2nd Grade Science : Physical Science
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 2nd Grade Science
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Describe Materials By Observable Properties
Jorah has a game to play with his friends. He will describe a material or object by its observable properties, and they have to guess what he is thinking of.
"The object I am thinking of is rectangular, bumpy, hard, and green in color." Which object is he thinking about?
The object that Jorah is most likely describing is the building block. It is green, bumpy on top, hard, and a rectangular shape. These observable properties can be used to describe the item in detail. Observable properties are determined with the five senses.
Example Question #22 : Classification Of Materials
Daria got a new kitten. She was on the phone with her grandmother and wanted to describe it using his observable properties. Which list best matches the description of the kitten?
Brown, soft, orange, warm, not bouncy, and magnetic
Tan, brown, soft, not bouncy, squishy, and warm
Tan, brown, hard, bouncy, and cold
Tan, brown, soft, bouncy, squishy, and cold
Tan, brown, soft, not bouncy, squishy, and warm
Daria can describe her kitten using observable properties. Observable properties are characteristics of an item, person, material, or even animal that are collected using the five senses. This kitten is tan, brown, soft, not bouncy, squishy, and warm. Using the senses of touch and sight, these features can be determined.
Example Question #1 : Describe Materials By Observable Properties
Zara has a game to play with her friends. She will describe a material or object by its observable properties, and they have to guess what she is thinking of.
"The object I am thinking of is long, curved, smooth, soft, and green." Which object is she thinking about?
Angie is using observable properties to describe an object. Observable properties are characteristics describing an item or material gathered with our five senses. The only thing that completely meets all of the same features is the green beans. The egg is hard, the peas are round, and the chickpeas are tan.
Example Question #24 : Classification Of Materials
Measurable properties are an item's color, size, and shape, whether they are rough or smooth, shiny or dull, hard or soft, and flexible or stiff.
True
False
False
This is a false statement. The observable properties of materials can be determined by using the five senses. Once the features of an item have been identified, the items can be described, classified, or sorted by this information. Measurable properties require a tool and a measurement to be taken place. Examples of these types of features would be height, weight, volume, mass, etc..
Example Question #31 : Physical Science
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?
Item 1
Item 3
There is no way to tell which item she should not use.
Item 2
Item 1
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 #2 : Purposes Of Materials
How can we determine if a material is appropriate for a specific purpose?
Take a guess, try the material out, and hope it's right
Analyze the properties of the material to see if it is a good fit
Compare the material to something that already exists and see if it looks similar
There is no way to tell if the material will be right for a specific purpose
Analyze the properties of the material to see if it is a good fit
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 #1 : 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?
Mud; dries quickly, crumbles when dry, and slides when wet
Bricks; hard, easy to stack, inflexible, and waterproof
Sticks; they are breakable, straight, and are easily found in a forest
Straw; it is thin, soft, and there is lots of straw to use
Bricks; hard, easy to stack, inflexible, and waterproof
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 #32 : Physical Science
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?
Sticks, twine, sticky putty, and notebook paper
Building blocks, super glue, masking tape, and paint
Plastic forks, hot glue, wax, and coins
Jellybeans, water, glue, and strips of cloth
Building blocks, super glue, masking tape, and paint
"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?
Rocks 1, 2, & 3
Rocks 1, 3, & 4
Rock 2
Rocks 1 & 2
Rocks 1, 3, & 4
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 #4 : Purposes Of Materials
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?
Sifter
Tweezers
None of these tools would work
Bar Magnet
Bar Magnet
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.
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