Study Guide
Overview and Test Objectives
Field 097: Physical Science
Test Overview
| Format | Computer-based test (CBT) |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Time | 2 hours 30 minutes* |
| Passing Score | 220 |
*Does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial
Test Objectives
| Subarea | Range of Objectives | Approximate Percentage of Questions on Test | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations of Scientific Inquiry | 001–005 | 20% |
| 2 | Concepts and Principles of Chemistry | 006–011 | 40% |
| 3 | Concepts and Principles of Physics | 012–017 | 40% |
Hover over each subarea for details of subtest content or see table above.
Sub area 1 20%, Sub area 2 40%, and Sub area 3 40%.
Subarea 1—FOUNDATIONS OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
Objective 001—Understand the principles and procedures of scientific inquiry.
Includes:
- formulating research questions and investigations in physical science
- developing valid experimental designs for collecting and analyzing data and testing hypotheses
- recognizing the need for controlled experiments
- understanding procedures for collecting and interpreting data to maintain objectivity
- recognizing independent and dependent variables and constants, and analyzing the role of each in experimental design
- identifying an appropriate method (e.g., graph, table, equation) for presenting data for a given purpose
- applying mathematics to investigations in physical science and the analysis of data
- interpreting results presented in different formats
- evaluating the validity of conclusions
- assessing the reliability of sources of information
Objective 002—Apply knowledge of methods and equipment used in scientific investigations.
Includes:
- selecting and using appropriate measurement devices and methods for collecting data
- evaluating the accuracy and precision of measurement in a given situation
- identifying uncertainties in measurements and results
- identifying procedures and sources of information related to the safe use, storage, and disposal of materials and equipment related to physical science investigations
- identifying hazards associated with laboratory practices and materials (e.g., chemical safety, heat sources, electricity)
- applying procedures for preventing accidents and dealing with emergencies
Objective 003—Understand the development of scientific thought and inquiry.
Includes:
- demonstrating knowledge of the reliance of scientific investigations on empirical data, verifiable evidence, and logical reasoning
- recognizing the effect of researcher bias on scientific investigations and the interpretation of data
- demonstrating an awareness of key contributions made to physical science by prominent groups and individuals of diverse cultures and from different time periods
- recognizing the dynamic nature of scientific knowledge, including ways in which scientific knowledge changes
Objective 004—Understand the relationships of physical science to technological and social issues, both contemporary and historical.
Includes:
- analyzing the role of science in human affairs
- recognizing the relationships between science and technology
- identifying political and social factors that influence developments in physical science, including current issues and controversies related to physical science research and technology (e.g., energy sources and use, applications and effects of various types of radiation)
- evaluating the credibility of scientific claims made in various forums (e.g., the Internet, professional journals, advertising)
Objective 005—Understand interrelationships among the physical, life, and earth/space sciences.
Includes:
- recognizing major unifying themes and concepts that are common to the various scientific disciplines (e.g., patterns, cause and effect, conservation laws, entropy)
- demonstrating knowledge of the integration and interdependence of the sciences, the interdisciplinary connections among the sciences, and their applications in real-world contexts
Subarea 2—CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY
Objective 006—Understand chemical properties of matter.
Includes:
- using atomic and molecular structure to explain chemical behavior
- relating atomic structure to the structure and organization of the periodic table
- differentiating among elements, compounds, and mixtures
- identifying the structures of various types of compounds (e.g., acids, bases, polymers, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons)
- identifying the structure and reactivity of major functional groups
- demonstrating basic knowledge of isomers (e.g., stereoisomers, geometric isomers, optical isomers)
- recognizing the structure and function of biomolecules (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids)
Objective 007—Understand the physical properties of matter.
Includes:
- demonstrating knowledge of the physical characteristics of matter (e.g., density, mass, atomic structure)
- applying knowledge of the characteristics of the states of matter
- applying the kinetic theory of matter
- analyzing phase changes
- demonstrating knowledge of the physical properties of common materials (e.g., metals, nonmetals, water)
- identifying colligative properties of solutions
- relating the structure of substances to physical properties (e.g., melting point, conductivity, solubility)
- comparing the physical properties of mixtures and solutions
- demonstrating knowledge of the gas laws and their relationship to the ideal gas law
Objective 008—Understand the properties and characteristics of chemical bonds.
Includes:
- relating the electron configuration of an atom to its chemical reactivity
- comparing and contrasting the character and properties of covalent, metallic, and ionic bonds
- identifying the nature of intermolecular and intramolecular forces
- analyzing the relationship between intermolecular forces and the physical properties of a given substance
- analyzing chemical bonds in terms of electronegativity, electron affinity, and oxidation state
- analyzing energy changes in the formation and dissociation of chemical bonds
Objective 009—Understand the types and characteristics of chemical reactions.
Includes:
- analyzing common chemical changes (e.g., acid-base reactions, oxidation-reduction reactions, aliphatic and alicyclic reactions)
- analyzing the effects of concentration, pressure, temperature, and catalysts on chemical equilibrium and applying Le Chatelier's principle to chemical systems
- analyzing electrochemical reactions in electrochemical cells
- analyzing how temperature, concentrations, and catalysts affect reaction rates
- demonstrating knowledge of the basic principles of chemical thermodynamics
- analyzing energy-reaction coordinate diagrams
Objective 010—Apply the principles and methods of stoichiometry and the rules of chemical nomenclature and notation for inorganic and organic substances.
Includes:
- applying basic rules of nomenclature
- interpreting symbols and chemical notation for elements, isotopes, ions, molecules, and compounds
- defining a mole and recognizing the significance of the mole concept
- calculating the number of moles in a given mass or volume of a substance
- solving problems involving molecular and formula masses and percent composition
- determining empirical and molecular formulas
- applying the law of conservation of mass to solve problems involving moles, mass, and volume and problems involving solution chemistry
- balancing chemical equations
- solving problems involving limiting reagents and percent yield
- recognizing net ionic equations
Objective 011—Understand analytical techniques.
Includes:
- demonstrating knowledge of various separation techniques (e.g., distillation, filtration, chromatography) and their basic principles
- selecting an appropriate separation technique in a given situation
- demonstrating knowledge of methods and equipment used for determining the types of substances present in a sample using spectroscopy (i.e., mass, IR, visible, and UV)
- identifying common techniques of qualitative analysis
Subarea 3—CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICS
Objective 012—Analyze forces and motion in one and two dimensions.
Includes:
- analyzing information related to displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration presented in one or more representations (e.g., graphs, tables, equations)
- solving problems involving constant acceleration (e.g., free fall)
- applying principles of trigonometry and properties of vectors to analyze two-dimensional situations (e.g., equilibrium, uniform circular motion, projectile motion, rotational dynamics)
- applying Newton's laws of motion to solve a variety of problems involving different types of forces (e.g., normal, tension, friction, buoyant)
- analyzing the vector nature of force
- identifying action-reaction forces
- identifying methods for measuring force
- differentiating between mass and weight
- applying the law of universal gravitation in a variety of situations (e.g., satellite and planetary motion)
Objective 013—Understand conservation laws and thermodynamics.
Includes:
- applying the concepts of work, forms of energy, and power in a variety of situations (e.g., inclined planes, pulleys)
- analyzing the kinetic and potential energy of various systems (e.g., a simple harmonic oscillator, a spring that obeys Hooke's law, a satellite in orbit)
- applying the principles of conservation of energy and conservation of linear and angular momentum to a variety of situations
- differentiating between temperature, internal energy, and heat
- calculating heat loss or gain using specific heat
- identifying processes of thermal energy transfer (i.e., convection, conduction, radiation)
- applying the principles of enthalpy, internal energy, and thermodynamic work
- analyzing the relationship between entropy and the availability of energy to perform work
Objective 014—Understand the characteristics of waves and wave motion, including the principles of sound and acoustics.
Includes:
- describing the transfer of momentum and energy by wave motion
- comparing longitudinal and transverse waves
- analyzing characteristics of waves (e.g., amplitude, wavelength, frequency, speed)
- demonstrating knowledge of reflection, refraction, diffraction, and the Doppler effect
- analyzing the production and propagation of mechanical waves
- applying the principle of superposition to investigate the properties of constructive and destructive interference
- analyzing resonance and the production of musical sounds in vibrating strings and air columns
Objective 015—Understand basic principles of electromagnetism.
Includes:
- demonstrating knowledge of principles of electrostatics
- identifying the properties of conductors, insulators, semiconductors, and superconductors
- applying Ohm's law to the analysis of series and parallel circuits
- analyzing energy transfer and conservation in electrical circuits
- applying Coulomb's law to determine forces and fields due to various charge distributions (e.g., electric dipole)
- applying the concepts of electric potential
- identifying the sources and properties of magnetic fields (e.g., strength, direction)
- determining the effect of a magnetic field on moving charges
- analyzing the role of magnetic force in the operation of technological devices (e.g., solenoids, galvanometers, motors, loudspeakers)
- using the principle of electromagnetic induction to explain the operation of technological devices (e.g., generators, transformers, dynamic microphones)
Objective 016—Understand the electromagnetic spectrum and the properties of electromagnetic waves.
Includes:
- analyzing the generation and propagation of electromagnetic waves
- demonstrating knowledge of the properties of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., wavelength, frequency, energy per photon)
- using the wave theory of light to analyze reflection, refraction, dispersion, interference, diffraction, and polarization
- using ray diagrams and formulas for lenses and mirrors
- demonstrating knowledge of the operation of optical instruments and materials (e.g., microscope, telescope, fiber optic cable)
- recognizing technological applications of electromagnetic waves (e.g., cell phones, remote controls, medical x-rays)
Objective 017—Understand the basic concepts and applications of modern physics.
Includes:
- demonstrating knowledge of the Bohr model of the atom and its limitations
- using quantum numbers to describe atoms
- identifying the wave-particle duality of radiation and matter
- demonstrating knowledge of black body radiation and the photoelectric effect
- relating nuclear structure and forces to radioactivity
- solving problems involving half-life
- differentiating among fission, fusion, and chemical reactions and their applications
- demonstrating a basic understanding of the theory of special relativity as it relates to time dilation, length contraction, and mass-energy equivalents