Physics C: Mech · Unit 1 · Paper 1

Kinematics unit test

A test on this unit alone, marked as a percentage and a letter grade — for the test your class is actually sitting, rather than for May. Answer everything, then submit once: seeing the answer to question 3 before attempting question 4 makes the final percentage meaningless.

Paper 1 Paper 2 Paper 3

Each paper is built from this unit’s 40 terms and is the same for everyone, so a teacher can assign “Unit 1, Paper 1” and every student sits the identical test. Multiple choice is marked objectively; the written sections you mark yourself against the model answer and rubric.

Suggested time 35 min 32 points0/17 attempted

Integrating to find position

Range on level ground

Finding turning points on a v–t graph

Motion with a = a(x)

Position, displacement, distance and speed

Arc length and angular displacement

Angular position, velocity and acceleration

Average vs instantaneous quantities

Launching from a height

Speed at a given height

When kinematic equations do not apply

Minimum time versus minimum drift

Short answer 1. Define or explain: River crossing problem

3 pts

Short answer 2. Define or explain: Non-constant acceleration

3 pts

Short answer 3. Define or explain: Period and frequency in circular motion

3 pts

Short answer 4. Define or explain: Choosing coordinates

3 pts

Free response

8 pts

Two identical blocks are launched horizontally from the edge of a table of height H. Block A leaves the table with speed v, and block B leaves with speed 2v. Air resistance is negligible.

A. Indicate whether block B lands after, before, or at the same time as block A. Justify your answer using qualitative reasoning beyond referencing equations.

B. Derive expressions for the time of flight and the horizontal range of a block launched horizontally from height H with speed v₀.

C. Justify how your derived expressions in part B are or are not consistent with your comparison in part A, and determine the ratio of the two blocks’ horizontal ranges.