ACT Science Passage Types

According to Figure 1, as the temperature of liquid water decreases from 10°C to 0°C, the density:

• A. increases only.
• B. decreases only.
• C. decreases, then increases.
• D. increases, then decreases.

A student claimed that “If the masses of 1 cm3 of any solid and 1 cm3 of any liquid are compared, the mass of the solid will be greater.” Do the data in Table 1 support his claim?

• F. No; lead has a higher density than any of the liquids listed.
• G. No; mercury has a higher density than any of the solids listed.
• H. Yes; lead has a higher density than any of the liquids listed.
• J. Yes; mercury has a higher density than any of the solids listed.

 Which of the following hypotheses about the relationship between the temperature and the density of a solid is best supported by the data in Figure 2 ? As the temperature of a solid increases, the density of the solid:

• A. increases only.
• B. decreases only.
• C. increases, then decreases.
• D. decreases, then increases.

Equal amounts of ethyl ether, mercury, and water (density = 0.9971 g/cm3 ) at 25°C are poured into a single beaker. Three distinct layers of liquid form in the beaker. Based on the data in Table 1, which of the following diagrams represents the order, from top to bottom, of the liquids in the beaker?

• F. Ethyl ether Water Mercury
• G. Ethyl ether Mercury Water
• H. Mercury Water Ethyl ether
• J. Water Ethyl ether Mercury

According to Figure 1, 100 g of water at 4°C would exactly fill a container having which of the following volumes?

• A. 1 cm3
• B. 10 cm3
• C. 100 cm3
• D. 1,000 cm