Science STAAR cluster: Force, Motion, and Energy

A student pushes a ball along a hallway. the diagram shows the position of the ball every second for five seconds after it starts rolling. At one of the positions shown, an extra force is applied to the ball as it moves.

Which diagram BEST represents the direction of the extra force and the position where the extra force and the position where the extra force was applied to the ball?

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Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Students build a balloon-rocket car using a balloon, a straw, a water bottle, and some tape. When the straw is released by a student, the air from the balloon comes out. A diagram of the car is shown.

Which statement best describes the motion of the car when the straw is released?

• The car will move away from the wall in the same direction as the air that is leaving the balloon.

• The car will move toward the wall because of the force of the air from the straw.

• The car will move fast because the straw gets light as the air is released.

• The car will not move because the air escapes from the balloon.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A wagon is pushed and begins to move. As the wagon moves, it slows and comes to a stop. The wagon and the direction it is pushed are shown.

What force causes the wagon to stop?

• The force of gravity which is acting in the same direction as the arrow

• The force of friction which is acting in the same direction as the arrow

• The force of gravity which is acting in the opposite direction of the arrow

• The force of friction which is acting in the opposite direction of the arrow

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

6 Students fill a cart with books. The cart has a handle on each end.

Which actions will make moving the cart in one direction easiest for the students?

• Student 1 pulls the cart to the left while Student 2 pulls the cart to the right.

• Student 1 pulls the cart to the left while Student 2 pushes the cart to the left.

• Student 1 pushes the cart to the right while Student 2 pushes the cart downward.

• Student 1 pushes the cart to the right while Student 2 pulls the cart upward.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A student uses the setup shown to investigate ways to speed up evaporation.

Which forms of energy are being compared in the student’s investigation?

• Light energy and electrical energy

• Mechanical energy and electrical energy

• Light energy and thermal energy

• Mechanical energy and thermal energy

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Examples of objects that use different types of energy to perform their functions are shown.

Which examples use mechanical energy to perform their functions?

• Examples 1, 2, and 4

• Examples 1, 3, and 4

• Examples 1 and 2 only

• Examples 3 and 4 only

A student recorded the time it took for all the water in a puddle on a sidewalk to evaporate after a rain. Which kind of energy causes water to evaporate?

• Light energy from streetlights

• Sound energy from passing cars

• Thermal energy from the environment

• Mechanical energy from nearby streets

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

A science class is observing a pet turtle in a small plastic pool. The students turn on a portable camping lamp that is clamped on to a counter next to the pool.

Which kind of energy is used by the portable lamp to produce light?

• Mechanical energy, because the lamp is clamped on to the counter

• Thermal energy, because the lamp increases the temperature of the water

• Electrical energy, because the lamp is battery-operated

• Sound energy, because the lamp vibrates when clicked on

Eight activities that use energy are listed in the box.

Each of these activities requires the use of which kind of energy?

• Thermal

• Mechanical

• Electrical

• Sound

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-1

Students made the circuit shown.

Cutting the wire at which numbered position would allow two of the lightbulbs to remain lit?

• Position 1

• Position 2

• Position 3

• Position 4