ASVAB General Science Questions

Explanation
The sun produces ultraviolet radiation. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by the sun and is not visible to the human eye. It has shorter wavelengths than visible light, making it more energetic. UV radiation is responsible for causing sunburns and can also have harmful effects on the skin and eyes if overexposure occurs.

Explanation
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface up to about 10-15 kilometers. It is where weather phenomena occur and where most of the Earth's air mass is found. Water vapor is a major component of the troposphere, as it is constantly evaporating from the Earth's surface. Methane and ozone are also present in the troposphere, but in much smaller amounts compared to water vapor. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above" as all three substances can be found in the troposphere.

Explanation
Isaac Newton described the reluctance to move or stop moving when in motion as inertia. Inertia is a property of matter that causes objects to resist changes in their state of motion. It is the tendency of an object to keep doing what it is already doing, whether it is at rest or in motion. This concept is one of the fundamental principles of Newton's laws of motion.

Explanation
The stratosphere is a layer of the Earth's atmosphere located above the troposphere. It is characterized by the presence of the ozone layer, which is a region with a high concentration of ozone molecules. The ozone layer plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Therefore, the correct answer is "Ozone layers."

Explanation
The term "survival of the fittest" refers to the idea that in nature, individuals who are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This concept was coined by Charles Darwin and is a key principle of his theory of evolution. "Natural selection" is another term used to describe this process, as it emphasizes that the selection of traits and characteristics is driven by natural factors such as predation, competition for resources, and environmental conditions. In contrast, "inbreeding" refers to the mating of closely related individuals, "competitive breeding" is not a commonly used term in evolutionary biology, and "artificial selection" is a process driven by human intervention rather than natural factors.

Explanation
The atomic number of an atom represents the number of protons in its nucleus. Protons are positively charged particles and are one of the fundamental building blocks of an atom. The atomic number determines the element to which the atom belongs, as each element has a unique number of protons. Therefore, the correct answer is "Atomic number."

Explanation
Mutualism is a type of relationship where both organisms involved benefit from the union. In mutualistic relationships, both organisms provide resources or services to each other, resulting in mutual advantages. This cooperation allows both organisms to thrive and increase their chances of survival and reproduction. Mutualism is a common occurrence in nature, such as the relationship between pollinators and flowering plants, where the pollinators receive food while the plants are able to reproduce through pollination.

Explanation
A primary producer is a plant in the ecosystem that is capable of photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy. These plants are at the base of the food chain, as they produce their own food and provide energy to other organisms in the ecosystem. They play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem by producing oxygen and serving as a food source for primary consumers. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is "Primary producer."

Explanation
Friction is the force that opposes the motion of an object over a rough surface. In order to keep the object moving, one needs to work against the frictional force. Momentum is the measure of an object's motion and does not directly address the force opposing the motion. Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion, but it does not specifically address the rough surface or the force opposing the motion. Force is a general term and can refer to any type of interaction, but friction specifically refers to the force that opposes the motion on a rough surface.

Explanation
The seasons in a year are best described by the tilt of the Earth's rotational axis toward or away from the sun. This tilt causes different parts of the Earth to receive varying amounts of sunlight throughout the year, resulting in the changing of seasons. When a hemisphere is tilted towards the sun, it experiences summer, while the hemisphere tilted away from the sun experiences winter. The tilt also causes the length of daylight to vary, leading to the transition between spring and autumn. The rotation of the sun round the earth, the movement of the earth round other planets, and the existence of different latitudes do not directly determine the seasons.