CMSP Fundamental Knowledge of Science 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In thermodynamics, which law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another?
- Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
- First Law of Thermodynamics (Correct answer)
- Second Law of Thermodynamics
- Third Law of Thermodynamics
Correct 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.
Question 2: Acid mine drainage (AMD) is primarily caused by which chemical reaction?
- Reduction of iron pyrite in anaerobic conditions
- Oxidation of iron sulfide (pyrite, FeS₂) in the presence of water and oxygen (Correct answer)
- Dissolution of limestone by carbonic acid in groundwater
- Hydration of calcium sulfate to form gypsum
Correct 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.
Question 3: Which gas detector principle relies on measuring a change in electrical resistance of a heated metal oxide sensor?
- Catalytic bead (pellistor) sensor
- Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensor (Correct answer)
- Electrochemical cell sensor
- Infrared absorption sensor
Correct answer: Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensor
Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors change electrical resistance when gas molecules adsorb onto the heated metal oxide surface.
Question 4: Which physical hazard is measured in foot-candles or lux in mine environments?
- Noise exposure
- Illuminance (light level) (Correct answer)
- Vibration intensity
- Dust concentration
Correct 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.
Question 5: When a miner descends into a deeper mine section, atmospheric pressure increases primarily because:
- The geothermal gradient increases air temperature, raising pressure
- The weight of the air column above increases with depth below surface (Correct answer)
- Methane seeping from coal seams adds pressure at depth
- Ventilation fans force more air molecules into lower levels
Correct 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.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of rock bolts installed in mine roofs from a physics standpoint?
- To redirect groundwater flow away from the working area
- To suspend the immediate roof to stable overlying strata and create a composite beam (Correct answer)
- To conduct electricity safely away from blasting circuits
- To seal cracks and prevent gas migration into the working face
Correct 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.
Question 7: The specific gravity of a mineral is defined as the ratio of its density to the density of:
- Mercury at 20°C
- Pure water at 4°C (Correct answer)
- Dry air at sea level
- Granite at standard conditions
Correct 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.
CMSP Fundamental Knowledge of Science 5
In thermodynamics, which law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another?