Page 1 of 31
Rio Salado College PHY 111 (College Physics I)
(2026–2027) – Midterm Exam 1 Complete Exam
Material with Questions and Answers
Introduction
This document contains complete Midterm Exam 1 material
for PHY 111 (College Physics I) at Rio Salado College for the
2026–2027 academic year. It includes solved multiple-choice
and calculation-based questions covering kinematics,
Newton's laws of motion, forces, friction, projectile motion,
work, energy, power, momentum, oscillations, waves, and
other foundational physics concepts. The material also
provides conceptual review questions with formulas and
definitions commonly tested in introductory college physics
courses. It is suitable for exam preparation and
comprehensive topic revision.
Exam Questions and Answers
A car accelerates from rest at a rate of 20 m/s2. How far will
the car have traveled by the time it reaches a speed of 30 m/s?
--- correct precise answer ---22.5 m
A box moving on a horizontal surface with an initial velocity
of 20 m/s slows to a stop over a time period of 5.0 seconds
due solely to the effects of friction. What is the coefficient of
kinetic friction between the box and the ground? --- correct
precise answer ---0.41
,Page 2 of 31
Three students move identical tables across identical carpeted
floors with the same applied force. The direction of the
applied force on table A is horizontal. The direction of the
applied force on table B is 45° below the horizontal. The
direction of the applied force on table C is 45° above the
horizontal (see below). Which table will experience the
smallest friction force? --- correct precise answer ---Table C
will experience the smallest friction force.
A negative acceleration indicates that an object might be ---
correct precise answer ---moving forward while slowing
down.
An 800 kg car starts from rest and travels a distance of 75.0
m in 5.0 seconds. Which of the following is the correct net
force acting on the car during this time? --- correct precise
answer ---4800 N
Sphere A is initially at rest on the ground and is kicked so that
it has an initial velocity of vo at an angle of θ. Sphere B is also
initially at rest on the ground and kicked so that it has an
initial velocity is 2vo at the same angle θ. Air resistance is
negligible. The two spheres are identical. Consider both
spheres at the moment when they have reached their
respective maximum heights. Which of the following
statements is accurate? --- correct precise answer ---The net
force on sphere A is equal to the net force on sphere B.
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A student applies a steady 100 N force at an angle 45° below
the horizontal to a 25 kg box. The maximum static friction
force on the box is 100 N. Which of the following is the
Newton's third law reaction pair force to the 100 N force
applied by the student? --- correct precise answer ---The force
of the box on the student
A student gives a 5.0 kg box a brief push causing the box to
move with an initial speed of 8.0 m/s along a rough surface.
The box experiences a friction force of 30 N as it slows to a
stop. How long does it take the box to stop? --- correct precise
answer ---1.3 s
A student places a 3.0 kg block on a frictionless ramp with an
angle of incline of 35°. What is the acceleration of the block? -
-- correct precise answer ---5.6 m/s2
The following force vector diagram shows all of the forces
acting on a box. Which of the following correctly describes the
motion of the box? --- correct precise answer ---None of the
above describe the motion of the box.
What angle is necessary to keep a 10 kg box motionless if the
coefficient of static friction between the box and the ramp is
0.55? --- correct precise answer ---28.8°
, Page 4 of 31
A student studying martial arts breaks a board with her hand.
Compare the force of the student on the board to the force of
the board on the student. --- correct precise answer ---The
force of the student on the board is equal to the force of the
board on the student.
A student throws a ball straight up into the air. When the ball
reach its maximum height, --- correct precise answer ---the
velocity of the ball is zero, and the acceleration is negative.
A student applies a 147 N force at an angle 30° below the
horizontal to a 15.0 kg box at rest on the ground. The
coefficient of static friction is 0.7, and the coefficient of
kinetic friction is 0.5. Describe the motion of the box. ---
correct precise answer ---The box will remain motionless.
A student throws a ball. Which of the following force vector
diagrams shows all of the forces acting on the ball when the
ball has reached its maximum height? Air resistance is
negligible. --- correct precise answer ---
A student jumps out of a plane and activates her parachute a
few seconds later. How does the force of the parachute on the
student compare to the force of the student on the parachute?
--- correct precise answer ---The force of the parachute on the
student is equal to the force of the student on the parachute.
Rio Salado College PHY 111 (College Physics I)
(2026–2027) – Midterm Exam 1 Complete Exam
Material with Questions and Answers
Introduction
This document contains complete Midterm Exam 1 material
for PHY 111 (College Physics I) at Rio Salado College for the
2026–2027 academic year. It includes solved multiple-choice
and calculation-based questions covering kinematics,
Newton's laws of motion, forces, friction, projectile motion,
work, energy, power, momentum, oscillations, waves, and
other foundational physics concepts. The material also
provides conceptual review questions with formulas and
definitions commonly tested in introductory college physics
courses. It is suitable for exam preparation and
comprehensive topic revision.
Exam Questions and Answers
A car accelerates from rest at a rate of 20 m/s2. How far will
the car have traveled by the time it reaches a speed of 30 m/s?
--- correct precise answer ---22.5 m
A box moving on a horizontal surface with an initial velocity
of 20 m/s slows to a stop over a time period of 5.0 seconds
due solely to the effects of friction. What is the coefficient of
kinetic friction between the box and the ground? --- correct
precise answer ---0.41
,Page 2 of 31
Three students move identical tables across identical carpeted
floors with the same applied force. The direction of the
applied force on table A is horizontal. The direction of the
applied force on table B is 45° below the horizontal. The
direction of the applied force on table C is 45° above the
horizontal (see below). Which table will experience the
smallest friction force? --- correct precise answer ---Table C
will experience the smallest friction force.
A negative acceleration indicates that an object might be ---
correct precise answer ---moving forward while slowing
down.
An 800 kg car starts from rest and travels a distance of 75.0
m in 5.0 seconds. Which of the following is the correct net
force acting on the car during this time? --- correct precise
answer ---4800 N
Sphere A is initially at rest on the ground and is kicked so that
it has an initial velocity of vo at an angle of θ. Sphere B is also
initially at rest on the ground and kicked so that it has an
initial velocity is 2vo at the same angle θ. Air resistance is
negligible. The two spheres are identical. Consider both
spheres at the moment when they have reached their
respective maximum heights. Which of the following
statements is accurate? --- correct precise answer ---The net
force on sphere A is equal to the net force on sphere B.
,Page 3 of 31
A student applies a steady 100 N force at an angle 45° below
the horizontal to a 25 kg box. The maximum static friction
force on the box is 100 N. Which of the following is the
Newton's third law reaction pair force to the 100 N force
applied by the student? --- correct precise answer ---The force
of the box on the student
A student gives a 5.0 kg box a brief push causing the box to
move with an initial speed of 8.0 m/s along a rough surface.
The box experiences a friction force of 30 N as it slows to a
stop. How long does it take the box to stop? --- correct precise
answer ---1.3 s
A student places a 3.0 kg block on a frictionless ramp with an
angle of incline of 35°. What is the acceleration of the block? -
-- correct precise answer ---5.6 m/s2
The following force vector diagram shows all of the forces
acting on a box. Which of the following correctly describes the
motion of the box? --- correct precise answer ---None of the
above describe the motion of the box.
What angle is necessary to keep a 10 kg box motionless if the
coefficient of static friction between the box and the ramp is
0.55? --- correct precise answer ---28.8°
, Page 4 of 31
A student studying martial arts breaks a board with her hand.
Compare the force of the student on the board to the force of
the board on the student. --- correct precise answer ---The
force of the student on the board is equal to the force of the
board on the student.
A student throws a ball straight up into the air. When the ball
reach its maximum height, --- correct precise answer ---the
velocity of the ball is zero, and the acceleration is negative.
A student applies a 147 N force at an angle 30° below the
horizontal to a 15.0 kg box at rest on the ground. The
coefficient of static friction is 0.7, and the coefficient of
kinetic friction is 0.5. Describe the motion of the box. ---
correct precise answer ---The box will remain motionless.
A student throws a ball. Which of the following force vector
diagrams shows all of the forces acting on the ball when the
ball has reached its maximum height? Air resistance is
negligible. --- correct precise answer ---
A student jumps out of a plane and activates her parachute a
few seconds later. How does the force of the parachute on the
student compare to the force of the student on the parachute?
--- correct precise answer ---The force of the parachute on the
student is equal to the force of the student on the parachute.
