Fundamental Knowledge of Science Flashcards
7 cards from real CMSP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Fundamental Knowledge of Science flashcards as text
In thermodynamics, which law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another?
Answer: First Law of Thermodynamics
The First Law of Thermodynamics is the law of conservation of energy: the total energy of an isolated system is constant.
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is primarily caused by which chemical reaction?
Answer: Oxidation of iron sulfide (pyrite, FeS₂) in the presence of water and oxygen
Pyrite oxidation: FeS₂ + H₂O + O₂ → Fe²⁺ + SO₄²⁻ + H⁺ produces sulfuric acid and acidic drainage.
Which gas detector principle relies on measuring a change in electrical resistance of a heated metal oxide sensor?
Answer: Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensor
Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors change electrical resistance when gas molecules adsorb onto the heated metal oxide surface.
Which physical hazard is measured in foot-candles or lux in mine environments?
Answer: Illuminance (light level)
Illuminance is measured in lux (metric) or foot-candles (imperial); 1 foot-candle = 10.76 lux, and adequate lighting is critical for mine safety.
When a miner descends into a deeper mine section, atmospheric pressure increases primarily because:
Answer: The weight of the air column above increases with depth below surface
Atmospheric pressure increases with depth because there is a greater column of air (and sometimes rock-heated air) above; barometric pressure rises approximately 0.03 inches Hg per 100 feet of descent.
What is the primary purpose of rock bolts installed in mine roofs from a physics standpoint?
Answer: To suspend the immediate roof to stable overlying strata and create a composite beam
Rock bolts stitch together weak strata layers and suspend them to stronger overlying rock, creating a thicker composite beam that resists bending and collapse.
The specific gravity of a mineral is defined as the ratio of its density to the density of:
Answer: Pure water at 4°C
Specific gravity is dimensionless and defined as the ratio of a substance's density to that of pure water at 4°C (1.0 g/cm³), where water has its maximum density.