Location of a particle in space. A change in velocity.
(x) or (x,y) or (x,y,z) Acceleration can be speeding up, slowing down, or turning.
The SI unit for acceleration is m/s2.
If the sign of the velocity and the sign of the acceleration is the
Distance same, the object speeds up.
The total length of the path traveled by an object.
If the sign of the velocity and the sign of the acceleration are
Does not depend upon direction.
different, the object slows down.

Displacement Uniformly Accelerated Motion

The change in position of an object.
Depends only on the initial and final positions, not on path. aave = ∆v/∆t
Includes direction.
Represented by Δx. Problem: Acceleration (1993)
1. In which of the following situations would an
Problem: Distance versus Displacement object be accelerated?
1. A hiker hikes 25 miles due north and then all I. It moves in a straight line at constant speed.
the way back to the starting point. II. It moves with uniform circular motion.
a) How far does the hiker hike? Show your III. It travels as a projectile in a gravitational
work. field with negligible air resistance.
Simple, 25 m up and 25 back is = 50 m total (A) I only
(B) III only
(C) I and II only
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III
Explain your answer:
b) What is the hiker’s displacement? Show
your work. Change direction = accelerate, projectile accelerates at
-9.8
Zero, returns to start

Kinematic Equations
Average speed v = vo + at
vave = d /∆t x = xo + vot + 1/2 at2
v2 = vo2 + 2a(∆x)
Average Velocity
vave = d/∆t Problem: Kinematic Equations (1984)
65. A body moving in the positive x direction
Problem: Average Velocity (1988) passes the origin at time t = 0. Between t =
62. A truck traveled 400 meters north in 80 0 and t = 1 second, the body has a constant
seconds, and then it traveled 300 speed of 24 meters per second. At t = 1
meters east in 70 seconds. The second, the body is given a constant
magnitude of the average velocity of acceleration of 6 meters per second squared
the truck was most nearly in the negative x direction. The position x of
(A) 1.2 m/s (B) 3.3 m/s (C) 4.6 m/s the body at t = 11 seconds is
(D) 6.6 m/s (E) 9.3 m/s (A) +99 m (B) +36 m (C) -36 m
Show your work: (D) -75 m (E) -99 m
Show your work:
D= (V1T1) + (V2IT2 + .5 a t22) plug in,
V1=24, V2i=24, T1=1, T2=10, a= - 6

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Problem: Sketch the Kinematic Graphs (A) Between O and 1 s

Stationary particle (B) 1 s
(C) Between 1 and 2 s
(D) 2 s
(E) Between 2 and 3 s
Show your work:
d vs t v vs t a vs t
The area is the distance moved. Its ALL negative in the
Particle moving with constant velocity first 1 second, so have to make an equal positive area to
bring back to 0 in the next section. 2 seconds would be
too much area

Free Fall
d vs t v vs t a vs t Occurs when an object falls unimpeded.
Gravity accelerates the object toward the earth.
Particle moving with constant non-zero acceleration g = 9.8 m/s2 downward.
a = -g if up is positive.
acceleration is down when ball is thrown up
EVERYWHERE in the balls flight.

Problem: Free Fall (1993)

d vs t v vs t a vs t
5. An object is released from rest on a planet that
has no atmosphere. The object falls freely
Problem: Kinematic Graphs (1988) for 3.0 meters in the first second. What is
the magnitude of the acceleration due to
gravity on the planet?
(A) l .5 m/s2 (B) 3.0 m/s2 (C) 6.0 m/s2
(D) 10.0 m/s2 (E) 12.0 m/s2
Show your work:
1. The displacement x of an object moving along D=vi t + .5 a t2
the x-axis is shown above as a function of time t. T = 1, D = 3m, Vi=0, solve for a
The acceleration of this object must be
(A) zero
(B) constant but not zero
(C) increasing
(D) decreasing
(E) equal to g
Projectile Motion
Explain your answer: An example of 2-dimensional motion.
Something is fired, thrown, shot, or hurled near the earth’s
Slope = velocity, slope is constant so velocity is surface.
constant so that means a=0 Horizontal velocity is constant.
Vertical velocity is accelerated.
Air resistance is ignored.

Trajectory of Projectile
The trajectory of a projectile is the path it follows.
It is defined by a parabola.
The RANGE of the projectile is how far it travels
horizontally.
The MAXIMUM HEIGHT of the projectile occurs halfway
through its range, provided the projectile is fired over
level ground.
Acceleration points down at 9.8 m/s2 for the entire trajectory.
Velocity is tangent to the path for the entire trajectory.
Problem: Kinematic Graphs (1984) The vertical velocity changes while the horizontal velocity
3. The graph shows the velocity versus time remains constant.
for an object moving in a straight line. At
what time after time = 0 does the abject
again pass through its initial position?

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Problem: Draw Graphs for 2D Projectiles Problem: Graphs of Projectile Motion (1988)

x-component of motion

63. A projectile is fired with initial velocity v0 at an angle

θ with the horizontal and follows the trajectory shown
d vs t v vs t a vs t above. Which of the following pairs of graphs best
represents the vertical components of the velocity and
acceleration, v and a, respectively, of the projectile as
y-component of motion functions of time t ?
Explain your
reasoning:

Veritcal component is
influenced by gravity so
d vs t v vs t a vs t gets less on the way up
and is + sin ce going up
but then move down so
Problems: Projectile Motion (1993) is negative and gets
faster. Accel is always
- 9.8

64. How do the speeds of the ball at the three

points compare?
(A) vP < vQ< vR
(B) vR < vQ < vP
(C) vQ < vR < vP
(D) vQ < vP = vR 2D Motion problems
(E) vP = vR < vQ Resolve vectors into components.
Explain your choice: Work as one-dimensional problems.

Speeds at equal points are the same (fact). At top you Horizontal Component of Velocity
have the lowest speed Not accelerated
Not influence by gravity
Follows equation:
x = Vo,xt

65. Which of the following Problem: Horizontal Component (1988)

diagrams best shows the 9. A diver initially moving horizontally with
direction of the acceleration speed v dives off the edge of a vertical cliff and
of the ball at point P ? lands in the water a distance d from the base of
Explain your choice: the cliff. How far from the base of the cliff
would the diver have landed if the diver initially
Gravity only acts in y direction had been moving horizontally with speed 2v ?
(A) d (B) 2d (C) 2d (D) 4d
(E) It cannot be determined unless the height
of the cliff is known.
Show your work or explain your reasoning:
In x direction. Dx = vx * t. T is based on y direction
which is unchanged. Vx is doubled so Dx will be
doubles also

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Vertical Component of Velocity Force

Accelerated by gravity (9.8 m/s2 down) A force is a push or pull on an object.
Vy = Vo,y - gt Forces cause an object to accelerate…
y = yo + Vo,yt - 1/2gt2 To speed up
Vy2 = Vo,y2 - 2g(y – yo) To slow down
To change direction
Unit: Newton (SI system)
Problem: Vertical Component (1988)
5. A 2-kilogram block rests at the edge of a Newton’s First Law
platform that is 10 meters above level ground. The Law of Inertia.
The block is launched horizontally from the edge A body in motion stays in motion at constant velocity and a
of the platform with an initial speed of 3 meters body at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by an external
force.
per second. Air resistance is negligible. The time
it will take for the block to reach the ground is
most nearly Problem: Newton’s 1st Law (1998)
(A) 0.3 s (B) 1.0 s (C) 1.4 s 7. Three forces act on an object. If the object is
(D) 2.0 s (E) 3.0 s in translational equilibrium, which of the
Show your work: following must be true?
I. The vector sum of the three forces must equal zero.
Y direction motion. Viy = 0. Dy=Viy T + .5 a t2 Find t II. The magnitudes of the three forces must be equal
III. All three forces must be parallel
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and III only
Problem: Vertical Component (1998) (D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III
Explain your reasoning
Equilibrium means Fnet=0. That defines # I. II and III
are wrong based on the following example possibly
making Fnet = 0

Problem: Newton’s 1st Law (1998)

A rock of mass m is thrown horizontally off a building
from a height h, as shown above. The speed of the rock as it
leaves the thrower's hand at the edge of the building is υ0 .
59. How much time does it take the rock to
travel from the edge of the building to
the ground?

(A) hυ 0

(B) h υ0
44. The sum of the forces on the object is zero
(C) hυ 0 g in which of the cases?
(A) II only
(B) III only
(D) 2h g (C) I and II only
(D) I and III only
(E) 2h g (E) I, II, and III
Explain your reasoning
Show your work:
Fnet = 0 means a = 0. d vst t graph accelerates when
Y direction motion. Viy = 0. Dy=Viy T + .5 a t2 curved, so only III is not possible
Rearrange for t

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Problem: Newton’s 1st Law (1984) General Procedure for Solving Second Law
Problems
Step 1: Draw the problem
Step 2: Free Body Diagram
Step 3: Set up equations
ΣF = ma ΣFx = max ΣFy = may
Step 4: Substitute
Make a list of givens from the word problem.
Substitute in what you know.
5. A hall of mass m is suspended from two Step 5: Solve
strings of unequal length as shown above.
The tensions T1 and T2 in the strings must Problem: Second Law (1984)
satisfy which of the following relations?
(A) T1= T2
(B) T1>T2
(C) T1<T2 11. When the frictionless system shown above is
(D) T1+T2=mg accelerated by an applied force of magnitude
(E) T1-T2=mg F, the tension in the string between the
Show your work: blocks is
X components must be equal so ball does not move. (A) 2F
Since T2 is at a higher angle it would have a larger y (B) F
component for the same x component as T1, making the
resultant of T2 bigger.
2
(C) F
3
Problem: Newton’s 1st Law (1988) 1
58. When an object of (D) F
weight W is suspended 2
from the center of a 1
massless string as (E) F
3
shown above, the
Show your work:
tension at any point in
the string is Use the whole FBD to get F = (3m) a, so a = F/3m.
Then do FBD of only the 1 kg mass, and get FT = ma.
Sub in a and get FT = m ( F / 3m) = 1/3 F
(A) 2W cosθ
W cosθ
(B) Problem: Second Law (1993)
2
2. A ball falls straight down through the air
(C) W cosθ under the influence of gravity. There is a
W retarding force F on the ball with magnitude
(D)
2 cosθ given by F = bv, where v is the speed of the ball
and b is a positive constant. The magnitude of
W the acceleration a of the ball at any time is equal
(E)
cosθ to which of the following?
Show your work: (A) g − b Ball is moving down so make
bv down +. FBD has mg down and
A little big of math involved. Both Y components are
identical with equal angle so = MG/2. Then using cos (B) g− force BV up..
m Fnet = ma
we have cos()=a/h. Sub in the MG/2 and you get the
MG-BV = m a
answer bv
(C) g + a = ( mg – bv ) / m
m
g
(D)
b
Newton’s Second Law
ΣF = ma bv
(E)
m

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Show your work: (A) W - Fcos θ

(B) W - Fsin θ
(C) W
(D) W + Fsin θ
(E) W + Fcos θ

Problem: Second Law (1993) Show your work

Fy = Fsin() upwards, Fn upwards, mg down. Fnet(y)
gives Fn = MG – Fsin().

45. A block of mass 3m can move without Problem: Normal Force Ramp (1993)
friction on a horizontal table. This block is
attached to another block of mass m by a cord
that passes over a frictionless pulley, as
shown above. If the masses of the cord and
the pulley are negligible, what is the
magnitude of the acceleration of the
descending block?
(A) Zero (B) g/4 (C) g/3 A plane 5 meters in length is inclined at an angle of 37°, as
(D) 2g/3 (E) g shown above. A block of weight 20 newtons is placed at the
Show your work: top of the plane and allowed to slide down.

Use the whole FBD, F = ma

mg = (4m) a so a = g/4
62. The magnitude of the normal force exerted
on the block by the plane is most nearly
(A) l0 N (B) 12N (C) l6 N
(D) 20 N (E) 33 N
Show your work
Newton’s Third Law Some fancy math helps solve without calculator. Fn = y
For every action there exists an equal and opposite reaction. component of weight. = mg cos (). Using cos() = a/h and
If A exerts a force F on B, then B exerts a force of -F on A. the triangle provided, we have cos () = 4/5. Now sub this
in. MG cos() = (20) (4/5) = 16 N
Weight
W = mg

Problem: Elevators and Normal Force (PAB)

Normal Force
2. A 50-kg middle school student stands on a
Force that prevents objects from penetrating each other
Reaction to other forces
scale in an elevator that is moving
Commonly a reaction to gravity downward, but slowing with an acceleration
of magnitude 2.0 m/s2. What does the scale
Problem: Normal Force Flat (1988) read (in N)?
a) 300 b) 400 c) 500
d) 600 e) 700

Show your work

Elevator method. Fscale points up, MG points down.

Move down so down is +. Fnet = ma. Sub in gives …
4. A block of weight W is pulled along a MG – Fsc = Ma (plug in, use a = - 2) solve and get
horizontal surface at constant speed v by a 600
force F. which acts at an angle of θ with the
horizontal, as shown above. The normal
force exerted on the block by the surface has Friction
The force that opposes a sliding motion.
magnitude Static friction exists before sliding occurs
Kinetic friction exists after sliding occurs
In general Kinetic friction <= Static friction

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Calculating Static Friction Explain your Reasoning:

fs ≤ μsN FBD’s … duh
Static friction increases as the force trying to push an object
increases… up to a point!

Calculating Kinetic Friction

fk = μkN 7. The magnitude of the frictional force along
the plane is most nearly
Problems: Friction on Flat Surface (1984) (A) 2.5 N (B) 5N (C) 6 N (D) 10 N (E) 16 N
Show your work:
Fnet = ma. Mg sin () – fK = m a. plug in and solve

61. A push broom of mass m is pushed across a Uniform Circular Motion

rough horizontal floor by a force of An object moves at uniform speed in a circle of constant
radius.
magnitude T directed at angle θ as shown
above. The coefficient of friction between Acceleration in Uniform Circular Motion
the broom and the floor is µ. The frictional Turns object; doesn’t speed it up or slow it down.
force on the broom has magnitude Acceleration points toward center of the circle.
(A) μ(mg +Tsinθ)
Called centripetal acceleration.

(B) μ(mg -Tsinθ) Centripetal Acceleration

(C) μ(mg +Tcosθ) ac = v2/r
(D) μ(mg -Tcosθ)
(E) μmg Force in Uniform Circular Motion
Show your work Any force or responsible for uniform circular motion is
referred to as a centripetal force. Centripetal force can
arise from one force, or from a combination of sources.
Fnet(y) gives Fn = mg + Tsin(). Then f = u Fn and your
Fc = ΣF = mac
done.
Fc = ΣF = m v2 / r
Centripetal forces always arise from other forces.
Since speed of object remains constant, kinetic energy
remains constant, and work is zero.
Friction, tension, normal force, gravity and the magnetic
Problems: Friction on Ramp(1984) force are common forces that can act centripetally to cause
Questions 6-7 uniform circular motion.
A 2-kilogram block
slides down a 30° Problem: Centripetal Force (1993)
incline as shown above 46. A car initially travels north and then turns to
with an acceleration of the left along a circular curve. This causes a
2 meters per second package on the seat of the car to slide
squared. toward the right side of the car. Which of the
following is true of the net force on the
6. Which of the following diagrams best package while it is sliding?
represents the gravitational force W, the (A) The force is directed away from the center of the circle.
(B) The force is directed north.
frictional force f, and the normal force N (C) There is not enough force directed north to keep the
that act on the block? package from sliding.
(D) There is not enough force tangential to the car's path to
keep the package from sliding.
(E) There is not enough force directed toward the center of
the circle to keep the package from sliding.
Explain your reasoning:

Fc points towards center and is friction in this case. The

lack of friction towards center is the lack of centripetal
force needed to make the box go in the circle with the
car

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Problem: Centripetal Force (1988)

2. The horizontal turntable shown below rotates
at a constant rate. As viewed from above, a coin Problem: Angular Momentum (1998)
on the turntable moves counterclockwise in a 6. A 2 kg object moves in a circle of radius 4 m
circle as shown. Which of the following vectors at a constant speed of 3 m/s. A net force of 4.5
best represents the direction of the frictional N acts on the object. What is the angular
force exerted on the coin by the turntable when momentum of the object with respect to an axis
the coin is in the position shown? perpendicular to the circle and through its
center?
(A) 9 N ⋅ m
kg
m2
(B) 12
s
(C) 135 kg ⋅ m 2
. 2
Explain your reasoning: s
(D) 18 N ⋅ m
Friction acts as the centripetal force allowing the coin to
kg
go in the circle so it must point to center
(E) 24 kg ⋅ m
2

SIDE BAR Show your work:

Time to learn a little something new. Two topics Based on the new concept discussed in the side bar,
were skipped over, they are not on the midterm Angular momentum (L) = mvr … simply plug in and
but as long as we are reviewing, might as well solve
introduce these two very minor areas of study.
Technically, they are on the AP exam but very
rare and usually a single multiple choice
Problem: Angular Momentum (1984)
question.

I.) ANGULAR MOMENTUM

The tendency of a spinning body to remain spinning. It is similar o
to Torque.
L: angular momentum (kg m2/s)
Angular momentum is found by the equation: 14. An asteroid moves in an elliptic orbit with
L = p x r L = (mv) x r the Sun at one focus as shown above. Which of
Where momentum (mv) is perpendicular to the distance r
the following quantities increases as the asteroid
moves from point P in its orbit to point Q?
Angular momentum, like linear momentum is conserved and
when objects move in a circle, the angular momentum stays (A) Speed
the same unless outside force acts. For an elliptical orbit, as (B) Angular momentum
the velocity changes, the radius changes as well to make the (C) Total energy
quantity (L=mvr) a constant
(D) Kinetic energy
(E) Potential energy
II. Gravitaional Potential Energy for space Show your work:
systems
Ug = -GMem/r (close to earth’s surface) Angular momentum is conserved so that’s not it, Closer
to planet = faster so speed is wrong. Energy is also
Ug has been defined to be zero when an object is conserved so that’s wrong. Going from P to Q, you
infinitely far from the earth, and it gets increasingly slow down so lose K which mean U must be gained
negative as an object approaches the earth.

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Problem: Law of Gravity and Accel. (1993)

Universal Law of Gravity 48. The planet Mars has mass 6.4 x 1023
Fg = -Gm1m2/r2 kilograms and radius 3.4 x 106 meters. The
The negative sign simply means the force is attractive.
Most orbit problems can be solved by setting the
acceleration of an object in free-fall near the
gravitational force equal to the centripetal force. surface of Mars is most nearly
Gm1m2 / r2 = m1v2 / r (A) zero (B) l.0 m/s2 (C) 1.9 m/s2
(a good starting point for most problems!) (D) 3.7 m/s2 (E) 9.8 m/s2
Orbit – the above equation simplifies to v = √GM/r for
velocity in an orbit which also = 2πR/T if period is known
Show your work:
Acceleration of gravity – g – is found by equating This problem was given before calculators were banned
mg=GmM/r2 on multiple choice so you simply plug into g = G M / R

Alternatively if you are really smart you can estimate

the answer by knowing mass of earth 6x1024 and radius
Problem: Orbit (1988) of earth 6.4x106 m we can see that mars has about 1/10
6l. A satellite of mass M moves in a circular the mass and 1/2 the radius, so based on the formula it
orbit of radius R at a constant speed v. Which of should have 4/10 the value of g on earth.
the following must be true?
I. The net force on the satellite is equal to mv2/R and is
directed toward the center of the orbit.
II. The net work done on the satellite by gravity in one
revolution is zero.
III. The angular momentum of the satellite is a constant.
(A) I only (B) III only (C) I and II only
(D) II and III only (E) I, II, and III Periodic Motion
Repeats itself over a fixed and reproducible period of time.
Explain your reasoning: Mechanical devices that do this are known as oscillators.
Angular momentum is conserved so III is good, There
is a circle so the force would be centripetal so I is good, Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
and work is always zero when in a circle since the force Periodic motion described by a sine or cosine function.
is always perpendicular to motion. Springs and pendulums are common examples of Simple
Harmonic Oscillators (SHOs).
All SHO’s experience a “restoring force” .
Problem: Orbit (1998)
40. What is the kinetic energy of a satellite of Restoring Force:
mass m that orbits the Earth, of mass M, in a F = -kx (basic form of restoring force)
circular orbit of radius R ? Restoring force is greatest at maximum displacement and
zero at equilibrium
(A) Zero (B) 1 GMm (C) 1 GMm
2 R 4 R
Equilibrium
(D) 1 GMm (E) GMm The midpoint of the oscillation of a simple harmonic
2 R2 R2 oscillator.
Show your work: Position of minimum potential energy and maximum kinetic
energy.
Velocity in orbit is sqrt(GM/R). Then KE = 1/2 m v2
then plug in orbit velocity and you get B
Amplitude (A)
How far the oscillating mass is from equilibrium at its
maximum displacement.
Problem: Law of Gravity and Weight (1998)
39. An object has a weight W when it is on the Period (T)
The length of time it takes for one cycle of periodic motion to
surface of a planet of radius R. What will be the complete itself.
gravitational force on the object after it has been
moved to a distance of 4R from the center of the Frequency (f):
planet? How fast the oscillation is occurring.
Frequency is inversely related to period.
(A) 16W Show your work ; f = 1/T
(B) 4W The units of frequency is the Herz (Hz) where 1 Hz = 1 s-1.
Based on Fg = G M M / r2 so 4 x R
(C) W
gives 1/16 the force.
(D) 1 W
4
(E) 1 W
16

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Potential Energy of a Pendulum

Problem: Simple Harmonic Motion (1993) Ug = mgh

Problem: Period of Pendulum (1988)

8. The length of a simple pendulum with a period
on Earth of one second is most nearly
(A) 0.12 m
43. A particle oscillates up and down in simple (B) 0.25 m
harmonic motion. Its height y as a function of (C) 0.50 m
time t is shown in the diagram above. At what (D) 1.0 m
time t does the particle achieve its maximum (E) 10.0 m
positive acceleration? Show your work:
(A) 1s (B) 2s (C) 3s (D) 4s
(E) None of the above, because the T=2 pi * rad (L/g) rearrange for L, use g = 10 and use
acceleration is constant pi = 3. Get estimated value closest to 0.25
Explain your reasoning:
When the mass on the spring is below equibrium at a
negative displacement the force points upwards and is +
and is at a maximum so gives maximum + acceleration
there at max stretch. Problem: Period of Spring and of Pendulum
(1988)
Springs 44. An object swings on the end of a cord as a
A common Simple Harmonic Oscillator.
Fs = -kx (Hooke’s Law)
simple pendulum with period T. Another object
oscillates up and down on the end of a vertical
Problem: Hooke’s Law (1993) spring, also with period T. If the masses of
3. An ideal spring obeys Hooke's law, F = - kx. both objects are doubled, what are the new
A mass of 0.50 kilogram hung vertically from values for the periods?
this spring stretches the spring 0.075 meter. Pendulum Spring
The value or the force constant for the spring T
is most nearly
(A) 2T
2
(A) 0.33 N/m
(B) 0.66 N/m (B) T 2T
(C) 6.6 N/m (C) 2T T
(D) 33 N/m
(E) 66 N/m (D) 2T T
Show your work: (E) 2T T 2
Simply plug it in. Use fractions. 5/10 and 75/1000 to
ease calculation
Explain your reasoning:
Actually quite simple, mass does not change the
pendulum period so it must be B. Based on spring
formula, you get rad T as change for spring system.

Period of a spring
T = 2π√m/k Work
The bridge between force and energy.
Potential Energy of a Spring Work is a scalar.
Us = ½ k x2 W = F Δx cos θ
SI Unit: Joule (N m)
Pendulum
The pendulum can be thought of as an oscillator. Counterintuitive Results
The displacement needs to be small for it to work properly. There is no work if there is no displacement.
Pendulum Forces: Gravity and tension Forces perpendicular to displacement don’t work.
By doing positive work on an object, a force or collection of
forces increases its mechanical energy in some way.
Period of a pendulum The two forms of mechanical energy are called potential and
T = 2π√l/g kinetic energy.

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Problem: Work (B-1988)

6. A horizontal force F is used to pull a
5-kilogran block across a floor at a constant
speed of 3 meters per second. The frictional Problem: Power (B-1998)
force between the block and the floor is 10 2. A student weighing 700 N climbs at
newtons. The work done by the force F in 1 constant speed to the top of an 8 m vertical rope
minute is most nearly in 10 s. The average power expended by the
(A) 0 J (B) 30 J (C) 600 J student to overcome gravity is most nearly
(D) 1,350 J (E) 1,800 J (A) 1.1 W
Show your work: (B) 87.5 W
(C) 560 W
W = F d. Constant speed of F pull = friction = 10 N, (D) 875 W
v = 3 m/s, t = 60 sec, so d=vt, d = 180 m. (E) 5,600 W
Now W = F d = 10 (180) = 1800 J
Show your work:

P=Fd/t simply plug in. Force to lift = weight

Kinetic Energy
Energy due to motion
K = ½ m v2

Problem: Kinetic Energy (B-1988)

3. Which of the following quantities is a scalar
that is always positive or zero? Problem: Power (B-1998)
(A) Power (B) Work (C) Kinetic energy 9. A child pushes horizontally on a box of
(D) Linear momentum (F) Angular momentum mass m which moves with constant speed
State your reasoning:
υ across a horizontal floor. The coefficient
K = 1/2 m v2 there is no way this could be negative. of friction between the box and the floor is
μ. At what rate does the child do work on
the box?
(A) μmgυ
The Work-Energy Theorem (B) mgυ
Wnet = ΔK
Net work is used in this theorem. This is work due to ALL
(C) υ/μmg
FORCES acting upon object. (D) μmg/υ
When net work is positive, the kinetic energy of the object (E) μmυ2
will increase (it will speed up).
When net work is negative, the kinetic energy of the object
Show your work:
will decrease (it will slow down).
When there is no net work, the kinetic energy is unchanged Rate of work = W / t = Power.
(constant speed). Power = F v constant speed of F = friction = u Fn
P = u Fn v = u mg v
Work and graphs
The area under the curve of a graph of force vs displacement
gives the work done by the force in performing the
displacement.
Springs: stretching
Springs:compressing

Power
The rate of which work is done.
When we run upstairs, t is small so P is big.
When we walk upstairs, t is large so P is small.
P = W/t
work/time
P=FV
(force )(velocity)
SI unit for Power is the Watt.
1 Watt = 1 Joule/s

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Force Types Spring potential energy

Conservative forces: Springs also can possess potential energy (Us).
Work in moving an object is path independent. Us = ½ kx2
Work in moving an object along a closed path is zero. Us is zero when a spring is in its preferred, or equilibrium,
Work done against conservative forces increases position where the spring is neither compressed or
potential energy; work done by them decreases it. extended.
Ex: gravity, springs
Non-conservative forces:
Work is path dependent. Problem: Conservation of Energy and
Work along a closed path is NOT zero. Springs(B-1988)
Work may be related to a change in total energy
(including thermal energy).
Ex: friction, drag

Potential energy
Energy an object possesses by virtue of its position or
configuration.
A block oscillates without friction on the end of a spring as
Examples:
shown above. The minimum and maximum lengths of the
Gravitational Potential Energy
spring as it oscillates are, respectively, xmin and xmax The
Spring Potential Energy
graphs below can represent quantities associated with the
oscillation as functions of the length x of the spring.
Potential energy is related to work done by
CONSERVATIVE FORCES only.
ΔUg = -Wg (gravity)
ΔUg = -Ws (spring)

Gravitational potential energy close to earth’s

surface.
Wg = -mgh (close to earth’s surface)
ΔU = -Wg = mgh

Note: we calculate changes in potential energy only using

this method. We assign the potential energy to be zero at
some certain point, usually the surface of the earth.

Problem: Work due to gravity (B-1993)

11. Which graph can represent the total

mechanical energy of the block-spring system as
a function of x ?
(A) A (B) B (C) C
(D) D (E) E
Explain your reasoning:
A plane 5 meters in length is inclined at an angle of 37°, as Energy is conserved so ME is always the same
shown above. A block of weight 20 newtons is placed at the
top of the plane and allowed to slide down.

63. The work done on the block by the

gravitational force during the 5-meter slide down 12. Which graph can represent the kinetic energy
the plane is most nearly of the block as a function of x ?
(A) 20 J (B) 60 J (C) 80 (A) A (B) B (C) C
(D) 100 J (E) l30 J (D) D (E) E
Show your work: State your reasoning:
Work of gravity is work of Fgx. Fgx = mg sin (). Using At the max displacement the block stops so there cant be
the triangle provided and that sin() = o/h, we get sin() = any K there. C or D are the only ones left. Since K and
3/5. Then work = W=Fgx * D = mgsin() d Usp are both squared relationships, as displacement
= (20)*(3/5)*(5) changes it should not be linear, so it D.

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

height to which the block rises on the other side

of the track?
(A) It is equal to h/2 π .
Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy (B) It is equal to h/4.
U + K = Constant (C) It is equal to h/2.
ΔU + ΔK = 0
(D) It is equal to h.
ΔU = -ΔK
(E) It is between zero and h; the exact
Note: Sometimes conservation of energy problems can be height depends on how much energy
best worked with potential energy alone, such as in the is lost to friction.
problem below.
Show your work:
Conservation of Energy and Dissipative Forces.
Dissipative forces cause loss of mechanical energy by Work of friction equals the change in the energy which
producing heat. controls how high it goes. We don’t know anything about
Wnc = ΔU + ΔK speeds or forces or distance so there is no way of knowing
how much the friction work is.
Problem: Conservation of Energy (B-1998)

Problem: Conservation of Energy (B-1998)

38. A block of mass 3.0 kg is hung from a

spring, causing it to stretch 12 cm at equilibrium,
as shown above. The 3.0 kg block is then
replaced by a 4.0 kg block, and the new block is
released from the position shown above, at
which the spring is unstretched. How far will the A rock of mass m is thrown horizontally off a building
4.0 kg block fall before its direction is reversed? from a height h, as shown above. The speed of the rock as it
(A) 9 cm (B) 18 cm (C) 24 cm leaves the thrower's hand at the edge of the building is υ0 .
(D) 32 cm (E) 48 cm
Show your work:
59. How much time does it take the rock to
First use 3 kg mass situation. F = 3 N, /\x = 12/100 so
travel from the edge of the building to the
F=kx gives us k = 3000/12. Then looking at 4 kg
mass we do energy conservation. Ugrav at start = Usp ground?
at end. And h= /\x so mgh = ½ kx2 mgx = ½ k x2
mg = k x /2 so x = 2mg /k = 2(4)(10) / (3000/12)
= 960 / 3000 = 320/1000 = 0.32 done.
(F) hυ 0 h υ0

(G) hυ 0 g 2h g
Problem: Conservation of Energy (B-1993)
(H) 2h g

Show your work:

Simple projectile problem using Y direction stuff. Viy

is zero since it goes horizontal.
4. The figure above shows a rough semicircular
track whose ends are at a vertical height h. A
block placed at point P at one end of the track is
released from rest and slides past the bottom of
the track. Which of the following is true of the

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Problem: Conservation of Energy and

60. What is the kinetic energy of the rock just Pendulums (B-1988)
before it hits the ground?
1
(A) mgh (B) mυ 20
2

1 1
(C) mυ 20 − mgh (D) mυ 20 + mgh
2 2

1 A ball swings freely back and forth in an arc from point I

(E) mgh − mυ 20 to point IV, as shown above. Point II is the lowest point in
2 the path, III is located 0.5 meter above II, and IV is l meter
above II. Air resistance is negligible.
Show your work:
51. If the potential energy is zero at point II,
where will the kinetic and potential energies
ME top = ME bottom. At top its moving with height do
is both K and U, and bottom its just K, so the K = the
of the ball be equal?
energy at the top which is K and U = choice D (A) At point II
(B) At some point between II and III
(C) At point III
(D) At some point between III and IV
(E) At point IV
State your reasoning:
Problem: Conservation of Energy (B-1993)
U = mgh, so comparing 1m to 0.5 m it’s the half way
47. A block of mass m slides on a horizontal point for energy, so if half the energy is potential the
frictionless table with an initial speed v 0 . It other half is kinetic
then compresses a spring of force constant k
and is brought to rest. How much is the
spring compressed from its natural length?

2
v0
(A)
2g 52. The speed of the ball at point II is most
nearly
mg (A) 3.0 m/s (B) 4.5 m/s (C) 9.8 m/s
(B)
k (D) l4 m/s (E) 20 m/s
m Show your work:
(C) v0
k Pt II is all K, and Pt I is all U, so U1 = K2 so
mghI = ½ mv22 m cancels, plug in,
m V = rad ( 2 (10) (1) ) = rad (20). 4.5 is best estimate
(D) v0
k
k
(E) v0
m

Show your work:

ME = ME, start with K then become Usp. Plug in

formulas and rearrange.

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Problem: Impulse (1998)

Momentum 57. A ball of mass 0.4 kg is initially at rest on
How hard it is to stop a moving object. the ground. It is kicked and leaves the kicker's
Related to both mass and velocity.
For one particle
foot with a speed of 5.0 m/s in a direction 60°
p = mv above the horizontal. The magnitude of the
For a system of multiple particles impulse imparted by the ball to the foot is most
P = Σpi = Σmivi nearly
Units: N s or kg m/s (A) 1 N ⋅ s
Momentum is a vector!

Problem: Momentum (1998) (B) 3 N ⋅s

(C) 2 N ⋅ s

(D) 2
N ⋅s
3

(E) 4 N ⋅ s
Show your work:
The angle is irrelevant. Impulse (Ft) equals momentum
43. The magnitude of the momentum of the change so simply plug in Ft
object is increasing in which of the cases?
(A) II only (B) III only (C) I and II only
(D) I and III only (E) I, II, and III
Explain your reasoning:
Momentum increases when velocity increases. Slope is Law of Conservation of Momentum
velocity and only in III is velocity increasing. If the resultant external force on a system is zero, then the
momentum of the system will remain constant.
The sum of the momentums before a collision is equal to the
sum of the momentums after a collision.
Σ Pb = Σ Pa
Impulse (J)
The product of an external force and time, which results in a
change in momentum Problem: Conservation of Momentum (1998)
J=Ft
J = ΔP
Units: N s or kg m/s

Problem: Impulse (1984)

56. Two planets have the same size, but
different masses, and no atmospheres. Which of 4. An open cart on a level surface is rolling
the following would be the same for objects with without frictional loss through a vertical downpour
equal mass on the surfaces of the two planets? of rain, as shown above. As the cart rolls, an
I. The rate at which each would fall freely appreciable amount of rainwater accumulates in the
II. The amount of mass each would balance on an equal- cart. The speed of the cart will
arm balance (A) increase because of conservation of momentum
III. The amount of momentum each would acquire when (B) increase because of conservation of mechanical
given a certain impulse energy
(C) decrease because of conservation of momentum
(A) I only (B) III only (D) decrease because of conservation of mechanical
(C) I and II only energy
(D) II and III only (E) remain the same because the raindrops are falling
(E) I, II, and III perpendicular to the direction of the cart's motion
Explain your reasoning: Explain your reasoning:

More massive planet has a larger value of “g”. I cant be Momentum must be conserved …. Increasing the mass
same. For balancing, the weight of the mass balanced required v to decrease to have the same momentum
would be more but as long as masses are equal it will
balance and total mass is equivalent in both places. Impulse
is Ft and equals chance in momentum, this is not affected by
gravity so also is same

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Problem: Collision (1998)

Collisions 3. A railroad car of mass m is moving at speed
Follow Newton’s Third Law which tells us that the force υ when it collides with a second railroad car of
exerted by body A on body B in a collision is equal and
opposite to the force exerted on body B by body A.
mass M which is at rest. The two cars lock
During a collision, external forces are ignored. together instantaneously and move along the
The time frame of the collision is very short. track. What is the speed of the cars immediately
The forces are impulsive forces (high force, short duration). after the collision?
Collision Types
Elastic: P is conserved, K is conserved (A) υ
Inelastic: P is conserved, K is NOT conserved 2
Perfectly Inelastic means the bodies stick together (B) mυ
M
Problem: Collisions (1993)
10. Which of the following is true when an
(C) Mυ
object of mass m moving on a horizontal
m
frictionless surface hits and sticks to an object of
mass M > m, which is initially at rest on the
surface? (D) (m + M) υ
(A) The collision is elastic. m
(B) All of the initial kinetic energy of the less-massive object (E) mv
is lost. m+M
(C) The momentum of the objects that are stuck together has
a smaller magnitude than the initial momentum of the
less-massive object. Show your work:
(D) The speed of the objects that are stuck together will be
Collision P before = P after. m v = (M+m) v’ solve
less than the initial speed of the less-massive object.
for v’
(E) The direction of motion of the objects that are stuck
together depends on whether the hit is a head-on collision.
Explain your reasoning:
Based on collision P before = P after. m v = (M+m) v’
clearly to conserve momentum the speed must drop
Problem: Momentum Change (1988)

Problem: Collisions (1993)

11. Two objects having the same mass travel
toward each other on a flat surface, each with a
speed of 10 meter per second relative to the
surface. The objects collide head-on and are
reported to rebound after the collision, each
with a speed of 20 meters per second relative
to the surface. Which of the following
assessments of this report is most accurate? 7. A tennis ball of mass m rebounds from a
(A) Momentum was not conserved, therefore the report is racquet with the same speed v as it had initially,
false. as shown above. The magnitude of the
(B) If potential energy was released to the objects during
the collision, the report could be true. momentum change of the ball is
(C) If the objects had different masses, the report could be (A) 0 (B) mv (C) 2mv
true. (D) 2mv sin θ (E) 2mv cos θ
(D) If the surface was inclined, the report could be true. Show your work:
(E) If there was no friction between the objects and the
surface, the report could be true. 2D collision must be analized in X and Y directions. In
Explain your reasoning: y direction there is no change, the racket only hits in x
direction. Also the velocity in y diriection is unchanged.
Before the collision, each has momentum and energy So the momentum change occurs in the X direction.
based on velocity of 10 m/s. After, there is more Before we have MVx = mv cos() then after we have
velocity so a gain of energy. The only way to gain - mv cos (). Change in momentum = pf – pi
energy is to have some sort of input of energy into the = - mv cos() - mv cos () … done.
system

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Physics B AP Review Packet: Mechanics

Problem: Collision (1998) Problem: Explosion (1998)

41. Two objects of mass 0.2 kg and 0.1 kg, 67. A stationary object explodes, breaking into
respectively, move parallel to the x-axis, as three pieces of masses m, m, and 3m. The two
shown above. The 0.2 kg object overtakes and pieces of mass m move off at right angles to
collides with the 0. 1 kg object. Immediately each other with the same magnitude of
after the collision, the y-component of the momentum mV, as shown in the diagram
velocity of the 0.2 kg object is 1 m/s upward. above. What are the magnitude and direction of
What is the y-component of the velocity of the the velocity of the piece having mass 3m ?
0.1 kg object immediately after the collision?
(A) 2 m/s downward
(B) 0.5 m/s downward
(C) 0 m/s
(D) 0.5 m/s upward
(E) 2 m/s upward
Show your work:
A 2D collision, we look in y direction.. Before there is
no y momentum so there can be any after either. Since
the 0.2 kg object goes up and has momentum (0.2)*(1)
the 0.1 kg mass must go down at 2 m/s to have an equal
negative momentum to cancel out and give zero Show your work:
Before explosion, momentum is zero, so it must be zero
after also. In the x direction there is mV and in the y
direction there is mV. So mass 3m must have
momentum mV in both x and v direction. For 3m to
have momentum = mV, the velocity needs to be V/3. It
moves at V/3 in the x and y direction… now use
Explosion Pythagorean theorem to solve = v = sqrt (a2 + b2 )
Mathematically, handled just like an ordinary perfectly v = sqrt ( (v/3)2 + (v/3)2 ) = sqrt ( 2v2 / 9)
inelastic collision.
Momentum is conserved, kinetic energy is not.

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