Q: Which of the following numbers is correctly written in scientific notation with the correct number of significant figures: $$6,370,000 \ \mathrm{m}$$?

$$6.37 \times 10^6$ \ \mathrm{m}$$

Q: Which of the following is the correct scientific notation for $$0.0000075 \ \mathrm{m}$$?

$$7.5 \times 10$$^{-6}$$ \ \mathrm{m}$$

Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?

Accepted Answer

A theory is a detailed explanation that makes testable predictions, while a law is a brief description of how nature behaves in a broad set of circumstances.

Question 2

A measurement is recorded as $$D = 50 \ \mathrm{mm} \pm 1 \ \mathrm{mm}. $$What does the $$\pm 1 \ \mathrm{mm}$$ represent?

Accepted Answer

The smallest value the ruler can measure, indicating the uncertainty in the measurement.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a base SI unit?

Accepted Answer

Liter ($$\mathrm{L})$$

Question 4

A student multiplies $$3.73 by$$ $$5.7$$ and gets $$21.261. $$According to the rules for significant figures, what is the correct way to report the answer?

Accepted Answer

$$21$$

Question 5

Convert $$60 \ \mathrm{mi} to $$kilometers, given $$1 \ \mathrm{mi} = 1.609 \ \mathrm{km}. $$Report your answer with the correct number of significant figures.

Accepted Answer

$$97 \ \mathrm{km}$$

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of pseudoscience?

Accepted Answer

A claim that seeks only confirming evidence and ignores contradictory data.

Question 7

Which of the following numbers is correctly written in scientific notation with the correct number of significant figures: $$6,370,000 \ \mathrm{m}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$6.37 	imes 10^6$ \ \mathrm{m}$$

Question 8

A runner jogs along a track and her position is recorded every second. If the distance between each recorded position increases with each second, what can you conclude about her motion?

Accepted Answer

She is speeding up.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the particle model in physics?

Accepted Answer

It treats a moving object as if all its mass were concentrated at a single point.

Question 10

A measurement is recorded as $$15.57 \ \mathrm{mm}$$ using calipers with a precision of $$0.01 \ \mathrm{mm}. $$How many significant figures does this measurement have?

Accepted Answer

4

Question 11

Which of the following is a correct order-of-magnitude estimate for the number of hours in a year?

Accepted Answer

$$10^3$$

Question 12

When adding $$18.54$$ and $$106.6$$, what is the correct way to report the sum according to the rules for significant figures?

Accepted Answer

$$125.1$$

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a type of motion described in physics?

Accepted Answer

Stationary motion

Question 14

A basketball follows a curved path as it moves toward the hoop. What type of motion is this?

Accepted Answer

Projectile motion

Question 15

Which of the following statements about significant figures is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

When adding or subtracting, the answer should have as many decimal places as the number with the fewest decimal places.

Question 16

A coordinate system is defined by:

Accepted Answer

A reference point (origin), a distance from the origin, and a direction from the origin.

Question 17

Which of the following is an example of an explanatory model in physics?

Accepted Answer

A model that predicts the motion of a planet based on Newton's laws.

Question 18

If a car's position is recorded at equal time intervals and the distance between each position decreases, what does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The car is slowing down.

Question 19

Which of the following is the correct scientific notation for $$0.0000075 \ \mathrm{m}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$7.5 	imes 10$$^{-6}$$ \ \mathrm{m}$$

Chapter 1: Representing Motion – Study Notes for College Physics

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards