Fluid mechanics test with mark scheme, AP Physics 1 (PDF)

Quick answer: Fluids obey a few linked rules: density is mass per volume, pressure rises with depth as P = P₀ + ρgh, buoyant force equals the weight of fluid displaced, continuity says Av is constant in a pipe, and Bernoulli shows that faster flow means lower pressure. This AP Physics 1 test on fluid mechanics has 8 questions worth 20 marks, to do in 45 minutes: pressure on a surface, pressure at 8 m and thick dam walls. The mark scheme is on a separate page; free printable PDF.

Fluid mechanics test with answers for AP Physics 1 (free PDF download)

This AP Physics 1 test on fluid mechanics test works like a real class test. The mark scheme is on a separate page, so revise with the lesson first.

This test covers pressure, buoyancy, continuity and Bernoulli at AP Physics 1 level. Use g = 9.81 m/s², ρ for fresh water 1000 kg/m³ and P₀ = 1.01 × 10⁵ Pa. A calculator is allowed. Show your working for calculations.

Level: AP Physics 1 (algebra-based) · Curriculum: AP P1 Unit 8

Contents

Fluid mechanics test: the test questions

Time: 45 minutes · 8 questions · Total: 20 marks · Calculator allowed

Question 1 Pressure on a surface (2 marks)

A student of weight 600 N stands on one foot of area 0.020 m².

Calculate the pressure on the floor. (1 mark)
State what happens to the pressure when she stands on both feet. (1 mark)

Question 2 Pressure at 8 m (3 marks)

Calculate the absolute pressure at a depth of 8.0 m in a freshwater lake. Use P₀ = 1.01 × 10⁵ Pa. (3 marks)

Question 3 Thick dam walls (2 marks)

Explain why the base of a dam wall is built much thicker than the top. (2 marks)

Question 4 Floating cube (3 marks)

A wooden cube of side 0.10 m and density 700 kg/m³ floats in fresh water (shown).

A wooden cube floats with its bottom face at depth h below the water surface.

Calculate its weight. (1 mark)
Calculate the depth h of the submerged part. (2 marks)

Question 5 River narrowing (2 marks)

A river flows at 0.50 m/s through a wide stretch and then through a channel half as wide and the same depth. Explain what happens to the speed. (2 marks)

Question 6 Water pipe rising (3 marks)

Water flows at 2.0 m/s in a pipe of constant diameter where the pressure is 2.50 × 10⁵ Pa. The pipe then rises 4.0 m. Calculate the pressure at the higher point. (3 marks)