AP® Physics B

2006 Scoring Guidelines

Form B

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

General Notes About 2006 AP Physics Scoring Guidelines

1. The solutions contain the most common method of solving the free-response questions and the
allocation of points for this solution. Some also contain a common alternate solution. Other methods of
solution also receive appropriate credit for correct work.

2. Generally, double penalty for errors is avoided. For example, if an incorrect answer to part (a) is
correctly substituted into an otherwise correct solution to part (b), full credit will usually be awarded.
One exception to this may be cases when the numerical answer to a later part should be easily
recognized as wrong, e.g., a speed faster than the speed of light in vacuum.

3. Implicit statements of concepts normally receive credit. For example, if use of the equation expressing a
particular concept is worth 1 point, and a student’s solution contains the application of that equation to
the problem but the student does not write the basic equation, the point is still awarded. However, when
students are asked to derive an expression, it is normally expected that they will begin by writing one or
more fundamental equations, such as those given on the AP Physics exam equation sheet. See pages
21–22 of the AP Physics Course Description for a description of the use of such terms as “derive” and
“calculate” on the exams, and what is expected for each.

4. The scoring guidelines typically show numerical results using the value g = 9.8 m s 2 , but use of
10 m s 2 is of course also acceptable. Solutions usually show numerical answers using both values
when they are significantly different.

5. Strict rules regarding significant digits are usually not applied to numerical answers. However, in some
cases answers containing too many digits may be penalized. In general, two to four significant digits are
acceptable. Numerical answers that differ from the published answer due to differences in rounding
throughout the question typically receive full credit. Exceptions to these guidelines usually occur when
rounding makes a difference in obtaining a reasonable answer. For example, suppose a solution requires
subtracting two numbers that should have five significant figures and that differ starting with the fourth
digit (e.g., 20.295 and 20.278). Rounding to three digits will lose the accuracy required to determine the
difference in the numbers, and some credit may be lost.

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 1
15 points total Distribution
of points
(a) 3 points

For a line that is close to all of the data points 1 point

For a smooth curve 1 point
For a nonlinear curve that is concave up 1 point

(b) 2 points

1 2
Distance and time are related by the equation D = gt
2
For a correct pair of quantities, expressed in terms of D and t, that will yield a straight line 2 points
2
Examples: D and t OR D and t

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 1 (continued)
Distribution
of points
(c) 4 points

For correctly scaling and labeling the horizontal axis for a quantity cited in part (b) 1 point
For correctly scaling and labeling the vertical axis for a quantity cited in part (b) 1 point
For a reasonably correct plotting of the data 1 point
For a reasonably straight line through the data points 1 point
Example graphing D versus t 2 :

Note: If part (b) contains incorrect variables and they are correctly graphed in part (c),
a maximum of 2 points could be earned.

(d) 3 points

For determining the slope of the line drawn on the graph 1 point
(2.0 - 0.1) m 1.9 m
Using the example graph above, slope = = = 4.9 m s2
(0.41 - 0.02 ) s 2
0.39 s 2

For an expression relating g to the slope 1 point

1 1
In the example given, D = gt 2 , so g = slope
2 2
For a value of g in the range 9-11 m s2 1 point

(
In the example given, g = 2 4.9 m s2 = 9.8 m s2)
(e) 3 points

For a good, specific improvement 2 points

For an explanation of how this would improve accuracy 1 point
Example: Do several trials for each value of D and take averages. This reduces personal
and random error.
One point could be earned for less appropriate or less specific answers, for example “do
trials in a vacuum” or “cut down on air resistance.”

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 2
15 points total Distribution
of points
(a) 4 points

For any use of conservation of energy 1 point

For example, initially the small block has only potential energy, and it is all converted
to kinetic energy when it reaches the bottom of the ramp.
For a correct expression for the initial potential energy 1 point
For a correct expression for the kinetic energy at the bottom of the ramp 1 point
1
Mgh = M (3.5u0 )
2
2
For the correct answer 1 point
2
3.52 u0
h= or equivalent
2 g

(b) 4 points

For any use of conservation of momentum 1 point

For a correct expression for the initial momentum of the blocks 1 point
For a correct expression for the final momentum of the blocks 1 point
M (3.5u0 ) = M u + (1.5M ) (2u0 )
u = 3.5u0 - 3u0
For the correct answer 1 point
u = 0.5u0

(c) 4 points

For a correct relationship between friction and the acceleration of the block 1 point
 F = ma = f fric
For a correct kinematic equation relating acceleration and distance that does not 1 point
contain time
u f = ui2 - 2 aD
2

For using the correct initial speed of the block 1 point

0= 4u02 - 2aD
a= 2u02 D
Substituting expressions for a and f into the first equation above
(1.5M ) 2 u02 D = m (1.5M ) g
For the correct answer 1 point
m = 2u02 Dg

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 2 (continued)
Distribution
of points
(c) (continued)

Alternate solution Alternate points

For any indication that the work done on the block as it slides is equal to its initial 1 point
kinetic energy
1
f fric d = mui2
2
For a correct expression for the work done on the block 1 point
For a correct expression for the initial kinetic energy of the block 1 point
1
m (1.5M ) gD = (1.5M ) (2u0 )
2
2
For the correct answer 1 point
2u 2
m= 0
Dg

(d) 3 points

For indicating that the collision is inelastic 1 point

For indicating that the reason it is inelastic is because the change in kinetic energy 1 point
is not zero, or because kinetic energy is lost in the collision
For showing that the change in kinetic energy is not zero 1 point
DK = K f - K i = È M (0.5u0 ) + (1.5 M ) (2u0 ) ˘ - M (3.5u0 )
1 2 1 2 1 2
ÎÍ 2 2 ˚˙ 2
DK = -3Mu02

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 3
15 points total Distribution
of points
(a) 2 points

For indicating the correct direction for the force due to the +Q charge ( F1 as drawn above) 1 point
For indicating the correct direction for the force due to the -Q charge ( F2 as drawn above) 1 point

(b) 6 points

For any indication that the magnitudes of F1 and F2 are the same 1 point
The x-components of F1 and F2 cancel.
For any indication that the magnitude of the net force is the sum of the y-components 1 point
of F1 and F2 , which are equal
Example: Ftotal = F1 cos q + F2 cos q = 2 F cos q , where q is the angle between the
y-axis and the dashed lines in the figure
For a correct expression for cosq 1 point
d
cos q =
x + d2
2

For a correct substitution for F into the above expression for Ftotal 1 point
kqQ kqQ
F = =
r 2
x + d2 2

kqQ d
Ftotal = 2 2
x + d x + d2
2 2

For the correct magnitude of the total force 1 point

2 kqQd
Ftotal = or equivalent
( )
32
x2 + d 2
For indicating the correct direction for the total force, e.g., negative y-direction, 1 point
toward the bottom of the page, etc.

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 3 (continued)
Distribution
of points

(c) 2 points

The field can be found from the force.

E = Ftotal q
For the correct magnitude of the electric field 1 point
2kQd
E =
( )
32
x + d2
2

For indicating the correct direction for the electric field, e.g., negative y-direction, 1 point
toward the bottom of the page, etc.

(d) 2 points

The total potential is the sum of the individual point charge potentials.
kQ - kQ
V = V1 + V2 = +
x +d
2 2
x2 + d 2
For indicating that the electric potential is zero 2 points
Note: One point partial credit could be earned for only recognizing that the potentials
from the two charges must be added.

(e) 3 points

For any indication that as x gets large, the hypotenuse and x are approximately equal or 1 point
d is negligible compared to x
For indicating that the above implies that x 2 + d 2 ª x 1 point
For indicating that substituting the approximate equality into the answer from part (b) 1 point
2 kqQd
yields Ftotal =
x3

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 4
15 points total Distribution
of points
(a)

(i) 2 points

For drawing a reflected ray at approximately the same angle to the normal as 1 point
the incident ray
For clearly indicating that this is the reflected ray 1 point

(ii) 4 points

Snell’s law is used to find the angle of refraction

n1 sin q1 = n2 sin q2
For correctly substituting values into Snell’s law 1 point
1.0 sin 27∞ = 1.51sin q2
sin q2 = sin 27∞ 1.51 = 0.30
For the correct value of the angle 1 point
q2 = 17.5∞
For drawing a ray at approximately the correct angle 1 point
For clearly indicating that this is the refracted ray 1 point

(iii) 1 point

The speed in the block can be determined using the definition of index of refraction.
(
u = c n = 3.00 ¥ 108 m s 1.51 )
For the correct answer 1 point
u = 1.99 ¥ 108 m s

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 4 (continued)
Distribution
of points
(a) (continued)

(iv) 2 points

For a statement that the frequency is the same in the two materials, or an equation 1 point
that is an application of that fact
u uplastic

}
f = air =
lair lplastic l
OR l plastic = air
uplastic lair n
lplastic =
uair
1.99 ¥ 108 m s 650 nm
lplastic = (650 nm ) OR l plastic =
3 ¥ 10 m s8 1.51
For the correct answer with units 1 point
lplastic = 431 nm OR 430 nm

(b) 2 points

The following points were only awarded if rays were shown or described in part (a)
For indicating that the angle of reflection does not change 1 point
For indicating that the angle of refraction becomes smaller 1 point

(c)
(i) 2 points

Example in which the dark lines in the drawn pattern represent the bright bands of blue light

For indicating a central peak in the pattern 1 point

For having approximately even spacing between maxima 1 point
A sketch of the intensity graph was also acceptable

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 4 (continued)
Distribution
of points
(c) (continued)

(ii) 2 points

For using an appropriate formula (or combination of formulas) and correctly substituting 1 point
For example
ml L
xm ª
d

xm ª
( )
(1) 450 ¥ 10 -9 m (1.4 m )
0.15 ¥ 10 -3 m
For the correct answer 1 point
x = 4.2 mm

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 5
10 points total Distribution
of points
(a)
(i) 2 points

From the ideal gas law, PV T = a constant

Points A and B are on the isothermal, so they are at the same temperature.
Therefore, PBVB = PAVA
PB 2V0 = PAV0
For the correct answer 1 point
PB 1
=
PA 2
For a correct justification (such as the reasoning shown above) 1 point

(ii) 2 points

Points C and B are at the same pressure.

P P
Therefore, C = B
PA PA
For the correct answer 1 point
PC 1
=
PA 2
For a correct justification (such as the reasoning shown above) 1 point

(iii) 2 points

Points A and B are on the isothermal, so they are at the same temperature.
For the correct answer 1 point
TB
=1
TA
For a correct justification (such as the reasoning shown above) 1 point

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 5 (continued)
Distribution
of points
(a) (continued)

(iv) 2 points

Points C and A are at the same volume.

P T
Therefore, from the ideal gas law C = C .
PA TA
PC 1
= , which was determined in part (ii) above
PA 2
For the correct answer 1 point
TC 1
=
TA 2
For a correct justification (such as the reasoning shown above) 1 point

(b) 1 point

For a correct explanation 1 point

Internal energy depends only on the temperature. Since step I is isothermal there is no
change in temperature and thus no change in internal energy

(c) 1 point

For a correct explanation 1 point

W = - P DV . In step III there is no change in volume, and thus no work done.

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 AP® PHYSICS B
2006 SCORING GUIDELINES (Form B)

Question 6
10 points total Distribution
of points
(a) 1 point

For a correct expression for kinetic energy 1 point

K = mu 2 2
Note: This point was only awarded if no extraneous energy formulas were used.

(b) 2 points

For using the correct expression for de Broglie wavelength 1 point

l =h p
For the correct answer in terms of the given quantities 1 point
l = h mu

(c) 2 points

For a correct expression for the total energy of the electron and positron 1 point
(
Etotal = 2 mu 2 2 + mc 2 )
Can also add that since u << c , Etotal ª 2mc2
The two photons share this energy equally.
For the correct answer 1 point
E photon = mu 2 2 + mc 2 OR E photon ª mc 2

(d) 3 points

For using the given expression for the photon energy 1 point
E photon = hf
For expressing the energy in terms of the wavelength 1 point
f = c l so E photon = hc l
Substituting the energy obtained in part (c)
mu 2 2 + mc 2 = hc l OR mc 2 = hc l
For the correct answer 1 point
(
l = 2 hc mu 2 + 2 mc 2 )
OR l = h mc

(e) 2 points

For any indication that conservation of momentum applies 1 point

For a correct explanation of why conservation of momentum requires two photons 1 point
Example: since the total momentum of the electron and positron was zero, the total
momentum of the products must be zero. Since a photon cannot have zero
momentum, two photons traveling in opposite directions are required.
Note: Only 1 point total was awarded for attempts to explain using Newton’s third law.

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