Concepts of Physics: Chapter 1

When we see a half Moon in the sky, the lines between Earth, Moon, and Sun... A) form a right triangle. B) are parallel to one another. C) are equal in length. D) all of the above

A) form a right triangle

An educated scientific guess is a A) hypothesis. B) theory. C) either of these D)neither of these

A) hypothesis

The synthesis of a large collection of information that contains well-tested and verified hypotheses about certain aspects of the world is known as a scientific... A) theory. B) hypothesis. C) law or principle. D) fact. E) none of the above

A) theory

Eratosthenes' measurements of Earth's size involved... A) surveying the distance between Alexandria and Syene. B) a pillar's shadow in Alexandria. C) a deep well in Syene. D) all of the above

D) all of the above

Science is a body of knowledge that... A) is an ongoing human activity. B) describes order in nature. C) condenses knowledge into testable laws. D) all of the above E) none of the above

D) all of the above

Technology is a tool that can A) lead to a better world. B) be socially harmful when abused. C) be socially beneficial. D) all of the above

D) all of the above

To a fair approximation, Early Greeks knew the... A) size of the Moon. B) Earth-Moon distance. C) size of Earth D) all of the above

D) all of the above

When the Sun shines on the Moon, the Moon casts a shadow... A) at all times. B) that is tapered. C) that sometimes falls on Earth. D) all of the above

D) all of the above

Facts in the field of science... A) are absolute. B) are more important than theories. C) mean very little. D) are changeable.

D) are changeable

Which of the following is a scientific statement? A) matter is filled with undetectable particles B) there are things we will never know about C) there are parts of the universe that will never be discovered by humans D) candy Bon Bons contain no sugar E) none of the above

D) candy Bon Bons contain no sugar

Which of the following involves passion, talent, and intelligence? A) literature B) science C) art D) music E) all of the above

E) all of the above

The safest way to view an image of the Sun is to use A) colored sunglasses. B) binoculars. C) a telescope. D) a pinhole.

D) a pinhole

A truly educated person is knowledgeable about A) religion. B) the arts. C) science. D) all of the above

D) all of the above

A simple method of measuring the distance between the Earth and the Moon is to place in your line of sight to the Moon a A) magnifying glass. B) coin. C) meterstick. D) telescope.

B) coin

The scientific method is most effective in... A) making hypotheses. B) gaining, organizing, and applying new knowledge. C) discovering new things. D) making theories. E) performing experiments.

B) gaining, organizing, and applying new knowledge

For a scientific hypothesis to be valid, there must be a test for proving it. A) right. B) wrong. C) conclusively one way or the other.

B) wrong

Pseudoscience is best characterized as being A) an alternate view to be taken seriously. B) new age. C) fake. D) all of the above

C) fake

Spots of sunlight on the ground cast through openings between leaves in trees above are actually... A) due to refraction of sunlight. B) part of a solar eclipse. C) images of the Sun. D) all of the above

C) images of the sun

The most basic of the sciences of physics, chemistry, and biology is A) chemistry. B) biology. C) physics. D) none of the above

C) physics

The statement, "There are regions beneath Earth's crust that will always be beyond the reach of scientific investigation" is A) a fact. B) a hypothesis. C) speculation. D) a scientific statement. E) a theory.

C) speculation