AP Physics 1 3.2: Work
Describe work as energy transferred by a force through a displacement, distinguishing force direction and conservative interactions.
- Syllabus
- Effective Fall 2025
- Course
- AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
Exam points
- Determine the work done by a force from its component along the displacement and the distance over which it acts.
Covered syllabus points
3.2 Work question 1
[Maximum number: 1]
(12 points, suggested time 25 minutes)
A block is initially at position x=0 and in contact with an uncompressed spring of negligible mass. The block is pushed back along a frictionless surface from position x=0 to x=-D, as shown above, compressing the spring by an amount Δx=D. The block is then released. At x=0 the block enters a rough part of the track and eventually comes to rest at position x=3 D. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the rough track is μ.
Which aspects of the student's reasoning, if any, are incorrect? Explain how you arrived at your answer.
1 point For identifying that the student is incorrect about the new final position of the block because the spring's energy does not scale linearly with its compression
Distribution
of points
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