LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE

Freehold Regional High School District 2011-12 LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE About the Exam The Lab Physics Midterm Examination consists of 32 multiple choice questions designed to assess the knowledge and skills developed by the students during the first two marking periods of curriculum instruction of their physics course. The multiple choice questions will each have five (5) possible answers for the student to choose from during the examination. You will be provided with an equation and constants reference sheet on the day of the exam. The Lab Physics Midterm Examination will cover the following: Physics Toolkit (Metrics, significant figures, terms, scientific notation, scientific method) Vectors-Concept and Graphical Representation (Concept of resultant, adding head to tail, what defines a vector, simple vector addition) Velocity concepts and calculations (Concept of speed vs velocity, simple calculations) Reading and Interpreting Graphs and Data Tables - (Distance vs. time graph analysis, Reading and interpreting a data table of distance and time, Velocity vs. time graph analysis including displacement) Acceleration Concepts and Calculations - (Concept of acceleration and simple acceleration calculations) Forces and Newton s Laws - (What is and is not a force, application of all 3 of Newton s Laws, Force Diagrams, concept of Friction, Calculating net force and acceleration, Effect of unbalanced forces) Two Dimensional Motion (including Circular)- (Components of a projectile, concept of ball rising and falling, cause of circular motion and its effects) Newton s Law of Gravitation - (Mass vs. weight, Strength of gravitational forces, effect of changing weight of objects or distance on force) Momentum - (Conservation of Momentum, Impulse, Momentum) Work Energy - (Conservation of Energy, Work, Gravitational Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Power) Skills That You Should Practice LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE PAGE 1 OF 10

Physics is not only about knowledge, but it s also about the application of knowledge and the development of new ideas that keep the subject evolving. This knowledge is connected with a variety of skills needed to gain a better understanding of the physical world. Skills that are necessary to be successful in Physics as well as all sciences include using metric units and proper conversions to measure and calculate physical quantities, interpreting graphs, applying correct mathematical relationships and expressions to determine variables in an experiment, applying experimental data and relationships to real world scenarios, and using the scientific method to approach and solve problems. Along with the fundamental skills of science students should also demonstrate skills in analyzing motion, expressing and interpreting physical events with multiple representations such as graphs, math expressions, and diagrams, distinguishing between different physical models/ideas and applying them to different scenarios as well as applying multiple models to one scenario. Because math is such an integral part of physics, students should be able to recognize different mathematical expressions for the physical laws and relationships and be able to rearrange these mathematical equations to solve for an unknown variable. Things That You Should Know The unit on motion & vectors is a large and establishes the frame work for the rest of the course. You should be able to represent motion, changes in motion and vectors in a variety of ways, graphically, mathematically, visually, and in words. You should be able to differentiate between physical quantities that are vectors and scalars. You should be able to represent different types of motion graphically over a period of time and understand how the graphs relate to each other, interpret, analyze, determine unknown physical quantities, and draw conclusions about an objects motion. You should be able to apply kinematic equations to real life situations to determine an unknown physical quantity that is associated with the object s motion, both horizontal and vertical. Dynamics builds upon the motion unit and explains why an object has the motion it does. You should be able to identify an object that is interacting with the surrounding environment, draw and interpret a force diagram for that object and relate it to the resultant motion. You should be able to select a reference frame to analyze the forces exerted on an object. You should be able to apply Newton s Laws, conceptually, visually and mathematically to a variety of situations incorporating all different types of forces. The unit on two dimensional motion encompasses the applications of the concepts and equations from motion and Newton s Law to projectiles and circular motion. The unit on gravitational interactions examines the gravitational interactions between two objects. You should be able to incorporate gravitational interactions into Newton s Laws and be able to apply gravitational interactions between celestial objects in our solar system and universe. How You Should Prepare for the Exam Preparation for your midterm exam should begin on the first day of school. All of your notes, class work, homework, tests, and quizzes should be organized in a notebook. Keeping the material organized will help you to be more successful in the class and on the exam. Make sure that you have sufficient time to study. Don t try to do all of your studying the night before the test. Spend about a week reviewing the material and practicing sample problems. Go over any material from the teacher first. Complete all practice problems that you were given, look LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE PAGE 2 OF 10

through your notes, class work, and homework. Review your tests and quizzes. Attend extra help before or after school if you feel that you need additional practice. You should have a comfortable and quiet place to study that is free from distractions. Take a short break if you feel that you are getting tired or if you have been studying for a long time. Study groups of three or four classmates or a study buddy works well for some students. If you choose to study with others, you should make sure that they are serious about doing well on the test ahead of time. Group study encourages you to explain things out loud and to listen to others. This will help you to remember the information. Test yourself or have someone test you on the material to find your strengths and weaknesses. If you would like more information on study groups and study skills go to www.how-to-study.com. You can find useful information on setting up a study group and ways to make it work to your advantage. You will also find other study tips. To study physics it is helpful that you review all the major concepts and know how to apply the equations to each situation. Use odd numbered textbook problems to review (section reviews, practice problems and end of chapter problems), returned assessments and class example problems to review for the exam. Try to get a good night s sleep before the test and eat a nutritious breakfast. Being well rested and having food in your stomach will give you energy and help you to focus on the exam. The website Physics: An Introduction by James S. Walker Prentice Hall is an online textbook that has excellent example problems to review. This site contains problem solving challenges and extra help. It is set up with links to each chapter. Go to http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/walker2/. Another excellent website is the ActivPhysics website. This site contains simulations, problem solving steps, word problems and extra help. Go to http://wps.aw.com/aw_young_physics_11/13/3510/898588.cw/nav_and_content/index.html. If you are looking for additional resources to prepare for the exam you should try using the internet. If you are looking for videos to explain a topic try the Physics Classroom. It contains many lessons and questions with answers on topics in introductory physics. Go to http://www.physicsclassroom.com/. Two websites that are good for reviewing the concepts are the PhET website, run by the University of Colorado and the PAER website run by Rutgers University. The PhET website contains simulations that reinforce concepts. Go to http://phet.colorado.edu. The PAER website contains video experiments that develop concepts and allow you to test your ideas. Go to http://paer.rutgers.edu/pt3. When taking the multiple choice section of the exam use these tips: Read the question carefully and understand what the question is asking you before you try to solve it. Multiple choice questions that need a mathematical expression; use scrap paper to properly set up the problem with its givens. Read all of the choices before selecting your answer. If you are not sure of the correct answer, eliminate the answers that you know are wrong and then, if possible, work backwards from the remaining choices or select the answer that you think might be correct. Don t keep changing your answer; usually your first choice is the right one, unless you had misread the question. After selecting your answer reread the question to make sure that you answered what was asked. Approach the exam with a positive attitude. If you followed a study plan and you are well prepared you should feel good going into the exam. Before you go to the exam make sure that you have everything that you need; a LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE PAGE 3 OF 10

calculator and two pencils. Manage your time carefully. Look through the test and answer the easiest questions first so that you can spend more time on the more difficult questions at the end. If you finish the test early go back and make sure that you didn t make careless mistakes when gridding the answer sheet or that you didn t leave any questions blank. If you follow these guidelines you will know that you did your best. Example Questions: This is not a complete list of questions, but gives a sampling of the type and level of difficulty. There are straight forward motion equation problems that are not necessarily represented here, but proficiency is expected. 1. You are inside the cargo compartment of a truck that is traveling at constant velocity. A rock is dropped from the midpoint of the ceiling and hits the floor below. The rock hits the floor: a. exactly below the midpoint of the ceiling b. ahead of the midpoint of the ceiling c. behind the midpoint of the ceiling d. more information is needed Two cars start at the same time at the dot on the left and move to the right. The dots in the figure below show the locations for each of the cars every second. Figure 1. (t=0s) (t=1s) (t=2s) (t=3s) (t=4s) (t=5s) (t=6s) (t=7s) (t=8s) (t=9s) (t=10s) for car 1............ car 1 (t=0s) (t=1s) (t=2s) (t=3s) (t=4s) (t=5s) for car 2....... car 2 2. For Figure 1, were the cars ever next to each other? If so, at what time 3. For Figure 1, For Which are was traveling faster? 4. A soccer ball is kicked horizontally. What is its average speed if its displacement is 21.0 m after 4.00 s? LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE PAGE 4 OF 10

Refer to the diagram below when answering the next two questions. This diagram represents a time elapse photograph of an object moving along a horizontal surface. The positions as indicated in the diagram are separated by equal time intervals. The first moment occurred just as the object started to move and the last just as it came to rest. Start End 5. Draw a graph that represents the object s position as a function of time. 6. Draw a graph that represents the object s velocity as a function of time. 7. Draw a graph that represents the object s acceleration as a function of time. 8. A 10 Newton force pushes a body northward while a 15 Newton force acting at the same point of the body pushes it southward. The resultant of these two forces is: 9. What is the term for a physical quantity that has a magnitude and direction? 10. What are some examples of a scalar quantity? A vector quantity? 11. Which statement about the acceleration of an object is correct? a. The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net external force acting on the object and inversely proportional to the mass of the object b. The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net external force acting on the object and directly proportional to the mass of the object. c. The acceleration of an object is inversely proportional to the net external force acting on the object and inversely proportional to the mass of the object. d. The acceleration of an object is inversely proportional to the net external force acting on the object and directly proportional to the mass of the object. LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE PAGE 5 OF 10

position (m Answer the following three questions about the graph. 12. During what time(s) or time interval(s), if any, was the object traveling at constant velocity? 12 Position vs Time 13. During what time(s) or time interval(s), if any, was the object traveling backwards? 14. During what time(s) or time interval(s), if any, was the object accelerating? Same types of problems for v vs. T graph 10 8 6 4 2 0 0 2 4 6 8 10 time (s) Answer the following three questions about the graph. 15. When is the object at rest? 16. When is the object increasing speed? 17. When is the object decreasing speed? LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE PAGE 6 OF 10

18. When is the object traveling at a constant velocity? 19. Which would hit the ground first if dropped from the same height in a vacuum, a feather or a metal bolt? Explain your answer. 20. Objects that are falling toward Earth move a. Faster and faster c. at a constant velocity b. Slower and slower d. slower then faster 21. A projectile is fired horizontally with a velocity of 750 m/s, how far does the projectile travel vertically in 0.75 s? 22. A projectile is fired with a velocity, v, at an angle, θ, above the horizontal. a. The vertical velocity of the projectile will remain constant while the horizontal velocity will slowly decrease b. The horizontal velocity of the projectile will slowly increase while the vertical component will remain constant c. Both components of the projectile s velocity will undergo a constant non-zero acceleration d. The horizontal velocity of the projectile will remain constant while the vertical component of the velocity will undergo a constant acceleration e. Both components of the projectile s velocity will remain constant. A ball is rolled off a very high table; the direction of the initial velocity is parallel to the horizon. Examine the diagram and the graphs and answer the two questions that follow. 20. Draw a velocity vs. time graph for the horizontal component of the ball. Initial velocity direction 21. Draw a velocity vs. time graph for the vertical component of the ball. Very high LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE PAGE 7 OF 10

Use the Free body (force) diagrams to answer the next two questions. 23. Which of the following force diagrams below represent an object in equilibrium? You may choose more than one. 24. Which of the following force diagrams below represents an object accelerating? You may choose more than one. a. b c. d. 25. If a nonzero net force is acting on an object, then the object is definitely a. at rest. c. being accelerated. b. moving with a constant velocity. d. losing mass. 26. A thrown stone hits a window, but doesn t break it. Instead, it reverses direction and ends up on the ground below the window. Which statement is true? a. The force of the stone on the glass > the force of the glass on the stone. b. The force of the stone on the glass = the force of the glass on the stone. c. The force of the stone on the glass < the force of the glass on the stone. d. The stone didn t slow down as it broke the glass. Refer to this scenario and the picture to the right for the next 5 questions. A rope pulls a sled exerting a force of 60N to the right. The snow exerts a friction force of 20 N on the sled to the right. The mass of the sled with the passenger is 50 kg. 27. What would the motion diagram look like for the sled? LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE PAGE 8 OF 10

a. b. c. d. 28. What integer statement represents the sum of the forces in the horizontal direction? You may choose more than one answer. a. +20 N + (-60 N) b. -20 N + (+60 N) c. -20 N + (-60 N) d. +20 N + (+60 N) 29. What integer represents the forces in the vertical direction? a. +50 N + (-50 N) b. + 500 N + (-500 N) c. + 500 N + (+500 N) d. - 500 N + (-500 N) 30. What is the acceleration of the sled 31. What will happen to the acceleration of the sled if a new passenger magically appears on the sled increasing the mass from 50 kg to 100 kg? 32. A ball is traveling counter-clockwise in a circular path around a ring. If a piece of the ring is removed at point X as the ball approaches, which path will the ball take? 33. The planet Mercury orbits the Sun at some distance. If this distance was doubled what would happen to the gravitational force between Mercury and the Sun? a. The force would also double b. The force would be half the original force c. The force would be ¼th the original force d. The force would remain the same LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE PAGE 9 OF 10

34. A 300 g ball moves with a constant velocity of 5.0 m/s. It collides with a stationary second ball that has a mass of 0.50 kg. If the first ball comes to rest after the collision, what is the new velocity of the second ball? a. 3000 m/s b. 7.5 m/s c. 3.0 m/s d. 0.33 m/s 35. A tennis is thrown straight up in the air. When it is released the object had 300 J. The tennis ball had a mass of 400 g. a. What types of energies does the tennis ball-earth system have half way up to the highest point? What is the magnitude of each type? b. What types of energies does the tennis ball-earth system at the highest point? What is the magnitude of each type? c. What is the highest point? LAB PHYSICS MIDTERM EXAMINATION STUDY GUIDE PAGE 10 OF 10