Download Physics Oral Exam Questions: What are some elements of good

Physics Oral Exam Questions:
1. What are some elements of good experimental design? Give a hypothetical question that
could be investigated along with an example of an experiment that could help answer the
question using good experimental design.
a. Key terms: trials, uncontrolled variable, controlled variable, dependent variable,
independent variable, x-axis, y-axis, quantitative data, qualitative data, etc.
2. Choose a lab that you performed. Explain the question(s) the lab sought to answer, the
procedures, the results, and your conclusion. Analyze the experimental design of the lab.
a. Key terms: trials, uncontrolled variable, controlled variable, dependent variable,
independent variable, x-axis, y-axis, quantitative data, qualitative data, etc.
3. Analyze the motion of an object conceptually, mathematically, and graphically (free-body
diagram).
a. Key Terms: force, balanced force, unbalanced force, gravity, Newton’s first law,
Newton’s second law, Newton’s third law, displacement, velocity, vector,
acceleration, free body diagram, friction, air resistance, gravity, Newtons, etc.
b. F=ma
4. Explain the physics of a collision between two bodies (cars, football player, marbles, etc).
conceptually, mathematically, and graphically. Assume that the collision is either perfectly
elastic or perfectly inelastic.
a. Key terms: momentum, impulse, impulse momentum change theorem, conservation
of momentum, force, vector, free body diagram, etc.
b. M1V1+M2V2(pre-collision)= M1V1+M2V2(post-collision)
5. Analyze the energy transfer of a pendulum, falling body, or roller coaster.
a. Key terms: energy, work, friction, heat energy, mechanical energy, potential energy,
kinetic energy, conservation of energy, etc.
b. TME=PE+KE
6. What happens when two objects of differing temperatures come into contact with one
another?
a. Key terms: heat energy, internal energy, temperature, Celsius, thermal equilibrium,
thermal expansion, heat capacity, radiation, convection, conduction, etc.
b. Q=mc∆T
7. Explain how a car engine or other heat engine works.
a. Key terms: heat engine, First Law of Thermodynamics, Second Law of
Thermodynamics, heat energy, temperature, pressure, volume, entropy, etc.
b. ∆u=Q-W
8. What properties do all waves share? Give specific examples and real life applications in
your answer.
a. Key tems: wave, medium, electromagnetic wave, frequency, period, energy,
amplitude, wave speed, wavelength, wave height, interference, diffraction, refraction,
reflection, Doppler effect.
b. Wave speed=fλ, f=1/T, T=1/f
9. Electromagnetic waves are very unique. What sets them apart from mechanical waves?
What makes one EM wave different from another? What are some applications the many EM
waves?
a. Key terms: frequency, Hz, period, transverse, wavelength, wave speed, x-ray,
ultraviolet, visible light, lenses, filters, mirrors, infrared, microwave, millimeter wave,
radio wave, etc.
b. Wave speed=fλ, f=1/T, T=1/f
10. Lightning, static cling, electric fields, and Van De Graaff Generators have one thing in
common-static electricity. What is static electricity (also known as electrostatics)? Pick one
of the previous examples and explain how static electricity is involved.
a. Key terms: charge, negative, neutral, atom, electron, proton, electric field, electric
field lines, frictional charging, potential difference, ion, polarization, conductors,
insulators. etc.
b. Draw electric field lines
11. Current electricity has led to great advancements in the quality of living for human beings.
Explain what current electricity is (perhaps use an analogy) and the difference between
series and parallel circuits.
a. Key terms: Ohm’s law, wire, conductors, cell, resistor, electric potential difference,
voltage, current, resistance, magnetism, terminal, conventional current, equivalent
resistance, amperes, Ohms, volts.
b. ΔV=IR
Series Circuits: Requiv=R1+R2+R3…, ΔVBattery=ΔV1+ΔV2+ΔV3, ITotal=I1=I2=I3…
Parallel Circuits: 1/Requiv=1/R1+1/R2+1/R3 ΔVBattery=ΔV1=ΔV2=ΔV3, ITotal=I1+I2+I3…
12. Generators have given us electricity on demand; motors have given us many ways to use
electricity (fans, cd players, vacuums, dishwashers, etc). Explain the relationship between
generators and motors and how they both work.
a. Right hand rule, conductor, magnet, magnetic field, Lorentz force, north pole, south
pole, generator motor, current electricity, kinetic energy, etc.
13. Pick a demonstration that you viewed this year and explain all of the physics concepts
underlying that demonstration.
14. Pick an important physics topic of your choice. Explain the concepts underlying that topic.
Explain the “so what” of that topic (real world application or how it affects your everyday life).