AP PHYSICS C: MECHANICS Scoring Guide

Unit 5 Progress Check: FRQ

1. Read each question carefully. Show all your work for each part of the question. The parts within the question may
not have equal weight.

A snowball of radius starts from rest at the top of the peak of a roof and rolls down a section
angled at 30.0 degrees to the horizontal. It then reaches a flat section of roof that is lower than the peak
and is partially covered in snow, as shown above.

(a) On the dot below, which represents the snowball, draw and label the forces (not components) that act on the
snowball. Each force must be represented by a distinct arrow starting on, and pointing away from, the dot. The
force must start at the point on which it is exerted on the snowball. The dashed line represents the roof.

(b) Which of the forces shown in part (a) produces a torque on the snowball as it rolls about its center? Justify
your selection.

(c) Calculate the linear acceleration of the snowball as it rolls down the inclined section of the roof.

(d) Using conservation of energy, calculate the angular speed of the snowball as it reaches the end of the inclined
section of the roof.

(e) A second snowball with the same radius that is packed so that it is more dense than the original rolls down the
same roof. Will the angular speed at the end of the incline for the new snowball be greater than, less than, or Equal
to the original snowball?

____ Increase ____ Decrease ____ Stay the same

Justify your answer.

Part (a)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

Note: For this part, only a maximum of two points can be earned if any extraneous forces are drawn on the diagram.

AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 1 of 4

 Scoring Guide

Unit 5 Progress Check: FRQ

0 1 2 3

Student response accurately includes all of the following criteria..

1 point is earned for correctly drawing and labeling the frictional force.
1 point is earned for correctly drawing and labeling the normal force.
1 point is earned for correctly drawing and labeling the gravitational force.

Example Response:

Part (b)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2

Student response accurately includes both of the following criteria.

1 point is earned for indicating that the frictional force exerts a torque on the snowball.
1 point is earned for any discussion indicating the relationship between the lines of force and torques
exerted.

Example Response:

The frictional force produces a torque on the snowball around its center. It is the only one of the three forces for which its
line of force does not go through the center of the snowball.

Part (c)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

Page 2 of 4 AP Physics C: Mechanics

 Scoring Guide

Unit 5 Progress Check: FRQ

0 1 2 3 4 5

Student response accurately includes all of the following criteria..

[ ]1 point is earned for any substitution into Newton’s second law.

[ ]1 point is earned for any substitution into the torque equation.
[ ]1 point is earned for a correct equation relating friction to the acceleration.
[ ]1 point is earned for substitution above equation into Newton’s second law equation.
[ ]1 point is earned for correctly solving above equation for acceleration.

Example Response:

Part (d)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2 3

Student response accurately includes two of the following criteria.

1 point is earned for using a conservation of energy equation that includes both linear and rotational
kinetic energy.
1 point is earned for correct substitution of rotational inertia into above equation.
1 point is earned for correct substitution of into above equation.

Example Response:

AP Physics C: Mechanics Page 3 of 4

 Scoring Guide

Unit 5 Progress Check: FRQ

Part (e)

Select a point value to view scoring criteria, solutions, and/or examples and to score the response.

0 1 2

Student response accurately includes both of the following criteria.

1 point is earned for selecting “Stays the same”.

1 point is earned for correctly discussion of relation between mass and angular speed.

Example Response:

[“Stays the same” is selected.]

Since the snowball has the same radius and is more dense, it has more mass. But mass drops out of the equation for
angular speed, so the angular speed of the new snowball will be equal to the angular speed of the original snowball at the
end of the incline.

Page 4 of 4 AP Physics C: Mechanics