Physical Sciences Flashcards

Which law states that the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume at constant temperature?

Answer: Boyle's Law

Boyle's Law states that P × V = constant when temperature is held fixed.

What type of radiation has the greatest penetrating power?

Answer: Gamma rays

Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate thick shielding materials.

An object with a mass of 10 kg accelerates at 3 m/s². What is the net force acting on it?

Answer: 30 N

Newton's second law: F = ma = 10 kg × 3 m/s² = 30 N.

What is the oxidation state of sulfur in H₂SO₄?

Answer: +6

In H₂SO₄, hydrogen is +1 (×2) and oxygen is −2 (×4), so sulfur must be +6 to balance.

Which phenomenon explains why the sky appears blue?

Answer: Rayleigh scattering

Rayleigh scattering causes shorter (blue) wavelengths of sunlight to scatter more than longer wavelengths.

What is the half-life of a radioactive isotope if 75% of a sample decays in 20 years?

Answer: 10 years

75% decayed means 25% remains, which equals two half-lives (½ × ½ = ¼), so half-life = 20 ÷ 2 = 10 years.

Which type of bond results from the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions?

Answer: Ionic bond

Ionic bonds form when electrons are transferred between atoms, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other.