2nd Grade Science : Physical Science

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

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

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 #4 : Purposes Of Materials

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

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 2.02.48 pm

Possible Answers:

Item 1

None could be a sponge

Item 3

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 #5 : Purposes Of Materials

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

Bar Magnet

None of the tools will work

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.

Example Question #11 : Purposes Of Materials

Based on the data provided, which material should Myles NOT use to build his shelf?

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 2.06.20 pm

Possible Answers:

There is no way to tell which material Myles should not use.

Material 1

Material 2

Material 3

Correct answer:

Material 2

Explanation:

This data table provides information to analyze different materials. In the case of Myles, "Material 2" is weak and soft, which does not make an excellent material for a shelf. He would want to pick a material that is hard and would support the weight of items displayed.

Example Question #2 : Analyze Data From Different Materials

Which of the following properties are most important for the purpose of building a bookshelf?

Possible Answers:

Flexibility

Strength

Hardness

Texture

Correct answer:

Strength

Explanation:

Building a bookshelf is a big project, and the material needs to be able to support a lot of weight. The most important property for the building of a bookshelf is strength. If the bookshelf material is weak, it will fall, and the books will spill everywhere.

Example Question #2 : Analyze Data From Different Materials

Blair and her class build two bridges as a competition. The goal was to get the most cars across before the bridge collapsed. They have to choose the best design to improve on and send to the science fair.

Based on the data table, which bridge should they select and why?

Screen shot 2020 06 05 at 3.46.23 pm

Possible Answers:

Bridge A; it looked the coolest out of the two bridges and the class got to eat popsicles to make it

Bridge B; the class got to chew gum to make this bridge so they should pick it

Bridge B; it held three cars before it fell and that is pretty good

Bridge A; it held the most cars, wobbled but did not fall

Correct answer:

Bridge A; it held the most cars, wobbled but did not fall

Explanation:

When building a bridge in real-life, there is a massive amount of planning and testing done to ensure it is safe and sturdy. This class had good plans and materials for building both bridges, but "Bridge A" seems like the most reliable choice for the science fair entry. It was able to hold up six toy cars and did not fall. It did wobble some so the class can make improvements on that portion of the bridge. "Bridge B" collapsed after the weight of three toy cars, so it doesn't seem like the most sturdy bridge.

Example Question #3 : Analyze Data From Different Materials

Charlie decided to test the rocks he found in his yard. He took each one and squeezed it as hard as he could and recorded what happened. Then he put them in a hard plastic container and shook each one as hard as he could. He recorded his observations.

Below are the observations Charlie recorded. Based on this information, which rock is the hardest of the group?

Screen shot 2020 06 05 at 4.10.07 pm

Possible Answers:

Rock 2

Rock 3

Rock 1

Rock 4

Correct answer:

Rock 2

Explanation:

The hardest rock of the group based on the data Charlie collected is "Rock 2". This rock did not break when shaken or squeezed. All of the other stones broke during one or more of the tests. After analyzing the data, it can be concluded that "Rock 2" is the hardest.

Example Question #4 : Analyze Data From Different Materials

Charlie decided to test the rocks he found in his yard. He took each one and squeezed it as hard as he could and recorded what happened. Then he put them in a hard plastic container and shook each one as hard as he could. He recorded his observations.

Below are the observations Charlie recorded. Based on this information, which rock is the weakest of the group?

Screen shot 2020 06 05 at 4.10.07 pm

Possible Answers:

Rock 3

Rock 4

Rock 1

Rock 2

Correct answer:

Rock 4

Explanation:

The rock that was the least hard out of the group is "Rock 4". This rock not only broke when it was shaken but also when it was squeezed. It is the only rock from all four tests to break under both conditions. After collecting and analyzing the data, "Rock 4" is the weakest.

Example Question #5 : Analyze Data From Different Materials

Based on the data provided, which material should Ash use to build his shelf?

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 2.06.20 pm

Possible Answers:

Material 2

Material 3

Material 1

None of these materials

Correct answer:

Material 3

Explanation:

This data table provides information to analyze different materials. In the case of Myles, "Material 2" is weak and soft, which does not make an excellent material for a shelf. He would want to pick a material that is hard and would support the weight of items displayed. This leaves "Materials 1 and 3" for consideration. "Material 1" is flexible, which could be a poor quality for a shelf. "Material 3" is strong, hard, and not flexible; it would be the best material for a shelf.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors