Conceptual Physics B Final

This portion of the Final is worth 100 Points.  Choose enough questions to score up to 100 points.  Do not answer questions in excess of 100 points.  

In the questions which include a math component, the unknowns in the questions below will be provided in class.

Three (3) point questions

1.    Compare and contrast a transverse wave and a compression wave.  Draw pictures of each and label them.

2.    Explain the principle of conservation of charge.

3.    Draw a bar magnet.  Label the poles and draw lines to show the field.

4.    Compare and contrast direct current and alternating current, and give an example of each.

5.    Compare and contrast a reflecting and a refracting telescope.  You can draw a picture for this question.

6.    Compare and contrast a parallel circuit and a serial circuit.  You can draw pictures to answer this question.

7.    Compare and contrast static electricity and an electrical current.

8.    Compare and contrast a resistor and a capacitor.

9.    Compare and contrast an electrical conductor and an electrical insulator, and give an example of each.

10.  Given the half life of a substance, and the elapsed time, compute the amount left after the passage of the given time.

Four (4) point questions

11.    Given the amount of time it takes the sound of thunder to reach you, compute how far away the storm is.

12.    Compare and contrast an electric motor and an electric generator.  Draw a picture showing their design.

13.    Explain what a transformer is, how it works and the two types with examples of each.

14.    Name the 3 primary colors of light.  Name all possible colors you get when you mix any two.  What color do you get when you mix all three?

15.    Make a drawing of a solar eclipse showing the arrangement of the sun, earth and moon.  Explain what people on the earth in the penumbra experience, and what people standing in the umbra experience.

16.    Explain total internal reflection, and give 3 examples of it in use.

Seven (7) point questions

17.    Compare and contrast volt, ampere and ohm, explaining fully the quantity each measures.

18.    As of 2/25/2003, what is the most likely cause of the shuttle disintegration.  We will be using the latest NASA/Yahoo news source for correct answer.

19.    Given the information on the devices plugged into a household circuit, determine whether the attached circuit breaker will trip off and protect the circuit.

Ten (10) point questions

20.    Given the length of a closed pipe, and the air temperature, determine the wavelength produced, the frequency produced, and the period of the wave.

21.    Given the frequency of a musical note, and the number of even steps in a scale, compute the frequencies of all other notes going up one octave.    

22.    Given a radioactive isotope, explain a two step transmutation, first ejecting an alpha particle, then a beta particle.  You will need to supply the protons, neutrons and electrons at each step.

Twenty (20) point questions

23.    Given a circuit diagram with a voltage source and resistors, determine the total resistance, and the current (amps), using Ohm's Law.

24.    Explain and give an example of each of these phenomenon; dispersion, diffraction, refraction, reflection, interference, polarization, iridescence, reverberation, resonance and coherent light.