Practice of Science
Earth and Space
Earth Systems
Properties of Matter
Random Stuff
100
A student is designing an experiment to test how different types of surfaces affect the size of the force needed to move an object. The student will use a spring scale to measure the force needed to drag a wood block across different flat surfaces.
What is a control variable in this experiment?
A-surface material
B-mass of wood block
C-height of the flat surface
D-size of the force needed to move the wood block
B-mass of wood block
100
What two properties of stars can affect how bright they appear?
A-color and age
B-mass and revolution
C-distance from Earth and size
D-rotation speed and composition
C-distance from Earth and size
100
Theresa sets her glass of lemonade down on the table on a hot, humid summer day. Ten minutes later, she notices that the glass has drops of water on the outside and a pool of water at the base of the cup.
What causes the formation of the water droplets on the outside of the cup?
A-The water droplets evaporated out of the air above the cold liquid.
B-The water droplets condensed out of the air surrounding the cold cup.
C-The water droplets dripped off the ice cubes as she put them into the cup.
D-The water droplets came off her hands after holding the melting ice cubes.
B-The water droplets condensed out of the air surrounding the cold cup.
100
Maya observed and measured an unknown material based on the following physical properties:
Color: Blue
Mass (g): 30
Volume (mL): 33
Shape: Shape of Container
Temperature (C/F): 20°/68°
Which statement correctly describes what material Maya observed?
A-Maya observed a gas.
B-Maya observed a solid.
C-Maya observed a liquid.
D-Maya observed nothing.
C-Maya observed a liquid.
100
Caleb uses sugar cubes to sweeten his drink. He wonders whether stirring his drink will make the sugar cube dissolve faster or slower. If Caleb stirs his drink, what effect does it have on the rate at which the sugar cube dissolves?
A-The rate that the sugar cube dissolves will speed up.
B-The rate that the sugar cube dissolves will slow down.
C-The rate that the sugar cube dissolves will remain the same.
D-The rate that the sugar cube dissolves will slow down and then stop.
A-The rate that the sugar cube dissolves will speed up.
200
After making observations for her science fair project, Lydia believes black ant beds are bigger than red ant beds because the black ants work a larger area of land. What should she do next?
A-State her hypothesis in the form of a question.
B-Measure the distance around several black ant beds.
C-Get friends to help her observe and watch the black ants.
D-Determine how best to measure the distance across both red and black ant beds to gather evidence.
D-Determine how best to measure the distance across both red and black ant beds to gather evidence.
200
Our solar system lies within the Milky Way Galaxy.
Which of the following best describes what makes up a galaxy?
A-A star and planets
B-Gas, dust, and many solar systems
C-One planet and a moon orbiting a star
D-Hundreds of stars that make a shape in the sky
B-Gas, dust, and many solar systems
200
Janelle is making a model and a chart comparing the different stages of the water cycle. She needs to fill in the change that water undergoes for each stage.
What should Janelle add to her chart for precipitation?
A-Water falls as rain, sleet, and snow.
B-Water vapor turns into liquid water.
C-Water heats and turns back into a gas.
D-Water collects in rivers, streams, and lakes.
B-Water vapor turns into liquid water.
200
If two objects balance like the ones shown below, what must be true?
A-Both objects have the same mass.
B-Both objects have the same volume.
C-Object A has more mass than object B.
D-Object A has more volume than object B.
A-Both objects have the same mass.
200
Which of the following best explains what will happen if you fill a container to the top with water and then tightly secure the lid and place it in a freezer?
A-As it freezes, the water will expand and push out on the container.
B-As it freezes, the water will maintain its shape and volume as it slowly turns into a solid.
C-As it freezes, the water will take up less space because it will be a mixture of solid, liquid, and gas.
D-As it freezes, part of the water will become gas, which will push out on the container until it bursts.
A-As it freezes, the water will expand and push out on the container.
300
Students observe a pot of water that looks like it is boiling, however, the temperature of the water is a surprising 33º Fahrenheit, which is almost freezing. The teacher explains that there is a piece of dry ice at the bottom of the pot making the water bubble and fog. Which of the following is an example of an opinion?
A-The pot is black.
B-The water is cold.
C-The water is 33° Fahrenheit.
D-The volume of the pot is 532 milliliters.
B-The water is cold.
300
Which of the following statements can be supported by the diagram?
A-The inner planets are too hot to maintain life.
B-Only some planets of the Solar System rotate.
C-The outer planets are found in the region farthest from the Sun.
D-Moons orbit the Sun in the area between the inner and outer planets.
C-The outer planets are found in the region farthest from the Sun.
300
At what stage in the water cycle does water return to the oceans, creeks and rivers?
A-evaporation
B-precipitation
C-condensation
D-vapor formation
B-precipitation
300
Nathan went swimming at the lake over the weekend. While he was playing on the shore, he found a small chunk of cement and a large rock, which appeared to be the same size. What would be the best way for Nathan to compare the volume of the large rock and the chunk of cement?
A-Throw them in the lake and see which one will sink.
B-Use a ruler to measure the length of each of the objects.
C-Place them each on a scale and see which one weighs more.
D-Place them in a bucket of water and see which one raises the water level the most.
D-Place them in a bucket of water and see which one raises the water level the most.
300
Iron becomes rust when it reacts with oxygen. Which of the following is another example of a material undergoing a chemical change to become another material with different characteristics?
A-Melting ice
B-Burning wood
C-Freezing water
D-Shattering glass
B-Burning wood
400
Austin is studying states of matter by heating water in a pan. Which statement from his notebook is an observation?
A-There is air in the bubbles.
B-The bottom of the pan must be very hot.
C-Tiny bubbles form on the bottom of the pan.
D-It is hard to estimate the size of the bubbles.
C-Tiny bubbles form on the bottom of the pan.
400
Earth is one of the four inner planets in our Solar System. What characteristics does Earth share with the other inner planets that make it different from the outer planets?
A-Earth, like other inner planets, has an icy core.
B-Earth, like other inner planets, has few moons.
C-Earth, like other inner planets, is made up mainly of hydrogen.
D-Earth, like other inner planets, has a moon larger than some planets.
B-Earth, like other inner planets, has few moons.
400
Which answer best explains why clouds usually form high in the sky?
A-It is cold enough there for the water vapor to begin condensing.
B-It is warm enough there for evaporated water to expand into clouds.
C-It is dry enough for precipitation to form from condensed water vapor.
D-It is windy enough for water droplets to get pushed together into clouds.
A-It is cold enough there for the water vapor to begin condensing.
400
Both cookies and gelatin desserts are solids although their textures are very different. What do they have in common that makes them solids?
A-They both may be eaten.
B-They both keep their own shape.
C-They both can move around in a container.
D-They both are made of solids such as sugar.
B-They both keep their own shape.
400
How can you raise the pitch of the sound of a string on a guitar?
A-Remove the string so that it will not vibrate at all.
B-Tighten the string to increase the speed at which it vibrates.
C-Loosen the string to decrease the speed at which it vibrates.
D-Smooth the string so that the speed at which it vibrates cannot change.
B-Tighten the string to increase the speed at which it vibrates.
500
Jose wants to create an excellent science project for a school competition. Jose and his dad like to go fishing in freshwater lakes and saltwater oceans. He decided to test the prediction that objects float higher in salt water rather than in fresh water. He set up two identical fish tanks and filled one with salt water and the other with the same amount of fresh water. He used two blocks of wood to make observations over three trials.
In order for his project to be valid, which of the following must happen?
A-The project must include his beliefs.
B-The results must be based on evidence.
C-The project must prove his predictions correct.
D-The results must be based on personal opinion.
B-The results must be based on evidence.
500
What conclusion can be drawn from the data in the chart?
A-A planet’s size increases as the distance from the Sun increases.
B-A planet’s shape changes as the distance from the Sun decreases.
C-A planet’s revolution increases as the distance from the Sun increases.
D-A planet’s rotation period increases as the distance from the Sun increases.
C-A planet’s revolution increases as the distance from the Sun increases.
500
Joy's local forecast stated that a change in pressure, causing a low-pressure system, was moving into her area.
What kind of weather can Joy expect based on this forecast?
A-cold weather and strong winds
B-cool weather and clear skies
C-hot weather with few clouds
D-warm weather and storms
D-warm weather and storms
500
Which of the following is NOT a separation technique?
A-boiling
B-stirring
C-filtering
D-magnetism
B-stirring
500
When two objects have different electric charges, what happens?
A-They gain energy.
B-They lose matter.
C-They pull toward each other.
D-They push away from each other.
C-They pull toward each other.
600
Luis was mixing a batch of glue, baking powder, and borax solution to make silly putty and discovered a new substance that glows in the dark. He gave Sophia his specific amounts of ingredients and the steps of his procedure. He asked Sophia to try the experiment to see if she gets the same results.
What is this an example of?
A-repetition
B-replication
C-reproducing
D-responsibility
B-replication
600
Anita and Princess are trying to write a description of a planet that could apply to any planet in our Solar System. So far, their list looks like this:
- Orbits the Sun
- Is nearly round
What else can they add to their list?
A-Spins on its axis
B-Has at least one moon
C-Has water on its surface
D-Is always the same distance from the Sun
A-Spins on its axis
600
If you examine a piece of hail, it might have invisible layers like an onion.
Which answer best explains why this is true?
A-As hail falls, it picks up layers of dust and dirt from the air.
B-Hail forms layers because it melts as it falls toward the Earth.
C-Air pressure increases while the hail falls, and it causes ice layers to form.
D-Hail builds up ice layers as it travels through updrafts in a storm before it falls.
D-Hail builds up ice layers as it travels through updrafts in a storm before it falls.
600
Victor is building a sandcastle at the beach and finds that the sand has many small pebbles in it.
Which procedure would be best for Victor to use to separate the small pebbles from the sand?
A-Add more sand that has fewer pebbles.
B-Put the sand in a bucket and stir it for a few seconds.
C-Allow the sand and pebble mixture to sit out in the hot sun.
D-Pour the sand and pebbles through a sifter, a screen with small holes.
D-Pour the sand and pebbles through a sifter, a screen with small holes.
600
What purpose do batteries have in an electrical circuit?
A-They absorb the thermal energy.
B-They store light energy for later use.
C-They convert solar energy to sound energy.
D-They convert chemical energy to electrical energy.
D-They convert chemical energy to electrical energy.
700
Why is it important to do multiple trials of the same experiment?
A-Multiple trials improve the reliability of the data.
B-Multiple trials improve the design of the experiment.
C-Multiple trials improve the methods used by the scientist.
D-Multiple trials improve the predictions made by the scientist.
A-Multiple trials improve the reliability of the data.
700
Which statement about the Sun is correct?
A-The Sun is the closest star to Earth.
B-The Sun is smaller than most planets.
C-The Sun is made of rock, minerals, and hot gases.
D-The Sun has a surface temperature similar to Jupiter.
A-The Sun is the closest star to Earth.
700
The diagram shows a landscape.
Where in the diagram would the air pressure be the greatest?
A-at the beach
B-on top of the mountain
C-above Earth's atmosphere
D-at the bottom of the clouds
A-at the beach
700
Some substances can dissolve in water; some substances cannot. Which substance will dissolve in water?
A-Oil
B-Sand
C-Flour
D-Sugar
D-Sugar
700
Which statement is true about a basic electrical circuit?
A-No electricity will flow through a circuit without a light bulb.
B-No electricity will flow through a circuit that has an open switch.
C-Electricity will flow through a circuit without a source of energy.
D-Electricity will flow through a circuit that forms an incomplete loop.
B-No electricity will flow through a circuit that has an open switch.
800
Students perform this experiment to test the effects of the slope of the stream table on the amount of sand eroded. They write and follow the following procedure and design:
Procedure:
1. Construct four identical stream tables, using the same amount of sand in each table.
2. Angle each stream table as shown.
3. Pour 1 liter of water from the same height onto each stream table.
4. Collect water and sand eroded from the table into the buckets.
5. Dry the eroded sand.
6. Measure the mass of the sand eroded from each table.
7. Record results.
Another group of students wants to replicate the experiment. What should they do?
A-Change the design for more efficient one.
B-Measure the volume of water poured onto the tables.
C-Review and check the procedure and change as needed.
D-Follow the design and steps of the first group of students.
D-Follow the design and steps of the first group of students.
800
While watching a comet cross the night sky, Xavier wondered what makes comets different from asteroids. How are comets different from asteroids?
A-Comets orbit the Sun; asteroids do not orbit the Sun.
B-Comets pass near Earth; asteroids stay far away from Earth.
C-Comets are made of dust and ice; asteroids are made of rock or metal.
D-Comets are found everywhere; asteroids are found only in the asteroid belt.
C-Comets are made of dust and ice; asteroids are made of rock or metal.
800
What is a tropical region's general temperature and precipitation conditions?
A-cool and dry
B-warm and dry
C-cool and rainy
D-warm and rainy
D-warm and rainy
800
Jackson is making dinner and is trying to dissolve salt into a pot of water. The salt is dissolving slowly. What should Jackson do to speed up the rate of dissolving?
A-He should put larger salt particles in the water.
B-He should heat the water to a higher temperature.
C-He should completely stop stirring the pot of water.
D-He should slow down the speed he is stirring the water in the pot.
B-He should heat the water to a higher temperature.
800
Bella is at softball practice.
What force will most likely cause the softball to change direction?
A-the batter's force on the ball with the bat
B-the batter's force on the ball as she missed
C-the catcher's force on the ball with her mitt
D-the pitcher's force on the ball as she throws
A-the batter's force on the ball with the bat