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AP · AP C:M · multiple choice

AP Physics C: Mechanics · Question 2

AP Physics C: Mechanics · Original GioPhysics question with a detailed, mark-by-mark answer guide.

Demand
demanding
Marks
1
Topics
1
Answer
Complete
multiple choice1 mark

An object of mass m falls from rest through a fluid that exerts a resistive force of magnitude bv, where v is the speed. What is the terminal speed?

  1. A

    b/(mg)

  2. B

    mg/b

  3. C

    √(mg/b)

  4. D

    mgb

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Answer overviewCorrect answer: B — mg/b
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: mg/b

  2. 2

    C is the terminal speed for a resistive force proportional to v², and is the answer of a candidate who reaches for the more familiar quadratic drag law without reading the exponent given.

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