Valenzuela College Admission Test Reviewer – Key Concepts

Flashcards covering mathematics, science, and reasoning concepts from the Valenzuela College Admission Test Reviewer.

What is the standard unit of temperature in the SI system?

Kelvin (K)

Which branch of science studies the Earth’s interior and composition?

Geology

According to Newton’s Second Law, what is the formula that relates force, mass, and acceleration?

F = ma

State Boyle’s Law in words.

At constant temperature, the volume of a gas is inversely proportional to its pressure.

For a circle with radius r, write the formula for its circumference.

C = 2πr

In a right triangle, what is the ratio of the sides opposite 30°, 60°, and 90° angles?

x (30°), x√3 (60°), 2x (90° – hypotenuse)

What is the volume formula for a cone?

V = (1/3)πr²h

Define osmosis.

The diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from low solute concentration to high solute concentration.

During which meiotic phase does crossing-over occur?

Prophase I

What is the Pythagorean Theorem?

a² + b² = c² in a right triangle with hypotenuse c

Give the empirical formula for a compound that is 20 % B and 80 % F by mass.

BF₂

What is an ionic bond?

A chemical bond formed by the transfer of electrons between oppositely charged ions.

Name the atmospheric layer where almost all weather phenomena occur.

Troposphere

During a solar eclipse, which celestial body is positioned between Earth and the Sun?

The Moon

Express 5π radians in degrees.

300°

How many significant figures are in 507.000 m/s?

6 significant figures

State the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Matter is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

What is the remainder when the polynomial x³ – 4x² + 3x + k is divided by x + 2 if the remainder is –13?

k = 17

What is the probability formula for exactly x successes in a binomial experiment?

P(X = x) = nCx p^x q^{n–x}

Explain the difference between velocity and speed.

Speed is scalar (magnitude only); velocity is vector (magnitude and direction).

What is the standard form of scientific notation?

A number written as a single non-zero digit (1–9) followed by a decimal part and multiplied by 10 raised to an integer power.

State the octet rule.

Atoms are most stable with eight electrons in their valence shell.

What is the derivative test for a continuous function f(x) at x = a?

If f is differentiable at x = a, then it is continuous at x = a, and its limit exists at that point.

Define a ‘prime polynomial’.

A polynomial that cannot be factored over the integers except by ±1 and itself.

Give the center of the circle x² + y² – 6x + 2y – 54 = 0.

(3, –1)

What is the universal gas constant R in atm·L / mol·K?

0.08205 atm·L mol⁻¹ K⁻¹

Name the father of genetics.

Gregor Mendel

Write the electron configuration of chlorine.

1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s² 3p⁵

For two similar spheres whose diameters are in the ratio 3:5, what is the ratio of their surface areas?

9 : 25

What is meant by ‘anabolic process’ in metabolism?

Constructive reactions that build complex molecules from simpler ones, requiring energy (e.g., photosynthesis).

How many millilitres of 10 % brine must be mixed with 50 % brine to obtain 800 mL of 20 % brine?

600 mL of 10 % brine

State Graham’s Law of Diffusion.

The rate of diffusion of a gas is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass.

Describe a mutualistic relationship.

A symbiotic relationship in which both organisms benefit.

What is the slope of a vertical line?

Undefined

Give the confidence-interval formula for a population mean when n ≥ 30.

x̄ ± z_{α/2} (s/√n)