AP Physics 1 · Unit 2, Part 2 · Circular Motion and Gravity

Unit 2, Part 2 Review Practice Problems

Bring together horizontal and vertical circular motion, gravitational fields, and satellite orbits. Choose the physical model before solving each question.

20 questions10 conceptual · 10 calculation

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Simulation scene from the Unit 2, Part 2 Review lesson. — A scene from the related lesson. Open the practice to work through the questions.

What you’ll practice

Choose a model across circular motion and gravity

Identify the actual inward interactions

Use tension, friction, weight, support, or gravitational attraction in the appropriate radial force equation.

Check the geometry and contact conditions

Distinguish a path radius from an altitude and test whether a rope or surface can supply the required force.

Connect measurements with a source mass or orbit

Combine force, field, speed, period, and orbital-data relationships across the review’s calculation problems.

A question from this set

Turning without speeding up

A puck travels counterclockwise on a horizontal circular path at constant speed. At the rightmost point, which description of velocity and acceleration is correct?

Both point upward along the motion.
Velocity points up; acceleration points left toward the center.
Velocity points left; acceleration points up.

Try it in the practice set

The puck is at the rightmost point of a counterclockwise circular path.

Key ideas

Start with the interactions and the reference point

Circular motion describes a changing velocity

Constant speed can accompany inward acceleration. A tangential component of net force changes speed as well as direction.

One model must fit the stated scene

A tension constraint, surface contact, and a gravitational orbit impose different physical conditions. Check those conditions before substituting into an equation.

See the physics

Compare the prepared scenes across the section

After attempting each question, run its original circular-motion, support, gravity, or orbit scene. Use the variants and physical-unit readouts to check the reasoning behind your answer.

Use a hint for a starting point or open a worked solution to follow the reasoning. Your progress saves in this browser, so you can return to unfinished questions.

Ready for unit 2, part 2 review?

Begin with a conceptual question, then work through the calculations.

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