AP Physics C- Mechanics Summer Assignment

Mrs. Jyothiraj, Physics Teacher 2013-2014

Welcome to the AP Physics C- Mechanics Course. As you might be aware, this AP course is equivalent to an introductory course in Mechanics for College Physics or Engineering majors. This is a challenge that would involve covering a lot of topics in a relatively short time. I would like to assure you that with consistent effort and determination you will not only be able to master the topics but will also unveil the fascinating world of Physics, which would lead you to exciting careers in science and technology.

The following topics will be covered in the course: Physics- Measurement, Motion in One and Two dimensions, Vectors, Newton’s laws of motion, Circular motion, Energy, Momentum, Rotational kinematics, Angular momentum, Equilibrium, Universal Gravitation, Oscillations and Waves. This year you will apply these concepts to more advanced level problems. The pace of the course will be very different than what you had in the Physics 1 course.

During the course of the summer you will complete a number of problems from the textbook and also from previous College Board exams. All problems in the summer assignment packet are a review of previously learned material in Physics 1 course. This packet contains two sections. Section A contains questions from the first three chapters of the course text book. Answers to all odd number problems are given at the end of the text book and for even number problems are given with this assignment packet.

Section B contains questions from the previous College Board exams.

When completing problems, do not just put the answer; you must show all givens, what you are looking for (unknown), equations you are using for a solution, and the plug-in with answer. (See example problem)

When working problems follow this format:

A drag racer starts from rest, and accelerates at 7.40-m/s2. How far has it traveled in 2.00-s?

Given: vo= 0a = 7.40-m/s2t = 2.00-s

Unknown: distance

Equation: d = vot + ½ at2

Solution: d = (0)(2) + ½(7.4)(2)2

d = 0 + 14.8 = 14.8 m

Due Date:Assignment is due on September 4, 2013

Please note that hand written or typed assignments are welcome. Hand written assignments must be legible and neat. Please email me at if you have any questions.

We will review Chapter 1 on the first day of class, Chapter 2 on the second and third day of class and the first test will be on the fourth day of class.

Late assignments will not be accepted.

Student who do not complete the assignments over the summer have typically not done well in class and will be encouraged to drop out of this course.

I am looking forward to an exciting year in the AP Physics class. Have a great summer. See you in September.

Mrs. Jyothiraj

Assignment: Answer all questions in a separate paper

Section A:

Chapter 1: Physics and Measurement

Problems # 1, 9, 12, 14, 16, 17, 21, 22, 26, 33, 34

Chapter 2: Motion in One Dimension

Problems # 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 27, 38

Chapter 3: Vectors

Problems # 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 16

Section B: Show all work to get full credit

A ball of mass 0.5 kilogram, initially at rest, is kicked directly toward a fence from a point 32 meters away, as shown above. The velocity of the ball as it leaves the kicker's foot is 20 meters per second at an angle of 37° above the horizontal. The top of the fence is 2.5 meters high. The kicker's foot is in contact with the ball for 0.05 second. The ball hits nothing while in flight and air resistance is negligible.

a. Determine the magnitude of the average net force exerted on the ball during the kick.

b. Determine the time it takes for the ball to reach the plane of the fence.

c. Will the ball hit the fence? If so, how far below the top of the fence will it hit? If not, how far above the top of the fence will it pass?

Answers: a) F= 200 N b) t= 2 sec c) yes, d= 4m

A 2.0 kg frictionless cart is moving at a constant speed of 3.0 m/s to the right on a horizontal surface, as shown above, when it collides with a second cart of undetermined mass m that is initially at rest. The force F of the collision as a function of time t is shown in the graph below, where t = 0 is the instant of initial contact. As a result of the collision, the second cart acquires a speed of 1.6 m/s to the right. Assume that friction is negligible before, during, and after the collision.

(a) Calculate the magnitude and direction of the velocity of the 2.0 kg cart after the collision.

(b) Calculate the mass m of the second cart.

After the collision, the second cart eventually experiences a ramp, which it traverses with no frictional losses. The graph below shows the speed v of the second cart as a function of time t for the next 5.0 s, where t = 0 is now the instant at which the carts separate.

(c)Calculate the acceleration of the cart at t = 3.0 s.

(d) Calculate the distance traveled by the second cart during the 5.0 s interval after the collision (0 s < t < 5.0 s).

(e)State whether the ramp goes up or down and calculate the maximum elevation (above or below the initial height) reached by the second cart on the ramp during the 5.0 s interval after the collision (0 s < t < 5.0 s).

Answers: a) v = 0.5 m/s to the right b) m = 3.1 kg c) a = - 0.73 m/s2 d) d = 5.5 m e) h = 0.12 m

A child pulls a 15 kg sled containing a 5.0 kg dog along a straight path on a horizontal surface. He exerts a force of 55 N on the sled at an angle of 20° above the horizontal, as shown in the figure above. The coefficient of friction between the sled and the surface is 0.22.

(a) On the dot below that represents the sled-dog system, draw and label a free-body diagram for the system as it is pulled along the surface.

(b) Calculate the normal force of the surface on the system.

(d) Calculate the work done by the child's pulling force as the system moves a distance of 7.0 m.

(e) At some later time, the dog rolls off the side of the sled. The child continues to pull with the same force. On the axes below, sketch a graph of speed v versus time t for the sled. Include both the sled's travel with and without the dog on the sled. Clearly indicate with the symbol tr the time at which the dog rolls off.

Answers: a) FN = 177 N b) a = 0.64 m/s2 c) W = 360 J

Answers to even number questionsinSection A

Chapter 1

12. a) 3.39*105 ft3 b) 2.54*104lb

14. a) 7.14*10-2 gal/s b) 2.70*10-4 m3/s c) 1.03 h

16. 667 lb/s

22. a) 13.4 b) 49.1

26. 107 rev

34. 31556926.0 s

Chapter 2

2. a) 2.30 m/s b) 16.1 m/s c) 11.5 m/s

8. a) 5 m/s b) -2.5 m/s c) 0 d) +5 m/s

10. 1.34*104 m/s2

20. a) 6.61 m/s b) -0.448 m/s2

38. 1.79 s

Chapter 3

2. a. (x1, y1)= ( 2.17, 1.25 ) m, (x2, y2) = (-1.90, 3.29) m

b. d = 4.55 m

6. –R = 310 km at 57 deg. S of W

8. 9.5 N 57 deg. above the x axis

16. 1.31 km north, 2.81 km east