DOUGLAS COUNTY (PHYSICAL SCIENCE) PRE-ASSESSMENT
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
SPECIFIC HEAT
q = mcΔT
q = heat energy
m = mass
c = specific heat
ΔT = change in temperature
Page 2 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
Page 3 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
Directions:
Read each question carefully. Bubble the answers for your multiple choice question on the bubble sheet.
1. Due to the Kinetic Theory of Motion, all particles move in constant, random motion. Which of the following
phases of matter move the fastest? (SPS5a)
A. Solids
B. Liquids
C. Gases
D. Quarks
2. Which of the following is the best representation of molecules of water vapor?
(SPS5a)
3. The plunger in an airtight cylinder can freely move up and down.
If someone pushes down on the plunger, what will happen? (SPS5b)
A. The number of molecules inside the cylinder will increase.
B. The number of molecules inside the cylinder will decrease.
C. The pressure inside the cylinder will increase.
D. The pressure inside the cylinder will decrease.
Page 4 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
4. An aluminum bar was found to have a mass of 27 grams. Using water displacement, the volume was
measured to be 10 mL. What is the density of the aluminum? (SPS2a)
A. 27 g/mL
B. 270 g
C. 2.7 g/mL
D. 2.7 g
5. In order to determine the speed of an object, what measurements must be made? (SPS8a)
A. distance and time
B. distance and direction
C. time, distance, and volume
D. distance and mass
6. In the absence of air resistance, which of the following objects will fall at the fastest rate when dropped?
(SPS8b)
A. the ball with a mass of 75 kg
B. the ball with a mass of 25 kg
C. the ball with a mass of 10 kg
D. they all fall at the same rate
7. Four people are pulling on a box with the forces shown below. If there are no other forces on the box, in
what direction will it move? (SPS8b)
A.
B.
C.
D.
directly toward Diane
directly toward Bill
toward the bottom of the page
toward the right side of the page
Page 5 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
8. The weight of a person on Earth is 6 times his or her weight on the Moon. That type of force is responsible
for a person’s weight? (SPS8d)
A. inertial
B. electromagnetic
C. gravitational
D. mechanical
9. Which of the following could be used to convert light energy to electrical energy? (SPS7a)
A. windmill
B. battery
C. solar panel
D. magnetic field
10. The stored energy in a battery can BEST be described as…. (SPS7a)
A. thermal
B. chemical
C. nuclear
D. kinetic
11. Household appliances convert electricity into one of more different forms of energy. A hot plate converts
electric energy into ____ energy. (SPS7a)
A. sound
B. heat
C. nuclear
D. mechanical
12. Albert stirs hot chocolate with a metal spoon. What type of heat transfer is responsible for the spoon getting
hot? (SPS7b)
A. conduction
B. convection
C. thermoelectric
D. radiation
13. An inclined plane is used to move a heavy box from the ground into the bed of a truck. If 100 N of force is
required to move the load up the 4 meter ramp, how much work is done? Disregard any friction. (SPS8e)
A. 100 J
B. 200 J
C. 300 J
D. 400 J
Page 6 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
14. What is the process of changing from a liquid to a gas? (SPS7b)
A. evaporation
B. condensation
C. deposition
D. sublimation
15. What is the process of changing from a liquid to a solid? (SPS7b)
A. melting
B. condensation
C. deposition
D. freezing
16. What do waves carry? (SPS9a)
A. matter
B. oxygen
C. energy
D. water
17.
The figure above shows some ocean waves. Which of the labeled distances represents the wavelength?
(SPS9a)
A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D
18. While in the classroom, you can hear other students talking in the hallway. What type of wave behavior is
this? (SPS9d)
A. reflection
B. refraction
C. interference
D. diffraction
Page 7 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
19. What is the bending of a wave from one medium to another medium. (SPS9d)
A. reflection
B. refraction
C. diffraction
D. interference
20. In a restaurant kitchen, lamps are used to keep food warm. Which type of electromagnetic radiation do the
lamps emit that is primarily responsible for keeping the food warm? (SPS9b)
A. gamma
B. infrared
C. ultraviolet
D. visible
21. A radio transmitter broadcasts a signal at a given frequency. If the broadcast frequency is increased, what
happens to the speed and the wavelength of the radio waves? (SPS9b)
A. increases, decreases
B. increases, increases
C. remains the same, decreases
D. remains the same, increases
22. A student saw a science fiction movie in which a space ship was zooming through space. The sound of the
engine was loud. The student knew that this was not possible because sound cannot travel through space.
What is the BEST explanation of why sound cannot travel through space? (SPS9e)
A. Sound can only travel through liquids and solids.
B. Sound requires a medium to conduct vibrations.
C. Sound waves stop at temperatures above 0oC.
D. Sound requires a receiver to be detected.
23. Harold looked out his window during a thunderstorm. He saw lightning then heard thunder. What did he
observe about the differences between light energy and sound energy? (SPS9c)
A. Light energy is always created by sound energy.
B. Sound energy is more powerful than light energy.
C. Sound energy and light energy occur in pairs.
D. Light energy travels faster than sound energy because it does not need a medium to travel through.
24. As an object moves toward a person, its perceived frequency is 350 Hz. What would the perceived
frequency of the object be five minutes after it passes the person? (SPS9f)
A. less than 350 Hz
B. 350 Hz
C. more than 350 Hz
Page 8 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
D. zero (0) Hz
25. A fire truck with sirens blasting comes toward a car in the intersection and then passes the car. Which of the
following statements describes how the car’s passengers hear the siren? (SPS9f)
A. Frequency stays the same as the fire truck approaches the car, then decreases after it passes the car.
B. Frequency decreases as the fire truck approaches the car, then increases after it passes the car.
C. Frequency increases as the fire truck approaches the car then stays the same after it passes the car.
D. Frequency increases as the fire truck approaches the car then decreases after it passes the car.
26. Lucy notices that her dog’s fur stands up when she brings the dog brush close to it. What is happening?
(SPS10a)
A. The brush and fur are both negatively charged.
B. The fur is negatively charged and the brush is positively charged.
C. Electrons are moving from the dog’s fur to the brush.
D. Protons are moving from the dog’s fur to the brush.
27. In a truck, a 12 Volt battery supplies electrical energy to the radio and lights. If the radio is turned off, the
lights will still cut on. What type of electrical circuit is this? (SPS10b)
A. AC in series
B. AC in parallel
C. DC in series
D. DC in parallel
28. A toaster is plugged into a wall outlet that has a voltage of 110 volts. If the toaster’s resistance is 10 ohms,
what current runs through the toaster? (SPS10b)
A. 10 amperes
B. 11 amperes
C. 100 amperes
D. 1100 amperes
29. A student connects three identical light bulbs in parallel to a dry cell as shown below. What happens when
the student removes one of the light bulbs from its socket? (SPS10b)
A.
B.
C.
D.
All the light bulbs go out.
The other light bulbs remain on and will be equally bright.
The other light bulbs remain on, one less bright and the other the same brightness as before.
The other light bulbs remain on, one brighter and the other less bright than before.
Page 9 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
30. An electromagnet is formed using a battery, wire coil, and a piece of steel. The wire coil is looped numerous
times around the piece of steel. If the electromagnet is placed close to an iron nail, what will happen?
(SPS10c)
A. The piece of steel begins to rotate.
B. The piece of steel gains a negative charge.
C. The piece of steel gains a positive charge.
D. The piece of steel is attracted to the iron nail.
31. Which of the following pairs are isotopes of the same element? (SPS1a)
A. Atom J (27 protons, 32 neutrons) and Atom L (27 protons, 33 neutrons)
B. Atom Q (56 protons, 81 neutrons) and Atom R (57 protons, 81 neutrons)
C. Atom V (8 protons, 8 neutrons) and Atom W (7 protons, 8 neutrons)
D. Atom S (17 protons, 18 neutrons) and Atom T (18 protons, 17 neutrons)
32. Which subatomic particle identifies the element? (SPS1a)
A. electrons
B. isotopes
C. neutrons
D. protons
33. Which pair of elements is MOST similar? (SPS4a)
A. Ca and F
B. Na and Cl
C. Ne and Ar
D. Li and H
34. Which of the following contains the MOST atoms? (SPS4a)
A. K2MnO7
B. Al2(SO4)3
C. C4H4F4Cl2
D. Hg2(NO3)2
35. Generally, how do atomic masses vary throughout the periodic table of the elements? (SPS4b)
A. They increase from left to right and top to bottom.
B. They increase from left to right and bottom to top.
C. They increase from right to left and top to bottom.
D. They increase from right to left and bottom to top.
Page 10 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
36. In the periodic table, the rows are called …. (SPS4a)
A. periods
B. groups
C. classes
D. families
37. Which two elements from the periodic table will react most similarly with each other? (SPS4b)
A. two elements on opposite sides of the periodic table
B. two elements in neighboring columns
C. two elements in the same row
D. two elements in the same column
38. The periodic table organizes elements due to increasing ________. (SPS4b)
A. atomic mass
B. atomic number
C. valence number
D. oxidation number
39. Elements such as chlorine, fluorine, and iodine are all highly reactive nonmetals and need only one electron
to fill their outer shells. What name is given to this column of elements? (SPS4b)
A. noble gases
B. halogens
C. rare earth metals
D. alkali metals
40. Put these different types of radiation in order from MOST to LEAST penetrating? (SPS3a)
A. alpha > beta > gamma
B. gamma > alpha > beta
C. gamma > beta > alpha
D. beta > gamma > alpha
41. What is produced when the isotope, phosphorus-32 undergoes beta decay? (SPS3a)
A. sulfur-32
B. aluminum-28
C. silicon-32
D. chlorine-36
Page 11 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
42. The nucleus of a large atom splits and two smaller atoms are formed. Energy is released in this process.
What is the name of this process? (SPS3b)
A. binary multiplication
B. fusion
C. fission
D. friction
43. Thorium-229 is a highly reactive isotope used in the treatment of certain cancers. Use the following chart to
determine how much Thorium would remain after 7,340 years if a sample began at 20 pounds of pure
thorium-229? (SPS3c)
Thorium-229
Years
Amount
A.
B.
C.
D.
0
16
7340
8
14680
4
25 pounds
10 pounds
5 pounds
2 pounds
44. Which explains why radioactive waste is so difficult to get rid of? (SPS3c)
A. short half-life of waste products
B. long half-life of waste products
C. low electrical charge
D. high electrical charge
45. The half-life of the most stable isotope of radium is 1,600 years. A sample of radium has a mass of 8 grams
originally. If the sample remains undisturbed, how much radium would be left after 1,600 years. (SPS3c)
A. 16 grams
B. 8 grams
C. 4 grams
D. 2 grams
Page 12 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
46. Aluminum oxide, Al2O3, is produced by combining Al+3 and O-2 particles. What type of compound has been
formed? (SPS1b)
A. covalent
B. ionic
C. metallic
D. molecular
47. An ionic bond typically forms between certain types of elements. Which pair of elements will form an ionic
compound? (SPS1b)
A. Na and Cu
B. K and Cl
C. Ne and O
D. Li and Mg
48. What is the correct formula for the compound formed when lithium and oxygen combine? (SPS2b)
A. LiO
B. Li2O2
C. LiO2
D. Li2O
49. The alkali metals are very reactive. They can readily form cations with a charge of _____. (SPS2b)
A. + 1
B. + 2
C. -1
D. -2
50. The compound formed from the elements calcium and chlorine is known as… (SPS2c)
A. chlorine calcide
B. calcite
C. calcium chloride
D. calcium chlorate
51. Which formula represents the ionic compound magnesium bromide? (SPS2c)
A. MgBr
B. MgBr2
C. Mg2Br
D. Mg2Br2
Page 13 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
52. The law of conservation of matter is very important in regard to balancing chemical equations. This law
states that during a chemical reaction, the amount of matter _____________. (SPS2d)
A. disappears
B. increases
C. decreases
D. stays the same
53. Which equation below is correctly balanced? (SPS2e)
A. 2Na + O2  2 Na2O
B. Sn + 2KOH  K2SnO2 + 2H2
C. AsCl3 + 3H2O  3HCl + As(OH)3
D. H2 + O2  H2O
54. What number should precede H2 in the chemical equation below in order for the equation to be balanced?
(SPS2e)
_____ H2 + N2  2 NH3
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
55. Look at the following equation: 2Al + 3CuCl2  2AlCl3 + 3Cu
This is an example of what type of reaction? (SPS2e)
A. decomposition
B. double displacement
C. synthesis
D. single displacement
56. When the following equation is balanced and all coefficients are reduced to their lowest whole-number
values, what is the coefficient for H2O? (SPS2e)
_____ C3H6 + _____ O2  _______CO2 + ______H2O
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 6
Page 14 of 15
Douglas County (Physical Science) Pre-Assessment
57. Soft drinks consist of a mixture of water, sugar, and flavoring, with carbon dioxide gas bubbled through it.
Which of these ingredients would be considered the solvent? (SPS6a)
A. water
B. sugar
C. flavoring
D. carbon dioxide
58. Which process is represented by the following description: “sugar is added to water and a sweet liquid
results after stirring”? (SPS6b)
A. melting
B. dissolving
C. evaporation
D. oxidation
59.
Judging from the solubility curve graph above, how does the solubility curve of NaCl compare to the
solubility curve of KCl? (SPS6c)
A. NaCl is less soluble than KCl at low temperatures.
B. KCl is more soluble than NaCl at high temperatures.
C. The solubility of KCl is affected less by a temperature change than NaCl.
D. The solubility of NaCl is affected more by a temperature change than KCl.
60. Litmus paper is used as an indicator of acids and bases. If added to an ammonia-based solution of window
cleaner, we would expect the litmus paper to turn____________. (SPS6d)
A. blue
B. brown
C. pink
D. yellow
Page 15 of 15