5.P.3.2 Conductors and Insulators

Raul is packing a cooler for 
a hot day at the beach. 
Which type of cooler should he select to keep 
his food as cold as possible? 

• black plastic cooler 
• black fabric cooler 
• white metal cooler
• white foam cooler

Which best explains why 
a full glass bottle of water 
should not be stored in a freezer? 

• The temperature of  the freezer will  make the water too cold. 
• Water expands when it  freezes, which could  break  the bottle. 
• Water contracts  when it freezes, which could break the bottle. 
• The temperature of the freezer will not make  the water cold enough. 

Which best describes  a material that would be  used to insulate a house?

• excellent conductor of heat
• excellent conductor of cold 
• poor conductor of  heat 
• poor conductor of  cold

 Sara wants to keep drinks 
cold during an afternoon 
sports game. Which container would most likely 
keep her drinks cold for several hours?

• metal, because it will conduct heat 
• plastic, because it will conduct heat 
• metal, because it will insulate from heat
• plastic, because it  will insulate from heat 

Which material is 
most likely to expand 
if exposed to freezing temperatures? 

• iron
• wood
• water
• plastic

Which best explains  why a hot air balloon  rises into the air? 

• As the air is cooled, it  becomes more dense  and the balloon rises.  
• As the air is cooled, it  becomes less dense  and the balloon rises. 
• As the air is heated, it  becomes less dense  and the balloon rises. 
• As the air is heated, it becomes more dense and the balloon rises.

Which is the best 
conductor of heat? 

• a glass tube 
• a copper wire 
• a piece of string 
• a fuzzy blanket

Some cooking spatulas are made out of plastic. Why are cooking spatulas often made out of plastic?

• Because plastic is a good conductor of electricity, and this makes it safe to use while cooking.

• Because plastic catches fire very easily when it is used for cooking.

• Because plastic is a good conductor of heat, and this keeps the handle from getting too hot to touch while cooking.

• Because plastic is a poor conductor of heat, and this keeps the handle from getting too hot to touch while cooking.

Sara wants to keep drinks cold during an afternoon sports

game. Which container would most likely keep her drinks cold for several hours?

• metal, because it will conduct heat

• plastic, because it will conduct heat

• metal, because it will insulate from heat

• plastic, because it will insulate from heat

A family living on the top floor of a tall building complains that their home gets too hot during the day. Which could they add to the roof to allow their home to stay cooler?

• black metal

• white metal

• black rubber

• white rubber