Chapter 1-2 Physics
Passenger A sits inside a moving train and throws a ball vertically upward. How would the motion of the ball be described by a fellow train passenger B and an observer C who is standing on the platform outside the train? A. Passenger B sees that the ball has vertical, but no horizontal, motion. Observer C sees the ball has vertical as well as horizontal motion. B. Passenger B sees the ball has vertical as well as horizontal motion. Observer C sees the ball has the vertical, but no horizontal, motion. C. Passenger B sees the ball has horizontal but no vertical motion. Observer C sees the ball has vertical as well as horizontal motion. D. Passenger B sees the ball has vertical as well as horizontal motion. Observer C sees the ball has horizontalbut no vertical motion.
A. Passenger B sees that the ball has vertical, but no horizontal, motion. Observer C sees the ball has vertical as well as horizontal motion.
The uncertainty of a triple-beam balance is 0.05 g. What is the percent uncertainty in a measurement of 0.445 kg? A. 0.011% B 0.11% C 1.1% D. 11%
A. 0.011%
A friend says that he doesn't trust scientific explanations because they are just theories, which are basically educated guesses. What could you say to convince him that scientific theories are different from the everyday use of the word theory? A. A theory is a scientific explanation that has been repeatedly tested and supported by many experiments. B. A theory is a hypothesis that has been tested and supported by some experiments. C. A theory is a set of educated guesses, but at least one of the guesses remain true in each experiment. D. A theory is a set of scientific explanations that has at least one experiment in support of it.
A. A theory is a scientific explanation that has been repeatedly tested and supported by many experiments.
Alan starts from his home and walks 1.3 km east to the library. He walks an additional 0.68 km east to a music store. From there, he walks 1.1 km north to a friend's house and an additional 0.42 km north to a grocery store before he finally returns home along the same path. What is his final displacement and total distance traveled? A. Displacement is 0 km and distance is 7 km. B. Displacement is 0 km and distance is 3.5 km. C. Displacement is 7 km towards west and distance is 7 km. D. Displacement is 3.5 km towards east and distance is 3.5 km.
A. Displacement is 0 km and distance is 7 km.
In a coordinate system in which the direction to the right is positive, what are the distance and displacement of a person who walks 35 m to the left, 18 m to the right, and then 26 m to the left? A. Distance is 79 m and displacement is -43 m. B. Distance is -79 m and displacement is 43 m. C. Distance is 43 m and displacement is -79 m. D. Distance is -43 m and displacement is 79 m.
A. Distance is 79 m and displacement is -43 m.
Terri, Aaron, and Jamal all walked along straight paths. Terri walked 3.95 km north in 48 min. Aaron walked 2.65 km west in 31 min. Jamal walked 6.50 km south in 81 min. Which of the following correctly ranks the three boys in order from lowest to highest average speed? A. Jamal, Terri, Aaron B. Jamal, Aaron, Terri C. Terri, Jamal, Aaron D. Aaron, Terri, Jamal
A. Jamal, Terri, Aaron
Rhianna and Logan start at the same point and walk due north. Rhianna walks with an average velocity (v_avg,R) Logan walks three times the distance in twice the time as Rhianna. Which of the following expresses Logan's average velocity in terms of v_avg,R? A. Logan's average velocity = 1.5 v_{avg,R}. B. Logan's average velocity = 2/3 v_{avg,R}. C. Logan's average velocity = 3 v_{avg,R}. D. Logan's average velocity = 1/2 v_{avg,R}.
A. Logan's average velocity = 1.5 v_{avg,R}.
Describe how modeling is useful in studying the structure of the atom. A. Modeling replaces the real system by something similar but easier to examine. B. Modeling replaces the real system by something more interesting to examine. C. Modeling replaces the real system by something with more realistic properties. D. Modeling includes more details than are present in the real system.
A. Modeling replaces the real system by something similar but easier to examine.
Is it possible to determine a car's instantaneous velocity from just the speedometer reading? A. No, it reflects speed but not the direction. B. No, it reflects the average speed of the car. C. Yes, it sometimes reflects instantaneous velocity of the car. D. Yes, it always reflects the instantaneous velocity of the car.
A. No, it reflects speed but not the direction.
Calculate the approximate number of atoms in a bacterium. Assume that the average mass of an atom in the bacterium is ten times the mass of a hydrogen atom. (Hint—The mass of a hydrogen atom is on the order of 10^−27 kg and the mass of a bacterium is on the order of 10^−15 kg .) A. 10^10 atoms B. 10^11 atoms C. 10^12 atoms D. 10^13 atoms
B. 10^11 atoms
If a marathon runner runs 9.5 mi in one direction, 8.89 mi in another direction and 2.333 mi in a third direction, how much distance did the runner run? Be sure to report your answer using the proper number of significant figures. A. 20 mi B. 20.7 mi C. 20.72 mi D. 20.732 mi
B. 20.7 mi
The speed limit on some interstate highways is roughly 80 km/h. What is this in meters per second? How many miles per hour is this? A. 62 m/s, 27.8 mph B. 22.2 m/s, 49.7 mph C. 62 m/s, 2.78 mph D. 2.78 m/s, 62 mph
B. 22.2 m/s, 49.7 mph
What would be the slope for a line passing through the two points below? Point 1: (1, 0.1) Point 2: (7, 26.8) A. 2.4 B. 4.5 C. 6.2 D. 6.8
B. 4.5
You sit in a car that is moving at an average speed of 86.4 km/h. During the 3.3 s that you glance out the window, how far has the car traveled? A. 7.27 m B. 79 m C. 285 km D. 1026 m
B. 79 m
How strongly is a hypothesis supported by evidence compared to a theory? A. A theory is supported by little evidence, if any, at first, while a hypothesis is supported by a large amount of available evidence. B. A hypothesis is supported by little evidence, if any, at first. A theory is supported by a large amount of available evidence. C. A hypothesis is supported by little evidence, if any, at first. A theory does not need any experiments in support. D. A theory is supported by little evidence, if any, at first. A hypothesis does not need any experiments in support.
B. A hypothesis is supported by little evidence, if any, at first. A theory is supported by a large amount of available evidence.
Maud sends her bowling ball straight down the center of the lane, getting a strike. The ball is brought back to the holder mechanically. What are the ball's net displacement and distance traveled? A. Displacement of the ball is twice the length of the lane, while the distance is zero. B. Displacement of the ball is zero, while the distance is twice the length of the lane. C. Both the displacement and distance for the ball are equal to zero. D. Both the displacement and distance for the ball are twice the length of the lane.
B. Displacement of the ball is zero, while the distance is twice the length of the lane.
If a space shuttle orbits Earth once, what is the shuttle's distance traveled and displacement? A. Distance and displacement both are zero. B. Distance is circumference of the circular orbit while displacement is zero. C. Distance is zero while the displacement is circumference of the circular orbit. D. Distance and displacement both are equal to circumference of the circular orbit.
B. Distance is circumference of the circular orbit while displacement is zero.
A car is moving on a straight road at a constant speed in a single direction. Which of the following statements is true? A. Average velocity is zero. B. The magnitude of average velocity is equal to the average speed. C. The magnitude of average velocity is greater than the average speed. D. The magnitude of average velocity is less than the average speed.
B. The magnitude of average velocity is equal to the average speed.
Boat A and Boat B are traveling at a constant speed in opposite directions when they pass each other. If a person in each boat describes motion based on the boat's own reference frame, will the description by a person in Boat A of Boat B's motion be the same as the description by a person in Boat B of Boat A's motion? A. Yes, both persons will describe the same motion because motion is independent of the frame of reference. B. Yes, both persons will describe the same motion because they will perceive the other as moving in the backward direction. C. No, the motion described by each of them will be different because motion is a relative term. D. No, the motion described by each of them will be different because the motion perceived by each will be opposite to each other.
B. Yes, both persons will describe the same motion because they will perceive the other as moving in the backward direction.
What does the area under a velocity vs. time graph line represent? A. acceleration B. displacement C. distance D. instantaneous velocity
B. displacement
What does your car's odometer record? A. displacement B. distance C. both distance and displacement D. the sum of distance and displacement
B. distance
A position vs. time graph of a frog swimming across a pond has two distinct straight-line sections. The slope of the first section is 1 m/s. The slope of the second section is 0 m/s. If each section lasts 1 s, then what is the frog's total average velocity? A. 0 m/s B. 2 m/s C. 0.5 m/s D. 1 m/s
C. 0.5 m/s
The sides of a small rectangular box are measured 1.80 cm and 2.05 cm long and 3.1 cm high. Calculate its volume and uncertainty in cubic centimeters. Assume the measuring device is accurate to plus or minus 0.05 cm. A. 11.4 ± 0.1 cm^3 B. 11.4 ± 0.6 cm^3 C. 11.4 ± 0.8 cm^3 D. 11.4 ± 0.10 cm^3
C. 11.4 ± 0.8 cm^3
Which of the following best describes the relationship between instantaneous velocity and instantaneous speed? A. Both instantaneous speed and instantaneous velocity are the same, even when there is a change in direction. B. Instantaneous speed and instantaneous velocity cannot be the same even if there is no change in direction of motion. C. Magnitude of instantaneous velocity is equal to instantaneous speed. D. Magnitude of instantaneous velocity is always greater than instantaneous speed.
C. Magnitude of instantaneous velocity is equal to instantaneous speed
What is meant when a physical law is said to be universal? A. The law can explain everything in the universe. B. The law is applicable to all physical phenomena. C. The law applies everywhere in the universe. D. The law is the most basic one and all laws are derived from it.
C. The law applies everywhere in the universe.
You notice that the water level flowing in a stream near your house increases when it rains and the water turns brown. Which of these are the best hypothesis to explain why the water turns brown. Assume you have all of the means to test the contents of the stream water. A. The water in the stream turns brown because molecular forces between water molecules are stronger than mud molecules B. The water in the stream turns brown because of the breakage of a weak chemical bond with the hydrogen atom in the water molecule. C. The water in the stream turns brown because it picks up dirt from the bank as the water level increases when it rains. D. The water in the stream turns brown because the density of the water increases with increase in water level.
C. The water in the stream turns brown because it picks up dirt from the bank as the water level increases when it rains.
Billy drops a ball from a height of 1 m. The ball bounces back to a height of 0.8 m, then bounces again to a height of 0.5 m, and bounces once more to a height of 0.2 m. Up is the positive direction. What are the total displacement of the ball and the total distance traveled by the ball? A. The displacement is equal to -4 m and the distance is equal to 4 m. B. The displacement is equal to 4 m and the distance is equal to 1 m. C. The displacement is equal to 4 m and the distance is equal to 1 m. D. The displacement is equal to -1 m and the distance is equal to 4 m.
D. The displacement is equal to -1 m and the distance is equal to 4 m.
What theory of modern physics describes the interrelationships between space, time, speed, and gravity? A. atomic theory B. nuclear physics C. quantum mechanics D. general relativity
D. general relativity
In the definition of velocity, what physical quantity is changing over time? A. speed B. distance C. magnitude of displacement D. position vector
D. position vector
What would be some ways in which physics was involved in building the features of the room you are in right now? A. Physics is involved in structural strength, dimensions, etc., of the room. B. Physics is involved in the air composition inside the room. C. Physics is involved in the desk arrangement inside the room. D. Physics is involved in the behavior of living beings inside the room.
A. Physics is involved in structural strength, dimensions, etc., of the room.
A train starts from rest and speeds up for 15 minutes until it reaches a constant velocity of 100 miles/hour. It stays at this speed for half an hour. Then it slows down for another 15 minutes until it is still. Which of the following correctly describes the position vs time graph of the train's journey? A. The first 15 minutes is a curve that is concave upward, the middle portion is a straight line with slope 100 miles/hour, and the last portion is a concave downward curve. B. The first 15 minutes is a curve that is concave downward, the middle portion is a straight line with slope 100 miles/hour, and the last portion is a concave upward curve. C. The first 15 minutes is a curve that is concave upward, the middle portion is a straight line with slope zero, and the last portion is a concave downward curve. D. The first 15 minutes is a curve that is concave downward, the middle portion is a straight line with slope zero, and the last portion is a concave upward curve.
A. The first 15 minutes is a curve that is concave upward, the middle portion is a straight line with slope 100 miles/hour, and the last portion is a concave downward curve.
A commemorative coin that sells for $40 is advertised to be plated with 15 mg of gold. Suppose gold is worth about $1,300 per ounce. Which of the following best represents the value of the gold in the coin? A. $0.33 B. $0.69 C. $3.30 D. $6.90
B. $0.69
Use the graph to describe what the runner's motion looks like. Figure 2.25 How are average velocity for only the first four seconds and instantaneous velocity related? What is the runner's net displacement over the time shown? A. The net displacement is 12 m and the average velocity is equal to the instantaneous velocity. B. The net displacement is 12 m and the average velocity is two times the instantaneous velocity. C. The net displacement is 10 + 12 = 22 m and the average velocity is equal to the instantaneous velocity. D. The net displacement is 10 + 12 = 22 m and the average velocity is two times the instantaneous velocity.
A. The net displacement is 12 m and the average velocity is equal to the instantaneous velocity.
Velocity, or speed, is measured using the following formula: v = d/t , where v is velocity, d is the distance travelled, and t is the time the object took to travel the distance. If the velocity-time data are plotted on a graph, which variable will be on which axis? Why? A. Time would be on the x-axis and velocity on the y-axis, because time is an independent variable and velocity is a dependent variable. B. Velocity would be on the x-axis and time on the y-axis, because time is the independent variable and velocity is the dependent variable. C. Time would be on the x-axis and velocity on the y-axis, because time is a dependent variable and velocity is a independent variable. D. Velocity would be on x-axis and time on the y-axis, because time is a dependent variable and velocity is a independent variable.
A. Time would be on the x-axis and velocity on the y-axis, because time is an independent variable and velocity is a dependent variable.
What is the slope of a straight line graph of position vs. time? A. Velocity B. Displacement C. Distance D. Acceleration
A. Velocity
An object has an average speed of 7.4 km/h. Which of the following describes two ways you could increase the average speed of the object to 14.8 km/h? A. Reduce the distance that the object travels by half, keeping the time constant, or keep the distance constant and double the time. B. Double the distance that the object travels, keeping the time constant, or keep the distance constant and reduce the time by half. C. Reduce the distance that the object travels to one-fourth, keeping the time constant, or keep the distance constant and increase the time by fourfold. D. Increase the distance by fourfold, keeping the time constant, or keep the distance constant and reduce the time by one-fourth.
B. Double the distance that the object travels, keeping the time constant, or keep the distance constant and reduce the time by half.
Which statement is NOT an underlying assumption essential to scientific understandings? A. Characteristics of the physical universe can be perceived and objectively measured by human beings. B. Explanations of natural phenomena can be established with absolute certainty. C. Fundamental physical processes dictate how characteristics of the physical universe evolve. D. The fundamental processes of nature operate the same way everywhere and at all times.
B. Explanations of natural phenomena can be established with absolute certainty.
Would it be possible to scientifically prove that a supreme being exists or not? Briefly explain your answer. A. It can be proved scientifically because it is a testable hypothesis. B. It cannot be proved scientifically because it is not a testable hypothesis. C. It can be proved scientifically because it is not a testable hypothesis. D. It cannot be proved scientifically because it is a testable hypothesis.
B. It cannot be proved scientifically because it is not a testable hypothesis.
What could you conclude about these two lines? Line A has a slope of -4.7. Line B has a slope of 12.0. A. Line A is decreasing while line B is increasing, with line A being much steeper than line B. B. Line A is decreasing while line B is increasing, with line B being much steeper than line option 2 C. Line B is decreasing while line A is increasing, with line A being much steeper than line B. D. Line B is decreasing while line A is increasing, with line B being much steeper than line A.
B. Line A is decreasing while line B is increasing, with line B being much steeper than line option 2
How could physics be useful in weather prediction? A. Physics helps in predicting how burning fossil fuel releases pollutants. B. Physics helps in predicting dynamics and movement of weather phenomena. C. Physics helps in predicting the motion of tectonic plates. D. Physics helps in predicting how the flowing water affects Earth's surface.
B. Physics helps in predicting dynamics and movement of weather phenomena.
Can one-dimensional motion have zero distance but a nonzero displacement? What about zero displacement but a nonzero distance? A. One-dimensional motion can have zero distance with a nonzero displacement. Displacement has both magnitude and direction, and it can also have zero displacement with nonzero distance because distance has only magnitude. B. One-dimensional motion can have zero distance with a nonzero displacement. Displacement has both magnitude and direction, but it cannot have zero displacement with nonzero distance because distance has only magnitude. C. One-dimensional motion cannot have zero distance with a nonzero displacement. Displacement has both magnitude and direction, but it can have zero displacement with nonzero distance because distance has only magnitude and any motion will be the distance it moves. D. One-dimensional motion cannot have zero distance with a nonzero displacement. Displacement has both magnitude and direction, and it cannot have zero displacement with nonzero distance because distance has only magnitude.
C. One-dimensional motion cannot have zero distance with a nonzero displacement. Displacement has both magnitude and direction, but it can have zero displacement with nonzero distance because distance has only magnitude and any motion will be the distance it moves.
Two runners start at the same point and jog at a constant speed along a straight path. Runner A starts at time t = 0 s, and Runner B starts at time t = 2.5 s. The runners both reach a distance 64 m from the starting point at time t = 25 s. If the runners continue at the same speeds, how far from the starting point will each be at time t = 45 s? A. Runner A will be 72 x 10^3 m away and Runner B will be 59.5 x 10^3 m away from the starting point. B. Runner A will be 1.2 x 10^2 m away and runner B will be 1.1 x 10^2 m away from the starting point. C. Runner A will be 1.2 x 10^2 m away and Runner B will be 1.3 x 10^2 m away from the starting point. D. Runner A will be 7.2 x 10^2 m away and Runner B will be 1.3 x 10^2 m away from the starting point.
C. Runner A will be 1.2 x 10^2 m away and Runner B will be 1.3 x 10^2 m away from the starting point.
Find the distance traveled from the starting point for each path. Which path has the maximum distance? A. The distance for Path A is 6 m, Path B is 4 m, Path C is 12 m and for Path D is 7 m. The net displacement for Path A is 7 m, Path B is -4m, Path C is 8 m and for Path D is -5m. Path C has maximum distance and it is equal to 12 meters. B. The distance for Path A is 6 m, Path B is 4 m, Path C is 8 m and for Path D is 7 m. The net displacement for Path A is 6 m, Path B is -4m, Path C is 12 m and for Path D is -5 m. Path A has maximum distance and it is equal to 6 meters. C. The distance for Path A is 6 m, Path B is 4 m, Path C is 12 m and for Path D is 7 m. The net displacement for Path A is 6 m, Path B is -4 m, Path C is 8 m and for Path D is -5 m. Path C has maximum distance and it is equal to 12 meters. D. The distance for Path A is 6 m, Path B is -4 m, Path C is 12 m and for Path D is -5 m. The net displacement for Path A is 7 m, Path B is 4 m, Path C is 8 m and for Path D is 7 m. Path A has maximum distance and it is equal to 6 m.
C. The distance for Path A is 6 m, Path B is 4 m, Path C is 12 m and for Path D is 7 m. The net displacement for Path A is 6 m, Path B is -4 m, Path C is 8 m and for Path D is -5 m. Path C has maximum distance and it is equal to 12 meters.
What is the definition of uncertainty? A. Uncertainty is the number of assumptions made prior to the measurement of a physical quantity. B. Uncertainty is a measure of error in a measurement due to the use of a non-calibrated instrument. C. Uncertainty is a measure of deviation of the measured value from the standard value. D. Uncertainty is a measure of error in measurement due to external factors like air friction and temperature.
C. Uncertainty is a measure of deviation of the measured value from the standard value.
Can classical physics be used to accurately describe a satellite moving at a speed of 7500 m/s? Explain why or why not. A. No, because the satellite is moving at a speed much smaller than the speed of the light and is not in a strong gravitational field. B. No, because the satellite is moving at a speed much smaller than the speed of the light and is in a strong gravitational field. C. Yes, because the satellite is moving at a speed much smaller than the speed of the light and it is not in a strong gravitational field. D. Yes, because the satellite is moving at a speed much smaller than the speed of the light and is in a strong gravitational field.
C. Yes, because the satellite is moving at a speed much smaller than the speed of the light and it is not in a strong gravitational field.
In which example would you be correct in describing an object in motion while your friend would also be correct in describing that same object as being at rest? A. You are driving a car toward the east and your friend drives past you in the opposite direction with the same speed. In your frame of reference, you will be in motion. In your friend's frame of reference, you will be at rest. B. You are driving a car toward the east and your friend is standing at the bus stop. In your frame of reference, you will be in motion. In your friend's frame of reference, you will be at rest. C. You are driving a car toward the east and your friend is standing at the bus stop. In your frame of reference, your friend will be moving toward the west. In your friend's frame of reference, he will be at rest. D. You are driving a car toward the east and your friend is standing at the bus stop. In your frame of reference, your friend will be moving toward the east. In your friend's frame of reference, he will be at rest.
C. You are driving a car toward the east and your friend is standing at the bus stop. In your frame of reference, your friend will be moving toward the west. In your friend's frame of reference, he will be at rest.
Which of the following does not contribute to the uncertainty? A. the limitations of the measuring device B. the skill of the person making the measurement C. the regularities in the object being measured D. other factors that affect the outcome (depending on the situation)
C. the regularities in the object being measured
What conditions imply that we can use classical physics without considering special relativity or quantum mechanics? A. (1) matter is moving at speeds of less than roughly 1 percent the speed of light, (2) objects are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, and (3) there is the involvement of a strong gravitational field. B. (1) matter is moving at speeds greater than roughly 1 percent the speed of light, (2) objects are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, and (3) there is the involvement of a strong gravitational field. C. (1) matter is moving at speeds of less than roughly 1 percent the speed of light, (2) objects are too small to be seen with the naked eye, and (3) there is the involvement of only a weak gravitational field. D. (1) matter is moving at speeds of less than roughly 1 percent the speed of light, (2) objects are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, and (3) there is the involvement of a weak gravitational field.
D. (1) matter is moving at speeds of less than roughly 1 percent the speed of light, (2) objects are large enough to be seen with the naked eye, and (3) there is the involvement of a weak gravitational field.
A marathon runner completes a 42.188-km course in 2 h, 30 min, and 12 s. There is an uncertainty of 25 m in the distance traveled and an uncertainty of 1 s in the elapsed time. 1) Calculate the percent uncertainty in the distance; 2) Calculate the uncertainty in the elapsed time; 3) What is the average speed in meters per second?; 4) What is the uncertainty in the average speed? A. 0.059%, 0.01%, 0.468 m/s, 0.0003 m/s B. t0.059%, 0.01%, 0.468 m/s, 0.07 m/s C. 0.59%, 8.33%, 4.681 m/s, 0.003 m/s D. 0.059%, 0.01%, 4.681 m/s, 0.003 m/s
D. 0.059%, 0.01%, 4.681 m/s, 0.003 m/s
The length and width of a rectangular room are measured to be 3.955 ± 0.005 m by 3.050 ± 0.005 m. Calculate the area of the room and its uncertainty in square meters. A. 12.06 ± 0.29 m^2 B. 12.06 ± 0.01 m^2 C. 12.06 ± 0.25 m^2 D. 12.06 ± 0.04 m^2
D. 12.06 ± 0.04 m^2
A car engine moves a piston with a circular cross section diameter of 7.500 ± 0.002 cm, at a distance of 3.250 ± 0.001 cm to compress the gas in the cylinder. By what amount did the gas decrease in volume in cubic centimeters? Find the uncertainty in this volume. A. 143.6 ± 0.002 cm^3 B. 143.6 ± 0.003 cm^3 C. 143.6 ± 0.005 cm^3 D. 143.6 ± 0.1 cm^3
D. 143.6 ± 0.1 cm^3
