AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based 5.1 Rotational Kinematics Questions

Represent rotational motion over time using angular displacement, angular velocity, and angular acceleration about a specified axis.

Exam points

calculate angular displacement and average angular acceleration from rotational rates and elapsed time
use slopes and areas to connect angular displacement, velocity and acceleration time graphs
compare angular speeds of points fixed at different positions on one rotating rigid system
construct consistent angular kinematics graphs across spin-down and piecewise motion intervals

Covered syllabus points

5.1.A—Describe the rotation of a system with respect to time using angular displacement, angular velocity, and angular…

[Maximum number: 2]

(7 points, suggested time 13 minutes)

Two pulleys with different radii are attached to each other so that they rotate together about a horizontal axle through their common center. There is negligible friction in the axle. Object 1 hangs from a light string wrapped around the larger pulley, while object 2 hangs from another light string wrapped around the smaller pulley, as shown in the figure above.
$m_{0}$ is the mass of object 1.
$1.5 m_{0}$ is the mass of object 2.
$r_{0}$ is the radius of the smaller pulley.
$2 r_{0}$ is the radius of the larger pulley.

On the axes below, sketch a graph of the angular velocity $\omega$ of the system consisting of the two pulleys as a function of time t. Include the entire time interval shown. The pulleys are released at t=0, and the string is cut at $t=t_{C}$ .

For a linear graph between 0 and $t_{C}$ , with an initial angular velocity of zero and nonzero slope 1 point
Scoring note: The slope can be positive or negative.
For a change in the sign of the slope at $t=t_{C}$ 1 point
AND
no discontinuity.
Example response for part (c)

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

Total for part (c)

for question 57 points

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Covered syllabus points

Question 1