PS/PHYSICS

The University of the State of New York

REGENTS HIGH SCHOOL EXAMINATION

PHYSICAL SETTING
PHYSICS
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 — 1:15 to 4:15 p.m., only

The possession or use of any communications device is strictly prohibited when taking this
examination. If you have or use any communications device, no matter how briefly, your
examination will be invalidated and no score will be calculated for you.

Answer all questions in all parts of this examination according to the directions
provided in the examination booklet.

A separate answer sheet for Part A and Part B–1 has been provided to you.
Follow the instructions from the proctor for completing the student information on
your answer sheet. Record your answers to the Part A and Part B–1 multiple-choice
questions on this separate answer sheet. Record your answers for the questions in
Part B–2 and Part C in your separate answer booklet. Be sure to fill in the heading on
the front of your answer booklet.

All answers in your answer booklet should be written in pen, except for graphs
and drawings, which should be done in pencil. You may use scrap paper to work out
the answers to the questions, but be sure to record all your answers on your separate
answer sheet or in your answer booklet as directed.

When you have completed the examination, you must sign the statement printed
on your separate answer sheet, indicating that you had no unlawful knowledge of the
questions or answers prior to the examination and that you have neither given nor
received assistance in answering any of the questions during the examination. Your
answer sheet and answer booklet cannot be accepted if you fail to sign this
declaration.

Notice. . .
A scientific or graphing calculator, a centimeter ruler, a protractor, and a copy of the 2006
Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics, which you may need to answer some
questions in this examination, must be available for your use while taking this examination.

DO NOT OPEN THIS EXAMINATION BOOKLET UNTIL THE SIGNAL IS GIVEN.

PS/PHYSICS
 Part A
Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (1–35): For each statement or question, choose the word or expression that, of those given, best
completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions may require the use of the 2006 Edition
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics. Record your answers on your separate answer sheet.

1 Which pair of quantities represent scalar 6 An object is moving with constant speed in a
quantities? circular path. The object’s centripetal
(1) displacement and velocity acceleration remains constant in
(2) displacement and time (1) magnitude, only
(3) energy and velocity (2) direction, only
(4) energy and time (3) both magnitude and direction
(4) neither magnitude nor direction
2 A sailboat on a lake sails 40. meters north and
then sails 40. meters due east. Compared to its 7 As shown in the diagram below, a rope attached
starting position, the new position of the sailboat to a 500.-kilogram crate is used to exert a force of
is 45 newtons at an angle of 65 degrees above the
(1) 40. m due east (3) 57 m northeast horizontal.
(2) 40. m due north (4) 80. m northeast
45 N

3 A ball is thrown straight upward from the surface

of Earth. Which statement best describes the
ball’s velocity and acceleration at the top of its 65°
flight?
(1) Both velocity and acceleration are zero. 500. kg
(2) Velocity is zero and acceleration is nonzero.
(3) Velocity is nonzero and acceleration is zero.
(4) Both velocity and acceleration are not zero.
The horizontal component of the force acting
4 As a student runs a plastic comb through her on the crate is
hair, the comb acquires a negative electric (1) 19 N (3) 210 N
charge. This charge results from the transfer of (2) 41 N (4) 450 N
(1) protons from the comb to her hair
(2) protons from her hair to the comb 8 A spring with a spring constant of 68 newtons per
(3) electrons from the comb to her hair meter hangs from a ceiling. When a 12-newton
(4) electrons from her hair to the comb downward force is applied to the free end of the
spring, the spring stretches a total distance of
5 How would the mass and weight of an object on (1) 0.18 m (3) 5.7 m
the Moon compare to the mass and weight of the (2) 0.59 m (4) 820 m
same object on Earth?
(1) Mass and weight would both be less on the
Moon.
(2) Mass would be the same but its weight
would be less on the Moon.
(3) Mass would be less on the Moon and its
weight would be the same.
(4) Mass and weight would both be the same on
the Moon.
P.S./Physics–June ’19 [2]
 9 As a student walks downhill at constant speed, 14 A total charge of 100. coulombs flows past a
his gravitational potential energy fixed point in a circuit every 500. seconds. What
(1) increases and his kinetic energy increases is the current at this point in the circuit?
(2) increases and his kinetic energy remains the (1) 0.200 A (3) 5.00 × 104 A
same (2) 5.00 A (4) 1.25 × 1018 A
(3) decreases and his kinetic energy increases
(4) decreases and his kinetic energy remains the
15 An aluminum wire of length 1.0 meter has a
same
resistance of 9.0 × 10–3 ohm. If the wire were cut
into two equal lengths, each length would have a
10 When 150 joules of work is done on a system by resistance of
an external force of 15 newtons in 20. seconds, (1) 2.8 × 10–8 Ω (3) 9.0 × 10–3 Ω
the total energy of that system increases by (2) 4.5 × 10 Ω
–3 (4) 1.8 × 10–2 Ω
(1) 1.5 × 102 J (3) 3.0 × 102 J
(2) 2.0 × 10 J
2 (4) 2.3 × 103 J
16 In an operating electrical circuit, the source of
potential difference could be
11 A person on a ledge throws a ball vertically (1) a voltmeter (3) an ammeter
downward, striking the ground below the ledge (2) a battery (4) a resistor
with 200 joules of kinetic energy. The person
then throws an identical ball vertically upward at
the same initial speed from the same point. 17 A lightbulb with a resistance of 2.9 ohms is
What is the kinetic energy of the second ball operated using a 1.5-volt battery. At what rate is
when it hits the ground? [Neglect friction.] electrical energy transformed in the lightbulb?
(1) 200 J (3) less than 200 J (1) 0.52 W (3) 4.4 W
(2) 400 J (4) more than 400 J (2) 0.78 W (4) 6.5 W

12 Two construction cranes are used to lift identical 18 A 40.0-kilogram child exerts a 100.-newton force
1200-kilogram loads of bricks the same vertical on a 50.0-kilogram object. The magnitude of the
distance. The first crane lifts the bricks in force that the object exerts on the child is
20. seconds and the second crane lifts the bricks (1) 0.0 N (3) 100. N
in 40. seconds. Compared to the power (2) 80.0 N (4) 125 N
developed by the first crane, the power
developed by the second crane is
(1) the same (3) half as great
(2) twice as great (4) four times as great

13 An ionized calcium atom has a charge of

+2 elementary charges. If this ion is accelerated
through a potential difference of 2.0 × 103 volts,
the ion’s change in kinetic energy will be
(1) 1.0 × 103 eV (3) 3.0 × 103 eV
(2) 2.0 × 10 eV
3 (4) 4.0 × 103 eV

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [3] [OVER]

 19 Two identical stationary bar magnets are 22 A wave generator produces straight, parallel
arranged as shown in the diagram below. wave fronts in a shallow tank of uniform-depth
water. As the frequency of vibration of the
generator increases, which characteristic of the
N S P wave will always decrease?
(1) amplitude (3) wavelength
(2) phase (4) speed

23 A space probe produces a radio signal pulse. If

the pulse reaches Earth 12.3 seconds after it is
emitted by the probe, what is the distance from

S
the probe to Earth?
(1) 3.71 × 102 m (3) 4.10 × 108 m
(2) 4.07 × 10 m
3 (4) 3.69 × 109 m

24 The diagram below represents a light ray

reflecting from a plane mirror.
N

Normal

What is the direction of the magnetic field at Light

ray 70° 70°
point P?
20° 20°
Plane mirror

(1) (3) The angle of reflection for this light ray is

(1) 20° (3) 140°
(2) 70° (4) 160°

25 A light wave travels from one medium into a

(2) (4) second medium with a greater absolute index of
refraction. Which characteristic of the wave can
not change as the wave enters the second
20 A student claps his hands once to produce a medium?
sudden loud sound that travels through the air.
This sound is classified as a (1) frequency (3) direction
(2) speed (4) wavelength
(1) longitudinal mechanical wave
(2) longitudinal electromagnetic wave
(3) transverse mechanical wave 26 The speed of light ( f = 5.09 × 1014 Hz) in glycerol
(4) transverse electromagnetic wave is
(1) 1.70 × 106 m/s (3) 3.00 × 108 m/s
21 A student generates water waves in a pool of (2) 2.04 × 10 m/s
8 (4) 4.41 × 108 m/s
water. In order to increase the energy carried by
the waves, the student should generate waves
with a
(1) greater amplitude
(2) higher frequency
(3) greater wavelength
(4) longer period
P.S./Physics–June ’19 [4]
 27 The diagram below represents a standing wave 29 Which diagram represents diffraction of wave
produced in a string by a vibrating wave fronts as they encounter an obstacle?
generator.

Support
rod

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

Wave
generator 30 Which types of forces exist between the two
protons in a helium nucleus?
(1) a repulsive electrostatic force and a repulsive
gravitational force
How many antinodes are shown in this (2) a repulsive electrostatic force and an
standing wave? attractive strong nuclear force
(3) an attractive electrostatic force and an
(1) 6 (3) 3 attractive gravitational force
(2) 2 (4) 4 (4) an attractive electrostatic force and an
attractive strong nuclear force
28 The Doppler effect is best described as the
(1) bending of waves as they pass by obstacles or 31 A meson could be composed of
through openings (1) a top quark and a bottom quark
(2) change in speed of a wave as the wave moves (2) an electron and an antielectron
from one medium to another (3) a strange quark and an anticharm quark
(3) creation of a standing wave from two waves (4) an up quark and a muon
traveling in opposite directions in the same
medium
(4) shift in the observed frequency and wave-
length of a wave caused by the relative
motion between the wave’s source and an
observer

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [5] [OVER]

 32 An electron in an excited mercury atom is in 35 A particle enters the electric field between two
energy level g. What is the minimum energy oppositely charged parallel plates, as
required to ionize this atom? represented in the diagram below.
(1) 0.20 eV (3) 2.48 eV
(2) 0.91 eV (4) 7.90 eV + + + + +

v
33 A student is standing in an elevator that travels Particle
from the first floor to the tenth floor of a
building. The student exerts the greatest force _ _ _ _ _
on the floor of the elevator when the elevator is
(1) accelerating upward as it leaves the first Which particle will be deflected toward the
floor positive plate as it enters the electric field?
(2) slowing down as it approaches the tenth
(1) photon (3) electron
floor
(2) proton (4) neutrino
(3) moving upward at constant speed
(4) at rest on the first floor

34 At the bottom of a hill, a car has an initial

velocity of +16.0 meters per second. The car is
uniformly accelerated at −2.20 meters per
second squared for 5.00 seconds as it moves up
the hill. How far does the car travel during this
5.00-second interval?
(1) 107 m (3) 52.5 m
(2) 74.5 m (4) 25.0 m

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [6]

 Part B–1

Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (36–50): For each statement or question, choose the word or expression that, of those given, best
completes the statement or answers the question. Some questions may require the use of the 2006 Edition
Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics. Record your answers on your separate answer sheet.

36 As represented in the diagram below, an object of mass m, located on the surface of the Moon, is attracted
to the Moon with a gravitational force, F.

2m
r

(Not drawn to scale)

An object of mass 2m, at an altitude equal to the Moon’s radius, r, above the surface of the Moon, is
attracted to the Moon with a gravitational force of
(1) F (3) F/2
(2) 2F (4) F/4

37 The graph below represents the relationship between velocity and time for an object moving along a
straight line.

Velocity vs. Time

40.

30.
Velocity (m/s)

20.

10.

0.0 Time (s)

1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
–10.

–20.

What is the magnitude of the object’s acceleration?

(1) 5.0 m/s2 (3) 10. m/s2
(2) 8.0 m/s2 (4) 20. m/s2

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [7] [OVER]

 38 Two muons would have a combined charge of
(1) −3.2 × 10−19 C (3) 0 C
(2) −1.6 × 10−19 C (4) +3.2 × 10−19 C

39 A 1.47-newton baseball is dropped from a height of 10.0 meters and falls through the air to the ground. The
kinetic energy of the ball is 12.0 joules the instant before the ball strikes the ground. The maximum amount
of mechanical energy converted to internal energy during the fall is
(1) 2.7 J (3) 14.7 J
(2) 12.0 J (4) 26.7 J

40 A projectile lands at the same height from which it was launched. Which initial velocity will result in the
greatest horizontal displacement of the projectile? [Neglect friction.]

vi = 20. m/s

vi = 10. m/s

45° 45°
Horizontal Horizontal
(1) (3)
vi = 20. m/s

vi = 10. m/s
30° 60°
Horizontal Horizontal
(2) (4)

41 A 5.0-kilogram box is sliding across a level floor. The box is acted upon by a force of 27 newtons east and a
frictional force of 17 newtons west. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the box?
(1) 0.50 m/s2 (3) 8.8 m/s2
(2) 2.0 m/s 2 (4) 10. m/s2

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [8]

 42 The diagram below represents a 2.0-kilogram toy car moving at a constant speed of 3.0 meters per second
counterclockwise in a circular path with a radius of 2.0 meters.

W E

m
Toy car

0
2.
S

r=
At the instant shown in the diagram, the centripetal force acting on the car is
(1) 4.5 N north (3) 9.0 N north
(2) 4.5 N west (4) 9.0 N west

43 In which electric circuit would the voltmeter read 10 volts?

V
V V V
1Ω
1Ω 1Ω 1Ω 1Ω 1Ω 1Ω
1Ω

20 V 20 V 10 V 10 V
(1) (2) (3) (4)

44 The lambda baryon has the quark composition uds. Which particle has the same electric charge as the
lambda baryon?
(1) neutron (3) proton
(2) electron (4) antimuon

45 How many kilograms of matter would have to be converted into energy to produce 24.0 megajoules of
energy?
(1) 2.67 × 10−16 kg (3) 8.00 × 10−8 kg
(2) 2.67 × 10−10 kg (4) 8.00 × 10−2 kg

46 A red photon in the bright-line spectrum of hydrogen gas has an energy of 3.02 × 10−19 joule.
What energy-level transition does an electron in a hydrogen atom undergo to produce this photon?
(1) n = 3 to n = 2 (3) n = 5 to n = 2
(2) n = 4 to n = 2 (4) n = 6 to n = 2

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [9] [OVER]

 47 In the diagram below, a negatively charged rod is placed between, but does not touch, identical small metal
spheres R and S hanging from insulating threads.

R S

What can be concluded if the rod repels sphere R but attracts sphere S?
(1) Sphere R must be negative and sphere S must be positive.
(2) Sphere R must be negative and sphere S may be positive or neutral.
(3) Sphere R must be positive and sphere S must be negative.
(4) Sphere R must be positive and sphere S may be negative or neutral.

48 The amount of electric energy consumed by a 60.0-watt lightbulb for 1.00 minute could lift a 10.0 newton
object to a maximum vertical height of
(1) 6.00 m (3) 360. m
(2) 36.7 m (4) 600. m

49 Microwaves can have a wavelength closest to the

(1) radius of Earth (3) length of a football field
(2) height of Mount Everest (4) length of a physics student’s thumb

50 Two pulses approach each other in a uniform medium, as represented in the diagram below.

Which diagram best represents the superposition of the two pulses when the pulses overlap?

(1) (2) (3) (4)

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [10]

 Part B–2
Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (51-65): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions may
require the use of the 2006 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics.

Base your answers to questions 51 through 53 on the information below and on your knowledge of physics.

A toy launcher that is used to launch small plastic spheres horizontally contains a spring
with a spring constant of 50. newtons per meter. The spring is compressed a distance of
0.10 meter when the launcher is ready to launch a plastic sphere.

51 Determine the elastic potential energy stored in the spring when the launcher is ready to launch a
plastic sphere. [1]

52-53 The spring is released and a 0.10-kilogram plastic sphere is fired from the launcher. Calculate the
maximum speed with which the plastic sphere will be launched. [Neglect friction.] [Show all work,
including the equation and substitution with units.] [2]

54 Two 10.-ohm resistors have an equivalent resistance of 5.0 ohms when connected in an electric circuit
with a source of potential difference. Using circuit symbols found in the Reference Tables for Physical
Setting/Physics, draw a diagram of this circuit. [1]

55 The graph below shows the relationship between distance, d, and time, t, for a moving object.

On the axes in your answer booklet, sketch the general shape of the graph that shows the relationship
between the magnitude of the velocity, v, and time, t, for the moving object. [1]

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [11] [OVER]

 Base your answers to questions 56 through 58 on the information and diagram below and on your knowledge
of physics.

A ray of monochromatic light (f = 5.09 × 1014 Hz) passes from medium X into air. The
angle of incidence of the ray in medium X is 25°, as shown.

Normal

Air
Medium X

25°

56 Using a protractor, measure and record the angle of refraction in the air, to the nearest degree. [1]

57-58 Calculate the absolute index of refraction of medium X. [Show all work, including the equation and
substitution with units.] [2]

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [12]

 59–60 A student wishes to record a 7.5-kilogram watermelon colliding with the ground. Calculate how far
the watermelon must fall freely from rest so it would be traveling at 29 meters per second the instant
it hits the ground. [Show all work, including the equation and substitution with units.] [2]

61-62 As represented in the diagram below, block A with a mass of 100. grams slides to the right at
4.0 meters per second and hits stationary block B with a mass of 150. grams. After the collision, block B
slides to the right and block A rebounds to the left at 1.5 meters per second. [Neglect friction.]

Before collision After collision

Block A Block B Block A Block B

m = 100. g m = 150. g m = 100. g m = 150. g

4.0 m/s 1.5 m/s

A B A B

Calculate the speed of block B after the collision. [Show all calculations, including the equation and
substitution with units.] [2]

Base your answers to questions 63 through 65 on the information below and on your knowledge of physics.

A 1.20 × 103-kilogram car is traveling east at 25 meters per second. The brakes are applied and
the car is brought to rest in 5.00 seconds.

63-64 Calculate the magnitude of the total impulse applied to the car to bring it to rest. [Show all work,
including the equation and substitution with units.] [2]

65 State the direction of the impulse applied to the car. [1]

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [13] [OVER]

 Part C
Answer all questions in this part.

Directions (66–85): Record your answers in the spaces provided in your answer booklet. Some questions
may require the use of the 2006 Edition Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics.

Base your answers to questions 66 through 70 on the information and diagram below and on your knowledge
of physics.

The diagram shows a negatively charged oil drop that is suspended motionless between
two oppositely charged, parallel, horizontal metal plates. The electric field strength
between the charged plates is 4.0 × 104 newtons per coulomb. The 1.96 × 10−15-kilogram
oil drop is being acted upon by a gravitational force, Fg, and an electrical force, Fe.

+ + + + + +
Fe
Oil drop
Fg
– – – – – –

66–67 Calculate the magnitude of the gravitational force, Fg, acting on the oil drop. [Show all work,
including the equation and substitution with units.] [2]

68 Determine the magnitude of the upward electrical force, Fe, acting on the oil drop suspended
motionless between the charged metal plates. [1]

69–70 Calculate the net electric charge on the oil drop in coulombs. [Show all work, including the equation
and substitution with units.] [2]

Base your answers to questions 71 through 75 on the information below and on your knowledge of physics.

In a circuit, a 100.-ohm resistor and a 200.-ohm resistor are connected in parallel to a 10.0-volt
battery.

71-72 Calculate the equivalent resistance of the circuit. [Show all work, including the equation and
substitution with units.] [2]

73–74 Calculate the current in the 200.-ohm resistor. [Show all work, including the equation and
substitution with units.] [2]

75 Determine the power dissipated by the 100.-ohm resistor. [1]

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [14]

 Base your answers to questions 76 through 80 on the information below and on your knowledge of physics.

A wave traveling through a uniform medium has an amplitude of 0.20 meter, a wavelength
of 0.40 meter, and a frequency of 10. hertz.

76-77 On the grid in your answer booklet, draw one complete cycle of the wave. [2]

78-79 Calculate the speed of the wave. [Show all work, including the equation and substitution with units.]
[2]

80 Determine the period of this wave. [1]

Base your answers to questions 81 through 85 on the information and data table below and on your knowledge
of physics.

In an experiment, the potential difference applied across an unmarked resistor was

varied while the resistor was held at a constant temperature. The corresponding current
through the resistor was measured. The data collected appear in the table below.

Potential Difference Current

(volts) (amperes)

1.5 0.0032
3.0 0.0059
6.0 0.0124
9.0 0.0177
12.0 0.0244

81 Mark an appropriate scale on the axis labeled “Current (A).” [1]

82 Plot the data points for current versus potential difference. [1]

83 Draw the line or curve of best fit. [1]

84-85 Using your graph, calculate the resistance of the resistor. [Show all work, including the equation and
substitution with units.] [2]

P.S./Physics–June ’19 [15]

PS/PHYSICS

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PS/PHYSICS