Deck 2: Science, Matter, and Energy

Question 1

The atomic mass number is equal to the sum of the

A)neutrons and isotopes
B)neutrons and electrons
C)neutrons and protons
D)protons, neutrons, and electrons
E)protons only

Answer 1

neutrons and protons

Question 2

Matter

A)is anything that has mass and occupies space
B)has the capacity to do work
C)can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas
D)can produce change
E)is anything that has mass and occupies space and can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas

Answer 2

is anything that has mass and occupies space and can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas

Question 3

Scientific hypotheses differ from scientific theories in that they are

A)widely accepted descriptions of what we find happening over and over in nature
B)tentative explanations that need further evaluation
C)not subject to proper investigation and testing
D)all of these answers
E)tentative explanations that need further evaluation and not subject to proper investigation and testing

Answer 3

tentative explanations that need further evaluation

Question 4

Which of the following does not characterize frontier science?

A)It often captures news headlines because it is controversial.
B)It may deal with preliminary data.
C)It may eventually be validated.
D)Scientists always agree on the meaning and accuracy of the data involved.
E)It may eventually be discredited.

Question 5

When scientists are testing ideas to determine facts, they

A)follow a specific set of logical steps
B)report observations to the scientific community without data collection
C)use different steps that are unique to each scientist
D)use only mathematical modeling
E)all of these answers, except use only mathematical modeling

Question 6

The atomic number is the number of

A)atoms in a molecule
B)protons in an atom
C)Nuclei in a molecule
D)electrons in an atom
E)protons and neutrons in an atom

Question 7

Which of the following choices best describes the sequence scientists typically use in the beginning stages of their investigations about how nature works?

A)analyze data -> search literature -> perform experiment -> identify a problem -> ask a question
B)ask a question -> search literature -> perform experiment -> analyze data -> identify a problem
C)search literature -> ask a question -> identify a problem -> analyze data -> perform experiment
D)identify a problem ->search literature -> ask a question -> perform experiment -> analyze data
E)ask a question->search literature -> identify a problem -> perform experiment -> analyze data

Question 8

Isotopes differ from each other by their number of

A)Ions
B)protons
C)Atoms
D)neutrons
E)electrons

Question 9

All of the following are elements except

A)Water
B)oxygen
C)nitrogen
D)hydrogen
E)Carbon

Question 10

The Bormann-Likens controlled experiment in forest valleys in New Hampshire showed that water flowing out of deforested areas, when compared to undisturbed areas,

A)was greater in volume by 30 to 40%
B)was less in volume by 30 to 40%
C)had more soil nutrients dissolved in the water
D)was less in volume by 30 to 40% and had fewer soil nutrients dissolved in the water
E)was greater in volume by 30 to 40% and had more soil nutrients dissolved in the water

Question 11

A tiny, tawny colored butterfly called the Carson Wandering Skipper was always known for its small and very localized populations.
a.Typically, it was found along the western Nevada and eastern California high desert areas.
a.It was always located close to hot springs and other wet areas that supported salt grass, the host plant it depended on.Recently, the populations went into a steep decline, and a last hold-out area was threatened by imminent construction of a freeway bypass.
a.Biologists became alarmed and began an intensive search for populations in locations other than the spot designated for the freeway bypass.
a.They began their search by identifying all known locations of hot springs, in hopes of finding small populations of the Carson Wandering Skipper close by.
The biologists' observations that the Carson Wandering Skipper populations had declined is an example of

A)data analysis
B)identifying a problem
C)performing an experiment
D)proposing a hypothesis
E)making testable predictions

Question 12

Protons, neutrons, and electrons are all

A)forms of energy
B)equal in mass
C)subatomic particles
D)negative ions
E)charged particles

Question 13

An element

A)is identical to a compound
B)is made up of compounds
C)can combine with one or more other element to make a compound
D)exists only in a pure form as a single element, and never combines with other elements
E)more than one of these answers

Question 14

As they searched for previously unknown populations of the Carson Wandering Skipper, biologists wondered if hot springs were absolutely essential to its survival. a.This phase of the investigation is

A)finding out what is known and asking a question
B)analyzing data and asking a question
C)Asking a question and testing predictions
D)accepting their hypothesis and analyzing data
E)accepting their hypothesis and asking a question

Question 15

Ions are atoms or groups of atoms that have

A)Gained or lost an electron
B)Gained or lost a proton
C)Gained or lost a neutron
D)Gained or lost either an electron or a proton
E)none of these answers

Question 16

Science

A)is a study of the history of the natural world
B)attempts to discover order in nature to interpret the past
C)is best described as a random collection of facts
D)is supported by small amounts of evidence
E)is an endeavor to discover how nature works

Question 17

The building blocks of matter are

A)Atoms
B)Ions
C)molecules
D)all of these answers
E)Matter is only made up of atoms.

Question 18

The Bormann-Likens study in the Hubbard Brooks Experimental Forest in New Hampshire can be described as

A)a comparison of a control site with an experimental site in nature
B)what can occur in a forest watershed without plants to absorb and retain water
C)an example of how scientists learn about the effects of our actions on natural systems
D)all of these answers
E)only two of these answers

Question 19

The scientists, with enough data,

A)would be able to prove that there is a correlation between butterfly populations and hot springs
B)would not be able to prove a correlation between the butterfly populations and hot springs, but could disprove it
C)Would be able to prove or disprove a correlation, depending on the numbers
D)would not be able to prove or disprove a correlation between the butterfly populations and hot springs
E)would be able to prove that there is a correlation between the butterfly populations and hot springs, but would not be able to disprove it

Question 20

Which of the following statements does not describe scientific investigations?

A)They can disprove things completely.
B)They cannot prove things completely.
C)Bias can be present but can be minimized.
D)They are limited to understanding the natural world.
E)They can utilize mathematical models.

Question 21

When energy changes from one form to another

A)It goes from a less useful to a more useful form.
B)It goes from a more useful to a less useful form.
C)It maintains the same degree of usefulness.
D)It could become more or less useful, depending on the original type of energy.
E)The usefulness of energy is not altered when it changes from one form to another.

Question 22

An acidic solution would have

A)more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions
B)more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions
C)a pH less than 7
D)a pH greater than 7
E)more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions and a pH less than 7

Question 23

When matter undergoes a physical change

A)The arrangement of atoms does not change.
B)The physical or spatial pattern changes.
C)The arrangement of ions changes.
D)The physical or spatial pattern changes but the arrangement of atoms does not change.
E)All of these answers

Question 24

All organic compounds are characterized by the presence of

A)Carbon
B)hydrogen
C)oxygen
D)nitrogen
E)phosphorus

Question 25

Genetic information is contained in coded units on chromosomes called

A)DNA molecules
B)Genes
C)macromolecules
D)nucleotides
E)proteins

Question 26

Most forms of energy can be classified as either

A)chemical or physical
B)Kinetic or mechanical
C)potential or mechanical
D)chemical or kinetic
E)potential or kinetic

Question 27

The smallest functional and structural unit of life is the

A)Ion
B)Atom
C)compound
D)molecule
E)Cell

Question 28

The amount of useful work accomplished by a particular input of energy into a system is

A)Energy quality
B)Energy potential
C)Energy capacity
D)Energy efficiency
E)Energy loss

Question 29

An example of potential energy is

A)electricity flowing through a wire
B)the chemical energy in a candy bar
C)a bullet fired at high velocity
D)a leaf falling from a tree
E)water flowing

Question 30

Which of the following energy forms is high quality?

A)Coal
B)the heat dispersed in the ocean
C)electricity
D)Food
E)all of these answers except the heat dispersed in the ocean

Question 31

What percentage of useful energy in the United States is unnecessarily wasted?

A)16%
B)43%
C)35%
D)10%
E)Energy in the United States is not wasted.

Question 32

If a carbon atom combines with oxygen atoms to form CO₂, this would be described as a

A)Physical change.
B)Chemical change.
C)It is both a physical and chemical change.
D)First, it is a physical change, but then it becomes a chemical change.
E)None of these answers

Question 33

Which of the following is the best description of the first law of thermodynamics?

A)Atoms cannot be created or destroyed.
B)Energy input always equals energy output.
C)Heat is a form of kinetic energy.
D)Solar energy is converted into chemical energy in living systems.
E)All of these answers apply to the first law of thermodynamics.

Question 34

The three major types of organic polymers are

A)lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids
B)proteins, nucleotides, and simple carbohydrates
C)nucleic acids, amino acids, and fatty acids
D)complex carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and proteins
E)nucleic acids, fatty acids, and simple carbohydrates

Question 35

Energy can be formally defined as

A)the velocity of any moving object
B)the heat generated by atoms losing electrons
C)the ability to do work or produce heat transfer
D)the displacement of heat from the Sun to the Earth
E)none of these answers

Question 36

Which of the following sources of iron would be of the highest quality?

A)iron deposits on the ocean floor
B)a field of spinach
C)a large scrap metal junkyard
D)a half-mile deep deposit of iron ore
E)none of these answers

Question 37

Which list of items contains only ions?

A)CO2, H2O, Na+, H-
B)Na+, H-, Pb, Hg
C)Pb, Hg, CO2,NaCl
D)Cl-, Na+, Ca2+, NO3-
E)NaCl, NO, CO, NaOH

Question 38

Which of the following is an example of a lower quality energy form?

A)the electricity that runs your household appliances
B)the heat dispersed in the ocean
C)the battery that operates your laptop computer
D)the propane that powers the furnace in your residence
E)the heat dispersed in the ocean and the battery that operates your laptop computer

Question 39

The law of conservation of matter states that

A)Atoms can be created.
B)Atoms can be destroyed.
C)Atoms cannot be created or destroyed.
D)Atoms can be destroyed if we compost them.
E)Atoms can be created through nuclear fission.

Question 40

All of the following are examples of kinetic energy except

A)a speeding bullet
B)a car battery
C)a flow of electric current
D)a falling rock
E)flowing water

Question 41

A chemical element cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.

Question 42

The two chemical forms of matter are elements and compounds.

Question 43

When energy changes from one form to another, it always goes from a more useful to a less useful form.

Question 44

The idea that all elements are made up of molecules is called the atomic theory.

Question 45

The atomic number of an atom designates the number of protons and neutrons found in its nucleus.

Question 46

Scientists analyze data before they take any other steps to investigate natural processes, since that is the only logical place to start.

Question 47

Since scientific theories are tentative explanations, they should not be taken seriously.

Question 48

Matter can be destroyed, but it can never be created.

Question 49

A form of kinetic energy that travels in the form of waves as a result of changes in electrical and magnetic fields is

A)wind
B)electromagnetic radiation
C)waterfalls
D)electricity
E)solar radiation

Question 50

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds.

Question 51

The first step in the process of scientific study is to ____________________.

Question 52

Scientists Bormann and Likens demonstrated in their experiment on a clear-cut forest that

A)A cleared forest is more sustainable than an uncleared forest.
B)An uncleared forest is more sustainable than a cleared forest.
C)Cleared and uncleared forests have the same sustainability.
D)Clearing a forest violates the second law of thermodynamics.
E)At least two of these answers are correct.

Question 53

Some forms of electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths are:

A)Visible light and IR radiation
B)Visible light and x-rays
C)x-rays and IR
D)gamma rays and UV radiation
E)Visible light and gamma rays

Question 54

Atoms as a whole have no net electrical charge.

Question 55

The steps in the scientific investigative process are always followed in the same sequence by every scientist, without fail.

Question 56

Carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14 all have different numbers of protons.
a.Thus, they can be described as isotopes.

Question 57

When matter undergoes physical changes, the chemical composition also changes.

Question 58

Frontier science always ends up being unreliable science.

Question 59

Which of the following is the best short summary of the law of conservation of matter?

A)There is no away.
B)You cannot get something for nothing.
C)You cannot break even.
D)You can break even, but not get something for nothing.
E)You can get something for nothing, but cannot break even.

Question 60

When electrical energy lights an incandescent light bulb, 50 percent of the energy produces light.

Question 61

An ion that is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and which was studied by Bormann and Likens, is the ____________________ ion.

Question 62

Na is the chemical symbol for ____________________.

Question 63

Genes are segments of ____________________.

Question 64

____________________ consists of elements and compounds.

Question 65

A simple carbohydrate that plants and animals use to obtain energy is ____________________.

Question 66

Matter that is near the Earth's surface, that is highly concentrated, and that has great potential for use as a resource is referred to as ____________________.

Question 67

Match items with their appropriate chemical description.
A subatomic particle with no net electrical charge

A)S
B)H+
C)Electron
D)Proton
E)neutron
F)CO2
G)Na
H)Nucleus
I)mass number
J)NO3-
K)Isotopes

Question 68

Match items with their appropriate chemical description.
The small, dense center of an atom

A)S
B)H+
C)Electron
D)Proton
E)neutron
F)CO2
G)Na
H)Nucleus
I)mass number
J)NO3-
K)Isotopes

Question 69

Match items with their appropriate chemical description.
The chemical symbol for sodium

A)S
B)H+
C)Electron
D)Proton
E)neutron
F)CO2
G)Na
H)Nucleus
I)mass number
J)NO3-
K)Isotopes

Question 70

Match items with their appropriate chemical description.
The nitrate ion

A)S
B)H+
C)Electron
D)Proton
E)neutron
F)CO2
G)Na
H)Nucleus
I)mass number
J)NO3-
K)Isotopes

Question 71

A tentative explanation that needs further investigation is called a(n) ____________________.

Question 72

Match items with their appropriate chemical description.
Subatomic particle with a positive charge

A)S
B)H+
C)Electron
D)Proton
E)neutron
F)CO2
G)Na
H)Nucleus
I)mass number
J)NO3-
K)Isotopes

Question 73

An atom or group of atoms with one or more net positive or negative charges is called a(n) ____________________.

Question 74

Macromolecules formed from a number of monomers are called ____________________.

Question 75

If an overwhelming body of observations and measurements supports a scientific hypothesis, it becomes known as a(n) ____________________.

Question 76

A chemical that is a combination of two or more different elements is called a(n) ____________________.

Question 77

Organic compounds always contain ____________________ atoms.

Question 78

Match items with their appropriate chemical description.
The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus

A)S
B)H+
C)Electron
D)Proton
E)neutron
F)CO2
G)Na
H)Nucleus
I)mass number
J)NO3-
K)Isotopes

Question 79

The pH of a solution is a measure of the ____________________ ions and ____________________ ions.

Question 80

The nucleus of an atom contains the ____________________ and ____________________.