PSC 1121 FINAL EXAM
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
Questions with Detailed Answers and
Rationales
Q1: Which of the following reasons explains why physics uses
mathematics?
A) Mathematics is a compact and unambiguous language
B) Mathematics is required for all college courses
C) Mathematics is easier than verbal explanations
D) Mathematics was invented by physicists
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Physics employs mathematics because it provides a precise,
unambiguous, and compact language for describing physical relationships
and making quantitative predictions. Mathematical equations allow
physicists to express complex relationships exactly and make testable
predictions .
Q2: A megagram is ______ times larger than a kilogram.
A) 10
B) 100
,C) 1,000
D) 1,000,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The prefix "mega-" means one million (10⁶), but a megagram
equals 1,000 kilograms (since 1 kg = 1000 g, and 1 Mg = 1,000,000 g =
1000 kg). In the metric system, each prefix represents a power of 10,
making conversions straightforward .
Q3: Which of the following types of questions would be part of the
subject area of physics?
A) What is the nature of the interaction between two objects?
B) What is the chemical composition of water?
C) How do living organisms reproduce?
D) What are the economic impacts of climate change?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Physics investigates the fundamental interactions between
objects and energy, including how objects interact, why they interact in
certain ways, and the forces governing these interactions. Chemistry studies
composition, biology studies life processes, and economics studies resource
allocation .
Q4: Which of the following is true about scientific explanations?
,A) They must appeal to well-established theories
B) They must be proven beyond any doubt
C) They cannot be changed once accepted
D) They must be understandable to everyone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Scientific explanations must be falsifiable and appeal to well-
established theories. They are tentative and subject to revision based on
new evidence. Scientific explanations do not require proof beyond doubt
(this is impossible), can be changed with new evidence, and are not
required to be understandable to all audiences .
Q5: A tentative scientific explanation that may or may not be rejected
upon further experimentation is called a(n):
A) Theory
B) Law
C) Hypothesis
D) Principle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A hypothesis is a tentative explanation that can be tested
through experimentation. A theory is a well-substantiated explanation
supported by extensive evidence. A law is a concise description of a pattern
in nature. A hypothesis may be rejected or refined based on experimental
results .
, Q6: The SI standard unit for mass is the:
A) Gram
B) Kilogram
C) Slug
D) Pound
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The kilogram is the SI base unit for mass. While the gram is
commonly used, the kilogram is the official SI unit. The slug is an English
unit of mass, and the pound is a unit of force or weight in some systems .
Q7: The density of a 100 g piece of iron compared to a 50 g piece of
iron is:
A) Twice as great
B) Half as great
C) The same
D) Depends on the shape
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Density is an intensive property, meaning it does not depend on
the amount of substance. Both pieces of iron have the same density
because density is mass divided by volume, and the ratio remains constant
for the same material regardless of sample size .
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
Questions with Detailed Answers and
Rationales
Q1: Which of the following reasons explains why physics uses
mathematics?
A) Mathematics is a compact and unambiguous language
B) Mathematics is required for all college courses
C) Mathematics is easier than verbal explanations
D) Mathematics was invented by physicists
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Physics employs mathematics because it provides a precise,
unambiguous, and compact language for describing physical relationships
and making quantitative predictions. Mathematical equations allow
physicists to express complex relationships exactly and make testable
predictions .
Q2: A megagram is ______ times larger than a kilogram.
A) 10
B) 100
,C) 1,000
D) 1,000,000
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The prefix "mega-" means one million (10⁶), but a megagram
equals 1,000 kilograms (since 1 kg = 1000 g, and 1 Mg = 1,000,000 g =
1000 kg). In the metric system, each prefix represents a power of 10,
making conversions straightforward .
Q3: Which of the following types of questions would be part of the
subject area of physics?
A) What is the nature of the interaction between two objects?
B) What is the chemical composition of water?
C) How do living organisms reproduce?
D) What are the economic impacts of climate change?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Physics investigates the fundamental interactions between
objects and energy, including how objects interact, why they interact in
certain ways, and the forces governing these interactions. Chemistry studies
composition, biology studies life processes, and economics studies resource
allocation .
Q4: Which of the following is true about scientific explanations?
,A) They must appeal to well-established theories
B) They must be proven beyond any doubt
C) They cannot be changed once accepted
D) They must be understandable to everyone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Scientific explanations must be falsifiable and appeal to well-
established theories. They are tentative and subject to revision based on
new evidence. Scientific explanations do not require proof beyond doubt
(this is impossible), can be changed with new evidence, and are not
required to be understandable to all audiences .
Q5: A tentative scientific explanation that may or may not be rejected
upon further experimentation is called a(n):
A) Theory
B) Law
C) Hypothesis
D) Principle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A hypothesis is a tentative explanation that can be tested
through experimentation. A theory is a well-substantiated explanation
supported by extensive evidence. A law is a concise description of a pattern
in nature. A hypothesis may be rejected or refined based on experimental
results .
, Q6: The SI standard unit for mass is the:
A) Gram
B) Kilogram
C) Slug
D) Pound
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The kilogram is the SI base unit for mass. While the gram is
commonly used, the kilogram is the official SI unit. The slug is an English
unit of mass, and the pound is a unit of force or weight in some systems .
Q7: The density of a 100 g piece of iron compared to a 50 g piece of
iron is:
A) Twice as great
B) Half as great
C) The same
D) Depends on the shape
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Density is an intensive property, meaning it does not depend on
the amount of substance. Both pieces of iron have the same density
because density is mass divided by volume, and the ratio remains constant
for the same material regardless of sample size .
