Question 1

Which of the following best describes the phenomenon of light interference as observed in a double-slit experiment?

Accepted Answer

Light waves from two slits overlap, producing regions of constructive and destructive interference, resulting in a pattern of bright and dark fringes on a screen.

Question 2

A person is nearsighted and cannot clearly see distant objects. Which optical device would best correct their vision, and why?

Accepted Answer

A diverging lens, because it spreads out light rays before they enter the eye, allowing the image to focus on the retina.

Question 3

Which equation correctly expresses Ohm’s Law for a simple resistor in a DC circuit?

Accepted Answer

$$V = IR$$

Question 4

A parallel-plate capacitor is connected to a battery and fully charged. If the distance between the plates is doubled while the battery remains connected, what happens to the capacitance and the charge on the plates?

Accepted Answer

Capacitance decreases by half, and the charge on the plates decreases by half.

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why metals are good conductors of electricity?

Accepted Answer

Metals have free electrons that can move easily throughout the material, allowing electric current to flow.

Question 6

A wire carries a current of $$2\ \mathrm{A}$$ perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field of $$0.5\ \mathrm{T}. If $$the length of the wire in the field is $$0.3\ \mathrm{m}$$, what is the magnitude of the force on the wire?

Accepted Answer

$$F = BIL = (0.5)(2)(0.3) = 0.3\ \mathrm{N}$$

Question 7

Which of the following statements about electromagnetic induction is correct?

Accepted Answer

A changing magnetic flux through a loop induces an electromotive force (emf) in the loop.

Question 8

A mass spectrometer separates ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio. Which principle allows the device to distinguish between different ions?

Accepted Answer

Ions with different mass-to-charge ratios follow different paths in a magnetic field due to the magnetic force $$F = qvB.$$

Question 9

Which equation gives the energy of a photon emitted during an electron transition in a hydrogen atom?

Accepted Answer

$$E = hf$$

Question 10

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of $$10$$ years. If you start with $$80\ \mathrm{g}$$, how much remains after $$30$$ years?

Accepted Answer

$$10\ \mathrm{g}$$

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the function of a generator in terms of electromagnetic induction?

Accepted Answer

A generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by rotating a coil in a magnetic field, inducing an emf.

Question 12

Which of the following is a real-world application of the photoelectric effect?

Accepted Answer

Solar panels converting sunlight into electrical energy.

Question 13

A thin film of oil (index of refraction $$n = 1.4) $$floats on water ($$n = 1.33). $$For constructive interference of reflected light at normal incidence, which condition must be satisfied for the film thickness $$t$$?

Accepted Answer

$$2nt = m\lambda$$ for $$m = 1, 2, 3, ...$$

Question 14

Which of the following statements about nuclear fission and fusion is correct?

Accepted Answer

Fission splits heavy nuclei into lighter nuclei, releasing energy; fusion combines light nuclei to form heavier nuclei, also releasing energy.

Question 15

A $$12\ \mathrm{V}$$ battery is connected to two resistors, $$R_1 = 4$$\ \Omega$$ and R_2$ = 8\ \Omega$$, in series. What is the current in the circuit?

Accepted Answer

$$I = \frac{V}{R_1$ + R_2$} = \frac{12}{12} = 1\ \mathrm{A}$$

Question 16

Which of the following best explains why gamma radiation is more dangerous to living tissue than alpha or beta radiation?

Accepted Answer

Gamma rays have higher energy and greater penetrating power, allowing them to damage internal organs and DNA.

Question 17

A ray of light passes from air ($$n = 1.00) $$into glass ($$n = 1.50) at an $$angle of $$30^\circ to $$the normal. What is the angle of refraction inside the glass?

Accepted Answer

$$n_1$$ \sin \$$theta_1$$ = $$n_2$$ \sin \$$theta_2$$ \Rightarrow \sin \$$theta_2$$ = \frac{$$n_1$$}{$$n_2$$} \sin \$$theta_1$$ = \frac{1.00}{1.50} \sin 30^\circ = \frac{1}{1.5} 	imes 0.5 = 0.333$$, so $$\$$theta_2$$ \approx 19.5^\circ$$

Question 18

Which of the following is a practical application of capacitors in everyday electronic devices?

Accepted Answer

Capacitors store and release energy quickly, smoothing out voltage fluctuations in power supplies.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes the process of radioactive dating using carbon-14?

Accepted Answer

Measuring the remaining amount of carbon-14 in a sample and comparing it to the initial amount to estimate the sample's age.

General Physics II (PHYS 1420) Syllabus and Topic Overview – Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics

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