ACT science practice test 3

A professor placed 100 mL of Gas A at 25°C into a syringe. The syringe

was then inserted into a rubber stopper placed in the top of an empty flask (see
Figure 1). The escape of gas molecules from the syringe into the evacuated
flask is known as effusion.

Figure 1
After insertion of the syringe into the flask, the total effusion time, the time
required for all 100 mL of the gas to effuse from the syringe into the flask, was
measured and found to be 4 sec. The procedure was repeated with Gas B,
which had a total effusion time of 16 sec.
Three students proposed explanations for why the total effusion time for the
two gasses differed.
Student 1
Gas B effused more slowly than Gas A because it has greater molecular
mass (the mass of each molecule) than Gas B. The temperature of a gas is a
measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules of that gas. If the
temperature of each gas is the same, then the average kinetic energy of the
molecules of both gasses is also equal. Since average kinetic energy depends
on both the mass and the velocity of gas particles, gases with greater
molecular masses travel with a smaller average velocity. Therefore, if two
gases are at the same temperature, the gas with the greater molecular mass
will effuse more slowly.
Student 2
Gas B effused more slowly than Gas A because it has greater molecular
volume (the volume occupied by each molecule) than Gas A. Because of their
greater molecular volume, fewer larger molecules are able to pass through the
opening between the syringe and flask in a given period of time when
compared to the number of smaller molecules that are able to pass through the
opening in the same period of time. Therefore, if two gases are at the same
temperature, the gas with the greater molecular volume will effuse more
slowly.
Student 3
Gas B effused more slowly than Gas A because it has greater density
than Gas A. Because Gas B has a greater density, its molecules are nearer
one another than are the molecules of Gas A. The close proximity of the
molecules of Gas B increases the likelihood of collisions, which slow the speed
of the molecules. Therefore, if two gases are at the same temperature, the gas
with the greater density will effuse more slowly.
Table 1 gives the molecular mass (in atomic mass units, amu), molecular
volume (in cubic Angstroms (Å3), where 10 billion Å = 1 m), and density for
several gases at 25°C.

1. In the professor's experiment using Gas A, as the 4 seconds of measured

effusion time elapsed, the volume of gas in the flask:
A. decreased only.
B. increased only.
C. decreased, then increased.
D. increased, then decreased.

2. Based on Student 1's explanation, which of the gases listed in Table 1 would
effuse most quickly at 25°C?
F. Hydrogen
G. Xenon
H. Helium
J. Fluorine

3. Suppose that the professor had also tested nitrogen gas and found that it
had an effusion time of 9 seconds. Student 1 would claim that nitrogen:
A. has a smaller molecular mass than Gas A but a greater molecular mass
than Gas B.
B. has a greater molecular mass than Gas A but a smaller molecular mass
than Gas B.
C. has a smaller molecular volume than Gas A but a greater molecular volume
than Gas B.
D. has a greater molecular volume than Gas A but a smaller molecular volume
than Gas B.

4. Is the claim "At 25°C, xenon effuses more quickly than krypton" consistent
with Student 2's explanation?
F. No, because xenon has a larger molecular volume krypton.
G. No, because xenon has a greater density than krypton.
H. Yes, because xenon has a larger molecular volume than krypton.
J. Yes, because xenon has a greater density than krypton.

5. Which of the following graphs of the relative effusion rates of oxygen, xenon,
and krypton at 25°C is most consistent with Student 3's explanation?
A.

B.

C.
D.

6. Suppose that Gas A had been hydrogen and Gas B had been helium. The
results of the professor's experiment would have supported the explanation(s)
provided by which student(s)?
F. Student 1 only
G. Student 2 only
H. Students 1 and 2 only
J. Students 1 and 3 only

7. Consider the data for carbon dioxide (a gas) at 25°C shown in the table
below:
Molecular mass (amu) Molecular volume (Å3) Density (kg/L)
44.01 34.87 1.77
Which student(s), if any, would predict that carbon dioxide would have a
shorter effusion time than krypton?
A. Student 1 only
B. Student 1 and 2 only
C. Student 1 and 3 only
D. Students 1, 2, and 3

How did the continents take on their current shape? Two differing views are
presented below.
Scientist 1
According to a theory based on plate tectonics, the land surface of Earth
once comprised a single continent, termed Pangaea, which was surrounded by
a single vast ocean. Pangaea broke apart because the surfaces of Earth
floated on massive plates above the deeper mantle of the ocean's basin.
Horizontal movement of the plates began to split up the land about 137 million
years ago during the Jurassic period. The continents and the ocean basins
moved along convection currents in the mantle, resulting in a continuous
degeneration of Earth's physical features. The movement of these rigid plates
produced zones of tectonic activity along their margins such as earthquakes,
volcanoes, and mountain formations. Fossil records as well as geological
evidence show similarities between widely displaced continents. For instance,
the coastlines of South America and Africa contain similar rock formations and
appear to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.
Scientist 2
The continents and the ocean basins of Earth are permanent, fixed
features of the planet. The hypothesis of plate tectonics is flawed because
there is insufficient evidence to support it. The force of gravity is stronger than
any known tangential force that can act on Earth's crust. The layers of crust
that support the continents and ocean basins are strong enough to preserve
Earth's physical features and are too strong to permit horizontal drift. Tectonic
activity has always been present, but the hypothesis of plate tectonics explains
such activity only in one late period of ancient history. In addition, it is not clear
what kind of force could allow the continents, composed largely of granite, to
move through areas of dense, iron-rich rock that comprise the ocean basins.
Any geological evidence that supports such a theory may be because of the
existence of similar conditions on different continents.
1. Which of the following statements is the most inconsistent with the beliefs of
Scientist 1?
A. Continents were once part of a large land mass.
B. Continents split up and drifted apart.
C. Ocean basins have not changed for millions of years.
D. Geological evidence shows similarities between widely displaced continents.

2. Scientist 1 studied the fossils along the coast of South America and Africa
and found identical fernlike plants on rocks of the same age. What claim could
Scientist 2 make to refute the findings of Scientist 1?
F. The dating and comparison of plant fossils is an exact science.
G. The soil and climate conditions along the two coasts must have been very
similar at the time the fossils were created.
H. The ferns were extremely large.
J. Ferns will only thrive in their original habitat.

3. A new zone of tectonic activity has been discovered in the large land mass
of Eurasia. This zone shows geological evidence of having been active for
several thousand years. Which scientist is supported by this finding and why?
A. Scientist 1, because it proves that tectonic activity occurs on the planet.
B. Scientist 1, because it shows that Pangaea and Eurasia are the same land
mass.
C. Scientist 2, because it proves that tectonic activity occurs in land masses
and not solely in the ocean basin and along coastlines.
D. Scientist 2, because it shows that the continents are made out of granite.

4. Both Scientist 1 and Scientist 2 are experts in plate tectonics. To what

discipline of science do these scientists belong?
F. Physics
G. Geology
H. Biology
J. Chemistry

5. Which of the following claims would be supported by both scientists?

I. Tectonic activity has always been a factor in the geology of land masses.
II. The continents and the ocean basins are fixed features of the planet.
III. Continental drift occurred in the Jurassic period.
A. I only
B. II only
C. I and II only
D. II and III only

Answers and Explanations

1. Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
This paragraph is about three students' explanations for effusion rates. In this
passage, since the fighting scientists (in this case, fighting students) didn't
perform the experiment for which they're offering competing explanations-the
professor did-the question references the professor rather than the students.
According to the passage, the time required for all 100 mL of the gas to effuse
from the syringe into the empty flask was measured. As a result, the volume of
gas in the flask continued to increase until all of the gas was emptied from the
syringe. Therefore, the correct answer is (B).

2. Correct Answer: F
Explanation:
Student 1 proposes that gases with greater molecular masses diffuse more
slowly. Therefore, gases with smaller molecular masses diffuse more quickly.
Of the choices listed, hydrogen gas (2.016 amu) possesses the smallest
molecular mass and will effuse most quickly. Thus, (F) is the correct answer.

3. Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Student 1 proposes that gases with greater molecular masses diffuse more
slowly. According to the results of the experiment, Gas A's total effusion time is
4 seconds, and Gas B's total effusion time is 16 seconds. The question states
that nitrogen gas' effusion time is 9 seconds-longer than Gas A's total effusion
time but shorter than Gas B's total effusion time. Consequently, nitrogen gas'
molecular mass must be greater than Gas A's molecular mass and smaller
than Gas B's molecular mass. Thus, (B) is the correct answer.

4. Correct Answer: F
Explanation:
According to Student 2, gases with greater molecular volumes effuse more
slowly. Table 1 shows you that xenon's molecular volume is greater than
krypton's. Based upon this, krypton should effuse more slowly than does
xenon and contradicts the claim made in the question. Thus, (F) is the correct
answer.

5. Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
Student 3 proposes that gases with greater densities effuse more slowly than
gases with lesser densities. Table 1 says that xenon is denser than krypton
and that krypton is denser than oxygen. Xenon, the densest gas, should
therefore have the smallest relative effusion rate, while oxygen, the least
dense gas, should have the greatest relative effusion rate. The relative
effusion rate of krypton should be between the relative effusion rates of xenon
and oxygen. Choice (A) correctly demonstrates this relationship between
effusion rates.

6. Correct Answer: J
Explanation:
Student 1 proposes that gases with greater molecular masses diffuse more
slowly than gases with smaller molecular masses. Student 2 proposes that
gases with greater molecular volumes effuse more slowly than gases with
smaller molecular volumes. Student 3 proposes that gases with
greater densities effuse more slowly than gases with lesser densities.
According to Table 1, helium's molecular mass and density is greater than
hydrogen's, while hydrogen's molecular volume is greater than helium's.
Students 1 and 3, then, would predict that helium would effuse more slowly;
Student 2 will predict that hydrogen will effuse more slowly. The professor's
experiment finds that Gas B effuses more slowly than Gas A. If helium were
Gas B and hydrogen were Gas A, then Student 1's prediction and Student 3's
prediction would be consistent with the professor's finding, while Student 2's
prediction would not be. Thus, (J) is the correct answer.

7. Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Student 1 proposes that gases with greater molecular masses diffuse more
slowly than gases with smaller molecular masses. Student 2 proposes that
gases with greater molecular volumes effuse more slowly than gases with
smaller molecular volumes. Student 3 proposes that gases with
greater densities effuse more slowly than gases with lesser densities.
According to the information provided in the table in the question and in Table
1, krypton's molecular mass and density are greater than carbon dioxide's,
while carbon dioxide's molecular volume is greater than krypton's. Student 1
and Student 3 would predict that carbon dioxide effuses more quickly than
krypton, yielding shorter effusion times for carbon dioxide. Student 2 would
predict the opposite, that krypton would effuse more quickly than carbon
dioxide, yielding shorter effusion times for krypton. Therefore, (C) is the correct
answer.

1. Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
C What are the beliefs of Scientist 1? His main point is that Pangaea (one
continent) existed 137 million years ago. Now let's start by looking at each of
the answer choices. Were the continents once part of one large land mass?
Yes. We read that in the passage. What about choice (B)? Did the continents
break up and drift apart? Definitely. Does the statement that the ocean basins
remained fixed agree with the theory? No. If so, how would the continents drift
apart? So choice (C) is inconsistent. Choice (D) is not inconsistent with the
theory of Scientist 1. So the correct answer is choice (C).

2. Correct Answer: G
Explanation:
G Scientist 2 needs to show how what Scientist 1 said fits with Scientist 2's
hypothesis. It will also probably be something which disagrees with Scientist
1's argument. Choice (F) states that the techniques used to date and compare
fossils are accurate. This is an argument Scientist 1 makes but that Scientist 2
doesn't mention. Cross it out. Choice (G) says that the soil and climate
conditions were once the same-a nice paraphrase of what Scientist 2 says at
the end of the argument. Keep choice (G) for now. Choice (H) supports
Scientist 1 because extremely large ferns would have a hard time floating
thousands of miles across the ocean. You can eliminate choice (J) because it
doesn't support either scientist. Scientist 2 would infer that these ferns grew
well in both places; choice (G) has to be right.

3. Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
C Either scientist could use this information to support his theory if he could
come up with a valid reason. Choice (A) says that Scientist 1 is supported
because the finding shows tectonic activity. But we already knew about that
and besides, that's a point on which the scientists agree. So eliminate choice
(A). Choice (D) also gives us information that was already stated in Scientist
2's statement, so this choice is weak. Choice (B) is ridiculous because neither
scientist believes that Pangaea exists today, so cross it out. At this point,
choice (C) is looking pretty good. Scientist 2 could soundly reason that tectonic
activity in a solid land mass demonstrates that this geological phenomenon
does not lead to continental drift. The best answer is choice (C).

4. Correct Answer: G
Explanation:
G The passage tells us about the formation of land masses, tectonic plates,
and other geological evidence-namely, fossils. You must be able to add this
together and determine that the scientists know something about geology. So
only choice (G) can be correct.

5. Correct Answer: A
Explanation:
A You must know what each scientist supports. Let's go through the choices
one by one. Statement I is supported by both scientists because both believe
that tectonic activity exists and changes geological formations. (Scientist 1
thinks it's more important than does Scientist 2, but that doesn't matter here.)
So Statement I is correct and we're down to choices (A) and (C). Let's keep
checking. Only Scientist 2 supports Statement II and only Scientist 1 supports
Statement III. Therefore, choice (A) must be the correct answer.
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