Physics Assessments
QUARTER ONE
Unit One
P2.1A Calculate the average speed of an object using the change of position and elapsed time.
L2
1. The picture shows the position of a ball every 0.25 second on a photogram. Using a ruler,
determine the velocity of the ball.
A.
B.
C.
D.
3.5 cm/s
10.5 cm/s
14.0 cm/s
28.0 cm/s
Answer: B
2. What is the average velocity of the boat over the time interval shown?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Position (m)
25
22.5
20
17.5
15
12.5
∆12.5 m/s
∆1.25 m/s
1.25 m/s
12.5 m/s
Answer: B
Time (s)
1
3
5
7
9
11
3. What can be concluded about the motion of the boat from the given data?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The boat is driving towards the 0m location.
The boat is driving backwards towards the finish line.
The boat is accelerating towards the 0m location.
The boat is driving in circles around the 0m location.
Answer: A
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4. Four cities all lie along a straight line as shown in the diagram. A delivery driver departs
from City B, drives to City D, and then Drives to City A. The total time for the trip is 0.70
hours.
What is the driver’s displacement at the end of the described trip?
A.
B.
C.
D.
5 miles
11 miles
21 miles
37 miles
Answer: A
5. What distance does the driver cover during the described trip?
A.
B.
C.
D.
11 miles
21 miles
37 miles
42 miles
Answer: C
6. What is the driver’s average velocity during the described trip?
A.
B.
C.
D.
7.1 mi/hr
30 mi/hr
52.9 mi/hr
60 mi/hr
Answer: C
7. What is the driver’s average speed during the described trip?
A.
B.
C.
D.
7.1 mi/hr
30 mi/hr
52.9 mi/hr
60 mi/hr
Answer: C
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P2.1B Represent the velocities for linear and circular motion using motion diagrams (arrows on
strobe pictures). L2
t=0s
t=5s
t=0s
t=4s
A
B
The diagram above represents the position of two bowling balls (A & B) at one-second intervals.
The arrows are 2.0 meters apart.
1. What can you observe about the motion of the two bowling balls?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Both balls move at the same velocity.
Ball A moves faster than Ball B.
Ball A moves slower than Ball B.
Neither ball is moving.
Answer: C
2. What is the average velocity of Ball A?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
5.0 m/s
4.0 m/s
2.5 m/s
2.0 m/s
1.0 m/s
Answer: D
3. What was the average velocity of Ball B?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
5.0 m/s
4.0 m/s
2.5 m/s
2.0 m/s
1.25 m/s
Answer: C
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4. A skateboarder is rolling down the side walk as shown in the diagram below. We can infer
from this diagram that the skateboarder is
A.
B.
C.
D.
moving at a constant speed.
moving at a constant acceleration.
The arrows are oriented in the direction of motion showing a negative motion.
The direction of the motion is unclear from the diagram.
Answer: A
5. Study the diagram below and determine which of the objects are undergoing an acceleration.
A.
B.
C.
D.
B and D are experiencing acceleration
B, D and E are experiencing acceleration
A only is showing acceleration
None of the diagrams are showing acceleration
Answer: B
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P2.1C Create line graphs using measured values of position and elapsed time. L3
1. Which equation best represents the motion depicted by the data?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Time, t (s)
x = (150m/s)t + 0m
x = (150m/s)t + 50m
x = (30m/s)t + 0m
x = (30m/s)t + 50m
0
5
10
15
20
Answer: D
2. What is the average velocity of the car?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Time, t (s)
30m/s
35m/s
40m/s
50m/s
0
5
10
15
20
Answer: A
Position, x
(m)
50
200
350
500
650
Position, x
(m)
50
200
350
500
650
P2.1D Describe and analyze the motion that a position-time graph represents, given the graph.
L2
1. The distance vs. time graph below shows data collected as a remote-controlled car moved
across a level parking lot.
According to the graph, which of the following
conclusions about the car's motion is supported?
A. The car is accelerating
B. The car is stopping and starting
C. The car is traveling at a constant
velocity
D. The car is moving through an
obstacle course
Answer: A
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2. What is the object’s average velocity from
t = 0s to t = 8s?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0.44 m/s
0.51 m/s
0.77 m/s
1.75 m/s
Answer: C
3. What is the object’s velocity at t = 8s?
A.
B.
C.
D.
∆1.33 m/s
∆0.75 m/s
0.75 m/s
1.33 m/s
Answer: B
4. The motion of three objects (Object A, Object B, and Object C) is described by the three
lines on the position-time graph at the right. Which one of the objects is moving with the
greatest speed?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Object A
Object B
Object C
Hard to tell with this diagram
Answer: A
5. While on vacation, Lisa Carr traveled a total distance of 440 miles. Her trip took 8 hours.
What was her average speed?
A.
B.
C.
D.
18 miles/hour
80 miles/hour
60 miles/hour
55 miles/hour
Answer: D
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6. Starting from rest, a car undergoes a constant acceleration of 6 m/s2. How far will the car
travel in the first second?
A.
B.
C.
D.
6 meters
3 meters
1 meter
2 meters
Answer: B
P.1.1g Based on empirical evidence, explain and critique the reasoning used to draw a scientific
conclusion or explanation.
P2.1g Solve problems involving average speed and constant acceleration in one dimension. L2
1. Objects A and B are dropped from rest near Earth’s surface. Object A has mass m and object
B has mass 2m. After 2 seconds of free fall, object A has a speed v and has fallen a distance d.
What are the speed and distance of fall of object B after 2 seconds of free fall?
A.
B.
C.
D.
speed = v/2 ; distance = d/2
speed = v; distance = d
speed = v/2 ; distance = 2d
speed = 2v; distance = 2d
Answer: B
2. Becky rode her bicycle 300.00 meters due east in 30.0 seconds. She then peddled directly
south for 20.0 seconds at the same speed. She then peddled 50.0 meters directly north in 5.00
seconds.
A.
B.
C.
D.
What was the total distance that she peddled her bicycle?
What was her average speed?
What was her displacement?
How would you determine her average velocity?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Total distance = 300 m + 200 m + 50.0 m = 550 m (2pts)
10 m/s
335.4 m -- 26.6¡ south of due east
total displacement divided by total time
Answers:
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3. The data given below were collected from two different objects. The differences in the two
objects can be explained as
A. Object A is constant velocity while Object B is
constant acceleration
B. Both objects start at the same location at the
same time
C. Both objects are moving in the same direction
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Time
(s)
0.00
0.25
0.50
0.75
1.00
1.25
1.50
1.75
2.00
Object A
Position
(m)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
4.0
Object B
Position
(m)
0.000
0.094
0.375
0.844
1.500
2.344
3.375
4.594
6.000
P2.2A Distinguish between the variables of distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and
acceleration. L2
1. An object is observed to have zero acceleration. Which of the following statements must be
true?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The object is motionless.
The object is moving in a circular path.
There is no friction acting on the object.
The object has a constant velocity.
Answer: D
2. A car driving down the freeway has a constant velocity. Which of the following statements
must be true?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The car has zero acceleration.
The car is moving in a circular path.
There is no friction acting on the car.
The car is speeding up.
Answer: A
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3. The following table gives the position of a boat at various times.
How can the motion of the boat best be described?
A. The boat has a constant, non-zero velocity.
B. The boat has zero velocity, but non-zero
acceleration.
C. The boat has a constant, non-zero acceleration.
D. There is insufficient data here to accurately describe
the boat’s motion.
Position (m)
25
22.5
20
17.5
15
12.5
Time (s)
1
3
5
7
9
11
Answer: A
4. One of the oldest rides at an amusement park is the Merry-go-round. It is a favorite of very
young children, but not exciting enough for high school age students. There is still much
physics that can be studied with the Merry-go-round. Consider the following Merry-goround. The inner radius of the rider’s platform is 10 ft. The outer radius is 20 ft. There are
four rows of animals to ride in that 10 foot distance on the platform. When the Merry-goround is moving at full speed it takes just 40 seconds to make a complete rotation. Some of
the horses on the Merry-go-round move up and down in a periodic manner.
The horse on the innermost row of animals is located 12.0 ft from the center of rotation. The
horse on the outermost row of animals is located 18.0 ft from the center of rotation.
Answer the following as it relates to the above.
The person riding on the inner horse would feel an acceleration that is
A.
B.
C.
D.
zero once the ride gets up to speed
the same as the acceleration of a person on the outer horse
about 2/3 the acceleration of a person on the outer horse
about 3/2 the acceleration of a person on the outer horse
Answer: D
5. The kinetic energy of a person riding on the inner row as compared to the kinetic energy of
the same person riding on the outer row
A.
B.
C.
D.
is the same since they both take the same time to make one revolution.
is equal to the ratio of their respective radii of rotation.
is equal to the inverse ratio of their respective radii of rotation.
is equal to the ratio of the square of their respective radii of rotation.
Answer: D
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6. One of the easier rides at a local amusement park
is the steam engine driven train. The train follows
the track shown in the diagram below. The total
length of the track is 1.4 miles. It takes the train
12.0 minutes to cover the length of the track. The
train takes 4 sec. from stop to reach its speed,
which it then maintains through the entire course
until it takes 6 sec. to stop back at the station.
Answer the following questions as they relate to
the above.
If you are going to determine the force acting on you at point B on the track you will need to
know all of the following except
A.
B.
C.
D.
the radius of curvature of the track at point B
the speed you are moving at point B
your mass
how long it took you to get to point B from the station.
Answer: B
7. The average velocity of the train during the 12 minute ride is
A.
B.
C.
D.
zero
11.7 mi/hr
7.0 mi/hr
10.3 ft/s
Answer: A
8. The average speed of the train during the 12 minute ride is
A.
B.
C.
D.
zero
11.7 mi/hr
7.0 mi/hr
10.3 ft/s
Answer: C
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P2.2B Use the change of speed and elapsed time to calculate the average acceleration for linear
motion. L2
1. A ball starting from rest accelerates uniformly at 5.0 meters per second as it rolls 40 meters
down an incline. How much time is required for the ball to roll the 40 meters?
A.
B.
C.
D.
2.8 s
8.0 s
16 s
4.0 s
Answer: B
2. The speed of a car is decreased uniformly from 30 meters per second to 10 meters per second
in 4.0 seconds. The magnitude of the car’s acceleration is
A.
B.
C.
D.
5.0 m/s2
10. m/s2
20. m/s2
40. m/s2
Answer: A
3. What is the average acceleration of a car that goes from rest to 60 km/hr in 8 seconds.
A.
B.
C.
D.
8 km/hr ∙s
13 km/hr ∙s
7.5 km/hr ∙s
None of the above
Answer: C
4. How long does it take to accelerate an object from rest to 10 m/s if the acceleration was 2
m/s2?
A.
B.
C.
D.
10 seconds
5 seconds
15 seconds
2 seconds
Answer: B
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5. Carl started to run at 10 km/h when he left his house. He arrived at school 30 minutes later.
How fast was he running when he arrived there? Assume that his average acceleration was
30 km/h2.
A.
B.
C.
D.
25 km/h
3 km/h
1 km/h
30 km/h
Answer: A
P2.2C Describe and analyze the motion that a velocity-time graph represents, given the graph.
L2
1. The graph below shows the velocity of a car over a period of six hours. What is the car's
acceleration between hours 2 and 3?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0 km/h2
–
10 km/h2
20 km/h2
10 km/h2
Answer: D
2. A graph of a car's motion is shown below. Which statement best describes the car's motion
between 3 seconds and 6 seconds?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The car is accelerating
The car is decelerating
The car has a constant velocity
The car is stopped.
Answer: B
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3. What is the instantaneous acceleration of the object when t = 0 in the diagram below? For
example, the instantaneous acceleration when t = 3 at the below graph is 3 m/s2, since the
graph has a slope of 3 when t = 3.
A.
B.
C.
D.
4 m/s
3 m/s
0 m/s
1 m/s
Answer: A
4. For example, the instantaneous acceleration when t = 3 at the below graph is 3 m/s2, since the
graph has a slope of 3 when t = 3. What is the average acceleration of the whole trip? (When
t = 7, velocity = 26 m/s)
A.
B.
C.
D.
18.2 m/s2
4 m/s2
3.7 m/s2
26 m/s2
Answer: C
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P2.2e Use the area under a velocity-time graph to calculate the distance traveled and the slope to
calculate the acceleration. L2
1. Based on the data in the table below, which graph best represents the area under the velocitytime graph that calculates the acceleration based on distance traveled and the slope.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: A
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2. Which graph best depicts a car traveling at a steady velocity of 65 mph for 3 hours.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Graph #1
Graph #2
Graph #3
Graph #4
Answer: A
3. Based on the graph below, find the distance traveled from the area below the velocity-time
graph. The velocity of the car, v ms-1 modeled by v = 2-0.5√t for 0 = t= 16.
A.
B.
C.
D.
2 meters in 10 second intervals
5 meters in 2 second intervals
8 meters in 2 second intervals
10 meters in 2 second intervals
Answer: D
4. Find the distance traveled modeled by the area under the velocity-time graph
A.
B.
C.
D.
58 meters
45 meters
3 meters
116 meters
Answer: B
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2.3x Frames of Reference All motion is relative to whatever frame of reference is chosen, for
there is no motionless frame from which to judge all motion.
P2.3a Describe and compare the motion of an object using different reference frames.
1. Jane is driving north at 20 m/s. Betty is driving south at 15 m/s. How would the observed
motion of each driver compare, relative to each other?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Each driver observes the other at 35 m/s, relative to herself.
Each driver observes the other at 5 m/s, relative to herself.
Jane sees Betty driving at 20 m/s; Betty sees Jane driving at 15 m/s.
Jane sees Betty driving at 15 m/s; Betty sees Jane driving at 20 m/s.
Answer: A
2. An airplane drops a rescue pack to a group of stranded hikers.
What type of path do people in the plane observe that the packet follows?
A. The packet falls straight down vertically from the plane.
B. The packet takes a straight diagonally downward path.
C. The packet flies horizontally with the plane for a time and then falls diagonally
downward.
D. The packet falls downward in a parabola-shaped path.
Answer: A
3. An airplane drops a rescue pack to a group of stranded hikers.
What type of path do the hikers observe that the packet follows?
A. The packet falls straight down vertically from the plane.
B. The packet takes a straight diagonally downward path.
C. The packet flies horizontally with the plane for a time and then falls diagonally
downward.
D. The packet falls downward in a parabola-shaped path.
Answer: D
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Unit Two
P3.1A Identify the force(s) acting between objects in “direct contact” or at a distance. L1
1. A car is parked on the side of a hill. Which of the following most likely
prevents the car from moving down the hill?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The car has too much mass to move easily.
There is friction in the door hinges of the car.
There is friction between the tires and the road.
The weight of the car is mostly on the front wheels.
Answer: C
2. What force is acting throughout the length of the rubber band shown below?
A.
B.
C.
D.
kinetic force
frictional force
torque
tension
Answer: D
3. What force indicated by the X on the diagram is helping to hang this plant from the ceiling?
A.
B.
C.
D.
torque
electrostatic
tension
friction
Answer: D
4. What force acting on the block is labeled B in the diagram below?
A.
B.
C.
D.
normal
tension
friction
gravity
Answer: B
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P3.1d Identify the basic forces in everyday interactions. L1
P1.1f Predict what would happen if the variables, methods, or timing of an investigation were
changed.
1. Each of the following situations describes some kind of motion. Identify which of Newton’s
three laws of motion might best explain the motion.
a. 1st Law: Law of Inertia
b. 2nd Law: F = ma
c. 3rd Law: Action/Reaction
______ 1. A child riding without a safety restraint is propelled through the windshield of the
car when it is involved in an accident.
______ 2. Your friend lets you shoot his new shot gun and it makes your shoulder sore.
______ 3. A car on an icy road slides off the road while trying to negotiate a curve.
______ 4. After sitting in class for nearly an hour you are ready to announce that you are
suffering from tired bottom.
______ 5. A drag race is mostly all engine and tires.
______ 6. You have to walk to town after your car becomes stuck in the sand and you are
unable to push it out.
______ 7. A fighter plane uses a drag parachute to aid in stopping.
______ 8. In a fit of anger you swing your fist at the wall putting a hole in the wall and
breaking your hand.
Answers:
1. a
2. c
3. a
4. c
5. b
6. a
7. b
8. c
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A steel block is pulled along a steel surface. An experiment is conducted that compares the
forces needed to overcome friction when the weight is changed.
Block weights
10kg
1.5kg
5kg
0.75kg
Smooth steel surface
15kg
2.25kg
Answer the following questions as they relate to the above.
1. What happens to the frictional force as the weight of the block increases?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The frictional force stays the same.
The frictional force increases.
The coefficient of friction increases.
The coefficient of friction decreases.
Answer: B
2. Which graph depicts the change in frictional force of the smooth steel surface?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Answer: C
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(also with P 3.1d) P1.1f Predict what would happen if the variables, methods, or timing of an
investigation were changed.
Some students conducted experiments using different brands of adhesive tape, one kind each of
paper and plastic, a board, and a spring scale.
Experiment 1
A student stuck one end of a piece of tape onto the edge of a board that was wrapped with paper.
The other end of the tape was clamped to a spring scale, as shown in Figure 1.
While one student held the board, a second student pulled the spring scale until the tape came off
the paper wrapping; a third student recorded the force in newtons, N, indicated on the spring
scale at the moment the tape came off the paper wrapping. The procedure was repeated for 3
different brands of tape; each brand of tape came in many different widths, of which 2 or 3 were
tested. The results are in Table 1.
Tape
brand
X
Y
Z
Tape width
(cm)
1.0
2.0
3.0
2.0
2.5
1.0
2.0
Table 1
Force (N) to remove tape:
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3 Average
1.6
3.9
6.0
4.0
5.4
2.2
4.1
1.9
3.7
5.6
4.5
5.1
1.6
3.9
2.2
4.1
5.8
4.3
5.7
1.8
3.6
1.9
3.9
5.8
4.3
5.4
1.9
3.9
Experiment 2
The students performed an experiment similar to Experiment 1, except that the paper wrapping
was replaced by a plastic wrapping. The results are shown in Table 2.
Tape
brand
X
Y
Z
Tape width
(cm)
1.0
2.0
3.0
2.0
2.5
1.5
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
Table 2
Force (N) to remove tape:
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3 Average
1.7
3.2
5.0
4.3
5.5
2.8
20
1.5
3.2
5.0
4.3
5.4
2.8
1.6
3.3
5.1
4.3
5.4
2.9
1.6
3.2
5.0
4.3
5.4
2.8
1. The results of the two experiments support the conclusion that, for a given brand of tape, as
the tape’s width increases, the force required to remove the tape from a given wrapping:
A.
B.
C.
D.
increases only.
decreases only.
remains constant.
varies, but with no particular trend.
Answer: A
2. In Experiment 2, had Brand X tape in a 4.0 cm width been tested, the force required to
remove the tape from the plastic wrapping would have been closest to:
A.
B.
C.
D.
5.0 N.
7.0 N.
9.0 N.
11.0 N.
Answer: C
3. Based on the average results of Experiments 1 and 2, which of the following brands of tape
adhered better to the paper than to the plastic?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Brand X
Brand Y
Brands X and Y
Brands Y and Z
Answer: A
4. Which brand(s) of tape was/were used at only 2 different widths in both experiments?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Brand X only
Brand Y only
Brand Z only
Brands Y and Z only
Answer: B
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5. For the students to determine the force required to remove tape from a wrapping, which of
the following attractive forces had to exceed the adhesive force between the tape and the
wrapping?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The force between the clamp and the tape.
The force between the clamp and the paper or plastic wrapping.
The force between the Earth and the wrapping.
The force between the Earth and the tape.
Answer: A
6. The students’ instructor have them a strip of tape that was 2.5 cm wide and asked them to
identify the brand. The students repeated the procedures from Experiments 1 and 2 using the
tape and obtained average forces of 4.9 N for paper and 4.1 for plastic. Which of the
following brands would most likely have produced these results?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Brand X only
Brand Y only
Brands X and Y only
Brands Y and Z only
Answer: A
P3.2A Identify the magnitude and direction of everyday forces (e.g., wind, tension in ropes,
pushes and pulls, weight). L2
1. Two boys wearing in-line skates are standing on a smooth surface with the palms of their
hands touching and their arms bent, as shown above. If Boy X pushes by straightening his
arms out while Boy Y holds his arms in the original position, what is the motion of the two
boys?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Boy X does not move and Boy Y moves backward.
Boy Y does not move and Boy X moves backward.
Boy X and Boy Y both move backward.
The motion depends on how hard Boy X pushes.
Answer: C
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2. A parachutist in free fall first reaches terminal velocity
A.
B.
C.
D.
at the time of collision with the earth
when the force of gravity is greater than the air resistance
when the force of gravity is just balanced by the air resistance
after the parachute is opened.
Answer: C
3. During an experiment, you notice that as you increase the mass on a spring scale (used to
measure weight) that the reading on the scale also increases. Which statement best describes
the relationship between the variables in this experiment?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Weight directly influences the amount of mass.
Mass has little influence on weight.
As mass increases, weight will increase.
Weight and mass are identical.
Answer: C
4. Identify of action-reaction force pairs in the following diagram.
A. The elephant's feet push backward on the ground; the ground pushes forward on its
feet.
B. The right end of the right rope pulls leftward on the elephant's body; its body pulls
rightward on the right end of the right rope. The left end of the right rope pulls
rightward on the man; the man pulls leftward on the left end of the right rope. \
C. The tractor pulls leftward on the right end of the left rope; the left end of the left rope
pulls rightward on the tractor.
D. All of the above
Answer: D
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5. Consider the interaction depicted below between foot A, ball B, and foot C. The three objects
interact simultaneously (at the same time). Identify the two pairs of action-reaction forces.
Use the notation "foot A", "foot C", and "ball B" in your statements..
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Ball presses down on the ground and ground pushes up on the ball.
Foot A pushes ball B to the right; and ball B pushes foot A to the left.
Foot C pushes ball B to the left; and ball B pushes foot C to the right
A and B
B and C
Answer: E
P3.2C Calculate the net force acting on an object. L2
1. Which of the following will definitely cause a change in the velocity of a
parked car?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The car experiences an unbalanced force.
All forces acting on the car increase by 1 N.
All forces acting on the car decrease by 1 N.
The forces acting on the car are equal and balanced.
Answer: A
2. The forces acting on a skateboarder moving at a constant velocity along a sidewalk are
shown in the figure below.
Normal force = 600 N
Weight of skateboarder = 600 N
Which of the following is the net force on the skateboarder?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0N
670 N
70 N
1270 N
Answer: A
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3. Use the free body diagram below to answer the question.
Assuming the surface is frictionless, which vector shows the correct net force acting on the
block?
A.
B.
C.
Answer: B
P3.2d Identify the basic forces in every interactions. L1
1. A box is at rest on a hill. What is the correct vector diagram?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: C
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D.
2. Different masses are hung on a spring scale calibrated in Newtons. The force exerted by
gravity on 5 kg = ______ N.
A.
B.
C.
D.
49 N
10 N
5N
50 N
Answer: A
4. Which diagram (situation A, B, C, or D) illustrates a net force of 5 Newtons, left?
Answer: B
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4. A Girl is suspended motionless from the ceiling by two ropes. A free-body diagram for this
situation looks like this: (choose A, B, C, or D)
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: B
P3.3A Identify the action and reaction force from examples of forces in everyday situations (e.g.,
book on a table, walking across the floor, pushing open a door). L1
1. A ball having a mass m is struck by a bat having mass 9m. Compared to the magnitude of
the force exerted by the bat on the ball, the magnitude of the force exerted by the ball on the
bat is
A. Less
B. Greater
C. The same
Answer: A
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2. The sketch below shows two windows. The left window has been cracked by a flying stone.
A tennis ball, with the same mass and speed as the stone, strikes the adjacent, similar
window, but does not crack it. Which answer is not correct?
A. there is a longer collision impact time and (therefore) smaller force for ball than
stone.
B. The surface area struck is greater on the tennis ball than on the stone.
C. The shape of the stone has ridges and edges and can crack things.
D. ball is soft and when it strikes the window it absorbs some of its own velocity and
rebounds back.
Answer: A
3. Some high heeled shoes are claimed to damage floors. The base diameter of these very high
heels is about 0.5 cm and of ordinary heels about 3 cm. Which answer most correctly
explains why high heels may damage floors?
Why does this happen?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The heels are very sharp and will cause marks on the floor
There is greater pressure on the floor because of smaller area of the heels.
The heels have a smaller area, that's why they cause damage to floors.
A decrease in area increases the hardness of the heels.
Answer: B
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4. In the top picture (below), Kent Budgett is pulling upon a rope which is attached to a wall. In
the bottom picture, the Kent is pulling upon a rope which is attached to an elephant. In each
case, the force scale reads 500 Newtons. Kent is pulling...
A. with more force when the rope is attached to the wall.
B. with more force when the rope is attached to the elephant.
C. the same force in each case.
Answer: C
P3.4A Predict the change in motion of an object acted on by several forces. L3
1. The frog leaps from its resting position at the lake’s bank onto a lily pad. If the frog has a
mass of 0.5 kg and the acceleration of the leap is 3 m/s 2, what is the force the frog exerts on
the lake’s bank when leaping?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0.2 N
0.8 N
1.5 N
6.0 N
Answer: C
2. Forces act on an object on a hill as shown in the diagram. What
conclusion can be made about the objects motion?
A. The object is motionless because the forces are balanced.
B. The object will accelerate down the hill because there is
insufficient friction.
C. The object will accelerate up the hill due to the force
pulling on it that direction.
D. The diagram is too inconclusive to draw any conclusions from.
Answer: A
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3. A box is at rest on a hill. What is the correct vector diagram?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: C
4. If the forces acting upon an object are balanced, then the object
A.
B.
C.
D.
must not be moving.
must be moving with a constant velocity.
must not be accelerating.
none of these
Answer: A
P3.4B Identify forces acting on objects moving with constant velocity (e.g., cars on a highway). L1
P3.4C Solve problems involving force, mass, and acceleration in linear motion (Newton’s
second law). L2
1. What is the mass of an object weighing 63 N on Earth?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0.1 kg
6.3 kg
73 kg
617 kg
Answer: B
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2. The frog leaps from its resting position at the lake’s bank onto a lily pad. If the frog has a
mass of 0.5 kg and the acceleration of the leap is 3 m/s 2, what is the force the frog exerts on
the lake’s bank when leaping?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0.2 N
0.8 N
1.5 N
6.0 N
Answer: C
Jesse records the following data during an experiment.
Acceleration
(m/s2)
3
Force
(N)
9
5
15
6
18
11
33
3. According to Jesse’s experiment, which of the following best represents the relationship
between force and acceleration? (k is a constant)
A. F = k ‡ a
B. F = k ‡ a2
C. F =
D. F =
Answer: A
4. According to the data, what would be the correct value of k? (ignore units)
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
6
5
4
3
2
Answer: D
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5. A mother pushes her 120-newton child, who is sitting on a swing. If the mother exerts a 10newton force on the child for 0.50 second, what is the magnitude of the impulse imparted to
the child by the mother?
A.
B.
C.
D.
5.0 N•s
20. N/s
60. N•s
240 N/s
Answer: A
6. The diagram below shows a 2.0-kilogram block being moved across a frictionless surface by
a 6.0-newton horizontal force.
What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the block?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0.33 m/s2
6.0 m/s2
3.0 m/s2
12 m/s2
Answer: C
7. Each figure below shows a force measured in newtons pushing on a block. If there are no
other forces pushing on the block, in which case is the acceleration of the block the greatest?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: C
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8. In the diagram below, the upward drag force acting on a parachute is equal in magnitude but
opposite in direction to the weight of the parachutist and equipment.
As a result of the forces shown, the
parachutist may be moving
A.
B.
C.
D.
downward with decreasing speed
downward at constant speed
upward with decreasing speed
upward with constant
acceleration
Answer: B
P3.6C Explain how your weight on Earth could be different from your weight on another planet.
L2
1. The magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of planet A is twice as great
as on the surface of planet B. What is the ratio of the weight of mass X on surface of planet
A to its weight on the surface of planet B?
A.
B.
C.
D.
1:2
2:1
1:4
4:1
Answer: B
2. If an astronaut took a rocket ship to Mars what would change?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Width of astronaut.
Mass of astronaut.
Height of astronaut.
Weight of astronaut.
Answer: D
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3. When comparing mass and size data for the planets Earth and Jupiter, it is observed that
Jupiter is about 300 times more massive than Earth. One might quickly conclude that an
object on the surface of Jupiter would weigh 300 times more than on the surface of the Earth.
For instance, one might expect a person who weights 500 N on Earth would weigh 150000 N
on the surface of Jupiter. Yet this is not the case. In fact, a 500-N person on Earth weighs
about 150 N on the surface of Jupiter. Explain how this can be.
A. The affect of the greater mass of Jupiter is partly offset by the fact that the radius
of Jupiter is larger.
B. An object on Jupiter's surface is 10 times farther from Jupiter's center than it
would be if on Earth's surface
C. Jupiter’s density is less than Earth
D. A and B
Answer: D
4. How much would you weigh if you lived on a different planet?
Planet
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Weight
Earth weight
Earth weight
Earth weight
Earth weight
Earth weight
Earth weight
Earth weight
Earth weight
Earth weight
Multiplier
Factor
0.38
0.91
1.00
0.38
2.60
1.10
0.90
1.20
0.08
Paul weighs 200 pounds (lbs.). What will his weight be if he stands on the surface of Venus?
A.
B.
C.
D.
45 lbs
182 lbs
220 lbs
200 lbs.
Answer: B
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QUARTER TWO
Unit Three
P2.2g Apply the independence of the vertical and horizontal initial velocities to solve projectile
motion problems. L2
1. A ball is thrown horizontally from the top of a building with an initial velocity of 15 meters
per second. At the same instant, a second ball is dropped from the top of the building. The
two balls have the same
A.
B.
C.
D.
path as they fall
final velocity as they reach the ground
initial horizontal velocity
initial vertical velocity
Answer: D
2. A package falls out of a helicopter that is traveling horizontally at 70m/s. It falls into the
water below 8.0 seconds later. Assuming no air resistance, what is the horizontal distance it
travels while falling?
A.
B.
C.
D.
720 m
9m
560 m
114 m
Answer: C
3. A projectile is fired horizontally in a vacuum. The projectile maintains its horizontal
component of speed because it
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
has no vertical component of speed to begin with
Is not acted on by any forces.
The net force acting on it is zeron.
is not acted on by any horizontal forces.
None of the above
Answer: D
4. In the absence of air friction, the vertical component of a projectile’s velocity doesn’t change
as the projectile moves.
A. Always false
B. always truce
C. Sometimes true
Answer: B
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5. The horizontal component of a projectile’s velocity is independent of
A. the range of the projectile
B. time
C. the vertical component of its velocity.
Answer: C
P3.4e Solve problems involving force, mass, and acceleration in two-dimensional projectile
motion restricted to an initial horizontal velocity with no initial vertical velocity (e.g., a ball
rolling off a table). L2
Aristotle developed a system of physics based on what he thought occurred in nature. For
example, he thought that if a stone is released from rest, it instantaneously reaches a speed that
remains constant as the stone falls, He also believed that the speed attained by a stone falling in
air varies directly with the weight of the stone. A 5-pound stone, for example, falls with a
constant speed 5 times as great as that of a 1-pound stone. Aristotle also noted that stones
dropped into water continue to fall, but at a slower rate than stones falling through air. To
account for this, he explained that the resistance of the medium through which an object falls
also affects the speed. Therefore, he said, the speed of a falling object also varies inversely with
the resistance of the medium, and this resistance is the same for all objects.
Galileo disagreed with Aristotle’s explanation. HE generated the following arguments to
refute Aristotle.
Consider a stake partially driven into the ground and a heavy stone falling from various
heights onto the stake. If the stone falls from a height of 1 cubit, the stake will be driven in a
much smaller amount. Certainly, Galileo argued, if the stone is raised above the stake by only the
thickness of a leaf, then the effect of the stone’s falling on the stake will be altogether
unnoticeable.
On the basis of a careful set of experiments, Galileo argued that the speed of an object
released from rest varies directly with the time of fall. Also, the distance the object falls varies
directly with the square of the time of fall if the effect of air resistance on the object is negligible.
Thus, according to Galileo, objects actually fall with constant acceleration, and if air resistance is
negligible, all objects have exactly the same acceleration.
1. A book dropped from a height of 1 meter falls to the floor in t seconds. To be consistent with
Aristotle's views, from what height, in meters, should a book 3 times as heavy be dropped so
that it will fall to the floor in the same amount of time?
A.
B.
C.
D.
1/9
1/3
1
3
Answer: D
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2. Suppose a heavy object falls to the ground in t seconds when dropped from shoulder height.
According to Galileo, if air resistance were negligible, how many seconds would it take an
object half as heavy to fall to the ground from the same height?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0.5t
1.0t
1.5t
2.0t
Answer: A
3. A piece of putty weighing 2 pounds is dropped down a shaft from the top of a tall building; 1
second later, a 3 pound piece of putty is dropped down the shaft. According to Aristotle,
what happens to the 2 pieces of putty if they fall for a relatively long time?
A.
B.
C.
D.
the 3 pound piece falls faster
The 2 pound piece falls faster
They fall at the same rate
None of the above
Answer: A
P3.3d Calculate all the forces on an object on an inclined plane and describe the object’s motion
based on the forces using free-body diagrams. L2
1. Little Johnny stands at the bottom of the driveway and kicks a soccer ball. The ball rolls
northward up the driveway and then rolls back to Johnny. Which one of the following
velocity-time graphs (A, B, C, or D) most accurately portrays the motion of the ball as it rolls
up the driveway and back down?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Graph A
Graph B
Graph C
Graph D
Answer: D
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2. A golf ball is rolling across a horizontal section of the green on the 18th hole. It then
encounters a steep downward incline (see diagram). Friction is involved. Which of the
following ticker tape patterns (A, B, or C) might be an appropriate representation of the ball's
motion?
Answer: B
3. Missy dePenn’s eighth frame in the Wednesday night bowling league was a disaster. The ball
rolled off the lane, passed through the freight door in the building’s rear, and then down the
driveway. Millie Meater (Missy’s teammate), who was spending every free moment studying
for her physics test, began visualizing the velocity-time graph for the ball’s motion. Which
one of the velocity-time graphs (A, B, C, or D) would be an appropriate representation of the
ball's motion as it rolls across the horizontal surface and then down the incline? Consider
frictional forces.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Graph A
Graph B
Graph C
Graph D
Answer: D
4. Three lab partners - Olive N. Glenveau, Glen Brook, and Warren Peace - are discussing an
incline problem (see diagram). They are debating the value of the normal force. Olive claims
that the normal force is 250 N; Glen claims that the normal force is 433 N; and Warren
claims that the normal force is 500 N. While all three answers seem reasonable, only one is
correct
A.
B.
C.
D.
Olive is correct
Warren is correct
Glen is correct
All are correct
Answer: C
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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Unit Four
P3.4f Calculate the changes in velocity of a thrown or hit object during and after the time it is
acted on by the force. L2
P3.4g Explain how the time of impact can affect the net force (e.g., air bags in cars, catching a
ball). L2
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/Class/momentum/u4l2b.html
P3.5a Apply conservation of momentum to solve simple collision problems. L2
1. The diagrams below show a cart moving with a velocity, V, on a frictionless surface
as a wooden block is being dropped. The block then falls straight down onto the moving cart.
Which of the following statements describes what will happen after the block lands on the
moving cart?
A. The cart will move to the left at a velocity less than the original velocity of the
cart.
B. The cart will move to the left at a velocity greater than the original velocity of the
cart.
C. The cart will move to the right at a velocity less than the original velocity of the
cart.
D. The cart will move to the right at a velocity greater than the original velocity of
the cart.
Answer: C
2. A cart at the top of a hill is released and rolls down the hill. Which of the following describes
the energy of the cart just as it reaches the bottom of the hill?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The cart has no energy.
The cart has maximum kinetic energy
The cart has maximum gravitational potential energy.
The cart has equal gravitational potential and kinetic energy.
Answer: B
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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3. A ball moving at 30 m/s has a momentum of 15 kg·m/s. The mass of the ball is —
A.
B.
C.
D.
45 kg
15 kg
2.0 kg
0.5 kg
Answer: D
P3.3b Predict how the change in velocity of a small mass compares to the change in velocity of a
large mass when the objects interact (e.g., collide). L3
P3.3c Explain the recoil of a projectile launcher in terms of forces and masses. L2
P3.3d Analyze why seat belts may be more important in autos than in buses. L2
1. An upward force of 150 N is applied to a box weighing 70 N. Which of the following is the
free-body force diagram for this situation?
A. 70 N
C. 80 N
220 N
150 N
B. 80 N
D. 150 N
70 N
70 N
Answer: D
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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Unit Five
P2.1E Describe and classify various motions in a plane as one dimensional, two dimensional,
circular, or periodic. L2
P2.1F Distinguish between rotation and revolution and describe and contrast the two speeds of
an object like the Earth. L2
P2.1h Identify the changes in speed and direction in everyday examples of circular (rotation and
revolution), periodic, and projectile motions. L2
1. A roller coaster cart starts from rest and accelerates, due to gravity, down a track. The cart
starts at a height that enables it to complete a loop in the track. [Neglect friction.]
Which diagram best represents the path followed by an object that falls off the cart when the
cart is at point D?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: A
P2.2D State that uniform circular motion involves acceleration without a change in speed. L1
P2.2f Describe the relationship between changes in position, velocity, and acceleration during
periodic motion. L2
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P3.4D Identify the force(s) acting on objects moving with uniform circular motion (e.g., a car on
a circular track, satellites in orbit). L1
1. A small block of wood attached to a string is being spun around in a circle. Which diagram
illustrates the direction of the centripetal force acting on the block?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: B
2. A roller coaster cart starts from rest and accelerators, due to gravity, down a track. The cart
starts at a height that enables it to complete a loop in the track. [Neglect friction.]
The magnitude of the centripetal force keeping the cart in circular motion would be greatest
at point
A.
B.
C.
D.
A
B
C
D
Answer: A
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P3.6A Explain earth-moon interactions (orbital motion) in terms of forces. L2
1. A popular ride at the local amusement park is the log flume. In this ride the rider is placed in
a boat designed to resemble a large log. The log with riders is moved along a water way until
it is taken to the top of an incline. From the top of the incline the log is released. At the
bottom of the incline the log returns to the water way from which the ride originated.
Answer the following questions.
a. What is the purpose of the water at the bottom of the flume? (Other than to float the boat.)
b. Describe the forces the participant will feel at each of the labeled points (A through F) as
he/she moves around the course, up the incline, down the incline and finally stops at the
bottom.
Answers:
1. The water absorbs the kinetic energy of the boat and provides a safe stop. (1 point)
2. Forces felt:
A: Starting out from rest, small accelerating force. (1 point)
B: Moving around curves, small centripetal force. (1 point)
C: Starting up the incline, small accelerating force. (1 point)
D: Dropping down the incline, accelerating force due to gravity. (1 point)
E: Stopping at the bottom, large decelerating force. (1 point)
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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P3.6B Predict how the gravitational force between objects changes when the distance between
them changes. L3
1. In order for the force to be 1N what would the distance for these objects have to be?
A.
B.
C.
D.
.001m
.001mm
1.35x1011m
1.16x107m
Answer: A
2. According to Newton’s law of universal gravitation, what will have a greater affect on the
gravitational force?
A.
B.
C.
D.
An increase in m1
A decrease in m2
An increase in d
A decrease in G
Answer: C
3. Gravitational force F exists between point objects A and B separated by distance R. If the
mass of A is doubled and distance R is tripled, what is the new gravitational force between A
and B?
2
F
9
2
B. F
3
3
C. F
2
9
D. F
2
A.
Answer: A
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P3.6d Calculate force, masses, or distance, given any three of these quantities, by applying the
Law of Universal Gravitation, given the value of G. L2
1. What would be the force between
A.
B.
C.
D.
the objects shown below?
5.9 x 10-9N
88.8N
7.99 x 1011N
9.8N
Answer: A
P3.6e Draw arrows (vectors) to represent how the direction and magnitude of a force changes on
an object in an elliptical orbit. L2
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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Unit Six
P3.2B Compare work done in different situations.
P4.1c Explain why work has a more precise scientific meaning than the meaning of work in
everyday language. L2
P4.1d Calculate the amount of work done on an object that is moved from one position to
another. L2
1. A 500.-newton girls lifts a 10.-newton box vertically upward a distance of 0.50 meter. The
work done on the box is
A.
B.
C.
D.
5.0 J
50. J
250 J
2500 J
Answer: C
2. The diagram below shows a 5.0-kilogram mass sliding 9.0 meters down an incline from a
height of 2.0 meters in 3.0 seconds. The object gains 90. joules of kinetic energy while
sliding. What work is done on the object?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0J
8J
45 J
90. J
Answer: C
3. If a force of 100 newtons was exerted on an object and no work was done, the object must
have —
A.
B.
C.
D.
accelerated rapidly
remained motionless
decreased its velocity
gained momentum
Answer: B
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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4. How much work is performed when a 50 kg crate is pushed 15m with a force of 20 N?
A.
B.
C.
D.
300 J
750 J
1,000J
15,000 J
Answer: A
P4.1e Using the formula for work, derive a formula for change in potential energy of an object
lifted a distance h. L3
P4.3A Identify the form of energy in given situations (e.g., moving objects, stretched springs,
rocks on cliffs, energy in food). L1
1. What is the type and amount of energy in a wrecking ball weighing 100 pounds suspended
100 feet above the ground?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Accumulative energy of 1,000 lbs/ft
Floatational energy of 1,000 lbs
Kinetic energy of 5,000 ft. lbs
Potential energy of 10,000 ft. lbs
Weight energy of 10,000 lbs
Answer: D
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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Following are six examples of kinetic and potential energy. Carefully analyze each image in
order to answer the following five questions.
Pneumatic power wrench
Electric-motor power saw
Conveyor system
Water tower
Auto suspension spring
and shock absorber
Electric batteries
2. The water tower and batteries can be categorized with which other image representing
potential energy?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Pneumatic wrench
Conveyor system
Power saw
Shock absorber
Answer: D
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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3. If an electrical generating turbine were added to one of the examples, which form of potential
energy might power the electric saw?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The conveyor system
The shock absorber
The water tower
The power wrench
The batteries
Answer: C
4. If an air compressor were attached to the power wrench, which of the following would
occur?
A. The potential energy in the compressor would all become kinetic energy in the
wrench.
B. The wrench would not be able to do as much work out as the work in from the
compressor.
C. The wrench will do more work than the compressor can input.
D. The kinetic energy stored in the compressor will make the wrench work.
Answer: B
5. How could you increase the potential energy of the water in the tower?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Increase the height of the tower.
Increase the pipe’s diameter.
Increase the number of filters in the water tank.
Increase the valve opening at the end of the pipe.
Answer: A
6. What is the potential energy of the spring in the suspension system based on?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
The kinetic energy of the car
The amount of air pressure in each tire
The springs speed
The spring height
The spring constant
Answer: E
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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P4.3B Describe the transformation between potential and kinetic energy in simple mechanical
systems (e.g., pendulums, roller coasters, ski lifts). L2
P4.3C Explain why all mechanical systems require an external energy source to maintain their
motion. L2
P43d Rank the amount of kinetic energy from highest to lowest of everyday examples of moving
objects. L2
P4.3e Calculate the changes in kinetic and potential energy in simple mechanical systems (e.g.,
pendulums, roller coasters, ski lifts) using the formulas for kinetic energy and potential energy.
L2.
1. What is the potential energy of the rock?
A.
B.
C.
D.
59,900 joules
64,600 joules
93,100 joules
121,600 joules
Answer: C
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Data showing typical ball speeds and striker speeds for different sports:
Ball type
Tennis ball
Squash ball
Hand ball
Golf ball
Football kick
Cricket ball
Ball mass
(kg)
0.058
0.032
0.061
0.046
0.42
0.16
Ball velocity
(m/s) before (m/s) after
0
51
0
49
0
23
0
69
0
28
0
39
Striker velocity
(m/s) after (m/s) before
38
33
44
34
19
14
45
32
18
12
31
27
Impact time
(ms)
4.0
3.0
1.4
8.0
8.0
1.4
(Data taken from : Physics, R. Hutchins, University of BATH, Thomas Nelson & Sons Ltd., 1992)
1. Find the kinetic energies of each ball just after it is struck. (12pts)
2. Find the loss in kinetic energy of the golf driver as it hits the golf ball. (2pts)
Answer 1: Use K.E. = 1/2 mv2
75 J, 38 J, 16 J, 110 J, 165 J, 122 J (2pts each correct answer and set up)
Answer 2: Use K.E. = 1/2 mv2 final - 1/2 mv2 initial
K.E. = 122 J (1pt for answer and 1pt for set up)
3. An airplane drops 400 m to escape some freezing rain. If it maintained the same speed but
lost 200,000,000 J of energy:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answers:
A.
B.
C.
D.
How much PE did it lose?
How much KE did it lose?
What is the plane’s mass?
Since the total energy of the system doesn’t seem to be conserved, explain where the
200,000,000 J went.
200,000,000 J
0J
51,000 kg
Air friction
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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P4.3f Calculate the impact speed (ignoring air resistance) of an object dropped from a specific
height or the maximum height reached by an object (ignoring air resistance), given the initial
vertical velocity. L2
During an experiment a group of Physics students drop a 0.250 kg ball from a lab table. Using a
Photogate timer for several readings they find that it took the ball an average of 0.306 seconds to
hit the floor.
1. What is the velocity of the ball just before it hit the ground? (3 points)
2. Find the change in kinetic energy of the ball? (3 points)
Answer 1: v=gt = (9.81 m/s2)(0.306 seconds) = 3.00 m/s
(1 point for correct equation, 1 point for the correct answer, and 1 point for the correct units)
Answer 2: KE = KE Æ KE ; 1.13 J
(1 point for the equation, 1 point for the correct answer, and 1 point for the work energy
equation)
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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Unit Seven
P4.1A Account for and represent energy into and out of systems using energy transfer diagrams.
L3
P4.2A Account for and represent energy transfer and transformation in complex processes
(interactions). L3
1. The masses and specific heats of some samples of liquids are shown in the table below
Samples
Mass (kg) Specific Heat Capacity
(J/kg · K)
water
0.750
4200
glycerin
0.750
2400
methanol
0.750
2500
cooking oil
0.750
2100
The temperature of which sample will raise most when 1000 J of heat is added?
A.
B.
C.
D.
water
Glycerin
methanol
cooking oil
Answer: D
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53
P1.2C Develop an understanding of a scientific concept by accessing information from multiple
sources. Evaluate the scientific accuracy and significance of the information
1. According to the information in Figure 3 above, the greatest heat gained through double-pane
glass occurs in which of the following cities?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Albuquerque
Minneapolis
New Orleans
Phoenix
Answer: A
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2. According to the data, the greatest net heat loss through a single-pane window occurred in
which city?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Concord
Huron
Minneapolis
Phoenix
Answer: C
3. Indianapolis, Indiana, receives 51% possible sunshine and has an average temperature of
40.3°F during the heating season. On the basis of the data presented, the net heat gained by
a double-pane window in Indianapolis would be approximately:
A.
B.
C.
D.
–15 Btu/hr/ft2.
7 Btu/hr/ft2.11
11 Btu/hr/ft2.
27 Btu/hr/ft2.
Answer: B
4. Which of the following hypotheses about the relationship between the percent of possible
sunshine and average outdoor temperature during the heating season is best supported by the
data?
A.
B.
C.
D.
As the percent of possible sunshine increases, the average temperature decreases.
As the percent of possible sunshine increases, the average temperature increases.
The average temperature is not directly related to the percent of possible sunshine.
The percent of possible sunshine depends on the length of the heating season,
rather than the average temperature.
Answer: C
P4.2B Name devices that transform specific types of energy into other types (e.g., a device that
transforms electricity into motion). L1
1. Household appliances convert electricity into one or more different forms of energy. An
electric fan can best be described as converting electricity into
A.
B.
C.
D.
heat energy only
heat energy and sound energy only
heat energy, sound energy, and mechanical energy only
heat energy, sound energy, mechanical energy, and chemical energy
Answer: C
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P4.2C Explain how energy is conserved in common systems (e.g., light incident on a transparent
material, light incident on a leaf, mechanical energy in a collision). L2
P4.2e Explain the energy transformation as an object (e.g., skydiver) falls at a steady velocity.
L2
P4.2f Identify and label the energy inputs, transformations, and outputs using qualitative or
quantitative representations in simple technological systems (e.g., toaster, motor, hair dryer) to
show energy conservation. L2
P1.1B Evaluate the uncertainties or validity of scientific conclusions using an understanding of
sources of measurement error, the challenges of controlling variables, accuracy of data analysis,
logic of argument, logic of experimental design, and/or the dependence on underlying
assumptions conservation. L2
Researchers conducted an experiment to determine the factors affecting heat flow. In each trial,
one or more blocks of a particular material was (were) placed between two walls at constant
temperatures T1 and T2 in one of the configurations show in Figure 1. Heat was transferred
through the block(s) from the hotter wall to the cooler wall. This heat flow, measured in joules
per second (J/sec), is shown in Table 1.
(Note: All blocks used in the experiment were identical in size and shape. In each configuration,
the contact area was the surface area of the end of the block(s) against one wall.)
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
56
1. According to the information provided, heat flowed from the wall at temperature T2 to the
wall at temperature T1 in which trial?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Trial 4
Trial 6
Trial 10
Trial 12
Answer: B
2. Insulators are materials that are poor heat conductors. According to Trials 7 through 10, a
wall of a given thickness built of which of the following materials would provide the best
insulation between a room and the outdoors?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Wood
Brick
Concrete
Steel
Answer: A
3. The results of Trials 1 and 5 are consistent with the hypothesis that heat flow from a hotter
wall to a cooler wall is dependent on the:
A. temperature of the hotter wall only.
B. temperature of the cooler wall only.
C. sum of the wall temperatures.
D. difference between the wall temperatures.
Answer: D
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4. Materials differ in their thermal conductivities: the higher the thermal conductivity, the
greater the heat flow through the material. According to Trials 6 through 11, which of the
following statements about relative thermal conductivities is NOT true?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Brick has a higher thermal conductivity than glass wool.
Brick has a higher thermal conductivity than wood
Steel has a higher thermal conductivity than aluminum.
Steel has a higher thermal conductivity than concrete.
Answer: C
5. Trials 1 and 3 provide evidence that heat flow depends on which of the following factors?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Distance between walls
Contact area
Temperature of the hotter wall
Temperature of the cooler wall
Answer: A
Indicate whether each statement is an example or not of valid science affecting human life by
circling “yes” for each example and “no” for each non-example.
1.
2.
3.
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
A car radiator removes heat from the engine.
Scientists gather data about long-term weather patterns.
Satellites in orbit transmit location coordinate signals to ground-based
receivers.
Copper bracelets are sold to relieve pain.
Manufacturers produce more efficient batteries.
Water filters that enhance water’s nutritional value.
Physicists collide subatomic particles in a lab.
Magnetic insoles in shoes improve your health.
False colored contact lenses change eye-color.
Materials engineers research stronger light-weight materials.
Dams are used to produce electricity.
Dams create lakes used for recreational activities.
Homes have indoor plumbing.
More powerful batteries keep getting smaller.
Fluorescent lights produce the same light with less power.
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
58
Correct Answers:
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
A car radiator removes heat from the engine.
Scientists gather data about long-term weather patterns.
Satellites in orbit transmit location coordinate signals to ground-based
receivers.
Copper bracelets are sold to relieve pain.
Manufacturers produce more efficient batteries.
Water filters that enhance water’s nutritional value.
Physicists collide subatomic particles in a lab.
Magnetic insoles in shoes improve your health.
False colored contact lenses change eye-color.
Materials engineers research stronger light-weight materials.
Dams are used to produce electricity.
Dams create lakes used for recreational activities.
Homes have indoor plumbing.
More powerful batteries keep getting smaller.
Fluorescent lights produce the same light with less power.
1. A building contractor was given several options as to the type of building materials he could
use in a house he was constructing. He was told that he could use either pine or oak for trim,
and concrete, cinder block or building block for walls. The buyers instructed the contractor
to build the house as thermally efficient as feasible.
Building block =3-6
Cinder block=2-3
Concrete=6-9
Glass=5-6
Oak=1.02
Pine=0.78
Using the above chart of thermal conductivity, what materials would he use?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Building block and oak
Building block and pine
Cinder block and oak
Cinder block and pine
Concrete and oak
Answer: D
P4.11b Calculate the final temperature of two liquids (same or different materials) at the same or
different temperatures and masses that are combined. L2
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THIRD QUARTER
Unit Eight
P4.4A Describe specific mechanical waves (e.g., on a demonstration spring, on the ocean) in
terms of wavelength, amplitude, frequency, and speed. L2
1. The illustration below shows three toy ducks floating on water, moving up and down as a
wave travels to the right with a velocity of 3 m/s.
Which of the following is the
frequency of the wave?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0.75 Hz
1.33 Hz
1.5 Hz
6.0 Hz
Answer: A
2. The figure above shows some ocean waves. Which of the labeled distances represents the
wavelength?
A.
B.
C.
D.
A
B
C
D
Answer: A
3. A person produces two sound waves with a flute, one immediately after the other. Both sound
waves have the same pitch, but the second one is louder. Which of the following properties is
greater for the second sound wave?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Frequency
Amplitude
Wavelength
Speed in air
Answer: B
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60
4. The diagram below represents a periodic wave generated during a 1.5-second interval.
The frequency of the wave is
A.
B.
C.
D.
1.0 Hz
2.0 Hz
0.50 Hz
4.5 Hz
Answer: A
5. The __________ of a sound determines its loudness.
A.
B.
C.
D.
amplitude
resonance
timbre
frequency
Answer: A
6. A water wave in a ripple tank is moving at a speed of 10 cm/s with a wavelength of 4.0 cm. It
moves into a new area of the ripple tank where the wavelength of the wave is 3.2 cm. The
speed of the water wave in the new area is
A.
B
C.
D.
12.5 cm/s
10 cm/s
8.0 cm/s
1.28 cm/s
Answer: C
7. A sound wave travels at 343 m/s and a compression passes by every 12 ms. What is the
wavelength of this sound?
A.
B.
C.
D.
1m
2m
3m
4m
Answer: D
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In an experiment, you adjust the frequency of a wave and measure the resulting wavelengths.
You obtain the following data:
Frequency, f
(hz)
5
8
11
14
Wavelength, 
(m)
0.4
0.25
0.182
0.143
Wave speed, 
(m/s)
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
8. What statement best describes the relationship between the variables?
A. Wavelength is proportional to frequency.
B. Frequency is proportional to wave speed.
C. Wave speed is proportional to wavelength.
Answer: A
9. What statement best describes the relationship between the variables?
A. Frequency and wavelength are directly proportional.
B. Frequency and wavelength are not proportional.
C. Frequency and wavelength are inversely proportional.
Answers: C
10. In an experiment, you adjust the frequency of a wave and measure the resulting wavelengths.
You obtain the following data:
Frequency, f
(hz)
5
8
11
14
Wavelength, 
(m)
0.4
0.25
0.182
0.143
What relationship is being studied?
A.
B.
C.
D.
How frequency affects wave speed.
How frequency affects wavelength.
How wavelength affects frequency.
How wavelength affects wave speed.
Answer: B
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
62
Wave speed, 
(m/s)
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
11. Which is the independent variable?
A. Frequency
B. Wavelength
C. Wave speed
Answer: A
12. Which is the dependent variable?
A. Frequency
B. Wavelength
C. Wave speed
Answer: B
13. In an experiment, you adjust the frequency of a wave and measure the resulting wavelengths.
You obtain the following data:
Frequency, f
(hz)
5
8
11
14
Wavelength, 
(m)
0.4
0.25
0.182
0.143
Wave speed, 
(m/s)
2.00
2.00
2.00
2.00
Which graph would be obtained from the data?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Answer: E
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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Surfer dude (a non-scientist) found some nice waves while on a hike to an unfamiliar part of the
coastal area. He visited this site many times during the next few days and recorded his
observations. He even timed the waves and recorded their periodicity. Remembering the
equation for frequency from his high school physics class he even calculated the frequency of the
waves. That weekend he exclaimed to his buddies that he had found a great place to try surfing
and stated how many waves could be expected per hour.
14.
What would be the wisest reaction by his buddies?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Dismiss his claims; they sound too good.
Go check it out since even surfer dude can do good science.
Don’t believe a word he says since only a real scientist could know this.
Get a scientist to prove his claims true or false.
Answers: B
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
64
Slinky Waves
Materials:
slinky or long spring
meter stick
Polaroid camera
stopwatch
Procedure:
1. Place a slinky on a table. Hold one end fixed while generating a single transverse pulse at the
other end. Sketch the shape of the generated pulse and of the reflected pulse.
2. Produce both the transverse and the longitudinal pulses in the slinky and describe the
differences. (Notice the speed difference).
3. Generate a transverse periodic wave in the slinky, and determine its wavelength, (Place a
meter stick near the slinky and take a picture).
W=__________
4. Use a stopwatch to determine the period (T) of the wave.
T=__________
5. Calculate the velocity of the wave.
6. Adjust the frequency of the periodic waves until a standing-wave pattern is observed. Draw a
sketch of the standing wave pattern.
Answers:
1. (2pts) The sketch should show a single crest going into the fixed point, and a crest going out
of the fixed point but on the other side. The crest will invert when reflected.
2. (2pts) In the longitudinal wave motion, the vibration is parallel to the direction of the energy
propagation. It is also faster than the transverse wave.
(2pts) In the transverse wave, the vibration is perpendicular to the direction of propagation of
energy. It is also slower than the longitudinal wave.
3. Answer varies = __________ (2pts)
4. Answer varies T = __________ (2pts)
5. Answer varies, however the students should have used the following equation:
v = / T (2pts)
6. The sketch should look like the sine wave (2pts)
Physics Assessments – August 2008 Revision
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15. A ray of light strikes a swimming pool at an angle of 32 degrees with the normal. Find the
index of refraction of the pool if the angle of refraction is 25 degrees. Show your work.
Answer: 1.25
16. The index of refraction of diamond is 2.42. What is the speed of light in diamond? Show
your work.
Answer: 1.24 x 108 m/s
17. The whistle on a train has a frequency of 440 Hz. The train is moving at 35.0 m/s toward a
person standing beside the tracks. If sound travels at 345 m/s, what is the wavelength of the
sound heard by the person?
Answer: 0.70 m
18. A police car with a siren having a frequency of 365 Hz is approaching a stationary observer
at a speed of 75 km/h. What will the frequency of the siren appear to be if sound travels at
345 m/s?
Answer: 388 Hz
P4.4B Identify everyday examples of transverse and compression (longitudinal) waves. L1
1. Bats use high frequency sound waves to locate their prey and to navigate in the dark. As
sound waves reflect off an object and back to the bat’s ears, the bat is able to determine the
precise location of the prey.
Which technological advance was aided by studying how bats locate objects using sound
waves?
A.
B.
C.
D.
3-D computer modeling
sonar navigation for submarines
X-rays for analyzing body structures
night-vision goggles for military operations
Answer: B
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P4.4C Compare and contrast transverse and compression (longitudinal) waves in terms of
wavelength, amplitude, and frequency. L2
1. Which of the following statements is true about the waves in the diagram below?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Wave B has a higher frequency than Wave A.
Wave A has a higher density than Wave B.
Wave A has a greater amplitude than Wave B.
Wave B has a longer wavelength than Wave A.
Answer: A
P4.4d Demonstrate that frequency and wavelength of a wave are inversely proportional in a
given medium.
1. A radio transmitter broadcasts a signal at a given frequency. If the broadcast frequency is
increased, what happens to the speed and the wavelength of the radio waves?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Speed
Increases
Increases
Remains the same
Remains the same
Wavelength
Decreases
Increases
Decreases
Increases
Answer: C
2. In the Doppler Effect, light reaching the Earth from a distant galaxy in an expanding universe
is shifted to
A.
B.
C.
D.
longer wavelengths
higher frequencies
greater velocities
greater amplitudes
Answer: A
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P4.4e Calculate the amount of energy transferred by transverse or compression waves of
different amplitudes and frequencies (e.g., seismic waves). L2
1. What is the velocity of a wave if its frequency is 250 Hz, its wavelength is 20.0 m, and its
amplitude is 0.150 m?
A.
B.
C.
D.
37.5 m/s
0.080 m/s
1667 m/s
5000 m/s
Answer: D
P4.5A Identify everyday examples of energy transfer by waves and their sources. L1
1. Which of the following terms can be used to describe sound waves but NOT light waves?
A.
B.
C.
D.
electromagnetic
mechanical
transverse
concentric
Answer: B
2. One tuning fork is struck and placed next to an identical fork. The two forks do not touch.
The second tuning fork starts to vibrate because of —
A.
B.
C.
D.
interference
the Doppler Effect
resonance
standing waves
Answer: C
P4.5B Explain why an object (e.g., fishing bobber) does not move forward as a wave passes
under it. L2
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P1.1h Design and Conduct a systematic scientific investigation that tests a hypothesis.
1. Oil is spilled onto the water from an oceangoing tanker. Investigators want to know whether
wave motion will help disperse the oil. Design an experiment that they can carry out in a
laboratory to find out whether wave motion will help disperse the oil. Describe the
equipment they should use and the procedure they should follow.
Equipment:
Procedure:
P4.5C Provide evidence to support the claim that sound is energy transferred by a wave, not
energy transferred by particles. L2/3
1. If a ringing bell is placed in a vacuum chamber and all of the air is removed, what will
happen?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The bell will make no sound.
The sound will shatter the vacuum chamber.
The ringing will become quieter.
The ringing will become louder.
Answer: A
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69
2. If a television is placed in a vacuum chamber and all of the air is removed, what will happen?
A.
B.
C.
D.
You would be able to see the light from the screen and the sound would be louder.
You would be able to see the light from the screen, but you would hear no sound.
You would not be able to see the light from the screen or hear any sound.
The light from the screen would be dimmer and the sound would be quieter.
Answer: B
P4.5D Explain how waves propagate from vibrating sources and why the intensity decreases
with the square of the distance from a point source. L2
1. A sound wave is traveling through a bucket of water. Which of the following would cause
the sound wave to slow down?
A.
B.
C.
D.
increasing the amplitude of the sound wave
changing the water from a liquid to a gas
increasing the wavelength of the sound wave
changing the water from a liquid to a solid
Answer: B
P4.5E Explain why everyone in a classroom can hear one person speaking, but why an
amplification system is often used in the rear of a large concert auditorium.
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P4.8c Describe how two wave pulses propagated from opposite ends of a demonstration spring
interact as they meet. L2
1. Which diagram correctly illustrates diffraction of light?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: A
P4.8d List and analyze everyday examples that demonstrate the interference characteristics of
waves (e.g., dead spots in an auditorium, whispering galleries, colors in a CD, beetle wings). L2
1. Which of the following wave interactions will result in constructive interference?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: A
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71
2. Which of the following may be the result if sound waves undergo constructive
interference?
A.
B.
C.
D.
decreased amplitude
decreased frequency
increased wavelength
increased amplitude
Answer: D
3. Which of the following occurs as a result of constructive interference?
A.
B.
C.
D.
a wave that has a smaller amplitude
a wave that has a larger amplitude
a wave that has a larger wavelength
a wave that has a smaller wavelength
Answer: B
4. Which of the following diagrams correctly shows constructive interference?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: D
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72
5. Which of the following wave interactions would create "noise"?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: C
6. At which point will destructive interference occur on the concentric waves below?
A.
B.
C.
D.
4
3
1
2
Answer: A
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Unit Nine
P3.1b Explain why scientists can ignore the gravitational force when measuring the net force
between two electrons. L2
P3.1c Provide examples that illustrate the importance of the electric force in everyday life. L2
P3.7A Predict how the electric force between charged objects varies when the distance between
them and/or the magnitude of charges change. L3
1. The diagram below shows two negatively charged balloons suspended from nonconducting
strings being held by a student.
What occurs as the student brings the balloons closer to each other without allowing them to
touch?
A. The magnitude of the electrostatic force between the balloons decreases, and they
attract each other.
B. The magnitude of the electrostatic force between the balloons decreases, and they
repel each other.
C. The magnitude of the electrostatic force between the balloons increases, and they
attract each other.
D. The magnitude of the electrostatic force between the balloons increases, and they
repel each other
Answer: D
P3.7B Explain why acquiring a large excess static charge (e.g., pulling off a wool cap, touching
a Van de Graaff generator, combing) affects your hair. L2
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74
P3.7c Draw the redistribution of electric charges on a neutral object when a charged object is
brought near. L3
1. Two electrically neutral metal spheres, A and B, on insulating stands are placed in contact
with each other. A negatively charged rod is brought near, but does not touch the spheres, as
shown in the diagram below.
How are the spheres now charged?
A.
B.
C.
D.
A is positive and B is positive
A is positive and B is negative
A is negative and B is positive
A is negative and B is negative
Answer: B
P3.7d Identify examples of induced static charges. L1
P3.7e Explain why an attractive force results from bringing a charged object near a neutral
object. L2
1. The force between two static charges is +4N. The force is:
A. repulsive
B. attractive
C. can't tell
Answer: A
2. In a professional automobile paint shop, an electric charge is created on the surface of the
automobile, and an electric charge is created on the tiny paint particles that are to be applied.
This will help create a better paint job on the automobile. Using what you understand about
electric charges, which of the following best explains why this would be done?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The two electric charges are the same so the paint will be attracted to the car.
The two electric charges are different so the paint will be attracted to the car.
The two electric charges are the same so the paint will be repelled from the car.
The two electric charges are different so the paint will be repelled from the car.
Answer: B
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3. Joell rubbed a plastic pen with a piece of paper towel to charge it, then held the pen next to a
small stream of water from the faucet. Which illustration correctly shows the effect the
charged pen had on the water?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: D
P3.7f Determine the new electric force on charged objects after they touch and are then
separated. L2
1. At point P in an electric field, the magnitude of the electrostatic force on a proton is
4.0 x 10-10 newton. What is the magnitude of the electric field intensity at point P?
A.
B.
C.
D.
6.4 x 10-29 N/C
1.6 x 10-19 N/C
4.0 x 10-10 N/C
2.5 x 109 N/C
Answer: C
P3.7g Propose a mechanism based on electric forces to explain current flow in an electric circuit.
L3
P3.8b Explain how the interaction of electric and magnetic forces is the basis for electric motors,
generators, and the production of electromagnetic waves. L2
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Unit Ten
P4.10A Describe the energy transformations when electrical energy is produced and transferred
to homes and businesses. L2
Much of the electricity in Utah comes from hydroelectric power plants, which are components of
many dams. Trace electrical energy from this source to an electrical appliance in your house.
Possible Answer:
Hydroelectric power is produced from water moving through a dam. Water flowing through the
dam converts potential mechanical energy to kinetic mechanical energy. This kinetic energy
turns a turbine in the dam, which is connected to the shaft of a generator. The generator takes
the mechanical energy and converts it to electrical energy. It is then sent through power lines
and a transformer (which converts electricity into a usable voltage) to your house. There it is
converted into useful energy by your home appliances.
Scoring Guide:
Conversion of potential to kinetic energy
Kinetic energy turns turbine in generator
Generator changes mechanical energy to electrical energy
Electrical energy travels through power lines
Correct spelling, punctuation and language use
30%
10%
30%
10%
20%
P4.10B Identify common household devices that transform electrical energy to other forms of
energy, and describe the type of energy transformation. L1 & L2
Match and classify the following energy transformations with the most relevant energy
converter.
___1. Electrical energy to thermal energy
___2. Thermal energy to fluid energy
___3. Solar energy to thermal energy
___4. Fluid energy to mechanical energy
___5. Electrical energy to mechanical energy
___6. Mechanical energy to fluid energy
___7. Mechanical energy to electrical energy.
a. Motor
b. Generator
c. Windmill
d. Steam Generator
e. Solar Collector
f. Heating Device
g. Pump Fan
h. Car Engine
i. Bicycle
Answers:
1. f
2. d
3. e
4. c
5. a
6. g
7. b
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P4.10C Given diagrams of many different possible connections of electric circuit elements,
identify complete circuits, open circuits, and short circuits and explain the reasons for the
classification. L2
1. Fill in the blanks.
When the switch in a circuit is _______________ , the circuit is _______________ .
A.
B.
C.
D.
open; parallel
closed; complete
open; complete
closed; parallel
Answer: B
2. Which of these circuits is complete?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: A
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3. Look at the diagram and then fill in the blank.
This circuit is _______________.
A.
B.
C.
D.
complete
closed
on
open
Answer: D
P4.10D Discriminate between voltage, resistance, and current as they apply to an electric circuit.
L2
P4.10e Explain energy transfer in a circuit, using an electrical charge model. L2
1. What would be the result if the voltage in a circuit is increased and the resistance is
decreased?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The current would remain constant.
The current would increase.
The current would decrease.
There is not enough information
Answer: B
2. What would be the result if the current and the resistance in a circuit are decreased?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The voltage would remain constant
The voltage would increase.
There is not enough information.
The voltage would decrease.
Answer: D
3. What would be the result if the voltage in a circuit is decreased and the resistance remains
constant?
A.
B.
C.
D.
There is not enough information.
The current would stay the same.
The current would decrease.
The current would increase.
Answer: C
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4. Which of the following statements would be true of the voltage in a circuit if the current is
increased, but the resistance remains constant?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The voltage would increase.
The voltage would decrease.
There is not enough information.
The voltage would remain constant.
Answer: A
P4.10f Calculate the amount of work done when a charge moves through a potential difference,
V. L2
1. An electric circuit is shown below. The accompanying table shows the current measured at
different levels of resistance.
Based on the data shown in the table, what is the voltage drop across the variable resistor?
A.
B.
C.
D.
1.5 V
6V
9V
12 V
Answer: A
2. A light bulb connected to a 12 V battery carries a current of 5.0 A. What is the power of the
light bulb?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0.41 W
60 W
2.4 W
100 W
Answer: B
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3. If 1.0 joule of work is required to move a charge of 1.0 coulomb between to points in an
electric field, the potential difference between these two points is
A.
B.
C.
D.
1.0 V
1.6 x 10-19 V
9.0 x 109 V
6.3 x 1018 V
Answer: A
P4.10g Compare the currents, voltages, and power in parallel and series circuits. L2
1. A microwave oven operating at 120 volts is used to heat a hot dog. If the oven draws 12.5
amperes of current for 45 seconds, what is the power dissipated by the oven?
A.
B.
C.
D.
33 W
1.5 x 103 W
5.4 x 103 W
6.8 x 104 W
Answer: A
P4.10h Explain how circuit breakers and fuses protect household appliances. L2
Electric shocks can be very dangerous to humans. Describe two ways of avoiding electric shocks
in the home.
P4.10i Compare the energy used in one day by common household appliances (e.g., refrigerator,
lamps, hair dryer, toaster, televisions, music players). L2
1. For which quantities are values needed to calculate the amount of energy supplied to an
operating toaster?
A.
B.
C.
D.
applied voltage and resistance, only
applied voltage and operation time, only
applied voltage, current drawn, and resistance
applied voltage, current drawn, and operation time
Answer: D
P4.10j Explain the difference between electric power and electric energy as used in bills from an
electric company. L2
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QUARTER FOUR
Unit Eleven
P4.6A Identify the different regions on the electromagnetic spectrum and compare them in terms
of wavelength, frequency, and energy. L1 & L2
1. When the prism below captures light and creates a rainbow, why is red the color on top of the
rainbow?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Red has the shortest wavelength so it refracts the most in the prism.
Red has the longest wavelength so it refracts the least in the prism.
Red is the brightest color so it exits the prism the fastest.
Red is the brightest color so it exits the prism the slowest.
Answer: B
2. The wavelength of green light is about 500 nm. Which of the following could be the
wavelength of blue light?
A.
B.
C.
D.
0 nm
1000 nm
550 nm
450 nm
Answer: D
3. The wavelength of violet light is 400 nm. What would you expect the wavelength of yellow
light to be?
A. 300 nm
B. The wavelengths would
be equal.
C. 600 nm
D. 200 nm
Answer: C
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4. Use the diagram below to answer the question.
Which number indicates the X-ray
portion of the electromagnetic
spectrum?
A.
B.
C.
D.
4
2
1
3
Answer: A
5. Which of the following parts of the electromagnetic spectrum has the shortest wavelength?
A.
B.
C.
D.
violet
red
infrared
microwaves
Answer: A
6. Which waves are parts of the electromagnetic spectrum?
A.
B.
C.
D.
radio waves
seismic waves
transverse waves
mechanical waves
Answer: A
7. Use the diagram below to answer the question.
Which type of wave would be found
between numbers 3 and 4 on the
electromagnetic spectrum?
A.
B.
C.
D.
radio
ultraviolet
microwave
infrared
Answer: B
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8. Which of the following parts of the electromagnetic spectrum has the least amount of
energy?
A.
B.
C.
D.
infrared waves
radio waves
visible light
ultraviolet waves
Answer: B
9. The figure below shows the regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Which of the following statements best compares the wavelengths of the regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Microwaves are shorter than x-rays.
Infrared waves are longer than gamma rays.
Radio waves are shorter than visible light waves.
Ultraviolet waves are longer than visible light waves
Answer: B
P4.6B Explain why radio waves can travel through space, but sound waves cannot. L2
1. If a ringing bell is placed in a vacuum chamber and all of the air is removed, what will
happen?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The bell will make no sound.
The sound will shatter the vacuum chamber.
The ringing will become quieter.
The ringing will become louder.
Answer: A
2. If a television is placed in a vacuum chamber and all of the air is removed, what will happen?
A.
B.
C.
D.
You would be able to see the light from the screen and the sound would be louder.
You would be able to see the light from the screen, but you would hear no sound.
You would not be able to see the light from the screen or hear any sound.
The light from the screen would be dimmer and the sound would be quieter.
Answer: B
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3. Two astronauts were conducting an experiment in space, where there is no air. Astronaut A
was holding a radio that had the volume turned all the way up and a flashlight that was
shining. Astronaut B was approximately 10 meters away facing the flashlight and radio.
What did the astronauts probably discover?
A. Neither astronaut A nor astronaut B could see the light from the flashlight or hear
the radio.
B. Both astronaut A and astronaut B could see the light from the flashlight, but only
astronaut A could hear the radio.
C. Both astronaut A and astronaut B could see the light from the flashlight, but
neither astronaut could hear the radio.
D. Astronaut A could see the light from the flashlight and hear the radio, but
astronaut B could not.
Answer: C
4. In space, an astronaut is able to see the light from stars but when he claps his hands, he
cannot hear the sound. Why is this true?
A. Light can travel infinitely, but sound can only travel a short distance.
B. Sound can only be heard when there is gravity, and there is no gravity in space.
C. Stars emit a great deal of light, so it is easy to see, but the sound must be very
loud for him to be able to hear it.
D. Sounds waves cannot travel in space, but electromagnetic waves can.
Answer: D
P4.6C Explain why there is a time delay between the times we send a radio message to
astronauts on the moon and when they receive it. L2
P4.6D Explain why we see a distant event before we hear it (e.g., lightning before thunder,
exploding fireworks before the boom). L2
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P4.6e Explain why antennas are needed for radio, television, and cell phone transmission and
reception. L2
P4.6f Explain how radio waves are modified to send information in radio and television
programs, radio-control cars, cell phone conversations, and GPS systems. L2
P4.6g Explain how different electromagnetic signals (e.g., radio station broadcasts or cell phone
conversations) can take place without interfering with each other. L2
P4.6h Explain the relationship between the frequency of an electromagnetic wave and its
technological uses.
L2
P4.8A Draw ray diagrams to indicate how light reflects off objects or refracts into transparent
media. L2
1. A candle is placed in front of a concave (diverging) lens at a distance greater than the focal
length. Which of the following correctly diagrams this situation?
A.
C.
B.
D.
Answer: A
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2. An object is placed in front of a convex (converging) lens at a distance longer than the focal
length. Which of the following correctly diagrams this situation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: D
P4.8B Predict the path of reflected light from flat, curved, or rough surfaces (e.g., flat and curved
mirrors, painted walls, paper). L3
1. A ray of light strikes a mirror at 30 degrees with the normal. What is the angle between the
incident ray and the reflected ray?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
15 degrees
30 degrees
45 degrees
60 degrees
90 degrees
Answer: D
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2. A ray of light strikes a lake at 35 degrees with the normal. What is the angle between the
reflected ray and the lake?
A.
B.
C.
D.
15 degrees
35 degrees
55 degrees
75 degrees
Answer: C
P4.8e Given an angle of incidence and indices of refraction of two materials, calculate the path
of a light ray incident on the boundary (Snell’s Law). L2
1. A light ray passes through the air and strikes a smooth surface of water at an angle of 40° to
the normal. The index of refraction for air is 1.00 and for water is 1.33. What is the angle of
refraction?
A.
B.
C.
D.
29°
55°
16°
59°
Answer: A
2. Which of the following is evidence for the particle theory of light?
A.
B.
C.
D.
the way light interacts with diffraction grating
the photoelectric effect
the polarization of light
the double-slit experiment
Answer: B
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3. At which point will destructive interference occur on the concentric waves below?
A.
B.
C.
D.
4
3
1
2
Answer: A
4. Use the diagram below to answer the question.
Which diagram illustrates the direction of a particle's motion in the transverse wave above?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: B
P4.8f Explain how Snell’s Law is used to design lenses (e.g., eye glasses, microscopes,
telescopes, binoculars).
L2
P4.9A Identify the principle involved when you see a transparent object (e.g., straw, a piece of
glass) in a clear liquid. L1
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P4.9B Explain how various materials reflect, absorb, or transmit light in different ways. L2
1. The sun is shining on this house.
Which is true about the wall and the window?
A.
B.
C.
D.
More sun will shine on the window than on the wall.
More sun will shine on the wall than on the window
The window will reflect the sun better than the wall
The wall will reflect the sun better than the window
Answer: C
2. Which of the following reflects light the best?
A.
B.
C.
D.
something clear
something hot
something smooth
something shiny
Answer: D
3. Nikita has a glass bottle and a plastic bottle. Which statement is
true?
A. The plastic bottle will attract more light than the glass
bottle.
B. The glass bottle will reflect light better than the plastic
bottle.
C. The plastic bottle will reflect light better than the glass
bottle.
D. The glass bottle and the plastic bottle will not reflect
any light.
Answer: B
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4. Which of these objects will reflect light the best?
A.
B.
C.
D.
a piece of metal
a wooden block
a sidewalk
a rubber balloon
Answer: A
5. In the Doppler Effect, light reaching the Earth from a distant galaxy in an expanding universe
is shifted to
A.
B.
C.
D.
longer wavelengths
higher frequencies
greater velocities
greater amplitudes
Answer: A
6. Which diagram correctly illustrates diffraction of light?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Answer: A
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P4.9C Explain why the image of the Sun appears reddish at sunrise and sunset. L2
1. What best explains why the image of the Sun appears reddish at Sunrise and sunset.
A. The intensity of scattered light varies inversely as the fourth power of its
wavelength.
B. Red has the maximum wavelength; rays of light have to travel through a larger
part of the atmosphere because they are closest to the horizon.
C. The pollution at the horizon colors the light from the sun.
D. The ratio of light reflected from a surface to light falling on a surface creates a red
haze.
Answer: B
P4.r9d Describe evidence that supports the dual wave-particle nature of light (recommended)
1. Which of the following is evidence for the particle theory of light?
A.
B.
C.
D.
the way light interacts with diffraction grating
the photoelectric effect
the polarization of light
the double-slit experiment
Answer: B
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Unit Twelve
P4.1B Explain instances of energy transfer by waves and objects in everyday activities (e.g., why
the ground gets warm during the day, how you hear a distant sound, why it hurts when you are
hit by a baseball). L2
P4.2D Explain why all the stored energy in gasoline does not transform to mechanical energy of
a vehicle. L2
P4.11a Calculate the energy lost to surroundings when water in a home water heater is heated
from room temperature to the temperature necessary to use in a dishwasher, given the efficiency
of the home hot water heater. L2
1. A building contractor was given several options as to the type of building materials he could
use in a house he was constructing. He was told that he could use either pine or oak for trim,
and concrete, cinder block or building block for walls. The buyers instructed the contractor
to build the house as thermally efficient as feasible.
Building block =3-6
Cinder block=2-3
Concrete=6-9
Glass=5-6
Oak=1.02
Pine=0.78
Using the above chart of thermal conductivity, what materials would he use?
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Building block and oak
Building block and pine
Cinder block and oak
Cinder block and pine
Concrete and oak
Answer: D
2. A solar heater uses energy from the sun to heat water. The heater’s panel is painted black to
______________
A.
B.
C.
D.
improve emission of infrared radiation
reduce the heat loss by convection currents
improve absorption of infrared radiation
reduce the heater’s conducting properties
Answer: C
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P4.12A Describe peaceful technological applications of nuclear fission and radioactive decay.
L2
1. Nuclear energy can be generated by fission or fusion. Fusion is not currently being used in
reactors as an energy source. Why is this?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The scientific principles on which fusion is based are not yet known.
The technological processes for using fusion safely are not developed.
The necessary raw materials are not readily available.
Waste products from the fusion process are too dangerous.
Answer: B
P4.12B Describe possible problems caused by exposure to prolonged radioactive decay. L2
P4.12C Explain how stars, including our Sun, produce huge amounts of energy (e.g., visible,
infrared, or ultraviolet light).
L2
1. Which of the following statements describes nuclear fission?
A.
B.
C.
D.
A large nucleus breaks down into smaller, more reactive nuclei
Small nuclei combine to form larger, more stable nuclei.
A large nucleus breaks down into smaller, more stable nuclei
Small nuclei combine to form larger, more reactive nuclei
Answer: C
2. Which of the following statements is true about nuclear fusion, but NOT nuclear fission?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The reaction begins with the addition of a neutron.
Small nuclei form a larger, heavier nucleus.
Energy is released during the reaction.
The reaction produces a more stable nucleus.
Answer: B
3. What role does hydrogen gas play during the life cycle of a star?
A.
B.
C.
D.
It undergoes fission which causes the star to expand.
It reacts with helium, causing the star to glow brightly.
It keeps the star relatively cool so it does not burn up too quickly.
It undergoes fusion which generates energy in the star.
Answer: D
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4. Most stars derive their energy from _______________ .
A.
B.
C.
D.
the fission of helium
the radioactive decay of hydrogen ions
the fusion of hydrogen
the sun
Answer: C
P4.12d Identify the source of energy in fission and fusion nuclear reactions. L1
1. Nuclear energy can be generated by fission or fusion. Fusion is not currently being used in
reactors as an energy source. Why is this?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The scientific principles on which fusion is based are not yet known.
The technological processes for using fusion safely are not developed.
The necessary raw materials are not readily available.
Waste products from the fusion process are too dangerous.
Answer: B
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