ASVAB General Science — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which organelle is responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP in a cell?

Nucleus
Ribosome
Mitochondria (Correct answer)
Golgi apparatus

Correct answer: Mitochondria

Mitochondria generate ATP through cellular respiration, earning the nickname 'powerhouse of the cell.'

Question 2: What is the SI unit of electrical resistance?

Volt
Ampere
Watt
Ohm (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Ohm

The ohm (Ω) is the SI unit of electrical resistance, defined by Ohm's Law as voltage divided by current.

Question 3: Which type of rock is formed from cooling magma or lava?

Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Igneous (Correct answer)
Limestone

Correct answer: Igneous

Igneous rock forms when molten rock (magma underground, lava at the surface) cools and solidifies.

Question 4: A solution with a pH of 2 is best described as:

Strongly basic
Neutral
Mildly acidic
Strongly acidic (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Strongly acidic

The pH scale runs 0–14; values below 7 are acidic, and pH 2 indicates a strongly acidic solution.

Question 5: Which planet in our solar system has the most moons?

Jupiter
Saturn (Correct answer)
Uranus
Neptune

Correct answer: Saturn

Saturn holds the record with over 140 confirmed moons, surpassing Jupiter's count.

Question 6: What process do plants use to convert sunlight into chemical energy?

Respiration
Fermentation
Photosynthesis (Correct answer)
Transpiration

Correct answer: Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis uses light energy, water, and CO₂ to produce glucose and oxygen in plant chloroplasts.

Question 7: Which force keeps planets in orbit around the Sun?

Electromagnetic force
Strong nuclear force
Gravity (Correct answer)
Friction

Correct answer: Gravity

Gravity is the attractive force between masses that pulls planets toward the Sun, maintaining their orbital paths.

Question 8: What is the chemical symbol for gold?

Gd
Go
Au (Correct answer)
Ag

Correct answer: Au

Gold's symbol Au comes from 'aurum,' the Latin word for gold.

Question 9: Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?

Troposphere
Stratosphere (Correct answer)
Mesosphere
Thermosphere

Correct answer: Stratosphere

The ozone layer sits within the stratosphere (roughly 15–35 km altitude), absorbing harmful UV radiation.

Question 10: In which phase of cell division do chromosomes align along the cell's equator?

Prophase
Metaphase (Correct answer)
Anaphase
Telophase

Correct answer: Metaphase

During metaphase, chromosomes align along the metaphase plate (cell equator) before being pulled apart.

Question 11: What type of bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms?

Ionic bond
Covalent bond (Correct answer)
Hydrogen bond
Metallic bond

Correct answer: Covalent bond

A covalent bond forms when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.

Question 12: Which gas makes up approximately 78% of Earth's atmosphere?

Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Argon
Nitrogen (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Nitrogen

Nitrogen (N₂) comprises about 78% of Earth's atmosphere, with oxygen making up most of the remainder.

Question 13: What is Newton's Second Law of Motion?

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
An object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon
Force equals mass times acceleration (Correct answer)
Objects fall at the same rate regardless of mass

Correct answer: Force equals mass times acceleration

Newton's Second Law states F = ma: force equals mass multiplied by acceleration.

Question 14: Which blood type is known as the 'universal donor' for red blood cells?

Type A
Type B
Type AB
Type O negative (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Type O negative

Type O negative lacks A, B, and Rh antigens, so it can be transfused to patients of any blood type in emergencies.

Question 15: Which subatomic particle has a negative charge?

Proton
Neutron
Electron (Correct answer)
Positron

Correct answer: Electron

Electrons carry a negative charge and orbit the nucleus of an atom in energy shells.

Question 16: What is the primary function of red blood cells?

Fight infections
Carry oxygen throughout the body (Correct answer)
Form blood clots
Produce antibodies

Correct answer: Carry oxygen throughout the body

Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which binds oxygen in the lungs and delivers it to body tissues.

Question 17: Which law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed?

Law of Gravity
First Law of Thermodynamics (Correct answer)
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Boyle's Law

Correct answer: First Law of Thermodynamics

The First Law of Thermodynamics (conservation of energy) states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant.

Question 18: What is the speed of light in a vacuum, approximately?

300,000 km/s (Correct answer)
150,000 km/s
3,000 km/s
30,000 km/s

Correct answer: 300,000 km/s

Light travels at approximately 300,000 kilometers per second (3 × 10⁸ m/s) in a vacuum.

Question 19: Which element is essential for the formation of bones and teeth?

Iron
Potassium
Calcium (Correct answer)
Sodium

Correct answer: Calcium

Calcium, often obtained from dairy products and leafy greens, is the primary mineral that gives bones and teeth their strength.

Question 20: What is the process by which water vapor cools and turns into liquid water?

Evaporation
Sublimation
Condensation (Correct answer)
Precipitation

Correct answer: Condensation

Condensation occurs when water vapor loses heat energy and transitions back into liquid water, as seen on a cold glass.

Question 21: Which type of electromagnetic radiation has the shortest wavelength?

Radio waves
Infrared
Ultraviolet
Gamma rays (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Gamma rays

Gamma rays have the shortest wavelengths and highest frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum, making them the most energetic.

ASVAB General Science

Which organelle is responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP in a cell?

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