Earth Science Leap

Lamar is studying water quality in his science class. He learns that salt water is seeping into his neighboring town’s water supply and makes the water dangerous to drink. Lamar’s teacher challenges his class to investigate ways to identify salt water without tasting it. Part A: Lamar has one glass of pure water and one glass of salt and water. The two liquids look exactly alike. What investigation can Lamar perform, without tasting the water, to find out which glass contains the salt water?

• Lamar couldn’t do it. A chemical change has taken place.

• Lamar could evaporate the water to see which cup leaves salt behind.

• Lamar couldn’t do it. It is not possible to identify clear liquids without tasting them.

• Lamar could shine a light into the water and check for salt conductivity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Lamar is studying water quality in his science class. He learns that salt water is seeping into his neighboring town’s water supply and makes the water dangerous to drink. Lamar’s teacher challenges his class to investigate ways to identify salt water without tasting it. Part B: What measurements can Lamar take before he conducts his investigation in Part A to provide evidence of which cup contained the salt water?

• Find the volume of both liquids to see which one took up the most space.

• Measure the temperature of each liquid to provide evidence that a chemical change had taken place.

• Measure the mass of each cup to see which one had the most matter.

• Use a photometer to observe which cup had the most salt conductivity.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Pond The Great Blue Heron is a carnivorous bird that can be found in Louisiana’s wetlands. They are expert fishers. Herons trap their prey by walking slowly or standing still for long periods of time. They wait for fish to come within range of their long necks and blade-like bills. Their diets also consist of mice, insects, and other small creatures. The Great Blue Heron depends on the living components of its ecosystem and nonliving components like sunlight and air for growth and survival. Part B: Which statement best explains the model in Part A?

• All food can eventually be traced back to plants. Plants in the pond ecosystem captured energy from the sun.

• All food can eventually be traced back to soil. The soil provides plants the energy for the pond ecosystem.

• All food can eventually be traced back to dead organisms. Dead organisms in the pond ecosystem provide plants and animals with energy.

• All food can eventually be traced back to the sun. Energy from the sun shines on the earth and is captured by plants and animals.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which claims can best be supported by the fossil record in the figure?

• The type of animal that formed fossil Y existed for only 50 million years.

• The type of animal that formed fossil W existed for the longest period of time.

• The type of animal that formed fossil X was the last of the animals to die out.

• The type of animal that formed fossil Y died out more than 350 million years ago.

• The type of animal that formed fossil X could be found on Earth more than 300 million years ago.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A rancher is trying to predict what will happen when it snows. There is a low hill and a small storage shed on his ranch. The wind usually blows from the east, as shown in the diagram.

In which two places on the ranch will snowdrifts most likely form?

• locations X and Z

• locations W and Z

• locations W and Y

• locations Y and Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Where is the best location for the snow fence?

• location W, because a snowdrift will form on the left side of the fence

• location X, because a snowdrift will form on the right side of the fence

• location Y, because a snowdrift will form on the hill

• location Z, because a snowdrift will form far away from the storage shed

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Which statements best describe a design that will protect the roof of a house in an area with high winds?

Select the two correct answers.

• The best design stops the greatest amount of wind from blowing across the roof.

• The best design allows the roof to stay on the house even when strong winds blow.

• The design of roof 1 is best, because wind blows past the walls of the house.

• The design of roof 2 is best, because no wind is trapped by the roof.

• The design of roof 3 is best, because very little wind is trapped by the roof.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

Which of these changes would likely occur if the rate of the Earth's rotation on its axis increased?

• The length of the seasons would be shorter.

• The length of the seasons would be longer.

• The length of the day would be shorter.

• The length of the day would be longer.

What should the student do in order to best model the cause of the day and night cycle?

• Spin the ball in different directions

• Tilt the ball while it is spinning

• Paint one half of the ball b lack and the other half white

• Shine a bright light on one side of the ball

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The apparent __ is how a star looks from Earth.

• dimmer

• closer

• brightness

• farther