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Quizzes > Science

Basic Science Quiz: Test Your Physics, Chemistry, and Biology

Quick, free basic science test. Instant results with helpful tips.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Danielle WemberUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
paper cut style science quiz icons testing physics chemistry biology on sky blue background

This basic science quiz helps you practice core ideas in physics, chemistry, and biology and spot strengths and gaps fast. For extra practice, try our basic science questions and answers, explore a biology basics quiz, or round out your knowledge with an earth science quiz.

What is the chemical symbol for water?
CO2
H2O
O2
H2
Water consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to one oxygen atom, forming the molecular formula H2O. This simple formula is foundational in chemistry and biology for describing water's structure and properties. It's used universally in equations and calculations involving water.
Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
Saturn
Mars
Jupiter
Venus
Mars appears red due to the iron oxide, or rust, on its surface which reflects sunlight in a reddish hue. This distinctive coloration has earned it the nickname 'Red Planet'. Mars's surface features and composition have been studied extensively via spacecraft missions.
What gas do plants absorb from the atmosphere for photosynthesis?
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and convert it into sugars and oxygen. This process is driven by sunlight and occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells. It is a crucial component of the global carbon cycle.
What is the force that pulls objects toward Earth's center?
Gravity
Magnetism
Inertia
Friction
Gravity is the force by which a planet or other body draws objects toward its center. On Earth, gravity gives weight to physical objects and causes them to fall toward the ground when dropped. This fundamental force is described by Newton's law of universal gravitation.
What is the basic unit of life?
Cell
Molecule
Organ
Atom
The cell is considered the basic unit of life because it is the smallest structure capable of performing all the essential functions of living organisms. All living things are composed of one or more cells. This concept is central to cell theory in biology.
What is the chemical formula for table salt?
NaCl
Na2SO4
CaCl2
KCl
Table salt is sodium chloride, which has the chemical formula NaCl. It is composed of one sodium ion (Na?) and one chloride ion (Cl?) in an ionic bond. This compound is common in food seasoning and preservation.
What term describes a change in state from liquid to gas?
Melting
Condensation
Evaporation
Sublimation
Evaporation is the process by which molecules at the surface of a liquid gain enough energy to enter the gas phase. It occurs at temperatures below the boiling point and is a key component of the water cycle. This process cools the remaining liquid.
What is the center of an atom called?
Neutron
Nucleus
Electron cloud
Proton
The nucleus is the dense central part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons. It holds most of the atom's mass and is positively charged due to protons. Electrons orbit the nucleus in defined energy levels.
What is the pH value of pure water at 25°C?
1
7
14
0
At 25°C, pure water has a neutral pH of 7 because the concentrations of hydrogen ions (H?) and hydroxide ions (OH?) are equal. pH is a logarithmic scale used to specify acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. A pH above 7 is basic, below 7 is acidic.
What is the primary function of mitochondria in a cell?
Protein synthesis
Photosynthesis
Genetic information storage
Energy production
Mitochondria are known as the 'powerhouses' of the cell because they generate ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. They convert energy from nutrients into a usable form for cellular functions. Mitochondria also play roles in signaling and apoptosis.
Which law states that equal volumes of gases at the same temperature and pressure contain the same number of molecules?
Gay-Lussac's Law
Avogadro's Law
Charles's Law
Boyle's Law
Avogadro's Law states that equal volumes of gases at the same temperature and pressure contain equal numbers of molecules. This principle is fundamental to understanding gas behavior and stoichiometry. It allows the use of the molar volume concept at standard conditions.
What instrument is used to measure atmospheric pressure?
Anemometer
Thermometer
Barometer
Hygrometer
A barometer measures atmospheric pressure, which is the force exerted by the weight of air above a surface. Mercury and aneroid barometers are common types used in weather forecasting. Changes in pressure can indicate weather patterns.
What type of bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms?
Ionic
Metallic
Hydrogen
Covalent
A covalent bond forms when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons, creating a stable balance of attractive and repulsive forces. This bonding type is common in organic compounds and many molecular substances. The shared electrons allow each atom to attain a full valence shell.
What is the primary wavelength range of visible light?
10–400 nm
380–750 nm
1–100 nm
800–1600 nm
Visible light spans wavelengths from about 380 to 750 nanometers, which the human eye can detect as colors from violet through red. Wavelengths shorter than 380 nm are ultraviolet, and those longer than 750 nm are infrared. This range is critical for photosynthesis and human vision.
What element has the highest electronegativity?
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Fluorine
Chlorine
Fluorine is the most electronegative element on the Pauling scale, with a value of 3.98. This high electronegativity means fluorine strongly attracts electrons in chemical bonds. It plays a key role in many chemical reactions and compounds.
What type of reaction involves the transfer of electrons between species?
Hydrolysis
Acid-base reaction
Precipitation reaction
Redox reaction
A redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction involves the transfer of electrons from one reactant to another. Oxidation refers to loss of electrons, while reduction refers to gain. These reactions are central in metabolism, corrosion, and industrial processes.
Which principle explains why ships float based on the weight of displaced water?
Bernoulli's Principle
Hooke's Law
Pascal's Principle
Archimedes' Principle
Archimedes' Principle states that a body immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. This explains why ships and boats float by displacing sufficient water to balance their weight. It is fundamental to fluid mechanics.
In genetics, what term describes the observable traits of an organism?
Phenotype
Chromosome
Genotype
Allele
Phenotype refers to the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism as determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences. It includes traits such as eye color, height, and enzyme activity. The genotype is the underlying genetic code.
What is the energy change when an electron is removed from an atom in the gas phase?
Activation energy
Electron affinity
Ionization energy
Lattice energy
Ionization energy is the amount of energy required to remove the most loosely bound electron from a neutral atom in the gas phase. It reflects how strongly an atom holds onto its electrons. Higher ionization energies indicate greater atomic stability.
Which particle has no electric charge and resides in the nucleus?
Electron
Proton
Neutron
Positron
Neutrons are neutral subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom alongside protons. They contribute to the atom's mass but carry no net charge. Neutrons play a crucial role in nuclear stability and reactions.
What is the approximate distance light travels in one year?
300,000 km
9.46×10^9 km
1.5×10^8 km
9.46×10^12 km
A light-year is the distance that light travels in one Julian year (365 days) in a vacuum, roughly 9.46×10^12 kilometers. It is a common unit for measuring astronomical distances. Light's speed of ~300,000 km/s over a year yields this large value.
What law relates the pressure and volume of a gas at constant temperature?
Avogadro's Law
Boyle's Law
Dalton's Law
Charles's Law
Boyle's Law states that the pressure of a given mass of gas varies inversely with its volume at constant temperature (P1V1 = P2V2). This relationship is foundational in gas behavior and engineering. It was first formulated by Robert Boyle in the 17th century.
What is the approximate half-life of carbon-14?
1,600 years
10,000 years
5,730 years
24,000 years
Carbon-14 decays over time and has a half-life of about 5,730 years, meaning half of a given sample will decay in that period. This property is used in radiocarbon dating of organic materials. It allows archaeologists to estimate ages of artifacts.
Which principle states that you cannot simultaneously know the exact position and momentum of a particle?
Pauli Exclusion Principle
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
Planck's Law
Schrödinger's Equation
The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle asserts that the more precisely one measures a particle's position, the less precisely one can know its momentum, and vice versa. This is a fundamental limit inherent to quantum systems. It has profound implications for particle behavior at small scales.
Which quantum mechanic principle prohibits identical fermions from occupying the same quantum state?
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
Pauli Exclusion Principle
Schrödinger's Cat Paradox
Aufbau Principle
The Pauli Exclusion Principle states that no two identical fermions (such as electrons) can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously. This principle explains the structure of the periodic table and electron configurations. It is essential to understanding atomic and molecular stability.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall foundational science concepts -

    You will be able to accurately remember key ideas from physics, chemistry, and biology, such as Newton's laws, atomic structure, and cell function.

  2. Analyze basic science problems -

    You will be able to break down simple quiz questions to identify underlying principles and arrive at logical answers.

  3. Differentiate between core terms -

    You will be able to distinguish important scientific terms and definitions to strengthen your general science knowledge.

  4. Apply scientific reasoning -

    You will be able to use critical thinking and the scientific method to solve straightforward physics, chemistry, and biology challenges.

  5. Identify knowledge gaps -

    You will be able to pinpoint areas for improvement in your basic science understanding and focus on concepts needing review.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Newton's Laws of Motion -

    Understand that an object at rest stays at rest and F=ma links force, mass, and acceleration; this forms the core of many physics questions. Remember Newton's third law with the mnemonic "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction" to tackle mechanics problems confidently.

  2. Conservation of Energy -

    Review how kinetic energy (KE = ½mv²) and potential energy (PE = mgh) transform but always sum to a constant in a closed system. Applying the work-energy theorem in a basic science quiz helps you solve roller-coaster or pendulum problems with ease.

  3. Periodic Table Trends -

    Master atomic radius, ionization energy, and electronegativity trends across periods and groups to predict element behavior; for example, electronegativity increases up and to the right. Use the handy mnemonic "FONCl BrISCH" to remember the order of halogens and other key families during a general science quiz.

  4. Balancing Chemical Equations -

    Apply the law of conservation of mass by ensuring the number of each atom type is equal on both sides of a reaction. Practice with simple equations like H₂ + O₂ → H₂O by adding coefficients (2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O) to build confidence for any basic science questions on stoichiometry.

  5. Cell Theory & Photosynthesis -

    Know that all living organisms are made of cells and that mitochondria produce ATP by cellular respiration. For plant cells, memorize the photosynthesis formula (6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₝₂O₆ + 6O₂) to ace biology sections of a simple science quiz.

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