GED Science Test #8 2 Flashcards

What is the charge of a neutron?

Answer: Neutral (no charge)

Neutrons have no electrical charge (neutral). Protons carry a positive charge and electrons carry a negative charge. Neutrons reside in the nucleus alongside protons.

According to the theory of plate tectonics, mid-ocean ridges form where tectonic plates are:

Answer: Diverging (moving apart)

Mid-ocean ridges form at divergent boundaries where plates move apart. Magma rises to fill the gap, creating new oceanic crust. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a classic example.

Which macromolecule serves as the primary long-term energy storage molecule in animals?

Answer: Fat (lipid)

Fats (lipids) serve as the primary long-term energy storage in animals, storing more than twice the energy per gram compared to carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are used for short-term, readily available energy.

A solution contains 20g of NaCl dissolved in 100g of water. The solute is:

Answer: NaCl (sodium chloride)

In a solution, the solute is the substance dissolved (NaCl) and the solvent is the substance doing the dissolving (water). The resulting mixture is the solution.

Which of the following illustrates the Law of Conservation of Energy?

Answer: A swinging pendulum converts potential energy to kinetic energy and back, with total energy remaining constant

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. A pendulum converts between potential and kinetic energy, but the total energy remains the same (ignoring friction).

Scientists use carbon-14 dating to determine the age of organic materials. This technique relies on:

Answer: The predictable decay rate of radioactive carbon-14 isotopes

Carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope with a half-life of about 5,730 years. Living organisms continuously take in C-14, but after death, C-14 decays at a known rate, allowing scientists to calculate how long ago an organism died.