Question 1

Which of the following is the most important to the process of scientific inquiry?

Accepted Answer

A) Proposing answers. 
B) Devising tests. 
C) Refuting currently-held understandings. 
D) Confirming currently-held understandings.

Question 2

During which of the scientific activities does the scientist come up with an hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A) A hypothesis is always formulated from questions resulting from initial observations. 
B) A hypothesis is formulated as the first step in any scientific process. 
C) A hypothesis can come at any time, no matter what the scientist may be doing. 
D) A hypothesis can only be formed from results of the experimental process.

Question 3

Which of the following would not be considered matter?

Accepted Answer

A) light 
B) trees 
C) air 
D) clouds 
E) rain

Question 4

Buckminsterfullerene is a new form of carbon because ________.

Accepted Answer

A) its atoms are heavier 
B) its atoms are connected differently 
C) it is composed of newly formed carbon atoms 
D) it also contains boron

Question 5

Kroto, Smalley and Curl won the Nobel Prize for ________.

Accepted Answer

A) physics 
B) chemistry 
C) economics 
D) medicine

Question 6

As a scientist, what are the most realistic dangers of trying to prove a theory a "right"?

Accepted Answer

A) You are no longer open to other possibilities. 
B) You might convince others to see things only "your" way. 
C) You might subconsciously use only the data that fits your model. 
D) There is no danger, you are right when you are right.

Question 7

The bucky ball led to the discovery of a whole new class of molecules called fullerenes. Fullerenes are useful in ________.

Accepted Answer

A) nanotechnology 
B) conducting electricity 
C) strengthening materials 
D) all of the above

Question 8

After the devastating tsunami of December 2004, dozens of Scientologists mobilized to effected regions of south Asia to join in the relief effort. Instead of traditional medical aid, however, these pseudo scientists provided pamphlets along with "touch assist" treatment in which they touch wounded areas with a fingertip. What might the victims have thought about the efforts of the Scientologists?

Accepted Answer

A) The victims might perceive their efforts as admirable if the Scientologists were also assisting in the distribution of food and clothing. 
B) The relief efforts of the scientologists may have been perceived as questionable if they consisted only of passing out pamphlets and practicing their "touch assist" healing. 
C) If the victims' wounds healed within a few days, it's possible that the victims may have attributed the healing to the touch assist. 
D) All of the above are likely thoughts by the victims of the devastating tsunami.

Question 9

The most pressing issue facing the world is ________.

Accepted Answer

A) too many technological advances happening too fast 
B) too many scientific discoveries challenging the ecosystem 
C) a rapid global population increase 
D) a shortage of fossil fuels

Question 10

Distinguish between a scientific hypothesis and a theory.

Accepted Answer

A) A scientific hypothesis must be testable, while a theory has already been tested. 
B) Once a scientific hypothesis has been proven to be accurate, it becomes known as a theory. 
C) In order to be scientific, an hypothesis must be backed by a theory. 
D) A scientific hypothesis is a testable assumption, while a theory is a well-verified idea used to explain a broad range of phenomena. 
E) Only a scientific hypothesis is subject to scrutiny, while a theory is generally accepted to be true and thus does not change.

Question 11

The diameter of a lead pipe was measured to be 2.40 centimeters. Its diameter in units of meters is ________.

Accepted Answer

A) 240 meters 
B) 2,400 meters 
C) 0.240 meter 
D) 0.0240 meter 
E) 0.00240 meter

Question 12

Which statement is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) Science focuses on the development of new technology. 
B) The goal of technology is the development of new science. 
C) Technology and science are basically the same . 
D) New technologies arise from scientific discoveries.

Question 13

The diameter of a lead pipe is measured to be 2.40 cm and you are asked to convert to units of inches. For this conversion factor problem, what units do you begin with in your calculation?

Accepted Answer

A) meters 
B) inches 
C) centimeters 
D) feet

Question 14

The gap between two brain cells is 2.0 × 10-3 nm. How many meters is this?

Accepted Answer

A) 2.0 × 10-12 m 
B) 2.0 × 10-6 m 
C) 2.0 m 
D) 2.0 × 106 m 
E) 2.0 × 10-9 m

Question 15

Which of the following is closest to the initial broad research question posed by Kroto, Smalley and Curl?

Accepted Answer

A) How can we determine the spectral patterns of intrastellar dust? 
B) Can we reproduce star-like conditions here on Earth? 
C) Is intrastellar dust made of carbon based materials? 
D) Is there such a thing as intrastellar dust in space? 
E) What is the chemical nature of intrastellar dust?

Question 16

Why is the process of science not restricted to any one particular method?

Accepted Answer

A) The scientist needs to be open to all possibilities and different ways of doing science in order to gain as much knowledge as possible from his or her research. 
B) In order to interpret experimental evidence, it is important to perform the experiment using a variety of different scientific methods. 
C) What one method proves as right, another might prove as wrong. 
D) Science is not restricted to any one method because not everyone doing science has access to the same sort of equipment.

Question 17

An example of basic research is ________.

Accepted Answer

A) the development of new plastics that can be recycled 
B) the study of the relationship between the amount of automobile emissions gases in the atmosphere and the decomposition of atmospheric ozone 
C) the study of the composition of the atom 
D) the design of new batteries for electric cars 
E) the study of natural compounds in sea animals to look for new molecules that can be used for medicine

Question 18

When employing a new technology, zero risk ________.

Accepted Answer

A) is impossible 
B) is ideal 
C) is the ultimate goal of science 
D) leads to zero benefit

Question 19

The diameter of a lead pipe is measured to be 2.40 cm and you are asked to convert to units of inches. Which of the following conversion factors can you use to solve this problem?

Accepted Answer

A) 12 in = 1 ft 
B) 100 cm = 1 m 
C) 3 ft = 1 yd 
D) two of the above 
E) none of the above

Question 20

If one meter is equal to 39.4 inches, how many centimeters are in one foot?

Accepted Answer

A) 30.4 cm 
B) 304 cm 
C) 0.3 cm 
D) 472 cm 
E) 4.72 cm

Exam 1: About Science