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AP Physics C Mechanics Practice Test

Ace MCQs with expert study strategies

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 12
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art promoting a high school-level AP Mechanics multiple choice quiz for exam preparation.

Easy
Which of the following equations describes the displacement of an object under constant acceleration?
s = vt - (1/2)at^2
s = ut - (1/2)at^2
s = vt + (1/2)at^2
s = ut + (1/2)at^2
The equation s = ut + (1/2)at^2 is the standard kinematic formula for displacement under constant acceleration. It accurately accounts for both the object's initial velocity and the acceleration over time.
Which of the following represents Newton's Second Law?
F = a / m
F = m / a
F = ma
F = m + a
Newton's Second Law states that the net force acting on an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration. This relationship is succinctly expressed as F = ma.
Which of the following best defines kinetic energy?
KE = mgh
KE = mv
KE = mv^2
KE = (1/2)mv^2
Kinetic energy represents the energy an object possesses due to its motion. The formula KE = (1/2)mv^2 correctly calculates this energy using the object's mass and the square of its velocity.
What is the unit of force in the International System (SI)?
Pascal
Joule
Newton
Watt
Force in the International System is measured in Newtons. One Newton is defined as the force required to accelerate a 1 kg mass at 1 m/s².
For an object in free fall near Earth's surface, which force is primarily acting on it?
Tension force
Normal force
Gravitational force
Frictional force
An object in free fall is predominantly influenced by gravitational force, which pulls it towards the Earth. Other forces like friction or tension are negligible or not present in free-fall conditions.
Medium
A car accelerates uniformly from rest to 20 m/s in 5 seconds. What is its acceleration?
0.25 m/s²
20 m/s²
5 m/s²
4 m/s²
Acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the time required for that change. Here, 20 m/s divided by 5 seconds yields an acceleration of 4 m/s².
A projectile is launched with an initial speed of 30 m/s at an angle of 60° above the horizontal. What is its horizontal component of the initial velocity?
25.98 m/s
30 m/s
15 m/s
10 m/s
The horizontal component of the velocity is computed as the initial speed multiplied by the cosine of the launch angle. With cos(60°) equal to 0.5, the horizontal component is 30 m/s × 0.5, which equals 15 m/s.
Which conservation principle is most applicable when analyzing collisions in the absence of external forces?
Conservation of Charge
Conservation of Energy
Conservation of Momentum
Conservation of Angular Momentum
In collisions where external forces are negligible, the total momentum of the system remains constant. This makes the conservation of momentum the key principle for analyzing such events.
If an object moves in a circle at constant speed, what can be said about its acceleration?
It has centripetal acceleration directed toward the center
Its acceleration is zero because the speed is constant
Its acceleration is directed outward
It has constant acceleration in the direction of motion
Even though the speed remains constant, an object in circular motion is continuously changing direction, resulting in centripetal acceleration toward the center of the circle.
In a frictionless roller coaster, at the top of a hill, what energy transformation primarily occurs?
Chemical energy is converted to kinetic energy
Thermal energy is converted to mechanical energy
Gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy
Kinetic energy is converted to gravitational potential energy
At the peak of a hill, the roller coaster slows down as it gains height, meaning kinetic energy is transformed into gravitational potential energy. In a frictionless system, total mechanical energy is conserved.
A 2 kg block slides on a horizontal surface with a frictional force of 4 N opposing its motion. What is its deceleration?
2 m/s²
0.5 m/s²
4 m/s²
8 m/s²
Using Newton's second law, a = F/m. Dividing the frictional force of 4 N by the mass of 2 kg results in a deceleration of 2 m/s².
What is the moment of inertia of a uniform rod of mass m and length L, rotating about an axis through one end perpendicular to its length?
(1/2)mL²
mL²
(1/3)mL²
(1/12)mL²
The moment of inertia for a rod about an axis through one end is derived to be (1/3)mL². This result comes from integrating the contributions of each infinitesimal mass element along the rod's length.
At the maximum displacement of a pendulum in a vacuum, which of the following is true?
The speed is maximum and potential energy is maximum
The speed is zero and potential energy is maximum
The speed is maximum and potential energy is minimum
The speed is zero and potential energy is minimum
At its maximum displacement, the pendulum momentarily comes to rest before changing direction, which means its speed is zero and its gravitational potential energy is at a maximum.
Which of the following is an example of a non-conservative force within a mechanical system?
Gravity
Friction
Spring force
Normal force
Friction is a non-conservative force because it dissipates mechanical energy as heat, making the work done path-dependent. This contrasts with conservative forces like gravity, which conserve mechanical energy.
How is the work done by a force related to the change in kinetic energy of an object?
Work done is half the change in kinetic energy
Work done is twice the change in kinetic energy
Work done equals the change in kinetic energy
Work done equals the change in potential energy
The work-energy theorem states that the net work done on an object is equal to its change in kinetic energy. This fundamental principle links the concepts of work and energy in physics.
Hard
A disk of radius R and mass M rolls without slipping down an inclined plane. What is its total kinetic energy in terms of M and v?
Mv²
(3/4)Mv²
(1/2)Mv²
(1/4)Mv²
A rolling disk possesses both translational and rotational kinetic energy. Using its moment of inertia (1/2)MR² and the no-slip condition (v = ωR), the total kinetic energy combines to (1/2)Mv² + (1/4)Mv² = (3/4)Mv².
A particle is subjected to a force F(x) = kx³, where k is a constant. What is the work done by this force as the particle moves from 0 to x?
kx³
(k/4)x❴
(k/3)x³
(1/2)kx²
The work done by a variable force is found by integrating the force with respect to displacement. Integrating kx³ from 0 to x results in (k/4)x❴, showing a fourth-power dependence on x.
In an Atwood machine with masses m₝ and m₂ (where m₝ > m₂), what is the acceleration of the system?
((m₝ - m₂) / (m₝ + m₂))g
((m₝ + m₂) / (m₝ - m₂))g
(m₝ + m₂)g
(m₝ - m₂)g
For an Atwood machine, the net acceleration is determined by the difference between the two masses divided by their sum, multiplied by g. This gives the formula a = ((m₝ - m₂) / (m₝ + m₂))g.
A projectile is launched with an initial speed v₀ at an angle θ. What is the formula for its horizontal range in a vacuum?
(v₀² sinθ) / g
(v₀ sinθ) / g
(v₀² cos(2θ)) / g
(v₀² sin(2θ)) / g
By decomposing the initial velocity into horizontal and vertical components and eliminating time, the range of a projectile in a vacuum is derived as R = (v₀² sin(2θ)) / g.
In rotational dynamics, if a net external torque τ is applied to a rigid body with moment of inertia I, what is the resulting angular acceleration α?
α = τ² / I
α = τI
α = τ / I
α = I / τ
Newton's second law for rotation states that the net torque on a body equals the product of its moment of inertia and its angular acceleration (τ = Iα). Therefore, the angular acceleration is given by α = τ / I.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze principles of kinematics and dynamics to solve mechanics problems.
  2. Apply conservation laws such as momentum and energy in various physical scenarios.
  3. Evaluate forces and torques acting on objects in equilibrium and motion.
  4. Interpret experimental data to validate theoretical mechanics models.
  5. Synthesize multiple concepts to resolve complex problem-solving situations in physics.

AP Physics C Mech MCQ Cheat Sheet

  1. Master Kinematics - Unlock the secrets of motion by exploring displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time in one and two dimensions. Get comfortable with equations like v = v0 + at to predict where objects will be, when they'll get there, and how fast they'll go. AP Physics C: Mechanics
  2. Grasp Newton's Laws of Motion - Dive into Newton's three laws to see how force, mass, and acceleration dance together. Whether you're analyzing a skateboarder cruising at constant speed or a rocket blasting off, these laws are your go-to toolkit. AP Physics C: Mechanics
  3. Analyze Forces with Free-Body Diagrams - Sketching forces on a single object helps you visualize every push and pull at play. Mastering F = ma through clear free-body diagrams makes even the trickiest net-force problems feel like child's play. AP Physics C: Mechanics
  4. Understand Work, Energy, and Power - Discover how work transforms into kinetic and potential energy, and why power measures the rate of that transformation. The work - energy theorem, W = ΔKE, will become your trusty sidekick for tackling energy challenges. AP Physics C: Mechanics
  5. Explore Momentum and Impulse - Learn why momentum (p = mv) and impulse (J = F Δt) are key players in collisions and bounce-offs. Grasp the conservation of momentum so you can predict outcomes from bumper cars to real-world crashes. AP Physics C: Mechanics
  6. Dive into Rotational Motion - Switch gears to angular motion by studying torque, moment of inertia, and angular acceleration (τ = Iα). From spinning wheels to merry-go-rounds, rotational dynamics will spin your physics world around. AP Physics C: Mechanics
  7. Study Angular Momentum - Uncover why L = Iω stays constant when no external torque tugs at your system. From ice skaters pulling in their arms to planets orbiting stars, angular momentum conservation is everywhere. AP Physics C: Mechanics
  8. Examine Oscillatory Motion - Dive into simple harmonic motion with mass-spring systems and pendulums described by x(t) = A cos(ωt + φ). Understanding amplitude, frequency, and phase will help you predict every back-and-forth swing. AP Physics C: Mechanics
  9. Understand Gravitation - Study Newton's law of universal gravitation and see how it governs both falling apples and orbiting planets. Kepler's laws and gravitational potential energy add extra cosmic flair to your problem set. AP Physics C: Mechanics
  10. Utilize the AP Physics C Equation Sheet - Keep your exam nerves at bay by mastering the provided cheat sheet packed with formulas and constants. This ready‑made toolkit helps you focus on problem‑solving instead of frantic equation hunting. AP Physics C Equation Sheet Guide
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