PLAB 1 exam study guide (Multiple choice atm)

Which quantity is the slope of a positionversus-time graph?

A. Acceleration

B. Velocity

C. Displacement

D. Force

B

A velocity-time line rises from 0.20 m/s at 1.0 s to 0.80 m/s at 3.0 s. What is its average acceleration?

A. 0.30 m/s²

B. 0.60 m/s²

C. 0.50 m/s

D. 1.20 m/s²

A

The signed area under a velocity-time graph gives which quantity?

A. Average acceleration

B. Speed at the last point

C. Net force

D. Displacement

D

Which graph set represents constant positive velocity during a selected interval?

A. Curved x-t; rising v-t; positive a-t

B. Flat x-t; rising v-t; zero a-t

C. Straight rising x-t; flat positive v-t; zero a-t

D. Straight rising x-t; zero v-t; positive a-t

C

Which interval is most appropriate for analyzing a freely moving cart after a push?

A. Only while the hand pushes

B. After release and before the cart is caught

C. The largest starting force spike

D. The entire record including the catch

B

Repeated measurements cluster closely but all are shifted by a sensor offset. Which conclusion is justified?

A. The measurements must be accurate

B. Systematic error is impossible

C. Repeatability is good, but accuracy is not established

D. Half-range removes the offset

C

Which action best protects the equipment during a cart-motion experiment?

A. Plan a safe stopping/catching method before release

B. Let the cart fall off the track

C. Add load beyond the sensor rating

D. Pull the sensor hook sharply to test it

A

Two balls launch horizontally from the same height with different horizontal speeds. Neglect air resistance. Their flight times are:

A. Longer for the faster ball

B. Shorter for the faster ball

C. Set only by their masses

D. Equal because their vertical initial conditions are the same

D

For the horizontal-launch ball-center model used here, which height belongs in t = sqrt(2h/g)?

A. The length of the entire launcher

B. The vertical drop of the ball center from launch to impact

C. The horizontal distance to the target

D. The height of the photogate alone

B

A ball of diameter 0.0180 m blocks a photogate for 0.0120 s. Using v = d/tp, what speed is inferred?

A. 0.000216 m/s

B. 0.667 m/s

C. 1.50 m/s

D. 15.0 m/s

C

Taking right as positive, a cart has positive velocity and negative acceleration over a short interval without reversing. It is:

A. Moving right and slowing down

B. Moving left and speeding up

C. At rest throughout

D. Moving right at constant speed

A

Which statement about a half-range uncertainty from repeated identical trials is correct?

A. It is always the complete measurement uncertainty

B. It is automatically a 95% confidence interval

C. It corrects every systematic error

D. It describes the observed spread and can miss systematic effects

D

A 4.0 kg object is pulled right with 12 N while friction is 4.0 N left. What is its acceleration?

A. 4.0 m/s2 right

B. 2.0 m/s2 right

C. 3.0 m/s2 right

D. 2.0 m/s2 left

B

At fixed mass, the ideal slope of acceleration versus net force is:

A. Mass M

B. Weight Mg

C. 1/M

D. The applied force

C

At fixed net force, which horizontal variable makes acceleration a linear function?

A. 1/M

B. M2

C. Elapsed time

D. The square root of M

A

A fitted acceleration-versus-1/M line has slope 6.0 N. What does this slope represent?

A. Total mass

B. Friction alone

C. Initial speed

D. Net external force

D

If the same net force acts on twice the mass, the acceleration becomes:

A. Twice as large

B. Half as large

C. Unchanged

D. Four times as large

B

A rounded simulation display produces a small fitted intercept although the ideal model has zero intercept. What should you do?

A. Change the recorded values to force a perfect line

B. Conclude Newton’s law is disproved

C. Report the fit and discuss resolution/model limitations

D. Ignore every data point

C

At fixed launch height, horizontal launch speed increases by 25%. The ideal range:

A. Increases by 25%

B. Increases by 56.25%

C. Decreases by 25%

D. Does not change

A

A launcher intended to be horizontal is accidentally tilted upward. Which assumption is no longer valid?

A. Gravity acts downward

B. Air resistance can be small

C. Horizontal and vertical motion share one flight time

D. The initial vertical velocity is zero

D