1. Ch 1 Bluff
15.16

2. 1.
0807.T/E.2
A technology company has identified the need for smaller, longer-lasting batteries to use in hybrid vehicles. What would be the first step engineers would take to design and produce an improved battery?
test the new battery
b. reshape the existing battery
c. research current battery technology
d. build a prototype battery

3. 2.
A student has two identical pans. The student filled each pan with 20 grams of water before place them both in the same freezer. The water in Pan A took 20 minutes to freeze. The water in Pan B took 30 minutes to freeze. Which of these conclusions best explains the difference in the amount of time it took each pan of water to freeze?
a. The water in Pan B had a higher starting temperature.
b. The water in Pan B had a lower final temperature.
c. The water in Pan B had a greater starting volume.
d. The water in Pan 2 had a greater final mass.

4. 3.
A nuclear power plant has recently been built to generate electricity for a town located near several small lakes. Which is an unintended consequence of the nuclear power plant being built?
a. The cost of electricity will decrease.
b. The loss of habitat for local wildlife.
c. The heating of homes will be easier.
d. The nuclear power plant will provide jobs.

5. 4. Which best explains an example of adaptive engineering?
a. automobile tires made from recyled material, because resources are conserved
b. walking canes made from lightweight aluminum, because mobility it increased
c. hearing aids worn in the ear canal, because a disability is overcome
d. vision corrected by laser surgery, because a permanent change is made

6. 5.
Students are to build a model bridge using toothpicks and wood glue. The design of the bridge must support a specific amount of weight and measure 20 centimeters long. Which tools would best help determine if the model bridge meets the design requirements?
a. ruler, weights and string
string, beaker and water
c. hammer, string and nails
d. pliers, saw and string

7. 6.
An emergency-equipment company makes warning-signal flares. The company wants to redesign a flare so that it produces light for a longer period of time. After the company thinks of ideas, what is the best choice for the next step in the engineering design process?
a. build a prototype
b. improve the product
c. decide on the best improvement
d. define the problem

8. 7.
A student pulls on a rubber band with both hands and then releases it. The rubber band travels across the room. The student repeats this procedure several times. Which tool should the student use to measure the distance traveled by the rubber band?
a. electronic balance
spring scale
meter stick
d. protractor

9. 8.
An iron block had an initial (beginning) mass of 100 grams. As the block rusted, its mass increased. Which best explains why the mass increased?
a. Oxygen combines with iron when rust is formed.
b. Rust grows as it absorbs energy from the block.
c. Water is absorbed as rust forms on the iron block.
d. Rust releases heat and makes the iron expand

10. 9.
A student recorded the speed of several blue cars versus several red cars over the course of 1 day. The average speed of the red cars was 70 mph, while the average speed of the blue cars was 68 mph. The student concluded that red paint makes cars go faster. Which statement best identifies an error in the student’s conclusion?
a. The conclusion was made based on two types of cars.
b. The observation was made on several highways.
c. The observation shows information for several times of day.
d. The conclusion claims that there is a cause and effect without providing any evidence.

11. 10.
The steps used to determine the mass of sugar dissolved in a beaker of water are shown in the table below.
Which is the correct sequence (order) of steps for the student to follow?
a. 1,2,5,3,4,6
b. 1,4,6,5,3,2
c. 2,3,6,5,1,4
d. 2,6,4,3,1,5

12. 11.
When the lamp below is switched on, the paper will spin. Which most likely causes the paper to spin?
a. warm air rising
b. warm paper expanding
c. cool air sinking
d. cool light bulb expanding

13. 12.
Almost half of the electricity generated in theUnited States comes from burning coal. Which statement explains the most likely intended benefit for using coal as a source of electricity?
a. Coal is a resource that occures naturally on Earth.
b. Coal is plentiful and inexpensive compared to other power sources.
c. Some types of coal mining cause harm to the environment.
d. Burning coal releases gases into the air that lead to acid precipitation.

14. 13.
The table below shows the average distance from the sun to the planets Mercury, Venus and Earth. Which graph best compares the distances from the sun to each planet?
A C.
B D.

15. 14.
Which of these best describes why an artificial arm is considered an assistive engineered product?
a. It is an adaptation of an earlier technology.
b. It helps a person with a disability overcome a handicap.
c. It resembles a human body part.
d. It causes a permanent change to an organism.

16. 15.
Students want to determine which type of plant will best survive in a hot, dry environment. They place four different types of plants in identical pots, and put all of the plants by the same large window. They give each plant the same amount of water every day.
Which of these is the independent variable for this experiment?
a. amount of water
b. health of plant
c. type of plant
d. amount of sunlight

17. 16.
The main biofuel on the market today is ethanol, a fuel made from corn. Which type of bioengineered product is ethanol?
a. adaptive
b. assistive
c. resistant
d. manipulated

18. 17.
A student is to determine how much salt will dissolve in 59 milliliters of water. Which tool is best for measuring the volume of water to be used?
a. 100-milliliter graduated cylinder
b. thermometer
c. spring scale
d. 25-milliliter beaker

19. 18.
The table below shows data used to calculate the speed of 4 identical toy cars moving down a ramp.
Which part of the experiment is most likely the source of error in this investigation?
a. car color c. distance
b. car type d. timer

20. 19.
An engineering company is testing a new weather-forecasting program. Which procedure would best verify that the program is making accurate predictions?
a. comparing the predictions of the program to the actual weather
b. comparing the predictions of the program to other predictions
c. using the program to verify events not related to weather
d. using the program to verify past weather-related events

21. 20.
The graph shows a rabbit population that has increased due to the lack of predators.
Which table correctly displays the population data?
a. c.
b. d.

22. 21.
A chemical company wants to develop a new treatment to keep wooden playground equipment from rotting. Which of these would be the most important in designing a treatment to keep wood from rotting in playground equipment?
a. availability of materials for manufacturing the chemical
b. the method for applying the chemical to the wood
c. chemical is not toxic to people
d. chemical can be produced at a low cost

23. 22.
A factory is producing a new machine designed to reduce the amount of air pollution in houses. The machine was produced and sold to the public. After several months, reports show the machine is not working correctly. Which of these most likely caused the outcome?
a. Proper cost analysis was not performed.
b. The prototype was not tested before use by the public.
c. The designers did not test other types of machines.
d. The manufacturing of the machine was done over several months.

24. 23.
The picture below illustrates an experiment designed to test plant growth using potted green bean sprouts placed in front of a window. Which of these is the independent variable in this experimental design?
a. different species of plants
b. different types of light sources
c. the size of each pot
d. the distance of the plants from the light source

25. 24.
A student designs an experiment to determine how surface type affects the amount of force needed to roll a ball 20 meters. What is the independent variable?
a. the lengths of the surfaces
b. the force needed to roll the ball
c. the type of surfaces used
d. the type of ball chosen

26. 25.
A student wanted to find out if marbles with larger diameters made deeper craters when dropped into wet sand than marbles with smaller diameters. The table below shows the student’s data.
The student concluded that marble diameter had no affect on crater depth. Which of these is the most likely source of error for this conclusion?
a. The student only used four marbles.
b. The marbles each had a different mass.
c. The marbles were all dropped from the same height.
d. The student should have used flour instead of sand.

27. 26.
The fuel efficiency of four different cars is shown in the table below.
Which graph best represents the data in the table?
a. c.
b. d.

28. 27.
Ethanol, often produced from corn, is being added to gasoline in an attempt to reduce the amount of fossil fuel usage. Which is an unintended consequence of ethanol use?
a. cost of corn products increases
b. improvement in gas mileage
c. conservation of fossil fuels
d. improved health of the environment