Work (College Board AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based): Exam Questions

Define the term conservative force and give one example of a conservative force.

In a physics lesson on work, Student A makes the following claim:

"The work done by a conservative force is path-independent."

State whether Student A is correct or incorrect and justify your reasoning.

A roller coaster cart climbs a vertical displacement of at a angle to the horizontal. It completes three vertical loops of decreasing height. Then it travels horizontally to the passenger entrance and exit point.

Identify whether the gravitational potential energy of the roller coaster cart in its final position is less than, equal to, or greater than its gravitational potential energy at its initial position.

⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽

Use ideas about work to justify your reasoning.

Give one example of a nonconservative force.

An unknown force acts on an object. The total mechanical energy of the object-Earth system before the force acted is greater than the total mechanical energy after the force acted.

Identify whether the unknown force is conservative or nonconservative. Justify your reasoning.

A skier skis down a slope in a zig-zag pattern from left to right as they descend the mountain side.

Use the idea that the work done by a nonconservative force is path dependent to explain why the skier descends the mountain side in this way.

State the two conditions that must apply for the following equation to be used to calculate work:

A force acts to displace an object on a flat horizontal surface. The force is applied at an angle of from the displacement vector.

Identify whether the final kinetic energy of the object is greater than, less than, or equal to the initial kinetic energy .

⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽

Justify your reasoning.

The object is stationary on the horizontal surface when a different force is applied. The angle of the new applied force is from the displacement vector. Predict how the motion of the object will change. Justify your reasoning.

Describe a procedure that can be used to determine the work done when a nonconstant force displaces an object.