GACE Physics

The Physics assessment, offered as part of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators, is divided into two tests.

The first test consists of 30 selected-response questions (90% of the test score) and 1 constructed-response assignment (10% of the test score). The content areas covered by the first test are mechanics, waves, and thermal energy. The topics covered by the mechanics subarea are: motion in one and two dimensions; Newton's laws of motion and the universal law of gravitation; the conservation of energy; and momentum and its conservation. The topics covered by the waves and thermal energy subarea are: mechanical waves; light and optics; and thermodynamics.

The second test consists of 30 selected-response questions (90% of the test score) and 1 constructed-response question (10% of the test score). The content areas covered by the second test are electricity, magnetism, atomic physics, and the characteristics of science. The topics covered by the electricity, magnetism, and atomic physics subarea are: electrical charge and the interactions between charged objects; magnets, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic induction; properties of electric circuits; and the basics of atomic and nuclear physics. The topics covered by the characteristics of science subarea are: scientific knowledge and the process of scientific inquiry; and the collection, analysis, and communication of scientific data.

The examination must be completed within four hours. The total test score is placed on a scale of 100 to 300, with 220 as the lowest passing score. Scores are based on the number of selected-response questions answered correctly and the scores assigned by judges to the constructed responses. Test-takers will also receive performance indices indicating their success in each subarea of the examination. Scores will be available approximately a month after the date of the examination; unofficial results are posted on the internet, and an official score report is mailed to the test-taker, the Professional Standards Commission, and the institution specified by the test-taker during registration.

GACE Physics Practice Questions

1. A ball has a weight of 2 N and is rolled across a flat surface with an initial velocity of 15 m/s. What is the initial kinetic energy of the ball?

A: 13 J
B: 15 J
C: 20 J
D: 23 J

2. A bungee jumper jumps from a bridge. What is the best description of the change in energy after the jumper has reached the bottom of his descent and is pulled back up?

A: kinetic energy falls, potential energy rises
B: kinetic energy rises, potential energy falls
C: kinetic energy rises, potential energy remains constant
D: kinetic energy remains constant, potential energy increases

3. Dave lifts a 20 N block of iron 4 meters off of the ground at a constant speed. How much work has Dave done?

A: 5 J
B: 8 J
C: 24 J
D: 80 J

4. Which of the following represents the change in velocity divided by the change in time over the same period?

A: Average velocity
B: Displacement
C: Average acceleration
D: Top velocity

5. If a 4000-O resistor has 1mA of current flowing through it, then how much power does the resistor dissipate?

A: 1 mW
B: 2 mW
C: 3 mW
D: 4 mW

Answer Key

1. D. Initial kinetic energy can be calculated with the formula KE = ½mv2.
2. A. As the jumper rises he slows down, resulting in a decrease in kinetic energy and an increase in potential energy.
3. D. The amount of work performed can be calculated by multiplying the distance by the amount of force: 20 x 4 = 80.
4. C. The equation for average acceleration is
5. D. The amount of power dissipated can be measured by performing the following equation modification: P = IV = RI2.