AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

1. This question is a long free-response question. Show your work for each part of the question.

A block of mass is attached to a spring of negligible mass and can slide on a horizontal surface
along the -direction, as shown above. There is friction present between the block and the surface. The
spring exerts no force on the block when the center of the block is located at . At the instant
shown above, the block is located at and moving toward the right with speed .

(a) For the instant shown above, with the block located at and moving to the right, predict the
direction of the net force on the block. If the net force is zero, select “The net force is zero.”

____ To the left ____ The net force is zero ____ To the right

Briefly justify your prediction.

Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.

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 AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

(b) The above graph indicates the force exerted on the block by the spring as a function of position ,
with the positive direction toward the right. On the same graph, draw a graph of the net force on the
block, as a function of position , for situations where the block is moving toward the right.

Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.

(c) Is the graph you drew in part (b) consistent with your prediction in part (a) ?

____ Yes ____ No

Provide claims for why the answers to parts (a) and (b) are or are not consistent.

Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.

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 AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

(d) In the figure above, the block of mass has come to rest at a location to the right of the spring’s
equilibrium position. The spring has a spring constant , and the coefficients of kinetic and static
friction between the block and the surface are and , respectively.

i. On the dot below, which represents the block at rest and to the right of , draw and label the
forces (not components) that act on the block. Each force must be represented by a distinct arrow
starting on, and pointing away from, the dot.

Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.

ii. Derive an expression for the maximum displacement possible for the block that will allow the block
to still remain at rest. Express your answer in terms of , , , , and physical constants, as
appropriate.

Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.

Part (a)

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 AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1

Student response accurately includes the following criteria.

1 point is earned for statingthat the friction force is opposite the direction of motion.

Example Response:

[“To the left” is selected.]

Because in this case the block is at x = 0, the spring force on the block is 0. The normal force and the gravitational
force add to 0. Because the block is moving to the right, there is a friction force to the left. Therefore, the net force
on the block is equal to the frictional force and is pointed to the left..

Part (b)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2 3

Student response accurately includes all of the following criteria.

1 point is earned for indicating a negative net force at zero displacement.

1 point is earned for creating a graph that is either above the spring force everywhere or below the
spring force everywhere (so friction force is always in the same direction).
1 point is earned for creating a graph that is a straight line and parallel to the spring force graph.

Example Response:

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 AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

Part (c)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

Note: For this part, the selection of “Yes” or “No” is not graded alone. It must be consistent with the explanation in
order to receive the second point.

0 1 2

Student response accurately includes both of the following criteria.

1 point is earned for providing a claim that addresses the graph at an x-value of zero.
1 point is earned for providing a claim that is consistent with the answers to parts (a) and (b) AND with
the selection of “Yes” or “No” in part (c).

Example Response:

The graph indicates a negative net force at zero displacement, consistent with the leftward net force predicted in
part (a).

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 AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

Part (d)i

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2 3

Student response accurately includes all of the following criteria.

1 point is earned for indicating a downward gravitational force and an upward normal force.
1 point is earned for indicating a spring force to the left.
1 point is earned for indicating a friction force to the right.

Example Response:

Part (d)ii

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2 3

Student response accurately includes all of the following criteria.

1 point is earned for equating the spring force and the friction force:
1 point is earned for providing correct expressions representing the spring force and the friction force:

1 point is earned for correctly solving for the maximum displacement in terms of the listed quantities:

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 AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

Example Response:

2. This question is a short free-response question. Show your work for each part of the question. (10
points, suggested time 15 minutes)

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 AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

Block A with mass rests on a horizontal tabletop, while block B with mass hangs from a string
of negligible mass that passes over a pulley and attaches to block A, as shown above. The pulley has
negligible mass and rotates with negligible friction about its axle. The blocks are at rest due to friction
between block A and the tabletop. The coefficient of static friction between block A and the tabletop is
(mu), where .

(a) Determine the magnitude of the tension in the string. Briefly explain your reasoning.

Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.

(b) Three students draw the free-body diagrams shown above to represent the forces acting on block A
while the two-block system is at rest. Which figure correctly depicts the forces and their relative
magnitudes? Explain your reasoning.

Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.

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 AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

(c) A student slowly adds mass to the top of block B. When a total mass has been added to the top
of block B, block A begins to accelerate across the tabletop. In a clear, coherent, paragraph-length
response, explain in terms of the net force on block A why block A remained at rest even as mass was
added to block B, but block A accelerates once a total mass was added to block B.

Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.

Part A

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1

The response accurately includes

1 point is earned for a valid explanation for why the tension is equal to the weight.

Example Response:

When block A is at rest, block B is at rest. So, the tension in the string must be equal to the weight of block B,
.

Part B

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2 3

The response accurately includes all of the following criteria.

1 point is earned for indicating that Figure 2 is the correct free body diagram.
1 point is earned for an explanation which addresses that the forces must add to zero because the
system is in equilibrium.

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 AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

1 point is earned for explanation which addresses that the force of friction must be less than the normal
force.

Example Response:

The system is at rest, so the forces must add to zero, and and must be equal in magnitude. Friction also
must be less than the normal force because and the maximum force of friction is mu times the normal force.
Therefore, Figure 2 correctly depicts the forces on Block A.

Part C

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

The response accurately includes all of the following criteria.

1 point is earned for indicating that as the mass was added to the top of block B, the tension in the
string increased.
1 point is earned for indicating that while block A was not moving, the static friction force was equal to
the tension.
1 point is earned for indicating that the static friction force is not constant but can vary up to a
maximum value.
1 point is earned for indicating that block A moved as soon as the tension was greater than the
maximum static friction force.
1 point is earned for indicating that when the tension on block A is greater than the static friction force,
the block experiences a net force and accelerates to the right.
1 point is earned for a logical, relevant, and internally consistent argument that addresses the required
argument or question asked, and follows the guidelines described in the published requirements for the
paragraph-length response.

Example Response:

As mass was added to the top of block B, the tension in the string was increasing. As the tension was increasing,
the static friction force was increasing, to keep block A at rest. Once the additional mass reached a value , the
tension increased past the maximum value of static friction. Since the forward tension force is greater now than the
friction force, block A accelerates to the right.

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beyond your school’s participation in the program is prohibited.
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 AP Physics 1 Scoring Guide

Dynamics FRQ Set 1

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participation in the program is prohibited.
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