5th Grade Science : Physical Science

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

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : 5th Grade Science

Select the answer that is a physical change. 

Possible Answers:

A nail rusting 

Baking a cake

Wood burning 

Ice melting 

Correct answer:

Ice melting 

Explanation:

A physical change is a change is a substance that does not change what the substance is. In contrast, in chemical change a new substance is formed. 

Let's look at our options:

When wood is burned, the wood turns into ash. We can't get the piece of wood back once it's been burned; thus, wood burning is a chemical change. 

When a cake is baked, the ingredients combine and turn into a cake once it's baked. Once we have a cake, we can't get the ingredients back; thus, baking a cake is a chemical change. 

When a nail rusts, pieces of the metal nail have turned into rust. We can't get the original nail back; thus, a nail rusting is a chemical change. 

Ice is made up of water, and when the ice melts we are left with a puddle of water. If we freeze the water, it will turn back into ice; thus, melting ice is a physical change. 

Example Question #1 : Physical Science

Select the answer that is a physical change. 

Possible Answers:

A nail rusting 

Wood burning 

Cutting a piece of wood

Baking a cake

Correct answer:

Cutting a piece of wood

Explanation:

A physical change is a change is a substance that does not change what the substance is. In contrast, in chemical change a new substance is formed. 

Let's look at our options:

When wood is burned, the wood turns into ash. We can't get the piece of wood back once it's been burned; thus, wood burning is a chemical change. 

When a cake is baked, the ingredients combine and turn into a cake once it's baked. Once we have a cake, we can't get the ingredients back; thus, baking a cake is a chemical change. 

When a nail rusts, pieces of the metal nail have turned into rust. We can't get the original nail back; thus, a nail rusting is a chemical change. 

Cutting a piece of wood does not change the wood, it's still a piece of wood, just smaller; thus, cutting a piece of wood is a physical change. 

Example Question #2 : Physical Science

Select the answer that is a chemical change. 

Possible Answers:

Butter melting

Cutting a piece of wood

Ice melting 

Wood burning

Correct answer:

Wood burning

Explanation:

A physical change is a change is a substance that does not change what the substance is. In contrast, in chemical change a new substance is formed. 

Let's look at our options:

Ice is made up of water, and when the ice melts we are left with a puddle of water. If we freeze the water, it will turn back into ice; thus, melting ice is a physical change. 

Cutting a piece of wood does not change the wood, it's still a piece of wood, just smaller; thus, cutting a piece of wood is a physical change. 

Butter melting is similar to ice melting. When butter melts, it can be frozen back to butter; thus, butter melting is a physical change. 

When wood is burned, the wood turns into ash. We can't get the piece of wood back once it's been burned; thus, wood burning is a chemical change. 

Example Question #1 : Investigate Whether Mixing Substances Creates Something New

Which of the following are substances?

Possible Answers:

all of these

water

none of these

wood

chemicals

Correct answer:

all of these

Explanation:

The answer is "all of these."

A substance is anything that takes up space and has mass. Substances can exist in solid, liquid, and gas form. When you mix two substances and you might or might not create something new, and it all depends on what two substances you are mixing. Ripping, tearing, smashing, stirring, squishing, and changing the shape of a substance by mixing it with another is called a physical change. Chemical changes occur when a new, third substance is created by combining two substances. Signs of a chemical change include, release of heat, bubbles, a color change, and smells!

Example Question #2 : Investigate Whether Mixing Substances Creates Something New

What happens when you mix two substances?

Possible Answers:

a chemical reaction takes place

you don't create something new

you might or might not create something new

you create something new

Correct answer:

you might or might not create something new

Explanation:

A substance is anything that takes up space and has mass. Substances can exist in solid, liquid, and gas form. When you mix two substances and you might or might not create something new, and it all depends on what two substances you are mixing. Ripping, tearing, smashing, stirring, squishing, and changing the shape of a substance by mixing it with another is called a physical change. Chemical changes occur when a new, third substance is created by combining two substances. Signs of a chemical change include, release of heat, bubbles, a color change, and smells!

Example Question #3 : Investigate Whether Mixing Substances Creates Something New

Sarah has a big box where she keeps her toys. She has all kinds of toys: wooden horses, plastic legos, dolls, stuffed animals, and even metal race cars! When Sarah plays, she puts everything out on the carpet, and when she cleans up she puts them all back in her big box. When Sarah was cleaning up yesterday, she saw that one of her race cars was orange and rusty! Her grandma said it's because it got wet. Which of the answer choices is NOT true about Sarah and her big box of toys?

Possible Answers:

When Sarah puts all her toys in the box, it makes a new substance.

Sarah's toys are made of many different substances.

Sarah's race car had a new substance on it (rust) after it got wet. 

Sarah can easily separate her toys when they are mixed up in the box.

Correct answer:

When Sarah puts all her toys in the box, it makes a new substance.

Explanation:

The answer is "When Sarah puts all her toys in the box, it makes a new substance."

A substance is anything that takes up space and has mass. Substances can exist in solid, liquid, and gas form. When you mix two substances and you might or might not create something new, and it all depends on what two substances you are mixing. Ripping, tearing, smashing, stirring, squishing, and changing the shape of a substance by mixing it with another is called a physical change. Chemical changes occur when a new, third substance is created by combining two substances. Signs of a chemical change include, release of heat, bubbles, a color change, and smells!

Example Question #4 : Investigate Whether Mixing Substances Creates Something New

Which of the pictures represents how substances can be combined to create an entirely new substance?

Possible Answers:

all of these

none of these

Chocolate chip cookies 1

9b9ab440 de54 e2de 4e4174949244830b

Activity 1  particle size  image 2

Correct answer:

Chocolate chip cookies 1

Explanation:

A substance is anything that takes up space and has mass. Substances can exist in solid, liquid, and gas form. When you mix two substances and you might or might not create something new, and it all depends on what two substances you are mixing. Ripping, tearing, smashing, stirring, squishing, and changing the shape of a substance by mixing it with another is called a physical change. Chemical changes occur when a new, third substance is created by combining two substances. Signs of a chemical change include, release of heat, bubbles, a color change, and smells!

Example Question #1 : Investigate Whether Mixing Substances Creates Something New

Sydnie is making a sand castle on the beach. She mixes water with her sand to make sure it's wet enough to mold into the shapes she wants. Is Sydnie making a new substance when she mixes sand and water? How do you know?

Possible Answers:

Yes, Sydnie is making a new substance because there is no way to un-mix the sand and water.

Yes, Sydnie is making a new substance because the sand and water are mixed together.

No, Sydnie is not making a new substance because the sand changes colors.

No, Sydnie is not making a new substance because only the shape of the sand and water changes.

Correct answer:

No, Sydnie is not making a new substance because only the shape of the sand and water changes.

Explanation:

The answer is "No, Sydnie is not making a new substance because only the shape of the sand and water changes."

A substance is anything that takes up space and has mass. Substances can exist in solid, liquid, and gas form. When you mix two substances and you might or might not create something new, and it all depends on what two substances you are mixing. Ripping, tearing, smashing, stirring, squishing, and changing the shape of a substance by mixing it with another is called a physical change. Chemical changes occur when a new, third substance is created by combining two substances. Signs of a chemical change include, release of heat, bubbles, a color change, and smells!

Example Question #3 : Investigate Whether Mixing Substances Creates Something New

What is a mixture?

Possible Answers:

The one thing that will be changed to be tested in the experiment

A combination of two or more substances

A measure of the total area that the surface of an object occupies

A controlled condition where variables are explored to determine an outcome

Correct answer:

A combination of two or more substances

Explanation:

A mixture is when two or more substances are combined to create something new. The substances can remain separate like a salad or trail mix, but still, something new is formed. Another type of mixture is a solution when one substance dissolves into another like salt being stirred into water.

Example Question #7 : Investigate Whether Mixing Substances Creates Something New

True or False: A mixture involving liquid cannot be separated.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Many people have the misconception that once a substance has been mixed into a liquid that it cannot be separated. When something like salt is stirred into water, it seems to disappear, so the thought of separating it can be hard to imagine. There is no way to sift the salt out or remove the salt pieces with forceps. If the water is set in the sunlight, it will begin to evaporate and leave behind the salt that was mixed in.

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