Challenge 1
Challenge 2
Challenge 3
Challenge 4
Challenge 5
100
A series circuit has a resistor of 5 Ohms. What is the change in the amount of current flowing through the circuit if a resistor of 10 Ohms is also connected to the circuit? A. The value of current flowing in the circuit becomes twice the original value. B. The value of current flowing in the circuit reduces to half of the original value. C. The value of current flowing in the circuit becomes a third of the original value. D. The value of current flowing in the circuit becomes three times the original value.
C. The value of current flowing in the circuit becomes a third of the original value.
100
Wyatt moved a wire that was carrying a direct current toward a compass and observed that, as the wire approached the compass, the compass needle pointed in a different direction. Why did the compass needle move? A. The magnet induced an electric field. B. The moving charge generated a magnetic field. C. The electric current was transferred to the compass. D. The moving charge was attracted to the stationary magnet.
B. The moving charge generated a magnetic field.
100
More than half of all Americans in both rural and urban areas rely on groundwater as their supply of drinking water. What is the MOST LIKELY cause of groundwater contamination in rural areas? A. road runoff C. industrial factories B. sewage dumping D. agricultural practices
D. agricultural practices
100
Which of these BEST explains the direction of global ocean currents? A. Global currents are controlled by strong winds and tides. B. Global currents are the result of uneven heating of ocean water and gravity. C. Global currents are driven by the prevailing winds above the ocean and the water cycle. D. Global currents are controlled by the uneven heating of ocean water and the rotation of Earth.
D. Global currents are controlled by the uneven heating of ocean water and the rotation of Earth
100
An experiment is being conducted to determine the air quality inside a building. In order to come to a conclusion, scientists must gather data. Which of the following would be an excellent source of data from which to draw a conclusion? A. naked-eye viewing B. calculations of air mass C. demonstrations of air pressure D. measurement of airborne particulates
D. measurement of airborne particulates
200
The potential difference between two points in an electric circuit is 6 V. What is the change in the amount of current flowing through the circuit if a battery of potential 24 V is connected to the circuit in place of the 6 V battery? A. The direction of flow of current reverses. B. The same amount of current flows through the circuit. C. The value of current flowing in the circuit becomes four times the original value. D. The value of current flowing in the circuit becomes one fourth of the original value.
C. The value of current flowing in the circuit becomes four times the original value.
200
In which material would a moving magnetic field MOST LIKELY induce an electric current? A. a gas B. a liquid C. an object that is an insulator D. an object that is a conductor
D. an object that is a conductor
200
2. Both runoff and groundwater contamination from agricultural practices can cause high levels of nitrates to be present in rivers and streams. In the heart of the U.S. agricultural region, many of these water sources feed into the Mississippi River. At the mouth of the river, where it dumps into the Gulf of Mexico, is an area called the “Dead Zone.” What is the MOST LIKELY reason that this area is called the “Dead Zone?” A. The nitrate level caused the water to turn black. B. The nitrate level caused the water temperature to rise. C. The nitrate level caused there to be no aquatic life present. D. The nitrate level created an imbalance in the salt content of the Gulf.
C. The nitrate level caused there to be no aquatic life present.
200
Which of these BEST explains the direction of global ocean currents? A. Global currents are controlled by strong winds and tides. B. Global currents are the result of uneven heating of ocean water and gravity. C. Global currents are driven by the prevailing winds above the ocean and the water cycle. D. Global currents are controlled by the uneven heating of ocean water and the rotation of Earth.
D. Global currents are controlled by the uneven heating of ocean water and the rotation of Earth.
200
Which model best demonstrates the effects of an earthquake on a city? A. A model of a city that is dropped B. A model of a city that is shaken by a machine C. A model of a city that is turned upside down D. A model of a city that is hit by several small balls
B. A model of a city that is shaken by a machine
300
Andrea constructed an electromagnet using a steel rod and a copper wire, as shown in the figure below. Which modification could Andrea make in the electromagnet to strengthen the magnetic field? A. Replace the steel rod with a glass rod. B. Increase the resistance in the copper wire. C. Remove the steel rod from the copper wire. D. Increase the number of coils around the steel rod
D. Increase the number of coils around the steel rod
300
3. Temperature and salinity variations in ocean water cause A. the occurrence of mid-ocean ridges. B. horizontal and vertical ocean currents. C. refraction of ocean waves. D. ebb and flow of the tides.
B. horizontal and vertical ocean currents.
300
As the Sun heats Earth's atmosphere, some areas of the atmosphere become warmer than others. How does this differential heating affect surface ocean currents? A. The heating creates winds, which drag the water surface. B. The heating increases the Coriolis effect, which drags the water surface. C. The heating increases Earth's centripetal force, which drags the water surface. D. The heating creates friction between layers of the atmosphere, which drags the water surface.
A. The heating creates winds, which drag the water surface.
300
A miniature plane can model all the following aspects of a real airplane’s flight except the A. effect of the plane’s exhaust on the environment. B. flight path of the plane. C. plane’s landing gear mechanism. D. flow of air over the plane’s wings while in flight.
A. effect of the plane’s exhaust on the environment.
400
An electric circuit has three resistors. The resistances in the circuit are R1= 2 ohms, R2= 4 ohms, and R3= 6 ohms. What is the total resistance in the circuit? A. 2 C. 10 B. 6 D. 12
D. 12
400
An area has an average daily temperature of 30oC and an average annual rainfall of 6 centimeters. Which type of climate is this area most likely to be? A. arctic C. temperate B. desert D. tropical
D. tropical
400
How does the direction of Earth’s rotation affect surface currents? A. Surface currents at both poles move from north to south. B. Surface currents in the Northern Hemisphere move clockwise in a circle. C. Surface currents near the poles move more slowly than currents near the equator. D. Surface currents in the Southern Hemisphere move faster than currents in the Northern Hemisphere.
B. Surface currents in the Northern Hemisphere move clockwise in a circle.
400
Which statement BEST describes how ocean currents transfer heat? A. Heat is absorbed by and distributed across the world's oceans as the currents circulate. B. Heat is generated in and distributed across the world's oceans as the currents circulate. C. Heat is generated in and distributed across the world's oceans due to the Coriolis effect. D. Heat is absorbed by and distributed across the world's oceans due to Earth's centripetal force.
A. Heat is absorbed by and distributed across the world's oceans as the currents circulate.
400
Which model best demonstrates the motion of an ocean wave? A. A teaspoon of salt swirled in a beaker of water B. A group of rocks laid out in a pattern C. A rope with one end tied and the other moved up and down quickly D. A jar of sand that is shaken repeatedly
C. A rope with one end tied and the other moved up and down quickly
500
Michael Faraday discovered that electric current could be produced in a wire that is in the form of a loop or coil without using a battery or any other voltage source. Which arrangement causes a current to flow through a coiled wire? A. moving a magnet through the coil B. moving the coil in a varying electric field C. keeping a stationary magnet near the coil D. keeping the coil in a stationary electric field
A. moving a magnet through the coil
500
Which of these BEST explains the direction of global ocean currents? A. Global currents are controlled by strong winds and tides. B. Global currents are the result of uneven heating of ocean water and gravity. C. Global currents are driven by the prevailing winds above the ocean and the water cycle. D. Global currents are controlled by the uneven heating of ocean water and the rotation of Earth.
D. Global currents are controlled by the uneven heating of ocean water and the rotation of Earth.
500
An area has an average daily temperature of 30oC and an average annual rainfall of 6 centimeters. Which type of climate is this area most likely to be? A. arctic C. temperate B. desert D. tropical
D. tropical
500
Which statement accurately describes the hydrologic cycle? A. Seepage and runoff both serve as inputs for surface water, while precipitation adds to groundwater levels. B. Groundwater’s have shorter residence times and smaller relative sizes due to runoff and seepage to the surface. C. Surface waters have longer residence times and large relative sizes due to precipitation and condensation levels. D. Evaporation, precipitation, and condensation drastically change the equilibrium between ground and surface waters.
A. Seepage and runoff both serve as inputs for surface water, while precipitation adds to groundwater levels.
500
Michael Faraday discovered that electric current could be produced in a wire that is in the form of a loop or coil without using a battery or any other voltage source. Which arrangement causes a current to flow through a coiled wire? A. moving a magnet through the coil B. moving the coil in a varying electric field C. keeping a stationary magnet near the coil D. keeping the coil in a stationary electric field
A. moving a magnet through the coil
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