PSSA Physical Science Flashcards
6 cards from real PSSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 PSSA Physical Science flashcards as text
What is the difference between speed and velocity?
Answer: Speed describes how fast an object moves; velocity includes speed and direction
Speed is the magnitude of motion (how fast), while velocity is a vector that includes both speed and direction.
What does the periodic table organize elements by?
Answer: Increasing atomic number and similar chemical properties
The periodic table organizes elements in order of increasing atomic number, with elements in the same column sharing similar chemical properties.
Which of the following describes a chemical change?
Answer: Iron rusting
Iron rusting is a chemical change because it involves a chemical reaction that creates a new substance (iron oxide).
What is the formula for calculating work?
Answer: Work = Force × Distance
Work is calculated by multiplying the force applied to an object by the distance the object moves in the direction of the force (W = F × d).
What are the three states of matter?
Answer: Solid, liquid, gas
The three common states of matter are solid (fixed shape and volume), liquid (fixed volume, variable shape), and gas (variable shape and volume).
What is kinetic energy?
Answer: Energy an object possesses due to its motion
Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion, calculated as KE = ½mv².