Grade 9 Science Exam

Choose the correct answer for each question.

1 Which of the following properties of sugar is not a physical property?

Sugar turns black when it is heated.

Sugar dissolves readily in water.

Sugar has a sweet taste.

Sugar is a white solid at room temperature.

2 Which of the following describes a chemical property?

Mercury is a liquid at room temperature.

Aluminum is malleable.

Hydrogen reacts explosively with oxygen in the presence of a flame.

You slide across the side walk as you step on an earthworm.

3 Which property is described by the statement that aluminum can be bent into various shapes?
density

malleability

hardness

viscosity
4 Two different brands of hair shampoo behave differently when poured out of their containers.
Brand A pours very slowly, while brand B pours much more quickly. What statement below
describes this difference?

Brand A is less ductile than brand B.

Brand A has a higher boiling point than brand B.

Brand A has a higher density than brand B.

Brand A is more viscous than brand B.

5 The liquid state of matter has

an indefinite shape and a definite volume.

a definite shape and a definite volume.

an indifinite shape and an indefinite volume.

a definite shape and an indefinite volume.

6 You are given blocks of four different materials of identical mass. The materials are foam, gold,
aluminum, and ice. Which block would have the largest volume?

ice

foam

gold

ice

7 The density of aluminum is 2.7 g/mL. Four students each measured the mass and volume of a
sample of metal; their results are shown below. Only one of hte students actually had a sample
of aluminum; the other students had different materials. From the information given, decide
which student had the aluminum.

mass = 28.4 g; volume = 76.7 mL

mass = 37.4 g; volume = 15.1 mL

 mass = 88.3 g; volume = 30. mL

mass = 76.7 g; volume = 28.4 mL

8 The density of silver is 10.5 g/mL. If you had a piece of silver with a mass of 458 g, what would
the volume of the piece of silver be?

0.022 mL

43.6 mL

447.5 mL

468.5 mL

9 Identify the chemical change in the following list:

the crushing of stones

the formation of clouds

the separation of cream from milk

the burning of a candle

10 A physical change in a substance

results in a change in the mass of the substance.

changes teh form or state of the substance.

changes it into a different substance.

is usually very hard to reverse.

11 Which one of the following observations provides certain evidence that a chemical change has
occurred?
 A change of state takes place.

A new substance is formed.

There is a change in volume.

Heat is given off.

12 Iron is widely used to build cars, bridges, and buildings. One of the major problems with iron is
that it rusts under certain conditions. The reaction of iron to form rust is called

combustion

precipitate

a physical change

corrosion

13 Many substances undergo combustion. what is common to all combustion reactions.

nitrogen is used up and energy is produced

oxygen and energy are used up

oxygen is used up and energy is produced

energy is used up and oxygen is produced

14 All of the following statements are part of the particle theory of matter except one. Identify the
exception.

Different substances are made of different particles.

The particles in solids are harder than the particles in liquids.

The particles are always moving.

There are forces of attraction between the particles.

15 The particle theory of matter is a useful scientific model because
it proves that matter is made of particles.

it is easy to understand.

it was developed by famous scientists.

it allows scientists to explain many of the properties of matter.

16 A pure substance consisting of two or more kinds of atoms is considered to be

an element

a solution

a compound

married

17 Which one of the following substances is an element?

Helium

Milk

Salt

Water

18 Silicon dioxide, SiO2, is the major component of sand. Silicon dioxide is considered to be a
compound because

it is a pure substance.

it consists of two different elements.

it is a very common substance.

its composition varies.

19 Your teacher gives you a sample of an unknown element. It is solid, yellow, not shiny, and it
breaks when you try to bend it. What is a reasonable conclusion for you to reach based on
these observations?

The element is a metal.

The element will conduct electricity.

The element is not a metal.

The element is malleable.

20 When electricity is passed through water, a chemical reaction takes place. In this reaction
the products are nitrogen and oxygen.

the products are carbon dioxide and oxygen.

the products are water and hydrogen peroxide.

the products are hydrogen and oxygen.

21 The word equation that best describes the change that takes place when electricity is passed
through water is

water ---> steam

water ---> hydrogen + nitrogen

hydrogen + oxygen ---> water

water ---> hydrogen + oxygen

22 The total number of atoms represented by the formula K2CrO7 is

1

3
 11

28

23 Which of the following statements is not part of Dalton's atomic theory?

All substances are composed of small, indivisible particles called atoms.

The atoms of a given element are identical in every respect.

The three main particles in atoms are protons, neutrons, and electrons.

In chemical reactions, atoms combine in simple, whole-number ratios.

24 In a famous experiment carried out in 1911, Ernest Rutherford bombarded a thin sheet of gold
with high-speed, positively charged particles. Based on the behaviour of these particles,
Rutherford proposed that atoms possessed

a very small, positively charged, dense region in the centre of the atom.

a very small, negatively charged, dense region in the centre of the atom.

very small, positively charged particles that moved at high speed.

equal numbers of positive and negative particles.

25 According to the Rutherford model of the atom, most of the space that an atom takes up
consists of

protons

a nucleus

neutrons

empty space

26 The number of electrons in an atom is the same as

 the number of neutrons in the atom

the mass number of the atom

the number of protons in the atom

the difference between the mass number and atomic number

27 The number of protons in an atom is represented by its

atomic nucleus

electon number

atomic mass

atomic number

28 If the atomic number of an atom is represented by X and the mass number is represented by Y,
the number of neutrons in an atom of the element is

Y-X

X-Y

X+Y

29 The symbol Cl represents an atom with

17 protons, 20 electrons, 20 neutrons

17 protons, 17 electrons, 17 neutrons

20 protons, 20 electrons, 17 neutrons

17 protons, 17 electrons, 20 neutrons

30 Bohr proposed that the line spectrum of an element is caused by
electrons moving from a higher energy level back to a lower energy level.

electrons moving from a lower energy level to a gigher energy level.

electrons leaving the atom.

protons moving from the nucleus to one of the energy levels.

31 Which of the following is the correct arrangement of electrons in a sulfur atom, atomic number
16

2, 8, 4, 2

2, 8, 6

6, 8, 2

2, 6, 8

32 Isotopes of an element have different

numbers of electrons.

numbers of neutrons.

electron arrangements.

numbers of protons.

33 In which group of the periodic table are the halogens found?

1

15

17
34 Which group in the periodic table contains the noble gases?
1

15

17

18

35 The most metallic elements in the periodic table are found

on the extreme right of the table.

on the extreme left of the table.

in the middle of the table.

in the second column.

36 Which of the following groups of elements contains only metalloids?

Li, Na, K, Rb

Ge, As, Sb, Bi

Ge, As, Sb, Te

Ge, Pb, Au, Ag

37 The reason for the chemical similarity among elements of a given group in the periodic table is
the

similarity in the highest orbit electrons.

similarity in their nuclear structure.

fact that they all have the same number of protons.

fact that they all have the same number of neutrons.

38 Which of the following elements would you expect to react in a manner most similar to nitrogen?
sodium (Na)

neon (Ne)

oxygen (O)

phosphorus (P)

39 The element with atomic number 11 is most likely to have similar chemical properties to the
element with atomic number

10

12

19

40 Elements that possess some properties of metals and some properties of nonmetals are called
alkali metals

metalloids

noble gases

heavy metals

41 Three elements, X, Y, and Z, all have two electrons in their outer orbits. The three elements
could be

in the sescond row in the periodic table.

all nonmetals.
 in the second column in the periodic table.

noble gases.

42 Which of the following materials will float in water?

A. rubber (density = 1.2 g/mL)
B. olive oil (density = 0.920 g/mL)
C. mercury (density = 13.6 g/mL)
D. ice (density = 0.920 g/mL at 0 degrees C)

all will float

B and D only

A and C only

A, B and C only

43 The smallest particle of an element that is still that element is a(n)

molecule

hunk

atom

chunk

44 The two elements that are found as liquids at room temperature are
dihydrogen oxide, waterium

sodium, chlorine

mercury, iodine

mercury, bromine
45 Which of the following formulas represent the most number of total atoms?
FeO3

Na2CrO7

CuCrO4

NH4NO3

46 Which of the following best describes the term "constellation"?

A group of stars that travel through space together.

A group of stars that form a shape or pattern.

A group of stars that is seen in the same part of the sky.

A group of stars that are located near each other in space.

47 The year is based on

the Earth's rotation.

The Moon's rotation.

The Sun's rotation.

The Earth's revolution.

48 The word "planet" comes from the Greek word "planetes" meaning
star.

constellation.

zodiac.

wanderers.
49 Choose the planet that is completely different from the other three.
Jupiter

Neptune

Mars

Saturn

50 Which of the following planets does not have an appreciable atmosphere?

Mercury

Venus

Jupiter

Saturn

51 From the list below, choose the planet(s) that have rings.
Jupiter

Mercury

Mars

Saturn

52 Which of the following groups of planets all have moons?

Jupiter, Mercury, Neptune

Jupiter, Uranus, Venus

Earth, Saturn, Mercury

Mars, Neptune, Jupiter

53 The solar system consists of
the Sun and all the planets and moons that orbit it.

all the planets and moons except those of Pluto.

all the planets and moons except those of Earth.

the Sun, planets and moons out to and including Jupiter.

54 Planets and Moons are

luminous.

can be either luminous or nonluminous depending on where the Sunis.

Mercury and Venus are luminous; the rest are non-luminous.

nonluminous.

55 A star is matter
that twinkles.

emits large amounts of energy.

forms planet systems.

that are usually larger than planets.

that is much smaller than most planets.

56 Most stars and constellations seem to rise in the east and set in the west because
the Earth is spinning around the Sun.

the whole galaxy is spinning.

this only seems to happen - it is an illusion.

 the Earth rotates around its axis.

57 Revolution (in planets) is

the movement of one object travelling around another.

the movement of an object around its axis.

the time taken for a complete orbit.

the movement of a moon travelling around a sun.

58 Which of the following is not a terrestrial planet?

Saturn

Venus

Mars

Mercury

59 Which planet has more greenhouse gases than found on Earth?

Mercury

Venus

Mars

Earth

60 Why isn't Mercury the hottest planet?

it is further from the sun than Venus.

it is protected from the rays of the Sun by an asteroid belt.

 Venus is always between it and th eSun, so it is protected.

it has no greenhouse gases to capture the Sun's energy.

61 Which planet is the "red planet"?

Earth

Pluto

Mars

Jupiter

62 Which of the following planets has rings of matter around it?

Neptune

Uranus

Saturn

Jupiter

63 What is the scientific name of an object that is large enough to survive a trip through the
atmosphere and hit the surface of Earth?

A smashing success.

A meteor.

A meteorite.

A meteoroid.

A dinosaur's worst enemy.

64 Why are craters from meteorites uncommon on Earth? Select two answers from those below.
We rarely are hit by them.
 Most burn up in the atmosphere before hitting the ground.

Most veer off after hitting our atmosphere.

Large objects repel one another in space.

Most craters have become covered by dirt or water, or have slowly been affected by the
processes of erosion.

65 In the mid-1500s, the Polish cleric Copernicus presented mathematical evidence for a different
model of the universe. What was the most important change that Copernicus introduced?

He developed our present-day calendar.

He replaced the Earth-centred universe with a Sun-centred solar system.

He replaced the Sun-centred solar system with an Earth-centred universe.

He ws the first to use a telescope to support his new model.

66 Which of the following statements describes a galaxy?

A galaxy consists of our Sun and all major planets.

A galaxy consists of our entire solar system and all the stars we can see.

A galaxy consists of about 200 billion stars, dust, gas, and solid matter that may form planets.

A galaxy consists of all the matter in the universe.

67 Triangulation is
a direct way of measuring the distance to an object.

an indirect way of measuring the distance to an object.

a direct way of measuring angles.

an indirect way of measuring angles.

68 A light year is a measurement of
distance.

time.

speed.

brightness.

69 The largest baselilne abailable to observers on Earth is (try drawing a picture to figure this one
out):

the diameter of the Earth.

the distance from the Earth to the Sun.

the size of the Sun.

the diameter of the Earth's orbit.

70 Why are the world's largest telescopes built at the top of mountains?
For security reasons.

The rent is cheaper up there.

The atmosphere is thinner at the top of a mountain.

Astronomers can work with less disturbance from traffic and airplanes.

71 The visible part of the Sun is called

the chromosphere.

the corona.

the surface.

the photosphere.
72 What are solar prominences?
Dark spots on the solar surface.

Large sheets of glowing gases bursting from the chromosphere.

The region where nuclear fusion takes place.

The outer atmosphere of the Sun.

73 The colour of a star depends on its

temperature.

size.

distance.

position.

74 Which of the following instruments can be used to separate white light into its component
colours? It is useful for determing the composition of stars.

A photometer.

A CCD camera.

A spectroscope.

A refractor.

75 Which two factors of those shown below determine the brightness of stars as seen on Earth?
(Not including objects that may obstruct our view).

Size of the star.

Colour of the star.

Distance the star is from Earth.

 How fast it is rotating.

The time of day.

76 What three things does the Hertzsprung-Russell relate to us about stars?

Temperature

Distance

Colour

Doppler effect

Luminosity

77 A galaxy moving towards us will

demonstrate a shift towards the red region of the spectrum.

demonstrate no change in its emission spectrum.

demonstrate a shift towards the blue region of the spectrum.

appear very blurry.

78 Which of the following shapes is characteristic of a galaxy?

spiral

triangular

elliptical

irregular

79 From the following list, choose the description that best fits a quasar.
It emits up to 100 times more energy than a galaxy.

It is always found in th espiral arms of galaxies.

 It is dark material used in the formation of galaxies.

It is a component of most star clusters.

80 What object is most likely the birthplace of stars?

Black hole.

Supernova.

Nebula.

Neutron star.

81 A pulsar is a type of
black hole.

supernova.

nebula.

neutron star.

82 What is the best scientific estimate of the age of our solar system?
400 million years.

4.6 billion years.

100 billion years.

4000 years.

83 Which of the following colours of light has the shortest wavelength?

red.
 green.

blue.

violet.

84 Choose the most appropriate term for the study of the origin and changes of the universe?
astronomy.

astrology.

cosmology.

choreography.

85 The force that causes an aircraft to move forward is called

payload.

thrust.

lift.

drag.

86 Astronauts can float in orbiting spacecraft because

there is very little gravity in space.

there is very little air in space.

they are in free fall.

the spacecraft is not accelerating.

87 Which of the following is a definition for weight?

The force of gravity on an object.

The mass of an object.

The effect of free fall on an object.

The resistance of an object to motion.