5th Grade Science STAAR Review - Properties of Matter

Luna and Arjun are testing different materials to see which one will keep their hot chocolate warm for the longest period of time. Which material will keep a hot drink warm for the longest period of time?

• Material 1

• Material 2

• Material 3

• Material 4

Answer explanation

Material 4 is likely the best insulator, minimizing heat loss and keeping the hot chocolate warm for the longest time compared to the other materials.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Ethan is trying to keep his coffee warm for as long as possible. Which statement BEST supports the answer to Part A?

• The material that will keep the drink warm longest insulates thermal energy inside the cup.

• The material that will keep the drink warm longest conducts thermal energy into the cup.

• The material that will keep the drink warm longest conducts thermal energy away from the cup.

• The material that will keep the drink warm longest insulates thermal energy from entering the cup.

Answer explanation

The correct choice states that the material insulates thermal energy inside the cup, which prevents heat from escaping. This is essential for keeping the coffee warm, unlike the other options that would allow heat loss.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Grace is conducting an experiment to find the density of different materials. She has two objects, X and Y, and two liquids, Water and Liquid 2. Which option shows the correct order of the materials from lowest to highest density?

• Object X, Object Y, Water, Liquid 2

• Water, Liquid 2, Object X, Object Y

• Water, Object X, Liquid 2, Object Y

• Object X, Water, Object Y, Liquid 2

Answer explanation

The correct order from lowest to highest density is Object X, Object Y, Water, Liquid 2. This indicates that both objects have lower densities than water, and water is less dense than Liquid 2.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Rohan is sorting different materials based on their density. Which list puts the items in order from most dense to least dense?

• Cork, oil, plastic paper clip, water, penny

• Water, penny, oil, plastic paper clip, cork

• Penny, water, plastic paper clip, oil, cork

• Oil, penny, cork, plastic paper clip, water

Answer explanation

The correct order from most dense to least dense is: water (most dense), penny, oil, plastic paper clip, and cork (least dense). This reflects their respective densities accurately.

Emma and Liam are testing different objects to see which ones are electrical insulators. Which objects did they find to be insulators?

• Eraser, toothpick, cotton ball

• Toothpick, paper clip, safety pin

• Eraser, paper clip, safety pin

• Paper clip, safety pin, aluminum foil

Answer explanation

Emma and Liam found that the eraser, toothpick, and cotton ball are electrical insulators because they do not conduct electricity, unlike the other options which include conductive materials like metal.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Noah makes a mixture of gravel, iron filings, and water. Which table correctly identifies the tools that can be used to separate each substance from the mixture?

• Table A

• Table B

• Table C

• Table D

Answer explanation

Table A correctly identifies the tools for separating gravel (sieve), iron filings (magnet), and water (filter). Each tool is suitable for its respective substance, making Table A the right choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Grace is working on a science project and needs to separate different mixtures. Which mixture is paired with the best tool for separating the materials?

• Mixture: Salt and pepper, Tool: Tweezers

• Mixture: Pieces of cork and pebbles, Tool: Beaker of water

• Mixture: Safety pins and iron nails, Tool: Magnet

• Mixture: Sand and iron filings, Tool: Colander

Answer explanation

The best tool for separating safety pins and iron nails is a magnet, as it can attract the iron nails while leaving the safety pins behind. The other mixtures do not have appropriate tools for effective separation.

Michael is making lemonade and adds sugar to the water. Which property will the sugar keep after it has dissolved in the water?

• Its grainy texture

• Its whitish color

• Its temperature

• Its sweetness

Answer explanation

When sugar dissolves in water, it retains its sweetness, which is its primary characteristic. The grainy texture and whitish color are lost as it dissolves, and temperature does not remain constant.

Harper is conducting an experiment by adding salt to a cup of water. Which results will Harper MOST LIKELY observe after the mixture has been stirred for 15 seconds?

• The salt will dissolve.

• The salt will sink to the bottom of the cup.

• The water will remain clear.

• The salt will float on the water.

• The water will change from clear to opaque white.

Answer explanation

The salt will dissolve in water, creating a solution. Since the salt is soluble, the water will remain clear, not opaque. Therefore, the most likely observations are that the salt dissolves and the water stays clear.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

Oliver is observing a glass of water on a hot day. Which statement BEST describes what happens as the water changes from one state to another?

• As water is cooled, it freezes and changes from a solid to a liquid.

• As water is cooled, it condenses and changes from a gas to a liquid.

• As water is heated, it evaporates and changes from a liquid to a solid.

• As water is heated, it melts and changes from a gas to a solid.

Answer explanation

The correct statement is that as water is cooled, it condenses and changes from a gas to a liquid. This describes the process of water vapor turning into liquid water, which is relevant on a hot day when observing condensation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4