1. 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe The Anatomy of Multiple Choice Exam Questions

2. A. Concept Level 1. Single Concept 2. Multiple Concept 80 % 20 % 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe

3. Single Concept Multiple Concept Concept Level 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe A radio station broadcasts on a career frequency of 100 MHz. The wavelength of this radio wave is most nearly (A) 3.0 x 10  3 m (B) 1.0 m (C) 3.0 m (D) 3.3 m (E) 3.0 x 10 6 m 36 %27

4. Single Concept Multiple Concept Concept Level 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe A satellite of mass m and speed v moves in a stable, circular orbit around a planet of mass M. What is the radius of the satellite's orbit? 30 %67

5. B. Illustrations 1. Pictorial 2. Graphical 30 % 10 % 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe

6. Pictorial Graphical Illustrations 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe The spherical mirror shown above has a center of curvature at point c. Which point is nearest to the focal point? (A) a (B) b (C) c (D) d (E) e 64 %24

7. Illustrations Pictorial Graphical 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe The graph above represents position x versus time t for an object being acted on by a constant force. The average speed during the interval between 1 s and 2 s is most nearly (A) 2 m/s (B) 4 m/s (C) 5 m/s (D) 6 m/s (E) 8 m/s 52 %11

8. C. Question Types 1. Statement 2. Numerical 3. Symbolic 4. Graphic 5. Multiple Response 25 % 30 % 20 % 15 % 10 % 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe

9. Question Types Statement Numerical Symbolic Graphic Multiple Response 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe A large lens is used to focus an image of an object onto a screen. If the left half of the lens is covered with a dark card, which of the following occurs? (A) The left half of the image disappears. (B) The right half of the image disappears. (C) The image becomes blurred. (D) The image becomes dimmer. (E) No image is formed. 15 %55

10. Question Types Statement Numerical Symbolic Graphic Multiple Response 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe A constant force of 900 N pushes a 100 kg mass up the inclined plane shown above at a uniform speed of 4 m/s. The power developed by the 900 N force is most nearly (A) 400 W (B) 800 W (C) 900 W (D) 1000W (E) 3600 W 40 %68

11. Question Types Statement Numerical Symbolic Graphic Multiple Response 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe A child has a toy tied to the end of a string and whirls the toy at constant speed in a horizontal circular path of radius R. The toy completes each revolution of its motion in a time period T. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the toy? 39 %42

12. Question Types Statement Numerical Symbolic Graphic Multiple Response 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe Charges  Q and +Q are located on the x- and y-axes, respectively, each at a distance d from the origin O, as shown. What is the direction of the electric field at the origin 0 ? 48 %19

13. Question Types Statement Numerical Symbolic Graphic Multiple Response 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe A block attached to the lower end of a vertical spring oscillates up and down. If the spring obeys Hooke' s law, the period of oscillation depends on which of the following? I. Mass of the block II. Amplitude of the oscillation III. Force constant of the spring (A) I only (B) II only (C) III only (D) I and II (E) I and III 58 %8

14. Concept Level Single Concept …… Multiple Concept …. Illustrations Pictorial …………... Graphical …………. None …………...…. Question Type Statement ……...….. Numerical ……….... Symbolic ………….. Graphic ………...…. Multi-Response..…. 2004 80% 20% 30% 10% 60% 25% 30% 20% 15% 10% 1998 80% 20% 30% 10% 60% 35% 25% 20% 10% Exam Stats  38%  31% 2008 AP Physics Workshop, Ted Vittitoe