Question 1

A PV diagram shows a closed loop for an ideal gas. If you are given the initial and final states, how do you determine the net work done by the gas during the cycle?

Accepted Answer

Calculate the area enclosed by the loop on the PV diagram.

Question 2

A person carries a backpack up and down a ramp. Which of the following best describes the work done by gravity during the trip?

Accepted Answer

Gravity does negative work going up and positive work going down.

Question 3

A ball is thrown straight up with an initial velocity $$v_0. $$Neglecting air resistance, what is the velocity of the ball when it returns to its original height?

Accepted Answer

$$-v_0$

Question 4

When calculating the volume flow rate $$Q in a $$pipe with varying diameter, which equation should you use?

Accepted Answer

$$Q = A_1$ v_1$ = A_2$ v_2$

Question 5

Which of the following best describes static friction?

Accepted Answer

It is the frictional force that acts to prevent the start of motion.

Question 6

Given a graph of force vs. displacement, what does the area under the curve represent?

Accepted Answer

The work done on the object.

Question 7

A container is filled with water and oil. Where is the pressure greatest?

Accepted Answer

At the bottom of the container.

Question 8

A block is at rest on an inclined plane. Which force prevents it from sliding down?

Accepted Answer

Static friction

Question 9

Which of the following is the correct form of Newton's second law for rotational motion?

Accepted Answer

$$\sum 	au = I \alpha$$

Question 10

A mass $$m is $$attached to a spring with spring constant $$k$$ and oscillates horizontally. What is the period of oscillation?

Accepted Answer

$$T = 2\pi \sqrt{m/k}$$

Question 11

A windmill has long blades and rotates about its center. If the tip of a blade breaks off while turning, what type of motion does the tip follow?

Accepted Answer

It continues in a straight line tangent to the circle at the point of release.

Question 12

A dinner plate is spun and then broken into two pieces. If one piece moves off with velocity $$v_1$$ and mass $$m_1$$, and the other with velocity $$v_2$$ and mass $$m_2$$, what principle allows you to find the missing velocity if the initial plate was at rest?

Accepted Answer

Conservation of linear momentum

Question 13

A cable is hanging vertically from a beam. Where is the tension greatest?

Accepted Answer

At the top of the cable

Question 14

A car is moving at constant speed around a circular track. What force is responsible for keeping the car in circular motion?

Accepted Answer

Frictional force

Question 15

A block of mass $$m is $$sliding down a frictionless incline of height $$h. $$What is its speed at the bottom?

Accepted Answer

$$v = \sqrt{2gh}$$

Question 16

A ball is thrown horizontally from a cliff. Which statement is true about its motion?

Accepted Answer

The vertical velocity increases due to gravity.

Question 17

A block is attached to a spring and oscillates with amplitude $$A. $$What is the maximum speed of the block?

Accepted Answer

$$v_{max} = A \omega$$

Question 18

A bicycle wheel has mass $$m$$ and radius $$r. $$What is its moment of inertia about its center?

Accepted Answer

$$I = \frac{1}{2}mr^2$

Question 19

A block of unknown mass collides elastically with a stationary block of known mass. Which of the following is conserved in the collision?

Accepted Answer

Both kinetic energy and momentum

Question 20

A person pushes a box across a rough floor at constant speed. Which statement is true?

Accepted Answer

The applied force is equal to the friction force.

Comprehensive Physics Study Notes: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Waves

Study Guide - Practice Questions

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