(2.) Physics Hl/Sl. Thermal Physics / Oscillations And Waves
Quiz on physics sections 3 and 4, focusing on definitions. Don't screw up the definition questions! You get free points if you just learn them.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
"The total energy that the molecules of a sustance possess is the [...] of that substance"
Explanation
(both kinetic energy from translational motion of particles, and potential energy from the forces between the molecules)Rate this question:
- 2.
The mole is the amount of substance that contains as many elementary particles as there are in ...
- A.
12 g of Carbon-12
- B.
1.2 g of Carbon-12
- C.
0.12 kg of Carbon-12
- D.
The world
Correct Answer
A. 12 g of Carbon-12Explanation
The mole is a unit of measurement used in chemistry to quantify the amount of a substance. It is defined as the amount of substance that contains as many elementary particles (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.) as there are in 12 grams of Carbon-12. This means that if you have 12 grams of Carbon-12, you have one mole of Carbon-12. Therefore, the correct answer is 12 g of Carbon-12.Rate this question:
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- 3.
The mass of one mole of a substance is the [...] of that substance
Correct Answer
molar massExplanation
The molar mass of a substance refers to the mass of one mole of that substance. It is a measure of the amount of matter in a mole of a substance and is expressed in grams per mole. The molar mass is calculated by adding up the atomic masses of all the atoms in a molecule. It is an important concept in chemistry as it allows scientists to convert between the mass of a substance and the number of moles present.Rate this question:
- 4.
The change of phase from solid to liquid is known as
- A.
Fission
- B.
Fusion
- C.
Boiling
Correct Answer
B. Fusion -
- 5.
Pressure is the force per unit area applied in the direction [...] to the surface of an object
Correct Answer
perpendicularExplanation
Pressure is the force per unit area applied in the direction perpendicular to the surface of an object. This means that the force is applied at a right angle, or 90 degrees, to the surface. When pressure is applied perpendicular to the surface, it evenly distributes the force over the entire area, resulting in a consistent and uniform pressure.Rate this question:
- 6.
“Macroscopically, at a constant volume, the pressure of a gas is proportional to its temperature in Kelvin”
- A.
Pressure law
- B.
Charles's law
- C.
Boyle's law
Correct Answer
A. Pressure lawExplanation
The statement describes the pressure law, which states that at a constant volume, the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature in Kelvin. This means that as the temperature of a gas increases, its pressure will also increase, and vice versa. This law helps to explain the relationship between temperature and pressure in gases and is an important concept in thermodynamics.Rate this question:
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- 7.
“Macroscopically, at a constant temperature, the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume”
- A.
Pressure law
- B.
Charles's law
- C.
Boyle's law
Correct Answer
C. Boyle's lawExplanation
Good point to remember is that Boyle's law is the only law speaking of an inverse (not a direct) relationshipRate this question:
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- 8.
The change of phase from liquid to gas is known as
- A.
Fusion
- B.
Fission
- C.
Evaporation
- D.
Vaporization
Correct Answer
D. VaporizationExplanation
The change of phase from liquid to gas is known as vaporization. During vaporization, the molecules of a liquid gain enough energy to break free from the attractive forces holding them together and escape into the gas phase. This process can occur at any temperature, but it is commonly associated with the boiling point of a substance.Rate this question:
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- 9.
The energy needed to melt/freeze one kilogram of a substance is the specific [...] of that substance
Correct Answer
latent heatExplanation
The energy needed to melt or freeze a substance is known as its latent heat. This term refers to the amount of energy required to change the state of a substance without changing its temperature. When a substance melts, it absorbs energy from its surroundings, and when it freezes, it releases energy. This energy is known as latent heat because it remains hidden within the substance, causing a change in its internal structure rather than its temperature.Rate this question:
- 10.
"The amount of energy needed to raise or lower the temperature of a substance of 1 kg by 1 K" What is being defined?
- A.
Thermal capacity
- B.
Specific heat capacity
- C.
Latent heat
Correct Answer
B. Specific heat capacityExplanation
The given definition describes the specific heat capacity of a substance, which is the amount of energy required to raise or lower the temperature of 1 kg of the substance by 1 K. Specific heat capacity is a characteristic property of a substance and helps to quantify how much heat energy is needed to change its temperature.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Hence, write down what is defined in the following sentence: "The measure of the heat required to change the temperature of a substance"
Correct Answer
thermal capacityExplanation
The given sentence defines thermal capacity, which refers to the measure of the heat required to change the temperature of a substance.Rate this question:
- 12.
The number of particles in a mole is a constant named ...
Correct Answer
AvogadroExplanation
Avogadro's constant, also known as Avogadro, is a fundamental constant in chemistry and physics that represents the number of particles (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.) in one mole of a substance. It is approximately equal to 6.022 × 10^23 particles per mole. This constant is named after the Italian scientist Amedeo Avogadro, who made significant contributions to the understanding of molecular theory and the concept of the mole.Rate this question:
- 13.
“The vaporization occurring at the surface of a liquid" What is being defined?
- A.
Evaporation
- B.
Boiling
- C.
Fusion
Correct Answer
A. EvaporationExplanation
The given correct answer for this question is "Evaporation". The explanation for this is that the term being defined is the process of vaporization occurring at the surface of a liquid. Evaporation is the process by which a liquid changes into a gas or vapor state at a temperature below its boiling point. It involves the escape of molecules from the liquid surface into the surrounding air.Rate this question:
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- 14.
“When the vapour pressure of the liquid is equal to the environmental pressure exerted by the liquid” works well as a definition of "boiling"
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
The statement is true because boiling occurs when the vapour pressure of a liquid is equal to the pressure exerted on the liquid by the environment. When this equilibrium is reached, the liquid starts to rapidly vaporize and form bubbles, resulting in the process known as boiling. This definition accurately describes the phenomenon of boiling.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Define "oscillations"
- A.
Transverse waves
- B.
Vibrations within a medium
- C.
Vibrations moving perpendicular to the direction of the medium
Correct Answer
B. Vibrations within a mediumExplanation
Oscillations refer to the back and forth or repetitive motion of an object or system. In the context of this question, it specifically refers to vibrations occurring within a medium. This means that the oscillations occur within a substance or material, such as a solid, liquid, or gas. The vibrations can be in any direction within the medium, not necessarily perpendicular to the direction of the medium.Rate this question:
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- 16.
Considering simple harmonic motion, the instantaneous distance of a moving object from its mean position is the [...] of that object"
Correct Answer
displacementExplanation
In simple harmonic motion, the instantaneous distance of a moving object from its mean position is referred to as displacement. Displacement is a vector quantity that represents the change in position of an object from its equilibrium or mean position. It is measured as the shortest distance between the initial and final positions of the object, taking into account both the magnitude and direction. In the context of simple harmonic motion, displacement is used to describe how far the object has moved from its equilibrium position at any given time.Rate this question:
- 17.
"Time taken for a complete oscillation" What is being defined?
- A.
Frequency
- B.
Period
- C.
Phase difference
- D.
Wavelength
Correct Answer
B. PeriodExplanation
The term being defined is "Period". Period refers to the time taken for a complete oscillation or cycle to occur. It represents the duration of one complete repetition of a wave or oscillation.Rate this question:
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- 18.
"The number of oscillations per unit time is a proper definition of [...]"
Correct Answer
frequencyExplanation
The number of oscillations per unit time is a proper definition of frequency. Frequency is a measurement of how often a repeating event occurs within a specific time frame. In the context of oscillations, frequency refers to the number of complete cycles or vibrations that occur in a given period of time. It is commonly measured in hertz (Hz), which represents the number of oscillations per second. Therefore, frequency accurately describes the relationship between the number of oscillations and the time in which they occur.Rate this question:
- 19.
When oscillations are caused by an external force, the oscillations are said to be ...
- A.
Damped
- B.
Forced
- C.
Progressive
- D.
Standing
Correct Answer
B. ForcedExplanation
When oscillations are caused by an external force, they are referred to as "forced" oscillations. This means that the oscillations are not occurring naturally or spontaneously, but rather they are being driven or forced by an external influence. The external force can be periodic or non-periodic, and it can have different frequencies and amplitudes. This external force is responsible for initiating and sustaining the oscillations, and without it, the system would not exhibit any oscillatory behavior.Rate this question:
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- 20.
"Wavelength" can be defined as "the length of a wave"
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
Should be enough, but adding "from crest to crest" or "from trough to trough" would probably not hurtRate this question:
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- 21.
The power per unit area recieved by the observer is the [...] of a wave
Correct Answer
intensityExplanation
The power per unit area received by the observer is the intensity of a wave. Intensity is a measure of how much energy is carried by a wave per unit of area. It represents the strength or magnitude of the wave at a particular point in space. In the context of this question, the observer is receiving a wave and the intensity is the amount of power that the wave carries per unit area at the observer's location.Rate this question:
- 22.
"The elongation (disturbance) at a point = the sum of all elongations at the point" What is this?
- A.
Hooke's law
- B.
Principle of superposition
- C.
Snell's law
- D.
Standing wave
Correct Answer
B. Principle of superpositionExplanation
The principle of superposition states that when two or more waves pass through the same point, the resulting displacement at that point is the algebraic sum of the individual displacements caused by each wave. In the context of the given statement, it means that the elongation or disturbance at a point is the sum of all the elongations or disturbances caused by different factors or sources acting on that point. This principle is widely used in physics to analyze the behavior of waves and other physical phenomena.Rate this question:
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- 23.
"A single disturbance which transfers energy through a medium" What is specifically being defined?
- A.
Oscillation
- B.
Transverse wave
- C.
Longitudinal wave
- D.
Wave pulse
Correct Answer
D. Wave pulseExplanation
The given definition specifically defines a wave pulse. A wave pulse refers to a single disturbance that transfers energy through a medium. It is a short burst of energy that travels through a medium and causes a temporary disturbance in that medium. Unlike a continuous wave, a wave pulse is a one-time disturbance that moves through the medium and then dissipates. Therefore, the correct answer is wave pulse.Rate this question:
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- 24.
The "opposite" of the wave pulse can be defined as follows: “A succession of disturbances (oscillations) that transfer energy through a medium” What type of wave is this?
Correct Answer
progressive
continuous
progressive wave
continuous waveExplanation
The given definition describes a wave pulse as a succession of disturbances that transfer energy through a medium. This type of wave is known as a progressive wave or a continuous wave. A progressive wave refers to a wave that continuously moves forward, transferring energy from one point to another. A continuous wave refers to a wave that has a constant amplitude and frequency, without any breaks or interruptions. Therefore, both "progressive" and "continuous" accurately describe the type of wave being referred to in the definition.Rate this question:
- 25.
“Wave where the motion of the particles is parallel to the wave motion” What is being defined above is a transverse wave.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
A longitudinal wave is what is being defined. A transverse wave is a wave where the motion of the particles is perpendicular to the wave motion.Rate this question:
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- 26.
“The motion that takes place when the acceleration of an object is directed towards, and proportional to, its displacement from a fixed point” Write down the three letters signifying this motion.
Correct Answer
SHMExplanation
The motion described in the question is known as Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM). In SHM, the acceleration of an object is directed towards a fixed point and is proportional to its displacement from that point. This type of motion is commonly observed in systems such as a mass-spring system or a pendulum.Rate this question:
- 27.
The direction in which a wave (energy) is travelling is known as ...
- A.
Wave front
- B.
Wave speed
- C.
Ray
Correct Answer
C. RayExplanation
The direction in which a wave (energy) is travelling is known as a ray. A ray represents the path that the wave takes as it propagates through a medium. It indicates the direction of energy transfer and is often represented by a straight line with an arrowhead indicating the direction of propagation. The other options, wave front and wave speed, are not synonymous with the direction of the wave but rather refer to different properties of the wave.Rate this question:
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- 28.
Point on the wave where the medium is the least dense is known as compression
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
It is known as "rarefaction". Compression is where the medium is the most dense.Rate this question:
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- 29.
Write down what is being defined below: “The various phenomena which occur when a wave encounters an obstacle"
Correct Answer
diffractionExplanation
Diffraction is the phenomenon that occurs when a wave encounters an obstacle. It refers to the bending and spreading out of waves as they pass through an opening or around an obstacle. This bending and spreading out of waves is due to the interference of the wavefronts. Diffraction can be observed with various types of waves, such as sound waves, light waves, and water waves, and it is an essential concept in understanding wave behavior and wave propagation.Rate this question:
- 30.
“When a system is subject to an oscillating force at exactly the same frequency as the natural frequency of the system” What is being defined above?
- A.
Natural vibration
- B.
Perfect pitch
- C.
Standing wave
- D.
Resonance
Correct Answer
D. ResonanceExplanation
Resonance is being defined in the given statement. Resonance occurs when a system is subjected to an oscillating force at the same frequency as its natural frequency. This causes the amplitude of the system's vibrations to increase significantly, resulting in a large response. Resonance can occur in various systems, such as mechanical, electrical, or acoustic, and is often utilized in engineering and physics applications.Rate this question:
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- 31.
When waves add up to a maximum condition, constructive interference occurs.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
When waves cancel each other out, destructive interference occursRate this question:
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- 32.
“The ratio of the angle of the incoming ray to the angle of the refracted ray is equal to a constant, for a given frequency” This is some kind of law. What law?
- A.
Hooke's law
- B.
Newton's 2nd law
- C.
Avogadro's law
- D.
Snell's law
Correct Answer
D. Snell's lawExplanation
Snell's law states that the ratio of the angle of incidence to the angle of refraction is equal to a constant, known as the refractive index, for a given frequency. This law describes how light waves change direction when they pass from one medium to another with a different refractive index. It is also known as the law of refraction and is fundamental in understanding the behavior of light as it interacts with different materials.Rate this question:
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- 33.
“The velocity at which a wave propagates at a certain frequency” Write down what is being defined
Correct Answer
wave speed
wavespeedExplanation
The given correct answer defines the term "wave speed" or "wavespeed". It refers to the velocity at which a wave propagates at a certain frequency.Rate this question:
- 34.
“The top of the wave” or "the point of greatest upward displacement of a transverse wave" is known as the trough of the wave.
- A.
True
- B.
False
Correct Answer
B. FalseExplanation
It is the crest that is defined above. The trough is "the point of greatest downward displacement of a transverse wave"Rate this question:
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- 35.
“An effect involving a frictional force acting in a direction opposite to that of the oscillating particle” Write down what is being defined
Correct Answer
dampingExplanation
Damping is being defined in this statement. Damping refers to the process of reducing or dissipating the energy of an oscillating or vibrating system. It involves the frictional force acting in a direction opposite to the motion of the oscillating particle, which gradually slows down and reduces the amplitude of the oscillations over time. This effect is commonly observed in various systems such as mechanical, electrical, and acoustic systems.Rate this question:
- 36.
"The maximum displacement from the mean position" What is being defined?
- A.
Maximum total energy
- B.
Spring constant
- C.
Amplitude
- D.
Angular frequency
Correct Answer
C. AmplitudeExplanation
The term "maximum displacement from the mean position" refers to the distance or magnitude by which an oscillating object deviates from its equilibrium or mean position. It represents the extreme points of the oscillation, measuring the furthest distance the object moves away from its resting position. The amplitude of an oscillation is directly related to its energy and determines the intensity or strength of the oscillation. Therefore, the correct answer is amplitude.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Apr 02, 2011Quiz Created by
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