Science - Semester Study Guide
1. Shane lives near a forest and has noticed several different types of bears in the area. Shane is making a(n)?
observation
Use the following statement to answer questions 2-4
Sarah wanted to see if one brand of chips contained more per bag than another. Sarah bought 4 different bags of chips and
counted the number of chips in each bag. Below are Sarah’s results.
Brand of Chip
Lays
Ruffles
Pop Chips
Fluffy Chip
Number of Chips
46
32
26
47
2. What is the independent variable in Sarah’s experiment? Brand of chip
3. Based on the data table above which bag had the most amount of chips? Fluffy Chip
4. What could be a logical hypothesis for Sarah’s experiment? If different brands of chips are counted, then Fluffy
Chips will have the most chips
5. What are some of the rules for working safely in the lab? Tie hair back, no loose clothing, no running, wear safety
goggles, keep work area neat
6. What are the steps in the scientific method?
Ask a question
Do background research
Create a hypothesis
Conduct an experiment
Analyze your data
Share results
7. Nonrenewable energy sources that can be used to generate electricity include. coal, natural gas, nuclear, fossil
fuels
8. What are some examples of renewable energy sources? Solar energy, tidal energy (hydropower), wind energy
9. Resources that cannot be renewed or replenished on a human time frame are called? Nonrenewable resources
10. The three types of stored energy are? Define them as well.
gravitational - is potential energy associated with the gravitational field
nuclear - is the energy in the nucleus, or core, of an atom
chemical - is energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds (atoms and molecules). It is released in a chemical
reaction, often producing heat as a byproduct (exothermic reaction). Batteries, biomass, petroleum, natural gas, and coal are
examples of stored chemical energy.
11. The three types of heat transfer are? Define them as well. Conduction, convection, radiation
12. Most electric energy is produced using a what? Turbine generators
13. Define kinetic energy and give an example. Energy in motion
14. Define Potential energy and give an example. Energy that is stored - gravitational
15. Define Energy. The ability to do work or create change
16. In the water cycle, a liquid that is falling to Earth’s surface is known as? precipitation
17. A gas that changes into a liquid and forms clouds is known as? condensation
18. What are the parts of the water cycle? Create a diagram of the cycle with each part and their definitions.
Evaporation – liquid water changing into a gas (water vapor)
Condensation – a gas (water vapor) changing into liquid and forms cloud
Precipitation – liquid falling back to the Earth’s surface
Transpiration – evaporation of water from plant leaves
19. What drives the water cycle? sun
20. The salinity of a sample of ocean water is the amount of dissolved salts in water
21. The amount of matter in a given volume of ocean water is the water’s? density
22. What percent of the earth’s surface is covered with water? 71%
23. Where and in what percentage is the majority of Earths water located? Oceans 97%
24. Create a model of the ocean floor. Describe and label the following: Intertidal zone, Near Shore, Open Ocean
(surface and deep), Continental Shelf, Continental Slops, Mid-Ocean Ridge and Ocean Trench.
Intertidal Zone – changes conditions dependent on the tide – low tide is exposed and dry, high tide is under water
Near Shore – located over the continental shelf, coral reef and kelp forests are located near shore
Open Ocean – top 200 meters, has sunlight, less life than near shore because it has no plants, rocks or reefs
25. The layer of gas that surrounds Earth is known as? atmosphere
26. As you move up in the atmosphere air pressure, density and mass all? decrease
27. The ozone is important because it? Protects us from UV radiation (ultraviolet radiation)
28. The force of molecules pushing on an area is known as? Air molecules
29. The most appropriate instrument to measure air pressure is? barometer
30. Wind and air pressure both move from areas of ___high_ pressure to areas of __low__ pressure?
31. Weather is a _short-term__ description of a given area and climate is a _long-term__ description of a given area.
32. The amount of water in the air is known as? humidity
33. Which conditions best describe a monsoon? When winds change directions with the seasons
34. What conditions best describe a tornado? Violent air that stretches from clouds to the ground
35. What conditions can lead to the formation of a hurricane? Low pressure system over the ocean near the equator
36. Describe the following clouds, Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus and Fog.
Cirrus – curl of hair, found in high altitudes, made of ice crystals, has a feathery appearance
Cumulus – heap or pile of fluffy white clouds, has a gray bottom
Stratus – spread out, flat layers, appear gray,
Fog - A cloud that rests on the ground or a body of water. Has a smooth appearance. Forms when the ground is
colder then the air around it
37. How does a thunderstorm form? Humid air rises rapidly and forms cumulonimbus clouds
38. What are the two main gases make up Earth’s atmosphere? Nitrogen and oxygen
39. Why is the air at sea level denser than the air at higher altitudes? Air molecules are pushed closer together at sea
level
40. How does the Coriolis Effect influence global winds? Define Coriolis Effect and Global Winds. It causes winds to
curve at the equator
Coriolis Effect – Influence of Earth’s rotation on objects that move over Earth
Global Winds – winds that travel long distances in steady patterns over several weeks
41. A climate that has warm weather and high amounts rainfall throughout the year is known as? tropical
42. A climate that has little rainfall and is dry and hot throughout the year is known as? dry
Use the diagram to answer questions 45-46 – Label each layer and provide two facts about each layer.
4
3
2
1
Earth
1.
2.
3.
4.
Troposphere – contains weather, clouds and is where airplanes fly
Stratosphere – contains jet streams and the ozone
Mesosphere – contains asteroids, heated from below by the stratosphere
Thermosphere – space, heated by radiation from the sun