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WorksheetsUncovering Student Misconceptions in Science
Total questions: 11
Worksheet time: 8mins
You are having an argument with your friend about what happens to the mass when matter changes from one form to another. To prove your idea, you put three ice cubes in a sealed bag and record the mass of the ice in the bag. You let the ice cubes melt completely. Ten minutes later you record the mass of the water in the bag. Which of the following best describes the results?
A. The mass of the water in the bag will be LESS than the mass of the ice cubes in the bag.
B. The mass of the water in the bag will be MORE than the of the ice cubes in the bag.
C. The mass of the water in the bag will be the SAME as the mass of the ice cubes in the bag.
Adrienne place a small, flat mirror against a wall. Standing close to the mirror, Adrienne could see her face from her eyebrows to her chin, Adrienne backed up five steps away from the mirror. How much of her face will Adrienne see in the mirror this time?
A. She will see MORE of her face.
B. She will see LESS of her face.
C. She will see THE SAME amount of her face.
Select the organisms on the list that use the process of respiration. (See the handout for the full list)
human
frog eggs
fish
germinating seed
other (see the handout for the full list)
MAGNET IN THE WATER
Four friends were wondering if a magnet could pick up steel paper clips in water. Which friend do you agree with (and why)?
Nate: "I think magnets and paper clips need to be in air. If both the magnets and paper clips are in water, they won't attract."
Amy: "I think magnets need to be in the air, bit it doesn't matter if the paper clip is. Magnets can attract paper clips covered with water."
Steve: "I don't think air makes a difference. I think magnets will attract paper clips when both are underwater."
Leah: "I don't think air makes a difference. However, when magnets are in water, they work the opposite way. The paper clips will be repelled by the magnet."
BATTERIES, BULBS, AND WIRES
Kirsten has a battery and a small bulb. She wonders how many strips of wire she will need to connect the battery and the bulb so that the bulb will light. What is the smallest number of wire steps Kirsten needs to make the bulb light up?
A. One strip of wire
B. Two strips of wire
C. Three strips of wire
D. Four strips of wire
CHEMICAL BONDS
Three students were discussing their ideas about chemical bonds. Which student do you most agree with (and why)?
Janre: "I think a chemical bond is produced by a molecule. It is a substance made up of matter that holds atoms together."
Will: "I think a chemical bond is an attraction between atoms. It is not made up of matter."
Leta: "I think a chemical bond is a structural part of an atom that connects to other atoms."
The giant Sequoia tree is one of the largest trees on earth. It starts as a small seedling and grows into an enormous tree. Five children can stretch their arms across the width of the trunk of one of the large Sequoia trees!
Where did most of the matter that makes up the wood and leaves of this huge tree originally come from? (See handout for full list)
sunlight
water
soil
carbon dioxide
other (see full list)
IS IT A THEORY?
Which of the statements do you think best apply to scientific theories? (see the full list)
A. Theories include observations
B. Theories are "hunches" scientists have.
C. Theories can include personal beliefs or opinions.
D. Theories have been tested may times.
E. Other (see the full list)
DROPPING BAGS
Reggie has three different types of bags of rice. Each bag is about the same size.
Bag 1 has a mass of 28 grams
Bag 2 has a mass of 46 grams
Bag 3 has a mass of 110 grams
Reggie held his arm out and dropped the three bags at the same time from the same height. In what order will the bags hit the floor? (What "rule" or reasoning did you use to make your prediction?)
Prediction A: Bag 1, then Bag 2, the Bag 3
Prediction B: Bag 3, then Bag 2, then Bag 1
Prediction C: Bag 2, then Bag 3, then Bag 1
Prediction D: All three bags will hit the floor at about the same time.
Prediction E: Bag 3 will hit first, followed by Bag 1 and Bag 2 hitting the floor at the same time.
SOLIDS AND HOLES
Lance had a thin, solid piece of material. He placed the material in water and it floated. He took the material out and punched holes all the way through it. What do you think Lance will observe when he puts the material with holes back in the water?
A. It will sink
B. It will barely float.
C. It will float the same as it did before the holes were punched in it.
D. It will neither sink not float. It will bob up and down in the water.
LUNAR ECLIPSE
People have been fascinated by lunar (Moon) eclipses for ages. For a time, the full Moon seems to disappear as it changes color, darkens, and then reappears. Throughout time, people have had different ideas about what causes a lunar eclipse. Which idea do you think best explains what causes a lunar (Moon) eclipse? (see the full list)
A. A nearby planet passes between the Earth and the Moon.
B. The Sun passes between the Earth and the Moon.
C. The Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.
D. The Earth passes between the Sun and the Moon.
E. Other (see the full list)
