Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions AP  Physics 1 MCQ

Question

A ball given an initial velocity of \(v_0\) at an angle θ above the horizontal. The ball travels up and returns to the same height from which it was released. Possible representations of the motion of the ball are shown below.

                                                

Which combination of representations correctly represents the vertical component of the ball’s motion?

A I and IV

B II and V

C II and VI

D III and V

E III and VI

Answer/Explanation

Ans:B

The dots represent the position of the object at different points in time. As the ball goes upward, the ball slows down, and as the ball comes downward, it speeds back up, so the dots should get closer together and then further apart. For the graphs, the acceleration of the object is due to gravity the entire time, so it is constant during the entire motion. The slope of velocity-time is the acceleration, so the velocity-time graph should be a straight line.