Free Practice Quiz Question List

13 - Experimental Methods and Comprehensive Review Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 13 - Experimental Methods and Comprehensive Review, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions

True or false

1 point

True or false: A correct free-body diagram for an object should include the object's velocity and acceleration vectors in addition to the forces acting on it.

A
True
B
False

True or false

1 point

True or false: In an interaction with negligible net external impulse, total momentum can be conserved even when kinetic energy is not conserved.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

A student wants to test the mass–spring model $T=2\pi\sqrt{m/k}$ . Which graph and slope interpretation correctly linearize the model?

A
A plot of $T$ versus $m$ , with slope $4\pi^2/k$
B
A plot of $T^2$ versus $m$ , with slope $4\pi^2/k$
C
A plot of $m$ versus $T^2$ , with slope $4\pi^2/k$
D
A plot of $T^2$ versus $1/m$ , with slope $4\pi^2/k$

Choose one

1 point

Two carts collide on a nearly frictionless track. Which modeling choice best supports applying momentum conservation to the collision?

A
Analyze each cart separately and ignore the collision force
B
Use conservation of kinetic energy for the two-cart system in every collision
C
Analyze both carts as one system and require negligible external impulse
D
Use the normal force on each cart as the external impulse

Choose one

1 point

A force sensor has a zero offset that makes every measured force too large by the same amount. Which statement best describes the effect of taking many repeated trials and averaging them?

A
It is random error because all measurements are repeated.
B
It is random error because calibration affects the instrument.
C
It is reduced completely by taking more trials.
D
It is systematic error because a consistent calibration shift is not removed by averaging.

Choose all

1 point

A student investigates how the mass affects the period of a mass–spring oscillator. Which changes would generally strengthen the experiment? Select all correct choices.

A
Measure the time for many oscillation cycles and divide by the number of cycles.
B
Repeat trials and average the results.
C
Change the mass and spring stiffness together in every trial.
D
Use a wider range of mass values while keeping the spring the same.
E
Assume that repeated measurements eliminate a consistent sensor calibration error.

Choose all

1 point

Which statements correctly describe interpreting graphs or evaluating a physical model? Select all correct choices.

A
The slope of a velocity-versus-time graph represents acceleration.
B
The area under an acceleration-versus-time graph represents displacement.
C
A high correlation by itself proves that the proposed physical model is correct.
D
The residual is defined as $y_{\text{measured}}-y_{\text{model}}$ .
E
A curved pattern in residuals strongly supports that the model is complete.

Written response

1 point

Three measurements of a length are $0.80\ \text{m}$ , $0.84\ \text{m}$ , and $0.82\ \text{m}$ . What is the mean length? Enter the value in metres.

Fill in the blank

1 point

In an experiment, the quantity deliberately changed is the , while the quantity measured in response is the .

Fill in the blank

1 point

A model is supported more strongly when residuals are . If residuals form a , the model may be missing a physical effect.

Open ended

1 point

Design an experiment to determine the coefficient of kinetic friction for a cart sliding down a rough incline. Describe what you would vary and measure, important controls, how repeated trials and data analysis would be used, and how the results would support or challenge the model.

Choose one

1 point

A periodic mechanical wave enters a different medium. Which quantity generally remains fixed because it is determined by the source?

A
The amplitude is always fixed by the new medium.
B
The wavelength remains fixed because the source sets it.
C
The frequency generally remains fixed because the source sets it.
D
The wave speed remains fixed because it is independent of the medium.

Choose one

1 point

A force acts on a rigid object, and its line of action passes directly through the specified rotation axis. What is the torque of this force about that axis?

A
The force always produces maximum torque because it acts on the object.
B
The force produces zero torque because its line of action passes through the axis.
C
The force produces torque equal to $rF$ regardless of direction.
D
The force produces torque only if the object is translating.

Choose one

1 point

A cart's constant acceleration and displacement are known, but the forces causing its motion are not being analyzed. Which physical model is most appropriate?

A
Kinematics
B
Newton's laws
C
Momentum conservation
D
Rotational dynamics

Choose one

1 point

Which quantity should not be drawn as a force vector on a free-body diagram for a selected object?

A
The object's acceleration
B
The normal force on the object
C
The friction force on the object
D
The gravitational force on the object

True or false

1 point

True or false: Repeating a measurement many times and averaging the results eliminates a consistent calibration error.

A
True
B
False

Choose one

1 point

For an ideal mass–spring oscillator, a graph of $T^2$ versus mass $m$ is constructed. What physical quantity does the slope represent?

A
$\frac{4\pi^2}{k}$
B
$\frac{k}{4\pi^2}$
C
$\frac{2\pi}{k}$
D
$k$

Written response

1 point

In an experiment testing how the period of a mass–spring oscillator depends on the attached object, which quantity is deliberately changed?

Written response

1 point

A force of $8.0\,\text{N}$ is applied at a distance of $0.50\,\text{m}$ from an axis. The angle between the position vector and the force is $30^\circ$ . What is the torque magnitude? Enter the numerical value in newton-metres.

Written response

1 point

A quantity is calculated as $q=ab$ . The measured value of $a$ has a fractional uncertainty of $3\%$ , and the measured value of $b$ has a fractional uncertainty of $4\%$ . Using the introductory propagation-of-uncertainty approximation, what is the fractional uncertainty in $q$ ? Enter the answer in percentage points, to within ±0.1 percentage points.