MTTC Physical Science 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the periodic table, elements in the same group (column) share which property?
- The same number of protons
- The same number of neutrons
- The same number of valence electrons (Correct answer)
- The same atomic mass
Correct answer: The same number of valence electrons
Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons, which determines their chemical behavior.
Question 2: What is the difference between speed and velocity?
- Speed includes direction; velocity does not
- They are the same thing
- Velocity is speed with a specified direction (Correct answer)
- Speed is always greater than velocity
Correct answer: Velocity is speed with a specified direction
Velocity is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude (speed) and direction, while speed is only magnitude.
Question 3: Which process describes water changing directly from a solid to a gas without passing through the liquid phase?
- Evaporation
- Condensation
- Sublimation (Correct answer)
- Melting
Correct answer: Sublimation
Sublimation is the direct phase transition from solid to gas; dry ice (solid CO₂) is a common example.
Question 4: A student pushes a box with a force of 20 N, but it does not move. Which force is balancing the applied force?
- Gravity
- Normal force
- Static friction (Correct answer)
- Air resistance
Correct answer: Static friction
Static friction acts to oppose an applied force and prevents motion when the applied force does not exceed the maximum static friction.
Question 5: Which type of electromagnetic radiation has the highest energy?
- Radio waves
- Visible light
- Infrared radiation
- Gamma rays (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Gamma rays
Gamma rays have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, giving them the most energy.
Question 6: In a simple circuit, if the resistance is doubled while the voltage remains constant, what happens to the current?
- Current doubles
- Current is halved (Correct answer)
- Current remains the same
- Current triples
Correct answer: Current is halved
By Ohm's Law (I = V/R), doubling R with constant V causes I to decrease by half.
MTTC Physical Science 2
According to the periodic table, elements in the same group (column) share which property?