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AP · AP 1 · multiple choice

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based · Question 1

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based · Original GioPhysics question with a detailed, mark-by-mark answer guide.

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Answer
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Velocity–time graph for an object moving in a straight line0123456789100246810time (s)velocity (m/s)
Fig. 1.1A velocity–time graph on a gridded pair of axes. The horizontal axis is time in seconds, marked at every second from 0 to 10; the vertical axis is velocity in metres per second, marked 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. The plotted line is a straight rise from the origin to 8.0 m/s at 4.0 s, then a horizontal segment held at 8.0 m/s until 7.0 s, then a straight fall back to zero at 9.0 s.
multiple choice1 mark

An object moves along a straight line. Its velocity increases uniformly from 0 to 8.0 m/s during the first 4.0 s, stays at 8.0 m/s for the next 3.0 s, then decreases uniformly to 0 during the final 2.0 s. What total distance does the object travel?

  1. A

    40 m

  2. B

    48 m

  3. C

    56 m

  4. D

    72 m

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Answer overviewCorrect answer: B — 48 m
01

Answer and reasoning

1 mark
How to approach it

Predict from the governing principle before looking for a matching option. Then reject alternatives by checking direction, units, limiting behaviour or the physical meaning of each statement.

  1. 1

    The correct choice is B: 48 m

  2. 2

    The distance is the area under the velocity–time graph: a triangle of 16 m, a rectangle of 24 m, and a triangle of 8 m, giving 48 m. C treats the final stage as a rectangle rather than a triangle, and A drops it altogether. D multiplies 8.0 by the whole 9.0 s, treating the graph as if the object moved at its maximum speed throughout.

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