---
title: "AP Physics 1 Unit 2 Practice Test"
description: "A timed AP Physics 1 Unit 2 (Force and Translational Dynamics) practice test in the AP format, drawn from 2,045 multiple-choice questions and 35 FRQs written for the unit. The standard version takes about 88 minutes."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-test/2"
type: "unit-test"
subject: "AP Physics 1"
unit: "Unit 2"
---

# AP Physics 1 Unit 2 Practice Test

## Overview

A timed AP Physics 1 Unit 2 (Force and Translational Dynamics) practice test in the AP format, drawn from 2,045 multiple-choice questions and 35 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=2): 5 questions
- [FRQ 2 – Translation Between Representations](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/translation-between-representations?unit=2): 8 questions
- [FRQ 3 – Experimental Design](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/experimental-design?unit=2): 6 questions
- [FRQ 4 – Qualitative/Quantitative Translation](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/qualitative-quantitative-translation?unit=2): 16 questions

## Practice Questions

### Question 1

A student pushes a heavy crate across a rough horizontal floor at a constant velocity of 1.5 m/s. The student claims that the net force on the crate is zero. Which statement best justifies this claim using Newton's laws?

- (A) Valid because constant velocity implies zero acceleration, so the applied force balances the kinetic friction.
- (B) Valid because constant velocity implies zero acceleration, so the applied force balances the static friction.
- (C) Invalid because motion requires a net force, so the applied force must be greater than the kinetic friction.
- (D) Invalid because motion requires a net force, so the applied force must be greater than the static friction.

**Answer: (A)** Connecting constant velocity to zero acceleration applies Newton's first law, confirming that the vector sum of forces (applied force and kinetic friction) must be zero.

### Question 2

A crane lifts a steel beam vertically upward at a constant speed. A student claims that the tension in the cable is equal in magnitude to the weight of the beam. Which of the following best supports this claim?

- (A) The claim is correct because the constant velocity implies zero acceleration, so the net vertical force is zero.
- (B) The claim is correct because the constant velocity implies zero acceleration, so tension and weight are an action-reaction pair.
- (C) The claim is incorrect because upward motion implies upward acceleration, so the tension must be greater than the weight.
- (D) The claim is incorrect because upward motion implies upward acceleration, so the tension must be greater than the normal force.

**Answer: (A)** Linking constant velocity to zero acceleration justifies why the upward tension must exactly balance the downward weight to maintain equilibrium.

### Question 3

A car travels around a circular track at a constant speed. A student claims that the car is in a state of translational equilibrium because its speed is not changing. Which statement best evaluates this claim?

- (A) The claim is incorrect because the changing direction implies a changing velocity, requiring a nonzero net force toward the center.
- (B) The claim is incorrect because the changing direction implies a changing velocity, requiring a nonzero net force away from the center.
- (C) The claim is correct because the constant speed implies a constant velocity, requiring a zero net force to maintain the motion.
- (D) The claim is correct because the constant speed implies a constant velocity, requiring a zero net force to balance the friction.

**Answer: (A)** Recognizing that velocity is a vector quantity justifies why a change in direction constitutes acceleration, requiring a net centripetal force.

### Question 4

A block slides down a rough incline at a constant speed. A student claims that the frictional force acting up the incline is equal in magnitude to the weight of the block. Which analysis best evaluates this claim?

- (A) Incorrect; friction balances the component of weight parallel to the surface, which is less than the block's total weight.
- (B) Incorrect; friction balances the component of weight perpendicular to the surface, which is less than the block's total weight.
- (C) Correct; friction balances the total weight of the block because the block is in equilibrium and moving at a constant speed.
- (D) Correct; friction balances the normal force on the block because the block is in equilibrium and moving at a constant speed.

**Answer: (A)** Decomposing forces on an incline justifies why friction only balances the parallel component of gravity (mg sin θ), not the full weight (mg).

### Question 5

A rectangular block with unequal side lengths slides across a horizontal surface. In Trial 1, the block slides on its largest face. In Trial 2, the block slides on its smallest face. The block has the same initial speed in both trials. How do the magnitude of the kinetic friction force and the magnitude of the acceleration of the block compare between the two trials?

- (A) Force is equal in both trials; acceleration is equal in both trials
- (B) Force is greater in Trial 1; acceleration is greater in Trial 1
- (C) Force is greater in Trial 1; acceleration is equal in both trials
- (D) Force is equal in both trials; acceleration is greater in Trial 2

**Answer: (A)** Applying the model of kinetic friction shows that magnitude depends only on the coefficient of friction and normal force ($F_k = \mu_k F_n$), not contact area. Since the block's weight and the surface material remain constant, both the friction force and resulting acceleration remain unchanged.

### Question 6

Block X of mass $m$ and Block Y of mass $3m$ slide across the same rough horizontal surface with the same initial speed. The coefficient of kinetic friction is the same for both blocks. Which of the following correctly compares the magnitude of the kinetic friction force exerted on the blocks and the stopping distance of the blocks?

- (A) Force on Y is three times force on X; stopping distance is equal
- (B) Force on Y is three times force on X; stopping distance is tripled
- (C) Force on Y is equal to force on X; stopping distance is equal
- (D) Force on Y is equal to force on X; stopping distance is tripled

**Answer: (A)** Scaling the normal force by mass indicates the friction force triples ($F_k = \mu_k (3mg)$), while Newton's second law shows acceleration remains constant ($a = F_k/m = \mu_k g$). Since acceleration and initial speed are identical, kinematic relationships dictate the stopping distance must be the same.

### Question 7

A block slides down a rough incline. In Scenario 1, the incline angle is $30^\circ$ relative to the horizontal. In Scenario 2, the incline angle is $60^\circ$ relative to the horizontal. How do the magnitude of the normal force and the magnitude of the kinetic friction force exerted on the block compare between the two scenarios?

- (A) Normal force is greater in Scenario 1, and friction is greater in Scenario 1
- (B) Normal force is greater in Scenario 2, and friction is greater in Scenario 2
- (C) Normal force is greater in Scenario 1, but friction is greater in Scenario 2
- (D) Normal force is greater in Scenario 2, but friction is greater in Scenario 1

**Answer: (A)** Analyzing the components of gravitational force shows the normal force equals $mg \cos\theta$, which decreases as the angle increases ($\cos 60^\circ < \cos 30^\circ$). Since kinetic friction is directly proportional to normal force ($F_k = \mu_k F_n$), it also decreases in the steeper scenario.

### Question 8

A box is pushed so that it slides across a rough horizontal floor. In Trial 1, the box slides with an initial speed $v$. In Trial 2, the box slides with an initial speed $2v$. How do the magnitude of the kinetic friction force exerted on the box and the magnitude of the box's acceleration compare between the two trials?

- (A) Force and acceleration are both equal in Trials 1 and 2
- (B) Force is greater in Trial 2, but acceleration is equal in both trials
- (C) Force and acceleration are both greater in Trial 2 than in Trial 1
- (D) Force is equal in both trials, but acceleration is greater in Trial 2

**Answer: (A)** Recognizing that kinetic friction is a constant force determined by surface materials and normal force reveals it is independent of sliding speed. Consequently, the net force and acceleration derived from Newton's second law remain identical regardless of the initial velocity.

### Question 9

A satellite orbits Earth in a circular path with radius $$R$$ and period $$T$$. If the satellite is moved to a new circular orbit with radius $$4R$$, which of the following expressions represents the new period?

- (A) $$8T$$
- (B) $$2T$$
- (C) $$4T$$
- (D) $$16T$$

**Answer: (A)** Kepler's third law states that $$T^2 \propto R^3$$, so $$T \propto R^{3/2}$$. Increasing the radius by a factor of 4 changes the period by a factor of $$4^{3/2} = (2^2)^{3/2} = 2^3 = 8$$.

### Question 10

A planet orbits a star in a circular path with orbital speed $$v$$ at a distance $$R$$. If the planet's orbital radius were increased to $$4R$$, what would be its new orbital speed?

- (A) $$v/2$$
- (B) $$v/4$$
- (C) $$v/16$$
- (D) $$2v$$

**Answer: (A)** Orbital speed is given by $$v = \sqrt{GM/R}$$, meaning $$v \propto 1/\sqrt{R}$$. Increasing $$R$$ by a factor of 4 decreases $$v$$ by a factor of $$\sqrt{4} = 2$$.

## Review the Unit

- [2.1 Systems and Center of Mass](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-2/1-systems-and-center-of-mass/study-guide/nielAWaOcpzSSLLO)
- [2.2 Forces and Free-Body Diagrams](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-2/2-forces-and-free-body-diagrams/study-guide/jQ2Obd0dAU4QiTPN)
- [2.3 Newton's Third Law](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-2/3-newtons-third-law/study-guide/WPQ8Q8B1IdMQ6Uoc)
- [2.4 Newton's First Law](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-2/4-newtons-first-law/study-guide/8pzHm6MzlRuJS1lr)
- [2.5 Newton's Second Law](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-2/5-newtons-second-law/study-guide/FizcgPbKTypwBNrG)
- [2.6 Gravitational Force](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-2/6-gravitational-force/study-guide/Xtm92y3jgBBJXDps)
- [2.7 Kinetic and Static Friction](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-2/7-kinetic-and-static-friction/study-guide/iK44HM4UlsWqRPfS)
- [2.8 Spring Forces](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-2/8-spring-forces/study-guide/p65phze7OgnnyC9g)
- [2.9 Circular Motion](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-2/9-circular-motion/study-guide/phypMTqBWYSyW4Xd)

## Other Unit Tests

- [Unit 1: Kinematics](/ap-physics-1-revised/unit-test/1)
- [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)

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