what happens to the potential energy of an object as it falls freely near the earths surface

ATI TEAS 7

TEAS 7 practice test science

1. What happens to the potential energy of an object as it falls freely near the Earth's surface?

A. Potential energy decreases
B. Potential energy increases
C. Potential energy remains constant
D. Potential energy becomes zero

Correct answer: A

Rationale: As an object falls freely near the Earth's surface, its potential energy decreases. This decrease occurs because the gravitational potential energy is being converted into kinetic energy as the object accelerates due to gravity. According to the law of conservation of energy, the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant in the absence of non-conservative forces like air resistance. Choice B ('Potential energy increases') is incorrect because the object's potential energy is being converted into kinetic energy, leading to a decrease. Choice C ('Potential energy remains constant') is incorrect as the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy results in a decrease in potential energy. Choice D ('Potential energy becomes zero') is incorrect because potential energy is not reduced to zero but is transformed into kinetic energy as the object falls.

2. What is one feature that both prokaryotes and eukaryotes have in common?

A. A plasma membrane
B. A nucleus enclosed by a membrane
C. Organelles
D. A nucleoid

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: A plasma membrane. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes share the characteristic of having a plasma membrane that surrounds the cell. While eukaryotes also possess a nucleus enclosed by a membrane and various organelles, prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. The plasma membrane, however, is a universal feature found in all cells, regardless of their classification as prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Choice B is incorrect because only eukaryotes have a nucleus enclosed by a membrane. Choice C is incorrect because prokaryotes have limited organelles compared to eukaryotes. Choice D is incorrect as a nucleoid is a region in prokaryotic cells where the genetic material is located, not a common feature shared with eukaryotes.

3. Which of the following best describes a balanced force acting on an object?

A. The object remains at rest
B. The object moves with constant velocity
C. The object accelerates
D. The object's mass changes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a balanced force acts on an object, the net force is zero, resulting in no acceleration. This means that the object will continue to move with a constant velocity if it was already in motion or remain at rest if it was initially stationary. Choice A is incorrect because the object can also move with constant velocity. Choice C is incorrect as acceleration only occurs when an unbalanced force is applied. Choice D is incorrect as the mass of an object is not affected by the balance of forces acting on it.

4. Which of the following are examples of positive correlation?

A. As rainfall increases, plant stem length decreases.
B. As rainfall increases, roots show longer length.
C. When plotting a comparison of rainfall to plant length, the line trends to the lower right.
D. When plotting a comparison of rainfall to plant length, the line trends to the upper right.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other variable also increases. In this case, when plotting a comparison of rainfall to plant length, if the line trends to the upper right, it shows a positive correlation where as rainfall increases, plant length also increases. Choices A, B, and C show either no correlation or negative correlation, as they describe scenarios where the variables move in different or opposite directions.

5. When is a solution considered saturated?

A. More solute cannot be dissolved
B. The solvent starts to evaporate
C. The solution becomes cloudy
D. It reaches a specific temperature

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A solution is considered saturated when it has dissolved the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved at a given temperature. At this point, adding more solute will not result in further dissolution, indicating that the solution is saturated. The other choices are incorrect because the solvent evaporating or the solution becoming cloudy are not definitive indicators of a saturated solution. Additionally, reaching a specific temperature does not determine saturation, as the solubility of a solute can vary with temperature. Therefore, the correct answer is that more solute cannot be dissolved in a saturated solution.