Systems & Center of Mass (College Board AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based): Exam Questions

State four assumptions that can be made when a system is modelled as a single object.

Systems can be described as either open or closed.

For the following examples, indicate whether the system is open or closed.

i) Mass is transferred from the system to the surroundings.

ii) No external forces act on the system.

iii) The total momentum of the system is not conserved.

iv) Thermal energy is transferred from the surroundings to the system.

A simple pendulum is undergoing simple harmonic motion

Considering the Earth-pendulum system, indicate whether the system is open or closed.

⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ open ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽⎽ closed

Justify your reasoning.

Define the term center of mass.

State two assumptions that can be made when a system consists of multiple objects.

Describe an experimental method for determining the center of mass of a symmetrical object.

State the equation used to find the position of the center of mass of a one-dimensional system.