PRAXIS II Chemistry, Physics, and General Science Exam

The Chemistry, Physics, and General Science exam of the PRAXIS II Series is taken by future junior and senior high school teachers who intend on teaching chemistry, physics, or general science. At the time of examination, individuals should have earned a bachelor's degree or be approaching graduation from a bachelor's degree program. This two hour exam consists of 120 multiple choice questions that are divided as follows among five categories:

• 36 questions covering Chemistry
• 36 questions covering Physics
• 24 questions covering Major Ideas of Chemistry and Physics
• 12 questions covering Earth and Space Science
• 12 questions covering Life Science

The questions in the category of Chemistry will examine knowledge of kinetics, the chemistry of acid and bases, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, biochemistry, and organic and inorganic chemistry. Also included in the area is oxidation, solutions, formulas, the mole, periodicity, and lab safety associated with chemistry.

The contents of the Physics category will include mechanics, which consists of fluid, kinematics, and dynamics. Also, magnetism and electricity which consists of fields, forces, and laws of magnetism and electricity; conductors; and circuitry will be questioned. In addition, optics and waves, modern physics, and the concerns of physics as related to the environment will be included in the Physics category.

The Major Ideas of Chemistry and Physics involve the scientific method and the gathering and interpreting of data, as well as subjects such as radioactivity and thermodynamics, and characteristics of atoms. Also in this category of questioning are properties and theories such as those associated to molecular kinetics, matter, and physical and chemical transformations.

The questions regarding Earth and Space Science will cover the subject of astronomy, geology, meteorology, and oceanography, as well as concerns of the environment linked to these sciences. The questions on astronomy may cover the solar system, galaxies, and the universe, and the investigation of space. Geology questions will be in areas such as rocks and minerals, weathering and erosion, topographic geology, and historical geology. The meteorology questions cover the basics, such as climate and weather systems, and the atmosphere. Oceanography consists of biological, geological, chemical and physical features of water.

The Life Science category consists of questions pertaining to topics of cells, ecology, and organisms, in addition to the questions on the relationship of life science to the environment.

Examinees should be aware that calculators are not allowed for this exam.

PRAXIS II Chemistry, Physics And General Science Practice Questions

1. Which areas are included in physical science?

A. Astronomy
B. Chemistry
C. Earth Science
D. Physics
E. All of the above

2. What are the areas of astronomy?

A. Observational and theoretical
B. Shape and structure of planets
C. How planets and moons interact
D. Evolution and motion of celestial objects
E. Life span of stars and measurement of time

3. Which of the following is not a core theory of physics?

A. Classical mechanics
B. Electromagnetism
C. Biodiversity
D. Relativity
E. Optics

4. The components of the solar system include:

A. the sun
B. eight planets
C. three dwarf planets
D. small solar bodies
E. All of the above

5. Climate change is caused by:

A. shift in the sun's intensity
B. variation in ocean circulation
C. deforestation
D. urbanization
E. All of the above

Answer Key For Chemistry, Physics And General Science

1. Answer: E

Physical science is the general term for all the disciplines within natural science, which is the study of non-living systems. In many instances, there is a somewhat arbitrary division between physical science and life science because frequently the two branches use phenomena observed in the other's field. They are not mutually exclusive and, at times, work in tandem and complement each other.

There are four major areas in physical science, each of which is divided into specialized disciplines:

• ASTRONOMY is the study of the universe, celestial bodies, and what happens in our galaxy and beyond the Milky Way.
• CHEMISTRY studies matter at the microlevel, what it is composed of, and its interaction with itself and with other matter.
• EARTH SCIENCE studies all things related to the earth: how it is made and of what materials (geology), movement and distribution of water (hydrology), weather patterns (meteorology), and the oceans as physical systems (oceanography).
• PHYSICS studies the laws of matter and energy. All the other physical sciences must follow the laws of physics.

2. Answer: A

Astronomy is one of the oldest sciences. Man has been studying the sky for thousands of years. When the telescope was invented sometime around 1600, the layman's observation of the heavens gradually developed into the science of astronomy. It is one science in which amateurs have made notable contributions while gazing at the sky through the backyard telescope.

The American Heritage College Dictionary defines astronomy as "the study of matter in outer space, such as the positions, dimensions, energy, and evolution of the stars and planets." It studies the evolution, physics, chemistry, and motion of celestial objects. Astronomy examines the origins of the universe; the shape and structure of planets, comets, asteroids, and meteors; and how planets and their moons interact. It is concerned with the life span and traits of stars and galaxies and the measurement of time.

Astronomy is divided into two areas. Observational astronomy collects and analyzes data. Theoretical astronomy develops analytical models to explain celestial objects and phenomena. The two often work together. Theoretical astronomy explains observations and observations confirm theoretical results.

3. Answer: C

Physics is a fundamental, experimental science that studies matter, motion, energy, space, and time and how they interact. Its goal is to understand the natural world by formulating and testing hypotheses in an effort to develop scientific laws that predict other phenomena. Physics is one of the oldest sciences. Humans have been trying to figure out how the world works for thousands of years.

Physicists specialize in either theoretical (the development of new theories) or experimental (testing theories and discovering new phenomena) research. Physics is divided into four disciplines: condensed matter physics; atomic, molecular, and optical physics; high-energy physics; and astronomy and astrophysics. Other sciences are complex applications of the laws of physics.

The core theories of physics, as described in Webster's New Explorer Desk Encyclopedia, are:

• CLASSICAL MECHANICS: the motion of objects
• ELECTROMAGNETISM: interaction between charged particles
• RELATIVITY: measurement changes in various states of motion
• THERMODYNAMICS: relationship between heat, work, temperature, and energy
• QUANTUM MECHANICS: mathematical explanation of atomic and subatomic systems
• OPTICS: production, propagation, changes, and manipulation of light

4. Answer: E

The SOLAR SYSTEM is composed of the sun, eight planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune), three dwarf planets (Pluto, Ceres, and Eris), and small solar system bodies (asteroids, Kuiper belt objects, comets, meteoroids, and interplanetary dust).

The SUN dominates the solar system. It is a star, a body of gas classified as a G2 on the blue-white to red spectrum. It contains 99% of the system's mass, and its gravitational pull controls the entire solar system. The orbit of the planets and most other objects is counter-clockwise. (Halley's Comet is one exception.)

A PLANET is any body with enough mass to form itself into a ball shape that has no smaller objects in its immediate vicinity. Its distance from the sun varies during the course of its year, while the length of its year is determined by its proximity to the sun.

The MOONS that orbit the planets, dwarf planets, and small solar system bodies (SSSBs) are also called natural satellites. They are controlled by the gravitational pull of the objects they orbit, rather than directly by the sun's gravity.

5. Answer: E

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), climate change refers to "any significant change in measures of climate such as temperature, precipitation, or wind lasting for an extended period (decades or longer)." It can be caused by natural factors (a shift in the sun's intensity or the earth's orbit), natural processes (variation in ocean circulation), and human activities (burning fossil fuels, deforestation, urbanization, etc.).

Global warming is an average increase in the temperature near the earth's surface and the troposphere (lowest part of the atmosphere) that "contributes to changes in global climate patterns." The climate has changed many times since the earth was formed, from ice ages to sustained periods of heat. Natural causes include volcanic eruptions, shifts in the earth's orbit, and varying energy levels released from the sun. Beginning with the Industrial Revolution in the late eighteenth century, human-induced activities have probably influenced the climate in various ways.

The terms "climate change" and "global warming" are often used interchangeably. The National Academy of Sciences prefers to use "climate change" because there are other events happening besides rising temperatures.