Questions from Modern Physics


Q: A rule of thumb used to determine the internal resistance of a

A rule of thumb used to determine the internal resistance of a source is that it is the open-circuit voltage divided by the short-circuit current. Is this correct? Why or why not?

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Q: Why does an electric light bulb nearly always burn out just as

Why does an electric light bulb nearly always burn out just as you turn on the light, almost never while the light is shining?

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Q: A light bulb glows because it has resistance. The brightness of

A light bulb glows because it has resistance. The brightness of a light bulb increases with the electrical power dissipated in the bulb. Fig. Q25.14: (a). In the circuit shown in Fig. Q25.14a, the...

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Q: The freshness of fish can be measured by placing a fish between

The freshness of fish can be measured by placing a fish between the plates of a capacitor and measuring the capacitance. How does this work? (Hint: As time passes, the fish dries out. See Table 24.1.)...

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Q: Electrolytic capacitors use as their dielectric an extremely thin layer of nonconducting

Electrolytic capacitors use as their dielectric an extremely thin layer of nonconducting oxide between a metal plate and a conducting solution. Discuss the advantage of such a capacitor over one const...

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Q: The energy that can be extracted from a storage battery is always

The energy that can be extracted from a storage battery is always less than the energy that goes into it while it is being charged. Why?

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Q: Eight flashlight batteries in series have an emf of about 12 V

Eight flashlight batteries in series have an emf of about 12 V, similar to that of a car battery. Could they be used to start a car with a dead battery? Why or why not?

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Q: The two plates of a capacitor are given charges ±Q.

The two plates of a capacitor are given charges ±Q. The capacitor is then disconnected from the charging device so that the charges on the plates can’t change, and the capacitor is immersed in a tank...

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Q: Liquid dielectrics that have polar molecules (such as water) always

Liquid dielectrics that have polar molecules (such as water) always have dielectric constants that decrease with increasing temperature. Why?

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Q: Small aircraft often have 24-V electrical systems rather than the

Small aircraft often have 24-V electrical systems rather than the 12-V systems in automobiles, even though the electrical power requirements are roughly the same in both applications. The explanation...

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