All Sections Flashcards
When a candle burns, its molecules consisting of hydrogen and carbon atoms combine with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water. The physical science that is BEST for dealing with how the light from the candle travels through space is
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Science
Zoology
Physics
Auroras are bursts of light that happen when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field and atoms and molecules in our atmosphere.
Which physical science is BEST SUITED explain the interactions of the charged particles with magnetic field?
Physics
Chemistry
Life Science
Zoology
Physics
The physical science that is BEST for finding the best locations to drill for the petroleum used to make the candles is
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Science
Life science
Earth Science
The science BEST for studying how hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide react is
Physics
Earth Science
Chemistry
Life Science
Chemistry
Acidic soil reacts with common rock-forming minerals to release ions to form new minerals. Which physical science is BEST for studying these processes?
chemistry
physics
earth science
zoology
Chemistry
The science BEST for studying photosynthetic bacteria is
Physics
Earth Science
Chemistry
Life Science
Life Science
What is usually the main advantage of being able to do a laboratory experiment rather than a field study if both investigations allow you to collect similar information?
It is possible to change only one variable at a time.
Working conditions are always better indoors.
The measuring equipment will be more precise.
The data processing can be done right there.
It is possible to change only one variable at a time.
Which of the following terms best describes a research project that involves sending a space probe to a distant asteroid to land on it and collect data?
a controlled experiment
a laboratory experiment
an observational study
a statistical model
an observational study
A space probe is an unmanned spacecraft. Which of these terms BEST describes a research project in which a space probe is sent to collect soil samples on planet Mars and then report the data back to Earth?
a controlled experiment
a laboratory experiment
a field study
a statistical survey
a field study
Which of these fields depends the MOST on observational studies?
physics
Earth science
chemistry
Zoology
Earth Science
The kinetic theory of gases is based on the assumption that the molecules that form the gas are in random motion and bounce off the walls of their container and off each other as if they were billiard balls. The forces between real molecules are more complicated.
This is an example of
using a model
formulating a hypothesis
carrying out an observational study
performing a field study
Using a model
Why can’t astronomers carry out a scientific research study to determine which visible star, other than our sun, is the nicest?
Existing telescopes aren’t powerful enough.
There is no way to prove any answer wrong.
The Hubble telescope has better uses.
A project of that sort cannot get funding.
There is no way to prove any answer wrong.
In 1811, physicist Amedo Avogadro proposed that the same volume of two different gases at the same temperature and pressure contain the same number of molecules. His proposal received little attention until the 1850s, when chemist Stanislao Cannizzaro, in particular, argued that Avogadro’s idea agreed with all the physical and chemical laws discovered up to that time.
Today, Avogadro’s statement about gases is sometimes referred to as “Avogadro’s hypothesis” or “Avogadro’s law.” Which statement describes when each of those two terms would be MOST accurately applied?
It is most accurately described as a law throughout.
It is most accurately described as a hypothesis throughout.
It is most accurately described as a hypothesis starting in 1811, but a law after the 1850’s.
It is most accurately described as a law starting in 1811, but a hypothesis after the 1850’s.
It is most accurately described as a hypothesis starting in 1811, but a law after the 1850’s.
Albert Einstein developed a detailed and far-reaching explanation of gravity being caused by the bending of space and time by the presence of matter. This explanation made far-reaching predictions of phenomena that were later confirmed, such as the bending of the path of light when the path passed close by a star. It is currently the basis for many phenomena observed in astronomy.
Einstein’s explanation would be MOST accurately described as a
hypothesis
theory
law
fact
Theory
Which of these describes a statement that has usually NOT yet been tested?
law
model
theory
hypothesis
Hypothesis
Which of these is generally regarded by scientists to be the basis for deciding issues in science?
the reputation of the researchers for careful work
empirical evidence including experiments and observations
personal faith in the particular idea proposed
whether the idea is the simplest one the researcher can think of
empirical evidence including experiments and observations
Which statement MOST accurately describes how our present knowledge of the structure of atoms, as being composed of electrons, protons, and neutrons, developed?
Our modern understanding of atoms was provided by Dalton’s explanation of chemical laws.
Our understanding of atoms came from the ancient Greeks, who postulated that atoms were composed of electrons, neutrons, and protons.
Our understanding of atoms came piece by piece from many different scientific researchers.
Our understanding of atoms was provided by Rutherford’s experiment that led him to propose a planetary model.
Our understanding of atoms came piece by piece from many different scientific researchers.
The origin of water on Earth is not yet fully understood. To test one of
the hypotheses, scientists launched a gigantic observational balloon to
the height of almost 130,000 feet to measure the amounts of water in
comets and asteroids based on the light reflected from these objects.
The science BEST SUITED to calculating the forces required to launch the
balloon to the required altitude is
Physics
Earth Science
Chemistry
Life Science
Physics
The sun produces its energy by nuclear fusion reactions, in which smaller nuclei are combined to produce larger nuclei. Forces responsible for the nuclear fusion are called nuclear forces. The physical science that studies nuclear forces is
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Science
Zoology
Physics
The observational balloon is filled with helium and vented to the atmosphere. The height it reaches depends on the changes of the atmospheric pressure during the day and night cycle. The science BEST for studying this daily warming and cooling of the atmosphere is
Physics
Earth Science
Chemistry
Life Science
Earth Science
Which physical science is the BEST to study the composition of Earth’s atmosphere?
Physics
Chemistry
Earth Science
Zoology
Earth Science
When a candle burns, its molecules consisting of hydrogen and carbon atoms combine with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.
The physical science that is BEST for dealing with the changes of the paraffin into carbon dioxide and water is
Chemistry
Physics
Earth Science
Zoology
Chemistry
Which physics topic would be the MOST important in chemistry?
how atoms bond to each other because of electric attraction of oppositely charged electrons and nuclei
how gravity affects the motion of spacecraft
how the flow of a liquid through a pipe depends on the pressure, pipe diameter, and other variables
how the flow of air around an airplane keeps it in the air
how atoms bond to each other because of electric attraction of oppositely charged electrons and nuclei
Which of these terms BEST describes a research project in which a big telescope is placed on a high mountain in Arizona to study the brightness stability of the sun?
a controlled experiment
a laboratory experiment
an observational study
a statistical survey
an observational study
A main reason to do a field study rather than a laboratory experiment is if
the phenomenon being studied cannot be reproduced in a laboratory setting
it is summer and the weather is nice
the data processing needs to be done right where the observations are being made there
Science should only be performed in the lab
the phenomenon being studied cannot be reproduced in a laboratory setting
Some students carry out an experiment in which they tilt a wooden plank by propping up one end with books, so that its height is a distance h above the table. The students release a steel ball bearing at different positions along the ramp measured as x. Each time they do this for a different value of x, they measure the speed of the ball bearing at the end of the ramp. The independent variable is?
h
x
speed
none of the above
x
Callisto is a moon of the planet Jupiter. Which of these terms BEST describes a research project in which telescopes are used to study ice sheets on Callisto?
a controlled experiment
a laboratory experiment
an observational study
a statistical survey
an observational study
Which of these fields depends the MOST on field studies?
physics
Earth science
chemistry
zoology
Earth Science
In what sense was Rutherford’s planetary model of the atom a model?
It represented the atom in terms of a more familiar system to which it was analogous.
It was constructed from wood and glue to look like an atom.
It was an ideal atom for other atoms to imitate.
It remained to be further tested.
It represented the atom in terms of a more familiar system to which it was analogous.
Galileo found that when air resistance can be ignored, heavier and lighter objects fall in the same way. He tested this rule and confirmed it was consistent with all available data.
The rule Galileo found can BEST be described as a
hypothesis
theory
law
fact
law
Isaac Newton was reportedly thinking about the motion of the moon when
he noticed an apple fall. He got the idea that the same force of gravity pulling the apple toward Earth controls the motion of the moon. Before Newton had tested this idea by doing calculations and comparing them with astronomical data, Newton’s idea would MOST accurately be called a
hypothesis
theory
law
fact
Hypothesis
A team of scientists wants to investigate whether objects slide on sand with less friction if the sand is wet. Suppose they have not yet carried out any experiments.
The statement they are investigating, that the friction of sliding on sand is reduced if the sand is wet, is an example of a(n)
hypothesis
theory
law
observation
Hypothesis
It is often said that you can never prove a scientific theory right. Why?
It is impossible to directly test every single instance in which it applies.
A theory is just a guess.
Science can never prove anything either right or wrong.
A theory becomes a law once it is tested that thoroughly.
It is impossible to directly test every single instance in which it applies.
Different explanations for the origin of the universe were favored at different times. The static model stated that the universe always existed as it is now. Another explanation was the steady state model that the universe has no beginning and matter is being created to fill in as the universe expands. The third was the big bang model.
What led scientists to settle on the big bang explanation that the universe began from a tiny point?
The big bang explanation is more consistent with the account in the Bible of the universe having a beginning.
Evidence was found such as the leftover radiation from the big bang and the correct fractions of certain kinds of atoms.
The ways that matter would have to be created in the steady-state explanation was not yet known.
It was difficult to imagine the universe to have always existed.
Evidence was found such as the leftover radiation from the big bang and the correct fractions of certain kinds of atoms.
Which of the following describes how scientific investigations are carried out?
Scientists all follow the same list of four steps to make a discovery: observe something, hypothesize about it, test the hypothesis, and form a theory.
Scientists use different procedures but rely on evidence and repeated testing to confirm their ideas.
Scientists settle scientific issues by staging a debate to decide which side gave the best presentation.
Scientists settle scientific issues by forming a consensus in the scientific community about which explanation is the most appealing.
Scientists use different procedures but rely on evidence and repeated testing to confirm their ideas.
Why is it important to have standard measures for physical quantities?
To allow for the comparison of measurements with anyone familiar with the measurement system.
To make it more difficult for scientists to exchange and compare results of their measurements.
To make measurements, such as length, easier to perform.
To allow scientists from other countries to use standard measures and not make up their own units
To allow for the comparison of measurements with anyone familiar with the measurement system.
Which of the following units is NOT a derived unit?
km/hr
m/s
kilometer
g/cm3
kilometer
What is the official SI base unit for mass?
kilogram
gram
meter
second
kilogram
What is the official SI base unit for length?
kelvin
meter
gram
kilometer
meter
What is the official SI base unit for time?
meters/second
hour
second
kilograms
second
Which of these has values that are expressed in terms of a derived unit in the SI system?
area
length
time
mass
Area
Which of these is NOT a base unit in the SI system?
meter
kilogram
kilometer
second
kilometer
Which of these is a derived quantity?
mass
time
temperature
volume
volume
What characteristic of a sample of liquid does the tool shown here measure?
(cylinder)
mass
volume
density
weight
Volume
What device is commonly used to measure temperature?
scale
thermometer
ruler
clock
thermometer
Which device could NOT be used to measure length?
tape measure
meter stick
ruler
balance scale
balance scale
Which of the following pairs of variables has an inverse relationship?
the volume of a sample of liquid and the mass of the sample
Your driving speed and the time required to drive a certain distance
how hard an object is pushed and how fast it moves
the speed of a hurricane’s winds and the amount of damage they cause”
Your driving speed and the time required to drive a certain distance
Which of the following pairs of variables have a direct relationship?
the mass of a car and the amount of force needed to move the car
the steepness of a ramp and the amount of time needed for a ball to roll down the ramp
how fast water flows out of a faucet and how long it takes the water to fill a bucket
the number of people working on a project and the time it takes to finish the project.
the mass of a car and the amount of force needed to move the car
Which of the following derived units do NOT measure speed?
m/s
km/hr
cm/day
mm/min^2
mm/min^2
If the net force is zero on a motorcycle traveling at 20 m/s, which of the following statements is true concerning the motion of the motorcycle?
The motorcycle will accelerate at a rate of 20 m/s2.
The motorcycle will come to a stop.
The motorcycle will continue traveling at 20 m/s.
The motorcycle’s motion will change.
The motorcycle will continue traveling at 20 m/s.
For which case is there a net force acting on the object?
An apple that has fallen to the ground
A hockey puck sliding across the ice at a constant speed in a straight line
A rocket accelerating upward at a rate of 5 m/s2
A 300 pound weight being held motionless over the head of a weightlifter
A rocket accelerating upward at a rate of 5 m/s2
A non-zero net force is necessary to
maintain constant velocity
cause acceleration
keep an object at rest
increase the mass of an object
cause acceleration
Which of the following force statements is FALSE?
A force is a push or a pull.
A force is not needed to cause acceleration.
A force can cause a change in motion.
Acceleration is caused by a force.
A force is not needed to cause acceleration.
A car’s engine provides a force of 200 N forward, while a force of 150 N from air resistance acts to oppose the car’s motion. What is the net force and its direction on the car?
50 N, forward
50 N, backward
350 N, forward
350 N, backward
50 N, forward
If the net force acting on an object is halved, how will the acceleration change?
The acceleration will be half as much.
The acceleration will double.
The acceleration will remain the same.
The acceleration will change in an unpredictable way.
The acceleration will be half as much. The acceleration
Two tug boats attach their lines to a separate barges with the same masses in a shipping channel. If one tugboat pulls Barge A towards the west while the other tugboat pulls Barge B in the same direction applying twice as much force, which barge will accelerate more?
Barge B
Barge A
Neither, they will accelerate at the same rate.
Neither will accelerate.
Barge B
Which of the following statements regarding inertia is FALSE?
Objects with more inertia are easier to accelerate.
Inertia is the tendency of an object to keep its same motion.
Objects with less mass have less inertia.
It is more difficult to cause objects with more inertia to change velocity.
Objects with more inertia are easier to accelerate.
Inertia depends on an object’s
weight
acceleration
mass
direction
mass
A moving van worker notices that the amount of force that he has to apply to get a couch to start moving across a room depends on the __________ of the couch because of inertia.
size
color
mass
length
mass
If you press your hand downward on a book lying on a table, the reaction force to your hand is __________.
the book pushing up against your hand
your hand pushing the book down against the table
the table pushing up against your hand
gravity pulling your hand downward
the book pushing up against your hand
Which of the following scenarios involves an action-reaction force pair?
A ball is hit by a bat, and the force of gravity pulls the ball downward.
A kangaroo pushes off the ground, and the ground pushes the kangaroo forward.
A person pushes down on a chair, and the chair pushes down on the ground.
Two ice skaters (John and Elisa) push off from each other. As John pushes Elisa forward, his muscles push him backward causing him to slide across the ice.
A kangaroo pushes off the ground, and the ground pushes the kangaroo forward.
Which of the following is an INCORRECT statement regarding action-reaction forces?
Action and reaction forces are always equal and opposite.
Both action and reaction forces are real forces.
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Objects that are interacting must be moving for Newton’s third law to apply to them.
Objects that are interacting must be moving for Newton’s third law to apply to them.
During your trip, your car goes through several different types of motion changes. After a few minutes of driving at a constant ____________ of 25 m/s toward the East, you approach a stop sign and come to a stop.
speed
velocity
acceleration
direction
velocity
Identify which of the following is NOT an action-reaction force pair.
Action - A horse pulls a cart forward. Reaction - The cart pulls back against the horse.
Action - The Earth pulls a falling rock downward toward it. Reaction - The rock pulls the Earth upward toward it.
Action - A bird flapping its wings pushes air downward. Reaction - The air pushes up on the bird’s wings.
Action - A rocket taking off blasts exhaust gases against the ground. Reaction - The ground pushes the rocket upward.
Action - A rocket taking off blasts exhaust gases against the ground. Reaction - The ground pushes the rocket upward.
If the acceleration of an empty truck is 1.5 m/s2, what will happen to its acceleration if it is fully loaded and its total mass doubles?
The acceleration will not change.
The acceleration will be half as much.
The acceleration will double.
The acceleration will be zero.
The acceleration will be half as much.
A driver uses a forklift to push a full cart of bricks halfway down an aisle with a force of 20 newtons. If the driver pushes an empty cart the rest of the way down the aisle using the same 20 newtons of force, how does the acceleration of the empty cart compare with that of the full cart of bricks?
The acceleration will be the same.
The acceleration will be zero.
The acceleration of the empty cart will be less than that of the full cart because it has less mass.
The acceleration of the empty cart will be more than that of the full cart because it has less mass.
The acceleration of the empty cart will be more than that of the full cart because it has less mass.
If the mass of an object is halved and its speed doubled, its momentum will __________.
not change
double
halve
increase by a factor of 4
not change
The law of conservation of total linear momentum states that __________.
Any momentum lost by one object in a collision will be gained by the other.
The total momentum in a system is different before and after a collision.
The type of collision determines whether or not the total momentum is conserved.
The momentum of any object involved in a collision does not change.
Any momentum lost by one object in a collision will be gained by the other.
Friction usually acts to oppose, or slow down, the velocity of objects. Which situation is an example of friction causing an INCREASE in velocity?
a golf ball rolling downhill on a putting green
air flow over an airplane wing
a box sitting on a flatbed truck as the truck accelerates forward
the fan on an airboat
a box sitting on a flatbed truck as the truck accelerates forward
Which of the following is a disadvantage of friction?
Friction makes it possible for you to grasp items with your hand.
Friction enables you to walk.
Friction reduces the efficiency of engines and other machines by converting parts of their kinetic energy into heat.
Air resistance of a parachute slows down the descent of a skydiver.
Friction reduces the efficiency of engines and other machines by converting parts of their kinetic energy into heat.
You are able to walk forward because as your foot pushes backward on the
ground, the reaction force of the ground pushes you forward. If your
foot doesn’t slip in this process, the reaction force of the ground
pushing you forward is an example of?
static friction
mass
kinetic friction
force
static friction
If you tried to walk forward on ice, your foot would slip This would be an example of ____.
static friction
mass
kinetic friction
force
kinetic friction
Friction is a force that usually slows down or prevents motion. However, friction can sometimes cause an object to speed up, such as when you walk forward. The frictional force between the ground and your foot is what actually pushes you forward (as your foot pushes backward on the ground). Identify which instance below describes a scenario in which the frictional force is NOT responsible for slowing the object down.
Air resistance on a moving car
Sliding a book across your desk
A package on a moving conveyer belt
A sled on snow
A package on a moving conveyer belt
Which of the following factors has no effect on the force of friction between two solid objects?
the smoothness of the surfaces between the objects
the type of materials the objects are made of
the relative speed of the objects to each other
the magnitude of the contact force between the objects
the relative speed of the objects to each other
A brick is dragged across a concrete floor. The type of friction that acts between the brick and the floor is ________ friction.
kinetic
static
fluid
rolling
kinetic
Why is an applied force necessary to keep most objects in our world moving at a constant velocity?
Because the natural tendency of any object is to come to rest
Because a frictional force opposing motion acts on most objects
Because the object’s weight acts to slow it down
Because a force is needed to accelerate an object
Because a frictional force opposing motion acts on most objects
Which of the following statements is inaccurate about gravity?
It would be impossible to walk without gravity.
Gravity is an attractive force.
The force of gravity is what holds us to Earth’s surface.
Only very large objects exert a gravitational force.
Only very large objects exert a gravitational force.
If we could stop a planet for just an instant and then let it go, what would happen to it?
It would continue orbiting the sun.
It would spiral away from the sun into space.
It would fall into the sun.
It would remain motionless.
It would fall into the sun.
Consider a box lying on a table. If another box is stacked on top of it, how will the gravitational force (weight) of the top box affect the frictional force between the bottom box and the table if someone pushes slowly on the lower box?
The frictional force will decrease.
The frictional force will remain the same.
The frictional force will increase.
It is impossible to determine how the frictional force will change.
The frictional force will increase.
If the distance between Earth and sun were decreased, how would the gravitational force between them change?
The gravitational force would remain the same.
The gravitational force would increase.
The gravitational force would decrease.
The gravitational force is not relevant
The gravitational force would increase.
If the mass of the Earth were doubled (while keeping its size the same), how much more would you weigh at the surface?
You would weigh the same.
You would weigh half as much.
You would weigh twice as much.
You would weigh four times as much.
You would weigh twice as much.
For which of the following cases is work NOT done on the specified object?
a librarian holding a book in her hands (object is the book)
lifting a glass (object is the glass)
racing up stairs (object is your body)
pressing the key of a piano (object is the piano key)
a librarian holding a book in her hands (object is the book)
The ability to do work is called
acceleration
force
energy
momentum
energy
The unit of work is a
meter (m)
watt (W)
newton (N)
joule (J)
joule (J)
Work always results in
the transfer of energy from one object (or place) to another
the loss of energy
an increase in an object’s speed
an increased ability to do work
the transfer of energy from one object (or place) to another
The energy stored in a compressed spring is called
electromagnetic energy
elastic potential energy
kinetic energy
thermal energy
elastic potential energy
Which of the following would increase an object’s kinetic energy the most?
changing its direction
doubling its speed
bringing it to a complete stop
reversing its direction of motion
doubling its speed
If you triple your car’s speed, it will__________ the kinetic energy.
increase
decrease
not change
halve
increase
If a rock is raised to twice its original height, it will _________ the gravitational potential energy.
halve
increase
not change
decrease
increase
Thermal energy that is transferred is called
temperature
heat
kelvins
work
heat
Which of the following is an INCORRECT interpretation of the law of conservation of energy?
Energy can be converted from one form to another.
Energy cannot be created.
Energy cannot be destroyed.
The total energy involved in any process does not remain constant.
The total energy involved in any process does not remain constant.
When a toy dart gun is fired, the potential energy stored in the compressed spring is converted to __________ energy of the dart.
thermal
chemical potential
kinetic
electromagnetic
kinetic
