Chapter 02 – Science – Matter – and Energy
True / False
1. Because scientific theories are tentative explanations, they should not be taken seriously.
a.
True
b.
False
False
2. Once scientists have analyzed data from an experiment, they may propose a testable hypothesis to explain
those data.
a.
True
b.
False
True
3. When a natural system gets locked into a positive feedback loop, it can reach an ecological tipping point.
a.
True
b.
False
True
4. Carbon is an element.
a.
True
b.
False
True
5. Logic and critical thinking are more important tools in science than imagination and creativity.
a.
True
b.
False
False
6. When matter undergoes physical changes, the chemical composition also changes.
a.
True
b.
False
False
7. Hydrocarbons are organic compounds.
a.
True
b.
False
True
8. Peer review involves scientists openly publishing details of the methods they used, the results of their
experiments, and the reasoning behind their hypotheses for other scientists working in the same field to
evaluate.
a.
True
b.
False
True
9. A positive feedback loop causes a system to change in the opposite direction from which it is moving.
a.
True
b.
False
False
10. When energy changes from one form to another, it always goes from a more useful to a less useful form.
a.
True
b.
False
Chapter 02 – Science – Matter – and Energy
True
11. The idea that all elements are made up of molecules is called the atomic theory.
a.
True
b.
False
False
12. Two or more different elements can combine to form isotopes.
a.
True
b.
False
False
13. Thousands of genes make up a single chromosome.
a.
True
b.
False
True
14. Radioactive decay occurs when the nuclei of unstable isotopes spontaneously emit fast-moving chunks of
matter (alpha particles or beta particles), high-energy radiation (gamma rays), or both at a fixed rate.
a.
True
b.
False
True
matter.
15. A scientific hypothesis must be testable.
a.
True
b.
False
True
16. Recall the Bormann-Likens controlled experiment in the forested valleys of New Hampshire. Which
statement best describes the effects of water flowing out of deforested areas into undisturbed areas?
a.
The amount of water flowing out of the deforested valley following rain increased by 30-40%, and
soil erosion increased.
b.
The amount of water flowing out of the deforested valley decreased by 10-20%, and soil erosion
decreased.
c.
The flow of water did not change, but soil erosion increased.
d.
Other types of plants took the place of the trees, preventing deforestation from affecting the flow of
water.
e.
Eroding soil dammed up the river, preventing the flow of water.
a
17. The Bormann-Likens study in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in New Hampshire can be described
as ____.
a.
a comparison of a control site with an experimental site in nature
b.
a study using computer model simulations of a complex natural system
c.
an experiment in which too many factors were varied to draw a conclusion from the results
d.
missing a baseline for comparison, making it difficult to draw a conclusion from the results
e.
an observational study that attempted not to interfere with a natural system
a
18. Science is ____.
a.
a field in which observations are rarely tested
b.
never investigated using statistical tools and models
Chapter 02 – Science – Matter – and Energy
c.
best described as a collection of opinions
d.
supported by small amounts of evidence
e.
a broad field of study focused on discovering how nature works
19. A(n) ____ is an approximate representation or simulation of a system.
a.
model
b.
datum
c.
projection
d.
experiment
e.
peer review
20. Scientific hypotheses differ from scientific theories in that they are ____.
a.
widely accepted descriptions of what we find happening over and over in nature
b.
possible, but not yet well-tested, explanations of data
c.
not able to be tested
d.
arrived at after extensive mathematical modeling
e.
facts rather than opinions
21. A classmate tells you that a statement heard on the news about an environmental process noted in a local
ecosystem cannot be true because it has not been scientifically proven. You realize that ____.
a.
this classmate is misinformed because science cannot prove anything, but it can disprove events
conclusively
b.
this classmate is misinformed because science cannot prove or disprove anything absolutely
c.
this classmate is misinformed because the environmental process in question actually has been
proven scientifically
d.
this classmate is correct
e.
this classmate has confused scientific theories and scientific laws
22. Which list describes the sequence scientists typically follow in the beginning stages of their investigations
about how nature works?
a.
analyze data → search literature → perform experiment → identify a problem → ask a question
b.
ask a question → search literature → perform experiment → analyze data → identify a problem
c.
search literature → ask a question → identify a problem → analyze data → perform experiment
d.
identify a problem → search literature → ask a question → perform experiment → analyze data
e.
ask a question → search literature → identify a problem → perform experiment → analyze data
23. Because there is often no way to measure every instance of a phenomenon around the entire world, scientists
____.
a.
can do little more than guess at what’s happening
b.
do not even attempt to do so
c.
pick one instance and assume it’s perfectly representative
d.
use statistical sampling and mathematical models to make estimates
e.
use computer simulations instead
Narrative: (questions 9 and 10)
A tiny, tawny colored butterfly called the Carson Wandering Skipper was always known for its small and very
localized populations. Typically, it was found along the western Nevada and eastern California high desert
areas. It was always located close to hot springs and other wet areas that supported salt grass, the host plant it
depended on.
Recently, the populations went into a steep decline, and a last hold-out area was threatened by imminent
construction of a freeway bypass. Biologists became alarmed and began an intensive search for populations in
locations other than the spot designated for the freeway bypass. They began their search by identifying all
known locations of hot springs, in hopes of finding small populations of the Carson Wandering Skipper close
by.
24. The biologists’ observations that the Carson Wandering Skipper populations had declined is an example of
____.
Chapter 02 – Science – Matter – and Energy
a.
reporting a conclusion
b.
identifying a problem
c.
performing an experiment
d.
proposing a hypothesis
e.
making testable predictions
25. As biologists searched for previously unknown populations of the Carson Wandering Skipper, biologists
wondered if hot springs were absolutely essential to its survival. This phase of the investigation is ____.
a.
finding out what is known and asking a question
b.
analyzing data and asking a question
c.
asking a question and testing predictions
d.
accepting their hypothesis and analyzing data
e.
accepting their hypothesis and asking a question
26. Scientific hypotheses and results that have not undergone the rigors of peer review, or that have been
discarded as a result of peer review or additional research, are considered to be ____.
a.
limited but accurate
b.
scientific laws
c.
scientific theories
d.
unreliable science
e.
reliable science
27. Critical thinking includes ____.
a.
knowing that everything you read or hear is wrong
b.
only looking for information that supports your opinions
c.
learning how to argue persuasively that you are right
Chapter 02 – Science – Matter – and Energy
d.
knowing what the right answer should be, and finding an explanation for any results that disagree
e.
identifying and evaluating your personal assumptions, biases, and beliefs, being careful to distinguish
between facts and opinions
28. A scientific law ____.
a.
is a hypothesis that has been proven
b.
is what a theory becomes when it passes experimental tests
c.
is called that because there are consequences when it is broken
d.
is a well-tested and widely accepted description of what we find happening repeatedly and in the
same way in nature
e.
determines the series of steps that should be followed when designing an experiment to test a
hypothesis
29. Matter is best described as ____.
a.
thermodynamic
b.
something that has the capacity to do work
c.
positively charged
d.
something that can produce change
e.
anything that has mass and takes up space
30. Atomic theory, the idea that all elements are made of up atoms, ____.
a.
is a scientific theory
b.
is a scientific law
c.
is tentative science
d.
is no longer considered to be correct
e.
violates the law of conservation of matter
31. The atomic number of an element is the number of ____.
a.
atoms in a molecule
b.
protons in an atom
c.
nuclei in a molecule
d.
electrons in an atom
e.
protons and neutrons in an atom
32. Protons, neutrons, and electrons are all ____.
a.
forms of energy
b.
equal in mass
c.
subatomic particles
d.
negative ions
e.
charged particles
33. An atom’s mass number is equal to the total number of ____.
a.
neutrons and isotopes
b.
neutrons and electrons
c.
neutrons and protons
d.
protons, neutrons, and electrons
e.
protons only
34. An element ____.
a.
can combine with protons to make an atom
b.
is made up of compounds
c.
can combine with one or more other elements to make a compound
d.
is defined by the number of electrons it has
e.
can only be organic
35. The most common form of the carbon atom is sometimes referred to as 12C. An isotope of this atom is called
14C. 14C must have a different number of ____ than 12C.
a.
ions
b.
protons
c.
atoms
d.
neutrons
e.
electrons
36. Ions are atoms or groups of atoms that have ____.
a.
gained or lost electrons
b.
gained or lost protons
c.
gained or lost neutrons
d.
undergone radioactive decay
e.
different numbers of protons and neutrons in the same atom
37. Which list of items contains only ions?
a.
CO2, H2O, Na+, H–
Chapter 02 – Science – Matter – and Energy
b.
Na+, H–, Pb, Hg
c.
Pb, Hg, CO2,NaCl
d.
Cl–, Na+, Ca2+, NO3–
e.
NaCl, NO, CO, NaOH
38. An acidic solution would have ____.
a.
more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions and a pH greater than 7
b.
more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions and a pH greater than 7
c.
more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions and a pH less than 7
d.
more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions and a pH of 7
e.
more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions and a pH less than 7
39. All organic compounds are characterized by the presence of ____.
a.
carbon
b.
hydrogen
c.
oxygen
d.
nitrogen
e.
phosphorus
40. The compound represented by the formula CH4 is ____.
a.
calcium carbonate
b.
carbon dioxide
c.
methane, a hydrocarbon
d.
sodium chloride
e.
glucose, a simple carbohydrate
Chapter 02 – Science – Matter – and Energy
41. Which of the following contains all of the others?
a.
chromosomes
b.
genes
c.
cells
d.
DNA molecules
e.
cell nuclei
42. ____ are the fundamental structural and functional units of life.
a.
Ions
b.
Atoms
c.
Compounds
d.
Molecules
e.
Cells
43. Simple organic molecules called monomers can be linked together by chemical bonds to form ____.
a.
chromosomes
b.
lipids
c.
polymers
d.
hydrocarbons
e.
elements