2nd Grade Science : Purposes of Materials

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 2nd Grade Science

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Purposes Of Materials

Grace wants to see which object she should NOT choose to clean up a spill. Based on the absorbency (ability to soak up something) property of each item, which item would be the worst to select?

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Possible Answers:

Item 3

There is no way to tell which item she should not use.

Item 1

Item 2

Correct answer:

Item 1

Explanation:

Different materials have specific purposes and are best suited for certain tasks. In this case, "Item 1" is not absorbent at all, and Grace is trying to clean up a spill. This item would NOT be the best choice to clean up a liquid. If Grace wants to clean it up quickly, "Item 3" would be her best choice instead!

Example Question #1 : Purposes Of Materials

How can we determine if a material is appropriate for a specific purpose?

Possible Answers:

There is no way to tell if the material will be right for a specific purpose

Take a guess, try the material out, and hope it's right

Compare the material to something that already exists and see if it looks similar

Analyze the properties of the material to see if it is a good fit

Correct answer:

Analyze the properties of the material to see if it is a good fit

Explanation:

Some materials are suited for a specific purpose and were designed to be the best material for the job. Analyzing the properties of a material can help someone to determine if it is a good fit for a specific purpose or project. An example could be analyzing the softness of an object if you want to turn it into a pillow. You do not wish to pick something hard or rough.

Example Question #2 : Purposes Of Materials

Straw, sticks, bricks, and mud are all materials that can be used to build a house. Which would be the best option and why?

Possible Answers:

Bricks; hard, easy to stack, inflexible, and waterproof

Mud; dries quickly, crumbles when dry, and slides when wet

Straw; it is thin, soft, and there is lots of straw to use

Sticks; they are breakable, straight, and are easily found in a forest

Correct answer:

Bricks; hard, easy to stack, inflexible, and waterproof

Explanation:

Building materials for a house have to be selected with a specific purpose in mind because the structure of the house has to be secure and safe. Of the four materials, the best option would be the bricks. Bricks are sturdy, stable, and reliable building materials. They are level, so they stack neatly and are not going to crumble or slide when wet. Straw, sticks, and mud would not be the best materials suited for this purpose.

Example Question #2 : Purposes Of Materials

Micah's class tested two bridge models to see which materials would build the strongest structure. They noticed that "Bridge B" collapsed under the weight of the toy cars and they want to improve it.

Which set of materials would be the best choice to replace what they used?

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Possible Answers:

Building blocks, super glue, masking tape, and paint

Jellybeans, water, glue, and strips of cloth

Plastic forks, hot glue, wax, and coins

Sticks, twine, sticky putty, and notebook paper

Correct answer:

Building blocks, super glue, masking tape, and paint

Explanation:

"Bridge B" did well until a fourth car was added, so there may have been a failure in the materials somewhere. None of the objects they initially chose are very strong or sturdy, and if the gum were freshly chewed, it would be wet, and things could slide. By choosing building blocks that stack neatly and fit together well, very strong super glue, masking tape to wrap around the blocks, and paint for decoration, they may create a much stronger structure. Construction paper and tape are good for arts and crafts but may not be the best materials suited for bridge-building.

Example Question #3 : Purposes Of Materials

Jamal lost his baseball over the fence and into his mean neighbor's yard. He found four rocks and tested their hardness. He decides to use one as a replacement for his baseball until he gets a new one.

Based on the data table below, which rock(s) should Jamal NOT use for the baseball?

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Possible Answers:

Rock 2

Rocks 1, 2, & 3

Rocks 1, 3, & 4

Rocks 1 & 2

Correct answer:

Rocks 1, 3, & 4

Explanation:

If Jamal is looking for a rock that is best suited to his specific purpose (replacing his baseball), he needs to find a stone that will not break when hit with the bat. The rocks that Jamal should not choose are "Rocks 1, 3, & 4" because they broke when shaken or squeezed. The best rock to use would be "Rock 2" because it did not break when tested at all.

Example Question #32 : Physical Science

Jessa mixed sand and paperclips. She wants to remove the paperclips without touching them. Her teacher gives her the choice of three different tools to use. Which tool is best suited for removing paperclips without touching them?

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Possible Answers:

Sifter

None of these tools would work

Bar Magnet

Tweezers

Correct answer:

Bar Magnet

Explanation:

Different materials have specific purposes and are best suited for certain tasks. Jessa has to remove small, metal paperclips without touching them. The size and color of the tool do not matter in this case, and they do not affect Jessa's decision. The bar magnet is magnetic, so it should pick up the paperclip when it is moved close to it. Magnets do not need to touch other objects to affect them if they have magnetic qualities. This would be the tool most suited to her task.

Example Question #7 : Analyze Different Materials To See If They Are Suited For A Purpose

Different materials have specific purposes and are best suited for certain tasks.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

Materials can be analyzed to determine if they would work for a specific purpose. Someone can observe the properties of the object or material and see if it fits their needs. Absorbancy, magnetism, size, and shape are just a few properties that might make something suited for a specific purpose.

Example Question #41 : Physical Science

Juana's class tested two bridge models to see which materials would build the strongest structure. They noticed that "Bridge B" collapsed under the weight of the toy cars and they want to improve it.

Screen shot 2020 06 05 at 3.46.23 pm

Why did "Bridge B" fail and collapse under the weight of the cars?

Possible Answers:

The team building "Bridge A" had more time to make their the best.

The materials chosen were weak and could not support the weight of the cars.

The cars were much heavier during the "Bridge B" test than those in the "Bridge A" test.

"Bridge B" was not well built, and the students didn't try very hard.

Correct answer:

The materials chosen were weak and could not support the weight of the cars.

Explanation:

"Bridge B" did well until a fourth car was added, so there may have been a failure in the materials somewhere. None of the objects they initially chose are very strong or sturdy, and if the gum were freshly chewed, it would be wet, and things could slide. The materials selected were weak and not suited for this project.

Example Question #3 : Purposes Of Materials

Based on what you know about sponges, which item is most likely a sponge?

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Possible Answers:

None could be a sponge

Item 3

Item 1

Item 2

Correct answer:

Item 3

Explanation:

Different materials have specific purposes and are best suited for certain tasks. In this case, "Item 1" is not absorbent at all, and "Item 2" absorbs some liquid. Background knowledge about sponges allows readers to recognize that "Items 1 and 2" do not have the characteristics of a sponge. They are porous, absorbant, and used to clean up spills. "Item 3" is described as very absorbent, so this item is most likely the sponge.

Example Question #1 : Analyze Different Materials To See If They Are Suited For A Purpose

Angelica mixed dirt and rocks in a large tray. She has to separate the stones from the soil in one minute. Her teacher gives her the choice of three different tools to use. Which tool is best suited for separating the dirt and rocks quickly?

Screen shot 2020 07 10 at 7.36.32 am

Possible Answers:

Sifter

Tweezers

None of the tools will work

Bar Magnet

Correct answer:

Sifter

Explanation:

Different materials have specific purposes and are best suited for certain tasks. Angelica has to separate rocks from dirt in one minute. The size and color of the tool do not matter in this case, and they do not affect Angelica's decision. The sifter would be the best tool to use to get the job done quickly. She can scoop up the dirt and rocks into the sifter and shake it, so the dirt falls out, and the stones remain. She can repeat this until her one-minute timer is complete.

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