Questions Flashcards
(290 cards)
1
Q
What is the most fundamental of physical sciences?
A
physics
2
Q
Which metric prefix means million?
A
mega-
3
Q
Which metric prefix means thousand?
A
kilo-
4
Q
Which metric prefix means hundredth?
A
centi-
5
Q
Which metric prefix means thousandth?
A
milli-
6
Q
How may base units are there in the SI?
A
seven
7
Q
What is a volume of 1000 cm^3 equal to?
A
1 L
8
Q
What combination of units expresses density?
A
mass/length^3
9
Q
Using significant figures, 49.4 x 59 = ?
A
2.9 x 10^3 cm²
10
Q
Equation for average speed?
A
average speed = (distance traveled)/(time to travel the distance)
v = d/t
11
Q
Equation for average acceleration?
A
average acceleration = (change in velocity)/(time for change to occur)
a = (∆v)/(∆t)
12
Q
Equation for distance of an object dropped?
A
distance = (1/2)(acceleration due to gravity)(time²) d = 1/2(g)(t²)
13
Q
Equation for centripetal acceleration?
A
centripetal acceleration = (speed²)/(radius)
ac = v²/r
14
Q
What is necessary to designate a position?
A
a reference point
15
Q
What is always true about the magnitude of a displacement?
A
it is less than or equal to the distance traveled
16
Q
What is true for deceleration?
A
the acceleration is in the direction opposite to the velocity
17
Q
What is true for an object in free-fall?
A
it increases in distance proportionally to t²
18
Q
If the speed of an object in uniform circular motion is doubled and the radial distance remains constant, then the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration increases by what factor?
A
4
19
Q
What is true for a ball thrown at an angle θ to the horizontal?
A
it has a constant velocity in the x direction, -y direction, and a changing velocity in the +y direction
20
Q
For a constant linear acceleration, what changes uniformly?
A
velocity
21
Q
A projectile launched a t an angle of 28 above the horizontal will have the same range as a projectile launched at what angle?
A
62 degrees
22
Q
Equation for weight?
A
weight = mass x acceleration due to gravity w = mg
23
Q
Equation for force?
A
force = (a constant x mass1 x mass2)/(separation distance)² F = (Gm1m2)/(r²)
24
Q
Equation for linear momentum?
A
linear momentum = mass x velocity
p = mv
25
Equation for angular momentum?
angular momentum = mass x velocity x object distance from axis of rotation
L = mvr
26
Equation for torque?
```
torque = lever arm x force
τ = rF
```
27
What is the state of an object being acted upon by an unbalanced force?
accelerated
28
What is a possible state of an object in the absence of a net force?
at rest, constant speed, or zero acceleration
29
What is necessary for a change in velocity?
an unbalanced force
30
According to Newton's second law of motion, when an object is acted upon by a net unbalanced force, what can e said about the acceleration?
it is inversely proportional to the object's mass
31
A change in what affects the weight of an object?
acceleration due to gravity (G)
32
What is true of the force pair of Newton's third law?
the two forces act on different objects
33
What is true about the acceleration due to gravity?
it decreases with increasing altitude
34
What is true about the constant G?
it is a very small quantity
35
A child's toy floats in a swimming pool. The buoyant force exerted on the toy depends on the volume of what?
the water displaced
36
If a submerged object displaces an amount of liquid with a weight less than its own, when the object is released it will...?
sink
37
A change in linear momentum requires...?
a change in velocity, an unbalanced force, and an acceleration
38
Angular momentum is conserved in the absence of...?
a net torque
39
Equation for kinetic energy?
kinetic energy = 1/2 x mass x velocity²
| Ek = 1/2mv²
40
Equation for work?
```
work = weight x height
W = mgh
```
41
Equation for power?
```
power = (force x distance)/(time)
P = Fd/t
```
42
Equation for speed of a falling object?
v = √2g∆h
43
In addition to force, what does work involve?
motion
44
What is a unit of work?
N x m
45
What is the SI unit of energy?
joule
46
What is an example of an object with great kinetic energy?
an object with a mass of 2m and a velocity of 3v
47
When negative work is done on a moving object, its kinetic energy...?
decreases
48
Gravitational potential energy depends on what?
mass, acceleration due to gravity, and height
49
When the height of an object is changed, the gravitational potential energy...?
depends on the reference point
50
Energy cannot be...?
created
51
Power is expressed with what units?
J/s
52
In the U.S., which sectors consumes the most energy?
industry
53
What would not be classified as a total alternative fuel source?
gasohol
54
Equation for frequency?
f = 1/period
55
Equation for wave speed?
wave speed = (wavelength)/(period)
| v = λ/T
56
What is the number of wave cycles for a given period of time called?
frequency
57
If a ribbon were tied to a stretched string carrying a transverse wave, how would the ribbon be observed to oscillate?
perpendicular to the wave direction
58
The energy of a wave is related to the square of what?
amplitude
59
How fast do electromagnetic waves travel in a vacuum?
3.00 x 10^8 m/s
60
Name the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum from low frequency to high frequency?
radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays
61
Sound waves propagate in what?
solids, liquids, and gases
62
What is the lower frequency limit of the audible range of human hearing?
20 Hz
63
A sound with an intensity level of 30 dB is how many times louder than the threshold of hearing?
1000
64
A moving observer approaches a stationary sound source. What does the observer hear?
an increase in frequency
65
What property does not change in the Doppler effect?
speed
66
If an astronomical light source were moving toward us, what would be observed?
a blueshift
67
What occurs when a stretched string is shaken at one of its natural frequencies?
standing waves, resonance, and maximum energy transfer
68
Equation for focal length of a spherical mirror?
focal length = (radius of curvature for the spherical mirror)/2
f = R/2
69
What can be said about the angles of incidence and reflection?
they are measured from a line perpendicular to the reflecting surface
70
To what does the law of reflection apply?
regular reflection, diffuse reflection, and specular reflection
71
What is the case when the angle of refraction is smaller than the angle of incidence?
the first medium is less dense
72
What is true of dispersion?
it is responsible in part for a rainbow
73
What is the unit of index of refraction?
none; it is unitless
74
What is true of a convex mirror?
it forms only virtual images
75
What is true for a real image?
it is formed by converging light rays
76
What is true of a concave lens?
a lens that forms virtual images for Do > f
77
What is true of a virtual image?
it is formed on the object side of a lens
78
What happens when the polarization directions of two polarizing sheets are at an angle of 90 degrees to each other?
no light gets through
79
What is true of diffraction?
it occurs best when the slit width is less than the wavelength of a wave
80
When does total constructive interference occur?
when waves are in phase
81
What is Planck's constant?
6.63 x 10^-34 J∙s
82
Equation for energy?
```
energy = Planck's constant x frequency
E = hf
```
83
Equation for Bohr radius?
Bohr radius = 0.053 x (principal quantum number n)²
| r = 0.053n² nm
84
Equation for electron energy?
electron energy = (-13.60)/(principal quantum number n)²
| En = -13.60/n²
85
Equation for photon energy?
photon energy = energy of initial orbit - energy of final orbit
86
Planck developed his quantum hypothesis to explain what phenomena?
the ultraviolet catastrophe
87
Light of what color has the greatest photon energy?
violet
88
The Bohr theory was developed to explain what phenomena?
line spectra
89
In what state does a hydrogen electron have its greatest energy?
n = 5
90
Bombarding a metal anode with high-energy electrons produces what?
microwaves
91
The amplification of light in a laser depends on what?
stimulated emission
92
Equation for distance in parsecs?
distance in parsecs = 1/parallax angle in arc seconds
93
What refers to the celestial sphere?
north celestial pole, vernal equinox, celestial equator
94
What is the name of the path on the sky that the sun appears to follow as it moves among the stars?
the ecliptic
95
The angular measure in degrees north or south of the celestial equator is called...?
declination
96
Name parts of the sun?
the core, convective zone, coronal hole, corona, filament, prominence, sunspots, chromosphere, photosphere
97
Why are sunspots darker than the regions of the sun around them?
they are cooler than the surrounding material
98
Where in the sun does the fusion of hydrogen occur?
only in the core
99
The part of the sun's structure that we see in visible light is...?
the photosphere
100
What force keeps all the stars from flying apart?
gravitational force
101
Which property depends on how far away a star is from us?
its apparent magnitude
102
A relatively cool star is what color?
red
103
After the sun runs out of hydrogen, what will be the next color and size of the sun?
red giant star
104
The famous Horsehead Nebula is what?
a dark nebula
105
A white dwarf has about the same diameter as what?
the Earth
106
What is the fundamental quantity of a star that indicates its ultimate fate?
mass
107
What event is believed to create elements heavier than iron?
a supernova explosion
108
Black holes appear black for what reason?
light cannot escape them
109
The Milky Way is classified as what kind of galaxy?
spiral
110
How much of the universe appears to be normal ordinary matter?
4%
111
What key observation led Hubble to conclude that the universe is expanding?
the redshift of light from distant galaxies
112
What is the cosmic background radiation?
the light-energy remnants of the explosion in which the universe was born
113
What is true of the solar system?
it is a heliocentric system, it is held together by gravitational forces, and it contains planets classified as terrestrial, Jovian, and dwarf
114
Which of Kepler's laws gives the most direct indication of the changes in he orbital speed of a planet?
law of equal areas
115
Which of Kepler's laws gives an indication of the semi-major axis?
harmonic law
116
What planet has retrograde motion?
venus
117
What is abundant on Earth but not on the other planets?
oxygen, water, life
118
The Foucault pendulum is an experimental proop of the Earth's...?
rotation
119
What statements concerning terrestrial planets is true?
- all are relatively small and have relatively small mass
- all are dense and rocky
- all have physical and chemical properties similar to those of the Earth
120
What are some physical characteristics of a terrestrial planet?
small diameter, solid surface, and relatively high temperature environment
121
What statements concerning the Jovian planets are true?
- all are composed mainly of hydrogen and helium
- all rotate more rapidly than the terrestrial planets
- all have rings
122
What are some physical characteristics of a Jovian planet?
gaseous, rocky or ice cores, and rapid rotation
123
The Cassini spacecraft orbited which planet?
saturn
124
Which Jovian planet revolves on its side and has retrograde rotation?
uranus
125
What disqualified Pluto as a major planet?
orbit clear of other objects
126
The dwarf planet Ceres is...?
between Mars and Jupiter
127
The flattened, rotating disk of gas and dust around the protosun, from which the planets were apparently formed, is called what kind of nebula?
solar
128
The planets of the solar system evolved most directly from what?
condensation
129
What are two useful methods for detecting an exoplanet?
- the observation of a star's motion
| - the observation of Doppler shifts in the spectrum of a star
130
What is true of the seasons?
- they are a function of the inclination of the Earth's axis
- they are a function of the Earth's revolving around the sun
- they would be hotter or colder if the Earth's axis were tilted 25°
131
What is true for an observer at 20°N?
observes the sun directly overhead twice a year
132
From September 22 to March 21, in what direction must an observer in the Northern Hemisphere look to see the sunrise?
east
133
The longest day for latitudes greater than 23 1/2° S in the Southern Hemisphere occurs on the...?
winter solstice
134
What is true for Hawaii (general latitude 21°N)?
the sun is directly overhead twice a year
135
What is true for the Gregorian calendar?
it has a leap year every century year that is divisible by 4
136
What can be said about the precession of the Earth's axis?
has no important effect on the Earth's seasons
137
The precession of the Earth's axis is caused by...?
gravitational torque
138
Who championed the idea of the atom about 400 BCE?
Democritus
139
Which scientist is associated with the “plum pudding model” of the atom?
Thomson
140
Why did the Bohr model need improvement?
- It worked only for the hydrogen atom.
- It did not explain why the atom is quantized.
- It did not explain why an electron does not emit radiation as it orbits.
141
Equation for energy?
```
energy = mass x (the speed of light)²
E = mc²
```
142
Which scientist devised the symbol notation we now use for elements?
Berzelius
143
What is the symbol notation for the element potassium?
K
144
How many neutrons are in the nucleus of the atom 35/17 Cl?
18
145
Which radioactive decay mode does not result in a different nuclide?
gamma
146
What is the missing particle in the nuclear decay
| 179/79 Au → 175/77 Ir + ?
alpha particle
147
The majority of stable isotopes belong to which category?
even–even
148
What scientist discovered radioactivity?
Becquerel
149
How many half-lives would it take for a sample of a radioactive isotope to decrease its activity to 1/32 of the original amount?
5
150
What is not conserved in all nuclear reactions?
atomic number
151
What completes the reaction 2/1 H + 98/42 Mo → ? + 1/0 n?
99/43 Tc
152
What is the appropriate procedure to decrease the heat output of a fission reactor core during a crisis?
Insert the control rods farther.
153
What is a very hot gas of nuclei and electrons called?
plasma
154
Which unit is most closely associated with the biological effects of radiation?
the rem
155
What is the theoretical exchange particle for the nuclear weak force?
gluon
156
Is a nucleon (a) a proton, (b) a neutron, (c) an electron, or (d) both a proton and a neutron?
both a proton and a neutron
157
Equation for specific heat?
amount of heat to change temperature = mass x specific heat x temperature change
H = mcΔT
158
Equation for latent heat of fusion?
heat needed to melt a substance = mass x latent heat of fusion
H = mLf
159
Equation for latent heat of vaporization?
heat needed to boil a substance = mass x latent heat of vaporization
160
Which temperature scale has the smallest degree interval?
Fahrenheit
161
What phrase best describes heat?
energy in transit because of a temperature difference
162
What is the larget unit of heat energy?
kilocalorie
163
The term sublimation refers to what phase change?
solid to gas
164
What method of heat transfer generally involves mass movement?
convection
165
The heat we get from the sun is transferred through space by what process?
radiation
166
In what is intermolecular bonding greatest?
solids
167
What has a definite volume but no definite shape?
liquid
168
Pressure is defined as...?
force divided by area
169
When we use the ideal gas law, the temperature must be in what unit?
K
170
When heat is added to a system, it goes into what?
adding to the internal energy only
171
The direction of a natural process is indicated by what?
change in entropy
172
A solute crystal dissolves when added to a solution. What type was the original solution?
unsaturated
173
What scientist in 1661 defined element in a manner that made it subject to laboratory testing?
Boyle
174
What is an example of a synthetic element?
roentgenium
175
What element normally exists as a gas of diatomic molecules?
chlorine
176
What elements are the three most common elements in the Earth's crust?
oxygen, silicon, and aluminum
177
Consider the element magnesium. What statement is true about this element?
it is an alkaline earth metal
178
What element has great ionization energy?
fluorine
179
What is a preferred name for Na2SO4?
sodium sulfate
180
What is the preferred name for Na2S?
sodium sulfide
181
What is one element that will be most like fluorine in its chemical properties
chlorine
182
What is an example of a halogen compound?
AlCl3
183
What force is responsible for chemical bonding?
electromagnetic
184
What quantity remains unchanged in a chemical reaction?
mass
185
How many total atoms would be in one formula unit of (NH4)3PO4?
20
186
A sample of compound AB decomposes to 48g of A and 12g of B. Another sample of the same compound AB decomposes to 24g of A. Predict the number of grams of B obtained.
6
187
Equation for molarity?
molarity (M) = (number of moles of solute)/(volume of solution in L)
M = solute/solution
188
One mole of hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, would consist of how many molecules?
6.02 x 10^23
189
One mole of hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, would consist of how many grams?
34.0
190
What is the normal charge on an ion of sulfer?
2-
191
An ionic compound formed between a Group 2A element M and a Group 7A element X would have the general formula...?
MX2
192
What is the formula for iron(III) bromide?
FeBr3
193
Carbon is a Group $A element. How many covalent bonds are there in methane, CH4?
4
194
What an example of a covalent compound?
NO2
195
What element in the periodic table has the highest electronegativity value?
fluorine
196
When iron rusts in the presence of oxygen and water, what is occurring?
a chemical change
197
How many aluminum atoms are indicated by "3 Al2O3"?
6
198
When the equation MnO2 + CO → Mn2O3 + CO2 is balanced, what is the sum of all written and "understood" coefficients?
5
199
A base dissolved in water does what?
- conduct electricity
- change the color of litmus dye from red to blue
- neutralize an acid
200
What is removed from a hydrated salt to make an anhydrous product?
water
201
What is the pH of a solution ten times as acidic as one of the pH of 4?
3
202
What are some characteristic properties of minerals?
- naturally occurring
- crystalline
- definite chemical composition
203
What is an example of a soft mineral?
talc
204
The simple, common method of classifying minerals depends on what general property?
physical
205
What does the Mohs scale measure?
hardness
206
What scientist is generally designated "the father of geology"?
James Hutton
207
What other term is synonymous with texture in a rock?
grain size
208
What are the three basic classes of rocks?
igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary
209
What does the rock cycle describe?
the interrelationships between rock-producing processes
210
Igneous rocks are classified according to their combination of chemical composition and what else?
texture
211
What does the grain size of an igneous rock tell a scientist about that rock?
the rate at which the molten rock cooled
212
What are some examples of igneous rocks?
basalt, granite, obsidian
213
What are plutons?
bodies of intrusive igneous rocks
214
Dikes are...?
Dikes are intrusive igneous rock
215
What type of volcano forms a layered, composite cone?
cinder cone
216
How does sedimentary rock from the ocean floor sometimes end up in highland and mountainous regions on the Earth?
the sedimentary rock was uplifted by powerful forces to form mountain chains
217
What is an example of an organic sedimentary rock?
coal
218
What is the process of transforming sediment into sedimentary rock called?
lithification
219
To which rock does metamorphosis of limestone lead?
marble
220
Metamorphism occurs for which class of rocks?
all rocks; metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous
221
What are some examples of metamorphic rocks?
gneiss, slate, schist
222
About how many plates exist on the Earth?
20
223
What correctly describes the lithosphere?
it consists of the crust and part of the upper mantle
224
What is between the crust and the core of the Earth?
mantle
225
What geologic evidence supports continental drift?
- similarities in biological species and fossils found on distant continents
- continuity of geologic structures such as mountain ranges
- ancient glaciation in the Southern Hemisphere
226
Wegener proposed what name for the ancient, giant supercontinent he envisioned?
Pangaea
227
Wat is a primary cause of volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain building?
plate tectonics
228
What are some types of plate boundaries?
divergent, convergent, and transform
229
What is thought to be the basic source of energy for lithospheric plate movement?
radioactive decay in the Earth's mantle
230
What process during plate collisions leads to the formation of volcanic island arcs?
subduction
231
What are 3 correct statements about earthquakes?
- they occur in the same general regions as volcanoes
- they are monitored by seismographs
- they generate both surface and body waves
232
By what name is an upward pointing arch of a fold known?
anticline
233
What are some mountain-building mechanisms?
volcanic, fault-block, and fold
234
What statements about fossils are true?
- fossils are indications of prehistoric life
- fossils help determine the relative ages of rocks
- fossils can be tracks imprinted in rocks
235
What is the name for the branch of science that specifically studies fossils?
paleontology
236
What type of fossil is petrified wood?
replacement
237
What is the name for the type of fossil formed when mineral material fills a rock's hollow depression that once contained an embedded bone?
cast
238
What geologic principle tells us that sediments and lava flows are deposited as horizontal layers?
original horizontality
239
What is obtained when rocks and geologic events are put into chronologic order without regard to the actual dates?
relative geologic time
240
Into what time spans are eras next divided?
periods
241
What is the name of the time period that precedes any indication of life?
precambrian
242
What kind of fossil is widespread and easily identifiable?
index
243
What radioactive element gradually decays to lead and can be used to date ancient rocks?
uranium
244
If the half-life of a radioactive specimen is 100 years, how long will it take for the specimen to reach 25% of its original amount?
200 years
245
Radiometric dating is used to determine what?
absolute (numerical) geologic time
246
What familiar gas is very important for carbon dating?
carbon dioxide
247
What is the age of the Earth, as determined by radiometric dating?
4.56 billion years
248
What rocks are useful in helping us determine the age of the Earth?
Earth rocks, Moon rocks, and meteorite rocks
249
What became the dominant life form in the Cenozoic era?
mammals
250
Fossils from Precambrian time could include what?
algae, bacteria, and sea worms
251
In what era were dinosaurs common?
Mesozoic
252
In what era were trilobites common?
Paleozoic
253
When did the K-T extinction event take place?
at the end of the Mesozoic era
254
What is the third most abundant gas in the atmosphere?
argon
255
In what region does the ozone layer lie?
stratosphere
256
Photosynthesis is responsible for the atmospheric depletion of what?
carbon dioxide
257
What regulates the Earth's average temperature?
the greenhouse effect
258
Approximately what percentage of insolation reaches the Earth's surface?
50%
259
What instrument is used to measure relative humidity?
psychrometer
260
With what instrument is wind speed measured?
anemometer
261
Near a large body of water, what wind is the predominant wind during the day?
a sea breeze
262
What is the direction of rotation around an anticyclone in the Northern Hemisphere as viewed from above?
clockwise
263
Convection cycles give rise to what?
- land breeze
- sea breeze
- air currents
264
What is the cloud root name that means "heap"
cumulus
265
The altostratus cloud is a member of which family?
middle clouds
266
When the temperature of the air is below the dew point without precipitation, the air is said to be what?
supercooled
267
What things are essential to the Bergeron process?
mixing, supercooled vapor, and ice crystals
268
What is a result of deposition?
frost
269
What type of air mass is mainly responsible for cold weather in the conterminous United States?
cP (continental polar)
270
What air masses would be expected to be cold and dry?
cP (continental polar)
271
What is a cold front advancing under a warm front called?
a cold front occlusion
272
What is the critical alert for a tornado?
tornado warning
273
The greatest number of hurricane casualties is caused by...?
storm surge
274
A subsidence temperature inversion is caused by...?
a high-pressure air mass
275
What is a major source of air pollution?
incomplete combustion
276
A change in the Earth's albedo could result form what?
particulate matter
277
Major concern about global warming arises from increased concentrations of what?
greenhouse gases
278
The general wearing away of high places and transporting of material to lower places is called...?
gradation
279
What processes are types of mechanical disintegration?
frost wedging, root penetration, and abrasion
280
On what does the rate of weathering of rock depend?
temperature, mineral content, and humidity
281
Chemical weathering can be determined by analyzing the rock's...?
composition
282
What are agents that cause erosion?
streams, glaciers, and waves
283
In a desert, what is the prime mover of the land material?
wind
284
What term refers to the downslope movement of soil and rock fragments that is caused solely by gravity?
mass wasting
285
What best describes the total amount of water on the Earth
decreasing
286
About what percent of the Earth's surface is fresh water?
3%
287
What term denotes the continuous circulation of the Earth's water?
hydrologic cycle
288
Aquifers can be seriously depleted when...?
the rate of water extraction is greater than the rate of recharge
289
What is a feature of coastal deposition?
spit
290
What renewable energy source currently produces the most energy?
hydropower
