Question 1

The liter is a metric unit of volume. The U.S. customary unit of volume most nearly equal to the liter is the

Accepted Answer

A)   quart.
B)   cup.
C)   teaspoon.
D)   gallon. A

Question 2

Applications of semiconductor technology include

Accepted Answer

A)   more powerful antibiotics
B)   photovoltaic cells
C)   efficient car batteries
D)   fossil fuel burning electric generators B

Question 3

After making observations and finding some rules as to how nature works, a scientist proceeds to make a __________________ to explain the observed rules.

Accepted Answer

hypothesis or theory or model

Question 4

The reason we know the exact length corresponding to one meter today is because

Accepted Answer

A)   our cars can calculate distance traveled with highly calibrated odometers
B)   there is a metal rod exactly one meter long, kept at the National Bureau of Standards
C)   we know the exact distance in meters from the Earth to the Moon
D)   we can use the distance from the Queen of England's nose to her finger tips as the standard of length measurementFill in the Blank Questions

Question 5

The metric system of units is based on which number?

Accepted Answer

A)   2
B)   8
C)   10
D)   16

Question 6

The metric unit most comparable in size to the English inch unit is the

Accepted Answer

A)   micrometer.
B)   millimeter.
C)   centimeter.
D)   meter.
E)   kilometer.

Question 7

In order to gain a more scientific worldview, the student is encouraged to

Accepted Answer

A)   perform simple experiments at home.
B)   perform experiments, but only in the laboratory.
C)   refrain from experiments; they are all too complicated.
D)   consult the oldest books available.

Question 8

In order to avoid cooking disasters, a numerical recipe has an advantage over purely verbal directions. That is, verbal directions can become longwinded and put the cook at risk of distraction. On the other hand, a numerical recipe like "two parts water to one part rice" is

Accepted Answer

A)   easily set to music.
B)   useful for any amount of rice, because it is a ratio.
C)   is also useful in the periodic table of elements.
D)   obeys Newton's three laws of motion.

Question 9

Your new weed-cutter requires, as fuel, a gas-to-oil mixture of 20-to-1 (20 parts of gas mixed with one part of oil). You have 1/2 of a gallon of gas. How much oil, in gallons, should you add to make it all into fuel for the weed-cutter?

Accepted Answer

A)   2
B)   1/2
C)   1/20
D)   1/40

Question 10

In which of these relations will S double if T is doubled?

Accepted Answer

A)   S = 10T
B)   T = 1/S
C)   T = S*S
D)   S = 1/T

Question 11

When a scientist wants to strengthen a theory, she can make predictions of measurable events. The theory becomes stronger when

Accepted Answer

A)   the theory is voted upon in a democratic process.
B)   she and other scientists observe and measure the events, and they find that the events agree with the prediction.
C)   her supervisor gives the prediction government funding.
D)   the measurement process goes against the prediction, thereby proving the theory valid.

Question 12

Which of the following objects can you use to roughly visualize a length of 1 meter?

Accepted Answer

A)   The diameter of a human hair.
B)   The length of an ant on the sidewalk.
C)   The length of a 2 liter bottle of soda pop.
D)   The height of a kitchen counter.
E)   The length of a football field.

Question 13

Which of these is not important to the development of scientific explanations?

Accepted Answer

A)   Measurement.
B)   Communication.
C)   Debate.
D)   All of these are important.

Question 14

Which of the following is not considered to be a fossil fuel?

Accepted Answer

A)   coal
B)   uranium
C)   natural gas
D)   crude oil

Question 15

One inch is defined as 2.54 centimeters. The correct expression for a one-inch length, expressed in meters, is

Accepted Answer

A)   2.54  ×	imes×  102 meters
B)   2.54  ×	imes×  101 meters
C)   2.54  ×	imes×  10-2 meters
D)   2.54  ×	imes×  10-1 meters

Question 16

Students often fail to include units with their answers. Science teachers say that units are important. In which one of the following situations would you insist that units be included?

Accepted Answer

A)   Your brother asks if you would like a large soda for lunch.
B)   A friend offers you two per mile to help pay for gas on a trip.
C)   Your manager says you can take a break when the project you are working on is halfway finished.
D)   A police officer says you did not stop at a red light.

Question 17

The study of everyday phenomena allows us to

Accepted Answer

A)   develop an understanding of the concepts used to describe more abstract concepts.
B)   develop an appreciation of the physical universe around us.
C)   develop our intuition and adjust our "common sense" to understand these phenomena.
D)   All of the choices are correct.

Question 18

The distance around the earth at the equator is about 40,000 kilometers. This can be written as __________ mega meters.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The distance around the earth at the...

Question 19

Which of the following is not a major subfield of physics?

Accepted Answer

A)   Electricity and magnetism.
B)   Thermodynamics.
C)   Statistics.
D)   Optics.

Question 20

The study of rainbows would fall under what subfield of physics?

Accepted Answer

A)   Mechanics.
B)   Thermodynamics.
C)   Optics.
D)   Electricity and magnetism.
E)   Atomic physics.

Exam 1: Physics, the Fundamental Science