AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS Test Booklet

AP Review 2

1. A car is traveling over a hill that has a radius of curvature of . The car is slowing down as it goes
over the hill. It slows down at a constant rate from a speed of to a speed of over a distance of
ending at the top of the hill. The net acceleration of the car at the top of the hill is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

A block of mass 3 kg, initially at rest, is pulled along a frictionless, horizontal surface with a force shown as a function of
time t by the graph above.

2. The acceleration of the block at t = 2s is

(A) 3/4 m/s2
(B) 4/3 m/s2
(C) 2 m/s2
(D) 8 m/s2
(E) 12 m/s2

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3.

Blocks and have masses and , respectively. The blocks are connected using a light string and an ideal
pulley in the Atwood machine shown. When the blocks are released from rest, block accelerates downward with
acceleration . Block is replaced with a block that has twice the mass. The blocks are again released from rest.
Which of the following is a correct expression for the new acceleration of the blocks?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

A block of mass m is accelerated across a rough surface by a force of magnitude F that is exerted at an angle ⯑ with the
horizontal, as shown above. The frictional force on the block exerted by the surface has magnitude f.

4. What is the acceleration of the block?

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

5.

A block of mass is sliding down an inclined plane that makes an angle with the horizontal, as shown in the
figure. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the surface and the block is . Which of the following is a correct
expression for the acceleration of the block?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

6.

An Atwood's machine consists of two blocks connected by a light string that passes over a set of ideal pulleys, as
shown above. Blocks and have masses and , respectively. The blocks are released from rest and block
moves downward with an acceleration of magnitude . Next, a block of mass is attached to block , and
the system is again released from rest. Which of the following gives the change in acceleration of block ?

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(A) A decrease of
(B) A decrease of
(C) An increase of
(D) A decrease of
(E) An increase of

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7.

A block of mass M/2 rests on a frictionless horizontal table, as shown above. It is connected to one end of a string
that passes over a massless pulley and has another block of mass M/2 hanging from its other end. The apparatus is
released from rest.

a. Derive an expression for the speed vh of the hanging block as a function of the distance d it descends.

Now the block and pulley system is replaced by a uniform rope of length L and mass M, with one end of
the rope hanging slightly over the edge of the frictionless table. The rope is released from rest, and at
some time later there is a length y of rope hanging over the edge, as shown below. Express your answers
to parts (b), (c), and (d) in terms of y, L, M, and fundamental constants.

b. Determine an expression for the force of gravity on the hanging part of the rope as a function of y.

c. Derive an expression for the work done by gravity on the rope as a function of y, assuming y is initially
zero

d. Derive an expression for the speed vr of the rope as a function of y.

e. The hanging block and the right end of the rope are each allowed to fall a distance L (the length of the
rope). The string is long enough that the sliding block does not hit the pulley. Indicate whether vh from
part (a) or vr from part (d) is greater after the block and the end of the rope have traveled this distance.

____ vh is greater. ____ vr is greater. ____ The speeds are equal.

Justify your answer.

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8.

Blocks and of masses and , respectively, are attached to an ideal pulley to create the Atwood’s
machine shown in the figure. Which of the following free-body diagrams could be correct for the blocks when they
are released from rest if ?

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Block Block

(A)

(B)

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Block Block

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(C)

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Block Block

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(D)

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Block Block

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(E)

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Block Block

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9.

In an experiment, a cart of mass is set up on a horizontal surface of negligible friction. A group of students push
the cart toward an ideal spring of spring constant that is attached to a vertical surface. A motion sensor is set up
behind the cart, and a force sensor is attached to the cart, as shown in the figure. The motion sensor is used to
measure the position and speed of the cart, and the force sensor is used to determine the force the spring exerts on
the cart. Which of the following hypotheses can this experiment be used to test?
The speed of the cart as it reaches the spring is directly proportional to the cart’s initial distance from the
(A)
spring.
The speed of the cart as it reaches the spring is directly proportional to the average force the students exert on
(B)
the cart.
The distance the cart compresses the spring is directly proportional to the average force the students exert on
(C)
the cart.
The work done by the spring on the cart is directly proportional to the initial kinetic energy of the cart when
(D)
it reaches the spring.
(E) The work done by the spring on the cart is directly proportional to the spring constant of the spring.

A cart of mass is approaching a hill with a circular top of radius , as shown in the figure above. The cart is carrying a
load also of mass and is traveling with speed when it is at the top of the hill. The length of the cart is negligible in
comparison to the radius of the hill. The cart never loses contact with the hill’s surface. The cart and load can both be
considered to be at the same position.

10. Which of the following claims identifies an action-reaction pair of forces due to Newton’s third law and provides
appropriate reasoning to justify this claim?

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The normal force exerted on the load by the cart and the gravitational force exerted on the load by Earth,
(A)
because these are equal and opposite forces that act on the same object.
The normal force exerted on the load by the cart and the gravitational force exerted on the load by Earth,
(B)
because these are equal and opposite forces that act on different objects.
The normal force exerted on the load by the cart and the normal force exerted on the cart by the load, because
(C)
these are equal and opposite forces that act on the same object.
The normal force exerted on the load by the cart and the normal force exerted on the cart by the load, because
(D)
these are equal and opposite forces that act on different objects.
The gravitational force exerted on the cart by Earth and the normal force exerted by the hill on the cart,
(E)
because these are equal and opposite forces that act on different objects.

11. In a free-body diagram showing all the forces (and not components) acting on objects at the top of the hill, how
many vertical forces will act on the cart, and how many vertical forces will act on the load?

Cart Load
(A)
2 2

Cart Load
(B)
2 3

Cart Load
(C)
3 2

Cart Load
(D)
3 3

Cart Load
(E)
4 3

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12.

A car moving to the right at collides with a stationary truck. Which of the following
graphs could represent the force as a function of time for both the car and the truck during the collision?

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(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

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(E)

13.

Blocks and of equal mass are on a horizontal surface and are connected by a light string. The blocks are pulled
to the right by a horizontal force of magnitude exerted on block , as shown in the figure. There is negligible
friction between the blocks and the horizontal surface. The blocks are accelerating to the right along the surface.
Which of the following figures accurately represents the magnitudes and directions of the horizontal forces on the
blocks?

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

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14.

A ball of mass is attached to a light rope of length . The ball is moving in a vertical circle, as shown
in the figure, with Earth’s gravitational force as the only force external to the ball-string system. The speed of the
ball at point is . The acceleration of the ball at point is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

An experiment is set up using a hanging mass to pull a cart along a horizontal track. A light string is attached from the
hanging mass over a pulley to a force sensor. A second light string is attached from the force sensor to the cart. There is a
motion sensor that can be used to measure different features of the motion of the cart. The pulley is ideal, and there is
negligible friction between the cart and the track.

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15.

Block of mass is at rest on top of block of mass when a horizontal force of magnitude is exerted on
block , for a time as shown in the figure. Block moves across block . The coefficient of friction between
blocks and is . There is negligible friction between block and the surface. Which of the following is a
correct expression for the acceleration of block ?
(A)
(B)
(C)

(D)

(E)

16. The cart of mass starts at rest. The reading on the force sensor is . Which of the following is a correct
expression for the distance that the cart moved in time ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)

17. The hanging mass is released. Which of the following sets of graphs could represent output from the motion sensor
and the force sensor?

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(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

18.

A block of mass is initially moving on rough surface inclined at angle above the horizontal, as shown in Figure
1. Figure 2 shows the four forces acting on the block. Which of the following best describes the motion of the block
at the moment shown in the two figures?
(A) The block is moving up the incline and speeding up.
(B) The block is moving up the incline and slowing down.
(C) The block is moving down the incline and speeding up.
(D) The block is moving down the incline at a constant speed.
(E) The block is moving down the incline and slowing down.

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19.

A block of mass m is pulled along a rough horizontal surface by a constant applied force of magnitude F1 that acts at an
angle θ to the horizontal, as indicated above. The acceleration of the block is a1 . Express all algebraic answers in terms of
m, F1 , θ , a1 , and fundamental constants.

a. On the figure below, draw and label a free-body diagram showing all the forces on the block.

b. Derive an expression for the normal force exerted by the surface on the block.

c. Derive an expression for the coefficient of kinetic friction µ between the block and the surface.

d. On the axes below, sketch graphs of the speed v and displacement x of the block as functions of time t if the
block started from rest at x = 0 and t = 0.

e. If the applied force is large enough, the block will lose contact with the surface. Derive an expression for the
magnitude of the greatest acceleration amax that the block can have and still maintain contact with the ground.

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20.

A car is moving along a road over a hill from point to point . At point , the hill has a radius , and the car
has speed and tangential acceleration . At point , the hill has a radius , and the car has constant speed .
Which of the following statements about the acceleration of the car at the two points is correct?
The magnitude of the acceleration is greatest at point because the tangential acceleration at point is
(A)
zero.
The magnitude of the acceleration is greatest at point , and the tangential acceleration at point is not
(B)
zero.
(C) The magnitude of the acceleration is greatest at point .
(D) The magnitude of the acceleration is the same at points and .
The magnitude of the accelerations cannot be compared at the two points because they are in different
(E)
directions.

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21. Read each question carefully. Show all your work for each part of the question. The parts within the question may
not have equal weight.

Students set up a system of two blocks and an inclined plane, as shown in the figure. Block of mass is on a
surface that is inclined at an angle to the horizontal. The friction between block and the surface is negligible.
A string is attached to block , extends over an ideal pulley, and is then attached to block of mass .

(a) In an initial setup, and . Calculate the value of that would allow the system to remain
in equilibrium.

The original inclined plane is now replaced with one that has a rough surface. The coefficients of static and kinetic
friction between block and the surface are and , respectively. Block is again chosen so that .

(b) Derive an expression for the maximum value of that would allow this system to remain in equilibrium.
Express your answer in terms of , , , and physical constants, as appropriate.

Block of mass is now chosen such that block will accelerate up the inclined plane.

(c)

i. Derive an expression for the magnitude of the acceleration of block . Express your answer in terms of ,
, , , , and physical constants, as appropriate.

ii. Derive an expression for the tension in the string. Express your answer in terms of , , , , , and
physical constants, as appropriate.

(d) On the axes below, sketch the speed and distance moved by block 1 up the inclined plane as functions of
time.

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(e) During the experiments, students collect data that shows the acceleration of the blocks actually increases while
the blocks are in motion.

i. On this axis below, sketch the speed of block as a function of .

ii. Explain why the experiment may have produced an increasing acceleration instead of the predicted constant
acceleration.

An object of mass is given an initial velocity and then slides across a horizontal surface. The object experiences a
resistive force that is a function of velocity. The velocity of the object as a function of time is given by ,
where and .

22. The energy dissipated due to the resistive force after a very long time is most nearly
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E) infinity

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23.

A horizontal force F pushes a block of mass m against a vertical wall. The coefficient of friction between the block
and the wall is μ . What value of F is necessary to keep the block from slipping down the wall?
(A) mg
(B) μmg
(C)
(D) mg(1 - μ)
(E) mg(1 + μ)

24. A 1500 kg car is pushing 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 force is the truck exerting on the car?
(A) 0 N
(B) 3000 N
(C) 5000 N
(D) 8000 N
(E) 11,000 N

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25.

A small toy rocket is in a horizontal position, at rest on a horizontal surface of negligible friction. A rope is attached
to the rocket and the other end of the rope is held in place, as shown in the figures. As the rocket burns fuel, the
rocket accelerates and the rope exerts a force on the rocket. The resulting motion is the rocket accelerating in non-
uniform circular motion in a horizontal circle. Below are four free-body diagrams, two for each view, with a dot
representing the rocket and vectors representing forces exerted on the rocket as the rocket moves in the non-uniform
circular motion. Which of the diagrams are correct representations of the forces on the rocket when it is in the
position shown in the figures?

(A) I and III

(B) I and IV
(C) II and III
(D) II and IV
(E) I only

26.

Block of mass is on a horizontal table of negligible friction. A light string is attached to block , extends
over an ideal pulley, and is attached to block of mass , which is hanging off the table, as shown in the figure.
When the blocks are held at rest, the tension in the string is . The blocks are then released from rest.
Which of the following is a correct expression for the new tension in the string while both blocks are moving?

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

The following graph shows the force exerted on a 2 kg object as a function of the distance d that the object travels.
The object is at rest at d = 0 and travels on a horizontal, frictionless surface along the line of action of the force.

27. The kinetic energy of the 2 kg object when d equals 20 m is the same as when d is most nearly
(A) 0 m
(B) 5m
(C) 10 m
(D) 12.5 m
(E) 15 m

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A small box is on a ramp tilted at an angle ⯑ above the horizontal. The box may be subject to the following forces:
frictional ( 𝑓 ), gravitational ( 𝑚g ), pulling or pushing ( 𝐹𝑃 ) , and normal ( 𝑁 ). In the following free-body diagrams for
the box, the lengths of the vectors are proportional to the magnitudes of the forces.

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28. Which figure best represents the free-body diagram for the box if it is accelerating up the ramp?
(A) Figure A
(B) Figure B
(C) Figure C
(D) Figure D
(E) Figure E

A block on a level horizontal surface of negligible friction is initially traveling at 20 m/s to the left. A horizontal force
is exerted to the right on the block for the time interval 0 < t < 0.10 s. The magnitude of the force is given as a function of
time t by the equation F = αt , where α = 240 N/s and t is in seconds.

29. Which of the following free-body diagrams best shows the forces acting on the block at time t = 0.05 s ?

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E)

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30. A disc of mass m slides with negligible friction along a flat surface with a velocity v. The disc strikes a wall head-on
and bounces back in the opposite direction with a kinetic energy one-fourth of its initial kinetic energy. What is the
final velocity of the disc?
(A) v/4
(B) v/2
(C) -v
(D) -v/2
(E) -v/4

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