Download Physical Science Semester Exam Study Guide

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Physical Science Semester Exam Study Guide
Chapter 1
1. What are the two branches of physical science?
a. physics
b. chemistry
2. Physics is the study of forces and energy; chemistry is the study of matter and its changes.
3. Identify the function of the following pieces of lab equipment:
a. spring scale: weighs items in Newtons (N)
b. triple-beam balance: masses items in grams (g)
c.
graduated cylinder: finds the volume in milliliters (mL)
d. thermometer: finds the temperature in degrees Celsius (oC)
e. metric ruler: measures distance in meters (m)
f.
calorimeter: used to measure heat
g. *Be able to identify pictures of each of these items.
4. Read the following scenario:
Nico wanted to determine if the size of a plate determined how much on average a person would eat. For 3 weeks Nico
tested 20 individuals at dinner. She used a different plate type each week: a standard dinner plate, a small bread plate,
and a large charger plate. A scale placed under the table massed the amount of food consumed at each meal. The
individuals in her study were males between the ages of 18-21. The subjects had approximately the same body fat
percentage, the same exercise regimen, they ate at the same time, and were served the same foods.
Identify the following components of the above experiment:
a. hypothesis: If the subjects eat from a smaller plate, then they will eat a smaller mass of food.
b. independent variable: size of plate
c. dependent variable: mass of food eaten
d. control: standard dinner plate
e. constants: all males between the ages of 18-21, same body fat percentage, the same exercise regimen, they ate
at the same time, and were served the same foods.
f. CIRCLE ONE: In this experiment Nico collects [ qualitative / quantitative ] data.
5. Goggles should ALWAYS be worn in the laboratory. *Know basic lab safety rules as outlined in your Flinn Safety Contract
and be able to identify the basic lab safety symbols.
6. CIRCLE THE CORRECT ANSWERS: Scientific theories are an [ explanation / observation ] of an scientific event backed up by
evidence while a scientific law is an [ explanation / observation ] of a scientific event. Neither a theory nor a law is
[ opinion / proven ].
7. Identify the symbol and number represented by the following prefixes:
a. kilo –: k - 1000
d. deci –: d – 0.1
b. hecto –: h - 100
e. centi –: c – 0.01
c. deka –: da - 10
f. milli –: m – 0.001
8. CIRCLE ONE: In metric conversion as you convert to a larger prefix the number gets [ smaller / larger ], and as you convert
to a smaller prefix the number gets [ smaller / larger ].
9. Stephen is 195 cm tall. He is 1.95 m tall.
10. A chicken masses at 1 kg. It is 0.01 hg.
11. List the 8 steps of the scientific method:
a. State the problem (make an observation)
f. Analyze data (draw a conclusion)
b. Do background research
g. Identify new questions raised by the
c. Develop hypothesis
conclusions for further investigation.
d. Test hypothesis (experiment)
h. Communicate results
e. Collect data
12. When is the best situation to use the following graphs: (*Be able to read each type of graph.)
a. bar: comparing data
b. line: showing change (especially over time)
c. circle: show parts of a whole (percentages)
13. On a line graph, the independent variable is on the X axis and the dependent variable is on the Y axis.
Chapter 3
14. State the three parts of the kinetic theory:
a. Matter is made of atoms and molecules.
b. These particles are always in motion, and the higher the temperature of a substance the faster the particles
move.
c. More massive particles move slower than less massive particles.
15. Fill in the blanks with the characteristics of these phases of matter:
a. Solids – Shape: fixed/definite Volume: fixed/definite Particle Motion: slow – vibrating motion without changing
positions
b. Liquids – Shape: changing/not definite Volume: fixed/definite Particle Motion: slow – particles can move past
each other and change position
c. Gases – Shape: changing/not definite Volume: changing/not definite Particle Motion: fast – particles constantly
in motion
16. What are some identifying characteristics for the following states of matter:
a. Bose-Einstein condensate: slower and more dense than a solid; exists at absolute zero; all atoms act like 1 big
atom
b. Plasma: faster and less dense than a gas; able to conduct electricity; found in stars, fire, lightning, and
fluorescent light bulbs
17. Describe the following phase changes:
a. melting: solid to liquid
b. evaporation: liquid to gas
c. condensation: gas to liquid
d. freezing: liquid to solid
e. sublimation: solid to gas
18. All phase changes require and change in energy.
19. What is the law of conservation of mass? Mass cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change forms.
20. Using the diagram on the right, identify the phase of matter represented by the following:
a. A-B: solid
b. C-D: liquid
c. E-: gas
21. Using the diagram to the right, identify the phase change represented by the following:
a. B-C: melting / freezing
b. D-E: evaporating (boiling) / condensating
22. Using the diagram to the left, identify the phase of matter represented by the following:
a. E: solid
b. F: liquid
c. G: gas
23. Using the diagram to the left, identify the phase change represented by the following:
a. A-B: sublimation /
b. B-C: melting / freezing
c. B-D: evaporating (boiling)
deposition
/ condensating
24. What is the boiling point of the substance in the diagram to the left at 60 atm? 300 oC
25. At what pressure does the substance in the diagram evaporate at 600 oC? ~ 72 atm
26. Define buoyancy: The upward force that keeps an object immersed in or floating on a fluid.
27. Define viscosity: The resistance of a gas or liquid to flow.
28. Describe Archimede’s principle: The buoyant force of an object in a fluid is an upward force equal to the weight of the
fluid that the object displaces.
29. CIRCLE ONE: Identify the correct relationship for the following gas laws.
a. Boyle’s law says that as the volume of gas increases, its pressure [ decreases / increases ].
b. Charles’ law says that as the temperature of gas increases, its volume [ decreases / increases ].
c. Gay Lussac’s law says that as the temperature of gas increases, its pressure [ decreases / increases ].
Chapter 11
30. CIRCLE ONE: The difference between speed and velocity is that speed is a scalar quantity that [ does / does not ] require a
direction and velocity is a vector quantity that [ does / does not ] require a direction.
31. Velocity/speed can be described using a distance - time graph.
32. A car moving at an average speed of 50 mi/h for 4 h has traveled a distance of? 200 mi
33. Define acceleration: The rate at which velocity changes
34. Acceleration can be described using a velocity - time graph.
What do the following slopes tell us about how an object is accelerating?
a. negative: decelerating
b. positive: accelerating
c. zero: either constant
(slowing down)
(speeding up)
velocity or stopped
35. A car speeds up from 0 m/s to 40 m/s in 10 s. What is its average acceleration? 4 m/s2
36. Define friction. An unbalanced force that opposes motion.
37. Describe the following types of friction:
a. rolling: Occurs when an object rolls across a solid surface.
b. static: Occurs between two objects that touch but do not move.
c. Kinetic: Occurs when a solid surface moves past another solid surface.
Chapter 12
38. Define force. A force is a push or a pull that causes an object to change its velocity or acceleration.
39. Define net force. The combination of all the forces acting on an objectl
40. Provide the information for the following forces:
a. Balanced – Description: Equal and opposite in strength and cancel each other out. Motion does not change.
Net force: 0 Example: Car parked on a hill / tied game of tug of war / car going at constant speed
Drawing of Example Vector Diagram:
b. Unbalanced – Description: Force are not equal in strength and cause an object to change its velocity or
acceleration. Net force: > or < 0 Example: winning game of tug of war / car speeding up
Drawing of Example Vector Diagram:
41. Describe and give an everyday example of each of Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion.
a. 1st Law – Description: An object at rest will remain at rest or an object in motion will remain in motion in a
straight line unless acted upon by an outside force. Example: Train stops, bodies move forward.
b. 2nd Law – Description: F = m x a Example: Getting hit by a boulder hurts more than getting hit by a pebble at the
same speed.
c. 3rd Law – Description: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Example: Explosion from rocket
goes downward, rocket goes up.
42. Define inertia. Tendency of an object to resist a change in motion.
43. What two factors affect the gravitational force between two objects?
a. mass
b. distance
44. CIRCLE ONE: [ Mass / Weight ] is the amount of matter in a substance and it never changes. [Mass / Weight ] takes into
account the pull of gravity and it will change with changes in gravity.
45. How would your weight and mass on the moon differ from your weight and mass on Earth? Mass will be the same.
Weight will decrease with decreased gravity.
46. Calculate the velocity of a 100 kg man running south with a momentum of 300 kg • m/s. 3 m/s
Chapter 13
47. Define work. The quantity that measures the effects of a force acting over a distance.
48. A boy exerts an average force of 60 N when he lifts a box 0.5 meters. How much work does he do? 30 J
49. Define power. Rate at which work is done.
50. How much power is required to do 100 J of work in 4 s? 25 W
51. What are the 3 types of simple machines in the incline plane family?
a. Incline plane
b. screw
c. wedge
52. What are the 3 types of simple machines in the lever family?
a. lever
b. pulley
c. wheel and axle
53. Give an example of a compound machine? (many answers) scissors
54. What is the mechanical advantage of a ramp that has an input distance of 6 meters long and an output distance of 2
meters high? 3
55. A pulley with a mechanical advantage of 2 is used to lift a bucket with and output force of 200 N. How much is the input
force used to lift the bucket? 100 N
56. Define energy. Measure of the ability to do work.
57. What is the difference between nonmechanical and mechanical energy? Give examples of each.
a. Difference: Nonmechanical is small scale (atomic level) energy and mechanical is large scale (you can see it).
b. Examples of Nonmechanical: thermal, electromagnetic, nuclear, electric, sound, and chemical
c. Examples of Mechanical: kinetic and potential
58. What is the kinetic energy of a 2 kg discus with a speed of 20 m/s? 400 J
59. An astronaut with a mass of 100 kg is 0.10 m above the moon’s surface. The astronaut’s potential energy is 50 J. Calculate
the free-fall acceleration on the moon. 5 m/s2
60. Describe the relationship between kinetic and potential energy when an object is dropped from a height of 100 m. As an
object is dropped, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.
Chapter 14
61. Define temperature. The measure of the average kinetic energy of all the particles within an object.
62. Convert 400°F to degrees Celsius. 204.4 oC
63. Convert –200°C to Kelvin. 73 K
64. Convert 61°C to degrees Fahrenheit. 141.8 oF
65. Describe the following types of heat transfer and give an example of each:
a. Conduction – Description: The transfer of energy as heat between particles as they collide within a substance or
between two objects in contact. Example: pan on a stove
b. Convection – Description: The transfer of energy by the movement of fluids with different temperatures.
Example: Boiling water
c. Radiation – Description: The transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves. Example: heat from sun
66. Contrast heat insulators and conductors and give an example of each.
a. Contrast: Thermal energy travels quickly through a conductor but not through an insulator.
b. Example of Insulator: fiberglass
c. Example of Conductor: steel
67. Define specific heat. The amount of energy transferred as heat that will raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1
K.
68. Calculate the specific heat for a 2 g piece of metal if 30 J of energy is required to raise its temperature by 12.5 K. 1.2
J/(kg*K)
Chapter 15
69. What is a wave? A disturbance that transmits energy through matter or space.
70. Identify the following on the transverse wave below: crest, trough, 1 wavelength, and amplitude.
71.
72. Identify the following on the longitudinal wave below: compression, rarefaction, and 1 wavelength.
73. What is the difference between frequency and period? Period is the amount of time it takes one full wavelengths to pass
a fixed point (measured in seconds, s). Frequency is the number of waves that pass a given point in 1 second (measured
in Hertz, Hz).
74. Describe the following wave interactions:
a. reflection: The bouncing back of a wave as it meets a surface or a boundary.
b. refraction: The bending of waves as they pass from one medium to another.
c. diffraction: The bending of a wave as it passes an edge or an opening.
d. interference: Occurs when the combination of two or more waves exist in the same place at the same time. Can
be constructive or destructive.
75. Calculate the wave speed for a wave with a wavelength of 5 m and a frequency of 0.5 Hz. 2.5 m/s
76. An ambulance is approaching you with its sirens on. According to the Doppler effect, what will happen to the frequency
of its sound? increase
Chapter 16
77. Sound waves are (transverse or longitudinal) and (electromagnetic or mechanical). Light waves are (transverse or
longitudinal) and (electromagnetic or mechanical).
78. What type of material does sound move through the quickest? solids
79. Name and describe the 3 models of light:
a. Name: wave Description: electromagnetic waves made of oscillating electric and magnetic fields
b. Name: particle Description: Light moves like an invisibly small stream of particles.
c. Name: photon Description: Light is composed of tiny packets called photons.
80. The amount of energy in a photon of light is proportional to what? Frequency of the color of light in the wave model.
81. What is the correct order of the electromagnetic spectrum from highest frequency to lowest frequency? Gamma > X-Rays
> UV Rays > Visible Light > IR Light > Microwaves > Radio
82. Name common uses and/or dangers of the following electromagnetic waves:
a. radio: communication, radar
b. gamma: causes radiation sickness, mutation to DNA, used in chemotherapy treatments for cancer
c. X-Rays: causes mutations in DNA, medical imaging
d. visible light: vision, electronic imaging and projection
e. infrared: felt as heat, night vision, fire detection
f. microwaves: cooking, communication
g. ultraviolet: causes mutations in DNA, disinfection, CSI, medical detection
83. What is the law of reflection? Draw a picture representing this law. Draw a picture of the law of reflection below. Be
sure to label the following: angle of incidence, angle of reflection, and normal.
84. What is the difference between a real and virtual image? Real images are visible where light rays come together. Virtual
images are visible where light rays couldn’t possibly come together.
85. What wave interaction causes lenses to change the path of a light ray as it passes through it? refraction
86. Identify the lenses below as either convex or concave
87. A convex lens is (circle one)[converging / diverging] while a concave lens is [converging / diverging].
88. What is the difference between convex and concave lenses? Draw a picture of each including a light rays which show how
they converge or diverge light.
89. What is dispersion and how does it occur? Dispersion is the separation of white light into its separate colors. Occurs
because of refraction using a special lens called a prism.
90. Describe how we see color. For example, why does a blue shirt appear blue. We see reflected colors. For example, a
blue shirt has a pigment that absorbs all of the wavelengths of light except blue. Blue is reflected back and that is why the
shirt appears blue.
91. What are the three primary colors of light? red, blue, green
92. Why do we see:
a. black? Black is the absence of all colors. Black is seen when an item has a pigment that absorbs all wavelengths
of light.
b. white? White occurs when an item has no pigment. It is a reflection of all colors of light.
Chapter 17
93. Define electric charge. An electrical property of matter that creates force between objects.
94. Regarding electrical charges, like charges repel and opposite charges attract.
95. Draw a positive and negative particle, and the field lines for each.
96. Define electric current. The rate that electric charges move through a conductor.
97. Define potential difference. The ability to move an electric charge from one point to another.
98. What causes electrical resistance? Internal friction
99. A 6.0-V battery is connected to a 12Ω resistor. What is the current in the resistor? 0.5 A
100.
List the terms: conductors, insulators, superconductors, and semiconductors in order from least resistance to most
resistance. superconductors < conductors < semiconductors < insulators
101.
Draw a schematic diagram of a series and parallel circuit. Include the following elements: switch, wires, 2 light bulbs,
battery. Be sure to label the diagrams as series or parallel.
102.
Find the total voltages, currents, and resistances of the following circuits:
VT = 12 V
RT = 6 Ω
IT = 2 A
VT = 12 V
RT = 3 Ω
IT = 4 A
103.
Describe an electrochemical cell (battery). Electrochemical cells “batteries” contain an electrolyte (a solution that
conducts electricity) and two electrodes, each a different conductor.
Chapter 18
104.
Define magnetic field. Region around a magnet or current-carrying wire where magnetic forces can be measured.
105.
Regarding magnets, like poles repel and opposite poles attract.
106.
Describe the domains in a magnetic substance. Domains are tiny little magnetic fields in substances. In magnetic
substances they are all aligned in the same direction.
107.
How do compasses work, and what causes a compass needle to point to geographic north? Compasses are made of a
magnet floating on a pivot. The magnetic arrow will align itself with and track magnetic fields.
108.
What is a solenoid? What are two ways to increase the electric field in a solenoid? A solenoid is a coil of wire with an
electric current in it. We can increase its charge by increasing the amount of loops and increasing the amount of electric
current.
109.
Generators convert mechanical energy to electric energy.
110.
What is an electromagnet? A solenoid with a soft iron core.