FINAL EXAM

Which of the following gases were thought by Haldane and Oparin to have been in Earth's early atmosphere? a) water vapor, ammonia, hydrogen, nitrogen b) water vapor, ammonia, methane and hydrogen c) water vapor, oxygen, methane and nitrogen d) nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor e) carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, nitrogen

b. water vapor, ammonia, methane, and hydrogen

If you were in a spacecraft moving away from Earth, your: a) mass would be increasing. b) weight would be decreasing. c) weight would be increasing. d) mass would be decreasing. e) weight would not change.

b. weight would be decreasing

Electromagnetic waves are produced: a) where there is heat and light. b) when electrical charges are accelerated. c) where electromagnetic waves are bent. d) when positive and negative charges meet. e) none of the above.

b. when electrical charges are accelerated

If a force cannot move the object it is applied against, then no: a) force is applied. b) work is done. c) energy is used. d) none of the above. e) all of the above.

b. work is done

Polar molecules are: a) never dipoles. b) always dipoles. c) sometimes dipoles. d) monopoles. e) none of the above

b.always dipoles

According to science it is impossible for anything in the universe to be at a temperature of: a) -274 °F b) -458 °F c) -274 °C d) 460 °F e) 274 K

c. -274

If you weigh 100 kilograms and are standing on Earth without moving, how much force is the ground exerting on you? a) No force b) Less than 100 kilograms c) 100 kilograms d) More than100 kilograms e) Infinite force

c. 100 kilograms

Approximately how much electrical current will flow through a 250-watt stereo system to play a compact disk in the United States? a) 0.5 amps b) 1 amp c) 2 amps d) 25 amps e) 250 amps

c. 2 amps

Unless we have a major breakthrough in solar energy production we do not think it will be competitive with other sources till at least what year? a) 2100. b) Solar is competitive now. c) 2030. d) 2050. e) Scientists do not think solar will ever be competitive.

c. 2030

If your car is moving at 100 km/hr, how many kilometers will your car travel in 15 minutes? a) 2 km b) 5 km c) 25 km d) 50 km e) 100 km

c. 25km

Fossil records of horses show there have been dramatic changes in the species over the last __________ years. a) 5,000 b) 5 million c) 50 million d) 5 billion e) sapiens

c. 50 million

Assuming that a person can pull 100 kilograms, how many people would have been required to pull a 50,000 kilogram lintel (upright) stone in the building of Stonehenge? a) 5 b) 50 c) 500 d) 5,000 e) 50,000

c. 500

Approximately how much power is consumed per hour by an electric stove drawing 40 amps? (Note - This electric stove is plugged into a 240 volt wall socket.) a) 6 watts/hour b) 345 watts/hour c) 9.6 kilowatts/hour d) 5.75 kilowatts/hour e) 9600 kilowatts/hour

c. 9.6 kilowatts/hour

What scientist is credited with making the first battery? a) Luigi Galvani b) Michael Faraday c) Alessandro Volta d) Benjamin Franklin e) William Gilbert

c. Alessandro Volta

Which person listed below is credited with the discovery of Pluto? a) Percival Lowell b) Isaac Newton c) Clyde Tombaugh d) Galileo Galilei e) none of the above

c. Clyde Tombaugh

A common point between the atomic theories of Democritus and Dalton is that: a) both were based on observations in nature. b) neither was based on observations in nature. c) Dalton's theory depended upon observation; Democritus' theory did not. d) Democritus' theory depended upon observation; Dalton's theory did not. e) Dalton used the term atom; Democritus did not.

c. Dalton's theory depended on observation, Democritus' theory did not

Evidence for the theory that an atom is mostly empty space was supported by research of which of these scientists? a) Joseph John Thomson b) Niels Bohr c) Ernest Rutherford d) John Dalton e) Daniel Bernoulli

c. Ernest Rutherford

Scientists think __________ may have the right conditions for life. a) Jupiter b) the Moon c) Europa d) comets e) none of the above

c. Europa

What characteristic of waves is measured in Hertz? a) amplitude b) speed c) frequency d) length e) energy

c. Frequency

The first person to record observations using a telescope was: a) Isaac Newton. b) Johannes Kepler. c) Galileo Galilei. d) Claudius Ptolemy. e) Nicholas Copernicus.

c. Galileo Galilei

Who is known as the founder or father of experimental science? a) Isaac Newton. b) Johannes Kepler. c) Galileo Galilei. d) Claudius Ptolemy. e) Nicholas Copernicus.

c. Galileo Galilei

Coulomb discovered that the electrical force equation was very similar to the force equation ________ had discovered. a) Benjamin Franklin b) James Clerk Maxwell c) Isaac Newton d) Thomas Edison e) Michael Faraday

c. Isaac Newton

The March 11, 2011 earthquake in __________ was the strongest earthquake ever recorded there. a) Alaska. b) Chile. c) Japan. d) China. e) Haiti.

c. Japan

Of the kinds of waves listed below, which one does not result in the transport of matter? a) ocean wave b) sound wave c) X-ray d) seismic wave e) subsonic wave

c. K-ray

The giant crater associated with the mass extinction of 65.5 million years ago is located in: a) Chesapeake Bay. b) Italy. c) Mexico (Yucatan). d) Europe. e) none of the above.

c. Mexico (Yucatan)

The universal gravitational constant was first measured using: a) metal balls dropped from towers. b) metal balls rolled down an inclined plane. c) a Cavendish balance. d) a man-made satellite in Earth's orbit. e) rockets fired off with explosives.

c. a cavendish balance

Most polymers are characterized as: a) permanently stable compounds. b) interesting to study, but having little value in our lives. c) a collection of small molecules combined into long chains. d) found in synthetic products, but not in nature. e) hard and brittle.

c. a collection of small molecules combined into long chains

When two or more covalently bonded atoms combine chemically, this forms the basic constituent of many different kinds of material, which is called: a) an uncuttable. b) an element. c) a molecule. d) an electron. e) water.

c. a molecule

To see an everyday example of oxidation, you might observe: a) growing hair. b) glass breaking. c) a nail rusting. d) a thunderstorm. e) a light bulb shining.

c. a nail rusting

In a series circuit, the loads are linked by: a) multiple wires. b) light bulbs. c) a single wire. d) switches. e) motors.

c. a single wire

The name Milankovitch is associated with: a) Global Climate Models (GCMs). b) research on greenhouse climate changes. c) a theory that the Earth's climate is affected by its orbit. d) research on plate tectonics. e) research on both greenhouse climate changes and plate tectonics.

c. a theory that the Earth's climate is affected by its orbit

Sound waves cannot travel through: a) very dense materials. b) water. c) a vacuum. d) glass. e) helium.

c. a vacuum

Force is equal to mass times __________ is a statement of Newton's second law. a) gravity b) velocity c) acceleration d) speed e) a constant

c. acceleration

Kepler's first law of planetary motion states that: a) all planets orbit in circular paths. b) the Earth is the center of the universe. c) all planets orbit in elliptical paths. d) solar system bodies are structured as spheres within spheres. e) a planet's velocity is constant during its orbit around the Sun.

c. all planets orbit in elliptical paths

Hans Christian Oersted discovered the relationship between the forces of magnetism and electricity by: a) many long years of tedious research. b) reading the writings of Galvani. c) an accident during a physics lecture. d) interpreting his dreams and obsessions. e) replicating the experiments of Volta.

c. an accident during a physics lecture

The functioning of an electric motor depends on the fact that: a) like charges attract, unlike charges repel. b) like magnetic poles attract, unlike magnetic poles repel. c) an electrical current produces a magnetic field. d) permanent magnets are always stronger than electromagnets. e) all motors must have several electromagnets.

c. an electrical current produces a magnetic field

Which of the following items would use only low-resistance wires? a) a toaster b) a space heater (electric heater for a room in your house) c) an electrical transmission line d) an incandescent light bulb e) a hair dryer

c. an electrical transmission line

An astronaut standing on Mars and attempting to look at Jupiter would have to look across the intervening: a) Oort Cloud. b) rings of Saturn. c) asteroid belt. d) moon Triton. e) Sun's bright corona.

c. asteroid belt

To what are the combustion products in a car engine released? a) radiator b) gasoline tank c) atmosphere d) piston e) cylinder

c. atmosphere

How did Mendeleev organize the periodic table of elements? a) date of first discovery b) alphabetically c) atomic weight of the element d) total number of electrons e) ionization energy

c. atomic weight of the element

Mendeleev based the original periodic table on the: a) number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. b) number of neutrons in the nucleus of the atom. c) atomic weights. d) average atomic masses. e) valence electrons.

c. atomic weights

Beta decay results in the emission of __________ from the nucleus of an atom. a) a positron b) an electron c) a beta particle d) all of the above. e) none of the above.

c. beta particle

Long-term effects of natural radioactive exposure will: a) help rocks decay. b) interrupt cell repair mechanisms. c) cause birth defects. d) sometimes cause engines to not start. e) improve one's memory.

c. cause birth defects

The highest mountains on earth were created by: a) diverging plates. b) transform faults. c) converging plates. d) all of the above. e) none of the above.

c. converging plates

The strongest type of bond is: a) ionic. b) metallic. c) covalent. d) van der Walls. e) none of the above.

c. covalent

On Earth, acceleration due to gravity: a) is not a universal constant. b) increases with increasing altitude. c) decreases with increasing altitude. d) is different for objects in Earth's orbit. e) has changed over time.

c. decreases with increasing altitude

Federal science funding in terms of millions of dollars comes most commonly from: a) National Science Foundation b) Department of Energy c) Department of Defense d) Smithsonian Institution e) National Aeronautics and Space Administration

c. department of defense

What part does creativity play in the scientific method? a) making observations b) interpreting experimental results c) designing experiments d) spending money for research e) drawing conclusions from inadequate data

c. designing expierments

The process that formed the structure of the Earth and other terrestrial planets is: a) convection. b) gravity. c) differentiation d) acceleration. e) tectonics.

c. differentiation

Entropy is the measure of a system's: a) heat capacity. b) temperature. c) disorder. d) conduction. e) convection.

c. disorder

Which of these best defines maximum theoretical efficiency? a) Efficiency (%) = [(Thot - Tcold) / Thot] x 100. b) Efficiency compares the difference in temperature between two reservoirs with the temperature in the colder temperature reservoir. c) Efficiency defines the amount of energy available to do work. d) Efficiency (%) = [Thot - Tcold] x 100. e) Efficiency relates the ending temperature to the starting temperature as a percent.

a) Efficiency (%) = [(Thot - Tcold) / Thot] x 100.

How much amperage will be moving through a wire if it has a resistance of 12 ohms and is carrying 120 V? a) 10 amps b) 12 amps c) 1.2 amps d) 100 amps e) 1 amps

a. 10 amps

The window of opportunity, during which life in the form of the first cell could have begun, was approximately how long ago? a) 4 billion years ago b) 4 million years ago c) 100,000 years ago d) 65 million years ago e) 1 million years ago

a. 4 billion years ago

Which sound wave frequency is outside the range of a human's ability to hear? a) 5 Hz b) 20 Hz c) 200 Hz d) 2000 Hz e) 10000 Hz

a. 5 Hz

What percent of research grants submitted are federally funded? a) 5% to 25% b) 20% to 60% c) 30% to 70% d) 30% to 70% e) 50% to 90%

a. 5% to 25%

What is the velocity of a wave if the distance between the crests is 16 meters and 40 waves go by every 10 seconds? a) 64 m/sec b) 32 m/sec c) 16 m/sec d) 8 m/sec e) 4 m/sec

a. 64 m/sec

Some estimates indicate that the amount of the world's fresh water that is stored as groundwater may be close to: a) 98%. b) 57%. c) 10%. d) 1%. e) 0.01%.

a. 98%

What thing below was an important consequence of the 'great bombardment' for life on Earth? a) Earth's oceans may have been boiled away. b) A global ice age began. c) Magnetic reversals were started. d) The surface of the Earth was heated up enough so that life could survive. e) None of the above.

a. Earth's oceans may have been boiled away

Which statement does not describe a falling object? a) D = a constant multiplied by (time)2. b) The distance traveled is proportional to time traveled multiplied by time traveled. c) Distance equals a constant multiplied by time. d) Time squared multiplied by a constant equals distance. e) If an object falls three times as long as another, it will travel nine times as far as another.

c. distance equals a constant multiplied by time

The lines of force radiating from a charged object is called a/an: a) gravitational field. b) gravitational force. c) electrical field. d) electrical force. e) magnetic field.

c. electrical field

"Allowed orbits" was a phrase applied to the: a) electrons in Rutherford's model of the atom. b) protons in Dalton's model of the atom. c) electrons in Bohr's model of the atom. d) protons in Thompson's experiments. e) neutrons in Mendeleev's periodic table of elements.

c. electrons in Bohrs' model of the atom

__________ flows in and out of all of Earth's systems. a) Water b) Oxygen c) Energy and matter

c. energy and matter

What drives the global atmospheric circulation? a) ocean circulation b) radioactive decay of nuclear particles c) energy of the Sun d) convection cells within the mantle e) tides

c. energy of the sun

The phrase "heat death of the universe" refers to: a) the burning of fuel in the Sun and all the stars. b) the never-ending upward spiral of life. c) everything in the universe eventually becoming the same temperature. d) the greenhouse effect as it spreads out into space. e) the waste heat that was present in the universe when it formed.

c. everything in the universe eventually becoming the same temperature

When it comes to the arctic animals, a good insulator of heat loss is: a) water b) skin c) fat d) sweat

c. fat

Transfer of material from space to Earth: a) stopped after the great bombardment. b) started after the great bombardment. c) has been measured at 20 metric tons daily. d) will double the mass of the Earth in 4 billion years. e) continues at an estimated rate of 40 metric tons annually.

c. has been measured at 20 metric tons daily

An atom with two protons in the nucleus is called: a) hydrogen. b) oxygen. c) helium. d) plutonium. e) lithium.

c. helium

Which of the following describes earthquakes? a) Earthquakes are an abrupt release of energy. b) Prediction of earthquakes is an established science, which gives global citizens a chance to evacuate ahead of time. c) Earthquakes have never occurred in the middle of the USA. d) No earthquake has been measured higher than 7 on the Richter scale. e) All earthquakes happen within one kilometer of the Earth's surface.

a. Earthquakes are an abrupt realize of energy

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein was inspired by some experiments and demonstrations in electricity based upon: a) Galvani's research. b) Voltaire's research. c) the writings of Alessandro Volta. d) Benjamin Franklin's research. e) William Gilbert's compass.

a. Galvani's research

Of the items beliefs listed below, which one is a creationist most likely to believe? a) God created all life in its modern form. b) Fossils are good evidence of evolution. c) The Earth is approximately 5 billion years old. d) There was no catastrophic flood on Earth. e) The Bible is not a good source for the history of the Earth.

a. God created all life in its modern form

Who turned gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy by using a paddle to heat up water and prove that heat is just another form of energy? a) James Prescott Joule b) Lord Kelvin c) Benjamin Thompson d) Sir Humphry Davy e) James Watt

a. James Presscott joule

Which satellite observatory was placed in space specifically to study extrasolar planets? a) Kepler. b) Hubble. c) Keck. d) Giant Magellan. e) none of the above

a. Kepler

Planetary research in recent years has shown that: a) Mars may have had a sea of water for a billion years. b) like Earth, Mars has gone through multiple mass extinctions. c) being beyond the asteroid belt, Mars was never struck by any meteorites of size. d) the gravity of Mars is deflecting asteroids toward Earth.

a. Mars may have had a sea of water for a billion years

What (and where) is the longest mountain range on Earth? a) Mid-ocean ridge in the Atlantic Ocean b) Andes Mountains in South America c) Himalaya Mountains in India d) Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States e) Ural Mountains in Russia

a. Mid-ocean ridge in the Atlantic Ocean

Whose 17th century data was used to initially understand the elliptical orbits of planets? a) Tycho Brahe b) Johannes Kepler c) Nicolas Copernicus d) Claudius Ptolemy e) Galileo Galilei

a. Tycho Brahe

Which pair are both examples of pseudoscience? a) UFO studies and astrology b) reincarnation and evolution c) geology and crystal power d) astronomy and extrasensory perception e) extrasensory perception and physics

a. UFO studies and astrology

Which of the following is true of Newton's law of universal gravitation? a) Weight is a special case of force due to gravity. b) Gravitational force of an object on Earth is relative to its acceleration. c) Gravitational force between two objects can equal zero. d) Force = little g times mass squared. e) Force = mass times velocity.

a. Weight is a special case of force due to gravity

Metals are held together because of: a) a sea of electrons. b) a sharing of electrons. c) an attraction between the polar molecules. d) a transfer of negative electrons. e) the lack of attraction between the inert atoms.

a. a sea of electrons

The word atom was coined from: a) an ancient Greek term. b) Mendeleev's early work. c) Rutherford's middle name. d) work by Pauli. e) Roman terminology.

a. an ancient greek term

The fundamental building block for all matter, which is the smallest representative sample of a substance that maintains chemical identity, is called a) an atom. b) an element. c) a molecule. d) an electron. e) a chemical compound.

a. an atom

Basic research scientists: a) are interested in inquiry for the sake of acquiring fundamental knowledge. b) believe in the healing power of meditation. c) want their research to have practical application to industry or technology. d) often have their discoveries translated into practical uses. e) would be likely to have a patent on a discovery.

a. are interested in inquiry for the sake of acquiring fundamental knowledge

Which of the following is not considered to be in the realm of science? a) astrology b) astronomy c) biology d) chemistry e) physics

a. astrology

Rutherford's model of the atom cannot work because: a) atoms would be constantly emitting energy. b) atoms would be constantly absorbing energy. c) compounds could not be easily formed. d) atoms would not have symmetrical shapes. e) the law of thermodynamics would not work.

a. atoms would be constantly emitting energy

If you are observing a light source moving very rapidly towards you, the Doppler Effect predicts that the light will be: a) blue-shifted. b) red-shifted. c) bent. d) transmitted. e) radiated.

a. blue-shifted

__________ is an example of an exothermic reaction. a) Burning wood b) Creating electricity c) Making ice d) Dissolving salt e) none of the above

a. burning wood

The heat island effect in cities creates convection cells: a) by drawing in cool moist air from the suburbs. b) from cool concrete, which conducts heat from the Earth. c) which are usually too small to affect temperature. d) which results in less rain falling in cities than in the surrounding areas. e) which do not affect the weather in any way that can be measured.

a. by drawing in cool moist air from the suburbs

There is a lack of fossils up to the time of the _________ because organisms did not produce hard calcium shells before that period. a) Cambrian explosion b) appearance of flowering plants c) extinction of the dinosaurs d) largest known mass extinction e) none of the above

a. cambrian explosion

Electric fields and electric currents can be produced by: a) changing magnetic fields. b) radiation. c) magnetic monopoles. d) certain magnetic bacteria. e) static electrical charges.

a. changing magnetic fields

The movement of heat by __________ drives ocean currents. a) convection b) conduction c) radiation d) all of the above e) none of the above

a. convection

What is the primary method of heat transfer in a fluid? a) convection b) conduction c) radiation d) convection and conduction e) conduction and radiation

a. convection

What is the primary way heat is transferred in a liquid? a) convection b) conduction c) dispersion d) radiation e) none of the above

a. convection

Transform plate boundaries produce: a) earthquakes but no volcanoes. b) volcanoes but no earthquakes. c) earthquakes and violet volcanoes. d) earthquakes and non-violent volcanoes. e) none of the above.

a. earthquakes but no volcanoes

6) In what way does Newton's law of universal gravitation differ from Coulomb's law? a) Electrical forces can be either attractive or repulsive, while gravity is only attractive. b) Only Newton's law of gravity requires a universal constant. c) Only Coulomb's law addresses distance in describing the effect of one object on another. d) Newton's law required experimentation but Coulomb's law did not. e) Newton's and Coulomb's laws are really identical, so there is no significant difference.

a. electrical forces can either be attractive or repulsive, while gravity is only attractive

Within the atom, the force of nature that is stronger than gravity is: a) electricity. b) magnetism. c) electromagnetism. d) kinetic energy. e) none of the above.

a. electricity

Radiation is heat transfer by: a) electromagnetic waves of radiation. b) kinetic energy of molecules. c) stopping atomic motion. d) conduction. e) convection.

a. electromagnetic waves of radiation

Static electricity exists when there is an unbalance among the number of: a) electrons. b) neutrons. c) protons. d) atoms.

a. electrons

In an isolated system, the total amount of what is conserved? a) energy b) work c) sunlight d) matter e) force

a. energy

Exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions differ in that: a) energy is given off only in exothermic reactions. b) energy is given off only in endothermic reactions. c) the total energy in all involved electrons is the same before and after an exothermic reaction. d) the total energy in all involved electrons is the same before and after an endothermic reaction. e) only exothermic reactions can be observed in everyday life.

a. energy is given off only in exothermic reactions

If a chemical bond forms spontaneously, then: a) energy will be released in the reaction. b) energy will be needed in the reaction. c) a change in state will always occur. d) a change in color will always occur. e) a plasma will always be formed.

a. energy will be released in the reaction

A system that moves toward a higher state of order also moves toward a lower state of: a) entropy. b) convection. c) insulation. d) efficiency. e) none of the above.

a. entropy

An example of a device that operates on DC current is a common: a) flashlight b) television. c) refrigerator. d) window fan. e) microwave oven.

a. flashlight

Newton's third law of motion includes the statement that: a) for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. b) the less massive an object, the more force is required to overcome inertia. c) every falling object falls at different and constantly changing rates. d) the acceleration produced on a body by a force is inversely proportional to the amount of force applied to the body. e) there is no gravity in most of the vast space between stars.

a. for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

If you were to devise an experiment to test a product seen on television, which included all steps in the scientific method, what would be the first step? a) formulate a question b) make observations c) conduct experiments d) propose an hypothesis e) put forward a theory

a. formulate a question

Solids that do not have long-range order to the arrangement of their atoms are called: a) glass. b) ionic solids. c) metallic solids. d) van der Waals solids. e) crystalline solids.

a. glass

When a meteorite hits Earth, heat is generated. Which of the following statements best describes this process? a) Gravitational potential energy is converted into heat. b) Electrical potential energy is converted into heat. c) Chemical energy is converted into heat. d) Magnetic energy is converted into heat. e) Elastic potential energy is converted into heat.

a. gravitational potential energy is converted into heat

The force acting on the Moon to keep it in orbit is: a) gravity. b) mass. c) momentum. d) Moon's mass. e) atmospheric pressure.

a. gravity

Chemical reactions among outer shell electrons: a) have no effect on the nucleus. b) slightly affect the nucleus. c) cannot take place without changes in the nucleus. d) all of the above. e) none of the above.

a. have no effect on the nucleus

The standard used to calibrate thermometers is: a) pure water. b) pure mercury. c) pure ethanol. d) water containing 20 g. salt. e) liquid hydrogen.

a. pure water

Energy can be transferred through a vacuum by: a) radiation only. b) both conduction and convection. c) both convection and radiation. d) conduction only. e) convection only.

a. radiation only

The scientific method depends on: a) reproducible results. b) clearly stated laws of nature. c) accurate initial predictions. d) fact-based hypotheses. e) communication of findings.

a. reproducible results

A way of asking and answering questions about the physical universe is known as: a) science. b) research. c) the natural coalition of church and state. d) laws of nature. e) pseudoscience.

a. science

How does science differ from pseudoscience? a) Scientific hypotheses can be proven false through experiment. b) Science requires a lower standard of proof than pseudoscience. c) Scientific statements are based on anecdotes. d) Science is just one person's opinion. e) Science is the quest for absolute truths that never change.

a. scientific hypothesis can be proven false through experiment

In which of the following places is more polymerization than depolymerization occurring? a) silk cocoon b) cow stomach c) compost heap d) art gallery e) birdbath

a. silk cocoon

Angular momentum has to do with objects that are: a) spinning. b) moving in a straight line. c) launching into orbit. d) exploding. e) stationary.

a. spinning

In a nuclear power plant, the energy to drive turbines comes from: a) steam. b) electrons. c) uranium. d) all of the above. e) none of the above.

a. steam

Through which material will heat be conducted the best? a) steel b) water c) wood d) fur e) fat

a. steel

The energy in crude oil derives from what original source? a) sunlight b) soil c) fossils d) rocks e) gravity

a. sunlight

The residence time of a chemical in ocean water is: a) the average time an element spends in the ocean before it is used in a chemical reaction. b) the same as a Milankovitch cycle. c) the amount of time a tropical storm can remain over the ocean before dying out. d) the average length of time a molecule of water stays in the ocean.

a. the average time an element spends in the ocean before it is used in a chemical reaction

20) Black smokers are found in: a) the centers of ocean basins. b) the in lakes and rivers. c) oil slicks on the ocean surface. d) places where forests are burning. e) none of the above.

a. the centers of ocean basins

The tail of a comet always points away from __________. a) the nearest star b) the Moon c) Jupiter d) the nearest asteroid e) none of the above

a. the nearest star

What would be a typical effect that occurs during an ice age? a) The ocean level drops. b) Ocean currents stop redistributing heat energy. c) The snow absorbs rather than reflects solar radiation. d) Large ice sheets cover the land from the poles to the tropics. e) The ozone level increases.

a. the ocean levels drop

Regarding the periodic table, which statement below best follows the scientific method? a) The periodic table made predictions that could be tested. b) Only scientists could understand the periodic table. c) Information that refuted Mendeleev's hypothesis was ignored. d) Mendeleev's listed the elements alphabetically. e) The periodic table has not changed in 100 years.

a. the periodic table made predictions that could be tested

Heat engine efficiency is: a) the ratio of energy output to energy input. b) the ratio of energy input to temperature input. c) the term used in describing energy transfer by conduction. d) a rating scale for heaters. e) directly proportional to radiation.

a. the ratio of energy output to energy input

What is an atom's spectrum? a) the total collection of different photons an atom can emit b) sum of all electrons an atom will have in its orbits c) the atomic mass of the atom d) the atom's place in the periodic table

a. the total collection of different photons an atom can emit

Which of the following statements is true of a theory? a) The word theory in science is only used when a hypothesis has been tested many times and not disproven. b) The word theory in science can refer to an unproven hypothesis or one that has been tested many times and not disproven. c) The word theory in science is only used when a hypothesis has been tested and proven false. d) The word theory in science only refers to an unproven hypothesis. e) The word theory in science only refers to a hypothesis that has been proven true.

a. the word theory in science is only used when a hypothesis has been tested many times and not disproven

Light passing through a window glass is an interaction called: a) transmission. b) absorption. c) scattering. d) reflection. e) the greenhouse effect.

a. transmission

An example of a chaotic system is the/a: a) turbulent flow of fluids. b) trajectory of a missile. c) orbit of the Moon and the Earth. d) moving train. e) variation of gravity on Earth.

a. turbulent flow of fluids

Determine which of these questions could be researchable using the scientific method. a) Under what conditions could bass live in a lake? b) What was the artist thinking when he painted Mona Lisa? c) Are UFOs related to crop circles? d) Is there a supreme deity? e) What is the meaning of life?

a. under what conditions could bass live in a lake

Of the types of radiation listed below, the only one that humans can detect is: a) visible light b) infrared waves c) gamma rays d) X-rays e) none of the above

a. visible light

The magnetic patterns detected on the seafloor: a) were created by magnetite in lava flows. b) are caused by hot spots. c) are indicators of past and future earthquake sites. d) have no single explanation that is accepted by scientists. e) are always oriented perpendicular to the equator.

a. were created by magnetite in lava flows

An example of a renewable energy system is: a) wind. b) nuclear. c) wood. d) petroleum. e) coal.

a. wind

A biography of Marie Curie would include the fact that she: a) won a Nobel Prize in both physics and chemistry. b) did research without a university education. c) pioneered X-ray diagnostics for soldiers in WWII. d) was accepted by other scientists of her era. e) discovered DNA.

a. won a Nobel Prize in both physics and chemistry

A high octane rating in gasoline causes less engine 'knock' because: a) high octane gas is easier to distill than low octane. b) high octane is less complex hydrocarbons than low octane. c) high octane can withstand high compression in a cylinder without igniting. d) the isomer n-heptane is the primary component. e) high octane contains small amounts of isooctane.

c. high octane can withstand high compression in a cylinder without igniting

How can meteor showers be predicted? a) Meteors follow the jet stream in the upper atmosphere. b) Meteors are in known orbits around the Sun. c) Meteors rise in the east and set in the west. d) Telescopes on satellites detect meteors months in advance of their entry into the Earth's atmosphere. e) none of the above

b. Meteors are in known orbits around the sun

HCl reacting with __________ produces water plus salt. a) oxygen b) NaOH c) CaSO4 d) carbon e) none of the above

b. NaOH

The 'Ring of Fire' is so named because of the number of volcanoes around the edge of the: a) North American plate. b) Pacific plate. c) African plate. d) South American plate. e) none of the above.

b. Pacific plate

The first to prove an atom is mostly empty space by using alpha particles was: a) Thompson. b) Rutherford. c) Dalton. d) Mendeleev. e) Democritus.

b. Rutherford

he Doppler Effect is best described as: a) how bats fly and locate their food. b) a change in wave frequency when source or receiver is moving. c) a change in wave frequency when neither source nor receiver is moving. d) how dolphins navigate in the world's oceans. e) how humans see the colors red and blue.

b. a change in a wave frequency when source or receiver are moving

According to the nebular hypothesis, the solar system began as:a) a rapidly rotating star. b) a cloud of dust and gas. c) a cloud containing approximately equal amounts of all naturally occurring elements. d) two comets that collided with a tremendous impact. e) a vast area of totally empty space.

b. a cloud of dust and gas

What is the most likely cause of the mass extinction that occurred about 65.5 million years ago? a) The Earth's north and south magnetic poles reversed. b) A giant asteroid struck the Earth causing global consequences. c) A rapid mountain-building episode blocked animal migration at that time. d) Forest fires caused a vast reduction in global oxygen. e) An increase in the luminosity of the Sun boiled away most of the oceans.

b. a giant asteroid struck Earth causing global consequences

The central belief of astrology is that: a) astronomy is all wrong. b) a person's future can be told by birth-date positions of celestial objects. c) stars and planets are much closer than astronomers think. d) paranormal activity controls the stars. e) celebrities have birthdates that are special compared to other people.

b. a person's future can be told by birth-date positions of celestial objects

Which would be the least effective insulation for your house? a) a meter-thick layer of trapped air b) a thin sheet of metal c) thick bundles of straw or wool d) a thin layer of wood e) a single wall of cinder block

b. a thin sheet of metal

Which statement best describes transverse waves? a) Transverse waves are a special type of longitudinal wave. b) A wave a frog would make jumping up and down on a lily pad. c) The transverse wave moves particles in the direction that the wave is moving. d) The energy moves perpendicular to the wave direction. e) Echoes are formed from transverse waves.

b. a wave a frog would make jumping up and down on a lily pad

What is Darwin's criterion for an organism to be successful, it was discussed in Origin of Species? a) struggle for survival b) ability to reproduce fertile offspring c) spiritual superiority d) economic affluence e) natural evolution

b. ability to reproduce fertile offspring

Metallic bonds create materials with properties that make them: a) polar. b) able to change shape without breaking. c) brittle. d) good insulators. e) as hard as diamonds.

b. able to change shape without breaking

White materials scatter all wavelengths of visible light in all directions in a process called: a) reflection. b) diffusion. c) refraction. d) transmission. e) absorption.

b. diffusion

Lasers can be used to make extremely accurate measurements of: a) density. b) distance. c) temperature. d) color. e) none of the above.

b. distance

When a system runs out of energy, it can: a) still generate power. b) do no more work. c) exert no more force. d) none of the above. e) all of the above.

b. do no more work

Noble gases are called so because they: a) are considered more important than other elements. b) don't chemically interact with other elements.

b. don't chemically interact with other elements

A single type of atom that cannot be broken down any further is called a (an): a) atom. b) element. c) molecule. d) solution. e) compound.

b. element

The main assumption of ideality that was proven wrong by Kepler had to do with: a) circular orbits of the planets. b) elliptical orbits of the planets. c) the place of the Sun in the solar system. d) the orbit of Earth's Moon. e) the placement of the Earth at the center of our Solar System.

b. elliptical orbits of the planets

Which statement best represents the second law of thermodynamics? a) Heat will not flow spontaneously from a hot to a cold body. b) Every isolated system becomes more disordered with time. c) Scientists have constructed an engine that does nothing but convert heat to useful work. d) The total amount of energy in the universe is constant. e) Energy may change from one form to another over and over again.

b. every isolated system becomes more disordered with time

Scientists think: a) evolution is a hoax. b) evolution as a fact. c) that there is some room for debate about the validity of evolution. d) students should not be learning about evolution. e) evolution is a hypothesis that is still in review.

b. evolution is a fact

The North American Plate: a) extends from coast to coast in the United States and is completely covered by land. b) extends from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to the edge of the Pacific Plate. c) contains the eastern half of North America and parts of western Europe. d) has only subducting boundaries. e) contains only the western half of North and South America.

b. extends from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to the edge of the Pacific Plate

Which of the following demonstrates angular momentum? a) fireworks display b) figure skater's spin c) rocket launch d) flight of a baseball e) punch of a boxer

b. figure skaters' spin

What would be an architectural specification for a skyscraper built in an earthquake-prone region? a) rigid and strong b) flexible with shock preservers c) soft and malleable d) corner angles locked to 90 degrees e) covered with rubber insulation

b. flexible with shock preservers

What is the second largest reservoir of water on earth? a) groundwater b) glaciers and ice caps c) lakes and rivers d) atmosphere e) oceans

b. glaciers and ice caps

Humans bones have a strength and density to compensate for: a) gravity of a supermassive exoplanet. b) gravity of Earth. c) gravity of Jupiter. d) all of the above e) none of the above

b. gravity of Earth

Compared to microwave radiation, infrared radiation: a) has longer wavelengths. b) has shorter wavelengths. c) is a faster wave. d) is a slower wave. e) is visible to the human eye.

b. has shorter wavelengths

Heat will only flow spontaneously from: a) cold to hot. b) hot to cold c) cold to cold. d) hot to hot. e) none of the above.

b. hot to cold

Dr. John Snow's 1854 data-based research on the incidence of cholera in London found a connection between: a) water sources and dehydration. b) human waste and disease. c) chloroform and pregnancy. d) germs and disease. e) pumps and water pipes.

b. human waste and disease

A piece of gravel by the side of road is most likely held together by: a) covalent bonds. b) ionic bonds. c) van der Waals forces. d) crystal lattice. e) hydrogen bonds.

b. ionic bonds

Which instrument below emits photons that have wave crests in exact alignment? a) electron microscope b) light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation c) telescope fitted with a spectroscope d) spectroscope which is not part of a telescope e) a source of alpha particles in a physics laboratory

b. light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

Bats navigate by emitting high pitched sound waves and a) killing all the moths within 10 meters. b) listening for an echo from obstructions. c) attracting various insects toward the sound. d) calculating wave crests per second. e) hoping humans do not hear them.

b. listening for an echo from obstructions

Line-of-sight communications and radar rely heavily on what type of electromagnetic wave? a) radio waves b) microwaves c) gamma rays d) X-rays e) visible light

b. microwaves

Magma and lava have in common that they are: a) igneous rocks. b) molten rock material. c) found at the surface of the Earth. d) found inside the Earth. e) none of the above.

b. molten rock material

Kinetic energy is thought of as energy of: a) position. b) motion. c) magnetism. d) time. e) distance.

b. motion

If you took a vacation driving to the oldest part of the North American continent, you would be visiting: a) the area near Wichita, Kansas. b) northeastern Canada. c) the Cascade Range of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. d) sites in Baja California (Mexico). e) Black Hills of South Dakota.

b. northeastern Canada

The reason why organic evolution does not violate the second law of thermodynamics is that the Earth is: a) not an open system. b) not an isolated system. c) static and unchanging. d) very efficient. e) conduction and convection.

b. not an isolated system

The elements in the periodic table are arranged based on the: a) number of neutrons in the nucleus. b) number of protons in the nucleus. c) number of electrons surrounding the nucleus. d) mass of the nucleus. e) valence electrons at all times.

b. number of protons in the nucleus

The main difference between continental and ocean basin rock is: a) ocean rocks are not as dense as continental rocks. b) ocean rocks are basaltic and continental rocks are granitic. c) continental rocks can be detected by Geiger counters. d) continental rocks were originally metamorphic rocks. e) continental rocks form thinner crustal material.

b. ocean rocks are balsaltic and continental rocks are granitic

One amp of electrical current is equal to: a) one newton per second. b) one coulomb of charge per second. c) one thousand watts per hour. d) one volt times one amp. e) one amp divided by one volt per second.

b. one coulomb of charge per second

The cornerstone of the scientific publishing process is: a) social media. b) peer review. c) newspaper reporting. d) e-mail. e) payment of fees.

b. peer review

Scientists who search for laws that describe matter, energy, forces and motions, are called: a) astrologists b) physicists c) chemists d) astronomers e) Earth scientists

b. physicists

Which of the following scientists would study forces of motion in the universe? a) biologists and chemists b) physicists and astronomers c) chemists and geologists d) geologists and biologists e) chemists alone

b. physicists and astronomers

A common area of study for both Earth sciences and astronomy is the study of: a) stars. b) planets. c) astrology. d) chemical reactions. e) heat and light.

b. planets

Benjamin Franklin named charges on objects as: a) neutral and electrical. b) positive and negative. c) energy and matter. d) fluid and solid. e) strong and weak.

b. positive and negative

Which of the following statements is a prediction? a) Mealworms prefer dark environments. b) High quality balloons filled with atmospheric air will float higher than low quality balloons filled with atmospheric air. c) If I drop a rock it will fall to the ground. d) Spearmint candies taste better than peppermint candies. e) There is an attraction called gravity between every two objects in the universe.

c. if i drop a rock it will fall to the ground

Where would you not expect to find plasma? a) the Sun b) sealed in a magnetic bottle c) in an ice cube d) neon lights

c. in an ice cube

An element with an atomic number of 8: a) was the eighth element discovered. b) contains atoms with four protons and four neutrons. c) is composed of atoms with eight protons. d) has eight electrons in the outer shell of each atom. e) as six protons and two neutrons.

c. is composed of atoms with eight protons

Why do scientists use mathematics? a) They have no other common language with which to communicate. b) Mathematics is like a secret code for scientists. c) It is a concise language that allows scientists to communicate and make predictions d) To add confusion to the presentation of data. e) To make it easier to do research with computers.

c. it is a concise language that allows scientists to communicate and make predictions

Differentiation means that: a) the same density of materials should be found at the surface of a planet as at the center. b) more dense materials should be found at the surface of a planet. c) less dense materials should be found at the surface of a planet. d) all of the above e) none of the above

c. less dense materials should be found at the surface of a planet

Which state of matter maintains a constant volume but not a fixed shape? a) gas b) plasma c) liquid d) crystal e) solid

c. liquid

The arrangement of the atoms in glass is: a) regular and repeating b) irregular in all places c) locally regular but overall not regular d) all of the above e) none of the above

c. locally regular but overall not regular

Some migratory birds use the following to guide them on long flights: a) electricity. b) gravity. c) magnetism. d) lightening. e) star locations.

c. magnetism

Which of the following is not characteristic of hydrogen bonds? a) separation of positively and negatively charged ions b) links of hydrogen to oxygen and other negative ions c) malleability and metallic bonds d) linking the two sides of the DNA double helix e) polar molecules

c. malleability and metallic bonds

Every object at rest contains potential energy equivalent to the product of its __________ times a constant, which is __________. a) energy; speed of the object b) mass; speed of light c) mass; speed of light squared d) mass squared; speed of light squared e) energy; speed of object squared

c. mass; speed of light squared

Why is mathematics the language of science? a) Use of mathematics ensures international cooperation among scientists. b) Mathematics separates scientists from non-scientists. c) Mathematics allows scientists to be more accurate in describing an observation of nature. d) Because scientists are more analytical than creative, mathematics is a way to analyze. e) Mathematics is like Latin in that it is a way to communicate that few understand.

c. mathematics allows scientists to be more accurate in describing an observation in nature

Which of the following can produce magnetic fields? a) gravitational force b) static electrical force c) moving electrical charges d) flowing water or other liquids e) rubbing amber

c. moving electrical charges

The last human primates living before the appearance of Homo sapiens were: a) Australopithecus afarensis b) Homo habilus c) Neanderthals d) Australopithecines e) Homo erectus

c. neanderthals

__________ had larger brains than Homo sapiens. a) Australopithecus afarensis b) Homo habilus c) Neanderthals d) Australopithecines e) Homo erectus

c. neanderthals

Vestigial organs are organs that animals: a) use to attract a mate. b) use to reproduce. c) no longer use. d) rely on to digest food. e) can use for flight.

c. no longer use

Rocks from the bottom of oceans will be: a) no more than 2 million years old. b) no more than 20 million years old. c) no more than 200 million years old. d) no more than 2 billion years old. e) none of the above.

c. no more than 200 million years old

In the equation for Ohm's law, resistance is in the unit: a) volts. b) amps. c) ohms. d) watts. e) coulombs.

c. ohms

If the Moon were twice as far from the Earth as it is now, the gravitational attraction between Earth and Moon would be: a) twice as great as it is now. b) four times as great as it is now. c) one-fourth as great as it is now. d) the same as it is now. e) one-half as great as it is now

c. one-fourth as great as it is now

__________ reacting with iron is an example of oxidation. a) Chlorine b) Sodium c) Oxygen d) Carbon e) none of the above

c. oxygen

Study of the origin of the universe is a sub-discipline of: a) Earth science b) biology c) physics d) chemistry e) none of the above

c. physics

Which of the following is a rate? a) joule b) foot-pound c) power d) energy e) newton

c. power

There is about half a million dollars of gold in every cubic kilometer of the ocean. Why is gold not mined from the oceans? a) Mining gold would pollute the global oceans. b) The global market for gold has diminished. c) Presently it would cost more to recover the gold than the gold is worth. d) International law of the sea prohibits mining. e) All of these are reasons why it is not mined.

c. presently it would cost more to recover the gold than the gold is worth

Linear momentum is a quantity that is equal to the: a) difference between an object's mass and velocity. b) sum of an object's mass multiplied by velocity. c) product of an object's mass multiplied by velocity. d) gravitational force multiplied by velocity. e) the reciprocal of an object's mass multiplied by velocity.

c. product of an objects mass multiplied by velocity

James Watt designed experiments in horsepower to: a) assist miners in removing ore. b) calculate the velocity of a water pump. c) quantify the energy generated by a horse in mines. d) invent the steam engine. e) assess the health of horses.

c. quantify the energy generated by a horse in mines

The Nobel laureate Marie Curie died as a result of: a) natural causes. b) an auto accident. c) radiation exposure. d) homicide. e) child birth.

c. radiation exposure

Chemical bonds occur when electrons are __________ atoms. a) stripped off b) expelled from c) rearranged between d) all of the above e) none of the above

c. rearranged between

Old oil can be __________ and used over again. a) burned b) broken down into elements c) refined d) all of the above e) none of the above

c. refined

Another word for constructive interference is: a) amplitude. b) destructive. c) reinforcement. d) Doppler Effect. e) acceleration.

c. reinforcement

A photon is emitted by an atom when one of the atom's electrons: a) collides with other electrons. b) shifts to a higher energy level. c) shifts to a lower energy level. d) is removed from the atom. e) leaves the atom.

c. shifts to a lower energy level

It was first discovered that atoms have a nucleus when: a) scientists photographed the nucleus of uranium. b) Einstein hypothesized the existence of the nucleus in 1915. c) some alpha particles were deflected by gold nuclei in Rutherford's experiment. d) experiments showed that electrons must have a charge balance at an atom's center.

c. some alpha particles were deflected by gold nuclei in Rutherford's expierment

A term that compares how vigorous atoms are moving in a substance is: a) heat. b) energy. c) temperature. d) kinetics. e) none of the above.

c. temperature

An example of data that you could not graph using measurements you made of time and distance is: a) movement of automobiles b) falling objects c) temperature of boiling water d) speed of avalanches e) rate of movement of storms

c. temperature of boiling water

Temperature is a measure of: a) the amount of heat in a substance. b) the average potential energy of the atoms within a substance. c) the average kinetic energy of the atoms within a substance. d) how much energy a substance contains. e) how fast heat is moving in a substance.

c. the average kinetic energy of the atoms within a substance

Daniel Fahrenheit invented a thermometer on which 0 represented: a) the freezing point of water. b) the melting point of ice. c) the coldest temperature he could obtain in his laboratory. d) the coldest day where he was conducting his experiments. e) the temperature of ice cream.

c. the coldest temperature he could obtain in his laboratory

Which of the fundamental forces accounts for the reason fusion reactions are so difficult to produce? a) The strong force. b) The weak force. c) The electromagnetic force. d) The force of gravity. e) All of the forces make it difficult.

c. the electromagnetic force

When we hear a sound change from a higher to a lower pitch, this means: a) the speed has changed. b) the wavelength has changed. c) the frequency has changed. d) the sound wave has bounced. e) none of the above.

c. the frequency has changed

In the periodic table of the elements, a 'period' refers to the: a) vertical column. b) number of neutrons. c) the horizontal row. d) atomic mass of the atom e) number of protons in the atom.

c. the horizontal row

If a planet like Earth stops rotating, which of the following is most likely to occur? a) The jet stream would bring the southeast United States its weather. b) The Gulf Stream would move faster. c) The prevailing winds in the northern hemisphere would blow from north to south. d) Sailors would use the trade winds to sail east. e) All of the above.

c. the prevailing winds in the northern hemisphere would blow from north to south

Chemical bonds are: a) the attraction among atoms resulting from the destruction of electrons. b) an unstable configuration among two or more elements. c) the redistribution of electrons between atoms, leading to a more stable configuration. d) sharing of protons in the lowest energy level.

c. the redistribution of electrons between atoms, leading to a more stable configuration

What is SETI? a) a pseudoscience b) the theory of intelligent life c) the search for intelligent life d) the application of science to astrology e) short-wave interference in radio signals

c. the search for intelligent life

Which of the following is most like an ordered system? a) billiard balls after the "break" b) location of fish in a river c) the spacing of eggs in a full carton d) cars in a multi-car collision e) the diffusion of perfume molecules through a room

c. the spacing of eggs in a full carton

The birth of a solar system would look like: a) a huge explosion of rocks and fire. b) a meteor shower. c) thick dust clouds circling a new star. d) a thickening Jovian plane. e) nothing we could ever see or imagine.

c. thick dust clouds circling a new star

A scientist who uses carbon-14 dating is actually measuring the: a) age of the Earth. b) age of the igneous rocks. c) time of death of a living thing. d) time that an artifact was made. e) number of carbon ions in a material.

c. time of death of a living thing

What may have been the function of RNA molecules in the earliest life forms? a) to facilitate the Y-chromosome in reproduction b) to allow respiration of early organisms to be anaerobic or aerobic c) to act as enzymes in protein synthesis d) to recycle products of elimination e) all of the above

c. to act as enzymes in protein synthesis

When you cut a magnet in half you get: a) two north poles. b) two south poles. c) two magnets each with a north pole and south pole. d) one magnetic monopole. e) one south pole and one north pole.

c. two magnets each with a north pole and south pole

Which statement is true of liquid crystals? a) Could not be akin to the 'lipid bilayer' molecules in the primitive oceans. b) Liquid crystals become less structured in the presence of an electric field. c) Under the influence of an electric field, liquid crystals form a partially ordered structure of molecules. d) Polymers broken into individual parts reform as liquid crystals.

c. under the influence of an electric field, liquid crystals form a partially ordered structure of molecules

The electrons at the outer energy level of the atom are called: a) outer field electrons. b) the atomic number. c) valence electrons. d) van der Waals electrons. e) ionic electrons.

c. valence electrons

"Eighty kilometers per hour toward the northeast" is a statement about: a) acceleration. b) uniform motion. c) velocity. d) speed. e) rate.

c. velocity

What is most likely to be associated with the northern hemisphere jet stream? a) hurricanes b) tornadoes c) westerlies d) trade winds e) all of the above

c. westerlies

Current scientific debates about evolution concern everything below except: a) the rate of the evolutionary process. b) mechanisms that propel evolutionary change. c) whether or not evolution exists. d) evidence for the process of evolution. e) all of the above.

c. whether or not evolution exist

Regarding research on any painting, the scientific method cannot tell us: a) the age of the painting. b) if the painting is a fake. c) whether the painting is beautiful or not. d) the origin of the paints used. e) the thickness of the paint layers.

c. whether the painting is beautiful or not

It is thought that the geological time period called Cretaceous ended: a) because of the largest known mass extinction. b) at the time of the first appearance of flowering plants. c) with the impact of a giant asteroid on the Earth. d) with giant eruptions of lava and global wildfires. e) none of the above.

c. with the impact of a giant asteroid on the Earth

Human eyes are most sensitive to this color. a) green b) red c) yellow d) blue e) violet

c. yellow

From a physicist's point of view, in which of the following cases has significant work been done? a) You try to pull your car out of a ditch, but it doesn't budge. b) Your mother holds a sleeping baby. c) Your brother throws his dirty clothes on the floor. d) You review for a test by imagining the questions. e) Your father tries unsuccessfully to open a jar.

c. your brother throws his dirty clothes on the floor

A truck is traveling at 30 m/s and comes to rest in 10 seconds. Its acceleration is: a) 30 m/s2 b) 3 m/s2 c) -3 m/s2 d) -30 m/s2 e) -300 m/s

c.-3 m/s2

The theory that the Earth is at the center of the universe was the prevailing explanation for what was observed in the heavens for almost __________ years. a) 150 b) 500 c) 1,500 d) 5,000 e) 6,500

c.1,500 years

The ratio of extinct species to living species on Earth is about: a) 1 to 1000. b) 1 to 100. c) 100 to 1. d) 1,000 to 1. e) none of the above.

d. 1,000 to 1

How fast can light travel in one second, if it is moving through a vacuum? a) 186,000 kilometers b) 30,000 kilometers c) 18,600 kilometers d) 300,000 kilometers e) 3,000,000 kilometers

d. 300,000 kilometers

All electromagnetic waves travel at: a) 300 km/hr. b) 30,000 km/hr c) 300,000 km/hr d) 300,000 km/sec e) 30,000 km/sec

d. 300,000km/sec

Calculate the efficiency of a coal-fired generating plant if the high-temperature steam is 800 K and the low-temperature reservoir is 500 K. a) 42.5% b) 60.0% c) 5.0% d) 37.5% e) 100.0%

d. 37.5%

For an object where wind resistance is not a factor, like a steel ball, being dropped from a tall tower, the object has a velocity of __________ m/sec in four seconds. a) 9.8 b) 19.6 c) 29.4 d) 39.2 e) 49.0

d. 39.2

The watt value printed on a light bulb tells the amount of energy the light bulb is using in joules per second. Which one of the following light bulbs is using the most energy? a) 100-watt bulb that burns for twenty minutes b) 75-watt bulb that burns for thirty minutes c) 60-watt bulb that burns for one hour d) 40-watt bulb that burns for two hours e) 25-watt bulb left on for three hours

d. 40-watt bulb that burns for two hours

A light wave has a wavelength of about: a) a few meters to more than a few thousand kilometers. b) a meter to a millimeter. c) a millimeter to a micron. d) 7500 to 4000 angstroms. e) 400 to 100 nanometers.

d. 7500 to 4000 angstroms

Which of the following is most likely to happen to an astronaut during liftoff? a) Bones and muscles collapse. b) Nerve damage occurs. c) Body fluids are replenished. d) Blood is drained from the brain. e) Old wounds heal miraculously.

d. Blood is drained from the brain

Of those below, what is the most likely negative health effect from space travel? a) Astronauts can develop skin cancer from direct UV-rays. b) Unidentified microbes create a possible danger of infection. c) Weight gain is common because of the high calorie foods. d) Bone mass is lost increasing the chance of breaks. e) Blindness and deafness.

d. Bone mass is lost increasing the chance of breaks

The first widely accepted explanation for complex celestial motions is credited to: a) Tycho Brahe. b) Johannes Kepler. c) Nicolas Copernicus. d) Claudius Ptolemy. e) Galileo Galilei.

d. Claudius Ptolemy

Who is thought to have first coined the word atom? a) Dalton b) Rutherford c) Bohr d) Democritus e) Thomson

d. Democritus

William Gilbert discovered many important properties of magnets. Which of the following was not among Gilbert's findings? a) Every magnet has at least two poles. b) If magnetic poles are alike they repel each other. c) Steel rods can be magnetized by stroking them with a lodestone. d) Electric currents can be produced by changing magnetic fields. e) Iron's magnetism can be destroyed by heating.

d. Electric currents can be produced by changing magnetic fields

The difference between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission is that: a) Energy is released from fusion, but not from fission. b) Energy is released from fission, but not from fusion. c) Fusion splits apart a nucleus; fission combines two nuclei into one. d) Fusion combines two nuclei into one and fission splits the nucleus apart. e) Only fission is involved in hydrogen bomb explosions; both fusion and fission are required for atomic bomb explosions.

d. Fussion combines two nuclei into one and fission splits the nucleus apart

An example of a major government research laboratory is: a) AT&T Bell Laboratories. b) Carnegie Institution. c) Texas Center for Superconductivity d) Los Alamos National Laboratory e) IBM Watson Research Laboratory

d. Los Alamos National Laboratory

The only currently active plate boundary within the continental United States is the: a) Marianas Trench. b) East-Pacific Rise. c) New Madrid Fault. d) San Andreas Fault. e) Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

d. San Andreas Fault

A nucleus of the imaginary atom "Woofnium" (73 protons, 97 neutrons), decays by beta emission with a half-life of 26,000 years. After one half-life, the daughter nucleus will be: a) Wafnium (72 protons, 95 neutrons). b) Wefnium (71 protons, 97 neutrons). c) Woofnium (73 protons, 97 neutrons) in a lower energy state. d) Wifnium (74 protons, 96 neutrons). e) The daughter nucleus cannot be predicted from the information given.

d. Wifnium (74 protons, 96 neutrons)

Which of the following has the greatest amount of gravitational potential energy? a) a case of books sitting on an end table b) a bowling ball released for the strike c) one diver at the highest point of the dive d) a bowling ball dropped from a plane e) a hawk diving for its prey

d. a bowling ball dropped from a plane

Ionic solids are held together because of: a) a sea of electrons. b) a sharing of electrons. c) an attraction between the polar molecules. d) a transfer of electrons. e) the lack of attraction between the inert atoms.

d. a transfer of electrons

Which of the following would cause an electromagnetic wave to be emitted? a) writing an equation that has the wave form in it b) destructive interference of sound waves c) trying to separate electrical from magnetic phenomena d) acceleration of an electric charge e) constructive interference of any kind of wave

d. acceleration of an electric charge

To calculate the gravitational force between two objects, we need all the following except: a) gravitational constant. b) mass of the first object. c) mass of the second object. d) acceleration of both objects. e) distance between the two objects.

d. acceleration of both objects

Scientists study meteorites: a) because they contain the material from which the solar system was made. b) to find out more about how and when the Earth was created. c) to find out more about other parts of the solar system. d) all of the above e) none of the above

d. all of the above

The Rocky Mountains are younger than: a) the Earth itself. b) the Appalachian Mountains. c) the mid-Atlantic ridge. d) all of the above.

d. all of the above

The Cambrian explosion indicates: a) an asteroid struck Earth during the Cambrian Period. b) something profound happened in Wales early in Earth history. c) a decrease in fossil evidence of primitive life. d) an increase in fossil evidence of primitive life. e) that life evolved from a chemical mix in tidal pools.

d. an increase in fossil evidence of primitive life

An atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons is known as: a) a nucleus. b) a proton. c) an electron. d) an ion. e) a neutron.

d. an ion

The transform plate boundaries: a) form new material at rates exceeding that of the divergent plate boundaries. b) are the location of island arcs and hot spots. c) created the Andes Mountains in South America. d) are exemplified by the San Andreas fault. e) are sites of major volcanic mountain ranges.

d. are exemplified by San Andreas fault

The "primordial soup" of the Miller-Urey experiments contained: a) lipids. b) amino acids. c) a dark-brown liquid and amino acids. d) both a and b above. e) none of the above.

d. both a and b above

Which of the following balls would have the greatest amount of kinetic energy if they are all traveling at 10 m/s? a) baseball b) ping pong ball c) soccer ball d) bowling ball e) basketball

d. bowling ball

The longest mountain range on earth is at the: a) western margin of South America. b) center of the Pacific Ocean. c) eastern margin of Africa. d) center of the Atlantic Ocean. e) margin of Antarctica.

d. center of the Atlantic Ocean

The ocean is maintaining a constant salinity because: a) the fresh water from the rivers equals the amount of water evaporated from the oceans. b) chlorine and sodium will not form a salt compound at normal ocean temperatures. c) glaciers are melting and adding fresh water to the system. d) chemical reactions in the oceans combine elements into compounds that are stored in the biota or ocean sediment. e) The ocean is actually increasing in salinity.

d. chemical reactions in the oceans combine elements into compounds that are stored in the biota or ocean sediment

Energy can be transferred through a solid by: a) radiation only. b) both conduction and convection. c) both conduction and radiation. d) conduction only. e) convection only.

d. conduction only

Sound waves with low frequencies: a) have low amplitudes if they are loud. b) travel at faster speeds than sound waves with high frequency. c) have high pitches. d) have low pitches. e) are more likely to experience destructive interference.

d. have low pitches

Inert gases: a) have very little in common. b) form a compound known as a salt. c) are also called halogens. d) have similar chemical properties. e) all contain oxygen.

d. have similar chemical properties

In the periodic table of the elements, the only element lighter than helium is: a) argon. b) neon. c) oxygen. d) hydrogen. e) silicon.

d. hydrogen

Our basic knowledge of the properties of static electricity began: a) in the sixteen hundreds. b) with the invention of the battery. c) with the invention of the electric motor. d) in the eighteenth century. e) in the seventeenth century.

d. in the eighteenth century

The load in an electric hair dryer is located: a) where the dryer plugs into the electrical outlet. b) where the electrical cord is attached to the dryer. c) in the on/off switch. d) in the heating element and fan. e) where the heated air is exhausted.

d. in the heating element and fan

Cats' eyes are more sensitive to__________ than humans'. a) visible light b) gamma rays c) X-rays d) infrared waves e) radio waves

d. infrared waves

Sodium chloride (NaCl) atoms form a crystal lattice that is held together by: a) hydrogen bonds. b) salt bonds. c) covalent bonds. d) ionic bonds. e) van der Waals bonds.

d. ionic bonds

Peer review in science: a) allows scientists to publish work that has not been substantiated by other scientists. b) is accomplished by bypassing journal publications and holding a press conference first. c) causes delays between the conclusion of an experiment and the communication of the results. d) is conducted in confidence by a panel of experts in the field. e) has become outdated since the advent of computers.

d. is conducted in confidence by panel of experts in the field

At the time Dimitri Mendeleev produced the first periodic table of the elements, which of the following was not true? a) There were a little more than 60 known chemical elements. b) Chemists used the concept of atomic mass. c) Chemists knew that each element had distinct chemical behaviors. d) It was the mid-18th century. e) The table showed blank spaces where undiscovered elements would fit into it.

d. it was the mid-18th century

The unit for measurement of momentum is: a) kg b) sec c) m/sec d) kg m/sec2 e) kg m/sec

d. kg m/sec2

In his famous experiment of the late 1700s, Charles Coulomb: a) repeated Benjamin Franklin's kite and lightning demonstration. b) measured static electricity using a piece of amber. c) proved Newton's three laws of motion. d) measured the force of the electric charge in objects. e) showed that muscle contractions are both electric and chemical.

d. measured the for of the electric charge in objects

What practical use has been found for gamma rays? a) detecting the speed of a moving vehicle b) generating light and heat c) cooking food and heating water d) medical applications e) carrying radio signals

d. medical applications

Which makes the best electrical conductor? a) covalent bonds b) ionic bonds c) hydrogen bonds d) metallic bonds e) polymers

d. metallic bonds

The northwestern coast of the United States is: a) in the middle of a continental plate. b) where two tectonic plates move parallel to one another. c) located along a divergent plate boundary. d) near a subduction zone. e) associated with a hot spot.

d. near a subduction zone

Individual particles in a transverse wave move: a) perpendicular to the medium. b) in large circles. c) in small circles. d) perpendicular to the wave direction. e) parallel to the wave direction.

d. perpendicular to the wave production

Which of these waves is classified as a type of seismic wave that cannot pass through the liquid outer core of the earth? a) tensile wave b) compressional wave c) torsional wave d) shear waves e) all of the above

d. shear waves

The two most important alternative energy sources being developed today that are renewable are: a) hydro and wind. b) nuclear and wind. c) tidal and solar. d) solar and wind. e) nuclear and solar.

d. solar and wind

The impact collision theory of the Moon's formation: a) was disproved by samples from the Apollo lunar missions. b) states that the Moon was formed elsewhere in the Solar System and was captured by Earth's gravitational force. c) suggests that the Moon was thrown from a spinning Earth. d) states that the Earth was struck by a huge object, causing a large amount of mantle material to be blown into orbit. e) suggests that the Moon was formed by light, less dense materials that floated into the orbit around the Earth.

d. states that the Earth was struck by a huge object, causing a large amount of mantle material to be blown into orbit

The composition of the Earth's Moon is most like: a) Mars. b) the Earth's crustal material. c) the core of the earth. d) the Earth's mantle. e) a comet.

d. the Earth's mantle

The Kuiper belt separates: a) the inner and outer parts of the solar system. b) Neptune from Uranus. c) Mars from Jupiter. d) the main part of the solar system from the Oort cloud. e) the inner from the outer part of the Oort cloud.

d. the main part of the solar system from the Oort cloud

To calculate how many calories your body needs to maintain your current weight for a week, you need to know all of the following EXCEPT: a) your current weight. b) the approximate amount of energy you expend each day. c) the number of calories used daily for normal body maintenance. d) the recommended weight for your height. e) the number of days in the week.

d. the recommended weight for your height

What predicable event can be observed each year by looking from the central semi-circle of upright stones over the heel stone at Stonehenge? a) The setting of the Ssun on the day of onset of winter b) The rising of the Ssun on the first day of the start of summer c) The setting of the Ssun on the day of the end of autumn d) The rising of the Ssun on the day of mid-summer e) The setting of the Ssun on the day of mid-winter

d. the rising of the sun on the day of mid-summer

The higher the frequency of a sound wave: a) louder it is. b) lower the pitch. c) the longer the wavelength. d) the shorter the wavelength. e) the faster it travels.

d. the shorter the wavelength

How do two isotopes of the same element differ? a) Their nuclei have different number of protons. b) Their electrons have different orbits. c) They have different electrical charges. d) Their neutrons differ in number. e) They have a different atomic number.

d. their neutrons differ in number

The fundamental difference between electromagnetic waves and other types of waves is that electromagnetic waves: a) move more slowly than all other types of waves. b) are invisible regardless of wavelength. c) do not experience constructive or destructive interference. d) transfer energy without transferring mass. e) all have the same wavelength.

d. transfer energy without transferring mass

Galileo's work demonstrated that the distance covered by an accelerating object depends on the square of the: a) mass. b) gravitational constant. c) acceleration. d) travel time. e) final velocity.

d. travel time

The weakest type of bond is: a) ionic. b) metallic. c) covalent. d) van der Waals. e) none of the above.

d. van der Walls

Ohm's Law states: a) electrical pressure = flow charge/flow resistance. b) current = voltage (volts) + flow charge (coulombs). c) power (watts) = current (amps) x voltage (volts). d) voltage (volts) = current (amps) x resistance (ohms). e) voltage (volts) = pressure (ohms) x resistance (ohms).

d. voltage (volts)=current(amps)x resistance(ohms)

When scientists have finished research and wish to communicate the results, they are most likely to do which of the following? a) immediately repeat the research b) call a press conference and announce pre-publication findings c) sell their findings to a research and development company d) write a concise paper and submit it to a scientific journal e) submit an abstract to a popular science magazine

d. write a concise paper and submit it to a scientific journal

In general, mountains with steep, jagged crests are: a) rarely seen on Earth. b) can be billions of years old. c) older than mountains with rounded crests. d) younger than mountains with rounded tops. e) none of the above.

d. younger than mountains with rounded tops

Which device would most likely be running on DC electricity? a) a desktop computer. b) a toaster. c) the microwave oven in your house. d) your cell phone in your pocket. e) your home stereo.

d. your cell phone in your pocket

What was the major accomplishment of the space journeys of Voyager 1 and Voyager 2? a) remote sensing of the atmosphere of Venus b) collected samples from the asteroid belt c) paved the way for the Moon landings d) clocked winds on Mercury e) assessment of the outer Solar System environment

e. assessment of the outer Solar System

A space capsule falling to earth would have: a) only kinetic energy b) only potential energy c) only chemical energy d) only heat energy e) both kinetic and potential energies

e. both kinetic and potential energy

To save money, you bought a tougher cut of meat. Which of the following processes will you be using if you use a meat tenderizer? a) distillation b) condensation reaction c) precipitation d) dehydration synthesis e) depolymerization

e. depolymerization

Stretching a rubber band is an example of storing: a) electrical potential energy. b) kinetic energy. c) chemical energy. d) heat energy. e) elastic potential energy.

e. elastic potential energy

Motors and magnets owe their existence to what force? a) strong force b) weak force c) gravitational force d) static electrical force e) electromagnetic force

e. electromagnetic force

Which of the following characteristics does the Earth share with all other bodies in the solar system? a) formed from matter ejected by the Sun b) move in circular orbits c) similar chemical composition d) equally dense e) gravitationally bound to the Sun

e. gravitationally bound to the sun

In our solar system, we can say that natural satellites (moons): a) were most likely formed by spinning planets throwing off big chunks of material. b) are all about the same size. c) have less gravitational pull than that found on any planet. d) usually have active volcanoes. e) have been found orbiting all planets except for Mercury and Venus.

e. have been found orbiting all planets except for Mercury and Venus

The Earth's atmosphere has probably been affected by all of the following except for: a) volcanoes. b) strong solar winds. c) steam from the tropical jungles. d) the number of living things on Earth. e) increased amounts of hydrogen and helium.

e. increased amounts of hydrogen and helium

One characteristic of radon-222 is that: a) it is fluorescent. b) the odor it produces is distinctive. c) it is tightly bound to its host rock. d) the best protection against it is to tightly seal your home. e) it is chemically non-reactive.

e. it is chemically non-reactive

The basic concept of an atom was put forth originally because: a) of experimental evidence from his laboratory. b) older ideas that were borrowed from Egyptians. c) older ideas that were borrowed from Babylonians. d) the invention of the magnifying glass led to ideas about progressively smaller particles. e) it was philosophically satisfying that particles could be divided only so small.

e. it was philosophically satisfying that particles could be divided only so small

What do all thermometers have in common? a) digital display mode b) having some mercury inside c) work only when upside down d) measure temperature by radiation e) materials inside that change when heated

e. materials inside that change when heated

What percentage of energy in the United States is generated by fossil fuels? a) less than 20 %. b) 20 % to 40 %. c) 40 % to 60 %. d) 60 % to 80 %. e) more than 80%

e. more than 80%

An electrically neutral particle in the nucleus of an atom is called a (an): a) nucleus. b) proton. c) electron. d) ion. e) neutron.

e. neutron

The following is a magnetic monopole: a) a single atom of iron. b) half of a bar magnet. c) Earth's core. d) lightening. e) none of the above.

e. none of the above

Which of the following organisms is at the first trophic level? a) cow b) killer whale c) human d) fungi e) plants

e. plants

An example of something that is not a polymer is: a) fur and cellulose. b) spider webs and plastic. c) nylon and cotton. d) meat. e) plasma and gas.

e. plasma and gas

In science, every theory must be tested by using it to make: a) hypotheses. b) laws of nature. c) experiments. d) mathematical formulae e) predictions.

e. predictions

What kind of evidence do scientists now use to compare humans and chimpanzees as close relatives? a) physical features b) behavior c) carbohydrate strands d) food preferences e) protein cytochrome C

e. protein cytochrome C

The amount of energy that is estimated to be contained in a grain of sand would: a) provide a year's worth of energy for the United States. b) equal the gasoline energy needed for a 20 mile trip. c) equal a dump-truck load of coal. d) be the same as year's hydroelectric energy output of Niagara Falls. e) provide a year's worth of energy for a person in the United States.

e. provides a years worth of energy for a person in the United States

Most biologists think that feathers were evolved to help birds: a) fly. b) attract mates. c) float in water. d) hide from enemies. e) retain heat.

e. retain heat

Which statement is true about the discipline of science? a) Science is a complete set of facts about the physical world. b) Science provides answers to all questions about our environment. c) Science encompasses all of pseudoscience and more. d) Science and intuition are mutually exclusive. e) Science provides our best view to the workings of the universe and everything within it.

e. science provides our best view to the workings of the universe and everything within it

Which of the following is an example of a continental convergent plate boundary? a) the East African Rift Valley b) the San Andreas Fault c) the Atlantic east coast fall line d) Mount St. Helens in the northwest United States e) the Himalayan Mountains

e. the Himalayan Mountains

The conservation law in science states that: a) our natural resources are scarce. b) once energy is used, it is lost to the system. c) fossil fuels are an important energy source. d) conservation will save fossil fuels. e) the amount of energy in an isolated system stays the same.

e. the amount of energy in an isolated system stays the same

What important practical device followed directly from Michael Faraday's work? a) the battery b) the thermostat c) the electromagnet d) the electric switch e) the electric generator

e. the electric generator

The energy stored in all fossil fuels was originally in: a) dinosaur bones. b) meteors. c) Earth's ocean. d) uranium deposits. e) the Sun.

e. the sun

Why do scientists reject astrology? a) Planets do not exert a gravitational force on a newborn baby. b) Stars do not exert any force on a newborn baby. c) The Babylonians developed astrology. d) The Moon is too far away to influence a person's life. e) There is no evidence that stars can predict the future.

e. there is no evidence that stars can predict the future

The center of the Copernican universe is the: a) Sun. b) Earth. c) Moon. d) Jupiter e) Venus.

A. Sun

Which statement is true about both heat and temperature? a) Heat and temperature are not synonymous to scientists. b) A large quantity of boiling water and a small quantity of boiling water contain the same amount of heat energy. c) The larger the temperature difference between two objects, the more slowly heat energy will be transferred from one to the other. d) A large quantity of boiling water and a small quantity of boiling water cannot ever be at the same temperature. e) Heat and temperature are basically the same thing, even in the world of science.

a. heat and temperature are not synonymous to scientist

What did James Prescott Joule discover about heat? a) Heat is a form of energy. b) Potential energy equals heat. c) Calories should be limited to energy required. d) Brass tools work better under water. e) Horses expend energy at a rate of 550 foot-pound/second.

a. heat is a form of energy

What important evolutionary event is associated with the latter part of the Cenozoic Era? a) human species evolved b) dinosaurs became extinct c) flowering plants appeared d) a giant mass extinction e) none of the above

a. human species evolved

What two elements comprise most of a nebula? a) hydrogen and helium b) hydrogen and nitrogen c) oxygen and hydrogen d) carbon and hydrogen e) helium and lithium

a. hydrogen and helium

A clear example of applied research is: a) improving cell phone technology. b) studying the origin of comets. c) determining the age of the Moon. d) measuring the age of meteorites. e) analyzing the sizes of river gravel.

a. improving cell phone technology

The inner core at the center of the Earth: a) is solid. b) is made from rocks similar to those on the Earth's surface. c) contains a mixture of solids, liquids, and gases. d) is under low pressure, but at a very high temperature. e) is liquid.

a. is solid

Life on Mars: a) is still a topic under study. b) was once there but is extinct now. c) was proven by a meteorite from Mars. d) is well known but not much discussed. e) probably came from Earth to Mars after Mars oceans dried up.

a. is still a topic under study

What kind of energy does the pounding of ocean surf demonstrate? a) kinetic energy b) potential energy c) sound energy d) heat energy e) mechanical energy

a. kinetic energy

Which is not true based on Maxwell's equations? a) Like charges attract, unlike charges repel. b) Coulomb's law applies to the equations. c) There are no magnetic monopoles in nature. d) Magnetic phenomena can be produced by electrical effects. e) Electrical phenomena can be produced by magnetic effects.

a. like charges attract, unlike charges repel

Rutherford thought the model for an atom's internal structure would be: a) like our solar system. b) chaotic and unpredictable. c) mostly lacking in open space. d) an electron cloud around the nucleus. e) none of the above.

a. like our solar system

The relationship between electrons and the nucleus of their atom is: a) loosely bound. b) tightly bound. c) not bound at all. d) gravitationally bound. e) none of the above.

a. loosely bound

Lasers are extremely important in science because we use them to: a) make very precise measurements. b) absorb photons. c) kill bacteria without harming other cells. d) bounce light off stars. e) determine what elements make up a substance.

a. make very precise measurements

Electrons and protons differ in their: a) mass and charge. b) charge only. c) mass only. d) shape. e) energy.

a. mass and charge

Gravitational potential energy is defined as: a) mass times height times acceleration due to gravity. b) mass times speed times acceleration due to gravity. c) mass times acceleration due to gravity times energy. d) meters times heat times acceleration due to gravity. e) meters times time times energy.

a. mass times height times acceleration due to gravity

__________ results in a sharing of many electrons between atoms. a) Metallic bonding b) Ionic bonding c) Covalent bonding d) all of the above e) none of the above

a. metallic bonding

Which of the following statements is a characteristic of environmental radioactivity? a) Much of the Earth's interior heat comes from alpha decay. b) There was no environmental radioactivity before the discovery of nuclear energy by humans. c) All elements have both radioactive and stable isotopes. d) Radon atoms will sink in water. e) Much of Earth's interior heat comes from beta decay.

a. much of the Earth's interior heat comes from alpha decay

What part of the Hawaiian Island chain is the oldest? a) northwest b) southwest c) south d) east e) west

a. northwest

In today's periodic table, elements are arranged in order of: a) number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. b) number of neutrons in the nucleus of the atom. c) number of electrons in the nucleus of the atom d) atomic size of the atom. e) the alphabetical listing of the atoms.

a. number of protons in the nucleus of the atom

Everything that happens in the universe happens because: a) one or more physical laws are operating. b) there is an intricate spider web of science. c) there are no longer any significant technical challenges for scientists. d) the theoretical reasons have been published in a peer-reviewed journal. e) there are so many scientists in the field of basic research.

a. one or more physical laws are operating

Waves transfer energy from: a) one place to another. b) one wavelength to another. c) one frequency to another. d) one speed of wave to another. e) none of the above.

a. one place to another

Atoms in the same column of the periodic table have the same: a) outer shell electron configurations. b) inner shell electron configurations. c) number of neutrons in the nucleus. d) number of electrons in the nucleus. e) atomic mass and atomic size.

a. outer shell electron configuration

What causes the 'Ring of Fire,' which borders much of the Pacific Ocean? a) plate subduction b) divergent plates c) sea-floor spreading d) transform plate motion e) all of the above

a. plate subduction

Potential energy is thought of as energy of: a) position. b) motion. c) magnetism. d) time. e) distance.

a. position

Which of the following is strictly a longitudinal wave? a) Water waves b) Sound waves c) Light waves d) Any electromagnetic waves e) Laser light

b soundwaves

Which of these represents the coldest temperature? a) 0°Celsius b) 0 Kelvin c) 0°Fahrenheit d) freezing temperature of pure water e) -100°Celsius

b. 0 Kelvin

A particular isotope has a half-life of 10 minutes. If we start with 2,000 atoms now, in a half hour we will have how many atoms converted into something different? a) 2,000 atoms b) 1,750 atoms c) 500 atoms d) 250 atoms e) 125 atoms

b. 1,750 atoms

Which of the following temperatures is best for serving ice cream? a) 0° K b) 10° F c) 100° C d) 32° C e) 10° K

b. 10 F

The continents of Eurasia and North America are currently moving apart at an average rate of: a) 2 inches per century. b) 2 inches per year. c) 5 meters per year. d) 5 cm per century. e) 100 cm per decade.

b. 2 inches per year

Which object has the greatest amount of kinetic energy? a) 250-gram baseball hit at 50 meters/second b) 300-gram baseball traveling at 50 meters/second c) 4-kilogram bowling ball traveling at 7 meters per second d) 4-kilogram bowling ball traveling at 10 meters per second e) a 120-gram tennis ball served at 50 meters/second

b. 300-gram baseball traveling at 50 meters/second

Earth formed approximately __________ billion years ago. a) 4.0 b) 4.5 c) 5.0 d) 5.5 e) 6.0

b. 4.5

Half of all uranium-238 atoms will decay into thorium-234 in approximately: a) 5,700 years. b) 4.5 billion years. c) 7 hours. d) 4 days. e) 247,000 years.

b. 4.5 billion years

The south pole of the magnetic field of the Earth is located near: a) Earth's south pole. b) Earth's north pole. c) the equator of the Earth. d) 30 degrees north latitude. e) 30 degrees south latitude.

b. Earth's north pole

What is one impact of gyres on coastal climates? a) England is colder than otherwise expected. b) England is warmer than otherwise expected. c) The Pacific Ocean near California is warmer than the Atlantic Ocean near Maryland. d) Japan's ocean waters are colder than the latitude indicates. e) Fresh water near the Arctic sinks and moves toward the equator.

b. England is warmer than otherwise expected

The first member of the genus Homo was called: a) Lucy. b) H. habilus. c) Neanderthal. d) H. erectus. e) H. sapiens.

b. H. habilus

In 1808, which person borrowed the name 'atom' from Greek writings and described it as indivisible? a) Daniel Bernoulli b) John Dalton c) Dimitri Mendeleev d) Ernest Rutherford e) Albert Einstein

b. John Dalton

Who first showed that an atom was not a solid particle by identifying a particle within it called an electron? a) Sir Isaac Newton. b) Joseph John Thompson. c) John Dalton. d) Ernest Rutherford. e) Albert Einstein.

b. Joseph John Thompson

The Earth's layered composition is a consequence of: a) the great bombardment. b) differentiation of materials. c) isolation. d) condensation currents. e) plate tectonics.

b. differentiation of materials

The ability of microwave ovens to cook food depends partly upon the fact that microwaves are: a) absorbed quickly by water molecules, which does nothing to heat food. b) absorbed quickly by water molecules, which generates heat. c) reflected by the interior of an oven, which causes heat to be generated in the oven wall. d) absorbed in dry air and thus heat the whole oven and its contents. e) scattered by water molecules, which helps heat the glass door of the oven.

b. absorbed quickly by water molecules, which generate heat

A structure, process, or behavior that helps an organism survive and pass on its genes is called: a) transcription. b) adaptation. c) natural selection. d) selective breeding. e) none of the above.

b. adaption

The term fossil record refers to: a) any documented changes in a species. b) all fossils found, catalogued, and analyzed over time. c) all unique kingdoms and phyla. d) most of the vertebrate fossils, especially primates. e) all of the above.

b. all fossils found, catalogued, and analyzed over time

Absolute zero is defined as the temperature at which: a) water will freeze. b) all heat has been extracted from a substance. c) the lowest temperature a substance can change from a liquid to a solid. d) all motion within an atom ceases. e) energy cannot exist.

b. all heat has been extracted from a substance

If one were to introduce a fast moving molecule into a container of slower moving molecules the outcome will be: a) the fast moving molecule will remain moving faster than the other molecules. b) all molecules will end up traveling the same speed. c) the fast moving molecule will end up traveling slower than the other molecules. d) all molecules will lose speed. e) all molecules will end up traveling the speed of the fast molecule.

b. all molecules will end up traveling the same speed

Turning up the volume of music or speaking louder means that the sound wave has changed: a) frequency. b) amplitude. c) speed. d) wavelength. e) none of the above.

b. amplitude

What aspect of a sound wave makes it seem loud to people hearing the sound? a) frequency b) amplitude c) wavelength d) speed e) velocity

b. amplitude

Which comment below most accurately describes black smokers? a) rare organisms existing on the mouth of active volcanoes b) an ecosystem that obtains energy from the Earth's internal heat rather than the Sun c) giant tube worms growing along the mid-Atlantic Ocean ridges d) water samples that have different physical and chemical properties e) volcanic islands that may have one time been an Atlantic Ring of Fire

b. an ecosystem that obtains energy from Earth's internal heat rather than the sun

Which of the following would not be seen at the surface in the United States? a) areas of land called terranes b) an old spreading plate boundary or "rift" c) a hotspot with active volcanoes d) a mountain range created from the collision of two continents e) a mountain range formed when molten rock pushed up sediments

b. an old spreading plate boundary or "rift"

Every electrical circuit contains: a) an electromagnet. b) an unbroken flow path. c) an electric switch. d) a circuit breaker. e) a motor.

b. an unbroken flow path

Inertial guidance systems rely on objects that have what kind of momentum? a) linear b) angular c) gravitational d) falling e) orbital

b. angular

Substantial groundwater is stored in: a) underground lakes and rivers. b) aquifers. c) igneous rocks and volcanoes. d) all of the above. e) none of the above.

b. aquifers

A stalled car is pushed to the top of a hill, allowed to roll down the hill and started by "clutch-popping" (turning the key while releasing the clutch rapidly). At which point did the car have the greatest amount of potential gravitational energy? a) at the bottom of the hill b) at the top of the hill c) when restarted using the key and clutch d) being pushed to the top of the hill e) as it was rolling down the hill

b. at the top of the hill

The __________ of an element is the same as the number of protons within the nucleus of that element. a) atomic mass. b) atomic number. c) valence number. d) all of the above. e) none of the above.

b. atomic number

Thermal energy is measured in units of: a) joules/second. b) calories. c) watts. d) foot-pounds. e) meters/second.

b. calories

The burning of fossil fuels adds: a) renewable energy to the U.S. supply. b) carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. c) to global cooling and glacial development. d) none of the above. e) all of the above.

b. carbon dioxide to the atmosphere

Energy can be stored in a flashlight battery as: a) electrical energy. b) chemical potential energy. c) heat energy. d) gravitational potential energy. e) electromagnetic energy.

b. chemical potential energy

What new astronomical information resulted from the impact of the fragments from comet Shoemaker-Levy on Jupiter in 1994? a) effect of hydrogen bombs on Jupiter's atmosphere b) composition of atmosphere beneath the planet's surface c) the number of volcanoes located within 100 km of the impact d) amount of water in Jupiter's atmosphere e) mineral analysis of Jupiter's core

b. composition of atmosphere beneath the planet's surface

What is always characteristic of a tectonic plate? a) made of basalt b) comprised of crust and some mantle material c) made of granite d) has a thickness of at least 35 km e) all of the above

b. comprised of crust and some mantle material

What is the only way heat can be transferred within a solid piece of metal? a) convection b) conduction c) dispersion d) radiation e) none of the above

b. conduction

The mantle of the Earth can be described as: a) resembling a metallic core. b) containing hot, soft rock. c) being like the surface of the Earth. d) primarily gaseous. e) helium, oxygen, magnesium, silicon.

b. containing hot, soft rock

Which substance has the lowest specific heat capacity? a) water b) copper c) ice d) steam e) both ice and copper

b. copper

Which formula would you use to determine the age of the Atlantic Ocean basin? a) E = mc2 b) d = s x t c) F = m x a 2 d) d = 1/2 x a x t e) PV = N x R x T

b. d=s x t

How is the force of two charged particles related to their charges? a) proportional to the product of their charges divided by the cube of the distance between them b) proportional to the product of their charges divided by the square of the distance between them c) proportional to the ratio of their charges divided by the distance between them d) proportional to the ratio of their charges multiplied by the square of the distance between them e) No known relation exists between charged particles and force.

b. proportional to the product of their charges divided by the square of the distance between them

In atomic science, the Z number refers to the number of __________ in the nucleus of an atom. a) neutrons. b) protons. c) electrons. d) subatomic particles. e) none of the above.

b. protons

A comparison of asteroids and terrestrial planets would reveal that both are: a) made primarily of gases. b) relatively rocky and small. c) composed of chunks of ice surrounded by solid material. d) located beyond the effect of solar heat and wind. e) large and dense, compared to the Jovian planets.

b. relatively rocky and small

Laws of nature can be characterized by saying that they: a) arise from repeated observation but no testing. b) represent our best understanding of how the universe works in certain circumstances. c) are not subject to change based upon additional observations. d) always have exceptions and other defects. e) are the same as absolute truths.

b. represent our best understanding of how the universe works in certain circumstances

Covalent solids are held together because of: a) a sea of electrons. b) a sharing of electrons. c) an attraction between the polar molecules. d) a transfer of negative electrons. e) the lack of attraction between the inert atoms.

b. sharing of electrons

If you drop a material that is held together by ionic bonds, one likely outcome is that it will: a) bend. b) shatter. c) flow across the floor. d) bounce. e) be dented.

b. shatter

Ockham's razor is a procedure that addresses the most likely explanation using: a) astronomy. b) simplest solutions. c) mathematics. d) constellations. e) multiplying postulates.

b. simplest solutions

Evidence for evolution can be found in the: a) human liver. b) sizes of horse fossils. c) geochemistry of vertebrates. d) eye socket of whales. e) tailbone of a cave bat

b. sizes of horse fossils

Which of the following is the same for all kinds of electromagnetic waves? a) frequency b) speed c) energy d) wavelength e) transmission

b. speed

The U.S. government once considered nylon as a (an): a) weapon of war. b) strategic material. c) form of currency. d) national uniform. e) none of the above

b. strategic material

Which force holds the nucleus together? a) gravity b) strong force c) weak force d) electromagnetic force

b. strong force

Using __________ with electromagnetic radiation has been very useful in locating extrasolar planets. a) gravitational effects b) the Doppler effect c) mirrors and lenses d) all of the above e) none of the above

b. the Doppler effect

The main difference between basic and applied research is: a) the difference in cost of projects in the different areas. b) the motivation behind the quest for new knowledge. c) the scientific background and credentials of the scientists involved. d) one involves technology and the other does not. e) one is more prestigious than the other.

b. the motivation behind the quest for new knowledge

All planets orbit the Sun: a) in a direction opposite to the way that the Sun rotates on its axis. b) the same direction that that the Sun rotates on its axis. c) in different directions, some of which are the same direction that the Sun rotates on its axis. d) in a direction that is about 90 degrees to the way that the Sun rotates on its axis. e) none of the above.

b. the same direction that the sun rotates on its axis

Coulomb's law states that force is dependent on all of the following except: a) the Coulomb constant. b) the sizes of the two objects. c) the charge of the smaller object. d) the distance between the two objects. e) the charge of the larger object.

b. the sizes of the two objects

What device directly measures how much heat a material contains? a) coffee maker b) thermometer c) photograph d) spoon e) insulation

b. thermometer

Power is how much work is done divided by: a) distance. b) time. c) energy. d) work. e) mass.

b. time

Nuclear energy depends on the conversion of nuclear mass: a) into some other form of mass. b) to energy. c) into atomic weight. d) all of the above. e) none of the above.

b. to energy

In the innermost electron shell, there can only be __________ electrons. a) one b) two c) four d) eight e) sixteen

b. two

Electricity and magnetism are: a) one aspect of two forces. b) two aspects of one force. c) mostly different forces. d) indistinguishable. e) unrelated forces.

b. two aspects of one force

Human skin can be strongly affected by what type of electromagnetic radiation? a) visible light b) ultraviolet radiation c) X-rays d) gamma rays

b. ultraviolet radiation

Which type of radiation is commonly used to sterilize medical equipment? a) microwave radiation b) ultraviolet radiation c) fluorescence d) infrared radiation e) radio waves

b. ultraviolet radiation

Big G is the: a) acceleration of gravity. b) universal gravitational constant. c) force of gravity d) mass of the larger of two objects. e) mass of the smaller of two objects.

b. universal gravitational constant

Which of the following common household products is an acid? a) detergent b) vinegar c) milk d) ammonia e) salt

b. vinegar

In a quantum jump where photons are released, which photon would have the greatest energy: a) red b) violet c) green d) yellow e) orange

b. violet

What are some ways the Earth's magnetic field is or was used for navigation? a) Sailors of the past used compasses to direct their course. b) Some bacteria navigate up and down within pond ooze. c) Some migratory birds are directed by the magnetic field. d) The Australian silvereye can see the magnetic fields using a form of color vision. e) All of the choices are ways in which the magnetic field is or was used for navigation.

e. All of the choices are ways in which the magnetic field is or was used for navigation

"Lucy" and her family were members of what species of hominid? a) Homo sapiens b) Neanderthals c) Australopithecus ramidus d) Homo erectus e) Australopithecus afarensis

e. Australopithecus afarensis

The largest nuclear power plant disaster since Chernobyl in the Ukraine occurred in 2011 at: a) Three Mile Island, US. b) Nine Mile Point, US. c) Fugen, Japan. d) Kashiwazaki, Japan. e) Fukushima, Japan.

e. Fukushima, Japan

Which of these statements is not true about Copernicus? a) He hypothesized that planetary orbits were circular. b) He thought that Ptolemy's ideas about the shape of orbits were correct. c) He provided the first serious alternative to Ptolemy's system. d) His model of the universe placed the Sun, rather than the Earth, at the center. e) He used telescopic observations to confirm his theories.

e. He used telescopic observations to confirm his theories

Whose experimental work lead to the first electric generator? a) Benjamin Franklin b) James Clerk Maxwell c) Isaac Newton d) Thomas Edison e) Michael Faraday

e. Michael Faraday

Which of the following is in uniform motion? a) a kite dancing on the wind b) a jet as it takes off from an airport c) an Olympic skier winding through a slalom course d) a high diver spinning in the air e) a train traveling west at 70 mph

e. a train traveling west at 70 mph

According to research groups in several disciplines, where did the first organic molecules form? a) in the early ocean's primordial soup b) near fissures on mid-ocean ridges c) on the surface of other planets d) in protected tidal pools e) all of the above

e. all of the above

Atoms in Earth's inner core materials are closer together than atoms in similar rocks in the __________ of the Earth. a) lower mantle b) upper mantle c) outer core d) crust e) all of the above

e. all of the above

Divergent plate boundaries are associated with: a) seafloor spreading. b) formation of new crust. c) volcanic action. d) shallow, low-energy earthquakes. e) all of the above

e. all of the above

Gamma radiation is a shorter wavelength than: a) X-rays b) microwaves c) radio waves d) visible light e) all of the above

e. all of the above

Glaciers are found: a) at the South Pole. b) in Iceland c) in Greenland d) in some high mountains. e) all of the above

e. all of the above

Periodic glaciations are caused by: a) changes in the tilt of the Earth's axis. b) changes in the shape of the Earth's orbit. c) increased precipitation. d) decreased solar energy absorption. e) all of the above.

e. all of the above

Regions with subduction zones are commonly the locations of: a) active volcanoes. b) the disappearance of old plate material. c) the world's highest mountains. d) severe earthquakes. e) all of the above.

e. all of the above

What evidence convinced most scientists to accept the theory of plate tectonics? a) ocean topography b) magnetism of the ocean basin rocks c) discovery of the Mid-Atlantic Rift zone d) radiometric dating of the basaltic rocks e) all of the above

e. all of the above

What is the force that moves continents and tectonic plates? a) convection cells b) mantle convection c) radioactive decay d) heat energy left from the great bombardment e) all of the above

e. all of the above

Which of the following is a member of the hominid family? a) Homo sapiens b) Neanderthals c) Australopithecus ramidus d) Homo erectus e) all of the above

e. all of the above

Which of the following represents the most stable arrangement of electrons? a) atoms with completely filled valence shells b) elements that are positioned on the far right column of the periodic table of elements c) inert gases such as helium, neon and argon d) atoms with a total of 2, 10, 18 or 36 electrons e) all of the above

e. all of the above

Which of the following was used as evidence for plate tectonics? a) topographic profiles of the ocean floors b) maps on rock magnetism c) data classifying rocks by age d) sea floor spreading e) all of the above

e. all of the above

Which of the following would be funded by a typical federal grant for scientific research? a) computer time to run analyses b) salaries of investigators c) equipment to conduct the research d) graduate student support e) all of these

e. all of these

If an atom emits two protons and two neutrons, the atom has: a) created a daughter nucleus from the parent nucleus. b) emitted an alpha particle. c) changed the mass and chemical identity of the atom. d) produced a small amount of helium. e) all of these are correct.

e. all of these are correct

If you plotted the number of neutrons against the number of protons of all atoms listed in the periodic table of the elements, what would you discover? a) All chemical elements have multiple isotopes. b) Approximately 2,000 isotopes have been identified. c) The number of protons nearly equals the number of neutrons for the lighter elements. d) Heavier elements tend to have more neutrons than protons. e) All of these are correct.

e. all of these are correct

The surface currents of the ocean: a) carry warm water to the poles. b) carry cold water to the equator. c) can move water away from a coastline. d) are independent of the tides. e) all of these are correct.

e. all of these re correct

An example of a metallic bond is: a) DNA. b) organic compounds. c) hydrogen gas. d) NaCl. e) an alloy.

e. an alloy