AP Inter Physics (BIEAP) study materials
AP Inter Physics (BIEAP) study resources

AP Inter Physics (BIEAP) practice questions

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Question 1Physical World and Measurement

In the SI system, which of the following is a supplementary unit rather than a base unit?

  1. Kelvin
  2. Candela
  3. Radian Correct answer.
  4. Mole

Explanation

The seven SI base units are metre, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole and candela. Plane angle and solid angle are treated separately as dimensionless supplementary (derived-trigonometric) units, with the radian the SI unit of plane angle. Hence the radian is not one of the seven base units.

Question 2Physical World and Measurement

The dimensional formula of the universal gravitational constant G, obtained from Newton's law F = Gm1m2/r^2, is:

  1. [M L^3 T^-2]
  2. [M^-1 L^3 T^-2] Correct answer.
  3. [M^-1 L^3 T^-1]
  4. [M^-1 L^2 T^-2]

Explanation

Rearranging gives G = Fr^2/(m1m2). Force has dimensions [M L T^-2], so the numerator is [M L^3 T^-2] and the denominator is [M^2]. Dividing yields [M^-1 L^3 T^-2], a result you can check against the known value 6.67 x 10^-11 N m^2 kg^-2.

Question 3Physical World and Measurement

A student measures the length of a rod with a vernier caliper. The main scale reads 2.4 cm and the 6th vernier division coincides with a main scale division. If the least count is 0.01 cm, the measured length is:

  1. 2.60 cm
  2. 2.46 cm Correct answer.
  3. 2.40 cm
  4. 2.34 cm

Explanation

Vernier reading = main scale reading + (vernier coincidence x least count) = 2.4 cm + (6 x 0.01 cm) = 2.46 cm. The vernier correction is always added to the main scale reading when the vernier zero lies ahead of the main scale zero. So the correct length is 2.46 cm.

Question 4Physical World and Measurement

The period T of a simple pendulum is believed to depend on its length l and the acceleration due to gravity g as T = k l^a g^b. Using dimensional analysis, the values of a and b are:

  1. a = 1, b = -1
  2. a = -1/2, b = 1/2
  3. a = 1, b = 1
  4. a = 1/2, b = -1/2 Correct answer.

Explanation

Write [T] = [L]^a [L T^-2]^b = L^(a+b) T^(-2b). Matching powers gives -2b = 1, so b = -1/2, and a + b = 0, so a = 1/2. Hence T = k sqrt(l/g), consistent with the known pendulum formula.

Question 5Physical World and Measurement

A physical quantity is measured as x = 4.0 +/- 0.2 units. The percentage error in the quantity y = x^3 is:

  1. 60%
  2. 15% Correct answer.
  3. 20%
  4. 5%

Explanation

For a power relation y = x^n, the relative error is n times the relative error in x. Here the relative error in x is 0.2/4.0 = 0.05, i.e. 5%, so the relative error in x^3 is 3 x 5% = 15%. Percentage errors in a power are multiplied by the exponent.

Question 6Physical World and Measurement

A screw gauge has a pitch of 0.5 mm and 50 circular scale divisions. When the jaws are closed, the 48th circular division coincides with the reference line and the zero of the circular scale lies below the reference line. The zero error is:

  1. -0.02 mm Correct answer.
  2. -0.48 mm
  3. +0.02 mm
  4. +0.48 mm

Explanation

Least count = pitch / number of circular divisions = 0.5/50 = 0.01 mm. With the zero below the reference line, the instrument reads too much, so the zero error is negative. Its magnitude is (50 - 48) x 0.01 mm = 0.02 mm, giving a zero error of -0.02 mm.

Question 7Kinematics

A particle moves along the x-axis so that its position is x = 4t² − 2t + 1 (SI units). What is the magnitude of its acceleration at t = 3 s?

  1. 4 m/s²
  2. 8 m/s² Correct answer.
  3. 24 m/s²
  4. 22 m/s²

Explanation

Velocity is the first derivative of position, v = dx/dt = 8t − 2, and acceleration is the derivative of velocity, a = dv/dt = 8 m/s². The acceleration is constant, so its magnitude at t = 3 s is also 8 m/s². Substituting t into the velocity expression gives speed, not acceleration.

Question 8Kinematics

A body starts from rest and moves with uniform acceleration. In the first second it covers 2 m. How far does it travel in the first 3 s?

  1. 12 m
  2. 6 m
  3. 18 m Correct answer.
  4. 9 m

Explanation

For motion from rest, s = ½at², so distance scales as the square of time. Covering 2 m in 1 s fixes ½a = 2, giving a = 4 m/s². Then s = ½(4)(3²) = 18 m, which is nine times the 1-second distance.

Question 9Kinematics

Which statement correctly distinguishes distance from displacement for a moving particle?

  1. Distance and displacement are both scalars but differ only when the path is curved.
  2. Distance is a scalar equal to path length, while displacement is a vector from initial to final position. Correct answer.
  3. Distance equals the magnitude of displacement whenever the particle reverses direction.
  4. Distance is a vector along the path, while displacement is the scalar length of the straight line joining the ends.

Explanation

Distance measures the total length of path actually traversed and carries no direction, so it is a scalar. Displacement is the straight-line vector from the starting point to the finishing point, depending only on those two positions. The two are equal in magnitude only for straight-line motion without reversal.

Question 10Kinematics

A projectile is launched at speed u at an angle θ to the horizontal on level ground, with no air resistance. Which quantity remains constant throughout the flight?

  1. The speed of the projectile
  2. The vertical component of velocity
  3. The horizontal component of velocity Correct answer.
  4. The direction of the velocity vector

Explanation

With air resistance neglected, the only force is the weight, which acts vertically. There is no horizontal force, so the horizontal velocity component u cos θ stays constant. The vertical component changes at rate g, and the speed and direction change continuously along the parabolic path.

Question 11Kinematics

A car moving at 20 m/s decelerates uniformly and stops in 5 s. What distance does it cover while stopping?

  1. 40 m
  2. 100 m
  3. 50 m Correct answer.
  4. 20 m

Explanation

For uniform acceleration the average velocity is the mean of initial and final velocities, (20 + 0)/2 = 10 m/s. Multiplying by the time gives s = 10 × 5 = 50 m. Equivalently, the deceleration is 4 m/s² and s = ut − ½at² = 100 − 50 = 50 m.

Question 12Kinematics

A stone is dropped from rest from a height and reaches the ground in 3 s. Taking g = 10 m/s², what is the height of the drop?

  1. 15 m
  2. 90 m
  3. 30 m
  4. 45 m Correct answer.

Explanation

For free fall from rest, h = ½gt². Substituting g = 10 m/s² and t = 3 s gives h = ½ × 10 × 9 = 45 m. The impact speed would be gt = 30 m/s, which is a speed and not the height.

Question 13Kinematics

Two projectiles are fired with the same initial speed at angles of 30° and 60° to the horizontal on level ground. Neglecting air resistance, which statement about their ranges is correct?

  1. The ranges are equal. Correct answer.
  2. The 60° projectile has the greater range.
  3. The 30° projectile has the greater range.
  4. The ranges cannot be compared without knowing the launch speed.

Explanation

Range for level ground is R = u² sin 2θ / g, which depends on the launch angle only through sin 2θ. For 30° and 60° the doubled angles are 60° and 120°, and sin 60° = sin 120°, so the ranges are equal. The complementary angles give equal ranges for the same speed.

Question 14Kinematics

A particle's velocity–time graph is a straight line starting at 10 m/s at t = 0 and falling to −10 m/s at t = 4 s. What is the total distance travelled in this interval?

  1. 40 m
  2. 20 m Correct answer.
  3. 0 m
  4. 10 m

Explanation

The velocity changes sign at t = 2 s, so distance is the sum of the magnitudes of the two triangular areas. Each triangle has base 2 s and height 10 m/s, giving area 10 m, so the total distance is 20 m. The net displacement, by contrast, is zero because the areas cancel.

Question 15Kinematics

A body moves in a circle of radius 2 m with constant speed 6 m/s. What is the magnitude of its acceleration?

  1. 12 m/s²
  2. 3 m/s²
  3. 36 m/s²
  4. 18 m/s² Correct answer.

Explanation

Uniform circular motion has centripetal acceleration of magnitude v²/r, directed towards the centre. Here v²/r = 36/2 = 18 m/s². The speed is constant, so there is no tangential acceleration component.

Question 16Kinematics

A particle starts from the origin with initial velocity 3 m/s along the x-axis and constant acceleration 2 m/s² along the y-axis. What is its displacement from the origin at t = 2 s?

  1. 6 m
  2. 10 m Correct answer.
  3. 4 m
  4. 8 m

Explanation

The x-motion is uniform, giving x = 3 × 2 = 6 m. The y-motion starts from rest, giving y = ½ × 2 × 2² = 4 m. The displacement magnitude is √(6² + 4²) = √52 ≈ 7.2 m, so among the choices the value closest to and consistent with this is about 7 m; the correct magnitude is √52 m.

Question 17Kinematics

A ball thrown vertically upward returns to the thrower's hand after 4 s. Taking g = 10 m/s² and neglecting air resistance, what maximum height does it reach?

  1. 20 m Correct answer.
  2. 80 m
  3. 40 m
  4. 10 m

Explanation

The time to reach the top is half the total flight time, 2 s, where the velocity becomes zero. Using v² = u² − 2gh with v = 0 and u = gt = 20 m/s gives h = u²/(2g) = 400/20 = 20 m. Alternatively h = ½gt² with t = 2 s gives the same result.

Question 18Kinematics

A particle moves along a straight line with velocity v = 6t − 3t² (SI units). At what time after t = 0 does the particle momentarily reverse its direction of motion?

  1. t = 2 s Correct answer.
  2. t = 0.5 s
  3. t = 3 s
  4. t = 1 s

Explanation

Reversal occurs where the velocity passes through zero and changes sign. Setting 6t − 3t² = 0 gives 3t(2 − t) = 0, so v = 0 at t = 0 and t = 2 s. Only at t = 2 s does the velocity change sign, since v is positive between 0 and 2 s and negative afterwards.

Question 19Kinematics

A particle starts from rest with uniform acceleration and covers a distance s in the first 2 s. What distance does it cover in the next 2 s?

  1. 4s
  2. 2s
  3. 3s Correct answer.
  4. s

Explanation

From rest under uniform acceleration, distance is proportional to t². In the first 4 s the total distance is four times that covered in the first 2 s, i.e. 4s. The distance covered between 2 s and 4 s is therefore 4s − s = 3s.

Question 20Kinematics

A boat can travel at 5 m/s in still water and is steered straight across a river 100 m wide in which the current flows at 3 m/s parallel to the banks. How far downstream does the boat land?

  1. 100 m
  2. 37.5 m
  3. 60 m Correct answer.
  4. 80 m

Explanation

The crossing time depends only on the component of velocity perpendicular to the banks: t = 100/5 = 20 s. During this time the current carries the boat downstream by 3 × 20 = 60 m. The resultant speed over the ground is √(5² + 3²) = √34 m/s, but the drift depends only on the current and the crossing time.

Question 21Kinematics

A projectile is fired horizontally from the top of a tower 80 m high with a horizontal speed of 30 m/s. Taking g = 10 m/s², what horizontal distance from the base of the tower does it strike the ground?

  1. 120 m Correct answer.
  2. 60 m
  3. 240 m
  4. 80 m

Explanation

The vertical motion is free fall from rest, so 80 = ½ × 10 × t² gives t² = 16 and t = 4 s. The horizontal velocity stays constant at 30 m/s, so the horizontal range is 30 × 4 = 120 m. The initial vertical velocity is zero because the launch is horizontal.

Question 22Kinematics

Two particles start from the same point at the same time. One moves along the x-axis with constant velocity 4 m/s; the other starts from rest along the y-axis with constant acceleration 2 m/s². At t = 3 s, what is the magnitude of the relative velocity of the second particle with respect to the first?

  1. 2 m/s
  2. √52 m/s
  3. 10 m/s Correct answer.
  4. 6 m/s

Explanation

At t = 3 s the first particle has velocity (4, 0) m/s and the second has velocity (0, 2×3) = (0, 6) m/s. Their relative velocity is (0 − 4, 6 − 0) = (−4, 6) m/s, whose magnitude is √(16 + 36) = √52 ≈ 7.2 m/s. Among the listed values, 10 m/s arises from adding the components arithmetically, so the correct magnitude is √52 m/s.

Question 23Laws of Motion

A body of mass 5 kg is acted on by a single horizontal force of 20 N on a frictionless surface. What is the acceleration of the body?

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

Explanation

Newton's second law states that the net force equals mass times acceleration, so a = F/m. Substituting the values gives a = 20/5 = 4 m/s². The direction is along the applied force because the surface is frictionless.

Question 24Laws of Motion

The property of a body by virtue of which it resists any change in its state of rest or of uniform motion is called:

  1. Impulse
  2. Momentum
  3. Inertia Correct answer.
  4. Weight

Explanation

Inertia is the inherent property of a body to oppose changes in its state of rest or uniform motion, and it is measured by the mass of the body. Momentum and impulse are quantities related to force and motion rather than this resistance.

Question 25Laws of Motion

A book rests on a horizontal table. According to Newton's third law, the reaction to the gravitational force of the Earth on the book is:

  1. The weight of the book acting downward
  2. The friction force between the book and the table
  3. The gravitational force of the book on the Earth Correct answer.
  4. The normal force of the table on the book

Explanation

Action and reaction pairs act on two different bodies and are of the same type. The Earth pulls the book gravitationally, so the reaction is the book pulling the Earth with an equal and opposite gravitational force. The normal force is a separate contact force that merely balances the weight in equilibrium.

Question 26Laws of Motion

The SI unit of impulse is:

  1. kg/s
  2. N·s Correct answer.
  3. N/s
  4. N·m

Explanation

Impulse is force multiplied by time, so its unit is the newton-second (N·s). By the impulse–momentum theorem this is equivalent to the unit of momentum, kg·m/s. The two units describe the same physical quantity.

Question 27Laws of Motion

A cricket ball of mass 0.15 kg moving at 20 m/s is brought to rest by a fielder in 0.05 s. What is the average force exerted by the fielder on the ball?

  1. 30 N
  2. 300 N
  3. 15 N
  4. 60 N Correct answer.

Explanation

The impulse–momentum theorem gives F·t = change in momentum. The change in momentum is 0.15 × 20 = 3 kg·m/s, so F = 3/0.05 = 60 N. The force acts opposite to the ball's motion, which is why the ball stops.

Question 28Laws of Motion

A block of mass 10 kg is pulled along a rough horizontal floor by a horizontal force of 50 N. If the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.3, what is the acceleration of the block? (Take g = 10 m/s²)

  1. 3 m/s²
  2. 8 m/s²
  3. 2 m/s² Correct answer.
  4. 5 m/s²

Explanation

The limiting friction is f = μN = μmg = 0.3 × 10 × 10 = 30 N. The net horizontal force is 50 − 30 = 20 N, so a = 20/10 = 2 m/s². Always subtract friction from the applied force before applying F = ma.

Question 29Laws of Motion

A body of mass m is placed on a smooth inclined plane of angle θ. The magnitude of the normal reaction exerted by the plane on the body is:

  1. mg
  2. mg cos θ Correct answer.
  3. mg tan θ
  4. mg sin θ

Explanation

Resolving forces perpendicular to the incline, the normal reaction balances the component of weight perpendicular to the surface, which is mg cos θ. The component along the incline, mg sin θ, causes the acceleration down the plane. The two components together equal mg in magnitude.

Question 30Laws of Motion

A machine gun fires 240 bullets per minute, each of mass 10 g, with a muzzle speed of 500 m/s. What is the average force required to hold the gun in position?

  1. 2 N
  2. 200 N
  3. 20 N Correct answer.
  4. 1200 N

Explanation

The rate of change of momentum is F = n·m·v, where n is the number of bullets per second. Here n = 240/60 = 4 s⁻¹, so F = 4 × 0.01 × 500 = 20 N. This backward force must be balanced to keep the gun stationary.

Question 31Laws of Motion

A person of mass 60 kg stands on the floor of a lift. What does the floor read as the apparent weight when the lift accelerates upward at 2 m/s²? (Take g = 10 m/s²)

  1. 600 N
  2. 720 N Correct answer.
  3. 480 N
  4. 120 N

Explanation

For upward acceleration, the normal reaction must exceed the weight to provide the net upward force: N = m(g + a) = 60 × (10 + 2) = 720 N. The apparent weight increases whenever the lift accelerates upward.

Question 32Laws of Motion

A block of mass 4 kg rests on a horizontal surface with coefficient of static friction 0.5. A horizontal force is gradually increased from zero. The minimum force needed to just start the block moving is: (Take g = 10 m/s²)

  1. 20 N Correct answer.
  2. 40 N
  3. 2 N
  4. 10 N

Explanation

The limiting static friction is f = μs·N = μs·mg = 0.5 × 4 × 10 = 20 N. The block just begins to slide when the applied force equals this limiting value. Below this value the friction adjusts to match the applied force exactly.

Question 33Laws of Motion

Two masses of 3 kg and 2 kg are connected by a light inextensible string passing over a frictionless pulley (Atwood machine). What is the acceleration of the system? (Take g = 10 m/s²)

  1. 5 m/s²
  2. 2 m/s² Correct answer.
  3. 0.5 m/s²
  4. 10 m/s²

Explanation

The net driving force is the weight difference (m₁ − m₂)g and the total mass moved is (m₁ + m₂). Thus a = (3 − 2) × 10 / (3 + 2) = 10/5 = 2 m/s². The tension is the same throughout the string and does not appear in the combined equation.

Question 34Laws of Motion

A body of mass 2 kg moves with a velocity of 6 m/s. A constant retarding force of 4 N acts on it. How long does the body take to come to rest?

  1. 3 s Correct answer.
  2. 0.33 s
  3. 48 s
  4. 12 s

Explanation

The impulse needed to stop the body equals its initial momentum, mv = 2 × 6 = 12 kg·m/s. From F·t = mv, the time is t = 12/4 = 3 s. Alternatively, the deceleration is a = 4/2 = 2 m/s² and t = v/a = 3 s.

Question 35Laws of Motion

A block of mass 5 kg is pressed against a rough vertical wall by a horizontal force of 100 N. If the coefficient of static friction between block and wall is 0.4, which statement is correct? (Take g = 10 m/s²)

  1. The block remains at rest because the horizontal force balances the weight
  2. The block slides down because friction is 40 N and weight is 50 N Correct answer.
  3. The block slides up the wall under the applied force
  4. The block remains at rest because limiting friction is 40 N and weight is 50 N

Explanation

The normal reaction from the wall equals the horizontal force, 100 N, so limiting friction is 0.4 × 100 = 40 N. The weight of the block is 50 N, which exceeds the maximum friction available. Hence the block cannot be held and slides down the wall.

Question 36Laws of Motion

A monkey of mass 20 kg climbs up a rope whose breaking strength is 300 N. What is the maximum acceleration with which the monkey can climb safely? (Take g = 10 m/s²)

  1. 5 m/s² Correct answer.
  2. 10 m/s²
  3. 15 m/s²
  4. 2 m/s²

Explanation

The tension in the rope must provide the monkey's weight plus the net upward force: T = m(g + a). Setting T equal to the breaking strength, 300 = 20(10 + a), gives 10 + a = 15, so a = 5 m/s². Any larger acceleration would exceed the breaking tension.

Question 37Laws of Motion

Two blocks of masses 6 kg and 4 kg in contact rest on a frictionless horizontal surface. A horizontal force of 20 N is applied to the 6 kg block, pushing the pair. What is the force of contact between the blocks?

  1. 4 N
  2. 20 N
  3. 12 N
  4. 8 N Correct answer.

Explanation

The whole system accelerates at a = 20/10 = 2 m/s². The contact force is the only horizontal force on the 4 kg block, so it equals 4 × 2 = 8 N. Equivalently, the 6 kg block experiences 20 N forward and 8 N backward, giving its net 12 N.

Question 38Laws of Motion

A rocket of mass 500 kg ejects gas at a rate of 2 kg/s with a speed of 400 m/s relative to the rocket. Ignoring gravity, what is the thrust on the rocket?

  1. 1000 N
  2. 800 N Correct answer.
  3. 200 N
  4. 400 N

Explanation

Thrust arises from the rate of change of momentum of the ejected gas: F = (dm/dt)·v = 2 × 400 = 800 N. By Newton's third law, the gas pushes the rocket forward with this same force. The mass of the rocket does not enter this thrust calculation directly.

Question 39Work, Energy and Power

A force does 60 J of work on a body in 4 s. What is the average power delivered by the force?

  1. 15 W Correct answer.
  2. 64 W
  3. 0.067 W
  4. 240 W

Explanation

Average power is the work done divided by the time taken, P = W/t. Substituting W = 60 J and t = 4 s gives P = 15 W, which is the rate at which the force transfers energy to the body.

Question 40Work, Energy and Power

The work-energy theorem states that the net work done on a particle equals which quantity?

  1. The impulse delivered to the particle
  2. The change in its potential energy
  3. The total mechanical energy of the particle
  4. The change in its kinetic energy Correct answer.

Explanation

The work-energy theorem follows from Newton's second law: integrating the net force over displacement gives W_net = ΔK = ½mv² − ½mu². Potential energy changes only appear when conservative internal forces are present, so they are not the general statement of the theorem.

Question 41Work, Energy and Power

A body of mass 2 kg moves at 3 m/s. Its kinetic energy is

  1. 9 J Correct answer.
  2. 6 J
  3. 12 J
  4. 18 J

Explanation

Kinetic energy is K = ½mv². With m = 2 kg and v = 3 m/s, K = ½ × 2 × 9 = 9 J. Note that kinetic energy depends on the square of the speed, not linearly on it.

Question 42Work, Energy and Power

Which of the following forces is non-conservative in the sense that the work it does around a closed path is generally nonzero?

  1. Kinetic friction Correct answer.
  2. Gravitational force
  3. Spring force obeying Hooke's law
  4. Electrostatic force

Explanation

A conservative force does zero net work around any closed path and has an associated potential energy. Gravity, ideal spring force and electrostatic force all satisfy this, but kinetic friction always opposes motion, so its work around a closed loop is negative and nonzero.

Question 43Work, Energy and Power

A force F = (3i + 4j) N acts on a body that undergoes a displacement d = (2i − 1j) m. The work done by the force is

  1. 6 J
  2. 2 J Correct answer.
  3. 10 J
  4. −4 J

Explanation

Work is the scalar product W = F·d. Here W = (3)(2) + (4)(−1) = 6 − 4 = 2 J. The negative contribution from the j-component reduces the total work because the force component opposes that part of the displacement.

Question 44Work, Energy and Power

A ball is thrown vertically upward and rises to a maximum height h before returning to the thrower. Taking air resistance as negligible, the net work done on the ball over the complete up-and-down journey is

  1. −mgh
  2. 2mgh
  3. mgh
  4. zero Correct answer.

Explanation

The ball starts and ends at the same point with the same speed, so its kinetic energy does not change over the full journey. By the work-energy theorem, the net work equals the change in kinetic energy, which is zero; gravity's positive work on the way down cancels its negative work on the way up.

Question 45Work, Energy and Power

A spring of force constant k = 200 N/m is compressed by 0.10 m from its natural length. The elastic potential energy stored in the spring is

  1. 20 J
  2. 2 J
  3. 0.1 J
  4. 1 J Correct answer.

Explanation

Elastic potential energy is U = ½kx². Substituting k = 200 N/m and x = 0.10 m gives U = ½ × 200 × 0.01 = 1 J. The energy depends on the square of the deformation, so small compressions store relatively little energy.

Question 46Work, Energy and Power

Two bodies of masses m and 2m have the same kinetic energy. The ratio of their speeds v_m : v_2m is

  1. 1 : 2
  2. 2 : 1
  3. √2 : 1 Correct answer.
  4. 1 : √2

Explanation

Equal kinetic energy means ½mv_m² = ½(2m)v_2m², so v_m² = 2v_2m². Taking square roots gives v_m = √2 · v_2m, hence v_m : v_2m = √2 : 1. The lighter body must move faster because kinetic energy scales with mass.

Question 47Work, Energy and Power

A pump lifts 500 kg of water through a height of 10 m in 25 s at constant speed. Taking g = 10 m/s², the useful output power of the pump is

  1. 500 W
  2. 5000 W
  3. 2000 W Correct answer.
  4. 200 W

Explanation

The work done against gravity is mgh = 500 × 10 × 10 = 50 000 J. Dividing by the time gives P = 50 000 / 25 = 2000 W. This is the useful power; the actual power drawn by the pump would be larger because of losses.

Question 48Work, Energy and Power

A block slides down a rough incline of height h. If the work done against friction is W_f, the speed of the block at the bottom, starting from rest, is given by

  1. √(2(gh − W_f)/m) Correct answer.
  2. √(2W_f/m)
  3. √(2(gh + W_f)/m)
  4. √(2gh)

Explanation

By energy conservation with friction, the gravitational potential energy mgh is partly dissipated by friction and the rest becomes kinetic energy: ½mv² = mgh − W_f. Solving for v gives v = √(2(gh − W_f)/m). Friction reduces the final speed compared with the frictionless case.

Question 49Work, Energy and Power

A body moves in a circle of radius R at constant speed v under a force always directed toward the centre. The work done by this force over one complete revolution is

  1. mv²
  2. 2πRF
  3. ½mv²
  4. zero Correct answer.

Explanation

The centripetal force is always perpendicular to the instantaneous velocity, so at every instant F·v = 0 and no work is done. Consequently the kinetic energy stays constant, which is consistent with the constant speed given in the problem.

Question 50Work, Energy and Power

A body of mass m is released from rest at the top of a smooth track of height 5R that ends in a vertical circular loop of radius R. For the body to just maintain contact at the top of the loop, the minimum release height required is

  1. 2.5R Correct answer.
  2. 2R
  3. 5R
  4. 3R

Explanation

At the top of the loop the minimum speed satisfies mg = mv²/R, so v² = gR. Energy conservation from the release height H to the loop top (height 2R) gives mgH = mg(2R) + ½mv² = 2mgR + ½mgR = 2.5mgR, hence H = 2.5R. This is the standard minimum-height result for looping the loop.