AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
1. Show all your work for each part of the question. The parts within the question may not have equal weight.
A small sphere of mass is launched straight upward from the top of a high cliff, as shown in Figure , with an
initial speed at time . The air exerts a resistive force on the sphere that varies with velocity
according to the equation , where is a positive constant. The sphere reaches its maximum height in
the air at time and then falls back toward the ground, which is a long distance below the sphere’s launch point
at the top of the cliff. In the following questions, the positive direction is taken to be upward.
(a)
(i) Derive an equation for the velocity of the sphere as a function of time by solving a differential equation.
Express your answer in terms of , , , , and physical constants, as appropriate.
(ii) On the axes in Figure , sketch a graph of the sphere’s acceleration as a function of . The sphere does not
reach the ground during the time interval shown in the graph. The time and acceleration values of and are
indicated on the axes.
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 1 of 13
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
(b) Derive an expression for the time at which the sphere reaches its maximum height. Express your answer in
terms of , , , and physical constants, as appropriate.
Part A
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The response accurately includes all the following criteria.
1 point is earned for a multistep derivation that uses Newton’s second law.
Correct answer: , or any equivalent equation.
1 point is earned for setting up a correct differential equation that can be solved to find the sphere’s
velocity as a function of time.
1 point is earned for separating the variables and attempting to evaluate the resulting integrals.
1 point is earned for:
◦ correctly evaluating the integrals,
AND
Page 2 of 13 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
◦ using appropriate integration constants or integral limits that indicate the sphere’s initial
velocity is , upward.
1 point is earned for an equation for that is
◦ consistent with the evaluated integrals,
AND
◦ in terms of the indicated quantities and physical constants, as appropriate.
Example Response
From Newton’s second law:
Separating the variables and :
Evaluating the integrals:
Solving for :
1 point is earned for drawing a graph that indicates an acceleration of either or at time .
1 point is earned for drawing a continuous graph that indicates a negative acceleration that decreases in
magnitude and approaches zero as time increases.
Example Response
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 3 of 13
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
Part B
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
0 1 2 3
The response accurately includes exactly three of the following criteria.
1 point is earned for a multistep derivation that sets the velocity equal to zero.
Correct answer:
1 point is earned for substituting the nonzero solution for into the given velocity equation.
1 point is earned for using the equation for derived in part (a) to find .
Example Response
From part (a):
The velocity is zero at the maximum height, so
Page 4 of 13 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
or, equivalently,
2. Show all your work for each part of the question. The parts within the question may not have equal weight.
A box of mass is sliding in a straight line on a rough, horizontal surface, as shown in the figure. The box has
an initial velocity of in the positive direction, and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the box and the
surface is . Starting at time , the box is subject to a time-varying, horizontal applied force exerted in
the positive direction. The applied force varies with time according to the equation , where
and are positive constants.
(a) If the rough surface could extend as far as necessary, would the box come to a complete stop in a finite amount
of time? Justify your answer using qualitative reasoning beyond equations, though you may refer to the given
equation for .
(b) Derive an equation for the velocity of the box as a function of time by solving a differential equation.
Express your equation for in terms of , , , , , , and physical constants, as appropriate.
(c) Justify if the equation for the velocity that you derived in part (b) is either consistent or not consistent with
your reasoning in part (a).
Part A
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
0 1 2 3
The response accurately includes all the following criteria.
1 point is earned for stating that the box will eventually stop with an attempt at a valid explanation.
1 point is earned for indicating that the applied force will eventually become negligible or smaller than
the friction force.
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 5 of 13
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
1 point is earned for indicating that the net force becomes opposite to the direction of motion, and that
this will cause the box to stop moving.
Example Response
Yes, the box will slow down to a complete stop. The applied force decreases continually and will eventually be much
smaller than the friction force. After that time, the net force is directed against the direction of motion and the box will
slow down until it stops.
Part B
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
0 1 2 3
The response accurately includes all the following criteria.
1 point is earned for a multi-step derivation that uses Newton’s second law, where .
1 point is earned for a correct expression for the net force acting on the box.
1 point is earned for attempting to solve a differential equation in terms of by separating variables
and integrating with appropriate integration constants or limits of integration.
Example Response
Using Newton’s second law to set up a differential equation for :
Solving the differential equation for :
Evaluating both integrals results in the following.
Page 6 of 13 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
Part C
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
0 1 2
The response accurately includes both the following criteria.
1 point is earned for attempting to use functional dependence in the equation from part (b) by relating the
velocity to time.
Scoring Note: To earn this point it is not necessary to use the functional dependence correctly.
1 point is earned for a correct justification that is consistent with both the answer in part (a) and the
equation derived in part (b).
Example Response
In the equation the first two terms, , added together are limited in value to the range between
and . However, is not limited and becomes increasingly negative with increasing time. Thus, sooner
or later, the friction term cancels out the other two terms and the velocity becomes zero, in agreement with the reasoning
in part (a).
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 7 of 13
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
3. Show all your work for each part of the question. The parts within the question may not have equal weight.
Two blocks are connected by a string that passes over an ideal pulley, as shown in Figure . Block of mass
can move with negligible friction along an incline that makes an angle with the horizontal, and Block of mass
can move vertically. The blocks are released from rest from the positions shown in Figure .
(a) The dots in Figure represent blocks and , as indicated, and the dashed line represents the surface of the
incline. On each dot, draw and label the forces (not components) exerted on the blocks. Each force must be
represented by a distinct arrow starting on, and pointing away from, the appropriate dot.
(b) Derive an expression for the magnitude of the acceleration of a block after the blocks are released. Express
your answer in terms of , , and physical constants, as appropriate.
(c) On the axes in Figure , sketch a graph of the magnitude of the net force as a function of the incline angle
Page 8 of 13 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
for each of the following objects.
Block
Block
Label each curve ‘ ’ and ‘ ’, as appropriate.
(d) Describe how the graph for Block in part (c) would change if the string and Block were removed, and
Block were released from rest on the incline? Justify your answer.
Part A
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
0 1 2 3
The response accurately includes all the following criteria.
1 point is earned for drawing correctly labeled gravitational forces on both blocks, with both forces
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 9 of 13
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
directed downward.
1 point is earned for drawing a correctly labeled normal force on Block , perpendicular to the dashed
line and directed up and to the right.
1 point is earned for drawing a correctly labeled tension force on both blocks, with no extraneous forces.
Scoring Note: Acceptable labels for forces include the following.
◦ Gravitational force: , ,
“grav force,” “F Earth on A (or B),” “F on A (or B) by Earth”
The labels “ ” or “ ” are NOT appropriate labels for the force due to gravity.
◦ Normal force: , ”normal force,” “incline force,” or similar labels
◦ Tension force: , “string force,” “tension force,” or similar labels
Example Response
Part B
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
0 1 2 3 4
The response accurately includes all the following criteria.
1 point is earned for a multistep derivation that uses Newton’s second law.
Correct answer: , or any equivalent expression.
1 point is earned for:
Page 10 of 13 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
◦ using the correct masses of blocks and , AND treating the tension forces exerted on the two
blocks as having the same magnitude
OR
◦ using the correct total mass of the two blocks, if treating the blocks as a single unit.
1 point is earned for correctly writing equations relating acceleration and force
◦ for both Block and Block
OR
◦ for the blocks as a single unit.
1 point is earned an expression for acceleration that is consistent with the Newton’s-second-law
equations AND is in terms of the indicated quantities and physical constants, as appropriate.
Example Response 1
Apply Newton’s second law to blocks and :
Add the two equations to eliminate , then solve for :
Example response 2
Apply Newton’s second law, treating the two blocks as a single unit:
Solve for :
Part C
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 11 of 13
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
0 1 2 3
The response accurately includes all the following criteria.
1 point is earned for drawing two concave down curves that have a minimum at degrees and a
maximum at degrees.
1 point is earned for one of the following:
◦ a curve labeled “ ” that has a maximum force of at degrees
◦ a curve labeled “ ” that has a maximum force of at degrees.
1 point is earned for drawing curves labeled “ ” and “ ” such that the curve labeled “ ” is greater than
the force of the curve labeled “ ” for all angles.
Example Response
Part D
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
Page 12 of 13 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
unit 2 progress check FRQ
0 1 2
The response accurately includes both of the following criteria.
1 point is earned for indicating that the net force on Block would be zero at degrees, and still equal
to at degrees, with an attempt at a justification.
1 point is earned or justifications of one of the following:
◦ why the net force on Block would be zero at degrees
◦ why the net force on Block is still equal to at degrees.
Example Response:
The graph for Block would start at a force of zero, because there would be no horizontal force along a horizontal
surface and the upward normal force would balance the downward weight force. The graph would increase with angle
and still be at degrees because Block would be in free fall, falling with an acceleration equal to .
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 13 of 13
AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS Test Booklet
unit 2 progress check FRQ
1. Show all your work for each part of the question. The parts within the question may not have equal weight.
A small sphere of mass is launched straight upward from the top of a high cliff, as shown in Figure , with an initial speed
at time . The air exerts a resistive force on the sphere that varies with velocity according to the equation
, where is a positive constant. The sphere reaches its maximum height in the air at time and then falls back
toward the ground, which is a long distance below the sphere’s launch point at the top of the cliff. In the following questions, the
positive direction is taken to be upward.
(a)
(i) Derive an equation for the velocity of the sphere as a function of time by solving a differential equation. Express your
answer in terms of , , , , and physical constants, as appropriate.
(ii) On the axes in Figure , sketch a graph of the sphere’s acceleration as a function of . The sphere does not reach the ground
during the time interval shown in the graph. The time and acceleration values of and are indicated on the axes.
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 1 of 4
Test Booklet
unit 2 progress check FRQ
(b) Derive an expression for the time at which the sphere reaches its maximum height. Express your answer in terms of , ,
, and physical constants, as appropriate.
2. Show all your work for each part of the question. The parts within the question may not have equal weight.
A box of mass is sliding in a straight line on a rough, horizontal surface, as shown in the figure. The box has an initial
velocity of in the positive direction, and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the box and the surface is . Starting at
time , the box is subject to a time-varying, horizontal applied force exerted in the positive direction. The applied force
varies with time according to the equation , where and are positive constants.
(a) If the rough surface could extend as far as necessary, would the box come to a complete stop in a finite amount of time?
Justify your answer using qualitative reasoning beyond equations, though you may refer to the given equation for .
(b) Derive an equation for the velocity of the box as a function of time by solving a differential equation. Express your
equation for in terms of , , , , , , and physical constants, as appropriate.
(c) Justify if the equation for the velocity that you derived in part (b) is either consistent or not consistent with your reasoning in
part (a).
3. Show all your work for each part of the question. The parts within the question may not have equal weight.
Page 2 of 4 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Test Booklet
unit 2 progress check FRQ
Two blocks are connected by a string that passes over an ideal pulley, as shown in Figure . Block of mass can move
with negligible friction along an incline that makes an angle with the horizontal, and Block of mass can move vertically.
The blocks are released from rest from the positions shown in Figure .
(a) The dots in Figure represent blocks and , as indicated, and the dashed line represents the surface of the incline. On
each dot, draw and label the forces (not components) exerted on the blocks. Each force must be represented by a distinct arrow
starting on, and pointing away from, the appropriate dot.
(b) Derive an expression for the magnitude of the acceleration of a block after the blocks are released. Express your answer in
terms of , , and physical constants, as appropriate.
(c) On the axes in Figure , sketch a graph of the magnitude of the net force as a function of the incline angle for each of the
following objects.
Block
Block
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 3 of 4
Test Booklet
unit 2 progress check FRQ
Label each curve ‘ ’ and ‘ ’, as appropriate.
(d) Describe how the graph for Block in part (c) would change if the string and Block were removed, and Block were
released from rest on the incline? Justify your answer.
Page 4 of 4 AP Physics C: Mechanics