WorksheetsScience Olympiad Tryouts 3rd - 6th
Total questions: 98
Worksheet time: 1hrs 4mins
Which scientific model describes matter as made of tiny particles?
Atomic theory
Cell theory
Plate tectonics theory
Evolution theory
Which of these cannot be seen with the naked eye?
Sand grains
Dust particles
Atoms
Hair strands
When a balloon is inflated, what best explains why it expands?
The rubber stretches on its own
Gas particles inside push against the balloon walls
Air pressure outside decreases
The balloon material becomes thinner
What happens to the total mass when water changes from liquid to gas?
It increases
It decreases
It stays the same
It first increases then decreases
Which statement about conservation of matter is correct?
Matter can be created during chemical reactions
Matter can disappear completely during physical changes
The total amount of matter remains constant during changes
Matter increases when substances are heated
If you dissolve sugar in water, what happens to the mass of the solution compared to the separate masses of sugar and water?
The solution's mass will be greater
The solution's mass will be less
The solution's mass will equal the sum of the separate masses
The mass cannot be determined
What evidence shows that gas particles exist even though they cannot be seen?
The sound of thunder
The smell of perfume spreading across a room
The color of the sky
The taste of food
When ice melts into water, what happens to the particles?
They disappear
They move faster and spread out more
They change into different particles
They become fewer in number
Which property can be used to identify a material?
The shape of its container
Its position on a table
Its density
The time it was created
What happens to the weight of an apple as it decomposes over time?
The weight increases significantly
The weight remains exactly the same
The weight decreases as matter escapes as gases
The weight fluctuates randomly
Which graph would best show the conservation of matter during a chemical reaction?
A line graph showing increasing mass over time
A bar graph comparing the mass before and after, showing equal values
A pie chart showing the composition of the products
A scatter plot showing temperature changes
Which is an example of a physical change where matter is conserved?
Burning a piece of paper
Growing a plant
Melting an ice cube
Digesting food
If you have 50 grams of water and heat it until some evaporates, which statement is true?
The total mass of liquid water and water vapor will equal 50 grams
The liquid water will weigh less than 50 grams and the rest is lost
The water molecules are destroyed by heat, reducing total mass
The mass will increase due to the heat added
What happens to particles when a substance is cooled?
They move faster
They move slower
They disappear
They change into different particles
Which statement about particles in matter is FALSE?
They are in constant motion
They are too small to be seen with the naked eye
They can be created or destroyed in chemical reactions
They have spaces between them
When salt dissolves in water, why can't we see the salt anymore?
The salt has been destroyed
The salt particles have become too small and spread out
The water has changed the salt into water
The salt has escaped from the container
Which measurement would be most useful to show that matter is conserved when mixing baking soda and vinegar?
Color change
Temperature
Mass before and after the reaction
Volume of the container
What model best represents gases?
Tightly packed particles that barely move
Widely spaced particles moving quickly in all directions
Particles arranged in neat rows
Particles that are stuck together in clumps
How would you prove that the weight of an ice cube doesn't change when it melts?
Measure its volume before and after melting
Measure its temperature before and after melting
Measure its mass before and after melting
Observe its color before and after melting
What would a graph showing the relationship between the mass of water and temperature during heating from solid to liquid to gas look like?
A steadily rising line
A steadily falling line
A flat line showing constant mass
A zigzag line with peaks and valleys
Which statement best describes how matter moves in an ecosystem?
Matter is created by plants during photosynthesis
Matter flows in one direction from producers to consumers
Matter cycles among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment
Matter is constantly lost from an ecosystem and must be replaced
What is the primary source of energy that flows through most food chains?
Water
The Sun
Soil
Decomposers
In which direction does Earth’s gravitational force pull objects?
Toward the nearest large object
Toward the center of Earth
Upward into the atmosphere
In random directions depending on the object's mass
Why do astronauts appear to float in the International Space Station?
There is no gravity in space
They are falling around Earth at the same rate as the space station
Gravity is reversed in space
The space station generates an anti-gravity field
What happens to energy from the Sun when an animal consumes food?
It is completely converted to motion
It is used for body repair, growth, motion, and maintaining body warmth
It disappears once the food is digested
It is all stored as fat for later use
Why does a star like Sirius appear dimmer than the Sun even though Sirius is much larger?
Sirius produces less light than the Sun
Earth's atmosphere blocks most of Sirius's light
Sirius is much farther away from Earth than the Sun
The Sun reflects more light than Sirius
What causes the length and direction of shadows to change throughout the day?
Changes in Earth's rotation speed
The apparent movement of the Sun across the sky
Changes in Earth's distance from the Sun
Variations in the Sun's brightness
Which Earth system includes all living organisms?
Geosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Biosphere
How do the geosphere and hydrosphere interact during the water cycle?
Mountains in the geosphere block water movement in the hydrosphere
Water from the hydrosphere shapes landforms in the geosphere through erosion
The geosphere absorbs all water from the hydrosphere during droughts
The hydrosphere prevents the geosphere from heating up
What percentage of Earth's water is freshwater available for human use in lakes, rivers, and groundwater?
About 97%
About 50%
Less than 1%
About 25%
From where do plants get most of the materials they need for growth?
Soil and fertilizer
Air and water
Sunlight and soil
Water and minerals
What role do decomposers play in an ecosystem?
They convert sunlight into energy
They break down dead organisms and recycle nutrients
They produce oxygen through photosynthesis
They filter pollutants from the environment
What happens to the total weight of matter during a chemical reaction?
It increases as new matter is created
It decreases as matter is converted to energy
It remains the same due to conservation of matter
It fluctuates depending on temperature changes
Which Earth sphere interaction is demonstrated when plants release oxygen into the air?
Geosphere-atmosphere interaction
Hydrosphere-atmosphere interaction
Biosphere-atmosphere interaction
Geosphere-hydrosphere interaction
Why do some stars appear in different positions in the night sky depending on the season?
Stars move around the galaxy at different speeds
Earth's position in its orbit around the Sun changes which stars are visible
Stars change their brightness throughout the year
The Moon blocks different stars depending on its phase
What happens to the energy in food when an animal uses it for motion?
The energy is completely converted to movement with no loss
Some energy is converted to movement and some is released as heat
The energy is stored and can be used again later
The energy is returned to plants through respiration
Which statement about gravitational force is correct?
It only affects objects with large mass
It acts equally on all objects regardless of their mass
It pulls objects down at different rates depending on their shape
It can push objects away from Earth's surface
How does the atmosphere interact with the hydrosphere during the water cycle?
The atmosphere prevents water from evaporating
Water vapor in the atmosphere condenses to form precipitation
The atmosphere absorbs all water from the hydrosphere
The hydrosphere creates winds in the atmosphere
What causes day and night on Earth?
Earth's revolution around the Sun
Earth's rotation on its axis
The Moon blocking the Sun's light
Changes in the Sun's brightness
Which statement about the distribution of water on Earth is correct?
Most of Earth's water is found in rivers and lakes
The majority of Earth's freshwater is easily accessible
Most of Earth's water is found in oceans
Freshwater and saltwater are found in equal amounts on Earth
Which statement best describes how sound transfers energy?
Sound waves can travel through empty space
Sound only travels through solids
Sound transfers energy through vibrations in matter
Sound moves energy without a medium
A town installs solar panels on several public buildings. Which Earth resource is most directly conserved by this choice?
Water
Soil
Fossil fuels
Trees
When two objects collide, what happens to energy?
Energy is destroyed
Energy transfers between the objects
Energy remains only with the larger object
Energy disappears completely
Which observation provides evidence that a landscape has changed over time?
The current temperature of the area
The number of plants growing there today
Marine fossils found at high elevations
The current rainfall patterns
How do electric currents transfer energy?
By moving electrons through a conductor
By heating the air around them
By creating sound waves
By reflecting light
What is the main way light allows us to see objects?
Objects produce their own light
Light passes through all objects
Light reflects off objects and enters our eyes
Our eyes send out light beams to detect objects
Which natural process most directly contributes to erosion?
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Flowing water
Animal migration
When designing a device that converts energy from one form to another, what is the most important consideration?
The device must be large
The device must be colorful
The device must be effective at the energy conversion
The device must be made of metal
Which of the following is NOT a way communities can protect water resources?
Installing water‑saving fixtures
Increasing water usage during droughts
Creating rain gardens to reduce runoff
Properly disposing of hazardous waste
What can fossils in rock layers tell scientists?
The exact age of the Earth
What organisms lived in an area in the past
What the weather will be like in the future
How many people will live in an area in the future
When a ball rolls down a ramp, which energy change occurs?
Potential energy changes to kinetic energy
Thermal energy changes to sound energy
Chemical energy changes to electrical energy
Nuclear energy changes to light energy
Which is an example of weathering?
A river carrying soil downstream
Wind blowing sand across a desert
Roots growing into cracks in rocks
A landslide moving rocks downhill
How can communities use science to protect air quality?
By increasing the use of fossil fuels
By monitoring pollution levels and reducing emissions
By cutting down trees to build more roads
By increasing waste in landfills
Which statement best describes what happens when light enters the eye?
Light is converted to sound waves
Light is absorbed by the retina and converted to electrical signals
Light passes through the eye without changing
Light immediately bounces back out
What happens to energy when objects collide and stick together?
The energy disappears completely
The energy is converted to mass
Some energy is transferred to heat and sound
The energy remains unchanged
Which of the following is NOT a way energy can be transferred?
Through sound waves
Through light
Through heat
Through gravity
Which evidence would support that wind has caused erosion in an area?
Rounded pebbles in a stream
Smooth, curved rock formations
Layers of sediment in a lake
Deep gullies after a rainstorm
Which device converts electrical energy to mechanical energy?
Solar panel
Battery
Electric motor
Light bulb
How do rock layers provide evidence about Earth's history?
They show current weather patterns
They reveal the sequence of geological events
They predict future earthquake locations
They determine the planet's total mass
A town wants to use science to protect local natural resources. Which action best supports this goal?
Building more factories near rivers
Implementing a recycling program
Increasing the use of single-use plastics
Expanding parking lots over green spaces
The more energy that particles have, the ___ they move.
faster
slower
Matter is made up of particles. Which of the following statements is true about these particles?
The particles that make up solids do not move
The particles that make up liquids do not move
The particles that make up all matter are constantly in motion
Only the particles that make up gases are constantly in motion
The water cycle is only an example of a (a) change.
(a) change occurs when a substance changes in appearance, such as dissolving. (b) change occurs when a new substance is formed, with evidence being precipitate formation.
A (a) modifies the molecular structure and composition of a substance, fundamentally altering its chemical identity. An example would be (b) .
A (c) alters only the physical properties of a substance without changing its molecular composition or chemical identity. An example would be (d) .
In a chemical reaction (a) and (b) have different amounts of (c)
If products have less energy, energy is (d) to surroundings.
If products have more energy, energy must be (e) to get the reaction to occur.
Photosynthesis is an example of a (a) change.
Texture, hardness, luster, and sounds are all examples of a (a) change.
burning wood
cutting paper
fire works
water boiling
making cake batter
Rotting banana peel
A substance with a definite volume and shape is a (a)
(a) is the amount of matter in an object.
A substance that has a definite volume, but no definite shape is a (a)
Which process is most responsible for shaping river valleys over time?
Condensation
Evaporation
Erosion by flowing water
Photosynthesis
What is the main reason fossil fuels are considered nonrenewable resources?
They are found only in oceans
They can be easily replaced
They take millions of years to form
They are made from living plants
Which of the following best explains why we cannot see individual atoms with our eyes?
Atoms are only found in gases
Atoms are always moving too fast
Atoms are too small to reflect enough light
Atoms are transparent
Which of the following is made up of particles too small to be seen without a microscope?
Water molecules
Gravel pieces
Leaves
Coins
What is the main reason objects fall toward the ground when dropped?
Wind pushes them down
Earth's gravitational pull
Sunlight attracts them
They are heavier than air
When a plant grows, what happens to the matter it uses from the environment?
It is lost and cannot be recovered
It is transformed and becomes part of the plant
It disappears after photosynthesis
It turns into energy only
What happens to the particles in water when it freezes?
They move faster and spread out
They slow down and arrange in a fixed pattern
They disappear completely
They change into gas particles
Which process is responsible for clouds forming in the atmosphere?
Melting of ice
Condensation of water vapor
Freezing of rain
Evaporation of soil
Why does a metal spoon feel colder than a wooden spoon at room temperature?
Wood absorbs more sunlight
Metal is always colder than wood
Wood is heavier than metal
Metal conducts heat away from your hand faster
What type of matter is this?
plasma
solid
liquid
gas
Object 1 is (a)
Object 2 is (b)
Object 3 is (c)
(a) is a (b) you can (c) .
Match the following
Not well mixed and will easily separate
heterogeneous
Is well mixed and will NOT separate easily.
homogeneous
Is made of two or more substances, chemically combined.
compound
Is made of two or mores substances, not chemically combined.
mixture
Is made of only one type of element.
element
Based on the data given, the unknown metal is most likely--- (a)
Which process is responsible for breaking down rocks into smaller pieces over time?
Evaporation
Photosynthesis
Weathering
Condensation
What is the main reason we see different constellations in the sky at different times of the year?
Clouds cover different stars each season
The stars move closer to Earth
The Moon blocks some constellations
Earth orbits the Sun, changing our view of the night sky
What happens to the total energy when two objects collide in a closed system?
The total energy increases
The total energy decreases
The total energy stays the same but may change form
The total energy is lost
Which process is responsible for the recycling of nutrients in soil?
Photosynthesis
Decomposition
Evaporation
Condensation
What is the main reason the Moon appears to change shape throughout the month?
The Moon's rotation on its axis
Earth's shadow falling on the Moon
Changes in the Moon's brightness
The Moon's position relative to Earth and the Sun
Which statement best explains why ice floats on water?
Ice repels water molecules
Ice is less dense than liquid water
Ice contains trapped air bubbles
Ice is denser than liquid water
What happens to the arrangement of water molecules when it freezes?
They break apart into different elements
They move closer together and form a solid structure
They disappear completely
They become more spread out than in liquid form
Which process is responsible for shaping valleys and canyons over long periods?
Evaporation
Erosion
Condensation
Photosynthesis
Which Earth system contains the rocks, minerals, and landforms of the planet?
Biosphere
Atmosphere
Hydrosphere
Geosphere
Classify the following as Chemical Change or a Physical Change.
Chopping wood
Heating soup
Steam from a shower
Burning marshmellow
A bike rusting
baking soda and vinegar
Solids have (a) .
What does the word kinetic mean?
(a)
