STAAR Released Questions

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 and electrical

• mechanical and electrical

• light and thermal

• mechanical and thermal

Examples of objects that use different types of energy to perform their functions are shown. Which examples use mechanical energy to perform their functions?

• 1, 2, and 4

• 1, 3, and 4

• 1 and 2 only

• 3 and 4 only

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

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-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

A science class is observing a pet turtle in a small plastic pool. The students turned 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

A class is learning about states of matter. The teacher shows the students how to set up the investigation shown in the diagram. What kinds of energy are needed in this investigation to change the states of matter of the candle?

• light, mechanical, and thermal

• electrical and thermal

• mechanical, light, and electrical

• thermal and mechanical

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Rube Goldberg was an artist who drew cartoons that showed a very complicated way to do a simple task. The picture below shows a cartoon like the ones Goldberg drew. Which form of energy is used to turn on the switch?

• light energy

• thermal energy

• electrical energy

• mechanical energy

Water flows through turbines in dams like the one shown below. The flowing water makes the turbines spin. What type of energy is used to make the turbines spin in this type of dam?

• light energy

• thermal energy

• sound energy

• mechanical energy

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

An old-fashioned metal toy is shown below. When the candle is lit, the carousel of the horses begins to turn. Which of these correctly describes the energy that makes the carousel turn?

• Heat from the candle produces currents of warm air.

• Heat from the candle produces electrical energy.

• Light from the candle produces mechanical energy.

• Light from the candle produces wind currents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-5

A student reads the label on the bottle of salad dressing shown below. Why would the student shake the salad dressing well before using it?

• Vinegar and oil have different densities.

• Vinegar and oil easily form a solution.

• Vinegar and oil both contain water.

• Vinegar and oil are both liquids.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

A teacher mixes a white powder into a beaker of water. The powder cannot be seen in the water. The teacher then heats the mixture until the water evaporates and the powder can be seen again. Which property of the powder is the teacher demonstrating?

• Solubility

• Density

• Conductivity

• Mass

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS1-4