Chemical & Physical Changes
Electricity & Magnetism
Constructive & Destructive
Cells & Microorganisms
Inheritance & Classification
100
What is a physical change?
Why is a physical change a change in the form or appearance of a substance, but not its chemical composition?
100
What is the opposite of a north pole on a magnet?
What is the South Pole?
100
Which of the following is an example of a constructive force?
(A) Weathering
(B) Erosion
(C) Volcanic eruption
(D) Glacier movement
What is Volcanic eruption?
100
What is a cell?
Why is a cell is the smallest unit of life that carries out all the basic functions needed for an organism to live?
100
What is inheritance in science?
Why is inheritance when traits are passed from parents to their offspring?
200
Imagine you mix salt and pepper. Is this a physical or chemical change? Why? Explain how you know.
Why is mixing salt and pepper a physical change. You can separate the salt and pepper by using methods like pouring the mixture through a sieve or separating the pepper from the salt using a magnetic stick. This means you can get the original materials back.
200
How can you explain the relationship between electricity and magnetism?
What are moving electric charges that create magnetic fields, and changing those magnetic fields can induce electric currents and electricity is like a flow of tiny little particles, and magnetism is the force these particles create when they move.
200
Annibel looks at pictures of a beach shoreline before and after a major hurricane. She notices that after the hurricane, the ocean seems closer to the mountain. What could explain the difference between the two pictures?
How could the hurricane cause erosion on the beach?
200
How can microorganisms be helpful or harmful?
Why can microorganisms can be helpful, like yeast that helps make bread, or harmful, like bacteria that can make you sick?
200
How are traits like eye color or fur pattern passed from parents to their babies?
Why are traits passed through genes from parents to their offspring, so babies often look like their parents?
300
A baker is making a cake. The ingredients are mixed, baked, and then the cake is decorated. Which parts of this process are physical changes and which are chemical changes? Explain your reasoning.
Why does this question require students to identify both physical and chemical changes within a real-world scenario (baking). They need to understand that mixing is a physical change (no new substance is formed), while baking involves chemical reactions that create new substances like the cake itself.
300
A student designs an experiment to test how the strength of an electromagnet changes when the number of coils of wire wrapped around the iron core is increased. Describe the hypothesis the student should make, and explain the reasoning behind this hypothesis.
Why should the student hypothesize that as the number of coils increases, the strength of the electromagnet will also increase. This is because each coil adds to the magnetic field created by the current flowing through the wire, making the overall electromagnet stronger?
300
How do constructive forces, like volcanoes, help shape the Earth’s surface?
Why would constructive forces like volcanoes create new land when lava flows out and cools, forming mountains or islands? This adds to the Earth's surface over time.
300
Why do scientists use microscopes to study microorganisms instead of just using their eyes?
Why do scientists use microscopes because most microorganisms are too small to see with just our eyes?
300
Why do some animals in the same species look different from each other?
Why can they inherit different traits from their parents, and the environment can also affect how they grow and look?
400
Imagine you have a piece of paper. You can tear it into smaller pieces. This is a physical change because the paper is still paper, just in smaller pieces. If you then burn the paper, this is a chemical change because a new substance, like ash, is formed.
Why do physical changes alter the appearance of a substance without changing its chemical composition? In a chemical change, a new substance is formed with different properties than the original. Burning wood is a chemical change because it produces ash and gases, which are new substances.
400
Imagine you are designing a new device that uses both electricity and magnetism. How would you explain how these two forces work together to make your device work?
In my device, I could use electricity to create a magnetic field. For example, I might use an electric current running through a wire to create a magnet, which could move or power something. I’d explain how the electricity flowing through the wire creates a magnetic force, and how that force can be used to attract or repel objects, just like in electric motors or magnetic levitation.
400
Imagine you are a geologist studying a place where both constructive and destructive forces are at work. How would you describe the changes you see?
Why would I observe how volcanoes (constructive forces) are forming new land and how wind and rain (destructive forces) are breaking down mountains or eroding soil. I’d take notes on how both forces are shaping the land, like new land being created but also older land disappearing or changing.
400
How could you test if germs grow more in warm or cold places? What would you do?
Why would I put pieces of bread in plastic bags and keep one in a warm place, like near a heater, and one in a cold place, like the fridge? Why would I check them every day to see which one grows more mold? Why would this would help me see if germs grow more in warm or cold spots?
400
Create a simple way to group (classify) different animals based on their traits. How would you do it?
Why would I group animals by traits like whether they have fur, feathers, or scales? For example, I’d put animals with feathers in one group and animals with fur in another, to show how they are alike and different.
500
You are a scientist creating a video to teach younger students the difference between physical and chemical changes. What examples would you show, and how would you explain the difference in a fun and clear way?
Why would I show ice melting (a physical change) and baking a cake (a chemical change)? I’d explain that a physical change doesn’t make something new—it just changes how it looks—like solid to liquid. A chemical change makes something new, like batter turning into cake. I’d use fun animations or real-life experiments to help them understand.
500
You are tasked with inventing a new way to power a small car using electricity and magnets. What would your design look like, and how would you make sure both electricity and magnetism are working together effectively?
Why would I design a car that uses a battery to supply electricity to a coil of wire, creating a magnetic field? The car could have magnets on the wheels that interact with the magnetic field from the coil to make the wheels turn. I’d ensure the battery supplies enough power, and I’d test the strength of the magnetic field to make sure the car moves smoothly. I’d also use the forces to help the car float slightly off the ground to reduce friction, like in magnetic levitation systems.
500
Design an experiment or model to show how both constructive and destructive forces can change a landscape. What would you include, and how would you demonstrate the forces in action?
Why would I create a model using clay to represent land and use water to simulate rain and wind (destructive forces) to show erosion? Then, I’d add a small mound of clay and use heat or another method to represent a volcano (constructive force) creating new land. I’d show how the land changes over time by repeating the experiment and recording the results.
500
You are tasked with creating a new medical treatment to help people fight harmful bacteria. How would you design your treatment using what you know about cells and microorganisms? What steps would you take to ensure it works safely?
Why would I design a treatment that uses good bacteria, or probiotics, to help fight harmful bacteria? The good bacteria could crowd out the bad ones and keep them from growing. I would first test my treatment in a lab to make sure it helps people without causing side effects. Then, I’d work with doctors to make sure it’s safe to use and check how it affects the body’s cells and immune system. I’d also keep track of how it helps the body stay healthy.
500
Imagine you're a scientist who discovered a new animal. How would you figure out what group it belongs in and what traits it inherited?
Why would I observe the animal’s body features like how it moves, what it eats, and if it has fur, feathers, or scales? I would compare it to known animals and use a classification chart. Then, I’d study the animal’s parents (if known) to see what traits it inherited.