Science TAKS: Bell Ringers Prepared for the Scurry-Rosser High School Science Department Objective 1, B.02A plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting equipment and technology

#1) The table shows times required for water to evaporate from identical containers. Which of these is the best question to ask before developing a reasonable hypothesis to explain the data? F. Why does a lower temperature slow the rate of evaporation? G. What is the boiling point of the water after both samples are heated? H. Why does water exist as a solid at -15 o C and as a liquid at 25 o C? J. How does the rate of evaporation change when a different container is used? ContainerAB Volume of Water (mL) 25 Temperature ( o C) Time Required (h) 7224 State Average: 51% correct

A scientist has hypothesized that the existence of life on Mars is likely because Mars’s atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide. #2) Which question is valid in testing this hypothesis? F. Do most other scientists agree with the hypothesis? G. Could abiotic processes account for the carbon dioxide? H. What is the percent of argon compared to carbon dioxide in the Martian atmosphere? J. Have the scientist’s other predictions about Mars been validated? State Average: 44% correct

#3) Two science students discovered that the mass of a sample of acetone is an open beaker decreased within a few minutes. One student hypothesized that the acetone reacted with oxygen to form a gaseous compound that escaped. The other student believed that the acetone evaporated into thin air. What should the students do to test these hypotheses? A. Combine the hypotheses so they give valid predictions of the acetone’s behavior B. Conduct a study of original papers describing the experiments leading to acetone’s discovery C. Perform an experiment that attempts to identify the gas above the open beaker D. Ask a classmate’s opinion about the chemical and physical properties of acetone State Average: 59% correct

Hypothesis: Much of the iron found in the topsoil of an island was carried from Africa by huge dust clouds. #4) The above hypothesis refers to iron in the topsoil found on an island formed from limestone. Which study would most likely be used to investigate this hypothesis? F. Tracking dust clouds with satellite photos G. Determining the effects of iron on limestone H. Calculating the erosion rates in African limestone mines J. Analyzing the content of comet dust clouds. State Average: 49% correct

#5) Which set of equipment would be best to use to test the effect of temperature on solution acidity? A. A balance and a thermometer B. A pH meter and a barometer C. A balance and litmus paper D. A thermometer and a pH meter. State Average: 51% correct

TAKS Question Set 1 Answers #1F #2G #3C #4F #5D

Extra Questions The following slides are extra questions taken from TAKS samples and information. They have not been tested, but represent material that may be tested on a TAKS test.

#1) Which of these tables best represents an experimental design used to test whether cortisone relieves inflammation? Group n = 1000 Amount of Cortisone (mg) Group n = 10 Amount of Cortisone (mg) Group n = 10 Amount of Cortisone (mg) Group n = 1000 Amount of Cortisone (mg) A. B. C. D.

#2) Science can be divided into three broad groups: life science, physical science, and Earth science. Which of these topics would most likely involve a knowledge of concepts from all three branches of science? F. Patterns of earthquakes G. Aging of stars H. Weathering of rocks J. Structure of water molecules

Extra Questions Answers #1C #2H