AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
1.
A person is cleaning a wall by pushing a brush against the wall, as shown in the figure. The person is pushing the
brush upward with an increasing speed. Which of the following free-body diagrams best represents the motion
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 1 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
described?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Page 2 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
2.
A block of mass is initially moving on a rough horizontal surface as shown in Figure . Figure 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 to the right and speeding up.
(B) The block is moving to the right at a constant speed.
(C) The block is moving to the right and slowing down.
(D) The block is moving to the left at a constant speed.
(E) The block is moving to the left and slowing down.
3.
A wood block is placed on a rough surface. The surface starts horizontal, and one end is then raised so that the angle
the surface makes with the horizontal gradually increases until, at an angle , the block begins to move down the
surface, as shown in the figure. From this observation, which of the following can be concluded for angles greater
than ?
(A) There is no frictional force on the block.
(B) The gravitational force is equal to the frictional force.
(C) The component of the gravitational force along the surface is greater than the frictional force.
(D) The normal force is equal to the gravitational force.
(E) The component of the normal force along the surface is greater than the gravitational force.
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 3 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
4.
The drag force on a falling coffee filter can be modeled as a linear function with respect to velocity, ,
where is a positive constant related to the surface area and shape of the coffee filter. The teacher demonstrates
how the value of constant can be determined by releasing coffee filters from rest and having them fall toward a
motion detector, as shown. The students repeat the activity and use the motion detector to measure the position,
velocity, and acceleration of different coffee filters as they fall. Which of the following would provide the data
needed to determine the value of ?
Cut coffee filters into different shapes of the same surface area and measure the terminal velocity of the
(A)
coffee filters.
(B) Vary the diameter of the coffee filter and measure the final velocity of the coffee filter.
(C) Vary the starting height of the coffee filter and measure the final velocity of the coffee filter.
Stack multiple coffee filters in order to vary the weight of the system without changing the surface area
(D)
and measure the acceleration of the coffee filters.
Stack multiple coffee filters in order to vary the weight of the system without changing the surface area
(E)
and measure the terminal velocity of the coffee filters.
5. A particle is moving with a constant velocity in the -direction. When the particle reaches the origin, a constant
force is exerted on it in the -direction. Which of the following graphs best shows the path the particle will
follow?
Page 4 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 5 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(E)
6. A ball is thrown straight down from the top of a building with a speed greater than its terminal speed . Which of
the following graphs best represents the speed of the ball as a function of time while it falls to the ground?
Page 6 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 7 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(E)
7.
A block of mass is initially at rest on a rough horizontal surface when a constant force is exerted on it, as
shown. The block accelerates to the right and is moving with speed once it has moved a distance . Which of the
following equations can be used to solve for the force of friction exerted on the block by the surface?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Page 8 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
8.
A block of mass is being pushed up a rough inclined plane by a force of magnitude . The magnitude of
the friction force between the block and the surface is . The plane makes an angle with the horizontal. Which of
the following equations can be used to solve for the acceleration of the block?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
9.
Blocks A and B of unknown masses and , respectively, are set up on an inclined plane as shown. Block is
attached to block B by a light string that passes over an ideal pulley. Block is on a surface of negligible friction.
The blocks are released from rest, block accelerates up the incline, and its acceleration is measured. Which of
the following uses the data for the magnitude of the acceleration to support a correct claim about the masses of the
blocks?
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 9 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
.
(A) If , then
(B) If , then .
(C) If , then .
(D) If \(a < g\sin\theta\), then \(m_1 < m_2\)
(E) It cannot be determined which block has more mass from the information provided.
10.
A person is standing on a scale placed on the floor of an elevator. At time , the elevator is at rest and the reading
on the scale is . At a later time , the person is still standing on the scale and the reading on the scale is
. Based on the scale readings, which of the following statements about the motion of the elevator could be
true at time ?
(A) The elevator is moving upward at constant speed.
(B) The elevator is moving upward and slowing down.
(C) The elevator is moving downward at constant speed.
(D) The elevator is moving downward and slowing down.
(E) The elevator is at rest.
Page 10 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
11.
A block is sliding on a curved surface ramp with non-negligible friction, as shown in the figure. The acceleration
vector of the block as it is moving to the right past point is shown. Which of the following best describes the
motion of the block at point ?
(A) The block is speeding up and changing direction.
(B) The block is slowing down and changing direction.
(C) The block is changing direction only.
(D) The block is speeding up only.
(E) The block is slowing down only.
12.
A person stands against the wall inside an amusement park ride consisting of a large cylinder that can spin about its
central axis. When the cylinder is spinning at a high enough constant speed, the floor drops, but the person remains
at the same location on the wall without slipping. From the perspective shown in the top view, which of the
following illustrates the correct direction of the velocity and acceleration of the person at the position indicated
when the cylinder is spinning in the direction shown?
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 11 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
13.
A roller coaster has a circular loop of radius . The minimum speed of a coaster car at the top of the loop needed to
make it through the loop without losing contact is . Which of the following is an expression for the radius of
the loop that has a minimum speed of ?
Page 12 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
14.
A coin of mass is placed a distance from the center of a horizontal turntable, as shown in the figure. Turntable
1, which has negligible friction, is turned on and spins at a rate such that the point where the coin is placed moves
with speed . When the coin is placed at this point, it slides off turntable 1. The coin is then placed a distance
from the center of turntable 2 that has a rough surface with a coefficient of friction . Which of the following
describes the change in the motion of the coin as it moves on turntable 2 as compared to turntable1?
(A) The coin is accelerated toward the center of turntable 2 if .
(B) The coin is accelerated toward the outer edge of turntable 2 if .
(C) The coin is accelerated tangent to turntable 2 if .
(D) The coin is accelerated toward the center of turntable 2 if .
(E) The coin is accelerated toward the outer edge of turntable 2 if .
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 13 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
15.
The figure represents an amusement park ride that consists of three spokes of radius spinning at a
constant rate. At the end of each of the three spokes are four smaller spokes holding a passenger seat at a radius
, also spinning at a constant rate. At the instant shown, a child is in cart , moving with a speed
of . Which of the following is most nearly the magnitude of the force on the child?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
Page 14 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
16.
The diagram above shows an overhead view of a car traveling clockwise at a constant speed along a flat
horizontal circular track of radius . The car takes to complete one lap around the track. Which of the
following gives the magnitude and direction of the force of friction exerted on the car by the track at the moment
shown in the figure?
(A) to the left
(B) toward the top of the page
(C) toward the bottom of the page
(D) to the left
(E) to the right
17.
Box has a weight of and is at rest on a horizontal floor. Box has a weight of and is at rest on top of box
. Which of the following free-body diagrams is correct for the two boxes?
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 15 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Page 16 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(E)
18.
The figure shows blocks and on a horizontal surface in contact with each other. A force is applied to block
. In which of the following situations does block apply a force of magnitude to block ?
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 17 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
19.
Two blocks are connected by a light string, as shown in Figure 1. There is friction between the blocks and the table.
The system is released from rest, and the blocks accelerate. The tension in the string is . Then the setup is
returned to its starting position, and a third block is attached as shown in Figure 2. The masses of the blocks are
related as follows: The system is again released from rest and allowed to accelerate. The
tension in the string on the left is . Which of the following gives a correct relationship between the tensions in the
string on the left in the two situations?
Page 18 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D) The relationship cannot be determined without knowing the actual masses of the blocks.
The relationship cannot be determined without knowing the coefficient of friction between the blocks
(E)
and the table.
20.
Block of mass is on a horizontal surface of negligible friction. An identical block is attached to block by
a light string that passes over an ideal pulley. The tension force exerted on block after the system is released from
rest has magnitude . Block is then replaced by a block of mass and the system again released from rest..
Which of the following is a correct expression for the tension force now exerted on block ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
21.
Blocks and of masses m and , respectively, are connected by a light string and are pulled along a horizontal
surface of negligible friction by a horizontal force of magnitude , as shown in the figure. The tension in the string
is . If the masses of the blocks are doubled, and the magnitude of the horizontal force remains the same, the
tension in the string will be
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 19 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
22.
Blocks and of masses and , respectively, are on a horizontal surface of negligible friction. A horizontal
force is exerted on block , as shown. If the force exerted by block on block has a magnitude , the
magnitude of is
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
23.
In experiment , a cart of mass , initially at rest, is pulled by a force of magnitude , as shown in Figure 1, for a
time to give the cart a speed . In experiment , a cart of mass , initially at rest, is pulled by a force , as
shown in Figure 2, for a time to give the cart speed . Which of the following gives a correct equation for the
magnitude of and explains the equation based on experimental evidence?
Page 20 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
. Because it took the cart twice the time to reach the same speed, it has twice the acceleration
(A)
and therefore twice the force.
. Because it took the cart twice the time to reach the same speed, it has half the acceleration
(B)
and therefore twice the force.
. Because the cart reaches the same speed, it has the same acceleration and therefore the same
(C)
force.
. Because it took the cart twice the time to reach the same speed, it has twice the acceleration
(D)
and therefore half the force.
. Because it took the cart twice the time to reach the same speed, it has half the acceleration
(E)
and therefore half the force.
24.
Blocks , , and on a horizontal surface of negligible friction are being pushed by a force of magnitude . The
blocks have the masses indicated in the figure with . The accelerations of blocks , , and are
, , and , respectively. is the force block exerts on block is is the force block exerts on block .
Which of the following indicates data that support the claim that ?
(A) ; since , then .
(B) ; since , then .
(C) ; since , then .
(D) Since , then .
(E) Since , then .
25.
Blocks and are connected by a light string and are pulled up an inclined plane at constant speed by a force of
magnitude . The inclined plane makes an angle with the horizontal, as shown. The angle is slowly increased,
and the magnitude of the force is adjusted so that the blocks continue to move up the incline at constant speed.
Which of the following makes a correct claim about the tension in the string between the blocks and provides
evidence to support that claim?
AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 21 of 22
Scoring Guide
Unit 2 Progress Check: MCQ
The tension in the string will remain the same because blocks continue moving at constant speed as the
(A)
angle increases.
The tension in the string will remain the same because, as the angle increases, both the component of the
(B)
gravitational force on each block and the force will increase by the same amount.
(C) The tension in the string will decrease because the normal force on each block will increase.
(D) The tension in the string will increase because the magnitude of will decrease as the angle increases.
The tension in the string will increase because the component of the gravitational force parallel to the
(E)
plane increases.
26.
An Atwood's machine is set up as shown in the figure. The blocks have the masses indicated, and the pulley has
negligible mass and friction. Which of the following claims best describes the motion of the block of mass and
provides appropriate reasoning?
The block will accelerate downward with magnitude , because the force of gravity on it will be
(A)
greater than the tension in the string.
The block will accelerate downward with magnitude , because the force of gravity on it will be
(B)
less than the tension in the string.
The block will accelerate upward with magnitude , because the force of gravity on it will be
(C)
greater than the tension in the string.
The block will accelerate upward with magnitude , because the force of gravity on the 8m block is
(D)
greater than the force of gravity on the 3m block.
The block will accelerate upward with magnitude , because the force of gravity on it will be less
(E)
than the tension in the string.
Page 22 of 22 AP Physics C: Mechanics