Name: Class:
Homework
Unit 1 - Kinematics
AP Physics C Homework Procedure:
In order to receive credit for completing homework assignments in AP Physics C, you must:
• Write your name, class period, and the unit title at the top of the first page.
• Complete every question in order on notebook/graph paper.
• SHOW YOUR WORK for each question! The actual final answer to a homework question is usually
not important… What IS important is that you understand – and show Mr. Weil that you understand –
how to solve the question.
• Ensure that your work is easy to follow – make sure to label your work with the appropriate question
number/letter and consider skipping lines between questions for extra clarity. If Mr. Weil cannot find
your work, he cannot grade it!
Homework Tips and Best Practices:
• Use pencil, NOT pen – erasing will sometimes be necessary and is encouraged!
• The answers to every homework question are provided on the last page of every homework document.
The answers by themselves are not useful for helping you understand physics; only check your answers
after attempting a problem yourself.
o If you do not get the right answer on your first try, go back and attempt the problem from scratch.
If you try to work backwards and correct your solution, you might convince yourself that you
understand the solution when you really do not.
• If you have not made any progress on a question in about 10 minutes, do the following:
o Circle/star/mark the question number so you can find it later
o Leave lots of blank space on your paper
o Begin working on later questions
o Consult Mr. Weil or a peer for guidance on how to approach the problem(s) you are stuck on.
▪ Do NOT copy another person’s work! This will not help you understand physics.
Lesson 1.1
1. A small rock is dropped from rest from a very tall cliff and falls with negligible air resistance. During the
1st second of the rock’s fall, it travels a distance ℎ. In terms of ℎ, how far does the rock travel during the
2nd second of its fall? The 3rd second? The 4th second? Can you see a pattern emerging?
2. A speeding motorcycle drives on a straight road at a constant velocity of 𝑣0 . At time 𝑡 = 0, the motorcycle
passes a stationary police car located at 𝑥 = 0 and the police car begins speeding up at a constant rate
𝑎. Some time later, the motorcycle and the police car are both located at the same position 𝑥 = 𝑥0 .
a. Draw a sketch of the problem. As part of your sketch, define a coordinate system.
b. At the instant when both vehicles are located at 𝑥 = 𝑥0 , do they have the same velocity? Justify
your answer.
c. In terms of 𝑣0 and 𝑎, derive expressions for the following:
i. 𝑡𝑥0 , the time at which the vehicles are both located at 𝑥 = 𝑥0 .
ii. 𝑥0 , the position that both vehicles have at time 𝑡𝑥0 .
iii. 𝑥eq , the position of the police car at the instant when both vehicles have the same velocity.
3. A tape attached to a moving object was pulled by the object through a marker that put dots on the tape
at a constant rate of 10 dots per second for a period of 2.5 s. The figure above shows the marked tape
next to a ruler.
a. Calculate the average speed of the object for the total time recorded on the tape.
b. Calculate the instantaneous speed of the object at time 𝑡 = 0.5 s and at time 𝑡 = 2.3 s.
c. Estimate the average acceleration of the object from 𝑡 = 1.0 s to 𝑡 = 1.5 s.
4. A powerful toy rocket is launched straight up into the air. The rocket accelerates upward from rest at a
constant rate of 14 m/s2 for 4.0 s before running out of fuel. You may neglect the effects of air resistance
throughout the rocket’s entire flight. Use 𝑔 = 10 m/s2 .
a. Calculate the velocity of the rocket at the instant that it runs out of fuel.
b. Calculate the maximum height above the ground that the rocket reaches.
c. Calculate the total time that the rocket is in the air before hitting the ground.
Lesson 1.2 / Lesson 1.3
5. The velocity 𝑣𝑥 of a particle constrained to movement along the 𝑥-axis is shown as a function of time 𝑡
on the graph above. The particle is located at position 𝑥 = 50 m at time 𝑡 = 0.
a. During what time interval(s) is the particle speeding up? Slowing down? Moving at a constant
velocity? Justify your answers.
b. Calculate the acceleration of the particle at times 𝑡 = 5 s, 𝑡 = 10 s, and 𝑡 = 15 s.
c. Calculate the position of the particle at times 𝑡 = 4 s and 𝑡 = 13 s.
d. Calculate the average acceleration of the particle for the interval 0 < 𝑡 < 10 s.
6. A small cart travels to the right with an
initial velocity +𝑣0 . At time 𝑡 = 0, the cart
reaches position 𝑥 = 0 and a fan on the
cart turns on. After the fan turns on, the
velocity 𝑣 of the cart, in m/s, is given as a
1
function of time 𝑡, in s, by 𝑣(𝑡) = 4 − 3 𝑡 2 .
a. What is the initial velocity 𝑣0 of the
cart? Justify your reasoning.
b. Derive an expression for 𝑎(𝑡), the acceleration 𝑎 of the cart as a function of time 𝑡 for 𝑡 > 0.
c. Derive an expression for 𝑥(𝑡), the position 𝑥 of the cart as a function of time 𝑡 for 𝑡 > 0.
d. Calculate the maximum positive displacement of the cart from 𝑥 = 0.
e. Calculate the velocity of the cart when it again crosses 𝑥 = 0 at some time 𝑇 > 0.
f. Sketch graphs of the cart’s velocity 𝑣 and acceleration 𝑎 as functions of time. Explicitly label
any known intercepts with numerical values.
7. The position/velocity/acceleration functions of various particles are provided below. For each particle,
answer the provided question using derivative and integral calculus. Clearly show your work.
1 1
a. 𝑥(𝑡) = 𝑡 3 − 𝑡 2 + 2 Find the acceleration of the particle at time 𝑡 = 4 s.
4 2
b. 𝑣(𝑡) = 4𝑡 + 4 Find the displacement of the particle from 𝑡 = 0 to 𝑡 = 3 s.
1
c. 𝑎(𝑡) = 2 𝑡 If the particle has an initial velocity of 𝑣0 = +3 m/s and an initial
position of 𝑥0 = −9.0 m, find the position of the particle at time 𝑡 = 6 s.
d. 𝑥(𝑡) = 24√𝑡 − 11 Find the velocity and acceleration of the particle at time 𝑡 = 9 s.
e. 𝑣(𝑡) = −3𝑡 2 + 27 Find the maximum positive displacement of the particle from its
initial position.
1
f. 𝑥(𝑡) = 4 𝑡 4 − 4𝑡 3 + 18𝑡 2 Assuming 𝑡 > 0, during what time interval(s) is the particle speed
up? How do you know?
See Mr. Weil if you would like more practice using the Power Rule!
Lesson 1.4
8. A toy train moves on a circular track with radius 𝑅 = 80 cm. The
train’s velocity vector is always directed perpendicular to the track,
as shown in the overhead view to the right. The train starts at Point
A at time 𝑡 = 0 and completes a single counterclockwise loop at a
constant speed 𝑣, returning to Point A at time 𝑡 = 10 s.
a. Calculate the constant speed 𝑣 of the train in m/s. Round to
one decimal place.
b. Explain why the velocity of the train is not constant, even if
the speed of the train remains constant.
c. Calculate (magnitude and direction using the compass
shown) each of the following vectors:
i. Δ𝑥⃗ and Δ𝑣⃗, the train’s displacement and change in velocity for the time interval
0 < 𝑡 < 10 s. Explain your answers.
ii. Δ𝑥⃗AC and Δ𝑣⃗AC , the train’s displacement and change in velocity for the time interval
0 < 𝑡 < 5 s.
iii. Δ𝑥⃗CD and Δ𝑣⃗CD, the train’s displacement and change in velocity for the time interval
5 < 𝑡 < 7.5 s.
9. Astronauts on a distant planet wish to find the magnitude
of gravitational acceleration on the planet’s surface. To
accomplish this, they devise the apparatus shown to the left, in
which a launcher horizontally fires pebbles which fly through the
air and pass through a thin screen. The launcher has a height of
𝐻 and fires pebbles at a constant launch speed 𝑣. When the
screen is placed a horizontal distance 𝑥 from the launcher, the
pebbles pass through the screen a distance ℎ above the ground.
a. Derive an expression for the planet’s gravitational
acceleration 𝑎𝑔 in terms of 𝐻, 𝑣, 𝑥, and ℎ.
To improve the accuracy of their findings, the astronauts decide to perform an experiment and create a
graph. They vary the horizontal distance 𝑥 between the launcher and screen, then measure the resulting
height ℎ at which the pebbles pass through the screen. A linear graph of ℎ (on the vertical axis) vs. 𝑥 2
(on the horizontal axis) is created.
b. What will the slope of this graph be, in terms of 𝑎𝑔 , 𝐻, and 𝑣?
c. What will the 𝑦-intercept of this graph be, in terms of 𝑎𝑔 , 𝐻, and 𝑣?
(Hint for parts (b)-(c): take your expression from part (a) and solve for ℎ. Compare this equation
to the equation of a straight line: (ℎ) = 𝑚(𝑥 2 ) + 𝑏)
Continued on the next page!
10. Two projectiles are launched from the same point on flat ground at the same angle 𝜃 above the
horizontal. Projectile 1 is launched with an initial velocity of 𝑣0 , while Projectile 2 is launched with an
initial velocity of 3𝑣0 . Both projectiles travel with negligible air resistance until they strike the ground.
a. If the flight time of Projectile 1 is 𝑡1 , what is the flight time of Projectile 2 in terms of 𝑡1 ?
b. If the maximum height above the ground reached by Projectile 1 is ℎ1 , what is the maximum
height above the ground reached by Projectile 2 in terms of ℎ1 ?
c. If the horizontal range of Projectile 1 is Δ𝑥1 , what is the horizontal range of Projectile 2 in terms
of Δ𝑥1 ?
d. Derive an expression for the minimum speed that Projectile 2 reaches during its entire flight in
terms of 𝑣0 , 𝜃, and physical constants. At what point in its flight does the projectile have this
speed?
11. A physics student buys a brand-new toy rocket launcher. The package for the launcher claims that its
rockets can “fly up to 50 m into the air and land up to 30 m away!”. Assume that the student launches
a rocket which reaches a maximum height of 50 m above level ground, and which lands 30 m from the
launcher. Ignore air resistance and use 𝑔 = 10 m/s 2.
a. Draw a sketch of the problem. As part of your sketch, define a coordinate system.
b. Calculate each of the following quantities:
i. The total time that the rocket is in the air.
ii. The launch speed of the rocket.
iii. The launch angle of the rocket.
Answer Key
1. 𝟑𝒉 during the 2nd second, 𝟓𝒉 during the 3rd second, 𝟕𝒉 during the 4th second.
2.
a.
b. No, the vehicles do not have the same velocity at this instant.
c.
𝟐𝒗𝟎
i. 𝒕𝒙 𝟎 = 𝒂
𝟐𝒗𝟎𝟐
ii. 𝒙𝟎 = 𝒂
𝒗𝟐
iii. 𝒙𝐞𝐪 = 𝟐𝒂𝟎
3.
a. 𝟎. 𝟎𝟕𝟎 𝐦/𝐬
b. 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟎 𝐦/𝐬 at time 𝒕 = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝐬, 𝟎. 𝟎𝟒𝟓 𝐦/𝐬 at time 𝒕 = 𝟐. 𝟑 𝐬
c. 𝒂𝐚𝐯𝐠 ≈ 𝟎. 𝟒𝟐𝟒 𝐦/𝐬 𝟐, but answers may vary depending on your method.
4.
a. 𝟓𝟔 𝐦/𝐬
b. 𝟐𝟔𝟗 𝐦
c. 𝟏𝟔. 𝟗 𝐬
5.
a. Speeding up: 𝟔 𝐬 < 𝒕 < 𝟗 𝐬 Slowing down: 𝟒 𝐬 < 𝒕 < 𝟔 𝐬 and 𝟏𝟑 𝐬 < 𝒕 < 𝟏𝟖 𝐬
Constant velocity: 𝟎 < 𝒕 < 𝟒 𝐬 and 𝟗 𝒔 < 𝒕 < 𝟏𝟑 𝐬
b. 𝒂(𝟓) = 𝟔 𝐦/𝐬 𝟐 𝒂(𝟏𝟎) = 𝟎 𝐦/𝐬 𝟐 𝒂(𝟏𝟓) = −𝟑. 𝟔 𝐦/𝐬 𝟐
c. 𝒙(𝟒) = 𝟐 𝐦 𝒙(𝟏𝟑) = 𝟖𝟗 𝐦
d. 𝒂𝐚𝐯𝐠 = 𝟑 𝐦/𝐬 𝟐
6.
a. 𝒗𝟎 = 𝟒 𝐦/𝐬; this is the velocity of the cart at time 𝒕 = 𝟎.
𝟐
b. 𝒂(𝒕) = − 𝒕
𝟑
𝟏
c. 𝒙(𝒕) = 𝟒𝒕 − 𝒕𝟑
𝟗
d. 𝒙𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝟗. 𝟐𝟒 𝐦
e. 𝒗(𝑻) = −𝟖. 𝟎 𝐦/𝐬
f.
𝒗𝟎 = 𝟒 𝐦/𝐬
𝒕 = √𝟏𝟐 𝐬
7.
a. 𝟓. 𝟎 𝐦/𝐬 𝟐
b. 𝟑𝟎. 𝟎 𝐦
c. 𝟐𝟕. 𝟎 𝐦
d. 𝟒. 𝟎 𝐦/𝐬, −𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝟐 𝐦/𝐬 𝟐
e. 𝟓𝟒. 𝟎 𝐦
f. 𝟎 < 𝒕 < 𝟐 𝐬 and 𝒕 > 𝟔 𝐬
8.
a. 𝒗 = 𝟎. 𝟓 𝐦/𝐬
b. Velocity is a vector – the direction of the train’s velocity is constantly changing.
c.
i. 𝚫𝒙⃗⃗ = 𝟎, 𝚫𝒗⃗⃗ = 𝟎
ii. 𝚫𝒙⃗⃗𝐀𝐂 = 𝟏. 𝟔 𝐦 𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝚫𝒗
⃗⃗𝐀𝐂 = 𝟏 𝐦/𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡
iii. 𝚫𝒙⃗⃗𝐂𝐃 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟑 𝐦 𝟒𝟓° 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝚫𝒗
⃗⃗𝐂𝐃 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟎𝟕 𝐦/𝐬 𝟒𝟓° 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭
9.
𝟐𝒗𝟐 (𝑯−𝒉)
a. 𝒂𝒈 = 𝒙𝟐
𝒂𝒈
b. 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞 = − 𝟐𝒗𝟐
c. 𝐲 − 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 = 𝑯
10.
a. 𝒕𝟐 = 𝟑𝒕𝟏
b. 𝒉𝟐 = 𝟗𝒉𝟏
c. 𝚫𝒙𝟐 = 𝟗𝚫𝒙𝟏
d. 𝒗𝐦𝐢𝐧 = 𝟑𝒗𝟎 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽; the projectile has this speed at the top of its trajectory.
11.
a.
b.
i. 𝟔. 𝟑𝟐 𝐬
ii. 𝟑𝟐. 𝟎 𝐦/𝐬
iii. 𝟖𝟏. 𝟓° above horizontal
