--- title: "AP Physics 1 Unit 1 Practice Test" description: "A timed AP Physics 1 Unit 1 (Kinematics) practice test in the AP format, drawn from 1,084 multiple-choice questions and 55 FRQs written for the unit. The standard version takes about 88 minutes." canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-test/1" type: "unit-test" subject: "AP Physics 1" unit: "Unit 1" --- # AP Physics 1 Unit 1 Practice Test ## Overview A timed AP Physics 1 Unit 1 (Kinematics) practice test in the AP format, drawn from 1,084 multiple-choice questions and 55 FRQs written for the unit. The standard version takes about 88 minutes. ## Test Format - 20 Multiple Choice Questions (40 minutes) - 1 FRQ – FRQ 1 – Mathematical Routines (24 minutes) - 1 FRQ – FRQ 2 – Translation Between Representations (24 minutes) ## Unit FRQs by Type - [FRQ 1 – Mathematical Routines](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/mathematical-routines?unit=1): 13 questions - [FRQ 2 – Translation Between Representations](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/translation-between-representations?unit=1): 13 questions - [FRQ 3 – Experimental Design](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/experimental-design?unit=1): 11 questions - [FRQ 4 – Qualitative/Quantitative Translation](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/qualitative-quantitative-translation?unit=1): 18 questions ## Practice Questions ### Question 1 Object A moves at a constant velocity v. Object B starts from rest and accelerates uniformly to a final velocity of 2v over the same time interval t. Which statement correctly compares the magnitude of displacement Δx for the two objects? - (A) Δx_A is equal to Δx_B because the average velocity for both objects is v. - (B) Δx_A is less than Δx_B because Object B reaches a higher final velocity of 2v. - (C) Δx_A is greater than Δx_B because Object A maintains constant velocity throughout the interval. - (D) Δx_A is less than Δx_B because Object B accelerates while Object A does not change velocity. **Answer: (A)** Calculating the average velocity for uniform acceleration (v_avg = (v_i + v_f)/2) shows that Object B averages v (from 0 to 2v), matching Object A's constant velocity v. Since both travel for time t with the same average velocity, their displacements are identical. ### Question 2 An athlete runs along a circular track of radius R. In Scenario 1, the athlete runs exactly half a lap. In Scenario 2, the athlete runs exactly one full lap. Which statement correctly compares the magnitude of displacement Δx between the two scenarios? - (A) Δx in Scenario 1 is greater because the final position differs from the initial position. - (B) Δx in Scenario 1 is less because the total distance traveled is smaller than in Scenario 2. - (C) Δx in Scenario 1 is equal because the motion occurs on the same circular track in both. - (D) Δx in Scenario 1 is greater because the average speed is higher than in Scenario 2. **Answer: (A)** Displacement is the straight-line distance between start and end points; Scenario 1 has a displacement of 2R (diameter), while Scenario 2 has a displacement of zero because the athlete returns to the start. ### Question 3 A block starts from rest and slides down a frictionless incline. Scenario 1 is the block's motion during the first second (t=0 to t=1). Scenario 2 is the block's motion during the second second (t=1 to t=2). Which statement correctly compares the magnitude of displacement Δx in Scenario 2 to Scenario 1? - (A) Δx in Scenario 2 is greater because the average velocity is higher. - (B) Δx in Scenario 2 is equal because the acceleration is constant. - (C) Δx in Scenario 2 is less because the acceleration is decreasing. - (D) Δx in Scenario 2 is equal because the time interval is the same. **Answer: (A)** Since the block accelerates uniformly from rest, its velocity increases continuously. Therefore, the average velocity during the second interval is higher than during the first, resulting in greater displacement for the same duration. ### Question 4 A cyclist travels $$12 \text{ km}$$ East at $$12 \text{ km/h}$$, then immediately turns around and travels $$6.0 \text{ km}$$ West at $$12 \text{ km/h}$$. What is the average velocity for the entire trip? - (A) $$4.0 \text{ km/h}$$ directed East - (B) $$4.0 \text{ km/h}$$ directed West - (C) $$12.0 \text{ km/h}$$ directed East - (D) $$12.0 \text{ km/h}$$ directed West **Answer: (A)** Calculating average velocity requires dividing total displacement by total time. The displacement is $$+12 \text{ km} - 6 \text{ km} = +6 \text{ km}$$, and the total time is $$1.0 \text{ h} + 0.5 \text{ h} = 1.5 \text{ h}$$, yielding $$4.0 \text{ km/h}$$ East. ### Question 5 A tennis ball moving horizontally at $$25 \text{ m/s}$$ strikes a vertical wall and rebounds in the opposite direction at $$20 \text{ m/s}$$. If the contact time is $$0.050 \text{ s}$$, what is the magnitude of the average acceleration? - (A) $$100 \text{ m/s}^2$$ - (B) $$500 \text{ m/s}^2$$ - (C) $$900 \text{ m/s}^2$$ - (D) $$1100 \text{ m/s}^2$$ **Answer: (C)** Calculating acceleration requires the change in velocity vector: $$v_f - v_i$$. Taking the initial direction as positive, $$\Delta v = -20 \text{ m/s} - 25 \text{ m/s} = -45 \text{ m/s}$$, so magnitude is $$45 / 0.050 = 900 \text{ m/s}^2$$. ### Question 6 A particle travels $$+15 \text{ m}$$ in $$3.0 \text{ s}$$, stops for $$2.0 \text{ s}$$, and then travels $$-25 \text{ m}$$ in $$5.0 \text{ s}$$. What is the average velocity over the entire $$10.0 \text{ s}$$ interval? - (A) $$1.0 \text{ m/s}$$ in the negative x-direction - (B) $$1.0 \text{ m/s}$$ in the positive x-direction - (C) $$4.0 \text{ m/s}$$ in the negative x-direction - (D) $$4.0 \text{ m/s}$$ in the positive x-direction **Answer: (A)** Calculating average velocity requires total displacement divided by total time. The sum is $$+15 \text{ m} + 0 \text{ m} - 25 \text{ m} = -10 \text{ m}$$, divided by $$10 \text{ s}$$, yielding $$-1.0 \text{ m/s}$$. ### Question 7 Two carts on a straight track move toward each other. Cart A moves right at $$4.0 \text{ m/s}$$ and Cart B moves left at $$6.0 \text{ m/s}$$. If they are $$50 \text{ m}$$ apart at $$t=0$$, when do they collide? - (A) $$2.5 \text{ s}$$ - (B) $$5.0 \text{ s}$$ - (C) $$12.5 \text{ s}$$ - (D) $$25.0 \text{ s}$$ **Answer: (B)** Calculating the collision time requires the relative speed of approach. Since they move in opposite directions, relative speed is $$4.0 - (-6.0) = 10.0 \text{ m/s}$$. Time is distance divided by rate: $$50 / 10 = 5.0 \text{ s}$$. ### Question 8 A stone is thrown vertically upward with an initial speed of $$20 \text{ m/s}$$. Taking $$g = 10 \text{ m/s}^2$$ and the upward direction as positive, what is the displacement of the stone after $$3.0 \text{ s}$$? - (A) $$15 \text{ m}$$ upward from release point - (B) $$15 \text{ m}$$ downward from release point - (C) $$25 \text{ m}$$ upward from release point - (D) $$25 \text{ m}$$ downward from release point **Answer: (A)** Calculating displacement uses the kinematic equation $$\Delta y = v_0t + \frac{1}{2}at^2$$. Substituting values: $$20(3) + 0.5(-10)(3^2) = 60 - 45 = +15 \text{ m}$$. The positive sign indicates upward. ### Question 9 A car traveling at $$+30 \text{ m/s}$$ applies brakes, creating an acceleration of $$-6.0 \text{ m/s}^2$$. What is the car's displacement from the moment braking begins until it stops? - (A) $$38 \text{ m}$$ in the direction of motion - (B) $$75 \text{ m}$$ in the direction of motion - (C) $$150 \text{ m}$$ in the direction of motion - (D) $$300 \text{ m}$$ in the direction of motion **Answer: (B)** Calculating displacement uses $$v^2 = v_0^2 + 2a\Delta x$$. With $$v=0$$, $$0 = 30^2 + 2(-6)\Delta x$$, leading to $$900 = 12\Delta x$$, so $$\Delta x = 75 \text{ m}$$. Direction remains positive. ### Question 10 An athlete runs along a semi-circular path of radius $$R = 50 \text{ m}$$ from point A to point B in $$20 \text{ s}$$. What is the magnitude of the average velocity? - (A) $$2.5 \text{ m/s}$$ - (B) $$5.0 \text{ m/s}$$ - (C) $$7.9 \text{ m/s}$$ - (D) $$10.0 \text{ m/s}$$ **Answer: (B)** Calculating average velocity uses the straight-line displacement, which is the diameter ($$2R = 100 \text{ m}$$). Velocity magnitude is $$100 \text{ m} / 20 \text{ s} = 5.0 \text{ m/s}$$. ## Review the Unit - [1.1 Scalars and Vectors in One Dimension](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-1/1-scalars-and-vectors-in-one-dimension/study-guide/4jyE1aiM5EBRDi9A) - [1.2 Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-1/2-displacement-velocity-and-acceleration/study-guide/HyscWF2F28uakfpc) - [1.3 Representing Motion](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-1/3-representing-motion/study-guide/3s3qyB2ey6r2Q1UI) - [1.4 Reference Frames and Relative Motion](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-1/4-reference-frames-and-relative-motion/study-guide/iTcYEEULwbQlf2nW) - [1.5 Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-1/5-vectors-and-motion-in-two-dimensions/study-guide/LvdiAzU3amzMqu6O) ## Other Unit Tests - [Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-test/2) - [Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-test/3) - [Unit 4: Linear Momentum](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-test/4) - [Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-test/5) - [Unit 6: Rotating Systems: Energy & Momentum](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-test/6) - [Unit 7: Oscillations](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-test/7) - [Unit 8: Fluids](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-test/8) ## About This Document Canonical Fiveable pages are available as Markdown at the same path plus `.md`. - [llms.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms.txt): index of Fiveable's sections and URL patterns - [llms-full.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms-full.txt): complete subject and unit listing - [MCP server](https://fiveable.me/mcp): call Fiveable as tools instead of fetching pages (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp`) - [MCP server for AP teachers](https://fiveable.me/mcp/teachers): a teacher's classes, assignments and AP-rubric grading (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp/teacher`)