AP Physics Practice Test - Rotation, Angular Momentum - Part 1- Multiple Choice

Sep 20, 2026

AP Physics rotational motion practice test focused on angular kinematics, rotational energy, moments of inertia, torque, vector cross-products, and angular momentum with conservation principles. Includes multiple-choice problems and free-response questions requiring rotational dynamics calculations and, in some cases, use of basic calculus. Topics span constant angular acceleration, power and energy dissipation under torque-driven slowing, torque maximization via lever arm and force combinations, and rotational effects of geometry and mass distribution.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

Part I. Multiple Choice

Part II. Free Response

AP Physics Practice Test: Rotation, Angular Momentum This test covers rotational motion, rotational kinematics, rotational energy, moments of inertia, torque, cross-products, angular momentum and conservation of angular momentum, with some problems requiring a knowledge of basic calculus. Part I. Multiple Choice 1. A carousel—a horizontal rotating platform—of radius r is initially at rest, and then begins to accelerate constantly until it has reached an angular velocity ω after 2 complete revolutions. What is the angular acceleration of the carousel during this time? a. b. c. d. e. ω 2 | 8π
ω 2 | | --- | | 4π
ω | 4π ω 2 4πr ω 2 2πr 2. A horizontally-mounted disk with moment of inertia I spins about a frictionless axle. At time t=0, the initial angular speed of the disk is ω . A constant torque τ is applied to the disk, causing it to come to a haltin time t. How much Power is required to dissipate the wheel’s energy during this time? a. b. c. d. e. Iω2 2t Iω t Iω2 2τ Iω τ Iω2 2 AP Physics Practice Test: Rotation, Angular Momentum 0 x 2x 3x 3. A solid sphere of mass m is fastened to another sphere of mass 2m by a thin rod with a length of 3x. The spheres have negligible size, and the rod has negligible mass. What is the moment of inertia of the system of spheres as the rod is rotated about the point located at position x, as shown? a. 3 mx2 b. 4 mx2 c. 5 mx2 d. 9 mx2 e. 10 mx2 4. A series of wrenches of different lengths is used on a hexagonal bolt, as shown below. Which combination of wrench length and Force applies the greatest torque to the bolt? a. b. F L c. d. 30° 2F L e. F 2 2L L 2F AP Physics Practice Test: Rotation, Angular Momentum 5. A rigid bar with a mass M and length L is free to rotate about a frictionless hinge at a wall. The bar has a moment of inertia I = 1/3 ML2 about the hinge, and is released from rest when it is in a horizontal position as shown. What is the instantaneous angular acceleration when the bar has swung down so that it makes an angle of 30° to the vertical? a. g3L~~ ~~ b. 2g3L~~ ~~ c. gL~~ ~~ d. 3g4L~~ ~~ e. 32gL 6. A certain star, of mass m and radius r, is rotating with a rotational velocity ω . After the star collapses, it has the same mass but with a much smaller radius. Which statement below is true? a. The star's moment of inertia I has decreased, and its angular momentum L has increased. b. The star's moment of inertia I has decreased, and its angular velocity ω has decreased. c. The star's moment of inertia I remains constant, and its angular momentum L has increased. d. The star's angular momentum L remains constant, and its rotational kinetic energy has decreased. e. The star's angular momentum L remains constant, and its rotational kinetic energy has increased. AP Physics Practice Test: Rotation, Angular Momentum Part II. Free Response 7. L A pair of long, thin, rods, each of length L and mass M, are connected to a hoop of mass M and radius L/2 to form a 4-spoked wheel as shown above. Express all answers in terms of the given variables and fundamental constants. a. Show that the moment of inertia for one of the rods, for a rotational axis through the center of its length and perpendicular to its length, is 112 ML2 . b. Calculate the moment of inertia for the entire spoked-wheel assembly for an axis of rotation through the center of the assembly and perpendicular to the plane of the wheel. AP Physics Practice Test: Rotation, Angular Momentum M The wheel is now mounted to a frictionless fixed axle and suspended from a vertical support. Several turns of light cord are wrapped around the wheel, and a mass M is attached to the end of the cord and allowed to hang. The mass is released from rest. c. Determine the tension in the cord supporting the mass as it accelerates downwards. d. Calculate the angular acceleration of the whe

FAQs

What rotational motion topics are covered in this practice test?

The test covers rotational motion and kinematics, rotational energy, moments of inertia, torque, cross-products, and angular momentum, including conservation of angular momentum.

What skills do the problems require beyond standard algebra?

Some problems require knowledge of basic calculus in addition to rotational dynamics equations.

What does the free-response section ask students to do?

Free-response problems include deriving moment of inertia expressions, calculating quantities like tension, angular acceleration, and angular momentum, and reasoning about rolling friction scenarios.

Sep 20, 2026

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