Physical Science Flashcards

According to the periodic table, elements in the same group (column) share which property?

Answer: The same number of valence electrons

Elements in the same group have the same number of valence electrons, which determines their chemical behavior.

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

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.

Which process describes water changing directly from a solid to a gas without passing through the liquid phase?

Answer: Sublimation

Sublimation is the direct phase transition from solid to gas; dry ice (solid CO₂) is a common example.

A student pushes a box with a force of 20 N, but it does not move. Which force is balancing the applied force?

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.

Which type of electromagnetic radiation has the highest energy?

Answer: Gamma rays

Gamma rays have the highest frequency and shortest wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum, giving them the most energy.

In a simple circuit, if the resistance is doubled while the voltage remains constant, what happens to the current?

Answer: Current is halved

By Ohm's Law (I = V/R), doubling R with constant V causes I to decrease by half.