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AP®PhysicsCollege BoardPhysics 1: Algebra-BasedExam QuestionsUnit 6: Energy & Momentum of Rotating SystemsExamples of Rotational Systems

Examples of Rotational Systems (College Board AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based)

Exam Questions

5 mins5 questions
11 mark

A comet moves in a highly elliptical orbit around the Sun.

Which of the following quantities are conserved for the comet in its orbit?

  • Linear momentum

  • Angular momentum

  • Gravitational potential energy

  • Rotational kinetic energy

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2
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A hollow cylinder and a solid cylinder positioned at the top of an inclined plane, with labels pointing to each cylinder.

A hollow cylinder and a solid cylinder of the same mass and radius are released from rest at the top of an inclined ramp. Both roll down the ramp without slipping.

Which cylinder reaches the bottom of the ramp first, and why?

  • The hollow cylinder, because it gains less rotational kinetic energy than the solid cylinder

  • The hollow cylinder, because it loses less mechanical energy due to friction than the solid cylinder

  • The solid cylinder, because it gains less rotational kinetic energy than the hollow cylinder

  • The solid cylinder, because it loses less mechanical energy due to friction than the hollow cylinder

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3
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A bowling ball of mass M and radius R has rotational inertia 2 over 5 M R squared about its center. It rolls without slipping along a level surface at speed v just before it begins rolling up an inclined plane.

Which of the following expressions correctly represents the maximum vertical height the bowling ball can ascend to when it rolls up the incline without slipping?

  • fraction numerator v squared over denominator 5 g end fraction

  • fraction numerator 2 v squared over denominator 5 g end fraction

  • fraction numerator v squared over denominator 2 g end fraction

  • fraction numerator 7 v squared over denominator 10 g end fraction

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4
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A probe is launched vertically upwards from the Earth's surface with a velocity equal to half the escape velocity.

If the radius of the Earth is R, which of the following expressions correctly describes the maximum height reached by the probe?

  • R over 3

  • R over 2

  • R

  • 2 R

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5
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Two satellites, X and Y, of equal mass, orbit a planet at radii R and 2 R respectively.

Which one of the following statements is correct?

  • Satellite X has more kinetic energy and more potential energy than satellite Y

  • Satellite X has more kinetic energy and less potential energy than satellite Y

  • Satellite X has less kinetic energy and more potential energy than satellite Y

  • Satellite X has less kinetic energy and less potential energy than satellite Y

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