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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. Why do electromagnets use the forces of attraction and repulsion alternately to keep machines running?

2. In the illustration of binary code, what represents the "on" number?

3. Upon what numbers are codes in a binary system built?

4. Where are the pumpkins placed?

5. In which direction do electrons always travel?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the input?

2. Discuss the three principles which govern the flow of electricity.

3. What are electrons? What does their movement create?

4. Briefly discuss the three ways musical instruments create waves.

5. How do liquid crystal displays work?

6. Where is the mammoth taken when it feels traumatized and then experiences first joy and then despondency?

7. Explain in detail the forming of static electricity.

8. What is a CPU and how is it illustrated by Macaulay?

9. Discuss the two types of lens, concave and convex.

10. What are sensors and detectors? What do they measure?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Part One, The Mechanics of Movement, states that to understand the way things work, one needs to understand the underlying principles. Discuss the following:

1) Discuss the principles/laws of physics that underpin all of the various tools and machines presented in The New Way Things Work.

2) Thoroughly discuss the wedge. How is it used? Upon what principles of physics is it based? What are some common wedges? What is the most complex wedge that is discussed?

3) How often do you think you use a wedge during the course of your everyday life? Do you think it is important to understand the underlying principles of a wedge? Why or why not? Do you think it is interesting to understand upon what basis something such as a zipper was created?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Nuclear Power is introduced as a concrete woolly mammoth anonymously left at the town gates. The story is a clear parallel to the Trojan Horse. Discuss the following:

1) Research and relate the story of the Trojan Horse.

2) What do you think is the connection between nuclear power and the Trojan horse?

3) Do you think the author is right in suggesting this connection? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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