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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 is the most common form of inclined plane found in machines?

2. What urges do molecules possess?

3. Where are wheels and axles found?

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

5. Why does a thermos lose heat?

Short Essay Questions

1. Define combustion. How is combustion used?

2. How does a zipper work?

3. Discuss the relation of effort to distance.

4. Describe how a door wedge works.

5. How can electric heat keep things cold?

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

7. Define the two elements that explosives must contain.

8. What is the main focus of the first section of Part 2, Harnessing the Elements?

9. Discuss the four types of gears.

10. What rays does the sun emit? How do those rays react to an object?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1) How do gears work? Why would you add a belt to a gear? Explain the different ways two gears can work.

2) What is the effect of speed on gears? What about size?

3) Define the four different types of gears and their purposes.

4) Research the history of gears. When were they invented? By whom? Where? How were the first gears made? How are they made today? What materials have they used to make gears in the past? In the present? Are gears 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) Describe the effect of heat upon molecules and give an example.

2) What are the three ways heat travels?

3) Define thermal radiation.

4) Define conduction and give at least one example of it.

5) Define convection and give at least one example of it.

6) Discuss the rays which the sun emits. What happens when the rays reach an object?

(see the answer keys)

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