CAASPP Science 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a renewable energy source?
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Solar energy (Correct answer)
- Petroleum
Correct answer: Solar energy
Solar energy is renewable because it comes from the Sun, which continuously produces energy and will not be depleted by human use.
Question 2: In an experiment, a student rolls a ball down a ramp and measures how far it travels on a flat surface. What does Newton's First Law predict about the ball's motion on a frictionless surface?
- It would gradually slow down and stop
- It would continue moving at constant speed indefinitely (Correct answer)
- It would speed up over time
- It would immediately stop
Correct answer: It would continue moving at constant speed indefinitely
Newton's First Law states that an object in motion stays in motion at constant velocity unless acted upon by an unbalanced force like friction.
Question 3: Which process in the water cycle involves water vapor cooling and turning into liquid water droplets that form clouds?
- Evaporation
- Precipitation
- Condensation (Correct answer)
- Transpiration
Correct answer: Condensation
Condensation occurs when water vapor in the atmosphere cools enough to change into tiny liquid droplets, forming clouds and fog.
Question 4: A chromosome is made of tightly coiled DNA. What is the primary function of DNA in a cell?
- To provide energy for cell functions
- To carry genetic instructions for building proteins and traits (Correct answer)
- To transport oxygen throughout the body
- To protect the cell from viruses
Correct answer: To carry genetic instructions for building proteins and traits
DNA contains the genetic code — sequences of base pairs that serve as instructions for making proteins and determining inherited traits.
Question 5: Two substances are mixed together and produce a gas, change color, and release heat. What type of change has occurred?
- Physical change
- Chemical change (Correct answer)
- Nuclear change
- State change
Correct answer: Chemical change
Evidence of a chemical change includes gas production, color change, and heat release, indicating new substances with different properties have formed.
Question 6: Which characteristic of sound waves determines whether a sound is perceived as high-pitched or low-pitched?
- Amplitude
- Speed
- Frequency (Correct answer)
- Wavelength intensity
Correct answer: Frequency
Frequency — the number of wave cycles per second (measured in Hertz) — determines pitch; higher frequency produces higher pitch.
Question 7: During natural selection, which individuals in a population are most likely to survive and reproduce?
- The largest individuals
- The oldest individuals
- Those with traits best suited to the environment (Correct answer)
- Those that reproduce the fastest regardless of environment
Correct answer: Those with traits best suited to the environment
Natural selection favors individuals with heritable traits that improve survival and reproduction in their specific environment, passing those traits to offspring.
CAASPP Science 3
Which of the following is an example of a renewable energy source?