5th Grade Science : Physical Science

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 5th Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Describe How Matter Is Too Small To See

Inside of each atom (as tiny as they are) are even smaller individual particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. Which of these particles has a negative charge?

Possible Answers:

None of the answer choices are correct.

Neutron

Proton

Electron

Correct answer:

Electron

Explanation:

Electrons have a negative charge. The proton moves around the nucleus of an atom, which is in the center. The charge of an electron is opposite but equal to the charge of a proton. Atoms have the same number of electrons as protons. We cannot see these with our eyes, and even with a high-powered microscope, they are too tiny and too low in mass to see.

Example Question #1 : Describe How Matter Is Too Small To See

What is the name of the scientific theory that recognizes that all matter is made of up parts that are too small to be seen without magnification?

Possible Answers:

Law of Thermodynamics

Atomic Theory

Newton's 3rd Law of Motion

Quantum Theory

Correct answer:

Atomic Theory

Explanation:

Atomic theory is the name of the theory described in the question. Atoms are very tiny and cannot be seen without a microscope. They are made up of parts that determine what the atom is, how it acts, and its mass. Inside of atoms are protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Example Question #82 : Physical Science

Which of these best describes how the particles in a solid move?

Possible Answers:

very far apart and are constantly moving

frozen in place and don’t move past one another

close together, always moving, and can slide past one another

vibrate in position but don’t move past one another

Correct answer:

vibrate in position but don’t move past one another

Explanation:

Matter is anything that takes up space. Matter is in the form of solid, liquid, or gas. Solids, liquids, and gases are made of tiny particles called atoms and molecules. In a solid, the particles are very attracted to each other. They are close together and vibrate in position but don’t move past one another. In a liquid, the particles are attracted to each other but not as much as they are in a solid. The particles of a liquid are close together, always moving, and can slide past one another. In a gas, the particles have very little attraction to each other. They are very far apart compared to the particles in a solid or liquid and are constantly moving. The particles don’t interact with one another but just hit and bounce off of each other when they collide.

Example Question #1 : Conservation Of Matter

Lamonte is doing a science experiment. They have a jar full of 10 grams of sugar. They add 5 grams of a mystery chemical. When the two are mixed, they create a new solid and no gases. The container is very hot. How many grams of the new substance should be in the jar at the end of the experiment? 

Possible Answers:

10

12

15

5

Correct answer:

15

Explanation:

The answer is 15 grams because 10+5 = 15 and the amount of grams should stay the same since matter is conserved.

The Law of Conservation of Matter says that the amount of matter stays the same, even when matter changes form. Sometimes it may seem that matter disappears during a science experiment, but this law tells us that matter cannot magically appear or disappear, it simply changes from one form to another.

Example Question #1 : Measure And Graph Evidence Of Matter Being Conserved

In which of these situations does the some of the matter disappear, instead of changing forms?

Possible Answers:

a large log burns away to a small amount of ash

none of these

water boils away

sugar disappears when mixed with water

all of these

Correct answer:

none of these

Explanation:

The Law of Conservation of Matter says that the amount of matter stays the same, even when matter changes form. Sometimes it may seem that matter disappears during a science experiment, but this law tells us that matter cannot magically appear or disappear, it simply changes from one form to another.

Example Question #3 : Conservation Of Matter

The number of water molecules in a small amount of water is a very big number! There are about 1.5 sextillion molecules in a single drop! If you boiled one drop of water until it was completely in gas form, how many molecules would be in the water vapor?

Possible Answers:

1.5 sextillion molecules

less than 1.5 sextillion molecules

more than 1.5 sextillion molecules

0 molecules

Correct answer:

1.5 sextillion molecules

Explanation:

The Law of Conservation of Matter says that the amount of matter stays the same, even when matter changes form. Sometimes it may seem that matter disappears during a science experiment, but this law tells us that matter cannot magically appear or disappear, it simply changes from one form to another.

Example Question #86 : Physical Science

The following is a procedure for a scientific experiment: 

Material List: 

  1. a balloon
  2. a narrow necked soda bottle
  3. a pan of hot water
  4. a pan of ice water
  5. a scale 

 

Procedure:

1. Take the balloon and stretch it gently over the lip of the soda bottle and place it on the scale.

2. Place the bottle into the pan of hot water and let it stand for a few minutes.

3. To reverse the outcome, place the bottle into the pan of ice water and let it stand for a few minutes.

Results:

The balloon inflates when it is warm and deflates when it is cold.

If the bottle starts deflated, is warmed up, then cooled down which of these correctly graphs the mass of the bottle and the matter inside it?

Possible Answers:


Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 12.19.25 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 12.19.56 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 12.19.40 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 12.19.14 pm

Correct answer:

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 12.19.40 pm

Explanation:

The answer is the graph where the mass does not change.

The Law of Conservation of Matter says that the amount of matter stays the same, even when matter changes form. Sometimes it may seem that matter disappears during a science experiment, but this law tells us that matter cannot magically appear or disappear, it simply changes from one form to another.

Example Question #87 : Physical Science

A scientist adds a few teaspoons of sugar to a cup of warm water and begins to stir. Eventually the sugar dissolves into the water. Which of the following graphs best represents the amount of matter in the sugar before and after the scientist began stirring?

Possible Answers:

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 12.23.30 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 12.23.47 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 12.23.58 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 12.23.22 pm

Correct answer:

Screen shot 2020 06 30 at 12.23.22 pm

Explanation:

The Law of Conservation of Matter says that the amount of matter stays the same, even when matter changes form. Sometimes it may seem that matter disappears during a science experiment, but this law tells us that matter cannot magically appear or disappear, it simply changes from one form to another.

Example Question #1 : Measure And Graph Evidence Of Matter Being Conserved

Which of these terms is a measurement of how much matter is in an object?

Possible Answers:

Mass

Volume

Weight

Size

Correct answer:

Mass

Explanation:

Mass is the measurement of how much matter is in an object. The Law of Conservation of Matter says that matter stays the same, even when matter changes form. Sometimes it may seem that matter disappears during a science experiment, but this law tells us that matter cannot magically appear or disappear; it merely changes from one form to another. This means that the mass does not change. If I find the mass of a whole cookie and then break it up and put all of the pieces back on the scale, the mass will be the same because the matter has been conserved.

Example Question #2 : Measure And Graph Evidence Of Matter Being Conserved

Meredith's class watched the teacher perform a demonstration in class today. She claimed that she could provide evidence that matter is conserved. She found the mass of a few ice cubes and a cup of water filled about 2/3 of the way. She let the ice cubes melt and then found the mass again. The data table below shows her results.

Screen shot 2020 09 22 at 8.38.32 am

What evidence from the data table above supports the teacher's claim that matter is conserved?

Possible Answers:

There is no evidence of matter being conserved.

The mass of liquid water is greater than that of solid ice cubes.

The ice cubes melted when placed in the water.

The total mass was the same when the ice cubes were solid or liquid.

Correct answer:

The total mass was the same when the ice cubes were solid or liquid.

Explanation:

During this demonstration, Meredith's teacher collects data regarding the mass of the ice cubes, the water, and then the two when combined and melted. She does provide evidence that matter is conserved. The Law of Conservation of Matter says that matter stays the same, even when matter changes form. Sometimes it may seem that matter disappears during a science experiment, but this law tells us that matter cannot magically appear or disappear; it merely changes from one form to another. The ice cubes and water had a mass of 98.3 grams when combined, and the mass stayed the same when the ice cubes melted. This showed no loss in mass or change in matter when the cubes went from a solid to a liquid.

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