Chapter 1 Test: The Science of Physics

Question 1

The goal of physics is:

Answer 1

To use a smaller number of basic concepts, equations, and assumptions to describe the physical world.

Question 2

Types of problems that deal with Physics:

Answer 2

1. Temperature
2. Size
3. Motion
4. Position
5. Shape
6. Color

Question 3

Mechanics

Answer 3

motion & its causes, interactions between objects.

Question 4

Thermodynamics

Answer 4

heat & temperature

Question 5

Vibrations & wave phenomena

Answer 5

specific types of repetitive motions

Question 6

Optics

Answer 6

Light

Question 7

Electromagnetism

Answer 7

Electricity, magnetism, and light

Question 8

Relativity

Answer 8

Particles moving at any speed including very high speeds

Question 9

Quantum Mechanics

Answer 9

Behavior or submicroscopic particles

Question 10

The Scientific Method:

Answer 10

1. Make observations and collect data that lead to a question
2. Formulate and objectively test hypothesis by experiments
3. Interpret results and revise the hypothesis if necessary.
4. State conclusions in a form that can be evaluated by others.

Question 11

A pattern, plan, representation, or description designed to show the structure of workings of an object, system, or concept.

Answer 11

Models

Question 12

A set of particles or interacting components considered to be a distinct physical entity for the purpose of the study.

Answer 12

System

Question 13

An explanation that is based on prior scientific research of observations and can be tested.

Answer 13

Hypothesis

Question 14

An experiment that tests only one factor at a time by using a comparison of a control group with an experimental group.

Answer 14

Controlled Experiment

Question 15

The description of what kind of physical quantity is represented by a certain measurement is called ______.

Answer 15

dimension

Question 16

The description of how much of a physical quantity is represented by a certain numerical measurement depends on the _____ with which the quantity is measured.

Answer 16

units

Question 17

___ is the standard measurement system for science. This system of units is called _________________.

Answer 17

System International Units

Question 18

Unit: Meter

Answer 18

Used to measure: Length

Question 19

Unit: Kilogram

Answer 19

Used to measure: Mass

Question 20

Unit: Second

Answer 20

Used to measure: Time

Question 21

SI uses _____ to accommodate extremes (very large or very small quantities.)

Answer 21

prefixes

Question 22

Prefix: atto

Answer 22

Power: 10^-18
Abbreviation: a

Question 23

Prefix: femto

Answer 23

Power: 10^-15
Abbreviation: f

Question 24

Prefix: pico

Answer 24

Power: 10^-12
Abbreviation: p

Question 25

Prefix: nano

Answer 25

Power: 10^-9

Abb. n

Question 26

Prefix: micro

Answer 26

Power: 10^-6

Abb. the weird “u”

Question 27

Prefix: milli

Answer 27

Power: 10^-3

Abb. m

Question 28

Prefix: centi

Answer 28

Power: 10^-2
Abb: c

Question 29

Prefix: deci

Answer 29

Power: 10^-1

Abb. d

Question 30

Prefix: deka

Answer 30

Power: 10^1

Abb. da

Question 31

Prefix: kilo

Answer 31

Power: 10^3

Abb. k

Question 32

Prefix: mega

Answer 32

10^6

M

Question 33

Prefix: giga

Answer 33

10^9

G

Question 34

Prefix: tera

Answer 34

10^12

T

Question 35

Prefix: peta

Answer 35

10^15

P

Question 36

A description of how close a measurement is to the correct or accepted value of the quantity measured.

Answer 36

Accuracy

Question 37

The degree of exactness of a measurement

Answer 37

Precision

Question 38

A numeric measure of confidence in a measurement or result is known as ______.

Answer 38

uncertainty

Question 39

A _____ uncertainty indicates ______ confidence

Answer 39

lower; greater

Question 40

When error in an experiment occurs due to different methods used to take measurements, this is called _______ ________.

Answer 40

method error

Question 41

Those digits in a measurement that are known with certainty plus the first digit that’s uncertain.

Answer 41

Significant Figures

Question 42

Rules for Determining Sig Figs

Answer 42

1. Zeros between other nonzero digits are significant
2. Zeroes in front of nonzero digits aren’t significant.
3. Zeros that are at the end of a number and also to the right of the decimal are significant.
4. Zeros at the end of a number but to the left of a decimal are significant if they have been measured or are the first estimated digit; otherwise they aren’t significant.

Question 43

How many sig figs 300 000 000 m/s

Answer 43

1

Question 44

How many sig figs 3.00 x 10^8m/s

Answer 44

3

Question 45

25.030 C

Answer 45

5

Question 46

0.006070 C

Answer 46

4

Question 47

1.004 J

Answer 47

4

Question 48

1.30520 MHz

Answer 48

6

Question 49

Tools that make data easier to understand:

Answer 49

1. Tables
2. Graphs
3. Equations

Question 50

To make expressions as simple as possible, physicists often use _____ to describe specific quantities in an equation.

Answer 50

letters

Question 51

______ _______ makes use of the fact that dimensions can be treated as algebraic quantities, meaning quantities can be “used” together only if they have the same dimensions.

Answer 51

Dimensional Analysis

Question 52

Because the scope of physics is so wide and the numbers can be very large or very small, it is often useful to estimate an answer to a problem before trying to solve the problem exactly. This method is called an _____-___-_________.

Answer 52

order-of-magnitude

Question 53

QUANTITY:
change in vertical position
time interval
mass

Answer 53

SYMBOL UNITS UNIT ABBREVIATIONS
deltay meters m
deltat seconds s
m kilograms kg