Physics 15200

Test 3

Fall 2015

Please print your name _________________________________

This test contains 5 multiple choice questions and 3 problems.
On the questions, please indicate your choice by blacking out the
circle next to the best choice answer . No partial credit is available
for the questions.
On the problems, please show your work and box your answers.
Missing or incorrect work will earn no credit. Partial credit will be
awarded for correct work.

Questions

/15

Problem 1

/15

Problem 2

/15

Problem 3

/15

Total

/60

Multiple Choice Questions (3 points each)

Questions 1 and 2: A particle moves in the
potential shown. Please answer the following
questions.
Question 1: Which of the following is a correct ranking of the magnitude of the force?
|FA| > |FB| > |FC|
|FB| > |FC| > |FA|
|FC| > |FB| > |FA|
|FA| > |FC| > |FB|
|FC| > |FA| > |FB|
Question 2: Which of the following statements is correct?
The force at A is to the right, and the point at B is a stable equilibrium
The force at A is to the left, and the point at B is a stable equilibrium
The force at A is to the right, and the point at B is an unstable equilibrium
The force at A is to the left, and the point at B is an unstable equilibrium
Questions 3 and 4: A block of mass m is pulled a distance L by
a horizontal rope under tension T along a floor with coefficient
of kinetic friction k. It has an initial velocity v0, and a final
velocity 2v0.
Question 3: Which of the following forces does zero work on the block (mark ALL that apply)?
The tension in the rope
The normal force
Gravity
Static friction
Kinetic friction
Question 4: Which of these statements must be true (mark ALL that apply)?
T > mg
T = mgL
T > kmg
TL = (3/2)mv02
(Tmg)L = mv02
T > k
Question 5:
You lift a box off the floor and place it gently on a table. Which of the following is true?
Gravity does negative work on the box
You do negative work on the box
The total work done on the box is positive
The total work done on the box is negative

A
Problem 1 (15 points): A 600 g block is placed at the top of a frictionless ramp 25 cm high and
released. It travels over a flat, frictionless track, 80 cm long, then hits a spring with a constant of
100 N/m.
Please answer each of the following questions.
a) What is the velocity of the block when it passes point A, in the middle of the track?
b) How far will the spring be compressed before the block comes to a momentary stop?

Problem 2 (15 points): A nonlinear spring model could include a cubic term. That is, the force
is approximated by F(x) = kx + kx3.
Please answer each of the folowing questions.
a) If all quantities are in our usual (SI) units, what are the units of k and k?
b) For a particular spring, the constants are k = 300 and k = 5x104. How much does the potential
energy in the spring change when it is stretched from x = 0.02 m to 0.05 m?

Problem 3 (15 points): A spring of constant k is compressed a distance x and

used to launch a mass m at an angle above the horizontal.
Please answer each of the folowing questions. Your answers may only include g and the given
variables. You may ignore air resistance, and assume the launch point is level with the ground.
a) How far will the mass travel before it hits the ground?
b) What is the maximum height above the ground the mass will reach?