Physical Science Final Exam

Front

Which word has the same root word as the word terrain? Options: determine, terrible, territory

Back

territory

Answer explanation

The word 'terrain' comes from the Latin root 'terra', meaning land. 'Territory' shares this root, referring to land or area. 'Determine' and 'terrible' do not share this root, making 'territory' the correct choice.

Front

Read passage 30963 to answer this question. Which is the purpose of this article?

Back

to explain the effects of the impact of a meteorite

Answer explanation

The article focuses on explaining the effects of meteorite impacts, making 'to explain the effects of the impact of a meteorite' the correct choice. The other options do not align with the main purpose of the passage.

Front

Avogadro’s number is a constant that helps scientists count atoms and molecules. It is approximately equal to 602,200,000,000,000,000,000,000. How is this number expressed in scientific notation?

Back

6.02 x 10^23

Answer explanation

Avogadro's number is approximately 602,200,000,000,000,000,000,000. In scientific notation, this is expressed as 6.02 x 10^23, which represents the number of particles in a mole.

Front

Which of the following is a physical model of the Sun?

• an equation that describes the Sun’s motion
• a chart that lists the temperatures of different parts of the Sun
• a computer program that shows how the Sun changes over time
• a paragraph that describes the Sun’s structure
• a small yellow ball that represents the Sun

Back

a small yellow ball that represents the Sun

Answer explanation

A small yellow ball that represents the Sun is a physical model, as it provides a tangible representation of the Sun's size and appearance. The other options are abstract or descriptive, not physical models.

Front

A ball starts from rest. It rolls down a ramp and reaches the ground after 4 seconds. Its final velocity when it reaches the ground is 7.0 meters/second. What is the initial velocity and acceleration of the ball?

Back

Initial velocity: 0 meters/second, Acceleration: 1.75 meters/second²

Answer explanation

The ball starts from rest, so the initial velocity is 0 m/s. To find acceleration, use the formula: final velocity = initial velocity + (acceleration × time). Rearranging gives acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) / time = (7 - 0) / 4 = 1.75 m/s².

Front

An airplane is flying at a constant speed in a positive direction. It slows down when it approaches the airport where it's going to land. Which term describes the slowing of the plane?

Back

negative acceleration

Answer explanation

The airplane is slowing down, which means it is experiencing a decrease in speed. This is referred to as negative acceleration, as it indicates a reduction in the velocity of the plane.

Front

At which point are all the forces on the basketball balanced when Darryl throws it and it comes to rest in his coach’s hands?

Back

the moment the ball comes to a complete rest

Answer explanation

The forces on the basketball are balanced when it comes to a complete rest. At this point, the gravitational force and the normal force from the coach's hands are equal, resulting in no net force acting on the ball.

Front

Which sentence states Newton’s third law?

Back

If two objects collide, each object exerts a force equal to and in the opposite direction of the other.

Answer explanation

Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, when two objects collide, each exerts a force equal to and in the opposite direction of the other, making the second answer correct.

Front

What energy transformation occurs as the chicken cooks on a charcoal fire without touching the fire directly?

Back

chemical potential energy → radiant energy → thermal energy

Answer explanation

As the chicken cooks, the chemical potential energy in the chicken is transformed into radiant energy from the charcoal fire, which then converts to thermal energy, cooking the chicken.

Front

Jay bought a toy car. To make the car move, he must turn a key attached to a spring. Turning the key winds the spring tight. The toy car moves when the key is released and the spring unwinds. What’s the main transformation of energy in this example?

Back

potential energy to motion energy

Answer explanation

When Jay winds the spring, he stores potential energy. Upon releasing the key, this potential energy transforms into motion energy, causing the toy car to move. Thus, the main transformation is potential energy to motion energy.