WVGSA Science 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An atom has 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. Which element is this?
- Nitrogen
- Oxygen
- Carbon (Correct answer)
- Helium
Correct answer: Carbon
Carbon has an atomic number of 6, meaning it has 6 protons, identifying it as carbon.
Question 2: Which type of energy is stored in the bonds of food molecules and released during cellular respiration?
- Thermal energy
- Chemical energy (Correct answer)
- Mechanical energy
- Nuclear energy
Correct answer: Chemical energy
Chemical energy stored in glucose bonds is released during cellular respiration to power cell functions.
Question 3: Which moon phase occurs when the Moon is between Earth and the Sun?
- Full Moon
- New Moon (Correct answer)
- First Quarter
- Third Quarter
Correct answer: New Moon
During a new moon, the Moon is positioned between Earth and the Sun, so its illuminated side faces away from us.
Question 4: A student observes that a metal rod becomes longer after being heated. This is an example of which property of matter?
- Thermal contraction
- Thermal expansion (Correct answer)
- Phase change
- Chemical reaction
Correct answer: Thermal expansion
Thermal expansion occurs when particles in a material move faster with added heat, causing the material to increase in size.
Question 5: Which adaptation would most help a cactus survive in a hot, dry desert?
- Large, broad leaves to capture sunlight
- Thick, waxy stems to store water (Correct answer)
- Deep green color to attract pollinators
- Thin roots to avoid absorbing too much water
Correct answer: Thick, waxy stems to store water
Cacti have thick, fleshy stems that store water and waxy coatings that reduce water loss through evaporation.
Question 6: What does the law of conservation of energy state?
- Energy can be created from nothing using nuclear reactions
- Energy can be destroyed when converted to heat
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed (Correct answer)
- Energy always decreases in a closed system
Correct answer: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed
The law of conservation of energy states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant; it only changes form.
Question 7: Which process moves water from plant leaves into the atmosphere?
- Photosynthesis
- Transpiration (Correct answer)
- Respiration
- Absorption
Correct answer: Transpiration
Transpiration is the process by which plants release water vapor through tiny pores called stomata in their leaves.
WVGSA Science 4
An atom has 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons.
Which element is this?