Name _________________________
Date _______________
Physics 1-2
_____ Hour
Chapter 1: The Science of Physics Test
In the space provided, write the letter of the definition that best matches the term or phrase.
H accuracy
1. _____
F controlled experiment
2. _____
E hypothesis
3. _____
C model
4. _____
20 points total
A physics
5. _____
2 points each
I precision
6. _____
B scientific method
7. _____
D system
8. _____
G Système International d’Unités
9. _____
J uncertainty
10. _____
A. the study of matter, energy, and the interactions between them
B. a set of steps that is common to most high quality scientific
investigations
C. a pattern, plan or description designed to show the structure or
workings of an object, system, or concept
D. a set of particles or interacting components considered to be a
distinct physical entity for the purpose of study
E. an explanation that is based on prior scientific research or
observations and that can be tested
F. an experiment that tests only one factor at a time by using a
comparison of a control group with an experimental group
G. an internationally agreed upon system of units for scientific
measurements
H. a description of how close a measurement is to the correct or
accepted value of the quantity measured
I. the degree of exactness of a measurement
J. the measure of confidence in a measurement or result
Use the space provided to fully answer each question or respond to each statement.
11. What is the advantage of each of the mathematical tools listed below for depicting measured data?
a. Tables:
Answers should include some information about tables being an organized way to
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
display data, and using it to identify relationships or trends.
__________________________________________________________________________________
6 points total
b. Graphs:
________________________________________________________________________
Answers should include some information about graphs being useful for
2 points each
__________________________________________________________________________________
identifying mathematic relationships such as correlation or proportionality.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Answers should include some information about equations being useful for
c. Equations: ________________________________________________________________________
describing relationships between variables, or for use in predicting results.
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Name _________________________
Date _______________
Physics 1-2
_____ Hour
Chapter 1: The Science of Physics Test
12. What are the two parts of a measurement? Why is it important that both parts are present?
________________________________________________________________________________________
Acceptable answers are: precision and accuracy, magnitude and unit, or certain digits plus estimated
________________________________________________________________________________________
digit. As long as there was specific rationalization, full points were awarded.
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
13. What is the advantage of using models to describe physical phenomena?
________________________________________________________________________________________
Answers should include some information about models being a useful tool for simplifying complex
________________________________________________________________________________________
situations, being used to design experiments, or useful took for making predictions about related
________________________________________________________________________________________
phenomena.
________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Convert each of the following numbers into scientific notation. Show your work.
a. 53 800
4
= 5.38 × 10
14 & 15: Each part – 3 points
b. 0.000930
If work was not shown, and
answer was correct: 1/3 points.
-4
= 9.30 × 10
If not all figures were included:
2/3 points.
c. 965.37
2
= 9.6537 × 10
15. Multiply or divide the two numbers and put your answer into correct scientific notation. Show your work.
a. (2.2 × 103) × (3.4 × 102)
5
= 7.5 × 10
c. (9.8 x 10-3) ÷ (1.6 x 10-2)
-1
= 6.1 × 10
b. (5.8 × 104) × (7.9 × 10-6)
-6
= 4.6 × 10
d. (2.7 x 108) ÷ (4.8 × 104)
3
= 5.6 × 10
Name _________________________
Date _______________
Physics 1-2
_____ Hour
Chapter 1: The Science of Physics Test
16. Identify the number of significant figures in the numbers below.
a. 85.06
4
c. 89 053 000
b. 0.00631
3
d. 16.00
9.5
4
e. 0.0740
3
f.
4
103.5
17. Perform the following calculations and put your answer in the correct number of significant figures.
258.32
a. 87.56 + 77.321 + 93.44
=
16: Each part – 2 points
b. 9.81 × 2.735
=
26.8
17: Each part – 3 points each
2/3 if number was not in correct
sig figs.
c. (4.62 + 5.38) × 6.7
=
67
18. Light travels at a speed of 2.99 × 108 m/s in Earth’s atmosphere. If the circumference of the Earth is
4.0075 x 104 km, how long would it take for a ray of light to travel all the way around the Earth? Put your
answer in scientific notation, and the correct number of significant figures. Show your work.
Needs to be converted to all the same unit km m or m km. Using those values solve as below:
4.0025 × 104 km
= 1.34 × 10−1 s
2.99 × 105 km/s
Answers should be in correct scientific notation and to three significant figures.
19. An Olympic swimming pool holds about 2400 m3 of water. If a water bottle holds 600 cm3 of water, how
many bottles of water would it take to fill one Olympic swimming pool? Put your answer in scientific
notation, and the correct number of significant figures. Show your work.
Needs to be converted to all the same unit m3 cm3 or cm3 m3. For example:
1 cm
1 cm
1 cm
2400 m3 × −2 × −2 × −2 = 2.4 × 109 cm3
10 m 10 m 10 m
Using those values solve as below:
2.4 × 109 cm3
= 4 × 106 bottles
600 cm3 /bottle
Answers should be in correct scientific notation and to one significant figure.