CHAPTER 2—SCIENCE, MATTER, AND ENERGY
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which statement best describes the Bormann-Likens controlled experiment in forest valleys in New
Hampshire that compared water flowing out of deforested areas to undisturbed areas?
a.
The deforested area was greater in volume by 30 to 40%
b.
The deforested area was less in volume by 30 to 40%
c.
The deforested area had more soil nutrients dissolved in the water
d.
The deforested area was less in volume by 30 to 40% and had fewer soil nutrients
dissolved in the water
e.
The deforested area was greater in volume by 30 to 40% and had more soil nutrients
dissolved in the water
2. The Bormann-Likens study in the Hubbard Brooks Experimental Forest in New Hampshire can best be
described as
a.
a comparison of a control site with an experimental site in nature
b.
what can occur in a forest watershed without plants to absorb water
c.
an example of how scientists learn about the effects of our actions on natural systems
d.
a comparison of a control site with an experimental site in nature and a study of what can
occur in a forest watershed without plants to absorb and retain water
e.
a comparison of a control and an experimental site, a study of what can occur in a forest
watershed without plants to absorb water, and an example of how scientists learn about the
effects of our actions on natural systems.
3. Science
a.
is a study of the history of the natural world
b.
attempts to discover order in nature to interpret the past
c.
is best described as a random collection of facts
d.
is supported by small amounts of evidence
e.
is an endeavor to discover how nature works
4. When scientists are testing ideas to determine facts, they
a.
follow a specific set of logical steps
b.
report observations to the scientific community without data collection
c.
use different steps that are unique to each scientist
d.
use only mathematical modeling
e.
first ask fellow scientists at annual meetings what steps to take
5. 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.
tentative explanations that need further evaluation
c.
not subject to proper investigation and testing
d.
arrived at after extensive mathematical modeling
e.
tentative explanations that need further evaluation and not subject to proper investigation
and testing
6. 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 can neither prove or disprove anything
absolutely.
c.
this classmate is misinformed because the process in question actually has been proven
scientifically.
d.
this classmate is correct.
e.
this classmate has confused scientific theories and scientific laws
7. Which of the following choices best describes the sequence scientists typically use 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
8. Which of the following does not characterize frontier science?
a.
It often captures news headlines because it is controversial.
b.
It may deal with preliminary data.
c.
It may eventually be validated.
d.
Scientists always agree on the meaning and accuracy of the data involved.
e.
It may eventually be discredited.
9. The biologists’ observations that the Carson Wandering Skipper populations had declined is an
example of
a.
data analysis
b.
identifying a problem
c.
performing an experiment
d.
proposing a hypothesis
e.
making testable predictions
10. As they 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
11. The scientists, with enough data,
a.
would be able to prove that there is a correlation between butterfly populations and hot
springs
b.
would not be able to prove a correlation between the butterfly populations and hot springs,
but could disprove it
c.
Would be able to prove or disprove a correlation, depending on the numbers
d.
would not be able to prove or disprove a correlation between the butterfly populations and
hot springs
e.
would be able to prove that there is a correlation between the butterfly populations and hot
springs, but would not be able to disprove it
12. What are the important steps involved in critical thinking?
a.
Be skeptical about everything you read or hear and be open to many viewpoints
b.
Look at the evidence and evaluate it as well as related information and a variety of
opinions.
c.
Identify and evaluate your personal beliefs and biases.
d.
Identify and evaluate your personal beliefs and biases and be skeptical about everything
you read or hear.
e.
Look at the evidence and evaluate it as well as related information, identify and evaluate
your personal beliefs and biases, be skeptical about everything you read or hear and be
open to many viewpoints.
13. Scientific theories are
a.
frequently overturned and changed because they are, in fact, just theories.
b.
overturned on a regular basis at periodic scheduled meetings of the scientific community
to evaluate the validity of all scientific theories.
c.
never overturned.
d.
rarely overturned unless new evidence discredits them.
e.
overturned only as a result of Supreme Court decisions.
14. Matter is best described as
a.
anything that has mass and occupies space
b.
something that has the capacity to do work
c.
something that can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas
d.
something that can produce change
e.
is anything that has mass and occupies space and can exist as a solid, liquid, or gas
15. All of the following are elements except
a.
Water
b.
Oxygen
c.
Nitrogen
d.
Hydrogen
e.
Carbon
16. The atomic number 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
17. Protons, neutrons, and electrons are all
a.
forms of energy
b.
equal in mass
c.
subatomic particles
d.
negative ions
e.
charged particles
18. The atomic mass number is equal to the sum of the
a.
neutrons and isotopes
b.
neutrons and electrons
c.
neutrons and protons
d.
protons, neutrons, and electrons
e.
protons only
19. An element
a.
is identical to a compound
b.
is made up of compounds
c.
can combine with one or more other element to make a compound
d.
exists only in a pure form as a single element, and never combines with other elements
e.
more than one of these answers
20. The commonest form of the Carbon atom that exists is at times referred to as C12. An isotope of this
atom is called C14. C14 must have a different number of___________than C12.
a.
Ions
b.
Protons
c.
Atoms
d.
Neutrons
e.
Electrons
21. Ions are atoms or groups of atoms that have
a.
Gained or lost an electron
b.
Gained or lost a proton
c.
Gained or lost a neutron
d.
Gained or lost either an electron or a proton
e.
different numbers of protons and neutrons in the same atom
22. Which list of items contains only ions?
a.
CO2, H2O, Na+, H–
b.
Na+, H–, Pb, Hg
c.
Pb, Hg, CO2,NaCl
d.
Cl–, Na+, Ca2+, NO3–
e.
NaCl, NO, CO, NaOH
23. An acidic solution would have
a.
more hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions
b.
more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions
c.
a pH less than 7
d.
a pH greater than 7
e.
more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions and a pH less than 7
24. All organic compounds are characterized by the presence of
a.
Carbon
b.
Hydrogen
c.
Oxygen
d.
Nitrogen
e.
Phosphorus
25. Which of the following sources of iron would be of the highest quality?
a.
iron deposits on the ocean floor
b.
a field of spinach
c.
a large scrap metal junkyard
d.
a half-mile deep deposit of iron ore
e.
soil that is high in iron content
26. Which of the following contains all of the others?
a.
Chromosomes
b.
Genes
c.
Cells
d.
DNA molecules
e.
cell nuclei
27. The smallest functional and structural unit of life is the
a.
Ion
b.
Atom
c.
Compound
d.
Molecule
e.
Cell
28. Which organic polymer consists of two or more monomers of simple sugars such as glucose?
a.
Lipids
b.
Proteins
c.
nucleic acids
d.
complex carbohydrates
e.
nucleic acids and complex carbohydrates
29. Genetic information is contained in coded units on chromosomes called
a.
DNA molecules
b.
Genes
c.
Macromolecules
d.
Nucleotides
e.
Proteins
30. The law of conservation of matter states that
a.
Atoms can be created.
b.
Atoms can be destroyed.
c.
Atoms cannot be created or destroyed.
d.
Atoms can be destroyed if we compost them.
e.
Atoms can be created through nuclear fission.
31. If a carbon atom combines with oxygen atoms to form CO2, this would be described as a
a.
Physical change.
b.
Chemical change.
c.
It is both a physical and chemical change.
d.
First, it is a physical change, but then it becomes a chemical change.
e.
It is not a physical change or a chemical change. It is scientific change.
32. Energy can be formally defined as
a.
the velocity of any moving object
b.
the heat generated by atoms losing electrons
c.
the ability to do work or produce heat transfer
d.
the displacement of heat from the Sun to the Earth
e.
the process of moving objects
33. Most forms of energy can be classified as either
a.
chemical or physical
b.
kinetic or mechanical
c.
potential or mechanical
d.
chemical or kinetic
e.
potential or kinetic
34. All of the following are examples of kinetic energy except
a.
a speeding bullet
b.
a car battery
c.
a flow of electric current
d.
a falling rock
e.
flowing water
35. An example of potential energy is
a.
electricity flowing through a wire
b.
the chemical energy in a candy bar
c.
a bullet fired at high velocity
d.
a leaf falling from a tree
e.
water flowing
36. Which of the following is the best description of the first law of thermodynamics?
a.
Atoms cannot be created or destroyed.
b.
Energy input always equals energy output.
c.
Heat is a form of kinetic energy.
d.
Solar energy is converted into chemical energy in living systems.
e.
All of these answers apply to the first law of thermodynamics.
37. Wind farms are viable options for supplying more of our energy needs in the future because:
a.
high speed wind is a form of medium-quality energy
b.
high speed wind is a form of high-quality energy
c.
high speed wind is a form of low-quality energy
d.
all speeds of wind are high quality energy
e.
wind is not an energy form at all
38. The direct input of solar energy produces which of the following forms of renewable (indirect) solar
energy?
a.
Wind
b.
falling and flowing water
c.
Biomass
d.
wind, falling and flowing water, and biomass
e.
only wind and falling and flowing water
39. The amount of useful work accomplished by a particular input of energy into a system is
a.
Energy quality
b.
Energy potential
c.
Energy capacity
d.
Energy efficiency
e.
Energy loss
40. Which of the following energy forms is high quality?
a.
Coal
b.
the heat dispersed in the ocean
c.
Electricity
d.
Food
e.
coal, electricity and food
41. What percentage of useful energy in the United States is either unavoidably or unnecessarily wasted?
a.
43%
b.
84%
c.
35%
d.
41%
e.
Energy in the United States is not wasted.
42. Scientists Bormann and Likens demonstrated in their experiment on a clear-cut forest that
a.
A cleared forest is more sustainable than an uncleared forest.
b.
An uncleared forest is more sustainable than a cleared forest.
c.
Cleared and uncleared forests have the same sustainability.
d.
Clearing a forest violates the second law of thermodynamics.
e.
At least two of these answers are correct.
43. A form of kinetic energy that travels in the form of waves as a result of changes in electrical and
magnetic fields is
a.
Wind
b.
electromagnetic radiation
c.
Waterfalls
d.
Electricity
e.
solar radiation
44. Which of the following is the best short summary of the law of conservation of matter?
a.
There is no away.
b.
You cannot get something for nothing.
c.
You cannot break even.
d.
You can break even, but not get something for nothing.
e.
You can get something for nothing, but cannot break even.
45. Some forms of electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths are:
a.
Visible light and IR radiation
b.
Visible light and x-rays
c.
x-rays and IR
d.
gamma rays and UV radiation
e.
Visible light and gamma rays
46. Which of the following are widely used technologies that are responsible for wasting enormous
amounts of energy?
a.
the compact fluorescent light bulb and the internal combustion engine
b.
solar cells and incandescent light bulbs
c.
the incandescent light bulb and the internal combustion engine
d.
PV cells and the internal combustion engine
e.
LED bulbs and the internal combustion engine
TRUE/FALSE
1. Since scientific theories are tentative explanations, they should not be taken seriously.
2. Scientists analyze data before they take any other steps to investigate natural processes, since that is
the only logical place to start.
3. The two chemical forms of matter are elements and compounds.
4. Chemical elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances.
5. The steps in the scientific investigative process are always followed in the same sequence by every
scientist, without fail.
6. When matter undergoes physical changes, the chemical composition also changes.
7. Hydrocarbons are organic compounds.
8. The very first step in the scientific process is to find out what is known about the problem.
9. When electrical energy lights an incandescent light bulb, 50 percent of the energy produces light.
10. When energy changes from one form to another, it always goes from a more useful to a less useful
form.
11. The idea that all elements are made up of molecules is called the atomic theory.
12. A chemical element cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means.
13. Atoms as a whole have no net electrical charge.
14. The atomic number of an atom designates the number of protons and neutrons found in its nucleus.
15. In the scientific process, projections are tested with further experiments, models or observations.
COMPLETION
1. In a scientific investigation, one of the groups involved in the investigation has a chosen variable
changed in a known way. This group is designated as the ____________________group.
2. If an overwhelming body of observations and measurements supports a scientific hypothesis, it
becomes known as a(n) ____________________.
3. A tentative explanation that needs further investigation is called a(n) ____________________.
4. Matter that is near the Earth’s surface, that is highly concentrated, and that has great potential for use
as a resource is referred to as ____________________.
5. ____________________ consists of elements and compounds.
6. A chemical that is a combination of two or more different elements is called a(n)
____________________.
7. An atom or group of atoms with one or more net positive or negative charges is called a(n)
____________________.
8. The pH of a solution is a measure of the ____________________ ions and ____________________
ions.
9. ________________ ____________occurs when two isotopes of light elements are forced together at
extremely high temperatures until they fuse to form a heavier nucleus.
10. ___________________ ______________occurs when the nuclei of certain isotopes with large mass
numbers are split apart into lighter nuclei when struck by a neutron.
11. An ion that is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and which was studied by Bormann and Likens, is
the ____________________ ion.
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12. A simple carbohydrate that plants and animals use to obtain energy is ____________________.
13. Organic compounds always contain ____________________ atoms.
14. Genes are segments of ____________________.
15. Macromolecules formed from a number of monomers are called ____________________.
MATCHING
Match items with their appropriate chemical description.
a.
S
g.
b.
H+
h.
c.
Electron
i.
d.
Proton
j.
e.
Neutron
k.
f.
CO2
1. The chemical symbol for sodium
2. A subatomic particle with no net electrical charge
3. The nitrate ion
4. The small, dense center of an atom
5. The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus
6. Subatomic particle with a positive charge
7. The chemical symbol for sulfur
8. A compound
9. Atoms with variable numbers of neutrons
10. Subatomic particle with a negative charge
11. Chemical symbol for the hydrogen ion
36
Match the items below with the correct energy or matter quality below.
a.
High-quality matter
b.
Low-quality matter
c.
High-quality energy
d.
Low-quality energy
e.
Both high-quality matter and high-quality energy
12. salt
13. coal
14. gasoline
15. aluminum ore
16. salt water
17. heat in oceans
18. oil in barrels
19. automobile emissions
20. nuclear fission
21. concentrated sunlight
Match items a through h with their correct description below.
a.
human body
d.
b.
in all human cells except for red blood
cells
e.
c.
found in all cell nuclei
f.
22. contains a long DNA molecule in the form of a double helix
23. contains trillions of cells, each with an identical set of genes
24. chromosomes in pairs
25. cell nuclei
26. segments on chromosomes
27. contains one chromosome from each parent
SHORT ANSWER
1. Name at least three things you did during the last hour that degraded high-quality energy to low-
quality energy.
2. Curiosity and skepticism are important features of the scientific process. Explain how these two
attributes in a scientist come into play during a late phase of scientific investigation called accept or
reject the hypothesis.
3. Employing the concepts of high-quality matter and low-quality matter, explain to a friend why
recycling aluminum drink containers is a good idea.
4. What are the physical states and chemical forms of matter?
ESSAY
1. Explain why the Bormann-Likens scientific investigation of clear-cutting forest watersheds is
considered reliable science.
2. List an example of each of the following terms: element, compound, ion, organic molecule, simple
carbohydrate.
3. Explain how the differences between humans and other living organisms, such as plants or animals,
are controlled and encoded at the cellular level.
39
4. What are some of the ways scientists examine scientific inquiries and studies to determine if the work
is reliable or unreliable?
5. Briefly explain how the second law of thermodynamics affects energy changes.
6. Describe three limitations of science in general (as well as environmental science).