Name ___________________________ Period ______ Date ________________

STAAR Science Test Review Worksheet

Part 1: Matter & Energy

1. Describe the properties (charge, mass, location) of the three sub-atomic

particles. ______________________________________________________
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2. Using a periodic table, how can you determine the number of protons (or
electrons) in an atom of an element? ________________________________
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3. Using a periodic table, how can you determine how many neutrons are found
in the most common isotope of an atom for a particular element? _________
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4. Using a periodic table, how can you determine the number of electron orbitals
or shells in an atom of a particular element? __________________________
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5. What is the maximum number of electrons that can be in each of the first four
orbitals of an atom? _____________________________________________
How many electrons can be in the outer most orbital? ___________________

6. Using a periodic table, how can you determine the number of valence
electrons in an atom of a particular element? __________________________
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7. Which elements are not reactive? ___________________________________

Which elements are most reactive? _________________________________
What determines the reactivity of elements? __________________________
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8. How can you tell whether a chemical equation is balanced? ______________

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Is this chemical equation balanced? 6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2 ________

9. What is an organic molecule? What element must it have? What other

elements does an organic molecule commonly have? ___________________
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10. What is the formula for density? How can you find the density of an irregular
object like a small rock? __________________________________________
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Part 2: Force, Motion & Energy

11. What are the six forms of energy? __________________________________

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12. What is the difference between kinetic and potential energy? _____________
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13. On a roller coaster, when is the potential energy the highest? _____________
__________________________________ When is the kinetic energy the
highest? _______________________________________________________

14. On a pendulum, when is the potential energy the highest? _____________

__________________________________ When is the kinetic energy the
highest? _______________________________________________________

15. Describe the energy conversions necessary to create electrical power from
coal. __________________________________________________________
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16. What is the difference between velocity and speed? ____________________
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17. If an object falls for 5 seconds, what is its velocity at the end of the 5 second
period? _______________________________________________________

18. What is work? __________________________________________________

19. What is the function of a simple machine? ____________________________

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What are the six kinds of simple machines? ___________________________
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20. Describe each of Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. ______________________

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Part 3: Earth and Space

21. What is the difference between rotation and revolution? ________________

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In what direction does the Earth and Moon rotate and revolve? ___________
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22. What is the cause of seasons? _____________________________________

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23. List the eight moon phases in order, starting with the phase that occurs when
the Moon is between the Sun and Earth. _____________________________
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24. What causes tides? ______________________________________________

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What is the difference between a spring tide and a neap tide? ____________
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25. Define conduction, convection and radiation. __________________________

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26. Describe sea breezes and land breezes. When does each occur? Why does
each occur? ____________________________________________________
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27. What powers a hurricane? Under what conditions will a hurricane strengthen?
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28. What are the three types of plate tectonic boundaries? In what direction is
each moving? What crustal features does each make? _________________
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29. Describe the life cycle of stars. _____________________________________

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30. What does red-shift and blue-shift mean? ____________________________

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 Part 4: Organisms and Environment

31. What is the difference between a biotic and an abiotic factor? _____________
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32. How does competition affect the population of a species? ________________

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33. What is biodiversity? Why is it important? ____________________________

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34. What are the two kinds of succession? What is the difference between them?
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35. What are the different trophic levels of a food web? What is the function of
each? _________________________________________________________
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36. In what direction does energy flow in a food web or energy pyramid? ______
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37. List five organelles in a cell, and describe the function of each. ____________
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38. What are the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual
reproduction, from the standpoint of species survival? __________________
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39. Describe the process of natural selection. ____________________________

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40. What is the difference between a habitat and a niche? __________________

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