How are mass and inertia related?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Mass is a measure of inertia. Inertia is the resistance of an object to changes in its state of motion, and mass quantifies this resistance. Objects with more mass have greater inertia, meaning they are more resistant to changes in their motion. Therefore, mass and inertia are directly related, with mass being a fundamental factor that determines the level of inertia an object possesses. Choice B is incorrect because mass and inertia are indeed related. Choice C is incorrect as inertia is not a measure of weight but rather a property related to an object's mass. Choice D is incorrect because inertia actually increases with increasing mass, not decreasing mass.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Momentum is calculated as the product of an object's mass and its velocity. When the mass remains constant and the velocity doubles, the momentum will increase by a factor of 2 (doubling) due to the increase in velocity. Therefore, the momentum will quadruple (2 x 2 = 4) when the velocity doubles. This relationship between momentum and velocity showcases the direct proportionality of momentum to velocity, given a constant mass. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Momentum does not simply double or halve when the velocity doubles; it quadruples as it is directly proportional to the velocity. Hence, the correct answer is C, where momentum quadruples in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Mitosis is the correct answer. Mitosis is the process by which somatic cells divide to produce two identical daughter cells. During mitosis, the genetic material is accurately replicated and distributed to ensure each daughter cell receives a complete set of chromosomes. This process is crucial for growth, repair, and maintenance of multicellular organisms. Meiosis, on the other hand, is the type of cell division that occurs in germ cells to produce gametes (sperm and egg cells), focusing on genetic diversity through recombination and reduction of chromosome number. Replication is the process of copying DNA to produce an identical copy, essential for cell division but not the specific process ensuring accurate genetic material transmission. Transcription involves copying DNA into RNA, crucial for gene expression but not directly related to the accurate transmission of genetic material during cell division.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Pedigrees are diagrams that show the relationships within a family and can be used to track the inheritance patterns of specific traits or diseases. While pedigrees can provide information on the inheritance of single gene disorders (such as identifying carriers of dominant genetic disorders, as mentioned in option C), their primary significance lies in studying complex traits with multiple contributing genes. These traits do not follow simple Mendelian inheritance patterns and are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. By analyzing pedigrees, researchers can identify patterns of inheritance for complex traits, such as polygenic diseases or traits influenced by gene-environment interactions. Therefore, option B is the most appropriate choice as it captures the main significance of studying pedigrees in human genetics.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: As an object falls freely near the Earth's surface, its potential energy decreases. This decrease occurs because the gravitational potential energy is being converted into kinetic energy as the object accelerates due to gravity. According to the law of conservation of energy, the total mechanical energy (the sum of potential and kinetic energy) remains constant in the absence of non-conservative forces like air resistance. Choice B ('Potential energy increases') is incorrect because the object's potential energy is being converted into kinetic energy, leading to a decrease. Choice C ('Potential energy remains constant') is incorrect as the conversion of potential energy to kinetic energy results in a decrease in potential energy. Choice D ('Potential energy becomes zero') is incorrect because potential energy is not reduced to zero but is transformed into kinetic energy as the object falls.