WVGSA Science 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of rock forms when magma cools and solidifies?
- Sedimentary
- Metamorphic
- Igneous (Correct answer)
- Fossil
Correct answer: Igneous
Igneous rocks form when magma (underground) or lava (above ground) cools and solidifies.
Question 2: A student pushes two identical boxes across the floor. Box A is pushed with 10 N of force, and Box B is pushed with 20 N of force. Which box accelerates more, assuming friction is the same?
- Box A, because less force creates less resistance
- Box B, because greater force produces greater acceleration (Correct answer)
- Both boxes accelerate equally
- Neither box accelerates because friction cancels the force
Correct answer: Box B, because greater force produces greater acceleration
According to Newton's second law (F = ma), greater force on the same mass produces greater acceleration.
Question 3: Which of the following organisms is a decomposer in an ecosystem?
- Oak tree
- Grasshopper
- Mushroom (Correct answer)
- Eagle
Correct answer: Mushroom
Mushrooms (fungi) are decomposers that break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the soil.
Question 4: What happens to the wavelength of visible light as its frequency increases?
- Wavelength increases
- Wavelength decreases (Correct answer)
- Wavelength stays the same
- Wavelength doubles then halves
Correct answer: Wavelength decreases
Wavelength and frequency are inversely related; as frequency increases, wavelength decreases.
Question 5: A fossil of a sea creature is found on a mountain. What is the most scientific explanation for this?
- The creature learned to climb mountains
- The mountain was once covered by an ocean (Correct answer)
- Someone placed the fossil there as a hoax
- Sea creatures can survive at high altitudes
Correct answer: The mountain was once covered by an ocean
Marine fossils found in mountains indicate that tectonic forces uplifted what was once a seafloor over millions of years.
Question 6: Which characteristic is inherited rather than acquired through environment?
- A dog's scar from an injury
- A plant's height due to extra fertilizer
- A human's blood type (Correct answer)
- A bird's ability to mimic sounds it has heard
Correct answer: A human's blood type
Blood type is determined by genes inherited from parents and cannot be changed by environmental factors.
Question 7: What is the primary source of energy for most ecosystems on Earth?
- Geothermal energy from Earth's core
- Chemical energy stored in soil
- Solar energy from the Sun (Correct answer)
- Wind energy from weather systems
Correct answer: Solar energy from the Sun
The Sun provides solar energy that producers (plants) capture through photosynthesis, powering nearly all food webs.
WVGSA Science 3
Which type of rock forms when magma cools and solidifies?