2026 F = ma Exam - Instructions - 25 Questions - 75 Minutes

Oct 4, 2026

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Physics exam for the 2026 F = ma test format, featuring clear start/stop and security rules, calculator and reference restrictions, and scoring guidance for 25 multiple-choice questions. The booklet specifies use of g = 10 N/kg, correct answer selection with a No. 2 pencil on answer sheet boxes 1–25, and no penalty for incorrect or blank responses. It includes example problems spanning topics such as superluminal apparent motion geometry, scaling laws using domino-wave propagation, projectile and kinematics distances, sand trajectories from circular helicopter motion, impact-depth force scaling, and stability of the Lagrange point L2.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Instructions

Exam rules and scoring

Approved tools and restrictions

Exam security

Sample Questions

Superluminal apparent motion

Domino wave scaling

2D trajectory and velocity graphs

Projectile distance at landing

Sand trajectory from circular motion

Impact depth force scaling

Stability of L2 equilibrium

2026 F = ma Exam 25 QUESTIONS-75 MINUTES INSTRUCTIONS DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO BEGIN • Use g = 10 N/kg throughout, unless otherwise specified. • You may write in this question booklet and the scratch paper provided by the proctor. • This test has 25 multiple choice questions. Select the best response to each question, and use a No.2 pencil to completely fill the box corresponding to your choice. If you change an answer, completely erase the previous mark. Only use the boxes numbered 1 through 25 on the answer sheet. • All questions are equally weighted, but are not necessarily equally difficult. • You will receive one point for each correct answer, and zero points for each incorrect or blank answer. There is no additional penalty for incorrect answers. • You may use a hand-held calculator. Its memory must be cleared of data and programs. You may use only the basic functions found on a simple scientific calculator. Calculators may not be shared. Cell phones may not be used during the exam or while the exam papers are present. You may not use any external references, such as books or formula sheets. • The question booklet, answer sheet and scratch paper will be collected at the end of this exam. • To maintain exam security, do not communicate any information about the questions or their solutions until after February 13, 2026 . DO NOT OPEN THIS TEST UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO BEGIN We acknowledge The US Physics Team coaches and other contributors to this year’s exams: Tengiz Bibilashvili, Eddie Chen, Orhun Ciftcioglu, Kellan Colburn, Evan Erickson, Harry Kroft, Natalie LeBaron, Mai Qi, Elena Yudovina Copyright ©2026 American Association of Physics Teachers 1. In astronomy, some galactic objects appear to sweep across the sky faster than light speed, c. This effect, called superluminal motion, comes purely from geometry and the finite travel time of light, and it has nothing to do with special relativity. A jet moves from point A to B at speed v = βc. The jet emits a pulse of light at A, and a second pulse a time δt later at B. An observer sees these pulses at point O. The angle between the jet and the line of sight is θ . Assume the angle ϕ is small, so the distances from O to points B and C can be treated as equal. v θ O C A Find the apparent transverse velocity, vT , along CB as measured by the observer, in terms of β and θ . Express your answer as βT ≡ ~~v~~Tc (A) βT = 1~~si~~β~~n~~co~~θ~~sθ~~ ~~ (B) βT = β sinθ(1 − β cosθ) (C) βT = 1~~si~~β~~n~~co~~θ~~sθ (D) βT = ~~s~~1~~θ~~β2~~ ~~ (E) βT = β tanθ Copyright ©2026 American Association of Physics Teachers 2. A series of dominoes are stood upright in a line. The dominoes have mass density ρ, height h, and spacing d between them. When the first domino is knocked over, a wave of falling dominoes propagates down the line with speed v. Now, a second set of dominoes is set up identically, but with all dimensions (h and d) scaled by λ . The mass density is the same. Let v′ denote the wave speed of the scaled system. Which of the following best describes how v′ depends on λ? (A) v′ ∼ λ (B) v′ ∼ λ (C) v′ ∼ ~~1~~λ (D) v′ ∼ √λ (E) v′ is independent of λ Copyright ©2026 American Association of Physics Teachers 3. A point moves in the xy plane, and its trajectory is shown in the figure below. y One of the following pairs of graphs shows the time dependence of vx and vy for this motion. Select the correct pair. (A) vx vx t (B) vx (C) t (D) vx (E) vy vy vy t vy Copyright ©2026 American Association of Physics Teachers 4. Two small balls are launched simultaneously from the same point at some height above horizontal ground. One ball is launched vertically upward with speed 3m/s, while the other is launched horizontally with speed 4m/s and lands on the ground at a horizontal distance of 20m from the launch point. Neglect air resistance. At the moment the second ball lands, how far is it f

FAQs

How should answers be recorded on the answer sheet?

Select the best response to each multiple-choice question and completely fill the box corresponding to your choice using a No. 2 pencil. If you change an answer, completely erase the previous mark and use only boxes numbered 1 through 25.

What are the calculator and reference rules during the exam?

A hand-held calculator is allowed, but its memory must be cleared and only basic functions on a simple scientific calculator may be used. Calculators may not be shared, and cell phones and any external references such as books or formula sheets are not allowed.

How is the exam scored?

One point is given for each correct answer. Zero points are given for each incorrect or blank answer, and there is no additional penalty for incorrect responses.

Oct 4, 2026

Upload by Miles