UNE PHYS 1010 LATEST
MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
What determines the validity of a model?
Experimental proof, even under limited situations
Which is true of significant figures?
When multiplying or dividing measured values, final answer cannot
contain more significant figures than the least precise value
Match the item with the appropriate order of magnitude of length
Grain of Sand: 10(-3) m
Wavelength of visible light: 10(-6) m
Diameter of Earth: 10(7)m
Greatest ocean depth: 10(4) m
Length of a football field: 10(2) m
Which option best describes a model?
A model is a representation of something that is often too difficult to
display directly
Why are models particularly useful in Relativity or Quantum
mechanics?
Quantum mechanical objects are too small to be observed with a
common microscope
END OF
PAGE
1
, UNE PHYS 1010 LATEST
MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
Under what circumstances is classical physics a good approximation
to modern physics?
Objects must be traveling at about <1% of the speed of light
We will be using models to represent physical concepts in this course
True
What is the area of a circle 3.102 cm in diameter?
7.557 cm^2
If a marathon runner averages 9.50 mi/h how many minutes does it
take him or her to run a 26.22 mi marathon?
165 min
A person's blood systolic pressure is measured to be 120 +/- mmHg.
What is its percent uncertainty?
1.67 %
Assuming the same percentage uncertainty, what is the uncertainty
in a blood pressure measurement of 80 mm Hg?
1.34 mmHg
END OF
PAGE
2
, UNE PHYS 1010 LATEST
MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
The sides of a small rectangular box are measured to be 1.80 ± 0.01
cm long, 2.05 ± 0.02 cm long, and 3.10 ± 0.01 cm long. Calculate the
box's volume and approximate uncertainty in cubic centimeters.
11 +/- cm>3
Calculate the approximate number of atoms in a bacterium. Assume
that the average mass of an atom in the bacterium is ten times the
mass of a hydrogen atom. (Hint: The mass of a hydrogen atom is on
the order of 10^-27 kg and the mass of a bacterium is on the order
of 10^-15 kg.)
10^11
The speed of sound in water is measured to be 1485 m/s. What is
this in mph?
3322 mph
A generation is about one-third of a lifetime. Approximately how
many generations have passed since the year 0 AD? (Hint: use Table
1.3 in the text to estimate the lifespan of a human)
100
An infant's pulse rate is measured to be 130±5 beats/min. What is
the percent uncertainty in this measurement?
END OF
PAGE
3
MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
What determines the validity of a model?
Experimental proof, even under limited situations
Which is true of significant figures?
When multiplying or dividing measured values, final answer cannot
contain more significant figures than the least precise value
Match the item with the appropriate order of magnitude of length
Grain of Sand: 10(-3) m
Wavelength of visible light: 10(-6) m
Diameter of Earth: 10(7)m
Greatest ocean depth: 10(4) m
Length of a football field: 10(2) m
Which option best describes a model?
A model is a representation of something that is often too difficult to
display directly
Why are models particularly useful in Relativity or Quantum
mechanics?
Quantum mechanical objects are too small to be observed with a
common microscope
END OF
PAGE
1
, UNE PHYS 1010 LATEST
MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
Under what circumstances is classical physics a good approximation
to modern physics?
Objects must be traveling at about <1% of the speed of light
We will be using models to represent physical concepts in this course
True
What is the area of a circle 3.102 cm in diameter?
7.557 cm^2
If a marathon runner averages 9.50 mi/h how many minutes does it
take him or her to run a 26.22 mi marathon?
165 min
A person's blood systolic pressure is measured to be 120 +/- mmHg.
What is its percent uncertainty?
1.67 %
Assuming the same percentage uncertainty, what is the uncertainty
in a blood pressure measurement of 80 mm Hg?
1.34 mmHg
END OF
PAGE
2
, UNE PHYS 1010 LATEST
MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 - 2027
The sides of a small rectangular box are measured to be 1.80 ± 0.01
cm long, 2.05 ± 0.02 cm long, and 3.10 ± 0.01 cm long. Calculate the
box's volume and approximate uncertainty in cubic centimeters.
11 +/- cm>3
Calculate the approximate number of atoms in a bacterium. Assume
that the average mass of an atom in the bacterium is ten times the
mass of a hydrogen atom. (Hint: The mass of a hydrogen atom is on
the order of 10^-27 kg and the mass of a bacterium is on the order
of 10^-15 kg.)
10^11
The speed of sound in water is measured to be 1485 m/s. What is
this in mph?
3322 mph
A generation is about one-third of a lifetime. Approximately how
many generations have passed since the year 0 AD? (Hint: use Table
1.3 in the text to estimate the lifespan of a human)
100
An infant's pulse rate is measured to be 130±5 beats/min. What is
the percent uncertainty in this measurement?
END OF
PAGE
3
