Physics & Human Affairs Final
2) A defining feature of "pseudoscience" is A) it does not use proper scientific methodology. B) it is wrong. C) Both of the above. D) it is unusual, or odd. E) All of the above.
A
A 10 kg meteor moves through outer space, far from all gravitational influences. How much work is done on the meteor during a 5 m segment of its path? A) none B) 2 J C) 50 J D) 500 J E) 20 J
A
A day during which the atmospheric temperature was 5°C would be described as A) a cold day, but not freezing. B) below freezing. C) a hot day. D) a nice day. E) None of the above, because atmospheric temperatures never gets this cold.
A
A proton is placed at rest in the middle of a "vacuum chamber," and an electron is placed at rest at point X. Then the electron A) Feels an electric force due to the electric field created by the proton B) Feels a magnetic force due to the magnetic field created by the proton C) Feels no electromagnetic force
A
According to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, electrons are more unpredictable than protons. This is because electrons A) have a smaller mass. B) have a smaller volume C) interact more strongly with other particles. D) are negatively charged rather than positively charged. E) interact more weakly (i.e., less strongly) with other particles.
A
According to the principle of relativity, an observer who has no communication with the world outside of her laboratory will be unable to detect A) her laboratory's velocity. B) her laboratory's acceleration. C) Both of the above. D) gravity. E) All of the above.
A
Assuming the energy flow in the figure are proportional to the width of each "pipe," this engine's efficiency is closest to: a) 1/3 b) 1⁄2 c) 1/10 d) 2/3 e) 1 f) 2
A
Compared with the 2 1H nucleus before separation, a separated proton and neutron have A. More energy B. Less energy C. The same amount of energy
A
How does the mass of a 4 He nucleus compare with the mass of a 1 H nucleus? 21 A) 4/2 He is four times as massive. B) 4/2 He has about the same mass and 1/1 H C) 4/2 He is twice as massive. D) 4/2 He is half as massive. E) It is impossible to answer this without further information.
A
If water waves of a longer wavelength were used in the experiment shown in the figure, the X's and O's would be: a) Farther apart b) Closer together c) Unchanged
A
In the double slit experiment with electrons, are there any points where we can predict that an electron will certainly not hit? A) No B) yes, at dark lines C) sometimes D) Only if electrons are prepared carefully
A
In the operation of a hydroelectric power plant, the energy to generate the electricity can be traced to a) GravE in the lake behind the plant's dam b) ChemE in the lake behind the dam c) ThermE in the lake behind the dam d) RadE that comes from the sun e) ChemE that comes from the sun
A
In the preceding question, the velocity of the ball relative to Mort, who is standing beside the tracks, is: a) 50 m/s eastward b) 50 m/s westward c) 20 m/s eastward d) 20 m/s westward e) 70 m/s eastward f) 70 m/s westward
A
One problem with the planetary model of the atom is that it A) cannot explain the observed spectrum of the various types of atoms. B) cannot explain boiling, freezing, and other transitions between the three common states of matter. C) cannot explain electrical effects.
A
Radiation made of yellow, red, and infrared radiation enters your camera and strikes the photographic film. Which of the 3 forms of radiation deposit the most energy per photon? a) Yellow b) Red c) Infrared d) All 3 deposit the same
A
Robin Hood shoots an arrow from his bow. Beginning just before he draws the bow, the energy transformation is a) ChemE →ElastE →KinE b) ElastE →ChemE →KinE c) ChemE →KinE →ElastE d) ElastE →KinE
A
Suppose that you were in distant space, far from stars, and you placed an apple and a book at rest in front of you, separated by about 1 m, and then moved some distance away to observe without influencing them. The apple and the book would then: a) Slowly accelerate toward each other b) Rapidly accelerate toward each other c) Move toward each other without accelerating d) Remain at rest
A
Suppose you slowly, and at constant speed, lift a 12 N book from the floor to a shelf 2 m above the floor. While you are lifting it, the net force on the book is: a) Zero b) 12 N c) 24N
A
Suppose you slowly, and at constant speed, lift a book weighing 12 N from the floor to a shelf 2 m above the floor. Neglect air resistance. The work done by you on the book is A) 24 joules. B) zero. C) 6 joules. D) 6 watts. E) 24 watts.
A
The fusion of 4 2 He with 8 4 Be creates (assume atomic number and symbol match) a) 12 6 C b) 8 6 C c) 12 4 C d) 12 6 O e) 12 8 N
A
Two continuous waves having the same wavelength and amplitude pass through the same medium. They are aligned crest to crest and trough to trough so that they interfere. The resulting wave has A) the same wavelength and twice the amplitude. B) twice the wavelength and twice the amplitude. C) the same wavelength and the same amplitude. D) twice the wavelength and the same amplitude (or height) as each of the individual waves. E) zero amplitude.
A
Velma flies past Mort in her rocket at 0.8 c. Velma is holding 10 kg book. Mort measures the mass of the book to be A. Greater than 10 kg B. Less than 10 kg C. 10kg D. Impossible to know.
A
Velma is in a train moving north at 20 m/s. She throws a stone toward the rear of the train, at 5 m/s relative to herself. Mort, standing beside the tracks, sees the stone move A) north at 15 m/s. B) south at 25 m/s. C) north at 20 m/s. D) north at 25 m/s. E) south at 15 m/s.
A
We proved, using Einstein's two basic principles, that if Velma is moving past Mort then Mort should observe Velma's clock to go slow. This behavior of Velma's clock occurs because, as observed by Mort, A) the light beam in her light-clock travels further than 300,000 km during one of Velma's ticks. B) the light beam in her light-clock travels less than 300,000 km during one of Velma's ticks. C) Velma's light-clock shortens along its direction of motion. D) the light beam in Velma's light-clock travels at faster than the normal lightspeed. E) the light beam in Velma's light-clock travels at slower than the normal lightspeed.
A
We've never observed a violation of conservation of energy or the 2nd law of thermodynamics. Thus, these principles of energy are: a) Good theories b) Good hypotheses c) Certain to be correct in all future observations d) Facts e) Absolutely true
A
What about acceleration - can this be detected without looking outside? a) Yes, you can do a simple experiment to tell b) Yes, but the experiment involves light c) No
A
When a tablespoon of salt mixes with a quart of water, does entropy increase? a) Yes b) No c) Sometimes d) Only on Fridays
A
Which of these has the largest quantum uncertainties? a) Proton b) Car c) Heliumatom d) Water molecule
A
You are a passenger in a moving car, and you drop a coin from your right hand, holding your left hand directly below the point of release. If the car is moving at unchanging velocity, the coin will come down A) in your left hand. B) in front of your left hand. C) behind your left hand. D) to the side of your left hand.
A
You push a 2 kg book along a tabletop, pushing it with a 10 N force. If the book is greased so that friction is negligible, the book's acceleration a) Is 5 m/s2 b) Is 10 m/s2 c) Is 20 m/s2 d) Is 0.2 m/s2 e) Keeps getting larger and larger as you push f) Keeps getting smaller and smaller as you push.
A
You push your physics book across your desk, leaving the book at rest on the desk at the end of the process. Which of the following best represents the overall energy conversion during this process? A) chemical to thermal B) kinetic to thermal C) chemical to electromagnetic D) thermal to chemical E) elastic to thermal
A
Which of the following is a true wave? a) A row of falling dominoes b) Ripples on the surface of a pond, extending outward from a pebble dropped in the water c) Large wave coming into the beach, one that surfers ride on d) Water rushing downstream
A or B
Which of these are electromagnetic ionizing radiations? a) X-rays b) Infrared rays c) Alpha rays d) Beta rays e) Gamma rays
A or E
Which of these causes radiation damage in some of your cells? a) Medical X-ray b) Food irradiation c) Gamma rays for cancer treatment d) Ingesting a radioactive isotope for cancer treatment
A, C, or D
Which of these has high velocity and low acceleration? a) Speeding bullet through air b) Race car just starting from rest c) Fast train going around a long, gentle curve d) Fast car colliding with a brick wall e) Golf ball at instant struck by golf club
A,C
"Energy" could best be defined as A) stored momentum. B) the capacity to do work. C) matter in motion. D) the amount of force a system is capable of exerting. E) the ability to exert power.
B
13 1 I has an 8-day half-life. If you start with 100 grams, how much will remain after 24 days? (Hint: How many 8 day half lives is 24 days?) A. 6.25 grams B. 12.5 grams C. 25 grams D. 50 grams E. 100 grams
B
A big truck and a small car collide head on. Regarding the acceleration a) The truck's acceleration is largest b) The car's acceleration is largest c) The truck and car have equally large accelerations
B
A block of granite is actually mostly empty space because the atoms making up the granite are A) made of cotton candy B) themselves mostly empty space C) not as close together as they could be D) in perpetual motion E) held together by electrical forces
B
A proton 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) a magnetic field B) an electric field C) Both of the above. D) an electric force E) All of the above.
B
Compared with the force exerted by the proton and neutron on each other before the 2 1H nucleus is separated, the force between them after separation is A. Greater B. Less C. The same
B
Do waves of any sort travel to Earth from the moon? Explain. A. No. There is nothing in space. B. Yes. Light waves are reflected from the moon. C. No. The moon does not emit light
B
During each cycle of its operation, a certain heat engine does 40 joules of work while exhausting 160 joules of thermal energy to the environment. The energy efficiency of this heat engine is A) 80%. B) 20%. C) 25%. D) 75%. E) None of the above.
B
During the double-slit experiment with light, the region between the slits and the screen contains a) Elections b) An EM field c) Photons d) Energy e) None of the above
B
If you drop a coin inside a car that is turning right, where will the coin land? A. Straight down B. To the left C. To the right D. Behind
B
If you saw off one end of a magnet, you will have: A) Two non magnetized pieces of metal B) Two magnets C) Two magnets that have magnetic poles on only one end D) None of the above
B
Imagine you are in space and so far from all astronomical bodies that gravity is negligible, with 2 blocks of metal in front of you. They look identical, but you have been informed that one is made of aluminum and the other of lead (which, on Earth, would be heavier than aluminum). You could determine which one is which by: a) Giving them equally strong taps - the one that moves more slowly is aluminum b) Giving them equally strong taps - the one that moves more slowly is lead c) Holding them in your 2 hands - the heavier one is aluminum d) Holding them in your 2 hands - the heavier one is lead e) Actually , none of these methods would work
B
In the case of light waves, the thing doing the "waving" is A) charged particles throughout the region between source and receiver. B) an electromagnetic field. C) the air. D) the ether. E) a gravitational field.
B
In the context of the double-slit experiment, quantum uncertainty refers to A) the fact that each interaction with the screen occurs over a broad area of the screen. B) our inability to precisely predict the point at which a spread-out matter field or EM field will interact with the screen. C) the fact that the electron beam or light beam goes through both slits rather than only one. D) the fact that the particles of matter or radiation are instantaneously replaced by a spread-out matter field or EM field when the particles impact the screen. E) the fact that the entire matter field or EM field instantaneously collapses to the single interaction point when the field interacts with the screen.
B
Is it possible, according to Einstein's relativity, for a child to be biologically older than his or her parents? A) Yes, if the child goes on a long and fast trip and returns to Earth. B) Yes, if the parents go on a long and fast trip and return to Earth. C) No, because it is not possible to actually move backward through time. D) No, because the principles of relativity don't have anything to do with actual biological aging. E) No, because the "relativity of time" does not allow the actual order of events in time to be switched around.
B
Just after the matter wave passes through the slits, its uncertainty range a) Covers the entire range of positions from above A to below B b) Is broken into 2 separate pieces, one behind A and one behind B c) Located either behind A or behind B
B
Mort stands on Earth. Velma moves away from him in a rocket, at 299,000 km/s (1000 km/s slower than lightspeed). Mort sends a laser beam toward Velma. As the tip of the beam passes her rocket, Velma observes that A) the laser beam moves past her at just 1000 km/s. B) the laser beam moves past her at 300,000 km/s. C) Both of the above. D) the laser beam never catches up with her. E) Mort has turned into a giant frog.
B
Neglecting air resistance, just before hitting the floor, the bag of groceries' gravitational and kinetic energy are a) Both zero b) 0 and 120 J respectively c) 120 J and 0 respectively d) Both 120 J e) None of the above
B
One phenomenon that supports the wave theory of radiation is A) the transference of energy by a light beam. B) interference effects with light. C) the tiny flashes when an electron beam strikes a screen. D) the tiny flashes when a light beam strikes a screen. E) None of the above.
B
Suppose the strong force had a somewhat longer range than it actually has. How would this affect the list of elements (the periodic table)? a) The periodic table would be shorter b) The periodic table would be longer c) The periodic table would be unchanged
B
Suppose you slowly, and at constant speed, lift a 12 N book from the floor to a shelf 2 m above the floor. The force by your hand against the book in the preceding question is: a) Zero b) 12N c) 24N
B
Suppose you slowly, and at constant speed, lift a 12 N book from the floor to a shelf 2 m above the floor. The work done by you on the book is: a) Zero b) 24J c) 48J
B
The gold nuclei in the universe were a) Created in the big bang b) All created sometime after the big bang c) Created partly during the big bang, and partly after
B
The graph above, which we discussed in class, shows the relativity of time, space, and mass [you will need to figure out which graph goes with which effect]. As measured by Velma, her spaceship has a mass of 10,000 kg and a length of 100 m. She moves at 80% of lightspeed relative to Mort. According to Mort's measurements, the mass and the length of her spaceship are A) 6000 kg and 165 m. B) 16,500 kg and 60 m. C) 16,500 kg and 165 m. D) 6000 kg and 60 m. E) This question cannot be answered without knowing which observer is really at rest.
B
The second law of thermodynamics implies that A) non-thermal forms of energy cannot be entirely converted into thermal forms of energy. B) thermal energy cannot be entirely converted into non-thermal forms of energy. C) from the microscopic point of view, thermal energy is just kinetic energy of individual atoms and molecules. D) in physical process in which heat is produced, the total amount of energy is reduced by an amount equal to amount of heat produced. E) in every physical process, the total amount of energy must remain unchanged.
B
Velma measures her spaceship to be 100 m long and 10 m high. Is it possible for her spaceship to move fast enough past Mort for its length to be equal to its height, as observed by Mort? A. Yes, at 0.9c B. Yes, at 0.99c C. Yes at 0.1c D. No. She would have to travel at precisely at c. E. No. Objects do not change their shapes.
B
Velma moves away from Mort at 0.75c. She turns on 2 lasers, one pointed forward and the other pointed backward. According to Galilean relativity, how fast should the forward and backward beams move, as observed by Mort? a) 0.25c and 1.75c b) 1.75c and 0.25c c) 0.25cand0.75c d) 0.75c and 0.25c e) c and c
B
What happens to the atomic number and mass number during beta decay? A. Both stay the same B. Atomic # increases, mass # is the same C. Atomic # decreases, mass # decreases D. Atomic # is the same, mass # increases
B
When Velma observes herself to be 60 years old, she will observe Mort to be (time dilation factor at 75% lightspeed is 1.5) a) 30 b) 40 c) 69 d) 80 e) 90
B
Which fundamental forces come into play during chemical reactions? A. Gravitational B. Electromagnetic C. Frictional D. Nuclear
B
Which of the following colors has the most energy per photon? A) yellow B) violet C) red D) all the same E) The answer depends on the intensity of the light.
B
Which one of the following has the smallest mass? A) Proton B) Electron C) Helium atom D) Neutron E) Water molecule F) Oxygen atom
B
You might have noticed that as you heat a metal hot plate it first glows red and becomes brighter and whiter. Just before it begins to glow, we expect such a hot plate to emit: a) Ultraviolet radiation b) Infrared radiation c) No radiation
B
Since acceleration can mimic the effects of gravity, acceleration should be able to cancel gravity. Thus a person could experience weightlessness by: a. Blasting off from Earth at 1 g b. Falling from a high place (diving board, skydiving) c. Orbiting Earth d. Standing on the surface of the moon
B or C
Which fundamental forces come into play during nuclear reactions (choose 1)? A. Gravitational B. Electromagnetic C. Frictional D. Strong or weak nuclear
B or D
During a trip, a car executes several kinds of motion. In which of the following cases is the car accelerated? a) Moving along a straight, level road at a steady 70 km/hr. b) Moving along a straight, level road while slowing down. c) Rounding a curve at a steady 50 km/hr. d) Moving uphill along a straight incline at a steady 50 km/hr. e) Rounding the top of a hill at a steady 50 km/hr. f) Starting up from a rest along a straight, level road.
B,C,E,F
In the preceding question, which ones have a low velocity and a high acceleration? a) Speeding bullet through air b) Race car just starting from rest c) Fast train going around a long, gentle curve d) Fast car colliding with a brick wall e) Golf ball at instant struck by golf club
B,E
14C has a half-life of 6000 years. An ancient corpse is uncovered and found to have 1/32--one thirty-second--of the normal amount of 14C found in the bodies of people now living. How long has the body been dead? A) 6000 years B) 12,000 years C) 30,000 years D) 24,000 years E) 36,000 years
C
A "force" could be best described as A) a mystical aura that emanates after midnight from physics laboratories. B) something that a body possesses, that enables it to keep moving. C) something one body does to another body that can cause the second body to accelerate. D) something that a body possesses, that enables it to do work. E) something one body does to another body that keeps the second body moving.
C
A bag of groceries having a mass of 6 kg and a weight of 60 N falls from a shelf that is 2 m high. Just as it begins to fall, its gravitational energy (relative to the floor) is a) Zero b) 12J c) 120J d) None of the above
C
A big truck and a small car collide head on. Regarding the forces a) The truck exerts a larger force on the car than the car does on the truck b) The car exerts a larger force on the truck than the truck does on the car c) The truck and car exert equally large forces on each other
C
A giant rock several kilometers across is at rest in outer space, far from all outside influences. A small, slow-moving pebble lightly "taps" the rock and bounces off. What does the rock do? a) It accelerates up to a slow speed during the tap, and then comes quickly back to rest. b) It accelerates up to a slow speed during the tap, and then comes gradually back to rest. c) It accelerates up to a slow speed during the tap, and then continues moving at that speed. d) It doesn't accelerate at all. e) It accelerates up to a high speed during the tap, and then continues moving at that speed.
C
A neutral atom gains one electron. It is then A) either a negative or positive ion, depending on how many electrons were gained B) a positive ion. C) a negative ion. D) ashamed of itself. E) a neutral ion.
C
A particle of light is called A) a neutron. B) a quark. C) a photon. D) a proton. E) an electron.
C
A particular coal-burning generating plant consumes 8000 tonnes of coal per day (tonne=1000 kg). Assuming that the coal is pure carbon, which of the following is closest to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) that this plant injects into the atmosphere every day? a) 8000 tonnes b) 3200 tonnes c) 24,000 tonnes d) 16,000 tonnes
C
A proton moves through a small box that is isolated from all external influences and that has no matter inside it other than the single proton. Which of the following would we expect to find at some other point X [away from the proton] inside the box? A) a magnetic field B) an electric field C) Both of the above. D) an electric force E) no fields or forces of any kind
C
According to the theory of relativity, is everything relative? A) No, velocity is not relative. B) No, time and space are not relative. C) No, lightspeed is not relative. D) Yes. E) No, mass is not relative.
C
An archaeologist digs up a bone and measures an average of one 14C decay per minute in 1 gram of the bone's carbon. This is about 10% of the decay rate in living organisms. The animal has been dead about a) 6000 years b) 13,000 years c) 19,000 years d) 60,000 years e) 600 years
C
An important similarity that Newton noticed between a falling apple and the moon was that A) the net force on both is toward the center of Earth. B) the accelerations of both are toward the center of Earth. C) Both of the above. D) the velocity of both is toward the center of Earth. E) All of the above.
C
Chemical energy is transformed into gravitational energy when A) water evaporates. B) a leaf undergoes photosynthesis. C) a person walks uphill. D) a block slides downhill. E) a car accelerates.
C
Diameter of an atomic nucleus is about a hundredth of a trillionth of a meter. What is that in powers of 10? a) 10^-10 m b) 10^-12 m c) 10^-14m d) 10^-15 m e) 10^-16 m f) 10^-18 m
C
During the double-slit experiment with light, the region between the slits and the screen contains A) photons. B) a matter field. C) an electromagnetic field. D) electrons. E) None of the above.
C
Earth's "greenhouse effect" problem is important because A) it is a result of our use of nuclear energy, one of our prime sources of energy. B) it could cause increased skin cancer. C) it might warm up our entire planet. D) CO2 is a toxic pollutant. E) we must breath CO2 in order to live.
C
How do electromagnetic waves violate the philosophical underpinnings of the "Newtonian universe"? A) The Newtonian principle of conservation of energy is violated by electromagnetic waves. B) All Newtonian forces are contact forces, whereas electromagnetic forces are exerted at a distance. C) The Newtonian universe is made of material particles, whereas electromagnetic waves are not. D) The Newtonian universe is predictable, and electromagnetic waves cause the universe to be unpredictable. E) Actually, electromagnetic waves do not violate any aspect of the Newtonian universe.
C
In a living person, the ratio of 14C to total carbon is 1 to one trillion. The 14C/C ratio 6000 years (one half-life of 14C) after a person has died is a) 2 to one trillion b) 1 to one trillion c) 1 to two trillion d) 1 to four trillion
C
In the figure below, which wave has the larger or "higher" frequency, and which carries more energy? a) The top wave has higher frequency and carries more energy b) The top wave has higher frequency but the bottom wave carries more energy c) The bottom wave has higher frequency and carries more energy d) The bottom wave has higher frequency but the top carries more energy.
C
Jed leans against a brick wall while Ned pushes hard against the wall and "works up" a sweat in the process. Is either Jed or Ned doing any work? a) Both are b) Ned is but Jed isn't c) Neither one is
C
Suppose the light source is turned on so briefly that only a single quantum of energy passes through the double slits. When it arrives at the screen, this energy is deposited A. All over in the white bands B. At one small point within the white bands C. At one small point, which could be anywhere on the screen D. At one small point on the screen, lying directly behind the slit through which the energy passed
C
The energy transformation during photosynthesis from Ch. 2 is: a) KinE → ThermE b) KinE → ChemE c) RadE → ChemE d) ChemE → RadE
C
The force between two bar magnets cannot be due to gravity because: A) It's far too weak to be gravity B) It can be attractive, while gravity is always repulsive C) It can be repulsive, while gravity is always attractive D) Gravity acts over large distances, while magnetism acts only over short distance
C
The nuclei 3 H and 3 He have A. Same atomic number, different mass number B. Different atomic number, different mass numbers C. Different atomic numbers and same mass number D. Same atomic number and same mass number
C
The sound coming out of a radio is: a) Electromagnetic wave traveling at 300,000 km/s b) Electromagnetic wave slower than 300,000 km/s c) Not an electromagnetic wave, traveling much slower than 300,000 km/s
C
What causes chlorine to be freed from CFC's in the stratosphere? A. Cosmic rays B. Chemical reactions with other molecules C. Radiation from the sun D. Space dust
C
What does Mort actually observe in the preceding question? a) 0.25c and 1.75c b) 1.75c and 0.25c c) 0.25c and 0.75c d) 0.75c and 0.25c
C
What happens to the atomic number and mass number during alpha decay? A. Both stay the same B. Atomic # increases, mass # is the same C. Atomic # decreases, mass # decreases D. Atomic # is the same, mass # increases
C
What is the percentage probability of getting two heads in a row in a fair coin toss? How could you test the prediction? A) 100% B) 50% C) 25% D) 5%
C
What is the physical difference between light and a radio wave? A) Light waves have a longer wavelength than radio waves. B) Light waves have a larger amplitude than radio waves. C) Light waves have a higher frequency than radio waves. D) Light is an electromagnetic wave while radio is a pressure wave in air. E) None of the above.
C
What would happen if all the CO2 was removed from the atmosphere? A. Nothing. Not enough CO2 to make a difference B. Surface temperature would drop to match top of atmosphere. C. Atmosphere would cool by about 20%.
C
When the Joliot-Curies bombarded 27 13 Al with alpha particles, each aluminum nucleus absorbed an alpha particle and emitted one neutron. The isotope created by this process was A. 23 11 Na B. 30 13 Al C. 30 15 P D. 29 15 P E. 29 16 S
C
When two 4 2He nuclei fuse, they form an isotope of an element with what mass and atomic numbers? A. 6,2 B. 8,3 C. 8,4 D. 4,4
C
Which has longer wavelength? A. Same wavelength B. Light C. Radio
C
Which of the following is a feature of quantum physics but not a feature of Newtonian physics? A) Force at a distance: Objects can exert forces on other objects that are some distance away, across empty space. B) The principle of conservation of energy. C) The observation process must be included as part of the theory. D) Determinism: The future is entirely determined by the present. E) All of the above.
C
You hold a 5-newton rock motionless in your hand. Regarding the forces on this rock, A) the net force on the rock is 5 newtons, directed downward. B) there are no forces of any kind acting on the rock, because it is not moving. C) the net force on the rock is zero. D) the downward force of gravity is balanced by the upward force of air resistance. E) the net force on the rock is 5 newtons, directed upward.
C
You would be richest if your hunk of gold had a mass of one kilogram A) on Earth. B) on the moon. C) Actually it wouldn't make any difference.
C
An operating light bulb transforms ElectE into a) KinE b) ElectE c) ThermE d) ChemE e) RadE
C or E
A "wave" could best be defined as A) an organized motion of matter from one point to another along the direction of motion of the wave. B) a transfer of molecules from one point to another along the direction of motion, where the molecules are bunched into groups. C) a transfer of a disturbance from one point to another without any corresponding transfer of energy. D) a transfer of a disturbance from one point to another without any corresponding transfer of matter. E) a vibrational motion of matter.
D
A neutral atom loses one of its electrons. It is then A) a neutral ion. B) ashamed of itself. C) either a negative or positive ion, depending on which electron was lost. D) a positive ion. E) a negative ion.
D
A slow car moves at a steady 10 km/hr down a straight highway while another car zooms past at a steady 120 km/hr. Which car has the greater net force on it? a) The slower one. b) The faster one. c) The one having the greater air resistance. d) None of the above
D
A typical large coal-fired electric-generating plant burns about 1 tonne (1000kg) of coal every 10 seconds. According to Table 7.1 its efficiency is 40%. How much of the tonne actually goes into producing electric energy? a) 600 kg b) 60kg c) 500 kg d) 400 kg
D
According to quantum physics, what's really happening when we say that an electron passes through the double-slit apparatus and hits the viewing screen? A. A single tiny particle passes through one or the other slit (not both) and impacts the screen B. A single tiny particle passes through both slits and impacts the screen C. A spread-out matter field passes through one or the other slit (not both) and an increment of the field interacts with the screen D. A spread-out matter field passes through both slits and an increment of the field interacts with the screen.
D
As the hot plate goes from dark red to white, its spectrum would change from: a) Only red lines to only white lines b) Only red lines to different colored lines c) Dim continuous red to intense continuous white d) Dim continuous red to intense continuous spectrum with all colors
D
At what time was the bottle 1⁄4 full? A. 11:40 am B. 11:50 am C. 11:55 am D. 11:58 am
D
Bacteria reproduce by simply dividing. If you start with 1 bacterium, it will divide into 2; they will divide into 4, then 8 and so forth. Since each population doubling occurs in the same time interval, this is an exponential process. Suppose that some strain has a dividing time of 1 minute. You put one bacterium in a bottle at 11 am and at noon the bottle is full. The bottle was half full at A. 11:30 am B. 11:40 am C. 11:55 am D. 11:59 am
D
During a supernova, if an iron nucleus (56 26 Fe) captured 3 neutrons and then beta-decayed twice, what would the mass number and atomic number of the new atom be? A. 56, 29 B. 59, 26 C. 59, 27 D. 59, 28 E. 59, 29
D
For light waves, different frequencies mean different A) brightness. B) amplitudes. C) speeds. D) colors. E) None of the above.
D
How do the masses and charges of the nucleus of 1H, 2H and 3H compare? A. Same masses, same charges B. Different masses, different charges C. Same masses, different charges D. Different masses, same charges
D
If a proton and an electron are placed a short distance apart, A) they will feel no force. B) the electron will be repelled while the proton will be attracted. C) they will be repelled from each other. D) they will be attracted to each other. E) None of the above.
D
If shorter-wavelength light were used in the double slit experiment, the alternating bright and dark lines would be: a) Unchanged b) Greater in number, but unchanged in width c) Wider d) Narrower e) Longer f) Shorter
D
In the operation of a steam-electric generating plant, the work output [from thermal energy to work] occurs A) in the electric generators. B) in the condenser. C) at the point where the energy from the furnace is transferred into the boiler. D) at the point where the hot steam pushes against the turbine. E) at the point where the fossil or other fuel is shipped into the plant area.
D
One difference between moving charges and stationary charges is that A) moving charges exert only magnetic forces, while stationary charges exert both electric and magnetic forces. B) moving charges exert only magnetic forces, while stationary charges exert only electric forces. C) moving charges stay slender, while stationary charges are couch potatoes. D) moving charges exert both electric and magnetic forces, while stationary charges exert only electric forces. E) moving charges exert both electric and magnetic forces, while stationary charges exert neither electric nor magnetic forces.
D
Referring to the figure above, the photons of highest energy are produced by A) quantum jumps from state 2 to state 1. B) state 1. C) the ground state. D) quantum jumps from state 4 to state 1. E) Impossible to determine without further information
D
Suppose 2 detectors were used, one behind each slit. The pattern that the matter field makes on the screen would then be: A. In interference pattern that is broken into 2 separate parts B. Noninterference pattern broken into 2 parts C. Interference pattern like in figure D. Noninterference pattern like in figure.
D
Suppose a red light beam has a variable intensity, or brightness. As you increase the intensity, how do the energies of the photons and the number of photons change A. Energies increase, number of photons remain same B. Energies decrease, number of photons increase C. Energies increase, number of photons increase D. Energies remain same, number of photons increase
D
Suppose that the electric force between two objects is 4 N and that you then halve the distance between the objects. The new force is A) 1 N. B) 0.5 N. C) 4 N. D) 16 N. E) 2 N.
D
Suppose you electrically charge a comb by running it through your hair and then shake it back and forth at a frequency of 1 Hz. This will produce A. A sound wave at 1 Hz and speed 300,000 km/s B. A sound wave with wavelength 300,00 km and speed 300,000 km/s C. An electromagnetic field vibrating at 1 Hz but no wave D. An electromagnetic wave at 1 Hz and a speed of 300,000 km/s
D
The direction of the force on a positive charge placed at point C would be A) Upward B) Downward C) To the left D) To the right
D
The graph above, which we discussed in class, shows the relativity of time, space, and mass [you will need to figure out which graph goes with which effect]. As measured by Velma, her spaceship has a mass of 10,000 kg and a length of 100 m. She moves at 70% of lightspeed relative to Mort. According to Mort's measurements, the mass and the length of her spaceship are A) 7000 kg and 70 m. B) 7000 kg and 140 m. C) 14,000 kg and 140 m. D) 14,000 kg and 70 m. E) This question cannot be answered without knowing which observer is really at rest.
D
The idea that matter is made of tiny indivisible particles can be classified as: A. Fact B. Experimental observation C. Hypothesis D. Scientific theory E. Scientifically false F. gibberish
D
The kilowatt is a measure of A) speed. B) energy. C) force. D) power E) sex appeal
D
The number of atoms in the sulfuric acid molecule, H2SO4, is A) 4. B) 6. C) 3. D) 7. E) cannot be determined from the given information
D
Two objects carry a charge of 1 C. How much force do they exert at a distance of 1 m? A) 1 N B) 9 N C) 9 million N D) 9 billion N E) About 10^-10 N
D
Velma flies past Mort in her rocket at 0.8 c lengthwise over Mort's garden. Velma sees Mort's garden's A. Width increase and length decrease B. Width decrease and length remain the same C. Width stay the same and length increase D. Width stay the same and length decrease
D
Velma flies past Mort in her rocket at 0.8 c. Mort sees Velma's A. Clock and pulse faster than Mort's B. Clock faster but pulse slower than Mort's C. Clock slower but pulse faster than Mort's D. Clock and pulse slower than Mort's
D
Velma passes Mort at a high speed. Each holds a meter stick, oriented parallel to the direction of relative motion. Mort observes that A) his meter stick is longer than 1 m, and Velma's meter stick is 1 m long. B) his meter stick and Velma's meter stick are both shorter than 1 m. C) his meter stick is 1 m long, and Velma's meter stick is longer than 1 m. D) his meter stick is 1 m long, and Velma's meter stick is less than 1 m long. E) his meter stick and Velma's meter stick are both 1 m long.
D
Velma's normal ball-throwing speed is 20 m/s. She is in a train moving eastward at 70 m/s and throws a ball toward the rear of the train. The velocity of the ball relative to Velma is: a) 50 m/s eastward b) 50 m/s westward c) 20 m/s eastward d) 20 m/s westward e) 70 m/s eastward f) 70 m/s westward
D
Velma, who is carrying a "light clock," passes Mort at a high speed. Velma observes that, during one tick of her own light clock, the light beam on her clock travels A) further than 300,000 km. B) less than 300,000 km. C) a distance of one light year. D) 300,000 km. E) no distance at all.
D
What feature of Einstein's theory of relativity is demonstrated by the phenomenon of matter-antimatter annihilation? A) the relativity of time B) the constancy of lightspeed C) the relativity of mass D) E=mc2 E) that too much television will give you gas pains and make you froth at the mouth
D
What is the efficiency of a heat engine whose thermal energy input is 400 J and whose exhaust is 300 J? A) 50% B) 175% C) 75% D) 25% E) 33%
D
When an atom undergoes a "quantum jump" into a lower-energy state, the atom A) absorbs a photon. B) emits an electron. C) absorbs an electron. D) emits a photon. E) None of the above.
D
When an atom undergoes a "quantum jump" into a lower-energy state, the atom A) absorbs an electron. B) emits an electron. C) absorbs a photon. D) emits a photon. E) None of the above.
D
When radioactive iodine (131 53 I) beta-decays, the daughter nucleus is A. 127 51 Sb B. 132 53 I C. 132 54 Xe D. 131 54 Xe
D
Which of the following energy transformations represents the operation of a wind turbine [a device that uses the wind as an energy resource]? A) Thermal E--> Electric E B) Grav E--> Electric E C) Electric E--> Kin E D) Kin E--> Electric E
D
Which of the following has lower energy? A photon of A. Yellow light B. Ultraviolet light C. Green light D. Infrared light
D
Which travels faster, light or radio waves? A. Depends on the wavelength of the light B. Radio C. Light D. Same speed
D
While a wooden matchstick burns, the energy transformation is: a) KinE →ChemE+RadE b) ChemE →KinE+RadE c) ThermE →ChemE+RadE d) ChemE →ThermE+RadE
D
You press a 500 N weight from your shoulders up to arms' length, a distance of 0.8 m, during a period of 2 seconds. How much work did you do? a) 800W b) 800J c) 400W d) 400J e) 200W f) 200J
D
You push a 2 kg book along a tabletop, pushing it with a 10 N force. If there is a 4 N frictional force between the table and the book, the book's acceleration a) Is 12 m/s2 b) Is 20 m/s2 c) Is 28 m/s2 d) Is 3 m/s2 e) Is 5 m/s2 f) Is 2 m/s2.
D
"Energy" could best be defined as A) matter in motion. B) the ability to exert power. C) stored momentum. D) the amount of force a system is capable of exerting. E) the capacity to do work.
E
How is an electron similar to a photon? A. Both contain electric charge B. Both are quanta C. Both move at light speed D. Both impact at a tiny point on a viewing screen E. B and D F. B and C G. C and D
E
How many different frequencies can be created by quantum jumps among the lowest six energy levels of hydrogen? a) 6 b) 5 c) 10 d) 14 e) 15
E
How much kinetic energy does a car have when it moves at 100 km/hr, as compared with when it moves at 50 km/hr? a) The same amount b) 1⁄2 as much c) 1⁄4 as much d) Twice as much e) 4 times as much
E
In quantum theory, a "wave packet" A) represents one particle having a range of possible positions but a specific velocity. B) represents many particles, each one having both a specific position and a specific velocity. C) represents many particles, each one having a range of possible positions and a range of possible velocities. D) represents one particle having a specific position but a range of possible velocities. E) represents one particle having a range of possible positions and a range of possible velocities.
E
Mort and Velma have identical 10-minute ice cream cones. Velma passes Mort at 75% of lightspeed. What are the times measured by Mort for his and Velma's cones to melt? a) 10 minutes and 10 minutes b) 10.5 min. and 10 min. c) 10 min. and 10.5 min. d) 15 min. and 10 min. e) 10 min. and 15 min.
E
Mort observes Velma's light-clock, as Velma passes. Mort thus observes Velma's clock to be A) moving backward in time. B) on time. C) stopped. D) fast. E) slow.
E
Suppose that a radioactive substance has decayed until only 1/64th of it remains. For how many half-lives has it been decaying? a) 2 b) 3 c) 4 d) 5 e) 6 f) 7
E
The isotope created by the fusion of 1 1H and 2 1 H is A. 3 1 H B. 3 2 H C. 2 2 He D. 3 1He E. 3 2 He
E
The wave that arises in experiments such as the double-slit experiment with electrons is best described as A) a wave of electric charge. B) a pressure wave. C) a heat wave. D) an electromagnetic wave. E) a matter wave.
E
When energy from the sun is absorbed by your skin a) It remains there as electromagnetic energy b) It remains there as radiant energy c) It transforms onto nuclear energy d) It transforms into kinetic energy e) It transforms into thermal energy f) It gives you the heebie-jeebies.
E
When your radio is tuned to 100 on the FM dial, it is receiving: a) 100 Hz sound wave b) 10^8 Hz sound wave c) 100 Hz electromagnetic wave d) 10^6 Hz electromagnetic wave e) 10^8 Hz electromagnetic wave
E
Which of the following does not travel at light speed? A) infrared waves B) light C) radio waves D) X-rays E) Actually all of these travel at light speed.
E
Which of the following is not a heat engine? A) automobile engine B) nuclear electric power plant C) coal-fired electric generating plant D) steam locomotive E) hydro-electric generating plant
E
Which of the following is not a heat engine? A) automobile engine B) steam locomotive C) coal-fired electric generating plant D) nuclear electric power plant E) hydro-electric generating plant
E
You press a 500 N weight from your shoulders up to arms' length, a distance of 0.8 m, during a period of 2 seconds. How much work did you do? In the preceding question, your power output is: a) 800W b) 800J c) 400W d) 400J e) 200W f) 200J
E
An engine that consumes 400 J of thermal energy while exhausting 300 J has an efficiency of: a) 133% b) 100% c) 75% d) 66% e) 33% f) 25%
F
Your weight at an altitude of 2 Earth radii above Earth's surface is: a) Zero b) Impossible to calculate c) Same as your weight on Earth d) 1/3 your weight on Earth e) 1/4 your weight on Earth f) 1/9 your weight on Earth
F
A particle having a very precise velocity has a wave packet that A. Occupies a wide region of the x-axis B. Occupies only a narrow region of the x-axis C. Moves with a wide variety of velocities D. Moves with a narrow range of velocities E. B and C F. A and C G. A and D
G
Which of the following would be "linear" growth of your bank savings account? A) Growth by 7% every year B) Growth by $1000 every year C) Both of the above. D) Neither of the above
B
Which one of our 8 standard physical forms of energy is present in sunlight? A) kinetic B) radiant C) chemical D) solar E) thermal
B
A ball is moving at 20 m/s. If no forces act on it, then 5 seconds later the ball's speed will be A) less than 20 m/s, but the precise answer cannot be found without further information. B) more than 20 m/s, but the precise answer cannot be found without further information. C) 20 m/s. D) zero. E) None of the above.
C
A particle of light is called A) an electron B) a proton C) a photon D) a neutron E) a quark
C
A neutron makes a better "nuclear bullet", for fissioning a nucleus, than does a proton. This is because A) unlike the proton, the neutron is not repelled by the charge on the nucleus. B) neutrons are so much more massive than protons. C) protons do not feel the strong nuclear force and thus do not interact appreciably with the nucleus. D) it is easy to accelerate neutrons to high speeds in nuclear accelerators. E) the negative charge on the neutron attracts it to the nucleus.
A
As a particle's uncertainty in position gets smaller, its uncertainty in velocity A) must increase enough to satisfy the uncertainty principle. B) must decrease enough to satisfy the uncertainty principle. C) must remain unchanged.
A
In what kind of path would the planets move if no force acted on them? A) Straight line with no acceleration. B) They would continue in their present orbits, since they already have no force on them. C) Larger elliptical orbits. D) Parabolas, like a thrown rock. E) Straight line with an acceleration of 10 m/sec2.
A
In which part of the electromagnetic spectrum does the sun emit the most intense radiation, i.e., in which part does the sun radiate the most energy? A) visible B) ultraviolet C) radio D) infrared E) gamma
A
Is it possible, according to Einstein's relativity, for a child to be biologically older than his or her parents? A) Yes, if the parents go on a long and fast trip and return to Earth. B) Yes, if the child goes on a long and fast trip and returns to Earth. C) No, because it is not possible to actually move backward through time. D) No, because the principles of relativity don't have anything to do with actual biological aging. E) No, because the "relativity of time" does not allow the actual order of events in time to be switched around.
A
Suppose that the electric force between two objects is 2 N and that you then halve the distance between the objects. The new force is A) 8 N B) 0.25 N C) 4 N D) 0.5 N E) 1 N
A
The basic energy resource that fueled the "industrial revolution" was a form of A) chemical energy. B) gravitational energy. C) radiant energy. D) nuclear energy. E) thermal energy.
A
The cosmic microwave background is A) the now-cooled radiation that was released by the big bang. B) the now-cooled X-ray radiation emitted by very distant supernova explosions. C) caused by the world's microwave ovens. D) the faint radiation that comes from the hydrogen atoms that fill the universe. E) the faint glow from the most distant galaxies.
A
Under what condition can a force act on an object and yet do no work on that object? A) If the object does not move. B) If the net force on the object is zero. C) If the object moves with no acceleration. D) If the force operates at constant (unchanging) power. E) Nonsense--any force on an object must do work on that object.
A
Which of the 4 fundamental forces binds the nucleus together, and which binds the atom [the electron orbits] together? A) Strong nuclear force binds the nucleus, electric force binds the atom. B) Strong nuclear force binds the nucleus, weak nuclear force binds the atom. C) Gravity binds the nucleus, electric force binds the atom. D) Weak nuclear force binds the nucleus, strong nuclear force binds the atom. E) Electric force binds the nucleus, strong nuclear force binds the atom.
A
Which of the following is a feature of quantum physics but not a feature of Newtonian physics? A) The observation process must be included as part of the theory. B) The principle of conservation of energy. C) Determinism: The future is entirely determined by the present. D) Force at a distance: Objects can exert forces on other objects that are some distance away, across empty space. E) All of the above.
A
You are a passenger in a moving car, and you drop a coin from your right hand, holding your left hand directly below the point of release. If the car is moving at unchanging velocity, the coin will come down A) in your left hand B) in front of your left hand C) to the side of your left hand D) behind your left hand
A
You are in distant space. A giant boulder, many times larger than you, is at rest in front of you. You tap the boulder lightly with a small hammer. What does the boulder do? A) It accelerates during the tap, up to a slow speed [slower than walking speed], then keeps moving at that speed. B) It remains at rest. C) It accelerates during the tap, up to a high speed [faster than a fast-moving car], then keeps moving at that speed. D) It accelerates both during and after the tap. E) It speeds up a little during the tap, but after the tap it soon [within a few minutes] slows down and comes to rest.
A
You separate two magnets that are initially held together by magnetic forces. How does this affect the mass and energy of the system of magnets? A) It creates additional mass, located in the space between the two magnets, and also additional energy. B) It creates additional energy, located in the space between the two magnets, but not additional mass. C) It creates additional mass, located within each magnet, and also additional energy. D) It creates additional mass, located within each magnet, but no additional energy. E) It creates neither additional energy nor additional mass
A
According to the principle of equivalence, gravity is equivalent to A) energy. B) acceleration. C) net force. D) velocity. E) the state of free-fall.
B
All magnetic forces are produced by A) stationary charges. B) charges in motion. C) protons. D) permanent magnets. E) electromagnetic generators.
B
Does the growth of a leaf violate the law of entropy, and why or why not? A) No, because the energy increase of the leaf is exactly balanced by the energy decrease of the radiation flowing through the leaf. B) No, because the increase in the entropy of the radiation passing through the leaf is greater than the decrease in the entropy of the leaf itself. C) No, because the leaf actually increases its own entropy in this process, despite the appearance that it is becoming better organized. D) Yes, because this law is violated in situations involving energy from the sun. E) Yes, because this law is violated by living organisms.
B
If you start with one gram of pure 14C [half-life 6000 years], the amount remaining after 36,000 years will be A) 1/128 gram. B) 1/64 gram. C) 1/6 gram. D) 1/32 gram. E) None.
B
In fission bombs, a certain "critical mass" is needed because A) the fissionable material will not reach a sufficiently high temperature unless this much material is present. B) if the mass is too small, too many neutrons pass through the uranium and out the sides without hitting a nucleus. C) for smaller masses the pressure is so low that neutrons move too slowly through the uranium to sustain a chain reaction. D) too small an amount of uranium will not hold together throughout the reaction, and thus the uranium falls apart and the reaction goes out before it is completed. E) it is impossible to fission a uranium nucleus unless it is near a large number of other uranium nuclei.
B
In the electron double-slit experiment with electrons, what happens when a detector is used to determine through which slit the electron actually passes? A) The electron then acquires both a precise velocity and a precise position. B) The pattern on the screen suddenly becomes a non-interference pattern. C) The electron suddenly jumps into a state of higher energy. D) The pattern on the screen suddenly becomes an wave-interference pattern. E) None of the electrons reach the screen.
B
It is easier to significantly alter Earth's O3 balance than its O2 balance because A) O3 is a highly reactive molecule whereas O2 is inert. B) O3 is a trace molecule in the atmosphere whereas O2 is not. C) O3 is an inert molecule whereas O2 is highly reactive. D) it is so much easier to produce O3. E) O3 is a very unstable molecule whereas O2 is stable.
B
One phenomenon or experiment that supports the wave theory of matter is A) the Michelson-Morley experiment. B) the double-slit experiment with electrons. C) the tiny flashes that are observed when an electron beam strikes a screen. D) interference effects with light. E) the tiny flashes that are observed when a light beam strikes a screen.
B
One possible feedback effect of global warming that could "run away" unpredictably is A) warming leading to decreased cloud cover leading to further warming. B) melting Arctic ice leading to increased absorption of radiation leading to further warming. C) ozone depletion that allows more ultraviolet to strike Earth, leading to further ozone depletion. D) warming of the Pacific ocean stops the El Niño phenomenon which leads to further warming of the Pacific.
B
Referring to the figure above, the photons of lowest energy are produced by A) quantum jumps from state 2 to state 1. B) quantum jumps from state 4 to 3. C) the ground state. D) state 4. E) Impossible to determine without further information.
B
Since matter is made of electrically charged particles, why don't we feel electric forces all the time? A) Because the effect of the electric force is absorbed by the air that normally surrounds us. B) Because matter contains as many electrons as protons, leading to no net macroscopic effect. C) Because there is no electric current in ordinary matter, so there can be no net macroscopic effect. D) Because the atoms in each small portion of ordinary matter are at rest, so they produce no electromagnetic force. E) Because electric forces cannot be exerted across the nearly empty space.
B
The main point of Newton's law of motion is that forces cause A) energy. B) acceleration. C) velocity. D) All of the above. E) None of the above.
B
When you send a wave pulse down a rope or Slinky, it eventually dies out. What has become of the energy? A) It was transformed into Italian sausage. B) It was transformed into thermal energy. C) It was transformed into elastic energy. D) It was transformed into electromagnetic energy. E) It vanished because energy is always lost in all physical processes.
B
Which of the following best represents the energy transformations in a coal-fired electric power plant? A) radiant-> kinetic-> electromagnetic-> thermal B) chemical-> thermal-> kinetic-> electromagnetic C) chemical-> kinetic-> thermal-> electromagnetic D) electromagnetic-> thermal-> kinetic E) gravitational-> kinetic-> electromagnetic
B
A small car and a large truck collide head-on. During the collision, the small car experiences A) A much smaller force than the truck. B) A much larger force than the truck. C) A much larger acceleration than the truck. D) The same acceleration as the truck. E) None of the above.
C
According to Einstein's mass-energy relation, A) a heated object has slightly greater mass than the same object when it was cooler. B) a stretched rubber band has slightly greater mass than the same rubber band when unstretched. C) Both of the above. D) None of the above.
C
Are electric fields made of material particles such as atoms, and how do we know? A) Yes, because the forces exerted by electric fields are always exerted on material particles such as atoms. B) Yes, because everything is made of atoms. C) No, because electromagnetic waves are able to cross regions of empty space containing no material particles. D) Yes, because electric fields have energy and all forms of energy are associated with material particles. E) No, because electric fields are observed to exist even within protons, and protons are not material particles.
C
Can an element decay "forward" in the periodic table, to a higher atomic number? A) No, in fact elements cannot alter their atomic number by radioactive decay. B) No, but an element can decay to a lower atomic number. C) Yes, by beta decay. D) Yes, by alpha decay. E) Yes, this can occur by means of both beta decay and alpha decay.
C
How does quantum uncertainty differ form the uncertainty involved in a coin flip? A) They don't differ in any essential way--no amount of information can remove either type of uncertainty. B) They don't differ in any essential way--with sufficient information, both types of uncertainty can be removed. C) With sufficient information, a coin flip's outcome can be predicted, but no amount of information can remove quantum uncertainties. D) With sufficient information, quantum uncertainties can be removed, but no amount of information can make a coin flip's outcome predictable.
C
How is the gravitational force between two objects affected by changes in the masses of the objects and by changes in the distance between the two objects? A) The force increases with increased mass, and increases with increased distance. B) The force decreases with increased mass, and increases with increased distance. C) The force increases with increased mass, and decreases with increased distance. D) The force decreases with increased mass, and decreases with increased distance.
C
Is the force holding the electrons into their atomic orbits in an individual atom basically the same as the force that hold the sun's planets in their orbits? Why or why not? A) Yes; it is the force of gravity in both cases. B) Yes; it is the centrifugal force in both cases. C) No; gravity holds planets in their orbits, while the electromagnetic force holds electrons in their orbits. D) No; gravity holds the sun's planets in their orbits, while nuclear forces hold the electrons in their orbits. E) No; the sun's energy source is nuclear fusion, and fusion does not occur within individual atoms.
C
Light waves are A) traveling disturbances in the air. B) traveling disturbances in the ether. C) traveling disturbances in an electromagnetic field. D) beams of moving electrons and other charged particles. E) beams of moving atoms.
C
Newton's principles of mechanics are important because A) of the influential role they played in the development of science during the 14th and 15th centuries. B) no exceptions have ever been found to them. C) they tie together [or "explain"] a wide range of observed phenomena. D) Actually they are of little importance, due to their limited range of validity. E) Actually they are now known to be incorrect and hence are of no real scientific importance today.
C
One force acting on a falling apple is the apple's weight. Which of the following is the best description of the other member of the "force pair" [of which the apple's weight is one member]? A) Air resistance acting upward on the apple. B) The force of gravity by the apple pushing downward on Earth. C) The force of gravity by the apple pulling upward on Earth. D) Gravity pulling downward on the apple. E) The force of gravity by Earth pulling upward on the apple.
C
The wave that arises in experiments such as the double-slit experiment with electrons is best described as A) a heat wave. B) an electromagnetic wave. C) a matter wave. D) a pressure wave. E) a wave of electric charge.
C
We proved, using Einstein's two basic principles, that if Velma is moving past Mort then Mort should observe Velma's clock to go slow. This behavior of Velma's clock occurs because, as observed by Mort, A) the light beam in Velma's light-clock travels at faster than the normal lightspeed. B) the light beam in Velma's light-clock travels at slower than the normal lightspeed. C) the light beam in her light-clock travels further than 300,000 km during one of Velma's ticks. D) Velma's light-clock shortens along its direction of motion. E) the light beam in her light-clock travels less than 300,000 km during one of Velma's ticks.
C
Which of the following describes an object that is moving with an unchanging speed but a changing velocity? A) A car slowing down while moving along a straight line. B) A car moving up a straight hill [a hill whose "slope" is unchanging] at a steady 80 km/hr, when the car is midway up the hill. C) A car rounding a curve at a steady 80 km/hr. D) A car moving along a straight horizontal (level) line at a steady 80 km/hr. E) Both answers C and D are correct.
C
A sulfur atom has twice the weight of an oxygen atom. When sulfur and oxygen combine to form sulfur dioxide, 1 sulfur atom combines with 2 oxygen atoms. What is the weight ratio of sulfur to oxygen? A. 4to1 B. 2to1 C. 1to1 D. 1to2 E. 1to4
D
A typical source of infrared radiation is A) magnetized particles vibrating in iron and certain other metals. B) electrons moving along a metal antenna. C) charged particles moving within the nucleus. D) thermal vibrations of molecules. E) electrons orbiting the nucleus in atoms.
D
According to the planetary model, an atom is A) impossible to visualize [or picture]. B) made of protons, electrons, and ions. C) a single tiny object, not made of parts. D) made of protons, electrons, and neutrons. E) made of protons and electrons.
D
According to the second law of thermodynamics, A) thermal energy flows spontaneously from low temperatures to high temperatures. B) work cannot be entirely converted into thermal energy. C) the amount of energy going into any thermodynamic process exactly equals the amount coming out. D) thermal energy flows spontaneously from high temperatures to low temperatures. E) thermal energy will not flow spontaneously.
D
During this century, we have found that Newton's physics does not apply to A) high speed objects. B) very strong gravitational forces. C) very small objects. D) All of the above. E) Nonsense--Newton's physics always applies.
D
Entropy is best defined as A) the capacity to do work. B) energy that is due to chemical structure. C) microscopic organization. D) microscopic disorganization. E) energy that is due to its temperature.
D
How do we know what Earth's temperature was many years before thermometers existed? A) From historical information about the climate recorded by Vikings and other travelers during the ice ages. B) From computer calculations that start from the conditions (the atmosphere and sea level, primarily) of earlier times and then calculate the resulting temperature. C) From computer calculations that work backward from the present time to calculate the temperature at earlier times. D) From such indirect methods as tree rings (the thickness and density of a ring is dependent on the temperature at the time of growth) and annual layers of ice in ice cores. E) From laboratory experiments that reconstruct the conditions (the atmosphere and sea level, primarily) of earlier times and then measure the resulting temperature.
D
If two electrons are near each other and are moving past each other, the electromagnetic 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
In the formation of sulfur trioxide, the weight ratio of sulfur to oxygen is: A. 6to1 B. 3to1 C. 3to2 D. 2to3 E. 1to3 F. 1to6
D
Lilies in a certain pond double their total lake area covered every week. One day you notice that the pond is 1/8 covered with lilies. How long will it be before the pond is totally covered with lilies? A) 8 weeks B) 6 weeks C) 4 weeks D) 3 weeks E) It is impossible to answer this without knowing the total area of the pond.
D
One phenomenon that supports the wave theory of radiation is A) the transference of energy by a light beam. B) the tiny flashes when an electron beam strikes a screen. C) the tiny flashes when a light beam strikes a screen. D) interference effects with light. E) None of the above.
D
Ozone depletion in the upper atmosphere is likely to cause A) heating of the atmosphere. B) melting of the polar ice caps. C) Both of the above. D) skin cancer. E) acid rain.
D
Radioactive decay occurs when A) bacteria and other microscopic organisms digest nuclear particles. B) two or more nuclei fuse together. C) an atom loses one or more orbital electrons. D) a nucleus emits a particle spontaneously E) a nucleus is struck and broken into pieces by a fast moving particle.
D
Suppose that the gravitational force by Earth on the moon suddenly shut off. How would the moon then move? A) It would go into a larger circular orbit. B) It would slow down and stop. C) It would move directly inward, toward Earth. D) It would move straight ahead in a straight line, at constant speed. E) It would move directly outward, away from Earth.
D
Suppose you slowly, and at constant speed, lift a book weighing 9 N from the floor to a shelf 3 m above the floor. Neglect air resistance. The work done by you on the book is A) 3 joules B) zero C) 27 watts D) 27 joules E) 3 watts
D
The astronomical phenomenon that created the elements heavier than iron is A) black holes. B) neutron stars. C) the collapse of a star to a white dwarf. D) supernova explosions. E) the birth [or formation] of stars.
D
Today, the idea that everything is made of atoms should be classified as A) a certainty. B) a fact. C) Both of the above. D) a theory. E) a hypothesis.
D
Two different isotopes of the same element have A) the same chemical properties, and also the same properties in nuclear processes. B) different chemical properties, and also different properties in nuclear processes. C) different chemical properties, but the same properties in nuclear processes. D) the same chemical properties, but different properties in nuclear processes. E) None of the above.
D
Two sources of waves, call them A and B, send out waves across the surface of a lake. The waves from A have crests 1 cm high as measured from the normal undisturbed surface of the water. The waves from B are identical to those from A. How far is the water displaced at a point where a crest from A crosses a valley from B? A) 2 cm upward B) 2 cm downward C) 1 cm downward D) zero E) 1 cm upward
D
While a rock is falling straight down it has A) a decreasing velocity. B) an unchanging velocity. C) zero velocity. D) an increasing velocity. E) None of the above.
D
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) the ether slows it down to a stop. B) of its inertia. C) its natural motion is to come to rest. D) of gravity. E) of friction
E
A scientific theory [or scientific principle] could best be described as A) an idea that has been proven by observations of the natural world. B) a tentative guess about the way the natural world operates. C) an observed fact or collection of facts about the natural world. D) any mental picture, or idea, about the way that the natural world operates. E) an idea that explains a large collection of observations of the natural world.
E
According to Newtonian physics, an object with no forces acting on it must A) eventually come to rest. B) be at rest. C) be accelerated, with an unchanging acceleration. D) fall. E) either be at rest or have constant velocity.
E
Compared with the efficiency of a typical steam-electric generating plant, the efficiency of a typical hydro-electric generating plant is A) smaller because a steam-electric converts thermal energy into non-thermal forms and the second law of thermodynamics implies that this is a highly efficient process. B) about the same, because both are heat engines and so both have the large inefficiency implied by the second law of thermodynamics. C) greater because a hydro-electric plant uses the sun as its source of energy, rather than hard-to-obtain fossil fuels. D) smaller, because only a small amount of the energy in the water behind a dam can be converted into electricity. E) greater because a hydro-electric plant is not a heat engine and so it does not have the large inefficiency implied by the second law of thermodynamics.
E
How do we know that chlorine caused the ozone hole? A) From measurements of the relationship between the experimental release of chlorine from the land surface in Antarctica, and the depletion of ozone that appeared in the atmosphere a few days later. B) From laboratory experiments involving a replica of the atmosphere over Antarctica. C) From theories of the chemical destruction of ozone, coupled with computer calculations. D) From the relationship between the release of chlorine by the Pinatubo volcano and the depletion of ozone over Antarctica a few months later. E) From measurements of chlorine monoxide and ozone in the Antarctic atmosphere as the sun reappeared in the spring.
E
The most characteristic feature of science is A) its precise mathematical relations. B) its precise quantitative observations. C) Both of the above. D) the fact that scientific laws are absolutely true, i.e., that they have no exceptions. E) the mutually-supporting relationship between theory and observation.
E
The ozone layer is our friend because A) of the role it plays in keeping Earth warm. B) it protects us from damaging infrared radiation. C) it protects the earth from undergoing a harmful greenhouse effect. D) its electrical properties help to bend radio waves around the earth. E) it protects us from damaging ultraviolet radiation.
E
The universe is seconds old, 1 million trillion seconds. What is that in powers of 10? a) 10^14 sec b) 10^15 sec c) 10^16 sec d) 10^17 sec e) 10^18 sec
E
Velma's rocket ship is moving away from Mort at a speed of 0.75c. Mort fires a laser beam toward her spaceship, observing the tip of the laser beam to move away from him at speed c. Velma observes this laser beam to move past her at a speed of A) 1.75c. B) 1.25c. C) 0.25c. D) 0.75c. E) None of the above.
E
We know that light is quantized because, in the double slit experiment with light, A) when one slit is closed, no interference pattern shows up on the screen. B) when the experiment is done in strong light, no interference pattern shows up on the screen. C) an interference pattern shows up on the screen. D) when one slit is closed, the light hits the screen at tiny separated impact points. E) when dim light is used, the light hits the screen at tiny separated impact points.
E
You are in a spaceship moving past Earth at nearly lightspeed and you observe Mort, who is on Earth. You measure his mass, pulse rate, and size. How are they different from the values measured by Mort himself? A) Mass has decreased, pulse rate has slowed down, and size is reduced along the direction of motion. B) They are unchanged, i.e., they are normal. C) Mass has increased, pulse rate has speeded up, and size is reduced along the direction of motion. D) Mass has decreased, pulse rate has speeded up, and size is reduced along the direction of motion. E) Mass has increased, pulse rate has slowed down, and size is reduced along the direction of motion.
E
