Shortcut Methods
Modern Physics:
Integer Type:
Question: What is the approximate number of protons in the nucleus of a gold atom?
Shortcut Method:
- The atomic number of gold (Au) is 79.
- The approximate number of protons is equal to the atomic number.
Solution: There are approximately 79 protons in the nucleus of a gold atom.
Question: How many valence electrons does a silicon atom have?
Shortcut Method:
- Silicon (Si) is in group 14 of the periodic table.
- Group 14 elements typically have 4 valence electrons.
Solution: A silicon atom has 4 valence electrons.
Decimal Type:
Question: What is the approximate value of the speed of light in a vacuum?
Shortcut Method:
- The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately 3 x 10^8 meters per second.
Solution: The approximate value of the speed of light in a vacuum is 299,792,458 meters per second.
Question: What is the approximate value of the Planck constant?
Shortcut Method:
- The Planck constant is approximately 6.6 x 10^-34 joule-seconds.
Solution: The approximate value of the Planck constant is 6.626 x 10^-34 joule-seconds.
Multiple Choice Type:
Question: Which of the following is not a fundamental particle of matter: protons, neutrons, or photons?
Shortcut Method:
- Photons are not fundamental particles of matter. They are quanta of light and belong to the category of bosons.
Solution: The correct answer is c. Photons.
Question: Which of the following is a vector quantity: displacement, speed, or temperature?
Shortcut Method:
- Displacement is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude and direction.
Solution: The correct answer is a. Displacement.
True/False Type:
Question: True or false: All matter is made up of atoms.
Shortcut Method:
- All matter, whether solid, liquid, gas, plasma, or even the elusive dark matter, is composed of atoms.
Solution: True.
Question: True or false: The nucleus of an atom contains protons and electrons.
Shortcut Method:
- The nucleus of an atom contains protons and neutrons, not electrons.
Solution: False.
Fill in the Blank Type:
Question: The _ _ of a wave is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second.
Shortcut Method:
- The frequency of a wave is the number of cycles that occur per second.
Solution: The frequency of a wave is the number of waves that pass a given point in one second.
Question: The _ _ of a wave is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of the wave.
Shortcut Method:
- The wavelength of a wave is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs.
Solution: The wavelength of a wave is the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of the wave.