2026 F = ma Exam — Question 1 — Physics Guide

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FMA-2026-01 · 2026 F = ma (AAPT)

2026 F = ma Exam — Question 1

In astronomy, some galactic objects appear to sweep across the sky faster than light speed, c. This effect, called superluminal motion, comes purely from geometry and the finite travel time of light, and it has nothing to do with special relativity. A jet moves from point A to B at speed v = βc. The jet emits a pulse of light at A, and a second pulse a time δt later at B. An observer sees these pulses at point O. The angle between the jet and the line of sight is θ. Assume the angle ϕ is small, so the distances from O to points B and C can be treated as equal. B v ϕ θ O C A Find the apparent transverse velocity, vT , along CB as measured by the observer, in terms of β and θ. Express your answer as βT ≡ vcT β sin θ — Source: Question 1, 2026 F = ma Exam, © 2026 American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the U.S. Physics Team. Adapted by PhysicsTrainer: reformatted into a separate question and answer choices for online multiple-choice practice; any shared setup from nearby questions is repeated here. Not affiliated with or endorsed by AAPT or the U.S. Physics Team.

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F = ma problems are © the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the U.S. Physics Team, the original source, and are used with permission. Problems shown here are adaptations: they have been reformatted by Physics Guide into separate question and answer-choice pieces for online multiple-choice practice. Physics Guide is an independent student project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, operated by, or supported by AAPT, F = ma, USAPhO, or the U.S. Physics Team.

AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C (Mech) problems are adapted from OpenStax College Physics for AP® Courses 2e and University Physics Volume 1, © OpenStax (Rice University), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Problem text is reproduced exactly; correct answers come from the OpenStax answer keys. For written-answer problems, the incorrect answer choices were written by Physics Guide. Physics Guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenStax or the College Board.