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Sample Practice Test Questions
An inclined plane increases ___________ to reduce ____________.
distance, force
An inclined plane is a simple machine that reduces the force needed to raise an object to a certain height. Work equals force x distance and, by increasing the distance that the object travels, an inclined plane reduces the force necessary to raise it to a particular height. In this case, the mechanical advantage is to make the task easier. An example of an inclined plane is a ramp.
A a seesaw / teeter-totter is an example of which of the following?
first-class lever
A first-class lever is used to increase force or distance while changing the direction of the force. The lever pivots on a fulcrum and, when a force is applied to the lever at one side of the fulcrum, the other end moves in the opposite direction. The position of the fulcrum also defines the mechanical advantage of the lever. If the fulcrum is closer to the force being applied, the load can be moved a greater distance at the expense of requiring a greater input force. If the fulcrum is closer to the load, less force is required but the force must be applied over a longer distance. An example of a first-class lever is a seesaw / teeter-totter.
Which of the following surfaces would have the highest coefficient of friction?
concrete
Coefficient of friction (μ) represents how much two materials resist sliding across each other. Smooth surfaces like ice have low coefficients of friction while rough surfaces like concrete have high μ.
The steering wheel of a car is an example of which type of simple machine?
wheel and axle
A wheel and axle uses two different diameter wheels mounted to a connecting axle. Force is applied to the larger wheel and large movements of this wheel result in small movements in the smaller wheel. Because a larger movement distance is being translated to a smaller distance, force is increased with a mechanical advantage equal to the ratio of the diameters of the wheels. An example of a wheel and axle is the steering wheel of a car.
In a series circuit, which of the following is the same across all branches of the circuit?
current
A series circuit has only one path for current to flow. In a series circuit, current (I) is the same throughout the circuit and is equal to the total voltage (V) applied to the circuit divided by the total resistance (R) of the loads in the circuit. The sum of the voltage drops across each resistor in the circuit will equal the total voltage applied to the circuit.
Elements that belong to the same period in the Periodic Table of the Elements have the same number of:
electron shells
The rows of the Periodic Table are called periods and contain elements that have the same number of electron shells ordered from lower to higher atomic number.
If the green box weighs 20 lbs. and is 1 ft. from the fulcrum, how much weight would need to be placed at the blue arrow to balance the lever if the arrow's distance from the fulcrum is 8 ft.?
To balance this lever the torques on each side of the fulcrum must be equal. Torque is weight x distance from the fulcrum so the equation for equilibrium is:
Rada = Rbdb
where a represents the left side of the fulcrum and b the right, R is resistance (weight) and d is the distance from the fulcrum.Solving for Rb, our missing value, and plugging in our variables yields:
Rb = \( \frac{R_ad_a}{d_b} \) = \( \frac{20 lbs. \times 1 ft.}{8 ft.} \) = \( \frac{20 ft⋅lb}{8 ft.} \) = 2.5 lbs.
A __________ electric current produces a magnetic field proportional to the amount of current flow.
moving
A moving electric current produces a magnetic field proportional to the amount of current flow. This magnetic field can be made stronger by winding the wire into a coil and further enhanced if done around an iron containing (ferrous) core.
This skeletal system is common in arthropods like insects, spiders, and crustaceans.
exoskeleton
An exoskeleton (external skeleton) is common in arthropods like insects, spiders, and crustaceans.