Physics Final Exam
A space ship 100 m long flies by a stationary observer at a speed of 0.65c. How long does it appear to an observer on earth? (a) 55 m (b) 67 m (c) 76 m (d) 90 m (e) 120 m
(d) 90 m
The temperature of the freezing point of water (32F) is about: (a) 0C. (b) 10C. (c) 25C. (d) 50C. (e) 70oC.
(a) 0C.
An individual sulfur atom has twice the weight of an individual oxygen atom. What is the weight ratio of sulfur to oxygen in sulfur dioxide (SO2)? (a) 1 part sulfur to 1 part oxygen. (b) 1 part sulfur to 2 parts oxygen. (c) 1 part sulfur to 4 parts oxygen. (d) 2 parts sulfur to 1 part oxygen. (e) 4 parts sulfur to 1 part oxygen.
(a) 1 part sulfur to 1 part oxygen.
A proton (its charge is positive) is maintained at rest in the middle of a box that has no matter inside it other than the single proton. Assuming that the box is isolated from all external influences, which of the following would we expect to find at some other point X inside the box? (a) An electric field. (b) A magnetic field. (c) both of the above. (d) an electric force. (e) all of the above
(a) An electric field.
How is your mass on earth related to your mass on the moon, where gmoon = (1/6) gearth? (a) It is the same. (b) Your mass on earth is 1/6 of that on the moon. (c) Your mass on earth is 6 times that on the moon. (d) Your mass on the moon depends on the time of the year. ( e) You have no mass on the moon.
(a) It is the same.
In the atomic model, each orbit has a maximum number of electrons that it can hold because of the: (a) Pauli exclusion principle (b) Bohr exclusion principle (c) Rutherford exclusion principle (d) Einstein's atomic theory (e) None of the above
(a) Pauli exclusion principle
Chemically, helium is (a) an element (b) a compound. (c) an isotope. (d) a mixture. (e) a solid
(a) an element
Magnetic forces are produced by (a) charges in motion. (b) stationary neutrons. (c) stationary protons. (d) stationary charges. (e) stationary electrons.
(a) charges in motion.
In the final phases of its "life", our sun will (a) collapse to become a white dwarf. (b) pass through the white dwarf state, then the neutron star state, and finally the black hole state. (c) blow up in a supernova explosion. (d) collapse and continue to collapse, forever. (e) turn into a cockroach.
(a) collapse to become a white dwarf.
You are inside a jet plane moving at a constant velocity. You toss a rock straight up in the air, and then you keep your hand at the point of release. The rock will come down (a) in your hand. (b) beside your hand. (c) in front of your hand. (d) behind your hand. (e) actually the rock won't come down.
(a) in your hand.
The diagram shows a marble rolling freely back and forth along a curved track. The track is positioned vertically. At position A its kinetic energy is (a) less than its kinetic energy at B. (b) the same as its kinetic energy at B. (c) greater than its kinetic energy at B. (d) None of the above.
(a) less than its kinetic energy at B.
"Energy" could best be defined as (a) the ability to do work. (b) matter in motion. (c) the amount of force a system is capable of exerting. (d) stored momentum. (e) the ability to exert power.
(a) the ability to do work.
Our sun wobbles because of: (a) the influence of the gravitational pull from other planets (b) the influence of powerful solar eruptions (c) the influence of the meteorites hitting the sun (d) the influence of blackholes
(a) the influence of the gravitational pull from other planets
In Copernicus's theory, (a) the planets move in circles around the sun. (b) the planets move in circles around Earth. (c) the planets move in circles-within-circles ("loop-the-loops") around Earth. (d) the planets move in circles-within-circles around the sun. (e) the planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun.
(a) the planets move in circles around the sun.
The "law of heat flow" is one form of (a) the second law of thermodynamics (b) the law of conservation of energy. (c) the law of inertia. (d) the ideal gas laws. (e) insanity.
(a) the second law of thermodynamics
Suppose you are on the moon and you drop a rock and a feather at the same time. You will find that (a) the two fall at the same speed, but this speed is slower than a rock would fall on Earth. (b) the two fall at the same speed, and this speed is the same as the speed of a rock falling on Earth. (c) the rock falls faster than the feather, although both of them fall slower than they would on Earth. (d) the rock falls faster than the feather, and both speeds are the same as they would be on Earth. (e) they don't fall--they remain suspended above the surface of the moon.
(a) the two fall at the same speed, but this speed is slower than a rock would fall on Earth.
The basic energy transformation that takes place in all heat engines is (a) chemical to electric. (b) non-thermal to thermal. (c) chemical to thermal. (d) kinetic to thermal. (e) thermal to non-thermal
(e) thermal to non-thermal
If two protons are placed a short distance (larger than size of nucleus) apart, (a) they will be repelled from each other. (b) they will feel no force. (c) they will be attracted to each other. (d) one will start chasing the other in a game of tag.
(a) they will be repelled from each other.
The "efficiency" of a heat engine is defined to be (a) work output divided by thermal energy input. (b) work output divided by thermal energy output. (c) thermal energy output divided by work input. (d) thermal energy output divided by thermal energy input.
(a) work output divided by thermal energy input.
The moon's mass is 7.4x1022 kg and its radius is 1.7x106 m. Use Newton's law of gravity to find the weight of a 1 kg object lying on the moon's surface. G = 6.7x10-11 Nm2/kg2. (a) 1.0 N (b) 1.7 N (c) 3.5 N (d) 10 N (e) 15 N
(b) 1.7 N
How many laws did Kepler come up with regarding our planetary system: (a) 4 (b) 3 (c) 2 (d) 1 (e) 0
(b) 3
You push your 2 kg physics book along a tabletop, pushing it with 10 N of force. If the book is greased so that friction is negligible, the book's acceleration is (a) 0.2 m/s2. (b) 5 m/s2. (c) 20 m/s2. (d) infinitely large. (e) zero.
(b) 5 m/s2.
Write 0.005 in powers of 10: (a) 5 x 10^-2 (b) 5 x 10^-3 (c) 5 x 10^-4 (d) 5 x 10^-5 (e) 5 x 10^-6
(b) 5 x 10^-3
The mass of an object inside a space ship, traveling at 90% of the speed of light, is 4kg. What mass would an observer on earth measure? (a) 5 kg (b) 9 kg (c) 13 kg (d) 17 kg (e) 21 kg
(b) 9 kg
Your radio is tuned to 98 MHz on the FM dial. What electromagnetic wave frequency is your radio receiving, and how fast is this wave traveling? (a) 98 x 10^6 Hz, at the speed of sound (roughly 300 m/s). (b) 98 x 10^6 Hz, at a speed of 300,000 km/s. (c) 98,000 Hz, at the speed of sound (roughly 300 m/s). (d) 98,000 Hz, at a speed of 300,000 km/s. (e) 98 Hz, at a speed of 300,000 km/s.
(b) 98 x 10^6 Hz, at a speed of 300,000 km/s.
Which statement best describes the status of the Copernican and Ptolemaic theories of the solar system shortly after Copernicus invented his theory and before Tycho Brahe made his observations? (a) Copernicus had proved that Ptolemy's theory was incorrect. (b) Both theories agreed with the experimental facts. (c) Ptolemy had proved that Copernicus's theory was incorrect. (d) both theories were known to be wrong.
(b) Both theories agreed with the experimental facts.
In the figure, the moon is moving clockwise in a circular orbit around Earth. Imagine that gravity was suddenly shut off, throughout the solar system, at the instant when the moon is in the position shown in the figure. How would the moon move, after gravity was shut off? (a) In the direction of arrow A, in a straight line. (b) In the direction of arrow B, in a straight line. (c) In the direction of arrow C, in a straight line. (d) It would continue moving in the same circular path. (e) Initially in the direction of arrow A, but then curving around toward the direction of arrow B.
(b) In the direction of arrow B, in a straight line.
Two brief waves or "pulses" are sent down a rope, in opposite directions, as shown in the diagram to the left. Pulse A is 1 cm in height, and pulse B is 4 cm in depth. When they meet, they will create (a) a disturbance 3 cm high. (b) a disturbance 3 cm deep. (c) a disturbance 1 cm high. (d) a disturbance 1 cm deep. (e) no disturbance, because they cancel.
(b) a disturbance 3 cm deep.
Geordi is in a rocket ship moving north past Data at half of the speed of light relative to Data. He fires a laser beam forward from the front of his ship. Data sees the laser beam move at (a) slightly slower than c (the speed of light). (b) c. (c) slightly faster than c. (d) 0.5c. (e) 1.5c.
(b) c.
A conductor (a) is a material in which charge does not flow easily. (b) is a material in which charge does flow easily. (c) is another word for a battery. (d) is another word for a magnet. (e) is something which does not yet exist, but if it did it would make our lives much easier.
(b) is a material in which charge does flow easily.
What are the units for acceleration? (a) m/s (b) m/s^2 (c) m (d) s/m (e) none of the above.
(b) m/s^2
In general (for most atoms), the nucleus of an atom is composed of: (a) electrons and protons (b) protons and neutrons (c) protons, neutrons, and electrons (d) protons only (e) electrons and neutrons
(b) protons and neutrons
There are no known exceptions to (a) Newton's law of motion. (b) the law of conservation of energy. (c) both of these. (d) Nonsense--all physical principles have known exceptions. (e) any law of any type (physical, legal, etc.).
(b) the law of conservation of energy.
Balloons expand when they are heated because (a) of the additional molecules in them. (b) the molecules inside are moving faster. (c) the molecules inside expand when they are heated. (d) the molecules inside become more massive. (e) Nonsense--balloons don't expand when they are heated
(b) the molecules inside are moving faster.
The biggest reason why heat engines are far from 100% efficient is (a) the first law of thermodynamics. (b) the second law of thermodynamics (c) electrical forces. (d) gravitational forces. (e) gremlins.
(b) the second law of thermodynamics
One piece of evidence that Democritus found for his idea that everything is made of atoms was (a) Brownian motion. (b) the smell of bread and of other substances. (c) the fact that chemicals combine in definite proportions. (d) the twinkling of stars, due to our atmosphere. (e) the random, chaotic motions often found in liquids.
(b) the smell of bread and of other substances.
According to the second law of thermodynamics, (a) thermal energy flows spontaneously from lower temperatures to higher temperatures. (b) thermal energy flows spontaneously from higher temperatures to lower temperatures. (c) the amount of energy going into any thermodynamic process exactly equals the amount coming out. (d) work cannot be entirely converted into thermal energy. (e) thermal energy will not flow spontaneously
(b) thermal energy flows spontaneously from higher temperatures to lower temperatures.
Light waves are (a) traveling disturbances in the air. (b) traveling disturbances in an electromagnetic field (c) traveling disturbances in the ether. (d) beams of moving electrons and other charged particles. (e) beams of moving atoms.
(b) traveling disturbances in an electromagnetic field
Different colors correspond to electromagnetic waves of different (a) amplitudes. (b) wavelengths. (c) speeds. (d) intensities. (e) weights.
(b) wavelengths.
You run a 5000 watt clothes-dryer for 2 hours. How many kilowatt-hours of energy did you consume? (a) 0.4 kW•hr (b) 2.5 kW•hr (c) 10 kW•hr (d) 2500 kW•hr (e) Cannot be determined from the given information
(c) 10 kW•hr
On Mars, the acceleration due to gravity is 8 m/s^2. If an object is dropped over the surface of Mars, how fast will it be moving at the end of 3 seconds of fall? (a) 8 m/s (b) 16 m/s (c) 24 m/s (d) 32 m/s (e) 72 m/s.
(c) 24 m/s
It is 39 trillion miles to the nearest star beyond the sun. Expressed in powers of ten, this is (a) 3.9 x 10^9. (b) 3.9 x 10^12. (c) 3.9 x 10^13. (d) 3.9 x 10^10.
(c) 3.9 x 10^13.
What is the power output of a 50 kg person who runs up a 10 m high flight of stairs in 10 s? (a) 10 W (b) 100 W (c) 500 W (d) 1000 W (e) 10000 W
(c) 500 W
An auto weighing 3000 N has a forward drive force of 1000 N. Air resistance on the car is 100 N, and road resistance is 100 N. The auto moves along a straight level road. The net force on this auto is (a) 200 N backward. (b) 800 N backward. (c) 800 N forward. (d) 1000 N forward. (e) 1200 N forward.
(c) 800 N forward.
An electromagnetic field (a) can exist in vacuum. (b) is a region of space where a charge would feel a force. (c) Both of the above. (d) None of the above.
(c) Both of the above.
Elizabeth, inside a train moving at 20 m/s, throws a rock in the forward direction at 5 m/s. According to her the rock moves at 5 m/s. According to Mac, standing on Earth outside the train, the rock moves at (approximately) 25 m/s. Who is correct? (a) Elizabeth, because she threw the rock. (b) Mac, because he is standing on Earth. (c) Both, relative to their own reference frames. (d) Neither, because there is no universal "best" reference frame. (e) The Wizard of Oz.
(c) Both, relative to their own reference frames.
The diagram shows the moon orbiting around Earth. Suppose that the direction of the moon's motion is clockwise. Which of the arrows points in the direction of the moon's acceleration? (a) arrow A. (b) arrow B. (c) arrow C. (d) None of them, because the moon's acceleration is zero. (e) None of them, because the correct direction is a combination of two of the directions shown in the diagram.
(c) arrow C.
An auto moves at a steady 50 mph down a straight level road. The direction of the force of air resistance on the car is (a) forward. (b) zero. (c) backward. (d) sideways. (e) downward
(c) backward.
An important similarity that Newton noticed between a falling apple and the moon was that (a) the accelerations of both are toward the center of Earth. (b) the net force on both is toward the center of Earth. (c) both (a) and (b). (d) the velocity of both is toward the center of Earth. (e) All of the above.
(c) both (a) and (b).
At the microscopic level, electric currents in wires are due to (a) protons (and possibly other ions) traveling along the wire. (b) atoms jiggling back and forth within the wire. (c) electrons traveling along the wire (d) electromagnetic radiation.
(c) electrons traveling along the wire
You throw a ball straight upward. While it is moving upward, the net force on the ball is (a) directed oppositely to the acceleration. (b) zero. (c) in the downward direction. (d) in the upward direction. (e) in the horizontal direction.
(c) in the downward direction.
Anakin observes the clock on Padme's ship, as Padme passes. Anakin observes Padme's clock to be (a) on time. (b) fast. (c) slow. (d) stopped. (e) moving backward in time.
(c) slow.
The wavelength of a wave on a rope is (a) the distance between a crest and a valley (b) the distance from the center of a wave to the crest of a wave (c) the distance between two successive crests (d) none of the above
(c) the distance between two successive crests
Consider the force by a baseball against a player's glove while the player is catching a fastball. The law of force pairs says that this force is one of a pair of forces. The other member of this pair is (a) the player's grip on the glove, i.e. the force by the player's hand against the glove. (b) the weight of the ball. (c) the force by the glove on the ball. (d) the frictional force by the ground on the player's shoes. (e) the muscular force in the player's arms, i.e. the force by the player's muscles on the player's arm.
(c) the force by the glove on the ball.
What did Galileo observe with the telescope that was incompatible with the theories of an Earth-centered universe? (a) the wobbly path of Mars (b) retrograde motion (c) the phases of Venus (d) the phases of the moon (e) the wobbly path of Venus
(c) the phases of Venus
The aphelion of a planetary orbit is: (a) the distance traveled in one Earth year (b) a description of a planet's wobbly orbit (c) the point at the greatest distance from the sun (d) the area that is inside the asteroid belt (e) the point at the smallest distance from the sun
(c) the point at the greatest distance from the sun
Suppose that a 5 kg mass accelerates at 10 m/s2. What is the magnitude of the force that causes this acceleration? (a) There is no force acting on the mass since the acceleration has the same value as that for gravity. (b) 0.5 N (c) 2 N (d) 50 N (e) 100 N
(d) 50 N
A 2000 N car travels 50 m along a level road, powered by a drive force of 1000 N. The work done by the drive force is (a) zero. (b) 1000 J. (c) 2000 J. (d) 50,000 J. (e) 10,000 J.
(d) 50,000 J.
In one cycle of operation, the thermal energy input to a particular heat engine is 200 joules and the exhaust is 80 joules. The efficiency of this engine is (a) impossible to determine from the given information. (b) 20 percent. (c) 40 percent. (d) 60 percent. (e) 80 percent.
(d) 60 percent.
Suppose that a particular chemical substance A is "pure" (contains no "impurities"), and that it can be chemically decomposed into two other pure materials B and C. What conclusion can be draw from this? (a) B and C must be elements. (b) A must be an element. (c) B and C must be chemical compounds. (d) A must be a chemical compound. (e) nonsense -- it is impossible to decompose a pure substance into two other materials.
(d) A must be a chemical compound.
Which one (or ones) of the following is a possible final state for a star that has come to the end of its "lifetime" by running out of fuel and then gravitationally collapsing? (a) White dwarf (b) Neutron star (c) Black hole (d) All of the above (e) None of the above
(d) All of the above
According to the second law of thermodynamics, (a) thermal energy flows spontaneously from hotter objects to colder objects. (b) energy process that uses thermal energy to do work must have a thermal energy exhaust. (c) a heat engine cannot be 100% efficient. (d) All of the above. (e) None of the above.
(d) All of the above.
How did ancient Greeks such as Aristotle know that Earth is round? (a) By noting that ships drop below the horizon as they go out to sea. (b) Travelers reported that, in northern lands, the noontime sun is lower in the sky. (c) The shadow cast by Earth on the moon during an eclipse is the shape that would be expected if both Earth and the moon were spherical. (d) All of the above. (e) Actually, the ancient Greeks thought that Earth is flat.
(d) All of the above.
What does E=mc^2 say: that all energy has mass, or that all mass has energy? (a) All energy has mass. (b) All mass has energy. (c) Neither of the two. (d) Both of the two.
(d) Both of the two.
How does a permanent magnet work, i.e., what is the explanation of its magnetic effects? (a) Electric charge is permanently separated within the magnet, with positive static charge at one end and negative static charge at the other end of the magnet. (b) Subatomic particles known as "magnetic poles" are placed on each end of the magnet, with one type of pole placed on one end and the other type on the other end. (c) The material of the magnet is highly ionized, with one type of ion residing on one end of the magnet and the other type of ion residing on the other end. (d) Electrons in the magnet are all aligned together so that the microscopic currents and magnetic fields due to their spin and orbital motion add together to produce a large overall effect.
(d) Electrons in the magnet are all aligned together so that the microscopic currents and magnetic fields due to their spin and orbital motion add together to produce a large overall effect.
Gamma rays are (a) made up of electrons. (b) made up of helium nuclei. (c) made up of protons. (d) a form of electromagnetic radiation. (e) a form of beta radiation.
(d) a form of electromagnetic radiation.
If two electrons are near each other and are moving past each other, forces they exert on each other will be (a) zero. (b) electric but not magnetic. (c) magnetic but not electric. (d) both electric and magnetic
(d) both electric and magnetic
If two electrons are at rest a short distance apart, the forces they exert on each other will be (a) zero. (b) electric but not magnetic (c) magnetic but not electric. (d) both electric and magnetic.
(d) both electric and magnetic.
Marcia places a lead block and an iron block on the table, and hits both of them with the same force. The lead block is twice as massive as the iron block. The acceleration of the lead block is (a) four times that of the iron block. (b) two times that of the iron block. (c) equal to that of the iron block. (d) half that of the iron block. (e) a quarter of that of the iron block.
(d) half that of the iron block.
Which of the following is produced by the thermal vibrations of molecules? (a) ultraviolet (b) visible (c) pressure waves (d) infrared (e) shock waves
(d) infrared
A book is given a brief shove along a table top and released so that it slides a short distance and comes to rest. Galileo would say that the book stopped because (a) its natural motion is to come to rest. (b) of its inertia. (c) of gravity. (d) of friction. (e) the ether slows it down to a stop.
(d) of friction.
"Physics" could best be described as the study of (a) matter. (b) atoms in motion. (c) the absolute (or certain) truths about the natural world. (d) the general principles underlying natural phenomena. (e) the application of science to the needs of human beings.
(d) the general principles underlying natural phenomena.
You are inside a jet plane moving at a constant velocity. You toss a rock straight up in the air, and then you keep your hand at the point of release. The rock comes down in your hand. This example illustrates (a) the principle of the constancy of the speed of light. (b) that light is a wave. (c) that moving clocks go slow. (d) the principle of relativity. (e) None of the above.
(d) the principle of relativity.
The principle stating that the work output of a heat engine must be less than its total energy input is called (a) the law of conservation of energy. (b) the kinetic principle. (c) the first law of thermodynamics. (d) the second law of thermodynamics. (e) Nonsense--there is no such physical law.
(d) the second law of thermodynamics.
A block of granite is actually mostly empty space because the atoms making up the granite are (a) in perpetual motion. (b) not as close together as they could be. (c) held together by electrical forces. (d) themselves mostly empty space. (e) made of cotton candy.
(d) themselves mostly empty space.
Jack and Jill are both traveling straight north. Jack is walking at 4 mph, while Jill is riding a bicycle at 12 mph. Regarding their speeds and velocities: (a) they both have the same speed and the same velocity. (b) they both have the same speed but different velocities. (c) they have different speeds, but the same velocities. (d) they have different speeds and different velocities. (e) None of these.
(d) they have different speeds and different velocities.
The very earliest Greek theory of the structure of the universe pictured Earth at the center with the planets revolving around it at an unchanging rate in simple circles. The Greeks later revised this theory because (a) they didn't believe the theory was sufficiently beautiful to represent the eternal gods. (b) they came to believe that the sun should be at the center of things. (c) certain observations led them to the conclusion that Earth has a spherical shape. (d) they observed that the planetary motions are irregular and include such things as retrograde motion. (e) actually, the Greeks never did abandon this theory--the theory was not altered until the time of Copernicus.
(d) they observed that the planetary motions are irregular and include such things as retrograde motion.
If a proton and an electron are placed a short distance apart, (a) they will be repelled from each other. (b) they will feel no force. (c) the electron will be repelled while the proton will be attracted. (d) they will be attracted to each other. (e) none of the above.
(d) they will be attracted to each other.
Suppose that you have a mass of 5 kg raised up 20 cm. What is its gravitational energy? (a) 1 W (b) 10 W (c) 0.1 J (d) 1 J (e) 10 J
(e) 10 J
It is 6 km to Centerville, and you bicycle there in 20 minutes. Your speed is (a) 12 km/hr. (b) 9 km/hr. (c) 2 km/hr. (d) 24 km/hr. (e) 18 km/hr.
(e) 18 km/hr.
In words, 3.5 x 10^11 is: (HINT: write this number out before trying to answer the question.) (a) 35 million. (b) 350 million. (c) 3.5 trillion. (d) 35 billion. (e) 350 billion.
(e) 350 billion.
According to Einstein's theory of relativity, how much energy is contained in the material of a one kilogram rock that is at rest on the ground? (a) None at all. (b) 10^-16 J (c) 9 x 10^10 J (d) 3 x 10^16 J (e) 9 x 10^16 J
(e) 9 x 10^16 J
The following are statements about atoms. Which statement is false? (a) Atoms are mostly empty space. (b) Atoms consist of protons, neutrons, and electrons. (c) The atomic number Z is the number of protons in the nucleus. (d) Atoms have the same number of electrons and protons to preserve neutrality. (e) Atoms have the same number of protons and neutrons.
(e) Atoms have the same number of protons and neutrons.
Which of the following scientists made highly accurate measurements that first disproved the theories of Ptolemy and Copernicus? (a) Nonsense--nobody has disproved Copernicus's theory. (b) Nonsense--you cannot disprove a general scientific theory. (c) Kepler (d) Galileo (e) Brahe
(e) Brahe
A changing magnetic field creates a changing electric field. This is one way of stating (a) the law of force pairs. (b) the principle of conservation of electromagnetic fields. (c) the electric force law. (d) the magnetic force law. (e) Faraday's law
(e) Faraday's law
. Suppose you charge two transparencies by rubbing and then hold them near each other but not touching. Regarding the electric and magnetic forces they exert on each other, (a) They will exert neither electric nor magnetic forces because they are not in contact with each other. (b) They will exert neither electric nor magnetic forces because neither object is moving. (c) They will exert magnetic forces but not electric forces. (d) They will exert both electric and magnetic forces. (e) They will exert electric forces but not magnetic forces.
(e) They will exert electric forces but not magnetic forces.
When you are in a high-flying jet plane, does either your weight or your mass differ from their normal value as measured on the ground? (a) No, both your weight and your mass are exactly the same as on the ground. (b) Both your weight and your mass are slightly increased. (c) Your weight is slightly increased, but your mass is unchanged. (d) Both your weight and your mass are slightly reduced. (e) Your weight is slightly reduced, but your mass is unchanged.
(e) Your weight is slightly reduced, but your mass is unchanged.
Which of the following does not travel at light speed? (a) X-rays (b) light (c) radio waves (d) infrared waves (e) actually all of these travel at light speed
(e) actually all of these travel at light speed
An ion is (a) an atom having a particular number of protons in the nucleus (b) two or more atoms stuck together (c) an atom in an excited state (d) a device used to process clothes (e) an atom with an excess or deficiency of electrons
(e) an atom with an excess or deficiency of electrons
According to the planetary model, an atom is (a) impossible to visualize (or picture). (b) a single tiny object, not made of parts. (c) made of protons and neutrons. (d) made of protons, electrons, and ions. (e) made of protons, electrons, and neutrons
(e) made of protons, electrons, and neutrons
The figure above represents a multiple-flash photo of two balls moving to the right, and shows both balls at several numbered times. In the figure, (a) both balls are accelerated, and the upper ball is moving faster. (b) neither ball is accelerated, and the upper ball is moving faster. (c) both balls are accelerated, and the lower ball is moving faster. (d) the lower ball is accelerated, but the upper ball is not accelerated. (e) neither ball is accelerated, and the lower ball is moving faster.
(e) neither ball is accelerated, and the lower ball is moving faster.
Electric generating plants are usually rated in "megawatts". This is a unit of (a) force. (b) energy. (c) work. (d) both energy and work. (e) power.
(e) power.
Two transparency sheets are rubbed with tissue paper so that they get the same charge and then the two transparency sheets are held up near each other. This experiment demonstrates that (a) similarly-charged objects exert magnetic forces on each other. (b) differently-charged objects repel each other. (c) differently-charged objects attract each other. (d) similarly-charged objects attract each other. (e) similarly-charged objects repel each other
(e) similarly-charged objects repel each other
Einstein proposed two basic principles or laws as the foundation of his special theory of relativity. One of these principles is intuitively plausible, while the other seems quite implausible or odd to our intuitions. The principle that is intuitively plausible is (a) E=mc^2. (b) the principle of time dilation. (c) the principle of the constancy of lightspeed. (d) the principle of inertia. (e) the principle of relativity.
(e) the principle of relativity.
A "wave" could best be defined as (a) a transfer of a disturbance and of energy from one point to another without any corresponding transfer of matter. (b) an organized motion of matter from one point to another along the direction of motion of the wave. (c) a transfer of molecules from one point to another along the direction of motion, where the molecules are bunched into groups. (d) a transfer of a disturbance from one point to another without any corresponding transfer of energy or matter.
a) a transfer of a disturbance and of energy from one point to another without any corresponding transfer of matter.
Which of the following planets is farthest from the Sun? a. Neptune b. Earth c. Jupiter D. Mercury E. Venus
a. Neptune
Who originated the idea that planets go in ellipses around the sun? (a) Ptolemy (b) Copernicus (c) Kepler (d) Galileo (e) Brahe
c. Kepler
In Ptolemy's theory, a. the planets move in circles around the sun b. the planets move in circles around Earth c. the planets move in circles-within-circles ("loop-the-loops") around Earth d. the planets move in circles-within-circles around the sun e. the planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun
c. the planets move in circles-within-circles ("loop-the-loops") around Earth
Which of the following planets in the solar system has an orbit that is the most egg-shaped or the most elliptical: a. Neptune b. Earth c. Jupiter d. Mercury e. Venus
d. Mercury
How did Galileo know that the planets go around the sun rather than around Earth? (a) From the writings of Aristarchus, the ancient Greek astronomer. (b) From measurements of the tides raised by the moon as compared with the tides raised by the sun. (c) From telescopic measurements of the positions of the stars as Earth moved around the sun during the course of one year. (d) By noting that Venus always lies near the sun, as seen from Earth, from which he concluded that Venus must be orbiting the sun. (e) From telescopic observations of the phases of Venus as it moves around the sun.
e) From telescopic observations of the phases of Venus as it moves around the sun.
