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AEPA Physics (NT308) practice questions

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Question 1Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A car travels 150 m due east in 10 s, then 150 m due west in 15 s. What is the magnitude of its average velocity for the whole trip?

  1. 6 m/s
  2. 0 m/s Correct answer.
  3. 10 m/s
  4. 12 m/s

Explanation

Average velocity is total displacement divided by total time. The eastward and westward displacements cancel, so the total displacement is zero and the average velocity is zero regardless of the distance traveled.

Question 2Mechanics and Properties of Matter

An object is dropped from rest and falls freely near Earth's surface. How far does it fall in the first 3.0 s? (Use g = 9.8 m/s^2.)

  1. 44.1 m Correct answer.
  2. 29.4 m
  3. 88.2 m
  4. 14.7 m

Explanation

For an object starting from rest, distance equals one-half g times the square of the time. Substituting gives 0.5 × 9.8 × 9.0 = 44.1 m.

Question 3Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A projectile is launched at an angle above the horizontal on level ground, with air resistance negligible. At the highest point of its path, which statement about its acceleration is true?

  1. The acceleration is zero because the vertical velocity is momentarily zero.
  2. The acceleration is 9.8 m/s^2 directed upward.
  3. The acceleration is directed horizontally because the horizontal velocity is constant.
  4. The acceleration is 9.8 m/s^2 directed downward. Correct answer.

Explanation

Throughout free flight the only force is gravity, so the acceleration is constant at g directed downward, even where the vertical velocity is momentarily zero. Velocity and acceleration are independent quantities at that instant.

Question 4Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 5.0 kg block is pushed across a frictionless floor by a horizontal force of 20 N. What is the block's acceleration?

  1. 0.25 m/s^2
  2. 100 m/s^2
  3. 25 m/s^2
  4. 4.0 m/s^2 Correct answer.

Explanation

Newton's second law states that acceleration equals net force divided by mass. Dividing 20 N by 5.0 kg gives 4.0 m/s^2.

Question 5Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A book rests on a horizontal table. Which pair of forces is an action-reaction pair according to Newton's third law?

  1. The normal force of the table on the book and the push of the book on the table Correct answer.
  2. The weight of the book and the gravitational pull of the book on Earth
  3. The normal force of the table on the book and the weight of the table
  4. The weight of the book and the normal force of the table on the book

Explanation

Action-reaction pairs act on two different objects, are equal in magnitude, and are opposite in direction. The table pushes up on the book while the book pushes down on the table, so these form a third-law pair.

Question 6Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A crate is pulled at constant velocity across a rough floor by a horizontal force of 80 N. What is the magnitude of the kinetic friction force on the crate?

  1. Less than 80 N but greater than 0 N
  2. 0 N
  3. Greater than 80 N
  4. 80 N Correct answer.

Explanation

Constant velocity means zero net force, so the applied force must be exactly balanced by kinetic friction. Thus friction equals 80 N in magnitude and points opposite the motion.

Question 7Mechanics and Properties of Matter

Two masses, 3.0 kg and 5.0 kg, are connected by a light string over a frictionless pulley (Atwood machine). What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the system? (Use g = 9.8 m/s^2.)

  1. 4.90 m/s^2
  2. 2.45 m/s^2 Correct answer.
  3. 9.8 m/s^2
  4. 1.23 m/s^2

Explanation

The net driving force is the weight difference, (5.0 − 3.0)g, and the total mass being accelerated is 8.0 kg. Acceleration equals (2.0 × 9.8)/8.0 = 2.45 m/s^2.

Question 8Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 0.50 kg ball moving at 8.0 m/s strikes a wall and rebounds along the same line at 6.0 m/s. What is the magnitude of the impulse delivered to the ball?

  1. 1.0 N·s
  2. 4.0 N·s
  3. 7.0 N·s Correct answer.
  4. 14 N·s

Explanation

Impulse equals the change in momentum. Taking the initial direction as positive, the change is 0.50 × (−6.0) − 0.50 × (8.0) = −7.0 kg·m/s, so the magnitude is 7.0 N·s.

Question 9Mechanics and Properties of Matter

Two carts collide on a frictionless track. Cart A (2.0 kg) moves at 3.0 m/s toward stationary cart B (1.0 kg), and they stick together. What is their common velocity after the collision?

  1. 2.0 m/s Correct answer.
  2. 3.0 m/s
  3. 1.5 m/s
  4. 1.0 m/s

Explanation

In a perfectly inelastic collision, momentum is conserved: (2.0)(3.0) = (3.0)v. Solving gives v = 2.0 m/s in the original direction.

Question 10Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 2.0 kg object moves in a circle of radius 0.50 m at a constant speed of 4.0 m/s. What is the magnitude of the centripetal force on it?

  1. 16 N
  2. 4.0 N
  3. 64 N Correct answer.
  4. 8.0 N

Explanation

Centripetal force equals mass times speed squared divided by radius. Computing (2.0)(4.0)^2/0.50 gives 64 N.

Question 11Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A satellite orbits Earth in a circular orbit. If the orbital radius is increased while the satellite remains in a circular orbit, what happens to its orbital speed?

  1. It decreases. Correct answer.
  2. It increases.
  3. It stays the same.
  4. It becomes zero.

Explanation

Setting gravitational force equal to the centripetal requirement gives v = sqrt(GM/r). Speed therefore decreases as the radius increases.

Question 12Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A force of 30 N is applied perpendicular to a wrench handle at a distance of 0.20 m from the pivot. What torque is produced?

  1. 150 N·m
  2. 3.0 N·m
  3. 0.67 N·m
  4. 6.0 N·m Correct answer.

Explanation

Torque equals force times lever arm when the force is perpendicular to the lever arm. Thus 30 N × 0.20 m = 6.0 N·m.

Question 13Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A uniform meter stick is balanced at its center. A 100 g mass hangs 20 cm to the left of the pivot. Where must a 50 g mass be hung to balance the stick?

  1. 40 cm to the right of the pivot Correct answer.
  2. 80 cm to the right of the pivot
  3. 10 cm to the right of the pivot
  4. 20 cm to the right of the pivot

Explanation

Balancing requires equal torques: m1 d1 = m2 d2. So 100 g × 20 cm = 50 g × d2, giving d2 = 40 cm.

Question 14Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A solid cylinder and a solid sphere of equal mass and radius roll without slipping down the same incline, starting from rest. Which reaches the bottom first?

  1. The sphere Correct answer.
  2. The cylinder
  3. It depends on the incline angle
  4. They arrive at the same time

Explanation

Acceleration down the incline depends on the moment of inertia factor. The sphere has the smaller rotational inertia ratio (2/5 versus 1/2), so more energy goes into translation and it accelerates faster.

Question 15Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A flywheel of moment of inertia 4.0 kg·m^2 is subjected to a net torque of 12 N·m. What is its angular acceleration?

  1. 48 rad/s^2
  2. 8.0 rad/s^2
  3. 0.33 rad/s^2
  4. 3.0 rad/s^2 Correct answer.

Explanation

The rotational analog of Newton's second law is torque equals moment of inertia times angular acceleration. Dividing 12 N·m by 4.0 kg·m^2 gives 3.0 rad/s^2.

Question 16Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A quantity of ideal gas is compressed at constant temperature to one-third of its original volume. What happens to its pressure?

  1. It is unchanged.
  2. It is reduced to one-third.
  3. It is tripled. Correct answer.
  4. It is reduced to one-ninth.

Explanation

Boyle's law states that pressure and volume are inversely proportional at constant temperature. Reducing volume to one-third therefore triples the pressure.

Question 17Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A hydraulic lift has an input piston of area 5.0 cm^2 and an output piston of area 200 cm^2. If a force of 100 N is applied to the input piston, what force is exerted by the output piston?

  1. 500 N
  2. 4000 N Correct answer.
  3. 1000 N
  4. 2.5 N

Explanation

Pascal's principle gives equal pressure throughout: F1/A1 = F2/A2. Thus F2 = 100 N × (200/5.0) = 4000 N.

Question 18Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A block of wood floats in water with part of its volume submerged. If the same block is placed in a liquid denser than water, what happens to the fraction of the block that is submerged?

  1. It decreases. Correct answer.
  2. It becomes zero.
  3. It stays the same.
  4. It increases.

Explanation

A floating object displaces a weight of fluid equal to its own weight. A denser fluid provides more buoyant force per unit submerged volume, so less of the block needs to be submerged.

Question 19Mechanics and Properties of Matter

Water flows through a horizontal pipe that narrows to half its original cross-sectional area. Compared with the wider section, the speed of the water in the narrow section is

  1. twice as great. Correct answer.
  2. the same.
  3. half as great.
  4. four times as great.

Explanation

The continuity equation states that the volume flow rate, area times speed, is constant for an incompressible fluid. Halving the area therefore doubles the speed.

Question 20Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A spring with constant 200 N/m is stretched 0.10 m from its equilibrium length. How much elastic potential energy is stored?

  1. 20 J
  2. 0.50 J
  3. 1.0 J Correct answer.
  4. 2.0 J

Explanation

Elastic potential energy equals one-half the spring constant times the square of the extension. Computing 0.5 × 200 × (0.10)^2 gives 1.0 J.

Question 21Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 2.0 kg block slides from rest down a frictionless incline from a height of 5.0 m. What is its speed at the bottom? (Use g = 9.8 m/s^2.)

  1. 5.0 m/s
  2. 9.9 m/s Correct answer.
  3. 49 m/s
  4. 19.8 m/s

Explanation

Conservation of mechanical energy gives mgh = ½mv^2, so v = sqrt(2gh) = sqrt(2 × 9.8 × 5.0) ≈ 9.9 m/s. The mass cancels and does not affect the result.

Question 22Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 60 W motor lifts a load at a constant speed of 0.50 m/s. What is the weight of the load, assuming all power goes into lifting?

  1. 0.0083 N
  2. 120 N Correct answer.
  3. 600 N
  4. 30 N

Explanation

Power equals force times speed for a constant-velocity lift, so the lifting force equals weight. Weight = power/speed = 60 W / 0.50 m/s = 120 N.

Question 23Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 3.0 kg block moving at 4.0 m/s collides with and sticks to a stationary 1.0 kg block. How much kinetic energy is lost in the collision?

  1. 18 J
  2. 6 J Correct answer.
  3. 24 J
  4. 12 J

Explanation

Initial momentum gives a final speed of (3.0 × 4.0)/4.0 = 3.0 m/s. Initial kinetic energy is 24 J and final is 18 J, so 6 J is lost to deformation and heat.

Question 24Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A uniform beam of weight 200 N is supported at its two ends and a 400 N load hangs at its center. What is the upward force exerted by each support?

  1. 400 N
  2. 200 N
  3. 600 N
  4. 300 N Correct answer.

Explanation

By symmetry, each support carries half the total load of 600 N. Half of 600 N is 300 N per support.

Question 25Mechanics and Properties of Matter

The density of a solid is 800 kg/m^3. If a block of this material has a volume of 0.025 m^3, what is its mass?

  1. 20 kg Correct answer.
  2. 32 kg
  3. 0.02 kg
  4. 320 kg

Explanation

Density equals mass divided by volume, so mass equals density times volume. Multiplying 800 kg/m^3 by 0.025 m^3 gives 20 kg.

Question 26Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A car accelerates uniformly from rest to 20 m/s in 8.0 s. What is its acceleration?

  1. 160 m/s²
  2. 1.6 m/s²
  3. 0.40 m/s²
  4. 2.5 m/s² Correct answer.

Explanation

Acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the time interval: a = (v - u)/t. Here, a = (20 m/s - 0 m/s) / 8.0 s = 2.5 m/s².

Question 27Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A ball is thrown vertically upward with an initial speed of 15 m/s. Ignoring air resistance, what is its speed at the highest point of its trajectory?

  1. 9.8 m/s
  2. 15 m/s
  3. 0 m/s Correct answer.
  4. 7.5 m/s

Explanation

At the highest point, the vertical component of velocity is zero because the ball momentarily stops before reversing direction. The acceleration due to gravity is still 9.8 m/s² downward, but the speed is zero.

Question 28Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 5.0 kg block is pulled across a frictionless horizontal surface by a horizontal force of 20 N. What is the acceleration of the block?

  1. 100 m/s²
  2. 25 m/s²
  3. 0.25 m/s²
  4. 4.0 m/s² Correct answer.

Explanation

According to Newton's second law, F = ma, so a = F/m. Here, a = 20 N / 5.0 kg = 4.0 m/s².

Question 29Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 2.0 kg object is lifted vertically at a constant speed of 3.0 m/s. What is the net force acting on the object?

  1. 19.6 N downward
  2. 6.0 N upward
  3. 0 N Correct answer.
  4. 19.6 N upward

Explanation

Constant velocity means zero acceleration, so by Newton's first law the net force must be zero. The upward lifting force balances the downward gravitational force.

Question 30Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 0.20 kg ball is thrown with a speed of 10 m/s. What is its kinetic energy?

  1. 20 J
  2. 1.0 J
  3. 10 J Correct answer.
  4. 2.0 J

Explanation

Kinetic energy is given by KE = ½ m v². Here, KE = ½ × 0.20 kg × (10 m/s)² = ½ × 0.20 × 100 = 10 J.

Question 31Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 0.50 kg ball moving at 4.0 m/s has a head-on elastic collision with a stationary 0.50 kg ball. What is the speed of the second ball immediately after the collision?

  1. 8.0 m/s
  2. 4.0 m/s Correct answer.
  3. 2.0 m/s
  4. 0 m/s

Explanation

In a perfectly elastic collision between equal masses, the moving ball transfers all its momentum and kinetic energy to the stationary ball. Thus, the second ball moves off with the initial speed of the first ball, 4.0 m/s.

Question 32Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 2.0 kg object is lifted from the floor to a shelf 1.5 m high. What is the increase in its gravitational potential energy? (Use g = 9.8 m/s².)

  1. 29.4 J Correct answer.
  2. 3.0 J
  3. 13.3 J
  4. 2.0 J

Explanation

The change in gravitational potential energy is ΔPE = m g Δh. Here, ΔPE = 2.0 kg × 9.8 m/s² × 1.5 m = 29.4 J.

Question 33Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A hydraulic system has an input piston with an area of 10 cm² and an output piston with an area of 100 cm². If a force of 50 N is applied to the input piston, what force is exerted by the output piston?

  1. 5.0 N
  2. 50 N
  3. 1000 N
  4. 500 N Correct answer.

Explanation

By Pascal's principle, the pressure is transmitted undiminished, so F1/A1 = F2/A2. Thus, F2 = F1 × (A2/A1) = 50 N × (100 cm² / 10 cm²) = 500 N.

Question 34Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 3.0 kg block and a 5.0 kg block are connected by a light string over a frictionless pulley (Atwood machine). What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the blocks? (Use g = 9.8 m/s².)

  1. 4.90 m/s²
  2. 1.23 m/s²
  3. 2.45 m/s² Correct answer.
  4. 9.8 m/s²

Explanation

For an Atwood machine, the acceleration is a = (m2 - m1)g / (m1 + m2). Here, a = (5.0 - 3.0) × 9.8 / (3.0 + 5.0) = 2.0 × 9.8 / 8.0 = 2.45 m/s².

Question 35Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 0.50 kg ball moving horizontally at 8.0 m/s strikes a wall and rebounds horizontally at 6.0 m/s. What is the magnitude of the impulse delivered to the ball by the wall?

  1. 7.0 N·s Correct answer.
  2. 14 N·s
  3. 1.0 N·s
  4. 4.0 N·s

Explanation

Impulse equals the change in momentum: J = Δp = m(v_f - v_i). Taking the initial direction as positive, v_i = +8.0 m/s and v_f = -6.0 m/s, so Δp = 0.50 kg × (-6.0 - 8.0) m/s = -7.0 kg·m/s. The magnitude is 7.0 N·s.

Question 36Mechanics and Properties of Matter

Two carts collide on a frictionless track. Cart A (2.0 kg) moving at 3.0 m/s to the right collides with cart B (1.0 kg) initially at rest. After the collision, cart A moves at 1.0 m/s to the right. What is the velocity of cart B after the collision?

  1. 2.0 m/s to the right
  2. 4.0 m/s to the right Correct answer.
  3. 3.0 m/s to the right
  4. 1.0 m/s to the right

Explanation

By conservation of momentum, m_A v_Ai + m_B v_Bi = m_A v_Af + m_B v_Bf. Substituting: 2.0×3.0 + 1.0×0 = 2.0×1.0 + 1.0×v_Bf, so 6.0 = 2.0 + v_Bf, giving v_Bf = 4.0 m/s to the right.

Question 37Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 2.0 kg object moves in a circle of radius 0.50 m at a constant speed of 4.0 m/s. What is the magnitude of the centripetal force acting on the object?

  1. 64 N Correct answer.
  2. 8.0 N
  3. 16 N
  4. 32 N

Explanation

Centripetal force is F_c = m v² / r. Here, F_c = 2.0 kg × (4.0 m/s)² / 0.50 m = 2.0 × 16 / 0.50 = 64 N.

Question 38Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A uniform meter stick is balanced at its center. A 100 g mass hangs 20 cm to the left of the pivot. Where must a 50 g mass be placed to balance the stick?

  1. 20 cm to the right of the pivot
  2. 50 cm to the right of the pivot
  3. 40 cm to the right of the pivot Correct answer.
  4. 10 cm to the right of the pivot

Explanation

For rotational equilibrium, the torques must balance: m1 × d1 = m2 × d2. Here, 100 g × 20 cm = 50 g × d2, so d2 = (100×20)/50 = 40 cm. The 50 g mass must be placed 40 cm to the right of the pivot.

Question 39Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A flywheel of moment of inertia 4.0 kg·m² is subjected to a net torque of 12 N·m. What is its angular acceleration?

  1. 0.33 rad/s²
  2. 48 rad/s²
  3. 3.0 rad/s² Correct answer.
  4. 8.0 rad/s²

Explanation

Angular acceleration is given by α = τ/I. Here, α = 12 N·m / 4.0 kg·m² = 3.0 rad/s².

Question 40Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A block of wood floats in water with part of its volume submerged. If the same block is placed in a liquid denser than water, what happens to the fraction of its volume that is submerged?

  1. It remains the same.
  2. It increases.
  3. It becomes zero.
  4. It decreases. Correct answer.

Explanation

For a floating object, the buoyant force equals the weight: ρ_liquid × V_submerged × g = ρ_object × V_total × g. Thus, V_submerged / V_total = ρ_object / ρ_liquid. In a denser liquid, the ratio is smaller, so a smaller fraction of the block is submerged.

Question 41Mechanics and Properties of Matter

Water flows through a horizontal pipe that narrows to half its original cross-sectional area. Compared with the wider section, what is the speed of the water in the narrower section?

  1. Four times as great
  2. The same
  3. Half as great
  4. Twice as great Correct answer.

Explanation

The equation of continuity for an incompressible fluid is A1v1 = A2v2. If A2 = A1/2, then v2 = 2v1, so the speed doubles.

Question 42Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 2.0 kg block slides from rest down a frictionless incline from a height of 5.0 m. What is its speed at the bottom? (Use g = 9.8 m/s².)

  1. 9.9 m/s Correct answer.
  2. 49 m/s
  3. 14 m/s
  4. 7.0 m/s

Explanation

By conservation of energy, m g h = ½ m v², so v = √(2 g h). Here, v = √(2 × 9.8 × 5.0) = √98 ≈ 9.9 m/s.

Question 43Mechanics and Properties of Matter

The density of a solid is 800 kg/m³. If a block of this material has a volume of 0.025 m³, what is its mass?

  1. 0.031 kg
  2. 32 kg
  3. 20 kg Correct answer.
  4. 0.020 kg

Explanation

Density is mass per unit volume: ρ = m/V, so m = ρV. Here, m = 800 kg/m³ × 0.025 m³ = 20 kg.

Question 44Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A crate is pushed across a rough floor at constant velocity by a horizontal force of 90 N. What is the magnitude of the kinetic friction force acting on the crate?

  1. Cannot be determined without the crate's mass
  2. Greater than 90 N
  3. 0 N
  4. 90 N Correct answer.

Explanation

Constant velocity means the net horizontal force is zero, so the applied force and kinetic friction must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. The mass is not needed because no acceleration is present.

Question 45Mechanics and Properties of Matter

Two forces act on a point: 6.0 N directed east and 8.0 N directed north. What is the magnitude of the resultant force?

  1. 2.0 N
  2. 14 N
  3. 10 N Correct answer.
  4. 48 N

Explanation

Perpendicular forces add as vector components, so the resultant magnitude is the square root of the sum of the squares: sqrt(6.0² + 8.0²) = 10 N. Simple addition of magnitudes only applies when forces are parallel.

Question 46Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A solid cylinder and a solid sphere of equal mass and radius are released from rest at the top of the same incline and roll without slipping. Which reaches the bottom first, and why?

  1. The cylinder, because it has the larger moment of inertia
  2. They arrive together, because both have the same mass and radius
  3. The sphere, because its smaller moment of inertia leaves more energy for translation Correct answer.
  4. They arrive together, because rolling without slipping conserves mechanical energy in both cases

Explanation

For rolling from rest, the fraction of energy going into rotation depends on I/(mR²), which is smaller for a solid sphere (2/5) than for a solid cylinder (1/2). The body with the smaller rotational share keeps more translational kinetic energy and thus a higher speed at any height.

Question 47Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A spring with spring constant 200 N/m is compressed 0.10 m from its natural length. How much elastic potential energy is stored?

  1. 0.10 J
  2. 20 J
  3. 2.0 J
  4. 1.0 J Correct answer.

Explanation

Elastic potential energy is (1/2)kx², so (1/2)(200)(0.10)² = 1.0 J. The displacement must be squared, which keeps the value small.

Question 48Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A sealed container holds an ideal gas at constant temperature. If the volume is halved while the temperature is held fixed, the pressure of the gas

  1. remains unchanged
  2. is halved
  3. doubles Correct answer.
  4. is reduced to one quarter

Explanation

Boyle's law states that at constant temperature the product of pressure and volume is constant for a fixed amount of gas. Halving the volume therefore doubles the pressure.

Question 49Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 0.40 kg object moving at 5.0 m/s collides with and sticks to a stationary 0.60 kg object on a frictionless surface. What is the speed of the combined mass just after the collision?

  1. 1.5 m/s
  2. 3.0 m/s
  3. 5.0 m/s
  4. 2.0 m/s Correct answer.

Explanation

Momentum is conserved in a perfectly inelastic collision: (0.40)(5.0) = (0.40 + 0.60)v, giving v = 2.0 m/s. Kinetic energy is not conserved because the objects stick together.

Question 50Mechanics and Properties of Matter

A 1200 kg car travels around a flat, unbanked curve of radius 50 m. If the coefficient of static friction between the tires and the road is 0.60, what is the maximum speed at which the car can negotiate the curve without skidding? (Use g = 9.8 m/s².)

  1. 29 m/s
  2. 7.7 m/s
  3. 294 m/s
  4. 17 m/s Correct answer.

Explanation

On a flat curve, static friction supplies the centripetal force, so μmg = mv²/r and v = sqrt(μgr) = sqrt(0.60 × 9.8 × 50) ≈ 17 m/s. The mass cancels out of the equation.