The Effect of Energy on Phase Changes

Jordan leaves an ice cube on the kitchen counter. After some time, he notices that the ice cube turns into water and then eventually disappears as vapor. This change happens because thermal energy affects the phase of matter by:

• causing matter to change from one state to another

• making matter disappear completely

• turning all matter into gas only

• preventing any change in state

Answer explanation

Thermal energy causes the ice cube to change from solid to liquid (water) and then to gas (vapor). This process illustrates how matter can transition between different states, making the correct choice 'causing matter to change from one state to another'.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Annabelle is conducting an experiment to see how different amounts of sunlight affect the growth of plants. The Constants in Annabelle's experiment are:

• the factors that remain unchanged throughout the experiment

• the variables that are measured in the experiment

• the results obtained from the experiment

• the equipment used in the experiment

Answer explanation

The constants in an experiment are the factors that remain unchanged throughout the experiment. This ensures that any observed changes in plant growth can be attributed solely to the varying amounts of sunlight.

Brinley and Landon are conducting an experiment in their kitchen. They want to write a hypothesis for freezing. Which of the following best completes their hypothesis: If ________________, THEN ________________.

• If the temperature drops below 0°C, THEN water will freeze.

• If the temperature increases, THEN water will freeze.

• If water is heated, THEN it will freeze.

• If the sun shines, THEN water will freeze.

Answer explanation

The correct choice states that if the temperature drops below 0°C, then water will freeze. This aligns with the scientific understanding of freezing point, making it the only accurate hypothesis among the options.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-4

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Brinley is tracking the temperature in her backyard each month. How much did the temperature rise between May and July?

• 20°F

• 10°F

• 30°F

• 5°F

Answer explanation

The temperature rose from May to July by 10°F, which is the difference between the recorded temperatures for those months. Therefore, the correct answer is 10°F.

Annabelle is conducting an experiment in her kitchen. She wonders what will happen if she heats a block of ice. A hypothesis for melting can be written as: If ________________, THEN ________________. Which of the following best completes this hypothesis?

• If a solid is heated, THEN it will melt.

• If a liquid is cooled, THEN it will melt.

• If a gas is compressed, THEN it will melt.

• If a solid is frozen, THEN it will melt.

Answer explanation

The correct hypothesis is: If a solid is heated, THEN it will melt. This reflects the scientific principle that heating a solid (like ice) provides energy, causing it to change to a liquid state.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Arianna wants to find out which type of soil helps plants grow best. The steps she will take in her experiment are:

• Plan, gather materials, conduct the experiment, record results

• Guess the outcome, skip the experiment, write a report

• Only read about the experiment, do not perform it, submit results

• Start with the conclusion, then perform the experiment, ignore results

Answer explanation

The correct choice outlines a systematic approach: planning, gathering materials, conducting the experiment, and recording results. This method ensures a thorough investigation of which soil type promotes plant growth.

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Adrianna and Levi are in a kitchen where they cool different food items. If the cooled items changed as they predicted they would, how would Adrianna and Levi make the correct prediction?

• Because they understand the properties of the materials and how cooling affects them.

• Because they guessed without any prior knowledge.

• Because they would not expect any change to occur.

• Because they think heating and cooling have the same effect.

Answer explanation

Adrianna and Levi can make correct predictions about how cooling affects food items because they understand the properties of the materials involved. This knowledge allows them to anticipate changes accurately.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

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Brinley is cooking food on a stove, as shown in the picture. The type of energy being used for cooking the food is ​ ​ (a)   energy.

• Thermal

• Electrical

• Chemical

• Nuclear

Answer explanation

Brinley is using a stove, which generates heat to cook food. This heat is a form of thermal energy, making 'Thermal' the correct choice. Electrical energy powers the stove, but the cooking process itself relies on thermal energy.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-4

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Brinley and Landon placed balloons filled with gas in a refrigerator. What happened to the gases inside the balloons when they were cooled?

• The gases contracted and took up less space.

• The gases expanded and took up more space.

• The gases turned into solids immediately.

• The gases became heavier and sank.

Answer explanation

When Brinley and Landon cooled the balloons, the gases inside contracted due to lower temperatures, resulting in them taking up less space. This is consistent with the behavior of gases as they cool.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Jordan left a sealed balloon filled with gas outside on a hot day. What happened to the gas inside the balloon as it was heated?

• The gases expanded as they were heated.

• The gases condensed as they were heated.

• The gases turned into solids as they were heated.

• The gases decreased in pressure as they were heated.

Answer explanation

As the balloon is heated, the gas molecules inside gain energy and move faster, causing them to expand. This is consistent with the gas laws, which state that gases expand when heated, making 'The gases expanded as they were heated' the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4