ACT Science Topics
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ACT Science Topics August 122, 2016 - AcademicTestingAdvantage.com
The science section of the ACT is called a science test but it more correctly should be thought of as a reading test about science topics. This means that it does not really test your knowledge of any science courses you’ve taking in high school (although that helps a bit). The science that you need to know will either be explained in the reading passage itself require knowledge of eighth grade science.
For example, following is a list of very basic science topics they expect you to know about:
Basic understanding of gravity and friction. Know that the effect of gravity is lower at higher altitudes.
Basic understanding of density. For example, why does an ice cube float in a glass of water? Why does a hot air balloon rise?
Know the PH scale ( 0 – 14) and what numbers are acidic vs alkaline.
Know Bernoulli’s principle. For example, why does a curve ball curve or why does an airplane fly?
Know the differences among transfer of heat by convection, conduction, radiation.
Know the basic form of a chemical equation. For example, the items on the left side of the arrow are input and those on the right side are the output. (Know how to balance.)
Know the colors of the rainbow and why a sunset is orange or red.
Know the general sizes of the planets. For example know that Jupiter and Saturn are larger than earth, pluto, mars, or mercury.
Know why one musical note is a higher pitch than a note that is lower. Know what wave property makes a sound louder.
Know the difference between potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE). Know the conservation of energy principle. Also know that KE = 1/2 mv2
Know the difference between two variables being “directly related” as opposed to “indirectly related” or “inversely related.”
Know that atoms are made of a nucleus (protons and neutrons) and circling electrons. Also know that protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons have no charge. Know the basics of genetics and heredity (terms: genes, traits, allells, genotype, phenotype, dominant trait, recessive trait)
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEUvRrhmcxM and/or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBezq1fFUEA
Know the basic construction of an atom: A nucleus composed of a positively charged protons and neutrally charged neutrons and a electrons (negatively charged) orbiting around the nucleus.
Know the basics of photosynthesis: CO2, water and sunlight are consumed by trees or other plants producing O2 and nutrients.