2018 #1 Free Response Question - AP Physics 1 - Exam Solution

The video tutorial covers a problem from the 2018 AP Physics exam, focusing on a spacecraft in orbit around Earth. It includes drawing a free body diagram, deriving the orbital period equation, comparing orbital periods for different spacecraft masses, and analyzing speed changes when the spacecraft moves to a new orbit. The tutorial emphasizes the importance of understanding gravitational forces, centripetal acceleration, and the relationship between orbital radius and speed.

What is the only force acting on a spacecraft in a circular orbit around Earth?

• Friction

• Normal force

• Applied force

• Gravitational force

What is the importance of a free body diagram in solving physics problems?

• It helps visualize forces

• It calculates speed

• It measures mass

• It determines time

What should you ensure when drawing a free body diagram for a spacecraft in orbit?

• Include all possible forces

• Only include gravitational force

• Include friction and normal force

• Include applied force

In the context of orbital motion, what does the centripetal acceleration depend on?

• Applied force and radius

• Mass and gravitational force

• Normal force and friction

• Tangential velocity and radius

What is the correct approach to solve for the orbital period using angular velocity?

• Use tangential velocity and radius

• Use normal force and friction

• Use angular velocity and radius

• Use mass and gravitational force

How does the mass of a spacecraft affect its orbital period when the radius is constant?

• Does not affect the orbital period

• Increases the orbital period

• Doubles the orbital period

• Decreases the orbital period

What happens to the speed of a spacecraft if its orbital radius is increased?

• Speed decreases

• Speed increases

• Speed remains constant

• Speed doubles

What assumption was incorrect in the initial solution regarding angular velocity?

• Angular velocity increases

• Angular velocity doubles

• Angular velocity remains constant

• Angular velocity decreases

What is the relationship between tangential velocity and angular velocity?

• Tangential velocity equals angular velocity squared

• Tangential velocity equals angular velocity divided by radius

• Tangential velocity equals angular velocity cubed

• Tangential velocity equals angular velocity times radius

What is the effect of increasing the radius on the angular speed of a spacecraft?

• Angular speed doubles

• Angular speed remains constant

• Angular speed decreases

• Angular speed increases