An electromagnet is holding a 1,500-kg car at a height of 25 m above the ground. The magnet then experiences a power outage, and the car falls to the ground. Which of the following is false?
- A. The car had a potential energy of 367.5 kJ.
- B. 367.5 kJ of potential energy is converted to kinetic energy.
- C. The car retains potential energy of 367.5 kJ when it hits the ground.
- D. The car's potential energy converts to kinetic energy and then to sound energy.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When the car falls to the ground, its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy as it accelerates downwards. Upon impact with the ground, the car's kinetic energy is dissipated in various forms, such as sound energy, heat, and deformation energy. Therefore, the car does not retain its initial potential energy of 367.5 kJ when it hits the ground. Choice A is true because the potential energy of the car can be calculated as mgh = 1500 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * 25 m = 367,500 J = 367.5 kJ. Choice B is true because as the car falls, its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy. Choice D is true as the kinetic energy is eventually dissipated into other forms upon impact.
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Two balloons with charges of 5 μC each are placed 25 cm apart. What is the magnitude of the resulting repulsive force between them?
- A. 0.18 N
- B. 1.8 N
- C. 10−3 N
- D. 5 10−3 N
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To find the repulsive force between the two charges, we use Coulomb's law: F = k(q1 * q2) / r^2. Here, k is the Coulomb constant (8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2), q1 and q2 are the charges (5 μC each), and r is the distance between the charges (25 cm = 0.25 m). Substituting these values into the formula: F = (8.99 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2)(5 x 10^-6 C)(5 x 10^-6 C) / (0.25 m)^2. Calculating this gives F = 1.8 N. Therefore, the magnitude of the resulting repulsive force between the two balloons is 1.8 N. Choice A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not correctly calculate the force using Coulomb's law.
Why doesn't a raindrop accelerate as it approaches the ground?
- A. Gravity pulls it down at a constant rate.
- B. Air resistance counteracts the gravitational force.
- C. Its mass decreases, decreasing its speed.
- D. Objects in motion decelerate over distance.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. As a raindrop falls, it experiences air resistance which counteracts the gravitational force pulling it down. This balancing of forces prevents the raindrop from accelerating further as it approaches the ground. Choice A is incorrect because while gravity is pulling the raindrop down, air resistance opposes this force. Choice C is incorrect as the mass of the raindrop remains constant during its fall. Choice D is incorrect because objects in motion may decelerate due to various factors, but in this case, the focus is on why the raindrop doesn't accelerate.
A 5-cm candle is placed 20 cm away from a concave mirror with a focal length of 15 cm. About what is the image height of the candle in the mirror?
- A. 30.5 cm
- B. 15.625 cm
- C. −15 cm
- D. −30.5 cm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The magnification formula for a mirror is given by M = -f / (f - d), where f is the focal length of the mirror, and d is the object distance from the mirror. Using the mirror equation and magnification formula, the image height is found to be negative because it is inverted. Plugging in the values (f = 15 cm, d = 20 cm) into the formula gives M = -15 / (15 - 20) = -15 / -5 = 3. The negative sign indicates that the image is inverted. The image height is then calculated by multiplying the magnification by the object height: 3 * 5 cm = 15 cm. Therefore, the correct image height is approximately -15 cm. Choice A (30.5 cm) and Choice D (-30.5 cm) are incorrect as they do not consider the inversion of the image. Choice C (-15 cm) is also incorrect because it neglects the negative sign, which indicates the inversion of the image.
Bernoulli's principle for an incompressible, inviscid fluid in steady flow states that the mechanical energy, consisting of:
- A. Pressure (P) only, remains constant along a streamline.
- B. Velocity (v) only, remains constant along a streamline.
- C. P + ½Ïv² (total mechanical energy), remains constant along a streamline
- D. Density (Ï) only, remains constant along a streamline.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bernoulli's principle states that the sum of pressure energy (P), kinetic energy per unit volume (½Ïv²), and potential energy per unit volume remains constant along a streamline in an incompressible, inviscid fluid. This means the total mechanical energy of the fluid is conserved, making Choice C the correct answer. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because Bernoulli's principle involves the conservation of the total mechanical energy, not just pressure, velocity, or density alone.
When a car is driven for a long time, the pressure of air in the tires increases. This is best explained by which of the following gas laws?
- A. Boyle's law
- B. Charles' law
- C. Gay-Lussac's law
- D. Dalton's law
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Gay-Lussac's law, also known as the law of pressure-temperature, states that the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its absolute temperature when the volume is constant. As a car is driven for a long time, the tires heat up due to friction and increased air pressure inside the tires. This results in an increase in temperature, causing the pressure of the air inside the tires to increase according to Gay-Lussac's law. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Boyle's law relates pressure and volume, Charles' law relates volume and temperature, and Dalton's law deals with the partial pressures of gases in a mixture.