GED Test (Mathematical Reasoning, Science, Social Studies, Reasoning Through Language Arts)
Physical science: practice questions
Our GED bank has 44 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
For a wave, frequency is:
- The number of waves passing a point each second
- The speed of the wave
- The height of the wave
- The distance between two neighboring crests of the wave
Show the answer
A. The number of waves passing a point each second — Frequency is waves per second (hertz). The distance between crests is wavelength; height is amplitude.
Question 2
The Sun warms Earth across empty space by:
- Friction
- Convection
- Conduction
- Radiation
Show the answer
D. Radiation — Only radiation (electromagnetic waves) can carry energy through a vacuum.
Question 3
In a sealed container, 10 g of reactants react completely. What is the mass of the products?
- It cannot be known
- Less than 10 g
- More than 10 g
- 10 g
Show the answer
D. 10 g — Conservation of mass: in a closed system the total mass of products equals the total mass of reactants.
Question 4
Which type of electromagnetic radiation causes sunburn?
- Radio waves
- Infrared
- Microwaves
- Ultraviolet (UV)
Show the answer
D. Ultraviolet (UV) — UV radiation from the Sun damages skin cells and causes sunburn.
Question 5
A ball held at the top of a hill has the most:
- Kinetic energy
- Chemical energy
- Gravitational potential energy
- Sound energy
Show the answer
C. Gravitational potential energy — Potential energy depends on height. As the ball rolls down, it changes to kinetic energy.