Nature of Science
Why should scientists conduct more trials in an investigation?
More trials gives more data, which allows scientists to find patterns and trends in the data.
Which investigation does NOT collect evidence to show how energy causes motion or creates change?
Observing the types of rocks on a playground
Which of the following materials could be used as a switch in a closed circuit?
A metal paperclip
While cooking breakfast, Sahasra and Karthekeya used the blender, the toaster, and the microwave. Each of those appliances received energy from an electrical outlet. What types of energy did the electrical energy transform into in each appliance?
Blender-Mechanical energy, sound energy
Toaster-heat energy, mechanical energy, sound energy
Microwave-heat energy, light energy
Mr. Bob’s class designed an investigation. They made a ramp on the tile floor in the classroom. They placed a wagon on the top of a ramp and released the wagon. The students measured how far the wagon traveled before it came to a stop. The students then repeated the procedure, using the same ramp and the same wagon, changing the surface to the carpet in the classroom, and on the concrete outside the classroom. What question is the class most likely trying to answer with their investigation?
How does the surface affect the movement of the wagon?
The distance the cup travels
Distance the cup travels Observations
25 cm The cup was placed on its side at the end of the coaster and rolled back and forth and then stopped.
78 cm The cup was placed on its side at the end of the coaster.
10 cm The cup was placed with the open end towards the coaster. The marble hit the cup and bounced out.
0 cm The cup was placed upright. The marble fell off the track.
0 cm The cup was placed on its side at the end of the coaster. The marble coaster fell apart.
Which claim is linked with evidence from the investigation?
The cup rolls farther when it is placed on its side at the end of a coaster.
Which material could Weston use to wrap a damaged cord so it would be safe to use?
-aluminum foil
-rubber
-tin
-copper
rubber
Many electric cars use a renewable source of energy. There are solar stations that convert solar energy into electrical energy. Rohan bought an electric car, and used the charging station to charge it with energy. What energy transformation takes place after Rohan unplugs the car from the charging station and drives away?
electrical energy to mechanical energy
What can scientists do to make their conclusion more valid?
Repeat more trials of the investigation the same way (same materials and procedure) and collect data on each trial.
Which statement is an inference?
1. The second magnet moves when the first magnet is 3 cm away from it.
2. The first magnet must be stronger than the second magnet because it is bigger.
3. The second magnet always moves closer to the first magnet.
4. The two magnets are the same shape and color, but the first magnet is longer than the second magnet.
2. The first magnet must be stronger than the second magnet because it is bigger.
Draw a closed circuit that includes a motor, light, and switch.
check drawings
Mrs. Wright's class adopted a tortoise as a class pet. They made a habitat with plenty of fresh dirt, grasses, and logs for tortoise to explore. Mrs. Wright said it was important to include a special type of lamp that would have to be on for the same amount of time every day. What change does the energy from the lamp have on the tortoise habitat?
The heat (thermal) energy increases the temperature of the habitat, while the light energy makes the habitat brighter.
Ishal and David were discussing whether the lights in the classroom made the temperature go up every day. David said they could do an experiment by taking the temperature of the classroom with the lights off when they arrived at school, then again after the lights had been on for a while. Ishal said that they needed to do more than that if they wanted to do an experiment. What else would Ishal and David need to do to conduct an experiment about the lights and temperature in the classroom?
They would need to control parts of the experiment, like how long the lights had been on or off, if the air conditioner was being used, and anything else that could affect the temperature in the classroom.
Erik has thin fine hair. When hair is combed on a dry day it tends to stand up on end. What is happening to Erik’s hair?
The individual hairs repel one another because they have like charges.
Emma was holding the balloons above her head when Sam noticed that Emma’s hair was standing up. What explains why Emma’s hair would be standing up after being close to the balloons?
The balloons and Emma’s hair had opposite electrical charges and were attracted to each other.
Mr. Banners began to prepare the classroom for the day. He turned on the lights, unstacked the chairs, and turned on the air conditioner. How did Mr. Banners use energy to get the classroom ready?
lights: electrical energy
air conditioner: electrical energy
moving the chairs: mechanical energy
Julia got a new mealworm habitat. Julia observed the mealworms in the habitat and recorded when they changed from one life cycle stage to another. Julia wondered if the temperature of the habitat affected how quickly they changed to an adult. What would Julia have to do to conduct an experiment to see how temperature affected the life cycle of the mealworms?
Julia should create three different habitats with the same materials and the same number of mealworms. Then change the temperature of the three habitats and record the number of mealworms and beetles daily.
Give an example for each form of energy:
-Mechanical
-Light
-Heat
-Sound
-Chemical
-Electrical
-Mechanical: roller coaster
-Light: flashlight
-Heat: oven
-Sound: instruments
-Chemical: battery
-Electrical: T.V.
Sofia was decorating for a party and was tying two balloons together. The balloons rubbed against Sofia’s sweater and now both have a negative charge. What will happen when Sofia releases the two balloons, and they are close to each other?
The balloons will repel each other because they have the same charge.
Jaela was comparing how an older classroom pencil sharpener worked compared to a new pencil sharpener. For the older pencil sharpener, Jaela rotated the gears using the handle. For the new sharpener, Jaela plugged in the machine. How do the forms of energy change from the old sharpener to the new one?
Mechanical energy turns the gears in the old one, while electrical energy turns the gears in the new one. Both generate heat (thermal) and sound energy as the gears spin.