Nature of Science 8

A student wants to compare which soil retains the most water. He selects three types of soil in equal amounts and arranges it in the apparatus, as shown. He pours an equal amount of water in each funnel and waits for the water to drain. Which measuring tool should the student use to complete the investigation correctly?

• a balance to compare the mass of each apparatus

• a ruler to measure the height of the water in each container

• a graduated cylinder to measure the volume of the drained water

• a stopwatch to record the time the water takes to drain completely

Answer explanation

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Three graduated cylinders of the same capacity, A, B, and C, each contain 150 milliliters of water. Three objects having different masses but the same density are added to each cylinder and are covered by the water. The water levels in each cylinder after the objects are added are shown. Which statement about the volume of objects can be interpreted from the investigation?

• Objects with similar masses occupy similar volumes, regardless of their densities.

• Objects with similar densities occupy similar volumes, regardless of their masses.

• Objects with larger masses occupy more volume than objects with smaller masses when the densities are the same.

• Objects with larger masses occupy less volume than objects with smaller masses when the densities are the same.

The graph shows the motion of a car. Which conclusion could be drawn from the data?

• The car was at rest between 1 and 2.

• The car was moving faster at 2 than at 1.

• The car was slowing down between 3 and 4.

• The car was constantly speeding up between 1 and 3.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Which of the following is best categorized as a regular, repeating pattern within a system?

• A. amount of tree growth for 20 years

• B. formation of coal deep within Earth

• C. low and high ocean tides on a shoreline

• D. slow and fast heart rates during exercise

Windlass The diagram shows a windlass that has just been built to get water from a well. Which statement best describes a flaw in the design of this system that will make drawing water difficult?

• A. A crank is missing from the end of the axle.

• B. A chain should be used in place of the rope.

• C. The bucket lacks a lid to help prevent spilling.

• D. The diameter of the rotating drum is too small.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Which of the following is an example of a closed-loop system?

• A. a light switch in a building

• B. energy transfer within a food chain

• C. water moving through Earth’s crust and atmosphere

• D. plant leaves converting solar energy to chemical and heat energy

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

A student needs to measure 50 mL of water. Which tool should the student use to make the most accurate measurement?

• A. a balance

• B. a thermometer

• C. a glass beaker

• D. a graduated cylinder

Based on the graph, which statement best describes the relationship between atmospheric pressure and altitude?

• A. Atmospheric pressure controls altitude.

• B. Atmospheric pressure is equal to altitude.

• C. Atmospheric pressure increases as altitude increases.

• D. Atmospheric pressure decreases as altitude increases.

During a density investigation, students were given four samples of the same substance. They measured the mass, volume, and temperature of each sample. Which relationship is supported by the data displayed in the graph?

• A. as volume increases mass increases

• B. as volume increases mass decreases

• C. as temperature increases mass increases

• D. as temperature increases mass decreases

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

A student adds 50 mL of water to a beaker. Next, the student covers the beaker with plastic wrap and places the beaker on a shelf near a sunny window. The student plans to observe the beaker during the next 12 hours. What is this investigation most likely modeling?

• A. how weathering occurs in nature

• B. the processes of evaporation and condensation

• C. the effect of sunlight on the temperature of water

• D. how convection of the water is due to uneven heating

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4