Quiz

QUIZ

1. Which scale system is not traditionally used in measurement in physics?

a. Fahrenheit b. Centigrade c. Celsius d. Kelvin

Answer: b. The centigrade scale is similar to the Celsius scale but is no longer in use in science. The Celsius scale is named after the scientist who invented the scale.

2. According to the Celsius scale, what is the freezing point of water at standard pressure?

a. 273 degrees b. 32 degrees c. -32 degrees d. 0 degrees

Answer: d. The arbitrary setting for the freezing point of water at standard pressure using the Celsius scale is zero degrees. This goes along with the boiling point of water in the Celsius scale, which is 100 degrees Celsius.

3. What is the approximate value of absolute zero in terms of degrees Celsius?

a. 0 degrees b. -100 degrees c. -732 degrees d. -273 degrees

Answer: d. Absolute zero in Kelvin is actually -273.15 degrees Celsius, which is the time at which all molecular motion in gases would theoretically cease. It does not indicate the lowest temperature possible.

4. What is the zeroth law of thermodynamics about?

a. Thermal equilibrium b. Absolute temperature c. Rate of thermal transfer d. Kinetics of gases

Answer: a. The zeroth law of thermodynamics indicates that when two objects are in equilibrium and one is in equilibrium with a third object, all of the systems are in equilibrium with one another.

5. What does the internal kinetic energy of a gas molecule least related to?

a. The degrees of freedom of the molecule b. The temperature c. Boltzmann constant d. The potential energy

Answer: d. Because the assumption is that inter-molecular collisions are negligible, potential energy is not considered and only the kinetic energy is considered. This internal kinetic energy is equal to one-half the Boltzmann constant times the temperature per degree of freedom afforded by the molecule.

6. How many degrees of freedom are seen in a diatomic molecule?

a. 1 b. 3 c. 5 d. 7

Answer: c. A diatomic molecule will have five degrees of freedom. This will equal three degrees of freedom for each of the three axes plus two degrees of rotational freedom that aren’t seen in a monoatomic molecule.

7. What can be said about the coefficient of volume expansion versus the coefficient of linear expansion when it comes to substance exposed to different temperatures?

a. The coefficient of volume expansion is roughly twice the coefficient of linear expansion b. The coefficient of volume expansion is the square of the coefficient of linear expansion c. The coefficient of volume expansion is the cube of the coefficient of linear expansion d. The coefficient of volume expansion is roughly three times the coefficient of linear expansion

Answer: d. Because volume occurs in three linear components, the coefficient of volume expansion is roughly three times the coefficient of linear expansion.

8. According to Boyle’s law of gases, what is constant when the temperature is held constant?

a. Pressure multiplied by number of molecules b. Pressure multiplied by volume c. Number of molecules divided by volume d. Volume of a gas

Answer: b. Boyle’s law is a restatement of the ideal gas law which indicates that pressure multiplied by volume is equal to the number of molecules multiplied by a constant multiplied by the temperature in Kelvin. Part of this makes the assumption that, at a given temperature, the pressure multiplied by the volume will be a constant.

9. The traditional phase diagram for a substance involves what two things plotted together?

a. Pressure versus volume b. Temperature versus volume c. Pressure versus temperature d. Volume versus temperature

Answer: c. The phase diagram for a substance involves the plotting of pressure versus temperature.

10. In a phase diagram, what happens above the critical point?

a. A solid becomes a liquid b. A liquid cannot exist at any pressure. c. A solid can become gaseous. d. Gases condense into liquid.

Answer: b. Above the critical point on the pressure/temperature phase diagram, a liquid cannot exist at any pressure because the temperature is too high and there is too much kinetic energy in the system.