AP® Physics C
1994 Free response Questions
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1994M1. A 2-kilogram block and an 8-kilogram block are both attached to an ideal spring ( for which k
= 200 N/m) and both are initially at rest on a horizontal frictionless surface, as shown in the diagram
above.
In an initial experiment, a 100-gram (0.1 kg) ball of clay is thrown at the 2-kilogram block. The clay is
moving horizontally with speed v when it hits and sticks to the block. The 8-kilogram block is held still
by a removable stop. As a result, the spring compresses a maximum distance of 0.4 meters.
a. Calculate the energy stored in the spring at maximum compression.
b. Calculate the speed of the clay ball and 2-kilogram block immediately after the clay sticks to the
block but before the spring compresses significantly.
c. Calculate the initial speed v of the clay.
In a second experiment, an identical ball of clay is thrown at another identical 2-kilogram block, but this
time the stop is removed so that the 8-kilogram block is free to move.
d. State whether the maximum compression of the spring will be greater than, equal to, or less than 0.4
meter. Explain briefly.
e. State the principle or principles that can be used to calculate the velocity of the 8-kilogram block at
the instant that the spring regains its original length. Write the appropriate equation(s) and show the
numerical substitutions, but do not solve for the velocity.
1994M2. A large sphere rolls without slipping across a horizontal surface. The sphere has a constant
translational speed of 10 meters per second, a mass m of 25 kilograms, and a radius r of 0.2 meter. The
moment of inertia of the sphere about its center of mass is I = 2mr2/5. The sphere approaches a 25°
incline of height 3 meters as shown above and rolls up the incline without slipping.
a. Calculate the total kinetic energy of the sphere as it rolls along the horizontal surface.
b. i. Calculate the magnitude of the sphere's velocity just as it leaves the top of the incline.
ii. Specify the direction of the sphere's velocity just as it leaves the top of the incline.
c. Neglecting air resistance, calculate the horizontal distance from the point where the sphere leaves the
incline to the point where the sphere strikes the level surface.
d. Suppose, instead, that the sphere were to roll toward the incline as stated above, but the incline were
frictionless. State whether the speed of the sphere just as it leaves the top of the incline would be less
than, equal to, or greater than the speed calculated in (b). Explain briefly.
1994M3. A satellite of mass m is in an elliptical orbit around the Earth, which has mass Me and radius
Re. The orbit varies from closest approach of a at point A to maximum distance of b from the center of the
Earth at point B. At point A, the speed of the satellite is vo Assume that the gravitational potential energy
Ug = 0 when masses are an infinite distance apart. Express your answers in terms of a, b, m, Me, Re, vo,
and G.
a. Write the appropriate definite integral, including limits, that can be evaluated to show that the
potential energy of the satellite when it is a distance r from the center of the Earth is given by
Ug = -Gmem
r
b. Determine the total energy of the satellite when it is at A.
c. What is the magnitude of the angular momentum of the satellite about the center of the Earth when it
is at A ?
d. Determine the velocity of the satellite as it passes point B in its orbit.
As the satellite passes point A, a rocket engine on the satellite is fired so that its orbit is changed to a
circular orbit of radius a about the center of the Earth.
e. Determine the speed of the satellite for this circular orbit.
f. Determine the work done by the rocket engine to effect this change.
