3rd Grade Science : Physical Science

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 3rd Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Question Cause/Effect Relationships Of Electricity

When you rub a balloon on your hair, it creates static electricity. What happens when you put the balloon near your hair?

Possible Answers:

Your hair is repelled by the balloon and stands up.

Your hair is attracted to the balloon and stands up.

Your hair is repelled by the balloon and lays flat.

Your hair is attracted to the balloon and lays flat.

Correct answer:

Your hair is attracted to the balloon and stands up.

Explanation:

When static electricity is created between a balloon and your hair, your hair is attracted to the balloon. If you rub the balloon on your hair and move it away slowly, your hair will follow the direction of the balloon and stick straight out. Your hair is the opposite charge of the balloon. Opposite charges attract, so the hair and balloon are attracted to each other.

Example Question #6 : Question Cause/Effect Relationships Of Electricity

Every time I take clothes out of the dryer, they are all stuck together. My socks are attached to my shirts, and when I pull them apart, I hear a crackling noise.

Why are the socks attracted to each other?

Possible Answers:

They always want to be with their match.

They have the same charge.

They have opposite charges.

They have no charges.

Correct answer:

They have the same charge.

Explanation:

The reason this happens is because of static electricity. In the dryer, different fabrics rub together, the electrons from a cotton sock may rub off onto a polyester shirt. That's why clothes sometimes stick together. They have opposite charges which are attracted to each other.

Example Question #2 : Relationships With Electric And Magnetic Interactions

When similarly charged objects are placed near each other, they will __________ each other.

Possible Answers:

None of the choices are correct.

be attracted to

not effect

repel

Correct answer:

repel

Explanation:

Negative electrons and positive protons are opposite charges and are attracted to each other. An example would be if a balloon has the opposite charge as someone's hair, and they are held near each other. The hair will stand up and stretch out towards the balloon because the opposite charges are attracted to each other. In this example, the two objects have the same charge, so they will repel each other. This can be felt with two magnets; when you try to push two North ends together, you can feel them pushing against each other as they repel.

Example Question #1 : Relationships With Electric And Magnetic Interactions

Lightning is a form of electricity.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

Lightning is a form of electricity; it is static electricity. In the sky, if one cloud is positively charged and one is negatively charged, lightning can be created if the clouds are near each other. The particles are active enough to generate electricity through lightning, even if there is no contact between the positive and negative clouds.

Example Question #1 : Question Cause/Effect Relationships Of Magnetism

Nikki wants to get some hidden iron nails out of the pile of mulch in her backyard. Which of the following would be the best way to remove all the iron nails from the mulch, and why?

Possible Answers:

Have her dog dig through the mulch and take the nails out because they are attracted to the dog.

Sort through the dirt and get the nails with her hands because they are attracted to her hands.

Dig the nails out with a shovel because they are attracted to the shovel.

Use a strong magnet to pull the nails out because they are attracted to the magnet.

Correct answer:

Use a strong magnet to pull the nails out because they are attracted to the magnet.

Explanation:

This question is looking at the cause and effect relationship between magnets and other objects. Iron nails are magnetic, which will be attracted to the strong magnet that Nikki uses. Placing the magnet over the pile will pull the nails towards it so they can be removed from the mulch. The other methods are time-consuming, will not work, or are not as efficient. Using the properties of an object and utilizing the relationships they have can assist in tasks.

Example Question #2 : Question Cause/Effect Relationships Of Magnetism

Nick's mom spilled a drawer with thumbtacks, staples, and safety pins all over her carpet floor. Instead of picking up all of these sharp objects with her bare hands, what is a faster and safer way to clean up the mess and why?

Possible Answers:

Be careful while picking up the items because they are sharp, and this is the easiest way.

Use a vacuum to pick up the items because then they don't need to be touched, and if the vacuum breaks, you can get a new one.

Use a magnet to pick up the items because they are magnetic.

Put on gloves to pick up the items because they are sharp, and they cannot poke through gloves.

Correct answer:

Use a magnet to pick up the items because they are magnetic.

Explanation:

The safest and fastest way for Nick's mom to pick up all of the items that spilled out of her drawer is to use a magnet. Staples, thumbtacks, and safety pins are all made of metal and magnetic. All of the items will stick to the magnet, and then Nick's mom can transfer the items on the magnet into the drawer. Nick's mom won't get poked by any of the items, and they will be cleaned up quickly. All of these items could damage a vacuum cleaner, she could still be poked through gloves, and just being careful is not the safest route.

Example Question #1 : Question Cause/Effect Relationships Of Magnetism

Jake's mom made a pile of small, random household objects. Jake attached a magnet to the end of a string. If Jake goes "fishing" with his magnet in the pile of objects that his mom made, what kind of objects would he catch, and why?

Possible Answers:

Cold objects because they will be attracted to the magnet.

Silly things because this is a silly idea.

Magnetic objects because of the relationship of attraction.

Live objects because you catch live things when fishing.

Correct answer:

Magnetic objects because of the relationship of attraction.

Explanation:

The only types of objects that Jake would "catch" are magnetic objects. Magnetic objects would stick onto his magnetic "fishing pole." Any objects that were not magnetic would not attach to the fishing pole. There is an attraction between magnets and items that have magnetic qualities. There is a relationship between magnets and objects with magnetic properties that cause movement and attraction.

Example Question #3 : Question Cause/Effect Relationships Of Magnetism

Two magnets with opposite poles are placed two feet away from each other. As the magnets are moved closer together, what is most likely going to happen?

Possible Answers:

They will get attached as they get closer.

They will repel each other as they get closer.

They will not affect each other and remain where they are.

They will change colors as they get closer to each other.

Correct answer:

They will get attached as they get closer.

Explanation:

Magnets have a magnetic field that attracts other magnetic objects, so because of this, they attach when they are close enough. If two magnets are moved closer and closer together, they will eventually reach each other's magnetic field and be very attracted to each other. Once this happens, the magnets will move towards each other and become attached.

Example Question #5 : Question Cause/Effect Relationships Of Magnetism

Gregory and Morgan have two magnets. They are confused about why the magnets will not go together. They push them together with all of their might, but they still will not connect.

Why won't the magnets go together?

Possible Answers:

The magnets have opposite poles (charges) being pushed together.

The magnets have the same poles (charges) being pushed together.

The magnets are broken.

The magnets need to be activated before they will work correctly.

Correct answer:

The magnets have the same poles (charges) being pushed together.

Explanation:

There is a cause and effect relationship between magnets that is being explored in this question. Gregory and Morgan are experiencing the effect of magnets having the same poles or charges faced towards each other. If the North end of both magnets or South ends of both magnets were pushed together, the magnets would repel. If opposite sides were being pushed towards each other, they would be attracted and connected.

 

Example Question #3 : Question Cause/Effect Relationships Of Magnetism

Opposite ends of a magnet have opposite charges (poles). When put near each other, they will move __________ each other.

Possible Answers:

away from

to the right of

towards

to the left of

Correct answer:

towards

Explanation:

If two ends of a magnet are placed near each other, and they have opposite charges, the magnets will move towards each other. Magnets have a magnetic field that attracts other magnetic objects, so because of this, they attach when they are close enough. If two magnets are moved closer and closer together, they will eventually reach each other's magnetic field and be very attracted to each other. Once this happens, the magnets will move towards each other and become attached.

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