Contents

1. Some comments
2. What will be on the test
3. Equation sheet
4. Test format
5. Examples of questions

1. Some comments

On problems, it is important to show how you reasoned from the information given in the problem to your final answer.  The correct final answer with units is only worth 2-3 points.  The remainder of the points are given for the quality of your solution.  You need to include the following to receive full credit:

All the information given in the problem with correct units (This may include a diagram)

A statement of what quantity you are trying to find.

State explicitly what physics principle you are using to solve the problem

Solve for the unknown quantity in symbols explicitly before numberic calculations

Then substitute numbers with units and calculate the numeric answer

Extra credit will be given for checks made to see if the answer is reasonable

Be prepared to make reasonable estimations and state your assumptions when solving problems. Be aware of significant digits in your answers. (Keep lots of digits until the final calculation, then round to the appropriate precision.)

Here are some really good tips on test taking from Dr. Richard Felder's website at North Carolina State University.

If you have ANY questions while taking the test, please be sure to ask the instructor. The purpose of the test is not to give you trick problems to catch you in an error. The purpose is to give you an opportunity to "show what you know" !  The test problems are based completely on the reading, the lectures, and the homework.  If you understand the main ideas and how to apply them, you'll do well.

Be sure to carefully review your notes, especially when we've done things that are not covered very well in the book. Looking over the individual class days linked to the calendar on the class website will also help refresh your memory. (Things to know from PHY 2048) For this test, you should be able to do the following things:

Chapter 22 Electric Charge

You will need to know the following equations and under what conditions they can be applied:

You should also know formulas for:

• area & circumference of a circle
• area & volume for a cube, a cylinder, & a sphere

You are expected to know the following conversions (rules of thumb):

• yard => meters
• miles => km
• inches => cm
• kg => lb
• quarts => liters

You should also know the following numbers to aid in visualization and estimation:

• your height and weight/mass in English and SI units
• The size of your hand
• The number of people who live in the Orlando Metropolitan Area
• The number of people in the US
• The distance from LA to New York
• The distance from Orlando to Miami
  

You are expected to derive specific equations you need from these equations listed above. You will also be given any constants and conversions you need. Unless told otherwise, you may use - 10 m/s^/s for the acceleration due to gravity.

4. Test Format:

Full period on Friday, February 7, 2003. A bonus of 5% will be awarded to any group (with active contract) whose average Test score is 75% is higher.
 

Part I
Group Problem using GOAL Protocol	25 points
Part II
Multiple Choice or short answer question, typically 4-5 parts             (no explanation required, but no partial credit either)	15-20 points
Estimation Problem	15 points
Short Essay (typically at least 1/2 page)	10 points
2 Problems based on Homework and Lecture – 15 points each	30-35 points
Total	100 points

5. Practice Tests

This link is to a test I gave when I taught this course as a SCALE-UP class at North Carolina State University. It intended only to show you the type of questions I ask on tests and to practice using what you have learned to prepare for Test 1. No solution is available, but you may discuss your solutions with me or ask questions about the problems in office hours, the review, or appointments made outside of class. Be aware that any topic discussed above in Section 2 or anything we have discussed in class, in the readings (other than recommended readings), or as homework is fair game for the test. Topics used in problems on the actual test may differ from topics covered in the practice test.

You will need adobe acrobat reader (v. 5 or better) to access the practice test. Note that some tests contain material beyond what has been covered in class so far. Our class will cover only what has been done up to the class before the test.
 
 

6. Some Practice Questions

 
Multiple-Choice Practice Problem

In the figure on the left below is displayed a grid with coordinates measured in meters. On the grid two charges are placed with their positions indicated as black circles. The charge q1 is at the position (0,1), and the charge q2 is at the position (0, -1). In the middle figure below is displayed a set of possible vector directions. On the right is a list of the components of possible E fields.
For each of the three cases described below specify: an arrow corresponding to the directions of the E field from the middle figure and a set of components from the list on the right. Each of your answers should consist of a capital letter and a small letter. (K stands for the Coulomb force constant, often written 1/4 0.) Explain your reasoning for each choice.

(a) E field at the point (x,y) = (1,-1)
(b) E field at the point (x,y) = (-1,-1)
(c) E field at the point (x,y) = (-1,0)

- This is a link to other multiple-choice problems that will help test your understanding of key ideas. The topics covered for this test can be found in Test 1. Note that some ofthese multiple-choice questions will exend beyond what we have learned so far in class and cover topics not included in Test 1.

Short essay questions

1. Can your hand attract both a positive and a negatively object (one at a time)? Explain
2. Compare and contrast the force equation for universal gravitation with the Coulomb's force equation.
3. How can you induce a net charge on an object?

GOAL & Estimation Problems

1. We know that within the limits of measurement, the magnitudes of the negative charge on the electron and the positive charge on the proton are equal. Suppose, however, that these magnitudes differed from each other by as little as 0.0001% (1 part in a million). With what force would two copper pennies, placed 1.0 m apart, then repel each other? (At 1 m apart, you may treat the pennies as point charges.)

Homework and Lecture Problems