3rd Grade Science : Physical Science

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Physical Science

What causes a handle of a pot to be hot when a pot is heating on a stove? 

Possible Answers:

Energy 

Transmission 

Physical Properties 

Conduction 

Correct answer:

Conduction 

Explanation:

Let's look at the terms from our answer choices to help us answer this question:

Physical properties are things that can be observed; such as, texture, color, etc. 

Energy is the ability to do something. 

Transmission is when energy passes from one object to another.

Conduction is when heat is transferred from one object to another object. 

When a pot is heating on a stove, the pot is in direct contact with the heat source. The handle of the pot is in contact with the pot, and the heat can be transferred from the pot to the handle, which causes the handle to be hot. 

Example Question #2 : Physical Science

Select the property that is not a physical property. 

Possible Answers:

Texture 

Weight

All options are correct

Color 

Correct answer:

All options are correct

Explanation:

Physical properties are properties that can be obtained without permanently changing the original substance. By looking at something, we can see the color, feel the texture, and measure the weight without changing the substance; thus, all of the choices are correct. 

Example Question #3 : Physical Science

Select the property that is not a physical property. 

Possible Answers:

Heat of combustion 

Freezing point 

Boiling point 

Melting point 

Correct answer:

Heat of combustion 

Explanation:

Physical properties are properties that can be obtained without permanently changing the original substance. Without changing a substance permanently we can measure the boiling point, melting point, and freezing point. However, to determine heat of combustion you must premaritally change the substance.  

Example Question #4 : Physical Science

Fill in the blank. 

__________ is the frequency of sound that determines the highness or lowness of the sound. 

Possible Answers:

Pitch 

Both volume and pitch

Volume

Neither volume or pitch 

Correct answer:

Pitch 

Explanation:

To answer this question correctly, we need to determine the difference between volume and pitch:

Volume is a measure of how loud a sound is.

Pitch is the frequency of a sound that determines the highness or lowness of the sound.

Pitch is the correct answer. 

Example Question #1 : Predictions Of Future Motion Through Patterns

Ashley wants to investigate how objects move and see if she can make correct predictions. She knows she will have to observe the object's motion. She wants to see which surface material will allow a toy car to get down a ramp in the least amount of time. She tests the car on wood, plastic, carpet, and grass.

Which answer choice lists a reasonable observation that Ashley may make?

Possible Answers:

"The toy cars on the grass and carpet moved very quickly. The cars on the wood and plastic moved slowly. The car on the plastic got down the ramp in the highest amount of time."

"The toy cars on the grass and carpet moved very slowly, if at all. The cars on the wood and plastic moved quickly. The car on the plastic got down the ramp in the least amount of time."

"The toy cars on the grass and carpet moved very slowly, if at all. The cars on the wood and plastic moved slowly also. The car on the wood got down the ramp in the highest amount of time."

"The toy cars on the grass and carpet moved very quickly. The cars on the wood and plastic moved quickly. The car on the wood got down the ramp in the least amount of time."

Correct answer:

"The toy cars on the grass and carpet moved very slowly, if at all. The cars on the wood and plastic moved quickly. The car on the plastic got down the ramp in the least amount of time."

Explanation:

Observations are critical in an investigation because scientists are recording what they see, and they measure to collect data for evidence. The observations help support the conclusion that is made. For Ashley's investigation, the most reasonable observation would be, "The toy cars on the grass and carpet moved very slowly, if at all. The cars on the wood and plastic moved quickly. The car on the plastic got down the ramp in the least amount of time.". This statement includes information about which cars move slowly, quickly and the fastest. The data collected sounds reasonable, cars on wood and plastic would move swiftly, and vehicles on grass and carpet would move slowly.

Example Question #2 : Predictions Of Future Motion Through Patterns

Students make observations of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

The statement provided is accurate. To support conclusions, data or evidence must be collected. Analyzing data from investigations can help patterns emerge that will assist in predictions about the motion of other objects or future experiments.

Example Question #3 : Predictions Of Future Motion Through Patterns

What observation can be made regarding the motion of this object after being rolled on a curved ramp?

Screen shot 2020 06 15 at 4.43.57 pmScreen shot 2020 06 15 at 4.44.02 pm

Possible Answers:

Each time the ball reaches the opposite side, the height reached remains the same.

Each time the ball reaches the opposite side, the height reached increases and then decreases.

Each time the ball reaches the opposite side, the height reached increases.

Each time the ball reaches the opposite side, the height reached decreases.

Correct answer:

Each time the ball reaches the opposite side, the height reached decreases.

Explanation:

This investigation consists of dropping the ball onto one side of the ramp and then measuring the height each time the ball reaches the opposite side. When looking at the visual and the data table, it can be observed that the height decreases with each roll. The tick marks show the ball ending up in the center by the fifth roll, and the data table shows a steady decline in the numbers.

Example Question #3 : Make Observations Of An Object's Motion

Screen shot 2020 06 15 at 4.44.02 pm

Each time the ball completes a roll, it decreases in height. What increment is it reduced by with each turn?

Possible Answers:

3 inches

4 inches

2 inches

1 inch

Correct answer:

2 inches

Explanation:

Each time the ball completes a roll, its height is reduced by 2 inches. Simple subtraction can be used to find the difference between each turn. This information can be used to make a production about future trials or the missing fifth roll.

Example Question #4 : Predictions Of Future Motion Through Patterns

Based on the data table below what could Ruben observe about the movement of the cup?

Screen shot 2020 05 21 at 1.03.20 pm

Possible Answers:

The more the marble weighed, the less distance the cup moved.

The more the marble weighed, the farther the cup moved.

The fewer grams the marble weighed, the farther the cup moved.

The more the cup weighed, the farther it moved.

Correct answer:

The more the marble weighed, the farther the cup moved.

Explanation:

This data table organizes information and measurements collected during an investigation of an object's motion. The cup moved every time a marble was rolled into it. An accurate observation that could be made is that the heavier the marble was, the further the cup traveled. A pattern can be seen as the marble's weight increases; the distance the cup travels increases as well.

Example Question #5 : Make Observations Of An Object's Motion

How do objects move?

Possible Answers:

Objects move when a force such as gravity acts on it.

Objects move when a force such as magnetism acts on it.

Objects move when the force of another object acts on it.

None of the answer choices are correct.

All answer choices are correct.

Correct answer:

All answer choices are correct.

Explanation:

Force can make things move, change shape, or change their speed. Some forces are direct and happen when two things touch (like pushing a friend on a swing) or other happen over a distance (such as a magnet drawing a paperclip closer). Objects only move when there is a force acting on them.

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