Grade 9 Science
Exam
Choose the correct answer for each question.
1 Which of the following properties of sugar is not a physical property?
Sugar turns black when it is heated.
Sugar dissolves readily in water.
Sugar has a sweet taste.
Sugar is a white solid at room temperature.
2 Which of the following describes a chemical property?
Mercury is a liquid at room temperature.
Aluminum is malleable.
Hydrogen reacts explosively with oxygen in the presence of a flame.
You slide across the side walk as you step on an earthworm.
3 Which property is described by the statement that aluminum can be bent into
various shapes?
density
malleability
hardness
viscosity
4 Two different brands of hair shampoo behave differently when poured out of
their containers. Brand A pours very slowly, while brand B pours much more
quickly. What statement below describes this difference?
Brand A is less ductile than brand B.
Brand A has a higher boiling point than brand B.
Brand A has a higher density than brand B.
Brand A is more viscous than brand B.
5 The liquid state of matter has
an indefinite shape and a definite volume.
a definite shape and a definite volume.
an indifinite shape and an indefinite volume.
a definite shape and an indefinite volume.
6 You are given blocks of four different materials of identical mass. The
materials are foam, gold, aluminum, and ice. Which block would have the
largest volume?
ice
foam
gold
ice
7 The density of aluminum is 2.7 g/mL. Four students each measured the mass
and volume of a sample of metal; their results are shown below. Only one of
hte students actually had a sample of aluminum; the other students had
different materials. From the information given, decide which student had the
aluminum.
mass = 28.4 g; volume = 76.7 mL
mass = 37.4 g; volume = 15.1 mL
mass = 88.3 g; volume = 30. mL
mass = 76.7 g; volume = 28.4 mL
8 The density of silver is 10.5 g/mL. If you had a piece of silver with a mass of
458 g, what would the volume of the piece of silver be?
0.022 mL
43.6 mL
447.5 mL
468.5 mL
9 Identify the chemical change in the following list:
the crushing of stones
the formation of clouds
the separation of cream from milk
the burning of a candle
10 A physical change in a substance
results in a change in the mass of the substance.
changes teh form or state of the substance.
changes it into a different substance.
is usually very hard to reverse.
11 Which one of the following observations provides certain evidence that a
chemical change has occurred?
A change of state takes place.
A new substance is formed.
There is a change in volume.
Heat is given off.
12 Iron is widely used to build cars, bridges, and buildings. One of the major
problems with iron is that it rusts under certain conditions. The reaction of iron
to form rust is called
combustion
precipitate
a physical change
corrosion
13 Many substances undergo combustion. what is common to all combustion
reactions.
nitrogen is used up and energy is produced
oxygen and energy are used up
oxygen is used up and energy is produced
energy is used up and oxygen is produced
14 All of the following statements are part of the particle theory of matter except
one. Identify the exception.
Different substances are made of different particles.
The particles in solids are harder than the particles in liquids.
The particles are always moving.
There are forces of attraction between the particles.
15 The particle theory of matter is a useful scientific model because
it proves that matter is made of particles.
it is easy to understand.
it was developed by famous scientists.
it allows scientists to explain many of the properties of matter.
16 A pure substance consisting of two or more kinds of atoms is considered to be
an element
a solution
a compound
married
17 Which one of the following substances is an element?
Helium
Milk
Salt
Water
18 Silicon dioxide, SiO2, is the major component of sand. Silicon dioxide is
considered to be a compound because
it is a pure substance.
it consists of two different elements.
it is a very common substance.
its composition varies.
19 Your teacher gives you a sample of an unknown element. It is solid, yellow,
not shiny, and it breaks when you try to bend it. What is a reasonable
conclusion for you to reach based on these observations?
The element is a metal.
The element will conduct electricity.
The element is not a metal.
The element is malleable.
20 When electricity is passed through water, a chemical reaction takes place. In
this reaction
the products are nitrogen and oxygen.
the products are carbon dioxide and oxygen.
the products are water and hydrogen peroxide.
the products are hydrogen and oxygen.
21 The word equation that best describes the change that takes place when
electricity is passed through water is
water ---> steam
water ---> hydrogen + nitrogen
hydrogen + oxygen ---> water
water ---> hydrogen + oxygen
22 The total number of atoms represented by the formula K2CrO7 is
1
3
11
28
23 Which of the following statements is not part of Dalton's atomic theory?
All substances are composed of small, indivisible particles called
atoms.
The atoms of a given element are identical in every respect.
The three main particles in atoms are protons, neutrons, and electrons.
In chemical reactions, atoms combine in simple, whole-number ratios.
24 In a famous experiment carried out in 1911, Ernest Rutherford bombarded a
thin sheet of gold with high-speed, positively charged particles. Based on the
behaviour of these particles, Rutherford proposed that atoms possessed
a very small, positively charged, dense region in the centre of the atom.
a very small, negatively charged, dense region in the centre of the
atom.
very small, positively charged particles that moved at high speed.
equal numbers of positive and negative particles.
25 According to the Rutherford model of the atom, most of the space that an
atom takes up consists of
protons
a nucleus
neutrons
empty space
26 The number of electrons in an atom is the same as
the number of neutrons in the atom
the mass number of the atom
the number of protons in the atom
the difference between the mass number and atomic number
27 The number of protons in an atom is represented by its
atomic nucleus
electon number
atomic mass
atomic number
28 If the atomic number of an atom is represented by X and the mass number is
represented by Y, the number of neutrons in an atom of the element is
Y-X
X-Y
X+Y
Y
29 The symbol Cl represents an atom with
17 protons, 20 electrons, 20 neutrons
17 protons, 17 electrons, 17 neutrons
20 protons, 20 electrons, 17 neutrons
17 protons, 17 electrons, 20 neutrons
30 Bohr proposed that the line spectrum of an element is caused by
electrons moving from a higher energy level back to a lower energy
level.
electrons moving from a lower energy level to a gigher energy level.
electrons leaving the atom.
protons moving from the nucleus to one of the energy levels.
31 Which of the following is the correct arrangement of electrons in a sulfur atom,
atomic number 16
2, 8, 4, 2
2, 8, 6
6, 8, 2
2, 6, 8
32 Isotopes of an element have different
numbers of electrons.
numbers of neutrons.
electron arrangements.
numbers of protons.
33 In which group of the periodic table are the halogens found?
1
2
15
17
34 Which group in the periodic table contains the noble gases?
1
15
17
18
35 The most metallic elements in the periodic table are found
on the extreme right of the table.
on the extreme left of the table.
in the middle of the table.
in the second column.
36 Which of the following groups of elements contains only metalloids?
Li, Na, K, Rb
Ge, As, Sb, Bi
Ge, As, Sb, Te
Ge, Pb, Au, Ag
37 The reason for the chemical similarity among elements of a given group in the
periodic table is the
similarity in the highest orbit electrons.
similarity in their nuclear structure.
fact that they all have the same number of protons.
fact that they all have the same number of neutrons.
38 Which of the following elements would you expect to react in a manner most
similar to nitrogen?
sodium (Na)
neon (Ne)
oxygen (O)
phosphorus (P)
39 The element with atomic number 11 is most likely to have similar chemical
properties to the element with atomic number
2
10
12
19
40 Elements that possess some properties of metals and some properties of
nonmetals are called
alkali metals
metalloids
noble gases
heavy metals
41 Three elements, X, Y, and Z, all have two electrons in their outer orbits. The
three elements could be
in the sescond row in the periodic table.
all nonmetals.
in the second column in the periodic table.
noble gases.
42 Which of the following materials will float in water?
A. rubber (density = 1.2 g/mL)
B. olive oil (density = 0.920 g/mL)
C. mercury (density = 13.6 g/mL)
D. ice (density = 0.920 g/mL at 0 degrees C)
all will float
B and D only
A and C only
A, B and C only
43 The smallest particle of an element that is still that element is a(n)
molecule
hunk
atom
chunk
44 The two elements that are found as liquids at room temperature are
dihydrogen oxide, waterium
sodium, chlorine
mercury, iodine
mercury, bromine
45 Which of the following formulas represent the most number of total atoms?
FeO3
Na2CrO7
CuCrO4
NH4NO3
46 Which of the following best describes the term "constellation"?
A group of stars that travel through space together.
A group of stars that form a shape or pattern.
A group of stars that is seen in the same part of the sky.
A group of stars that are located near each other in space.
47 The year is based on
the Earth's rotation.
The Moon's rotation.
The Sun's rotation.
The Earth's revolution.
48 The word "planet" comes from the Greek word "planetes" meaning
star.
constellation.
zodiac.
wanderers.
49 Choose the planet that is completely different from the other three.
Jupiter
Neptune
Mars
Saturn
50 Which of the following planets does not have an appreciable atmosphere?
Mercury
Venus
Jupiter
Saturn
51 From the list below, choose the planet(s) that have rings.
Jupiter
Mercury
Mars
Saturn
52 Which of the following groups of planets all have moons?
Jupiter, Mercury, Neptune
Jupiter, Uranus, Venus
Earth, Saturn, Mercury
Mars, Neptune, Jupiter
53 The solar system consists of
the Sun and all the planets and moons that orbit it.
all the planets and moons except those of Pluto.
all the planets and moons except those of Earth.
the Sun, planets and moons out to and including Jupiter.
54 Planets and Moons are
luminous.
can be either luminous or nonluminous depending on where the Sunis.
Mercury and Venus are luminous; the rest are non-luminous.
nonluminous.
55 A star is matter
that twinkles.
emits large amounts of energy.
forms planet systems.
that are usually larger than planets.
that is much smaller than most planets.
56 Most stars and constellations seem to rise in the east and set in the west
because
the Earth is spinning around the Sun.
the whole galaxy is spinning.
this only seems to happen - it is an illusion.
the Earth rotates around its axis.
57 Revolution (in planets) is
the movement of one object travelling around another.
the movement of an object around its axis.
the time taken for a complete orbit.
the movement of a moon travelling around a sun.
58 Which of the following is not a terrestrial planet?
Saturn
Venus
Mars
Mercury
59 Which planet has more greenhouse gases than found on Earth?
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Earth
60 Why isn't Mercury the hottest planet?
it is further from the sun than Venus.
it is protected from the rays of the Sun by an asteroid belt.
Venus is always between it and th eSun, so it is protected.
it has no greenhouse gases to capture the Sun's energy.
61 Which planet is the "red planet"?
Earth
Pluto
Mars
Jupiter
62 Which of the following planets has rings of matter around it?
Neptune
Uranus
Saturn
Jupiter
63 What is the scientific name of an object that is large enough to survive a trip
through the atmosphere and hit the surface of Earth?
A smashing success.
A meteor.
A meteorite.
A meteoroid.
A dinosaur's worst enemy.
64 Why are craters from meteorites uncommon on Earth? Select two answers
from those below.
We rarely are hit by them.
Most burn up in the atmosphere before hitting the ground.
Most veer off after hitting our atmosphere.
Large objects repel one another in space.
Most craters have become covered by dirt or water, or have slowly
been affected by the processes of erosion.
65 In the mid-1500s, the Polish cleric Copernicus presented mathematical
evidence for a different model of the universe. What was the most important
change that Copernicus introduced?
He developed our present-day calendar.
He replaced the Earth-centred universe with a Sun-centred solar
system.
He replaced the Sun-centred solar system with an Earth-centred
universe.
He ws the first to use a telescope to support his new model.
66 Which of the following statements describes a galaxy?
A galaxy consists of our Sun and all major planets.
A galaxy consists of our entire solar system and all the stars we can
see.
A galaxy consists of about 200 billion stars, dust, gas, and solid matter
that may form planets.
A galaxy consists of all the matter in the universe.
67 Triangulation is
a direct way of measuring the distance to an object.
an indirect way of measuring the distance to an object.
a direct way of measuring angles.
an indirect way of measuring angles.
68 A light year is a measurement of
distance.
time.
speed.
brightness.
69 The largest baselilne abailable to observers on Earth is (try drawing a picture
to figure this one out):
the diameter of the Earth.
the distance from the Earth to the Sun.
the size of the Sun.
the diameter of the Earth's orbit.
70 Why are the world's largest telescopes built at the top of mountains?
For security reasons.
The rent is cheaper up there.
The atmosphere is thinner at the top of a mountain.
Astronomers can work with less disturbance from traffic and airplanes.
71 The visible part of the Sun is called
the chromosphere.
the corona.
the surface.
the photosphere.
72 What are solar prominences?
Dark spots on the solar surface.
Large sheets of glowing gases bursting from the chromosphere.
The region where nuclear fusion takes place.
The outer atmosphere of the Sun.
73 The colour of a star depends on its
temperature.
size.
distance.
position.
74 Which of the following instruments can be used to separate white light into its
component colours? It is useful for determing the composition of stars.
A photometer.
A CCD camera.
A spectroscope.
A refractor.
75 Which two factors of those shown below determine the brightness of stars as
seen on Earth? (Not including objects that may obstruct our view).
Size of the star.
Colour of the star.
Distance the star is from Earth.
How fast it is rotating.
The time of day.
76 What three things does the Hertzsprung-Russell relate to us about stars?
Temperature
Distance
Colour
Doppler effect
Luminosity
77 A galaxy moving towards us will
demonstrate a shift towards the red region of the spectrum.
demonstrate no change in its emission spectrum.
demonstrate a shift towards the blue region of the spectrum.
appear very blurry.
78 Which of the following shapes is characteristic of a galaxy?
spiral
triangular
elliptical
irregular
79 From the following list, choose the description that best fits a quasar.
It emits up to 100 times more energy than a galaxy.
It is always found in th espiral arms of galaxies.
It is dark material used in the formation of galaxies.
It is a component of most star clusters.
80 What object is most likely the birthplace of stars?
Black hole.
Supernova.
Nebula.
Neutron star.
81 A pulsar is a type of
black hole.
supernova.
nebula.
neutron star.
82 What is the best scientific estimate of the age of our solar system?
400 million years.
4.6 billion years.
100 billion years.
4000 years.
83 Which of the following colours of light has the shortest wavelength?
red.
green.
blue.
violet.
84 Choose the most appropriate term for the study of the origin and changes of
the universe?
astronomy.
astrology.
cosmology.
choreography.
85 The force that causes an aircraft to move forward is called
payload.
thrust.
lift.
drag.
86 Astronauts can float in orbiting spacecraft because
there is very little gravity in space.
there is very little air in space.
they are in free fall.
the spacecraft is not accelerating.
87 Which of the following is a definition for weight?
The force of gravity on an object.
The mass of an object.
The effect of free fall on an object.
The resistance of an object to motion.