AP Physics 1 MCQ Practice by Topic 2027
Choose a topic to open its full 42-question bank. The topic links from lesson pages land directly on the matching bank, so a student reviewing Topic 1.3 is not sent to a short generic diagnostic.
How much AP Physics 1 MCQ practice is available?
There are 42 original multiple-choice questions for each of the 43 official AP Physics 1 topics, giving 1,806 topic MCQs with answers, explanations and lesson routing.
- 43 topic banks.
- 42 MCQs per topic.
- 1,806 topic MCQs total.
Choose the exact AP Physics 1 topic
All 43 official topics are available. Each MCQ bank contains 42 original questions and each FRQ bank contains four prompts aligned to the four current free-response task types.
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions Practice
All questions are original. Check each answer for immediate feedback and explanation, then use the lesson link inside the explanation when a concept needs repair.
A 1 kg cart at +6 m/s sticks to a 2 kg cart at rest. What is the final velocity?
Correct answer: B. Momentum conservation gives 6=(1+2)v_f, so v_f=+2 m/s.
Which property distinguishes an ideal elastic collision from an inelastic collision in an isolated system?
Correct answer: B. Total momentum is conserved in both isolated collision types; total kinetic energy is also conserved only in an elastic collision.
Two carts stick together after a collision on a nearly frictionless track. Which statement must be true for the two-cart system during the short collision?
Correct answer: B. With negligible external impulse, total system momentum is conserved even though kinetic energy generally decreases in a sticking collision.
Cars crumple in a collision. Which Topic 4.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Inelastic collision: Momentum can be conserved while some kinetic energy becomes thermal, sound, deformation, or internal energy.
Which statement best defines Inelastic collision in Topic 4.4?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: Momentum can be conserved while some kinetic energy becomes thermal, sound, deformation, or internal energy.
A second situation is observed: A lump of clay hits a cart and deforms. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Inelastic collision is the matching concept because Momentum can be conserved while some kinetic energy becomes thermal, sound, deformation, or internal energy.
A bullet embeds in a block. Which Topic 4.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Perfectly inelastic collision: Objects stick and share one final velocity.
Which statement best defines Perfectly inelastic collision in Topic 4.4?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: Objects stick and share one final velocity.
A second situation is observed: Two Velcro carts collide and move together. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Perfectly inelastic collision is the matching concept because Objects stick and share one final velocity.
A spring between carts releases and sends them apart. Which Topic 4.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Explosion/recoil: An interaction can convert internal energy to kinetic energy while conserving momentum.
Which statement best defines Explosion/recoil in Topic 4.4?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: An interaction can convert internal energy to kinetic energy while conserving momentum.
A second situation is observed: A firework explodes from rest. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Explosion/recoil is the matching concept because An interaction can convert internal energy to kinetic energy while conserving momentum.
Equal total K before and after supports an elastic model. Which Topic 4.4 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Kinetic-energy test: Comparing total K before and after distinguishes elastic from inelastic when momentum is conserved.
Which statement best defines Kinetic-energy test in Topic 4.4?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: Comparing total K before and after distinguishes elastic from inelastic when momentum is conserved.
A second situation is observed: Smaller final K indicates an inelastic interaction. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Kinetic-energy test is the matching concept because Comparing total K before and after distinguishes elastic from inelastic when momentum is conserved.
Which relationship best represents this Topic 4.4 idea: One-dimensional isolated collision momentum?
Correct answer: B. Use m1v1i+m2v2i = m1v1f+m2v2f. One-dimensional isolated collision momentum.
In Topic 4.4, which variable-and-unit description belongs with m1v1i+m2v2i = m1v1f+m2v2f?
Correct answer: C. For m1v1i+m2v2i = m1v1f+m2v2f: kg·m/s terms
For Topic 4.4, consider this real application: Use signed velocities. Which relationship supports that result?
Correct answer: A. The relevant relationship is m1v1i+m2v2i = m1v1f+m2v2f.
Which relationship best represents this Topic 4.4 idea: Perfectly inelastic two-object collision?
Correct answer: B. Use v_f = (m1v1i+m2v2i)/(m1+m2). Perfectly inelastic two-object collision.
In Topic 4.4, which variable-and-unit description belongs with v_f = (m1v1i+m2v2i)/(m1+m2)?
Correct answer: C. For v_f = (m1v1i+m2v2i)/(m1+m2): v_f: m/s
For Topic 4.4, consider this real application: Objects stick and share v_f. Which relationship supports that result?
Correct answer: A. The relevant relationship is v_f = (m1v1i+m2v2i)/(m1+m2).
Which relationship best represents this Topic 4.4 idea: Compare kinetic energy before/after?
Correct answer: B. Use K_total = Σ½mv². Compare kinetic energy before/after.
In Topic 4.4, which variable-and-unit description belongs with K_total = Σ½mv²?
Correct answer: C. For K_total = Σ½mv²: K: J
For Topic 4.4, consider this real application: Equal K totals indicate elastic behavior if isolated momentum is also conserved. Which relationship supports that result?
Correct answer: A. The relevant relationship is K_total = Σ½mv².
In Topic 4.4, analyze this situation: A moving cart sticks to a stationary cart. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?
Correct answer: C. Use momentum to find shared v_f; final K is lower, so the collision is perfectly inelastic.
Which Topic 4.4 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Use momentum to find shared v_f; final K is lower, so the collision is perfectly inelastic”?
Correct answer: B. Velcro carts: A moving cart sticks to a stationary cart.
A student is deciding how to begin the “Velcro carts” situation. What is the best first move?
Correct answer: B. Start with the physical model. Use momentum to find shared v_f; final K is lower, so the collision is perfectly inelastic.
In Topic 4.4, analyze this situation: Two carts bounce and measured total K is unchanged within uncertainty. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?
Correct answer: C. If momentum also matches, the collision is consistent with elastic.
Which Topic 4.4 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “If momentum also matches, the collision is consistent with elastic”?
Correct answer: B. Elastic rebound: Two carts bounce and measured total K is unchanged within uncertainty.
A student is deciding how to begin the “Elastic rebound” situation. What is the best first move?
Correct answer: B. Start with the physical model. If momentum also matches, the collision is consistent with elastic.
In Topic 4.4, analyze this situation: Cars deform and may stick or separate. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?
Correct answer: C. Momentum of an isolated car system can be conserved while significant K becomes deformation/thermal energy.
Which Topic 4.4 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Momentum of an isolated car system can be conserved while significant K becomes deformation/thermal energy”?
Correct answer: B. Car crash: Cars deform and may stick or separate.
A student is deciding how to begin the “Car crash” situation. What is the best first move?
Correct answer: B. Start with the physical model. Momentum of an isolated car system can be conserved while significant K becomes deformation/thermal energy.
In Topic 4.4, a student claims: “Inelastic means momentum is not conserved.” Which correction is best?
Correct answer: B. For an isolated system, momentum is conserved in both elastic and inelastic collisions.
Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 4.4 solution: “Inelastic means momentum is not conserved.”?
Correct answer: A. For an isolated system, momentum is conserved in both elastic and inelastic collisions.
In Topic 4.4, a student claims: “If objects bounce, the collision must be elastic.” Which correction is best?
Correct answer: B. Bouncing alone does not guarantee K conservation.
Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 4.4 solution: “If objects bounce, the collision must be elastic.”?
Correct answer: A. Bouncing alone does not guarantee K conservation.
In Topic 4.4, a student claims: “Perfectly inelastic means the objects stop.” Which correction is best?
Correct answer: B. They stick together and can move with a nonzero common velocity.
Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 4.4 solution: “Perfectly inelastic means the objects stop.”?
Correct answer: A. They stick together and can move with a nonzero common velocity.
What should a student identify before calculating in Topic 4.4?
Correct answer: B. Classify collisions from before/after information, use momentum conservation correctly, and distinguish momentum conservation from kinetic-energy conservation.
Which statement best describes the AP Physics 1 scope for Topic 4.4?
Correct answer: B. AP questions often ask for classification plus evidence, not just a numerical final velocity.
Which study sequence best matches this Topic 4.4 lesson?
Correct answer: B. The lesson is intentionally definition-first and explains terminology on the same page before equations and practice.