Force & Motion
A student pushes a box with 10 N of force to the right, while friction applies 7 N to the left.
➡️ What is the net force and what will happen to the motion of the box?
(double points)
Answer: Net force = 3 N to the right; the box will accelerate to the right
A cell is unable to produce enough energy to survive.
➡️ Which organelle is most likely not functioning properly, and why?
Answer: Mitochondria; they release energy from food
A student claims soil provides most of the energy a plant needs.
➡️ Explain why this is incorrect.
Answer: Energy comes from sunlight, not soil
If a top predator is removed from an ecosystem, prey populations increase dramatically.
➡️ What is this an example of, and why does it happen?
Answer: Disruption of balance; loss of population control
A lunar eclipse only occurs during a full moon.
➡️ Why must this alignment happen?
Answer: Earth must be between the Sun and Moon
Two objects of different mass are pushed with the same force. One accelerates more than the other.
➡️ What does this reveal about the relationship between mass and acceleration?
Answer: As mass increases, acceleration decreases (inverse relationship)
A plant cell is placed in the dark for several days.
➡️ Which organelle is directly affected first, and what process is impacted?
Answer: Chloroplast; photosynthesis stops
Compare photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
➡️ How are they opposite but connected processes?
Answer: Photosynthesis stores energy in glucose; respiration releases it; products of one are reactants of the other
A fungus/decomposer breaks down a dead tree.
➡️ Why is this role critical to the ecosystem?
(double points)
Answer: Recycles nutrients back into the system
Tides are strongest during new and full moons.
➡️ Explain why gravitational forces are greater at this time.
(double points)
Answer: Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned → combined gravitational pull
A hockey puck slides across ice and eventually stops, even though no one touches it.
➡️ Which force is responsible, and why does this not violate Newton’s First Law?
(double points)
Answer: Friction; motion changes because an unbalanced force is acting
Water molecules and carbon dioxide molecules have been entering a cell during photosynthesis.
➡️ Which organelle is responsible for allowing these molecules into the cell?
A sealed container has a plant inside. Over time, oxygen levels increase during the day but decrease at night.
➡️ Explain why this happens.
(double points)
Answer: Photosynthesis produces oxygen during the day; respiration uses oxygen at night
Two species share the same food source.
➡️ What is this process called?
(double points)
Competition
It is summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
➡️ What is happening with Earth’s tilt and sunlight?
Answer: Northern Hemisphere tilted toward the Sun → more direct sunlight
An object is moving at a constant speed in a straight line.
➡️ What must be true about the forces acting on it?
(double points)
Answer: Forces are balanced; net force is zero
Compare the roles of the nucleus and cell membrane in maintaining cell function.
➡️ How are their jobs different but both essential?
(double points)
Answer: Nucleus controls activities (DNA); membrane controls what enters/exits
A plant grows taller over time.
➡️ Where does most of the mass it gains come from?
Answer: Carbon dioxide from the air to create energy storage molecules (glucose)
An increase in carbon dioxide leads to increased plant growth.
➡️ Explain this relationship.
(double points)
Answer: CO₂ is a reactant in photosynthesis
A student says seasons are caused by Earth being closer to the Sun in summer.
➡️ Explain why this is incorrect.
Answer: Seasons are caused by axial tilt, not distance
A student says, “If an object is moving, there must be a force pushing it forward.”
➡️ Explain why this statement is incorrect.
Answer: Objects continue moving due to inertia; force is only needed to change motion
What are specific organelles that can help tell the difference between a plant cell and an animal cell?
Cell Wall, Chloroplast
Carbon moves from the atmosphere into a plant, then into an animal, and back into the atmosphere.
➡️ Describe this pathway using correct processes.
Answer: Photosynthesis → consumption/eating → cellular respiration
A cowbird spends its time eating ticks and bugs off of large animals.
What type of relationship is this?
Mutualism/Sybiotic
The Moon appears to change shape over time.
➡️ What actually causes these phases?
Answer: Changing positions of Earth, Moon, and Sun relative to each other