Chapter 1: Physics the Fundamentals of Science

Which of the following are true?

- A hypothesis is falsifiable. - A theory is what a hypothesis evolves into after it has been shown to be consistently true through many different lines of inquiry. - A theory is falsifiable.

Which of the following attributes apply to scientific explanations?

- Appeal to well-established theories - Falsifiable

Which of the following things do physicists study?

- Cell membranes - Carbon nanotubes - Molecules - Atoms - Proteins

Which of the following subfields are grouped together under the heading of classical physics?

- Mechanics - Thermodynamics - Optics - Electricity and Magnetism

Medical studies are often reported in the media, and in many cases, new studies refute older studies. Which of the following statements correctly explains why this is a normal part of science?

- Newer experiments and studies can improve on previous ones to get clearer and better results. - The media sometimes does not take into account the depth or comprehensiveness of the scientific work. - Science is iterative and tries to correct itself, so all topics are open to be revisited and retested.

A scientist named Albert reports his new results in a scientific paper. Which of the following should happen to further the science behind the results?

- Other scientists perform their own experiments to support Albert's claims. - Other scientists should perform their own experiments to deny Albert's claims.

Which of the following are scientific statements (regardless of whether the statements are true or false)?

- The Earth is 6000 years old. - Dilution of a substance with water increases its potency. - The Moon can only be observed at night.

Which of the following is a quantitative prediction, regardless of the validity of the statement?

-It takes 4 Joules of energy to make a 2 kg object travel at 2 m/s. -A ball dropped for 1 second will be traveling at a speed of 9.8 m/s.

Which of the following reasons explains why physics uses mathematics?

-Mathematics is a compact language. -Mathematics is unambiguous.

What is the relationship between physics and mathematics?

-Mathematics is a tool employed by physicists. -Mathematics is a precise language that is employed by physicists.

Which of the following are advantages of quantitative predictions versus qualitative predictions?

-Quantitative predictions are easily verified or invalidated. -Quantitative predictions are inherently less vague than qualitative predictions.

Which of the following helps to advance science?

-Retesting results using other methods -Retesting results by other scientists -Skepticism of new results -Criticism of the scientific results

The English system of measurement is still commonly used in the United States. However, science is often done entirely with the metric system. Which of the following reasons explains why?

-The metric system is used throughout the rest of the world. -The metric system uses powers of 10 and common prefixes. -In the metric system, it is easy to convert from one unit to another.

Which of the following plays a major role in the understanding of atoms and the atomic nucleus, in the realm of the very small and the structure of galaxies at the opposite end of the scale?

Angular momentum

Which of the following statements best describes how physics concepts inter-relate to everyday phenomena?

Physical laws uncovered in any area of physics are applicable to all other areas of physics.

When the result of a test is unexpected, what is the first thing the scientist conducting the test do?

Repeat the test under the same conditions.

A student is asked to find the horizontal distance 10 different projectiles will travel when given a different launch speed and launch angle for each one. What should the student do?

Solve the equations of motion first using symbols and then put in the launch values for each projectile.

Which of the following is within the realm of physics?

The nature of energy transformations

Identify the factors that affects the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The reduction of forest cover to create cities and highways,

Many of the misunderstandings involved in the global-warming debate result from poor understanding of what _____ is.

energy

True or false: The goal of physics is to apply a mathematical equation to every possible physical process.

false

Atomic physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, and condensed-matter physics are often grouped under the heading of ______ physics.

modern

A scientific explanation must be _____.

testable and precise

A dehumidifier removes water from the air. ____ is the subfield of physics that is involved in studying this process.

thermodynamics

Mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics are grouped as ______ physics.

classical