ACT Science : How to find research summary in chemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #228 : Chemistry

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

What could have happened to plant 2 between days 10 and 14?

Possible Answers:

The plant begins to droop and wither

Someone cuts the tops of the plant.

Someone picked the tomatoes

The top of the plant breaks off in a storm

Correct answer:

The plant begins to droop and wither

Explanation:

There is no damage to the other plants, and you cannot infer any human contact with the plants so the only reasonable conclusion is that the plants are withering.

Example Question #911 : Act Science

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

What information might have been helpful to Kevin while gathering his data?

Possible Answers:

The weather on the day the data was recorded

Where he got the compost

The other plants in his garden

The scientific name of the plant

Correct answer:

The weather on the day the data was recorded

Explanation:

If Kevin had recorded the weather, it might have painted a clearer picutre of what happened to each plant on each day. 

Example Question #230 : Chemistry

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

Which of the following are not true?

Possible Answers:

Plant 3 grew taller than plant 1

Plant 3 grew faster than plant 1

Plant 1 grew faster than plant 3

Plant 2 grew faster than plant 1

Correct answer:

Plant 3 grew faster than plant 1

Explanation:

Plant 3 grew at a rate which was slower than plant 1, making that statement incorrect. 

Example Question #231 : Chemistry

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

Which method was most fruitful for the plants?

Possible Answers:

Compost, as it bore the most tomatoes

RapidGro, as it bore fruit faster

None of these answers

No fertilizer, as it bore fruit consistently

Correct answer:

Compost, as it bore the most tomatoes

Explanation:

The composted plant had the highest number of tomatoes, or greatest yield, and was therefore most fruitful.

Example Question #232 : Chemistry

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

Sally thinks the RapidGro-treated plant was the best plant. What could lead her to this conclusion?

Possible Answers:

It grew consistently and bore the most fruit

It grew the tallest and bore the biggest fruit

It bore the biggest fruit and grew fastest

It grew the fastest and bore the most fruit

Correct answer:

It bore the biggest fruit and grew fastest

Explanation:

Though not the tallest nor the bearer of the most fruit, the RapidGro-treated plant did grow the fastest and had the biggest tomatoes. 

Example Question #233 : Chemistry

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

What could have caused the number of tomatoes on the second plant to decrease on the fourteenth day? 

Possible Answers:

None of these answers

They could have fallen off the plant

They could have been swept away in a storm

They could have been eaten by Kevin

Correct answer:

They could have fallen off the plant

Explanation:

The fertilized plant bore the biggest fruit; it is therefore reasonable to conclude the plant could have not supported the heavy tomatoes. 

Example Question #234 : Chemistry

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

What can Kevin safely conclude about the effects of RapidGro on plant height?

Possible Answers:

RapidGro causes plants to grow taller

There is not significant difference between a plant treated with RapidGro and one treated without

RapidGro causes plants to grow at the same rate

RapidGro causes plants to grow less

Correct answer:

There is not significant difference between a plant treated with RapidGro and one treated without

Explanation:

Kevin cannot prove causation with this experiment; he cannot prove that RapidGro did or did not do anything. He can only record the results. 

Example Question #235 : Chemistry

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

If Kevin wanted the tallest plant, which method of growth would he pick?

Possible Answers:

Compost, because after 2 weeks it was the tallest plant

Compost, because it grew the most steadily

Fertilizer because after 7 days it was the tallest plant

Fertilizer, because it grew the fastest

Correct answer:

Compost, because after 2 weeks it was the tallest plant

Explanation:

Kevin wants the tallest plant, not the fastest growing. If he wants one that will grow tallest overall, he need not pick the faster growing fertilizer but the compost, for it was tallest at the end. 

Example Question #31 : How To Find Research Summary In Chemistry

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

Which is the best conclusion of Kevin's experiment?

Possible Answers:

The composted plant bore the most fruit and the tallest plant

The fertilized plant bore the biggest fruit and the tallest plant

The composted plant bore the biggest fruit and the tallest plant

The fertilized plant grew the fastest and had the most fruit

Correct answer:

The composted plant bore the most fruit and the tallest plant

Explanation:

The composted plant is the only one which bore the most fruit and was the tallest; all other statements are false in some way.

Example Question #237 : Chemistry

Kevin wants to know if a particular kind of chemical fertilizer will help or hinder the growth of his tomato plants. He decides to conduct an experiment in which he grows three plants, one left untreated, one treated with the chemical fertilizer RapidGro and one treated with an organic compost. He records his findings in the charts below, measuring plant height and number of tomatoes over a period of time.

Height of plant (inches):

Day

No Fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

3

3

3

2

5

6

4

3

7

9

6

4

9

12

8

7

15

21

14

10

16

21

19

14

18

18

21

Number of tomatoes:

Day

No fertilizer

RapidGro

Compost

1

0

0

0

2

1

2

1

3

1

3

2

4

2

4

3

7

4

7

5

10

6

7

6

14

6

4

7

On the fourteenth day Kevin picks the biggest tomato from each plant and record its dimensions, as well as other information, which is found below.

Tomato 1 (no fertilizer):  in diameter, dull red, lumpy in shape, wormholes, flavorful.

Tomato 2 (RapidGro):  in diameter, shiny red, round, somewhat tasteless.

Tomato 3 (compost):  in diameter, deep red, lumpy shape, very flavorful.

Tom eats one tomato from each plant and decides the RapidGrow-treated plant is the best because its tomato tastes the juiciest. What is the problem with Tom's conclusion?

Possible Answers:

Tom does not like Kevin

The tomatoes were eaten out of order

Taste cannot be scientifically quantified

Tom was not part of the original experiment

Correct answer:

Taste cannot be scientifically quantified

Explanation:

Taste cannot be reliably measured and is a matter of opinion. This is the issue with Tom's conclusion.

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