AP Physics

Unit 1 - Vectors and Kinematics

MCQ
Mathematical
Advanced

Pro

Pro

Educator

Upgrade For More Credits
0
Step Reasoning
Identify that the internal work done by the student is equal to the change in the system’s rotational kinetic energy.
\[ W = \Delta K = K_f – K_0 \]
According to the work-energy theorem, the total work done on a system is equal to its change in kinetic energy. In this case, the student performs internal work to move the weights.
Determine the final angular velocity \(\omega_f\) using the conservation of angular momentum.
\[ L_0 = L_f \implies I_0 \omega_0 = I_f \omega_f \implies \omega_f = \dfrac{I_0 \omega_0}{I_f} \]
Since the platform rotates with negligible friction and the forces used to pull the weights are internal to the system, there is no net external torque. Therefore, angular momentum \(L\) is conserved.
Substitute \(\omega_f\) into the expression for final rotational kinetic energy \(K_f\).
\[ K_f = \dfrac{1}{2} I_f \omega_f^2 = \dfrac{1}{2} I_f \left( \dfrac{I_0 \omega_0}{I_f} \right)^2 = \dfrac{I_0^2 \omega_0^2}{2 I_f} \]
To calculate the change in energy, we need the final kinetic energy in terms of the given initial variables.
Calculate the work done by finding the difference between the final and initial kinetic energies and simplifying.
\[ W = \dfrac{I_0^2 \omega_0^2}{2 I_f} – \dfrac{1}{2} I_0 \omega_0^2 = \dfrac{I_0 \omega_0^2}{2} \left( \dfrac{I_0}{I_f} – 1 \right) \]
By subtracting the initial kinetic energy from the derived final energy, we find the work done by the student.

Why each choice is correct or incorrect:

(A) This expression assumes that angular velocity is constant, which is incorrect because the reduction in rotational inertia must lead to an increase in angular velocity to conserve angular momentum.

(B) This is the correct answer derived from the combination of the work-energy theorem and angular momentum conservation.

(C) This expression correctly identifies how angular velocity changes but incorrectly uses the initial rotational inertia \(I_0\) in the kinetic energy formula for the final state.

(D) This expression assumes kinetic energy is directly proportional to rotational inertia (treating \(\omega\) as constant), which implies the energy decreases, even though the student must do work against centripetal forces to pull the weights inward.

Need Help? Ask Phy To Explain

A Major Upgrade To Phy Is Coming Soon — Stay Tuned

Just Drag and Drop!
Quick Actions ?
×

NEW UBQ QUIZ LAB

100s of AP aligned questions and quizzes to help you get a 5 even faster. Full Mock exams with Auto Grading and Adaptive explanations. Try out Nerd Notes', state of the art, quiz platform.

Topics in this question

We'll help clarify entire units in one hour or less — guaranteed.

A self paced course with videos, problems sets, and everything you need to get a 5. Trusted by over 15k students and over 200 schools.

Go Pro to remove ads + unlimited access to our AI learning tools.

B

Nerd Notes

Discover the world's best Physics resources

Continue with

By continuing you (1) agree to our Terms of Use and Terms of Sale and (2) consent to sharing your IP and browser information used by this site’s security protocols as outlined in our Privacy Policy.

Error Report

Sign in before submitting feedback.

KinematicsForces
\(\Delta x = v_i t + \frac{1}{2} at^2\)\(F = ma\)
\(v = v_i + at\)\(F_g = \frac{G m_1 m_2}{r^2}\)
\(v^2 = v_i^2 + 2a \Delta x\)\(f = \mu N\)
\(\Delta x = \frac{v_i + v}{2} t\)\(F_s =-kx\)
\(v^2 = v_f^2 \,-\, 2a \Delta x\) 
Circular MotionEnergy
\(F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}\)\(KE = \frac{1}{2} mv^2\)
\(a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}\)\(PE = mgh\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{r}{g}}\)\(KE_i + PE_i = KE_f + PE_f\)
 \(W = Fd \cos\theta\)
MomentumTorque and Rotations
\(p = mv\)\(\tau = r \cdot F \cdot \sin(\theta)\)
\(J = \Delta p\)\(I = \sum mr^2\)
\(p_i = p_f\)\(L = I \cdot \omega\)
Simple Harmonic MotionFluids
\(F = -kx\)\(P = \frac{F}{A}\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}\)\(P_{\text{total}} = P_{\text{atm}} + \rho gh\)
\(T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}\)\(Q = Av\)
\(x(t) = A \cos(\omega t + \phi)\)\(F_b = \rho V g\)
\(a = -\omega^2 x\)\(A_1v_1 = A_2v_2\)
ConstantDescription
[katex]g[/katex]Acceleration due to gravity, typically [katex]9.8 , \text{m/s}^2[/katex] on Earth’s surface
[katex]G[/katex]Universal Gravitational Constant, [katex]6.674 \times 10^{-11} , \text{N} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{kg}^2[/katex]
[katex]\mu_k[/katex] and [katex]\mu_s[/katex]Coefficients of kinetic ([katex]\mu_k[/katex]) and static ([katex]\mu_s[/katex]) friction, dimensionless. Static friction ([katex]\mu_s[/katex]) is usually greater than kinetic friction ([katex]\mu_k[/katex]) as it resists the start of motion.
[katex]k[/katex]Spring constant, in [katex]\text{N/m}[/katex]
[katex] M_E = 5.972 \times 10^{24} , \text{kg} [/katex]Mass of the Earth
[katex] M_M = 7.348 \times 10^{22} , \text{kg} [/katex]Mass of the Moon
[katex] M_M = 1.989 \times 10^{30} , \text{kg} [/katex]Mass of the Sun
VariableSI Unit
[katex]s[/katex] (Displacement)[katex]\text{meters (m)}[/katex]
[katex]v[/katex] (Velocity)[katex]\text{meters per second (m/s)}[/katex]
[katex]a[/katex] (Acceleration)[katex]\text{meters per second squared (m/s}^2\text{)}[/katex]
[katex]t[/katex] (Time)[katex]\text{seconds (s)}[/katex]
[katex]m[/katex] (Mass)[katex]\text{kilograms (kg)}[/katex]
VariableDerived SI Unit
[katex]F[/katex] (Force)[katex]\text{newtons (N)}[/katex]
[katex]E[/katex], [katex]PE[/katex], [katex]KE[/katex] (Energy, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy)[katex]\text{joules (J)}[/katex]
[katex]P[/katex] (Power)[katex]\text{watts (W)}[/katex]
[katex]p[/katex] (Momentum)[katex]\text{kilogram meters per second (kgm/s)}[/katex]
[katex]\omega[/katex] (Angular Velocity)[katex]\text{radians per second (rad/s)}[/katex]
[katex]\tau[/katex] (Torque)[katex]\text{newton meters (Nm)}[/katex]
[katex]I[/katex] (Moment of Inertia)[katex]\text{kilogram meter squared (kgm}^2\text{)}[/katex]
[katex]f[/katex] (Frequency)[katex]\text{hertz (Hz)}[/katex]

Metric Prefixes

Example of using unit analysis: Convert 5 kilometers to millimeters. 

  1. Start with the given measurement: [katex]\text{5 km}[/katex]

  2. Use the conversion factors for kilometers to meters and meters to millimeters: [katex]\text{5 km} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{m}}{1 \, \text{km}} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{mm}}{1 \, \text{m}}[/katex]

  3. Perform the multiplication: [katex]\text{5 km} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{m}}{1 \, \text{km}} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{mm}}{1 \, \text{m}} = 5 \times 10^3 \times 10^3 \, \text{mm}[/katex]

  4. Simplify to get the final answer: [katex]\boxed{5 \times 10^6 \, \text{mm}}[/katex]

Prefix

Symbol

Power of Ten

Equivalent

Pico-

p

[katex]10^{-12}[/katex]

Nano-

n

[katex]10^{-9}[/katex]

Micro-

µ

[katex]10^{-6}[/katex]

Milli-

m

[katex]10^{-3}[/katex]

Centi-

c

[katex]10^{-2}[/katex]

Deci-

d

[katex]10^{-1}[/katex]

(Base unit)

[katex]10^{0}[/katex]

Deca- or Deka-

da

[katex]10^{1}[/katex]

Hecto-

h

[katex]10^{2}[/katex]

Kilo-

k

[katex]10^{3}[/katex]

Mega-

M

[katex]10^{6}[/katex]

Giga-

G

[katex]10^{9}[/katex]

Tera-

T

[katex]10^{12}[/katex]

Sign In to View Your Questions

Share This Question

Enjoying UBQ? Share the 🔗 with friends!

Link Copied!

PRO TIER

One price to unlock most advanced version of Phy across all our tools.

$20

per month

Billed Monthly. Cancel Anytime.

Physics is Hard, But It Does NOT Have to Be

We crafted THE Ultimate A.P Physics 1 Program so you can learn faster and score higher.

Trusted by 10k+ Students

📚 Predict Your AP Physics Exam Score

Try our free calculator to see what you need to get a 5 on the 2026 AP Physics 1 exam.

Feeling uneasy about your next physics test? We'll boost your grade in 3 lessons or less—guaranteed

We use cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse on Nerd Notes, you accept the use of cookies as outlined in our privacy policy.