Physics Test

Question 1

The Nucleus contains _____ and _____

Answer 1

Neutrons and electrons

Question 2

What is an Isotope?

Answer 2

Elements that have a different number of neutrons but are otherwise the same element

Question 3

What is the difference between hydrogen, deuterium and tritium?

Answer 3

The number of neutrons

Question 4

What is radioactive?

Answer 4

It means that these atoms emit radiation

Question 5

What is radioactive decay?

Answer 5

The nucleus of an atom changing as it releases radiation.

Question 6

What are the types of radiation emitted during radioactive decay?

Answer 6

Alpha, Beta and gamma

Question 7

What is the process that occurs during Alpha decay?

Answer 7

helium that is shot out of the nucleus

Question 8

What is the process that occurs during Beta Decay?

Answer 8

an electron that is shot out of the nucleus

Question 9

What is the process that occurs during Gamma decay?

Answer 9

Energetic light rays shot out of the nucleus

Question 10

What is the charge of each of the types of radiation emitted during radioactive decay?

Answer 10

Alpha has a +2 charge
Beta has a -1 charge
Gamma has no charge

Question 11

What is transmutation?

Answer 11

when a nucleus changes from the energy emitted during radioactive decay. During this process a parent nucleus changes to a daughter nucleus.

Question 12

What is half life?

Answer 12

The time it takes for half of a radioactive sample to decay

Question 13

What is Nuclear Fission?

Answer 13

The Process of splitting an atom into two smaller atoms

Question 14

What is Nuclear Fusion?

Answer 14

The process of two smaller nuclei joining to create one larger nucleus

Question 15

What happens when a radioactive atom undergoes radioactive decay?

Answer 15

The nucleus will release energy and change (transmutation)

Question 16

Why are alpha and beta radiation referred to as particles while gamma radiation is referred to as rays

Answer 16

gamma radiation is light rather than matter

Question 18

What is the equation for mechanical kinetic energy (KE)?

Answer 18

E_k = ½ mv²

E_k represents mechanical kinetic energy (J), m is mass (kg), and v is velocity (m/s)

Question 19

What does Δh represent in the gravitational potential energy (GPE) formula?

Answer 19

Δh means ‘change in height’

It measures potential energy relative to height above the ground or distance to a potential fall.

Question 20

What are the two main types of energy?

Answer 20

• Kinetic energy: the energy of motion
• Potential energy: the stored energy of an object as a result of its condition or position

Question 21

What is the law of conservation of energy?

Answer 21

Energy is neither created nor destroyed, but is transformed from one form to another or transferred between objects.

Question 22

What is the difference between energy transfer and energy transformation?

Answer 22

• Energy transfer: energy stays in the same form
• Energy transformation: energy changes into another form

Question 23

What is the formula for gravitational potential energy (GPE)?

Answer 23

E_g = mgΔh

E_g represents gravitational potential energy (J), m is mass (kg), g is acceleration due to gravity (m/s²), and h is height (m).

Question 24

List five forms of kinetic energy.

Answer 24

• Mechanical kinetic energy
• Radiant energy
• Thermal energy
• Sound energy
• Electrical kinetic energy

Question 25

List six forms of potential energy.

Answer 25

* Elastic potential energy * Chemical potential energy * Gravitational potential energy * Nuclear energy * Electrical potential energy * Magnetic potential energy

Question 26

What is an open system?

Answer 26

A system that can exchange both energy and matter with its surroundings.

Question 27

What is a closed system?

Answer 27

A system that can exchange only energy but not matter with its surroundings.

Question 28

What is an isolated system?

Answer 28

A system that cannot exchange energy nor matter with its surroundings.

Question 29

What physical quantities affect mechanical kinetic energy?

Answer 29

* Mass * Velocity

Question 30

What physical quantities affect gravitational potential energy?

Answer 30

* Mass * Height * Acceleration due to gravity

Question 31

True or False: Energy transformation is 100% efficient.

Answer 31

False

Question 32

What is an example of energy that has both kinetic and potential energy?

Answer 32

A roller coaster at the top of a hill

Question 33

Fill in the blank: Energy transformation changes energy into another _______.

Answer 33

[form of energy]

Question 34

What is mechanical kinetic energy?

Answer 34

Energy of an object that is in motion.

Question 35

What is thermal energy?

Answer 35

Energy of random motion of particles in a substance.

Question 36

What is radiant energy?

Answer 36

Energy of electromagnetic waves from an energy source.

Question 37

What does the term 'potential energy' refer to?

Answer 37

Stored energy of an object as a result of its condition or position.

Question 38

What does the term 'kinetic energy' refer to?

Answer 38

Energy in motion

Question 39

What is climate change?

Answer 39

A long-term alteration in temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Question 40

What causes climate change?

Answer 40

Primarily by human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

Question 41

How is climate change affecting our world?

Answer 41

It leads to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and shifts in wildlife populations and habitats.

Question 42

What can individuals do to mitigate climate change?

Answer 42

Reduce energy consumption, use renewable energy sources, and support sustainable practices.

Question 43

What is Earth's energy budget?

Answer 43

The balance between energy received from the Sun and energy radiated back into space.

Question 44

What are the sources of thermal energy on Earth?

Answer 44

* Nuclear Energy * Gravitational Potential Energy * Solar Energy

Question 45

What causes nuclear energy to transform into thermal energy?

Answer 45

Radioactive decay.

Question 46

What does gravitational potential energy (GPE) do?

Answer 46

It stretches the Earth and causes tides, transforming into thermal energy.

Question 47

What is solar energy's role in Earth's thermal energy?

Answer 47

It is the primary source of thermal energy, affecting temperatures based on absorption and reflection.

Question 48

What is albedo?

Answer 48

The proportion of light that is reflected by a surface.

Question 49

What happens to sunlight that is not reflected?

Answer 49

It is absorbed and transformed into thermal energy, then re-emitted as infrared radiation.

Question 50

What are greenhouse gases (GHGs)?

Answer 50

Gases in the atmosphere that trap infrared radiation and re-release it.

Question 51

How do greenhouse gases affect Earth's temperature?

Answer 51

They trap solar energy, leading to an increase in global temperatures.

Question 52

How does Mars' atmosphere affect its surface temperature?

Answer 52

Mars has virtually no atmosphere, leading to temperature fluctuations based on day/night cycles.

Question 53

What characterizes Venus' atmosphere?

Answer 53

It has a thick atmosphere rich in CO2, resulting in extremely high temperatures.

Question 54

What is the greenhouse effect on Earth?

Answer 54

It maintains a temperature suitable for life by balancing incoming solar energy and outgoing infrared radiation.

Question 55

What human activities increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?

Answer 55

* Burning fossil fuels * Animal agriculture

Question 56

What is global warming?

Answer 56

The increase in Earth's average temperature due to more thermal energy being trapped.

Question 57

Is the greenhouse effect considered bad?

Answer 57

Not inherently; it is necessary for life, but excessive GHGs can lead to harmful climate change.

Question 58

What can humans do to minimize global warming?

Answer 58

Adopt renewable energy, reduce emissions, and improve energy efficiency.