NeSA NeSA Science 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to Newton's First Law of Motion, what will a moving object do if no unbalanced force acts upon it?
- Gradually slow down and stop
- Continue moving in a straight line at constant speed (Correct answer)
- Accelerate in its direction of motion
- Change direction randomly
Correct answer: Continue moving in a straight line at constant speed
Newton's First Law (the law of inertia) states that an object in motion stays in motion at the same speed and direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced (net) force.
Question 2: Which process in the water cycle describes liquid water changing into water vapor due to heat energy?
- Condensation
- Precipitation
- Evaporation (Correct answer)
- Transpiration
Correct answer: Evaporation
Evaporation occurs when liquid water absorbs enough heat energy to change into water vapor and enter the atmosphere, driving the water cycle.
Question 3: What is the difference between a physical change and a chemical change in matter?
- Physical changes alter the chemical composition; chemical changes only change shape
- Physical changes change only the form or appearance; chemical changes produce a new substance (Correct answer)
- Both types of changes produce new substances with different properties
- Physical changes cannot be reversed; chemical changes always can be reversed
Correct answer: Physical changes change only the form or appearance; chemical changes produce a new substance
A physical change (like cutting paper or melting ice) alters only shape or state without changing chemical composition, while a chemical change (like burning wood) produces new substances with different properties.
Question 4: Which term describes the passing of traits from parent organisms to their offspring through genes?
- Adaptation
- Evolution
- Heredity (Correct answer)
- Natural selection
Correct answer: Heredity
Heredity is the biological process by which genetic information (traits) is passed from parents to offspring through DNA contained in genes.
Question 5: On the pH scale, a substance with a pH of 2 is best described as which of the following?
- Strongly basic
- Neutral
- Weakly acidic
- Strongly acidic (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Strongly acidic
The pH scale runs from 0 to 14; values below 7 are acidic, 7 is neutral, and above 7 are basic. A pH of 2 is near the acidic extreme, making it strongly acidic.
Question 6: What is the role of decomposers such as fungi and bacteria in an ecosystem?
- Convert sunlight into food for other organisms
- Prey on herbivores to control population
- Break down dead organic matter and return nutrients to the soil (Correct answer)
- Compete with plants for water and sunlight
Correct answer: Break down dead organic matter and return nutrients to the soil
Decomposers break down dead organisms and waste materials into simpler inorganic compounds, recycling essential nutrients back into the soil for producers to use.
Question 7: Which type of wave requires a physical medium (such as air, water, or solid material) to travel through?
- Electromagnetic wave
- Mechanical wave (Correct answer)
- Radio wave
- Light wave
Correct answer: Mechanical wave
Mechanical waves, such as sound waves and seismic waves, require a medium of particles to transfer energy; electromagnetic waves like light can travel through a vacuum.
NeSA NeSA Science 2
According to Newton's First Law of Motion, what will a moving object do if no unbalanced force acts upon it?