Torque Test

AP Physics 1 Test Booklet
Torque Test Name
A wheel with radius and rotational inertia spins on an axle with an initial angular speed
1.
of . Friction in the axle exerts a torque on the wheel, causing the wheel to stop after . The
average torque exerted on the wheel as it slows down has magnitude
2. The wheel on a vehicle has a rotational inertia of 2.0 kg⋅m2. At the instant the wheel has a counterclockwise
angular velocity of 6.0 rad/s, an average counterclockwise torque of 5.0 N⋅m is applied, and continues for
4.0 s. What is the change in angular momentum of the wheel?
A 12 kg⋅m /s
2
B 16 kg⋅m /s
2
C 20 kg⋅m /s
2
D 32 kg⋅m /s
2
Copyright © 2021. The College Board. These materials are part of a College Board program. Use or distribution of these materials online or in print beyond your
school’s participation in the program is prohibited.
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Torque Test
3.
The diagram above shows a top view of a child of mass M on a circular platform of mass 2M that is rotating
counterclockwise. Assume the platform rotates without friction. Which of the following describes an action
by the child that will increase the angular speed of the platform-child system and gives the correct reason
why?
A The child moves toward the center of the platform, increasing the total angular momentum of the system.
B The child moves toward the center of the platform, decreasing the rotational inertia of the system.
The child moves away from the center of the platform, increasing the total angular momentum of the
C
system.
D The child moves away from the center of the platform, decreasing the rotational inertia of the system.
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Torque Test
4.
Planet is in a stable circular orbit around a star, as shown in the figure. Which of the following graphs
best predicts the angular momentum of the planet as a function of its horizontal position from point to
point if the planet is moving counterclockwise as viewed in the figure above?
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Torque Test
A disk-shaped platform has a known rotational inertia . The platform is mounted on a fixed axle and rotates in a
horizontal plane with an initial angular velocity of in the counterclockwise direction, as shown. After an
unknown time interval, the disk comes to rest. A single point on the disk revolves around the center axle hundreds
of times before the disk comes to rest. Frictional forces are considered to be constant.
5. In a different experiment, the original disk is replaced with a disk for which frictional forces are considered
to be negligible. The disk is set into motion such that it rotates with a constant angular speed. As the disk
spins, a small sphere of clay is dropped onto the disk, and the sphere sticks to the disk. Which of the
following claims is correct about the angular momentum and the total kinetic energy of the disk-sphere
system immediately before and immediately after the collision?
Angular Momentum Kinetic Energy

A
Greater before the collision Greater before the collision

B
Greater before the collision The same before and after the collision

C
The same before and after the collision Greater before the collision

D
The same before and after the collision The same before and after the collision
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Torque Test
One end of a string is attached to the ceiling, and the other end of the string is attached to a cradle that has a
meterstick that runs through it. The meterstick can slide through the cradle so that the horizontal position of a point
on the meterstick can be changed in the horizontal direction. Students may hang objects of various masses from the
meterstick, as shown in the figure. The students notice that when the meterstick-cradle-object-object system is not
balanced, the meterstick will rotate.
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Torque Test
6.
Consider the situation shown above in which the center of the meterstick is aligned with the center of the
cradle, which is at a position of . The system is released from rest. Which of the following claims is
correct about the motion of the system containing the meterstick, cradle, and two objects if the system is
free to rotate?
A The system will rotate in the clockwise direction with a constant angular speed.
B The system will rotate in the clockwise direction with an increasing angular speed.
C The system will rotate in the counterclockwise direction with a constant angular speed.
D The system will rotate in the counterclockwise direction with an increasing angular speed.
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Torque Test
7.
A rod of length and rotational inertia about one end may freely rotate about a pivot that is attached to the ceiling and upper end of the
rod. A sphere of mass and radius is launched horizontally with velocity toward the rod. It collides with the bottom of the rod, as
shown in Figure 1. After colliding with the rod, the sphere momentarily comes to rest before it falls vertically to the ground. The rod swings
upward with an angular speed , as shown in Figure 2. The rotational inertia of the sphere is . Which of the following mathematical
procedures, if any, can a student use to determine immediately after the sphere collides with the rod? Justify your selection.
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Torque Test
Angular momentum is conserved, so calculate the initial angular momentum of the sphere as measured from
A
the end of the rod, and set that equal to the angular momentum of the rod immediately after the collision.
Angular momentum is conserved, so calculate the initial angular momentum of the sphere as measured from
B
the pivot, and set that equal to the angular momentum of the rod immediately after the collision.
Energy is conserved, so calculate the initial kinetic energy of the sphere immediately before the collision,
C
and set that equal to the kinetic energy of the rod immediately after the collision.
D None of the procedures can be used to determine immediately after the collision.
8.
A student hangs a block from a light string that is attached to a massive pulley of unknown radius , as
shown in the figure. The student allows the block to fall from rest to the floor. Which two of the following
sets of data that could be measured or determined should the student use together to determine the final
angular velocity of the pulley just before the block hits the floor? Select two answers. Justify your
selections.
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Torque Test
The angular displacement of the pulley and the time the pulley rotates before coming to rest, because these
A
quantities are related to the final angular velocity of the pulley.
The mass of the block, the distance of the block above the floor, and the amount of time it takes the block to
B
reach the floor, because these quantities can be used to determine the acceleration of the block.
The radius and mass of the pulley, because these quantities can be used together to determine the rotational
C
inertia of the pulley.
The weight of the pulley, , and the weight of the block, , because the difference between these two
D
forces, , is equal to the tension in the string.
9.
A massless rigid rod of length 3d is pivoted at a fixed point W, and two forces each of magnitude F are
applied vertically upward as shown above. A third vertical force of magnitude F may be applied, either
upward or downward, at one of the labeled points. With the proper choice of direction at each point, the rod
can be in equilibrium if the third force of magnitude F is applied at point
A W only
B Y only
C V or X only
D V or Y only
E V, W, or X
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Torque Test
10.
Four forces are exerted on a disk of radius that is free to spin about its center, as shown above. The
magnitudes are proportional to the length of the force vectors, where , , and .
Which two forces combine to exert zero net torque on the disk? Select two answers.
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Torque Test
11.
The figure above represents a stick of uniform density that is attached to a pivot at the right end and has
equally spaced marks along its length. Any one of the four forces shown can be exerted on the stick as
indicated. Which force will create the largest rate of change in the stick’s angular momentum?
A The 30 N force
B The 40 N force
C The 60 N force
D The 150 N force
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Torque Test
12.
A rod is at rest on a flat, horizontal surface. One end of the rod is attached to a pivot, and the rod may freely
rotate around the pivot if acted upon by a net external torque, as shown in Figure 1. In an experiment, the
rod is initially at rest and student exerts a net torque on the rod. Data are collected to create a graph of the
rod’s angular acceleration as a function of time, as shown in Figure 2. Frictional forces are considered to be
negligible. How can the student use the graph to determine the angular momentum of the rod at ?
Determine the average angular acceleration from to and multiply the result by the rotational inertia of
A
the rod.
Determine the area bound by the curve and the horizontal axis from to and multiply the result by the
B
rotational inertia of the rod.
Determine the average slope of the curve from to and multiply the result by the rotational inertia of
C
the rod.
D Multiply the angular acceleration at by the rotational inertia of the rod.
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Torque Test
13. An object revolves around a central axis of rotation. The motion of the object is described by the following
equation.
Which two of the following graphs correctly shows the angular motion of the object? Select two answers.
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Torque Test
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Torque Test
An amusement park ride consists of a large vertical wheel of radius that rotates counterclockwise on a horizontal
axis through its center, as shown above. The cars on the wheel move at a constant speed . Points and
represent the position of a car at the highest and lowest point of the ride, respectively. A person of weight sits
upright on a seat in one of the cars. As the seat passes point , the seat exerts a normal force with magnitude
on the person. While passing point , the person releases a small rock of mass , which falls to the ground
without hitting anything.
14. Which of the following best describes the passenger’s linear and angular velocity while passing point ?
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Torque Test
Linear Velocity Angular Velocity

A
Constant Changing

B
Constant Constant

C
Changing Changing

D
Changing Constant
15.
A uniform, rigid rod of length lies on a horizontal surface. One end of the rod can pivot about an axis
that is perpendicular to the rod and along the plane of the page. A force is applied to the rod at its
midpoint at an angle of . A second force is applied to the free end of the rod so that the rod remains at
rest, as shown in the figure. The magnitude of the torque produced by force is most nearly
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Torque Test
16.
A student conducts an experiment in which the angular velocity of a rotating object about a central axis of
rotation changes as a function of time, as shown by the graph. The student makes the following claim.
“The net torque responsible for the rotation of the object changes direction at approximately .”
Which of the following statements is correct about the student’s evaluation of the data from the graph?
Justify your selection.
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Torque Test
The student is correct, because the angular velocity cannot change direction unless the net torque also
A
changes direction.
The student is correct, because the net torque and direction exerted on the object before is different
B
from the net torque and direction exerted on the object after .
C The student is incorrect, because the angular acceleration of the object remains constant.
The student is incorrect, because the angular velocity is inversely related to the net torque exerted on the
D
object.
17.
In an experiment, a student applies a net force to the edge of a disk for . The student may change the
magnitude and the direction of the force at any time in the experiment. A graph of the net torque exerted on
the edge of the disk as a function of time is shown. After observing the graph, the student concludes that the
angular momentum of the disk has not changed. Does the graph support the student’s conclusion? Justify
your answer.
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Torque Test
A Yes, because the change in the net torque from to is zero.
Yes, because the slope of the curve of the graph from to has the same magnitude but opposite sign as
B
the slope of the curve from to .
C No, because the area bound by the curve and the horizontal axis from to is not zero.
D No, because the graph cannot be used to determine how the angular momentum has changed.
A student is at rest on a stool that may freely spin about its central axis of rotation. As the stool spins, the
18.
student holds onto two dumbbells as the stool spins at an angular speed of with the student’s arms
completely stretched out from the student’s body. At this instant, the student-dumbbell system has rotational
inertia of . The student then brings their arms close to their body, and rotational inertia of the
student-dumbbell system is changed to . What is the new angular speed of the student?
A horizontal, uniform board of weight 125 N and length 4 m is supported by vertical chains at each end. A person
weighing 500 N is sitting on the board. The tension in the right chain is 250 N.
19. What is the tension in the left chain?
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Torque Test
A 250 N
B 375 N
C 500 N
D 625 N
E 875 N
20. The figures below indicate forces acting on a rod in different situations. The lengths of the force vectors are
proportional to the magnitudes of the forces. In which situation is the rod in both translational and rotational
equilibrium?
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Torque Test
21.
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Torque Test
Two ladybugs are standing on a rotating disk that is spinning counterclockwise, as shown in the figure
above. Assume that friction in the bearings of the axle is negligible.
i. Is the angular speed of ladybug A greater than, less than, or the same as the angular speed
of ladybug B ? _____Greater _____Less _____The same Briefly justify your answer.
ii. Is the linear speed of ladybug A greater than, less than, or the same as the linear speed of
ladybug B ? _____Greater _____Less _____The same Briefly justify your answer.
b. Ladybug A begins walking in a circular path in the direction of the disk’s rotation. Does the
magnitude of the angular momentum of the disk alone (not the ladybugs-disk system) increase,
decrease, or stay the same? _____Increase _____Decrease _____Stay the same Briefly justify
your answer.
c. In a different scenario, a single ladybug is standing near the edge of the disk at a distance of 0.9R
from the center, where R is the radius of the disk, as shown in Figure 1 below. The rotational
inertia of the ladybugdisk system is I1 , and the disk completes one rotation in 2.5 s. The ladybug
then walks toward the center of the disk to a distance of 0.1R from the center and comes to a stop
relative to the disk, as shown in Figure 2. Now the rotational inertia of the system is I2, and the
disk completes one rotation every 2.0 s.
i. Derive an equation for I2 in terms of I1
ii. While the ladybug is walking toward the center of the disk, does it exert a torque on the
disk? _____Yes ____No Briefly explain your reasoning.
Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.
22.
The left end of a rod of length d and rotational inertia I is attached to a frictionless horizontal surface by
a frictionless pivot, as shown above. Point C marks the center (midpoint) of the rod. The rod is initially
motionless but is free to rotate around the pivot. A student will slide a disk of mass mdisk toward the rod
with velocity v0 perpendicular to the rod, and the disk will stick to the rod a distance x from the pivot.
The student wants the roddisk system to end up with as much angular speed as possible.
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Torque Test
a. Suppose the rod is much more massive than the disk. To give the rod as much angular speed as
possible, should the student make the disk hit the rod to the left of point C, at point C, or to the
right of point C ? _____To the left of C _____ At C _____ To the right of C Briefly explain your
reasoning without manipulating equations.
b. On the Internet, a student finds the following equation for the postcollision angular speed ω of
the rod in this situation: . Regardless of whether this equation for angular speed is correct, does it
agree with your qualitative reasoning in part (a) ? In other words, does this equation for w have
the expected dependence as reasoned in part (a) ? _____Yes _____No Briefly explain your
reasoning without deriving an equation for ω.
c. Another student deriving an equation for the postcollision angular speed ω of the rod makes a
mistake and comes up with . Without deriving the correct equation, how can you tell that this
equation is not plausible—in other words, that it does not make physical sense? Briefly explain
your reasoning. For parts (d) and (e), do NOT assume that the rod is much more massive than the
disk.
d. Immediately before colliding with the rod, the disk’s rotational inertia about the pivot is mdiskx2
and its angular momentum with respect to the pivot is mdisk v0x. Derive an equation for the
postcollision angular speed ω of the rod. Express your answer in terms of d, mdisk, I, x, v0, and
physical constants, as appropriate.
e. Consider the collision for which your equation in part (d) was derived, except now suppose the
disk bounces backward off the rod instead of sticking to the rod. Is the postcollision angular
speed of the rod when the disk bounces off it greater than, less than, or equal to the postcollision
angular speed of the rod when the disk sticks to it? _____Greater than _____Less than
_____Equal to Briefly explain your reasoning.
Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.
Copyright © 2021. The College Board. These materials are part of a College Board program. Use or distribution of these materials online or in print beyond your school’s participation in
the program is prohibited.
Page 25 of 25

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AP Physics 1 Test Booklet

Torque Test Name

Angular Momentum Kinetic Energy

Angular Momentum Kinetic Energy

Angular Momentum Kinetic Energy

Angular Momentum Kinetic Energy

D The 150 N force

D Multiply the angular acceleration at by the rotational inertia of the rod.

Linear Velocity Angular Velocity

Linear Velocity Angular Velocity

Linear Velocity Angular Velocity

Linear Velocity Angular Velocity

A Yes, because the change in the net torque from to is zero.

19. What is the tension in the left chain?

Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.

Please respond on separate paper, following directions from your teacher.

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