University of the State of New York

High School Department

178th examination
PHYSICS
Wednesday, June 17, 1903 - 9.15 a. m. to 12.15 p. m., only
Answer 10 questions but not more; of these 10 questions at least five must be from part 1 in
order to receive credit for part 1 and at least five from part 2 in order to receive credit for part
2. Answer 10 questions in all cases, whether credit is desired for either one of the two parts or
for both parts. If more than 10 are answered only the first 10 answers will be considered. Give
all computations in full. Do not reduce metric to other measures. Each complete answer will
receive 10 credits. Papers entitled to 75 or more credits will be accepted.
A laboratory course previously approved by the inspector, with notebook certified by the
principal, may receive 20 credits toward the examination in which case only eight questions are
to be answered, four from each part as above.
Part 1
1 Define matter. State the molecular theory of the physical constitution of matter.
2 Describe an experiment illustrating surface viscosity of liquids.
3 State the law of mechanics expressing the relations of power and weight and the
distance through which they move. Describe the three classes of levers.
4 A ball projected horizontally with a velocity of 481 feet a second from the top of
a tower situated on a level plain, strikes the ground at the end of three seconds;
show by diagram the path of the ball and find the hight of the tower.
[Make no allowances.]
5 State the conditions under which a body will float in water. Find the volume of
a body that loses three kilograms of its weight when it is immersed in water.
6 What is meant by the coefficient of friction? Describe a laboratory method of
finding the coefficient of friction of motion of pine on pine.
7 State Boyles (Mariottes) law and describe an experiment illustrating it.
8 Describe the construction and explain the operation of one of the following: common (not condensing) air pump, aneroid barometer.
9 State what is meant by the boiling-point of a liquid. Mention three conditions
that affect the boiling-point of a liquid.
10 Distinguish between thermal capacity and specific heat. Describe a laboratory
method of determining the specific heat of mercury.

Part 2
11 Describe the construction and explain the operation of an electromagnet. Mention a practical application of the electromagnet.
12 Describe the construction of an efficient lightning-rod, giving special attention
to the ends of the rod. Give a theory to account for the protective effect of the
lightning-rod.
13 Write a formula of (a) Ohms law, (b) Joules law of energy of electric currents.
Explain the meaning of each of the terms used in these formulas.
14 Describe a laboratory method of finding the relative electric conductivity of different metals. Write the following in the order of their electric conductivity: copper,
air, iron, water.
15 Describe the construction and explain the operation of some form of galvanometer.
16 Write the formula expressing the relation of the velocity of sound to the density
and elasticity of the conducting medium. Compare the velocity of sound in solids
with that in liquids. Explain.
17 Define resonance. Describe a laboratory experiment illustrating resonance.
18 Define shadow. Show by aid of a diagram the formation of an umbra and the
corresponding penumbra.
19 State the law in accordance with which light is reflected from a polished plane
surface and describe a laboratory experiment illustrating this law.
20 Define polarized light. Give a theory to account for the polarization of light.