GED Science Sample Test

Question 1

Placing solid ammonium nitrate, NH4NO3, in a container of water causes an endothermic reaction. The result is ammonium hydroxide, NH4OH, and nitric acid, HNO3. Which diagram shows the correct equation for the reaction?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) B

Rationale

NH4NO3 + H2O + energy → NH₄OH + HNO₃

This equation accurately represents the endothermic reaction where solid ammonium nitrate dissolves in water, absorbing energy to produce ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid.

A) NH₄OH + HNO₃ → NH₄NO₃
This choice suggests a reaction where ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid combine to form ammonium nitrate, which is incorrect. The equation does not depict the dissolution of ammonium nitrate in water, nor does it reflect the endothermic nature of the original reaction.

B) NH4NO3 + H2O + energy → NH₄OH + HNO₃
This is the correct representation of the reaction. It shows ammonium nitrate reacting with water, absorbing energy, and yielding ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid, consistent with the described endothermic process.

C) NH₄NO₃ + H₂O → NH4OH + HNO3 + energy
This option implies that energy is released during the reaction, which contradicts the endothermic nature of the process. An endothermic reaction absorbs energy, so the equation should indicate that energy is a reactant, not a product.

D) NH4OH + HNO3 + energy → NH₄NO₃ + H₂O
This choice describes a reaction where ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid produce ammonium nitrate and water, which is not the scenario presented. It incorrectly suggests an exothermic reaction rather than the dissolution and reaction of ammonium nitrate in water.

Conclusion
The reaction of solid ammonium nitrate with water is an endothermic process that forms ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid while absorbing energy. The correct equation, represented as NH4NO3 + H2O + energy → NH₄OH + HNO₃, captures the essence of this reaction. The other choices either misrepresent the direction of the reaction or inaccurately depict energy changes, highlighting the importance of understanding endothermic reactions in chemical processes.

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Question 2

Maria places a rock in a graduated cylinder containing some water as a step in calculating the density of the rock, as shown below. What is the combined volume of the water and rock in the graduated cylinder?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) C

Rationale

The combined volume of the water and rock in the graduated cylinder is 30 mL.

When Maria adds the rock to the graduated cylinder, the total volume is the sum of the initial water volume and the volume displaced by the rock. If the initial water volume was measured at 26 mL and the rock displaces an additional 4 mL, the total combined volume becomes 30 mL.

A) 9 mL
This choice inaccurately represents the total volume, as it does not account for the volume of water in the graduated cylinder before the rock was added. The volume indicated is far too low to be a plausible measurement in this scenario.

B) 26 mL
This option suggests that the total volume remains unchanged at 26 mL, which would only occur if the rock had zero volume. However, since the rock displaces water when submerged, the actual combined volume must exceed the initial water volume.

D) 15 mL
Selecting 15 mL reflects a misunderstanding of the volume displacement principle. This value is significantly lower than the initial water level and does not account for the rock's volume, indicating a failure to recognize that the total volume increases when the rock is added to the water.

Conclusion
The calculation of total volume in a graduated cylinder involves understanding volume displacement. In this case, the initial water volume combined with the volume displaced by the rock leads to a total of 30 mL. The other answer choices fail to reflect the principles of volume measurement and displacement, confirming that they are incorrect.

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Question 3

Limestone and marble are often used in buildings. Both types of rock contain calcium carbonate, which is sensitive to chemical weathering by acids. A scientist conducted an experiment to test the effect of acid strength on calcium carbonate... Which change would reduce the possibility of error in the experiment?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) B

Rationale

Performing multiple trials for each solution pH would reduce the possibility of error in the experiment.

Conducting multiple trials helps to ensure that the results are reliable and can account for any variations or anomalies that may occur during the experiment. This repetition allows for a more accurate average measurement, thus minimizing random errors and improving the overall validity of the conclusions.

A) Performing the experiment with a different acid in the solution
Using a different acid would introduce a new variable that could affect the results, making it difficult to assess the specific impact of acid strength on calcium carbonate. This change could lead to confounding results, as the new acid may have different properties and reactions compared to the original acid, thereby increasing the potential for error.

C) Using more of the acidic solution
While increasing the amount of acidic solution might affect the rate of reaction, it does not inherently address the issue of variability in results. Simply using more acid does not provide a means to replicate the experiment or reduce measurement errors; rather, it could skew results if the reaction becomes overly vigorous or uncontrollable.

D) Using a solution with a pH below 3.00
Employing a solution with a pH below 3.00 could potentially enhance the reaction rate, but it does not mitigate the risk of experimental error. Lowering the pH might introduce additional complications, such as increased reaction variability or unintended side reactions, which could obscure the relationship being tested between acid strength and calcium carbonate.

Conclusion
In scientific experiments, especially those involving chemical reactions, minimizing error is crucial for obtaining reliable results. Performing multiple trials for each solution pH promotes consistency and accuracy by allowing researchers to average out any inconsistencies or anomalies in the data. Other options, such as changing acids or adjusting solution volume, do not effectively address potential sources of error and could complicate the experiment further.

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Question 4

The cladogram shows the relatedness of several organisms based on shared characteristics. Which characteristic separates catfish from frogs?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) B

Rationale

Amniotic egg separates catfish from frogs.

The presence of an amniotic egg is a key characteristic that distinguishes amphibians, such as frogs, from fish like catfish. While catfish reproduce in water through external fertilization and do not have an amniotic egg, frogs lay eggs that develop into embryos with a protective amniotic environment, allowing them to thrive in various terrestrial habitats.

A) Suborbital fenestra
The suborbital fenestra is a feature found primarily in certain reptiles and is not a distinguishing characteristic between catfish and frogs. Catfish, being fish, do not possess this structure, and while some amphibians may exhibit similar features, it is not a defining trait that separates these two groups.

B) Amniotic egg
Frogs possess an amniotic egg, which provides a protective environment for the developing embryo, enabling them to reproduce successfully in terrestrial settings. In contrast, catfish do not have an amniotic egg; they lay their eggs in water, making this characteristic a fundamental difference between these two types of organisms.

C) Four limbs
While frogs have four limbs that are crucial for their movement on land, catfish do not possess limbs at all, instead having fins. However, this characteristic alone does not serve to separate catfish from frogs since it is already a defining feature of amphibians rather than a unique trait distinguishing them from fish.

D) Bony skeleton
Both catfish and frogs have bony structures, although they belong to different classifications within vertebrates. Catfish have a skeleton made of bone, and frogs also possess a bony skeleton. Therefore, this characteristic is shared rather than a differentiating factor between the two organisms.

Conclusion
The amniotic egg is a crucial feature that distinguishes frogs from catfish, marking the evolutionary transition of certain vertebrates to land. While both groups have unique adaptations, the absence of the amniotic egg in catfish highlights their dependence on aquatic environments for reproduction, contrasting with frogs, which can thrive in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Recognizing these differences is essential for understanding vertebrate evolution and classification.

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Question 5

A scientist studying solubility increased the temperature of a constant volume of water and measured the amount of sugar that dissolved into solution... Which of the following describes the relationship between the independent and dependent variables?

Your Answer: Option(s)

Correct Answer: Option(s) B

Rationale

As the water temperature increased, the amount of dissolved sugar increased.

This relationship indicates that higher temperatures generally enhance the solubility of sugar in water, allowing more sugar to dissolve as the thermal energy increases.

A) As the amount of dissolved sugar increased, the temperature of the water decreased.
This statement incorrectly suggests that an increase in dissolved sugar would lead to a decrease in water temperature. However, the solubility of sugar typically increases with temperature, meaning that more sugar can dissolve at higher temperatures rather than causing a cooling effect.

B) As the water temperature increased, the amount of dissolved sugar increased.
This choice accurately reflects the observed relationship in solubility. Higher temperatures provide more kinetic energy to the water molecules, which helps break the intermolecular forces of the sugar, resulting in greater amounts dissolving in the solution.

C) As the amount of dissolved sugar increased, the amount of water remained constant.
While it is true that the volume of water remains constant in this scenario, this statement does not describe the relationship between the independent variable (temperature) and the dependent variable (amount of dissolved sugar). It simply states an unrelated fact about the water.

D) As the water temperature increased, the amount of water decreased.
This statement is incorrect, as increasing the temperature of water does not reduce its volume. In fact, if anything, it may lead to slight expansion of the water, but this does not directly correlate with the amount of sugar that can dissolve.

Conclusion
The relationship between temperature and solubility is crucial in understanding how substances interact in solutions. In this case, increasing the temperature of water enhances the solubility of sugar, allowing more to dissolve. Thus, the correct description of the relationship is that as the temperature of the water increases, the amount of dissolved sugar also increases, highlighting the importance of temperature in solubility dynamics.

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NH4NO3 + H2O + energy → NH₄OH + HNO₃

The combined volume of the water and rock in the graduated cylinder is 30 mL.

Performing multiple trials for each solution pH would reduce the possibility of error in the experiment.

Amniotic egg separates catfish from frogs.

As the water temperature increased, the amount of dissolved sugar increased.

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