PHYSICS 1

Section I
Time—1 hour and 30 minutes
40 Questions

Note: To simplify calculations, you may use g = 10 m s2 in all problems.

Directions: Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by four suggested answers or
completions. Select the one that is best in each case and then fill in the corresponding circle on the answer sheet.

1. The figure above shows a truck pulling three 2. Two blocks are on a horizontal, frictionless
crates across a rough road. Which of the following surface. Block A is moving with an initial
shows the directions of all the horizontal forces
velocity of v 0 toward block B, which is
acting on crate 2 ?
stationary, as shown above. The two blocks
(A)
collide, stick together, and move off with
a velocity of v0 3 . Which block, if either,
(B) has the greater mass?
(A) Block A
(B) Block B
(C) (C) Neither; their masses are the same.
(D) The answer cannot be determined without
knowing the mass of one of the blocks.

(D)

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Questions 3-5 refer to the following material.

A student sets an object attached to a spring into oscillatory motion and uses a motion detector to record the
velocity of the object as a function of time. A portion of the recorded data is shown in the figure above.

3. The total change in the object’s speed between 1.0 s and 1.1 s is most nearly
(A) zero
(B) 5 cm / s
(C) 10 cm / s
(D) 15 cm / s

4. The acceleration of the object at time t = 0.7 s is most nearly equal to which of the following?
(A) The value of the graph where it crosses the 0.7 s grid line
(B) The slope of the line connecting the origin and the point where the graph crosses the 0.7 s grid line
(C) The area under the curve between where the graph crosses the time axis near 0.63 s and time 0.7 s
(D) The slope of the tangent to a best-fit sinusoidal curve at 0.7 s

5. The frequency of oscillation is most nearly

(A) 0.63 Hz
(B) 0.80 Hz
(C) 1.25 Hz
(D) 1.60 Hz

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 7. Using the setup above, a student tests how the
tension in a string affects the frequency of the
6. One end of a string is fixed in place and the other fundamental standing wave (with one antinode).
end is vibrated, allowing a wave to propagate In each trial, with a known mass in the holder, the
along the string. The vertical position y of a single student adjusts the oscillator frequency to produce
point on the string is measured at fixed intervals the fundamental standing wave. The student
of time t as the wave passes. The graph above notices that as the mass in the holder increases,
shows y as a function of t for the point. the string stretches and the total string length,
A separate measurement indicates that the wave from the oscillator to the mass holder, increases.
speed on the string is 12 m s . The wavelength Which of the following procedures could help
of the wave is most nearly the student decide if the string’s total length
has a separate effect from the tension on the
(A) 0.0021 m fundamental frequency?
(B) 0.15 m
(C) 0.30 m (A) Repeating the experiment with a string that
(D) 480 m does not noticeably stretch when the tension
is increased
(B) Repeating the experiment but producing
standing waves with two antinodes
(C) Repeating the experiment using a different
distance between the oscillator and pulley
(D) Repeating the experiment using lighter
blocks

8. A box of mass m is initially at rest at the top of

a ramp that is at an angle q with the horizontal.
The block is at a height h and length L from the
bottom of the ramp. The block is released and
slides down the ramp. The coefficient of kinetic
friction between the block and the ramp is m .
What is the kinetic energy of the box at the
bottom of the ramp?
(A) mgh
(B) m mgL cos q
(C) mgh - m mgL cos q
(D) mgL - mmgh cos q

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 10. The figure above shows four identical lightbulbs
connected to a battery. Which of the following
correctly ranks the power P dissipated by the
lightbulbs?
9. During an experiment a student records the net
horizontal force exerted on an object moving in a (A) P1 > ( P2 = P3 = P4 )
straight line along a horizontal frictionless track. (B) ( P2 = P3 = P4 ) > P1
(C) P1 > P4 > ( P2 = P3 )
The graph above shows the force as a function
of time. Of the following, which is the best
approximation of the magnitude of the change in (D) P1 = P2 = P3 = P4
momentum of the object between 0 s and 4 s?
(A) 20 kgm s
(B) 30 kgm s
(C) 40 kgm s
(D) The magnitude of the change in momentum
cannot be determined without knowing the
mass of the object.

11. The figure above shows the paths of two stars of

equal mass as they orbit their common center of
mass. The positions of the stars at four different
times are labeled in the figure. At which of the
positions do the stars have their greatest speed?
(A) Position 2 only
(B) Position 4 only
(C) Positions 1 and 3 only
(D) All of the positions, since the stars move with
constant speed

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Questions 12-14 refer to the following material. 14. A sphere with the same mass and radius as the
original cylinder, but a smaller rotational inertia,
is released from rest from the top of the ramp. Ks
and Kc are the sphere’s and the cylinder’s total
kinetic energy at the bottom of the ramp,
respectively. How do Ks and Kc compare, and
why?
(A) Ks < Kc , because the sphere will gain less
rotational kinetic energy.
A cylinder at rest is released from the top of a (B) Ks < Kc , because the sphere has a greater
ramp, as shown above. The ramp is 1.0 m high, and acceleration and therefore has less time to
the cylinder rolls down the ramp without slipping. At gain kinetic energy.
the bottom of the ramp, the cylinder makes a smooth (C) Ks = Kc , because both objects accelerate at
transition to a small section of a horizontal table and
then travels over the edge at a height of 1.0 m above the same rate.
the floor, eventually landing on the floor at a (D) Ks = Kc , because the gravitational force
horizontal distance of 1.5 m from the table. does equal work on each object as it rolls
down the ramp.

12. As the cylinder rolls down the ramp, how do the

potential energy of the cylinder-Earth system and
the kinetic energy of the cylinder change, if at all?
Potential Energy of Kinetic Energy
Cylinder-Earth System of Cylinder
(A) Stays the same Increases
(B) Stays the same Decreases
(C) Decreases Increases 15. Three identical metal spheres on insulating stands
(D) Decreases Decreases are initially isolated from each other, as shown
above. The spheres A, B, and C carry electric
charges +12Q, –12Q, and +12Q, respectively.
13. After the cylinder leaves the table, but before it Whenever two of the spheres come into contact,
lands, how do the rotational kinetic energy and each sphere ends up with the same net charge as
translational kinetic energy of the cylinder the other sphere. Spheres A and B are brought into
change, if at all? contact with each other and separated. Spheres A
and C are then brought into contact with each
Rotational Translational other and separated. Which of the following
Kinetic Energy Kinetic Energy correctly shows the final charge on each sphere?
(A) Increases Increases
(B) Increases Stays the same A B C
(C) Stays the same Increases (A) 0 0 +12Q
(D) Stays the same Stays the same (B) +4Q +4Q +4Q
(C) +6Q 0 +6Q
(D) +12Q +12Q −12Q

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16. A small block slides without friction along a track
toward a circular loop. The block has more than 18. A block is released from rest and slides down
enough speed to remain firmly in contact with the a frictionless ramp inclined at 30° from the
track as it goes around the loop. The magnitude of horizontal. When the block reaches the
the block’s acceleration at the top of the loop is bottom, the block-Earth system has mechanical
(A) zero energy E0 . The experiment is repeated, but now
(B) greater than zero but less than g horizontal and vertical forces of magnitude F are
(C) equal to g exerted on the block while it slides, as shown
(D) greater than g above. When the block reaches the bottom, the
mechanical energy of the block-Earth system
(A) is greater than E0
(B) is equal to E0
(C) is less than E0
(D) cannot be determined without knowing F

19. An apple is released from rest 500 m above

the ground. Due to the combined forces of air
resistance and gravity, it has a speed of 40 m s
when it reaches the ground. What percentage of
17. A 0.5 kg pendulum bob is raised to 1.0 m above the initial mechanical energy of the apple-Earth
the floor, as shown in the figure above. The bob system was dissipated due to air resistance? Take
is then released from rest. When the bob is 0.8 m the potential energy of the apple-Earth system to
above the floor, its speed is most nearly be zero when the apple reaches the ground.
(A) 5 m s (A) 16%
(B) 4 m s (B) 40%
(C) 2 m s (C) 60%
(D) 84%
(D) 1m s

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Questions 20-21 refer to the following material. 21. Rock 1, of mass m, reaches a maximum height
hmax after being launched. During the time
between the instant rock 1 is launched from height
h0 and the instant it returns to height h0 , the
work done on the rock by the gravitational
force is
(A) 0
Three identical rocks are launched with identical (B) - mgh0
(C) - mg (hmax - h0 )
speeds from the top of a platform of height h0 . The
rocks are launched in the directions indicated above.
(D) 2mg (hmax - h0 )

20. Which of the following correctly relates the

magnitude v y of the vertical component of the
velocity of each rock immediately before it hits
the ground?

(
(A) vy1 = vy 2 > vy3)
(B) v y1 > v y 3 > v y 2
(C) v y 2 > v y 3 > v y1
(D) v y1 = v y 2 = v y 3

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22. A 2.5 g marshmallow is placed in one end of a
40 cm pipe, as shown in the figure above. A
person blows into the left end of the pipe to
eject the marshmallow from the right end. The
average net force exerted on the marshmallow
while it is in the pipe is 0.7 N. The speed of the
marshmallow as it leaves the pipe is most nearly
23. A meterstick is held as shown above and then
(A) 4.7 m s released from rest. The tabletop has negligible
(B) 11 m s friction. Which figure below best indicates the
path of the center of mass of the meterstick as
(C) 15 m s it falls?
(D) 280 m s
(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

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24. Figure 1 above represents atoms in a solid material. A particle hits atom P and the atom vibrates, disturbing
nearby atoms. Figure 2 represents just the vertical and horizontal rows containing atom P and shows the
propagation of the disturbance along them. Which of the following statements correctly indicates the direction
of atom P’s vibration and the type of wave along each row?
P’s Vibration Wave Along Vertical Row Wave Along Horizontal Row
(A) Along y axis Longitudinal Transverse
(B) Along y axis Transverse Longitudinal
(C) Along x axis Longitudinal Transverse
(D) Along x axis Transverse Longitudinal

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 26. In the circuit above, the current through the
25. The two circuits shown above contain identical ammeter is 2 A. What is the current through
resistors and batteries. Which of the following the resistor of unknown resistance R ?
best explains why resistors X and Y dissipate
(A) 6A
the same power?
(B) 4A
(A) Resistors X and Y have the same potential (C) 3A
difference across them because each is (D) The current cannot be determined without
the second resistor in its circuit. knowing the value of R.
(B) Both circuits have identical batteries and
contain the same number of identical
resistors.
(C) Although each circuit has a different total
current, the current through an individual
resistor depends only on its resistance.
(D) Compared to circuit 1, the total current
through circuit 2 is twice as much, but only
half that current flows through resistor Y.

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 28. A disk with radius of 0.5 m is free to rotate
around its center without friction. A string
wrapped around the disk is pulled, as shown
above, exerting a 2 N force tangent to the edge of
27. The figure above represents a stick of uniform the disk for 1 s. If the disk starts from rest, what is
density that is attached to a pivot at the right end its angular speed after 1 s?
and has equally spaced marks along its length.
Any one of the four forces shown can be exerted (A) 0 rad s
on the stick as indicated. Which force will create (B) 1 rad s
the largest rate of change in the stick’s angular (C) 4 rad s
momentum?
(D) It cannot be determined without knowing the
(A) The 30 N force rotational inertia of the disk.
(B) The 40 N force
(C) The 60 N force
(D) The 150 N force

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 30. Two systems are in oscillation: a simple
pendulum swinging back and forth through a very
small angle and a block oscillating on a spring.
The block-spring system takes twice as much time
as the pendulum to complete one oscillation.
Which of the following changes could make the
two systems oscillate with the same period?
29. The figure above shows a rod that is fixed to a (A) Increasing the mass of the pendulum bob
horizontal surface at pivot P. The rod is initially (B) Increasing the angle through which the
rotating without friction in the counterclockwise pendulum swings by a small amount
direction. At time t, three forces of equal (C) Decreasing the mass of both the block and
magnitude are applied to the rod as shown. Which the pendulum bob
of the following is true about the angular speed (D) Shortening the pendulum
and direction of rotation of the rod immediately
after time t ?
Angular Speed Direction of Rotation
(A) Decreasing Counterclockwise
(B) Decreasing Clockwise
(C) Increasing Counterclockwise
(D) Increasing Clockwise

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 Questions 31-32 refer to the following material.

Students use a speaker connected to a sine wave generator to

project sound waves into the open left end of a tube that is closed
on the right end. The speaker is very close to the tube. A sensor is
used to measure the pressure differences created by the sound and
the results are displayed on a computer. The entire apparatus is in
a sealed chamber that can be filled with different gases.

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 31. The students vary the frequency of the sound until the
maximum loudness from the tube is achieved. The graph
above represents the computer display of gauge pressure (the
amount by which the pressure is above or below atmospheric
pressure) as a function of time. What are the amplitude and
frequency of the wave?
Amplitude Frequency
(A) 0.04 Pa 0.01 Hz
(B) 0.04 Pa 100 Hz
(C) 0.08 Pa 0.01 Hz
(D) 0.08 Pa 100 Hz

32. The chamber is now filled with a gas that has an

unknown speed of sound. The students find that the lowest
frequency at which they can hear a maximum in the sound
level is 200 Hz. If the students slowly increase the frequency,
what is the next frequency at which the sensor would measure
a maximum in the sound level?
(A) 300 Hz
(B) 400 Hz
(C) 600 Hz
(D) 800 Hz

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33. A hollow plastic ball is projected into the air.
There is significant air resistance opposing the
ball’s motion, so the magnitude of the ball’s
acceleration is not equal to g. At time t, the ball is
moving up and to the right at an angle of 45∞ to 34. At time t = 0 two figure skaters are moving
the horizontal, as shown above. Which of the together over ice with negligible friction, as
following best shows the magnitude a and the shown above. Skater 1, represented by the large
direction of the ball’s acceleration at time t ? black dot, is twice as massive as skater 2,
(A) represented by the gray dot. At t = 2 s the
skaters push off of one another. The location of
skater 1 is shown at t = 4 s . At t = 4 s , skater 2
is located at which of the labeled points?
(A) Point A
(B) (B) Point B
(C) Point C
(D) Point D

35. A charged sphere located at the origin of the

xy-plane exerts a force of magnitude F on a
(C) charged particle located at ( + d , 0 ) . The sphere
will exert a force F 2 on the particle if the
particle is moved to which of the following
locations?
(D) (A) ( +2 d , 0 )
(B) (+ d , + d )
(C) (+ d 2 , 0 )
(D) ( 0, - d )

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36. The graphs above show the magnitude F of a force exerted on an object as a function of the object’s position x
for two trials in an experiment. W1 and W2 are the work done on the object by force 1 and force 2, respectively.
How do W1 and W2 compare, and why?
(A) W1 > W2 , because the maximum value of force 1 is greater than the maximum value of force 2.
(B) W1 > W2 , because the slope of force 1’s graph increases, while the slope of force 2’s graph decreases.
(C) W1 < W2 , because the average value of force 1 is smaller than the average value of force 2.
(D) W1 < W2 , because at the midpoint, x = 0.5 m , the value of force 1 is less than the value of force 2.

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 Directions: For each of the questions or incomplete statements below, two of the suggested answers will be correct.
For each of these questions, you must select both correct choices to earn credit. No partial credit will be earned if
only one correct choice is selected. Select the two that are best in each case and then fill in the corresponding circles
that begin with number 131 on page 3 of the answer sheet.

131. A water-skier with weight Fg = mg moves to the

right with acceleration a. A horizontal tension
force T is exerted on the skier by the rope, and a
horizontal drag force Fd is exerted by the water
on the ski. The water also exerts a vertical lift
force L on the skier. Which of the following are
correct relationships between the forces exerted
on the skier-ski system? Select two answers.
(A) T - Fd = ma
(B) L - Fg = ma
(C) L - Fg = 0
(D) T - Fd = 0

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132. Two model cars, A and B, have the same mass but
different bumpers. The acceleration of each car
during its collision with a wall is measured, and
the data are shown in the graphs above. Which of
the following statements about the collisions are
correct? Select two answers.
(A) Both cars reach their maximum speed
at 10.05 s.
(B) The cars experience approximately the
same impulse.
(C) Car B experiences a nonzero force for
a longer time than car A.
(D) The change in momentum for car B occurs
over a shorter period of time than for car A.

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133. The graph above shows the speed of a truck as it
moves along a straight, level road. Which of the
following describe a method to determine the
distance d the truck travels during the 10 s time
interval shown? Select two answers.
(A) Multiply the average speed of 18 m s by the
10 s travel time.
(B) Multiply half the initial speed of 30 m s by
the 10 s travel time.
(C) Calculate the slope of the line in the graph to
determine the acceleration a and then use
d = (1 2 ) at 2 , where t is the travel time.
(D) Calculate the area under the line in the graph.

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134. A vehicle lands on Mars and explores its surface.
The average gravitational field on the surface of
Mars is 3.7 N kg . The weight of the vehicle is
defined as the gravitational force exerted on it.
Which of the following statements are true about
the vehicle’s weight? Select two answers.
(A) The vehicle’s weight was constant until it
reached the surface of Mars.
(B) The vehicle’s weight increased while it was
descending to the surface of Mars.
(C) The vehicle’s weight always equals the
normal force exerted by Mars on the vehicle
while it is landing.
(D) The vehicle weighs less on the surface of
Mars than on the surface of Earth.

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 END OF SECTION I

IF YOU FINISH BEFORE TIME IS CALLED,

YOU MAY CHECK YOUR WORK ON THIS SECTION.

DO NOT GO ON TO SECTION II UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

________________________________

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DONE THE FOLLOWING.

• PLACED YOUR AP NUMBER LABEL ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET

• WRITTEN AND GRIDDED YOUR AP NUMBER CORRECTLY ON YOUR

ANSWER SHEET

• TAKEN THE AP EXAM LABEL FROM THE FRONT OF THIS BOOKLET

AND PLACED IT ON YOUR ANSWER SHEET.

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