Topic 4: Matter

A student compared an ice cube to the liquid water from the ice cube after it melted. Which of the following statements is an observation from the student's comparison?

• Both have a definite mass and volume, and both have a definite shape.

• Both have a definite mass and volume, but neither has a definite shape.

• Both have a definite mass and volume, but only the liquid water has a definite shape.

• Both have a definite mass and volume, but only the frozen ice cube has a definite shape

A 5th grade teacher showed the class a container of salt. As she poured the salt into a beaker, she asked students to write down which state of matter the salt is and what evidence they have to support it. Which statement is correct?

• Salt is a liquid because it pours just like water does. 

• Salt is a liquid because it takes the shape of its container.

• Salt is a solid because it takes the shape of its container.

• Salt is a solid because each salt crystal has a definite shape.

Tags

NGSS.5-PS1-1

NGSS.5-PS1-3

Which of these is the fastest way to sort steel pellets from a pile of stone gravel?

• sort by size using a sieve

• sort by shape using sight

• sort by hardness using touch

• sort by magnetism using a magnet

Which phrase is an example of a change in temperature causing a chemical change?

• fireworks giving off different colors of light

• making warm water by pouring hot water into cold water

• a scientist using a machine to form copper balls from heated metal

• a person cutting off the bottom of a candle to make it fit in a holder

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Students filled two glass bottles with equal amounts of water and attached a balloon to the top of each bottle.  The bottle on the right is heated on a hot plate to 80°C (176°F), while the bottle on the left is kept at room temperature, 21°C (70°F).  After several minutes, the students observe that the balloon on the right inflates. Which statement best explains the students’ observation?

• The heat slows down a chemical change, producing the gas to fill in the balloon.

   

   

   

• The heat speeds up a chemical change, producing a new substance.

• The heat slows down a physical change, causing the water level to decrease.

• The heat speeds up a physical change, causing the liquid to turn into a gas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

A student measures how far a pencil rolls across a table when the table has different coverings on it. Then, the student puts the data into a table.  Which is the best prediction for how far the marble will roll on the tablecloth

for trial 3? 

 

• 22 cm

   

• 18 cm

• 12 cm

• 7 cm

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Jay counts the number of flowers that grow around the pond in his backyard every spring. Then he compares those numbers to the amount of rain that has fallen. He makes the following table:  Based on Jay’s practice of science, which of the following statement supports the type of investigation he is conducting? 

 

• It is an experimental investigation because he uses an independent variable in his process.

• It is an observational investigation because he uses a control group in the study.

• It is an experimental investigation because he does not follow the scientific method.

• It is an observational investigation because he is making observations and collecting evidence.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Chelsea is helping her mom bake some bread. She gradually adds ingredients until the flour, milk, sugar, eggs, yeast, and cinnamon are all mixed together. She then pours the dough into a pan and puts it into the oven. Thirty minutes later, she removes a loaf of bread.  Which factor should Chelsea change if she wants to increase the rate of the chemical change to all the ingredients that turned the dough into bread?

• The number of eggs.

• The amount of milk.

• The action of the yeast.

• The temperature of the oven.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

Each student in a group observed and collected data about the properties of a different material. They placed each material on a clear plastic tray for observationUsing the data from the chart, which statement correctly describes one of the materials?

• Anna observed a gas.

• Mike observed a solid.

• Rob observed a liquid.

• Lauren observed a liquid.

Ken needs to design an experiment that shows how the surface area of sugar affects the rate at which it will dissolve in water. Which statement describes the best way to show the relationship between surface area and rate of dissolving? 

• Time how fast loose sugar dissolves in water at room temperature and how fast loose sugar dissolves in hot water.

   

• Time how fast a cube of sugar dissolves in water at room temperature and how fast loose sugar dissolves in hot water.

• Time how fast a cube of sugar dissolves in water at room temperature and how fast a cube of sugar dissolves in hot water.

• Time how fast a cube of sugar dissolves in water at room temperature and how fast loose sugar dissolves in water at room temperature.