Physical Science Benchmark

A balance and a graduated cylinder are used to determine the density of a mineral sample. The sample has a mass of 14.7 g and a volume of 22cm³. What is the density of the mineral sample?

• 0.15g/cm³

• 32 g/cm³

• 13 g/cm³

• 6.7 g/cm³

An athlete is trying to lift some weights. He successfully lifts 200 N weights, but when he tries to lift 400 N weights, he is unsuccessful.

Which of these correctly compares the amount of work the athlete does on the weights?

• The athlete does no work on either the 200 N weights or the 400 N weights.

• The athlete does no work on the 200 N weights but does work on the 400 N weights

• The athlete does work on both the 200 N weights and the 400 N weights

• The athlete does work on the 200 N weights but does no work on the 400 N weights.

The student used the diagram to describe changes in the potential and kinetic energy of the water. At which location is the gravitational potential energy of the water the greatest?

• Location W

• Location X

• Location Y

• Location Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

The diagram below shows two different forces acting on a cyclist riding a bicycle. The total mass of the cyclist and the bicycle is 100kg. based on this information, what is the acceleration of the cyclist?

• 0.66m/s² backward, because the force of the air slows the cyclist down

• 0.66m/s² forward, because the applied force is greater than the force of the air

• 2.3 m/s² backward because the forces are opposite and not equal

• 2.3 m/s² forward, because the cyclists inertia is greater than the force of the air

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A researcher wants to experiment with an element that reacts with an element like phosphorus(P) but has a greater atomic mass. Which element should the researcher select for the experiment?

• Nitrogen (N)

• Sulfur (S)

• Arsenic (As)

• Silicon (Si)

When trying to identify an unknown element, a student determines what other elements the unknown element reacts chemically. Which property of the unknown element determines the other elements it reacts with?

• The total number of neutrons in the unknown element

• The total number of particles in the nucleus of the unknown element

• The number of protons in the nucleus of the unknown element

• The number of valence electrons in the unknown element

A scientist spilled a few drops of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) on a lab table. For safety purposes, the scientist sprinkled some baking soda (NaHCO₃) onto the spill. Which observation would provide the best evidence that a chemical reaction occurred?

• The baking soda and hydrochloric acid combined and bubbles formed.

• the baking soda absorbed the hydrochloric acid

• Some of the baking soda dissolved in the hydrochloric acid

• The hydrochloric acid evaporated, leaving only the baking soda

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

An atom has 25 protons, and 25 electrons. What is the charge of the atoms nucleus?

• +25

• +30

• -25

• -30

The atoms of a certain element each contain 11 protons and 1 valence electron. Which statement correctly identifies this element and describers its chemical reactivity?

• The element is sodium, and it is highly reactive

• The element is fluorine, and it is not very reactive

• The element is sodium, and it is not very reactive

• The element is fluorine and it is highly reactive

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Coal contains carbon and other elements. Carbon dioxide forms when coal burns in the presence of oxygen. Which of these is the best evidence that a chemical reaction occurs when coal burns?

• The shape of the coal changes

• Oxygen is present

• A new substance is produced

• Coal is made up of more than one element

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2