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Quizzes > Science

9th Grade Science Quiz: Are You Smarter Than a 9th Grader?

Quick, free quiz on grade 9 science questions. Instant answers and results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Shannon PamintuanUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper art showing Are You Smarter Than a 9th Grader Science quiz on teal background with paper cutout atom test tube

Use this 9th grade science quiz to check your understanding of cells, energy, forces, and more. Answer quick questions and see where to review before a test. Want something easier? Try the basic science quiz or go a step down with smarter than a 7th grader; aiming higher, challenge yourself with smarter than a 10th grader.

What is the chemical formula for water?
O2
NaCl
CO2
H2O
Water is composed of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, giving it the molecular formula H2O. This simple structure is responsible for water's unique properties like surface tension and solvent abilities. Understanding this formula is fundamental in chemistry and biology. .
What planet is known as the Red Planet?
Jupiter
Mars
Venus
Saturn
Mars is nicknamed the Red Planet due to iron oxide (rust) on its surface, which gives it a reddish appearance. It's the fourth planet from the Sun and is a focus for exploration because of its potential for past water. The color is visible even from Earth with a telescope. .
Which gas is most abundant in Earth's atmosphere?
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
Carbon dioxide
Oxygen
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere by volume, making it the most abundant gas. Oxygen is second at about 21%, with the remainder consisting of argon, carbon dioxide, and traces of other gases. Nitrogen is inert and plays a vital role in the nitrogen cycle. .
What is the process by which plants make food using sunlight?
Respiration
Digestion
Transpiration
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process where plants convert light energy into chemical energy by synthesizing glucose from carbon dioxide and water. Chlorophyll in chloroplasts captures sunlight, powering this reaction. It's the foundation of most food chains. .
How many states of matter are commonly taught in 9th grade science?
Four
Two
Five
Three
The four fundamental states of matter are solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. Solids have fixed shape and volume, liquids have fixed volume but take the shape of their container, gases expand to fill their container, and plasma is an ionized gas found in stars. These are standard in high school curricula. .
What is the powerhouse of the cell?
Ribosome
Nucleus
Mitochondria
Chloroplast
Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell because they produce ATP through cellular respiration. They convert energy stored in food molecules into usable energy for cellular functions. They also have their own DNA, indicating an evolutionary origin as symbiotic bacteria. .
What is the approximate speed of light in a vacuum?
3 × 10^6 m/s
3 × 10^8 m/s
3 × 10^5 m/s
3 × 10^7 m/s
The speed of light in a vacuum is about 3 × 10^8 meters per second (exactly 299,792,458 m/s). This constant is fundamental in physics and underlies the theory of relativity. Light's speed limit affects communication and astronomy. .
What is the pH of a neutral solution?
7
0
14
1
A pH of 7 is considered neutral, meaning the concentrations of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions are equal. Values below 7 are acidic and above 7 are basic. The pH scale is logarithmic, so each whole number change represents a tenfold change in acidity. .
What is Newton's second law of motion?
Force equals mass times gravity (F = mg)
Acceleration equals mass times velocity (a = mv)
Force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma)
Force equals mass times velocity (F = mv)
Newton's second law states that the net force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma). This law quantifies the relationship between an object's motion and the forces acting upon it. It's fundamental in classical mechanics. .
Which element has the atomic number 6?
Boron
Carbon
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Carbon has an atomic number of 6, indicating it has six protons in its nucleus. It's a fundamental element in organic chemistry and life on Earth. Its versatile bonding properties allow for a vast array of compounds. .
What type of bond is formed when electrons are shared between atoms?
Metallic bond
Ionic bond
Hydrogen bond
Covalent bond
A covalent bond results when atoms share pairs of electrons to achieve stable electron configurations. These bonds form molecules and are common in organic compounds. Bond strength and polarity depend on the atoms involved. .
What is the value of acceleration due to gravity on Earth?
9.2 m/s²
10.2 m/s²
9.8 m/s²
8.9 m/s²
Standard gravity on Earth is about 9.8 meters per second squared. This means that an object's velocity increases by nearly 9.8 m/s every second it's in free fall (ignoring air resistance). This constant is crucial in physics calculations. .
Which layer of Earth's atmosphere contains the ozone layer?
Stratosphere
Thermosphere
Troposphere
Mesosphere
The ozone layer resides in the stratosphere, about 10 to 50 kilometers above Earth's surface. Ozone molecules absorb harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun, protecting living organisms. The stratosphere's temperature inversion helps maintain this layer. .
What is the primary function of the roots in a vascular plant?
Absorb water and nutrients
Gas exchange
Photosynthesis
Reproduction
Roots anchor the plant and absorb water and dissolved minerals from the soil. They transport these essential nutrients to the stem and leaves. Some roots also store food reserves. Plant root functions.
Which of the following is not a renewable energy source?
Hydroelectric
Coal
Wind
Solar
Coal is a fossil fuel formed from ancient plant matter and is not renewable on human timescales. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric sources rely on naturally replenishing processes. Transitioning to renewables helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. .
In genetics, what is the term for different versions of the same gene?
Alleles
Genotype
Chromosomes
Loci
Alleles are variant forms of a gene found at the same locus on homologous chromosomes. Different alleles can produce varying traits. The combination of alleles determines an organism's genotype. .
What is the molar mass of carbon dioxide (CO?)?
Approximately 18 g/mol
Approximately 44 g/mol
Approximately 28 g/mol
Approximately 32 g/mol
Carbon dioxide's molar mass is calculated as the sum of one carbon atom (12.01 g/mol) and two oxygen atoms (16.00 g/mol each), totaling about 44.01 g/mol. This is important in gas law calculations. .
What phenomenon explains the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another?
Reflection
Diffraction
Absorption
Refraction
Refraction occurs because light travels at different speeds in different media, causing it to change direction at the boundary. This principle explains lenses, prisms, and optical instruments. Snell's Law quantifies the relationship. .
In physics, what does the area under a force vs. displacement graph represent?
Momentum
Energy
Work
Power
The area under a force-displacement curve represents the work done by the force over that displacement. Work is the energy transferred by a force acting through a distance. It's calculated as the integral of force with respect to displacement. .
What is the main product of the Krebs cycle in cellular respiration?
Oxygen
NADPH
Glucose
ATP
The Krebs cycle, also known as the citric acid cycle, produces ATP, NADH, and FADH? by oxidizing acetyl-CoA. ATP is the main energy currency for cellular processes. NADH and FADH? feed the electron transport chain. .
What type of mutation results in the insertion or deletion of a nucleotide, shifting the reading frame?
Nonsense mutation
Missense mutation
Frameshift mutation
Silent mutation
Frameshift mutations occur when nucleotides are inserted or deleted, altering the triplet reading frame of mRNA. This often leads to completely different amino acid sequences downstream and nonfunctional proteins. They are usually more severe than point mutations. .
Which law states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant?
Zeroth law of thermodynamics
First law of thermodynamics
Second law of thermodynamics
Third law of thermodynamics
The first law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of energy conservation, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system. Instead, it can only change forms. This principle underpins all energy transfer processes. .
What is the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle concerned with?
Energy and time measurement
Simultaneous measurement of position and momentum
Mass and energy equivalence
Charge and spin measurement
Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle states that one cannot simultaneously know the exact position and exact momentum of a particle. The more precisely one property is measured, the less precisely the other can be known. This is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics. .
Which of the following is not an ideal gas assumption?
Negligible volume of particles
Particles in random motion
Elastic collisions
Intermolecular forces between particles
Ideal gas assumptions include random motion, negligible particle volume, and perfectly elastic collisions. The assumption that there are no intermolecular forces is key; real gases experience attractions or repulsions. Deviations occur at high pressure and low temperature. .
In chemistry, what is the relationship between Gibbs free energy change (?G) and spontaneity?
?G positive indicates a spontaneous reaction
?G negative indicates a spontaneous reaction
?G zero indicates a spontaneous reaction
?G negative indicates a non-spontaneous reaction
Gibbs free energy (?G) determines spontaneity: a negative ?G means the process can occur without external energy input and is spontaneous. A positive ?G requires energy input, and zero indicates equilibrium. It combines enthalpy and entropy changes. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Fundamental Biology Concepts -

    Recognize key biology topics such as cell structure, genetics, and ecosystems, reinforcing your grasp on material covered in a 9th grade curriculum.

  2. Analyze Common Chemical Reactions -

    Break down chemical equations and reaction types, applying the principles of bonding, reaction rates, and conservation of mass.

  3. Apply Basic Physics Principles -

    Use core physics laws, including Newton's laws of motion and energy conservation, to solve simple problems and real-world scenarios.

  4. Evaluate Your Science Knowledge -

    Compare your answers against ninth-grade standards to see where you excel or need improvement in biology, chemistry, and physics.

  5. Identify Strengths and Gaps -

    Spot your strongest science disciplines and pinpoint areas for further study, helping you plan targeted learning after taking the quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Cell Theory & Microscopy -

    Review the three tenets of cell theory - every living organism is composed of cells, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all cells arise from preexisting cells (Khan Academy). Remember that total magnification = objective lens power × ocular lens power (e.g., 40× × 10× = 400×). Practicing simple slides under a compound microscope will cement your understanding for those "are you smarter than a 9th grader" questions and answers.

  2. Periodic Table Trends -

    Memorize how atomic radius decreases across a period and increases down a group, while electronegativity and ionization energy show the opposite pattern (IUPAC). A handy mnemonic is "Radius Down, High Across" to recall these trends quickly. For example, chlorine has a smaller radius and higher electronegativity than sodium, a fact often tested in basic chemistry quizzes.

  3. Chemical Equations & Stoichiometry -

    Balance reactions by matching atom counts on both sides and save free elements (like O₂) for last - e.g., 2 H₂ + O₂ → 2 H₂O ensures four H and two O atoms each side (Chemistry LibreTexts). Use the mole ratio from coefficients to convert between reactants and products, practicing with simple reactions first. This foundation will help you nail stoichiometry questions in the quiz challenge.

  4. Newton's Laws of Motion -

    Key formula: F = ma (newtons), where a net force on a mass produces acceleration (The Physics Classroom). For instance, a 5 kg cart accelerated at 2 m/s² requires a 10 N force. Drawing free-body diagrams to visualize vector sums helps you quickly solve equilibrium and dynamics problems in physics sections.

  5. Energy Conservation & Forms -

    Understand kinetic energy (KE = ½mv²) and gravitational potential energy (PE = mgh), core to the First Law of Thermodynamics (US DOE). A 2 kg object dropped from 5 m has PE = 2×9.8×5 ≈ 98 J, which converts to KE just before impact. Remember the motto "Energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transformed" to boost confidence on energy transformation questions.

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