Comparing Data Sets Practice Test

PASSAGE I

CHEMISTRY: This passage is adapted from a study on the solubility of various substances in water.

Solubility is defined as the maximum amount of a solute (substance being dissolved) that can dissolve in a specific amount of solvent (usually water) at a given temperature. The solubility of most solids increases with temperature, while the solubility of most gases decreases with temperature. A student performed an experiment to measure the solubility of three solid salts—Potassium Nitrate ($KNO_3$), Sodium Chloride ($NaCl$), and Cerium(III) Sulfate ($Ce_2(SO_4)_3$)—and one gas, Oxygen ($O_2$).

PASSAGE VI

PHYSICS: This passage is adapted from a study on the forces acting on an object on an inclined plane.

Introduction

A student conducted experiments to determine the factors that affect the force required to pull a block up an inclined plane at a constant velocity. The force ($F$) required depends on the mass of the block ($m$), the angle of the incline ($\theta$), and the friction between the block and the surface.

The experimental setup consisted of a wooden board (the inclined plane) and a spring scale attached to a rectangular block. The student pulled the block up the incline at a steady speed and recorded the force in Newtons (N).

Study 1

To test how the angle of the incline affects the force, the student used a standard wooden block with a mass of 1.0 kg. The surface of the inclined plane was smooth wood. The student varied the angle of the incline from 10° to 60°. Results were recorded in Table 1.

Study 2

To test how the surface material (friction) affects the force, the student fixed the angle of the incline at 30° and used the same 1.0 kg block. The student covered the wooden board with different materials: Sandpaper, Rubber, and Plastic. The force was measured for each surface. Results were recorded in Table 2.

Study 3

To test how the mass of the block affects the force, the student used the smooth wood surface and fixed the angle at 30°. The student added weights to the block to increase its total mass. Results were recorded in Table 3.