PAT PAT Science Reasoning 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student drops a rubber ball and a metal ball of the same size from the same height. The metal ball hits the ground first. What can the student conclude?
- Heavier objects always fall faster than lighter ones
- The metal ball is more aerodynamic
- The rubber ball bounced before it fell
- Air resistance affected the rubber ball more than the metal ball (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Air resistance affected the rubber ball more than the metal ball
When dropped from the same height, air resistance can cause a lighter object to fall slightly slower than a denser one.
Question 2: In a science experiment, the variable that the scientist deliberately changes is called the:
- Dependent variable
- Constant variable
- Independent variable (Correct answer)
- Control group
Correct answer: Independent variable
The independent variable is the one the scientist intentionally changes to observe its effect.
Question 3: A plant placed in sunlight grows taller than one kept in the dark. This experiment tests the effect of:
- Water on plant growth
- Soil type on plant growth
- Light on plant growth (Correct answer)
- Temperature on plant growth
Correct answer: Light on plant growth
The only variable changed between the two plants is light exposure, so it is the factor being tested.
Question 4: Which of the following is a testable scientific hypothesis?
- Dogs are the best pets.
- The sky is a beautiful color.
- Plants watered with salt water will grow slower than those watered with plain water. (Correct answer)
- Science is more important than art.
Correct answer: Plants watered with salt water will grow slower than those watered with plain water.
A testable hypothesis makes a specific, measurable prediction that can be tested through an experiment.
Question 5: What does it mean when a scientist says their results are 'reproducible'?
- The experiment was performed very quickly
- Other scientists can repeat the experiment and get the same results (Correct answer)
- The data was copied from another scientist
- The experiment used many test subjects
Correct answer: Other scientists can repeat the experiment and get the same results
Reproducibility means that independent experiments yield the same results, strengthening the validity of findings.
Question 6: A bar graph shows the growth of four plants over two weeks. Which plant grew the most if Plant A grew 3 cm, Plant B grew 7 cm, Plant C grew 5 cm, and Plant D grew 2 cm?
- Plant A
- Plant B (Correct answer)
- Plant C
- Plant D
Correct answer: Plant B
Plant B grew 7 cm, which is the greatest value among the four plants listed.
PAT PAT Science Reasoning 1
A student drops a rubber ball and a metal ball of the same size from the same height.
The metal ball hits the ground first.
What can the student conclude?