Chapter Review Quiz - Contemporary's GED Science (Physics)

Which of the following is a brief description of Newton's laws of motion?

• Newton's laws of motion describe the way in which light travels through the vacuum of space.

• Newton's laws of motion describe how earthquakes form.

• Newton's laws of motion describe how an object responds when either left alone or when acted on by a force such as a push or pull.

• Newton's laws of motion describe the tendency of a hot object to cool when brought in contact with a cold object.

• Newton's laws of motion describe how seasons are created as Earth moves around the Sun.

The gravitational force is greatest between which of the following objects?

• two heavy objects close together

• two light objects far apart

• one light and one heavy object close together

• one light and one heavy object far apart

• two heavy objects far apart

Which of the following examples would a scientist define as work?

• A young girl pushes against a tightly closed door.

• A dog leans against the side of a parked car.

• A woman thinks about a song.

• A man tries to lift a rock, but the rock doesn't move.

• A young boy lifts a book off his desk.

Which of the following is the best definition of the law of conservation of energy?

• The law of conservation of energy states that Earth will run out of energy resources if conservation methods are not widely used.

• The law of conservation of energy states that the total amount of energy that is part of an interaction does not change during the interaction.

• The law of conservation of energy states that the total amount of energy that is part of an interaction decreases as an interaction proceeds.

• The law of conservation of energy states that the cost of energy increases as the available energy supplies become more limited.

Answer explanation

Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only change from one form to another.

That’s it. The total amount of energy stays the same—it just moves or transforms.

Basketball Bounce

• Ball held up high = gravitational potential energy

• Ball dropped = energy becomes kinetic

• Ball hits floor = some energy becomes sound + heat

Total energy stays constant, just spreads out.

Walking Down the Hall

• A student eats breakfast → chemical energy

• They walk to class → chemical energy becomes kinetic

• They sit down and feel warm → some energy becomes heat
  Nothing was created or destroyed—just transformed.

What property do sound waves have in common with water waves?

• Both sound waves and water waves travel only in a straight line.

• Both sound waves and water waves can travel through the vacuum of space.

• Sound waves travel at the same speed as water waves.

• Both sound waves and water waves reflect off solid surfaces.

• Both sound waves and water waves are stopped by a barrier.

Which feature below is NOT a property of electromagnetic radiation?

• Electromagnetic radiation is made up of many frequencies.

• Electromagnetic radiation can travel through the vacuum of space.

• Visible light is a form of electromagnetic radiation.

• Television and radio signals are forms of electromagnetic radiation.

• All electromagnetic waves have the same wavelength.

Answer explanation

Electromagnetic Radiation — Quick Guide

🌊 What It Is

Energy that travels in waves.

🚀 Key Facts

• Moves at the speed of light

• Can travel through space

• Has wavelength and frequency

• Short waves = high energy

• Long waves = low energy

🌈 EM Spectrum (Low → High Energy)

📻 Radio → 📡 Microwave → 🔥 Infrared → 👁️ Visible → 🌞 UV → ☢️ X‑ray → 💥 Gamma

🌀 Wave + Particle

Light acts like both waves and tiny particles (photons).

🧪 Examples

• 📻 Radio → music

• 📡 Microwave → heating food

• 🔥 Infrared → remotes

• 👁️ Visible → sight

• 🌞 UV → sunburn

• ☢️ X‑ray → imaging

How does electric current differ from static electricity?

• Static electricity involves electrons in motion; electric current involves electrons at rest.

• Static electricity involves electrons at rest; electric current involves electrons in motion.

• Static electricity does not involve electrons; electric current does involve electrons.

• Static electricity involves electrons; electric current does not involve electrons.

• Static electricity flows in one direction only; electric current always flows in a back-and-forth fashion.

What is the best "rule to remember" concerning the interaction of the poles of magnets?

• All poles of magnets repel each other.

• All poles of magnets attract each other.

• Opposite poles of magnets repel and like poles attract.

• Opposite poles of magnets attract and like poles repel.

• Opposite poles of magnets sometimes attract and sometimes repel.

In a nuclear power plant, the order in which energy is produced and changed from one form to another is:

• Nuclear energy → Heat energy → Mechanical energy → Electrical energy

• Electrical energy → Mechanical energy → Heat energy → Nuclear energy

• Mechanical energy → Heat energy → Nuclear energy → Electrical energy

• Heat energy → Nuclear energy → Mechanical energy → Electrical energy

Which sequence correctly shows the conversion of energy in a nuclear power plant?

• heat energy → nuclear energy → electrical energy

• electrical energy → nuclear energy → heat energy

• nuclear energy → heat energy → electrical energy

• nuclear energy → electrical energy → heat energy

• electrical energy → heat energy → nuclear energy