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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Under normal circumstances, what force(s) does a molecule possess?

2. What happens when molecules are squeezed or stretched beyond the boundaries of their comfortable balance?

3. What is the effort you put in combined with the distance over which the effort is done?

4. In how many elements did the Greek believe?

5. What is another type of wedge the author mentions?

Short Essay Questions

1. What determines if an object will float?

2. How does the atom bomb work?

3. Upon what law of physics are the simple machines that are introduced in Part 1 governed?

4. Discuss the concept of floating.

5. How does a ship use plimsoll lines?

6. What rays does the sun emit? How do those rays react to an object?

7. Discuss the relation of effort to distance.

8. What is an airfoil and how does it work?

9. Discuss how sails are used on a boat.

10. How does a zipper work?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the following:

1) Define nuclear fission.

2) Define nuclear fusion.

3) Describe how nuclear power is produced inside a reactor.

4) What is a chain reaction and how is the principle of a chain reaction important in producing nuclear power?

5) How can the principle of a chain reaction be dangerous? Research and see if there have been any instances when a nuclear chain reaction was not controlled and the consequences of such an event.

Essay Topic 2

Nuclear Power is introduced as a concrete woolly mammoth anonymously left at the town gates. The story is a clear parallel to the Trojan Horse. Discuss the following:

1) Research and relate the story of the Trojan Horse.

2) What do you think is the connection between nuclear power and the Trojan horse?

3) Do you think the author is right in suggesting this connection? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

1) Fully explain the principle(s) upon which the lever works.

2) Archimedes is credited with saying, "Give me a place to stand on, and I will move the Earth." This statement was made in reference to his work with levers. Discuss fully, based upon your understanding of levers in The New Way Things Work, what you think Archimedes means.

3) Research the history of levers and write an informative essay about what you have learned. Include a discussion of the way three different levers work.

(see the answer keys)

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