HSA Physical Science 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which form of energy is stored in a stretched rubber band?
- Kinetic energy
- Thermal energy
- Elastic potential energy (Correct answer)
- Chemical energy
Correct answer: Elastic potential energy
A stretched rubber band stores elastic potential energy due to its deformed shape; this energy is released when the band returns to its original form.
Question 2: A wave with a higher frequency will have:
- A longer wavelength
- A shorter wavelength (Correct answer)
- Greater amplitude
- Slower speed
Correct answer: A shorter wavelength
In a wave traveling at a constant speed, frequency and wavelength are inversely related — higher frequency means shorter wavelength.
Question 3: When you mix baking soda and vinegar together, bubbles form and the temperature drops. This is most likely a:
- Physical change
- Chemical change (Correct answer)
- Change of state
- Nuclear reaction
Correct answer: Chemical change
The formation of bubbles (a new gas) and a temperature change are signs that new substances have been produced, indicating a chemical change.
Question 4: Which simple machine is a wheel with a rope wrapped around it used to lift heavy objects?
- Lever
- Inclined plane
- Pulley (Correct answer)
- Wedge
Correct answer: Pulley
A pulley consists of a wheel and rope (or chain) that redirects or multiplies a force, making it easier to lift heavy loads.
Question 5: Which of the following correctly describes the Law of Conservation of Energy?
- Energy can be created from nothing
- Energy can be destroyed when used
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed (Correct answer)
- Energy always increases in a system
Correct answer: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed
The Law of Conservation of Energy states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant — it can change forms but cannot be created or destroyed.
Question 6: Light travels from air into water and bends. This bending of light is called:
- Reflection
- Refraction (Correct answer)
- Diffraction
- Absorption
Correct answer: Refraction
Refraction is the bending of light (or any wave) when it passes from one medium to another with a different density, changing its speed and direction.
Question 7: Which of the following objects has the greatest gravitational potential energy?
- A book on the floor
- A book on a desk 1 meter high
- A book on a shelf 2 meters high (Correct answer)
- A book being carried at 1.5 meters
Correct answer: A book on a shelf 2 meters high
Gravitational potential energy increases with height; the book on the 2-meter shelf has the greatest height and therefore the most gravitational potential energy.
HSA Physical Science 2
Which form of energy is stored in a stretched rubber band?