3rd Grade Science : Physical Science

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

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Based on the table, which statement(s) is true?

Possible Answers:

All of the answer choices are correct.

None of the answer choices are correct.

Platic and cotton are not magnetic materials.

Iron is magnetic; plastic is not.

Iron and steel are magnetic materials.

Correct answer:

All of the answer choices are correct.

Explanation:

All of the answer choices are correct because they accurately state a fact about magnetic materials. Iron and steel are both magnetic materials and would be attracted to a strong magnet. Plastic, aluminum cans, and cotton are all materials that would not be attracted to a magnet.

Example Question #3 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

Which item(s) below would be attracted to a magnet?

Possible Answers:

Wood pipe

Plastic pipe

Iron pipe

Copper pipe

Correct answer:

Iron pipe

Explanation:

The iron pipe will be strongly attracted to the magnet because it has magnetic properties. Iron is a magnetic metal, so it would be drawn and stick to the magnet. Copper, plastic, and wood are not magnetic and would not be attracted to the magnet.

Example Question #1 : Magnets To Solve Problems

What could this junkyard magnet pick up that humans can't?

Electromagnet, Magnet, Iron, Junk Yard

Possible Answers:

Large pieces of aluminum

Large chunks of steel

Large chunks of plastic

Large pieces of wood

Correct answer:

Large chunks of steel

Explanation:

Steel objects will be strongly attracted to the junkyard magnet, whereas aluminum, wood, and plastic will not. The magnet will only attract objects with magnetic properties, and of this list, steel is the only object that it would pick up. Steel can be very heavy, and humans cannot easily pick up a large piece by themselves.

Example Question #6 : Define A Problem That Be Solved With Magnets

Which problem could be solved by using magnets?

Possible Answers:

Andy's placemats keep flying off the wooden picnic table when the wind blows. He could use a magnet to hold the placemats to the wooden table.

A broken freezer door could be fixed by attaching magnets to both sides to keep it closed.

Kristi's lightbulb has burned out, but she doesn't have any other lightbulbs. She could replace the bulb with a magnet.

A dog keeps running outside and digging up the flowers. The owner could place magnets on the dog's collar so the flowers will repel him.

Correct answer:

A broken freezer door could be fixed by attaching magnets to both sides to keep it closed.

Explanation:

The best use for magnets to solve a problem would be securing a broken freezer door. If a magnet is attached to both sides (the door the frame of the freezer) with the opposite sides facing each other, they will be attracted and stick together. Magnets would not keep a dog out of a garden, would not work as a lightbulb, and magnets will not be attracted to a wooden table.

Example Question #11 : Magnets To Solve Problems

Brad and Brian must separate a mixture prepared by their teacher. She asks them which items in the container could be removed by using a magnet and why. The things they have are toothpicks, sand, pebbles, marbles, iron filings, paper clips, chocolate chips, broken crayons, and bits of notebook paper.

Which items can they remove with a magnet, and why?

Possible Answers:

Pebbles and chocolate chips because they are all magnetic

Marbles, iron filings, and bits of notebook paper because they are all magnetic

Iron filings and paperclips because they are all magnetic

Borken crayons, pebbles, and sand because they are all magnetic

Correct answer:

Iron filings and paperclips because they are all magnetic

Explanation:

Brad and Brian can use their scientific knowledge of magnets to determine which objects can be removed from the mixture. The items that can be removed have the quality of being magnetic. Bran and Brian can remove the iron filings and paperclips from the mix because they are both metal and magnetic. The other objects are made of materials that would not be attracted to the magnet.

Example Question #1 : Apply Scientific Knowledge About Magnets To Create A Solution

Drew has a metal toy car, and he has been asked to steer it through a maze, but he is not allowed to touch it at all. Which object could he select to move the car through the maze without touching it?

Possible Answers:

A magnet

A piece of tape

A stick

A megaphone

Correct answer:

A magnet

Explanation:

This problem can be solved, but it is tricky! Not touching the car is the hardest part because everyone is used to steering them with their hands. Drew could use a magnet to solve this problem because magnets do not need to touch to attract other magnetic items. He could hold the magnet above the car and steer it through the maze.

Example Question #12 : Magnets To Solve Problems

Which item relies on magnetism to solve problems for hikers?

Possible Answers:

Hiking, Walking, Hiking Shoes

Water, Water Bottle, Drink, Sport

Map, Navigation, Hands, Travel, Route

Compass, Direction, Navigation, Travel

Correct answer:

Compass, Direction, Navigation, Travel

Explanation:

These are all items that hikers use, and they solve problems for them while they are out in the woods. The only thing that relies on magnets though, is the compass. A water bottle, hiking boots, and a map are all helpful but do not rely on magnets. A compass works because the magnet responds to Earth's magnetic field. Earth is like a giant magnet that creates a magnetic field. The north end of a compass is drawn to align with Earth's magnetic North Pole. While the hikers move through the woods, the compass' needle moves towards the North end of to help them find their way.

Example Question #2 : Apply Scientific Knowledge About Magnets To Create A Solution

Why are magnets beneficial for solving simple problems dealing with movement?

Possible Answers:

They cannot attract/pull or repel/push magnetic objects.

They both attract/pull and repel/push non-magnetic objects.

Magnets do not help solve simple problems dealing with movement.

They both attract/pull and repel/push magnetic objects.

Correct answer:

They both attract/pull and repel/push magnetic objects.

Explanation:

Magnets seem like they might only be suitable for holding the grocery list on the refrigerator, but they have many uses and can solve simple problems dealing with movement. Magnets can attract/pull and repel/push other magnetic objects creating movement. If something needs to be moved and it has a magnetic quality using a magnet is a simple way to complete the task.

Example Question #3 : Apply Scientific Knowledge About Magnets To Create A Solution

Mrs. Addly wants to display her students' work on the metal door for other classes to see. She hangs up the work and uses magnets to keep it in place.

Why does this solution work?

Possible Answers:

This solution will not work. She will need to come up with another plan.

This works because the paper is very heavy, and the magnets are incredibly strong.

Metal is colorful, so a magnet will stick to it.

Metal is magnetic, so the magnet will stick to it.

Correct answer:

Metal is magnetic, so the magnet will stick to it.

Explanation:

This solution works because the metal is magnetic, so a magnet will be attracted to it and stick to it. The paper is light, so a strong magnet is not needed. If the door were made of a material that does not have a magnetic quality, the magnet would not work, and an alternate solution would be required.

Example Question #13 : Magnets To Solve Problems

Mrs. Harley wants to display a large wooden sign on her metal door to welcome students. She finds a small magnet and attempts to hang it up. The sign keeps sliding down the door.

What can Mrs. Harley do to solve this problem?

Possible Answers:

She can get a larger or stronger magnet to support the weight of the sign.

She can use tape or glue instead, since it is sticky.

There is no way to hang a wooden sign on a metal door.

She can cut the sign in half, so it isn't as heavy.

Correct answer:

She can get a larger or stronger magnet to support the weight of the sign.

Explanation:

Mrs. Harley had a good idea to use a magnet to hold the sign up because the metal door has magnetic properties, but the sign is too heavy for the size magnet she selected. Mrs. Harley will need to choose a larger or stronger magnet to hold up the weight of the sign. Wood can be dense and heavy, so it is dragging the magnet down and falling off the door. A stronger magnet will solve this problem.

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