Exploring the Wonders of Physics with Walter Lewin

What is the period of a pendulum with length L and gravitational acceleration g?

• π times L over g

• π times the square root of L over g

• 2π times L over g

• 2π times the square root of L over g

What is the approximate value of gravitational acceleration (g) in Boston?

• 9.80 meters per second squared

• 9.81 meters per second squared

• 9.79 meters per second squared

• 9.82 meters per second squared

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

What is the lecturer's reaction time at age 75?

• 0.4 seconds

• 0.3 seconds

• 0.2 seconds

• 0.1 seconds

Why does the lecturer measure 10 periods instead of 1?

• To increase the accuracy of the length measurement

• To show the effect of mass

• To reduce the impact of reaction time error

• To demonstrate the effect of amplitude

What happens to the potential energy of an object when it hits the floor?

• It is lost

• It remains the same

• It is converted to heat

• It is converted to kinetic energy

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

What is the holiest law in physics according to the lecturer?

• Law of universal gravitation

• Conservation of energy

• Conservation of momentum

• Newton's third law

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NGSS.HS-PS2-2

What is Rayleigh scattering?

• Scattering of light by particles equal to a micron

• Scattering of light by particles smaller than a tenth of a micron

• Scattering of light by particles larger than a tenth of a micron

• Scattering of light by particles larger than a micron

Why is the sky blue?

• Because of the absorption of red light

• Because of Rayleigh scattering

• Because of the reflection of the ocean

• Because of Mie scattering

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NGSS.HS-PS4-3

What inspired the lecturer to become a professor?

• An offer from MIT

• A background in nuclear physics

• A love for astronomy

• A passion for teaching

What is the lecturer's advice for students wanting to become physicists?

• Study hard

• Practice experiments

• Love physics

• Read a lot of books