A spring has a spring constant of 20 N/m. How much force is needed to compress the spring from 40 cm to 30 cm?
- A. 200 N
- B. 80 N
- C. 5 N
- D. 2 N
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The change in length of the spring is 40 cm - 30 cm = 10 cm = 0.10 m. The force required to compress or stretch a spring is given by Hooke's Law: F = k x, where F is the force, k is the spring constant (20 N/m in this case), and x is the change in length (0.10 m). Substituting the values into the formula: F = 20 N/m 0.10 m = 2 N. Therefore, the correct answer is 2 N. Choice A (200 N) is incorrect because it miscalculates the force. Choice B (80 N) is incorrect as it does not apply Hooke's Law correctly. Choice C (5 N) is incorrect as it underestimates the force required.
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Power (P) represents the rate of work done. Which formula accurately depicts power?
- A. P = W / F
- B. P = d / t
- C. P = W x t
- D. P = F / t
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Power (P) is defined as the rate of work done over time. The correct formula for power is P = W/t, where W is the work done, and t is the time taken. Therefore, option D, P = F / t, correctly represents power as work divided by time. Option A, P = W / F, is incorrect as it represents work divided by force, not power. Option B, P = d / t, is incorrect as it represents distance divided by time, not power. Option C, P = W x t, is incorrect as it represents work multiplied by time, not power. It's important to understand the distinction between work, power, force, time, and other related concepts to solve physics problems accurately.
Which of these substances is most compressible?
- A. Gold
- B. Water
- C. Mercury
- D. Methane
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Methane, a gas at room temperature and pressure, is the most compressible substance among the options provided. Gases are generally more compressible compared to liquids and solids because their particles have more space between them, allowing for greater compression when pressure is applied. Gold, water, and mercury, being solid and liquid substances, respectively, have particles arranged closely together, making them less compressible. Therefore, the correct answer is Methane.
At which point on a roller coaster does the car have the greatest potential energy?
- A. The start of the ride
- B. The highest peak
- C. The lowest trough
- D. The end of the ride
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B, the highest peak. At the highest peak of the roller coaster, the car reaches its maximum height above the ground. This point represents the car's greatest potential energy because it has the highest potential to do work due to its elevated position. The potential energy is directly proportional to the height of an object, so the highest point on the roller coaster track corresponds to the car's greatest potential energy. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because potential energy is highest at the peak due to its elevated position, not at the start of the ride, the lowest trough, or the end of the ride.
Energy manifests in various forms. Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental energy type?
- A. Thermal energy
- B. Momentum
- C. Sound energy
- D. Chemical energy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Momentum is not considered a form of energy; it is a property of moving objects. Thermal, sound, and chemical energy are all forms of energy. Thermal energy is the energy associated with the movement of particles within an object. Sound energy is produced by vibrations and travels through materials as waves. Chemical energy is stored within the bonds of chemical compounds. While momentum is a crucial concept in physics, it is not a fundamental form of energy.
Entropy (S) is a thermodynamic property related to the system's disorder. According to the second law of thermodynamics, in a spontaneous process:
- A. The total entropy of the system and surroundings increases.
- B. The total entropy of the system and surroundings decreases.
- C. The total entropy of the system remains constant.
- D. The total entropy of the surroundings increases, while the system's entropy decreases.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The second law of thermodynamics asserts that the entropy of an isolated system (or the combined system and surroundings) will always increase in a spontaneous process, reflecting an increase in disorder. Therefore, the correct answer is that the total entropy of the system and surroundings increases. Choice B is incorrect because entropy always tends to increase in a spontaneous process, as dictated by the second law of thermodynamics. Choice C is incorrect as entropy typically increases in natural processes. Choice D is incorrect because the second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of the system and surroundings always increases in a spontaneous process.