4th Grade Science : Physical Science
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 4th Grade Science
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Explain How An Object's Speed Relates To Its Energy
Which of these has the most speed and energy?
A teddy bear sitting at a tea party
A car parked in the driveway
A motorcycle driving down the road
A cat resting in the windowsill
A motorcycle driving down the road
An inference can be made that the higher something’s speed is, the more energy it has. Higher amounts of energy will result in a more significant change of motion for the object it is acting on. When the speed decreases, the distance the object moves also decreases. There is a direct relationship between speed and energy. A motorcycle driving down the road has the most speed and energy.
Example Question #1 : Explain How An Object's Speed Relates To Its Energy
Katie and Gordon were experimenting with two bowling balls. One of the bowling balls had a mass of 6 kilograms, and the other had a mass of 4 kilograms. They compared the force needed to roll each of the balls at the same speed. They also compared how much force it took to stop the balls when the balls were rolling at the same speed.
Which conclusion did the students MOST likely arrive at after experimenting with both bowling balls?
The bowling ball with the smaller mass was easier to roll and easier to stop than the bowling ball with more mass.
Both bowling balls were equally hard to roll at the same speed, but the bowling ball with more mass was easier to stop.
The bowling ball with more mass was harder to roll but easier to stop than the bowling ball with the smaller mass.
Both bowling balls were equally hard to roll at the same speed, but the bowling ball with the smaller mass was easier to stop.
The bowling ball with the smaller mass was easier to roll and easier to stop than the bowling ball with more mass.
Gordon and Katie most likely concluded that the bowling ball with the smaller mass was easiest to roll and stop than the ball with more mass. The smaller bowling ball would require less force to move and stop because it has less mass. The greater the mass, the more force is needed to make a change in motion.
Example Question #1 : Explain How An Object's Speed Relates To Its Energy
A group of students is investigating motion using a toy car, a ramp, and a plastic cup. The students place an empty plastic cup at the bottom of a ramp. Where on the ramp should the students release the car to push the plastic cup the farthest?
From flat on the ground
From the center of the ramp
From the bottom of the ramp
From the top of the ramp
From the top of the ramp
An inference can be made that the higher something’s speed is, the more energy it has. Higher amounts of energy will result in a more significant change of motion for the object it is acting on. When the speed decreases, the distance the object moves also decreases. There is a direct relationship between speed and energy. If the car is placed at the top of the ramp, it will have more force exerted on it from gravity pulling it towards the ground, more room to gather speed, and the steeper incline would allow for more force to be transferred to the plastic cup, therefore, moving it a further distance.
Example Question #3 : Explain How An Object's Speed Relates To Its Energy
Shakira ordered two bowling balls of the same size and type. She bought one pink ball and one orange ball. Shakira rolled each ball down the same lane at the bowling alley one time while a friend used her phone timer to measure the time it took for the balls to travel to the end of the lane. After rolling both balls down the same lane one time, they noticed that the pink ball made it to the end of the lane faster than the orange ball.
Which is the most likely reason that the pink ball moved faster than the orange ball?
The pink ball was more attractive than the orange ball.
The pink ball had more force applied to it than the orange ball.
The pink ball experienced less friction than the orange ball.
The pink ball had a higher magnetic charge than the orange ball.
The pink ball had more force applied to it than the orange ball.
An inference can be made that the higher something’s speed is, the more energy it has. Higher amounts of energy will result in a more significant change of motion for the object it is acting on. When the speed decreases, the distance the object moves also decreases. There is a direct relationship between speed and energy. If the pink ball had more force applied to it, then it would move faster down the lane when compared to the orange ball.
Example Question #1 : Predict And Observe Changes In Energy When Objects Collide
Robert is trying to replicate the collision shown in the photograph below. Which ball would create the same change in energy?
None of these balls would create the same change in energy.
None of these balls would create the same change in energy.
If Robert is trying to recreate the same change in energy and have the same explosion of pins, none of these balls will work. Bowling balls are smooth, heavy, and built to create a change in energy when they collide with the pins. The baseball and tennis balls are small and light, so they will not transfer much energy to the pins. The basketball is larger but is also light and textured, so it will not roll as well and will not transfer the same amount of energy. It is more likely to knock pins down, but it will not create the dramatic explosion of pins crashing around the lane when struck.
Example Question #2 : Predict And Observe Changes In Energy When Objects Collide
What does the term "collide" mean? Example: Jackson and Robbie were afraid to collide when their sleds crossed paths.
Hit with force while moving
An accelerator in which two beams of particles are made to crash
Pass close to each other without crashing
See someone you have not seen in a long time
Hit with force while moving
When objects collide, it means that they are hit with force while moving. Robbie and Jackson's sleds crossed paths and nearly collided or crashed into each other. When objects collide, there is a change or transfer of energy, and the object's motion can change. The objects may change direction, speed, or stop when they collide with something else.
Example Question #1 : Predict And Observe Changes In Energy When Objects Collide
Karyssa is bowling with her friends, and she is looking at the pins when they each throw the ball. Looking at the pictures of the pins, Karyssa has to make a prediction of which ball she thinks had a greater speed upon collision and why?
In the second picture, the ball has a higher speed because the player has a proper stance and looks strong.
In the first picture, the ball has a higher speed because the pins are falling sideways.
In the first picture, the ball has a higher speed because the ball appears to be moving faster, and the pins are falling.
In the second picture, the ball has a higher speed because the pins are flying into the air, and more are falling.
In the second picture, the ball has a higher speed because the pins are flying into the air, and more are falling.
Both of these photos represent changes in energy during a collision. The ball is transferring energy to the pins when they make contact. Karyssa could predict based on the pictures and the positions of the pins, which she believed had a higher speed upon collision. When examining the photos, they both show pins falling and the ball making contact with the pins. The second photo shows the pins almost exploding at the end of the lane and flying through the air. A reasonable prediction could be made that this ball had higher speed upon collision because there was more energy transferred to the pins, and there was a more significant "reaction" when the crash took place.
Example Question #1 : Predict And Observe Changes In Energy When Objects Collide
Glen and his friend London are going sledding at a local park. There are two hills to choose from, "The Bunny Slopes," which are small hills and lots of flat surfaces, and "The Dragon," which is a steep hill and not for beginners. If London goes first and reaches the bottom and Glen crashes into him from behind on "The Dragon," what would happen to the motion of their sleds?
Glen's sled would move forward on impact, and London's sled would stop.
Glen's sled would slow down or stop on impact, and London's sled would move forward.
Glen's sled would speed up on impact, and London's sled would move forward.
Glen's sled would speed up on impact, and London's sled would stop.
Glen's sled would slow down or stop on impact, and London's sled would move forward.
If London is waiting at the bottom of the hill and Glen crashes into him there will be a change in the energy transferred when the collision takes place. When Glen hits the back of London his sled will stop or slow down while London's sled will be pushed forward and move. There is a transfer of energy from Glen to London that takes place when any two objects collide.
Example Question #1 : Predict And Observe Changes In Energy When Objects Collide
When objects collide, the contact forces transfer energy so as to change the object's motions.
False
True
True
The statement presented in the question is correct. If two objects collide, energy will be transferred between both, and there will be a change in motion. If I were to run into a friend at recess, we would both slow down and possibly fall backward or sideways due to the force of the impact. Objects can change speed, direction, or come to a complete stop because of a transfer of energy during a collision.
Example Question #4 : Predict And Observe Changes In Energy When Objects Collide
The diagrams below show a force on an object and its motion.
Which diagram correctly shows the relationship between the force and the motion?
Diagram B
Diagram D
Diagram A
Diagram C
Diagram B
The diagram that correctly depicts the relationship between force and motion is Diagram B. The force of an object is colliding with the white sphere and pushing it forward. The sphere will move in the direction it is being pushed. If two objects collide, energy will be transferred between both, and there will be a change in motion.
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