6th Grade Thermal Energy NGSS Review

What does temperature measure in a sample of matter?

• The total mass of the sample

• The average kinetic energy of its particles

• The color of the substance

• The size of the container

When thermal energy is transferred between two objects in contact, energy moves from the object with the higher temperature to the object with the lower temperature. What will eventually happen?

• Both objects will reach the same temperature

• The colder object will keep getting colder

• The hotter object will stay the same temperature

• The energy transfer will reverse direction continuously

If two samples of water are at the same temperature, but one sample has more water molecules, which statement is correct?

• The larger sample has more total thermal energy

• The smaller sample has more total thermal energy

• Both samples have zero thermal energy

• The number of molecules does not affect total energy

A student adds the same amount of thermal energy to equal masses of metal and water. The metal’s temperature increases more. What does this show?

• Different materials require different amounts of energy to change temperature

• All materials heat at the same rate

• Mass does not affect temperature change

• Temperature and energy are unrelated

During an investigation, students compare how different masses of the same material change temperature when heated equally. Which variable should they change?

• The type of material

• The mass of the material

• The surrounding air temperature

• The measuring tool used

When particles in a substance move faster, what happens to the temperature?

• The temperature decreases

• The temperature stays constant

• The temperature increases

• The temperature becomes zero

Which example best demonstrates designing a device to minimize thermal energy transfer?

• A metal spoon placed in hot soup

• An insulated lunch box that keeps food warm

• A glass window in direct sunlight

• A thin cotton T-shirt on a cold day

A hot metal block is placed in cool water. After several minutes, the water temperature rises and the metal temperature decreases. What explains this change?

• Kinetic energy is transferred through particle collisions

• Matter is destroyed during contact

• Temperature moves without energy transfer

• The water creates energy from nothing

A system reaches thermal equilibrium. Which statement describes this condition?

• Energy is no longer conserved

• Particles stop moving completely

• The temperatures of objects in contact are equal and stable

• Only one object continues to gain energy

Students claim that when the kinetic energy of an object changes, energy must be transferred to or from the object. Which evidence best supports this claim?

• A thermometer shows a temperature change after contact with another object

• The object changes color in sunlight

• The object becomes heavier over time

• The object stays at the same temperature