AP Physics 1 Formal Assessment – Uniform Linear Motion
DO NOT WRITE ON THIS SECTION!
Reading Application Section: Each multiple choice is worth 2 points. You will receive one point for
answering and one for being correct.
Two intrinsic properties of an object in motion are its linear momentum, which is a vector and has
direction, and its linear kinetic energy, which is a scalar value and does not have direction. Linear
momentum of an object is mathematically defined as the product of the object’s mass and its velocity
and can be positive or negative. In this case, if the velocity doubles, the linear momentum will also
double. Linear kinetic energy is mathematically defined as half the product of the object’s mass and the
square of its speed and therefore must always be positive. If the speed doubles, the linear kinetic
energy will actually go up by a factor of four. The equations for each are provided below.
⃗⃗ = 𝑚𝑣
𝑀
𝐾𝐸 =
1
𝑚(𝑣 2 )
2
To connect these principles the uniform linear motion model, three students designated A, B, and C with
masses of 85 kg, 55 kg, and 71 kg respectively start at various positions on the football field with the
intention of having all three meet at the same position at the same time. The change in time for each
student is collected when traveling a distance of 10 m. The direction in which the student moved is also
provided.
Experiment 1: Determining the average velocity.
Student
Trial 1 Time
(s)
Trial 2 Time
(s)
Trial 3 Time
(s)
A (positive)
7.4
7.4
7.9
B (negative)
2.1
2.4
2.3
C (negative)
4.4
3.8
4.1
11. According to the reading, what happens to a positive linear momentum of an object which doubles
its velocity and reverses direction?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Linear momentum doubles and remains positive
Linear momentum doubles, but changes from positive to negative
Nothing, changing directions cancels out doubling the velocity
Linear momentum remains the same, but changes from positive to negative
12. What happens to a positive linear kinetic energy of an object which doubles its velocity and reverses
direction?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Linear kinetic energy doubles and remains positive
Linear kinetic energy is four times greater, but changes from positive to negative
Linear kinetic energy remains the same, but changes from positive to negative
Linear kinetic energy is four times greater and remains positive
13. Based on the results of Experiment 1, which is Person A most likely doing?
A)
B)
C)
D)
Walking
Jogging
Running
Not enough information is given
14. Based on the results of Experiment 1, if person A started at the 40 m position, where would they be
standing after 30 seconds?
A)
B)
C)
D)
0m
20 m
60 m
80 m
15. What is the linear momentum of Person A?
A)
B)
C)
D)
115 kg m/s
-115 kg m/s
77 kg m/s
-77 kg m/s
16. What is the linear kinetic energy of Person A?
A)
B)
C)
D)
39 J
77 J
115 J
155 J
17. Put the linear momentum of the students in order from greatest to least.
A)
B)
C)
D)
A, B, C
C, B, A
B, A, C
B, C, A
18. Put the linear kinetic energy of the students in order from greatest to least.
A)
B)
C)
D)
A, B, C
C, B, A
B, A, C
B, C, A
19. Person A and Person B meet at the 50 m position. If person A started at the 40 m position, what is a
likely starting position of Person B?
A)
B)
C)
D)
20 m
30 m
70 m
80 m
20. Where could Person C start and likely meet Person A and B at the 50 m position?
A)
B)
C)
D)
20 m
30 m
70 m
80 m