north carolina essential standards assessment examples physics

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North Carolina Essential Standards Assessment Examples

Physics

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Physics Assessment Examples

2 NC Department of Public Instruction

Essential Standards • Physics

Forces and Motion

Phy.1.1 Analyze motion of objects.

Phy.1.2 Analyze systems of forces and their interaction with matter.

Phy.1.3 Analyze the motion of objects based on the principles of conservation of momentum, conservation of energy and impulse.

Energy: Conservation & Transfer Phy.2.1 Understand the concepts of work, energy and power, as well as the relationship among them.

Phy.2.2 Analyze the behavior of waves.

Phy.2.3 Analyze the nature of moving charges and electric circuits.

Interactions of Energy and Matter

Phy.3.1 Explain charges and electrostatic systems.

Phy.3.2 Explain the concept of magnetism.



Forces and Motion

Essential Standards Clarifying Objectives Assessment Examples

Phy.1.1 Analyze the

motion of objects.

Phy.1.1.1 Analyze motion graphically and numerically

using vectors, graphs and calculations.

1.1.1 A person in a rowboat attempts to cross a river that flows west with a

strong current. The students starts on the south bank of the river and

is trying to reach the north bank directly across. In what direction

should the student row the boat?

a. due north

b. due west

c. in a northwesterly direction

d. in a northeasterly direction

Support your answer with an explanation and reasoning for those

choices you view as incorrect.

1.1.1 The velocity time graph represents the motion of a car traveling over

a time interval of 6 seconds.

Describe the car’s motion including acceleration, velocity and

displacement over the 6 second time interval shown.



Phy.1.1.2 Analyze motion in one dimension using time,

distance, displacement, velocity and

acceleration.

1.1.1 A person throws a ball upward into the air. Which represents the

motion of the ball just after the ball leaves the person’s hand?

a. Velocity and acceleration are both upward.

b. Velocity and acceleration are both downward.

c. Velocity is upward and acceleration is downward.

d. Velocity is downward and acceleration is upward.



1.1.2 The graph represents the relationship between velocity and time for

an object.

What is the acceleration of the object?

a. 15 m/sec/sec

b. 5 m/sec/sec

c. 3 m/sec/sec

d. 0 m/sec/sec



1.1.2 A ball is thrown straight up. When the ball reaches the highest point

its velocity is zero. Is the acceleration also zero? Explain your answer

and include a velocity-time graph sketch in your explanation.



Phy.1.1.3 Analyze motion in two dimensions using angle

of trajectory, time, distance, displacement,

velocity and acceleration.

1.1.3 Which object will strike the ground first: one that is thrown

horizontally from a cliff or one that is dropped simultaneously from

the same height?

a. the one that is thrown

b. the one that is dropped

c. hit at the same time

d. cannot be determined



1.1.3 An object is thrown off a cliff above level ground with an initial

horizontal velocity of 15 m/s. It takes 4 seconds for the object to reach

the ground. If air resistance is negligible, what is the height of the

cliff?

a. 60 m

b. 80 m

c. 120 m

d. 160 m

Support your answer with an explanation and calculations.

Phy.1.2 Analyze

systems of forces and

their interaction with

matter.

Phy.1.2.1 Analyze forces and systems of

forces graphically and numerically

using vectors, graphs and calculations.

1.2.1 A spring launcher is set on the edge of a laboratory table. A ball is

launched with a horizontal velocity v1 and falls to the floor a

horizontal distance d1 from the table. A second ball is launched from

the spring with a velocity three times that of vi. How does the

horizontal distance d2 of the second ball compare to d1 of the first

ball?

a. d2=d1

b. d2=d1/3

c. d2=1.73d1

d. d2=3d1



1.2.1 Determine the net force on the object due to concurrent forces of 25 N

North and 10 N East. Explain your calculations.



Phy.1.2.2 Analyze systems of forces in one dimension and

two dimensions using free body diagrams.

Phy.1.2.3 Explain forces using Newton’s laws of motion

as well as the universal law of gravitation.

1.2.2 A football is kicked at an angle of 40 degrees above the horizontal

with a force of 5.0 N. (a) Draw a free body diagram for the ball

before, during and after contact. (b) Determine the horizontal and

vertical components of the force. Explain your calculations.

1.2.2 Draw free-body diagrams for the following examples and label the

forces. Examples: (a) Box sliding down an incline plane, (b) a person

pushing a lawn mower, (c) two boxes attached to a pulley with box 1

resting and box 2 hanging from the pulley (Atwood Machine).

Explain your diagrams.

1.2.3 Two students are pushing a stalled car.

What is the acceleration of the car?

a. 0.015 m/s/s

b. 0.020 m/s/s

c. 0.040 m/s/s

d. 0.059 m/s/s

Support your answer with an explanation and reasoning for your

calculations.

1.2.3 The gravitational force between two masses is 1.0 x 103N. If the

distance between the masses is doubled, what gravitational force

would exist?

a. 2.0 x 103 N

b. 5.0 x 102 N

c. 2.5 x 102 N

d. 1.0 x 102 N


calculations.



Phy.1.2.4 Explain the effects of forces (including weight,

normal, tension, and friction) on objects.

1.2.4 A force FA pulls on a box with a mass of m on a rough surface. W

represents the weight of the box. FN represents the normal force on

the box, and Ffr represents the frictional force.

Describe the relationship between the forces when the box moves

with (a) constant velocity, and (b) constant acceleration. .

1.2.4 A block of mass M is motionless on a frictionless inclined plane. The

mass is attached to the wall with a string. What represents the

magnitude of the tension T in the string?

a. Mg sin

b. Mg tan

c. Mg cos

d. Zero Newtons





Phy.1.2.5 Analyze basic forces related to rotation in a

circular path (centripetal force).

1.2.5 A person swings a stone attached to a string in a circle over her head.

The string makes one complete revolution every second. The tension

in the string is FT. She increases the speed of the moving stone,

without changing the radius of the circle and the string makes two

revolutions every second. What is the effect on the tension of the

string?

a. The tension is unchanged

b. The tension decreases to half the original value

c. The tension increases to twice the original value

d. The tension increases to four times the original value



1.2.5 Explain how centripetal acceleration occurs when an automobile

rounds a curve.

Phy.1.3 Analyze the

motion of objects based

on the principles of

conservation of

momentum,

conservation of energy

and impulse.

Phy.1.3.1 Analyze the motion of objects involved in

completely elastic and completely inelastic

collisions by using the principles of

conservation of momentum and conservation of

energy.

1.3.1 A 62 kg skater is skating due west at 3.0 m/s when she collides with a

42 kg skater headed east at 12 m/s. If they remain tangled together,

what is their final velocity?


calculations.

1.3.1 A 40 kg physics student is riding a 1.5 kg skateboard. He is traveling

2.8 m/s. The student jumps off of the skateboard and the skateboard

immediately stops. What is the speed and direction of the student’s

jump?

a. 2.8 m/s in the opposite direction as he was riding

b. 2.8 m/s in the same direction as he was riding

c. 2.9 m/s in the opposite direction as he was riding

d. 2.9 m/s in the same direction as he was riding


calculations.

1.3.1 A 60-kg student on ice skates stands at rest on a frictionless frozen

pond and holds a 10-kg brick. He throws the brick east with a speed

of 18 m/s. What is the resulting velocity of the student?

a. 3.0 m/s west

b. 3.0 m/s east

c. 18 m/s west

d. 18 m/s east




calculations.

1.3.1 Explain why inelastic collisions do not break the law of conservation

of energy. What is meant by “conserved in a system of objects”?

Phy.1.3.2 Analyze the motion of objects based on the

relationship between momentum and impulse.

1.3.2 A 15.0 kg object, moving at 11 m/s, crashes into a wall and is stopped

in 0.075 s.

a. Determine the impulse and stopping force on the object.

b. How would increasing the stopping time affect the impulse and

force on the object?

1.3.2 A 2.0 x 102 g mass slides across a frictionless surface with a velocity

of 41 m/s. It hits a wall and bounces back in the opposite direction at

22 m/s. If the collision takes 4.0 x 10-4

s to occur, what force is

applied by the wall on the mass?

a. -9.5 x 103 N

b. -3.2 x 104 N

c. -9.5 x 106 N

d. -3.2 x 107 N


calculations.



Energy: Conservation and Transfer


Phy.2.1 Understand the

concepts of work, energy

and power, as well as the

relationship among them.

Phy.2.1.1 Interpret data on work and energy presented

graphically and numerically.

2.1.1 A horizontal force, F, is used to pull a 5.0-kg block across a floor at a

constant speed of 3.0 m/s. The frictional force between the block and

the floor is 10 N. The work done by the force in 1 minute is most

nearly

a. 0 J

b. 30 J

c. 600 J

d. 1,800 J


calculations.

2.1.1 A force moves an object in the direction of the force.

Using the force versus position graph shown, determine the work done

when the object moves from 2.0 m to 4.0 m.

Explain your reasoning and calculations.



Phy.2.1.2 Compare the concepts of potential and kinetic

energy and conservation of total mechanical

energy in the description of motion of objects.

2.1.2 The diagram below shows a rock on the edge of cliff where h is the

height of the cliff.

If the rock rolls off the cliff, what is the kinetic energy of the rock just

before it hits the ground?

a. mgh

b. 1

20

2m

c. 1

20

2m mgh

d. mgh m1

20

2



2.1.2 A 58-kilogram pole vaulter needs to vault a height of 6.0 m.

Assuming that all his kinetic energy can be used for the vault, what is

the speed that the vaulter must be traveling in order to clear this

height? Ignore elastic PE of the bent pole.

a. 9.8 m/s

b. 15 m/s

c. 11 m/s

d. 36 m/s


calculations.

h



Phy.2.1.3 Explain the relationship among work, power and

energy.

2.1.3 Which is a correct statement about the relationship between work,

energy and power?

a. Work transfers energy. Power is the rate at which work is

done or energy transferred.

b. Work is only done when an object is moved. Energy and power

are the same quantity.

c. Power is measure of how much work can be done. Energy is a

measure of the time interval in which the work is done.

d. Energy and power are a measure of the amount of force while

work is related only to the distance an object moves.



Phy.2.2 Analyze the

behavior of waves.

Phy.2.2.1 Analyze how energy is transmitted through

waves, using the fundamental characteristics of

waves: wavelength, period, frequency,

amplitude, and wave velocity.

2.2.1 Is there a difference between the velocity of a wave moving along a

string and the velocity of a particle of the string? Explain your

answer.

2.2.1 A sound wave of 410Hz travels through air at 335 m/s.

(a) Determine the wavelength.

(b) If the frequency doubled, what would be the resulting wavelength

and wave speed?

(c) What characteristic of the wave is a measure of energy

transmitted?

Explain your answers and reasoning for calculations.

Phy.2.2.2 Analyze wave behaviors in terms of

transmission, reflection, refraction and

interference.

Phy.2.2.3 Compare mechanical and electromagnetic waves

in terms of wave characteristics and behavior

2.2.2 How will a ray of light be affected as it passes from air into water?

a. Its frequency and wavelength will increase.

b. Its frequency and wavelength will decrease.

c. Its frequency and unchanged but its wavelength increases.

d. Its frequency is unchanged but its wavelength decreases.



2.2.2 Draw wave pulses that demonstrate destructive and constructive

interference. Explain these sketches by discussing wave displacement,

direction, and amplitude.

2.2.3 What will most likely happen when a ringing bell is placed inside a

bell jar connected to a vacuum pump?



(specifically sound and light).

a. The sound intensity of the bell will increase.

b. The sound intensity of the bell will decrease.

c. The frequency of the sound will increase.

d. The speed of the sound will increase.



2.2.3 Compare sound and light waves in terms of the following:

(a) how they are produced,

(b) wave speed,

(c) interference.

Phy.2.3 Analyze the

nature of moving

charges and electric

circuits.

Phy.2.3.1 Explain Ohm’s law in relation to electric

circuits.

2.3.1 If the amount of charge that flows through a circuit depends on how

much the metal wire resists the flow of charge, describe the

mathematical relationship between current and resistance.

2.3.1 Why would a current exist in an electric circuit?

a. because the electrons collide with other particles in the

conductor

b. because the electrons collide with other particles in the

insulator

c. because an electric potential difference exists across the

ends of the circuits

d. because the amount of charge is reduced on the electrons



2.3.1 Use the diagram below to answer the question that follows.

In the circuit shown, a voltage of 6 V pushes charge through two

resistors of 3Ω each. What is the current in the circuit?



a. 1 A

b. 2 A

c. 3 A

d. 6 A

Support your answer with an explanation and reasoning for

calculations.

Phy.2.3.2 Differentiate the behavior of moving charges in

conductors and insulators.

Phy.2.3.3 Compare the general characteristics of AC and

DC systems without calculations.

2.3.2 Which is least likely to affect the resistance of an electric circuit?

a. the length of the wire

b. the insulator on the wire

c. the cross-section of the wire

d. the resistivity of the wire



2.3.2 In a good insulator, what is most likely true of electrons?

a. They are free to move around.

b. They are held close to the nucleus.

c. They move from the conductor to the insulator.

d. They move from the insulator to the conductor.



2.3.3 How are AC and DC current different?

a. Alternating current produces a flow of protons, while direct

current produces a flow of electrons.

b. Alternating current steadily flows in one direction, while direct

current flows in two directions.

c. Direct current is produced by an electric generator, while

alternating current is produced by a battery.

d. Direct current flows in one direction, while alternating

current reverses direction many times per second.





Phy.2.3.4 Analyze electric systems in terms of their

energy and power.

2.3.4 The CD player plugged into the auxiliary outlet in Ellen’s car has a

resistance of 6.0 Ω. a) How much current does the CD player draw

when it is run off the car’s 12 V battery? b) How much power does

the CD player use?


calculations.

2.3.4 How is electric power and electrical energy related?

a. Electric power is the rate that electrical energy is used to do

mechanical or thermodynamic work.

b. Electrical energy is randomly reduced by electric power to

perform work.

c. Electric energy is transferred by an insulator which produces

electrical power for heat to operate machines.

d. Electric power increases electrical energy when transferred

through a resistor in a circuit.



Phy.2.3.5 Analyze systems with multiple potential

differences and resistors connected in series and

parallel circuits, both conceptually and

mathematically, in terms of voltage, current and

resistance.

2.3.5 The diagram represents a DC circuit.

E

A

B

R1

R2

R3

The total resistance of the circuit is 10.5 Ω. R2 and R3 each has the

same resistance of 5.0 Ω. What is R1?

a. 4.0 Ω

b. 5.0 Ω

c. 8.0 Ω

d. 10.0 Ω


calculations.



2.3.5 What is the equivalent resistance of a 4.0-Ω resistor, a 5.0-Ω resistor

and a 6.0-Ω connected in parallel?

a. 0.62 Ω

b. 5.0 Ω

c. 1.64 Ω

d. 3.5 Ω


calculations.



Interactions of Energy and Matter


Phy.3.1Explain charges

and electrostatic

systems.

Phy.3.1.1 Explain qualitatively the fundamental properties

of the interactions of charged objects.

Phy.3.1.2 Explain the geometries and magnitudes of

electric fields.

Phy.3.1.3 Explain how Coulomb’s law relates to the

electrostatic interactions among charged

objects.

3.1.1 Explain why small pieces of paper are attracted to a comb that has

been rubbed through hair.

3.1.1 What does it mean to say that “charge is conserved in a closed

system”? Your answer should include an example electrostatic

system and explanation of the interaction.

3.1.2 Which is true about electric field lines?

a. They form a counter-clockwise circle around positive charges.

b. They form a clockwise circle around positive charges.

c. They radiate outward from negative charges.

d. They radiate outward from positive charges.



3.1.2 What determines the strength of an electric field?

3.1.3 What is the electrostatic force of attraction between a proton and an

electron that are separated by 3.25 x 10 -7

m?

a. 1.0 x 10-7

N

b. 1.5 x 10-7

N

c. -1.8 x 10-15

N

d. -2.2 x10-15

N


calculations.



Phy.3.1.4 Explain the mechanisms for producing

electrostatic charges, including charging by

friction, conduction, and induction.

Phy.3.1.5 Explain how differences in electrostatic

potentials relate to the potential energy of

charged objects.

3.1.3 The diagram represents three charged particles arranged in a line.

Describe the forces acting on particle 3 and calculate the magnitude

and direction of the net force. Explain your calculations.

3.1.4 What will be the effect of a negatively charged rod touching a neutral

electroscope?

a. The leaves will fall.

b. The electroscope will become positively charged.

c. There will be no change.

d. The leaves will spread apart.



3.1.4 How does charging by conduction and induction occur during a

thunderstorm? Explain your answer.

3.1.5 The electric field intensity between two charged plates is 3.00 x 104

N/C. The plates are 0.0820 m apart. What is the electric potential

difference between the plates?

a. 1.50 x 103 V

b. 1.75 x 103 V

c. 1.89 x 103 V

d. 2.46 x 103 V


calculations.



3.1.5 The diagram shows a positive test charge near a positive point charge.

What happens if a positive test charge moves from point A to point B

in the electric field? Explain your answer in reference to: potential

energy, electric potential and force.



Phy.3.2 Understand the

concept of magnetism.

Phy.3.2.1 Explain the relationship between magnetic

domains and magnetism.

Phy.3.2.2 Explain how electric currents produce various

magnetic fields.

3.2.1 Explain how an unmagnetized iron bar becomes magnetized when

placed in a magnetic field. Your answer should include a diagram to

illustrate magnetic domains and an explanation of their origin.

3.2.2 The diagram shows the magnetic field around a current bearing

wire.

Explain the relationship between the electric current in the wire and

the magnetic field (both magnitude and direction).

3.2.2. If the current in a wire is doubled, what happens to the strength of the

magnetic field?

a. Magnetic field strength is half of the original value.

b. Magnetic field strength is one-third of the original value.

c. Magnetic field strength is the same.

d. Magnetic field strength is double the original value.



Phy.3.2.3 Explain how transformers and power

distributions are application of

electromagnetism.

3.2.3 The diagram represents a simple transformer.



Explain how a step-down transformer is used to change the voltage of

power lines from 220 kV to an output voltage of 110V for electrical

outlets inside homes.

3.2.3 How does the magnetized strip on the credit card work? Explain your

answer.

3.2.3 Explain the process of electromagnetic induction involved in electric

generators.

north carolina essential standards assessment examples physics

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