a) The essay must be typewritten, double-spaced, and approximately two pages in length, not counting any figures or graphs which you may choose to include.

b) You may hand write equations and mathematical symbols.

c) Use correct rules of grammar.

d) The format of the essay should be:

1. Brief introductory overview
2. Discussion (main presentation)
3. Brief conclusion

e) You may choose one of the following three topics [Make sure that you include all of the subtopics listed below in brackets after each topic]:

1. Energy [define work and energy; kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy (incl. trends); (total) energy; law of Conservation of Energy (LCE); dropping object as illustration of LCE (detail ); energy transformation; energy transfer work, sound (incl. nature of), and heat (explain conduction, convection, and radiation) as energy transfers]

2. Thermal Physics [5 states of matter; internal kinetic energy (KEint) and internal energy (U); temperature (T): T - avg. speed of 1 molec. and T - avg. KE of 1 molec: temperature scales: absolute zero; heat: U vs. T vs. heat; heat transfer mechanisms (conduction, convection, radiation); specific heat (meaning and illus., Q = mcΔT)]

3. Electomagnetic (e.m.) Spectrum [charge, electric force; nature of e.m. wave (oscillating and traveling electric force pattern), wavelength, frequency, period. speed (c) of e.m. wave; c = λf; e.m. waves can travel in vacuum; e.m. waves carry energy; different categories (bands) of e.m. waves (e.g., x-ray, microwave, visible, etc.); compare e.m. waves with sound].