Grade 9 Science practice sheet
New Brunswick Curriculum · from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
Question 1
What is fertilization?
- When a sperm cell and an egg cell join
- When a plant makes sugar
- When a seed is planted
- When a cell divides in two
When a sperm cell and an egg cell join
Hint: Fertilization combines genetic material from two parents into a new cell.
Question 2
Before a cell divides, the DNA is…
- removed from the cell
- copied, so each new cell gets a full set
- split into random pieces
- destroyed
copied, so each new cell gets a full set
Hint: DNA replication ensures each daughter cell receives complete instructions.
Question 3
How many electron shells (energy levels) are used by a neutral fluorine atom?
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
2
Hint: Fluorine has 9 electrons arranged 2-7, so 2 shells are in use.
Question 4
Oxygen (O) has atomic number 8 and mass number 16. How many neutrons are in the nucleus of one atom?
answer box
8
Hint: Neutrons = mass number − atomic number = 16 − 8 = 8.
Question 5
Lithium has electrons arranged 2, 1. Which period (row) is it in?
answer box
2
Hint: The number of occupied shells is the period number: 2.
Question 6
Physical or chemical property? Sort each.
Sort into: 📏 Physical property · 🧪 Chemical property
- 🔌Copper conducts electricity
- 🧂Salt dissolves in water
- ⚗️Baking soda reacts with vinegar
- ♨️Water boils at 100 °C
- 🟤Iron rusts in damp air
- ⚫Silver tarnishes
📏 Physical property: Copper conducts electricity, Salt dissolves in water, Water boils at 100 °C · 🧪 Chemical property: Baking soda reacts with vinegar, Iron rusts in damp air, Silver tarnishes
Hint: A physical property can be seen or measured without making a new substance. A chemical property describes how a substance reacts or changes into a new one.
Question 7
An object has 23 protons and 20 electrons. Which describes it?
- negatively charged
- positively charged
- neutral
positively charged
Hint: Fewer electrons than protons gives a net positive charge.
Question 8
What is static electricity?
- Heat in a circuit
- A flow of charge in a wire
- A build-up of electric charge on an object
- A kind of battery
A build-up of electric charge on an object
Hint: Rubbing materials together can transfer electrons, leaving objects charged.
Question 9
What is the SI unit of potential difference (voltage)?
- joule (J)
- volt (V)
- ampere (A)
- ohm (Ω)
volt (V)
Hint: Potential difference is the energy given to each unit of charge. Its symbol is V.
Question 10
A solar cell changes…
- sound to heat
- light energy to electrical energy
- electrical energy to light
- heat to sound
light energy to electrical energy
Hint: A solar cell is a source, not a load.
Answer key
- 1. When a sperm cell and an egg cell join (Reproduction)
- 2. copied, so each new cell gets a full set (Cells from Cells)
- 3. 2 (Atoms & Electrons)
- 4. 8 (Inside the Atom)
- 5. 2 (The Periodic Table)
- 6. 📏 Physical property: Copper conducts electricity, Salt dissolves in water, Water boils at 100 °C · 🧪 Chemical property: Baking soda reacts with vinegar, Iron rusts in damp air, Silver tarnishes (Elements & Compounds)
- 7. positively charged (Static Electricity)
- 8. A build-up of electric charge on an object (Electric Current)
- 9. volt (V) (Circuits & Ohm's Law)
- 10. light energy to electrical energy (Electrical Energy)
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback. See all science units.