Question 1

Which of the following is a feature of quantum physics that is not valid according to Newtonian physics?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nature is non- local, i.e., separated objects are sometimes instantaneously connected with each other. 
B)  The universe is made of tiny particles. 
C)  The principle of conservation of energy. 
D)  The future is entirely determined by the present. 
E)  The second law of thermodynamics. 
A)  Nature is non- local, i.e., separated objects are sometimes instantaneously connected with each other. 
B)  The universe is made of tiny particles. 
C)  The principle of conservation of energy. 
D)  The future is entirely determined by the present. 
E)  The second law of thermodynamics.

Question 2

A "standing wave" is a wave that

Accepted Answer

A)  vibrates and moves from one place to another but whose shape does not change. 
B)  vibrates at zero amplitude. 
C)  a wave that is in the process of reversing its direction of motion. 
D)  doesn't vibrate. 
E)  vibrates but whose "loops" don't move from one place to another. 
A)  vibrates and moves from one place to another but whose shape does not change. 
B)  vibrates at zero amplitude. 
C)  a wave that is in the process of reversing its direction of motion. 
D)  doesn't vibrate. 
E)  vibrates but whose "loops" don't move from one place to another.

Question 3

If a microscopic particle's uncertainty in velocity is reduced,

Accepted Answer

A)  its uncertainty in position must increase enough to satisfy the uncertainty principle. 
B)  its uncertainty in position must remain unchanged. 
C)  its uncertainty in position must decrease enough to satisfy the uncertainty principle. 
A)  its uncertainty in position must increase enough to satisfy the uncertainty principle. 
B)  its uncertainty in position must remain unchanged. 
C)  its uncertainty in position must decrease enough to satisfy the uncertainty principle.

Question 4

The spectrum of the hydrogen atom differs from the spectrum of the helium atom due to

Accepted Answer

A)  their different energy levels. 
B)  the different frequencies of their emitted photons. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  Neither of the above. 
A)  their different energy levels. 
B)  the different frequencies of their emitted photons. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  Neither of the above.

Question 5

Suppose that a certain atom has just the 4 different energy levels shown in the figure above. Which quantum jump produces radiation with the shortest wavelength?

Accepted Answer

A)  nonsense-- quantum jumps don't produce radiation 
B)  from state 2 to state 1 
C)  from state 4 to state 3 
D)  from state 4 to state 1 
E)  Impossible to tell without further information 
A)  nonsense-- quantum jumps don't produce radiation 
B)  from state 2 to state 1 
C)  from state 4 to state 3 
D)  from state 4 to state 1 
E)  Impossible to tell without further information

Question 6

Although electrons do not normally have precise positions, you can cause an electron to have a (fairly) precise position by

Accepted Answer

A)  measuring its momentum at an earlier time. 
B)  measuring its position. 
C)  measuring its wavelength. 
D)  measuring both its position and velocity at an earlier time. 
E)  measuring its velocity. 
A)  measuring its momentum at an earlier time. 
B)  measuring its position. 
C)  measuring its wavelength. 
D)  measuring both its position and velocity at an earlier time. 
E)  measuring its velocity.

Question 7

The difference between the "ground state" and an "excited state" for a hydrogen atom is

Accepted Answer

A)  the atom can radiate when it is in an excited state, but not when it is in a ground state. 
B)  the excited state has more energy. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  a ground state's matter field is a standing wave but an excited state's matter field is not a standing wave. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  the atom can radiate when it is in an excited state, but not when it is in a ground state. 
B)  the excited state has more energy. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  a ground state's matter field is a standing wave but an excited state's matter field is not a standing wave. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 8

In measurements made with spectroscopes, why is the light first sent through a narrow slit?

Accepted Answer

A)  to increase the interference effects 
B)  to produce broad-- i.e., wide-- spectral lines on the screen 
C)  to increase the bending effect by the prism 
D)  to produce narrow spectral lines on the screen 
E)  to increase the amount of light hitting the prism. 
A)  to increase the interference effects 
B)  to produce broad-- i.e., wide-- spectral lines on the screen 
C)  to increase the bending effect by the prism 
D)  to produce narrow spectral lines on the screen 
E)  to increase the amount of light hitting the prism.

Question 9

According to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, electrons are more unpredictable than protons. This is because electrons

Accepted Answer

A)  have a smaller volume 
B)  have a smaller mass. 
C)  interact more strongly with other particles. 
D)  interact more weakly (i.e., less strongly) with other particles. 
E)  are negatively charged rather than positively charged. 
A)  have a smaller volume 
B)  have a smaller mass. 
C)  interact more strongly with other particles. 
D)  interact more weakly (i.e., less strongly) with other particles. 
E)  are negatively charged rather than positively charged.

Question 10

According to the nonlocality principle,

Accepted Answer

A)  each microscopic particle is always spread out over a large region of space. 
B)  forces such as gravity and the electromagnetic force can be felt even at a distance. 
C)  nature is inherently uncertain. 
D)  two particles can respond to each other instantaneously, no matter how far apart they are. 
E)  two particles can always be in contact with each other by electromagnetic waves that travel at light velocity. 
A)  each microscopic particle is always spread out over a large region of space. 
B)  forces such as gravity and the electromagnetic force can be felt even at a distance. 
C)  nature is inherently uncertain. 
D)  two particles can respond to each other instantaneously, no matter how far apart they are. 
E)  two particles can always be in contact with each other by electromagnetic waves that travel at light velocity.

Question 11

Referring to the figure above, the matter- wave representing the electrons will be spread out the furthest from the nucleus when

Accepted Answer

A)  the atom is in state 1. 
B)  the atom makes a quantum jump from state 4 to state 1. 
C)  the atom is feeling angry and alienated from society. 
D)  the atom is in state 4. 
E)  the atom makes a quantum jump from state 4 to state 3. 
A)  the atom is in state 1. 
B)  the atom makes a quantum jump from state 4 to state 1. 
C)  the atom is feeling angry and alienated from society. 
D)  the atom is in state 4. 
E)  the atom makes a quantum jump from state 4 to state 3.

Question 12

Which one has the smallest range of possibilities [or quantum uncertainty range]?

Accepted Answer

A)  water molecule 
B)  dust grain 
C)  electron 
D)  proton 
E)  helium atom 
A)  water molecule 
B)  dust grain 
C)  electron 
D)  proton 
E)  helium atom

Question 13

Which of the following is a feature of quantum physics but not a feature of Newtonian physics?

Accepted Answer

A)  Determinism: The future is entirely determined by the present. 
B)  The principle of conservation of energy. 
C)  Force at a distance: Objects can exert forces on other objects that are some distance away, across empty space. 
D)  The observation process must be included as part of the theory. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  Determinism: The future is entirely determined by the present. 
B)  The principle of conservation of energy. 
C)  Force at a distance: Objects can exert forces on other objects that are some distance away, across empty space. 
D)  The observation process must be included as part of the theory. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 14

According to the uncertainty principle, a particle such as an electron

Accepted Answer

A)  has a precise position and a precise velocity, but the observer is unable to determine them. 
B)  is entirely made of sausage. 
C)  does not have a precise position or a precise velocity. 
D)  must have uncertainties in position and velocity that remain smaller than a particular prescribed value. 
E)  can have arbitrarily small simultaneous uncertainties in both position and velocity, although neither uncertainty can be zero. 
A)  has a precise position and a precise velocity, but the observer is unable to determine them. 
B)  is entirely made of sausage. 
C)  does not have a precise position or a precise velocity. 
D)  must have uncertainties in position and velocity that remain smaller than a particular prescribed value. 
E)  can have arbitrarily small simultaneous uncertainties in both position and velocity, although neither uncertainty can be zero.

Question 15

Radioactive decay furnishes a good example of

Accepted Answer

A)  the wavelike nature of microscopic particle. 
B)  nuclear fusion. 
C)  quantum non- locality. 
D)  nuclear fission. 
E)  quantum uncertainties. 
A)  the wavelike nature of microscopic particle. 
B)  nuclear fusion. 
C)  quantum non- locality. 
D)  nuclear fission. 
E)  quantum uncertainties.

Question 16

Which one has the largest range of possibilities [or quantum uncertainty range]?

Accepted Answer

A)  helium atom 
B)  proton 
C)  water molecule 
D)  electron 
E)  dust grain 
A)  helium atom 
B)  proton 
C)  water molecule 
D)  electron 
E)  dust grain

Question 17

The standard "picture" of the hydrogen atom as a tiny proton with an electron moving in an ellipse around it is extremely oversimplified. The main thing wrong with this picture is

Accepted Answer

A)  the electron should be pictured as a spread- out matter field. 
B)  actually there are several electrons going around in the hydrogen atom 
C)  the electron is actually much larger than the proton. 
D)  the path is actually much more complicated than the elliptical path pictured. 
E)  Actually this picture is not oversimplified. 
A)  the electron should be pictured as a spread- out matter field. 
B)  actually there are several electrons going around in the hydrogen atom 
C)  the electron is actually much larger than the proton. 
D)  the path is actually much more complicated than the elliptical path pictured. 
E)  Actually this picture is not oversimplified.

Question 18

According to Bell's nonlocality principle,

Accepted Answer

A)  a particle always has an irreducible uncertainty in its position or in its velocity or both. 
B)  entangled particles exhibit correlations that are explainable only by real, instantaneous connections between them. 
C)  any two particles must always exert forces on each other no matter how far apart they are. 
D)  any small change at one point must eventually cause large changes at distant points. 
E)  the act of observation always disturbs the object being observed. 
A)  a particle always has an irreducible uncertainty in its position or in its velocity or both. 
B)  entangled particles exhibit correlations that are explainable only by real, instantaneous connections between them. 
C)  any two particles must always exert forces on each other no matter how far apart they are. 
D)  any small change at one point must eventually cause large changes at distant points. 
E)  the act of observation always disturbs the object being observed.

Question 19

John Bell is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  the first person to actually eat a pizza. 
B)  the discoverer of the uncertainty principle. 
C)  the discoverer of the nonlocality principle. 
D)  the originator of the most widely- accepted philosophical interpretation of quantum theory. 
E)  the originator of the "many worlds interpretation" of quantum theory. 
A)  the first person to actually eat a pizza. 
B)  the discoverer of the uncertainty principle. 
C)  the discoverer of the nonlocality principle. 
D)  the originator of the most widely- accepted philosophical interpretation of quantum theory. 
E)  the originator of the "many worlds interpretation" of quantum theory.

Question 20

According to quantum theory, the electron in a particular quantum state of the hydrogen atom has

Accepted Answer

A)  a definite position. 
B)  a definite velocity. 
C)  a definite energy. 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  a definite position. 
B)  a definite velocity. 
C)  a definite energy. 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above.

Which of the following is a feature of quantum physics that is not valid according to Newtonian physics?

A "standing wave" is a wave that

If a microscopic particle's uncertainty in velocity is reduced,

The spectrum of the hydrogen atom differs from the spectrum of the helium atom due to

Suppose that a certain atom has just the 4 different energy levels shown in the figure above. Which quantum jump produces radiation with the shortest wavelength?

Although electrons do not normally have precise positions, you can cause an electron to have a (fairly) precise position by

The difference between the "ground state" and an "excited state" for a hydrogen atom is

In measurements made with spectroscopes, why is the light first sent through a narrow slit?

According to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, electrons are more unpredictable than protons. This is because electrons

According to the nonlocality principle,

Referring to the figure above, the matter- wave representing the electrons will be spread out the furthest from the nucleus when

Which one has the smallest range of possibilities [or quantum uncertainty range]?

Which of the following is a feature of quantum physics but not a feature of Newtonian physics?

According to the uncertainty principle, a particle such as an electron

Radioactive decay furnishes a good example of

Which one has the largest range of possibilities [or quantum uncertainty range]?

The standard "picture" of the hydrogen atom as a tiny proton with an electron moving in an ellipse around it is extremely oversimplified. The main thing wrong with this picture is

According to Bell's nonlocality principle,

John Bell is known as

According to quantum theory, the electron in a particular quantum state of the hydrogen atom has

The Way of Science: Experience and Reason

Atoms: the Nature of Things

How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The Special Theory of Relativity

The General Theory of Relativity and the New Cosmology

The Quantum Idea

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

The Energy Challenge

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

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Exam 13: The Quantum Universe

Which of the following is a feature of quantum physics that is not valid according to Newtonian physics?

A "standing wave" is a wave that

If a microscopic particle's uncertainty in velocity is reduced,

The spectrum of the hydrogen atom differs from the spectrum of the helium atom due to

Suppose that a certain atom has just the 4 different energy levels shown in the figure above. Which quantum jump produces radiation with the shortest wavelength?

Although electrons do not normally have precise positions, you can cause an electron to have a (fairly) precise position by

The difference between the "ground state" and an "excited state" for a hydrogen atom is

In measurements made with spectroscopes, why is the light first sent through a narrow slit?

According to Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, electrons are more unpredictable than protons. This is because electrons

According to the nonlocality principle,

Referring to the figure above, the matter- wave representing the electrons will be spread out the furthest from the nucleus when

Which one has the smallest range of possibilities [or quantum uncertainty range]?

Which of the following is a feature of quantum physics but not a feature of Newtonian physics?

According to the uncertainty principle, a particle such as an electron

Radioactive decay furnishes a good example of

Which one has the largest range of possibilities [or quantum uncertainty range]?

The standard "picture" of the hydrogen atom as a tiny proton with an electron moving in an ellipse around it is extremely oversimplified. The main thing wrong with this picture is

According to Bell's nonlocality principle,

John Bell is known as

According to quantum theory, the electron in a particular quantum state of the hydrogen atom has

The Way of Science: Experience and Reason

Atoms: the Nature of Things

How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The Special Theory of Relativity

The General Theory of Relativity and the New Cosmology

The Quantum Idea

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

The Energy Challenge

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

Filters