Physical Science
What is Newton’s First Law of Motion?
An object in motion stays in motion and an object at rest stays at rest unless acted upon by a force.
What kind of waves can travel through empty space?
Electromagnetic waves, such as light.
What process turns sediment into sedimentary rock?
Compaction and cementation.
What is a fossil?
The preserved remains or traces of a past organism.
What is an adaptation?
A trait that helps an organism survive in its environment.
What two factors affect the strength of a magnetic field in an electromagnet?
The number of wire coils and the strength of the electric current.
What is the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves?
Transverse waves move perpendicular to the energy direction, while longitudinal waves move parallel.
What type of rock forms from cooled magma?
Igneous rock.
What is the Law of Superposition?
In sedimentary rock layers, the oldest layer is at the bottom.
What is biodiversity?
The variety of living things in an ecosystem.
What is the difference between mass and weight?
Mass is the amount of matter in an object; weight is the force of gravity on that mass.
What does amplitude tell you about a wave?
The energy or intensity of the wave.
What causes metamorphic rocks to form?
Heat and pressure.
What does relative age tell you?
The age of a rock compared to others nearby.
How do invasive species impact ecosystems?
They can outcompete native species and reduce biodiversity.
What does it mean if forces on an object are balanced?
The object will not change its motion; it will remain at rest or in uniform motion.
What is a practical example of sound wave reflection?
An echo.
At what plate boundary do volcanic eruptions often occur?
Convergent plate boundaries.
What is an index fossil?
A fossil of an organism that lived for a short time but was widespread.
What is natural selection?
The process where organisms with helpful traits survive and reproduce more.
What happens to an object’s motion if unbalanced forces act on it?
It will accelerate in the direction of the net force.
Why does light travel faster than sound?
Because light is an electromagnetic wave and doesn't need a medium, while sound is mechanical.
What type of plate movement creates new crust?
Divergent plate boundaries.
What is absolute age?
The numeric age of a rock or fossil in years.
What happens to a population during a drought if only large-beaked birds can eat?
Large-beaked birds survive and reproduce, increasing their population.