AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS – QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*- Kinematics*
*- Newton's Laws of Motion*
*- Work, Energy, and Power*
*- Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum*
*- Circular Motion and Rotation*
*- Oscillations and Gravitation*
*Introduction*
*The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate comprehensive proficiency in AP Physics C: Mechanics, ensuring
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A particle moves with position x(t) = 4t^3 - 2t^2. What is the velocity at t = 3 seconds?
A. 108 m/s
B. 96 m/s
🟢 C. 96 m/s
D. 120 m/s
🔴 RATIONALE: Velocity is the derivative of position, v(t) = 12t^2 - 4t. At t = 3, v(3) = 12(9) - 4(3) = 108 - 12 = 96
m/s.
2. A constant force of 20 N acts on a 5 kg mass. What is the acceleration?
A. 2 m/s^2
, 🟢 B. 4 m/s^2
C. 5 m/s^2
D. 10 m/s^2
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Newton's Second Law, F = ma, so a = F/m = 20/5 = 4 m/s^2.
3. Work done by a conservative force is independent of which of the following?
A. Initial position
B. Final position
🟢 C. Path taken
D. Force magnitude
🔴 RATIONALE: By definition, conservative forces (like gravity) perform work that depends only on the
endpoints, not the specific path between them.
4. If the momentum of an object is doubled, what happens to its kinetic energy?
A. It remains the same
B. It doubles
🟢 C. It quadruples
D. It triples
🔴 RATIONALE: Kinetic energy is K = p^m. If p is multiplied by 2, p^2 is multiplied by 4, thus K quadruples.
5. A satellite orbits the Earth. What provides the centripetal force?
A. Normal force
B. Air resistance
🟢 C. Gravitational force
D. Applied thrust
🔴 RATIONALE: In a satellite orbit, the gravitational pull of the Earth acts as the centripetal force directed toward
the center of the orbit.
6. A rigid body rotates about a fixed axis with constant angular acceleration. Which formula is analogous to v = u +
at?
A. torque = I * alpha
B. omega = omega_0 + alpha * t
, C. theta = omega * t
🟢 D. omega = omega_0 + alpha * t
🔴 RATIONALE: Angular kinematics equations mirror linear kinematics; substituting angular velocity and
acceleration gives the correct form.
7. Which of the following is a unit of torque?
A. Newton
🟢 B. Newton-meter
C. Joule per second
D. Pascal
🔴 RATIONALE: Torque is defined as the cross product of radius and force, resulting in SI units of N*m.
8. In an elastic collision, which quantity is conserved?
A. Kinetic energy only
B. Momentum only
🟢 C. Both kinetic energy and momentum
D. Neither kinetic energy nor momentum
🔴 RATIONALE: By definition, an elastic collision is one where both total kinetic energy and total linear
momentum are conserved.
9. The period of a simple pendulum depends on which of the following?
A. Amplitude
B. Mass of the bob
🟢 C. Length of the pendulum
D. Initial velocity
🔴 RATIONALE: The period of a simple pendulum is T = 2 * pi * sqrt(L/g), which shows it depends only on length
and gravity.
10. A net torque of zero on an object implies:
A. The object is at rest
B. The object has zero velocity
🟢 C. The object has constant angular velocity
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
*Core Domains*
*- Kinematics*
*- Newton's Laws of Motion*
*- Work, Energy, and Power*
*- Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum*
*- Circular Motion and Rotation*
*- Oscillations and Gravitation*
*Introduction*
*The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate comprehensive proficiency in AP Physics C: Mechanics, ensuring
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. A particle moves with position x(t) = 4t^3 - 2t^2. What is the velocity at t = 3 seconds?
A. 108 m/s
B. 96 m/s
🟢 C. 96 m/s
D. 120 m/s
🔴 RATIONALE: Velocity is the derivative of position, v(t) = 12t^2 - 4t. At t = 3, v(3) = 12(9) - 4(3) = 108 - 12 = 96
m/s.
2. A constant force of 20 N acts on a 5 kg mass. What is the acceleration?
A. 2 m/s^2
, 🟢 B. 4 m/s^2
C. 5 m/s^2
D. 10 m/s^2
🔴 RATIONALE: According to Newton's Second Law, F = ma, so a = F/m = 20/5 = 4 m/s^2.
3. Work done by a conservative force is independent of which of the following?
A. Initial position
B. Final position
🟢 C. Path taken
D. Force magnitude
🔴 RATIONALE: By definition, conservative forces (like gravity) perform work that depends only on the
endpoints, not the specific path between them.
4. If the momentum of an object is doubled, what happens to its kinetic energy?
A. It remains the same
B. It doubles
🟢 C. It quadruples
D. It triples
🔴 RATIONALE: Kinetic energy is K = p^m. If p is multiplied by 2, p^2 is multiplied by 4, thus K quadruples.
5. A satellite orbits the Earth. What provides the centripetal force?
A. Normal force
B. Air resistance
🟢 C. Gravitational force
D. Applied thrust
🔴 RATIONALE: In a satellite orbit, the gravitational pull of the Earth acts as the centripetal force directed toward
the center of the orbit.
6. A rigid body rotates about a fixed axis with constant angular acceleration. Which formula is analogous to v = u +
at?
A. torque = I * alpha
B. omega = omega_0 + alpha * t
, C. theta = omega * t
🟢 D. omega = omega_0 + alpha * t
🔴 RATIONALE: Angular kinematics equations mirror linear kinematics; substituting angular velocity and
acceleration gives the correct form.
7. Which of the following is a unit of torque?
A. Newton
🟢 B. Newton-meter
C. Joule per second
D. Pascal
🔴 RATIONALE: Torque is defined as the cross product of radius and force, resulting in SI units of N*m.
8. In an elastic collision, which quantity is conserved?
A. Kinetic energy only
B. Momentum only
🟢 C. Both kinetic energy and momentum
D. Neither kinetic energy nor momentum
🔴 RATIONALE: By definition, an elastic collision is one where both total kinetic energy and total linear
momentum are conserved.
9. The period of a simple pendulum depends on which of the following?
A. Amplitude
B. Mass of the bob
🟢 C. Length of the pendulum
D. Initial velocity
🔴 RATIONALE: The period of a simple pendulum is T = 2 * pi * sqrt(L/g), which shows it depends only on length
and gravity.
10. A net torque of zero on an object implies:
A. The object is at rest
B. The object has zero velocity
🟢 C. The object has constant angular velocity
