AP Physics 1 Experiment Questions Review

Click here for Experiment and Linearizing Algorithm​

(scroll to the bottom)
a. Set­up
● Use a balance to measure the mass. Record the mass.
● Attach the smallest ​mass ​
to the end of the ​spring​ . Connect other
end of spring securely to the wall. Prepare a ​ timing device​ .
Ex: The picture is a ● Make a mark along the table as a starting point of the edge of the
laboratory setup made of a mass connected to a spring. The other end of the spring. Make a mark along the table as a reference point to pull the
spring is held stationary. Describe an experimental procedure that the student mass (to an extension point).
Data Collection
could use to determine the ​spring constant​ experimentally using precise and
● Pull the mass from the starting point to the extension point.
accurate laboratory procedures and employing ​ simple harmonic motion​ . Release.
a. Describe ​ your experimental procedure in enough detail so that ● Record the time for 10 oscillations with the timer. OR Record the
another student could perform your experiment. Include what number of oscillations for 10 seconds using the timer.
measurements you will take and how you will take them. ● Repeat the procedures above for at least 8 other masses.
b. Describe ​ how you will use your measurements to determine the b. Analysis
spring constant, in enough detail that another student could ● Calculate the time for one period. OR Calculate the frequency.
duplicate your process. ● Plot the mass versus the frequency. OR plot the mass versus the
c. Describe ​ one assumption you made about the design of your period.
experiment, and ​ explain ​
how it might affect the value obtained for ● period squared​
Calculate ​ or the ​
square of the inverse of the
the spring constant. frequency​.
d. A student doing a different experiment to determine the spring ● Plot the mass versus the period squared. OR plot the mass versus
constant obtained mass and frequency values. Use the data table to the inverse square of the frequency.
calculate ​the spring constant and ​
include an explanation​ of your ● Draw the best­fit line.
method. ● Calculate the slope.
Mass Frequency ● Use the slope to determine the spring constant.
(kg) (Hz) c. It is assumed that the spring is an ideal spring. If it is not an ideal spring,
0.10 4.50 the spring constant’s value may be greater or less than the experimental value
0.20 3.18 depending on such factors as the loading force or the region of linear
0.30 2.60 elasticity.
0.40 2.25 d.
0.50 2.01 ● square of the inverse of the frequency​
Calculate ​ .
0.60 1.84 ● Plot the mass versus the inverse square of the frequency.
● Draw the best­fit line. Calculate the slope.
● Use the slope to determine the spring constant.

2
1/Frequency​ m Mass (kg)
2​
(s​)
0.0494 0.10
0.0989 0.20
0.1479 0.30
0.1975 0.40
0.2475 0.50
0.2954 0.60
Released sample question:

#2 You are given the

materials in the picture above. While holding the hollow tube in your hand,
the stopper can be spun overhead in such a way that the hooked mass stays
stationary. Your task is to determine the ​mass of the stopper​ .
a. Describe ​ your experimental procedure in enough detail so that
another student could perform your experiment. Include what
measurements you will take and how you will take them.
b. Describe ​ how you will use your measurements to determine the
mass of the stopper​, in enough detail that another student could
duplicate your process.
c. Describe ​ one assumption you made about the design of your
experiment, and ​ explain ​how it might affect the value obtained for
mass of the stopper​
the ​ .
d. A student doing a different experiment to determine the ​ mass of
the stopper​ obtained the values in the data table below. Use the
data table to ​
calculate ​ mass of the stopper​
the ​ and ​include an
explanation​ of your method.

radius (m) hanging mass (kg) v (m/s)

0.2 0.5 3.8

0.3 0.5 4.9

0.4 0.5 5.8

0.5 0.5 6.5

0.6 0.5 7.1

0.7 0.5 8.2

#3 continued

t (s) D (m)

0.63 2.0

0.54 1.5

#3 You are 0.41 1.0

given the materials in the picture above. The steel ball can be released to start
a timer. When the ball strikes the recording plate, the timer stops. Your task is 0.25 0.5
acceleration due to gravity (​
to determine the ​ g​
)​
.
c. Describe ​ one assumption you made about the design of your
a. Describe ​ your experimental procedure in enough detail so that
experiment, and ​ explain ​
how it might affect the value obtained for
another student could perform your experiment. Include what
acceleration due to gravity​
the ​ .
measurements you will take and how you will take them.
d. A student doing a different experiment to determine the
b. Describe ​ how you will use your measurements to determine the
acceleration due to gravity​ obtains the values in the data table. Use
acceleration due to gravity​, in enough detail that another student
the data table to ​
calculate ​ acceleration due to gravity​
the ​ and
could duplicate your process.
include an explanation​ of your method.
 #4 continued

Weight Extension
(N) (m)

1.0 0.0090

2.0 0.0222

#4 You are given the materials in the picture 3.0 0.0286

spring constant​
above. Your task is to determine the ​ .
4.0 0.0421
a. Describe ​ your experimental procedure in enough detail so that
another student could perform your experiment. Include what c. Describe ​one assumption you made about the design of your
measurements you will take and how you will take them. experiment, and ​explain ​
how it might affect the value obtained for
b. Describe ​ how you will use your measurements to determine the spring constant​
the ​ .
spring constant​ , in enough detail that another student could d. A student doing a different experiment to determine the ​ spring
duplicate your process. constant​obtains the values in the data table. Use the data table to
calculate ​ spring constant​
the ​ and ​include an explanation​ of your
method.

#5 A pendulum consists of a mass hanging from a string. Your task is to

acceleration due to gravity​
experimentally determine the ​ .
a. Describe ​ your experimental procedure in enough detail so that
another student could perform your experiment. Include what
measurements you will take and how you will take them.
b. Describe ​ how you will use your measurements to determine the #6 A cart that contains a
acceleration due to gravity​
, in enough detail that another student spring loaded plunger is placed at the bottom of an incline. The plunger is
could duplicate your process. then released. Your task is to experimentally determine the spring constant of
c. Describe ​ one assumption you made about the design of your the plunger.
experiment, and ​explain ​
how it might affect the value obtained for a. Describe ​ your experimental procedure in enough detail so that
acceleration due to gravity​
the ​ . another student could perform your experiment. Include what
measurements you will take and how you will take them.
b. Describe ​ how you will use your measurements to determine the
spring constant​, in enough detail that another student could
duplicate your process.
c. Describe ​ one assumption you made about the design of your
experiment, and ​ explain ​
how it might affect the value obtained for
spring constant​
the ​ .
d. A student doing a different experiment to determine the ​ spring
constant​obtains the values in the data table. Use the data table to
calculate ​ spring constant​
the ​ and ​ include an explanation​ of your
method.

Experiment: coefficient of friction

#6 You are given the materials in the picture

above which includes a spring of KNOWN spring constant. Your task is to
determine the ​
acceleration due to gravity.
a. Describe ​ your experimental procedure in enough detail so that
another student could perform your experiment. Include what
measurements you will take and how you will take them.
b. Describe ​ how you will use your measurements to determine the
acceleration due to gravity​
, in enough detail that another student
could duplicate your process.
c. Describe ​ one assumption you made about the design of your
experiment, and ​explain ​how it might affect the value obtained for
acceleration due to gravity​
the ​ .
 #7 continued

t (s) x (m)

2.4008 0.258

2.6009 0.307

2.0011 0.388
#7 You are given the materials in the picture above. Your task is to determine
the ​
acceleration down the incline. 3.3015 0.515
a. Describe ​ your experimental procedure in enough detail so that
another student could perform your experiment. Include what 3.8020 0.703
measurements you will take and how you will take them.
b. Describe ​ how you will use your measurements to determine the 4.3027 0.913
acceleration​
, in enough detail that another student could duplicate
d. A student doing a different experiment to determine the ​ acceleration
your process.
obtains the values in the data table. Use the data table to ​
calculate ​
the
c. Describe ​ one assumption you made about the design of your
acceleration​and ​
include an explanation​ of your method.
experiment, and ​ explain ​
how it might affect the value obtained for
acceleration​
the ​ .

Experiment: modified Atwood’s machine

#8 You are given the slinky above. Your task is to determine the ​wave speed.
a. Describe ​ your experimental procedure in enough detail so that
another student could perform your experiment. Include what
measurements you will take and how you will take them.
b. Describe ​ how you will use your measurements to determine the
wave speed​ , in enough detail that another student could duplicate
your process.
c. Describe ​ one assumption you made about the design of your
experiment, and ​ explain ​
how it might affect the value obtained for
wave speed​
the ​ .

#9 Continued

# of Batteries Ammeter Reading (A)

1 0.075
#9 You are given the materials in the picture above.
Your task is to determine the ​resistance of the bulb.
2 0.140
a. Describe ​ your experimental procedure in enough detail so that
another student could perform your experiment. Include what
3 0.230
measurements you will take and how you will take them.
b. Describe ​ how you will use your measurements to determine the
resistance of the bulb​, in enough detail that another student could 4 0.290
duplicate your process. d. A student doing a different experiment to determine the ​ resistance
c. Describe ​ one assumption you made about the design of your obtains the values in the data table. Each battery is approximately
experiment, and ​ explain ​ how it might affect the value obtained for 1.5V. Use the data table to ​
calculate ​ resistance​
the ​ and ​
include an
resistance of the bulb​
the ​ . explanation​ of your method.