Physics 6–12 Physics 6 to 12 

Test Format and Sample Questions

The Physics 6– to 12 subject area test consists of approximately 70 multiple-choice questions. You will have two and one-half hours to complete the test.

Each of the questions will contain four response options. You will choose the best response out of the available options, and indicate A, B, C, or D.

For the Physics 6– to 12 test, a scientific calculator and a Physics 6–12 reference sheet will be provided on-screen during the test. Examinees may not bring their own calculator.

The table below presents types of questions on the exam and directs you to examples of these formats among the sample items that follow.

Table of Question Formats

Type of Question	Sample Question
Scenario Examine a situation, problem, or case study. Then answer a question, make a diagnosis, or recommend a course of action by selecting the best response option.	Question 2
Command Select the best response option.	Question 3
Graphics Examine a question involving a number line, a geometric figure, graphs of lines or curves, a table, or a chart, and select the best response option.	Question 8
Direct Question Choose the response option that best answers the question.	Question 12
Sentence Completion Select the response option that best completes the sentence.	Question 20

Sample Questions

The following questions represent both the form and content of questions on the examination. These questions will acquaint you with the general format of the examination; however, these sample questions do not cover all of the competencies and skills that are tested and will only approximate the degree of examination difficulty.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of the nature of scientific investigation and instruction in physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The work of which of the following scientists introduced the impossibility of simultaneously specifying the exact position of a particle and its momentum?

Choose an answer

1. George Paget Thomson
2. Ernest Rutherford
3. Werner Heisenberg
4. Louis de Broglie

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of the nature of scientific investigation and instruction in physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A class is learning about pendula. The teacher asks the class for a list of factors they believe will affect the period of a pendulum. After writing the factors on the board, which of the following would be the most appropriate next step for the teacher to take?

Choose an answer

1. giving students a pretest on the motion of a pendulum
2. calculating for the class the momentum of a pendulum
3. giving students appropriate materials to make a pendulum
4. calculating for the class the tension in the string of a pendulum

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the mathematics of physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The equation for electric resistance in terms of the resistivity, ρ, of a material is R = ρ ^ℓ/_A. If ℓ is length, A is area, and R is resistance, determine the units of ρ for the equation to be valid. The equation for electric resistance in terms of the resistivity, rho, of a material is R equals rho times L divided by A. If L is length, A is area, and R is resistance, determine the units of rho for the equation to be valid.

Choose an answer

1. ^Ω/_m omega over lowercase m
2. Ω • m  omega times lowercase m 
3. ^Ω/_m³ omega over lowercase m cubed
4. Ω • m³  omega times lowercase m cubed 

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the mathematics of physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The temperature at which copper melts is 1.00 × 10³ K. The temperature at which copper melts is one point zero times ten to the power of 3 kelvins. What is this temperature as expressed on the Fahrenheit scale (T_c = T − 273.15, T_f = ⁹/₅ T_c + 32)? What is the temperature as expressed on the Fahrenheit scale open parenthesis T subscript C equals T minus two hundred and seventy three point one five comma T subscript F equals nine-fifths T subscript C plus 32 close parenthesis.

Choose an answer

1. 1.28 × 10³°F one point two eight times ten to the third power degrees Fahrenheit 
2. 1.34 × 10³°F one point three four times ten to the third power degrees Fahrenheit 
3. 2.26 × 10³°F two point two six times ten to the third power degrees Fahrenheit 
4. 2.32 × 10³°F two point three two times ten to the third power degrees Fahrenheit 

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the mathematics of physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

How many farads are in 152 picofarads?

Choose an answer

1. 1.52 × 10¹⁰one point five two times ten to the tenth power.
2. 1.52 × 10⁵one point five two times ten to the fifth power.
3. 1.52 × 10^–5one point five two times ten to the negative fifth power.
4. 1.52 × 10^–10one point five two times ten to the negative tenth power.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of the mathematics of physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A force of 3.2 N is applied to an object that has a mass of 0.024 kg. According to the rule of significant figures, what is the acceleration of the object?A force of three point two newtons is applied to an object that has a mass of zero point zero two four kilograms. According to the rule of significant figures, what is the acceleration of the object?

Choose an answer

1. 1.3 × 10² m/s²one point three times ten to the second power meters per second squared
2. 1.33 × 10² m/s²one point three three times ten to the second power meters per second squared
3. 1.333 × 10² m/s²one point three three three times ten to second power meters per second squared
4. 1.3333 × 10² m/s²one point three three three three times ten to second power meters per second squared

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of thermodynamics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

This graph shows the change in a material's temperature as heat is added at a constant rate. In which of the following segments of the graph is the material in both solid and liquid states?

Temperature Change Versus Time

A graph titled Temperature Change versus Time is given. The y-axis of the graph is labeled Increasing Temperature. It has tick marks, but no numerical units. The x-axis is labeled Time (minutes). It has tick marks but no numerical units. The graph consists of five connected line segments. Line segment A B starts at the origin and goes up two temperature units and over two time units. Line segment B C is horizontal and goes over three time units. Line segment C D goes up five temperature units and over seven time units. Line segment D E is horizontal and goes over six time units. Line segment E F goes over about three temperature units and up six time units.

Choose an answer

1. segment ABsegement A B
2. segment BCsegment B C
3. segment CDsegment C D
4. segment DEsegment D E

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of thermodynamics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An ideal gas initially at pressure P and volume V goes through the cycle shown in the P-V diagram. In terms of P and V, what is the net work done by the gas per cycle?

a pressure versus volume graph is given. the y-axis is labeled pressure and it has two tick marks. the first tick mark has value p and the second has value two p. the x-axis is labeled volume. it too has two tick marks. the first tick mark has value v and the second has value two v. the graph consists of a right triangle with vertices labeled a, b and c. each side of the triangle has an arrow denoting direction. vertex a of the triangle has coordinates v comma p. vertex b has coordinates two v comma two p. vertex c has coordinates two v comma p. side ab is the hypotenuse has an arrow at its midpoint indicating a direction from a to b. side bc is a vertical line segment that has an arrow at its midpoint indicating a direction from b to c. side ca is a horizontal line segment with an arrow indicating a direction from c to a.

Choose an answer

1. ¹/₂PV one half the product of P and V
2. ²/₃PV two thirds the product of P and V
3. 2PV two times the product of P and V
4. 4PV four times the product of P and V

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of thermodynamics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

If 55.0 g of water at 80.0°C is mixed in a thermally isolated container with 45.0 g of water at 30.0°C, the final temperature of the mixture isIf 55.0 grams of water at 80.0 degrees Celsius is mixed in a thermally isolated container with 45.0 grams of water at 30.0 degrees Celsius, the final temperature of the mixture is

Choose an answer

1. 47.0°C.47.0 degrees Celsius
2. 50.0°C.50.0 degrees Celsius
3. 57.5°C.57.5 degrees Celsius
4. 62.5°C.62.5 degrees Celsius

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of mechanics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following velocity versus time graphs best represents uniform non-zero acceleration?

Choose an answer

1. The graph shows only the first quadrant of a velocity versus time graph. The y-axis is labeled with v and the x-axis is labeled with a t. There are no tick marks and no numerical values on the axes. There is a horizontal line with non-zero velocity.
2. The graph shows only the first quadrant of a velocity versus time graph. The y-axis is labeled with v and the x-axis is labeled with a t. There are no tick marks and no numerical values on the axes. There is a line starting at the origin with a slope of 45 degrees.
3. The graph shows only the first quadrant of a velocity versus time graph. The y-axis is labeled with v and the x-axis is labeled with a t. There are no tick marks and no numerical values on the axes. There is a curve that starts in the upper left hand section of the graph. At its start point, the curve is almost horizontal, and curves downward toward the bottom right hand section of the graph in an approximately circular arc. At its end point, the curve is almost vertical.
4. The graph shows only the first quadrant of a velocity versus time graph. The y-axis is labeled with v and the x-axis is labeled with a t. There are no tick marks and no numerical values on the axes. There is a curve that starts in the lower left hand section of the graph. At its start point, the curve is almost horizontal, and curves upward toward the top right hand section of the graph in an approximately circular arc. At its end point, the curve is almost vertical.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of mechanics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A ball rolling at a velocity of 8.0 m/s across a frictionless table with a height of 2.5 m falls from the edge of the table. Choose the closest approximation of time of flight in seconds.A ball rolling at a velocity of 8.0 meters per second across a frictionless table with a height of 2.5 meters falls from the edge of the table. Choose the closest approximation of time of flight in seconds.

Choose an answer

1. 0.25
2. 0.50
3. 0.71
4. 1.0

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of mechanics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A force of 50 N is applied to a 10 kg box. What is the acceleration of the box?A force of 50 newtons is applied to a 10 kilogram box. What is the acceleration of the box?

Choose an answer

1. 0.2 m/s²0.2 meters per second squared
2. 0.5 m/s²0.50 meters per second squared
3. 5 m/s²5 meters per second squared
4. 10 m/s²10 meters per second squared

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of mechanics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The mass of Mars is about ¹/₁₀ the mass of Earth, and the diameter of Mars is about half that of Earth. Based on this information, what is the acceleration of a freely falling body on Mars? The mass of Mars is about one-tenth the mass of Earth, and the diameter of Mars is about half that of Earth. Based on this information, what is the acceleration of a freely falling body on Mars?

Choose an answer

1. 3.9 m/s²3.9 meters per second squared
2. 4.9 m/s²4.9 meters per second squared
3. 9.8 m/s²9.8 meters per second squared
4. 14.7 m/s²14.7 meters per second squared

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of mechanics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A 0.350 m wrench creates a net torque of magnitude 50.0 N·m on the nut of a tire bolt. If the length of the wrench is doubled, what applied force will produce the same net torque?A 0.350 meter wrench creates a net torque of magnitude of 50.0 newton meters on the nut of a tire bolt. If the length of the wrench is doubled, what applied force will produce the same net torque?

Choose an answer

1. 49.3 N49.3 newtons
2. 50.7 N50.7 newtons
3. 71.4 N71.4 newtons
4. 143 N143 newtons

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of mechanics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Two disks with moments of inertia I₁ and I₂, respectively, are rotating on a common frictionless axis with constant angular velocities ^ω ₁ and ^ω ₂. The disks are then pushed together and rigidly connected and continue to rotate. What is the final angular velocity of the disks?Two disks with moments of inertia I subscript one and I subscript two, respectively, are rotating on a common frictionless axis with constant angular velocities omega subscript one and omega subscript two. The disks are then pushed together and rigidly connected and continue to rotate. What is the final angular velocity of the disks?

Choose an answer

1. ^{I₁ω₁ + I₂ω₂}/_{I1 + I2} roman numeral one subscript one times omega subscript one plus roman numeral one subscript two times omega subscript two all over roman numeral one subscript one plus roman numeral one subscript two.
2. ^{I₁ω₁ − I₂ω₂}/_{I1 − I2} roman numeral one subscript one times omega subscript one minus roman numeral one subscript two times omega subscript two all over roman numeral one subscript one minus roman numeral one subscript two.
3. ^{I₁ω₁ − I₂ω₂}/_{I1 + I2} roman numeral one subscript one times omega subscript one minus roman numeral one subscript two times omega subscript two all over roman numeral one subscript one plus roman numeral one subscript two.
4. ^{I₁ω₁ + I₂ω₂}/_{I1 − I2} roman numeral one subscript one times omega subscript one plus roman numeral one subscript two times omega subscript two all over roman numeral one subscript one minus roman numeral one subscript two

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of waves and optics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A wave propagates through a medium. If the individual particles of the medium move only parallel to the direction of the propagation of the wave, the wave is

Choose an answer

1. longitudinal.
2. standing.
3. traveling.
4. transverse.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of waves and optics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A person notices crests of waves passing the bow of an anchored boat every 4.0 seconds. The person measures the distance between two successive crests to be 2.0 m. How fast are the waves traveling?A person notices crests of waves passing the bow of an anchored boat every 4.0 seconds. The person measures the distance between two successive crests to be 2.0 meters. How fast are the waves traveling?

Choose an answer

1. 0.5 m/s0.5 meters per second
2. 2.0 m/s2.0 meters per second
3. 4.0 m/s4.0 meters per second
4. 8.0 m/s8.0 meters per second

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of waves and optics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following phenomena best explains the ability of fiber-optic cables to carry signals?

Choose an answer

1. diffraction of light
2. polarization of light
3. optical dispersion
4. total internal reflection

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of waves and optics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Two polarizing filters are held together. The maximum intensity of light passing through the two filters will occur when the transmission axes are aligned

Choose an answer

1. parallel to each other.
2. perpendicular to each other.
3. at 45° to each other.at 45 degrees to each other.
4. at 30° and 60° to each other.at 30 degrees and 60 degrees to each other.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 5—Knowledge of waves and optics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In a vacuum, red light has a longer wavelength than blue light. This means that in a vacuum, red light

Choose an answer

1. moves faster than blue light.
2. moves slower than blue light.
3. has a higher frequency than blue light.
4. has a lower frequency than blue light.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of electricity and magnetism

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An electron and a proton are 2.0 nm apart. What is the magnitude of the electrostatic force of attraction between the particles?

Choose an answer

1. 2.3 x 10^–29 N2.3 times ten to the negative twenty-ninth power newtons
2. 3.6 x 10^–20 N3.6 times ten to the negative twenty power newtons
3. 6.3 x 10^–15 N6.3 times ten to the negative fifteen newtons
4. 5.8 x 10^–11 N5.8 times ten to the negative eleven newtons

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of electricity and magnetism

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following diagrams best represents the electric field surrounding two positively charged spheres?

Choose an answer

1. The diagram consists of two positive charges. The charges are arranged horizontally, one on the left and one on the right, with some space between them. The electric field lines begin in the center of each charge and initially point outward in a radial direction. For the charge on the left, and in the region between the two charges, the field lines curve towards the positive charge on the right. For the charge on the right, and in the region between the two charges, the field line curve toward the positive charge on the left. If extended, the field lines from each charge will meet on the perpendicular bisector of the line connecting the two charges.
2. The diagram consists of two positive charges. The charges are arranged horizontally, one on the left and one on the right, with some space between them. The electric field lines begin in the center of each charge and initially point outward in a radial direction. For the charge on the left, and in the region between the two charges, the field lines curve away from the positive charge on the right. For the charge on the right, and in the region between the two charges, the field lines curve away from the positive charge on the left. If extended, the field lines from each charge will never touch and will be parallel to the perpendicular bisector of the line connecting the two charges.
3. The diagram consists of two positive charges. The charges are arranged horizontally, one on the left and one on the right, with some space between them. For the left charge, most of the electric field vectors begin in the center of the positive charge. Several of these field lines curve in circular arcs and terminate on the positive charge on the right. One field line goes directly from the left charge to the right charge. No field lines begin on the charge on the right.
4. The diagram consists of two positive charges. The charges are arranged horizontally, one on the left and one on the right, with some space between them. The electric field lines begin in the center of each charge and point outward. The field lines do not curve, but continue to point in a radial direction form the center of each charge. Several of the field lines intersect in the region between the two charges.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of electricity and magnetism

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following diagrams best illustrates an electroscope when a positively charged sphere comes close to the knob?

Choose an answer

1. The diagram shows a drawing of a gold leaf electroscope. The electroscope has a ball at the top that is connected by a vertical conductor to two leaves at the bottom. A positively charged sphere is close to, but does not touch, the ball at the top of the electroscope. The leaves at the bottom of the electroscope are separated and positively charged.
2. The diagram shows a drawing of a gold leaf electroscope. The electroscope has a ball at the top that is connected by a vertical conductor to two leaves at the bottom. A positively charged sphere is close to, but does not touch, the ball at the top of the electroscope. The leaves at the bottom of the electroscope are separated and negatively charged.
3. The diagram shows a drawing of a gold leaf electroscope. The electroscope has a ball at the top that is connected by a vertical conductor to two leaves at the bottom. A positively charged sphere is close to, but does not touch, the ball at the top of the electroscope. The leaves at the bottom of the electroscope are not separated and are not charged.
4. The diagram shows a drawing of a gold leaf electroscope. The electroscope has a ball at the top that is connected by a vertical conductor to two leaves at the bottom. A positively charged sphere is close to, but does not touch, the ball at the top of the electroscope. The leaves at the bottom of the electroscope are not separated and are negatively charged.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 6—Knowledge of electricity and magnetism

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

How many turns on a coil are required to produce an induced emf of 0.5 volts? (The coil experiences a change in flux linkage at the rate of 0.005 webers per second.)

Choose an answer

1. 10 turns
2. 100 turns
3. 500 turns
4. 1000 turns

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of modern physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Light of wavelength 465 nm produces photoelectrons of 1.50 eV kinetic energy when the light illuminates a metal surface. What is the work function of the metal?Light of wavelength 465 nanometers produces photoelectrons of 1.50 electron volts kinetic energy when the light illuminates a metal surface. What is the work function of the metal?

Choose an answer

1. 0.17 eV0.17 electron volts
2. 0.84 eV0.84 electron volts
3. 1.17 eV1.17 electron volts
4. 1.34 eV1.34 electron volts

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of modern physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

If a meson has a rest energy of 130 MeV, approximately how many times greater is the mass of the meson compared with the mass of an electron?If a meson has rest energy of 130 mega electron volts, approximately how many times greater is the mass of the meson compared with the mass of an electron?

Choose an answer

1. 150
2. 250
3. 350
4. 450

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of modern physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following radioactive decay processes changes neither the atomic number Z nor the mass number A of a nucleus?

Choose an answer

1. αalpha
2. β⁺beta plus
3. β⁻beta minus
4. γgamma

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of modern physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Thermonuclear fusion is the source of energy in

Choose an answer

1. stars.
2. planets.
3. rocket engines.
4. nuclear power plants.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of modern physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

What are the two basic interactions that act over a short range of distances?

Choose an answer

1. electromagnetic and gravitational
2. electromagnetic and strong nuclear
3. gravitational and weak nuclear
4. weak nuclear and strong nuclear

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 7—Knowledge of modern physics

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following observable phenomena best shows that particles can behave as waves?

Choose an answer

1. AC currentA C current
2. photoelectric effect
3. diffraction of electrons
4. annihilation

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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