Which characteristic does a transverse wave not have?
- A. a compression
- B. an amplitude
- C. a frequency
- D. a wavelength
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A transverse wave does not have a compression because transverse waves move perpendicular to the direction of the oscillation. In a transverse wave, the particles move up and down, causing crests and troughs, without creating compressions. Compressions are characteristic of longitudinal waves where the particles move parallel to the direction of the wave. The other choices (B, C, and D) are characteristics that transverse waves possess: amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position, frequency is the number of complete oscillations a wave makes in a given time, and wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in the same phase.
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What is the electric field inside a hollow conductor with a net charge?
- A. Remains constant
- B. Decreases
- C. Zero
- D. Becomes unpredictable
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Zero. According to Gauss's Law, the electric field inside a hollow conductor (a conductor with no charge inside but a net charge on its surface) is zero. The charges reside on the outer surface of the conductor, causing the electric field inside to cancel out. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the electric field inside a hollow conductor with a net charge is not constant, does not decrease, and does not become unpredictable; it is zero due to the distribution of charges on its surface.
What is the main difference between a reversible and irreversible process in thermodynamics?
- A. Reversible processes involve heat transfer, while irreversible processes do not.
- B. Reversible processes occur instantaneously, while irreversible processes take time.
- C. Reversible processes can be run in both directions with the same outcome, while irreversible processes cannot.
- D. Reversible processes violate the first law of thermodynamics.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A reversible process is an idealized process that can be reversed without leaving any change in either the system or the surroundings. In contrast, irreversible processes cannot be reversed and often involve entropy production or dissipation. Choice A is incorrect because both reversible and irreversible processes can involve heat transfer. Choice B is incorrect as the speed of a process does not determine its reversibility. Choice D is incorrect because reversible processes do not violate the first law of thermodynamics; they comply with it by maintaining a balance between energy inputs and outputs. Therefore, the correct answer is C, as it accurately captures the main difference between reversible and irreversible processes in thermodynamics.
A constant force is exerted on a stationary object. In this scenario, work is:
- A. Performed
- B. Not performed
- C. Partially performed
- D. Inconclusive without further information
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Work is only done when a force causes displacement. Since the object is stationary, no displacement occurs, and therefore, no work is performed. Choice A is incorrect because work requires both force and displacement. Choice C is incorrect as there is no partial work - work is either done or not done. Choice D is incorrect as the scenario provided is clear - the object is stationary, so no work is being performed.
Capillarity describes the tendency of fluids to rise or fall in narrow tubes. This phenomenon arises from the interplay of:
- A. Buoyancy and pressure differentials
- B. Density variations and compressibility of the fluid
- C. Viscous dissipation and inertial effects
- D. Surface tension at the liquid-gas interface and intermolecular forces
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Capillarity occurs due to surface tension and intermolecular forces between the liquid and the walls of the narrow tube. These forces cause the liquid to rise or fall depending on the cohesion and adhesion properties. Surface tension at the liquid-gas interface and intermolecular forces are responsible for capillary action, making choice D the correct answer. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not directly relate to the specific forces involved in capillarity.
How do a scalar quantity and a vector quantity differ?
- A. A scalar quantity has both magnitude and direction, and a vector does not.
- B. A scalar quantity has direction only, and a vector has only magnitude.
- C. A vector has both magnitude and direction, and a scalar quantity has only magnitude.
- D. A vector has only direction, and a scalar quantity has only magnitude.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. The main difference between a scalar quantity and a vector quantity lies in the presence of direction. A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction, while a scalar quantity has magnitude only, without any specified direction. Examples of scalar quantities include distance, speed, temperature, and energy, whereas examples of vector quantities include displacement, velocity, force, and acceleration. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they incorrectly describe the characteristics of scalar and vector quantities.