Water that has large amounts of dissolved calcium and magnesium is referred to as hard water. Calcium and magnesium naturally occur in Earth materials such as limestone, magnesite, gypsum, and other minerals groundwater comes into contact with. Calcium is a vital component of bones and teeth. Calcium is also necessary for proper muscle action, blood clotting, and regulating the heartbeat. Magnesium is necessary for more than 300 biochemical processes in the body, such as regulating heartbeat and blood sugar levels, helping maintain normal blood pressure, and facilitating protein synthesis. The health benefits of drinking hard water have been well documented since the 1920s. One study investigated the effects of different amounts of dietary magnesium on rat survival rates. The first table shows the summary data from this study. Softening water has become a common practice in many homes. Soft water is water that has had the calcium and magnesium ions and other minerals removed to prevent the buildup of a residue called scale in pipes and appliances. Soft water also increases the effectiveness of soaps and detergents. Research around the health benefits of drinking hard water suggests that people may be at higher risk for certain diseases when their water lacks dissolved calcium and magnesium. The second table summarizes data from two human population studies that examined the role of dietary magnesium and cardiovascular health.
Which statement explains the central idea of the passage?
- A. People should consume as much magnesium as possible to ensure good cardiovascular health.
- B. People may experience health benefits from drinking hard water because it contains magnesium.
- C. People who live in rural environments are healthier than people who live in urban environments.
- D. People should stop the practice of softening water because it removes minerals that are necessary for good health.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B accurately reflects the central idea by highlighting the potential health benefits of magnesium found in hard water. This aligns with the passage's focus on the relationship between magnesium intake and cardiovascular health. Option A is misleading as it suggests an excessive intake of magnesium is necessary, while the passage likely emphasizes balance rather than maximum consumption. Option C incorrectly generalizes health comparisons between rural and urban populations without specific evidence from the passage. Option D misrepresents the passage's message by implying a complete cessation of water softening, rather than discussing the importance of maintaining essential minerals like magnesium.
Option B accurately reflects the central idea by highlighting the potential health benefits of magnesium found in hard water. This aligns with the passage's focus on the relationship between magnesium intake and cardiovascular health. Option A is misleading as it suggests an excessive intake of magnesium is necessary, while the passage likely emphasizes balance rather than maximum consumption. Option C incorrectly generalizes health comparisons between rural and urban populations without specific evidence from the passage. Option D misrepresents the passage's message by implying a complete cessation of water softening, rather than discussing the importance of maintaining essential minerals like magnesium.
Other Related Questions
Which statement is a valid conclusion from the data?
- A. The male athletes used more energy than the female athletes after 30 minutes of exercise.
- B. Strenuous exercise is more difficult for male athletes than female athletes.
- C. The average increase in heart rate was lower for the females than for the males.
- D. All the females had a lower heart rate than the males after 30 minutes of exercise.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C accurately reflects the data, indicating a measurable difference in heart rate between male and female athletes after 30 minutes of exercise. This conclusion is supported by the data trends, which typically show a higher average heart rate in males. Option A makes an assumption about energy expenditure without specific data to support it, making it invalid. Option B incorrectly suggests a subjective comparison of difficulty, which cannot be deduced from heart rate data alone. Lastly, Option D overgeneralizes by claiming that all females had lower heart rates than males, which is unlikely and not supported by typical statistical findings, as individual variations exist.
Option C accurately reflects the data, indicating a measurable difference in heart rate between male and female athletes after 30 minutes of exercise. This conclusion is supported by the data trends, which typically show a higher average heart rate in males. Option A makes an assumption about energy expenditure without specific data to support it, making it invalid. Option B incorrectly suggests a subjective comparison of difficulty, which cannot be deduced from heart rate data alone. Lastly, Option D overgeneralizes by claiming that all females had lower heart rates than males, which is unlikely and not supported by typical statistical findings, as individual variations exist.
What is the relationship between the kinetic energy of the feather and of the hammer just before they hit the surface of the Moon?
- A. The hammer has more kinetic energy than the feather because it has a greater mass.
- B. Both objects have the same kinetic energy because they fell with the same velocity.
- C. The hammer has more kinetic energy than the feather because it will accelerate faster than the feather.
- D. Both objects have the same kinetic energy because gravity pulls on both objects equally.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The hammer possesses more kinetic energy than the feather due to its greater mass, as kinetic energy is calculated using the formula KE = 0.5 * mass * velocity². While both objects fall at the same rate in a vacuum, their velocities are equal, but the hammer’s larger mass results in higher kinetic energy. Option B is incorrect because, although they have the same velocity, kinetic energy also depends on mass. Option C misrepresents the situation; both objects accelerate at the same rate in a vacuum. Option D is misleading; while gravity affects both equally, it does not determine kinetic energy, which also requires consideration of mass.
The hammer possesses more kinetic energy than the feather due to its greater mass, as kinetic energy is calculated using the formula KE = 0.5 * mass * velocity². While both objects fall at the same rate in a vacuum, their velocities are equal, but the hammer’s larger mass results in higher kinetic energy. Option B is incorrect because, although they have the same velocity, kinetic energy also depends on mass. Option C misrepresents the situation; both objects accelerate at the same rate in a vacuum. Option D is misleading; while gravity affects both equally, it does not determine kinetic energy, which also requires consideration of mass.
The roller coaster diagram shows a set of cars moving downward from position 1 to position 2. As the cars travel from position 1 toward position 2, their...
- A. gravitational potential energy; total energy
- B. kinetic energy; gravitational potential energy
- C. total energy; kinetic energy
- D. gravitational potential energy; kinetic energy
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
As the roller coaster cars move from position 1 to position 2, they descend, resulting in a decrease in gravitational potential energy due to their lower height. However, their total energy—comprising both kinetic and potential energy—remains constant, assuming negligible friction. Option B incorrectly suggests that kinetic energy increases while gravitational potential energy decreases, but it does not address total energy. Option C misrepresents the relationship by stating total energy changes, which it does not. Option D also fails, as it inaccurately implies that gravitational potential energy is the only energy type being discussed.
As the roller coaster cars move from position 1 to position 2, they descend, resulting in a decrease in gravitational potential energy due to their lower height. However, their total energy—comprising both kinetic and potential energy—remains constant, assuming negligible friction. Option B incorrectly suggests that kinetic energy increases while gravitational potential energy decreases, but it does not address total energy. Option C misrepresents the relationship by stating total energy changes, which it does not. Option D also fails, as it inaccurately implies that gravitational potential energy is the only energy type being discussed.
The cladogram shows the relatedness of several organisms based on shared characteristics. Which characteristic separates catfish from frogs?
- A. Suborbital fenestra
- B. Amniotic egg
- C. Four limbs
- D. Bony skeleton
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The presence of an amniotic egg is a key characteristic that distinguishes frogs from catfish. Frogs, as amphibians, undergo a life cycle that includes an aquatic larval stage, while catfish, as fish, do not produce amniotic eggs and instead lay eggs in water. Option A, suborbital fenestra, relates to skull structure and is not a defining characteristic that separates these groups. Option C, four limbs, applies to frogs but not to catfish, which possess fins instead. Option D, bony skeleton, is present in both groups, making it an insufficient distinguishing trait.
The presence of an amniotic egg is a key characteristic that distinguishes frogs from catfish. Frogs, as amphibians, undergo a life cycle that includes an aquatic larval stage, while catfish, as fish, do not produce amniotic eggs and instead lay eggs in water. Option A, suborbital fenestra, relates to skull structure and is not a defining characteristic that separates these groups. Option C, four limbs, applies to frogs but not to catfish, which possess fins instead. Option D, bony skeleton, is present in both groups, making it an insufficient distinguishing trait.