CSET II : Physical Science Energy and Waves Quiz Questions

What is the frequency of a wave with a period of 20 seconds?

1 / 20 Hz wave period = 1 / frequency Therefore, if the period is 20 seconds, the frequency is 1 / 20 hertz.

People have been using fossil fuels in the United States as a source of energy for many, many years. Why are scientists now searching for alternative fuel sources? Select all answers that apply.

1. Alternative fuel sources create less pollution than burning fossil fuels. Fossil fuels do pollute more than many alternative fuel sources. 2. Fossil fuels are a non-renewable resource. Fossil fuels are not renewable resource. Because they take millions of years to form, we are using them much faster than they are being replaced.

Which of the following benefits come from adding biofuels, such as ethanol, to gasoline? Select all answers that apply.

1. Biofuels are renewable and gasoline is not. Biofuels are renewable because they are made from plant starches and sugars. Gasoline, which is made from oil, is nonrenewable. There is also another correct answer. 2. When burned, biofuels produce less CO2 per gallon than gasoline. Biofuels produce less CO2 than the same amount of gasoline when used for transportation. There is also another correct answer.

The Kelvin temperature scale is based on which of the following? Select all answers that apply.

1. absolute zero Zero on the Kelvin temperature scale is based on absolute zero. 2. the Celsius temperature scale Each division on the Kelvin temperature scale equals one division on the Celsius scale.

On the Celsius Scale what temperature does water boil, what is normal body temp, and water freezes?

100 C water boils, 37.0 C normal body temp, 0 C water freezes.

On the Fahrenheit Scale what temperature does water boil, what is normal body temp, and water freezes?

212 F water boils, 98.6 F normal body temp, 32 F Water freezes.

On the Kelvin Scale what temperature does water boil, what is normal body temp, and water freezes?

373 K water boils, 310 K normal body, 273 K water freezes.

A system has 45 J of kinetic energy and 15 J of potential energy. What is the mechanical energy of the system?

60 J Mechanical energy equals kinetic energy plus potential energy. In this case, 45 J + 15 J = 60 J.

Of the objects listed, which one could NOT be a source of visible light?

A) a supernova, B) a material with excited electrons C) a substance that is very hot, D) a human eye Answer ** a human eye Because we see when light enters the eye. The eye does not produce visible light. Ancient peoples, and some students, think we see because light beams come out of our eyes. However, eyes and other parts of our bodies do glow in the infrared.

Which of the following sources of energy is nonrenewable?

A) hydropower B) natural gas C) solar power D) biomass fuel Answer ** B. natural gas

Which of the following devices does NOT need waves in order to function?

A) water filter B) cell phone C) tuba D) GPS system Answer ** A) Water Filter because a water filter uses physical or chemical means to purify water, but does not depend on waves.

Which of the following is NOT an example of the second law of thermodynamics?

A)The entropy of popcorn increases as it pops. B)Chocolate melts as it sits in the sun on a hot day. C)Heat flows spontaneously from a warmer body to a colder body. D)The heat added to a gas and the work done on a gas equal the increase in its internal energy. Answer ** D because it is the First Law of Thermodynamics

Mario watches his friends run the relay at a high school track meet on a warm, Friday afternoon. Jack was at the starting line, ready to take off. The starting gun boomed and Jack took off. Jack ran his part of the relay and handed his wooden baton off to Azrial, who ran and handed the baton to Juan. Roberto finished the last stretch of the race. Which type of energy was least likely to have been a part of the race?

A. Magnetic B. Chemical C. Kinetic D. Thermal Answer: A. Magnetic because although electromagnetic energy from the sun and heat were a part of the afternoon, magnets were not involved in the race.

Which of the following is an example of the conversion of electrical energy to mechanical energy?

An electric mixer plugged into an outlet mixes cake batter. A mixer plugged into an outlet uses electrical energy and converts it into mechanical energy to mix the batter.

Compared with the thermal energy and temperature of a baked potato just out of the oven, an olympic-sized swimming pool has:

Answer ** a greater thermal energy but a lower temperature. A swimming pool has many moving molecules that contribute to its thermal energy, but the average kinetic energy (temperature) of the molecules in the pool is less than the average kinetic energy of the molecules in the potato right out of an oven.

A large round boulder rolls down hill after it is pushed from point X on the illustration, near the top of a steep hill. Assuming the boulder and the hill are a closed system, and neglecting any effects from friction, if the boulder has 800 J of potential energy at point X, how much and what type of energy will it have halfway down, at point Y?

At point Y the boulder will have 400 J of potential energy and 400 J of kinetic energy. Potential energy is energy an object has due to its position or configuration. Kinetic energy is the energy of an object's motion. At point X, the energy is all potential because the boulder is not moving. As the boulder rolls down the hill, its height decreases and its speed increases, so its potential energy decreases and its kinetic energy increases. At point Y, halfway down, the potential energy is half of its maximum, 400 J, and the rest of its initial energy has become kinetic energy at 400 J.

A large round boulder is pushed from point X on the illustration, near the top of a steep hill, and rolled to the bottom. Assuming the boulder and the hill are a closed system, and neglecting any effects from friction, if the boulder has 800 J of potential energy at point X, how much and what type of energy will it have at the bottom of the hill at point Z just before it stops?

At point Z the boulder will have 0 J of potential energy and 800 J of kinetic energy. Potential energy is energy an object has due to its position or configuration. Kinetic energy is the energy of an object's motion. At point X, the energy is all potential because the boulder is not moving. As the boulder rolls down the hill, its height decreases and its speed increases, so its potential energy decreases and its kinetic energy increases. At point Z at the bottom, the potential energy (and height) are both 0 and all 800 J of the initial energy is kinetic.

How much does the internal energy of a gas change if 180 J of heat is removed from a gas and 40 J of work is done on the gas?

First law of thermodynamics. The change in internal energy of a closed system equals the heat added minus the work done BY the system. ΔU = Q - W 180 J of heat is removed (-180J), -180J - (40J) = But the 40 J will be positive because the key words work is done on the gas means we add ** Answer is -140 J

Determine the change in internal energy of a pot of eggs put on the stove and brought to a boil if 200 kJ of heat is added to the water, 80 kJ of heat escapes from the pot, and the escaping steam does 25 kJ of work vibrating and lifting the lid of the pot.

First law of thermodynamics. The change in internal energy of a closed system equals the heat added minus the work done BY the system. ΔU = Q - W So... 200 kj heat is added - 80 kj of heat escaping leaving a net of 120 kj added. Then 120 kj heat added - 25 kj of work = 95 kj internal energy increased by.

Heat is NOT a form of energy present in a pot of hot coffee. Which statement best explains why not?

Heat refers to the transfer of energy, so it is not in the coffee itself. Heat refers only to the energy that is transferred from a hot object to a cold object. Thermal energy is the name for the energy in an object because of its temperature.

Which of the following describes the speed of a wave?

How fast a wave crest moves from one place to another. Wave speed is the rate at which wave energy travels from one place to another, and could be described as how fast a wave crest moves across a distance.

What does it mean when we say light has a dual nature?

Light is both a particle and a wave at all times. Light is unlike anything else we experience in everyday life. It is both a particle and a wave at all times.

A pot of eggs put on the stove and brought to a boil. Heat is added to the water by the burner on the stove. Heat escapes from the water in the form of steam, which seeps out of the pan from under the lid. The steam does work lifting the lid of the pan. Is the pan of water and eggs a closed system? Why or why not.

No, it is not a closed system because mass leaves the system in the form of steam. A closed system is one in which no mass enters or leaves the system. In this case, mass leaves the system as water vapor, so it is not closed.

Which of the following lists are all examples of alternative fuels humans can use instead of fossil fuels?

Solar, hydroelectric, geothermal Solar, hydroelectric (energy from falling water), and geothermal (energy from the Earth's heat) are all examples of alternative fossil fuels humans can use.

When light passes from air into glass, which of the following statements is true?

The angle of refraction will always be less than the angle of incidence. When light passes from air into glass it is moving from lower density into higher density and as such the light will slow down. Light enters the denser medium (glass) at an angle of incidence which is the angle between the normal line and the pathway of the light entering the more dense medium. As the light slows in the more dense medium the light rays will always bend toward the normal line causing the angle of refraction to be less than the angle of incidence. Light rays that do not enter the denser medium, but reflect, will always do so at an angle of reflection equal to the angle of incidence.

Jason was holding a ball and then threw it to Tommy, who caught the ball and held it in his glove before throwing it back. Which of the following is the most accurate statement about energy as the boys played catch?

The ball had kinetic energy while moving, which transformed into heat and sound when caught. In this situation, the ball's kinetic energy is due to its motion and the ball's potential energy is due to its height above the ground. Assuming the two gloves are at the same height, the kinetic energy does not transform into potential energy, but into sound and heat (or thermal energy in the glove and ball) each time the ball is caught.

Marta holds a cup of hot chocolate in her hands. Select the true statement about Marta and the cup.

The cup of hot chocolate delivers heat to Marta's hands. Heat is the energy transferred from a hot object to a cooler object.

Which of the following could be the measure of the period of a wave?

The period is the time it takes to complete one full wave cycle and is measured in seconds. Answer is anything in time, seconds

Why does a red dress appear red when white light shines on it?

The pigments in the red dress reflect red light and absorb most other colors. We see the color of the light that is reflected from a colored object. Pigments in the red dress reflect red and so we see red. Most of the other colors are absorbed by the pigments, so we do not see those colors.

Which of the following is an example of thermal energy?

The total energy of all of the particle motion in a substance is its thermal energy, a form of kinetic energy. Answer ** The motion or vibration of particles of matter. ** Because thermal energy is stored in the vibrations of atoms and molecules in matter.

A physicist sitting on a fishing dock notices that 8 wave crests pass by a post in the water every 10 seconds. She determines that the wave travels about 4.0 m in 2.0 s. What is the approximate wavelength?

Wavelength is distance and measured in distance units. 2.5 m Wave speed = wavelength times frequency. The speed equals distance/time, or in this case 4.0 m / 2.0 s = 2.0 m/s. The frequency is the number of waves per second, or in this case 8 waves / 10 s = 4/5 Hz. The wavelength is then speed divided by frequency, or (2.0 m/s)/(4/5 Hz) = 2(5)/4 m = 2.5 m.

Metal cooking utensils often have wooden handles. Which property of wood makes it a good material for the handle on a cooking tool?

Wood is a poor conductor of heat. The electrons of wood, glass, plastic, and air are examples of materials that have electrons which stay close to the nucleus of the atom making them poor conductors of heat and electricity. These poor conductors of heat and electricity are used as insulators. Insulation is the positive factor that makes wood a good tool for cooking.

First law of thermodynamics work done by, work done on mean what?

Work done BY the system reduces the internal energy of the system, thus we subtract. Work done ON the system increases the internal energy, thus we add. or work is positive

There are two types of waves: electromagnetic and mechanical. Can either type travel regardless of the presence of a medium?

Yes, electromagnetic waves travel regardless of a medium. Electromagnetic waves can travel without a medium, for example through space, or with a medium, for example through water.

Compared with the thermal energy and temperature of a the sand on a city beach, very hot cup of hot chocolate has:

a lower thermal energy but a higher temperature. The average kinetic energy (temperature) of the molecules in the cup of hot chocolate is greater than the average kinetic energy of the molecules in the sand, so the hot chocolate has the higher temperature. However, the hot chocolate has far fewer molecules than the sand, so holds less thermal energy.

One likely medium for a sound wave is:

air. A medium is the material that vibrates as a wave passes through. All mechanical waves require a medium. Sound is often carried by air. Other media for sound include water and other liquids and solids.

Which of the following scenarios would have the greatest chance of forming fossil fuels?

an aquatic organism that falls to the bottom of a small pond In a stagnant body of water, a high accumulation of sediments buries the organisms and protects them from being decomposed or eaten by other organisms. As the sediments accumulate over a long period of time, this increases heat and pressure and creates oil and gas.

A girl is sledding down a hill. At which point would she have the least potential energy?

at the bottom of the hill An object's potential energy increases with height. The girl would have the most potential energy at the top of the hill and the least at the bottom of the hill.

The burner on a stove glows red. A fire can be orange, yellow, or red after it dies into embers. The sun glows white, a combination of all colors. Some of the hottest stars glow with a blue light. The frequency of light emitted from a glowing object is directly proportional to the temperature of the object. Of those listed, which color of light has the highest frequency?

blue Blue light has the highest frequency. The hottest stars glow with a blue light. Remember Wavelength : Red is long. Violet is short. Remember Frequency: Red is low. Violet is high.

How does heat from the sun travel to the Earth?

by the process of radiation Heat from the sun reaches Earth by the process of radiation.

Which of the following forms of energy is converted to heat and light during combustion?

chemical Chemical energy stored in the fuel is released during combustion. In combustion, the molecules in the fuel combine with oxygen, giving off energy during the exothermic reaction.

Which of the following types of energy does a spider convert when it eats a mosquito and uses the energy to do work?

chemical The spider converts chemical energy from his food (the mosquito) into mechanical and thermal energy expended as work.

A plant converts light, carbon dioxide, and water into what type of energy?

chemical energy Chemical energy is energy that is stored in the chemical bonds of a compound. In this case, the plant stores energy within glucose.

Which of the following energy transformations occurs when gasoline is burned in a combustion engine?

chemical energy into mechanical energy The chemical energy in gasoline is released when it burns and moves the pistons and crankshaft of the combustion energy. The chemical energy is transformed into mechanical energy.

A basketball player holds a basketball, ready to jump and shoot the ball. The player jumps in the air and shoots the ball toward the basket. Which of the following energy transformations occurs to power the player's jump shot?

chemical energy to kinetic energy Chemical energy stored in the cells of the basketball player's body is converted to kinetic energy as the player moves.

Which of the following best summarizes the energy transformations that occur in a car engine while the engine is running?

chemical energy to mechanical energy Chemical energy stored in the fuel is converted to thermal energy when the fuel is burned. The thermal energy, in turn, is converted to mechanical energy.

Which of the following is the principal type of energy is stored in a AA battery?

chemical potential energy Chemical energy is energy stored in the bonds of a chemical compound. The breaking of the chemical bonds releases energy. In a battery, energy in the chemical bonds becomes electric potential energy.

As a demonstration during a unit on heat transfer, a teacher heats one end of a long metal rod and later measures the temperature at different positions along the rod. Which of the following processes is demonstrated by the range of temperatures?

conduction Conduction is a method of heat transfer that happens when the kinetic energy of molecules is transferred to other molecules in the substance. In this demonstration, the parts of the rod that are not over the heat source are heated by convection.

A teacher uses a long copper pipe in a demonstration during a lesson on heat transfer. The teacher puts one end of the pipe on a warm hot plate and allows the far end of the pipe to extend over the desk. The teacher asks one student to feel and describe the changes in the temperature with time along the length of the pipe. Which of the following is the teacher demonstrating?

conduction The copper pipe conducts heat from the hot plate to its far end, as demonstrated by the changing temperature along the tube. Conduction is heat transfer that occurs through contact; in this case, through the copper that touches the hot plate.

As a demonstration during a unit on energy conservation, a teacher puts small chunks of ice on two similar-looking surfaces. One surface is dark-colored aluminum and the other is dark-colored wood. The ice on the aluminum melts faster than the ice on the wood. Which of the following is the teacher demonstrating with the ice on the surfaces?

conduction This demonstrates heat transfer by conduction. The aluminum surface conducts heat from the surroundings to the ice much more quickly than the wood surface does.

During a lesson on weather fronts, a teacher asks her students to write their observations as she extinguishes a lit wooden match. She then leads a discussion on the path of the smoke. Which of the following is the teacher demonstrating?

convection Hot smoke rises and then falls as it cools, demonstrating convection. During convection, heat is transferred from one place to another by a fluid, such as air. The moving smoke shows the path of the moving air.

As a demonstration during a unit on plate tectonics, a teacher holds an aluminum pie plate over a smoky candle and has the students observe how the smoke spreads and moves around and over the edges of the plate. Which of the following is demonstrated by the movement of the smoke?

convection The rising smoke from the candle demonstrates convection. Heat is carried by air from one place to another, shown by the path of the smoke.

How do you calculate speed?

distance/time

A farmer wonders why water is not moving through his irrigation system. He checks the water pump and finds it is not plugged in. Once he plugs the pump in, water again moves through the system. Which of the following energy transformations occurs when the pump pushes water through the system?

electrical energy to kinetic energy Electrical energy was used to power the pump. As the water is pushed through the system the electrical energy is converted to kinetic energy.

Which of the following energy transformations take place in a television set when the power is on?

electrical energy to light energy Television sets work only when they are connected to a source of electricity. In the circuitry of the television set, electrical energy is converted to light energy to produce an image on the screen.

What type of energy transformation is most likely occurring when you turn on a light switch?

electrical to light When you turn on a light switch, you are completing a circuit which is transferring electrical energy into light energy.

Which of the following is the principal type of energy stored behind a hydroelectric dam?

gravitational potential energy Gravitational potential energy is energy stored due to the position of an object. The water held behind the dam has gravitational potential energy and can be converted as it flows through the dam to the river below.

Which of the following describes the major energy transformations that take place when producing hydroelectric power?

gravitational → kinetic → electrical Hydroelectric power is obtained when gravity pulls water through a turbine that turns a generator and converts the motion to electricity. The energy transformations are gravitational, kinetic in the rotating turbine, and electrical.

The amplitude of a transverse wave is:

half of the distance between the top of a crest and the bottom of a trough. The amplitude of a wave is the distance between a particle's normal, undisturbed position to the farthest point it travels away from normal. In a transverse wave, this is half of the distance between a crest and a trough.

The primary function of a passive solar energy system is to convert solar radiation into:

heat for heating homes and buildings. Passive solar systems use energy from the sun to heat substances such as water, air, or concrete blocks. The heat is then used as a heat source in water heaters and for heating the insides of homes and buildings.

The speed of light is constant. Which of the following describes the relative relationship between the frequency, period, and wavelength of a high frequency light wave?

high frequency - short period - short wavelength A high frequency wave vibrates many times each second, therefore, the time of one vibration, or the period, is short. When waves travel the same speed, in this case the speed of light, the one with the higher frequency will have the shorter wavelength. Therefore, a high frequency light wave will have a short period and a short wavelength.

Terrance lives near a river and is concerned about the pollution caused by burning fossil fuels. Which alternative energy in his area would be the best solution for his concern?

hydroelectric energy Since Terrance lives near a river, water would be the best choice for an energy resource. The generation of hydroelectric energy is possible with flowing water.

A wind turbine converts:

kinetic energy into electrical energy. Wind supplies kinetic energy, which is converted to mechanical energy within a wind turbine and then to electrical energy by the wind turbine's generator.

Consider a frictionless roller coaster. Other than the starting and ending points, which point in the coaster's motion has the least kinetic energy and which point has the least potential energy?

least kinetic energy at the highest point; least potential energy at the lowest point The kinetic energy is the least when the coaster's speed is the slowest. This occurs when the coaster is at its highest position. The potential energy is the least when its height is the lowest.

A longitudinal sound wave travels from left to right through the air in a room. In what directions do the air particles vibrate as the wave passes?

left and right Air particles carrying a longitudinal wave vibrate parallel to the direction the wave travels.

Which of the following types of energy do plants use during photosynthesis?

light Plants convert light energy into chemical energy in the process of photosynthesis. NOT Chemical energy, because chemical potential energy is the kind of energy plants store, not use, during photosynthesis.

Which of the following is the best example of refraction of a light wave?

light coming to a focus through a lens Light refracts, or bends, when it strikes the boundary between air and a lens. The lens is shaped to bring the light to a focus.

A solar panel is mounted on top of a toy car and connected to a small motor that propels the car forward. Which of the following energy transformations takes place when the car is moving?

light energy to mechanical energy The energy from the light that shines on the solar panel is converted to the electrical energy that runs the motor and then to mechanical energy in the motion of the car.

Which of the following is not considered to be a renewable resource?

natural gas Renewable resources are those that are replenished more quickly than they are used up. Non-renewable resources are those that are used up more quickly than they are replenished, such as natural gas.

Which of the following best describes a resource that, once used, cannot be replaced or reused?

nonrenewable A nonrenewable resource is a resource that cannot be renewed, replaced, or reused.

During a fission reaction in a power plant uranium atoms break apart and emit energy used to make steam. Which of the following energy transformations takes place during this process?

nuclear energy to thermal energy Nuclear energy stored in uranium nuclei is converted to thermal energy. The thermal energy heats water to produce steam.

How do you calculate frequency?

number of waves per second, meaning example : 8 waves per 10 s = 4/5 hz Frequency is measured in Hertz (hz)

A sound wave consists of alternating regions of high and low pressure. The wavelength of a sound wave would be the length between:

one high pressure region to the next. A wavelength is the length of one complete wave cycle and is measured in distance units. In a sound wave, the wavelength can be measured between two consecutive high pressure regions, from two consecutive low pressure regions, or from any two consecutive points in the wave that are at identical points of the wave motion.

Which of the following must be present in large quantities in order for fossil fuels to be created?

organic matter Fossil fuels form from organic matter: the remains of dead organisms.

A swimming pool heats up during the day and cools off at night. Which is the primary type of heat transfer that warms the pool?

radiation Radiation from the sun is the primary type of heat transfer that heats the pool.

During a unit on weather, a teacher uses two ice cubes for a demonstration of heat transfer. The teacher places each ice cube in a glass jar with a lid. They put one jar near a room heater and the second jar far from the heater. The teacher asks the students to compare the rates at which the two ice cubes melt. Which of the following is the teacher most likely demonstrating with the heater?

radiation The room heater transfers heat by radiation. The ice cube and jar exposed to the electromagnetic waves from the heater warm more quickly than the ice cube and jar that are far from the heater. The lids on the jars prevent the ice cubes from heating by convection, and the jars are not in contact with a hot surface that would warm them by conduction.

During a unit on the seasons, a teacher dips toothpicks in hot candle wax and allows the wax to cool. As a demonstration, the teacher holds a wax-coated toothpick close to (but not touching the side of) a hot, incandescent light bulb and the wax begins to melt. Which of the following is the teacher demonstrating?

radiation This demonstration shows heat transfer by radiation. Heat is transferred to the wax by electromagnetic waves emitted by the hot bulb. Note that air heated by radiation from the bulb would be carried upward by convection but not outward from the sides of the bulb because hot air rises.

Which of the following colors of visible light has the longest wavelength?

red Red has the longest wavelength in the visible spectrum.

What wave property is being demonstrated if you shine a laser light from the air into a tank of water at an angle of 30° as measured from the water's surface?

refraction Light refracts at the boundary between media when traveling from one medium to another if the light strikes the surface at an angle other than 90° as measured from the water's surface. If the light travels along a path that is 90° from the water's surface, it travels along the normal to the surface and does not bend.

Students in an eighth-grade science class are given flashlights, mirrors, and a prism to conduct an investigation. Which of the following properties of light waves is most likely being demonstrated?

refraction Refraction involves the bending of light waves. A prism bends light waves of each frequency a different amount, separating them. This reveals the different colors of the visible light spectrum.

When a panel absorbs energy from the sun to power a yard light, which of the following best describes the transfer of energy?

solar energy to light energy Energy from the sun is known as solar energy. Solar panels absorb the energy, which is transferred to light through the panel and circuits in the lamp.

How do you calculate wavelength?

speed divided by frequency and again measured in distance units

Which of the laws of thermodynamics prohibits any process from being 100% efficient?

the second law The second law, often called the law of entropy, prohibits 100% efficiency in any process.

A thermometer is inserted into a glass of water and the temperature is measured. The process is repeated using the same thermometer in a box of sand. The two temperatures are equal. Which law of thermodynamics is represented in this scenario?

the zeroth law The zeroth law states that if 2 objects are in thermal equilibrium with a 3rd object (the thermometer), then they are in equilibrium with each other.

Natural resources are resources naturally occurring on Earth that are necessary or useful to humans. Natural resources include:

water, wood, and minerals. Natural resources occur naturally; they are not man-made materials. Water, wood, and minerals are all found naturally on Earth.

A pendulum swings back and forth in a vertical semicircle pattern. When does the pendulum have its greatest potential energy?

when the pendulum is at the top of the arc Potential energy is the energy stored in an object by virtue of an object's position relative to other objects. At the top of the arc the pendulum has its maximum height, therefore it has its maximum potential energy.

Casey is playing with her yo-yo. She performs an "around the world" trick, in which the yo-yo travels up and around in a circle before returning to her hand. At which point in its circular path would the yo-yo have the least potential energy?

when the yo-yo is at the bottom of its circular path Gravitational potential energy increases as the object gets farther away from the ground. Since the yo-yo is closest to the ground at the bottom of its path, that is the location where it has the least potential energy.