4th Grade Science : Physical Science

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 4th Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #6 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Sound

Asuelu says that an islander blowing on a conch horn is an example of energy being transferred by sound. Kalani says that Asuelu is wrong because a conch horn isn’t a real instrument. Based on what you know about the transfer of sound energy, which argument BEST supports why Asuelu’s statement is correct?

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Possible Answers:

A conch horn is a real instrument in certain countries, so Kalani is wrong.

Even if a conch horn is not a typical instrument, blowing through it would still cause vibrations to travel through the air, which is how sound energy transfers.

None of these arguments support that blowing on a conch horn is an example of energy being transferred by sound.

Because conch horns originate in the ocean, they are full of the sounds of the water.

Correct answer:

Even if a conch horn is not a typical instrument, blowing through it would still cause vibrations to travel through the air, which is how sound energy transfers.

Explanation:

A conch horn is a wind instrument made from a conch shell. When the player blows into the end of the conch horn, a musical tone is created because the vibrations travel through the air. While it may not be a typical instrument, it does transfer sound energy.

 

Example Question #7 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Sound

Sound travels in outer space.

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Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Because outer space is a vacuum, there is virtually no air. Since sound is vibrating air, sound does not travel in space. Crashing asteroids, supernovas, and burning planets would be silent.

 

Example Question #5 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Sound

Which of the following is an example of energy being transferred by sound?

Possible Answers:

Clog dancing

All of these are examples of energy being transferred by sound.

Meat sizzling on the grill

A balloon popping

Correct answer:

All of these are examples of energy being transferred by sound.

Explanation:

Each of the examples in this question are scenarios in which sound would be transferred because they all cause vibrations that travel through a medium.

Example Question #9 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Sound

What must happen for sound waves to form?

Possible Answers:

Matter must vibrate.

Sound waves are not reliant on anything to form.

The intensity must largely increase.

The frequency must decrease.

Correct answer:

Matter must vibrate.

Explanation:

Sound is produced when something vibrates. Vibrations travel in longitudinal waves, which create areas of high and low pressure. Without vibrations, these soundwaves cannot be formed.

Example Question #1 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Sound

Lower pitched sounds have a lower frequency than higher-pitched sounds.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

The vibrations of low pitched sounds move molecules at a slower rate than the vibrations of higher-pitched sounds. This means that there is more time between vibration pushes. More time between pushes means that the frequency is lower.

Example Question #1 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Heat

How does heat energy move?

Possible Answers:

From warm objects to cold objects

From cold objects to warm objects

From large objects to small objects

From small objects to large objects

Correct answer:

From warm objects to cold objects

Explanation:

Heat is an energy that can be transferred just like sound, light, and electrical currents. We use heat in our everyday lives to cook food or warm our houses. Heat travels from warm objects to cold objects. This happens because the molecules hit each other, and the faster-moving molecules in the hot object spread that energy into the cooler object.

Example Question #1 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Heat

What is heat?

Possible Answers:

Heat is made up of waves of electromagnetic energy.

Heat is the transfer of thermal energy.

Heat is the movement of energy by vibrations through substances in the form of waves.

Heat is the flow of electrons – tiny, negatively charged particles in atoms.

Correct answer:

Heat is the transfer of thermal energy.

Explanation:

Heat is a form of energy that we can feel. Heat is the transfer of thermal energy through vibrations between molecules. As the temperature of an object of substance increases, its molecules will begin to vibrate more quickly. Thermal energy is the movement of molecules that make up an object or substance.

Example Question #2 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Heat

As molecules move they rub against one another. This creates friction which raises the temperature of the molecules. The __________ the molecules move, the more thermal energy they are able to generate.

Possible Answers:

slower

messier

more organized

faster

Correct answer:

faster

Explanation:

Thermal energy is another term for heat energy. Thermal or heat energy is generated when molecules rub against one another, causing friction. The faster the molecules move, the more heat energy is created. To measure how much thermal energy something has, we take its temperature with a thermometer.

Example Question #1 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Heat

Matt and Thome are going to roast marshmallows and need to use a device that is an insulator to hold over the fire. They don't want their hands to get burnt while cooking their food. They also don't want it to melt. What material should their device be made of?

Possible Answers:

Wood

Metal

Plastic

Styrofoam

Correct answer:

Wood

Explanation:

Three of the items listed are insulators: wood, styrofoam, and plastic, but only one of them will not melt with the heat of the fire. Wood is the best option to keep their hands from burning and the device from melting. Metal is a conductor, so this device would get very hot and transfer heat to the boy's hands.

Example Question #2 : Observe How Energy Is Transferred By Heat

What are the three ways that heat can move or transfer?

Possible Answers:

Heat cannot be transferred or move in three ways.

Conduction, radiation, and temperature

Conduction, radiation, and convection

Kelvin, radiation, and convection

Correct answer:

Conduction, radiation, and convection

Explanation:

The three ways heat can be moved or transferred are through conduction, radiation, and convection. Conduction is heat transfer between two objects that are touching. Radiation is the heat transfer through air or space by electromagnetic waves. Convection is heat transfer by a current of water or air.

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