Conceptual Physics (Summer) Final

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  • 1/40 Questions

    An object that has kinetic energy must be

    • At an elevated position
    • Falling
    • At rest
    • Moving
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About This Quiz

The 'Conceptual Physics (Summer) Final' assesses understanding of fundamental physics principles like inertia and the scientific method. It evaluates key concepts through scenarios and theoretical applications, essential for learners in physics.

Physics Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    A car has a mass of 1000 kg and accelerates at 2 meters per second squared.  What is the magnitude of the force exerted on the car?

    • 2000N

    • 1000N

    • 1500N

    • 500N

    Correct Answer
    A. 2000N
    Explanation
    The magnitude of the force exerted on the car can be calculated using Newton's second law of motion, which states that force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration. In this case, the mass of the car is given as 1000 kg and the acceleration is given as 2 meters per second squared. By multiplying these values together (1000 kg * 2 m/s^2), we get the magnitude of the force exerted on the car, which is 2000N.

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  • 3. 

    In science, a theory is

    • An educated guess

    • Less than a fact

    • Unchangeable

    • A synthesis of a large body of well-tested knowledge

    Correct Answer
    A. A synthesis of a large body of well-tested knowledge
    Explanation
    A theory in science is not just an educated guess or less than a fact. It is also not unchangeable. Instead, a theory is a synthesis of a large body of well-tested knowledge. This means that it is based on extensive research, experimentation, and evidence, and has been repeatedly tested and confirmed by multiple scientists. Theories are the highest level of understanding in science and provide explanations for natural phenomena.

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  • 4. 

    If a freely falling object were somehow equipped witha speedometer, its speed reading would increase each second by about

    • 10 m/s

    • 15 m/s

    • A variable amount

    • Depends on its initial speed

    Correct Answer
    A. 10 m/s
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 10 m/s because in free fall, an object accelerates at a constant rate of 9.8 m/s^2 due to gravity. This means that its speed increases by 9.8 m/s every second. Therefore, the speedometer reading would increase by approximately 10 m/s each second.

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  • 5. 

    Sound waves cannot travel in which medium?

    • Steel

    • Vacuum

    • Water

    • Air

    Correct Answer
    A. Vacuum
    Explanation
    Sound waves require a medium to travel through, as they propagate by vibrating particles of the medium. In steel, water, and air, sound waves can travel because these mediums have particles that can vibrate and transmit the sound energy. However, in a vacuum, there are no particles present to vibrate and transmit the sound waves. Therefore, sound waves cannot travel in a vacuum.

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  • 6. 

    If ia car increases its velocity from zero to 60 km/h in 10 seconds, its acceleration is

    • 3 km/h/s

    • 600 km/h/s

    • 6 km/h/s

    • 10 km/h/s

    Correct Answer
    A. 6 km/h/s
    Explanation
    The acceleration of a car can be calculated by dividing the change in velocity by the time taken. In this case, the car goes from zero to 60 km/h in 10 seconds, resulting in a change in velocity of 60 km/h. Dividing this by 10 seconds gives an acceleration of 6 km/h/s.

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  • 7. 

    A horse gallops a distance of 10 kilometers in a time of 30 minutes.  Its average speed is

    • 40 km/h

    • 15 km/h

    • 20 km/h

    • 30 km/h

    Correct Answer
    A. 20 km/h
    Explanation
    The average speed of an object is calculated by dividing the total distance traveled by the time taken. In this case, the horse gallops a distance of 10 kilometers in a time of 30 minutes. To convert the time to hours, we divide 30 minutes by 60, which equals 0.5 hours. Therefore, the average speed is calculated as 10 kilometers divided by 0.5 hours, which equals 20 km/h.

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  • 8. 

    A positive ion has more

    • Electrons than protons

    • Neutrons than protons

    • Electrons than neutrons

    • Protons than electrons

    Correct Answer
    A. Protons than electrons
    Explanation
    A positive ion is formed when an atom loses one or more electrons. Since electrons are negatively charged and protons are positively charged, losing electrons results in a net excess of protons compared to electrons. Therefore, a positive ion has more protons than electrons.

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  • 9. 

    If your automobile runs out of fuel while you are driving, the engine stops but you do not come to an abrupt stop. The concept that most explains why is

    • Inertia

    • Resistance

    • Acceleration

    • Gravity

    Correct Answer
    A. Inertia
    Explanation
    Inertia is the concept that most explains why the engine does not come to an abrupt stop when an automobile runs out of fuel while driving. Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. In this case, the moving car has inertia, and even though the engine stops, the car continues to move forward due to its inertia. This is why the car does not come to an abrupt stop when it runs out of fuel.

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  • 10. 

    If an object is raised twice as high, its potential energy will be

    • Four times as much

    • Half as much

    • Twice as much

    • Impossible to determine unless the time is given

    Correct Answer
    A. Twice as much
    Explanation
    When an object is raised twice as high, its potential energy increases proportionally. Potential energy is directly proportional to the height of the object. Therefore, if the height is doubled, the potential energy will also double. Hence, the correct answer is "twice as much."

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  • 11. 

    To say that electric charge is conserved means that no case has ever been found where the 

    • Total charge on an object has changed

    • Net charge has been created or destroyed

    • Total amount of charge on an object has increased

    • Net amount of charge on an object is unbalanced

    Correct Answer
    A. Net charge has been created or destroyed
    Explanation
    The statement "net charge has been created or destroyed" is the correct answer because the conservation of electric charge states that the total amount of charge in a closed system remains constant. This means that charge cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or redistributed. Any change in the net charge of an object would violate this principle of conservation.

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  • 12. 

    A Mack truck and a Volkswagen traveling at the same speed have a head-on collision. The vehicle that undergoes the greatest change in velocity will be the

    • Same for both

    • Volkswagen

    • Mack truck

    Correct Answer
    A. Volkswagen
    Explanation
    The Volkswagen will undergo the greatest change in velocity in a head-on collision with a Mack truck. This is because the Volkswagen is smaller and lighter compared to the Mack truck. In a collision, the force of impact is determined by the mass and speed of the objects involved. Since the Volkswagen has less mass, it will experience a greater change in velocity when colliding with the larger and heavier Mack truck.

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  • 13. 

    If a frequency of a certain wave is 10 hertz, it period is

    • 10 seconds

    • 100 seconds

    • 0.1 second

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. 0.1 second
    Explanation
    The period of a wave is the time it takes for one complete cycle. The frequency of a wave is the number of cycles that occur in one second. The relationship between frequency and period is that period is the reciprocal of frequency. Therefore, if the frequency of a wave is 10 hertz, the period would be 1/10 or 0.1 second.

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  • 14. 

    A player catches a ball.  Consider the action force to be the impact of the ball against the player's glove.  The reaction to this force is the

    • Force the glove exerts on the ball

    • Friction of the ground against the player's shoes

    • Muscular effort in the player's arms

    • Player's grip on the glove

    Correct Answer
    A. Force the glove exerts on the ball
    Explanation
    When a player catches a ball, the action force is the impact of the ball against the player's glove. According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, the reaction to the impact force is the force that the glove exerts on the ball. As the player's glove stops the ball's motion, it exerts a force on the ball to bring it to rest.

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  • 15. 

    A 4 kg ball has a momentum of 12 kg m/s. What is the ball's speed?

    • 3 m/s

    • 4 m/s

    • 12 m/s

    • 48 m/s

    Correct Answer
    A. 3 m/s
    Explanation
    The momentum of an object is calculated by multiplying its mass by its velocity. In this case, the momentum of the ball is given as 12 kg m/s. To find the speed of the ball, we need to divide the momentum by the mass. Since the mass of the ball is 4 kg, dividing 12 kg m/s by 4 kg gives us a speed of 3 m/s.

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  • 16. 

    The object with the highest natural frequency is a

    • Large bell

    • Medium sized bell

    • Small bell

    Correct Answer
    A. Small bell
    Explanation
    A small bell has the highest natural frequency because its size and shape allow it to vibrate more quickly and produce a higher pitch sound compared to larger bells. The smaller size means that the bell's material is stiffer, causing it to vibrate at a higher frequency when struck. This higher frequency results in a higher pitch sound. In contrast, larger bells have a lower natural frequency and produce a lower pitch sound due to their larger size and slower vibrations. Therefore, the small bell has the highest natural frequency among the given options.

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  • 17. 

    If you push an object twice as far while applying the same force, you do

    • Four times as much work

    • The same amount of work

    • Twice as much work

    • Half as much work

    Correct Answer
    A. Twice as much work
    Explanation
    When you push an object twice as far while applying the same force, you are doing twice as much work. Work is calculated by multiplying the force applied by the distance over which the force is applied. Since the force remains the same in this scenario, doubling the distance will result in double the amount of work done. Therefore, the correct answer is "twice as much work".

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  • 18. 

    If no external forces are acting on a moving object, it will

    • Continue moving at the same speed

    • Continue moving at the same velocity

    • Move slower until it finally stops

    Correct Answer
    A. Continue moving at the same velocity
    Explanation
    If no external forces are acting on a moving object, it will continue moving at the same velocity. This is because velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction. If there are no forces acting on the object, there will be no change in its speed or direction, and therefore it will continue moving at the same velocity.

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  • 19. 

    An object is propelled along a straight line path by a force.  If the net force were doubled, the object's acceleration would be

    • Four times as much

    • Half as much

    • The same

    • Twice as much

    Correct Answer
    A. Twice as much
    Explanation
    When the net force acting on an object is doubled, according to Newton's second law of motion (F = ma), the acceleration of the object will also double. This is because acceleration is directly proportional to the net force applied on an object. Therefore, if the force is doubled, the acceleration will also double. Hence, the correct answer is "twice as much".

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  • 20. 

    Materials generally become warmer when light is

    • Transmitted by them

    • Reflected by them

    • Absorbed by them

    • All of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Absorbed by them
    Explanation
    When light is absorbed by materials, it means that the energy of the light is being transferred to the material. This transfer of energy causes the particles in the material to move faster, resulting in an increase in temperature. Therefore, materials generally become warmer when light is absorbed by them.

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  • 21. 

    A sheet of paper can be withdrawn from under a container of mild without toppling if the paper is jerked quickly.  This best demonstrates that

    • Gravity tends to hold the milk carton secure

    • The milk carton has no acceleration

    • The milk carton has inertia

    • There is an action-reaction pair of forces

    Correct Answer
    A. The milk carton has inertia
    Explanation
    When the sheet of paper is jerked quickly, the milk carton remains in place without toppling. This is because of the concept of inertia, which states that an object at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted upon by an external force. In this case, the milk carton resists the change in motion caused by the jerk of the paper due to its inertia, allowing it to stay secure without toppling.

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  • 22. 

    Two objects have the same size and shape, but one is much heavier than the other. When they are dropped simultaneously from a tower, they reach the ground at the same time, but the heavier one has a greater

    • Acceleration

    • Momentum

    • Speed

    • All of these

    Correct Answer
    A. Momentum
    Explanation
    When two objects have the same size and shape but different weights, they experience the same acceleration due to gravity when dropped simultaneously. This means that they both fall towards the ground at the same rate. However, the heavier object has a greater mass, which means it has a greater momentum. Momentum is the product of an object's mass and its velocity. Since the heavier object has a greater mass, it also has a greater momentum, even though both objects reach the ground at the same time.

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  • 23. 

    An object may have potential energy because of its

    • Acceleration

    • Momentum

    • Speed

    • Location

    Correct Answer
    A. Location
    Explanation
    An object may have potential energy because of its location. Potential energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its position or condition. The higher an object is located in a gravitational field, the greater its potential energy. This potential energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as kinetic energy, when the object moves or falls from a higher position to a lower one. Therefore, the location of an object plays a crucial role in determining its potential energy.

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  • 24. 

    The source of all magnetism is

    • Tiny domains of aligned atoms

    • Moving electric charge

    • Ferromagnetic materials

    • Tiny pieces of iron

    Correct Answer
    A. Moving electric charge
    Explanation
    The correct answer is moving electric charge. Magnetism is created by the movement of electric charges. When charged particles such as electrons move, they generate a magnetic field. This phenomenon is observed in various materials, not just ferromagnetic ones. The alignment of tiny domains of atoms and the presence of iron can contribute to the strength of the magnetic field, but the fundamental source of magnetism is the movement of electric charges.

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  • 25. 

    If an electric charge is shaken up and down

    • A magnetic field is created

    • Its mass decreases

    • Sound is emitted

    • Electron excitation occurs

    Correct Answer
    A. A magnetic field is created
    Explanation
    When an electric charge is shaken up and down, it creates a magnetic field. This phenomenon is known as electromagnetic induction. As the charge moves, it generates a changing electric field, which in turn produces a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of the motion. This is described by Maxwell's equations and is the basis for various technologies such as generators and transformers. The creation of a magnetic field is a fundamental principle of electromagnetism.

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  • 26. 

    If you push for a half hour or a whole hour against a stationary wall

    • Half as much work is done during the half hour

    • Twice as much work is done during the half hour

    • No work on the wall is done on either case

    • It is impossible to determine how much work is done

    Correct Answer
    A. No work on the wall is done on either case
    Explanation
    When you push against a stationary wall, no work is done on the wall in either case. Work is defined as the product of force and displacement, and in this scenario, the displacement of the wall is zero as it does not move. Therefore, the work done on the wall is zero.

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  • 27. 

    A main difference between gravitational and electric forces is that electrical forces

    • Repeal or attract

    • Obey the inverse-square law

    • Are weaker

    • Act over shorter distances

    Correct Answer
    A. Repeal or attract
    Explanation
    The main difference between gravitational and electric forces is that electrical forces can either repeal or attract objects, depending on the charges involved. This is in contrast to gravitational forces, which only attract objects. Additionally, electrical forces obey the inverse-square law, meaning that their strength decreases with the square of the distance between the charged objects. Furthermore, electric forces are generally weaker than gravitational forces and act over shorter distances.

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  • 28. 

    Compared with ultraviolet waves, the wavelength of infrared waves is

    • Longer

    • Shorter

    • The same

    • It depends on the medium

    Correct Answer
    A. Longer
    Explanation
    Infrared waves have a longer wavelength compared to ultraviolet waves. Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave. Infrared waves have longer wavelengths, which means that the distance between two consecutive points in an infrared wave is greater than in an ultraviolet wave. This difference in wavelength determines the position of these waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, with infrared waves being located at the longer wavelength end and ultraviolet waves at the shorter wavelength end.

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  • 29. 

    When you stand at rest on a pair of bathroom scales, the readings on the scales will always

    • Each equal your weight

    • Each be half your weight

    • Add up to be equal to your weight

    Correct Answer
    A. Add up to be equal to your weight
    Explanation
    When you stand at rest on a pair of bathroom scales, the readings on the scales will add up to be equal to your weight. This is because each scale measures the force exerted on it by your body, and since your weight is evenly distributed between both scales, the sum of the readings on each scale will be equal to your total weight.

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  • 30. 

    A rock weighs 30N on Earth. A second rock weighs 30N on the moon. Which rock has greater mass?

    • They have the same mass

    • The one on the moon

    • The one on Earth

    • Not enough information to say

    Correct Answer
    A. The one on the moon
    Explanation
    The weight of an object depends on the gravitational force acting on it, which is determined by the mass of the object and the strength of the gravitational field. Since both rocks have the same weight (30N), it means that the gravitational force acting on them is the same. However, the strength of the gravitational field on the moon is about one-sixth of that on Earth. Therefore, for the rock to have the same weight on the moon as it does on Earth, it must have a greater mass. Hence, the rock on the moon has a greater mass than the one on Earth.

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  • 31. 

    Light refracts when traveling from air into glass because light

    • Has greater intensity in glass than in air

    • Has greater frequency in air than in glass

    • Travels slower in glass than in air

    • Has greater frequency in glass than in air

    Correct Answer
    A. Travels slower in glass than in air
    Explanation
    Light refracts when traveling from air into glass because it travels slower in glass than in air. Refraction occurs when light passes from one medium to another and changes its speed. The change in speed causes the light to bend, resulting in the phenomenon of refraction. In this case, as light enters the denser medium of glass from the less dense medium of air, it slows down, causing the light to change direction.

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  • 32. 

    Which of the following is not a transverse wave?

    • Light

    • Sound

    • Radio

    • X-rays

    Correct Answer
    A. Sound
    Explanation
    Sound is not a transverse wave because it propagates through a medium by compressing and rarefying the particles in the same direction as the wave travels. Transverse waves, on the other hand, have their oscillations perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. Light, radio waves, and x-rays are all examples of transverse waves as they exhibit oscillations perpendicular to their direction of travel.

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  • 33. 

    The vibrations of a transverse wave move in a direction

    • That changes with speed

    • Along the direction of wave travel

    • At right angles to the direction of wave travel

    Correct Answer
    A. At right angles to the direction of wave travel
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "at right angles to the direction of wave travel." In a transverse wave, the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction in which the wave is moving. This means that as the wave travels forward, the particles move up and down or side to side, rather than along the direction of the wave. This characteristic is what distinguishes transverse waves from longitudinal waves, where the particles vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel.

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  • 34. 

    As a light ray in air enters water an angle of 15 degrees with the normal, it

    • Sometimes bends toward the normal

    • Does not bend

    • Always bends toward the normal

    • Always bends away from the normal

    Correct Answer
    A. Always bends toward the normal
    Explanation
    When a light ray in air enters water at an angle of 15 degrees with the normal, it always bends toward the normal. This is because light waves change direction when they pass from one medium to another due to the change in the speed of light. In this case, as light enters water, which has a higher refractive index than air, it slows down and bends towards the normal. This phenomenon is known as refraction and is governed by Snell's law.

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  • 35. 

    If you use 10 J of work to push a coulomb of charge into an electric field, its voltage with respect to its starting position is

    • Less than 10 V

    • More than 10 V

    • Exactly 10 V

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Exactly 10 V
    Explanation
    When 10 J of work is used to push a coulomb of charge into an electric field, the voltage with respect to its starting position is exactly 10 V. Voltage is defined as the amount of work done per unit charge, so in this case, the work done is 10 J and the charge is 1 C. Therefore, the voltage is equal to the work done divided by the charge, which is 10 J/1 C = 10 V.

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  • 36. 

    Magnetic field lines about a current-carrying wire

    • Circle the wire in closed loops

    • Extend radially from the wire

    • Both of the above are correct

    • None of the above are correct

    Correct Answer
    A. Circle the wire in closed loops
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "circle the wire in closed loops". This is because magnetic field lines form closed loops around a current-carrying wire. The direction of the magnetic field lines can be determined using the right-hand rule, where the thumb points in the direction of the current and the curled fingers represent the circular path of the magnetic field lines. This phenomenon is a result of the magnetic field generated by the moving charges in the wire.

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  • 37. 

    A scientific hypothesis may turn out to be right or it may turn out to be wrong. If it is a valid hypothesis, there must be a test for proving it 

    • Right

    • Wrong

    Correct Answer
    A. Wrong
    Explanation
    A scientific hypothesis may turn out to be wrong. The validity of a hypothesis is determined by the ability to test and potentially disprove it. If a hypothesis cannot be tested or proven wrong, it is not considered a valid scientific hypothesis. Therefore, the statement that a valid hypothesis must have a test for proving it right is incorrect.

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  • 38. 

    If a steady magnetic field exerts a force on a moving charge, that force is directed

    • Opposite the direction of the field

    • In the direction of the field

    • At right angles to the direction of the field

    Correct Answer
    A. At right angles to the direction of the field
    Explanation
    When a steady magnetic field exerts a force on a moving charge, the force is directed at right angles to the direction of the field. This is known as the right-hand rule, where the force experienced by the charge is perpendicular to both the direction of the magnetic field and the velocity of the charge. This can be explained by the Lorentz force law, which states that the force on a charged particle moving in a magnetic field is given by the cross product of the velocity and the magnetic field vectors.

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  • 39. 

    A ball is thrown upwards and caught when it comes back down. In the presence of air resistance, the speed with which it is caught is always

    • The same as the speed it had when thrown upwards

    • Less than the speed it had when thrown upwards

    • More than the speed it had when thrown upwards

    • Impossible to determine

    Correct Answer
    A. Less than the speed it had when thrown upwards
    Explanation
    When a ball is thrown upwards and caught when it comes back down in the presence of air resistance, the speed with which it is caught is always less than the speed it had when thrown upwards. This is because air resistance acts against the motion of the ball, slowing it down as it travels upwards and then further slowing it down as it falls back down. Therefore, the ball loses some of its initial speed due to air resistance, resulting in a lower speed when caught compared to when it was thrown upwards.

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  • 40. 

    If the speed of light in a medium is 2 x 10^8 m/s, the medium's index of refraction is

    • 1.0

    • 1.5

    • 0.67

    • 0.50

    Correct Answer
    A. 0.67
    Explanation
    The index of refraction of a medium is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in that medium. In this case, the speed of light in the medium is given as 2 x 10^8 m/s. Comparing this to the speed of light in a vacuum (which is approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s), we can calculate the index of refraction as 3 x 10^8 / 2 x 10^8 = 1.5. Therefore, the correct answer is 1.5.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 17, 2023 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 17, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Aug 01, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    Drtaylor
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