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Sample Practice Test Questions
When light travels between two substances it bends. This is called:
refraction
Because different materials have different refractive indices, light changes speed when passing from one material to another. This causes the light to bend (refraction) at an angle that depends on the change in refractive index between the materials. The greater the difference, the higher the angle of refraction.
If the area of this square is 16, what is the length of one of the diagonals?
To find the diagonal we need to know the length of one of the square's sides. We know the area and the area of a square is the length of one side squared:
a = s2
so the length of one side of the square is:
s = \( \sqrt{a} \) = \( \sqrt{16} \) = 4
The Pythagorean theorem defines the square of the hypotenuse (diagonal) of a triangle with a right angle as the sum of the squares of the other two sides:
c2 = a2 + b2
c2 = 42 + 42
c2 = 32
c = \( \sqrt{32} \) = \( \sqrt{16 x 2} \) = \( \sqrt{16} \) \( \sqrt{2} \)
c = 4\( \sqrt{2} \)
Which of the following is igneous rock?
granite
The Earth's rocks fall into three categories based on how they're formed. Igneous rock (granite, basalt, obsidian) is formed from the hardening of molten rock (lava), sedimentary rock (shale, sandstone, coal) is formed by the gradual despositing and cementing of rock and other debris, and metamorphic rock (marble, slate, quartzite) which is formed when existing rock is altered though pressure, temperature, or chemical processes.
A ramp is an example of which kind of simple machine?
inclined plane
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.
What is -z2 + 5z2?
To add or subtract terms with exponents, both the base and the exponent must be the same. In this case they are so add the coefficients and retain the base and exponent:
-1z2 + 5z2
(-1 + 5)z2
4z2
An engineer who wants to document an electric circuit would create which of the following?
a schematic
A schematic is the proper name for a drawing of an electric or electronic circuit.
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.