1. Which of the following is the least appropriate example of a scientific activity?

(a) A guitar maker experimenting with different types of materials for the string of a classical

guitar to see which type will make the string vibrate longest when the same energy is used

to pluck the string.

(b) A cymbal player trying to determine how far a distant wall is by measuring the time taken

for the echo of his cymbal clash from the wall to travel to him.

(c) A physicist playing scales on his French Horn which is made of a new metal alloy.

(d) A clinical psychologist measuring the effect of lack of sleep on the accuracy of the notes

played by a pianist.

Answer: (c) The guitar maker, cymbal player and clinical psychologist are all performing

essentially scientific activities. The physicist is performing an essentially musical activity.

2. Which of the following is the most appropriate example of a technological activity?

(a) A piano technician devising and constructing a new kind of music stand for a piano which

turns the pages of the music score automatically.

(b) An electronic engineer performing a Beethoven sonata on an electronic piano.

(c) A technologist performing a harmonica concerto with a symphony orchestra.

(d) A trombone player performing a piece of music in combination with an electronic synthesizer controlled by a computer.

Answer: (a) The electronic engineer, technologist and trombone player are all performing essentially musical activities. Only the piano technician is performing an essentially technological

activity.

3. Which of the following is the least appropriate example of an object which is vibrating?

(a) The leg of a student which is shaking from left to right repeatedly during a particularly

boring lecture.

(b) A mother’s hand repeatedly patting her baby to sleep.

(c) A bamboo pole swaying repeatedly from side to side in a strong wind.

(d) A piece of soap sliding on the bathroom floor and gradually coming to a stop.

Answer: (d) The student’s leg, mother’s hand and bamboo pole are all vibrating as they are

making repeated motions. The piece of soap is not undergoing a repeated motion and hence

is not undergoing a vibration.

4. A coconut tree and a tembusu tree next to each other are swaying from left to right in a

thunderstorm. The coconut tree completes 5 left to right motions in the same time as the

tembusu tree completes 6 left to right motions. If the tembusu tree completes 4 cycles in 7

seconds, how long does the coconut tree take to complete 3 cycles?

(a) 10

(b) 10

(c) 360

seconds.

seconds.

seconds.