SAT II Success Physics

384 Pages·2009·5.41 MB·English

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CCCCCOOOOONNNNNTTTTTEEEEENNNNNTTTTTSSSSS
Red Alert .....................................................1
About the Book.......................................................... 1
About the Physics Test ............................................... 2
Scoring..............................................................................3
Taking the Test ..................................................................3
SAT II Physics Study Plans ......................................... 4
Preliminary Preparations..................................................5
The 18-week Plan..............................................................6
The 9-Week Plan ...............................................................8
Panic Plan..........................................................................9
Key Formulas and Equations ...................................11
Units and Conversions............................................. 12
Diagnostic Test ...........................................13
Answers and Explanations ......................................31
Chapter 1: Preliminary Concepts.................45
Simple Equations and Algebra.................................47
Graphs...................................................................... 48
Right Triangles .........................................................52
Units and Conversions............................................. 56
Scalars and Vectors................................................... 57
Chapter Summary.................................................... 67
Chapter 2: Mechanics .................................69
Statics ...................................................................... 71
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CONTENTS
Torques.....................................................................77
Kinematics ............................................................... 80
Motion in Two Dimensions......................................87
Newton’s Laws of Motion........................................90
Work and Energy .....................................................96
Momentum.............................................................100
Circular and Rotary................................................103
Chapter Summary..................................................109
Chapter 3: Waves ....................................113
Wave Properties .....................................................115
Chapter Summary..................................................135
Chapter 4: Heat and
Thermodynamics ......................................137
Temperature...........................................................139
Thermal Properties of Matter ................................140
Thermodynamics ...................................................149
Chapter Summary .................................................160
Chapter 5: Electricity and
Electromagnetism .....................................161
Electrostatics ..........................................................163
Electric Fields .........................................................166
Electric Circuits......................................................168
Magnets and Magnetic Fields ................................179
Chapter Summary..................................................191
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CONTENTS
Chapter 6: Modern Physics .......................193
Particulate Theory of Light ....................................195
Photoelectric Effect................................................198
Relativity.................................................................201
Chapter Summary..................................................211
Chapter 7: The Atom.................................213
The Atom................................................................215
Radioactivity...........................................................224
Particles ..................................................................232
Chapter Summary..................................................234
Practice Test 1 ..........................................237
Practice Test 2 ..........................................271
Practice Test 3 ..........................................305
Practice Test 4 ..........................................337
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RED ALERT
ABOUT THE BOOK
Now that you have decided to tackle the SAT II Physics Test, you need
to develop a plan to maximize your chances of achieving a high score.
The reason you want a high score is simple. The higher your score, the
better you look to the admissions officers at the college of your choice.
The SAT II Physics Test is designed to measure the knowledge and
achievement of high school students who have completed a college
preparatory physics class. This book will help you review for the SAT
II Physics Test. If you have not taken a Physics class yet, it may be
advisable to wait until after you complete one before you progress
further.
This book is arranged in several sections, beginning with a diag-
nostic test. The purpose of this test is to identify your strengths and
weaknesses. It will also help to familiarize you with the testing method
used by the College Board. Do not skip the diagnostic test! Find a
quiet, comfortable spot, turn off the TV, computer, and music, and try to
take the entire diagnostic test within the time allotted. If you run out
of time, mark on your answer sheet where you ran out of time. Then
keep going until you complete the test.
After finishing the test, you deserve a break, so take one. But be
sure to come back after no more than 15 minutes and check your
answers. Then go back, reread the questions you missed, and try to
figure out what went wrong. Did you jump to a conclusion, misread
the question, stop at the first correct answer (sometimes there are
multiple correct answers to one question), or just not know the mate-
rial? None of these reasons is cause for serious concern right now,
because every reason mentioned can be overcome. In fact, as you work
through this book, each of these will be addressed.
Once the diagnostic test is done it’s time to settle down to your
preparation for the real SAT II Physics Test. Move on to the Physics
review and study each section as if you had to learn the material all
over again. Those sections you know well will go by smoothly and help
you to build confidence, while your review of unfamiliar terms and
concepts will allow you to learn it quickly and effectively.
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When you have finished your review, take the practice tests. Once
again, you should try to set up a test-like situation. Make sure all the
electronic toys are out of the way (besides, the College Board doesn’t
allow them), time yourself, and do your best. After you check each test,
read the explanations for those questions you missed, and for addi-
tional reinforcement, reread the Review Section that covers the mate-
rial in the question.
ABOUT THE PHYSICS TEST
The SAT II Physics Test is a 75-question multiple-choice test. The test
covers the following topics:
(cid:127) Mechanics
(cid:127) Heat/Kinetic Theory/Thermodynamics
(cid:127) Waves
(cid:127) Electricity and Magnetism
(cid:127) Modern Physics
(cid:127) Miscellaneous Topics (may include measurement, math, and history)
Nearly 40 percent of the SAT II Physics Test will test your knowl-
edge of Mechanics. Electricity and Magnetism also make up a signifi-
cant proportion of the material, accounting for about 25 percent of the
questions. Approximately 20 percent of the questions deal with waves,
and the remaining 15 percent covers the other topics listed above.
Because the material covered in high school physics courses can
vary widely, you will probably find some questions on the test that
cover topics with which you are unfamiliar. This may be impossible to
avoid entirely; however, solid preparation and review of the concepts
and information covered in this book will go a long way to helping you
navigate unfamiliar territory.
The testing procedures for the SAT II Physics Test are similar to
those you already know from your high school classroom. A few
questions will be simple recall; about half of the questions will require
you to be able to apply a physical concept for a given situation; and the
more difficult questions will require that you be able to apply multiple
concepts to multiple relationships.
In addition to a college preparatory physics course, you will also
need a solid working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry, as well
as laboratory experience. Familiarity with the metric system is critical.
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The calculations focus on simple arithmetic and will not require a
calculator.
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RED ALERT
2 Peterson’s SAT II Success: Physics
RED ALERT
S
CORING
Your score on the SAT II Physics Test will be reported on a scale of
200–800. Each question you answer correctly counts as one point. Each
incorrect answer counts as 1 point against you. Unanswered questions
4
do not count for or against you.
Clearly, the more incorrect answers you can eliminate from a set
of choices, the better your chances of finding or guessing the correct
answer.
T T
AKING THE EST
You will be given one hour (60 minutes) to complete seventy-five
questions. Because of the limited amount of time you have for each
question, it is vital that you adopt a test-taking strategy and stick to it.
There are several things that you can do to give yourself the best
possible chance to score well on the test.
Set up a study program for yourself and faithfully follow it. Do
not skip any part(s) of the program.
1. When you take the diagnostic and practice tests, make sure to
familiarize yourself thoroughly with the test directions, as they
are patterned after the actual directions on the SAT II Physics
Test you will be taking. Becoming familiar with the directions
saves you time in re-reading them on test day.
2. Quickly read the entire test question by question. Answer imme-
diately the questions you know or can do as you read through the
test the first time; skip those questions you can’t answer right
away.
3. Once you’ve gone through the entire test, go back to the begin-
ning and work on the questions you skipped. Look for answers
to eliminate. The more answers you can eliminate, the better your
chances to recognize or guess the correct answer.
4. If you finish the test before time is up, go back and look over
your answers. Only change an answer if you are absolutely sure
you have the incorrect answer selected.
5. Get a good rest the night before the test. A primary reason for
poor test performance is lack of sleep.
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