ACT Science

Passage I
Unmanned spacecraft taking images of Jupiter's moon Europa have found its surface to be very
smooth with few meteorite craters. Europa's surface ice shows evidence of being continually
resmoothed and reshaped. Cracks, dark bands, and pressure ridges (created when water or slush is
squeezed up between 2 slabs of ice) are commonly seen in images of the surface. Two scientists
express their views as to whether the presence of a deep ocean beneath the surface is responsible for
Europa's surface features.

Scientist 1

A deep ocean of liquid water exists on Europa. Jupiter's gravitational field produces tides within
Europa that can cause heating of the subsurface to a point where liquid water can exist. The
numerous cracks and dark bands in the surface ice closely resemble the appearance of thawing ice
covering the polar oceans on Earth. Only a substantial amount of circulating liquid water can crack
and rotate such large slabs of ice. The few meteorite craters that exist are shallow and have been
smoothed by liquid water that oozed up into the crater from the subsurface and then quickly froze.

Jupiter's magnetic field, sweeping past Europa, would interact with the salty, deep ocean and
produce a second magnetic field around Europa. The spacecraft has found evidence of this second
magnetic field.

Scientist 2

No deep, liquid water ocean exists on Europa. The heat generated by gravitational tides is quickly
lost to space because of Europa's small size, as shown by its very low surface temperature (–
160°C). Many of the features on Europa's surface resemble features created by flowing glaciers on
Earth. Large amounts of liquid water are not required for the creation of these features. If a thin
layer of ice below the surface is much warmer than the surface ice, it may be able to flow and cause
cracking and movement of the surface ice. Few meteorite craters are observed because of Europa's
very thin atmosphere; surface ice continually sublimes (changes from solid to gas) into this
atmosphere, quickly eroding and removing any craters that may have formed.

1. Which of the following best describes how the 2 scientists explain how craters are removed
from Europa's surface?
1.  

Scientist 1

Scientist 2

2. A.

Sublimation

Filled in by water
 3. B.

Filled in by water

Sublimation

4. C.

Worn smooth by wind

Sublimation

5. D.

Worn smooth by wind

Filled in by water

2. According to the information provided, which of the following descriptions of Europa

would be accepted by both scientists?
1. F. Europa has a larger diameter than does Jupiter.
2. G. Europa has a surface made of rocky material.
3. H. Europa has a surface temperature of 20°C.
4. J. Europa is completely covered by a layer of ice.
3. With which of the following statements about the conditions on Europa or the evolution of
Europa's surface would both Scientist 1 and Scientist 2 most likely agree? The surface of
Europa:
1. A. is being shaped by the movement of ice.
2. B. is covered with millions of meteorite craters.
3. C. is the same temperature as the surface of the Arctic Ocean on Earth.
4. D. has remained unchanged for millions of years.
4. Which of the following statements about meteorite craters on Europa would be most
consistent with both scientists' views?
1. F. No meteorites have struck Europa for millions of years.
2. G. Meteorite craters, once formed, are then smoothed or removed by Europa's
surface processes.
3. H. Meteorite craters, once formed on Europa, remain unchanged for billions of years.
4. J. Meteorites frequently strike Europa's surface but do not leave any craters.
5. Scientist 2 explains that ice sublimes to water vapor and enters Europa's atmosphere. If
ultraviolet light then broke those water vapor molecules apart, which of the following gases
would one most likely expect to find in Europa's atmosphere as a result of this process?
1. A. Nitrogen
2. B. Methane
3. C. Chlorine
4. D. Oxygen
6. Based on the information in Scientist 1's view, which of the following materials must be
present on Europa if a magnetic field is to be generated on Europa?
1. F. Frozen nitrogen
2. G. Water ice
3. H. Dissolved salts
4. J. Molten magma
 7. Assume Scientist 2's view about the similarities between Europa's surface features and
flowing glaciers on Earth is correct. Based on this assumption and the information provided,
Earth's glaciers would be least likely to exhibit which of the following features?
1. A. Pressure ridges
2. B. Cracks
3. C. Meteorite craters
4. D. Dark bands

Passage II
A student studying how gases diffuse derived the following formula:

The following experiments were conducted to test her formula and to study factors affecting the rate
at which gases diffuse.

Experiment 1

When hydrogen chloride (HCl) and ammonia (NH3) vapors react, they form solid ammonium
chloride (NH4Cl):

HCl(g) + NH3(g) → NH4Cl(s)

A swab soaked with HCl solution was inserted into one end of a glass tube (1 cm diameter), and,
simultaneously, a swab soaked with NH3 solution was inserted into the other end, so that the swabs
were 10 cm apart. The distance that each vapor traveled could be determined because, at the point
they made contact, a white ring of NH4Cl formed (see Figure 1). The reaction was done at different
temperatures. The time it took for the ring to start to form and its distance from the HCl swab were
measured for each trial (see Table 1).

Table 1
Trial Temperature (°C) Time (sec) Distance of ring from HCl swab (cm)
1 20 33 4.0
2 30 30 4.1
3 40 26 4.1
4 50 23 4.0

Using the formula, the student predicted that the distance of the ring from the HCl swab would be
4.06 cm, so the student concluded that her formula was correct.
Figure 1

Experiment 2

Experiment 1 was repeated, but the temperature was held constant at 20°C and the diameter of the
tube was varied for each trial (see Table 2).

Table 2
Trial Tube diameter (cm) Time (sec) Distance of ring from HCl swab (cm)
5 1.0 33 4.0
6 1.2 33 4.0
7 1.4 33 4.1
8 1.6 33 4.0

Experiment 3

Experiment 2 was repeated, but the diameter of the tube was kept constant at 1 cm and longer tubes
were used so that the distance between the swabs could be varied for each trial (see Table 3).

Table 3
Trial Distance between swabs (cm) Time (sec) Distance of ring from HCl swab (cm)
9 10 33 4.0
10 20 67 8.1
11 30 101 12.2
12 40 133 16.2
1. Which of the following best describes the difference between the procedures used in
Experiments 1 and 2 ? In Experiment 1, the:
1. A. temperature was varied; in Experiment 2, the diameter of the tube was varied.
2. B. diameter of the tube was varied; in Experiment 2, the temperature was varied.
3. C. distance between the swabs was varied; in Experiment 2, the temperature was
varied.
4. D. temperature was varied; in Experiment 2, the distance between the swabs was
varied.
2. Which of the following sets of trials in Experiments 1, 2, and 3 were conducted with
identical sets of conditions?
1. F. Trials 2, 3, and 4
2. G. Trials 1, 5, and 9
3. H. Trials 4, 7, and 9
4. J. Trials 10, 11, and 12
3. Based on the results of Experiment 1, which of the following graphs best shows the
relationship between the temperature and the distance of the ring from the HCl swab?
 1. A.

2. B.

3. C.

4. D.
4. If a trial in Experiment 3 had been performed with the swabs 25 cm apart, the distance from
the HCl swab to the ring would most likely have been closest to:
1. F.  8 cm.
2. G. 10 cm.
3. H. 12 cm.
4. J. 14 cm.
5. If another student wanted to test a factor that was not studied in Experiments 1–3, which of
the following should he do next? He should test how the diffusion rates of gases are affected
by:
1. A. atmospheric pressure.
2. B. tube length.
3. C. temperature.
4. D. tube diameter.
6. The student concluded that NH3 diffuses at a greater rate than HCl. Do the results of
Experiments 1–3 support her conclusion?
1. F. No; in Trials 1–9 the HCl vapors traveled farther than the NH3 vapors.
2. G. No; in Trials 1–9 the NH3 vapors traveled farther than the HCl vapors.
3. H. Yes; in Trials 1–9 the HCl vapors traveled farther than the NH3 vapors.
4. J. Yes; in Trials 1–9 the NH3 vapors traveled farther than the HCl vapors.

Passage III
A student performed 2 studies to investigate the factors that affect the germination of peony seeds.

Study 1

Peony seeds were placed in dry containers. Some of the containers were stored at 5°C for either 4,
6, 8, or 10 weeks. The temperature and time periods were defined as the storage temperature and
the storage period, respectively.

The peony seeds were divided evenly so that there were 20 sets of 25 seeds. Twenty petri dishes
were then prepared. Each contained damp paper. Each set of seeds was placed in a separate petri
dish. Each petri dish was maintained at 1 of 4 temperatures for 30 days. The temperature and time
periods were defined as the germination temperature and the germination period, respectively.
Table 1 shows the number of seeds that germinated in each dish.

Table 1

Number of peony seeds that germinated when maintained at a germination

Storage temperature of:
period
(weeks) 13°C 18°C 23°C 28°C

 0  0  0  0 0
 4  0  2  0 0
 6  3  8  6 0
 8  7 22 18 0
10 15 24 21 1

Study 2

Peony seeds were placed in dry containers. The containers were stored at various temperatures for
10 weeks.

The peony seeds were divided evenly so that there were 20 sets of 25 seeds. Twenty petri dishes
were then prepared. Each contained damp paper. Each set of seeds was placed in a petri dish. The
petri dishes were maintained at 1 of 4 temperatures for 30 days. Table 2 shows the number of seeds
that germinated in each dish.

Table 2

Number of peony seeds that germinated when maintained at a germination

Storage temperature of:
temperature
(°C) 13°C 18°C 23°C 28°C

 0 15 24 21 1
 5 16 23 21 1
10  0 6  4 0
15  0  0  0 0
20  0  0  0 0

Tables adapted from Joel Beller, Experimenting with Plants. ©1985 by Joel Beller.
1. In general, the results of Study 1 suggest that peony seeds that are placed in a petri dish
containing damp paper are most likely to germinate when they are maintained at which of
the following temperatures?
1. A. 13°C
2. B. 18°C
3. C. 23°C
4. D. 28°C
2. Suppose another set of 25 peony seeds had been included in Study 2 and these seeds had a
storage temperature of 25°C and a germination temperature of 18°C. Based on the
information provided, the number of seeds that would have germinated after being
maintained for 30 days would most likely have been closest to:
1. F.  0.
2. G.  8.
3. H. 16.
4. J. 24.
3. In Study 2, at the storage temperature of 5°C, as germination temperature increased from
13°C to 28°C, the number of seeds that germinated:
1. A. decreased only.
2. B. increased only.
3. C. decreased, then increased.
4. D. increased, then decreased.
4. Which of the following sets of seeds were exposed to the same conditions prior to being
placed in the petri dishes?
1. F. The seeds from Study 1 that were stored for 8 weeks and the seeds from Study 2
that were stored at 5°C
2. G. The seeds from Study 1 that were stored for 8 weeks and the seeds from Study 2
that were stored at 15°C
3. H. The seeds from Study 1 that were stored for 10 weeks and the seeds from Study 2
that were stored at 5°C
4. J. The seeds from Study 1 that were stored for 10 weeks and the seeds from Study 2
that were stored at 15°C
5. A student stored 100 peony seeds at a constant temperature for 10 weeks. The student then
divided the seeds into 4 sets and maintained them as described in Study 2. The results were
as follows:

Germination Number of seeds

temperature (°C) that germinated

13 1
18 6
23 3
28 0

These seeds most likely had a storage temperature of:

1. A.  0°C.
2. B.  5°C.
3. C. 10°C.
 4. D. 15°C.
6. The experimental designs of Study 2 and Study 1 differed in that in Study 2:
1. F. storage temperature was held constant.
2. G. storage time was held constant.
3. H. germination temperature was varied.
4. J. germination time was varied.

Passage IV
Spent fuel (SF), a radioactive waste, is often buried underground in canisters for disposal. As it
decays, SF generates high heat and raises the temperature of the surrounding rock, which may
expand and crack, allowing radioactivity to escape into the environment. Scientists wanted to
determine which of 4 rock types—rock salt, granite, basalt, or shale—would be least affected by the
heat from SF. The thermal conductivity (how well heat is conducted through a material) and heating
trends of the 4 rock types were studied.

Study 1

Fifty holes, each 0.5 m across and 20 m deep, were dug into each of the following: a rock salt
deposit, granite bedrock, basalt bedrock, and shale bedrock. A stainless steel canister containing
0.4 metric tons of SF was buried in each hole. The rock temperature was measured next to each
canister after 1 year had passed. The results are shown in Table 1, along with the typical thermal
conductivity of each rock type, in Watts per meter per °C (W/m°C), at 25°C. The higher the thermal
conductivity, the more quickly heat is conducted through the rock and away from the canisters.

Table 1

Thermal conductivity Rock temperature

Rock
(W/m°C) (°C)*

*All rock types had an initial temperature of 10°C.

Rock salt 5.70 110

Granite 2.80 121
Basalt 1.26 165
Shale 1.57 146

Study 2

The scientists determined the thermal conductivity of the 4 rock types at a number of different
temperatures between 0°C and 400°C. The results are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1

Study 3

The scientists calculated the temperature increase that would be expected over a period of
100,000 yr in each rock type at a point within a site holding buried SF. The results are shown in
Figure 2.

Figure 2

Table and figures adapted from J. S. Y. Wang, D. C. Mangold, and C. F. Tsang, "Thermal Impact of
Waste Emplacement and Surface Cooling Associated with Geologic Disposal of High-Level
Nuclear Waste." ©1988 by Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
 1. According to Study 2, the thermal conductivity of rock salt measured at a temperature of
500°C would be closest to which of the following values?
1. A. 1.0 W/m°C
2. B. 2.0 W/m°C
3. C. 3.5 W/m°C
4. D. 4.0 W/m°C
2. According to Study 3, if another set of temperatures had been calculated for a time
1,000,000 years in the future, the calculated temperature increase in any of the 4 rock types
would most likely be closest to:
1. F.  0°C
2. G. 10°C.
3. H. 20°C.
4. J. 30°C.
3. Welded tuff (another rock type) has a thermal conductivity of 1.8 W/m°C at 25°C. If
measurements of the temperature of this rock type adjacent to SF canisters were taken as in
Study 1, the recorded temperature would be closest to:
1. A. 100°C.
2. B. 110°C.
3. C. 120°C.
4. D. 130°C.
4. According to the results of Study 1, which of the following best describes the relationship
between thermal conductivity and rock temperature? As thermal conductivity increases, the
rock temperature recorded adjacent to buried SF canisters:
1. F. decreases only.
2. G. increases only.
3. H. increases, then decreases.
4. J. remains the same.
5. Based only on the information provided, which of the following rock types would be the
safest in which to bury SF ?
1. A. Rock salt
2. B. Granite
3. C. Basalt
4. D. Shale
6. Which of the following procedures, in addition to Studies 1, 2, and 3, would best test
whether the amount of heat generated by SF is related to the mass of the SF ?
1. F. Following the design of Study 1 but using concrete canisters containing 0.4 metric
tons of SF
2. G. Following the design of Study 1 but using stainless steel canisters containing
0.8 metric tons of SF
3. H. Following the design of Study 2 but determining the thermal conductivities of
twice as much of each rock type
4. J. Following the design of Study 3 but determining the rock temperatures 0.5 km
from the sites of SF burial

Passage V
Paper chromatography can be used to identify metal ions in wastewater. A drop of sample solution
is placed on filter paper. The bottom of the paper is set in a solvent that travels up the paper (see
Figure 1).
Figure 1

The solvent carries the ions up the paper. Some ions move faster, and therefore farther than others,
resulting in a separation as they move up the paper. The paper is dried, then stained, causing the
ions to appear as colored spots. Rf values are calculated for each spot:

Table 1 shows Rf values for 5 ions. Table 2 shows Rf values from 3 samples of wastewater. The
same solvent was used for all ions and samples.

Table 1

Distance
Molar mass traveled
Ion (g/mole) (cm) Rf Spot color

Nickel  58.7 0.8 0.08 pink

(Ni2+)

Cobalt  58.9 3.5 0.35 brown-black

(Co2+)

Copper  63.5 6.0 0.60 blue

(Cu2+)

Cadmium 112.4 7.8 0.78 yellow

(Cd2+)

Mercury 200.6 9.5 0.95 brown-black

(Hg2+)

Table 1 adapted from Thomas McCullough, CSC, and Marissa Curlee, "Qualitative Analysis of
Cations Using Paper Chromatography." ©1993 by the American Chemical Society.

Table 2

Sample Rf Spot color

Note: Samples contain only the metal ions listed in Table 1.

 Table 2

Sample Rf Spot color

1 0.60 blue
0.78 yellow

2 0.35 brown-black
0.95 brown-black

3 0.08 pink
0.78 yellow
0.95 brown-black
1. The information in Tables 1 and 2 supports the conclusion that Sample 3 contains:
1. A. Cu2+ and Cd2+ only.
2. B. Co2+ and Hg2+ only.
3. C. Ni2+, Co2+, and Cd2+ only.
4. D. Ni2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ only
2. Based on the information in Tables 1 and 2, one can conclude that Sample 2 contains:
1. F. 1 metal ion only.
2. G. 2 metal ions only.
3. H. either 1 or 2 metal ions.
4. J. more than 2 metal ions.
3. Based on the information in Table 1, which of the following lists the metal ions in order
from the fastest to slowest speed with which they moved up the paper?
1. A. Hg2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+
2. B. Cd2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Hg2+, Ni2+
3. C. Ni2+, Hg2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Cd2+
4. D. Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Hg2+
4. Based on the information in Table 2, which of the following figures best illustrates the
appearance of the filter paper after Sample 1 was analyzed?

1. F.

2. G.

3. H.

4. J.
5. Based on the information in Table 1, to best identify a metal ion using paper
chromatography, one should know the:
 1. A. spot color for the ion only.
2. B. distance the solvent traveled only.
3. C. Rf value and spot color for the ion only.
4. D. distance the solvent traveled and spot color of the ion only.

Passage VI
Suppose that 1 gram (g) of Material A, initially a liquid, is kept in a cylinder fitted with a piston at a
constant pressure of 1 atmosphere (atm). Table 1 and Figure 1, respectively, show how Material A's
volume and temperature vary over time as Material A absorbs heat at a rate of 10 calories per
second (cal/sec). Table 2 gives the boiling points of liquid Materials B–D at 1 atm; the heat
absorbed refers to the amount of heat that is needed to turn 1 g of a liquid at its boiling point into a
gas.

Table 1

Time Volume of Material A

(sec) (cm3)

 0 1
 2 1
 4 136
 6 271
 8 406
10 541
12 676
14 811
16 946
18 1,081
20 1,216
22 1,351
24 1,541
Figure 1

Table 2

Boiling point Heat absorbed

Material (°C) (cal)

B 13 500
C 19 610
D 28 270
1. Based on Figure 1, Material A's temperature increased the fastest during which of the
following time intervals?
1. A.  0– 2 sec
2. B.  2–12 sec
3. C. 12–22 sec
4. D. 22–24 sec
2. Based on the passage and Table 1, what was the density of liquid Material A ?
1. F. 0.5 g/cm3
2. G. 1 g/cm3
3. H. 5 g/cm3
4. J. 10 g/cm3
3. Suppose 1 g of Material D at –10°C is heated at the rate of 10 cal/sec and kept at 1 atm until
all of the liquid is vaporized. Based on Figure 1 and Table 2, a plot of Material D's
temperature versus time would be best represented by which of the following graphs?

1. A.

2. B.

3. C.
 4. D.
4. Table 1 and Figure 1 best support which of the following hypotheses about the temperature
and volume of Material A ?

(Note: Pressure is assumed to stay constant.)

1. F. If liquid Material A is in contact with gaseous Material A and the volume of the
gas increases, the gas's temperature will increase.
2. G. If liquid Material A is in contact with gaseous Material A and the volume of the
gas increases, the gas's temperature will decrease.
3. H. When the temperature of gaseous Material A increases, its volume will increase.
4. J. When the temperature of liquid Material A increases, its volume will increase.
5. Suppose 1 g samples of liquid Materials A–D are just beginning to boil. If each of the
liquids absorbs heat at the rate of 10 cal/sec while kept at 1 atm, which of the liquids will be
the first to be completely turned into a gas?
1. A. Material A
2. B. Material B
3. C. Material C
4. D. Material D

Passage VII
A photocell is a device for generating an electrical current from light (see Figure 1).

Figure 1
Each photocell contains a metal. A photon of light that strikes the metal can eject an electron from
the metal if the photon's energy exceeds the metal's work function. The maximum kinetic energy the
ejected electron can have is the photon's energy minus the metal's work function. The amount of
electrical current varies with light's relative intensity (a measure of the number of photons with a
given energy striking the metal each second).

Table 1 shows the results of 9 trials in which a photocell was exposed to light.

Table 1

Maximum
kinetic
energy of
electron if
Energy per photon Relative intensity of Electrical current ejected from
Trial (eV)* light (mA)† metal (eV)

*eV = electron volts

†mA = milliamps

1 2.0 low  0 0.0

2 2.0 medium  0 0.0
3 2.0 high  0 0.0
4 4.0 low 29 0.9
5 4.0 medium 43 0.9
6 4.0 high 60 0.9
7 6.0 low 27 2.9
8 6.0 medium 40 2.9
9 6.0 high 55 2.9

Questions
1. Based on Table 1, which of the following statements best explains the results of Trials 1–3 ?
1. A. The light was too intense to eject electrons from the metal in the photocell.
2. B. The light was too intense to eject photons from the metal in the photocell.
3. C. The energy per electron was too high to eject photons from the metal in the
photocell.
4. D. The energy per photon was too low to eject electrons from the metal in the
photocell.
2. Consider the following results, obtained using 5.0 eV photons and the same photocell that is
discussed in the passage.
Relative Maximum kinetic
intensity Electrical energy of ejected
of light current (mA) electron (eV)
low 28 3.1
medium 42 3.1
high 58 3.1
3.
The maximum kinetic energy of the ejected electron, 3.1 eV, was not the expected value.
The expected value was:
 1. F. 0.0 eV.
2. G. between 0.1 eV and 0.8 eV.
3. H. between 0.9 eV and 2.9 eV.
4. J. greater than 3.0 eV.
4. When 8.0 eV photons were shone on the photocell, electrons ejected from the metal in the
photocell had a maximum kinetic energy of 4.9 eV. Based on this information and Table 1,
the relative intensity of the light shone on the photocell:
1. A. was high.
2. B. was medium.
3. C. was low.
4. D. cannot be determined.
5. Based on the passage and Table 1, the work function of the metal used in the photocell was:
1. F. 2.0 eV.
2. G. 3.1 eV.
3. H. 4.9 eV.
4. J. 6.0 eV.
6. In the photocell discussed in the passage, suppose the work function of the metal had been
5.1 eV. If the energy per photon had been the same as in Trials 7–9, the maximum kinetic
energy of electrons that were ejected from the metal would have been:
1. A. 0.9 eV.
2. B. 2.0 eV.
3. C. 4.0 eV.
4. D. 5.1 eV.