Questions from Modern Physics


Q: Would you expect the pitch (or frequency) of an organ

Would you expect the pitch (or frequency) of an organ pipe to increase or decrease with increasing temperature? Explain.

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Q: If you heat the air inside a rigid, sealed container until

If you heat the air inside a rigid, sealed container until its Kelvin temperature doubles, the air pressure in the container will also double. Is the same thing true if you double the Celsius temperat...

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Q: Symphonic musicians always “warm up” their wind instruments by blowing

Symphonic musicians always “warm up” their wind instruments by blowing into them before a performance. What purpose does this serve?

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Q: In a popular and amusing science demonstration, a person inhales helium

In a popular and amusing science demonstration, a person inhales helium and then his voice becomes high and squeaky. Why does this happen? (Warning: Inhaling too much helium can cause unconsciousness...

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Q: Lane dividers on highways sometimes have regularly spaced ridges or ripples.

Lane dividers on highways sometimes have regularly spaced ridges or ripples. When the tires of a moving car roll along such a divider, a musical note is produced. Why? Explain how this phenomenon coul...

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Q: A glass flask whose volume is 1000.00 cm3 at 0

A glass flask whose volume is 1000.00 cm3 at 0.0°C is completely filled with mercury at this temperature. When flask and mercury are warmed to 55.0°C, 8.95 cm3 of mercury overflow. If the coefficien...

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Q: Two bodies made of the same material have the same external dimensions

Two bodies made of the same material have the same external dimensions and appearance, but one is solid and the other is hollow. When their temperature is increased, is the overall volume expansion th...

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Q: Which has a more direct influence on the loudness of a sound

Which has a more direct influence on the loudness of a sound wave: the displacement amplitude or the pressure amplitude? Explain.

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Q: If the pressure amplitude of a sound wave is halved, by

If the pressure amplitude of a sound wave is halved, by what factor does the intensity of the wave decrease? By what factor must the pressure amplitude of a sound wave be increased in order to increas...

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Q: The units of specific heat c are J/kg ∙ K

The units of specific heat c are J/kg ∙ K, but the units of heat of fusion Lf or heat of vaporization Lv are simply J/kg. Why do the units of Lf and Lv not include a factor of (K)-1 to account for a t...

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