AP®︎ Physics 1: Topic 4.2 Practice Test

Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with focused practice questions on Topic 4.2 of AP Physics 1 – Change in Momentum and Impulse.

Questions List

Topic 4.2

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Question 1 Easy

A 4.0 kg box is on frictionless ice. A constant horizontal net force of 12 N acts on it for 0.50 s. The magnitude of the impulse exerted on the box by this force is most nearly
A1.5 N⋅s1.5\ \mathrm{N\cdot s}
B24 N⋅s24\ \mathrm{N\cdot s}
C6.0 N⋅s6.0\ \mathrm{N\cdot s}
D12 N⋅s12\ \mathrm{N\cdot s}

What You’re Being Tested On:

Explore the learning objectives taken directly from the College Board’s AP® Physics 1 Curriculum. Ensure you’re prepared for the exact topics covered on the AP® exam, in-class tests, and quizzes, and gain confidence in your mastery of the material.

Topic 4.2: Change in Momentum and Impulse

Boundary Statements official exam scope notes

  • AP Physics 1 does not require students to quantitatively analyze systems in which the mass of the system changes with respect to time.

Learning Objective: 4.2.A

Describe the impulse delivered to an object or system.

Essential Knowledge: 4.2.A.1

The rate of change of momentum is equal to the net external force exerted on an object or system. Relevant equation: F⃗net=Δp⃗Δt\vec{F}_{\mathrm{net}} = \frac{\Delta\vec{p}}{\Delta t}

Essential Knowledge: 4.2.A.2

Impulse is defined as the product of the average force exerted on a system and the time interval during which that force is exerted on the system. Relevant equation: J⃗=F⃗avgΔt\vec{J} = \vec{F}_{\mathrm{avg}}\Delta t

Essential Knowledge: 4.2.A.3

Impulse is a vector quantity and has the same direction as the net force exerted on the system.

Essential Knowledge: 4.2.A.4

The impulse delivered to a system by a net external force is equal to the area under the curve of a graph of the net external force exerted on the system as a function of time.

Essential Knowledge: 4.2.A.5

The net external force exerted on a system is equal to the slope of a graph of the momentum of the system as a function of time.

Learning Objective: 4.2.B

Describe the relationship between the impulse exerted on an object or a system and the change in momentum of the object or system.

Essential Knowledge: 4.2.B.1

Change in momentum is the difference between a system’s final momentum and its initial momentum. Relevant equation: Δp⃗=p⃗−p⃗0\Delta\vec{p} = \vec{p} - \vec{p}_0

Essential Knowledge: 4.2.B.2

The impulse–momentum theorem relates the impulse exerted on a system and the system’s change in momentum. Relevant equation: J⃗=F⃗avgΔt=Δp⃗\vec{J} = \vec{F}_{\mathrm{avg}}\Delta t = \Delta\vec{p}

Essential Knowledge: 4.2.B.3

Newton’s second law of motion is a direct result of the impulse–momentum theorem applied to systems with constant mass. Relevant equation F⃗net=Δp⃗Δt=mΔv⃗Δt=ma⃗\vec{F}_{\mathrm{net}} = \frac{\Delta\vec{p}}{\Delta t} = m\frac{\Delta\vec{v}}{\Delta t} = m\vec{a}

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