Is there a lot of math in GED physical science?

Very little. Expect speed calculations and simple readings from a data table rather than multi-step algebra.

Do I need to balance chemical equations?

You should understand that atoms are conserved, but the test rarely asks you to balance an equation from scratch.

GED Physical Science Practice

Physical science makes up about 40 percent of the GED Science test and splits roughly between basic physics and basic chemistry. Very little computation is required, but the concepts need to be solid.

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What is the smallest particle of an element that keeps the properties of that element?

Energy and motion

Energy conversion questions are the most common physics item on the test. A ball rolling downhill converts potential energy to kinetic; a battery converts chemical energy to electrical; a lightbulb converts electrical to light and heat. The law of conservation of energy underlies all of them: energy changes form but is never created or destroyed.

Newton's laws appear in plain language rather than as equations. The relationship worth internalizing is F = ma — double the force with the same mass and the acceleration doubles. Speed as distance over time is the one calculation that shows up reliably.

Atoms and reactions

An atom is the smallest unit of an element. Elements combine into compounds; compounds are held together by bonds. In any chemical reaction, atoms are rearranged but never lost, which is why balanced equations have the same count of each element on both sides.

The pH scale runs 0 to 14, with lower numbers more acidic and 7 neutral. Distinguishing chemical from physical change is a frequent question type: rusting and burning form new substances, while melting, dissolving, and boiling do not.

Heat and waves

Heat moves three ways. Conduction is direct contact, as in a spoon in hot soup. Convection is movement within a fluid, as in boiling water or air circulating in a room. Radiation crosses empty space, as in sunlight reaching Earth.

For waves, know that higher frequency means shorter wavelength when speed is constant, and that amplitude relates to intensity — loudness for sound, brightness for light.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a lot of math in GED physical science?: Very little. Expect speed calculations and simple readings from a data table rather than multi-step algebra.
Do I need to balance chemical equations?: You should understand that atoms are conserved, but the test rarely asks you to balance an equation from scratch.