LICENSURE EXAMINATION for TEACHERS 2012

Refresher Course - GENERAL EDUCATION

NATURAL SCIENCES
WHAT TO EXPECT
CONTENT AREA IN NATURAL SCIENCE
LET Competencies:

 Utilize scientific knowledge in the preservation of human life and conservation of the earth’s resources
o Relate scientific theories to actual happenings and natural and may induced calamities
o Utilize biological knowledge and theories in the improvement at preservation of the quality of
life
o Apply knowledge and theories of physical sciences in the improvement of the quality of life
 Apply scientific knowledge and principles for the improvement of human resources and socio-
economic development
 Identify problems and suggest solutions related to personal and community

Prepared by: MR. VON ANTHONY G. TORIO

INTRODUCTION TO THE NATURAL SCIENCES If most of the postulates of a given theory are
acceptable, then it qualifies to become a law. A law is a body
Natural science is a broad field of study. The term of generalizations that appear highly acceptable and are hard
Natural Science refers to the naturalistic approach to study to be refuted.
the universe which is implied to obey the rules of natural
origin. It is different from other fields of sciences in terms of Examples of Laws:
the use of the Scientific Method. The natural sciences use the 1. Law of Universal Gravitation
Scientific Method to study nature; the social sciences use it 2. Newton’s Laws of Motion
to study human behavior and society; other formal sciences, 3. Law of Conservation of Energy
such as Mathematics and logic uses a different methodology. 4. Avogadro’s law
5. Law of Multiple Proportion
In general, science is defined to be a systematized
body of knowledge based from observations (use of the five The Natural Sciences include the following fields: (1)
senses) to come up with generalized truths. These Astronomy, (2) Earth Science (3) Biology, (4) Chemistry, and
generalized truths are referred to as Facts. Since science is (5) Physics
based from observations, it is subject to changes as
generalizations may change from time to time. Thus, facts Problems in science are usually attacked using a
may vary from time to time. An example of a fact that is process referred to as the Scientific Method. The scientific
widely accepted in the past is that the earth is the center of method is the application of a logical process of reasoning to
the universe which is part of the geocentric theory. A arrive at a certain law or principle that is consistent with
theory on the other hand is a developed set of experimental results. There are 6 steps in this method. Still,
generalizations (and postulates) which are based from there is no strict sequence in following the steps since it is
observations and are aimed at explaining certain said to be cyclical in nature. The six steps are as follows:
occurrences. Theories may have postulates which are  State the problem
acceptable and others that are not.  Formulate the hypothesis (intellectual guess)
 Test the hypothesis
Examples of Theories:  Gather data
1. Atomic Theory  Analyze the data
2. Nebular Theory  Make a conclusion
3. Theory of Relativity Other references may give four or five steps in the
4. Kinetic Molecular Theory scientific method. What is important is that the key elements
5. Plate Tectonic Theory are found (Problem, hypothesis, experimentation, and
conclusion).

LET Review 2012 Page 1

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
Differentiating Findings, experiment and prediction  A stone that is placed in a cup of water would
In order to differentiate the three, consider the occupy the space once occupy by water, making
following situation: the level of water rise.
Pressure – a ratio of Force and Area. (F/A). Usually
“You are experimenting on the effect of the amount of measured in Newton/square meter (N/m2). Pressure
water to the growth of a particular plant” also depends upon density, gravity and depth.
 A prediction is a guess that regards to the possibility  Denser materials yield greater pressures; the
that would happen to something was not yet carried lower an object is in a liquid, the greater the
out. (e.g. The more water given to the plant, the pressure.
better it will grow)  Greater Force, (with the same area, greater
 An experiment is a logical process that is carried out pressure).
and is designed to give an answer to a problem. (e.g.  Smaller area, (with the same force), greater
carrying out the process of planting, having three set pressure.
ups wherein all factors are controlled except the Humidity – (relative humidity)
amount of water given)  Relative humidity refers to the amount of water
 A finding is the result of the experiment. (e.g. Based vapor that the air can hold at any given time. This
from the response of the plant, the more water given, value is normally less than that required to saturate
the higher it grows.) the air.
 Relative humidity is the ratio between actual vapor
Differentiating Facts and Opinions density and saturation vapor density multiplied by
Facts – generally accepted ideas. Are statements which are 100%.
widely accepted and are usually treated as most of the times  Relative humidity is the amount of moisture in the air
correct. compared to what the air can hold at that
e.g. 1) Nothing can be faster than light. temperature.
e.g. 2) Objects released on earth would fall.  When the air can’t hold all the moisture, then it
e.g. 3) Oil would float in water. condenses as dew.
Opinion – a personal position or point of view as regards to  Dew point – the temperature at which moisture
something. A statement that may be proven wrong. content in the air saturates the air. If the air is
e.g. 1) I think there is no life in outer space. gradually cooled while maintaining the moisture
e.g. 2) In ten years, I believe that man would be able content constant, the relative humidity will rise until
to live in the moon. it reaches 100%.
e.g. 3) I believe my students learn more quickly in the  An average relative humidity of 35% to 40% is
morning. recommended at home when the outside
temperature is greater than 20°F.
Basic Concepts  When the temperature of air that is holding
maximum amounts of moisture it can hold drops the
Mass – the amount of substance contained by an object. Mass air will become saturated and precipitation in the
is measured in kilograms and is not affected by the form of rain will occur.
pull of gravity.
Volume – a quantity that is taken by multiplying three Different kinds of Variable relationships:
dimensions, usually length, width and height. It could
as well be the product of an area and a length. Direct Proportion
Volume is measured in cubic meter (m3) and the like.  As one quantity increases, the other quantity also
Density – a ratio of the mass of an object and its volume increases proportionally.
(m/V). Density is measured in kg/m3
 The graph of a direct proportion is a slanted straight
 Denser materials settle lower than less dense line (directed in the upper right hand corner)
materials
 Light objects float; rise
 Adding more salt in water would increase its Pressure vs Temperature
density allowing an egg to float on it easily. 600
Temperature, T (K)

500
Volatile – description of liquids that easily evaporate.
400
Viscosity – property of fluids that resist flowing
300
200
Law of Impenetrability – No two things can occupy the 100
same space at the same time. 0
1 2 3 4 5
Pressure, P (atm)

LET Review 2012 Page 2

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
Inverse Proportion Scientific Attitudes
 As quantity increases, the other quantity decreases
proportionally. 1. Beliefs – believing that everything that happens in this
world has a cause or reason
 The graph of an inverse proportion is a parabola that 2. Curiosity – Showing interest and paying attention to
approaches the lower right. objects or events. Asks questions and seeks answers.
Pressure vs Volume 3. Objectivity – does not allow his feelings and biases to
120 influence his recording of observations, interpretation of
100 data, and formulation of conclusions.
Volume, V (L)

80 4. Critical mindedness – basing suggestions and

60 conclusions on evidences. When in doubt, he questions the
40 veracity of a statement in relation to the evidences
20 presented.
0 5. Open-mindedness – listening to and respecting the ideas
0 2 4 6
of others. Accepts criticism and changes his mind if reliable
Pressure, P (atm)
evidence contradicts his beliefs.
6. Inventiveness – Generating new and original ideas
Direct Square Proportion
7. Risk – taking – expressing opinion and tries new ideas
even at the risk of failure or criticism.
 If two quantities were found to be related in
8. Intellectual honesty – giving truthful report of
such a way that, “when one quantity increases, observations. Does not withhold important information just
the other quantity increases more rapidly”, then to please himself or others.
the relationship could be a direct square 9. Humility – admitting that one is not free from committing
relationship. mistakes. Recognizes that there may be better ideas and
 The graph of a direct square proportion is a parabola realizes that there are individuals whom he may consult to
that is directed to the upper right hand. arrive at correct observations and conclusions.
Radius vs Area 10. Responsibility – Actively participates in a task and also
100 performs the tasks assigned.
80
DID YOU KNOW!
Area, A (cm2)

60
1. Dissolved Carbon Dioxide in Soda:
40
 The presence of carbon dioxide in soda enables the
20
beverage to stay fresh longer, and it acts as a very
0 effective preservative.
0 2 4 6
Radius, r (cm)  Carbon Dioxide is compressed at great pressures and
put into the soda before it is sealed. Carbon Dioxide
Inverse Square Proportion helps improve the taste of the soda, and increase the
shelf life of the beverage.
 If two quantities under observation have a  If a container of soda is left open, the carbon dioxide
eventually decreases and gets oxidized.
relationship such that when one quantity
increases, the other quantity decreases
ASTRONOMY AND EARTH SCIENCE
proportionately, then the relationship is said to
be Inverse square. Astronomy is the study of the universe, the celestial bodies,
 The graph of an inverse square proportion is a gas and dust within it. Astronomy includes observations and
hyperbola that curves towards the lower right. theories about the solar system, the stars, the galaxies, and
the general structure of space. Astronomy includes
Pressure vs Volume cosmology, the study of the universe and its past and future.
120 People who study astronomy are referred to as astronomers.
100
A. EARTH’S NIGHT SKY
Volume, V (L)

80

60
1. EARTH’S RELATIVE MOTION
40
 The earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the
20
sun in an elliptical path. Rotation – the axis passes
0
0 2 4 6
the body; Revolution – the axis is outside the body.
Pressure, P (atm)

LET Review 2012 Page 3

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
  The movement of the earth gives rise to day and  When the Northern hemisphere faces the sun
night, the seasons, the phases of the moon and the directly, it receives more sunlight. This happens for
eclipses. half a year explaining why they experience summer
 The earth rotates counterclockwise, meaning from and spring; while the Southern hemisphere
west to east, this explains why the sun rises in the experiences winter and fall. For the other half of the
east and sets in the west. year, the Southern hemisphere experiences what the
 Day and night happens because of the rotation of the Northern hemisphere experienced.
earth on its axis, the seasons is a consequence of the
tilt of the axis of the earth, the phases of the moon EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE
and the eclipses are consequences of the relative  The atmosphere is a layer of different gases that
motion of the earth, moon and sun. extends from Earth’s surface to the exosphere.
 The earth is around 12, 000 km (about 7, 000 mi) in  Near Earth’s surface, the atmosphere consists of
diameter. Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen (21%) the remaining
 The earth completes one rotation in a span that 1% of atmospheric gases consists of Argon(0.9%),
humans consider to be 24 hours (where 1 hr = 60 Carbon Dioxide (0.03%) and others.
mins, and 1 min = 60 seconds)  Layers of the Atmosphere: Troposphere,
 The earth revolves around the Sun in 365.25 days stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and the
(since the customary number of days in a year is 365 exosphere.
days, the 0.25 accumulates every four year to account  The troposphere is the layer in which weather
for a leap year where an extra day is added in occurs and extends from the surface to about 16 km
February). above sea level.
 The stratosphere is the upper layer of the
atmosphere commencing at an altitude of 8 to 16
km and extending upward to about 50 km. In the
lower portion of the stratosphere, the temperature
remains nearly constant with height, but in the upper
portion, the temperature increases rapidly with
height because of absorption of sunlight by ozone.
The Stratosphere is almost completely free of clouds
or other forms of weather.
 The ozone layer is part of the stratosphere, this
layer blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation from the
sun.
 Solstices are days when the Sun reaches its farthest  Harmful form of ozone is found in the
northern and southern declinations. The winter troposphere.
Solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 and marks the  The mesosphere is the layer from 50 to 90 km. At
beginning of winter (shortest day of the year). The about 90 km, the temperature begins to rise.
summer solstice occurs on June 21 and marks the  The thermosphere is the layer that starts from 90
beginning of summer (longest day of the year). km and is characterized by high temperatures (about
 Equinoxes are days in which day and night are of 1200 °C).
equal duration. Thee two yearly equinoxes occur  The exosphere is the region that goes beyond the
when the Sun crosses the celestial equator. thermosphere.
 The vernal equinox occurs in late March; the  The ionosphere is the region whereas the
autumnal equinox occurs in late September thermosphere and the exosphere overlap. It is a layer
 The earth follows an elliptical orbit. This explains or layers of ionized air that extends almost 60 km
why there are times when the earth is closer to the above the Earth’s surface to altitudes of 1000 km and
sun and farther at times. Aphelion is the farthest more.
position that the earth could be located on its axis
from the sun. Perihelion is the nearest position that DID YOU KNOW?
the earth could be from the sun. Perigee is the  Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study
nearest location that an object orbiting the earth of the atmosphere that focuses on weather processes
could be. Apogee is the farthest position that an and forecasting. Meteorology helps us be informed
object revolving around the earth could be. with forthcoming tropical storms.
 The earth’s axis is tilted 23.5° with respect to the
plane of its orbit. This explains why there are Greenhouse gases
instances when the Northern hemisphere points  The following are referred to as greenhouse gases:
toward the Sun and sometimes away from the sun. water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and
This tilt is responsible for the seasons. nitrous oxide.

LET Review 2012 Page 4

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
  The greenhouse gases help trap infrared, or heat, earthquake at any given place and decreases with
radiation from the sun in the lower atmosphere and distance from the earthquake’s epicenter.
thereby help warm the Earth’s surface.  Intensity is measured using instruments such as the
Modified Mercalli Scale and the Rosii-Forel Scale.
EARTH’S SURFACE  Magnitude is measured using the Richter
 The earth’s surface is the outermost layer of the magnitude and the Moment magnitude at its
planet, it includes the (1) hydrosphere, the (2) crust source.
and the (3) biosphere.
 (1) The hydrosphere consists of the bodies of water CHANGES ON THE EARTH’S SURFACE
that covers 71% of the earth’s surface.  Changes to the surface of the earth can be made
 (2) The crust consists of the continents, other land possible through the following: (weathering,
areas and the basins, or floors, of the oceans. erosion and tectonic movement).
 The continental crust refers to the dry land of the  Weathering is the breakdown of rock at and near
Earth’s surface. It has an average thickness of 5 to 10 the surface of the Earth. Two types include physical
km. weathering and chemical weathering.
 The Mohorovicic discontinuity separates the crust  Physical weathering involves a decrease in the
from the mantle. size of rock material. For example, freezing and
 The oceanic crust differs from the continental crust thawing of water in rock cavities, splits rock into
in the type of rock they contain. small pieces. Mechanical weathering is the
breakdown of rocks and minerals by physical
Three main types of rocks agents such as frost, wind, and tree roots, with no
 Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. chemical alteration.
 Igneous rocks form when molten rock,  Chemical weathering involves a chemical change
called magma, cools and solidifies. in the composition of a rock. For example,
 Sedimentary rocks are usually created by feldspar, a common mineral in granite and other
the breakdown of igneous rocks. They form in rocks, reacts with water to form clay minerals,
layers as small particles of other rocks or as the resulting in new substance with totally different
mineralized remains of dead animals and plants properties than the parent feldspar.
that have fused together over time.  Erosion is the process that removes loose and
 Metamorphic rocks form when sedimentary weathered rock and carries it to a new site. Water,
or igneous rocks are altered by heat and wind, and glacial ice combined with the force of
pressure deep underground. gravity can cause erosion.
 Oceanic crust consists of dark, dense igneous rocks,
such as basalt and gabbro. Continental crust WAYS TO PREVENT SOIL EROSION
consists of light-colored, less dense igneous rocks,  Contour plowing – a method of plowing in which the
such as granite and diorite. Continental crust also furrows are plowed across rather than up and down
includes metamorphic rocks and sedimentary rocks. a slope.
 (3) The Biosphere includes all the areas of Earth  Strip farming – a method of farming used when a
capable of supporting life. It ranges from about 10 slope is too steep or too long, or when other types of
km into the atmosphere to the deepest ocean floor. farming may not prevent soil erosion.
 The lithosphere is the outermost solid portion of the
EARTHQUAKES Earth, where changes, such as raising mountain and
 An earthquake is a violent movement of the rocks in plateaus and creation of landmasses, occur.
the Earth’s crust.  Scientists believe that the lithosphere is broken
 Earthquakes can cause a number of things to happen into a series of plates, or segments. According to
at the surface of the earth, this includes taking down the theory of plate tectonics, these plates move
of buildings, cause waves on oceans and bodies of around on earth’s surface over long periods of
water (large waves may be created and be termed as time.
tsunami – this could cause extreme flooding), as well  The largest plates in the theory include: the
as landslides. Pacific plate, the Antarctic plate, the Indo-
 The scientific study of earthquakes is referred to as Austrian plate, the North African plate, the
seismology. An instrument that measures Eurasian plate, and the African plate.
earthquake is referred to as seismometer.  Three types of movement of plates: (1)pull apart
 The magnitude of an earthquake is a measure of the or move away; (2) collide or move against each
earthquake size and remains unchanged with other; and (3)slide past each other as they move
distance from the earthquake. Intensity, however, sideways.
describes the degree of shaking (and thus, give a
description of the effect/damage) caused by an
LET Review 2012 Page 5
Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
EARTH’S INTERIOR
Composition

 Earth’s interior consists of the mantle and the core.

 The distance from the base of the crust to the center
of the core is about 6, 400 km.
 The mantle consists of three parts: (1) the lower
part of the lithosphere, (2) the region below it
referred to as the asthenosphere, and (3) the
region below the asthenosphere called the lower
mantle.

 The entire mantle extends from the base of the

crust to a depth of about 2,900 km.
 The mantle consists of mostly solid iron-
TROPICAL CYCLONE
magnesium silicate rock mixed with many
 A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized
other minor components including radioactive
by a large low-pressure center and numerous
elements.
thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy
rains.
 The Core consists of two parts: (1) the outer core
 Tropical cyclones feed on heat released when most
and (2) the inner core.
air rises resulting in condensation of water vapor
 The outer core is about 2,260 km thick. It is a
contained in the moist air.
liquid region composed mostly of iron, with
 The term tropical refers to both the geographic
smaller amounts of nickel and sulfur in liquid
origin, from which almost exclusively in tropical
form.
regions of the globe, and their formation in maritime
 The inner core is about 1, 220 km thick. The
tropical air masses.
inner core is solid and is composed of iron,
 The term cyclone refers to the storms’ cyclonic
nickel, and sulfur in solid form.
nature, with counterclockwise rotation in the
 Since the inner core is surrounded by a liquid
Northern Hemisphere and clockwise rotation in the
region, it can be rotated independently.
Southern Hemisphere.
 Different names of a tropical cyclone include:
TIDES
hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic
 The rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined
storm, tropical depression and simply cyclone.
effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the
 All tropical cyclones are areas of low atmospheric
Moon, the sun and the rotation of the earth.
pressure in the Earth’s atmosphere.
 Tides occur with a period of 12 hours and 25
 The eye/center of a tropical cyclone that is
minutes, and with an amplitude that is affected by
characterized by a usual calm and free of clouds
the alignment of the sun, moon and the shape of the
weather; circular shape and may range in size from
near-shore bottom.
3 km to 370 km in diameter.
 Most coastal areas experience 2 high tides and 2 low
 Intensity Classification: tropical cyclones are
tides. One of these high tides is at the point on the
classified into three main groups: (1) tropical
earth which is closest to the moon. The other high
depression, (2) tropical storm and (3) a third
tide is at the opposite point on the earth. This is
group that depends on region. (typhoon/hurricane)
associated with the strength of the gravitational
 A tropical depression is an organized system of
force.
clouds and thunderstorms with a defined closed
 The sun also exerts a less powerful gravitational
surface of circulation and maximum sustained
attraction on the earth.
winds of less than 17 m/s (or 61 km/h). It has no
 Spring tides happens when the earth, moon and sun
eye and does not typically have the organization or
are approximately aligned and the gravitational
the spiral shape of more powerful storms.
effects of the two combine that causes unusually very
 A tropical storm is an organized system of strong
high high tides and very low low tides. They normally
thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and
occur shortly after the full and new moon.
maximum sustained winds between 17 m/s (61
 Neap tides are the opposite of spring tides. They are
km/h) and 32 m/s (117 km/h). At this point, a
moderate tides that occur shortly after the first and
distinctive cyclonic shape starts to develop, although
last quarters of the moon.
an eye is not usually present.
 A hurricane is an organized system of strong
thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and

LET Review 2012 Page 6

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 maximum sustained winds of at least 33 m/s  New Moon – this happens when the moon is
(119 km/h). A cyclone of this intensity tends to between the earth and the sun, since the moon is
develop an eye, an area of relatively calm (and lowest tilted at 5°, the moon is usually a little below or
atmospheric pressure) at the center of circulation. above the sun. during this time, the sun lights the
side of the moon facing away from the earth, and the
TRADE WIND side of the Moon facing toward earth is dark.
 Trade winds are the prevailing pattern of easterly  Quarter Moon – occurs when the moon is at right
surface winds found in the tropics, within the lower angles to the line formed by the Sun and Earth. The
portion of the Earth’s atmosphere, in the lower Sun lights the part facing it. Since Only half of this is
portion of the troposphere near the Equator. They visible on earth, only this portion is seen bright.
are named because of their ability to quickly propel  Full Moon – This happens when the moon is on the
trading ships across the ocean. opposite side of the earth from the sun and the face
 The trade winds blow predominantly from the of the Moon visible from the earth is lit.
northeast in the Northern hemisphere and from the
Southeast in the Southern hemisphere. 3. ECLIPSES
 The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is an  Because of the tilt of the Moon’s orbit, the moon
area of low pressure that forms where the Northeast usually passes above or below the Sun at New Moon
Trade Wind meet the Southeast trade winds near the and above or below earth’s shadow at Full Moon.
earth’s equator. This zone is characterized by  Solar Eclipse – happens when the Moon lines up
showers and widespread thunderstorms. with the earth and Sun at New Moon. (In a total
solar eclipse, only around 160 km wide is blocked by
MONSOONS the shadow of the moon). This happens about every
 The word monsoon is derived from the Arabic word, 18 months.
“mausim” which means season. o Annular eclipse – happens when only part of
 A monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal the sun’s rays is covered by the moon. This occurs
reversing wind accompanied by seasonal changes in when the moon is farther from the earth, such that a
precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal ring of the sun’s rays, annulus, is still visible.
changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation  Lunar Eclipse – happens when the Moon lines up
associated with the asymmetric heating of land and with the earth and sun at Full Moon. The moon is
sea. (Usually, the term monsoon is used to refer to actually in the earth’s shadow.
the rainy phase of a seasonally-changing pattern,
although technically there is also a dry phase). B. THE SOLAR SYSTEM
 2 Reasons for the wind shift, or monsoon – (1) the
movement northward from winter to summer of the Our Solar system contains the Sun, planets, and the
huge upper subtropical high pressure system, satellites of the planets. It also contains asteroids, comets,
specifically known as the Bermuda High, and; the and interplanetary dusts and gases.
intense heating of the Mohave desert creates rising
and surface low pressure, called a thermal low. 1. PLANETS AND THEIR SATELLITES
 Southwest (summer) monsoon (habagat) – occurs
from May to October.  Until the 18th century, humans knew five planets –
 Northeast Monsoon (Retreating Monsoon) – occurs Mercury, Venus, mars, Jupiter, and Saturn – in
from November to April. addition to Earth.
 When viewed without a telescope, planets shine
2. PHASES OF THE MOON steadily while stars twinkle. Twinkling results from
 One revolution of the Moon around the Earth turbulence in the earth’s atmosphere. Stars are so far
takes a little over 27 days and 7 hours. The Moon away that a moment of turbulence can change that
rotates on its axis on this same period of time, so the light for a fraction of a second. Planets are closer as
same face of the Moon is always presented to Earth. compared to stars.
 Over a period longer than 29 days and 12 hours the  Between 1781 and 1930, astronomers found three
Moon goes through a series of phase changes. This is more planets – Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. However
because of the differing amounts of light received by in 2006, the International Astronomical Union
the moon from the sun. (The moon’s period of phase (IAU) – the Official body that names objects in the
change is greater than its period of revolution around solar system – reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet.
the earth because the motion of the earth around the  The planets are now brought to 8, (in increasing
Sun Changes the angle at which the Sun’s light hits distance from the Sun – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars,
the moon from night to night.) Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
 The Moon’s orbit around the earth is tilted 5° from  Terrestrial planets (inner planets: Mercury, Venus,
the plane of earth’s orbit. Earth and Mars). Terrestrial – from the Latin word

LET Review 2012 Page 7

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 terra, meaning earth. These planets are said to be 3. COMETS AND ASTEROIDS
earth-like planets, since they have solid, rocky  Comets and Asteroids are rocky bodies that are
surfaces. smaller than planets. There is a little difference
 Jovian planets (outer planets: Jupiter, Saturn, between comets, asteroids and other smaller bodies
Uranus, and Neptune), giant planets. These planets in the solar system.
resemble Jupiter in that they are giant, massive  Generally, a comet is icier than an asteroid and has a
planets made almost entirely of gas. more elongated orbit.
PLUTO – a dwarf planet, has a mass about one five-  The orbit of a comet takes it close to the Sun, then
hundredth the mass of Earth. Many astronomers believe back into the outer solar system.
that Pluto is just one of a group of icy objects in the outer  Comets have long tails of glowing gas and dust
solar system. These objects orbit in a part of the solar when they are near the sun. Asteroids are rockier
system called the Kuiper Belt. bodies and usually have orbits that keep them at
o In 2006, the IAU reclassified Pluto as a dwarf always about the same distance from the sun.
planet because it had a rounded shape from effects of its  Example of Comet: Halley’s Comet, a ball of ice and
own gravity but it was not massive enough to have dust orbiting the Sun, which can be seen from Earth
cleared the region of its orbit of other bodies. once about every 76 years. It is the first comet listed
o Other dwarf planets in the solar system: (1) in the official catalog of comets.
Eris – an icy body slightly larger than Pluto that also  Three largest asteroids – Ceres, Pallas and Vesta –
orbits part of the Kuiper Belt; and (2) Ceres – a rocky located between the orbits of mars and Jupiter in a
body that orbits in the asteroid belt. region known as the asteroid belt.
 Parts of a comet - Nucleus – the solid portion of a
Moons(or Satellites) of Planets and Dwarf Planets comet; coma – a cloud of vapor surrounding the
 Earth’s moon has a diameter about one-fourth nucleus. Head – the combination of the nucleus and
the diameter of the Earth. the coma. Tail – the gases and dust that stream away
 Mars – (1) Phobos; and Deimos – two tiny chunks from the comet.
of rock each only about 10 km across)
 Jupiter – has more than 60 satellites (Moons). 4. THE SUN
The largest four include: (1) Io, Europa,
Ganymede and Callisto. Ganymede is even larger  The sun is the nearest moon to Earth, and is
than Mercury. considered as the center of the solar system. Situated
 Saturn – has more than 50 satellites(moons). 8 light-minutes from the earth. (the next nearest star
The largest moon being Titan – larger than is Proxima Centuri - which is 4 light-years away).
Mercury and is enshrouded by a thick, opaque,  The sun produces its energy through nuclear fusion.
smoggy atmosphere. In Nuclear fusion, light elements combine to form a
 Uranus – has nearly 30 known moons heavier element. Fusion is made possible through the
 Neptune – has at least 13 moons, one of which is nuclear combination of two atoms of hydrogen to
Triton form helium.
 Pluto - has 3 moons; the largest known as
Charon. Charon is half as big as Pluto C. STARS
 Eris – has a small moon named Dysnomia
There are many different types of stars that exist.
Some of these types are really just different stages of the
2. METEORS evolution of a star. Our sun, is actually a main-sequence star.

 Meteors – bits of rock – that burns up in the earth’s  The brightness of the stars (magnitude) and the color
atmosphere. Meteoroids – bits of rocks that have not of stars could be taken using an H-R diagram. An H-R
reached the earth yet. Meteorites – bits of rock that diagram or a Hertzsprung-Russel diagram is a basic
were able to survive the earth’s atmosphere and tool for astronomers.
were able to land intact on the earth’s surface.
1. KINDS OF STARS
 From time to time, the earth passes through the orbit  Main-sequence stars (example: our sun) – group
of a comet, dust from the orbit of the comet remains. stars that fall on a diagonal line across the H-R
When the earth passes through the band of dust, the diagram from upper left to lower right. The
dust and bits of rock burn up in the atmosphere, diagonal line of Main-sequence stars indicates that
creating a meteor shower. Perseid shower - the their temperature and brightness are directly
most observed meteor shower that occurs each year related.
on August 11 or 12.  Giant and Supergiant stars – stars falling at the
upper right of the H-R diagram. These are stars

LET Review 2012 Page 8

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 which are larger and brighter than main-sequence 2. STEADY STATE THEORY
stars. They represent a stage in their lives
characterized by having burnt most of their internal  Bondi, Gold and Fred Hoyle developed this theory
hydrogen fuel. (stars swell as they move off the main  According to this theory, the number of galaxies in
sequence, becoming giants – for more massive stars, the observable universe is constant and new galaxies
supergiants) are continuously created out of empty space, which
 White dwarf stars – stars falling on the lower left fill up the gaps caused by the boundary of the
portion of the H-R diagram, below the main observable universe.
sequence. These stars are smaller and dimmer as  As a result, the overall size of the mass of the
compared to main-sequence stars. They are only observable universe remains constant, thus a steady
about the size of the earth and have about the mass state of the universe is not disturbed at all.
of the sun that have burned as much hydrogen as
they can. This is also the final stage in a star’s life. 3. PULSATING THEORY
 Novas (latin for New Stars)– Stars that brighten as  According to this theory, the universe is supposed to
much as 100 times than they usually are. They are be expanding and contracting alternately (i.e.
not really new but are simply brighter than they pulsating).
usually are. A nova is a binary, or double, star in  At present, the universe is expanding. In addition, the
which one member is a white dwarf and the other is theory also proposed that at a certain time, the
a giant or a super giant. Matter from the large star expansion of the universe may be stopped by the
falls onto the small star. In the process, a nuclear gravitational pull and may contract again.
fusion begins causing the star to brighten.  After it has contracted to a certain size, explosion
 Supernovas – stars even brighter than novas. Two again occurs and the universe will start expanding.
types: (1) An extreme case of a nova, in which matter
falls from a giant or supergiant companion into a DID YOU KNOW?
white dwarf. In the process, a nuclear reaction
results and only bits of the white dwarf remains; (2)  Syzygy – the alignment of three or more celestial
A supergiant star uses up its nuclear fuel in nuclear bodies in the same gravitational system along a
fusion reactions. It only stops when at the core, what straight line. This word is usually used in context
remains are mostly iron. Later, the star collapses due with the Sun, Earth and the Moon or a planet.
to very strong gravitational force. Collapsing  The closeness of the earth either to the Sun or to the
continues and later becomes either a neutron star Moon causes an unusually very high tide.
or a black hole.  Solar and lunar eclipses occur at times of syzygy, as
 Neutron Stars and Pulsars – neutron stars are do transits and occultations.
collapse cores of supernova explosions. Pulsars are  Moon rocks – the age of moon rocks are measured
special type of neutron star. though radiometric dating techniques. The age of
 Black holes – objects that are so massive and dense moon rocks are approximately 4.5 billion years old.
that their immense gravitational pull does not even  There are currently three sources of Moon rocks on
allow light to escape. earth: (1) those collected by US Apollo missions; (2)
samples returned by Soviet Union Luna missions, and
C. THEORIES OF EVOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSE (3) rocks that were ejected naturally from the lunar
surface by cratering events and subsequently fell to
1. THE BIG BANG THEORY Earth as lunar meteorites.
 Proposed by Le maitre and Gammow.  Polaris or the North Star is the brightest star of the
 According to this theory, at the beginning of the Little dipper in the constellation Ursa Minor, near
universe, the whole matter of the universe was once the celestial north pole. Since it always indicates due
concentrated in an extremely dense and hot north from an observer anywhere on earth, Polaris is
fireball. important for navigation.
 Then about 20 billion years ago a vast explosion (big  Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the Heliocentric
bang) occurred. Theory that claims that the sun is the middle of the
 The matter was broken into pieces, which were solar system.
thrown out with high speed in all directions forming
stars and galaxies; which are still moving away from ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
each other.  Climate – encompasses the statistics of temperature,
 The Big Bang theory also proposed that the explosion humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall,
would leave an afterglow from the explosion. In the atmospheric particle count and meteorological
1960’s, scientists discovered the existence of cosmic elements in a given region over long periods of time.
background radiation. While weather is simply a present condition of the
same elements.

LET Review 2012 Page 9

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
  Climate in a location is affected by its latitude, in the blood. This is normally caused by drinking
terrain, and altitude as well as nearby bodies of polluted water containing nitrate.
water and their currents.  Deforestation – clearance of forests by logging
 Climate is greatly affected by precipitation (rain) and/or burning (popularly known as slash and burn)
and temperature in a particular region.  Effects of Deforestation – (1) contributor to global
 Global Warming (or climate change), a measurable warming, (2) reduces the content of water in the soil
increases in the average temperature of earth’s and groundwater as well as atmospheric moisture,
atmosphere, oceans, and landmasses. Currently, the (3) reduces soil cohesion, so that erosion, flooding
rapid warming of the earth is associated to the rising and landslides ensue, and (4) results in decline in
levels of heat-trapping gases, known as greenhouse biodiversity.
gases, in the atmosphere.  Acid rain – a rain or other form of precipitation that
 Greenhouses gases (e.g. Carbon Dioxide, methane, is usually acidic. It can have harmful effects on plants,
Nitrous Oxide, Oxone, Synthetic chemicals) retain the aquatic animals, and infrastructure through the
radiant energy (heat) provided to Earth by the Sun in process of wet deposition (Rain returns the sulphur
a process known as greenhouse effect. and nitrogen acids to Earth, and in high
 Effects of Global warming: (1) Weather – a warmer concentrations, can cause damage to natural
world would be more humid as a result of more environments including forests and freshwater
water evaporating from the oceans. Storms are lakes).
expected to be more frequent and more intense in a  Euthropication – a syndrome of ecosystem
warmer world. Weather patterns are expected to be responses to human activities that fertilize bodies of
less predictable and more extreme; (2) receding of water with Nitrogen, and phosphorus, often leading
mountain glaciers; (3) raising sea level, (4) Increase to changes in animal and plant populations and
in the amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide. degradation of water and habitat quality.
 An analysis of ancient antartic ice samples suggests Euthropication is also characterized by bodies of
that during transition periods from ice ages to water becoming choked with excessive growth of
warmer times, known as iterglacials, temperature rooted plants and floating algal scums.
rise for hundred of years before levels of  Silting is the filling up or raising of the bed of water
atmospheric carbon dioxide begin to rise. by depositing silt. Silt is a granular material of a grain
 Ozone depletion – a description of two distinct, but size between sand and clay derived from soil or rock.
related observations: a slow steady decline in the  A sanitary landfill is a site where waste is isolated
volume of ozone in the earth’s stratosphere; and a from the environment until it is safe.
much larger, but seasonal, decrease in stratospheric  Incineration is the thermal destruction of waste.
ozone over Earth’s polar regions during the same Modern incineration systems use high temperatures,
period (ozone hole). controlled air, and excellent mixing to change the
 Reasons for ozone depletion (Ozone Depleting chemical, physical, or biological character or
substances): (1) catalytic destruction of ozone by composition of waste materials. Typical conditions
atomic chlorine and bromine: Main sources: (1) surrounding incineration facilities were high soot
photodissociation of Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), and odor levels as well as corrosion from acid gas
commonly called freons, and of (2) deposition. It is an unhealthy and unsafe
Bromofluorocarbon compounds known as halons. environment for the neighbors.
 The amount of ozone fall over the course of summer.  Methane – a chemical compound that is the simplest
alkane and is the principal component of natural gas
Harmful effects of water pollution
 Hepatitis – inflammation of the liver caused by DESTRUCTIVE FISHING METHODS
viruses, bacterial infections, continuous exposure to  Muro-ami (reef-hunting) – a form of illegal fishing
alcohol, drugs, or toxic chemicals, such as those that destroys the coral reefs and exploits children. A
found in aerosol sprays and paint thinners. system of drive-in net fishing that originated in
 Dysentery – an acute or chronic disease of the large Okinawa in the early 1900s. The Muro-ami net is
intestine of humans, characterized by frequent made up of an enormous bag and two wings that
passage of small, watery stool, often containing blood each stretches almost three-quarters of a kilometer.
and mucus, accompanied by severe abdominal The bag net is secured to the seabed by about twenty
cramps. (Associated with the disease caused by an young divers, youths that free dive to depths of up to
amoeba, Entamoeba histolytica). eighty feet to attach the net to the seabed. Vigorous
 Methemoglobinemia – a blood disorder that is a smashing of the reef forces the fishes to come out
result of the presence of methemoglobin (an altered of their corals.
form of hemoglobin that cannot bind oxygen,  Cyanide fishing – a method of fishing wherein
produced by some poisons or by a genetic disorder) fishermen dive into the sea usually without artificial
breathing aids. When they reach the coral reefs, they

LET Review 2012 Page 10

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 spray the poison (cyanide) between individual animal and transmit signals between different parts
layers, after which the yield is collected. of its body.
 Reef fishing (Bottom Bouncing) – anglers use  In most animals, the nervous system consists of two
heavy 60-100 lb handline techniques to target large parts, central and peripheral.
fishes.  The central nervous system of vertebrates (such as
humans) contains the brain, spinal cord, and
BIOLOGY retina.
THE HUMAN BODY  The peripheral nervous system consists of sensory
 Role of Diffusion in the Human Body: Diffusion neurons, clusters of neurons called ganglia, and
occurs throughout the human body, without it, cells nerves connecting them to each other and to the
and body tissue could not get important nutrients for central nervous system.
survival, the eyes would dry out, and many medicines  Neurons send signals to other cells as
could not be absorbed into the body. Diffusion makes electrochemical waves traveling along thin fibers
possible an even distribution of substances called axons, which cause chemicals called
throughout all cells of the body. neurotransmitters to be released at junctions called
 The epiglottis is a flap of elastic cartilage tissue synapses.
covered with a mucus membrane attached to the root  Sensory neurons transmute physical stimuli such as
of the tounge. It guards the entrance of the glottis, the light and sound into neural signals; motor neurons
opening between the vocal folds. transmute neural signals into activation of muscles
 The nasal septum divides the left and right airways or glands.
in the nose, dividing the two nostrils.  glial cells - non-neuronal cells that provide support
and nutrition, maintain homeostasis, form myelin,
Sex Hormones and participate in signal transmission in the nervous
 Estrogen – responsible for the development of the system.
breast in females and the widening of the pelvis. In
addition, it also allows the increase in the amount of Functional areas of the Brain:
body fat in hips, thighs, buttocks, and breasts.
 Progesterone – steroid hormone involved in the
female menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and
embryogenesis of humans and other species.
 Gonad – an organ that makes gametes. The gonads in
males are the testicles and the gonads in females are
the ovaries.
 Testosterone – a steroid hormone from the
androgen group and is found in mammals, reptiles,
birds, and other vertebrates. It is referred to as a
“male hormone”.

Connective Tissues  Brainstem – the lower extension of the brain where

 Tendon - a tough band of fibrous connective tissue it connects to the spinal cord. Neurological functions
that usually connects muscle to bone and is capable located in the brainstem include those necessary for
of withstanding tension (e.g. Achilles tendon) survival (breathing, digestion, heart rate, blood
 Ligament – (1) fibrous tissue that connects bones to pressure) and for arousal (being awake and alert).
other bones; (2) peritoneal ligaments – a fold of  Cerebellum – the portion of the brain (located at the
peritoneum or other memberanes; (3) Fetal remnant back) which helps coordinate movement (balance
ligaments – remnants of a tabular structur from the and muscle coordination). Damage may result in
fetal period of life. (e.g. broad ligament of the ataxia which is a problem of muscle coordination.
uterus; and hepatoduodenal ligament) This can interfere with a person’s ability to walk, talk,
 Cartilage – a stiff and inflexible connective tissue eat, and to perform other self care tasks.
found in many areas of humans and animals,  Frontal lobe – Front part of the brain; involved in
including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the planning, organizing, problem solving, selective
ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle and attention, personality and variety of “higher cognitive
others. functions” including behavior and emotions.
 Occipital lobe – region in the back brain which
Nervous System processes visual information. Not only is the occipital
 An organ system containing network of specialized lobe mainly responsible for visual perception, it also
cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an contains association areas that help in the visual

LET Review 2012 Page 11

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 recognition of shapes and colors. Damage to this lobe molecules of ATP are actually produced but two
can cause visual deficits. molecules are used in the preparatory phase.
 Parietal lobe – one of the two parietal lobes of the  Photosynthesis – a process that converts carbon
brain located behind the frontal lobe at the top of the dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars,
brain. (right) damage to this area can cause visuo- using the energy from sunlight. It occurs in plants,
spatial deficits; (left) damage to this area may algae, and many species of bacteria, but not in
disrupt a patient’s ability to understand spoken archaea.
and/or written language. The parietal lobes contain  Phototrophs – photosynthetic organisms
the primary sensory cortex which controls sensation  Transpiration – a process similar to evaporation. It
(touch, pressure). Behind the primary sensory cortex is the loss of water vapor from parts of plants,
is a large association area that controls fine sensation especially in leaves but also in stems, flowers and
(feelings, judgment of texture, weight, size, shape) roots.
 Temporal lobe – there are two temporal lobes, one  Monomers: (1) amino acid – protein; (2) nucleotides
on each side of the brain located at about the level of – nucleic acid; (3) glucose – starches, glycogen or
the ears. These lobes allow a person to tell one smell cellulose; (4) lipid - fat
from another and one sound from another. They also
help in sorting new information and are believed to KINGDOM
be responsible for short-term memory. (right)  A taxonomic rank, which is either the highest rank or
mainly involved in visual memory (i.e. memory for in the more recent three-domain system, the rank
pictures and faces) (left) mainly involved in verbal below domain.
memory (i.e. memory for words and names)  Ranking: kingdom – phylum – class – order – family –
 Hypothalamus – located below the thalamus, just genus – species
above the brain stem. A portion of the brain that is  There are five kingdoms: (1) Animalia; (2) Plantae;
responsible for certain metabolic processes and (3) fungi; (4)Protista; (5) Prokaryota or Monera (this
other activities of the Autonomic Nervous System. It depends upon classification schemes)
controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, and  Animalia (Metazoa) – a major group of mostly
fatigue. multicellular, eukaryotic organisms. Their body plan
 Cerebrum – the most anterior or, especially in eventually fixed as they develop (some may undergo
humans, most superior region of the vertebrate a process called metamorphosis). Characteristics
central nervous system. It, with the assistance of the include: (1) eukaryotic (an organism whose cells
cerebellum, controls all voluntary actions in the contain complex structures enclosed within
body. membranes); (2) muticellular (organisms that
 Medulla oblongata – the lower half of the consists of a single cell only); (3) heterotrophic
brainstem. It governs the cardiac, respiratory, (organisms that use organic carbon for growth by
vomiting and vasomotor centers and deals with consuming other organisms); (4) lacks rigid cell
autonomic functions, such as breathing, heart rate walls; (5) motile (can move spontaneously and
and blood pressure. independently); (6) embryos pass through a blastula
stage , in most animals.
CELLULAR RESPIRATION  Plantae – includes all land plants and mosses, ferns,
 Also known as oxidative metabolism is one of the conifers, flowering plants, and others. The most
key ways a cell gains useful energy. It is the set of the striking feature of plants is their green color, the
metabolic reactions and processes that take place in result of a pigment called chlorophyll. Plants use
an organisms’ cells to convert biochemical energy chlorophyll to capture light energy, which fuels the
from nutrients into Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP), manufacture of food – sugar, starch, and other
and then release waste products. carbohydrates
 Aerobic respiration – requires oxygen in order to  Fungi (from the Latin fungus – mushroom)– a
generate energy (ATP). Anaerobic respiration is member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms
used by some microorganisms in which neither that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and
oxygen (aerobic respiration) nor pyruvate or molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. One
pyruvate derivative (fermentation)is the final major difference is that fungal cells have cell walls
electron acceptor. Rather, an inorganic acceptor is that contain chitin, unlike the cell walls of plants,
used. which contain cellulose. Abundant worldwide, most
 Glycolysis – a metabolic pathway that is found in the fungi are inconspicuous because of the small size of
cytoplasm of cells in all living organisms and is their structures, and their cryptic lifestyles in soil, on
anaerobic. The process converts one molecule of dead matter, and as symbionts of plants, animals, or
glucose into two molecules of pyruvate, and makes other fungi. Characteristics: (1) contain membrane-
energy in the form of two net molecules of ATP. Four bound nuclei with chromosomes that contain DNA
with noncoding regions called introns and coding

LET Review 2012 Page 12

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 regions called exons; possess membrane-bound level during pregnancy, this may precede
cytoplasmic organelles such as mitochondria, sterol- development of Type 2 diabetes.
containing membranes, and ribosome; (2) lacks  Emphysema – a long – term, progressive disease of
chloroplasts and are heterotrophic; and (3) the lung that primarily causes shortness of breath.
possesses cell wall and vacuoles. (example: Mold) Tissues necessary to support the physical shape and
 Protista – a diverse group of eukaryotic function of the lungs are destroyed. It is called an
microorganisms. They live in almost any obstructive lung disease because the destruction of
environment that contains liquid water. Many lung tissue around smaller airways, called alveoli,
protists, such as algae, are photosynthetic and are makes these airways unable to hold their functional
vital primary producers in ecosystems. Used to refer shape upon exhalation.
to unicellular eukaryotes that either exist as  AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or
independent cells, or if they occur in colonies, do not Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) – a disease
show differentiation into tissues. Protozoa is a term of the human immune system caused by the human
used to refer to heterotrophic species of protists that immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This condition
do not differentiate. progressively reduces the effectiveness of the
 Prokaryote/Monera – included most organisms immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to
with prokaryotic cell organization (no nucleus). This opportunistic infections and tumors. Cure: there is
includes: (1) Archaea and (2) bacteria. Includes currently no publicly available vaccine for HIV or
unicellular organisms lacking a true nucleus and AIDS. The only known method of prevention are
nuclear membrane, having genetic material based on avoiding exposure to the virus and Post-
composed of a single molecule of double stranded exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).
DNA. They generally have a rigid cell wall.  Syphilis – a sexually transmitted disease caused by
 Streptococcus is a group of bacteria belonging to the the spirochetal bacterium Treponema pallidum. The
family Streptococcaceae. The term streptococcus route of transmission of syphilis is almost always
(twisted berry) refers to the bacteria’s characteristic through sexual contact. First choice treatment is the
grouping in chains that resemble a string of beads. use of penicillin (an antibiotic).
They belong to the kingdom protista.  Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted
infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria
Organisms gonorrhoeae. This can be cured by using a wide
 An Autotroph is an organism that produces complex variety of antibiotics.
organic compounds from simple inorganic molecules  Malaria – a mosquito-borne infectious disease
using energy from light or organic chemical caused by eukaryotic protest of the genus
reactions. They are the producers in the food chain, Plasmodium. It is widespread in tropical and
such as plants on land or algae in water. subtropical regions, including parts of the Americas,
 Heterotroph – an organism that uses organic carbon Asia, and Africa.
for growth by consuming other organisms.  Stroke – (cerebrovascular accident) rapid
 Algal species form blooms, commonly referred to as developing loss of brain function(s) due to
“red tides” each with different impacts. A bloom of disturbance in the blood supply to the brain.
dinoflagellates that causes reddish discoloration of  Rheumatic heart disease – is a condition in which
coastal ocean waters. the heart valves are
 Artificial pacemaker – a medical device which uses
Diseases electrical impulses, delivered by electrodes
 Diabetes milletus – a condition in which a person contacting to the heart muscles, to regulate the
has high blood sugar, either because the body does beating of the heart.
not produce enough insulin, or because the body  Hemodializer – an apparatus by which hemodialysis
does not respond to the insulin that is produced. This may be performed, blood being separated by a
is associated with polyuria (frequent urination), semipermeable membrane from a solution of such
polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia composition as to secure the diffusion of certain
(increased hunger) elements out of the blood.
 Types of Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes: results from
the body’s failure to produce insulin, and presently Blood type Compatibility
requires the person to inject insulin; Type 2  A Blood type is a classification of blood based on the
diabetes: results from insulin resistance, a condition presence or absence of inherited antigenic
in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes substances on the surface of red blood cells (RBCs).
combined with an absolute insulin deficiency; and These antigens may be proteins, carbohydrates,
gestational diabetes: when a pregnant woman, who glycoproteins, or glycolipids, depending on the blood
never had diabetes before, have a high blood glucose group system.

LET Review 2012 Page 13

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
Blood Type Compatibility Chart  Alleles are the different, discrete versions of the
same gene (e.g. color of pea plant – white or purple)
Recipient Donor
 Homozygous – two copies of the same allele of a
O− O+ A− A+ B− B+ AB− AB+
given gene.
O−  Heterozygous – two different alleles of agiven gene.
O+  Genotype – set of alleles for a given organism.
A−  Phenotype – observable traits of the organism.
 Dominant allele – the qualities of which dominate
A+ the phenotype of the organism
B−  Recessive – the allele that recede and are not
B+ observed.
 Mendel’s first law (law of segregation) – When a
AB− pair of organisms reproduce sexually, their offspring
AB+ randomly inherit one of the two allels from each
 Sample interpretation, Only blood types O and A parent.
could be accepted by a person whose blood type is A.  Mendel’s Second Law (law of independent
MEIOSIS assortment) – the alleles of different genes get
 Meiosis is a process of reductional division in which shuffled between parents to form offspring with
the number of chromosomes per cell is cut in half. In many different combinations.
animals, meiosis always result in the formation of
gametes, while in other organisms it can give rise to CHEMISTRY
spores.
CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CHANGE
Reproduction:  A physical change is a change in the form of matter
 Sexual Reproduction – characterized by processes but not in its chemical identity. (e.g. change in phase)
that pass a combination of genetic material to  A chemical change, or chemical reaction, is a
offspring, resulting in increased genetic diversity. change in which one or more kinds of matter are
 Asexual reproduction – reproduction which does transformed into a new kind of matter or several
not involve meiosis or fertilization. Primary form of new kinds of matter.
reproduction for single-celled organisms such as  A substance is a kind of matter that cannot be
archaea, bacteria, and protists. separated into other kinds of matter by any physical
 Cell reproduction is asexual. The process of Cell processes. (e.g. sodium chloride and pure water).
division has four major parts: (1) G1 phase – marked  An element is a substance that cannot be
by synthesis of various enzymes that are required for decomposed by any chemical reaction into simpler
DNA replication; (2) S phase – the DNA replicates and substances. (A substance whose atoms all have the
produces two identical sets of chromosomes; (3) G2 same atomic number)
phase – Significant protein synthesis occurs; (4) M  A compound is a substance composed of two or
phase – consists of nuclear division (karyokinesis) more elements chemically combined.
and cytoplasmic division (cytokinesis), accompanied  Law of definite(or constant) proportion – a pure
by the formation of a new cell membrane. substance, whatever its source, always contains
 The M phase is broken down into district phases: definite or constant proportions of the elements by
(PPMAT – Prophase, Prometaphase, Metaphase, mass.
Anaphase, and telophase leading to cytokinesis)  A mixture is a material that can be separated by
 Cloning – the process of producing similar physical means into two or more substances.
populations of genetically identical individuals that o Heterogeneous mixture – a mixture that
occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, consists of physically distinct parts, each with
insects, or plants reproduce asexually. different properties. (e.g. mixture of salt and
sugar; and mixture of potassium dichromate
GENETICS and iron filings)
 Genetics is the science of heredity and variation in o Homogeneous mixture (SOLUTION) – a
living organisms. This began with the work of Gregor mixture that is uniform in its properties
Mendel in the mid-nineteenth century. Genes throughout given samples. (e.g. sodium
correspond to regions within the DNA (the structure chloride solution; air)
of which is determined by Watson and Crick), a ATOMS, MOLECULES AND IONS
molecule composed of chain of four different types of  John Dalton’s basic theory, all matter, whether
nucleotides – the sequence of these nucleotides is the element, compound or mixture – is composed of
genetic information organisms inherit, where small particles called atoms.
inheritance in organisms occur.  Postulates of Dalton’s Atomic Theory
LET Review 2012 Page 14
Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 o (1) All matter is composed of indivisible  Periodic table – a tabular arrangement of elements
atoms. An atom is an extremely small particle in rows and columns, highlighting the regular
of matter that retains its identity during repetition of properties of the elements.
chemical reactions. (this was later disproved  A period – consists of the elements in any one
through experiments of scientists) horizontal row of the periodic table
o (2) An element is a type of matter composed  A group – consists of the elements in any one
of only one kind of atom. column of the periodic table.
o (3) A compound is a type of matter
composed of atoms of two or more elements METALS, NONMETALS AND METALLOIDS
chemically combined in fixed proportions.  A Metal is a substance or mixture that has a
o (4) A chemical reaction consists of the characteristic luster, shine, and is generally a good
arrangement of the atoms present in the conductor of heat and electricity. (except for
reacting substances to give new chemical mercury, metallic elements are solids at room
combinations present in the substances temperature (about 20°C). They are more or less
formed by the reaction. malleable (can be hammered into thin sheets) and
o Different laws covered by Dalton’s atomic ductile (can be drawn into fine wires). Most metals
theory: (1) law of conservation of mass (by also form basic oxides (a binary compound with
postulate 2; (2) law of definite proportion oxygen in the -2 oxidation state) when they react
(by postulate 3); and (3) law of multiple with oxygen.
proportions which is deduced from the  A nonmetal is an element that does not exhibit the
theory. characteristics of metals. Most nonmetals are gases
o Law of multiple proportions – when two (e.g. Chlorine and Oxygen) or solids (e.g. phosphorus
elements form more than one compound, the and sulfur). Bromine is the only liquid nonmetal.
masses of one element in these compounds  A metalloid (or semimetal) is an element having
for a fixed mass of the other element are in both metallic and nonmetallic properties (7
ratios of small whole numbers. metalloids – Boron, Silicon, Germanium, Arsenic,
 Structure of the atom: has a highly dense nucleus Antimony, Tellurium, and Astatine). These elements
which is positively charged, and electrons (a very are usually good semiconductors (such as
light, negatively charged particle that exists in the Germanium and Silicon.
region around the atom’s positively charged nucleus)  A molecule is a definite group of atoms that are
orbiting the nucleus. chemically bonded together – that is, tightly
 The electron was discovered by J.J. Thompson connected by attractive forces.
 The proton was discovered by Earnest Rutherford.  A molecular formula gives the exact number of
 A proton is a nuclear particle having a positive different atoms of an element in a molecule.
charge and a mass more than 1800 times that of the  A structural formula a chemical formula that shows
electron. how the atoms are bonded to one another in a
 The atomic number (Z) represents the number of molecule.
protons in a nucleus.  An Ion is an electrically charged particle obtained
 The mass number (A) is the total number of protons from an atom or chemically bonded group of atoms
and neutrons in a nucleus. by adding or removing electrons.
 Isotopes – atoms whose nuclei have the same atomic  Normally, isolated atoms are electrically neutral
number but different mass numbers; that is the (meaning, they have equal number of positive and
nuclei have the same number of protons but negative charges).
different numbers of neutrons.  Metals tend to lose electrons, whereas nonmetals
 Atomic weight – the average atomic mass for the tend to gain electrons.
naturally occurring element, expressed in atomic  An atom that gives up electrons becomes relatively
mass unit. positively charged.
 Atomic mass unit (amu)- a mass unit equivalent to  Anion – a negatively charged ion; cation – a
exactly one twelfth of the mass of a carbon-12 atom. positively charged ion.
 An Ionic Compound is a compound composed of
THE PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS cations and anions (e.g. Sodium Chloride – made up
 Dmitri Mendeleev and J. Lothar Meyer found that: of Sodium (Na+) and Chloride (Cl-)
when the elements are arranged in the order of
increasing atomic weight, they could be placed in NAMING SIMPLE COMPOUNDS
horizontal rows, one row under the other, so that the  Chemical nomenclature – the systematic naming of
elements in each vertical column have similar compounds.
properties. It was later found that it would be better  Organic compounds – compounds that contain
to represent the elements by their atomic number. Carbon combined with other elements such as
LET Review 2012 Page 15
Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen. (exemption, the  The name of the oxyacid is related to the
following are inorganic compounds: Carbon name of the corresponding oxyanion.
monoxide, carbonates, carbon dioxide and cyanide)  Transforming the name of the anion to acid
 Inorganic compounds – compounds composed of Anion suffix replaced by Acid Suffix
elements other than carbon. -ite -ous
(1) Naming Ionic Compounds -ate -ic
 Most ionic compounds contain metals and  e.g. anion: Sulfite ion – acid: sulfurous acid
nonmetals (e.g. NaCl) anion: Sulfate ion – acid: sulfuric acid
 The name of the compound is given by  A base is a substance that on dissociation in water
naming the Cation (the first to ion) causes an increase in the concentration of the solvent
followed by the name of the anion (the anion OH- (Arrhenius); any substance that can accept a
next ion). proton from any other substances (Bronsted-Lowry); an
 In Sodium Chloride the cation is Na + electron pair donor(Lewis).
(Sodium); and the anion is Cl (chloride).
-  An acid – a substance that produces H+ in solution. A
 Monatomic ions – an ion formed from a substance that on dissociation in water causes an
single atom. increase in the concentration of the solvent cation H3O+
 Monatomic cations are named after their (Arrhenius); any substance that donates a proton to
elements. another substance (Bronsted-Lowry); an electron pair
 Polyatomic ion – an ion consisting of two or acceptor (Lewis).
more atoms chemically bonded together and  Amphoteric substances are substances that can act
carrying a net electric charge. as a base and an acid.
(2) Naming Binary Molecular Compounds  When acids and bases react, they form coordinated
 A binary compound is a compound covalent bond; this is referred to as neutralization.
composed of only two elements.
 A binary molecular compound is a HYDRATES
compound that is composed of two  A hydrate is a compound that contains water
nonmetals or metalloids; they are usually molecules weakly bound in its crystals. These
named using a prefix system. substances are often obtained by evaporating
 Rules: (a) the name of the compound has the an aqueous solution of the compound.
elements in the order given in the formula;  Consider Copper (II) Sulfate, when an
(b) Name the first element using the exact aqueous solution of this substance is
element name; (c) Name the second by evaporated, blue crystals form in which for
writing the stem name of the element with every unit of Copper (II) sulfate, there are 5
the suffix –ide. (d) Add the prefix, derived water molecules [Cu(II)SO4·5H2O]
from the Greek, to each element name to  When the blue crystals are heated, the water
denote the subscript of the element in the is evaporated leaving white crystals of
formula: Copper (II) Sulfate – this now is referred to as
 (1) mono-; (2) di-; (3) tri- (4) tetra-; (5) anhydrous copper (II) sulfate.
penta-; (6) hexa-;(7)hepta-;(8) octa-; (9)  Hydrates are named from the anhydrous
nona-; and (10) deca- compound, followed by the word hydrate
 e.g. (1) SF4 – Sulfur Tetrafluoride with a prefix to indicate the number of water
(2) ClO2 – Chlorine Dioxide molecules per formula unit of the compound.
(3) SF6 – Sulfur hexafluoride  Thus, [Cu(II)SO4·5H2O] is named Copper (II)
(3) Naming acids and Corresponding Anions sulfate pentahydrate.
 Acids are molecular compounds that yield
hydrogen ions, H+, and an anion for each acid SOLUTIONS
molecule when the acid dissolves in water.  A solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more
 e.g. HNO3 – nitric acid; when dissolved in substances, consisting of ions or molecules.
water, it becomes H ion, and NO3
+ -  A Colloid - a dispersion of particles of one substance
 An oxyacid (or oxoacid) is an acid (the dispersed phase) throughout another substance
containing hydrogen, oxygen, and another or solution (the continuous phase). Colloids have
element. (e.g. is HNO3). particle sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nm.
 A polyatomic ion is a group of covalently  Types of colloids:
bonded nonmetal atoms that act like a single o Foam – gas dispersed in liquid (beaten egg
atom when combining with other atoms. white)
 In water, the oxyacid molecule yields one or o Solid foam – gas in solid (marshmallow)
more hydrogen ions, H , and an oxyanion.
+ o Liquid aerosol – liquid in gas (clouds, fog)
o Emulsion – liquid in liquid (milk, blood)

LET Review 2012 Page 16

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 o Gel – liquid in solid (cheese, butter) substance and in which more of the substance can
o Solid aerosol – solid in gas (smoke, dust) dissolve.
o Sol – solid in liquid (paint, gelatin)  Supersaturated solution – a solution that contains
o Solid sol – solid in solid (colored glass) more dissolved substance than a saturated solution
 A suspension is a mixture with particles that are does.
larger than 100 nm. AIR POLLUTANTS AND THEIR SOURCES:
 Types of Solutions: gaseous, liquid, solid.  Carbon monoxide(CO) – comes from fuel
 The two components of a solution are the solute and combustion at stationary sources. It is a colorless,
the solvent. odorless and poisonous gas may come from forest
 The solute, in the case of a solution of a gas or solid and building fires, agricultural burning, and
dissolved in a liquid, is the gas or solid; in other miscellaneous types of burning. Heavy
cases, the solute is the component in smaller amount. concentrations of CO especially in heavy city traffics,
 The solvent in a solution of a gas or solid dissolved it could cause tiredness, dizziness and carelessness.
in a liquid, is the liquid; in other cases, the solvent is  Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) – comes from engine exhausts
the component in greater amount and factory chimneys. It attacks the respiratory
 Gaseous Solution system in humans and other animals. It dissolves in
o Miscible fluids are fluids that mix with or rain to give acid rain.
dissolve in each other in all proportions  Sulfur Oxide – The primary source is burning of coal.
o Immiscible fluids are fluids that do not mix When coal is burned, the sulfur content is oxidized to
but form two layers form corrosive sulfur dioxide gas, particles, and
o e.g. air droplets, which can find their way into the tiny
crevices of the lungs, destroying cells and impairing
 Liquid solution oxygen absorption.
o Obtained by dissolving a gas, liquid, or solid,  Nitrogen Oxides – usually comes from automobiles
in some liquid. and power plants that burn fuels at very high
o e.g. Soda water – a solution of Carbon dioxide temperatures. Nitrogen dioxide is a pungent and
gas in water harmful gas that causes nose and eye irritations and
o e.g. ethanol in water – liquid-liquid solution pulmonary discomfort.
o e.g. brine – water with sodium chloride  Hydrocarbons – a major air pollutant because of
 Solid Solution their role in the production of photochemical
o Alloy – a material with metallic properties oxidants. They can cause, liver damage and even
that is either a compound or a mixture cancer.
o e.g. gold-silver alloy
o e.g. dental-filling alloy – solution of mercury DID YOU KNOW?
and(a liquid) in silver (a solid) with small
amounts of other materials.  pH is a term indicating the hydrogen ion (positively
charged hydrogen atom) concentration of a solution,
 Absorption – a physical or chemical phenomenon or a measure of the solution’s acidity.
a process in which atoms, molecules, or ions enter  Acids – has pH lower than 7 (not not equal to 7)
some bulk phase – gas, liquid or solid. Adsorption –  Bases – has pH 7 and above.
molecules are taken up by the volume, not by the  Ammonium Sulfate – (NH4)SO4, an inorganic salt
surface. with a number of commercial uses (the most
 Osmosis – the movement of water molecules across common use is as a soil fertilizer). It is largely used as
a semi-permeable membrane from a region of high an artificial fertilizer for alkaline soils. In the soil, the
concentration to a region of low concentration until a Sulfate ion is released and forms bisulfate, lowering
state of equilibrium is reached. the pH balance of the soil (as do other sulfate
 Diffusion – spread of particles through random compounds such as aluminum sulfate), while
motion from regions of higher concentration to contributing essential nitrogen for plant growth.
regions of lower concentration.  Hydrochloric acid – a solution of hydrogen chloride
SOLUBILITY in water, that is highly corrosive, strong mineral acid
 Solubility – the amount that dissolves in a given that is found naturally in gastric acid (one of the main
quantity of water at a given temperature to give a secretions of the stomach).
saturated solution.  Folic acid (Vitamin B9) – a water soluble vitamin
 Solubility usually increases with temperature. that is in itself not biologically active, but its
 Saturated solution – a solution that is in equilibrium biological importance is due to tetrahydrofolate and
with respect to a given dissolved substance. other derivatives after its conversion to dihydrofolic
 Unsaturated Solution – a solution not in acid in the liver. It is essential to numerous bodily
equilibrium with respect to a given dissolved functions.

LET Review 2012 Page 17

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
  Citric acid – a weak organic acid. Present in greater o Second law (law of acceleration) – the
amounts in a variety of fruits and vegetables, most acceleration of an object is directly proportional to
notably citrus fruits such as lemons and limes. the Force exerted to it and inversely to the mass of
 Lactic acid – a chemical compound that plays a role the object.
in several biochemical processes. o Third law (law of interaction) – For every action,
 Detergents – consists of ionic and anionic there is an equal but opposite reaction. (e.g.
surfactants which act to remove the dirt from the walking; and propulsion of rockets)
clothes, perfume, phosphors which make clothes  Law of Universal gravitation – For every two
appear whiter, and for powders aticaking agents to objects in the universe, there exist an attractive force
prevent the powder from becoming one large lump between these two objects which is directly
in the presence of moisture. Surfactants are organic proportional to their masses and inversely with the
chemicals, obtained through complex chemical square of their separation distance.
reactions, from oil or fat raw materials. Several types  Mass is the amount of matter contained by a
of surfactants include: soap (anionic), material, on the other hand, Weight follows the law
alkylbenzenesulphonate (anionic), ethoxylated of universal gravitation and is affected by the pulling
fatty alcohols (non-ionic). body. Weight is taken by multiplying the mass with
the gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s/s).
PHYSICS  Bigger planets (with greater mass), greater
attractive force is felt by objects. An object on earth
MECHANICS will have a lesser weight in the moon (around 1/6th
 A branch of physics that focuses on the way in which that of the weight on earth) due to smaller mass of
force produces motion. the moon as compared to the earth.
 Force is in simple terms a push or pull. A net force is  If two objects on earth and moon have the same
a physical quantity that is capable of changing an weight, the one on the moon has the greater mass.
object’s state of motion. A net force is exemplified by  Linear momentum – is the product of the mass of
the following: (1) causes an object at rest to start the object and its velocity. Objects with KE also has
moving; (2) causes a moving object to stop; and momentum.
causes a moving object to change its direction. EQUILIBRIUM OF RIGID BODIES
 Rigid Bodies – objects wherein all the parts remain
A Brief History of Explanation of Motion at constant or fix distances from every other parts as
 Aristotle – believed that the world is composed of the object rotate.
four elements – earth, water, air and fire. Each of  Types of motion of a rigid body – (1) translational
these elements has a natural place in the terrestrial motion – refers to the linear motion wherein every
region. When one is displaced from its natural particle has the same instantaneous velocity. (2)
position, it will try to return to its natural position. rotational motion - refers to the motion of a body
o He believes that heavy objects fall faster than about a fixed axis of rotation wherein the particles
lighter ones. (this was disproven by Galileo) have the same instantaneous angular velocity. (3)
o He also formulated that for an object to move, a rolling motion – combination of rotational and
force is needed; without the force, the object comes rolling motion.
to rest.  Mechanical equilibrium – equilibrium achieved by
o He also believed that objects may move away from objects where the vector sum of the forces acting on
their natural position – this he referred to as the object is zero. Types: static equilibrium (at
‘violent motion’. rest); dynamic equilibrium (in motion at constant
 Galileo Galilei – he experimented with a ball rolling velocity)
in an inclined plane. In his experiment, he was able to  Center of gravity – a point in an object where it can
formulate his idea of inertia. “inertia is the natural be suspended without tending to rotate.
tendency of an object to maintain a state of rest or to  States of Equilibrium – (1) Stable equilibrium – a
remain in uniform motion in a straight line at state of equilibrium characterized by being able to
constant velocity” return to its original position when small
 Isaac Newton – he formulated the three laws of displacement from the equilibrium position is made.
motion. This also happens when the center of gravity of the
o First law (Law of Inertia) – An object at rest will object is at its lowest possible position. (e.g. a cone
remain at rest and an object in motion will on its tip) (2) unstable equilibrium – a state of
continue in motion in a straight path with constant equilibrium characterized by being unable to return
velocity unless acted upon by a net external force. to its original position when a small displacement is
(passengers of a jeepney would be pushed forward made from the equilibrium position (e.g. a cone on its
after it suddenly stops) base) (3) neutral equilibrium – a state of
equilibrium which happens when even a greater

LET Review 2012 Page 18

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 force that would be exerted away from the o A barometer is an instrument that helps
equilibrium position would still make the object measure pressure.
return to its original state (a cone on its side).  Pressure increases with depth and decreases with
o The orientation of your body helps shift the altitude, this means that at higher areas such as
center of gravity, making it more stable at mountains, the pressure is low. (this makes boiling
times required. easier at higher areas since, the atmospheric
 Conditions of Equilibrium - (1) First condition of pressure is easily reached)
equilibrium – summation of forces acting on a body  Pascal’s Principle – “In a confined fluid, pressure
is zero. (2) Second condition of equilibrium – is transmitted undiminished”.
summation of torque is equal to zero. o Applications include the hydraulic lift,
 Torque – the quantity that measures how effectively squeezing a tube of toothpaste, hydraulic
a force causes acceleration. It is also the product of brake and others.
Force and lever arm.  Archimedes Principle – “A body partly or wholly
o The greater the lever arm, the easier rotation submerged in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal
takes place. This explains why doorknobs are in magnitude to the weight of the displaced fluid
placed near the edge of the door. This and directed upward along a line through the
maximizes the amount of torque for it to be center of gravity of the displaced fluid”.
easily opened.  Buoyant force – force experienced by objects that
 Work is the product of Force and displacement. are partly or wholly submerged in a fluid.
(unit: Newton-meter or Joules).  Surface tension – a behavior of liquids (especially
 In order to come up with maximum work done, the water) to form a “stretched-membrane-like”
force and the displacement should be parallel. structure on its surface due to intermolecular forces
o Examples of work done, pushing a cart, of attraction.
moving a table, and lifting a bag o Intermolecular forces may be generally
o Examples of no work done: pushing a not classified into two, cohesion – attraction
moving wall, carrying a bag, looking at between molecules of same substance; and
something. adhesion – attraction between molecules of
 Energy is the ability to do work. (Unit: Joules) different substances.
 General types of Mechanical Energy – (1) kinetic o Increasing attractive force: gas, liquid,
energy – energy possessed by objects which are in solid
motion; product of ½ mass and square of velocity o Capillary action – happens when one side of
(1/2 mv ). (2) Potential energy – energy associated
2 a tube with a small opening is placed in a
with forces that depend on the position, or liquid and the liquid rises some distance in it.
configuration of a body and its surroundings.  Bernoulli’s principle – “As the velocity of a fluid
 Potential energy may be in the form of gravitational increases, its pressure decreases”.
potential energy (GPE). GPE is the product of mass, o This principle helps explain the flight of birds,
gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s2) and the height kites and gliders.
(distance of the object from the ground).
 The Law of Conservation of Energy could be stated WAVES AND OPTICS
as: (1) “Energy can neither be created nor  A wave is a disturbance that propagates carrying
destroyed; it can only be transformed to other energy but not matter: classification (in terms of
forms”. Alternatively it could as well be stated in this use/no use of medium): mechanical waves – waves
manner: “Energy in the universe is constant”. that require a medium to propagate (e.g. sound
 Power – the rate of doing work, is the ratio between waves); electromagnetic waves – waves that do not
Work and time. (unit: Joules per second (J/s) or require a medium to propagate (e.g. gamma rays).
Watt)  (in terms of propagation) transverse waves –
waves that has a wave motion that is
MECHANICS OF FLUIDS perpendicular with the motion of the particles of a
 Density – ratio of mass and Volume. (measured in medium (e.g. water waves); longitudinal waves -
kg/m and the like). Denser objects tend to sink and
3 waves that has parallel wave motion and particle
less dense objects float. motion.
 Pressure – ratio of Force and area. (measured in  Sound is a mechanical wave. It exhibits the
N/m2 or Pascal) properties of waves named: (1) refraction, (2)
o Hydrostatic pressure - pressure exerted by reflection, (3) diffraction, (4) interference
a column of fluid.  The speed of sound depends density (sound waves
o Atmospheric pressure – pressure exerted move well on dense materials) – this also means that
by the air/atmosphere. sounds travel fastest in solids, then liquids then gas,

LET Review 2012 Page 19

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 elasticity (sound waves move faster in elastic  Huygen’s Principle – any point in a
materials), and temperature. wavefront could be considered as a source
 The speed of sound at 0°C is 331.5 m/s, the speed of of secondary wavelets.
sound increases by 0.6 m/s for every 1°C increase in o Interference – interaction between two
temperature. Thus, at 20°C the speed of sound is waves that meet each other. Two types: (1)
approximately 344 m/s. constructive interference – two waves
 Key terms for a wave – (1) crest – highest point in a meeting the same points (or similar parts –
wave, (2) trough – lowest point in a wave, (3) crest and crest; trough and trough); and
equilibrium position – the axis in which the wave destructive interference – meeting of two
propagates, (3) amplitude – the distance from the differing parts of a wave (the crest and the
equilibrium position to either the lowest point or the trough)
highest point in a wave, (4) wavelength – the  Follows the Superposition principle
distance from a point in a wave to a consecutive – When two waves meet, they are added
identical part of the wave. vectorally (meaning, the magnitude and
 Light is an electromagnetic wave. It is part of the the direction of the waves are considered).
Electromagnetic wave spectrum (GXUVIMR – Gamma o Polarization - confining the vibration of the
Ray, X-ray, Ultraviolet rays, Visible light (VIBGYOR – wave (light) in parallel planes of propagation.
Violet, Indigo, blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red), o Dispersion - process by which light is
Infrared, Microwave and Radiowave). The separated into its colors due to differences in
arrangement mentioned is in decreasing energy degrees of refraction. (this could be
and increasing wavelength. illustrated using light incident to a prism).
 Light travels the fastest among anything. Its speed is This helps explain why rainbows occur right
299 792 458 m/s. This explains why we see lightning after raining. (the water droplets acting as
first before we hear the thunder. small prisms).
 Light exhibits a dual property – wave and particle  Light, color and seeing: major concepts, (1) light
nature. from the sun is white light – composed of the 7 major
 Light and seeing – types of materials: (1) opaque colors (ROYGBIV); (2) light from a source hits an
materials are materials that do not allow light to pass object and is perceived by humans through the use of
through it (e.g. brick, wood and metals); (2) their eyes; (3) the eyes have a lens that could help
translucent materials are materials that allow part project an image at the cornea of the eyes which later
of the light incident to it to pass through but are is processed by the brains; (4) light that is perceived
scattered (e.g. lampshades, wax paper and frost by humans is the color that the object is able to
glass); and (3) transparent materials are materials reflect, the rest of the colors are absorbed.
that allow light to pass through (e.g. glass and some
plastics). Mirrors: (1) plane, (2) concave, (3) convex
 In the past, major proponents include: (for particle  Mirrors are governed by reflection
nature) Sir Isaac Newton and (for wave nature)  Virtual image – image produced by light that
Christian Huygens. “seems” to converge on it.
 Supports for wave nature: (properties of light)  Real image – image produced by light that “actually”
o Reflection – when light strikes a reflecting passes the location of the image.
surface it is reflected in the same angle as it is  Characteristics of a plane mirror: (1) produces a
incident to it. This is referred to as the law of virtual and erect image, same distance as the object is
reflection. from the mirror.
o Refraction – bending of light/wave when it  Parts of a Curved mirror: (1) principal focus or focal
passes from one medium (such as air) to point (F), (2) vertex(V), (3) center of curvature(C),
another (such as water) of which the two (4) radius of curvature(R), (5) principal axis
have different optical densities 9or in  A concave mirror is a converging mirror, meaning
general, density. This follows Snell’s Law light incident to it converges on a particular location.
 n1sinƟ1 = n2sinƟ2  Characteristics of the image produced using a
where; n1 and n2 are the refractive index concave mirror:
of the two media o (1) at infinity – a point that is situated at F.
Ɵ1 is the angle of incidence o (2) beyond 2F – image is between F and C,
Ɵ2 is the angle of refraction real, inverted, and smaller than the object
o index of refraction – ratio between o (3) at 2F – image is formed at C, real,
the speed of light in vacuum and the speed inverted, and same size as the object
of light in a material. (unit less) o (4) between F and 2F – image is beyond C,
o Diffraction – bending of light (wave) when it real, inverted, and larger than the object.
hits a barrier. o (5) at F – no image formed

LET Review 2012 Page 20

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 o (6) between F and V – image is formed  Thermal energy transfer – is the transfer of
behind the mirror, virtual, erect, and larger thermal energy caused by a temperature difference
than the object. between the system and its surroundings.
 A convex mirror is a diverging mirror, meaning light  Temperature – is a measure of the hotness or
incident to it is diverged/scattered away. coldness of a body. It is as well a measure of the
 Characteristics of the image produced using a convex average translational kinetic energy of a system.
mirror  Thermometer is an instrument that is used to
o For all positions – virtual, upright, and measure temperature. A thermal sensor is any
smaller. material that has a thermometric property which
 Convex mirrors can cover a large area, and are thus changes with temperature.
useful in the following: a convenient store, side  Three kinds of thermometers:
mirrors of cars and others that require a wide  (1) liquid-in-a-glass thermometer [made of glass
coverage to be viewed. tube with one bulb at the end, the glass bulb
containing a liquid (either alcohol or mercury) that
Lenses: (1) Convex and (2) Concave expands and rises up the narrow tube as the
 Parts of a lens: (1) principal focus – F, (2)twice the temperature increases];
focus – 2F, (3)Optical center – O, (4) secondary focus  (2) rotary thermometer [consists of a coiled
- F’, (5) twice the secondary focus - 2F’ bimetallic strip(made up of two strips of metal,
 A lens is a curved piece of glass or some other each of a different kind, joined together – usually
transparent material that is used to refract light. one strip is brass and the other is iron) one end is
 Convex lenses are lenses that converge light to a fixed and the other end is attached to a pointer. As
particular location. They are as well referred to as the temperature increases, the strip coils up and
converging lenses. the pointer moves.; and
 Concave lenses are lenses that diverge light. They  (3) Thermocouple and liquid crystal
are also called diverging lenses. thermometers [an electronic thermometer which
 Characteristics of images formed using a converging operates under the principle of measuring changes
(convex) lens: in electrical signals. It consists of two wires of
o at infinity – formed at F, real, inverted, and different metals joined together at the ends to form
smaller than the object two junctions, and a display that shows the
o beyond 2F – formed between F and 2F, real, temperature.
inverted, and smaller than the object  Temperature Scales: Celsius (°C); Fahrenheit (F)
o at 2F – formed at 2F, real, inverted, and same and Kelvin (K)
size as the object  Conversion factors: F = 1.8 C + 32; C = [5(F-32)]/9;
o between F and 2F – formed beyond 2F, real, K = C + 273.15
inverted, and larger than the object  Laws of Thermodynamics:
o at F – no image formed o Zeroth law of thermodynamics – If two objects
o between F and O – formed in front of the lens, are in thermal equilibrium with a third object,
virtual, erect, and larger than the object. then they are in thermal equilibrium with each
 Characteristics of images formed using a diverging other.
(concave) lens: o First law of thermodynamics – The change in
o For all positions – formed in front of the lens, internal energy of a system equals the difference
virtual, upright and smaller between heat taken in by the system and the work
done by the system. This follows the law of
HEAT AND THERMODYNAMICS conservation of energy
 Thermodynamics is the branch of Physics that deals o Second law of thermodynamics - natural
with the study of heat and its transformation into processes go in a direction that maintains or
mechanical energy. increase the total entropy of the universe; another
 Internal Energy refers to all the energy belonging to statement, “When all systems are taking part in a
a system while it is stationary (neither translating process are included, the total entropy either
nor rotating), including nuclear energy, chemical remains constant if the process is reversible or
energy, and strain energy (as for compressed or increases if the process is irreversible”.
stretched spring), as well as thermal energy. o Entropy - measure of disorder in a system;
 Heat refers to energy in transit. It is used to mean measure of how much energy is unavailable for
both thermal energy and thermal energy transfer. conversion into work.
 Thermal energy is the portion of the internal energy o Reversible process – one which occurs very
that changes when the temperature of the system slowly and in which the system is very nearly in
changes. equilibrium all the time. (total energy change is
zero)

LET Review 2012 Page 21

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
 o Irreversible process – one in which there is a o Where: m – mass; Lv – latent heat of
great deviation from the equilibrium state vaporization; ΔQ – change in heat
(increase in entropy occurs)  Heat transfer is faster in metals than plastics. Metals
 Thermal expansion – spreading out of the particles are conductors of heat and plastics are insulators.
of a substance when its thermal energy increases.  Thermal equilibrium – a state wherein when two
o Applications: (1) inclusion of expansion joints bodies/objects/fluids that are in contact, no more
in bridges to account for expansion, and (2) exchange of heat happens and their temperatures are
use of thermostats (an automatic switching the same.
mechanism that depends on pre-set desired
temperature). ELECTRICITY
 Heat transfers from an object of higher temperature  Static electricity involves electric charges. Electric
to an object of lower temperature. charges arise from particles of atoms.
 3 Mechanisms of Heat Transfer: (1) Conduction - o Proton – positive charge
transfer of heat when there is contact between two o Electron – negative charge
objects. (2) Convection - heat transfer from hotter o Neutron – neutral charge
regions to cooler regions through currents  Materials of electrical nature: (1) conductor –
(movement of masses of fluids); and (3) Radiation – materials whose electric charges are free to move;
heat transfer through electromagnetic waves, the (2) insulator – materials whose electric charges are
only mechanism of heat transfer that requires no not free to move; (3) semiconductor – materials
medium/contact. somewhere between a conductor and an insulator
 Specific heat - refers to the amount of energy (e.g. Silicon and Germanium).
required to raise the temperature of a kilogram of a  Means of transferring charge: (1) conduction –
substance by one Kelvin. [unit: Joules per kilogram- transfer of charges from a charged object to another
Kelvin (J/kg·K)]; 1 calorie = 4.186 J by direct contact. (2) Induction - movement of
 Water has a very high specific heat capacity as charges to one part of the material one a charged
compared to other materials (4180 J/kg·K). body is brought near. In this process, the charge of
o Water has a higher specific heat than sand, the object becomes opposite charge is produced. (3)
which explains the occurrence of sea breeze polarization – shifting of electric charge slightly to
and land breeze. one side in the presence of a nearby charge.
 Heat capacity or thermal capacity – the amount of  Coulomb’s Law for Electricity – the force of
heat required to raise its temperature by one degree. attraction or repulsion between two small charged
 ΔQ = mCΔT bodies is directly proportional to the product of the
where: m – mass two charges and inversely proportional with the
C – specific heat square of their separation distance.
ΔQ – change in heat  Electric Field – imaginary field lines that acts on
ΔT – change in temperature nearby charges. A ratio of the Electric force and the
 Phase changes: (1) freezing – liquid to solid; (2) charge placed near it.
melting – solid to liquid; (3) evaporation – liquid to  Electric field lines, originate from positive charges
gas; (4) condensation – gas to liquid; (5) sublimation and are directed towards negative charges.
– solid to gas, gas to solid.  Electric Current (or simply current) – the
 Boiling point is the temperature at which the vapor movement of charged particles in a specific direction.
pressure of the liquid slightly exceeds the pressure of The Charged particle may be an electron or a proton,
the atmosphere above the liquid. positive or negative ion. (symbol: I; unit: Ampere - A)
 Evaporation takes place at temperatures below the  Electric Current also measures the amount of
boiling point, this takes place at the surface of the charge that passes a certain point per unit time. (thus
liquid only; while in boiling, vapor forms within the the unit Coulomb per second; Coulomb being the unit
body of the liquid; and as the vapor bubbles rise of charge)
through the liquid, they cause the turbulence and o DC – direct current, current flowing in a
seething associated with boiling. single, non-variable, direction; AC –
 Latent heat – hidden heat, heat associated with alternating current, current that periodically
change in phase. (unit: J/kg) changes direction
o Latent heat of fusion – heat associated with  Voltage – (a.k.a. electromotive force or Potential
melting and freezing. ΔQ = mLf difference) – the electric pressure that causes
o Where: m – mass; Lf – latent heat of fusion; current. (symbol: V; unit: Volts)
ΔQ – change in heat  Voltage is also defined as the ratio of energy and
o Latent heat of vaporization - heat charge (thus the unit Joules per Coulomb)
associated with evaporation and  Resistance is the opposition a material offers to
condensation. ΔQ = mLv current. (symbol: R; unit: Ω (omega which is Ohm).

LET Review 2012 Page 22

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
  Resistivity – a quantity that gives the characteristic Electromagnets consist of a current carrying wire
resistance of a material. looped around a core (this could any metal such as
 R = (ρl)/A iron).
Where R – resistivity  The strength of the magnetic field is affected by the
ρ – (symbol rho, which is the resistivity) number of turns of the coil, and the size of the metal
l – length of the material core.
A – cross sectional area of the material  Electric motor – a device that is used to convert
 Ohm’s law: I = V/R – The current in a circuit is electrical energy into mechanical energy.
directly proportional to the Voltage and inversely  Generator – a device that is used to convert
proportional to the Resistance of the circuit. mechanical energy to electrical energy.
 Power in a circuit: P = VI (unit: Watt or Volt-  Current meters – devices which measure electric
Ampere). current. Galvanometer – a device that measures
 Electrical energy and cost: small amounts of electric current. The rotation of a
o Electrical companies charge us for electrical loop of wire in a magnetic field is the basis for this
energy and not power: since work could be device.
equated to energy we have: W = PΔt.  An ammeter is a galvanometer with parallel resistor
o The energy used by consumers is simply the and connected in series with the load to measure the
product of power and time. (thus the unit current passing through it.
kilowatt-hour)  A voltmeter is a galvanometer with series resistor
 Multiple Load Circuits – Series and Parallel and connected in parallel with the load to measure
 Characteristics of a series circuit: the voltage across it.
o Total resistance is just the sum of the  Faraday’s law – the emf induced in a loop of wire is
individual resistances. proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux
o The current is the same in all the loads through the coil.
o The voltage is divided o This law is based on the observations of Michael
 Characteristics of a parallel circuit: Faraday which include: (1) when he thrusts a
o The inverse of the total resistance is the sum magnet into a coil of wire, current was induced in
of the reciprocal of the resistances of the the coil while the magnet was moving relative to
loads. the coil. (2) Moving the magnet towards the coil
o Current is divided among the loads had the same effect as moving the coil towards the
o Voltage is the same in all equipotential lines. magnet; only the relative motion was important.
 Lenz’s law – the direction of an induced current is
MAGNETISM such that its own magnetic field opposes the original
 Characteristics of magnets: (1) magnets have the change in magnetic flux that induced the current.
ability to attract materials that are magnetic in  Electromagnetic induction – the process of
nature. (2)magnets have south and north pole; inducing a current by moving a magnetic field
(3)Like poles repel and unlike poles attract. (4) when through a coil of wire.
allowed to hang freely, magnets always align in one  Transformer – a device used to increase or decrease
particular direction. (5) Magnetic poles always occur the voltage and current in AC circuits. Consists of a
in pairs – there is no magnetic monopole. primary and secondary coil.
 Magnetic field – a region in which a magnetic force o Step-up transformer which increase the voltage
can be detected. Magnetic fields originate from the and decrease the current; and step-down
North and are directed towards the South Pole. transformer which reduces the voltage and
 Magnetic Field Strength – has magnitude equal to increase the current.
the number of flux lines per unit area of a magnetic  Formula: n1V2 = n2V1
field. Where: n1 – number of loops in the primary loop
 The magnetic field is strongest near the poles. n2 – number of loops in the secondary loop
V1 – Voltage in the primary loop
ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM V2 – Voltage in the secondary loop
 Electricity and magnetism were found to be related NUCLEAR REACTIONS
through Hans Christian Oersted who made an  Radioactivity – the spontaneous breakdown of an
interesting observation that when a compass was unstable atomic nucleus accompanied by the
brought near a current-carrying wire; the compass emission of particles and rays.
needle did not point to the North but got deflected to  Nuclear fission – splitting apart of an unstable
another direction. nucleus (parent) to become a more stable nucleus
 This paved the way to the invention of new gadgets (daughter). (e.g. fission of Uranium and Plutonium).
using the principles of electromagnetism. This
governs the operation of electromagnets.

LET Review 2012 Page 23

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
  Nuclear fusion – unstable light nuclei combine to  Hydrogen Bomb – a thermonuclear bomb, is a
become more stable. (e.g. fusion of hydrogen nuclei nuclear weapon in which a thermonuclear fusion
to become helium. (this is evident with the sun) reaction takes place among heavy isotopes of
 Atomic bombs – are powerful explosive nuclear hydrogen (either deuterium or tritium) to produce
weapons fueled by the splitting, or fission, of the an explosion.
nuclei of specific isotopes of Uranium or plutonium
in a chain reaction.

LET Review 2012 Page 24

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
LICENSURE EXAMINATION for TEACHERS 2012
Refresher Course - GENERAL EDUCATION
NATURAL SCIENCES
(Previous LET Items)

WHAT TOLET
PREVIOUS EXPECT
ITEMS
CONTENT AREA IN NATURAL SCIENCE
LET Competencies:

 Utilize scientific knowledge in the preservation of human life and conservation of the earth’s resources
o Relate scientific theories to actual happenings and many induced natural calamities
o Utilize biological knowledge and theories in the improvement and preservation of the quality of
life
o Apply knowledge and theories of physical sciences in the improvement of the quality of life
 Apply scientific knowledge and principles for the improvement of human resources and socio-
economic development
 Identify problems and suggest solutions related to personal and community

Prepared by: MR. VON ANTHONY G. TORIO

I. Introduction to Science and Technology

1. Which is the BEST evidence that helium gas is lighter than 6. When Daisy swims, she notices that if she takes a deep
air? breath, she floats. If she exhales all the air in her lungs, she
a. Helium-filled balloons rises in air sinks. Which is the BEST explanation of Daisy’s discovery?
b. By volume, helium makes up only 0.0005% of air Daisy displaces an amount of water that ____________________.
c. Helium has the lowest boiling point of all elements a. has less volume than her body volume
d. Helium atoms do not combine with other air atoms b. weighs less than her body
2. Which of the following will occur if a cold bottle of soda is c. weighs more than her body
left open on a kitchen counter? d. is equal to her body weight
a. The temperature of the soda will decrease 7. Why is a dam built wider at the bottom than at the top?
b. The amount of dissolved Carbon Dioxide gas will a. it anchors the dam better
decrease. b. to balance the pressure at the top
c. The amount of dissolved Carbon Dioxide gas will c. it holds up the dam better than at the center
remain the same. d. to withstand the greater pressure at the bottom
d. The pressure that the soda exerts on the bottle will 8. Researchers gave rats a dose of 3-m, butyl phthalide and
increase measured changes in the rats’ blood pressure. This
statement is BEST classified as:
3. Scientists also find that other stalky vegetables such as a. findings c. hypothesis
carrots also help lower blood pressure. This statement is b. prediction d. experiment
BEST classified as: 9. Neneth became heavier by 23 pounds due to increased
a. finding c. experiment appetite. She weighs 175 pounds now. What was her
b. prediction d. nonessential original weight?
a. 199 pounds c. 153 pounds
4. It was also discovered that the chemical 3m- b. 198 pounds d. 152 pounds
butylphthalide can lower the blood pressure of rats. This 10. An advertisement for a new diet drink claims that an
statement is classified as ____________________. eight-ounce serving ____________________.
a. finding c. experiment I. contains only 240 calories
b. prediction d. nonessential fact II. contains two ounces of proteins
III. tastes better than leading brands
5. Researchers believe that celery helps lower blood IV. costs only 14 cents per ounce
pressure by causing muscles that line blood vessels to Which of the claims is based on opinion?
relax. This is BEST classified as: a. I c. III
a. finding c. hypothesis b. II d. IV
b. prediction d. Experiment

LET Review 2012 Page 25

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
11. Which has a greater density, a lake full of water or a cup 19. A set of bacteria was isolated for research in the
full of water? laboratory. It was found that in time, the number of bacteria
a. the cup full of water present increased more than the rate of increase of time.
b. the lake full of water What can be said about the relationship between time and
c. not enough information the number of bacteria?
d. they have the same density a. direct c. direct square
b. inverse d. inverse square
12. Modern science has used technology to help doctors 20. Three liquids A, B, and C were studied in a laboratory.
determine illness. A child bumped and fell with his head Liquid A was found to float over B and C. It was also found
hitting a concrete pavement. Which medical approach will that liquid A flows fastest among the three. What can be
determine the status of the cranial accident? said about liquid A?
a. submit the child to Chest X-ray a. densest and most viscous
b. Submit the child to cranial X-ray b. densest and least viscous
c. Submit the child to cranial scanning c. least dense and most viscous
d. open up and do surgical operation d. least dense and least viscous
21. When do doctors declare dengue fever as an epidemic?
13. Why does the level of water in a beaker rise after a stone a. When everyone is suffering from a cold.
is placed in it? b. When two are hospitalized from the neighborhood
a. the water weighs less than the stone c. When every household of fine houses are sick with
b. the stone has more mass than the water high fever
c. the stone takes the place occupied by water d. When the proportion of patients reach at least 15%
d. the stone and water occupy the same space of the population
14. If two variables X and Y are directly related, which of
these is NOT true? 22. The volume of a gas is inversely proportional to its
a. when X is low, Y is also low pressure. When the pressure is 30 cm of Mercury, the
b. as X increases, Y also increases volume is 600 cubic centimeters. Find the pressure when the
c. When X increases, Y decreases volume is 250 cubic cm.
d. a high Y is associated with a high x a. 12.5 cm of mercury
15. The existence of extraterrestrial life may never be b. 28 cm of mercury
proven, but this idea will become more scientifically c. 72 cm of mercury
acceptable over time if ____________________. d. 65 cm of mercury
a. hypotheses are made related to the idea
b. no one disputes this idea in a scientific forum 23. The Department of Health allows sale of drugs and
c. increasing scientific evidence supports the idea medicine after thorough laboratory test. Which of those
d. alternative hypothesis are proposed and confirmed drugs is discouraged for use because of its component?
16. Teacher M showed the class the plotted plants placed on a. Vitamin A and B
the window sills. She asked them to observe the direction b. Tea and sugar syrup
of their growth. The pupils observed that the plants c. Bangkok pills
tended to grow outward. Then teacher M asked the class d. none syrup
this question: “Why do you think they grow outward?” 24. Food markets are encouraged to handle cooked food
What was Teacher M engaging the pupils to do? well. One incident in a wedding party sent hundreds of guest
a. observe to the hospital. It was found out that the food
b. draw conclusions ________________________
c. design an experiment a. was left uncovered
d. formulate hypothesis b. was half cooked
17. Which of the following has the smallest mass when c. had ptomaine poison
measured in an equal arm balance? d. was contaminated with dysentery bacteria
a. ½ sheet of pad paper
b. ¼ sheet of pad paper II. Earth and Space Science
c. 1/3 sheet of pad paper
d. 1/8 sheet of pad paper 1. In our daily weather forecast, the region where two
18. Which among the following is NOT classified as an tropical wind systems converge characterized by showers
observation? and widespread thunderstorm is called ____________________.
a. Bubbles are present. a. tradewinds c. warm and cold fronts
b. It produced a pungent odor. b. local disturbance d. intertropical convergent zone
c. The material became rough.
d. The process is a chemical change.

LET Review 2012 Page 26

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
2. Which one should be TRUE if Earth’s rotation axis did not 10. Why do we see the sun rise in the east?
tilt? a. the earth revolves
I. Days and nights would be the same length everywhere b. clockwise the sun is stationary in the east
on earth. c. the earth rotates from east to west
II. There would be no hours of darkness on points along d. the earth rotates from west to east
the equator.
III. Earth would have no seasons. 11. If you lose your direction while traveling at night, which
IV. Each part of the Earth would have the same daily star should you look for and what constellation?
temperature pattern. I. Polaris
a. IV and I c. II and IV II. Rigel
b. I and III d. III and IV III. Ursa minor
IV. Ursa major
3. Tides caused by the moon’s gravity, create a frictional a. I and IV c. II and III
force that is gradually slowing down Earth’s rotation b. II and IV d. I and III
speed. One million years from now, scientist may discover
that compared to today, Earth’s 12. Which location should have most nearly twelve hours of
a. day is longer c. day is shorter daylight and twelve hours of darkness during December?
b. year is shorter d. year is longer A town that is located ____________________.
a. Close to the equator
4. Which of the following facts support the big bang theory’s b. close to the North Pole
explanation of the creation of the universe? c. close to the South Pole
a. The universe seldom expand d. halfway between the equator and the South Pole.
b. The universe has no beginning nor end 13. As the earth revolves, due to the tilting of its axis what
c. The universe does not expand nor contract natural phenomena occur?
d. The universe will have background radiation a. weather c. day and night
5. The harmful form of ozone that can be seen as smog is b. seasons d. global warming
formed in the ____________________. 14. The point in the earth’s orbit when the earth is farthest
a. exosphere c. troposphere from the sun is called ____________________.
b. ionosphere d. stratosphere a. perigee c. aphelion
6. We have energy responsible for life on Earth. The source b. parallax d. perihelion
of this energy is the ____________________. 15. The astronomer Copernicus was the first person to
a. moon c. star publicly state that the earth ____________________.
b. wind d. sun a. does not move
7. Syzygy is the term that describes the alignment of the Sun, b. is slowing down
Moon and Earth that causes extraordinary high tides. This c. revolves around the sun
phenomenon occurred during the period from December d. is the center of the solar system
30, 1986 to January 4, 1987. It aggravated the severe 16. Which kind of rock is abundant in the Bicol region?
storms that occurred along the Atlantic Coast. Three a. shale c. sedimentary
coinciding events occurred during the five-day period: b. igneous d. metamorphic
I. The moon’s orbit was closest to Earth-about 223,000 17. Meteorology is a very important branch of natural
miles instead of 240 000 miles science, without which we cannot be informed of
II. The moon was directly between Earth and Sun, causing forthcoming ____________________.
a New Moon a. comet c. typhoon
III. Earth’s orbit was closest to the Sun – 91 ½ million b. meteor d. earthquake
miles, instead of the normal 93 million miles
The occurrence of which of the preceding events best 18. Which of the following BEST differentiates an
explains why the tide was higher than normal? earthquake’s intensity from its magnitude?
a. I, II and III c. I and III a. intensity describes the depth from which the
b. I and II d. II and III earthquake originated while magnitude refers to the
8. The rocks brought by astronauts from the moon were energy of the of the earthquake
found to be approximately _____________________ billion years b. intensity cannot be measured while magnitude can be
old. measured using a seismograph
a. 5.5 c. 4.5 c. intensity refers to the strength of the quake while
b. 2.5 d. 1.5 magnitude refers to the degree of destruction it caused
9. What important metallic elements are found at the inner at its epicenter
core of the earth? d. intensity is a measure of how much damage an
a. iron and nickel c. phosphorus and silicon earthquake causes at the surface while magnitude is
b. iron and silicon d. magnesium and potassium the strength of the quake

LET Review 2012 Page 27

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
19. The prevailing wind systems experienced in the 6. At which time during the year does the ozone level present
Philippines are ____________________. a particular health threat in urban areas for people with
a. East and West monsoon respiratory problems?
b. North and South monsoon a. Fall c. Spring
c. Northeast and Southwest monsoon b. Winter d. Summer
d. Northeast and Southeast monsoon
7. Which of the following human activities reduces the level
20. If the air at 61 degrees is holding the maximum amount of ozone in the atmosphere?
of moisture that it can, and the temperature suddenly a. releasing of fluorocarbons from aerosol cans
drops to 45 degrees, what is likely to be the result? b. using artificial lighting in scientific polar situations
c. destroying large areas of the equatorial rain forests
I. The humidity will remain unchanged. d. Using large banks of solar cells for energy production
II. The air will become saturated with water vapor.
III. Precipitation will be released in the form of rain. 8. Which of the following procedures used by a farmer is
IV. Precipitation will be released in the form of hail. NOT related directly to preventing erosion?
a. I and III c. I and IV a. Contour plowing around a hill
b. II and I d. II and III b. Planting grass in gullies to act as filter
c. Planting crops in alternate rows (strip farming)
d. Planting more seeds than there necessary to yield a
III. Environmental Science bountiful crop

1. During periods of increased global temperatures, which of 9. Tsunamis would be very dangerous to humans because of
the following is most likely to occur? the potential for causing
a. A decrease in earthquakes a. fault lines
b. an increase in earthquakes b. earthquakes
c. a decrease in atmospheric CO2 c. severe flooding
d. an increase in atmospheric CO2 d. volcanic eruptions

2. Rivers in Metro Manila are identified causes of heavy 10. The following are ecological violence which are GLOBAL
floods. Authorities account this to ____________________. in nature EXCEPT:
a. waste incineration a. poverty
b. waste classification b. pollution
c. waste burning in home yards c. chemical and biological warfare
d. waste dumping on river banks d. overexploitation of world’s resources

3. Which of the following shows mechanical weathering in 11. What is the most significant cause of dwindling
rocks? biodiversity?
a. acids dissolve rocks a. global warming
b. formation of caverns b. destruction of habitat
c. iron in rocks combine with oxygen c. large plant consumption
d. freezing water between rock particles d. depletion of ozone layer
12. Which is NOT an adverse effect of deforestation?
4. Which is NOT among the hazardous effects of water a. cause flooding in the lowlands
pollution to health? b. paves way for human settlements
a. The epidemic threat of hepatitis and dysentery c. contributes to greenhouse effect
b. The increase incidence of liver cancer d. decrease in atmospheric humidity
c. The dumping of mercury in the sea causing blindness, 13. Climate in a particular region is greatly affected by
brain damage or death ____________________.
d. The presence of certain bacteria in the digestive tract a. wind and temperature
causing methemoglobinemia b. temperature and rainfall
c. atmospheric pressure and wind
5. Which of the following BEST demonstrates the greenhouse d. rainfall and atmospheric pressure
principle?
a. a microwave oven 14. Global warming can be prevented by ____________________.
b. A heated aquarium a. using refuse-derived fuel incinerator
c. A car with rolled-up windows b. preventing increase of vehicle exhaust
d. a solar battery-powered calculator c. preventing build-up of open house gases
d. using Freon in many household devices

LET Review 2012 Page 28

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
15. Which of the following environmental conditions has IV. Biology
been blamed for the usual occurrence of “fish kills”?
a. acid rain 1. Piggery farms affected by FMD are prohibited from
b. eutrophication ____________________.
c. silting of lakes a. castrating their piglets
d. atmospheric pollution b. Mating their sows when in heat
c. isolating their piglets from sows
16. All of the following problems may arise in the use of d. butchering their pigs for the market
a. pollution of the surrounding soil 2. Which kingdom should STREPTOCOCCUS be classified?
b. flashfloods and degradation of soil a. fungi c. protista
c. production of methane gas and possible explosion b. plantae d. animalia
d. refusal of residents for the construction of sanitary 3. Which of the following methods can all diabetics control
landfill in their area their condition and avoid heart disease and blindness?
I. regulating their intake of glucose
17. All of the following are effects of deforestation, EXCEPT: II. Increasing the levels of insulin in the body by taking
a. landslides c. global warming injections
b. flashfloods d. destruction of the ozone layer III. Maintaining a reasonable exercise regiment to keep
weight down.
18. Why is incineration not favored as a method of waste a. I c. I and II
disposal? b. II d. I, II and III
a. it releases noxious gases 4. Which method of reproduction provides for the most
b. it is expensive for a country like ours variety of offspring?
c. it requires large energy expenditures a. cloning c. asexual reproduction
d. the country lacks funds to install incinerators b. sexual reproduction d. cellular reproduction
5. The Jones family has had four children, all girls. The fifth
19. Some factories use water to cool their equipment, child born is a boy. This change is the result of
warming the water in the process. If the warm water is ____________________.
dumped into a river, lake or ocean, how might it affect the a. the timing of the fertility cycles
ecology of the body of water? b. the “law of averages” finally catching up
I. The added heat may result to the decrease in the amount of c. conception classes taken by the parents.
dissolved oxygen needed by the aquatic organisms d. the father’s contribution of a “Y” chromosome.
II. The added heat will accelerate the chemical-biological 6. What is the function of DIFFUSION in the human body?
processes that may alter the reproductive processes of the a. Regulates blood flow.
aquatic plants and animals. b. Plays an insignificant role in the body’s functioning
III. The increase in the temperature will increase the amount c. Comes into play in times of extreme illness
of dissolved carbon dioxide causing the acidity of water to d. Allows an even distribution of substances throughout
exceed harmful levels for aquatic plants and animals all cells of the body
a. I and III c. II only 7. What is the MOST likely reason for a dessert plant to have
b. I and II d. I only a few or no leaves?
a. to increase transpiration
20. Ozone depletion happens due to the release of CFC’s from b. to decrease transpiration
____________________. c. to increase photosynthesis
a. deforestation c. Styrofoam and Freon d. to decrease photosynthesis
b. annual respiration d. industrial combustion 8. In which kingdom should MOLD be classified?
a. fungi c. plantae
21. Which is a destructive fishing method wherein fishes are b. animalia d. protista
driven out of a coral reef by pounding the corals with a 9. Which area of the brain controls feelings on the left side of
heavy weight? a person’s face?
a. Muro ami c. cyanide fishing a. the left parietal lobe
b. reef fishing d. corals entrapping b. the left occipital lobe
c. the right parietal lobe
22. Which of the following activities help REDUCE water d. the right occipital lobe
pollution? 10. Which of the following is the BEST example of self-
a. using organic fertilizers preservation?
b. throwing only liquid wastes a. A mouse runs when it sees a cat.
c. cleaning with soap instead of detergents b. A dog barks when it sees its owner.
d. treating wastewater before it is discharged c. A young man decides to quit smoking.
d. A salmon swims back to the place of its birth to lay eggs.

LET Review 2012 Page 29

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
11. Which is a characteristic of emphysema? 21. Today, a computerized machine could send regular
a. increase of mucus in the nose electrical impulses to the heart muscles in order for it to
b. destruction of alveolar tissues beat rhythmically. This machine is called
c. increase in the growth of lung tissue ____________________.
d. inflammation of the walls of the trachea a. pacemaker c. pressure maker
b. heart implant d. homeostatic machine
12. Which type(s) of blood can be given to a person with
blood type A? 22. Organisms that can manufacture their own food are
a. only type O c. only types O and B called ____________________.
b. only types O and A d. only types A and AB a. carnivores c. autotrophs
b. omnivores d. heterotrophs
13. Which diseases can usually be cured with antibiotics?
a. AIDS and malaria 23. In an aquarium, which abiotic factor may NOT affect the
b. AIDS and syphilis continuous increase in fish population?
c. gonorrhea and syphilis a. available food
d. gonorrhea and malaria b. available space
14. Which of the following are characteristics of a polluted c. oxygen in the water
river? d. amount of carbon dioxide
I. The water is potable. 24. A Health Officer needs to introduce a publicity campaign
II. There is a foul smell. to reduce the spread of syphilis. Which advice should be
III. There are many living organisms. included?
IV. The water is mucky in color. a. Do not drink from cups used by other people.
a. II and III c. II and IV b. Have sexual intercourse only with one partner.
b. I and IV d. I and III c. Do not use soap and water used by other people.
15. Which of the following control measures would NOT help d. Use the birth control pill as means of contraception.
prevent the spread of malaria?
a. draining swamps 25. Protein is a polymer while the monomer of this
b. boiling drinking water substance is ____________________.
c. covering windows with netting a. glucose c. amino acid
d. spraying insecticides on stagnant water b. fatty acid d. pyruvic acid
26. Which group of organisms cause “red tide”?
16. In plant cells, chloroplasts are active in the chemical a. algae c. Jellyfishes
processes required to make food. Animal cells have no b. bacteria d. dinoflagellates
chloroplasts. Based on this, we can conclude that 27. Which structure closes the opening in the larynx while
____________________. we are swallowing?
a. plant cells are more complex than animal cells a. glottis c. pharynx
b. animal cells are more complex than plant cells b. septum d. epiglottis
c. animals must obtain food from outside sources 28. Which are the food eaters or consumers in an ecosystem?
d. animal cells prey upon plant cells as food source a. producers c. decomposers
b. autotrophs d. heterotrophs
17. Which hormone promotes the development of secondary 29. Which gas is manufactured by green plants into starch?
female sex characteristics? a. oxygen c. hydrogen
a. gonads c. testosterone b. helium d. carbon dioxide
b. estrogen d. progesterone 30. Many amphibians may lose a part of their body such as a
18. Which connective tissue makes up the tip of our nose and leg or tail. They have the ability to grow a lost part. This
external ear? ability is known as ____________________.
a. tendon c. ligament a. rejuvenation c. resuscitation
b. cartilage d. tough cords b. regeneration d. reproduction

19. Which part of the brain controls heartbeat, breathing and V. Chemistry
digestion? 1. Which of these characterize/s metals?
a. cerebrum c. hypothalamus I. Good electrical conductors
b. cerebellum d. medulla oblongata II. They are malleable and ductile
20. Which of the iron-containing compounds gives the red III. They for m basic oxides
corpuscles its color? a. I only
a. albumin c. hemoglobin b. I, II and III
b. fibrinogen d. serum globulin c. I and II only
d. II and III only

LET Review 2012 Page 30

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
2. Why do farmers and gardeners often treat the soil with 11. Which of these statements is FALSE?
ammonium sulphate? a. water is heavier than oil
a. It acts as a pesticide b. kerosene is lighter than water
b. It reduces the acidity of the soil. c. fire caused by kerosene can be put out if water is
c. It increases the oxygen content of the soils poured on the fire
d. It increases the nitrogen content of the soil. d. rain of distilled water (a pure liquid) boils at constant
temperature
3. Which of the following organic acids occurring in low 12. Which of these does NOT belong to the other three
concentrations is essential to humans but is highly terms?
dangerous when humans are exposed to high Solution colloid suspension element
concentrations of it? a. colloid c. solution
a. citric acid found in citrus fruits b. element d. suspension
b. lactic acid found in milk products 13. A group of covalently bonded atoms that acts like a single
c. Folic acid, a form of vitamin B used to treat anemia atom when combining with other atoms is referred to as
d. hydrochloric acid found in the stomach’s gastric juices ____________________.
a. ionic bonds c. polyatomic ion
4. In an experiment, a drop of blue ink is placed on the b. covalent ions d. ionic bonded atoms
surface of a glass of water. In a few minutes, the drop of 14. A suspension is a mixture in which the disturbed
ink is dispersed throughout the water, turning it light particles are larger than those of the solvent and in which
blue. The result of the experiment proves that the particles, in time, will settle. Which of the following is
____________________. a suspension?
a. heat causes the ink to disperse a. dusty air c. pure gold
b. ink molecules have less density than water molecules b. salt water d. pure oxygen
c. a new compound is formed by the combination of ink 15. Large quantities of Calcium carbonate are dumped into
and water polluted lakes to fight the effects of acid rain. It is inferred
d. molecules of ink and molecules of water are in constant from the action that calcium carbonate is a/an
motion ____________________.
a. acid c. neutral substance
5. Atoms which tend to give up electrons during the process b. base d. powdered substance
of chemical combination possess ____________________.
a. neutral valence c. negative valence
b. positive valence d. unchanged valence VI. Physics
6. When molecules of ink turn a glassful of water into blue, 1. Each of the following objects is designed to employ the
what process has occurred? buoyancy principle EXCEPT a ____________________.
a. solution c. diffusion a. kite c. canoe
b. osmosis d. absorption b. boat d. submarine
7. Which chemical substance/s is/are contained in 2. Which explains why work is done when blowing a
detergents which cause/s the foam in stream water? balloon?
a. oil and benzene a. The force of gravity on the balloon increases.
b. phosphorus and alkyl b. The balloon moves outwards as the blowing force is
c. alkyl benzene sulfonate exerted on it.
d. phosphorus and benzene c. The balloon has potential energy which is changed to
8. Which of these characterizes organic compounds? kinetic energy
a. they are compounds of any elements d. the balloon is filled with air which has weight and
b. they are compounds containing carbon occupies space.
c. they always require electrical means to separate 3. Leaves are green in the sunlight because ____________________.
d. they cannot be broken down to simpler substances a. their tints bounce off
9. Which of the following is heterogeneous? b. they reflect green light
a. clean air c. sea water c. they absorb the green light
b. kerosene d. rain water d. they absorb the blue and yellow object and yellow light
10. Why should gasoline be stored in tightly covered narrow- 4. Which of the following is true about light and seeing?
mouthed containers and should be placed away from a. light enters the eyes enabling people to see objects
heat? b. light goes out from the eyes, hits an object, and then
I. To reduce evaporation returns to the eyes
II. To preserve its qualities c. light rays coming from an object meets light coming
III. To decrease its potential as fire hazard from a light source and then enters the eyes.
a. I and II c. II and III d. light rays coming from an object meets light coming
b. I and III d. I, II and III from a light source and then enters the eyes

LET Review 2012 Page 31

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
5. A tray filled with ice was left on a table. After one hour, it 13. The voltage across a transformer primary coil that has
was observed that some of the ice had changed to liquid. 100 turns is 10 V. What is the voltage across the secondary
Which of the following is TRUE about the temperature of coil which has 20 V turns?
the ice and the liquid? a. 2 V c. 20 V
I. The temperature of the ice did not change b. 10 V d. 100 V
II. The temperature of the ice become higher
III. The temperature of water is higher than the temperature of 14. Jane placed some mothballs inside her cabinet. After a
the ice
week they were all gone. What happened to the
a. II only c. III only mothballs?
b. I and II d. I only a. they melted
6. A stainless steel spoon feels colder than a plastic spoon b. they sublimed
because stainless steel ____________________. c. they condensed
a. is really colder than plastic d. they were dissolved by water in air
b. has a lower temperature than plastic
c. absorbs less heat from the hand than plastic does 15. Of the states of matter, which has the weakest
d. conducts heat away from the hand faster than plastic intermolecular force of attraction?
does a. gas c. liquid
b. solid d. plasma
7. Which statement is FALSE?
a. the gas phase has the least kinetic energy
16. To be safe in the unlikely case of lightning strike, it is best
b. solid particles have the strongest attractive forces in
to be inside a building framed with ____________________.
between
a. iron c. wood
c. molecules of solids and liquids are more closely packed
b. steel d. cement
than those in gases
d. solids and liquids have more molecules per unit
17. Which statements correctly differentiate boiling from
volume, hence their densities are higher
evaporation?
8. Which has the higher specific capacity, water or sand?
I. Boiling happens at a definite temperature while
a. water c. both
evaporation can occur at any temperature
b. sand d neither sand nor water
II. Boiling happens when the vapor pressure exerted by the
liquid becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure, while
9. The direct transformation of solid into the gas phase
evaporation occurs when high energy molecules at the
without passing through the liquid phase is called:
liquid surface continuously escape to the space above the
a. evaporation c. compression
liquid
b. sublimation d. freeze drying
III. The increase in temperature will increase the amount
of dissolved carbon dioxide causing the acidity of water
10. Why is it NOT advisable to repeatedly open the door of a
to exceed harmful levels for aquatic plants and animals.
refrigerator?
a. I only c. I and II
a. it leads to wastage in electrical energy
b. II only d. I and III
b. it will loosen the hinges of the refrigerator’s door
c. repeated opening introduces bacteria into the
18. Which of the following light has the longest wavelength?
refrigerator
a. red c. green
d. the warm air outside lowers the temperature inside,
b. blue d. yellow
thus, making the refrigeration less efficient
19. What happens to the speed of sound waves as it travels
11. What kind of mirror is used in cars to give the driver a
from a less dense medium to a denser medium?
wider area and smaller image of the traffic behind him/her?
a. the speed increases
a. plane c. convex
b. the speed decreases
b. concave d. double convex
c. the speed stays the same
d. total internal reflection happens
12. When you carry a heavy load with one arm, you tend to
hold your free hand away from your body in order to
20. Sound: decibel: ______________:_______________
____________________.
a. area: square c. volume: cube
a. change the mass of your body
b. capacity: hectare d. length: meter
b. change the weight of your body and load
c. be ready to grab something in case you fall
21. In which of the following medium would sound waves
d. change the center of gravity of your body and load
travel the fastest?
a. gases c. liquids
b. solids d. vibrating objects

LET Review 2012 Page 32

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
22. Why do we hear thunder some seconds after seeing 31. What happens to the speed of a light ray as it passes from
lightning? water to air?
a. sound travels 1,331 m/s a. increases c. remains the same
b. light travels faster than sound b. decreases d. increases then decreases
c. sound is released later actually
d. light appears brighter in the sky 32. Light that passes through a convex lens
____________________.
23. In a series circuit, how many complete pathways of a. diverges c. converges
electricity are produced? b. disperses d. is reflected
a. 3 c. 1
b. 4 d. depends on the number of bulbs 33. The propulsion of jets and rockets is based on Newton’s
____________________.
24. Blocks of asphalt roads are left with a narrow gap in- a. law of inertia c. gravitational theory
between them in order to ____________________. b. law of interaction d. law of acceleration
a. make roads with equal blocks and gaps
b. hold extra dust and small particles of sand 34. Which has more mass, a kilogram of feathers or a
c. serve as passage of water during rainy days kilogram of iron?
d. give allowance for expansion during hot days a. iron c. both have the same mass
b. feather d. cannot be determined
25. Which of these use the principle that pressure is
transmitted equally in all directions in a liquid? 35. What do users of electricity pay for?
a. hydraulic devices c. buoyed appliances a. electrical energy used
b. stoppered devices d. Fluid-operated crane b. Electrical power consumed
c. time for using the electricity
26. Why are doorknobs placed at the edge of a door rather d. current through the appliances
than in the center?
a. to increase the lever arm 36. Which law of motion explains what happens every time
b. to increase the force on the door we walk?
c. it is closer to the edge of the doorway a. inertia c. acceleration
d. to help give more momentum to the door b. interaction d. universal gravitation

27. What is the reason why a pressure cooker cooks faster? 37. The tremendous energy of the sun is produced through
I. water boils faster atomic ____________________.
II. It raises the boiling point of water a. fusion c. radiation
III. It raises the cooking temperature of food b. fission d. disintegration
IV. It is tightly closed
a. II and III c. I, II and III 38. The force required to maintain an object at a constant
b. II and IV d. I, II and IV speed in free space is ____________________.
a. zero
28. Antoine H. Becquerel defined this phenomenon as the b. mass of the object
spontaneous disintegration of the nucleus of an atom. Which c. weight of the object
is this phenomenon? d. force required to stop it
a. fusion c. radioactivity
b. fission d. bombardment of atom 39. Steam burns are more damaging than burns caused by
boiling water because steam ____________________.
29. The atomic bomb releases a tremendous amount of a. is vapor of water molecules during boiling
energy through ____________________. b. has a higher temperature than boiling water
a. fusion c. thermonuclear chain c. occupies more space than water during boiling
b. fission d. combination of light atoms d. has more energy per kilogram than boiling water

30. An object weighs 30 N on earth. A second object weighs 40. Riders in a bus are pushed forward during a sudden stop.
30 N on the moon. Which of the two objects has the Which law of motion provides an explanation?
greater mass? a. Hooke’s law
a. the one on earth b. law of Inertia
b. the one on the moon c. Law of Interaction
c. cannot be determined d. law of Universal Gravitation
d. they have the same mass

LET Review 2012 Page 33

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
LET SEPTEMBER 2010 items 8. Similar eruptions have affected lives in Zambales. Relief
1. How does the Department of Science and Technology and evacuation were managed by the Red Cross in
assure quality science teaching in secondary schools? Mindanao, specifically in:
a. Open up science high school in every province a. Taal volcano c. Hibok-hibok
b. Share researches and distributes equipment to schools b. Mayon volcano d. Mt. Halcon
c. Carry one science fair every year
d. Maintain a scholarship grant for deserving science and 9. Modern Science has used technology to help doctors
mathematics teachers determine illness. A child bumped and fell with his head
hitting a concrete pavement. Which medical approach will
2. A big majority of teachers were found to be suffering from determine the status of the cranial accident?
pulmonary tuberculosis. What approach can best address a. submit the child for chest x-ray
this problem? b. submit the child for cranial x-ray
a. Subject all teachers to yearly x-ray examination c. open up and do surgical operation
b. Follow-up cases and treatment and coordinate with the d. submit the child for cranial scanning
DOH
c. Ask the teachers to go on leave or resign 10. Protest from inhabitants close to dumping sites of Metro
d. Require sick teachers to cover their nose and mouth Manila waste from some observable factors. The most
while with a sanitary mask serious of which is:
a. presence of flies and mosquitoes
3. Honey is extracted from bees. To ensure a supply of honey b. noise pollutants from garbage trucks
for food and medicine, what has been resorted to lately? c. presence if human being dumped in the sites
a. Culture honey bees for propagation d. unlimited seepage of waste into the water shads
b. Encourage bee farm in chosen areas
c. Gather honey from the forest 11. Philippine eagles are identified as rare species. Lately, in
d. Discourage the use of pesticide in honey farm Davao more eagles were raised through _________________
a. incubating eggs from their nests
4. The volume of a gas is inversely proportional to its b. catching eagles and raised them in cages
pressure. When the pressure is 30 cm of mercury, the c. artificial insemination through fertilized eggs
volume is 600 cubic cm. Find the pressure when the d. putting up eagle farms under the Bureau of Wildlife
volume is 250 cubic cm.
a. 12.5 cm of mercury 12. Scientific attitude require of learners accuracy and
b. 28 cm of mercury verification of data. Which manifestation is often
c. 72 cm of mercury observed in experimentation?
d. 65 cm of mercury a. Curiosity c. Rationality
5. Children in upland places are found affected by enlarged b. Objectivity d. Critical Mindedness
goiter. Which of this situation may help this group of
children? 13. The proper disposal of garbage has improved the
a. add iron to diet environment. The best process of handling waste is
b. add iodized salt to diet through _________________
c. Add iodine drops to diet a. recycling biodegradable waste
d. expose the children to ultraviolet rays b. utilization of organic compounds
c. burning non-biodegradable waste
6. The Department of Health allows sale of drugs and d. emerging waste water soluble waste
medicine after thorough laboratory tests. Which of those 14. The nervous system has its specific function. Which is the
drugs is discouraged for use because of its component? closest function?
a. Vitamin A and B a. The spinal cord links the finger tips to the brain
b. Tea and sugar syrup d. The nervous system depends most on the brain
c. Bangkok pills c. Human body activities are all in the nervous system
d. none syrup d. Impulses transmit messages to the brain by electrical
signal
7. Food markets are encouraged to handle cooked food well. 15. Which of the following statements best explains why
One incident in a wedding party sent hundreds of guest to copper is the metal most widely used in electrical
the hospital. It was found out that the food _________________ wirings?
a. was left uncovered a. it is cheaper than aluminum
b. was half cooked b. it has high resistance to electricity
c. had ptomaine poison c. it is the best conductor of electricity
d. was contaminated with dysentery bacteria d. it is better conductor than aluminum and cheaper than
silver

LET Review 2012 Page 34

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
16. When lighted, the energy of alcohol in a lamp is
_________________
a. transformed from chemical to mechanical energy
b. transformed from chemical to heat energy
c. lost while heating is done
d. completely destroyed

17. The history of the earth has been divided by scientists

into eras. Which of the following shows the arrangement
of these eras into the proper sequence from the oldest to
the most recent?
a. Precambrian, Mesozoic, Cenozoic, Paleozoic
b. Paleozoic, Cenozoic, Precambrian, Mesozoic
c. Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Precambrian
d. Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

18. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE about

comets?
a. comets glow by their own light
b. comets may go around the sun in any direction
c. comets are mostly frozen gases and cosmic dust
d. comets generally have elongated, elliptical orbits

19. A British physician and bacteriologist, Sir Ronald Ross

was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine for his
researches in the _________________
a. liquid fuel rocket
b. control of cholera
c. prevention of hepatitis
d. transmission of malaria

20. Which of the following forms of energy travels in waves?

a. sound energy
b. chemical energy
c. electrical energy
d. mechanical energy

LET Review 2012 Page 35

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio
Summary of Items:

24 - Introduction to Science and Technology

22 – Environmental Science

30 – Biology

15 - Chemistry

40 – Physics

20 – LET September 2010

171 – Total Number of Items for 2 days

LET Review 2012 Page 36

Focus: Natural Science Prepared by Mr. Von Anthony G. Torio