Study guide for Physical Science Exam 4

1. True/False - You will need to distinguish between true and false statements based on the principles discussed in the book and in class.  This can include such things as identifying appropriate units, identifying terms and their definitions, proper use of symbols, etc.
2. Multiple Choice - You will need to draw conclusions from presented material and choose the best answer. This can include such things as identifying appropriate units, performing simple calculations, identifying terms that go with a definition, proper use of symbols, etc. Multiple choice also makes it easy to ask questions about the concepts presented in the chapters and how they apply to specific situations. These questions may require you to interpret how one quantity may affect another quantity. An example of the last statement is "If the net unbalanced force on an object is doubled, what will happen to the acceleration of that object? Will it (A) be half as large, (B) be the same, (C) be twice as large, or (D) be four times as large." You would need to apply the formula "F=ma" to decide on the appropriate response.
3. Equations - Some questions on the exam will require you to use the formulas available in the book. I will provide a copy of the formulas on the exam so you do not need to memorize them. However, you should know what the symbols of the formula mean and how to use the formulas. Some questions can be answered by knowing the relationship between some of the variables within the exam. Other questions will require you to perform a calculation. You should bring a calculator with you to the exam.
4. Essay - I will place two short essay questions on the exam worth 10 pts each. These essays are to test whether you understand the broader principles and issues that come into play when studying physical science. I will provide a list of essay questions I may possibly ask so you can think through the issues ahead of time.

Use the organization of the text book to help you prepare for the exam. The following features of the text will help you

1. Important terms at the end of each chapter. You should be able to define the words presented and know how they apply to the material we have studied.
2. Exercises and Questions at the end of the chapter will give you practice using the concepts and facts of each chapter. There are also problems at the end of chapters 2 and 3. Although I will not put a strong emphasis on calculation based problems, you should be able to do calculations similar to the ones I performed in class. The problems will give you some practice in solving these types of problems.

Possible Essay Questions

• In origin of life scenarios there is an outstanding question of the source of order in the universe. Acknowledging the existence of a creator answers this question. However, those denying the existence of a creator say order is the natural outcome of physical processes present in the universe. Crystal formation is often used as an example of this naturally forming order. In light of the material presented in class explain why this type of order is insufficient to explain the complexity necessary for the existence of life in the universe.
• Carbon is foundational to all biologically basedchemicals. What are the unique properties of carbon that make it suitable for life and how do these properties give rise to the complexity found in biological systems?
• The National Aeronautical and Space Adminstration (NASA) continues to look for locations beyond the earth where the conditions are suitable for life. What locations in our solar system are being explored by NASA and what suitable conditions do these locations have?
• In recent years water conservation has become an important issue in the United States. As a state representative, you are called upon to evaluate the state's policy on water useage. Some local municipalities are calling for a large steel mill to shut down because it uses a large amount of fresh water from the river and in turn releases pollutants into that same river. Are these municipalities correct in their solution to the fresh water problem? Why or why not? What general principles do you need to keep in mind as you construct a balanced water useage policy?

Chapter 9

1. Naming of compounds
2. Polyatomic ions
3. Balancing chemical reactions

Chapter 10

1. Amorphous and crystalline solids
2. Crystal shapes
3. Properties of ionic compounds
4. Properties of covalent compounds
5. Metallic bond
6. Polar covalent bonds
7. Unique properties of water
8. Solutions
9. Solubility
10. Issues related to water conservation
11. Acids and Bases
12. pH Scale
13. Acid base reactions (You do not need to predict the outcomes of acid/base reactions.  However, you should be able to balance equations as expected in Chapter 10.)
    

Chapter 12

1. Refining of petroleum products
2. Variations in the way carbon can bond
3. Effect that functional groups have on carbon compounds
4. Polymers
5. Unique properties of carbon
6. Carbohydrates
7. Lipids
8. Proteins
9. DNA and RNA
10. Secular theories for the origin of life
11. Complexity present in even the simplest of cells

Chapter 16

1. Relationship between the sun, moon, and stars for determining days, weeks, seasons, and years
2. Features of the moon
3. Phases of the moon
4. Names and order of the planets
5. Differences between inner and outer planets
6. Comets, meteors, and asteroids
7. Search for locations that are compatible for life
8. Uniqueness of the earth that makes it suitable for life

Chapter 17

1. Characteristics of our sun
2. Surface features of the sun
3. Methods for determining the temperature and composition of the sun
4. Sun spots
5. Solar wind and aurora borialis
6. Source of the sun's energy
7. Parallax  (Although we did not cover this lately, you should understand the concept from early in the semester.)

A page of information will be available on the exam. It will contain formulas, conversion relationships, and important constants. You should know when and how to apply this information.


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