9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
GHS 9th Grade
CAPT Science
Practice Test
INTEGRATED
Directions:
This test has been designed to measure your ability to answer
CAPT-like questions.
There are 75 multiple choice questions on this exam. Although
you may write on the test booklet, answer all questions on the
answer sheet provided.
Your participation in taking this exam will count for a grade in
your Integrated Science class.
This test will be graded and the grade will be provided to your
Integrated teacher, therefore, give this test your BEST EFFORT.
GOOD LUCK!!!
1
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
Energy Transformations
A group of students carried out the following investigation. “Our hypothesis is that the
greater the wire diameter used in a toaster, the greater the resistance in the wire.”
Procedure:
1 - We took a 4-meter length of wire with a diameter of 0.5 millimeters.
2-We attached the wire to a 3-volt battery and measured the current.
3-Knowing the voltage and current, we calculated the resistance in the wire.
4-We repeated the same steps with wires of increasing diameter.
5-We organized our data in the table below.
Diameter of Wire
(mm)
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Measured Current Calculated Resistance
(milliamps)
(ohms)
10
300
40
75
80
37
100
30
250
12
1. Based on the data collected, the students can conclude that their hypothesis was ----.
a. correct
b. incorrect
2. To be more confident that data in the table is accurate, you should ----.
a.
b.
c.
d.
go online and seek additional information
ask for your teacher’s opinion
repeat the experiment as described
repeat the experiment with different variables
3. To demonstrate static electricity, a teacher takes an inflated rubber balloon and rubs it
on his head. The rubber balloon picks up electrons from his hair, which causes his
hair to have a(n) ---.
a.
b.
c.
d.
electrical current
net positive charge
net negative charge
buildup of magnetic energy
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9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
4. You are at the beach on a sunny day and observe that the sand gets very hot by
midday, while the temperature of the water remains nearly the same. Which is the
best explanation of this observation?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The cool breeze makes the water feel colder than the sand.
Sitting on the hotter sand makes the water feel colder.
Sand both absorbs and gives off heat more readily than the water.
Hotter sand causes a sea breeze to be produced which cools the water.
5. The diagram below shows a series circuit. Which of the following would always
increase the flow of current through the lights in the circuit shown below?
a. Decreasing the battery voltage & decreasing the resistance of the lights
b. Increasing the battery voltage & increasing the resistance of the lights
c. Decreasing the battery voltage & increasing the resistance of the lights
d. Increasing the battery voltage & decreasing the resistance of the lights
6. An open pot of water is heated on the stove. As water boils, the molecules -----.
a.
b.
c.
d.
move slower and get closer together
move faster and get farther apart
get larger
get smaller
7. When in use, the heating element in a toaster glows and gives off heat. This is
because atoms within the heating element ----.
a.
b.
c.
d.
undergo chemical reactions
are excited by the flow of electrons
gain electrons and increase in temperature
conduct light and heat from the outlet
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9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
8. The internal energy of the Earth causes matter
to cycle through magma below the Earth’s
crust. According to the diagram to the right,
what form of heat transfer is most likely the
cause for this cycle to occur?
a.
b.
c.
d.
conduction
convection currents
radiation
condensation cycles
The following data are recorded during a supervised investigation. Use for question 9.
Type of
Container
Closed
Open
Total
Burning Time (min)
5
12
Amount of Fuel
at Start (grams)
100
100
Amount of Fuel
Remaining (grams)
73
0
9. What problem was the investigator most likely trying to answer?
a.
b.
c.
d.
How does the presence of oxygen affect combustion?
At what point is equilibrium reached in a combustion reaction?
What are the byproducts of an incomplete combustion reaction?
Does the amount of fuel in a combustion reaction affect the burn time?
Assume for questions 10-11 that a newspaper was rolled up and burned in a campfire.
10. Which of the following statements best describes the energy transformation that
occurs when a piece of paper burns?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Mechanical energy changes to chemical energy.
Chemical energy changes to heat and light energy.
Heat energy and light energy change to chemical energy.
Mechanical energy changes to heat and light energy.
11. Which statement is true about the leftover ashes when they are compared to the
original unburned newspaper?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The ashes have less chemical potential energy than the unburned newspaper.
The ashes have more mechanical energy that the unburned newspaper.
The ashes occupy the same amount of space as the unburned newspaper.
The ashes have the same molecular structure as the unburned newspaper.
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9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
12. Which of the following best represents the burning of a newspaper?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Newspaper + CO2  O2 + H2O + Energy
Newspaper + O2  CO2 + H2O + Energy
Newspaper + H2O  CO2 + O2 + Energy
Newspaper  CO2 + O2+ H2O + Energy
A local recreation center has received funding to build a swimming pool. After
construction, the center will be responsible for all costs associated with pool operation.
As a result, the center must consider a variety of design options, including pool size,
location and heating. Use for questions 13-15.
13. What happens to water molecules in a pool as they absorb energy?
a.
b.
c.
d.
the molecules occupy less volume
the molecules begin to move more slowly
the kinetic energy of the atoms decreases
the rate of collision between molecules increases
14. Prior to pool construction, engineers use computer models to compare which of
several pool designs require the least amount of energy to be heated. What is the
dependent variable in the computer models?
a.
b.
c.
d.
pool size
pool shape
pool location
pool temperature
15. Where should hot water enter the pool to better heat the water?
a. A
b. B
c. C
5
d. D
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
Chemical Structures and Properties
***THERE IS A PERIODIC TABLE ON THE LAST PAGE***
16. In order to be identified as the element carbon [C], an atom must have ---.
a.
b.
c.
d.
6 protons
6 neutrons
12 electrons
4 valence electrons
17. Which set of elements will have similar chemical properties; Why?
a. Boron, Carbon, Nitrogen – they all have the same number of energy levels
b. Oxygen, Chlorine, Kryptonite – they increase by one group
c. Cobalt, Copper, Calcium – they all begin with the letter ‘C’ so they react the
same
d. Lithium, Sodium, Potassium – they all have the same number of valence
electrons
18. Which of the following is best classified as a compound?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Sodium (Na), because it contains one type of atom
Oxygen (O2), because it contains two of the same type of atoms
Carbon Monoxide (CO), because it contains two different type of atoms
Manganese (Mn), because it contains a metal and a nonmetal
19. Which substance cannot be decomposed into simpler substances?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Ammonia
Aluminum
Methane
Carbon Dioxide
20. Which of the following characteristics of carbon allows it to form so many different
compounds?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It is a relatively small atom.
It is an extremely common element.
It has equal numbers of protons and neutrons.
Its outer shell of electrons is half full.
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9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
The following reaction occurred in a laboratory setting Mg + 2Cl  MgCl2.
21. Which of the following is true?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Magnesium is a metal, therefore it shares its electrons with Chlorine.
Magnesium is a nonmetal, therefore it donated its electron to Chlorine.
Magnesium is a metal, therefore it donated its electron to Chlorine.
Magnesium is a metal, therefore it accepted an electron from Chlorine.
22. What type of bond was created between Magnesium and Chlorine?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A covalent bond
A double bond
A Hydrogen bond
An ionic bond
23. Which class of polymers provides the basic building blocks for our bodies?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Minerals
Fats
Proteins
Carbohydrates
24. Which class of polymers provides the most energy per gram for our bodies?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Minerals
Fats
Proteins
Carbohydrates
25. Which of the following molecules is a food molecule that can be used for energy?
a.
b.
c.
d.
H2O
C6H12O6
NaCl
HNO3
26. Electrolytes are critical components of our body that allow muscle and nerve cells to
function properly. They are also charged particles. Chemically, electrolytes are - a.
b.
c.
d.
Electrons
Ions
Isotopes
Electrically neutral
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9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
27. The electrons that play an important part of an element’s chemical properties are in
a.
b.
c.
d.
The outermost energy level
The middle energy level(s)
The innermost energy level
In the nucleus
28. The element that is least likely to react with other elements is
a.
b.
c.
d.
Boron
Neon
Carbon
Oxygen
29. An atom has 11 protons, 10 electrons, and 12 neutrons. This atom is most accurately
written as
a.
b.
c.
d.
Na
Na+
NaB
30. What is the mass number of a Bromine atom having 35 protons. 36 electrons, and 42
neutrons?
a.
b.
c.
d.
35
42
77
80
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9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
Global Interdependence
A teacher provides her class with a table displaying the relative greenhouse effect per
molecule of different gases compare to carbon dioxide.
Carbon
Dioxide
1
Methane
30 times
Nitrous
Oxide
160 times
CFCs
17,000 times
31. Based on this table, a student made the conclusion that carbon dioxide is not the main
cause of the greenhouse effect. What other data is needed to make a stronger
conclusion?
a.
b.
c.
d.
data about the origin of the gases
data about the size of each type of molecule
data about the absorption of these gases by plants
data about the amount of each gas in the atmosphere
32. Over 6 billion people on Earth use water every day, yet Earth’s water supply remains
relatively constant. This is because ---.
a.
b.
c.
d.
the sea level is rising
water exists in three phases on Earth
water is constantly recycled by the hydrologic cycle
global warming melts ice to replace water that is used
33. The picture below shows the extent of summer Arctic Sea ice in 1979 and 2005.
Which hypothesis is best supported by the changes in sea-ice coverage?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Earth’s climate is gradually warming
Arctic Sea ice is migrating away from Earth’s poles
Global warming is caused by human activity, not nature
Global warming occurs only at Earth’s poles during the summer
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9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
34. The changes in sea-ice coverage depicted in the picture above may lead to-a.
b.
c.
d.
A rise in sea levels in coastal towns
Movement of the Earth’s magnetic poles
Increased chances for tsunami’s in the northern hemisphere
Increased chances for earthquakes in the southern hemisphere
The diagram below shows carbon cycling associated with oil and gas consumption.
35. Which arrow on the carbon cycle diagram represents the process that takes the
longest amount of time to occur?
a. 1
b. 3
c. 5
d. 7
On December 5, 1952, London, England, experienced temperatures that were much colder
than normal. As a result, large amounts of coal were burned in furnaces to keep residences
warm. This occurred at the same time as the formation of a heavy fog. Water from the fog
condensed around airborne soot particles and thick smog quickly developed. Nearly 12,000
human deaths resulted.
36. In addition to soot, what product of the burning coal contributed most to the extreme
pollution of London’s air?
a.
b.
c.
d.
uranium (U)
methane (CH4)
sulfur dioxide (SO2)
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
10
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
37. Which government action was most likely the result of the London smog disaster of
1952?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Establishment of youth curfews after dark
Creation of a privately funded healthcare system
Conversion from underground mining for coal to strip mining for coal
Provision of grants for homeowners to convert to gas or oil fueled heaters
The graph to the right shows the correlation
between pollutants and human deaths during
the London smog disaster of 1952.
38. Which conclusion is best supported by
the data?
a. acid rain fell from December 4 to
December 10
b. smoke caused more deaths than
sulfur dioxide
c. sulfur dioxide remains in the air
longer than smoke
d. air pollution peaked between
December 7 and December 8
39. The burning of fossil fuels may contribute to an increase in global temperatures.
What might lead to this increase in temperature?
a.
b.
c.
d.
the combustion products reflect solar radiation away from Earth
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere attracts solar radiation
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere blocks energy from escaping into space
the combustion products allow more energy to enter the earth
40. Which of the following aspects of electromagnetic radiation best explains why
electromagnetic radiation is both useful and harmful to students?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Electromagnetic radiation travels at the speed of light.
Electromagnetic radiation travels through a vacuum.
Electromagnetic radiation is energy and can interact with matter.
Electromagnetic radiation is described in terms of both wavelength and
frequency.
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9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
41. Which of the following pictures best represents the natural greenhouse effect?
42. The natural greenhouse is a phenomenon that is beneficial as it results in…
a.
b.
c.
d.
the maintenance of Earth’s temperature
a thinning of Earth’s atmospheric ozone layer
an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere
the bending of the rays of sunlight that penetrate Earth’s atmosphere
43. All of the following factors add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere except
a.
b.
c.
d.
Photosynthesis
Burning coal
Respiration
Gasoline combustion
44. The nitrogen cycle relies heavily on the work of
a.
b.
c.
d.
Plants
Animals
Worms
Bacteria
45. The sunlight that a particular region receives affects all of the following except:
a.
b.
c.
d.
climate
amount of CO2 produced by burning fossil fuels
amount of water runoff
photosynthesis
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9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
Embedded Tasks – Content Knowledge
Consumers use many products made of plastic. Plastics are carbon-based polymers made
from smaller carbon compounds, called monomers.
46. In organic molecules, the carbon atoms and the hydrogen atoms are held together by..
a.
b.
c.
d.
hydrogen bonds
covalent bonds
ionic bonds
nuclear bonds
A company is considering polymers A and B below for the production of plastic shopping
bags that can be used to carry heavy groceries.
47. Which polymer is more appropriate for the production of these shopping bags?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Polymer A, because its networked structure provides greater strength
Polymer A, because its linear structure provides greater flexibility
Polymer B, because its networked structure provides greater strength
Polymer B, because its linear structure provides greater flexibility
13
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
The tires on most cars are not made of natural rubber because it becomes brittle in the cold
and sticky in the heat. Instead, natural rubber is vulcanized by adding sulfur and heat,
making it stronger and more elastic. This process is represented chemically in the diagram
below.
48. During the vulcanization reaction, the natural rubber polymer is converted to a new
polymer by the ----.
a.
b.
c.
d.
cross-linking of carbon atoms with sulfur atoms
cross-linking of hydrogen atoms with sulfur atoms
replacement of carbon atoms with sulfur atoms
replacement of hydrogen atoms with sulfur atoms
The pictures below show the structures of two polymers.
49. What can be concluded from comparing these two pictures?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Polymers are easily broken down into their component parts
The same number of carbon atoms may be arranged in various ways
Linear polymer structures are stronger than ringed polymer structures
It takes fewer monomers to form a linear polymer than a rigid polymer
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9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
50. Which of the following is NOT considered a polymer?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Hair
A cotton tee shirt
Starch
Table salt
51. Which type of ions do acids like lemon juice form in a water solution?
a. O2 b. H+
c. OH d. Na+
52. Reducing which of the following would have the greatest impact on reducing the
effects of acid rain in the Northeast?
a.
b.
c.
d.
SO3 being released from power plants
CO2 being released from coal burning power plans
Ozone being released from nuclear power plants
SO3 being released from coal burning power plans
53. When fossil fuels are burned to produce energy, they __________.
a. produce air pollutants that can affect the quality of air
b. release excess carbon dioxide that decreases the rate of photosynthesis
c. form heavy fog from heat collecting over the oceans
d. form radioactive particles in the atmosphere
A student built a solar cooker in his science class. Inside the cooker, he placed a metal
container filled with water. He put a thermometer inside the water to measure its
temperature. The solar cooker was place under a UV lamp. Use for questions 54-55.
54. As the metal inside the cooker heated, the heat was transferred to the water. This
transfer is known as…
a.
b.
c.
d.
Convection
Conduction
Radiation
Reabsorbance
15
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
55. The student noticed that the metal heated faster than the water. Based on this fact, the
student can conclude that…
a.
b.
c.
d.
The water has a greater specific heat than the metal.
The metal has a greater specific heat than the water.
The water has a greater density than the metal.
The metal a greater density than the water.
56. Using the chart above, which of the following is true?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Tomato juice is more acidic than lemon juice.
Ammonia is more basic than sodium hydroxide.
Hydrochloric acid has more H ions than lemon juice.
Sodium hydroxide has more H ions than ammonia.
57. A glass of soda was spilled on the carpet. Most sodas are acidic with a pH usually
between 2 and 4. Based on the pH shown above, which of the following substances
could best be used to neutralize the spilled cola?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Battery acid, pH 2
Water, pH 7
Borax, pH 9
Ammonia, pH 14
16
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
The graph below shows the energy consumption for coal and natural gas in Connecticut over a
40 year time period.
58. What is the overall trend for coal or natural gas from 1960 – 2000?
a. Coal has increased relatively consistently over the 40-year period
b. Coal’s use began very high in the 1960s to almost zero in the late 1970s and
began increasing thereafter
c. Natural gas increased until the 1970s, then leveled off for 15 years and has
made a slow increase since then
d. Natural gas has decreased relatively consistently over the years
59. Predict what the energy consumption of natural gas will be in the year 2015?
a. since the graph stops in the year 2000, it is impossible to predict for the year
2015
b. it will remain at the same level at 160 trillion BTU
c. it will be around 220 – 250 trillion BTU
d. it will be around 80 – 100 trillion BTU
17
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
60. At what point, while riding the roller coaster below, do you predict possesses the
greatest amount of kinetic energy?
A
C
D
B
Embedded Tasks and Scientific Inquiry & Numeracy
61. A student wanted to design an experiment to determine the effect of nitrates on algae
growth. Which procedure would create the most valid results?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Vary both the temperature and the amount of nitrates
Keep the temperature constant and vary the amount of nitrates
Vary the temperature and keep the amount of nitrates constant
Keep both the temperature and the amount of nitrates constant
Susanna, a GHS student, noticed that the writing on some of the gravestones in the graveyard
near her house were almost impossible to read, while others seemed much clearer. She
decided to do an investigation for class about the gravestones.
She started to compare by their age and the color of the material they were made from. Her
results are summarized below. Use this information for questions 62 – 65.
Age
25 years old
50 years old
75 years old
100 years old
125 years old
150 years old
% of Brown Gravestones
with Readable Writing
100
100
85
60
45
25
18
% of Gray Gravestones
with Readable Writing
100
100
100
90
85
70
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
62. Which of the following conclusions is most accurate, based on the data above?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The sun causes gravestones to fade.
The age of a gravestone affects its durability and readability over time.
More expensive gravestones aren’t always the most durable.
Any gravestone older than 150 years old is unreadable.
63. Which of the following is an appropriate follow up question to ask based on the data
above?
a. Why is there a different in readability between brown and gray gravestones of
the same age?
b. Why aren’t there any 200 year old gravestones in this cemetery?
c. How has the price of grave stones changed over the last 150 years?
d. What are the shiny specks found in marble gravestones?
64. Based on what she is learning in science class, Susanna began to wonder if the
condition of the gravestones was related to an environmental concern she is learning
about in class. Which environmental concern is she most likely learning about?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Global climate change
Slow decomposition rates in plastics
Acid rain
Ozone layer depletion
65. A few months after Susanna began her initial investigation, she explored a gravesite
on the other side of town. She noted that many of the gravestones at this site were the
same color gray as those in the original investigation. Approximately 50% of the
gray gravestones were readable. Based on her previous data, predict the age of these
gravestones (Assume they are made from the same material as the gravestones from
the previous site).
a.
b.
c.
d.
100 years old
150 years old
175 years old
200 years old
19
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
A group of students want to determine whether
changing the color of the floor in a solar cooker will
affect the rate at which food cooks. They use a pizza
box to make a solar cooker. First they cut a window
in the box top, as shown below. They cover the flap
with aluminum foil. The opening is covered with
plastic wrap, which allows sunlight to enter the box.
Several different pieces of colored paper are used to line the floor of the box. Each color
represents a different trial. The finished solar cooker is shown below.
66. What is the independent variable in this
investigation?
a. The temperature inside the box.
b. The color of the colored paper.
c. The angle of the flap that is lined with foil.
67. Which of the following needs to be controlled between trials?
a. The temperature inside the box.
b. The color of the colored paper.
c. The angle of the flap that is lined with foil.
68. Besides allowing light to enter the solar cooker, what is another purpose of the clear
plastic wrap?
a.
b.
c.
d.
To allow convection currents to moves evenly inside the box.
To trap heat
To refract the light from the sun.
To reflect the light into the box.
20
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
A group of student wrote the following procedure for their investigation.
Procedure:
1. Determine the mass of four different samples.
2. Pour vinegar in each of four separate, but identical, containers.
3. Place a sample of one material into one container and label. Repeat with
remaining samples, placing a single sample into a single container.
4. After 24 hours, remove the samples from the containers and rinse each sample
with distilled water.
5. Allow the samples to sit and dry for 30 minutes.
6. Determine the mass of each sample.
The students’ data are recorded in the data table below.
Sample
Marble
Limestone
Wood
Plastic
Starting Mass
(g)
9.8
10.4
11.2
7.2
Ending Mass
(g)
9.4
9.1
11.2
7.1
Difference in Mass
(g)
- 0.4
- 1.3
- 0.0
- 0.1
69. What was the dependent variable in this students’ investigation?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Difference in mass of the four samples
Starting mass of the four samples
The type of sample
The time left in the containers of vinegar
70. Which of the following pieces of information is critical in order to replicate the
experiment but was not provided?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Whether the plastic is transparent or not
The volume of vinegar used
The starting mass of each sample
The time of day the investigation was performed
21
9th Grade Practice CAPT
INTEGRATED SCIENCE
Spring 2012
71. Researchers have developed a biopolymer made from orange peels and carbon
dioxide. According to the researchers, using CO2 to make polymers could reduce the
amount of greenhouse gas emitted into the atmosphere. What question would an
environmentalist most likely want answered before accepting this statement as
credible?
a.
b.
c.
d.
How long will it take the biopolymer to decompose?
Is the biopolymer as strong as hydrocarbon polymers?
Can other types of citrus be used to produce biopolymers?
What happens to the CO2 when the biopolymer decomposes?
A petroleum-based (inorganic) polymer is commonly used for grocery bags. Recently there
has been a push by environmentalists to make grocery bags out of plant-based (organic)
polymers.
FILL IN QUESTIONS – Write on answer sheet.
Students in a science class decided to investigate the strength of the two types of polymers.
They obtained one petroleum-based (inorganic) polymer bag and one plant-based (organic)
polymer bag of the same size and thickness. They added 100-gram weights to each bag until
it broke.
SC10P56XCS17Q50608142
72. What is the independent variable in the investigation? (2 points)
73. What is one way which the experiment was controlled? (2 points)
22