Qualifying Exam For Instructors - Part 3 - Science
The series of examinations you are about to take tests your stock knowledge on general subjects. These exams contain questions based on the following subjects: Language Proficiency, Math, Science, Reading Comprehension, Abstract Reasoning, and Essay Writing.
Cheating is NOT allowed. You should not seek help from anyone or use any form of technology to find the answer. You are not allowed to retake the exam.
Questions and Answers
- 1.
Chad is using an electronic balance to find the weight of an apple. He makes three trials and gets the following values: 30.8 g, 31.2 g, and 30.9 g. However, his teacher later announces that the weight of the apple is exactly 24.7 g. Chad’s measurements are _____.
- A.
Accurate and precise
- B.
Accurate but not precise
- C.
Precise but not accurate
- D.
Neither precise nor accurate
Correct Answer
C. Precise but not accurateExplanation
Chad's measurements are precise because they are consistently close to each other, with small differences between them. However, they are not accurate because they do not match the true weight of the apple as announced by the teacher. This suggests that there is a systematic error in Chad's measurements, causing them to consistently deviate from the true value.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Where does light travel fastest?
- A.
Air
- B.
Glass
- C.
Vacuum
- D.
Water
Correct Answer
C. VacuumExplanation
Light travels fastest in a vacuum because there are no particles or molecules to slow it down. In air, glass, and water, light encounters particles that can scatter and absorb the photons, causing a reduction in its speed. However, in a vacuum, there is no medium to interact with the light, allowing it to travel at its maximum speed, which is approximately 299,792,458 meters per second.Rate this question:
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- 3.
A complete rotation about the Earth’s axis takes _____.
- A.
A day
- B.
A week
- C.
A month
- D.
A year
Correct Answer
A. A dayExplanation
A complete rotation about the Earth's axis takes a day. This is because the Earth rotates on its axis once every 24 hours, causing the cycle of day and night. This rotation is responsible for the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky, and it determines the length of a day.Rate this question:
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- 4.
What is the difference between an earthquake’s intensity and magnitude?
- A.
Intensity is based on the degree of destruction while magnitude is based on the perceptability of the shock.
- B.
Intensity is based on the perceptability of the shock while magnitude is based on the degree of destruction.
- C.
Intensity is based on the perceptability of the shock, while magnitude is based on the amount of energy released.
- D.
Intensity is based on the amount of energy released, while magnitude is based on the perceptability of the shock.
Correct Answer
C. Intensity is based on the perceptability of the shock, while magnitude is based on the amount of energy released.Explanation
The difference between an earthquake's intensity and magnitude lies in the factors they are based on. Intensity is determined by the perceptibility of the shock, meaning how noticeable and felt the earthquake is by people and the degree of destruction it causes. On the other hand, magnitude is based on the amount of energy released during the earthquake. So, while intensity focuses on the human experience and destruction, magnitude focuses on the actual energy released.Rate this question:
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- 5.
According to Mohs scale of hardness, gold has a hardness of 2.5, a knife blade has a hardness of 5.5, and glass has a hardness of 7. Which of the following statements is true?
- A.
Gold can scratch glass.
- B.
Gold can scratch a knife blade.
- C.
A knife blade can scratch glass.
- D.
Glass can scratch a knife blade.
Correct Answer
D. Glass can scratch a knife blade.Explanation
According to the Mohs scale of hardness, a substance can scratch another substance if it has a higher hardness rating. In this case, since glass has a hardness rating of 7 and a knife blade has a hardness rating of 5.5, it means that glass can scratch a knife blade.Rate this question:
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- 6.
What ecological relationship is there between an organism that benefits and an organism that is neither benefited nor harmed?
- A.
Parasitism
- B.
Commensalism
- C.
Mutualism
- D.
Competition
Correct Answer
B. CommensalismExplanation
Commensalism is an ecological relationship where one organism benefits while the other is neither benefited nor harmed. In this type of relationship, the organism that benefits gains advantages such as shelter, transportation, or access to food, without causing any harm or providing any benefit to the other organism. This relationship is often observed in nature, where one organism takes advantage of the presence or activities of another organism without affecting it positively or negatively. Therefore, commensalism is the correct answer for the given question.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Cats are classified as follows: class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Felidae, genus Felis, species domesticus. How is the scientific name written?
- A.
Domesticus felis
- B.
Felidae felis
- C.
Felis Domesticus
- D.
Felis domesticus
Correct Answer
D. Felis domesticusExplanation
The scientific name for cats is written as Felis domesticus. In the binomial nomenclature system, the genus name (Felis) always comes first, followed by the species name (domesticus). The genus name is always capitalized, while the species name is written in lowercase. This naming convention helps to accurately identify and classify different species in the animal kingdom.Rate this question:
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- 8.
A cell placed in saline water is _____ with respect to its environment.
- A.
Hypertonic
- B.
Isotonic
- C.
Equiosmotic
- D.
Hypotonic
Correct Answer
A. HypertonicExplanation
A cell placed in saline water is hypertonic with respect to its environment. This means that the concentration of solutes inside the cell is higher than the concentration of solutes in the saline water. As a result, water will move out of the cell through osmosis, causing the cell to shrink or undergo plasmolysis.Rate this question:
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- 9.
What pair of structures best represents homology?
- A.
Tail of a fish and tail of a dog
- B.
Wings of a bat and forelimbs of a human
- C.
Proboscis of a mosquito and trunk of an elephant
- D.
Epidermis of a plant and epidermis of a cat
Correct Answer
B. Wings of a bat and forelimbs of a humanExplanation
The pair of structures that best represents homology is the wings of a bat and the forelimbs of a human. Homology refers to the similarity in structures that are derived from a common ancestor. In this case, both the wings of a bat and the forelimbs of a human have similar bone structure and serve a similar function in terms of locomotion, despite their different appearances. This indicates that they share a common evolutionary origin.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Aya conducted an experiment. She placed a small plant in a dark room with a lamp as a light source. After a few days, she noticed that the plant started growing towards the light. What phenomenon was Aya able to show?
- A.
Phototropism
- B.
Thigmotropism
- C.
Circadian rhythm
- D.
Sleep movement
Correct Answer
A. PhototropismExplanation
Aya was able to show the phenomenon of phototropism. Phototropism is the growth or movement of an organism towards or away from a light source. In this case, the plant grew towards the lamp, indicating a positive phototropism response. This response is important for plants to maximize their exposure to light for photosynthesis, which is crucial for their growth and survival. Thigmotropism refers to the growth or movement of an organism in response to touch, circadian rhythm refers to the internal biological clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles, and sleep movement is not a recognized phenomenon in this context.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Which of the following is the correct order of the layers of the skin starting from the outside?
- A.
Dermis; epidermis; hypodermis
- B.
Dermis; hypodermis; epidermis
- C.
Epidermis; dermis; hypodermis
- D.
Hypodermis; dermis; epidermis
Correct Answer
C. Epidermis; dermis; hypodermisExplanation
The correct order of the layers of the skin starting from the outside is the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, followed by the dermis, which is the middle layer. The hypodermis is the innermost layer of the skin.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Trace the pathway of blood through the heart.
- A.
L ventricle; L atrium; lungs; R ventricle; R atrium
- B.
R atrium; L ventricle; lungs; L atrium; R ventricle
- C.
L ventricle; R atrium; lungs; R ventricle; L atrium
- D.
R atrium; R ventricle; lungs; L atrium; L ventricle
Correct Answer
D. R atrium; R ventricle; lungs; L atrium; L ventricle -
- 13.
Latent heat of fusion is the heat needed to change a _____ to a _____.
- A.
Solid; liquid
- B.
Solid; gas
- C.
Liquid; gas
- D.
Gas; liquid
Correct Answer
A. Solid; liquidExplanation
The correct answer is solid; liquid. Latent heat of fusion refers to the amount of heat energy required to change a substance from its solid state to its liquid state, without any change in temperature. This process is known as fusion or melting.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Which of the following is NOT a chemical property?
- A.
Flammability
- B.
PH
- C.
Electronegativity
- D.
Energy
Correct Answer
D. EnergyExplanation
Energy is not a chemical property because it is a measure of the ability to do work or cause a change in a system, rather than a characteristic of a substance that can be observed during a chemical reaction or interaction. Chemical properties are specific to substances and describe how they behave or react with other substances. Flammability, pH, and electronegativity are all chemical properties because they describe how a substance reacts with fire, its acidity/basicity, and its ability to attract electrons, respectively.Rate this question:
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- 15.
Which is the best method for separating the components of a mixture of sand in a glass of water?
- A.
Precipitation
- B.
Centrifugation
- C.
Distillation
- D.
Filtration
Correct Answer
D. FiltrationExplanation
Filtration is the best method for separating the components of a mixture of sand in a glass of water because it allows the water to pass through the filter paper while retaining the solid particles of sand. This process effectively separates the sand from the water, resulting in two distinct components. Precipitation, centrifugation, and distillation are not suitable methods for this specific separation as they are more commonly used for other types of mixtures.Rate this question:
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- 16.
In the periodic table, ionization energy _____ from left to right and _____ from top to bottom.
- A.
Increases; decreases
- B.
Decreases; increases
- C.
Increases; increases
- D.
Decreases; decreases
Correct Answer
A. Increases; decreasesExplanation
In the periodic table, ionization energy increases from left to right because as you move across a period, the number of protons in the nucleus increases, leading to a stronger attraction between the nucleus and the electrons. This makes it more difficult to remove an electron, resulting in higher ionization energy. On the other hand, ionization energy decreases from top to bottom because as you move down a group, the number of energy levels or shells increases. This means that the outermost electrons are farther away from the nucleus and experience less attraction, making it easier to remove an electron and resulting in lower ionization energy.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The chemical reaction KNO3 Ã KNO2 + O2 is an example of a _____ reaction.
- A.
Metathesis
- B.
Substitution
- C.
Decomposition
- D.
Composition
Correct Answer
C. DecompositionExplanation
The chemical reaction KNO3 Ã KNO2 + O2 is an example of a decomposition reaction. In a decomposition reaction, a single compound breaks down into two or more simpler substances. In this reaction, potassium nitrate (KNO3) decomposes into potassium nitrite (KNO2) and oxygen gas (O2).Rate this question:
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- 18.
What is the coefficient of NaCl when the reaction below is balanced? FeCl2 + Na3PO4 Ã Fe3(PO4)2 + NaCl
- A.
6
- B.
7
- C.
8
- D.
9
Correct Answer
A. 6Explanation
The coefficient of NaCl in the balanced equation is 6. This means that 6 moles of NaCl are produced when the reaction occurs. The balanced equation shows that for every 1 mole of FeCl2, 2 moles of NaCl are produced. Therefore, if there are 3 moles of FeCl2, there will be 6 moles of NaCl produced, resulting in a coefficient of 6 for NaCl.Rate this question:
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- 19.
_____ states that the volume and the temperature of a gas are directly proportional to each other when the pressure and the number of moles are held constant.
- A.
Avogadro’s law
- B.
Boyle’s law
- C.
Charles’s law
- D.
Gay-Lussac’s law
Correct Answer
C. Charles’s lawExplanation
Charles's law states that the volume and the temperature of a gas are directly proportional to each other when the pressure and the number of moles are held constant. This means that as the temperature of a gas increases, its volume also increases, and vice versa. This relationship is described by the equation V/T = k, where V is the volume, T is the temperature, and k is a constant. This law is named after Jacques Charles, a French physicist, who first observed this relationship in the late 18th century.Rate this question:
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- 20.
Faye needs to prepare 500 mL of a 0.5 M solution of H2SO4 from the stock solution of 1 M H2SO4. How much of the stock solution will she use?
- A.
100 mL
- B.
250 mL
- C.
300 mL
- D.
400 mL
Correct Answer
B. 250 mLExplanation
To prepare a 0.5 M solution of H2SO4, Faye needs to dilute the stock solution of 1 M H2SO4. The concentration of the stock solution is twice the desired concentration. Therefore, Faye needs to use half the volume of the stock solution to achieve the desired concentration. Since she needs to prepare 500 mL of the solution, she will use 250 mL of the stock solution.Rate this question:
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- 21.
One way to increase the cooling of hot soup is by placing your spoon in the bowl. How is heat transferred in this way?
- A.
Conduction
- B.
Convection
- C.
Radiation
- D.
All of the above
Correct Answer
A. ConductionExplanation
When the spoon is placed in the hot soup, heat is transferred through conduction. Conduction is the transfer of heat through direct contact between two objects or substances. In this case, the hot soup transfers its heat to the spoon, and then the spoon transfers the heat to the surrounding cooler soup. This process continues until the soup reaches a lower temperature. Convection and radiation are not involved in this specific scenario.Rate this question:
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- 22.
Which of the following statements is NOT true for a catalyst?
- A.
It lowers the activation energy of a reaction.
- B.
It is necessary for a reaction to occur.
- C.
It increases the rate of a reaction.
- D.
Its concentration does not change.
Correct Answer
B. It is necessary for a reaction to occur.Explanation
A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to proceed. It is not necessary for a reaction to occur because a reaction can still take place without a catalyst, although at a slower rate. The other statements are true for a catalyst: it lowers the activation energy, increases the rate of reaction, and its concentration does not change as it is not consumed in the reaction.Rate this question:
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- 23.
A police officer living on a planet with no air resistance drops a pair of handcuffs and a handkerchief from the same height at the same time. Which one will reach the ground first?
- A.
The handkerchief
- B.
The handcuffs
- C.
They will both hit the ground at the same time
- D.
The answer depends on how far above the ground they were dropped from
Correct Answer
C. They will both hit the ground at the same timeExplanation
The answer is that they will both hit the ground at the same time. This is because in the absence of air resistance, both objects will experience the same gravitational force and will fall with the same acceleration. The mass of the objects does not affect their rate of fall in this scenario. Therefore, regardless of whether it is a pair of handcuffs or a handkerchief, both objects will reach the ground simultaneously.Rate this question:
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- 24.
Sound is a form of energy produced by the vibration of matter. When an object produces sound, the vibration travels through space as _____.
- A.
Matter
- B.
Molecules
- C.
Sound waves
- D.
Radio waves
Correct Answer
C. Sound wavesExplanation
When an object produces sound, the vibration of matter creates sound waves. These sound waves then travel through space, carrying the energy of the sound. Sound waves are longitudinal waves, which means that the particles in the medium (such as air, water, or solids) vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation. This allows the sound waves to transmit the energy of the sound from the source to our ears, enabling us to perceive and hear the sound.Rate this question:
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- 25.
Which of the following statements is true about light?
- A.
Light has the property of particles only.
- B.
Light is produced by excited atoms.
- C.
Light striking your eyes will not allow you to see.
- D.
Light energy cannot be measured.
Correct Answer
B. Light is produced by excited atoms.Explanation
Light is produced by excited atoms. When atoms are excited, their electrons move to higher energy levels. As these electrons return to their original energy levels, they release energy in the form of light. This process is known as emission. Therefore, light is produced by excited atoms.Rate this question:
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- 26.
The average velocity and the instantaneous velocity of an object will be the same if _____.
- A.
The object's acceleration is constant
- B.
The object's velocity is always positive
- C.
The object's acceleration is zero
- D.
The object’s velocity is always negative
Correct Answer
C. The object's acceleration is zeroExplanation
If the object's acceleration is zero, it means that the object is not changing its velocity over time. This implies that the object is moving at a constant velocity. The average velocity is calculated by dividing the total displacement of the object by the total time taken, while the instantaneous velocity is the velocity of the object at a specific moment in time. Since the object is not accelerating, its velocity remains constant, and therefore the average velocity and the instantaneous velocity will be the same.Rate this question:
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- 27.
Three forces, each separated from one another by 120 degrees, yield a net force of 0. What can be said about the magnitude of the forces?
- A.
They add to 0.
- B.
The sum of the magnitude of two forces must equal the magnitude of the third force.
- C.
They are all equal.
- D.
The given information is not enough.
Correct Answer
C. They are all equal.Explanation
Three forces that are separated from each other by 120 degrees and yield a net force of 0 can only be in equilibrium if they are all equal in magnitude. In a system where forces are balanced, the magnitudes of the forces must be equal in order to cancel each other out and result in a net force of zero. Therefore, it can be concluded that the magnitude of the forces in this scenario are all equal.Rate this question:
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- 28.
The center of mass is defined as _____.
- A.
The position of the most massive particle in a given system
- B.
The point at which a net external force would produce the same acceleration of the system as if it were applied to each particle individually
- C.
The average position of each particle
- D.
The point equidistant from all particles in a system
Correct Answer
B. The point at which a net external force would produce the same acceleration of the system as if it were applied to each particle individuallyExplanation
The center of mass is defined as the point at which a net external force would produce the same acceleration of the system as if it were applied to each particle individually. This means that if an external force is applied to the system, the center of mass will experience the same acceleration as if the force was applied to each particle separately. It is a useful concept in physics as it simplifies the analysis of the motion of a system, allowing us to treat it as if all the mass was concentrated at a single point.Rate this question:
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- 29.
The total momentum of a system of particles is conserved only if _____.
- A.
There are no interactions between the particles
- B.
The velocity of the center of mass of the system is constant
- C.
The velocity of the center of mass of the system is zero
- D.
The system conserves energy
Correct Answer
B. The velocity of the center of mass of the system is constantExplanation
The total momentum of a system of particles is conserved only if the velocity of the center of mass of the system is constant. This is because the center of mass represents the average position and motion of all the particles in the system. If the velocity of the center of mass is constant, it means that the overall motion of the system is not changing, and therefore the total momentum remains constant.Rate this question:
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