Download Sample midterm 2

Physics 1104 Sample Final Exams

Two sample exams are provided for your use in preparing for your final
exam.

Topics not covered by the sample exam questions may appear on the final
exam.

Just like your actual midterm exam, each sample exam consists of 50
multiple choice questions.

You will have 105 minutes to complete the actual 50-question midterm
exam. We suggest that you give yourself 105 minutes to work each of
these sample exams.

Your midterm exam booklet will include a sheet of equations and
constants that is similar to the equation sheet distributed in class.

A key with the sample exam answers is given on the last page of this
document.
1
Physics 1104 Sample Final A
1. What is the efficiency of an energy conversion process that requires 2,500 joules
of energy and produces 1,500 joules of wasted energy?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
2.
15%
33%
40%
60%
67%
Protons are held in an atomic nucleus by the nuclear force. The attraction of the
strong nuclear force is opposed by which of the following?
a) the repulsive nuclear force between neutrons
b) the attractive nuclear force between electrons
c) alpha decays
d) gamma decays
e) the mutual repulsion between like positive charges
3.
One kilowatt-hour is equivalent to 3,600,000 joules. How many joules are
equivalent to 1,000 kilowatt-hours?
a) 7.2 x 109 joules
9
b) 3.6 x 10 joules
6
c) 7.2 x 10 joules
d) 3.6 x 106 joules
e) 3.6 x 103 joules
4.
A tankless hot water heater saves energy by heating water only when it is
needed. One model of tankless hot water heater costs $850 to purchase and
$65 per year to operate. A conventional tank hot water heater costs $650 to
purchase and $115 per year to operate. What is the payback time for this
tankless hot water heater?
a) 4.0 years
b) 4.5 years
c) 5.0 years
d) 6.5 years
e) more than 10 years
2
5. An ideal heat engine has an efficiency of 22%. What is the low temperature
when the high temperature is 450 kelvin?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
351
430
450
470
549
K
K
K
K
K
6. A wave travels with a speed of 300 m/s. If its wavelength is 40 meters, what is
its frequency?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
0.13 Hz
0.19 Hz
5.3 Hz
7.5 Hz
8.5 Hz
7. Of the following, which is a type of thermal energy transfer that occurs as a
result of the movement of matter?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
conduction
convection
radiation
sublimation
condensation
8. Which of the following are likely environmental consequences of using water
power (hydroelectric) to generate electricity?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Changes to aquatic ecosystems from damming rivers
Thermal pollution of lakes and rivers
Harm to tidal basins from constructing tidal power plants
All of the above are likely consequences of using hydroelectric.
Only a) and c) are likely consequences.
9. The dippy duck seen in class demonstrated
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
perpetual motion.
evaporative cooling.
sublimation.
expansion of freezing ice.
Brownian motion.
3
10. One of the nuclear decays is named beta-decay. Which of the four fundamental
forces is involved in this decay?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
the strong nuclear force
the weak nuclear force
the electromagnetic force
the gravitational force
None of the fundamental forces is involved in beta decay.
11. How much thermal energy is required to change the temperature of a 1 kg
o
o
object by 25 C if the object has a specific heat of 0.9 calories/kg C?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
27.8 calories
25.9 calories
22.5 calories
20.25 calories
0.036 calories
12. Which of the following statements about the entropy of a system is NOT correct?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Entropy is a measure of the disorder of the system.
Entropy is increased as the system moves toward equilibrium.
Entropy can be decreased if energy is added to the system.
Entropy will increase or remain the same if the system is left to itself.
A change in entropy always involves a change in the temperature of
the system.
13. A galaxy is located 5.8 x 109 light years from Earth. How far is this distance in
kilometers? (1 light year = 9.46 x 1015 meters)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
6.1
1.6
1.6
5.5
5.5
x
x
x
x
x
10–7 km
103 km
106 km
1022 km
1025 km
14. A balloon is inflated so that it has a volume of 0.29 m3. The temperature is 300K
and the pressure is 1.2 x 105 N/m2. How many gas molecules are in the balloon?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
1.2 x 10–25 molecules
116 molecules
1.0 x 107 molecules
8.4 x 1024 molecules
7.6 x 1029 molecules
4
15. What is the wavelength of microwave radiation that contains 1.5 x 10–23 joules of
energy per photon?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
16.
1.33 x 10–3 meters
4.5 x 10–3 meters
9.9 x 10–3 meters
1.33 x 10–2 meters
4.5 x 10–2 meters
Which of the following is NOT a factor that determines how well a computer
simulation can predict the future behavior of a physical system?
a) whether the system can be represented by a mathematical model
b) whether the physical system can be described well by a finite number of
variables
c) the reliability of the data describing the system
d) how well the model of the system represents the system
e) ALL of the above factors can influence the accuracy of the simulation.
17.
In a certain chemical reaction, 90 joules of energy were required to break
chemical bonds, and 150 joules of energy were given off when new bonds were
formed. This reaction was
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
18.
exothermic and released 60 joules of energy.
exothermic and released 150 joules of energy.
endothermic and took in 60 joules of energy.
endothermic and took in 90 joules of energy.
endothermic and took in 150 joules of energy.
You determine that yellow light is the lowest energy of electromagnetic radiation
that will operate a particular solar cell. Which of the following types of radiation
will produce electricity using the same solar cell?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
19.
red light
orange light
blue light
microwaves
infrared radiation
The catalytic converter in automobiles
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
produces incomplete combustion of gasoline vapor.
filters out sulfur oxides.
speeds up the decomposition of oxides of nitrogen.
filters suspended particles from the exhaust.
Both c) and d) are correct.
5
20.
Suppose that the count rate from a radioactive substance fell from 2,000 counts
per minute to 425 counts per minute in some time interval, t. The background
radiation was determined to be 200 counts per minute. If the half life of the
substance is 5 minutes, how long was the time interval, t?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
10
15
20
25
30
minutes
minutes
minutes
minutes
minutes
21.
Which of the following statements about ocean currents is FALSE?
a)
The Gulf Stream brings warmer water from the tropics to the northern
Atlantic.
b)
Saltier water in the north Atlantic sinks below the ocean surface.
c)
In the Atlantic, the Gulf Stream flows in a clockwise direction.
d)
Water from the Atlantic Ocean eventually flows east to the Pacific Ocean.
e)
All of the above statements are true.
22.
Two deuterium nuclei, each consisting of a neutron and a proton, form a helium
nucleus that consists of two neutrons and two protons. Deuterium has a binding
energy of 1 MeV per nucleon. The binding energy of helium is 7 MeV per
nucleon. What is the energy released when the helium nucleus is formed?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
23.
28 MeV
24 MeV
8 MeV
7 MeV
6 MeV
Which of the following is NOT powered by radiant solar energy?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
the water cycle
the ocean tides
wind
photosynthesis
All of the above are powered by radiant solar energy.
6
24.
Consider the isotope
68
30
Zn . How many protons, neutrons and nucleons are in
one atom of this isotope?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
25.
30
30
38
68
68
protons,
protons,
protons,
protons,
protons,
38
68
30
38
30
neutrons,
neutrons,
neutrons,
neutrons,
neutrons,
68
98
68
98
98
nucleons
nucleons
nucleons
nucleons
nucleons
The purpose of control rods in a fission reactor is
a) to serve as a catalyst that controls the rate of the reaction.
b) to slow down neutrons to energies appropriate for inducing fission in
uranium-235.
c) to supply the activation energy to start the reaction.
d) to absorb neutrons and control the rate at which the fission reaction occurs.
e) to cool the uranium as it melts.
26.
Why is an inversion layer in the atmosphere undesirable? An inversion layer
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
27.
traps heat near the Earth’s surface.
damages the ozone layer.
causes acid rain.
prevents convection currents from mixing air.
All of the above are reasons that inversion layers are undesirable.
The carbon-14 level in a piece of charcoal found at an archeological site is 1/8 of
what it was when the charcoal formed. How old is the charcoal? (The half life
of carbon-14 is 5,730 years.)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
28.
1,910 years
11,460 years
16,704 years
17,190 years
22,920 years
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using natural gas as a fuel source to
generate electricity?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Natural gas produces less carbon dioxide than coal.
Natural gas burns more cleanly than oil or coal.
Natural gas power plants are expected to cost less than coal plants.
Drilling natural gas wells does not affect the environment.
All of the above are benefits of using natural gas.
7
29.
The two waves of electromagnetic radiation pictured below travel at the same
speed of 3 x 108 m/s. Which wave has the higher frequency? Which has the
greater energy?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Wave
Wave
Wave
Wave
Wave
A
A
B
B
A
has higher frequency and greater energy.
has higher frequency, and wave B has greater energy.
has higher frequency and greater energy.
has higher frequency, and Wave A has greater energy.
and wave B have the same frequency and energy.
Wave A
Displacement
Wave B
Distance
30.
How long would it take radiant energy from the Sun to travel 50 km through air?
(Ignore any air resistance.)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
1.7 x 10– 4 sec
5.5 x 10– 5 sec
2.8 x 10– 2 sec
1.7 x 10– 1 sec
You need to know the frequency of the signal to answer the question.
31. Which of the following was NOT formed within a few seconds after the Big Bang?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
iron
leptons
neutrons
protons
quarks
8
32. Which of the following statements about the Hubble constant is TRUE?
a)
The Hubble constant can be found from the slope of a graph of the red
shift of light from stars versus their distance.
The Hubble constant can be used to estimate the age of the Universe.
The value of the Hubble constant varies, depending on the mass of the
stars being considered.
The Hubble constant was used to determine the orbit of the Hubble
Space Telescope.
Both statements a) and b) are TRUE.
b)
c)
d)
e)
33.
When the early Universe had cooled to a temperature of 1 x 1015 kelvin, how much
energy did a photon have?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
1.38 x 10-8 joules
4.14 x 10-8 joules
5.5 x 10-10 joules
8.5 x 10-12 joules
3 x 10-15 joules
34. The average value of the summer solar insolation of a location is 181 watts/m2.
How large would a solar collector with an efficiency of 35% need to be in order to
produce 450 watts of power?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
0.40 m2
0.87 m2
3.5 m2
4.9 m2
7.1 m2
35. Which of the following is used to determine the position of a solar collector?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
the latitude
the longitude
the season of the year
All of the above are used to position a solar collector.
Only a) and c) are used.
9
36. Blue light has a wavelength of 6.0 x 10–7 meters in a vacuum. What is the
energy of a photon of this light?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
2.1 x 1023 joules
3.3 x 1020 joules
5.0 x 1014 joules
3.3 x 10–19 joules
The energy cannot be determined from the information given.
37. When an electron absorbs a photon that has 5.0 x 10–16 joules of energy, the
electron moves to a higher energy level. The electron later drops to a lower
energy level and emits a photon that has 3.0 x 10–17 joules of energy. How much
more energy must be emitted to satisfy the law of conservation of energy?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
4.7
4.7
1.7
1.7
4.7
x
x
x
x
x
10–17
10–16
10–16
10–15
10–12
joules
joules
joules
joules
joules
38. Which of the following statements about the Earth’s water cycle is FALSE?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
39.
Water evaporates from oceans, lakes, rivers, and the soil.
Water vapor condenses into droplets and forms clouds.
Moisture in clouds precipitates back to Earth.
During these processes, a net gain in water molecules occurs.
All of the above are true statements.
Which of the following is NOT a way in which humans have altered the Earth’s
carbon cycle?
a) the combustion of fossil fuels
b) the manufacture of concrete
c) the deforestation of land for agricultural use
d) the emission of sulfur oxides that make sea water more acidic
e) All of the above activities have altered the Earth’s carbon cycle.
10
40. Which of the following types of particles is important in setting up a nuclear
chain reaction?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
41.
Electrons
Protons
Neutrons
Alpha particles
Beta particles
Which of the following statements concerning land and sea breezes is FALSE?
a) On a sunny day, the surface of the land may be warmer than the surface of
the sea.
b) At night, the surface of the water may be warmer than the surface of the
land.
c) During the day, the denser air above the sea rises.
d) Land and sea breezes are caused by convection currents in the air.
e) ALL of the above statements are true.
42.
In order for heat to be transferred from one object to another,
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
43.
the specific heats of the two objects must be different.
the two objects must have different amounts of thermal energy.
the thermal conductivities of the two objects must be different.
the two objects must be at different temperatures.
All of the above must be true for heat to be transferred from one object
to another.
What is the efficiency of the device shown below?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
0.9%
10%
11%
21%
33%
TH = 303 K
TL = 273 K
11
44.
What is the change in internal energy of a system if 1,000 joules of added heat
results in 600 joules of work done?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
45.
If electricity costs 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, how much does it cost to operate a
1,100 watt microwave oven for 10 minutes?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
46.
a voltage less than 10,000 volts
a voltage equal to 10,000 volts
a voltage greater than 10,000 volts
You need to know the amps of current to answer the question.
You need to know the location of the transformer to answer the question.
Which of the following is NOT a use of geothermal energy?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
48.
$0.02
$0.22
$1.32
$4.55
$13.22
If electricity with a voltage of 10,000 volts enters a step down transformer, we
would expect the electricity leaving that transformer to have
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
47.
1.7 joules
400 joules
600 joules
1,600 joules
2,500 joules
Heating buildings
Generating electricity
Air conditioning buildings
All of the above are uses of geothermal energy.
Only a) and c) are uses of geothermal energy.
A solar cell requires 500 joules of radiant energy to produce 100 joules of
electricity. These 100 joules of electricity are used to light an 18 watt bulb.
What is the overall efficiency of this process?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
3.6%
9%
18%
22%
33%
12
49.
According to the video, Saved by the Sun, Germany is attempting to reach its
goal of producing 20% of its electricity from solar and other renewable sources
by the year 2020. To accomplish this goal, Germany is doing which of the
following?
a) placing parabolic mirrors at street corners to focus sunlight on solar cells
b) requiring citizens to attach solar panels to their clothing on sunny days
c) paying Germans who use solar cells to produce electricity the equivalent
of 50 cents per kilowatt hour for their electricity.
d) requiring new cars to the solar powered.
e) All of the above statements are true.
50.
According to the video, Cadillac Desert, which of the following climate types
describes Los Angeles 200 years ago?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
arctic
desert
tropical
forest
grasslands
13
Physics 1104 Sample Final B
1. The number of fans entering Ohio Stadium for a football game doubles every 15
minutes. If there are 100,000 fans in the stadium now, how many fans were
there 45 minutes ago?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
33,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
12,500
2. The change in weather in Columbus with the seasons is caused primarily by
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
the changing distance of the earth from the sun.
the tilt of the earth’s axis
the carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere.
non-solar energy sources
changes in the speed of the earth as it orbits the sun.
3. Neil has three electric charges. The first charge is stationary. The second
charge is moving at a constant velocity. The third charge is vibrating. Which
charge emits electromagnetic radiation?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
4.
stationary
constant velocity
vibrating
all three
none
Which of the following correctly lists types of electromagnetic radiation in order
from least energetic photons to most energetic photons?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
microwaves, infrared, radio waves, ultraviolet light
gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light
radio waves, infrared, microwaves, visible light
infrared, visible light, gamma rays, ultraviolet light
microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet light
5. Light from a star is observed to be red shifted. What does this tell us about the
star?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
the star is a cool red giant
the star is a supernova
the star is approaching the Earth
the star is receding from the Earth
NONE of the above can be determined from red shifted light.
14
6. Kayla finds that a silver spoon feels cold to her touch, while a wooden spoon,
which is at the same temperature, does not. Kayla can conclude that
a) the silver spoon has a higher thermal conductivity than the wooden
spoon.
b) the silver spoon has a lower thermal conductivity than the wooden spoon.
c) the silver spoon has more thermal energy than the wooden spoon.
d) the silver spoon has less thermal energy than the wooden spoon.
e) the silver spoon is made up of an insulating material.
7.
Which of the following can be used to provide evidence of past climate
conditions?
a)
tree rings
b)
lakebed sediments
c)
oxygen-16 to oxygen-18 ratios
d)
All of the above indicate past climate conditions.
e)
Only a) and b) indicate past climate conditions.
8.
How much thermal energy must be added to 20 grams of water at 80 oC to
o
change all of the water into steam at 100 C? The latent heat of vaporization of
o
water is 540 cal/gram, and the specific heat of water is 1 calorie/gram C.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
9.
2,500 calories
5,400 calories
10,800 calories
11,200 calories
15,500 calories
What causes the north-south wind currents from the Earth’s equator to the poles
to be deflected to the east or west?
a) the gravitational attraction of the Sun
b) the gravitational attraction of the moon
c) the Earth’s orbit around the Sun
d) the rotation of the Earth on its axis
e) None of the above is responsible for the deflection of the Earth’s winds.
15
10. What happens to the entropy of a cup of hot chocolate when mini marshmallows
are added? The entropy of the contents of the cup
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
11.
decreases.
increases.
does not change.
would only change if the hot chocolate cools to room temperature.
cannot be determined without knowing the temperature.
What is the period of a wave with a wavelength of 0.5 meters and a speed of 2
meters/second?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
0.25 sec
0.5 sec
1.0 sec
1.5 sec
2.0 sec
12. The equilibrium state of a system is
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
the state of minimum entropy of the system.
the state of maximum entropy of the system.
the state of minimum energy of the system.
the state of maximum energy of the system.
Both a) and c) are correct.
13. Mountain glaciers are expected to disappear during this century due to increased
average global temperatures. Which of the following is NOT a likely source of
fresh water for the millions of people who currently rely on melt water from
mountain glaciers?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
pipe in water from distant locations
desalination of sea water
recycle waste “gray” water
capture and condense the water vapor produced by fuel cells in vehicles
All of the above are likely sources of fresh water.
14. The maximum possible efficiency of a heat engine operating between 100 oC and
o
200 C is
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
21.1%
26.8%
36.6%
50%
100%
16
15. To determine if a particular aspect of the Earth’s environment represents a
sensitive system, researchers can use a computer simulation to observe the
results of two models of the system run with very similar initial conditions. The
system is sensitive if which of the following is TRUE?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Both models behave identically after some time.
Both models behave very differently after some time.
Both models behave predictably.
Both models represent non-deterministic systems.
The conditions described in both c) and d) are met.
16. Which of the following is a possible chemical reaction?
a) H2  O 2  2 H2 O
b)
232
90
c)
40
19
Th 
K
40
20
228
88
Ra  42 He
Ca 
0
1
o
e  o
d) O 2  O  O 3
e) CH4  C  2 H2 O
17. Which of the following processes involves exothermic chemical reactions?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
fusion in stars
rusting of iron
discharging a battery
nuclear power plant generating electricity
All of the above processes involve exothermic reactions.
18. The primary reason cars contribute to smog is that they produce
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
carbon dioxide.
ozone.
oxides of sulfur.
oxides of nitrogen.
Waste thermal energy.
17
19. Which of the following statements about the greenhouse effect is TRUE?
a) Any amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere is harmful.
b) Nitrogen oxides from gasoline engines are the main cause of the greenhouse
effect.
c) The greenhouse effect is increased when green plants release oxygen into
the atmosphere.
d) The greenhouse effect is increased by larger concentrations of carbon dioxide
and water vapor in the atmosphere.
e) Both a) and d) are true.
20. The mass of a deuterium nucleus 21 H is 3.3435 x 10–27 kg. What is the binding
energy of deuterium in joules?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
4.0
6.7
1.2
3.6
3.0
x
x
x
x
x
10–30
10–27
10–21
10–13
10–10
joules
joules
joules
joules
joules
21. Which of the following reactions is possible?
a)
40
19
b)
222
86
c)
238
92
d)
232
90
K
40
20
Ra 
U
Ca 
218
84
0
1
e  oo 
Po  02 n
232
90
Th 
Th  42 He
228
88
Ra  42 He
e) Both c) and d) are possible.
22. You can choose to go from Cleveland to Chicago by train or by airplane. Taking
the train will reduce your exposure to which source of ionizing radiation?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Helium nuclei
gluons
Geiger particles
radon gas
cosmic rays
18
23. Energy flowed at a rate of 80 BTU’s per hour through a 3 ft by 6 ft insulated
o
door. The temperature on the outside of the door is 30 F and the temperature
o
on the inside is 70 F. What is the R-value of the insulated door?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
0.1 ft2 oF/(BTU/hr)
3.0 ft2 oF/(BTU/hr)
6.5 ft2 oF/(BTU/hr)
9.0 ft2 oF/(BTU/hr)
18 ft2 oF/(BTU/hr)
24. Which of the following did NOT happen in the Chernobyl power plant accident?
a) Human error resulted in an uncontrolled chain reaction and a rapid
increase in temperature.
b) An explosion caused by the sudden vaporization of water blew the
concrete lid off of the reactor core.
c) A chemic reaction tore away one quarter of the reactor core.
d) A fusion reaction explosion (like that in a hydrogen bomb) destroyed the
reactor building.
e) Radioactive dust was released into the atmosphere.
25. One hundred watts of visible light shining on a solar cell produce just enough
electricity to light 5 LED bulbs. Each LED bulb is 0.5 watts. What is the
efficiency of this process?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
0.5%
2.5%
5.0%
25%
75%
26. Which of the following combinations of quarks could produce the particle
indicated?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Two up quarks and one down quark can form a proton.
One up quark and two down quarks can form a neutron.
Three up quarks can form a neutrino.
Three down quarks can form an electron.
Both a) and b) can form the particle indicated.
19
27. When a liquid evaporates
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
the most energetic molecules leave the liquid first.
the temperature increases.
the temperature decreases.
Both a) and b) are true.
Both a) and c) are true.
28. The half-life of an unstable isotope is 15 minutes. If a sample of this isotope
gives 1,800 counts per minute above the background now, what will be count
rate from this isotope one hour from now?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
29.
450 cts/ min
225 cts/min
200 cts/min
113 cts/min
56 cts/min
What is the frequency of microwave radiation with a wavelength of 6.0 x 10
meters?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
–2
50 Hz
725 Hz
1.8 x 105 Hz
7
5 x 10 Hz
9
5 x 10 Hz
30. What is the proton-proton chain?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
the nuclear chain reaction that occurs in nuclear power plants
the protons bound into an atomic nucleus
the process of forming protons from quarks
a step in the fusion reactions in stars
None of the above is correct
31. The hydrogen-burning proton-proton chain is the primary fusion process in which
of the following?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
nuclear power plants
red giant stars
stars smaller than 1.2 solar masses
stars larger than 5 solar masses
white dwarf stars
20
32. In class we modeled the Hertzsprung Russell (H-R) diagram of stars by placing
disks representing stars onto a grid. On this diagram, the hottest, brightest stars
are located
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
in the middle.
on the lower left.
on the upper right.
on the upper left.
on the lower right.
33. Which of the following can be an important part of a solar house?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
a thermal mass
a solar hot water heater
windows facing south
insulation with a large R-value
All of the above are important.
34. You want to use a solar panel to generate enough power to light one 18-watt
compact fluorescent bulb. Your solar panel measures 50 cm by 80 cm. The
average value of the summer solar insolation of your location is 150 watts/m2.
How efficient must your solar panel be to produce the power needed?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
15%
18%
30%
35%
45%
21
35.
The diagrams below depict two mirrors and two lenses. The arrows represent
parallel light rays striking the mirrors or lenses. Which of these mirrors and
lenses could be used to focus radiant energy?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Mirror A and Lens C
Mirror B and Lens C
Mirror A and Lens D
Mirror B and Lens D
Only mirror A could focus radiant energy.
Diagram A:
Concave Mirror
Diagram B:
Convex Mirror
Diagram C:
Convex Lens
Diagram D:
Concave Lens
36. Which of the following would be most likely to make a solar cell operate?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
a microwave transmitter
a sound wave
an incandescent light bulb
an infrared heat lamp
a radio transmitter
37. A photon of electromagnetic radiation contains 7.5 x 10–20 joules of energy. What
is the frequency of this photon?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
8.8 x 10–15 Hz
4.4 x 10–13 Hz
5.1 x 10–3 Hz
6.63 x 1010 Hz
1.1 x 1014 Hz
22
38.
A 2,500 gram piece of glass is initially at a temperature of 27.0 OC. The thermal
energy of the glass is increased by 7,500 calories. What is the final temperature
o
of the piece of glass? The specific heat of glass is 0.20 cal/g C.
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
39.
12.0
26.6
27.0
27.5
42.0
o
C
C
o
C
o
C
o
C
o
According to the water cycle “cubes” used in class, which of the following
movements of water in the Earth’s water cycle does NOT remove contaminants
from the water?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
rivers to clouds
animals to clouds
soil to groundwater
soil to plants
All of the above movements can remove contaminants from water.
40. If 5 kilograms of matter could be entirely converted into energy, how much
energy would this be?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
5J
49 J
1.5 x 109 J
1.5 x 1017 J
4.5 x 1017 J
41. How can water power be used to generate electricity?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
ocean tides
water falling over a dam spillway
ocean currents
All of the above can be used to generate electricity.
Only a) and b) can be used.
23
42. A vehicle requires 2.25 gallons of biodiesel to travel 50 miles. How many gallons
would it require to travel 245 miles?
a) 4.9 gallons
b) 11.0 gallons
c) 22.2 gallons
d) 109 gallons
e) 551 gallons
43. Which of the following has the highest entropy?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
1,000 grams of ice at 0 OC
1,000 grams of water at 0 OC
1,000 grams of water at 100 OC
1,000 grams of steam at 100 OC
The entropy is the same for all of the above cases.
44. Which of the following statements about the Earth’s carbon cycle is TRUE?
a) A carbon sink allows carbon dioxide to be stored underground.
b) A carbon source allows stored carbon to be released into the environment.
c) The Earth’s land masses are the largest carbon sink on the planet.
d) Respiration by animals removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
e) None of the above statements is true.
45. Which of the following are NOT emitted in radioactive decays?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
gamma rays
gluons
helium nuclei
electrons
antielectrons
46. Which of the following action(s) will reduce the transfer of thermal energy
through a window?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Make the window as thin as possible.
Make the window of a substance with a high thermal conductivity.
Decrease the cross-sectional area of the window.
Increase the difference in temperature between the cold outside air and
the warm inside air.
e) None of the above actions would reduce the transfer of thermal energy.
24
47.
What is the role of a gluon in an atomic nucleus?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
It produces the weak nuclear force that causes radioactive decay.
It produces the electromagnetic force that binds electrons and protons.
It produces the strong nuclear force that binds nucleons.
It produces nuclear chain reactions.
A gluon has no role in an atomic nucleus.
48. What are the values of A and Z for the isotope
222
86
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Rn
4
2

A
A
A
A
A
=
=
=
=
=
226
222
218
136
132
He 
and
and
and
and
and
Z
Z
Z
Z
Z
A
Z
A
Z
X produced in the reaction
X?
=
=
=
=
=
88
86
84
84
84
49. The joule heating in a wire with resistance of 5 ohms amounts to 500 watts.
How much current flows through this wire?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
10 amps
15 amps
45 amps
75 amps
100 amps
50. Why is electricity transmitted at high voltages?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
to reduce the current needed
to increase the current needed.
to reduce joule heating.
Both a) and b) are correct.
Both a) and c) are correct.
25
Answers to Sample Finals
Question
Number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Final A
Answers
C
E
B
A
A
D
B
E
B
B
C
E
D
D
D
E
A
C
C
B
C
B
B
A
D
D
D
D
C
A
A
E
B
E
E
D
B
D
E
C
C
D
B
B
A
A
D
A
C
B
Final B
Answers
E
B
C
E
D
A
D
D
D
B
A
B
D
A
B
D
E
D
D
D
D
E
D
D
B
E
E
D
E
D
C
D
E
C
A
C
E
E
E
C
D
B
D
B
B
C
C
C
A
E
26
27