AP PHYSICS 1 Scoring Guide
Unit 3 Progress Check: FRQ 1
1. Show all your work for each part of the the question. The parts within the question may not have equal weight.
A curved track leads into a circular loop of radius , as shown in Figure . A block of mass is released from
rest from a height on the track. The block slides down the track and around the loop without losing contact with
the track. All frictional forces are negligible.
(a)
i. The dot in Figure represents the block when the block is at Point . Draw and label arrows that represent
the forces (not components) that are exerted on the block. Each force must be represented by a distinct arrow
starting on, and pointing away from, the dot. Forces that are exerted in the same direction should be drawn side
by side.
ii. Starting with conservation of energy, derive an expression for the speed of the block at Point .
AP Physics 1 Page 1 of 4
Scoring Guide
Unit 3 Progress Check: FRQ 1
iii. Derive an expression for the force exerted by the track on the block as the block passes through Point , as
a function of the initial height of the block. Express your answer in terms of , , and physical constants as
appropriate. Begin your derivation by writing a fundamental physics principle or an equation from the
reference booklet.
(b) If the frictional forces between the block and the track were not negligible, indicate which of the following
changes could be made to the track to allow the block to still pass through Point without losing contact with the
track?
_____ lower the initial height
_____ lower Point
_____ move the loop further to the right along the track
Justify your answer.
Part A
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The response accurately includes all the following criteria
1 point is earned for drawing a downward arrow labeled as the gravitational force.
1 point is earned for drawing a downward arrow labeled normal force.
Example Response
Scoring Note: Examples of appropriate labels for the force due to gravity include , , , “grav
force,” Earth on ball,” “ on ball by Earth,” , , . The labels or
are not appropriate labels for the force due to gravity. Examples of appropriate labels for the normal force
include, , , , , ,
1 point is earned for a multi-step derivation starting with conservation of energy.
1 point is earned for setting the initial potential energy of the block-Earth system equal to the kinetic plus
potential energy of the block-Earth system when the block is at Point .
1 point is earned for a substitution of one of the following:
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Scoring Guide
Unit 3 Progress Check: FRQ 1
◦ for the kinetic energy of the block at Point
◦ for the potential energy of the block-Earth system at Point .
Example Response
1 point is earned for indicating that the net force exerted on the block at Point is the sum of the force of
gravity and the normal force.
1 point is earned for a correct expression for the force exerted by the track on the block in terms of given
variables.
Example Response:
Part B
Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.
0 1 2 3
The response accurately includes all the following criteria.
1 point is earned for indicating that the height of Point should be lowered.
1 point is earned for indicating that friction will dissipate energy from the system.
1 point is earned for indicating one of the following:
◦ lowering the height of Point reduces the radius of the loop which decreases the required
minimum speed of the block
AP Physics 1 Page 3 of 4
Scoring Guide
Unit 3 Progress Check: FRQ 1
◦ lowering the height of Point reduces the potential energy of the block-Earth system at Point
Example Response
Point should be lowered. Since friction will dissipate energy from the system, lowering Point will reduce the amount
of potential energy in the block-Earth system at Point leaving more energy in kinetic energy which is required for the
block to stay in contact with the track.
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