True/False*: Light waves travel faster than sound waves.
(*correct the underlined phrase if it is False, to earn points)
TRUE
True/False*: The prefix "geo" means "life".
(*correct the underlined phrase if it is False, to earn points)
FALSE; "geo" means "Earth"
True/False*: A light year is a measurement of time.
(*correct the underlined phrase if it is False, to earn points)
FALSE; Light years measure DISTANCE, not time.
What is the correct term that describe when light waves change direction or bend as they pass from one medium to another?
A) Reflection
B) Refraction
C) Absorption
B) Refraction
Which of the following are compounds?
carbon, gold, oxygen, water, nitrogen
water
List the following forms of EM radiation in the correct order by wavelength (from shortest to longest).
gamma rays, visible light, infrared, radio waves
gamma rays, visible light, infrared, radio waves
This sphere contains all frozen water on Earth.
A) hydrosphere B) cryosphere
C) biosphere D) geosphere
B) cryosphere
Which units would be most appropriate to measure distances within our solar system?
A) light years (LY) B) astronomical units (AU)
B) astronomical units (AU)
Objects appear red if they...
A) absorb red light
B) refract red light
C) reflect red light
D) none of the above
C) reflect red light
John discovered that sodium (Na) is found in Group 1 on the Periodic Table. Where should John look for another element that has similar properties?
A) in the same row
B) in the same column
C) on the opposite side of the table
D) for names that begin with the letter N
B) in the same column
What type(s) of electromagnetic radiation with a long wavelength can be used to transmit television signals? SELECT ALL THAT APPLY.
A. microwaves
B. gamma rays
C. radio waves
D. infrared waves
A) and C)
Infrared waves and Gamma rays are too in high frequency/short wavelength to transmit television signals.
Which example shows an interaction between the biosphere and the geosphere, due to a forest fire?
A) The fire decreases the number of live tree roots to hold soil in place.
B) Ash blows away and falls many kilometers away from the fire.
C) Smoke from the fire makes it difficult for animals to breathe.
D) Moisture is removed from trees and other plants from the hot air around the fire.
A) The fire decreases the number of live tree roots to hold soil in place.
Which units would be most appropriate to measure the distance between the Milky Way galaxy and the Andromeda galaxy?
A) light years (LY) B) astronomical units (AU)
A) light years (LY)
What is property of light is being depicted in the image below?
A) reflection B) refraction C) absorption
B) refraction
Using the Periodic Table, scientists can predict the properties of elements. Which of the following pairs of elements have properties that are the least similar?
A) He and Xe B) Cl and I
C) N and P D) Si and S
D) Si and S
Which list shows the correct order of increasing speed of light waves in a medium, from slowest to fastest?
A. solids → liquids → gases
B. gases → liquids → solids
C. gases → solids → liquids
D. liquids → solids → gases
A. solids → liquids → gases
List 2 ways that the layers of the atmosphere work to protect life on Earth.
Answers may vary, but should relate to protection from UV and gamma radiation and meteors, and/or trapping and holding in heat.
What is one reason why some space missions, such as the Mars Rover, have no human crew?
A) Some parts of space have too much oxygen for human crews.
B) Some parts of space are not interesting to humans.
C) There are many parts of space that humans have already traveled to, so they do not need to go again.
D) Distances in space are so vast, some missions take too long to include humans.
D) Distances in space are so vast, some missions take too long to include humans.
Which term is used to describe materials that do NOT allow any light to pass through them?
A) Translucent
B) Transparent
C) Opaque
C) Opaque
Does the picture below represent an element, compound, mixture, or a single atom? Explain your answer to earn points.
Element, because the objects are all the same size/shape/color.
Pick ONE to answer...
A) Describe the relationship between wavelength and wave frequency. Support your answer using the image below.
B) How are visible light and infrared light similar? Support your answer using the image below.

Answers will vary. Accept all reasonable answers related to
A) longer wavelength = lower frequency. Radio and Microwaves have long wavelengths and therefore a lower frequency.
B) Visible light and infrared are both EM radiation and are near each other on the EM spectrum.
Describe one way that the hydrosphere directly affects the geosphere.
Answers will vary. Accept all reasonable answers related to weathering/erosion by water
How are light years different from astronomical units in terms of how each is used?
Answers will vary. Accept all reasonable answers related to light years being used for measuring larger distances, distances outside of our solar system, between stars, galaxies, etc., and AU being used to measure 'shorter' distances, distances within our solar system, etc.
Give an example of light being absorbed.
Answers will vary. Accept all reasonable answers related to light not going thru a medium, absence of colors, increasing in temperature, etc.
Describe an element in 2 words or less.
Pure substance.