Physical Science

Physical Science — General Science (ASVAB Section 4.2) Physical science questions appear on nearly every ASVAB General Science subtest, making up roughly half of the GS section — and since GS feeds directly into critical military job line scores (EL, GM, MM, ST for Army; E and M composites for Air Force), a solid grasp of these concepts can unlock a wide range of career opportunities. --- ## Why Physical Science Matters on the ASVAB The General Science subtest gives you about 30 seconds per question, so you need to recognize concepts instantly — not derive them from scratch. Physical science covers the rules that govern how the physical world moves, stores energy, transfers heat, and interacts chemically. These aren't obscure facts; they're the backbone of every technical military job. --- ## Core Topic 1: Newton's Laws of Motion Sir Isaac Newton described three laws that explain how forces and motion interact. Memorize all three — they are frequently tested. | Law | Statement | Everyday Example | |-----|-----------|-----------------| | First Law (Inertia) | An object at rest stays at rest; an object in motion stays in motion — unless acted on by an outside force | A hockey puck slides until friction stops it | | Second Law | Force = Mass × Acceleration (F = ma) | Pushing a heavy cart requires more force than a light one | | Third Law | For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction | A rocket expels gas downward → rocket moves upward | ### Worked Example > A 10 kg box is pushed with 50 N of force. What is its acceleration? > > F =…