Mastering Physics Set 4 Midterm #1 Answers

What property of objects is best measured by their capacitance?

the ability to conduct electric current
the ability to distort an external electrostatic field
the ability to store charge

Consider an air-filled charged capacitor. How can its capacitance be increased?

Increase the charge on the capacitor.
Decrease the charge on the capacitor.
Increase the spacing between the plates of the capacitor.
Decrease the spacing between the plates of the capacitor.
Increase the length of the wires leading to the capacitor plates.

Consider a charged parallel-plate capacitor. How can its capacitance be halved?
Check all that apply.Double the charge.
Double the plate area.
Double the plate separation.
Halve the charge.
Halve the plate area.
Halve the plate separation.

Consider a charged parallel-plate capacitor. Which combination of changes would quadruple its capacitance?

Double the charge and double the plate area.
Double the charge and double the plate separation.
Halve the charge and double the plate separation.
Halve the charge and double the plate area.
Halve the plate separation and double the plate area.
Double the plate separation and halve the plate area.

If the potential of plate 1 is V, then, in equilibrium, what are the potentials of plates 3 and 6? Assume that the negative terminal of the battery is at zero potential.

V and V
2V and 3V
V and 0
V2 and V3

If the charge of the first capacitor (the one with capacitance C) is Q, then what are the charges of the second and third capacitors?

2Q and 3Q
Q2 and Q3
Q and Q
0 and 0

Suppose we consider the system of the three capacitors as a single “equivalent” capacitor. Given the charges of the three individual capacitors calculated in the previous part, find the total charge Qtot for this equivalent capacitor.
Express your answer in terms of V and C.

Using the value of Qtot, find the equivalent capacitance Ceq for this combination of capacitors.
Express your answer in terms of C.

What are the charges on plates 3 and 6?

+Q and +Q
−Q and −Q
+Q and −Q
−Q and +Q
0 and +Q
0 and −Q

If the voltage across the first capacitor (the one with capacitance C) is ΔV1, then what are the voltages across the second and third capacitors?

2ΔV1 and 3ΔV1
1/2ΔV1 and 1/3ΔV1
ΔV1 and ΔV1
0 and ΔV1

Find the voltage ΔV1 across the first capacitor.
Express your answer in terms of ΔV.

Find the charge Q on the first capacitor.
Express your answer in terms of C and ΔV1.

Using the value of Q just calculated, find the equivalent capacitance Ceq for this combination of capacitors in series.
Express your answer in terms of C.

The four capacitors shown in the diagram are neither all in series nor all in parallel. You can, however, identify portions of the arrangement that are either in series or parallel, as described in the following statements. Which of these statements are correct for this problem?
Check all that apply.C4 is in series with C1 and C2.
C3 is in series with C4.
C3 is in parallel with C1 and C2.
C1 is in series with C2.

What is the equivalent capacitance Ceq of the entire combination?
Express your answer in microfarads to three significant figures.

Suppose that you are given another network of the same form as the one analyzed in Part B, but with different values for the individual capacitances. How would you expect the equivalent capacitance Ceq to compare to the values of each individual capacitor in the network? Choose the statement below that is true regardless of the actual values for the individual capacitors.

Ceq must be less than C3.
The value of Ceq is not bounded by the value of any individual capacitance in the network.
Ceq must be less than C4.
Ceq must be less than C1+C2 .

V/2

2d

Find the equivalent capacitance CA of the network of capacitors.
Express your answer in microfarads.

Two capacitors of capacitance C5 = 6.00 μF and C6 = 3.00 μF are added to the network, as shown in the diagram.(Figure 2) Find the equivalent capacitance CB of the new network of capacitors.
Express your answer in microfarads.

Find Ur, the the energy dissipated in the resistor.
Express your answer in terms of U and other given quantities.

Consider the same situation as in the previous part, except that the charging battery remains connected while the dielectric is inserted.(Figure 2) The battery is then disconnected and the capacitor is discharged. For this situation, what is Ur, the energy dissipated in the resistor?
Express your answer in terms of U and other given quantities.

ΔV = 38.7 V

6.38×10^−8 J

U0 = 1/2(ϵ0A/d)V^2

U1 = 3ϵ0(AV^2)/2d

U2 = 1/2(V^2)(Kϵ0A/d)

Rank the following capacitors on the basis of the dielectric constant of the material between the plates.

Rank the capacitors on the basis of the charge stored on the positive plate.

A downward force of magnitude 5 N is exerted on the book by the force of

the table
gravity
inertia

An upward force of magnitude _____ is exerted on the _____ by the table.

Do the downward force in Part A (gravity) and the upward force in Part B (upward force of magnitude 5N exerted on the book on the table) constitute a 3rd law pair?

The reaction to the force in Part B (upward force of magnitude 5N exerted on the book on the table) is a force of magnitude _____, exerted on the _____ by the _____. Its direction is _____.

Which of Newton’s laws could we have used to predict that the forces in Parts A (gravity) and B (upward force of magnitude 5N exerted on the book on the table) are equal and opposite?
Check all that apply.Newton’s 1st law
Newton’s 2nd law
Newton’s 3rd law

Which of Newton’s laws could we have used to predict that the forces in Parts B (upward force of magnitude 5N exerted on the book on the table) and E (force of magnitude 5N exerted on the table by the book downward) are equal and opposite?
Check all that apply.Newton’s 1st law
Newton’s 2nd law
Newton’s 3rd law

First, consider a book resting on a horizontal table.

Which object exerts a downward force on the book?

the book itself
the earth
the surface of the table

First, consider a book resting on a horizontal table.

The downward force acting on the book is __________.

a contact force
a long-range force

First, consider a book resting on a horizontal table.
What is the downward force acting on the book called?tension
normal force
weight
friction

First, consider a book resting on a horizontal table.

Which object exerts an upward force on the book?

the book itself
the earth
the surface of the table

First, consider a book resting on a horizontal table.
The upward force acting on the book is __________.a contact force
a long-range force

First, consider a book resting on a horizontal table.
What is the upward force acting on the book called?tension
normal force
weight
friction

A string is attached to a heavy block. The string is used to pull the block to the right along a rough horizontal table.
Which object exerts a force on the block that is directed toward the right?the block itself
the earth
the surface of the table
the string

A string is attached to a heavy block. The string is used to pull the block to the right along a rough horizontal table.
The force acting on the block and directed to the right is __________.a contact force
a long-range force

A string is attached to a heavy block. The string is used to pull the block to the right along a rough horizontal table.
What is the force acting on the block and directed to the right called?tension
normal force
weight
friction

A string is attached to a heavy block. The string is used to pull the block to the right along a rough horizontal table.
Which object exerts a force on the block that is directed toward the left?the block itself
the earth
the surface of the table
the string

A string is attached to a heavy block. The string is used to pull the block to the right along a rough horizontal table.
The force acting on the block and directed to the left is __________.a contact force
a long-range force

A string is attached to a heavy block. The string is used to pull the block to the right along a rough horizontal table.
What is the force acting on the block and directed to the left called?tension
normal force
weight
friction

The same block is placed on the same rough table. However, this time, the string is disconnected and the block is given a quick push to the right. The block slides to the right and eventually stops. The following questions refer to the motion of the block after it is pushed but before it stops.
How many forces are acting on the block in the horizontal direction?0
1
2
3

The same block is placed on the same rough table. However, this time, the string is disconnected and the block is given a quick push to the right. The block slides to the right and eventually stops. The following questions refer to the motion of the block after it is pushed but before it stops.

What is the force acting on the block that is directed to the left called?

tension
normal force
weight
friction

What is the direction of the net force acting on the object at position A?

upward
downward
to the left
to the right
The net force is zero.

What is the direction of the net force acting on the object at position B?

upward
downward
to the left
to the right
The net force is zero.

What is the direction of the net force acting on the object at position C?

upward
downward
to the left
to the right
The net force is zero.

Which of these diagrams may possibly correspond to the situation at point A on the motion diagram?

Which of these diagrams may possibly correspond to the situation at point B on the motion diagram?

Which of these diagrams may possibly correspond to the situation at point C on the motion diagram?

Which of these diagrams correspond to a situation where the moving object (not necessarily the one shown in the motion diagram) is changing its velocity?

Consider the following situations:
A car is moving along a straight road at a constant speed.
A car is moving along a straight road while slowing down.
A car is moving along a straight road while speeding up.
A hockey puck slides along a horizontal icy (frictionless) surface.
A hockey puck slides along a rough concrete surface.
A cockroach is speeding up from rest.
A rock is thrown horizontally; air resistance is negligible.
A rock is thrown horizontally; air resistance is substantial.
A rock is dropped vertically; air resistance is negligible.
A rock is dropped vertically; air resistance is substantial.Which of these situations describe the motion shown in the motion diagram at point A?

Consider the following situations:
A car is moving along a straight road at a constant speed.
A car is moving along a straight road while slowing down.
A car is moving along a straight road while speeding up.
A hockey puck slides along a horizontal icy (frictionless) surface.
A hockey puck slides along a rough concrete surface.
A cockroach is speeding up from rest.
A rock is thrown horizontally; air resistance is negligible.
A rock is thrown horizontally; air resistance is substantial.
A rock is dropped vertically; air resistance is negligible.
A rock is dropped vertically; air resistance is substantial.Which of these situations describe the motion shown in the motion diagram at point B?

Consider the following situations:
A car is moving along a straight road at a constant speed.
A car is moving along a straight road while slowing down.
A car is moving along a straight road while speeding up.
A hockey puck slides along a horizontal icy (frictionless) surface.
A hockey puck slides along a rough concrete surface.
A cockroach is speeding up from rest.
A rock is thrown horizontally; air resistance is negligible.
A rock is thrown horizontally; air resistance is substantial.
A rock is dropped vertically; air resistance is negligible.
A rock is dropped vertically; air resistance is substantial.
Which of these situations describe the motion shown in the motion diagram at point C?

Assume the elevator is at rest. Rank the magnitude of the forces.
F3 on 1, F1 on 3, F2 on 1, F1 on 2, F3 on 2, F2 on 3, F1 on floor, Floor on F1

Now, assume the elevator is moving upward at increasing speed. Rank the magnitude of the forces.
F3 on 1, F1 on 3, F2 on 1, F1 on 2, F3 on 2, F2 on 3, F1 on floor, Floor on F1

An object cannot remain at rest unless which of the following holds?

The net force acting on it is zero.
The net force acting on it is constant and nonzero.
There are no forces at all acting on it.
There is only one force acting on it.

If a block is moving to the left at a constant velocity, what can one conclude?

There is exactly one force applied to the block.
The net force applied to the block is directed to the left.
The net force applied to the block is zero.
There must be no forces at all applied to the block.

A block of mass 2kg is acted upon by two forces: 3N (directed to the left) and 4N (directed to the right). What can you say about the block’s motion?

It must be moving to the left.
It must be moving to the right.
It must be at rest.
It could be moving to the left, moving to the right, or be instantaneously at rest.

A massive block is being pulled along a horizontal frictionless surface by a constant horizontal force. The block must be __________.

continuously changing direction
moving at constant velocity
moving with a constant nonzero acceleration
moving with continuously increasing acceleration

Two forces, of magnitude 4N and 10N, are applied to an object. The relative direction of the forces is unknown. The net force acting on the object __________.
Check all that apply.cannot have a magnitude equal to 5N
cannot have a magnitude equal to 10N
cannot have the same direction as the force with magnitude 10N
must have a magnitude greater than 10N

Every force has one and only one 3rd law pair force.

true
false

The two forces in each pair act in opposite directions.

true
false

The two forces in each pair can either both act on the same body or they can act on different bodies.

true
false

The two forces in each pair may have different physical origins (for instance, one of the forces could be due to gravity, and its pair force could be due to friction or electric charge).

true
false

The two forces of a 3rd law pair always act on different bodies.

true
false

Given that two bodies interact via some force, the accelerations of these two bodies have the same magnitude but opposite directions. (Assume no other forces act on either body.)

true
false

According to Newton’s 3rd law, the force on the (smaller) moon due to the (larger) earth is

greater in magnitude and antiparallel to the force on the earth due to the moon.
greater in magnitude and parallel to the force on the earth due to the moon.
equal in magnitude but antiparallel to the force on the earth due to the moon.
equal in magnitude and parallel to the force on the earth due to the moon.
smaller in magnitude and antiparallel to the force on the earth due to the moon.
smaller in magnitude and parallel to the force on the earth due to the moon.

Plot velocity versus time. (Figure 1)

Plot velocity versus time. (Figure 2)

Plot position versus time. (Figure 3)

Suppose that you are asked to solve the following problem:
Chadwick is pushing a piano across a level floor (see the figure). (Figure 1) The piano can slide across the floor without friction. If Chadwick applies a horizontal force to the piano, what is the piano’s acceleration?
To solve this problem you should start by drawing a free-body diagram.Determine the object of interest for the situation described in the problem introduction.

Suppose that you are asked to solve the following problem:
Chadwick is pushing a piano across a level floor (see the figure). (Figure 1) The piano can slide across the floor without friction. If Chadwick applies a horizontal force to the piano, what is the piano’s acceleration?
To solve this problem you should start by drawing a free-body diagram
Identify the forces acting on the object of interest. From the list below, select the forces that act on the piano.
Check all that apply.acceleration of the piano
gravitational force acting on the piano (piano’s weight)
speed of the piano
gravitational force acting on Chadwick (Chadwick’s weight)
force of the floor on the piano (normal force)
force of the piano on the floor
force of Chadwick on the piano
force of the piano pushing on Chadwick

Chadwick now needs to push the piano up a ramp and into a moving van. (Figure 2) The piano slides up the ramp without friction. Is Chadwick strong enough to push the piano up the ramp alone or must he get help? To solve this problem you should start by drawing a free-body diagram.

Determine the object of interest for this situation.

assume the blocks are at rest.
Find T2, the tension in the lower rope.

assume the blocks are at rest.
Find T1, the tension in the upper rope.

For Parts C and D the blocks are now accelerating upward (due to the tension in the strings) with acceleration of magnitude a.
Find T2, the tension in the lower rope.

For Parts C and D the blocks are now accelerating upward (due to the tension in the strings) with acceleration of magnitude a.
Find T1, the tension in the upper rope.