Questions from College Physics


Q: Explain why the electrical resistivity of a semiconductor decreases with increasing temperature

Explain why the electrical resistivity of a semiconductor decreases with increasing temperature.

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Q: One of the first signs of sunburn is the reddening of the

One of the first signs of sunburn is the reddening of the skin (called erythema). As a very rough rule of thumb, erythema occurs if 13 mJ of ultraviolet light of approximately 300 nm wavelength (refer...

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Q: When aluminum is exposed to oxygen, a very thin layer of

When aluminum is exposed to oxygen, a very thin layer of aluminum oxide forms on the outside. Aluminum oxide is a good insulator. Nevertheless, if two aluminum wires are twisted together, electric cur...

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Q: In the Bohr model, the electron in the ground state of

In the Bohr model, the electron in the ground state of the hydrogen atom is in a circular orbit of radius 0.0529 nm. How does the quantum mechanical picture of the H atom differ from the Bohr model? I...

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Q: It is sometimes said that, at absolute zero, all molecular

It is sometimes said that, at absolute zero, all molecular motion, vibration, and rotation would cease. Do you agree? Explain.

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Q: The uncertainty principle does not allow us to think of the electron

The uncertainty principle does not allow us to think of the electron in an atom as following a well-defined trajectory. Why, then, are we able to define trajectories for golf balls, comets, and the li...

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Q: We often refer to the state of the hydrogen atom as “

We often refer to the state of the hydrogen atom as “the n = 3 state,” for example. Under what circumstances do we only need to specify one of the four quantum numbers? Under what circumstances would...

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Q: Why does a particle confined to a finite box have only a

Why does a particle confined to a finite box have only a finite number of bound states?

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Q: Light of wavelength 0.500 µm (in air) enters

Light of wavelength 0.500 µm (in air) enters the water in a swimming pool. The speed of light in water is 0.750 times the speed in air. What is the wavelength of the light in water?

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Q: What is the length of a simple pendulum whose horizontal position is

What is the length of a simple pendulum whose horizontal position is described by What assumption do you make when answering this question?

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