Unit A Review

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  Review

On the next page, you will take a 35-question unit test. Are you confident you know the Unit A material well?


It's always a good idea to make sure you are prepared for a test by studying. You can do this by returning to the Table of Contents and reviewing any Unit A lessons you are not sure about.


Also, you can review unit A material by trying three review exercises.

  1. Create a mind map of the unit material. A mind map is a visual representation of how all the ideas and concepts of the unit connect with each other. Try building a mind map by clicking the first tab below.

  2. Do a puzzle! A puzzle can be a fun way to review unit concepts or terms. Try the puzzle we have prepared for you by clicking the second tab below.

  3. Practice answering some questions. We have prepared some questions that will really get you thinking about the unit material. Try the practice questions by clicking the third tab below.


Remember, these are just suggestions for review! In addition to doing these three review exercises, you might also:

  • Contact your teacher for assistance if you are not sure about any concepts.
  • Check the course glossary and read all the unit A terms.
  • Make your own study cards and test yourself.


Whatever you choose to do, good luck with your unit review!


Make a Mind Map
A mind map is a visual representation of how all the ideas and concepts of the unit connect with each other. There are several ways you can create a mind map:

  • You can create a mind map simply with just a pen and a sheet of paper.
  • You might try to build one using a free drawing program such as GIMP.
  • You can use a web-based free mind map generator such as MindMup. MindMup is pretty easy to figure out just by playing with it, but click here if you want to view a short tutorial.
As an example to get you started, below you will see the start of a mind map for Unit A that was built using MindMup. You can re-create it and build on it, or create a completely new one of your own.




Do a Puzzle
A puzzle can be a fun way to review unit concepts or terms. We have prepared a Unit A review puzzle for you, and there are several ways you can make the most of it:




Complete Review Questions
The following 5 questions are meant to get you thinking about the Unit A material. Answers are provided below each question, but before you look at the answer, you should really try hard at answering the question yourself. If you have to, review the Unit A lessons.
Question 1
3 marks

Well water in the prairies often contains a lot of minerals from rocks in the ground. Water with a high mineral content is called hard water. People use water softeners to change hard tap water into soft water.



Using the terms concentration and solubility, explain how hard water is different from soft water. Why is using a water softener a good idea for people who have hard tap water?

1 mark for correct use of concentration, 1 mark for correct use of solubility, 1 mark for stating a water softener advantage.

Rock minerals have a high solubility in water, which is why they dissolve. Hard water has a higher concentration of minerals than soft water. Using a water softener reduces the concentration of minerals in soft water. This reduces the build up of hard scale on household taps and pipes.
Question 2
2 marks

Natural gas and propane gas are two flammable fuels that are burned in barbecues. Natural gas is less dense than air. Propane gas is more dense than air.



Explain why propane gas is more dangerous than natural gas if there is a gas leak in the barbecue.

  • Both natural gas and propane gas are flammable, hazardous substances. However, since natural gas is less dense than air, it tends to rise in the air and float high into the atmosphere.
  • Because propane is more dense than air, it sinks below air to the lowest point available. The chances of the propane touching a spark or a heat source is greater closer to the ground, which means it has a greater risk of lighting on fire compared to natural gas.
Question 3
4 marks

A boat anchor and a ship are both made from steel.





If they are made from the same material, why does a boat anchor sink into water, while a ship stays afloat? Explain your answer, using the terms density, buoyant force, mass, and volume.

  • A boat anchor sinks in water because it has a higher density than water. Steel has a large density because its particles have a large mass packed into a small volume. The buoyant force of water on the anchor is less than the force of gravity on the anchor, so the anchor sinks.
  • A steel ship floats because it has a lower average density than water. A steel ship has a large mass, but its shape has a large volume that can hold a lot of air. This reduces the average density of the ship. The buoyant force of water on the ship is equal to the force of gravity, which means the ship floats at a constant level in the water.
Question 4
4 marks

Houses contain a variety of pipes for fluids. Describe two ways that your daily life would be different if there were not any pipes in your house.

1 mark per type of pipe, 1 mark per explanation

  • Pipes provide clean running water to homes. Without running water, you would need to pump water from a well, or collect it from a river or lake. You would likely use much less water if it was not easily available from a tap.
  • Pipes provide natural gas to homes for heating and cooking. Without natural gas, you would need to use wood to heat your house. It would be much more effort, because you would need to make sure that the fire was always burning on cold days. You would need to chop wood regularly.
  • Pipes take wastewater and sewage away from houses. Without sewage pipes, you would need to use an outhouse.

Question 5
3 marks

Kayaks are traditional covered Inuit boats made from sealskin over a wooden frame.



Modern kayaks are made from hollow plastic shells.



Explain two ways that fluids help kayaks move from one place to another.

  • Kayaks trap air and keep water out, which helps reduce the average density of the boat. This increases buoyant force on the boat, making it float.
  • Kayak paddles are used to push water backwards, propelling the boat forward.