1) The components of vectors B and C are given as follows:

Bx = 6.1

C x = 9.8

B y = 5.8

C y = +4.6

The angle between vectors B and C , in degrees, is closest to:

A) 162
B) 111
C) 69
D) 18
E) 80
Solution

B C = (6.1)(9.8) + (5.8)(4.6) = 33.1 and B = 6.12 + 5.82 = 8.42

33.1
C = 9.82 + 4.62 = 10.8 cos =
= 0.363 = 68.7 69

8.42 10.8

2) VectorsB and C are shown in the figure.The length of

vector B is 5.6
and
the length of vector C is 4.8 Vector D
is given by D = B C . The magnitude of D is closest to
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

3.2
9.2
8.0
5.3
6.6

Solution
Either use the law of cosines

B C = B 2 + C 2 2BC cos = 5.62 + 4.82 2(5.6)(4.8)cos79 = 6.65 6.6
or do it the long way:

B = B(cos 213o ,sin 2130 ) = (4.70, 3.05)

C = C(cos 292 o ,sin 292 o ) = (+1.80, 4.45)

D = B C = (6.50, +1.40)

D = 6.5 2 + 1.4 2 = 6.65




3) Vectors A, B and C satisfy the vector equation A + B = C . Their magnitudes

are related by A B = C . Which of the following is an accurate statement?

C
A) B
and

are perpendicular vectors.

B
C
B)
and are antiparallel vectors.

C) A, B and C form the sides of an equilateral triangle.

D) A, B and C form the sides of a right triangle.

E) The angle between A and B can have any value, in view of the limited
information given.
Solution
The only case when the length of the sum of two vectors is equal to the
difference of their respective lengths is when the two vectors are pointing in
opposite directions.

4) Two vectors are given by A = i + 2 j + 3k and B = 3i + 2 j + k . Find A B .
A) i + 2 j + 3k
B) 3i + 2 j + k
C) 2i + 2 j + 2 k
D) 2i + 2 j 2 k
E) 4 i + 8 j 4 k
Solution
i j k

A B = i + 2 j + 3k 3i + 2 j + k = 1 2 3 = ( 2 6 ) i + ( 9 1) j + ( 2 6 ) k = 4 i + 8 j 4 k
3 2 1

) (

5) What is the average speed of a car that travels first 4.0 km at an average
speed of 20 km/h and another 4.0 km at an average speed of 80 km/h?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

60 km/h
58 km/h
50 km/h
38 km/h
32 km/h

Solution:
The average speed is given by v =

x
t

x = x1 + x2 = 4.0km + 4.0km = 8.0km

x
4.0km
x
4.00km
t1 = 1 =
= 0.20h; t 2 = 2 =
= 0.05h
v1
20km/h
v2
80km/h
t = t1 + t 2 = 0.20h + 0.05h = 0.25h
x 8.0km
v=
=
= 32km/h
t 0.25h
6) A car moving at a velocity of 20 m/s is behind a truck moving at a constant
velocity of 18 m/s. When the car is 50 m behind the front of the truck, the car
accelerates uniformly at 1.8 m/s2. The car continues at the same acceleration
until it reaches a velocity of 25 m/s, which is the legal speed limit. The car then
continues at a constant velocity of 25 m/s, until it passes the front of the truck.
The distance the car travels while accelerating is closest to:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

54 m
50 m
58 m
66 m
62 m

Solution
The car is accelerating uniformly (i.e. with constant acceleration) from v0 = 20
m/s to v1 = 25 m/s. The distance it travels during this process is given by

25 2 20 2 m/s
v12 v02
v v = 2ax x =
=
= 62.5m 62m
2a
2 1.8m/s 2
2
1

2
0

7) A ball is thrown straight upward with some initial speed. When it reaches the
top of its flight (at a height h), a second ball is thrown straight upward with the
same initial speed. Where will the balls cross paths?
A) At height h
B) Above height h/2
C) At height h/2
D) Below height h/2 but above 0
E) At height 0
Solution
The first ball starts at the top with no initial speed. The second ball starts at the
bottom with a large initial speed. Since the balls travel the same time until they
meet, the second ball will cover more distance in that time, which will carry it over
the halfway point before the first ball can reach it.

8) A particle starts from rest has acceleration 4.0m/s 2 + 6.0m/s 3t . Find the
distance covered in 2.0 s.
A) 4.0 m
B) 8.0 m
C) 12 m
D) 16 m
E) 20 m
Solution
t

t0

t0

v ( t ) = v0 + a ( t ) dt = 0 + 4.0m/s 2 + 6.0m/s 3t dt = 4.0m/s 2t + 3.0m/s 3t 2

x ( t ) = x0 + v ( t ) dt = 0 + 4.0m/s 2t + 3.0m/s 3t 2 dt = 2.0m/s 2t 2 + 1.0m/s 3t 3

x ( 2s ) = 16m

9) A child standing on a bridge throws a rock straight down. The rock leaves the
childs hand at t = 0. Which of the following graphs shown here best
represents the velocity of the stone as a function of time?

A)

B)

D)

C)

E)

Solution
Since both the initial velocity and the acceleration are downwards, v will start out
negative and get even more negative as time goes on. The acceleration is
constant so the slope of the line should also be constant.
10) Shown here are the velocity and the acceleration vectors for a car in several
different types of motion. In which case is the car slowing down and turning to the
right from the drivers point of view?
A)

B)

D)

C)

E)

Solution

Slowing down means that a has a component opposing v . Turning right means

that a also has a component perpendicular to v in the right direction (from the
cars point of view).

11) A girl shoots an arrow from the top of a cliff. The arrow is initially at a point
19 m above the level field below. The arrow is shot at an angle of 30o above
horizontal with a speed of 15.4 m/s. How far out from the base of the cliff will the
arrow land?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

21.0m
27.8m
17.8m
38.8m
28.3m

Solution
We first calculate the time the arrow is in the air using the y-component of the
velocity. Then we calculate the distance using the x-component.

v0 y = (15.4m/s ) sin 30 o = 7.70m/s,

v0 x = (15.4m/s ) cos 30 o = 13.3m/s

gt 2
t = 2.91s
2
x = v0 x t = 38.8m
y = v0 yt

12) Shown in the figure to the right are the trajectories of four artillery shells.
Each was fired with the same speed. Which shell was in the air the longest
time?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

A
B
C
D
All were in the air for the
same time.

Solution
Shell A reaches the highest point and therefore takes the longest time to fall back
to the ground. Since the time it takes going up is the same as the time it takes
going down, it takes shell A the longest time for the journey.

13) An object moves at constant speed along a circular path in a horizontal

plane, with the center at the origin. When the object is at x = -2 m and y = 0,
its velocity is ( 4 m/s ) j . What is the objects acceleration when it is at y = 2 m?

(
)
B) ( 4m/s ) j
C) ( 8m/s ) j
D) ( 8m/s ) j
E) ( 8m/s ) i
A) 4m/s 2 j
2

Solution
The center of the circle is at the origin, this means that the velocity is along the y
direction when y = 0. At x = 2 m velocity is in the negative y direction. Now, we
can conclude that the object passes point (x, y) = (2 m,0), moves in counterclockwise direction, and the radius of the circle is r = 2 m.
2
The magnitude of the acceleration is a = v 2 / r = ( 4m/s ) / 2m = 8m/s 2
At point y = 2m we have x = 0, the velocity is ( 4 m/s ) i , and the (centripetal)
acceleration is directed to the center in the negative y direction.

Finally: a = 8m/s 2 j

14) Snow is falling vertically at a constant speed of 8.0 m/s. At what angle from
the vertical do the snowflakes appear to be falling as viewed by the driver of a
car traveling on a straight, level road with a speed of 50 km/h?
A) 40
B)
C)
D)
E)
Solution

= arctan ( vcar / vsnow )

( 50km/h ) 10 3 m/km
50 km/h

= arctan
= arctan
= 60
3
8 m/s
3.6
10
s/h
8m/s

15) Which of the arrows correctly indicates the

direction of the acceleration of a particle that
moves clockwise at a constant speed around the
path shown in the figure?
A) P, R and T
B) P, R, T and U
C) Q and S
D) R and U
E) None of the arrows correctly indicates the direction of acceleration.
Solution
The acceleration points to the inside of the curve (which is not the same as the
inside of the shape). Therefore only P, R and T are correct.

16) Three forces FA , FB , FC are applied to a mass located at the origin.

FA = ( 3N ) i + ( 4N ) j , FB = FB j and FC = 5N . The mass is not moving. Give FB .
A) 2N
B) 4N
C) 5N
D) 8N
E) 9N

Solution
From the x coordinate:

FA, x + FB, x + FC, x = 0 FC, x = 3N

FC = 5N FC, y = FC2 FC,2 x = 4N

From the y coordinate:

FA, y + FB, y + FC, y = 0

FB, y = (4 4)N

Thus, FB is either 0N or 8N.

17) A box with a mass of 10 kg is suspended by a cable in an elevator that is

moving up with an acceleration of 1.2 m/s. What is the tension in the cable?
A) 86 N
B) 98 N
C) 110 N
D) 120 N
E) 130 N
Solution

T mg = ma T = m(g + a) = 10kg(9.8 + 1.2)m/s 2 = 110N

18) A system of blocks and a frictionless and

massless pulley is shown in the figure below. Block
A has a mass of 8.0 kg and is on a rough surface (
s = 0.40). Block C has a mass of 5.0 kg. An
external force P = 14.0 N, applied vertically to block
A, maintains the system in static equilibrium. The
mass of block B is closest to:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

3.8 kg
2.9 kg
2.6 kg
3.5 kg
3.2 kg

Solution
The system is in static equilibrium. Thus, the net force acting on the knot above B
has to be zero. The tensions in the three strings at that knot have to add up to
zero. From the vertical coordinate we get

TA, y + TB, y + TC, y = 0 mB g + mC g cos 40 o = 0

mB = mC cos 40 o = 3.83kg

19) A mass, m1 = 100 g, slides on a frictionless inclined plane that is at an angle

= 30 with respect to the horizontal, as shown in the figure. This mass is
attached to an ideal string that goes over an ideal massless pulley. The other
end of the string is attached to a
hanging mass m2 = 200g. What is
the acceleration of mass m1?
A) 1.2 m/s2
B) 2.3 m/s2
C) 3.5 m/s2
D) 4.9 m/s2
E) 9.8 m/s2
Solution:
From the x-coordinate, which we choose to be along the string, and ignoring the
internal force of the system, the tension in the string, we get using Newtons
second law:
m1g sin m2 g = (m1 + m2 )a

m1 sin m2
0.100kg 0.5 0.200kg
= 9.8m/s 2
= 4.9m/s 2
m1 + m2
0.100kg + 0.200kg
2
The acceleration is 4.9 m/s in negative x-direction.
a=g

20) Three blocks of mass 3m, 2m, and m are connected by strings and pulled
with constant acceleration a. Rank tensions from biggest to smallest.

a
3m

T3

2m

T2

T1

A) T3 > T2 > T1
B) T3 > T1 > T2
C) T2 > T3 >T1
D) T1 = T2 = T3
E) T1 > T2 > T3
Solution:
T1 pulls the whole set of blocks along, so it must be the largest. T2 pulls the last
two masses, but T3 only pulls the last mass, so T3 < T2 < T1.

21) Block A of mass 3 kg and block X are attached to a rope, which passes over
a pulley. A force P = 20 N is applied horizontally to block A, keeping it in contact
with a rough vertical face. The coefficients of static and kinetic friction are s =
0.40 and k = 0.30. The pulley is light and
frictionless. The mass of block X is set so
that block A descends at constant velocity
when it is set into motion. The mass of block
X is closest to:
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

3.3 kg
2.4 kg
3.6 kg
3.0 kg
2.7 kg

Solution
Block A moves at constant velocity, that means that there is no acceleration and
that the net force on each object is zero. From the free body diagram of block X
we see that the tension T is equal to the weight of block X. Block A is moving
down and thus the friction force fk opposing the motion is pointing upward. From
the free body diagram of block A, we see that

f k + T ma g = 0 k P + T = ma g
T = ma g k P = (3.0kg 9.8m/s 2 ) 0.30 20N = 23.4N
We calculate the mass of block X from the tension T:
P
m X = T / g = ma k = 2.4kg
g
22) As shown in the figure, a constant external force P = 170 N is applied to a
20 kg box, which is on a rough horizontal surface. The force pushes the box a
distance of 8.0 m, in a time interval of 6.0 s, and the speed changes from
v1 = 0.3 m/s to v2 = 2.5 m/s. The work done by the external force P is closest to:
A) 1180 J
B) 810 J
C) 1060 J
D) 940 J
E) 680 J
Solution

W = Pd cos 30 0 = (170N)(8.0m) 0.866 = 1180J

23) A ball of mass m = 40 g is tied to a string and is being whirled around in a

circle of radius R = 10 cm with constant speed v = 5.0 cm/s. What is the work
done by tension as the ball makes one and a half revolution?

(
)
B) ( 3.0 10 ) J
C) (1.0 10 ) J
D) ( 3.0 10 ) J
A) 1.0 10 2 J
2

E) 0
Solution
Since the ball is moving at constant speed its kinetic energy doesnt change.
Therefore, no work is done on the ball. Also, at any time the tension is
perpendicular to the velocity and thus the displacement. Its the centripetal force.
The work done by the centripetal force, which is perpendicular to the
displacement is zero.

24) In order to do work on an object,

A) It is necessary that friction not be present.
B) The applied force must be greater than the reaction force of the object.
C) The force doing the work must be directed perpendicular to the motion of
the object.
D) It is necessary that friction be present.
E) The object must move.
Solution

r
F
The work
W
done
on
an
object
by
a
force
over
a
displacement
is given by

W = Fir = Fr cos , where is the angle between F and r . So, if there is no

displacement because the object does not move, no work is done on the object.

25) A car traveling at 33.0 mph skids to a stop in 39 meters from the point where
the brakes were applied. In approximately what distance would the car stop had
it been going at 66.0 mph?
A) 39 m
B) 110 m
C) 55 m
D) 78 m
E) 156 m
Solution
The kinetic energy of the car is four times larger when the speed doubles. The
kinetic friction of the car with the ground brings the car to a stop. The kinetic
friction k mg is the same. Thus, the distance to stop the car x = W / fK where
the work is given by the kinetic energy of the car: W = K . So, the car would
stop in four times the original distance 39m 4 = 156m .
Also, from v 2 v02 = 2ax with v = 0. Using Newtons second law we get
f
2 N x
v02 = 2 K x = K
= 2 K gx . Thus with two times larger initial speed v0
m
m
we get a four times larger displacement x.

26) A book is at rest on a table. Which of the following forces forms a Newtons
third law pair with the books weight?
A) The normal force of the table on the book
B) The force of the book on the table
C) The gravitational force of the earth on the book
D) The gravitational force of the book on the earth
E) None of the above
Solution
The weight of the book is the gravitational force of the earth on the book. This
force formsa Newtons third law pair with the gravitational force of the book on
the earth: Fearth,book = Fbook,earth

27) A sand mover at a quarry lifts 2,000 kg of sand per minute a vertical distance
of 12.0 meters. The sand is initially at rest and is discharged at the top of the
sand mover with speed 5.00 m/s into a loading chute. At what minimum rate
must power be supplied to the sand mover?
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)

1.13 kW
6.65 kW
0.524 kW
4.34 kW
3.92 kW

Solution
The work done on the sand is given by the work needed to lift the sand and the
work needed to cause the observed change in kinetic energy

W = mgh + 12 mv 2

= m(gh + 12 v 2 ) = 2000kg (9.80m/s 2 12.0m) + 12 (5.00m/s)2

= 260, 200J
The power is the work done per time interval

P = 260, 000J / 60s = 4340W