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.
Linear Momentum 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 3.0 kg cart moves east at 4.0 m/s. Taking east as positive, what is its momentum?
Correct answer: C. p=mv=(3)(4)=+12 kg·m/s.
A 2 kg cart moves at +3 m/s and a 1 kg cart moves at −4 m/s. What is the total momentum of the two-cart system?
Correct answer: C. p_total=(2)(3)+(1)(−4)=6−4=+2 kg·m/s.
An object’s momentum changes from +8 to −4 kg·m/s. What is Δp?
Correct answer: A. Δp=p_f−p_i=−4−8=−12 kg·m/s.
A ball moving downward has downward momentum. Which Topic 4.1 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Vector direction: Momentum points in the same direction as velocity for positive mass.
Which statement best defines Vector direction in Topic 4.1?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: Momentum points in the same direction as velocity for positive mass.
A second situation is observed: Two equal carts moving opposite directions have opposite momenta. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Vector direction is the matching concept because Momentum points in the same direction as velocity for positive mass.
Two equal carts at +3 and −3 m/s have zero total momentum. Which Topic 4.1 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. System momentum: Total system momentum is the vector sum of momenta of all objects.
Which statement best defines System momentum in Topic 4.1?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: Total system momentum is the vector sum of momenta of all objects.
A second situation is observed: A heavy slow truck and a light fast car can have equal-and-opposite momentum. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. System momentum is the matching concept because Total system momentum is the vector sum of momenta of all objects.
Reversing a car changes momentum sign but not kinetic energy if speed is unchanged. Which Topic 4.1 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Momentum vs kinetic energy: Momentum depends linearly on speed; kinetic energy depends on speed squared and is scalar.
Which statement best defines Momentum vs kinetic energy in Topic 4.1?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: Momentum depends linearly on speed; kinetic energy depends on speed squared and is scalar.
A second situation is observed: Doubling speed doubles p but quadruples K. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Momentum vs kinetic energy is the matching concept because Momentum depends linearly on speed; kinetic energy depends on speed squared and is scalar.
If an isolated two-cart system has zero total momentum, its center of mass can remain at rest. Which Topic 4.1 concept most directly explains this physical situation?
Correct answer: C. Center-of-mass connection: Total momentum relates to total mass times center-of-mass velocity.
Which statement best defines Center-of-mass connection in Topic 4.1?
Correct answer: A. Correct definition: Total momentum relates to total mass times center-of-mass velocity.
A second situation is observed: Explosion fragments can have large individual momenta whose vector sum matches the initial system momentum. Which concept is being applied?
Correct answer: B. Center-of-mass connection is the matching concept because Total momentum relates to total mass times center-of-mass velocity.
Which relationship best represents this Topic 4.1 idea: Linear momentum of an object?
Correct answer: B. Use p⃗ = mv⃗. Linear momentum of an object.
In Topic 4.1, which variable-and-unit description belongs with p⃗ = mv⃗?
Correct answer: C. For p⃗ = mv⃗: p: kg·m/s; m: kg; v: m/s
For Topic 4.1, consider this real application: 2 kg at +4 m/s has +8 kg·m/s. Which relationship supports that result?
Correct answer: A. The relevant relationship is p⃗ = mv⃗.
Which relationship best represents this Topic 4.1 idea: Vector sum for multiple objects?
Correct answer: B. Use P⃗_system = Σp⃗_i. Vector sum for multiple objects.
In Topic 4.1, which variable-and-unit description belongs with P⃗_system = Σp⃗_i?
Correct answer: C. For P⃗_system = Σp⃗_i: system momentum: kg·m/s
For Topic 4.1, consider this real application: +6 and −2 kg·m/s give +4 kg·m/s. Which relationship supports that result?
Correct answer: A. The relevant relationship is P⃗_system = Σp⃗_i.
Which relationship best represents this Topic 4.1 idea: Connect system momentum to center-of-mass motion?
Correct answer: B. Use P⃗_system = Mv⃗_cm. Connect system momentum to center-of-mass motion.
In Topic 4.1, which variable-and-unit description belongs with P⃗_system = Mv⃗_cm?
Correct answer: C. For P⃗_system = Mv⃗_cm: M: total mass; v_cm: center-of-mass velocity
For Topic 4.1, consider this real application: Zero total momentum implies v_cm=0 for nonzero total mass. Which relationship supports that result?
Correct answer: A. The relevant relationship is P⃗_system = Mv⃗_cm.
In Topic 4.1, analyze this situation: Identical carts move at equal speeds in opposite directions. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?
Correct answer: C. Their momenta cancel even though each cart has nonzero momentum and kinetic energy.
Which Topic 4.1 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Their momenta cancel even though each cart has nonzero momentum and kinetic energy”?
Correct answer: B. Opposite carts: Identical carts move at equal speeds in opposite directions.
A student is deciding how to begin the “Opposite carts” situation. What is the best first move?
Correct answer: B. Start with the physical model. Their momenta cancel even though each cart has nonzero momentum and kinetic energy.
In Topic 4.1, analyze this situation: A massive truck and a bicycle travel at the same velocity. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?
Correct answer: C. The truck has greater momentum because p=mv.
Which Topic 4.1 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “The truck has greater momentum because p=mv”?
Correct answer: B. Truck vs bicycle: A massive truck and a bicycle travel at the same velocity.
A student is deciding how to begin the “Truck vs bicycle” situation. What is the best first move?
Correct answer: B. Start with the physical model. The truck has greater momentum because p=mv.
In Topic 4.1, analyze this situation: A ball rebounds with the same speed. Which conclusion is most consistent with the physics?
Correct answer: C. Its kinetic energy can be unchanged while momentum changes because direction reverses.
Which Topic 4.1 worked example best illustrates this reasoning: “Its kinetic energy can be unchanged while momentum changes because direction reverses”?
Correct answer: B. Turning around: A ball rebounds with the same speed.
A student is deciding how to begin the “Turning around” situation. What is the best first move?
Correct answer: B. Start with the physical model. Its kinetic energy can be unchanged while momentum changes because direction reverses.
In Topic 4.1, a student claims: “Momentum has no direction.” Which correction is best?
Correct answer: B. Momentum is a vector and follows velocity direction.
Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 4.1 solution: “Momentum has no direction.”?
Correct answer: A. Momentum is a vector and follows velocity direction.
In Topic 4.1, a student claims: “Zero total momentum means all objects are at rest.” Which correction is best?
Correct answer: B. Nonzero individual momenta can cancel.
Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 4.1 solution: “Zero total momentum means all objects are at rest.”?
Correct answer: A. Nonzero individual momenta can cancel.
In Topic 4.1, a student claims: “Equal momentum means equal kinetic energy.” Which correction is best?
Correct answer: B. Different masses can have the same p but different K.
Which statement should replace this misconception in a Topic 4.1 solution: “Equal momentum means equal kinetic energy.”?
Correct answer: A. Different masses can have the same p but different K.
What should a student identify before calculating in Topic 4.1?
Correct answer: B. Calculate and compare momentum, preserve vector signs/directions, and distinguish momentum of an object from total momentum of a system.
Which statement best describes the AP Physics 1 scope for Topic 4.1?
Correct answer: B. Topic 4.1 establishes momentum itself; impulse and conservation follow in Topics 4.2–4.3.
Which study sequence best matches this Topic 4.1 lesson?
Correct answer: B. The lesson is intentionally definition-first and explains terminology on the same page before equations and practice.