Free-Response Section

Scoring Guidelines

Question 1: Mathematical Routines 10 points

(a) For drawing an arrow for Block 2 before the string is cut that is directed to the right and one 1 point
unit in length
For drawing momentum arrows for the blocks after the string is cut where Block 1 has zero 1 point
momentum and momentum is conserved
Example Response:

Total for part (a)(i) 2 points

(a)(ii) For a multistep derivation that uses conservation of momentum 1 point
∑ pi = ∑ p f
For a correct expression for the velocity of Block 2 after the string is cut: 1 point
v2 = 5v0
For calculating the change in kinetic energy of the two-block system before and after the 1 point
string is cut
ΔK = K f − Ki
For equating the change in kinetic energy of the two-block system to the potential energy 1 point
stored in the compressed spring
ΔK = Us

90 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

 For a correct answer 1 point
U s = 10Mv02

Example Response:

∑ pi = ∑ p f
( 4M + M ) v0 =+
0 Mv2 =Mv2
v2 = 5v0

ΔK = K f − Ki
1 1 1
ΔK 0 +=
2 2 2
(
M ( 5v0 )2 − ( 5M ) v0 2 = Mv0 2 52 − 5 )
10 Mv0 2

U s = 10 Mv0 2
ΔK =
Total for part (a)(ii) 5 points
(b) For a multistep derivation that uses the impulse-momentum theorem 1 point
t2
  
J = ∫ net ( t ) dt = Δp
F
t1

For equating the area under the graph to the change in momentum of the block 1 point

Scoring Note: Because the block starts from rest, equating the area under the graph to
the final momentum of the block may earn this point.
For a correct expression for t2 in terms of the stated quantities 1 point
Mv2 1
t2
= + t1
F1 2

Example Response:
The impulse on the block is the area under the force-time curve, which is also the object’s
final momentum.
1
Area = F1t1 + F1 ( t2 − t1 ) , which equals Δp =p f .
2
1
F t + F1 ( t2 − t1 ) =Mv2
2 11
1
(
F1 t1 + t2 − t1 =
2 ) Mv2

( 1
t2 − t1 =
2 ) Mv2
F1
Mv2 1
t2
= + t1
F1 2
Total for part (b) 3 points
Total for question 1 10 points

AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 91

 Question 2: Translating Between Representations 12 points

(a) For drawing and labeling a downward force of gravity that is of equal length on each dot 1 point
For drawing and labeling an upward force exerted on the stone by the water that is greater than 1 point
the force of gravity at t2 < t < t3
For drawing and labeling an upward force exerted on the stone by the water that is equal to the 1 point
force of gravity at t = t3

Example Response:

Total for part (a) 3 points

(b) For a derivation that attempts to find an expression for v by integrating a differential 1 point
equation that relates the change in speed of the stone as a function of time to the speed of the
stone as a function of time
For indicating that the speed of the stone at time t2 is equal to 2ghC 1 point
For correct limits of integration: 1 point
• v2 or 2ghC as the lower limit and v as the upper limit on the integral of speed
• t2 as the lower limit and t as the upper limit on the integral of time

Scoring Note: A correct constant of integration earns this point.

92 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

 For an exponential solution that evaluates to a constant value for very large values of t 1 point

mg − B
Scoring Note: The terminal velocity of the stone in the water is .
k
Example Response:

Fnet
a=
m
Fnet = mg − ( B + kv ) = mg − B − kv
dv mg − B − kv
∴ =
dt m
dv dt
=
mg − B − kv m
v dv t dt
∫v2 mg − B − kv ∫t2 m
=
v
1 1 t
− ln ( mg − B − kv ) = t
k v2 m t2
k
ln ( mg − B − kv ) − ln ( mg − B − kv2 ) =
− ( t − t2 )
m
⎛ mg − B − kv ⎞ k
ln ⎜ ⎟= − ( t − t2 )
⎝ mg − B − kv2 ⎠ m
k
mg − B − kv − ( t − t2 )
=e m
mg − B − kv2
k
− ( t − t2 )
mg − B − kv = ( mg − B − kv2 ) e m

k
− ( t − t2 )
− kv = ( mg − B − kv2 ) e m − mg + B
k
B + kv2 − mg − ( t − t2 ) mg − B
=v e m +
k k

U g ( hC ) = K ( 0 )
1 2
mghC = mv
2 2
v2 = 2 ghC
∴
B + k 2 ghC − mg − mk ( t − t2 ) mg − B
v= e +
k k
Total for part (b) 4 points

AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 93

 (c) For a sketch that has a single transition from positive to negative at t2 1 point
For a sketch that changes from concave down to concave up at t2 1 point
For a sketch that has a constant negative slope after t3 1 point
Example Response:

Total for part (c) 3 points

(d) For one of the following: 1 point
• Indicating the stone will reach terminal velocity in a larger amount of time or that the
value of t3 will increase
• Indicating that the height of the stone will be lower for all values between t2 and t3
• Indicating the steepness of the line for times greater than t3 will increase
• Indicating the rate at which the slope of the line changes between t2 and t3 will
decrease
For a justification that correctly relates the mass of the object to the change indicated 1 point
Example Response:
The time it takes the stone to reach terminal velocity will be larger because the stone is more
massive. Both stones will hit the water at the same speed. The initial force exerted on the stone
by the water will be the same in both cases, but in the second case, the magnitude of the
acceleration will be smaller because the mass of the stone is greater. Therefore, the time it takes
the stone to reach its terminal velocity is greater.

The terminal velocity of the more massive stone will be greater because terminal velocity is
proportional to the mass of the stone. Therefore, the graph will be steeper for times greater
than t3 .
Total for part (d) 2 points
Total for question 2 12 points

94 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

 Question 3: Experimental Design 12 points

(a) For indicating the displacement of the spring and the maximum height attained by the block 1 point
should be measured
For repeating the experiment with varying displacements of the spring 1 point
Example Response:
1. Push the block against the spring to compress the spring.
2. Release the block and measure the maximum height of the block.
3. Repeat for lots of different spring compressions.
Total for part (a) 2 points
(b) For indicating that the maximum height and the square of the compression distance should be 1 point
plotted
For correctly relating the spring constant to the properties of a linear graph, consistent with the 1 point
horizontal/vertical axes indicated
Example Response:
Plot the maximum height h as a function of x 2 , where x is the amount the spring has been
k
compressed. The slope of that line will be equal to , which can be used to calculate the
2mg
spring constant k .
Total for part (b) 2 points
(c)(i) For indicating two quantities that have a linear relation and can be used to determine a 1 point
numerical value for mG

Scoring Note: Examples include the following:

1
• t 2 and 2 or x −2
x
1
• x 2 and 2 or t −2
t

• x and
t
(c)(ii) For graphing axes that have 1 point
• Linear scales for which the data uses at least half the axis range
• Labels and units consistent with the quantities listed in part (c)(i)
For correctly plotting data values from the table that are consistent with part (c)(i) 1 point

AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 95

 (c)(iii) For drawing a line that approximates the trend of the data 3 points
Example Response:

Total for part (c) 6 points

96 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

(d) For relating the appropriate property of the graphed line to mG consistent with the graph plotted 1 point
in part (c).

Scoring Note: Examples include:

1 ( slope ) ks
• For a graph that plots t 2 vs. 2
, mG =
x 2
1 ks
• For a graph that plots 2 vs. x 2 , mG =
t ( slope )  2
For a value of the mG that is approximately equal to mG = 0.67 kg 1 point

Example Response:
1
When plotting t 2 vs. , as shown above:
x2
Us = K

()
2
1 2 1 2 1 
kx = mv = m
2 2 2 t
m 2
kx 2 =
t2
m 2 1
t2 = G
ks x 2
m 2
slope = G
ks
slope = 0.0006
( slope ) ks ( 0.0006 )( 25 N/m )
mG = =
2 ( 0.15 m )2
mG = 0.67 kg
Total for part (d) 2 points
Total for question 3 12 points

AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 97

 Question 4: Qualitative/Quantitative Translation 8 points

(a) For a justification that indicates the net torque exerted on the system is zero 1 point
For indicating the forces that exert torques about the center of mass are due to the 1 point
normal force and the force of friction
For correctly relating the net torque about the system’s center of mass, the directions of 1 point
the torques exerted on the system, and the location of the center of mass relative to the
point at which the wheel contacts the ground
Example Response:
Because the system is balanced, the net torque must be zero. From the center of mass,
the forces exerting torques are the normal force and friction at the ground. When the
center of mass is to the right of the bottom of the wheel, these torques try to rotate the
system in opposite directions, which allows the unicycle to be balanced.
Total for part (a) 3 points
(b) For a multistep derivation that either: 1 point
• Uses Newton’s second law in translational form
• Uses Newton’s second law in rotational form
For one of the following: 1 point
• Indicating the force of friction causes the system’s translational acceleration
• Indicating the normal force is equal to the force of gravity exerted on the system

Scoring Note: Even though the mass of the system was not explicitly defined in the
problem, students may earn this point by writing F f = ma or FN = mg .
For a correct answer in terms of the given quantities: 1 point
D
a=g
H
Example Response:
Fnet
a=
m
Fnet = F f = ma
FN = Fg = mg
τ net
α =
I
τ net = 0 (about center of mass)
τ f − τN = 0
0
F f H − FN D =
0
maH − mgD =
D
a= g
H
Total for part (b) 3 points

98 AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam

(c) For selecting an answer consistent with the expression derived in part (b) 1 point

Scoring Note: If the expression in part (b) is correct, the correct selection is achild = a
For a justification that correctly describes the functional dependence of the system’s 1 point
acceleration to H and D .
Example Response:
achild = a because my expression derived in part (b) depends on the ratio between H
and D . If those quantities are changed by the same factor, the acceleration of the system
will not change.
Total for part (c) 2 points
Total for question 4 8 points

AP Physics C: Mechanics Practice Exam 99