Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Both acids and bases can conduct electricity when dissolved in water. Acids ionize in water to produce H+ ions, which can carry an electric current, while bases ionize to produce OH- ions, which also conduct electricity. The other options are not common properties of both acids and bases. Reacting with metals to produce hydrogen gas is characteristic of acids, tasting sour is a property of acids, and turning blue litmus paper red is a property of bases, not a common property shared by both.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Mercury is the correct element used in fluorescent lamps to emit ultraviolet light when excited. When an electric current passes through the mercury vapor inside the lamp, it generates ultraviolet (UV) light. This UV light then excites the phosphors coated on the inner surface of the lamp, causing them to emit visible light. Neon, argon, and krypton are not commonly used in fluorescent lamps for this purpose. Neon is primarily used in neon signs, argon is used in incandescent and fluorescent bulbs for inertia gas, and krypton is mainly used in certain types of specialized light bulbs for its specific properties.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Polyethylene. Polyethylene is a polymer composed of a large number of repeating ethylene units linked together, forming a long-chain molecule, characteristic of polymers. Methane, ethanol, and acetic acid are small organic molecules that do not demonstrate the repeating unit structure typical of polymers. Therefore, they are not examples of polymers.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The acceleration of an object is given by the formula \(a = \frac{F}{m}\), where \(F\) is the net force acting on the object and \(m\) is the mass of the object. In this case, the net force acting on the box is 20 N, and the mass of the box is 10 kg. Plugging these values into the formula, we get \(a = \frac{20}{10} = 2\) m/s².

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In a negative feedback loop, high levels of a hormone will inhibit the release of the hormone or its production. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining homeostasis by preventing excessive levels of hormones in the body. When a hormone reaches a certain concentration, it triggers the body to decrease its production or release, thereby ensuring a balance within the system. Choice A is incorrect because a negative feedback loop aims to counteract high hormone levels, not further stimulate them. Choice C is incorrect as high hormone levels do have an effect by triggering the feedback loop. Choice D is incorrect as the negative feedback loop operates within the same hormone system rather than increasing the need for an entirely different hormone.