AP Physics

Unit 1 - Vectors and Kinematics

MCQ
Mathematical
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Step Reasoning
Determine equivalent resistance of the circuit immediately after switch closure (\(t = 0^+\)).
\[ V_C(0^+) = 0 \implies R_{\text{branch1}}(0^+) = R_2 = 2R \]
\[ R_p(0^+) = \dfrac{(2R)(2R)}{2R + 2R} = R \]
\[ R_{\text{eq}}(0^+) = R_1 + R_p(0^+) = R + R = 2R \]
To calculate the initial current through resistor \(R_3\), we need the total current from the battery and the potential difference across the parallel network at \(t = 0^+\).
Calculate the initial current \(I_3(0^+)\) through resistor \(R_3\).
\[ I_{\text{total}}(0^+) = \dfrac{V_0}{R_{\text{eq}}(0^+)} = \dfrac{V_0}{2R} \]
\[ I_3(0^+) = \dfrac{1}{2} I_{\text{total}}(0^+) = \dfrac{V_0}{4R} \]
The total current from the battery splits equally between the two identical parallel branches at \(t = 0^+\).
Determine the steady-state current \(I_3(\infty)\) as the capacitor becomes fully charged (\(t \to \infty\)).
\[ I_{\text{branch1}}(\infty) = 0 \implies R_{\text{eq}}(\infty) = R_1 + R_3 = R + 2R = 3R \]
\[ I_3(\infty) = I_{\text{total}}(\infty) = \dfrac{V_0}{3R} \]
To establish whether \(I_3(t)\) increases or decreases over time, we compare its initial value to its long-time asymptotic value.
Analyze the time-dependent behavior of \(I_3(t)\) for \(t > 0\).
\[ I_3(t) = \dfrac{V_0}{3R} – \left(\dfrac{V_0}{3R} – \dfrac{V_0}{4R}\right)e^{-t/\tau} = \dfrac{V_0}{3R} – \dfrac{V_0}{12R}e^{-t/\tau} \]
Since the initial current \(I_3(0^+) = \dfrac{V_0}{4R}\) is smaller than the steady-state current \(I_3(\infty) = \dfrac{V_0}{3R}\), the current through \(R_3\) must exponentially increase over time.

Why each choice is correct or incorrect:

(A) Incorrectly assumes the battery voltage \(V_0\) drops entirely across resistor \(R_3\) at \(t = 0^+\), ignoring \(R_1\), and assumes current decreases in all branches as the capacitor charges.

(B) Correctly calculates the initial current \(I_3(0^+) = \dfrac{V_0}{4R}\), but incorrectly assumes current through \(R_3\) decreases over time, confusing it with the current through the capacitor branch.

(C) This is the correct answer. At \(t = 0^+\), the uncharged capacitor acts as a short circuit, yielding \(I_3(0^+) = \dfrac{V_0}{4R}\). As the capacitor charges, branch 1 resistance increases to infinity, diverting more current into branch 2 until \(I_3(\infty) = \dfrac{V_0}{3R}\).

(D) Incorrectly uses the steady-state current \(\dfrac{V_0}{3R}\) as the initial current, and assumes current decays toward \(\dfrac{V_0}{4R}\).

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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]

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