Basic Concepts in Physical Science
Exam Questions
Course Introduction
This course offers an introduction to the foundational principles of physical science, encompassing key concepts from physics, chemistry, earth science, and astronomy. Students will explore topics such as matter and its properties, energy and motion, atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical reactions, and the universes structure. Through lectures, demonstrations, and experiments, the course emphasizes scientific reasoning, problem-solving skills, and the application of scientific methods to real-world scenarios, providing a broad understanding of the natural phenomena that shape our physical world.
Recommended Textbook
An Introduction to Physical Science 13th Edition by James Shipman
Available Study Resources on Quizplus
20 Chapters
2616 Verified Questions
2616 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/3820 Page 2
Chapter 1: Temperature and Heat
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
121 Verified Questions
121 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76240
Sample Questions
Q1) A cubic centimeter of pure water at maximum density has a mass of
A) 1 g.
B) 1 kg.
C) 1 cg.
D) 1 lb.
E) none of these
Answer: A
Q2) An object's ______________would be the same on Earth and on the Moon, but its weight would be different.
Answer: mass
Q3) The standard unit of mass in the mks system is the A) meter
B) kilogram
C) pound
D) second
E) gram
Answer: B
Q4) The metric system is a(n)____________ system. Answer: decimal, or base-10
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 3
Chapter 2: Waves and Sound
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
96 Verified Questions
96 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76239
Sample Questions
Q1) If the instantaneous velocity of an object is constant, then so is its
A) velocity.
B) distance.
C) acceleration.
D) displacement.
Answer: A
Q2) A golfer hits a ball on a level fairway at an angle of 55° relative to the horizontal, and it lands on the green. Another golfer hits a ball with the same speed but at another angle, and it lands on the green by the other ball. What was the launch angle for the second golfer?
A) 35°
B) 25°
C) 40°
D) 45°
E) 15°
Answer: A
Q3) An ant on a picnic table travels 30 cm eastward, then 15 cm northward, then 20 cm westward, and finally 15 cm southward. What is the magnitude of its net displacement?
Answer: 10 cm
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Page 4
Chapter 3: Optics and Wave Effects
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
105 Verified Questions
105 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76238
Sample Questions
Q1) Jet propulsion can be explained in terms of Newton's third law and the ______________.
Answer: conservation of momentum
Q2) An apple weighs approximately one ______________.
Answer: newton (N)
Q3) In Newton's law of universal gravitation, F = Gm<sub>1</sub>m<sub>2</sub>/r<sup>2</sup> for uniform objects, the quantity r is______________.
Answer: the distance between the centers of m<sub>1</sub> and m<sub>2</sub>
Q4) The speed of a comet in its orbit around the Sun is ______________ when its distance from the Sun is greatest (aphelion).
A) zero
B) reversed C) greatest
D) least
Answer: D
Q5) An unbalanced force of 30 N is applied to a mass of 5.0 kg. What will be the resulting acceleration?
Answer: 0 m/s<sup>2</sup> (in the direction of the force)
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 5
Chapter 4: Electricity and Magnetism
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
106 Verified Questions
106 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76237
Sample Questions
Q1) Although the United States has less than 5% of the world's population, it accounts for approximately ______________ of the world's annual consumption of fossil fuels.
A) 15%
B) 25%
C) 35%
D) 45%
Q2) Work in the amount of 280 J is done in lifting an object a distance of 4.0 m in a time of 7.0 s.a. How much force did it take to lift the object?
b. What was the power input?
Q3) Car B is traveling twice as fast as car A, but car A has twice the mass of car B. Which car has the greater kinetic energy and by what factor is it greater?
Q4) The energy of position is called A) potential energy. B) power.
C) kinetic energy. D) heat.
Q5) A horsepower is a unit of power equal to 550 ______________.
Q6) The SI unit of power is the ______________.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 6
Chapter 5: Atomic Physics
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
105 Verified Questions
105 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76236
Sample Questions
Q1) Heat transfer that involves mass movement is A) temperature.
B) conduction.
C) convection.
D) radiation.
Q2) ______________ is the process whereby energetic molecules escape from a liquid.
Q3) The average kinetic energy of the molecules in a gas is a measure of A) volume.
B) density.
C) temperature.
D) heat content.
Q4) On a winter day the temperature drops from -5°C to -15°C overnight. If a pan sitting outside contains 0.40 kg of ice, how much heat is removed from the ice for this temperature change?
Q5) If the temperature of a quantity of ideal gas increases, then A) the number of molecules must increase.
B) the pressure must increase. C) the volume must increase.
D) the product of the pressure and volume must increase.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 7
Q6) The Fahrenheit scale has a ___________ degree size than the Celsius scale.
Chapter 6: Nuclear Physics
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
107 Verified Questions
107 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76235
Sample Questions
Q1) Sounds with frequencies higher than the human ear can detect are in the ______________ range.
Q2) The Doppler effect is observed only when
A) the source of a wave moves toward a stationary observer.
B) there is relative motion between the source of a wave and an observer.
C) an observer moves toward the stationary source of a wave.
D) both the source of a wave and an observer are moving toward each other.
Q3) Wave velocity is inversely proportional to A) period.
B) wavelength.
C) amplitude.
D) all of these.
Q4) A series of ocean waves, each 12.0 m from crest to crest and moving past an observer at a rate of 6.0 waves per second, has what speed?
A) 72 m/s
B) 2 m/s
C) 6 m/s
D) 0.5 m/s
Q5) The relationship of wave speed, wavelength, and frequency is given by ______________.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 8
Chapter 7: The Chemical Elements
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
101 Verified Questions
101 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76234
Sample Questions
Q1) The angles of incidence and reflection
A) are not related.
B) can never be equal.
C) are measured from a normal to the reflecting surface. D) add to 90°.
Q2) The least diffraction occurs for
A) \(\lambda\) < d.
B) \(\lambda\) = d.
C) \(\lambda\) > d.
D) none of these; that is, it makes no difference.
Q3) When light enters a denser medium, the speed of the light ______________.
Q4) ______________ waves cannot be polarized.
Q5) A diamond is said to have "fire" because of ______________.
Q6) Light for which the electric field vector is restricted to one plane is said to be A) linearly polarized.
B) linearly refracted. C) linearly reflected.
D) unpolarized.
Q7) The image of a convex mirror is always virtual, _________, and smaller.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 9
Chapter 8: Chemical Bonding
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
109 Verified Questions
109 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76233
Sample Questions
Q1) Earth's magnetic field
A) results from a huge bar magnet within the planet.
B) is believed to arise from currents within the planet's core.
C) is always parallel to the planet's surface.
D) is always in the same direction.
Q2) The expression V = IR is called ______________.
Q3) The angle between true north and the direction in which a compass needle points is called the angle of A) attack.
B) inclination.
C) declination.
D) dip.
Q4) For an ohmic conductor, current is
A) inversely proportional to voltage.
B) inversely proportional to resistance.
C) independent of resistance.
D) independent of voltage.
Q5) If two protons are moved 3 times closer together, the electrical force between them is what factor of the original force?
10
Q6) Two oppositely charged particles ______________ one another.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 9: Chemical Reactions
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
170 Verified Questions
170 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76232
Sample Questions
Q1) Calculate the energy E<sub>n</sub><sub>, </sub>in electron volts, of a hydrogen atom's electron with n = 6.
Q2) Calculate the frequency in hertz of photons of light with energy of 9.90 \(\times\)10<sup>-19 </sup>J.
A) 0.67 \(\times\) 10<sup>14</sup> Hz
B) 0.67 \(\times\) 10<sup>15</sup> Hz
C) 1.49 \(\times\) 10<sup>15</sup> Hz
D) 1.49 \(\times\) 10<sup>14</sup> Hz
Q3) Calculate the frequency, in hertz, of photons of light with energy of 2.00 \(\times\) 10<sup>-19 </sup>J.
Q4) The most modern model of the atom is known as the ______________ model.
Q5) With which object would the wave nature of matter be significant?
A) A hard-thrown baseball
B) A speeding truck
C) A moving electron
D) An orbiting planet
Q6) A CD player uses a laser whose light frequency is 3.85 \(\times\)10<sup>14 </sup>Hz. Calculate the energy, in joules, of the photons.
Q7) When an electron is added to an atom, a(n) _______________ ion is formed.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 11
Chapter 10: Organic Chemistry
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
169 Verified Questions
169 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76231
Sample Questions
Q1) Which type of atom is the standard on which the atomic mass scale is based?
A) <sup>12</sup>C
B) <sup>16</sup>O
C) <sup>1</sup>H
D) <sup>56</sup>Fe
Q2) What is the symbol for the element whose atoms have 40 electrons each?
A) Ge
B) Zr
C) Ar
D) None of these
Q3) Which of the following types of radiation has the least ability to penetrate matter?
A) Alpha particles
B) Gamma rays
C) X-rays
D) Beta particles
Q4) The common unit of radiation absorbed dosage is the ______________.
Q5) If a radionuclide has a half-life of 8 h, ______________ half-lives would go by during 40 h.
Q6) A scientist named ______________ discovered the neutron in 1932.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 12
Chapter 11: Place and Time
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
179 Verified Questions
179 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76230
Sample Questions
Q1) The chemical properties of calcium and strontium are similar because both A) are located on the left side the periodic table.
B) are in the same group.
C) have four electrons in the first shell.
D) are in the same period.
Q2) Which is the formula for baking soda?
A) NaHCO<sub>3</sub>
B) NaOH
C) (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2 </sub>SO<sub>4</sub>
D) HC<sub>2</sub>H<sub>3</sub>O<sub>2</sub>
Q3) Two or more forms of the same element that have different bonding structures in the same physical phase are called A) isobars. B) allotropes.
C) isotopes.
D) isomers.
Q4) The electrons in the outermost shell are called ______________ electrons.
Q5) The pale-green, gaseous element named ______________ was used as a poisonous gas in World War I.
Page 13
Q6) The molecular formula of "buckyball" is ______________.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 13: The Solar System
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
143 Verified Questions
143 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76229
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is a strong acid?
A) Citric acid
B) Nitric acid
C) Phosphoric acid
D) Acetic acid
Q2) A solution with a pH of 6 is
A) strongly acidic.
B) weakly basic.
C) strongly basic.
D) weakly acidic.
Q3) The rate of a chemical reaction would be decreased by
A) stirring the reactants.
B) increasing the concentration of the reactants.
C) adding a catalyst to the reactants.
D) cooling the reactants.
Q4) Which of the following is a weak acid?
A) Hydrochloric acid
B) Nitric acid
C) Sulfuric acid
D) Acetic acid
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 14
Chapter 15: Moons and Small Solar System Bodies
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
147 Verified Questions
147 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76228
Sample Questions
Q1) The parallel that is a great circle is the ______________.
Q2) When one travels east while passing over the International Date Line, A) the date is decreased one day.
B) the time is decreased one hour.
C) the time is advanced one hour.
D) the date is advanced one day.
E) none of these occurs.
Q3) ______________ is defined as the angular measurement, in degrees, east or west of the reference meridian.
Q4) The imaginary line encircling Earth at its surface, halfway between the north and south geographic poles, is called the A) meridian.
B) equator.
C) International Date Line.
D) longitude.
E) latitude.
Q5) A two-dimensional coordinate system is called a(n) ______________ coordinate system.
Q6) A time zone is theoretically ______________° wide.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 15
Q7) Some people mistakenly call noon and midnight ______________ and
Chapter 16: The Universe
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
104 Verified Questions
104 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76227
Sample Questions
Q1) At present, the formation of the solar system is believed by most astronomers to have begun with a large, swirling volume of cold gas and dust called the ______________ nebula.
A) condensation
B) primordial
C) accretion
D) celestial
Q2) Which of the following planets can be in opposition?
A) Mercury
B) Venus
C) Earth
D) Saturn
Q3) The planet Mercury
A) has retrograde motion.
B) is the closest planet to Venus.
C) is the smallest of the terrestrial planets.
D) has a uniquely circular orbit.
Q4) In 1851, Earth's rotation was demonstrated using a(n) ______________.
Q5) The Earth-centered model of the solar system is called the ______________ model.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 16
Q6) The solar system model of Copernicus is known as the ______________ model.
Chapter 17: The Atmosphere
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
152 Verified Questions
152 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76226
Sample Questions
Q1) Someone on the far side of the Moon would observe Earth rise once every A) 24 hours.
B) 24 hours and 50 minutes.
C) 29.5 Earth days.
D) None of these, the observer would never see Earth rise.
Q2) Solar system space is occupied by very small, solid particles that are called ______________.
Q3) The impact of meteorites on the Moon has caused
A) craters only.
B) rays only.
C) rills only.
D) both rays and craters.
Q4) The largest impact features on the surface of the Moon are the ______________ basins.
Q5) Which planet has the second largest moon in the solar system?
A) Jupiter
B) Saturn
C) Uranus
D) Neptune
Q6) The Moon's maria, or plains, are believed to have been caused by
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 17
Chapter 19: Atmospheric Effects
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
101 Verified Questions
101 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76225
Sample Questions
Q1) The velocity-dependent force that produces air motion and is associated with Earth's rotation is called the ______________.
Q2) For normal household temperatures, a comfortable relative humidity is
A) 100%
B) 0%
C) 25%
D) 50%
Q3) An altocumulus cloud belongs to which cloud family?
A) Low
B) Clouds of vertical development
C) High
D) Middle
Q4) At 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, this part of atmosphere is heated almost directly by the Sun's rays.
A) Stratosphere
B) Troposphere
C) Mesosphere
D) Thermosphere
Q5) The relative humidity is 100% at the ______________ temperature.
Q6) Relative humidity is measured with a(n) ______________.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 18
Chapter 21: Structural Geology and Plate Tectonics
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
161 Verified Questions
161 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76224
Sample Questions
Q1) The plastic-like substratum on which the lithospheric plates move is called the A) outer core.
B) endosphere.
C) isosphere.
D) asthenosphere.
Q2) Large fractures in Earth's surface that are associated with movement of lithospheric plates are called ______________.
Q3) The lithosphere "floats" on the asthenosphere, and the parts of lower density float higher. This state of buoyancy is called A) specific continuity.
B) isostasy.
C) the syncline anomaly.
D) remanent balance.
Q4) Transverse seismic body waves are known by the letter ______________.
Q5) The Appalachian Mountains in the eastern United States are examples of ______________ mountains.
Q6) S seismic waves can travel only through ______________ material.
Q7) A(n) ______________ fault occurs as the result of compressional forces.
Q8) Wyoming's Grand Tetons are examples of ______________ mountains.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 19
Chapter 22: Minerals Rocks and Volcanoes
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
170 Verified Questions
170 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76223
Sample Questions
Q1) Intrusive igneous rock formations that cut more or less vertically across older formations are said to be ______________.
A) recordant
B) discordant
C) concordant
D) precordant
Q2) The deflection of one lithospheric plate beneath another plate with which it is colliding is called
A) subduction.
B) superposition.
C) cross-cutting.
D) plutonic movement.
Q3) Particles of sand, mud, and rock fragments deposited along rivers, in lakes, and on the seafloors are called by the general term _____________.
Q4) The Columbia Plateau in the northwestern United States is an example of a(n) A) flood basalt.
B) batholith.
C) monolith.
D) sill.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 20
Chapter 23: Surface Processes
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
121 Verified Questions
121 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76222
Sample Questions
Q1) Any flow of water occurring between well-defined banks is defined by geologists as A) a stream.
B) a meander.
C) a lake.
D) none of these.
Q2) Which of the following phenomena results from limestone being dissolved by rainwater?
A) Caverns
B) Delta formation
C) Sea arches
D) Beaches
Q3) After the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the next largest ocean on Earth is which ocean?
A) Arctic
B) Indian
C) Antarctic
D) Mediterranean
Q4) The measure of a material's capacity to transmit fluids is called the material's
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 21
Chapter 24: Geologic Time
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
149 Verified Questions
149 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/76221
Sample Questions
Q1) Archaeopteryx fossils are those of a prehistoric
A) bird.
B) crinoid.
C) trilobite.
D) ground sloth.
Q2) Which epoch is also called the Ice Ages?
A) Permian
B) Holocene
C) Pleistocene
D) Cretaceous
Q3) New material filling a mold forms a ______________ of the original shell or bone.
A) cast
B) mold
C) hole
D) groove
Q4) The largest units of geologic time are called ______________.
Q5) The term age of ancient life is sometimes used to refer to the ______________ era.
Q6) The term age of reptiles is sometimes used to refer to the ______________ era.
Page 22
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.