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Physics Pre-Test

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The following graph models the motion of a hiker.


Which segment on the graph represents the hiker’s greatest speed?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

2.

The following graph models the motion of a hiker.


What is the hiker’s velocity represented by line segment B (t= 2 - 10 seconds).

a)

0.375 m/s

b)

0.6 m/s

c)

2.67 m/s

d)

0 m/s

3.

The following graph models the motion of a car.


What is the car’s acceleration from t = 10 seconds to t = 12 seconds?

a)

2 m/s/s

b)

-2m/s/s

c)

4 m/s/s

d)

-4 m/s/s

4.

The following graph models the motion of a car.


What is the car’s displacement from t = 0-10 seconds?

a)

64 meters

b)

80 meters

c)

72 meters

d)

100 meters

5.

In the study of thermodynamics, which statement is true about the ENTROPY?

a)

Entropy refers to DISORDER, the unusable energy that escapes a system.

b)

Entropy refers to the balance of temperature among two or more systems.

c)

Entropy refers to the average kinetic energy of the molecules.

d)

Entropy refers to the inability to destroy or create energy.

6.

Rank the following samples from greatest kinetic energy of the molecules to least kinetic energy of the molecules:

a)

A > B > C > D

b)

B > A > C > D

c)

B > A > D > C

d)

D > C > B > A

7.

A tuning fork vibrating in air produces sound waves. These waves are best classified as

a)

Transverse, because the air molecules are vibrating parallel to the direction of wave motion

b)

Transverse, because the air molecules are vibrating perpendicular to the direction of wave motion

c)

Longitudinal, because the air molecules are vibrating parallel to the direction of wave motion

d)

Longitudinal, because the air molecules are vibrating perpendicular to the direction of wave motion

8.

Suppose a scientist detects an electromagnetic wave with a frequency higher than those of gamma rays. The scientist labels this wave a Z-ray. Which of the following would always be true of a Z-ray?

a)

A Z-ray would have a lesser amplitude than gamma rays.

b)

A Z-ray would have a greater amplitude than gamma rays.

c)

A Z-ray would have a shorter wavelength than gamma rays.

d)

A Z-ray would have a longer wavelength than gamma rays.

9.

Red light is passed through two narrow slits and forms a pattern of bright and dark lines on a screen. The two wave behaviors primarily responsible for this pattern are:

a)

Resonance and Interference

b)

Diffraction and Interference

c)

Polarization and Doppler Effect

d)

Reflection and Refraction

10.

Doctors often use sonograms rather than X-rays to produce images of interior structures of people. Which of these best describes the advantage of using sound waves rather than X-rays in this situation?

a)

Sound waves travel fast, which allows the doctor to quickly view the image.

b)

Sound waves have no radiation, which reduces the chance of harming the person.

c)

Sound waves stimulate the person's hearing.

d)

Sound waves travel through liquids, which allow them to pass through structures.

11.

Light passes from medium 1 into medium 2 and bends along the path shown below. Which of the following statements is correct?

a)

Medium 1 is less dense than medium 2

b)

Medium 1 is denser than medium 2

c)

The speed of the light is greater in medium 2 than in medium 1.

d)

The frequency of light is greater in medium 1

12.

Consider four charges, A, B, C, D, which exist in a region of space. Charge A attracts B, but B repels C. Charge C repels D, and D is positively charged. What is the sign of charge A?

a)

Negative

b)

Positive

c)

Neutral

d)

All of the charges are positive

13.

A negatively charged plastic tube is brought near a neutral aluminum can sitting on its side. Which of the following statements is true?

a)

The side of the can marked A will become positive and the can will roll toward the tube.

b)

The side of the can marked B will become positive and the can will roll toward the tube.

c)

The side of the can marked A will become negative and the can will roll away from the tube.

d)

The side of the can marked B will become negative and the can will roll away from the tube.

14.

Which of the following diagrams represents resistors connected in series?

a)

Diagram A only

b)

Diagram B only

c)

Diagram C only

d)

Diagrams A and C

15.

What actions could strengthen the electromagnetic field represented in the following image?

a)

Increase the number of turns in the coil

b)

Increase the voltage of the battery

c)

Insert a better temporary magnet

d)

All of the above

16.

An emission spectrum is produced when

a)

Electrons in an excited gas fall down to a lower energy level and release photons

b)

Electrons in an excited gas jump up to a higher energy level and absorb photons

c)

Electrons are released from the outer orbitals of an excited gas

d)

An unstable nucleus releases energy

17.

John turns on an electric fan to keep cool in the summer. Which sequence could describe the process of supplying electrical energy to the fan?

a)

A transformer creates voltage, then a generator changes the voltage, then the motor creates mechanical energy.

b)

The motor creates electricity, the generator induces mechanical energy, and the transformer changes voltage.

c)

The generator creates electricity, the transformer changes the voltage, and the motor creates mechanical energy

d)

The generator creates electricity, the motor changes the voltage, and the transformer turns electrical energy into mechanical energy.

18.

Which one of the following traits or behaviors is an indicator that light is a wave?

a)

Light occupies space.

b)

Light travels at enormous speeds.

c)

Light particles possess mass.

d)

Light is observed to undergo diffraction and interference

19.

Of the following phenomena, which provides the best evidence that light can have particle properties?

a)

Interference of light in thin films

b)

Electromagnetic radiation

c)

Photoelectric effect

d)

Electron diffraction

20.

Imagine a scientist completes a nuclear experiment and the mass of the products is less than the mass of the reactants. Which answer choice could account for this observation?

a)

Part of the mass was transformed into binding energy.

b)

Part of the mass was destroyed.

c)

The scientist must have measured wrong.

d)

None of the above