PHYS 165 Final Exam | Actual Exam Questions & 100%
Correct Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Physics Exam
Prep
1. What term describes the force that opposes the motion of an object?
Gravity
Tension
Friction
Normal force
2. Which factors contribute to measurement error?
Observer expectations
Incorrect measurement systems
Inadequate observer training
All of the above
3. Describe why classical physics is considered an approximation for matter
moving at high speeds.
Classical physics is only applicable to stationary objects.
Classical physics is based solely on Newton's laws.
Classical physics can explain all phenomena regardless of speed.
Classical physics fails to accurately describe the behavior of matter
moving at speeds close to the speed of light.
4. What is the definition of a scientific theory as described in the text?
A collection of observations without any explanation.
, An explanation for patterns in nature that is supported by scientific
evidence and verified multiple times by various groups of
researchers; this is a broader explanation of larger portions of
nature.
A hypothesis that has not yet been tested.
A law that describes a specific relationship in nature.
5. What does the impulse momentum theorem state about the relationship
between net impulse and change in momentum?
The net impulse on a system is equal to the change in momentum of
the system.
The net impulse on a system has no relation to the change in
momentum of the system.
The net impulse on a system is greater than the change in momentum
of the system.
The net impulse on a system is less than the change in momentum of
the system.
6. In a physics experiment, if you are analyzing the motion of a car, which
aspect of physical systems are you focusing on?
The chemical composition of the car
The behavior of objects in motion
The biological factors affecting the driver
The mathematical equations governing static objects
7. Rosa tried to pound a large nail into a board using a small hammer. Partway
into the board, the nail stopped. Rosa switched to using a heavier hammer,
and the nail went into the board easily. Why did the larger hammer work?
, The flat part of the larger hammer was wider, so it hit the nail better.
The larger hammer had more mass, so it exerted more force.
The nail could not push the larger hammer out of the way.
There is more friction between a large hammer and the nail.
8. What is the formula for calculating elastic potential energy in a spring?
EPE = k * x^2
EPE = k * x
EPE = 0.5 * k * x^2
EPE = 0.5 * x / k
9. A car starts with a velocity of +20 m/s and reaches a stop in 5 seconds. What
is the average acceleration of the car?
+4.0 m/s2
-10.0 m/s2
Zero m/s2
-4.0 m/s2
-1.0 m/s2
10. The impulse/momentum theorem states that the impulse is equal to...
the square of the momentum
the total momentum
the change in momentum
the force divided by the momentum
, 11. Describe how to find the east-west component of a hiker's displacement
given the angle and total displacement.
To find the east-west component, multiply the total displacement by
the cosine of the angle.
To find the east-west component, add the angle to the total
displacement.
To find the east-west component, multiply the total displacement by
the sine of the angle.
To find the east-west component, subtract the angle from the total
displacement.
12. An arrow in a bow has 70 J of potential energy. Assuming no loss of energy
due to heat, how much kinetic energy will it have after it has been shot?
70 J
140 J
35 J
0J
50 J
13. If a different block of wood has a mass of 600g with an absolute uncertainty
of 15g, what is the percent uncertainty for this measurement?
1.5%
2.0%
3.0%
2.5%
Correct Answers | Latest Update 2026 | Physics Exam
Prep
1. What term describes the force that opposes the motion of an object?
Gravity
Tension
Friction
Normal force
2. Which factors contribute to measurement error?
Observer expectations
Incorrect measurement systems
Inadequate observer training
All of the above
3. Describe why classical physics is considered an approximation for matter
moving at high speeds.
Classical physics is only applicable to stationary objects.
Classical physics is based solely on Newton's laws.
Classical physics can explain all phenomena regardless of speed.
Classical physics fails to accurately describe the behavior of matter
moving at speeds close to the speed of light.
4. What is the definition of a scientific theory as described in the text?
A collection of observations without any explanation.
, An explanation for patterns in nature that is supported by scientific
evidence and verified multiple times by various groups of
researchers; this is a broader explanation of larger portions of
nature.
A hypothesis that has not yet been tested.
A law that describes a specific relationship in nature.
5. What does the impulse momentum theorem state about the relationship
between net impulse and change in momentum?
The net impulse on a system is equal to the change in momentum of
the system.
The net impulse on a system has no relation to the change in
momentum of the system.
The net impulse on a system is greater than the change in momentum
of the system.
The net impulse on a system is less than the change in momentum of
the system.
6. In a physics experiment, if you are analyzing the motion of a car, which
aspect of physical systems are you focusing on?
The chemical composition of the car
The behavior of objects in motion
The biological factors affecting the driver
The mathematical equations governing static objects
7. Rosa tried to pound a large nail into a board using a small hammer. Partway
into the board, the nail stopped. Rosa switched to using a heavier hammer,
and the nail went into the board easily. Why did the larger hammer work?
, The flat part of the larger hammer was wider, so it hit the nail better.
The larger hammer had more mass, so it exerted more force.
The nail could not push the larger hammer out of the way.
There is more friction between a large hammer and the nail.
8. What is the formula for calculating elastic potential energy in a spring?
EPE = k * x^2
EPE = k * x
EPE = 0.5 * k * x^2
EPE = 0.5 * x / k
9. A car starts with a velocity of +20 m/s and reaches a stop in 5 seconds. What
is the average acceleration of the car?
+4.0 m/s2
-10.0 m/s2
Zero m/s2
-4.0 m/s2
-1.0 m/s2
10. The impulse/momentum theorem states that the impulse is equal to...
the square of the momentum
the total momentum
the change in momentum
the force divided by the momentum
, 11. Describe how to find the east-west component of a hiker's displacement
given the angle and total displacement.
To find the east-west component, multiply the total displacement by
the cosine of the angle.
To find the east-west component, add the angle to the total
displacement.
To find the east-west component, multiply the total displacement by
the sine of the angle.
To find the east-west component, subtract the angle from the total
displacement.
12. An arrow in a bow has 70 J of potential energy. Assuming no loss of energy
due to heat, how much kinetic energy will it have after it has been shot?
70 J
140 J
35 J
0J
50 J
13. If a different block of wood has a mass of 600g with an absolute uncertainty
of 15g, what is the percent uncertainty for this measurement?
1.5%
2.0%
3.0%
2.5%
