Physics. Teacher certification exam

325 Pages·2008·3.528 MB·English

by  Sharon A Wynne

NYSTCE
CST
009
Physics

Teacher Certification Exam

By: Sharon Wynne, M.S
Southern Connecticut State University

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Boston
PHYSICS
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Wynne, Sharon A.
CST Physics 009: Teacher Certification / Sharon A. Wynne. -2nd ed.
ISBN 978-1-60787-894-0
1. Physics 009. 2. Study Guides. 3. NYSTCE
4. Teachers’ Certification & Licensure. 5. Careers

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Printed in the United States of America œ-1

NYSTCE: CST Physics 009
ISBN: 978-1-60787-894-0
TEACHER CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE

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SUBAREA I FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
Competency 1.0 Understands the historical and contemporary contexts of the
study of physics, including the relationships and common
themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology
and their applications to everyday life

Skill 1.1 Analyzing the role of early civilizations in establishing the foundations of
physics ............................................................................................ 1

Skill 1.2 Recognizing key events and analyzing the contributions of individuals in
the development of physics ............................................................. 2

Skill 1.3 Demonstrating an understanding of current theories of the origin,
structure, and composition of the universe ...................................... 6

Skill 1.4 Assessing the societal implications of physics ................................ 7

Skill 1.5 Applying the laws of physics to geological, chemical, biological, and
astronomical systems ...................................................................... 8

Skill 1.6 Analyzing the use of physics, mathematics, and other sciences in the
design of a technological solution to a given problem ..................... 9

Skill 1.7 Analyzing the role of technology in the advancement of scientific
knowledge ..................................................................................... 10

Skill 1.8 Evaluating the appropriateness of a variety of software and information
technologies to model and solve problems in mathematics, science, and
technology ..................................................................................... 11

Skill 1.9 Analyzing solutions to everyday-life problems that incorporate knowledge
and skills of mathematics, science, and technology
...................................................................................................... 13

Competency 2.0 Understand the process of scientific inquiry and the role of
observation and experimentation in explaining natural
phenomena

Skill 2.1 Analyzing processes by which new scientific knowledge and hypotheses
are generated ................................................................................ 15

Skill 2.2 Analyzing ethical issues related to doing science ......................... 19
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Skill 2.3 Evaluating the appropriateness of a specified experimental design to test
a given physics hypothesis ............................................................ 19

Skill 2.4 Recognizing the role of communication among scientists and between
scientists and the public in promoting scientific progress ..................
...................................................................................................... 21

Competency 3.0 Understand the processes of gathering, organizing, reporting,
and interpreting scientific data and apply this understanding in
the context of physics investigations

Skill 3.1 Evaluating the appropriateness of a given method or procedure for
collecting data for a specified purpose .......................................... 22

Skill 3.2 Selecting an appropriate and effective graphic representation for
organizing, reporting, and analyzing given experimental data ....... 23

Skill 3.3 Applying procedures and criteria for formally reporting experimental
procedures and data to the scientific community ........................... 25

Skill 3.4 Analyzing relationships between factors as indicated by experimental data
...................................................................................................... 26

Skill 3.5 Coordinating explanations at different levels of scale, points of focus, and
degrees of complexity and specificity ............................................ 29

Skill 3.6 Applying statistical techniques to analyze data ............................. 30

Competency 4.0 Understand principles and procedures of measurement and
the safe and proper use of equipment and materials used in
physics investigations

Skill 4.1 Evaluating the appropriateness of SI units of measurement, measuring
devices, or methods of measurement for given situations ............. 32

Skill 4.2 Analyzing likely sources of error in given measurements in physics
experiments ................................................................................... 33

Skill 4.3 Distinguishing between accuracy and precision in scientific measurements
...................................................................................................... 35

Skill 4.4 Using significant figures in performing calculations and expressing
measurements ............................................................................... 36

Skill 4.5 Analyzing the principles upon which given laboratory instruments are
based ............................................................................................. 37
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Skill 4.6 Analyzing hazards of laboratory materials ..................................... 39

Skill 4.7 Applying safety rules regarding electricity and electrical equipment40

Skill 4.8 Applying proper procedures for dealing with accidents and injuries in the
physics laboratory.......................................................................... 41

Competency 5.0 Understand the use of mathematics and mathematical
modeling in physics

Skill 5.1 Using mathematics to derive and solve equations......................... 43

Skill 5.2 Applying algebra and geometry to model physical situations ........ 44

Skill 5.3 Applying dimensional analysis to solve problems .......................... 46

Skill 5.4 Applying trigonometry and graphing to vectors ............................. 46

Skill 5.5 Using fundamental concepts of calculus ....................................... 49
SUBAREA II MECHANICS AND THERMODYNAMICS
Competency 6.0 Understand concepts related to motion in one and two
dimensions, and apply this knowledge to solve problems that
require the use of algebra, trigonometry, and graphing

Skill 6.1 Applying the terminology, units, and equations used to describe and
analyze one and two-dimensional motion ...................................... 51

Skill 6.2 Solving problems involving distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and
constant acceleration ..................................................................... 52

Skill 6.3 Interpreting information presented in one or more graphic representations
related to distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and constant
acceleration ................................................................................... 55

Skill 6.4 Analyzing the movement of freely falling objects near the surface of the
earth .............................................................................................. 55

PHYSICS iii
TEACHER CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE

Competency 7.0 Understand characteristics of forces and methods used to
measure force, and solve problems involving forces

Skill 7.1 Identifying and analyzing the characteristics of the fundamental forces of
nature ............................................................................................ 57

Skill 7.2 Identifying forces acting in a given situation .................................. 58

Skill 7.3 Analyzing experimental designs for measuring forces ................. 59

Skill 7.4 Applying graphic solutions to solve problems involving the vector nature of
force .............................................................................................. 61

Skill 7.5 Determining the resultant of two or more forces algebraically ....... 61

Skill 7.6 Applying the concepts of force, pressure, and density .................. 63

Skill 7.7 Applying Pascal's principle to analyze fluid statics ....................... 63

Skill 7.8 Applying Archimedes' principle to problems involving buoyancy and
flotation .......................................................................................... 64

Competency 8.0 Understand and apply the laws of motion and
conservation of momentum

Skill 8.1 Analyzing the characteristics of each of Newton's laws of motion and
giving examples of each ................................................................ 67

Skill 8.2 Applying Newton's laws of motion in solving problems .................. 69

Skill 8.3 Solving problems involving gravitational and frictional forces ........ 70

Skill 8.4 Solving problems involving force constants ................................... 73

Skill 8.5 Applying the conservation of momentum to analyze and solve problems
...................................................................................................... 74

Skill 8.6 Understanding the implications of special relativity for the laws of motion
...................................................................................................... 76

Competency 9.0 Understand and apply the principle of conservation of energy
and the concepts of energy, work, and power

Skill 9.1 Analyzing mechanical systems in terms of work, power, and conservation
of energy ....................................................................................... 78

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TEACHER CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE

Skill 9.2 Using the concept of conservation of energy to solve problems .... 81

Skill 9.3 Solving problems using the work-energy theorem ......................... 82

Skill 9.4 Determining power and efficiency as they relate to work and energy in a
variety of situations ........................................................................ 83

Skill 9.5 Analyzing energy conversions in everyday-life .............................. 83

Skill 9.6 Analyzing systems in which total energy is conserved but mechanical
energy is not conserved ................................................................ 84

Competency 10.0 Understand the characteristics of circular motion, simple
harmonic motion, and other periodic motion, and solve
problems involving these types of motion

Skill 10.1 Applying vector analysis to describe uniform circular motion in radians
...................................................................................................... 86

Skill 10.2 Determining the magnitude and direction of the force acting on a particle
in uniform circular motion .............................................................. 88

Skill 10.3 Applying characteristics of circular motion and gravitational force to
analyze planetary motion ............................................................... 89

Skill 10.4 Analyzing the relationships among displacement, velocity, and
acceleration in simple harmonic motion ......................................... 90

Skill 10.5 Analyzing energy interactions in oscillating systems ..................... 92

Skill 10.6 Solving equilibrium problems involving torques ............................. 93

Skill 10.7 Applying the relationship between torque and angular acceleration to
solve problems .............................................................................. 94

Skill 10.8 Applying the law of conservation of angular momentum to describe
phenomena and solve problems ................................................... 96

Skill 10.9 Applying the law of conservation of energy to systems involving rotational
motion ............................................................................................ 98

Competency 11.0 Understand and apply the principles and laws of
thermodynamics

Skill 11.1 Analyzing systems in terms of heat energy, internal energy, and work
...................................................................................................... 99
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TEACHER CERTIFICATION STUDY GUIDE

Skill 11.2 Applying the first law of thermodynamics to analyze energy conversions in
a variety of situations ..................................................................... 99

Skill 11.3 Demonstrating an understanding of the second law of thermodynamics
and of how the entropy of a system changes .............................. 101

Skill 11.4 Analyzing temperature and temperature scales .......................... 103

Skill 11.5 Solving problems involving thermal expansion and thermal contraction of
solids, liquids, and ideal gases .................................................... 104

Skill 11.6 Analyzing methods of heat transfers ........................................... 107

Skill 11.7 Solving problems involving heat capacity, specific heat, heat transfer, heat
of fusion, heat of vaporization, and phase changes .................... 108

Skill 11.8 Describing thermal properties of matter in terms of
molecular theory ......................................................................... 112
SUBAREA III ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
Competency 12.0 Understand characteristics and units of electric charge,
electric fields, electric potential, and capacitance; and apply
principles of static electricity to problems involving Coulomb's
law and electric field intensity

Skill 12.1 Analyzing the behavior of an electroscope .................................. 114

Skill 12.2 Analyzing common electrostatic phenomena .............................. 116

Skill 12.3 Applying Coulomb's law to determine the forces
between charges ......................................................................... 116

Skill 12.4 Applying principles of electrostatics to determine
electric field intensity ................................................................... 118

Skill 12.5 Analyzing the vector nature of electric fields and forces .............. 119

Skill 12.6 Applying principles of electrostatics to determine
electrical potential ........................................................................ 119

Skill 12.7 Applying the relationship among capacitance, charge, and potential
difference ..................................................................................... 121

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Competency 13.0 Understand and analyze characteristics of DC circuits

Skill 13.1 Analyzing a DC circuit in terms of conservation of energy and
conservation of charge ................................................................ 124

Skill 13.2 Analyzing the interrelationships among potential difference, resistance,
and current .................................................................................. 125

Skill 13.3 Analyzing factors that affect resistance ....................................... 126

Skill 13.4 Solving problems involving Ohm's law ........................................ 127

Skill 13.5 Describing how to use various meters to measure properties of an electric
circuit ........................................................................................... 128

Skill 13.6 Interpreting schematic diagrams of electric circuits ..................... 129

Skill 13.7 Analyzing work, energy, and power in DC circuits ....................... 130

Skill 13.8 Describing the properties of conductors, semiconductors, superconductors
.................................................................................................... 131

Skill 13.9 Describing the function of a solid state device in an electric circuit133

Competency 14.0 Understand magnets, electromagnets, and magnetic fields; the
effects of magnetic fields on moving electric charges; and the
applications of electromagnetism

Skill 14.1 Describing magnetic fields as the result of moving electric charges135

Skill 14.2 Applying the domain theory to the magnetization of ferromagnetic
materials ...................................................................................... 136

Skill 14.3 Determining the orientation and magnitude of a magnetic field ... 138

Skill 14.4 Determining the magnitude and direction of the force on a charge or
charges moving in a magnetic field ............................................. 139

Skill 14.5 Analyzing the behavior of a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field140

Skill 14.6 Analyzing factors that affect the strength of an electromagnet .... 141

Skill 14.7 Analyzing the use of electromagnetism in technology ................. 142
PHYSICS vii