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AP®PhysicsCollege BoardPhysics 1: Algebra-BasedExam QuestionsUnit 2: Force & Translational DynamicsForces & Free-Body Diagrams

Forces & Free-Body Diagrams (College Board AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based): Exam Questions

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Forces & Free-Body Diagrams

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1a
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Describe three properties of free-body force diagrams.

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1b
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Suggest an appropriate way to label a force arrow on a free-body diagram.

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1c
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A coordinate system can be used to simplify the translation from a free-body diagram to an algebraic representation.

State three properties which must be valid for this coordinate system.

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2a
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A force applied to an object has an effect on that object.

State the possible effects of forces when applied to an object.

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2b4 marks

State the effect of the forces on the objects in the following scenarios.

  1. The thrust from an engine on a car

  2. The friction of the brakes on a car

  3. The gravitational pull of a star on a comet

  4. Two opposing forces pulling on the ends of a spring

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2c
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All forces can be categorized into two types of force.

Name these two types of force and give an example of each.

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2d
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Describe the behavior of electrostatic forces acting on charged particles.

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3a
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State the two properties of a normal force.

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3b
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Describe in terms of vectors the net force on a system.

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3c
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State the condition required for a system to be in translational equilibrium.

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3d
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Two soccer players go to strike the ball at the same time, as shown in Figure 1. One applies a force of 80 space straight N to the right and the other a force of 130 space straight N to the left.

Two players kick a football with forces of 80 N and 130 N. The player on the left kicks right, and the player on the right kicks left.

Figure 1

Identify whether or not the ball will be in translational equilibrium when in contact with both soccer players. Justify your reasoning.

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4a
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Define translational equilibrium.

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4b
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State and explain whether an object moving at a constant velocity is in translational equilibrium.

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4c
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A box is being pulled along a flat horizontal surface with a string that applies a force of tension F subscript T at an angle theta to the horizontal. Kinetic friction F subscript f comma k end subscript acts between the box and the surface in the opposite direction to motion.

Draw a vector force diagram showing the forces acting on the box when it is in translational equilibrium.

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4d
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State the equation that represents the sum of the forces exerted on a system when they sum to zero. Explain what the symbols in the equation represent.

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1a
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A box of mass m is placed on a rough horizontal surface. A person applies a force of F at an angle of theta above the horizontal.

Draw and label a free-body diagram of the box.

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1b
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Derive an expression for the normal force acting on the box in terms of theta.

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2
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Two masses, m subscript 1 space equals space 4.0 space kg and m subscript 2 space equals space 2.0 space kg, are connected by a light, inextensible string over a frictionless pulley.

Draw a free-body diagram for both masses.

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3a
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A box is pulled across a rough horizontal surface with a force of 20 space straight N at an angle of 30 degree above the horizontal. The box has a mass of 5.0 space kg. The surface exerts a frictional force of 3.0 space straight N opposing the motion.


Draw and label a free-body diagram of the forces acting on the box.

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3b
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Derive an expression for the horizontal component of the net force in terms of F subscript A and F subscript f.

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3c
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Calculate the magnitude of the horizontal component of the net force.

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4
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A projectile is fired from level ground with speed v subscript 0 at an angle theta space greater than space 45 degree to the ground. The projectile is fired from a few centimeters before position x subscript 1, reaches its maximum height at position x subscript 2, and lands on the ground at position x subscript 3. end subscript.

Graph showing acceleration versus time. Vertical axis labelled 'a', horizontal 't'. Horizontal line at a = 0 labelled ax. Horizontal line at a = -10 labelled ay.

Figure1

Figure 1 is a graph of vertical and horizontal components of the acceleration of the projectile.

Diagram showing a dot with two arrows: one labelled 'F' pointing right, the other 'F₉' pointing downward, illustrating forces acting on an object.

Figure 2

A student sketches the free-body diagram shown in Figure 2, and makes the following claim:

"The free-body diagram shows the forces acting on the projectile at position x subscript 1. "

Justify why the student's sketch (Figure 2) and claim are not consistent with the graph in Figure 1.

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1
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A ball is attached to a string and swings in a vertical circle.

Draw a free-body diagram for the ball at the lowest point.

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2
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A block is pushed along a rough horizontal surface with a horizontal force F subscript A.

Draw a free-body diagram of the forces acting on the block.

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3
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A car travels around a banked curve at a speed slower than the ideal speed for the given banked angle.

Draw a free-body diagram for the car on the banked curve.

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4
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A car travels around a banked curve where the banking angle is shallower than the ideal angle for the given speed, meaning friction is required to keep the car on the curve.

Draw a free-body diagram indicating all forces acting on the car, including friction.

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