Cast Science Test Practice

Suppose that the spring is not expanded or compressed at all when attached to the cart on the track. Based on the information provided, the cart will;

• cause the spring to be stretched or compressed to a new equilibrium position

• be pulled from its current position to a new position as the spring returns to its equilibrium position

• increase the potential energy stored in the spring

• remain at rest since the spring is not exerting any forces on it

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

Suppose that the spring pictured in Figure 1 is stretched to a new position before the cart is attached, such that the cart begins at Point P on the track to the right of Point A. Based on Definition 1, compared to the force in the spring pictured at equilibrium in Figure 1, the force in this spring would be:

• less because the distance the spring is stretched has increased

• less because the distance the spring is stretched has decreased

• greater because the distance the spring is stretched has increased

• greater because the distance the spring is stretched has decreased

A student hypothesized that every 15 seconds, beginning when the spring is released, the spring would alternate between having all of its potential energy converted to kinetic energy, and in the following 15 seconds, having all of its kinetic energy converted back into potential energy. If this hypothesis is correct, Figure 2 indicates that after 60 seconds have elapsed, the spring would have had all of its potential energy converted to kinetic energy how many times?

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 6

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

DNA contains a code for synthesizing proteins. Three nucleotides in a row code for a particular amino acid. There are four nucleotides in DNA, which are abbreviated as A, T, C, G. The amino acids are joined to form a protein. Genetic mutations can occur in the DNA of individuals. Some mutations are harmful, some have no effect, and some might be beneficial to the organism. The table shows the nucleotide sequence of DNA that codes for a protein in one individual and the nucleotide sequence of the same segment of DNA in an individual with a mutation. Which statement describes the most likely impact of the mutation in the mutated sequence shown in the image?

• There will be no effect because the rest of the DNA is normal.

• The extra nucleotide will be deleted before the protein is formed.

• The protein formed will not be the same as that formed from the original DNA sequence.

• The mutated DNA will code for the same number of amino acids as the original sequence.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

A scientist measures the amplitude and wavelength of waves in the ocean. The scientist also calculates the amount of energy contained in one square meter of water for each wave. The data and calculations for four different waves are shown in the table.

Which wave characteristics, if any, does the energy in the wave depend on?

• the amplitude only

• the wavelength only

• both the amplitude and the wavelength

• neither the amplitude nor the wavelength

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

The diagram shows a cross section of layers of sedimentary rocks. The types of fossils in each layer are shown. Based on the information in the cross section, select the three statements that are most likely correct.

• Layer C is below Layer B, so Layer C is older.

• Layer A is at the top, so it is the youngest layer.

• The ammonite fossil is above the crinoid fossil, so the crinoid is older.

• There is no coral fossil in Layer D, so corals must have become extinct.

• The gastropod fossils are above the crinoid fossil, so gastropod evolved from crinoids.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Before riding the roller coaster, students are asked to look at a diagram of the track and evaluate the relative potential energy at four points on the roller coaster. The four points, along with their height in meters (m), are shown on the diagram. Which two statements correctly describe the relative potential energy at various points on the track?

• At (1) the potential energy is greater than the potential energy at (3)

• At (2) the potential energy is greater than the potential energy at (3)

• At (3) the potential energy is greater than the potential energy at (4)

• At (4) the potential energy is greater than the potential energy at (2)

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

A biologists wanted to study how certain plant structures, such as colored flowers, might affect how often the plants are pollinated during the day. For one hour on a sunny summer day, the biologists observed bee, butterfly, hummingbird and beetle pollinators of a population of plants with equal numbers of purple, white, and pink flowers. Based on the data collected and shown in the table, the biologists made the claim that plants with purple flowers in this population attract more pollinators than do plants with flowers of other colors. Which evidence could be used to challenge the biologist's claim that purple flowers in the population of plants attract more pollinators than other flower colors do?

• The purple flowers did not have any butterfly or beetle population.

• Bees pollinated the purple flowers 12 times and the white flowers only 1 time.

• Hummingbirds pollinated the purple flowers 5 times and did not pollinate the white or pink flowers.

• The purple flowers were pollinated 17 times, the white flowers were pollinated 3 times, and the pink flowers were pollinated 2 times.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A student creates the model shown of the water cycle for a class presentation. The student's main goal is to help the class understand how living organisms assist in the movement of water through the system. Based on the model, what should the student say about the role of living organisms in the water cycle?

• plants help move water from the soil to the atmosphere through transpiration

• animals generate heat that helps evaporate water from the land

• plant movements create wind that helps draw water into the atmosphere

• animals create pathways in the mountains that allow water to flow downhill

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Students are designing a solar oven that can be made from materials found around their homes. Solar ovens take more time to heat food than regular ovens. The students would like to build a solar oven that heats food as quickly as possible. Which two characteristics should the students consider when addressing the time the oven takes to heat food?

• how often the oven will be used to heat food

• the type of food that will be heated in the oven

• possible ways of preventing or reducing heat loss from the oven

• constructing an oven that is portable and easy to transport from place to place

• designing an oven that will collect as much sunlight and absorb as much heat as possible

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

NGSS.MS-ETS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-3