Physical Science Second Semester Review (Physics Unit)

Which distance can be most accurately measured with a ruler?

• the length of a river

• the width of a book

• the distance between two cities

• the size of an object under a microscope

As you push a cereal box across a tabletop, the sliding friction acting on the cereal box

• acts in the direction of motion.

• equals the weight of the box.

• is usually greater than static friction.

• acts in the direction opposite of motion.

Where will the greatest increase in pressure occur if you squeeze the middle of an upright, closed soft-drink bottle?

• top of the bottle

• middle of the bottle

• bottom of the bottle

• equal everywhere within the bottle

The buoyant force on an object in a fluid is equal to the weight of the

• fluid.

• fluid surrounding the object.

• fluid displaced by the object.

• object.

Which of the following is an example of a wheel and axle?

• a doorknob

• an automobile steering wheel

• a jar lid

• a pencil

A mechanical wave generally does NOT

• move the medium from one place to another.

• move through a medium.

• move through solids.

• disturb the medium.

A period is the length of time it takes for

• a disturbance to start a wave.

• two complete wavelengths to pass a fixed point.

• a wave to travel the length of a rope.

• one complete wavelength to pass a fixed point.

Which of the following is NOT true regarding neon lights?

• Light is emitted as electrons move through a gas in

  a tube.

• All neon lights are colored by the color of the tubing.

• Neon lights may contain other gases, such as helium

  or krypton.

• Each kind of gas produces its own distinctive color.

Why do plane mirrors and convex mirrors form only virtual images?

• because they both cause light rays to spread out

• because reflected rays appear to come from behind

  the mirror

• because the focal point is in front of the mirror

• because they both show a wide angle of view

Which of the following would reduce the resistance of a metal wire?

• increasing its thickness

• increasing its temperature

• increasing its length

• all of these