Physics Answers
1. Why does an ice cube float in water, but a stone sinks? Explain using density.
An ice cube floats because its density (about 0.92 g/cm³) is less than water’s (1 g/cm³).
A stone sinks because its density (e.g., 2-3 g/cm³) is greater than water’s. Density is
mass per unit volume, and objects less dense than a liquid float, while denser ones sink.
2. What is the difference between heat and temperature? Give an example.
Heat is the total thermal energy in an object, while temperature is the average energy of
its particles. For example, a large pot of warm water has more heat than a small cup of
hot water, even if the cup has a higher temperature.
3. If energy is conserved, where does the energy go when a moving car stops?
The kinetic energy of the car is converted into thermal energy (heat) in the brakes and
surroundings due to friction, and some into sound energy.
4. How does thermal energy move from a hot stove to your hand through
conduction?
Thermal energy transfers by conduction when particles in the stove vibrate faster due to
heat and collide with slower-moving particles in your hand, passing energy along.
5. Why does wet skin feel colder as water evaporates?
As water evaporates, it takes thermal energy from your skin to change into vapor,
cooling your skin in the process.
6. How do amplitude and frequency affect the loudness and pitch of a sound?
Amplitude determines loudness (higher amplitude = louder sound), and frequency
determines pitch (higher frequency = higher pitch).
7. Draw two sound waves that cancel each other when they overlap.
(Imagine two waves: one with a peak, the other with a trough of equal size at the same
point. When combined, they flatline.) They cancel because the peak of one fills the
trough of the other, resulting in no net displacement.
8. How does current split in a parallel circuit with two lamps?
The current divides between the two branches. The total current from the battery equals
the sum of the currents through each lamp, depending on their resistances.
9. How would you measure the current through a lamp in a series circuit?
Connect an ammeter in series with the lamp so the current flows through it, and read
the value in amperes (A).
10.If a circuit has 6V and 2A, what is the resistance? How does resistance change
current?
Resistance = Voltage / Current = 6V / 2A = 3Ω. Increasing resistance reduces current
because current is inversely proportional to resistance (I = V/R).
11.Draw a circuit with a cell, switch, lamp, and ammeter in series.
(Imagine a single loop: a cell [+ to -], a switch, an ammeter [A], and a lamp, all
connected in a line.) Conventional symbols: cell (long line +, short line -), switch (gap
with a line), lamp (circle with X), ammeter (circle with A).
Chemistry Answers
12.How does the number of protons in an atom relate to its place in the Periodic
Table?
The number of protons (atomic number) determines an element’s position. For example,
carbon has 6 protons, placing it in position 6.
13.What happens when two oxygen atoms share electrons to form O₂?
Each oxygen atom shares two electrons with the other, forming a covalent bond (O=O),
creating a stable O₂ molecule.
14.How does an ionic bond form between magnesium and oxygen?
Magnesium loses 2 electrons to become Mg²⁺, and oxygen gains 2 electrons to become
O²⁻. The opposite charges attract, forming an ionic bond in MgO.
15.Why are Group 1 elements like potassium more reactive than lithium?
Potassium is more reactive because it’s lower in Group 1, with electrons farther from the
nucleus and less tightly held, making them easier to lose.
16.A liquid has a mass of 50g and a volume of 25cm³. What is its density?
Density = Mass / Volume = 50g / 25cm³ = 2 g/cm³.
17.Why does graphite conduct electricity, but diamond does not?
Graphite has free electrons in its layered structure, allowing conduction. Diamond’s
electrons are all fixed in a rigid covalent structure, so it doesn’t conduct.
18.Write a word equation for zinc reacting with sulfuric acid.
Zinc + Sulfuric acid → Zinc sulfate + Hydrogen.
19.What happens when iron reacts with copper sulfate solution?
Iron displaces copper: Fe + CuSO₄ → FeSO₄ + Cu. Iron is more reactive, so it takes
sulfate, leaving copper metal.
20.How would you make magnesium chloride from magnesium and hydrochloric
acid?
React magnesium with HCl (Mg + 2HCl → MgCl₂ + H₂), filter to remove excess
magnesium, evaporate the solution, and crystallize MgCl₂.
21.How does increasing surface area speed up a chemical reaction?
More surface area exposes more particles to collide, increasing the reaction rate, as per
the particle model.
22.Why doesn’t the mass change in a closed chemical reaction?
Mass is conserved because atoms are neither created nor destroyed, only rearranged
into new substances.
Biology Answers
23.How does water travel from a plant’s roots to its leaves?
Water is absorbed by root hair cells, moves up through xylem vessels by capillary
action, and exits as vapor via transpiration from leaf surfaces.
24.What do kidneys do to remove urea from the blood?
Kidneys filter blood, removing urea (a waste product) into urine, which is then excreted.
25.How do genes on chromosomes affect an organism’s traits?
Genes, made of DNA, code for proteins that determine traits, like eye color in humans.
26.What happens to DNA when a sperm and egg fuse?
The sperm’s DNA combines with the egg’s DNA, forming a fertilized egg with a unique
mix of genetic material.
27.How do XX and XY chromosomes determine if a baby is a girl or boy?
XX results in a girl (two X chromosomes), and XY results in a boy (one X, one Y from
the father).
28.What is an example of variation in dogs, and what causes it?
Example: coat color (e.g., black vs. brown). Cause: differences in DNA inherited from
parents.
29.How could natural selection make a population of rabbits faster over time?
Faster rabbits escape predators better, survive, and pass speed-related genes to
offspring, increasing speed over generations.
30.Why do plants need nitrates to grow properly?
Nitrates are used to make proteins for growth; without them, plants stunt and weaken.
31.What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen (with light and chlorophyll).
32.How can a mother’s diet affect her baby’s growth in the womb?
Poor diet (e.g., low nutrients) can limit fetal growth; a balanced diet supports healthy
development of organs and tissues.
33.What might happen to a species of birds if their forest habitat is cut down?
They could lose food and shelter, leading to population decline or extinction if they can’t
adapt or relocate.
