SCMH Test #2 - Quiz Questions

All electromagnetic waves travel at: a) 300,000 km/hr b) 300,000 km/sec c) 30,000 km/hr d) 30,000 km/sec e) 300 km/hr.

b) 300,000 km/sec

Which sound wave frequency is outside the range of a human's ability to hear? a) 10000 Hz b) 5 Hz c) 2000 Hz d) 20 Hz e) 200 Hz

b) 5 Hz

The Doppler Effect is best described as: a) how bats fly and locate their food. b) a change in wave frequency when source or receiver is moving. c) how dolphins navigate in the world's oceans. d) how humans see the colors red and blue. e) a change in wave frequency when neither source nor receiver is moving.

b) a change in wave frequency when source or receiver is moving.

Metallic bonds create materials with properties that make them: a) polar. b) able to change shape without breaking. c) brittle. d) good insulators. e) as hard as diamonds.

b) able to change shape without breaking.

The ability of microwave ovens to cook food depends partly upon the fact that microwaves are: a) absorbed in dry air and thus heat the whole oven and its contents. b) absorbed quickly by water molecules, which generates heat. c) reflected by the interior of an oven, which causes heat to be generated in the oven wall. d) scattered by water molecules, which helps heat the glass door of the oven. e) absorbed quickly by water molecules, which does nothing to heat food.

b) absorbed quickly by water molecules, which generates heat.

If you are observing a light source moving very rapidly towards you, the Doppler Effect predicts that the light will be: a) bent. b) blue-shifted. c) red-shifted. d) radiated. e) transmitted.

b) blue-shifted

Noble gases are called so because they: a) are considered more important than other elements. b) don't chemically interact with other elements. c) can chemically interact with many other elements. d) are very valuable. e) can exist in more forms than other elements.

b) don't chemically interact with other elements.

Compared to microwave radiation, infrared radiation: a) is a faster wave. b) has shorter wavelengths. c) is a slower wave. d) has longer wavelengths. e) is visible to the human eye.

b) has shorter wavelengths.

Sound waves with low frequencies: a) travel at faster speeds than sound waves with high frequency. b) have low pitches. c) have low amplitudes if they are loud. d) have high pitches. e) are more likely to experience destructive interference.

b) have low pitches.

Inert gases: a) form a compound known as a salt. b) have similar chemical properties. c) are also called halogens. d) all contain oxygen. e) have very little in common.

b) have similar chemical properties.

Albert Michelson was the first U.S. scientist to win the Nobel Prize. His prize was for: a) proving Maxwell's equations again. b) his studies of light. c) his research into static electricity. d) proving Maxwell's equations again. e) his work with accelerating electrical charges.

b) his studies of light

A piece of gravel by the side of road is most likely held together by: a) covalent bonds. b) ionic bonds. c) van der Waals forces. d) crystal lattice. e) hydrogen bonds.

b) ionic bonds.

The basic concept of an atom was put forth originally because: a) older ideas that were borrowed from Egyptians. b) it was philosophically satisfying that particles could be divided only so small. c) older ideas that were borrowed from Babylonians. d) of experimental evidence from his laboratory. e) the invention of the magnifying glass led to ideas about progressively smaller particles.

b) it was philosophically satisfying that particles could be divided only so small.

Which instrument below emits photons that have wave crests in exact alignment? a) a source of alpha particles in a physics laboratory b) light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation c) telescope fitted with a spectroscope d) electron microscope e) spectroscope which is not part of a telescope

b) light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

If you drop a material that is held together by ionic bonds, one likely outcome is that it will: a) bend. b) shatter. c) flow across the floor. d) bounce. e) be dented.

b) shatter.

It was first discovered that atoms have a nucleus when: a) Rutherford split the nucleus of uranium atoms. b) some alpha particles were deflected by gold nuclei in Rutherford's experiment. c) scientists photographed the nucleus of uranium d) experiments showed that electrons must have a charge balance at an atom's center. e) Einstein hypothesized the existence of the nucleus in 1915.

b) some alpha particles were deflected by gold nuclei in Rutherford's experiment.

Which of the following is the same for all kinds of electromagnetic waves? a) wavelength b) speed c) transmission d) energy e) frequency

b) speed

The U.S. government once considered nylon as a (an): a) weapon of war. b) strategic material. c) form of currency. d) national uniform. e) none of the above

b) strategic material.

In the periodic table of the elements, a 'period' refers to the: a) number of neutrons. b) the horizontal row. c) atomic mass of the atom d) number of protons in the atom. e) vertical column.

b) the horizontal row.

Electromagnetic waves are produced: a) where electromagnetic waves are bent. b) when electrical charges are accelerated. c) where there is heat and light. d) when positive and negative charges meet. e) none of the above.

b) when electrical charges are accelerated.

What is the velocity of a wave if the distance between the crests is 16 meters and 40 waves go by every 10 seconds? a) 16 m/sec b) 4 m/sec c) 64 m/sec d) 32 m/sec e) 8 m/sec

c) 64 m/sec

The atomic theories of Democritus and Dalton: a) Dalton used the term atom; Democritus did not. b) Democritus' theory depended upon observation; Dalton's theory did not. c) Dalton's theory depended upon observation; Democritus' theory did not. d) both were based on observations in nature. e) neither was based on observations in nature.

c) Dalton's theory depended upon observation; Democritus' theory did not. Dalton did.

Regarding the periodic table, which statement below best follows the scientific method? a) Mendeleev's listed the elements alphabetically. b) The periodic table has not changed in 100 years. c) The periodic table made predictions that could be tested. d) Information that refuted Mendeleev's hypothesis was ignored. e) Only scientists could understand the periodic table.

c) The periodic table made predictions that could be tested.

Which statement is true of liquid crystals? a) Could not be akin to the 'lipid bilayer' molecules in the primitive oceans. b) Liquid crystals become less structured in the presence of an electric field. c) Under the influence of an electric field, liquid crystals form a partially ordered structure of molecules. d) Polymers broken into individual parts reform as liquid crystals. e) Being a liquid, they have no order.

c) Under the influence of an electric field, liquid crystals form a partially ordered structure of molecules.

Of the kinds of waves listed below, which one does not result in the transport of matter? a) subsonic wave b) ocean wave c) X-ray d) sound wave e) seismic wave

c) X-ray

Most polymers are characterized as: a) permanently stable compounds. b) interesting to study, but having little value in our lives. c) a collection of small molecules combined into long chains. d) found in synthetic products, but not in nature.

c) a collection of small molecules combined into long chains.

Sound waves cannot travel through: a) water. b) glass. c) a vacuum. d) helium. e) very dense materials.

c) a vacuum.

Which of the following would cause an electromagnetic wave to be emitted? a) destructive interference of sound waves b) trying to separate electrical from magnetic phenomena c) acceleration of an electric charge d) constructive interference of any kind of wave e) writing an equation that has the wave form in it

c) acceleration of an electric charge

Gamma radiation is a shorter wavelength than: a) radio waves b) X-rays c) all of the above d) visible light e) microwaves

c) all of the above

Turning up the volume of music or speaking louder means that the sound wave has changed: a) none of the above. b) speed. c) amplitude. d) frequency. e) wavelength.

c) amplitude.

The strongest type of bond is: a) ionic. b) metallic. c) covalent. d) van der Walls. e) none of the above.

c) covalent.

Where would you not expect to find plasma? a) the sun b) sealed in a magnetic bottle c) in an ice cube d) neon lights

c) in an ice cube

Cats' eyes are more sensitive to__________ than humans'. a) gamma rays b) visible light c) infrared waves d) X-rays e) radio waves

c) infrared waves

Which state of matter maintains a constant volume but not a fixed shape? a) gas b) plasma c) liquid d) crystal e) solid

c) liquid

How fast can light travel in one second, if it is moving through a vacuum? a) 3,000,000 kilometers b) 30,000 kilometers c) 186,000 kilometers d) 300,000 kilometers e) 18,600 kilometers

d) 300,000 kilometers

In 1808, which person borrowed the name 'atom' from Greek writings and described it as indivisible? a) Daniel Bernoulli b) Dimitri Mendeleev c) Ernest Rutherford d) John Dalton e) Albert Einstein

d) John Dalton

In the periodic table of the elements, the only element lighter than helium is: a) argon. b) oxygen. c) neon. d) silicon. e) hydrogen.

e) hydrogen.

The arrangement of the atoms in glass is: a) regular and repeating b) irregular in all places c) locally regular but overall not regular d) all of the above e) none of the above

c) locally regular but overall not regular

__________ results in a sharing of many electrons between atoms.

Metallic bonding

The first to prove an atom is mostly empty space by using alpha particles was:

Rutherford

Covalent solids are held together because of:

a sharing of electrons.

A light wave has a wavelength of about: a) 7500 to 4000 angstroms. b) a millimeter to a micron. c) a meter to a millimeter. d) 400 to 100 nanometers.

a) 7500 to 4000 angstorms

__________ is an example of an exothermic reaction. a) Burning wood b) Creating electricity c) Making ice d) Dissolving salt e) none of the above

a) Burning wood

Evidence for the theory that an atom is mostly empty space was supported by research of which of these scientists? a) Ernest Rutherford b) Joseph John Thomson c) Daniel Bernoulli d) Niels Bohr e) John Dalton

a) Ernest Rutherford

When two or more covalently bonded atoms combine chemically, we refer to the physical result as : a) a molecule. b) an element. c) an electron. d) an uncuttable. e) water.

a) a molecule.

Metals are held together because of: a) a sea of electrons. b) a sharing of electrons. c) an attraction between the polar molecules. d) a transfer of negative electrons. e) the lack of attraction between the inert atoms.

a) a sea of electrons.

Which statement best describes transverse waves? a) A wave a frog would make jumping up and down on a lily pad. b) The transverse wave moves particles in the direction that the wave is moving. c) Echoes are formed from transverse waves. d) The energy moves perpendicular to the wave direction. e) Transverse waves are a special type of longitudinal wave.

a) a wave a frog would make jumping up and down on a lily pad.

Photons are emitted when electrons: a) are in excited states. b) are in the ground state. c) none of the above. d) collide within the electron cloud. e) collide within the electron cloud.

a) are in excited states.

Lasers can be used to make extremely accurate measurements of: a) distance b) none of the above c) color. d) density. e) temperature.

a) distance

Solids that do not have long-range order to the arrangement of their atoms are called: a) glass b) ionic solids c) metallic solids d) crystalline solids.

a) glass

Line-of-sight communications and radar rely heavily on what type of electromagnetic wave? a) microwaves b) gamma rays c) x-rays d) radio waves e) visibile light

a) microwaves

The elements in the periodic table are arranged based on the: a) number of protons in the nucleus. b) number of electrons surrounding the nucleus. c) number of neutrons in the nucleus. d) mass of the nucleus.

a) number of protons in the nucleus.

What is an atom's spectrum? a) the total collection of different photons an atom can emit b) the allowed orbit closest to the nucleus c) the atom's place in the periodic table d) the total collection of different photons an atom can emit e) the atomic mass of the atom

a) the total collection of different photons an atom can emit

In the innermost electron shell, there can only be __________ electrons. a) two b) one c) four d) eight e) sixteen

a) two

Polar molecules are:

always dipoles.

An atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons is known as:

an ion

Which of the following is not characteristic of hydrogen bonds? a) separation of positively and negatively charged ions b) links of hydrogen to oxygen and other negative ions c) malleability and metallic bonds d) linking the two sides of the DNA double helix e) polar molecules

c) malleability and metallic bonds

Of the types of radiation listed below, the only one that humans can detect is: a) infrared waves b) gamma rays c) none of the above d) X-rays e) visible light

c) none of the above

Atoms in the same column of the periodic table have the same: a) inner shell electron configurations. b) number of electrons in the nucleus. c) outer shell electron configurations. d) atomic mass and atomic size. e) number of neutrons in the nucleus.

c) outer shell electron configurations.

Chemical bonds occur when electrons are __________ atoms. a) stripped off b) expelled from c) rearranged between d) all of the above e) none of the above

c) rearranged between

Old oil can be __________ and used over again. a) burned b) broken down into elements c) refined and recycled d) all of the above e) none of the above

c) refined and recycled

Another word for constructive interference is: a) amplitude. b) destructive. c) reinforcement. d) Doppler Effect. e) acceleration.

c) reinforcement.

Chemical bonds are: a) the attraction among atoms resulting from the destruction of electrons. b) an unstable configuration among two or more elements. c) the redistribution of electrons between atoms, leading to a more stable configuration. d) sharing of protons in the lowest energy level. e) explained in laws of thermodynamics.

c) the redistribution of electrons between atoms, leading to a more stable configuration.

The higher the frequency of a sound wave: a) the faster it travels. b) the longer the wavelength. c) the shorter the wavelength. d) louder it is. e) lower the pitch.

c) the shorter the wavelength.

The fundamental difference between electromagnetic waves and other types of waves is that electromagnetic waves: a) do not experience constructive or destructive interference. b) move more slowly than all other types of waves. c) transfer energy without transferring mass. d) are invisible regardless of wavelength. e) all have the same wavelength.

c) transfer energy without transferring mass.

Which type of radiation is commonly used to sterilize medical equipment? a) microwave radiation b) infrared radiation c) ultraviolet radiation d) radio waves e) fluorescence

c) ultraviolet radiation

The electrons at the outer energy level of the atom are called: a) outer field electrons. b) the atomic number. c) valence electrons. d) van der Waals electrons. e) ionic electrons.

c) valence electrons.

Ionic solids are held together because of: a) a sea of electrons. b) a sharing of electrons. c) an attraction between the polar molecules. d) a transfer of negative charges: electrons e) the lack of attraction between the inert atoms.

d) a transfer of negative charges: electrons

Gamma radiation is a shorter wavelength than: a) visible light b) X-rays c) radio waves d) all of the above e) microwaves

d) all of the above

The fundamental building block for all matter, which is the smallest representative sample of a substance that maintains chemical elemental identity - is called: a) an electron. b) an elemental c) a molecule. d) an atom. e) a chemical compound.

d) an atom.

Rutherford's model of the atom cannot work because: a) atoms would be constantly absorbing energy. b) atoms would not have symmetrical shapes. c) compounds could not be easily formed. d) atoms would be constantly emitting energy.

d) atoms would be constantly emitting energy.

White materials scatter all wavelengths of visible light in all directions in a process called: a) refraction. b) absorption. c) transmission. d) diffusion. e) reflection.

d) diffusion

What characteristic of waves is measured in Hertz? a) amplitude b) length c) speed d) frequency e) energy

d) frequency

An atom with two protons in the nucleus is called: a) oxygen. b) hydrogen. c) plutonium. d) helium. e) lithium.

d) helium.

Sodium chloride (NaCl) atoms form a crystal lattice that is held together by: a) hydrogen bonds. b) salt bonds. c) covalent bonds. d) ionic bonds. e) van der Waals bonds.

d) ionic bonds.

Bats navigate by emitting high pitched sound waves and a) hoping humans do not hear them. b) killing all the moths within 10 meters. c) calculating wave crests per second. d) listening for an echo from obstructions. e) attracting various insects toward the sound.

d) listening for an echo from obstructions.

Which makes the best electrical conductor? a) covalent bonds b) ionic bonds c) hydrogen bonds d) metallic bonds e) polymers

d) metallic bonds

An electrically neutral particle in the nucleus of an atom is called a (an): a) electron. b) proton. c) nucleus. d) neutron. e) ion.

d) neutron.

In today's periodic table, elements are arranged in order of a) atomic size of the atom. b) the alphabetical listing of the atoms. c) number of electrons in the nucleus of the atom d) number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. e) number of neutrons in the nucleus of the atom.

d) number of protons in the nucleus of the atom.

The weakest type of bond is: a) ionic. b) metallic. c) covalent. d) van der Waals. e) none of the above.

d) van der Waals.

Who is thought to have first coined the word atom? a) Dalton b) Rutherford c) Bohr d) Thomson e) Democritus

e) Democritus

Which of the following is strictly a longitudinal wave? a) Water waves b) Any electromagnetic waves c) Light waves d) Laser light e) Sound waves

e) Sound waves

Which of the following represents the most stable arrangement of electrons? a) atoms with completely filled valence shells b) elements that are positioned on the far right column of the periodic table of elements c) inert gases such as helium, neon and argon d) atoms with a total of 2, 10, 18 or 36 electrons e) all of the above

e) all of the above

What aspect of a sound wave makes it seem loud to people hearing the sound? a) wavelength b) velocity. c) frequency d) wavelength e) amplitude

e) amplitude

An example of a metallic bond is: a) DNA b) organic compounds. c) hydrogen gas. d) NaCl. e) an alloy.

e) an alloy.

The word atom was coined from: a) Mendeleev's early work. b) Rutherford's middle name. c) Roman terminology. d) work by Pauli. e) an ancient Greek term.

e) an ancient Greek term.

Lasers are extremely important in science because we use them to: a) kill bacteria without harming other cells. b) absorb photons. c) bounce light off stars. d) determine what elements make up a substance. e) make very precise measurements.

e) make very precise measurements.

What practical use has been found for gamma rays? a) carrying radio signals b) cooking food and heating water c) generating light and heat d) detecting the speed of a moving vehicle e) medical applications

e) medical applications

Which is not associated with broadcast radio waves? a) frequency modulation b) frequency slices or bands c) electron motion in an antenna d) amplitude modulation e) none of the above

e) none of the above

Waves transfer energy from: a) Waves transfer energy from: b) one frequency to another. c) one speed of wave to another. d) one wavelength to another. e) one place to another. f) none of the above.

e) one place to another

Individual particles in a transverse wave move: a) in small circles. b) perpendicular to the medium. c) parallel to the wave direction. d) in large circles e) perpendicular to the wave direction.

e) perpendicular to the wave direction.

An example of something that is not a polymer is: a) fur and cellulose. b) spider webs and plastic. c) nylon and cotton. d) meat. e) plasma and gas.

e) plasma and gas.

A photon is emitted by an atom when one of the atom's electrons: a) collides with other electrons. b) shifts to a higher energy level. c) leaves the atom. d) is removed from the atom. e) shifts to a lower energy level.

e) shifts to a lower energy level.

When we hear a sound change from a higher to a lower pitch, this means: a) the sound wave has bounced. b) none of the above. c) the wavelength has changed. d) the speed has changed. e) the frequency has changed.

e) the frequency has changed.

Light passing through a window glass is an interaction called: a) reflection. b) scattering. c) the greenhouse effect. d) absorption. e) transmission.

e) transmission.

Human skin can be strongly affected by what type of electromagnetic radiation? a) visible light b) X-rays c) radio waves d) gamma rays e) ultraviolet radiation

e) ultraviolet radiation

The Rutherford atom model did not work because there is a problem with: a) uniform motion, Maxwell's equations, and the second law of thermodynamics. b) none of the above. c) uniform motion. d) uniform motion and Maxwell's equations. e) uniform motion, Maxwell's equations, and the first law of thermodynamics.

e) uniform motion, Maxwell's equations, and the FIRST law of thermodynamics.

Which of the following has a frequency of 440 Hz?

middle A musical note

Human eyes are most sensitive to this color.

yellow