Conceptual Questions

1. What happens to the electric field and the capacitance when a dielectric is added to a capacitor? Why? Draw a diagram to illustrate your explanation.

2. Compare and/or contrast electric potential energy and electric potential. Conceptually, is there a difference or are these just two names for the same thing? Explain.

3. On the passenger side all automobiles the side mirror states “object are closer than they appear.” What type of mirror is used on the passenger side? Why is it necessary to have this warning?

4. What is resonance frequency? What are its effects on the elements in an RLC circuit as well as the entire circuit itself?

5. Can anything go faster than the speed of light? Explain.

6. What is the twin paradox.

7. What is the result, as predicted by geometric optics, of light going through a double slit? Is this prediction correct? Explain.

8. What does the “phase” of a circuit mean?

9. Explain, at the subatomic level, what is happening inside the gas tubes that you used for the line spectra lab?

10. a) Compare and/or contrast fission and fusion. Conceptually, is there a difference or are these just two names for the same thing? Explain. b) Which, if any, can be utilized to create energy by humans?

11. Explain how a nuclear bomb works in terms of the radioactive source. Why does this process release SOOO much energy?

12. What is an electron-volt? Why is it used?

13. a) Compare and/or contrast the Bohr model of the atom and the quantum-mechanical model of the atom. Conceptually, is there a difference or are these just two names for the same thing? Explain. b) Where and how are each used?

14. What is an interferometer? What does this device tell us about light?