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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 factor which determines an object's ability to float?

2. What does the picture of a mammoth pulling a merry-go-round illustrate?

3. What is the transfer of heat through infrared rays?

4. What happens when you exert your strength across a longer distance?

5. What urges do molecules possess?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is an airfoil and how does it work?

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

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

4. How do the rotor blades on a helicopter work?

5. Discuss how sails are used on a boat.

6. Explain thermal radiation.

7. How does a zipper work?

8. How does the inclined plane require less strength for a task?

9. Discuss why the density of water varies.

10. How can electric heat keep things cold?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1) Define the Principle of Action and Reaction and the Principle of Suction.

2) How is the Principle of Action and Reaction related to a propeller? Explain with examples.

3) How is the principle of suction related to propellers? Explain with examples.

4) How does a sailboat use the principle of suction? How does a sailboat with two triangular sails differ from a sailboat with only one triangular sail with regards to the principle of suction?

5) Do you think the principle of suction applies to using a straw to drink? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1) Using examples, explain how a heating element works and the principle(s) of physics behind the element working.

2) Explain how heat can be used to keep things cool. Be sure to discuss both the molecular principle related to cooling and the process of cooling itself in both an air conditioner and a refrigerator.

3) Research and discuss the cultural and environmental impact the ability to cool via an air conditioner and refrigerator has had.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the following:

1) Define the term vacuum.

2) How does a thermos use the principle of a vacuum to keep things hot or cold? Why does a thermos ultimately lose its heat or cold?

3) What is combustion and how is it explained at the molecular level?

4) How do combustion machines take advantage of the principle of combustion?

5) Explain how explosives work and what components must be present in an explosive.

(see the answer keys)

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