AP Physics Multiple Choice Practice – Fluid Mechanics
1. A cork has weight mg and density 25% of water’s density. A string is tied around the
cork and attached to the bottom of a water-filled container. The cork is totally
immersed. Express the tension in the string in terms of the cork weight mg.
A) 0
B) mg
C) 2mg
D) 3mg
2. An ideal fluid flows through a long horizontal circular pipe. In one region of the pipe, it has radius R. The pipe
then widens to radius 2R. What is the ratio of the fluid’s speed in the region of radius R to the speed of the fluid
in region with radius 2R?
A) 4 B) 2 C) ½ D) ¼
3. A fluid is forced through a pipe of changing cross section as shown. In which section would the pressure of the
fluid be a minimum?
A) I B) II C) III D) IV
4. Three objects all float on top of water. They have the following relationships:
A and B have the same mass and same density but different shapes
B and C have the same volume and same shape
mass & density of C < mass & density of B
Three identical weights are tied to each object, and each is pulled completely beneath the water. Which object
will displace the greatest amount of water?
A) A
B) B
C) C
D) All displace the same amount of water.
5. As a rock sinks deeper and deeper into water of constant density, what happens to the buoyant force on it?
A) It increases.
B) It remains constant.
C) It decreases.
D) It may increase or decrease, depending on the shape of the rock.
6. A piece of wood with a volume of 50 cm3 is floating on water, and a piece of iron with a volume of 50 cm3 is
totally submerged. Which has the greater buoyant force on it?
A) The wood.
B) The iron.
C) Both have the same buoyant force.
D) Cannot be determined without knowing their densities.
7. Salt water is more dense than fresh water. A ship floats in both fresh water and salt water. Compared to the
fresh water, the amount of water displaced by the ship when it i in the salt water is
A) more.
B) less.
C) the same.
D) Cannot be determined from the information given.
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8. Water flows through a horizontal pipe. The diameter of the pipe at point B is larger than at point A. Where is the
water pressure greater?
A) Point A
B) Point B
C) Same at both A and B
D) Cannot be determined from the information given.
9. Liquid flows through a 4 cm diameter pipe at 1.0 m/s. There is a 2 cm diameter constriction in the line. What is
the velocity in this constriction?
A) 0.25 m/s B) 0.50 m/s C) 2 m/s D) 4 m/s
10. A copper block is connected to a string and submerged in a container of water.
Position 1: The copper is completely submerged, but just under the surface of the water.
Position 2: The copper is completely submerged, mid-way between the water surface and the bottom of the
container.
Position 3: The copper is completely submerged, but just above the bottom surface of the container.
Assume that the water is incompressible. What is the ranking of the buoyant forces (B) acting on the copper
blocks for these positions, from least to greatest?
(A) B1 < B2 < B3
(B) B3 < B2 < B1
(C) B1 = B2 = B3
(D) B1 < B2 = B3
11. Two objects labeled K and L have equal mass but densities 0.95Do and Do, respectively. Each of these objects
floats after being thrown into a deep swimming pool. Which is true about the buoyant forces acting on these
objects?
(A) The buoyant force is greater on Object K since it has a lower density and displaces more water.
(B) The buoyant force is greater on Object K since it has lower density and lower density objects always float
“higher” in the fluid.
(C) The buoyant force is greater on Object L since it is denser than K and therefore “heavier.”
(D) The buoyant forces are equal on the objects since they have equal mass.
12. A block is connected to a light string attached to the bottom of a large
container of water. The tension in the string is 3.0 N. The gravitational
force from the earth on the block is 5.0 N. What is the block’s volume?
(A) 2.0×10−4 m3
(B) 3.0×10−4 m3
(C) 5.0×10−4 m3
(D) 8.0×10−4 m3
13. A cube of unknown material and uniform density floats in a container of water with 60% of its volume
submerged. If this same cube were placed in a container of oil with density 800 kg/m 3, what portion of the
cube’s volume would be submerged while floating?
(A) 33% (B) 50% (C) 58% (D) 75%
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14. The speed of an ideal fluid is marked as it moves
along a horizontal streamline through a pipe, as
shown in the figure. In Region I, the speed of the
fluid on the streamline is V. The cylindrical,
horizontal pipe narrows so that the radius of the
pipe in Region II is half of what it was in Region
I. What is the speed of the marked fluid when it
is in Region II?
(A) 4V (B) 2V (C) V/2 (D) V/4
15. A fluid flows steadily from left to right in the pipe
shown. The diameter of the pipe is less at point 2 then at
point 1, and the fluid density is constant throughout the
pipe. How do the velocity of flow and the pressure at
points 1 and 2 compare?
Velocity Pressure
(A) v1 < v2 p1 = p2
(B) v1 < v2 p1 > p2
(C) v1 = v2 p1 < p2
(D) v1 > v2 p1 = p2
16. The figure shows an object of mass 0.4 kg that is suspended from a scale and submerged in
a liquid. If the reading on the scale is 3 N, then the buoyant force that the fluid exerts on
the object is most nearly
(A) 1.3 N
(B) 1.0N
(C) 0.75 N
(D) 0.33 N
17. Each of the beakers shown is filled to the same depth h with liquid
of density ρ. The area A of the flat bottom is the same for each
beaker. Which of the following ranks the beakers according to the
net downward force exerted by the liquid on the flat bottom, from
greatest to least force?
(A) I, III, II, IV
(B) I, IV, III, II
(C) II, III, IV, I
(D) None of the above, the force on each is the same.
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18. Multiple Correct: A T-shaped tube with a constriction is inserted in a
vessel containing a liquid, as shown. What happens if air is blown through
the tube from the left, as shown by the arrow in the diagram? Select two
answers.
(A) The liquid level in the tube rises to a level above the surface of the
liquid in the surrounding tube
(B) The liquid level in the tube falls below the level of the surrounding
liquid
(C) The pressure in the liquid in the constricted section increases.
(D) The pressure in the liquid in the constricted section decreases.
19. One cubic centimeter of iron (density ~7.8 g/cm3) and 1 cubic centimeter of aluminum (density ~2.7 g/cm3) are
dropped into a pool, and they sink to the bottom. Which has the larger buoyant force on it?
(A) iron (B) aluminum (C) both are the same. (D) neither has a buoyant force on it
20. One kilogram of iron (density ~7.8 g/cm3) and 1 kilogram of aluminum (density ~2.7 g/cm3) are dropped into a
pool, and they sink to the bottom. Which has the larger buoyant force on it?
(A) iron (B) aluminum (C) both are the same. (D) neither has a buoyant force on it
21. Find the approximate minimum mass needed for a spherical ball with a 40 cm radius to sink in a liquid of
density 1.4x103 kg/m3
(A) 37.5 kg (B) 375 kg (C) 3750 kg (D) 37500 kg
22. A horizontal pipe of radius 7R carries a uniformly dense liquid to a spigot of radius R, where it has a speed of V.
What is the speed of the liquid in the larger diameter pipe?
(A) 0.02V (B) 0.11V (C) V (D) 49V
23. The pressure in a pipe carrying a liquid with a density of ρ and an initial velocity v at the inlet is P, which is y
meters lower than its outlet, which has a velocity of 2v. In these terms, what is the final pressure?
P
( A) 3v 2 2 gy
2
1
( B ) P 3v 2 2 gy
2
1
(C ) P 3v 2 gy
2
1
v 2 4 v 2 gy
(D) 2
P
24. A block of mass m, density ρB , and volume V is completely submerged in a liquid of density ρ L. The density of
the block is greater than the density of the liquid. The block
(A) floats, because ρB > ρL
(B) experiences a buoyant force equal to ρB gV.
(C) experiences a buoyant force equal to ρL gV.
(D) experiences a buoyant force equal to mB g
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25. Multiple Correct: In the open manometer shown, water occupies a part of the left arm, from a height of y 1 to a
height of y2. The remainder of the left arm, the bottom of the tube, and the right arm to a height of y3 are filled
with mercury.
Which of the following is correct? (Select two answers.)
(A) the pressure at a height y3 is the same in both arms.
(B) the pressure at a height y2 is the same in both arms.
(C) the pressure at the bottom of the right arm is the same as at the bottom of the left arm.
(D) the pressure at a height y3 is less in the left arm than in the right arm.
26. Water flows in a pipe of uniform cross-sectional area A.
The pipe changes height from y1 = 2 meters to y2 = 3 meters. Since the areas are the same, we can say v 1 = v2.
Which of the following is true?
(A) P1 = P2 + ρg(y2– y1)
(B) P1 = P2
(C) P1 = 0
(D) P2 = 0
27. A vertical force of 30 N is applied uniformly to a flat button with a radius of 1 cm that is lying on a table. Which
of the following is the best order of magnitude estimate for the pressure applied to the button?
(A) 102 Pa
(B) 103 Pa
(C) 104 Pa
(D) 105 Pa
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28. A ball that can float on water has mass 5.00 kg and volume 2.50 x 10-2 m3. What is the magnitude of the
downward force that must be applied to the ball to hold it motionless and completely submerged in fresh water
of density 1.00 x 103 kg/m3?
(A) 20.0 N
(B) 25.0 N
(C) 30.0 N
(D) 200 N
29. Water flows through the pipe shown. At the larger end, the pipe has diameter D and the speed of the water is v1 .
What is the speed of the water at the smaller end, where the pipe has diameter d ?
d D d2 D2
( A) v1 ( B) v1 (C ) v1 ( D) v1
D d D2 d2
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ANSWERS - AP Physics Multiple Choice Practice – Fluids
Solution Answer
1. FBD has Ft pointing down Fb pointing up and weight (mg) down. Fnet = 0 Fb – Ft – mg = 0 D
The buoyant force is given by the weight of the displaced water. Since the waters displaced
volume is equal to the corks displaced volume and the water weight for the same volume
would be 4 times heavier (based on the given cork weight = 25% water weight) compared to
the cork, the buoyant force is equal to 4 x the cork weight = 4mg. Using the force equation
created initially. Ft = Fb – mg = 4mg – mg = 3mg
2. Using fluid continuity. A1v1 = A2v2 πR2v1 = π(2R)2v2 v1 = 4 v2 A
3. This is based on two principles. 1 – Bernoulli’s principle says that when speed increases B
pressure drops. Second, continuity says more area means less speed based on A 1v1 = A2v2
So the smallest area would have the largest speed and therefore most pressure drop.
4. Since A and B have the same mass and density, they have the same volume. C has the same D
volume as A and B since it’s the same shape as B. So all three objects have the same
volume. When submerged, they will all displace the same amount of water and therefore all
have the same buoyant force acting on them. Note: if the objects were floating instead of
submerged then the heavier ones would have larger buoyant forces.
5. Buoyant force is equal to weight of displaced fluid. Since the density is constant and the volume B
displaced is always the same, the buoyant force stays constant
6. The wood is floating and is only partially submerged. It does not displace a weight of water B
related to its entire volume. The iron however is totally submerged and does displace a
weight of water equal to its entire volume. Since the iron displaces more water, it has a
larger buoyant force acting on it.
7. For floating objects, the weight of the displaced fluid equals the weight of the object. For a more B
dense fluid, less of that fluid needs to be displaced to create a fluid weight equal to the
weight of the object. Since the salt water is more dense, it will not need as much displaced.
8. More area less speed more pressure B
9. Flow continuity. A1v1 = A2v2 π(0.02)2(1) = π(0.01)2v2 D
10. Buoyant force is based on how much weight of water is displaced. Since all three are completely C
submerged they all displace the same amount of water so have equal buoyant forces.
11. For floating objects, the buoyant force equals the weight of the objects. Since each object has the D
same weight, they must have the same buoyant force to counteract that weight and make
them float. IF the equal mass objects sunk, then the one with the smaller density would have
a larger volume and displace more water so have a larger buoyant force. But that is not the
case here.
12. Three forces act on the block, Ft down, mg down and Fb up. Fnet = 0 Fb – Ft – mg = 0 D
Fb – 3 – 5 = 0 Fb = 8 N – weight of displaced water = ρh20 Vdisp g
8 = (1000) V (10) V = 0.0008 m3
13. For floating objects mg = Fb ρobjVobj g = ρh20 Vdisp g D
ρobj (V)g = 1000 (0.6V) g ρobj = 600
In oil the same is true ρobjVobj g = ρoil Vdisp g (600)Vg = (800) x%V g x% = 0.75
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14. Using fluid continuity. A1v1 = A2v2 πR2v1 = π(2R)2v2 v1 = 4 v2 A
15. Based on the continuity principle, less area means more speed and based on Bernoulli’s principle, B
more speed means less pressure
16. The weight of the object The weight of the mass is 4N. The scale reading apparent weight is 3N B
so there must be a 1N buoyant force acting to produce this result.
17. . Since the pressure in a fluid is only dependent on the depth, they all have the same fluid D
pressure at the base. Since all of the bases have the same area and the same liquid pressure
there, the force of the liquid given by P=F/A would be the same for all containers. Note: IF
instead this question asked for the pressure of the container on the floor below it, the
container with more total mass in it would create a greater pressure, but that is not the case
here.
18. As the fluid flows into the smaller area constriction, its speed increases and therefore the pressure A,D
drops. Since the pressure in the constriction is less than that outside at the water surface,
fluid is forced up into the lower tube.
19. Both objects are more dense than water and will sink in the pool. Since both have the same C
volume, they will displace the same amount of water and will have the same buoyant forces.
20. Again both samples sink. Also, both samples have the same mass but different densities. For the B
same mass, a smaller density must have a larger volume, and the larger volume displaces
more water making a larger buoyant force. So the smaller density with the larger volume has
a larger buoyant force.
21. V of this ball is 4/3 π r3 = 4/3 π (0.4)3 = 0.2681 m3. For the ball to just sink, it is on the verge of B
floating, meaning the weight of the ball equals the buoyant force of the fully submerged ball.
mg = ρfl Vdisp g m (10) = 1400 (0.2681) (10) m = 375 kg
22. Using fluid continuity. A1v1 = A2v2 π(7R)2v1 = π(R)2V v1 = V / 49 A
23. The fluid flow is occurring in a situation similar to the diagram for question #27. B
Apply Bernoulli’s equation. P 1 + ρgy1 + ½ ρv12 = P2 + ρgy2 + ½ ρv22
P + 0 + ½ ρv2 = P2 + ρgy + ½ ρ (2v)2
P2 = P + ½ ρv2 – ½ 4ρv2 – ρgy = P – 3/2 ρv2 – ρgy
24. Definition of buoyant force C
25. The relevant equation is P = Po + ρgh
Answer (a) is wrong, because at y1 on both arms, the pressure is just the atmospheric pressure. B,C
The pressure in the right arm at y3 is still just atmospheric, but on the left, it is atmospheric plus
ρg(y1– y3). That rules out (a). The pressure at the bottom of the tube is everywhere the same
(Pascal’s principle), which rules out (c), and at the same time, tells us (b) is right. At y2, we can
say P = Pbottom – ρHggy2 on both sides, so the pressure is equal. Answer (d) is wrong because at
y3, the right arm is supporting only the atmosphere, while the left arm is supporting the
atmosphere plus ρH20 gh. Finally, (e) is silly because both arms at height y1 are at atmospheric
pressure.
26. Apply Bernoulli’s equation. P 1 + ρgy1 + ½ ρv12 = P2 + ρgy2 + ½ ρv22 A
P1 = P2 + ρg(y2–y1)
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27. P = F / A = 30 / π r2 … use 3 for π since its an estimate … 30 / (3*(.01) 2) = 100000 Pa
D
28. For the object to be completely submerged there would be three forces acting. F b up, mg down
and Fpush down. Fb = Fpush + mg Fpush = Fb – mg D
Fpush = ph20 Vdisp g – mg
= (1000)(2.5x10–2)(10) – (5)(10) = 200 N
29. Using fluid continuity. A1v1 = A2v2 π(D/2)2v1 = π(d/2)2v2 solve for v2 D
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