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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens if the force of upthrust is equal to the weight of an object in water?

2. What principle does a thermostat use?

3. Under normal circumstances, what force(s) does a molecule possess?

4. How many forces hold things together?

5. What is the main idea in Part 2 of the book?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the principle of the conservation of energy state? How does Part 1 relate to that principle?

2. Upon what law of physics are the simple machines that are introduced in Part 1 governed?

3. How can electric heat keep things cold?

4. What determines if an object will float?

5. What is an internal combustion engine? Cite several examples of such engines.

6. Discuss the concept of floating.

7. Discuss the two principles upon which propellers and rudders work in a boat.

8. What is a vacuum? What is one invention that uses this principle?

9. How do power crafts control their direction?

10. What is the most common form of inclined plane in machines? How does it work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1) Which is easier: To pull something down or to pull it up? Why? What is the relevance of this question to the concept of pulleys?

2) Discuss the various types of pulleys, giving examples of each type.

3) Research the history of pulleys and write an informative essay on what you find. Consider the following questions: When were they invented? By whom? Where? How were the first pulleys made? How are they made today? What materials have they used to make pulleys in the past? In the present? Are pulleys still an important tool today?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1) Explain the basic nature of all springs.

2) What are the three purposes of springs? Give an example of how a spring serves each purpose in a tool or machine. Explain how the spring serves the purpose.

3) When is energy stored in a spring? Give an example of this. What releases that energy?

4) Research the history of springs. When were they invented? By whom? Where? How were the first springs made? How are they made today? What materials have they used to make springs in the past? In the present? Are springs still an important item today? Give several examples of tools and/or machines that use springs. Can you explain how the spring functions in each?

5) Do you think a bungee jumper uses one or more principles of springs? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1) Why is a screw an inclined plane? Explain the basic design of a screw. How does it work as a wedge? What is the value of understanding the principle upon which a screw works?

2) What is an auger? How does an auger work according to the principle of a wedge?

3) Upon what principle of physics is a drill designed? What is another tool that works upon the same principle? How are the two tools alike? How are they different?

(see the answer keys)

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