Practice Test 2

Section I The Exam

AP® Physics 2 Exam
SECTION I: Multiple-Choice Questions

DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOKLET UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.

Instructions
At a Glance
Section I of this examination contains 50 multiple-choice questions. Fill in only the ovals for
Total Time numbers 1 through 50 on your answer sheet.
90 minutes
Number of Questions
CALCULATORS MAY BE USED IN BOTH SECTIONS OF THE EXAMINATION.
50
Percent of Total Grade Indicate all of your answers to the multiple-choice questions on the answer sheet. No credit
50% will be given for anything written in this exam booklet, but you may use the booklet for notes
Writing Instrument or scratch work. After you have decided which of the suggested answers is best, completely
Pen required fill in the corresponding oval on the answer sheet. Give only one answer to each question. If
you change an answer, be sure that the previous mark is erased completely. Here is a sample
question and answer.
Sample Question Sample Answer

Chicago is a A B C D E
(A) state
(B) city
(C) country
(D) continent

Use your time effectively, working as quickly as you can without losing accuracy. Do not
spend too much time on any one question. Go on to other questions and come back to the
ones you have not answered if you have time. It is not expected that everyone will know the
answers to all the multiple-choice questions.

About Guessing
Many candidates wonder whether or not to guess the answers to questions about which
they are not certain. Multiple-choice scores are based on the number of questions answered
correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers, and no points are awarded for
unanswered questions. Because points are not deducted for incorrect answers, you are
encouraged to answer all multiple-choice questions. On any questions you do not know the
answer to, you should eliminate as many choices as you can, and then select the best answer
among the remaining choices.

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 Section I

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS 2 TABLE OF INFORMATION

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 Section I

ADVANCED
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
PLACEMENT PHYSICS PHYSICS 2 EQUATIONS
2 EQUATIONS, EFFECTIVE 2015

MECHANICS ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

=
Ãx Ãx 0 + a x t a = acceleration  1 q1q2 A = area
FE =
A = amplitude 4 pe0 r 2 B = magnetic field
1 2 d = distance  C = capacitance
=
x x 0 + Ãx 0 t + a t  F
2 x E = energy E = E d = distance
F = force q E = electric field
Ãx2 =Ãx20 + 2ax ( x - x0 ) f = frequency  e= emf
1 q
I = rotational inertia E = F = force
  4 pe0 r 2
=

a
Â
=
F Fnet K = kinetic energy I = current
m m k = spring constant DU E = qDV  = length
  L = angular momentum 1 q P = power
Ff £ m Fn  = length V = Q = charge
4 pe0 r
m = mass q = point charge
Ã2  DV
ac = P = power E = R = resistance
r p = momentum Dr r = separation
  r = radius or separation t = time
p = mv DV =
Q
T = period C U = potential (stored)
 
Dp = F Dt t = time energy
A
U = potential energy C = ke0 V = electric potential
d
1
K = mv 2
v = speed v = speed
2 W= work done on a system E = Q k = dielectric constant
x = position e0 A r= resistivity
D= = F=
E W d Fd cos q y = height 1 1 q = angle
a = angular acceleration = UC = Q DV C ( DV )2
DE 2 2 F= flux
P = m= coefficient of friction
Dt DQ
q = angle I =
t = torque Dt
1 2 
q =q0 + w0 t + at
w= angular speed r  
2
R= = qv ¥ B
FM
A
=
w w0 + at 1   
U s = kx 2 P = I DV FM = qv sin q B
2
= =
x A cos ( wt ) A cos (2 p ft ) DV   
DUg = mg Dy I =
R FM= I  ¥ B
xcm =
 mi xi 2p 1   
 mi =
T = Rs = Â Ri FM = I  sin q B
w f i
   
=
a
 Â
=
t t net
Ts = 2 p
m 1
= Â R1i F B = B A
I I k Rp i
 
=
t r=
^F rF sin q  Cp = Â Ci FB = B cos q A
Tp = 2 p i
g
L = Iw 1
 mm
Fg = G 1 2 2 Cs
= Â C1i e= -
DFB
DL = t Dt i Dt
r
 m0 I
1  Fg B= e= B v
K = I w2 g= 2p r
2 m
  Gm1m2
Fs = k x UG = -
r

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 Section I

ADVANCED PLACEMENT
ADVANCED PHYSICSPHYSICS
PLACEMENT 2 EQUATIONS, EFFECTIVE 2015
2 EQUATIONS

FLUID MECHANICS AND THERMAL PHYSICS WAVES AND OPTICS

m A = area v d = separation
r= l=
V F = force f f = frequency or
h = depth focal length
F c
P= k = thermal conductivity n= h = height
A Ã
K = kinetic energy L = distance
L = thickness n 1 sin q1 = n 2 sin q2 M = magnification
=
P P0 + rgh
m = mass 1 1 1 m = an integer
n = number of moles + = n = index of
Fb = rVg si so f
N = number of molecules refraction
hi si s = distance
A1v1 = A2 v2 P = pressure =
M =
Q = energy transferred to a ho so v = speed
1 system by heating DL = m l l = wavelength
P1 + rgy1 + rv 2
2 1 T = temperature d sin q = m l q = angle
1 t = time
=P2 + rgy2 + rv 2
2 2 U = internal energy
V = volume
Q kA DT
= v = speed GEOMETRY AND TRIGONOMETRY
Dt L
W = work done on a system Rectangle A= area
= = NkBT
PV nRT y = height A = bh C= circumference
r = density V= volume
3 Triangle S = surface area
K = k T
2 B 1 b = base
A = bh
2 h = height
W = - P DV
A= length
DU= Q + W Circle w= width
A = pr 2 r = radius
C = 2 pr
MODERN PHYSICS
E = hf E= energy Rectangular solid Right triangle
f = frequency V = Awh 2
= hf - f
K max c= a 2 + b2
K= kinetic energy
a
m= mass Cylinder sin q =
h c
l= p = momentum V = pr 2 A
p b
l= wavelength =S 2 pr A + 2 pr 2 cos q =
2
c
E = mc f= work function
a
Sphere tan q =
b
4 3
V = pr c
3 a
S = 4 pr 2 90°
b

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 Section I

PHYSICS 2
SECTION I
Time—90 minutes
50 Questions

Note: To simplify calculations, you may use g = 10 m/s2 in all problems.

Directions: Each of the questions or incomplete statements below is followed by four suggested answers or completions. Select the
one that is best in each case and mark it on your sheet.

1. A positively charged particle enters a region between the

plates of a parallel plate capacitor. The particle is moving
initially parallel to the plates. What is the correct descrip-
tion of the trajectory of the particle in the region between
the plates?
(A) The particle will continue straight.
(B) The particle will move toward the negative plate
along a straight-line path.
(C) The particle will move toward the negative plate
along a curved path.
4. Three neutral conducting spheres sit on insulating bases.
(D) The particle will move toward the positive plate The spheres are separated by a very large distance.
along a curved path. The sphere in the center is given a positive charge. The
spheres are brought close together, as shown above,
2. Which of the following arguments does not support the but not allowed to come into contact with one another.
assertion that a parallel plate capacitor held with one Which is the correct description of the net charge on each
plate parallel to the floor is an electric analog of the sphere?
gravitational field near the surface of the Earth?
(A) All three spheres are positively charged.
(A) The voltage is constant along horizontal lines. (B) The center sphere is positively charged and the two
(B) The field changes linearly with distance from the outer spheres are negatively charged.
lower plate. (C) The center sphere is positively charged and the
(C) Both the gravitational field lines and electric field other two are neutral.
lines are vertical. (D) All three spheres are neutral.
(D) Both the electrical and gravitational force are
governed by inverse square laws.

3. An electromagnetic wave moves along the positive

z-axis. The wave is polarized so that the magnetic field is
confined in the y-axis. Where is there a non-zero electric
field from this wave?
(A) The electric field exists everywhere.
(B) The electric field is only along the x-axis.
(C) The electric field is only along the y-axis.
(D) The electric field is only along the z-axis.

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 Section I

Questions 5–7 refer to the following diagram. Water Glass Air Glass

1
Y

2 8. A ray of light enters the pair of tanks as shown above. The

light rays in the water and glass tank are shown at the left,
with the light exiting the pair of tanks at a point Y. The
light ray in the air tank is identical to the ray in the water
tank, entering at the same height and same angle. Both sets
3 of tanks use the same glass. How will the ray exiting the
second glass tank compare to height Y?
5. The circuit above contains a battery, a switch, three iden- (A) The ray will not exit the second tank due to total
tical light bulbs, and a capacitor. The capacitor is initially internal reflection.
uncharged. The instant the switch is closed, which of the (B) The exiting ray will be closer to the top of the tank
bulbs are lit?
than Y.
(A) All three bulbs are unlit. (C) The exiting ray will be at the same height as Y.
(B) Only bulb 1 is lit. (D) The exiting ray will be farther from the top of the
(C) Only bulb 2 is lit. tank than Y.
(D) Bulb 1 and bulb 3 are lit.
9. A mirror may be used to create a real image under which
6. After the capacitor is fully charged, which bulbs are lit? of the following conditions?
(A) All three bulbs are unlit. (A) Use a concave mirror and place the object between
(B) Bulb 1 and bulb 3 are lit. the mirror and the focal point.
(C) Only bulb 2 is lit. (B) Use a concave mirror and place the object beyond
(D) All three bulbs are lit. focal point.
(C) Use a convex mirror and place the object between
7. When the capacitor is fully charged, which components the mirror and the focal point.
have equal voltage drops across them? (D) Use a convex mirror and place the object beyond
(A) The capacitor and the battery the focal point.
(B) The capacitor and bulb 2
(C) Bulb 1 and bulb 3 10. The pressure at location A in a pipe is known. The speed
of the fluid in the pipe and the pipe diameter are also
(D) All three of the above selections have equal voltage
known at position A. Position B is another location in the
drops across them. pipe. Which pieces of data are required to calculate the
speed of the fluid at position B?
(A) The diameter at B only
(B) The diameter at B and the height of B relative to A
(C) The diameter at B, the height of B relative to A and
the pressure at B
(D) The diameter at B, the pressure at B, the height of B
relative to A and the fluid density

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 Section I

B 13. A hot cup of water is placed within an insulating con-

tainer. Later, the water has cooled. Which of the follow-
ing explains the phenomenon?

A (A) The molecules in the water are fast-moving initially

and transfer energy in the air in the container,
resulting in the air heating up as the water cools.
C (B) The molecules in the air are fast-moving initially
and transfer energy to the water in the container,
resulting in the water cooling down as the air
11. The tube shown above carries water. At some point, the heats up.
tube splits, as shown above. Three points within the tube
(C) As time goes on, the entropy of the system
are labeled A, B, and C. The greatest diameter is at A and
the smallest diameter is at B. How do the pressures in the increases, which results in a decrease in energy
pipes compare at the three points? and the loss of temperature in the cup.
(D) The total heat in the container must remain
(A) PA > PC > PB
constant unless there is leakage to the outside
(B) PA = PB = PC
surroundings, so the water can only cool down if
(C) PB = PC > PA
the surroundings heat up.
(D) PB > PC > PA
14. A very large sheet of metal has a net negative charge. An
12. A paper-filled three ring binder sits in a room for a long
electron is placed above the center of the sheet. Which of
time. A student touches the metal rings of the binder and
the following correctly describes the force on the sheet of
the paper. She expects the two objects to feel the same
charge from the electron?
temperature, but she observes that the paper feels warmer
than the metal. Which of the following correctly explains (A) The force pulls the sheet upward.
her observation? (B) The force pushes the sheet downward.
(A) The objects were in thermal equilibrium, but she (C) The electron causes a torque on the sheet, but no net
must have felt the paper first, as when you feel upward or downward force exists.
multiple objects at the same temperature, the (D) There is no force on the sheet because the electron
ones felt first will feel warmest. is a test charge.
(B) The objects were in thermal equilibrium, but the
energy flow occurs more slowly between her 15. An experiment is conducted on a circuit consisting of a
battery and several wires. The wires are all made of the
fingers and the paper than her fingers and the
same metal. It is found that as the cross-sectional area
metal, resulting in the paper feeling warmer. of the wire increases, the current measured coming out
(C) The objects were in thermal equilibrium and the of the battery increases linearly. What can be concluded
paper warms up quickly when touched. Her about the wire from this data?
perception is not instantaneous, but is the average
(A) The battery has an internal resistance, which can
temperature over a period of time and higher for
be found from the slope of the area vs. current
the paper.
graph.
(D) The paper was warmer than the metal because
(B) The battery has an internal resistance, which can be
temperature is related to the kinetic energy of the
found from the y-intercept of the area vs. current
molecules, and the more massive metal molecules
graph.
will have less kinetic energy than the paper
(C) The wires have the same length, which can be
molecules.
found from the slope of the area vs. current
graph.
(D) The wires have the same length, which can be
found from the y-intercept of the area vs. current
graph.

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 Section I

A +2Q –4Q
x(m)
0 1 2 3 4
B
19. A positive charge of 2Q and a negative charge of 4Q are
arranged at positions as shown above. What is the cor-
16. An insulating rod separates two conducting spheres as
rect ranking of the electric potential at points along the
shown above. Point A is midway between the spheres.
x-axis?
Point B lies on the axis of the rod. Which of the follow-
ing arrangements of charges would result in a net torque (A) V(x = 4 m) = V(x = 2 m) > V(x = 1 m)
on the rod? (B) V(x = 4 m) > V(x = 1 m) > V(x = 2 m)
(A) Charge both spheres negatively and place a positive (C) V(x = 1 m) > V(x = 2 m) > V(x = 4 m)
charge at point A. (D) V(x = 4 m) > V(x = 2 m) > V(x = 1 m)
(B) Charge one sphere negatively and the other
positively and place a positive charge at point A. 20. A large piece of wood has the same weight as a small
rock. Both the wood and rock are placed into a pool of
(C) Charge both spheres negatively and place a positive
liquid. The rock sinks while the wood floats. How do the
charge at point B. buoyant forces on the wood and rock compare?
(D) Charge one sphere negatively and the other
(A) The buoyant forces are the same on each.
positively and place a positive charge at point B.
(B) The buoyant force on the wood is greater than on
17. The process of charging by induction requires which the rock.
physical property of a system? (C) The buoyant force on the wood is less than on the
rock.
(A) Charge polarization
(D) The buoyant forces cannot be compared without the
(B) Uneven charge distribution
density of the liquid.
(C) Zero net charge
(D) Contact between a conductor and insulator
2.5
18. To determine the direction of the force on a charge that is 2
Power (W)

moving near a current carrying wire, which data do you

1.5
need?
1
(A) Only the direction the charge is moving.
(B) The sign of the charge and its direction of motion. 0.5
(C) The sign of the charge, the direction of motion and 0
the direction of the current. 0 2 4 6
(D) The sign of the charge, the direction of motion, the Voltage (V)
direction of the current and the position of the
charge relative to the wire. 21. An experiment is conducted to determine the power
output from a circuit as various voltages are supplied to
the circuit. The circuit is set up so that it draws a constant
current. What is the value of the current in the circuit that
produced the graph above?
(A) 0.00 A
(B) 0.25 A
(C) 1.0 A
(D) 6.0 A

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 Section I

22. The products of several radioactive decays are being stud-

4
ied. Each particle starts with the same speed and enters
into a region with a uniform magnetic field directed per- 3
pendicular to the initial velocity of the particles. Which
observation could be made? 2
(A) A positron and an electron both turn in the same
1
direction, but the electron turns with a larger
radius. 0
(B) An alpha particle and an electron both turn in the 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
same direction, but the alpha particle turns with a –1
x(m)
larger radius.
(C) An alpha particle and an electron both turn in
opposite directions, but the alpha particle turns 25. The wave function of a quantum object vs. position is
with a larger radius. graphed above. Which of the following correctly ranks
(D) A positron and an electron both turn in the opposite the probabilities of observing the particle at the listed
positions?
directions, but the electron turns with a larger
radius. (A) P(x = 0.5 m) > P(x = 2.25 m) > P(x = 1.75 m)
(B) P(x = 0.5 m) > P(x = 1.75 m) > P(x = 1.25 m)
23. A hypothetical atom contains an undetermined number of (C) P(x = 3.0 m) > P(x = 1.75 m) > P(x = 2.0 m)
energy levels above the ground state. A gas of this atom (D) P(x = 3.5 m) > P(x = 3.0 m) > P(x = 1.75 m)
is entirely in the ground state. Light with a broad spec-
trum is shined upon the gas and the spectrum of the light 26. Radiothorium-228 decays into Radon-220 through two
is recorded after shining through the gas. Three wave- alpha decays, as shown below.
length of light are observed to have diminished intensity.
90 Th 86 Rn + 42 He + 42 He
What can be concluded from this? 228 220

(A) There must be exactly two energy levels above the

ground state. Which equation correctly describes the energy released
(B) There must be exactly three energy levels above the during this process?
ground state. (A) (mTh – mRn)c2
(C) There must be either exactly two or exactly three (B) (mTh + 2mHe – mRn)c2
energy levels above the ground state. (C) (mTh – 2mHe – mRn)c2
(D) There are an undetermined number of energy levels (D) (mRn + 2mHe – mTh)c2
above the ground state, but there are at least three
levels.

24. An unknown nucleus goes through a decay process.

Three 42He alpha particles are emitted, along with two b –
particles. The resulting daughter nucleus is 206
82
Pb. What
was the atomic number of the unknown nucleus that
started the process?
(A) 84
(B) 86
(C) 88
(D) 90

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 Section I

Questions 27 and 28 refer to the following graph. 30. A mercury thermometer is placed in a glass of ice-cold
water. After some time goes by, the mercury thermom-
eter can be read to determine that the temperature of the
water is 0ºC. Several minutes later, the reading on the
0.04 thermometer has not changed. What has happened to the
molecules of mercury in the thermometer?
0.03
1/so (cm–1)

(A) Over time, all the molecules slow down, but the rate
0.02 of slowing decreases as temperature decreases so
it is not noticeable between the two readings.
0.01
(B) The mercury molecules stopped moving upon
0 reaching a temperature of 0ºC and remained
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 stopped for the second reading.
1/si (cm )
–1 (C) The mercury molecules reached thermal
equilibrium before the first reading, so all their
molecules had the same non-zero speed when
A thin lens is used to make an image for several different both readings were taken.
object distances. The image and object distances are used (D) The mercury molecules reached thermal
to make the above graph. equilibrium before the first reading, but between
the readings some of the molecules sped up
27. What is the approximate focal length of the lens? and others slowed down, resulting in the same
reading.
(A) 1 cm
(B) 10 cm
(C) 25 cm
(D) 100 cm

28. In order to achieve a magnification of 1, how far from the

lens should an object be placed?
(A) 2 cm
(B) 20 cm
(C) 50 cm
(D) 200 cm

29. A container has a round lid, with mass M, and makes

an airtight seal with the body of the container. Some of
the air in the container is pumped out. The container is
turned over, but the lid stays shut. Which of the following
explanations for this phenomenon is correct?
(A) Pumping the air out of the container decreases the
gravitational force on the lid.
(B) Pumping the air out creates an upward force that
will always balance with the gravitational force.
(C) The force on the lid downward from the molecules
inside is less than the force on the lid from the
particles in the air surrounding the container.
(D) The force on the lid downward from the molecules
inside is less than the difference between the force
on the lid from the particles in the air surrounding
the container and the gravitational force on the lid.
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 Section I

P
y

A B
x
z
I (out of page) C

P
32. Charges are distributed as shown above. At point A is a
charge of +3Q. At B is a charge of +1Q. At C is a charge
of –1Q. What is the direction of the force on a proton
located at point P?
(A) Up and to the left
(B) Down and to the left
31. A current-carrying wire and coordinate system is shown (C) Up and to the right
above. Initially, the wire carries a current I toward the top
(D) Down and to the right
of the page. The amount of current is steadily decreased
until it is 0 A, then steadily increased until it reaches
a value of I in the downward direction. This change in 33. All of the following observations of electric field dia-
current takes time t. The magnetic field versus time at the grams are correct EXCEPT:
observation point P from t = 0 until t is graphed. Which (A) Longer arrows correspond to a greater field
statement is true concerning the graph if +z is above the magnitude.
horizontal axis and –z is below the horizontal axis?
(B) Field lines will be larger at positions close to
(A) The graph has a constant slope. sources or sinks.
(B) The graph is piecewise linear with a negative slope (C) Arrow lengths will decrease linearly with distance
for the first half and a positive slope for the from sources or sinks.
second half. (D) Arrows point in the direction in which a positive
(C) The graph is piecewise linear with a positive slope charge would experience a force.
for the first half and a negative slope for the
second half. 34. A neutral sphere of metal is placed in a region of uniform
(D) The graph is a curve showing an inverse electric field. The electric field points toward the top of
relationship. the page. Which of the following diagrams shows the
arrangement of the charges on the surface of the sphere
once electrostatic equilibrium is reached?

(A) Electric Field (C) Electric Field

(B) Electric Field (D) Electric Field

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 Section I

35. An electron enters a region of magnetic field created by 38. A fifth resistor is placed in the circuit. It is parallel beside
a long current carrying wire. Along which path could the the 5 Ω resistor. The voltage drop across this resistor
electron travel without being deflected? is found to be V = 0.50 V. What is the resistance of the
additional resistor?
(A) The electron is traveling parallel to the wire and in
the same direction that the current is flowing. (A) 5Ω
(B) The electron is traveling parallel to the wire and in (B) 10 Ω
the opposite direction from the direction that the (C) 15 Ω
current is flowing. (D) 30 Ω
(C) The electron is traveling straight away from the
1 2 3
wire.
(D) The electron is traveling in a circle centered at the
wire.

36. Which process will result in charging an uncharged 39. Three cylinders of the same metal act as resistors
sphere using a charged rod? arranged in series, as shown above. Which of the fol-
lowing correctly ranks the voltage drops across the three
(A) Bringing the rod near the sphere and touching the resistors?
two objects together, then removing the rod
(B) Grounding the sphere first, then bringing a charged (A) V1 = V2 = V3
object near the sphere and touching the two (B) V3 > V1 > V2
objects together, then removing the rod (C) V2 > V3 > V1
(C) Bringing the rod near the sphere, but not touching (D) V1 > V3 > V2
them together, then removing the rod
40. An electron experiences both electric and magnetic
(D) Grounding the sphere, moving the rod near the
forces. Those forces are balanced. What must be true
sphere, bringing the rod near the sphere but not about the motion of the particle and the alignment of the
touching them together, then removing the rod two fields?

Questions 37 and 38 refer to the following diagram. (A) The fields point along the same axis, and the
velocity of the electron is parallel to that axis.
(B) The fields point along the same axis, and the velocity
R = 10 Ω of the electron is perpendicular to that axis.
(C) The fields point along the perpendicular axes, and the
V = 2.5 V velocity is parallel to the axis of the electric field.
R = 15 Ω R = 30 Ω R=5Ω
(D) The fields point along the perpendicular axes, and
the velocity along the third perpendicular axis.

41. A pair of electrons are held a fixed distance apart. Which

of the following correctly describes the electrical and
37. The current drawn from the battery is most nearly equal gravitational forces between the electrons?
to what value?
(A) The electrical force is much greater than the
(A) 0.042 A gravitational force.
(B) 0.19 A (B) The gravitational force is much greater than the
(C) 0.30 A electrical force.
(D) 0.68 A (C) The forces are equal as both the gravitational force
and electrical force are governed by inverse
square laws.
(D) The forces cannot be compared without knowing
the value of the distance between the electrons.

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 Section I

42. An electron travels down the center of a solenoid, carry- Glass Air
ing a current I. Which of the following explanations for
the motion of the electron is correct?
(A) The electron accelerates due to the electric force
from the charges in the current in the wire. 1
(B) The electron accelerates due to the magnetic field 2
generated by the current in the wires of the
solenoid.
(C) The electron travels at a constant speed but changes
direction due to the magnetic field generated by
44. An experiment is conducted to determine the critical
the current in the wires.
angle for light going from glass into air, as shown above.
(D) The electron travels at a constant velocity because A linear plot is made with a vertical axis of sin (θ1) and
there is no net force on the electron. a horizontal axis of sin (θ2). How is the critical angle
determined from the graph?
43. A voltage is sent through a tube containing hydrogen
gas. The gas emits light. When the light is sent into a (A) The critical angle can be found from the slope of
spectrometer, several distinct bright lines are seen. Why the line.
does this occur? (B) The critical angle can be found from the y-intercept
of the line.
(A) The voltage causes the gas to heat up to specific
(C) The critical angle can be found from the horizontal
temperatures, which are characterized by the
axis value which corresponds to the maximum
lines.
vertical value.
(B) The voltage causes gas molecules to move at
(D) The critical angle can be found from the vertical
specific speeds, which are characterized by the
axis value which corresponds to the maximum
lines.
horizontal value.
(C) The voltage sets up standing waves due to the
pressure of the gas in the tube, which can be R1
characterized by the lines.
(D) The voltage excites electrons in the gas into specific
energy levels, which can be characterized by the
C R2
lines.

45. The circuit shown above is set up. The switch is closed
and a long time passes. What conditions on the two resis-
tors result in the greatest amount of energy stored in the
capacitor?
(A) The energy stored in the capacitor will be greatest
if R1 > R2.
(B) The energy stored in the capacitor will be greatest
if R1 = R2.
(C) The energy stored in the capacitor will be greatest
if R1 < R2.
(D) The energy will be the same regardless of the
resistor values.

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 Section I

Directions: For questions 46–50 below, two of the suggested 49. A circuit contains four resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4 and a
answers will be correct. Select the two answers that are best in battery. The first two are in series and the second two are
each case, and then fill in both of the corresponding circles on in parallel. How can a fifth resistor, R5, be added to the
the answer sheet. circuit to increase the current draw out of the battery?
Select two answers.
46. A wire is placed vertically and carries a current in the (A) Place R5 in parallel with R1.
upward direction. A compass is located directly to the (B) Place R5 in series with R2.
north of the wire. Which of the following observations (C) Place R5 in parallel with R3.
can be made about the compass needle deflection? Select
(D) Place R5 in series with R4.
two answers.
(A) The deflection grows larger as the compass is 4
moved farther from the wire.
(B) The deflection is to the west.
(C) The deflection grows larger as the current is increased.
(D) The deflection changes direction as the compass is
moved upward. 1
f f
47. An ideal gas is confined to a leak-proof box. What type of 2
processes could occur to cause the gas to absorb heat, but
have no net work done on the gas? Select two answers.
3
(A) Isothermal expansion to the original volume, then
isobaric compression to the original volume 50. For the diverging lens shown above, which principle rays
(B) A doubling of pressure at constant volume are correctly drawn? Select two answers.
(C) A doubling of pressure at constant volume, then (A) 1
doubling the volume at constant pressure, then (B) 2
halving the pressure at constant volume, and (C) 3
finally halving the volume at constant pressure to (D) 4
return to the initial state
(D) A doubling of pressure at constant volume, then
finally halving the pressure at constant volume,
then doubling the volume at constant pressure,
then finally halving the volume at constant
pressure to return to the initial state

48. Which of the following results of the photoelectric effect

give support for the particle nature of light? Select two
answers.
(A) There is a threshold frequency below in which no
electrons are emitted.
(B) Above the threshold frequency, the number of
electrons emitted increases with increasing
intensity.
(C) The stopping voltage is related only to the
maximum kinetic energy electron, not all of the
electrons ejected from the metal.
(D) The stopping voltage increases linearly with
frequency above the threshold frequency
regardless of the light intensity.
END OF SECTION I

VI: Practice Test 2 | 347

 Section II

PHYSICS 2
SECTION II
Time—90 minutes
4 Questions

Directions: Questions 1 and 2 are long free-response questions that require about 30 minutes to answer. Questions 3 and 4 are short
answer questions that require about 15 minutes to answer. Show your work for each part in the space provided after that part.

1. Three charges are fixed at positions along the x-axis at positions –d, 0, and +d. The charges at –d and +d are both negative,
and the charge a 0 is positive.

(a) A positively charged object of mass m is placed on the x-axis between 0 and +d, close to the position x = 0. If the three
charges described above do not move as a result of this new charged object, describe the motion of the object after it
is released as it moves in the region 0 < x < d.

The charge at 0 has a magnitude of 2Q, while the other two charges have a magnitude of Q.

(b) On the axes below, sketch the electric field along the x-axis in the vicinity of the charges. An electric field to the right
should be graphed as positive and a field pointing left should be graphed as negative.

–2d –d 0 +d +2d

(c) Write a mathematical function, E(x), that gives the value of the electric field at any position along the x-axis for
0 < x < d. Give your answer in terms of Q, d, and fundamental constants.

(d) In order to originally assemble the three charges on the x-axis, some work had to be done. Consider arranging the
charges along the x-axis in the following manner: first, bring the +2Q charge to position x = 0, then bring the –Q
charge to x = +d, and finally, bring in the last charge. Bringing the +2Q charge to position 0 required no work.
Bringing in the second charge required an amount of work W. Explain whether bringing in the third charge will
require more work, less work, or an amount of work equal to W.

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 Section II

2. A student has a convex lens of unknown focal length. He lights a candle in a darkened room and uses the lens and moves a
screen until he forms a sharp image. He then records the distance from the candle to the lens and the distance from the lens to
the screen. Below is a sketch of his set-up and his data.

So (cm) Si (cm) So –1 (cm–1) Si–1 (cm–1)

15 61.5 0.067 0.016
30 19.3 0.050 0.034
50 15.6 0.033 0.052
80 13.9 0.020 0.064
90 13.7 0.017 0.065
110 13.4 0.014 0.068
Selected values of the object Selected values of the inverse of the
and image distances. object and inverse of the image distances.

(a) Explain how a graph of 1/so vs. 1/si can be used to find the focal length of the lens.

(b) Create a graph of and find the focal length of the lens used in the experiment.

0.10
0.09
0.08
0.07
0.06
so–1(cm–1)

0.05
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.00
0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.10

si–1(cm–1)

(c) Use ray tracing to make a sketch when the object is 6 cm from the lens.

(d) The top half of the lens is now covered by a sheet of cardboard so that light rays can only strike the bottom half of the
lens. Briefly explain what effect this has on the image and how this would affect a ray tracing diagram.

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VI: Practice Test 2 | 349

 Section II

12 V

40 Ω 20 Ω

60 Ω

3. The circuit shown is built and the voltage source supplies voltage for 15 minutes before the battery is completely drained.
Assume the voltage supplied by the battery is constant at 12 V until the battery is drained, after which the battery supplies 0 V.

(a) What is the equivalent resistance of the circuit?

(b) Two students are discussing the apparatus. Student 1 says, “If the 20 Ω resistor were not present, the overall resistance
of the circuit would have been lower and the battery would have lasted longer.” Student 2 says, “If the 20 Ω resistor
were not present, I think the power output would have been higher and the battery would have drained faster.”
i. Use equations to show whether the overall resistance would have been lower without the 20 Ω resistor present.
ii. Use equations to determine whether the overall power output would have been higher.
iii. Which student is correct about the battery life?

(c) The 20 Ω resistor is replaced with a capacitor.

i. As soon as the circuit is connected, explain without using equations how the current drawn out of the battery com-
pares between the original circuit and the circuit with the capacitor.
ii. After the capacitor has been connected for a long time, but before the battery is completely drained, how does the
current drawn out of the battery compare between the original circuit and the circuit with the capacitor?

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 Section II

Region 1 Region 2

x vi x x x x x x
x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x
x x x
x x x
x x x
x x x
x x x
x x x

4. In both region 1 and region 2, there is a uniform magnetic field, B, directed into the page. There is a uniform electric field, E,
in region 1 established by the battery.

(a) A charged particle moves through region 1 undeflected.

i. Explain how this balance occurs between the electric and magnetic forces.
ii. What would happen to the particle if it was moving at a speed v2 > vi?
iii. How, if at all, would the set up in region 1 have to change if the particle was of the other sign?

(b) A particle at speed vi travels through region 1 undeflected. It then enters region 2 and follows the dotted path that is
indicated.
i. Is this a positively or negatively charged particle?
ii. What distance from the opening in the boundary between region 1 and region 2 does the particle hit the wall?
Answer in terms of m, B, E, v1, and q.

(c) A similar apparatus is used to determine the percentage of U and U in a gas sample. Explain how such an apparatus
can differentiate between the two isotopes.

(d) Another similar apparatus is unable to distinguish between two objects:

The first object has amu 14 and a charge of –1e.
The second object has amu 28 and charge –2e.
Why can this detector not distinguish between these two objects?

STOP

END OF EXAM

VI: Practice Test 2 | 351

 1. 14. 27. 40.
2. 15. 28. 41.
3. 16. 29. 42.
4. 17. 30. 43.
5. 18. 31. 44.
6. 19. 32. 45.
7. 20. 33. 46.
8. 21. 34. 47.
9. 22. 35. 48.
10. 23. 36. 49.
11. 24. 37. 50.
12. 25. 38.
13. 26. 39.