Life is like riding a bicycle.  To keep your balance you must keep moving.”
Albert Einstein

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Kinematics in Two Dimensions – Free Response Practice Question for AP Physics C

Today I’ll give you a free response practice question on Kinematics in Two Dimensions. Even though this question is meant for AP Physics C aspirants, those who prepare for AP Physics B exam also will find it useful. Here is the question:

A chopper at an air base is rising vertically up with a velocity of 2 ms–1. When it is at an altitude of 50 m, a packet is thrown down with velocity 8 ms–1 (with respect to the chopper), making an angle of 60º with the vertical. Neglecting air resistance and assuming that g = 10 ms–2, answer the following questions

(a) Draw a diagram to show the nature of the path AB followed by the packet from the moment it leaves the chopper to the moment it hits the ground, as seen by an observer on the ground. Is the path straight, circular or parabolic?.

(b) Will the packet move up initially? Justify your answer.

(c) Calculate the time taken by the packet to reach the ground.

(d) Determine the horizontal distance traveled by the packet before hitting the ground.

(e) Determine the velocity (magnitude as well as direction) with which the packet hits the ground.

Try to answer this question.. You have 15 minutes at your disposal and can score up to 15 points for the right answer. Of course I’ll be back soon with a model answer for your benefit.

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