VTCAP Session 1 Review #1

VTCAP Science Review

By Sarah Denaker

At a planetarium, Amy learns that Venus and Earth are sometimes called sister planets. To understand why, she begins to gather data on the planets. Some of the data on Venus are from observations that scientists made from Earth. Other data are from observations made by spacecraft sent to Venus beginning in the 1960s.

Amy decides to put the data into two tables, based on the source of the observations about Venus. 

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​Question 1 background

Multiple Choice

Part a: Which data are evidence that Earth and Venus are similar enough to be sister planets?

• Diameter and density

• mass and surface water

• atmosphere and internal structure

• surface gravity and daily surface temperature

Multiple Choice

Part b: Which statement describes a reason that the difference between Earth and Venus have only been discovered since the 1960s?

• The difference can only be only be observed from distances close to Venus

• The differences have developed since space-based observations began

• The differences result from changes in the way the spacecraft collected data

• The differences are caused by the processes that recently began to occur on Venus

Elaine is researching the characteristics of sound waves as she listens to music. She finds a diagram that shows two sound waves

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​Question 2

Dropdown

Part a: Select the number that describes the sound waves in the diagram. 

 ​ Wave 1 has ​ ​ ​ ​

Select answer

​ the energy of wave 2​

Multiple Choice

Part b 

Elaine predicts that the energy in each sound wave would double if the frequency of the wave doubled. 

Which statement describes her prediction?

• Her prediction is correct because the energy of a wave is proportional to the wave's frequency

• Her prediction is incorrect because the energy of a wave is proportional to the square of the wave’s frequency.

• Her prediction is correct because the energy of a wave is proportional to speed and a wave with twice the frequency has twice the speed.

• Her prediction is incorrect because the energy of a wave is proportional to the wavelength and a wave with twice the frequency has half the wavelength.

Sara learns about a fish called the tomcod. She learns that some tomcod have a genetic mutation that keeps PCB from entering the tomcod’s cells. PCB is a poison that can kill fish. The tomcod lives in rivers near the Atlantic Ocean like the Hudson River and the Squamscott River. The Hudson River is polluted with the chemical PCB. The map shows two tomcod populations in the Hudson and Squamscott Rivers and the relative number of fish with the mutation in each population

​Question 3

Multiple Choice

Part a: Scientists are investigating how organisms become resistant to the harmful effects of PCB. Based on the map, which statement describes the effects of the mutation on the Hudson River tomcod population?

• Over time, the mutation has become more common in the population because having the mutation helps tomcod survive.

• Over time, the mutation will move to the Squamscott tomcod population because that population also needs the mutation.

• Over time, the mutation will pass from tomcod to other fish because tomcod with the mutation will mate with other species of fish.

• Over time, the mutation has become less common in the population because the mutation does not produce more food for tomcod.

Multiple Choice

Part b: Scientists are considering transporting some of the Hudson River tomcod to the Squamscott River. Which statement describes a possible effect on the Squamscott River tomcod population?

• Over time, more Squamscott tomcod will have the mutation if there are low levels of PCB in the Squamscott River.

• Over time, more Squamscott tomcod will have the mutation if there are high levels of PCB in the Squamscott River.

• Over time, fewer Squamscott tomcod will have the mutation if there are low levels of PCB in the Squamscott River.

• Over time, fewer Squamscott tomcod will have the mutation if there are high levels of PCB in the Squamscott River.