Question 1

Which of the following best explains why the Magdeburg hemispheres could not be pulled apart by teams of horses in Otto von Guericke’s demonstration?

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric pressure exerted a large force holding the hemispheres together.

Question 2

At sea level, the atmospheric pressure is approximately:

Accepted Answer

$$101\ \mathrm{kPa}$$

Question 3

Why is the maximum height to which water can be raised by a suction pump at sea level limited to about $$10.3\ \mathrm{m}$$?

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric pressure can only support a column of water up to $$10.3\ \mathrm{m}$$ high.

Question 4

A mercury barometer is used to measure atmospheric pressure. If the atmospheric pressure increases, what happens to the height of the mercury column?

Accepted Answer

It increases.

Question 5

Why are water barometers impractical compared to mercury barometers?

Accepted Answer

Water is less dense than mercury, requiring a much taller column to balance atmospheric pressure.

Question 6

Boyle’s Law states that for a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature:

Accepted Answer

$$P V = 	ext{constant}$$

Question 7

A piston in an airtight cylinder is withdrawn so that the volume of the air chamber is doubled while the temperature is held constant. What happens to the pressure?

Accepted Answer

The pressure is halved.

Question 8

A helium-filled balloon rises in the atmosphere. As it rises, what happens to its volume and density?

Accepted Answer

Volume increases, density decreases.

Question 9

According to Archimedes’ principle as applied to air, a hot air balloon will rise if:

Accepted Answer

The weight of the air displaced is greater than the weight of the balloon.

Question 10

A dirigible hovers steadily in the air. What can be said about the air it displaces?

Accepted Answer

It displaces its volume of air and its weight of air.

Question 11

Bernoulli’s principle states that in a region where the speed of a fluid increases, the internal pressure:

Accepted Answer

Decreases.

Question 12

Which real-world application is best explained by Bernoulli’s principle?

Accepted Answer

The roof of a house can be lifted off during a strong wind.

Question 13

Why do trucks passing closely on a highway tend to be drawn toward each other?

Accepted Answer

Air pressure between the trucks is less than the pressure on their outer sides.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a property of plasma?

Accepted Answer

Atoms are neutral and not ionized.

Question 15

Which of the following devices uses plasma to generate visible light?

Accepted Answer

Fluorescent lamp.

Question 16

A perfume atomizer works because:

Accepted Answer

Air rushing across the tube reduces pressure, allowing atmospheric pressure to push liquid up.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the relationship between pressure and volume for a gas at constant temperature, according to Boyle’s Law?

Accepted Answer

If the volume is tripled, the pressure is divided by three.

Question 18

Which of the following is a consequence of atmospheric pressure for drinking through a straw?

Accepted Answer

Atmospheric pressure pushes the liquid up the straw when you reduce the pressure in your mouth.

Question 19

Which of the following is a practical application of plasma in modern technology?

Accepted Answer

Plasma screen televisions.

Question 20

A Magneto Hydro Dynamic (MHD) generator produces electricity by:

Accepted Answer

Directing a plasma into a magnetic field.

Chapter 14: Gases – Properties, Laws, and Applications

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards