5th Grade Science Unit 1 Practice Test

Lilly is building a circuit, but the light bulb does not turn on. What is most likely missing from her circuit?

• A power source to provide energy to the circuit.

• A switch to turn the circuit on and off.

• A second wire connecting the positive terminal of the battery to the light bulb.

• An insulator to stop the flow of electricity.

John is trying to light up a bulb using a wire and a light bulb. What else does he need to complete the circuit?

• A battery to provide energy.

• Another wire to connect both ends of the bulb.

• A switch to control the circuit.

• A wooden block to place under the circuit.

Mika notices that when she pulls apart two socks from the dryer, she hears a crackling sound and feels a shock. What type of electricity is this?

• This is human-harnessed electricity created by a power source.

• This is static electricity caused by the build-up of charges on the socks.

• This is human-harnessed electricity from a flow of charge through the socks.

• This is static electricity created by constant movement of charges through the socks.

Sam is building a circuit and wants to use an insulator to cover a switch. Which material would be the best choice to use as an insulator?

• Steel wool

• Copper wire

• Cork

• Tin

The table compares a bar magnet with an electromagnet. Which statement correctly compares the two?

• Bar magnets are always stronger than electromagnets.

• Electromagnets can be turned on and off, while bar magnets cannot.

• Bar magnets are temporary, while electromagnets are permanent.

• Electromagnets cannot have their strength adjusted.

A student is experimenting with magnets and paperclips. He places a magnet near a pile of paperclips and measures how many are attracted to it. What could he do to test the strength of the magnetic field?

• Use different colors of paper clips.

• Use a longer rod to observe if the field increases.

• Place different materials between the magnet and the paper clips.

• Use fewer paperclips to observe changes.

James is studying different types of electricity. He compares a lamp and a lightning bolt. What is the main difference between them?

• A lamp is an example of naturally occurring electricity, while lightning is human-harnessed.

• A lamp is human-harnessed electricity that can be turned on and off, while lightning occurs naturally and cannot be controlled.

• Both are examples of human-harnessed electricity.

• Both are examples of naturally occurring electricity.

Avery is testing different materials in an open circuit. Which material will make the light bulb turn on?

• A rubber band

• A plastic spoon

• A metal nail

• A wooden stick

Why are electromagnets used in devices like doorbells and speakers instead of bar magnets?

• Electromagnets are always turned on.

• Electromagnets work without any power source.

• The strength of an electromagnet can be adjusted.

• The field direction of an electromagnet never changes.

Jorge is demonstrating how static electricity and current electricity work. Based on his materials, he concludes that static electricity does not require conductors. What materials support his claim?

• Metals used in the circuit.

• Conductive wires used for current electricity.

• Insulators used to create static electricity.

• Batteries used to generate static electricity.