137 TExES Physical Science 8 - 12 Exam Practice Questions
1. Areas of scientific study include:
A. Natural
B. Social
C. Formal
D. All of the above
2. Scientific method is used to:
A. Investigate an event and integrate information
B. Memorize information
C. Prove that science follows a predictable path
D. All of the above
3. Which step is not part of the scientific method?
A. Question posed
B. Research done
C. Earlier tests are ignored
D. Analysis
4. The disciplines of physics are:
A.Condensed matter and high energy
B. Gene Theories
C. Evolution
D. All of the above
5. Which of the following terms is not used in physics?
A. Motion
B. Patterns
C. Space
D. Time
6. Which of the following is not a law of physics?
A. Newton's Three Laws of Motion
B. Equivalence and Balance
C. Laws of Thermodynamics
D. Invariance of the Speed of Light
7. Chemistry studies matter in relation to:
A. Evolution
B. Entropy
C. The environment
D. All of the above
8. Which of the following is not a discipline in chemistry?
A. Organic
B. Biochemistry
C. Molecular
D. Analytical
9. A chemical reaction is a process that:
A. Alters the number of atoms in a substance
B. Rearranges atomic bonds in a substance
C. Alters the mass of an object
D. All of the above
10. Examples of chemical reactions include:
A. Redox
B. Polymerization
C. Hydrolysis
D. All of the above
ANSWER KEY EXAM 137
1. Answer: D
Natural Science is concerned with the natural world. Social Science studies human behavior. Both are based on empirical evidence, which is observable data that can be verified by other scientists working in similar situations under the same conditions. Formal Science is the systematic study of a specific area. It is essential to developing hypotheses, theories and laws used in other scientific disciplines, i.e., describing how things work (natural science) and how people think and why they do what they do individually and as a society (social sciences). It is based on a priori evidence, which proceeds from a theory or assumption rather than observable phenomena. Applied Science is using the results of scientific research in any of the natural, social and formal sciences and adapting it to address human needs.
2. Answer: A
Scientific Method is a set of procedures used to study natural phenomena. It provides guidelines with which to pose questions, analyze data and reach conclusions. It is used to investigate an event, gain knowledge or correct earlier conclusions about the occurrence and integrate the new information with previously learned data. Researchers pose hypotheses and design experiments and studies to test them. The process must be objective, documented and shared with other researchers in order that the results can be verified by replicating the study in similar situations under the same conditions. Scientific method rarely follows a predictable path. The testing of one hypothesis usually leads to other questions, which leads to the formation of other hypotheses.
3. Answer: C
The steps described are not necessarily used in exactly the same way in all sciences. Sometimes they happen at the same time or in a different order and may be repeated during the course of the study but should be applied with intelligence, imagination and creativity. The following sequence is the one used most of the time:
A question is asked about a natural phenomenon. It should be stated in specific language to focus the inquiry.
The subject is thoroughly researched. Previous test results are studied. It is important to understand what the earlier experiment(s) proved or disproved.
With information gleaned from researching the topic, a hypothesis is formed about a cause or effect of the event or its relationship to other occurrences.
An experiment is designed and conducted to test the hypothesis and gather information.
The resulting data is analyzed to determine if they support or refute the hypothesis.
4. Answer: A
Physics is a fundamental, experimental science that studies matter, motion, energy, space and time and how they interact. Its goal is to understand the natural world by formulating and testing hypotheses in an effort to develop scientific laws that predict other phenomena. Physics is one of the oldest sciences. Humans have been trying to figure out how the world works since we started walking upright. Physicists specialize in either theoretical (the development of new theories) or experimental (testing theories and discovering new phenomena) research. Physics is divided into four disciplines: Condensed matter physics; atomic, molecular and optical physics; high-energy physics and astronomy and astrophysics. Other sciences are complex applications of the laws of physics.
5. Answer: B
These definitions are based on information from The American Heritage College Dictionary.
Motion is "the act or process of changing position or place." It is the continuous change of location as a result of force (lift, push or pull). It is explained as velocity (rate of speed), acceleration (increase in speed), displacement (the act of moving from its usual place) and time. Once an object is in motion, it acquires momentum (a measure of a body in motion). Space is a fundamental quantity that describes the "expanse in which the solar system, stars and galaxies exist, i.e., the universe. It is measured as the distance traveled by light in a vacuum. Time is "a non-spatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future," i.e., a measuring system devised by humans (Immanuel Kant's view). Sir Isaac Newton believed time is a fundamental, measurable dimension of the universe in which events occur in a sequence.
6. Answer: B
The definitions are summarized from Webster's New Explorer Desk Encyclopedia.
Newton's Three Laws Of Motion defines the relationship between the acceleration of an object and the forces acting on it; gravity, conservation of mass-energy; conservation of momentum.
Laws Of Thermodynamics are specific examples of the Laws of Conservation of Mass-Energy: Zeroeth Law makes temperature possible; First Law of Thermodynamics is the relationship between energy, heat and work within a system; Second Law of Thermodynamics is the natural flow of heat in a closed system; Third Law of Thermodynamic states it is impossible to create a perfectly efficient thermodynamic process.
Electrostatic Laws are the relationships between electrically charged particles that create electrostatic force and fields.
Invariance Of The Speed Of Light states that the speed of light in a vacuum is constant and is not measured differently in different frames of reference. This led to Einstein's Theory of Relativity.
7. Answer: B
Chemistry grew out of the practice known as alchemy, a philosophical and spiritual discipline that investigated the possibility of transforming base metals into gold. Modern chemistry is the physical science that studies the composition, structure, properties and reactions of atoms, molecules, crystals and other aggregate matter by themselves or in relationship to each other. It is sometimes called the "central science" because it connects the other natural sciences. Chemistry studies matter in relation to energy (the capacity to do work) and entropy (the measurement of energy unable to do work) and the spontaneity of chemical reactions (the changing of matter into one or more substances).
8. Answer: C
Chemistry is divided into several disciplines based on the type of matter being studied:
- Organic Chemistry studies compounds that contain carbon. Note: Some carbon compounds are considered inorganic compounds.
- Inorganic Chemistry studies mineral compounds.
- Biochemistry studies organisms capable of responding to stimuli, reproduction and growth.
- Physical Chemistry studies energy systems at the macro, molecular and sub-molecular levels.
- Analytical Chemistry studies matter and its chemical composition and structure.
9. Answer: A
Webster's New Explorer Desk Encyclopedia defines a chemical reaction as "any process in which substances are changed into different ones, with different properties." The reaction rearranges the chemical bonds of the atoms in each compound involved in the process; however, the mass and number of atoms of each substance remains constant. Energy is either used or set free. The speed of the process varies depending upon the products involved. The sequence of a chemical reaction is called its mechanism. Types of reactions include: Syntheses, decomposition, rearrangements, additions, eliminations and substitutions.
10. Answer: D
Examples of chemical reactions described in Webster's New Explorer Desk Encyclopedia:
Oxidation-Reduction, or Redox, is a chemical reaction in which electrons are transferred. Adding hydrogen is reduction. Removing hydrogen is oxidation. The two occur together.
Polymerization is a process in which monomers combine to produce a polymer. The process occurs naturally or by using heat or a high-pressure catalyst.
Hydrolysis is a process in which water (HOH) and some other substance exchange groups to form two products; one has the H and the other has the OH.