ISSUES AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE
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Unit A: Studying Materials Scientifically
Multiple choice: Circle the best answer.
1. What safety rules should you always follow while doing a science laboratory?
a. Wear safety goggles at all times.
b. Clearly label all chemicals.
c. Tell your teacher immediately if a spill occurs.
d. All of the above.
2. The label on a container of a drain cleaner says: “Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Causes severe irritation to eyes, skin,
mouth, and clothing.” Which type of hazard does the drain cleaner pose?
a. It is flammable.
b. It is radioactive.
c. It is toxic.
d. It is not hazardous.
3. Mineral oil is less dense than water. Mercury, a liquid metal, is more dense than water. If mineral oil, mercury, and
water were mixed together, which liquid would float to the top?
a. Mercury
b. Mineral oil
c. Water
d. Both mercury and mineral oil would float to the top.
4. The contents of a large, unlabeled can are tested. The contents of the can do not dissolve in water and have a pH
of 7. When placed in acid, the contents of the can bubble and the odor of rotten eggs is produced. Based on this
information only, which one of the following conclusions can be made?
a. The can contains a liquid.
b. The can contains a gas.
c. The can contains a substance that reacts with acid.
d. The contents of the can are toxic.
5. If you place a solid in water, you can determine:
a. The density of the solid relative to water.
b. The toxicity of the solid relative to water.
c. The flammability of the solid.
d. The reactivity of the solid relative to copper chloride.
6. Which of the following is an example of a mixture that can be separated using a filter?
a. Water and alcohol
b. Iron and sand
c. Saltwater
d. Sand and water
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TEACHER RESOURCES • ASSESSMENT III
Use the table shown below to answer Questions 7 and 8.
Physical state
Density (g/cm3)
Magnetism
Carbon
solid
2.26
non-magnetic
Nickel
solid
8.90
magnetic
Zinc
solid
7.13
non-magnetic
7. You must identify an unknown substance using only the information shown in the table. Which one of the following
tests could help you narrow down the identity of the substance?
a. Placing the substance in water.
b. Holding a magnet near the substance.
c. Observing that the substance is a solid.
d. Carefully smelling the substance.
8. Your teacher holds up a solid and informs you that this non-magnetic solid is less dense than zinc. Based on this
information, the solid could be:
a. Carbon
b. Nickel
c. Zinc
d. None of the above.
9. What is the volume of the liquid below?
a. 4.2 mL
b. 24 mL
c. 42 mL
d. 58 mL
10. Jane measures a piece of metal and determines it has a mass of 10 grams and a volume of 2 mL. What is the density of
the piece of metal?
a. 20 g/mL
b. 10 g/mL
c. 5 g/mL
d. 0.2 g/mL
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ISSUES AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Short answer
11. The wooden cube below has a mass of 9 grams. Will it float or sink in water? Explain.
12. Imagine that you cut the wooden cube in question 11 exactly in half. Will each half float or sink in water? Use a
diagram and explain your answer.
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TEACHER RESOURCES • ASSESSMENT III
The following is the product label and material safety data sheet for a common medical product.
Answer the following questions based on the information from the MSDS Label.
13. What does this product look like?
14. If you were working with this product in science class, what safety precautions would you take?
15. What is a safe way to dispose of this chemical?
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ISSUES AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Extended response
16. You have been asked to separate the contents of a barrel. The barrel contains sand, motor oil, water, gravel, small
pieces of metal, and pieces of cork. Develop a procedure to separate the contents of the barrel.
a. What materials will you need?
b. Describe each step of the procedure. Be sure to explain exactly what you would do at each step.
17. Your drain is clogged at home. When you go to the store to buy a drain cleaner, you have several choices. You narrow
it down to two. The first is very effective but it says it may damage pipes and has strong warnings on it about being
toxic for children and animals. The second cleaner, you know from prior experience is not very effective but is safe
for the pipes and is much less toxic for. Which one would you choose? Be sure to explain your reasons.
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