AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based 1 Kinematics Questions

Build a mathematical model of motion using representations, vectors, position, velocity, acceleration, and component-by-component kinematics.

Exam points

calculate average acceleration from initial and final velocities over a stated time interval
translate diagrams, narratives and position-, velocity- or acceleration-time graphs into motion claims
use graph slopes and signed areas to determine velocity, acceleration, displacement or change in velocity
apply constant-acceleration and free-fall relationships to derive one-dimensional motion quantities
design or linearise motion measurements to determine acceleration and reduce experimental uncertainty

Covered syllabus points

1.1 Scalars and Vectors in One Dimension 1.2 Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration 1.3 Representing Motion 1.4 Reference Frames and Relative Motion 1.5 Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions

[Maximum number: 10]

(12 points, suggested time 25 minutes)

(a)

Students conduct an experiment to determine the acceleration a of a cart. The cart is released from rest at the top of the ramp at time t=0 and moves down the ramp. The x-axis is defined to be parallel to the ramp with its origin at the top, as shown in the figure. The students collect the data shown in the following table.

Table for Question (a) — AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

[ 6 ]

(i)

Indicate which quantities could be graphed to yield a straight line whose slope could be used to determine the acceleration a of the cart. You may use the remaining columns in the table, as needed, to record any quantities (including units) that are not already in the table.

Vertical axis: Horizontal axis:

[ 1 ]

(i) For indicating two quantities that, when graphed together, produce a straight line whose 1 point slope can be used to determine the acceleration a
Example Response
Vertical Axis: Position Horizontal Axis: Time squared

Position x
(m)

Time t
(s)

Time squared $t^{2} \left(\mathrm{s}^{2}\right)$
Time squared $t^{2}$ $\left(\mathrm{s}^{2}\right)$

0.06

0.39

0.15

0.14

0.59

0.35

0.24

0.77

0.59

0.37

0.96

0.92

0.55

1.20

1.44

(ii)

On the following grid, plot the appropriate quantities to create a graph that can be used to determine the acceleration a of the cart as it rolls down the ramp. Clearly scale and label all axes (including units), as appropriate. Draw a straight line that best represents the data.

Figure for Question (ii) — AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

[ 3 ]

(ii) The axes have a linear scale and are identified (labels OR units) so that when graphed 1 point correctly, the data will span more than half of the horizontal and vertical axes
For plotting at least 4 of the data points correctly 1 point
For drawing a best-fit line that approximates the trend of the data 1 point

Example Response

Alternate Example Response

Scoring Note: The following tables represent the most common linearized graphs with the data that were used to determine the acceleration.

Graph: v vs. t

$v\left(\frac{\mathrm{~m}}{\mathrm{~s}}\right)$ $t(\mathrm{~s})$

0.15

0.20

0.40

0.49

0.56

0.68

0.68

0.87

0.75

1.08

Graph: 2 x vs. $t^2$ $2 x(\mathrm{~m})$ $t^{2}\left(\mathrm{~s}^{2}\right)$

0.12

0.15

0.28

0.35

0.48

0.59

0.74

0.92

1.10

1.44

Graph: Graph: $2v_{\text{avg}}$ vs. t $2 v_{\text {avg }}\left(\frac{\mathrm{m}}{\mathrm{s}}\right)$ $t(\mathrm{~s})$

0.31

0.39

0.47

0.59

0.62

0.77

0.77

0.96

0.92

1.20

Graph: x vs. $\frac{1}{2}t^2$ }

$x(\mathrm{~m})$ $\frac{1}{2} t^{2}\left(\mathrm{~s}^{2}\right)$

0.06

0.08

0.14

0.17

0.24

0.30

0.37

0.46

0.55

0.72

Graph: Graph: $v_{\text{avg}}^2$ vs. x $v_{\text {avg }} 2\left(\frac{\mathrm{~m}^{2}}{\mathrm{~s}^{2}}\right)$ $x(\mathrm{~m})$

0.02

0.06

0.06

0.14

0.10

0.24

0.15

0.37

0.21

0.55

Graph: Graph: $\sqrt{x}$ vs. t $\sqrt{x}(\sqrt{\mathrm{~m}})$ $t(\mathrm{~s})$

0.24

0.39

0.37

0.59

0.49

0.77

0.61

0.96

0.74

1.20

(iii)

Using the line you drew in part (a)(ii), calculate an experimental value for the acceleration a of the cart as it rolls down the ramp.

[ 2 ]

(iii)
For attempting to find the slope, ( $\frac{\text { rise }}{\text { run }}$ ) or ( $\frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x}$ ), of the best-fit line drawn in part (a)(ii) 1 point
Scoring Note: An indication that a calculator was used for linear regression to determine the value of the slope may earn this point.
For using the slope in a valid kinematic equation to calculate the acceleration 1 point
Scoring Note: This point can be earned if evidence of a kinematic equation exists in graphed quantities (e.g., a graph of position as a function of $\frac{1}{2} t^{2}$ ).
Example Response

\begin{aligned} & \text { slope }=\frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x}=\frac{\Delta \text { position }}{\Delta \text { time }^{2}}=\frac{0.48 \mathrm{~m}-0.18 \mathrm{~m}}{1.2 \mathrm{~s}^{2}-0.4 \mathrm{~s}^{2}}=0.375 \frac{\mathrm{~m}}{\mathrm{~s}^{2}} \\ & \Delta x=v_{0} t+\frac{1}{2} a t^{2} \\ & \frac{\Delta x}{t^{2}}=\frac{1}{2} a \\ & \text { slope } \times 2=a \\ & a=0.75 \frac{\mathrm{~m}}{\mathrm{~s}^{2}} \end{aligned}

Total for part (a) 6 points

(b)

The students are asked to determine an experimental value for the acceleration due to gravity $g_{\text {exp }}$ using their data.

[ 2 ]

(i)

What additional quantities do the students need to measure in order to calculate $g_{\text {exp }}$ from a ?

[ 1 ]

(i) For indicating a quantity to be measured 1 point
Accept one of the following:

- The angle $\theta$ with the horizontal

- The height h and length L of the ramp

Scoring Note: Stating only the height needs to be measured can earn this point if an energy approach is used.

(ii)

Write an expression for the value of $g_{\text {exp }}$ in terms of a.

[ 1 ]

(ii) For providing a correct expression relating the acceleration of gravity to the acceleration 1 point measured
Scoring Note: If $\cos \theta$ is used, the response must specify that $\theta$ was measured from the vertical.
Example Response

\begin{aligned} & m g_{\exp } \sin \theta=m a \\ & g_{\exp }=\frac{a}{\sin \theta} \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} & \sin \theta=\frac{h}{L} \\ & g_{\exp }=\left(\frac{L}{h}\right) a \end{aligned}

\begin{aligned} & m g_{\exp } h=\frac{1}{2} m v^{2} \\ & g_{\exp } h=\frac{1}{2} v^{2} \\ & v=\sqrt{2 g_{\exp } h} \\ & v=a t \\ & a t=\sqrt{2 g_{\exp } h} \\ & g_{\exp }=\frac{a^{2} t^{2}}{2 h} \end{aligned}

(c)

On the following graphs, sketch the position x and velocity v as functions of time t that correspond to the scenario shown while the cart moves up the ramp.

Figure for Question (c) — AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

[ 2 ]

[Maximum number: 1]

Figure for Question 2 — AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

Two cars approach an intersection at right angles, as pictured above. What is their relative speed to each other?

10 mph

45 mph

57 mph

80 mph

[Maximum number: 1]

Use the graph below to answer questions 24–27.

Velocity versus time graph used by questions 24–27

What is the average acceleration for the 55 seconds of the graph?

Approximately 500/55 m/s/s

Approximately 5/4 m/s/s

Approximately -100/25 m/s/s

Approximately 0 m/s/s

[Maximum number: 7]

(7 points, suggested time 13 minutes)

A stunt cyclist builds a ramp that will allow the cyclist to coast down the ramp and jump over several parked cars, as shown above. To test the ramp, the cyclist starts from rest at the top of the ramp, then leaves the ramp, jumps over six cars, and lands on a second ramp.
$H_{0}$ is the vertical distance between the top of the first ramp and the launch point.
$\theta_{0}$ is the angle of the ramp at the launch point from the horizontal.
$X_{0}$ is the horizontal distance traveled while the cyclist and bicycle are in the air.
$m_{0}$ is the combined mass of the stunt cyclist and bicycle.

(a)

Derive an expression for the distance $X_{0}$ in terms of $H_{0}, \theta_{0}, m_{0}$ , and physical constants, as appropriate.

[ 3 ]

For using conservation of energy to find the speed v of the bicycle as it leaves the ramp

1 point

For using kinematics, vertical components, attempting to find the time the bicycle is in the air

1 point

For a correct expression for $X_{0}$ in terms of given quantities

1 point

Example response for part (a)

$\begin{aligned} E_{\text {top }}=E_{\text {bottom }} m_{0} g H_{0}=\frac{1}{2} m_{0} v^{2} v=\sqrt{2 g H_{0}} v_{f y}=v_{i y}+a t -v \sin \theta=v \sin \theta-g t -2 v \sin \theta=-g t \end{aligned}$

Scoring Note:
Using the range equation to get $X_{0}=2 H_{0} \sin 2 \theta_{0}$ is sufficient to earn the second and third points.

Total for part (a) 3 points

(b)

If the vertical distance between the top of the first ramp and the launch point were $2 H_{0}$ instead of $H_{0}$ , with no other changes to the first ramp, what is the maximum number of cars that the stunt cyclist could jump over? Justify your answer, using the expression you derived in part (a).

[ 2 ]

(c)

On the axes below, sketch a graph of the vertical component of the stunt cyclist's velocity as a function of time from immediately after the cyclist leaves the ramp to immediately before the cyclist lands on the second ramp. On the vertical axis, clearly indicate the initial and final vertical velocity components in terms of $H_{0}, \theta_{0}$ , $m_{0}$ , and physical constants, as appropriate. Take the positive direction to be upward.

[ 2 ]

For a linear graph with a constant negative slope

1 point

For a graph that starts at $v_{y}$ and ends at $-v_{y}$ , using only allowed variables

1 point

Example response for part (c)

Figure for Answer to Question (c) — AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

Total for part (c) for Question 17 points

All question bank results loaded

Covered syllabus points

Question 1

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (iii)

Question (b)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (c)

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question (a)

Question (b)

Question (c)