1. science

8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
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1. The diagram shows a unit of water.
Part A
Identify the unit of water shown in the diagram as an atom or a molecule.
Part B
Explain your reasons for your answer to Part A.
Part C
Identify water as a pure substance or a mixture. Explain your answer.
Part D
Explain what would happen if the unit of water in the diagram was divided into smaller pieces.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
2. Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water, as shown in the diagram below.
Part A
Identify the pure substances shown in the diagram. Explain your reasoning.
Part B
Is the diagram of the two hydrogens connected together a molecule or an atom? Explain your reasoning.
Part C
Is the water in the diagram a molecule or an atom? Explain your reasoning.
Part D
Explain the difference between a molecule, a compound and a mixture.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
3. Some students observe a meteorite and determine that it is magnetic, made mostly of iron, and has distinct silvery
patches. The students also measure and record the mass and volume of the meteorite.
Part A
Is the iron in the meteorite a pure substance or a mixture? Explain your reasoning.
Part B
Which physical property is based on the volume and mass of the meteorite?
Part C
When a meteorite reaches Earth's atmosphere, it often burns in the air. Explain whether the ability to burn is a
chemical or physical property.
Part D
Assume that the silvery patch in the sample is an element. Describe how you might determine what the element is.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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4. A teacher slowly stirs 40 grams (g) of table salt (NaCl) into a 100 milliliter (mL) beaker of water (H 2 O). The
beaker is heated on a hot plate until it boils.
Part A
Are the salt and the water elements or compounds? Explain your answer.
Part B
Is the resulting liquid a mixture or a pure substance? Explain your answer.
Part C
Identify the type of change that occurs to the water as it boils.
Part D
Describe the movement of the water molecules as the water is heated on the hot plate and boils.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
5. A student mixed powdered copper chloride (CuCl) with distilled water (H 2 O) and obtained a blue liquid. After a
few days, the water evaporated, leaving blue CuCl crystals in the beaker.
Part A
Were the original two chemicals pure substances or mixtures? Explain your answer.
Part B
Was the resulting liquid a pure substance or a mixture? Explain your answer.
Part C
What type of change occurred to the water when it evaporated? Explain your answer.
Part D
If the student had heated the liquid to remove the water, would that have chemically changed the liquid? Why or why
not?
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
6. Water boils in an open container as shown in the diagram below.
Part A
Describe how the movement of the molecules of water changes as the water boils.
Part B
Identify the type of change that occurs as the water boils. Explain your answer.
Part C
What are the bubbles that form in the water as it boils?
Part D
Describe what happens to the water molecules when a container of water is placed in a freezer.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
7. Matter exists in four states–solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.
Part A
Describe the movement of particles in a solid.
Part B
Describe the movement of particles in a liquid as the temperature increases.
Part C
Compare the movement of the particles in gas and plasma.
Part D
Explain what happens to the particles of water when a cup of water is placed in a freezer.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
8. A teacher heats a sample of an unknown substance to determine whether it will burn.
Part A
What property of the substance is being tested?
Part B
Is the property being tested a physical property or a chemical property? Explain your answer.
Part C
Describe the difference between a physical and a chemical property.
Part D
Identify one other physical and one other chemical property that could be tested by heating.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
9. Some students in a science class are testing a property of water using a large beaker with a mixture of frozen and
liquid water.
Part A
Which property of water is being tested?
Part B
Is the property a physical or chemical property? Explain your answer.
Part C
If the water was heated until there were bubbles forming and the same equipment was used, which property was most
likely being tested?
Part D
When the teacher added a small piece of metal to the water, bubbles formed and the metal disappeared. Is this a
chemical change or a physical change? Explain your reasoning.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
10. Students in a science class determined the density of candle wax. Next, they burned the candle to melt some of the
wax.
After the wax cools down, the students determine the density again.
Part A
Describe a physical change in the candle that occurred in this investigation.
Part B
Were the students investigating chemical or physical properties in this investigation? Explain your answer.
Part C
Would the density of the wax change after it melted and became solid again? Explain your reasoning.
Part D
Describe a chemical change that occurred in this investigation. Explain your answer.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
11. The highlighted elements are known as metalloids.
Part A
Describe one unique characteristic of metalloids.
Part B
Identify the three major categories that the elements in the Periodic Table are divided into.
Part C
What types of properties would a scientist need to know to correctly place a new element into a group?
Part D
If a scientist tested the melting point and density of metalloids, what types of properties would she be testing?
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
12. Noble gases are a group of elements highlighted in the part of the periodic table shown below. Over 60 elements
had been discovered by 1860, but the first noble gas was not discovered until 1895.
Part A
What property of the noble gases most likely prevented the gases from being readily discovered?
Part B
Are the elements in column 7 (F, Cl, Br, I, and At) likely to have similar properties to noble gases? Explain your
answer.
Part C
Are the properties of the elements in column 7 (F, Cl, Br, I, and At) likely to be similar to each other? Explain your
answer.
Part D
Are noble gases most likely found as atoms or as molecules? Explain your answer.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
13. The Periodic Table of the Elements is organized into metals, nonmetals, and metalloids, as shown below.
Part A
Describe two properties of the elements in the metal group.
Part B
Predict two properties of the metalloid group. Explain your reasons.
Part C
Describe an additional way the Periodic Table of the Elements is arranged.
Part D
Some elements were produced in labs and are not normally encountered in nature. Explain the importance of
including them in the Periodic Table of Elements.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
14. A teacher pours 10 grams of a clear solution of lead nitrate, Pb(NO 3 ) 2 , into a beaker containing 5 grams of a
clear solution of potassium iodide, KI. A bright yellow solid forms and settles to the bottom of the beaker. The
remaining solution is clear.
Part A
Predict the expected total mass of the yellow solid and remaining solution in the beaker. Explain your answer.
Part B
Identify the type of change that occurred in the beaker. Explain your answer.
Part C
Explain why the contents of the beaker after the solutions were mixed are considered a mixture.
Part D
The bright yellow substance that formed in the beaker is lead iodide, PbI 2 . Is the lead iodide a mixture or a pure
substance? Explain your reasoning.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
15. Students investigate a reaction between vinegar and baking soda. The students measure and record the mass of the
vinegar, baking soda, a graduated cylinder, and a balloon. The total mass is 47 grams as shown below.
One student places the baking soda in the graduated cylinder and then pours the vinegar on top of it. Another student
stretches the balloon quickly over the graduated cylinder. The students observe that the substances bubble and the
balloon begins to inflate. After the reaction, the students determine the total mass of the graduated cylinder, contents,
and balloon.
The students measure and record results five times as shown below.
Part A
Describe the type of change in matter that occurred in this investigation and provide evidence to support your
response.
Part B
Describe a chemical property of baking soda.
Part C
Explain how the results of the investigation support the Law of Conservation of Matter.
Part D
Provide a brief explanation why the investigation measurements differed.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
16. A student launches some paper airplanes and watches them fly across the room. To launch an airplane, the student
holds it in his hand and pulls his arm back. He then moves his arm quickly forward and releases the plane. Diagram 1
shows the paper airplane before and during flight. Diagram 2 shows the different forces acting on the airplane while it
is in flight.
Diagram 1
Diagram 2
Part A
Compare the amount of the potential energy that the paper airplane has just before the student moves his arm forward
to the amount of potential energy the paper airplane has when it lands on the ground.
Part B
Explain how the energy of the paper airplane is transformed as it is launched and flies across the room.
Part C
Describe the relationships between Forces 1 and 3 and between Forces 2 and 4 acting on the airplane as shown in
Diagram 2.
Part D
Identify the force on the paper airplane in Diagram 2 that is caused by the plane moving through the air.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
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17. A physical education teacher shows students how to hold a bow in one hand and pull the string and arrow with the
other hand. When the string is released, the arrow flies through the air and hits the target. The students notice that the
arrow makes a whistling noise as it moves through the air and that the bow feels warm where it had contact with the
arrow.
Part A
Describe the potential and kinetic energy of the arrow during the activity.
Part B
Describe what occurs to the potential energy of the arrow as the string is pulled back. Explain your answer.
Part C
Identify one other type of energy present during the activity and provide evidence of its presence.
Part D
Identify and describe two forces that are acting on the arrow as it flies through the air.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
18. Students are investigating the path of a rubber band when it is launched using the launcher shown. The diagram of
the rubber band shows the forces acting on the rubber band in flight.
Part A
Describe the energy transformation that occurs when the rubber band is released.
Part B
Describe why the rubber band eventually falls to the ground instead of continuing to fly through the air.
Part C
Describe the most likely cause of Force 4.
Part D
Explain how the interaction between Force 2 and Force 4 affects the flight of the rubber band.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
19. Students are investigating the characteristics of white light.
Part A
Explain the reason light waves can travel through space.
Part B
Describe what happens to light when it travels from air through clear plastic.
Part C
Explain the reason an object looks green when it is struck by white light.
Part D
Describe an example of light diffraction.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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20. Students are studying sound and light waves.
Part A
Explain the difference between a sound wave and a light wave.
Part B
Explain the difference between sound waves in the air and in a metal rod.
Part C
Describe a situation when sound is being reflected.
Part D
Describe a situation when sound is being absorbed.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
21. There are different forms of energy. The light and heat released by a star move through space by radiation. Heat
can be transferred to other substances in several different ways.
Part A
Describe how heat transfer through radiation differs from heat transfer through conduction. Give examples of each.
Part B
Explain how heat is transferred in a gas.
Part C
Explain how radiation from the sun, a star, affects the area near the equator compared to other areas on the Earth's
surface.
Part D
How are heat energy and sound energy similar?
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
22. The velocity of a school bus over the course of a trip is shown below.
Part A
Describe the velocity of the bus during Section 1. Explain your answer.
Part B
Describe the acceleration of the bus during Section 1. Explain your answer.
Part C
Explain the velocity and acceleration of the bus during Section 2.
Part D
Are balanced or unbalanced forces acting on the school bus in Section 3? Explain which force opposes the motion of
the school bus.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
23. A very small part of the electromagnetic spectrum is the spectrum of visible light. All the colors in the spectrum
of visible light have different wavelengths and frequencies. All light travels at the same speed.
Part A
Explain how the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and the speed of light of the visible spectrum is similar
for parts of the electromagnetic spectrum not visible to the human eye.
Part B
Describe the relationship between wavelength and frequency.
Part C
Explain whether the relationship between frequency and wavelength is true for mechanical waves.
Part D
Explain what happens to light waves when they pass through water.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
24. Earthquakes produce several types of seismic waves. Body waves move outward from the earthquake's focus
through Earth's interior. There are two types of body waves: P waves and S waves. P waves are compression waves
and cause the earth to expand and contract in the direction of the wave. S waves are transverse waves and cause the
earth to move up and down at right angles to the movement of the wave.
The other type of seismic waves is surface waves. They travel in a complex motion along the outer layer of Earth.
Surface waves are usually the most destructive of seismic waves.
Part A
Are P waves mechanical waves or electromagnetic waves? Explain your answer.
Part B
Are S waves mechanical waves or electromagnetic waves? Explain your answer.
Part C
Explain how a change in the amplitude of the P or S waves affects the damage from an earthquake.
Part D
Describe the difference between a wave moving through water and a wave moving through the earth.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
25. When white light is passed through one side of a prism, many colors are seen on the other side of the prism.
Part A
Explain the appearance of many colors when white light passes through a prism.
Part B
Describe what occurs when light of a single wavelength passes through a prism.
Part C
Explain the result seen by the human eye when all light is absorbed by an object.
Part D
Describe why a red object appears red.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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26. Some students are studying the visible light waves of the electromagnetic spectrum. They compare the
characteristics and behavior of the red light waves with the blue light waves during an investigation.
Part A
Describe one similarity between the red light waves and the blue light waves as part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Part B
Describe one difference between the red light waves and the blue light waves as part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Part C
Describe the behavior of light waves as they pass through liquid water.
Part D
Explain the importance of repeating investigations like the one that the students perform.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
27. A student performed an activity using light from a laser. The student placed a rectangular, transparent, glass block
on a piece of paper and then aimed the laser light at the glass block. The diagram shows the path of the laser light.
Part A
Identify the process that occurs when the laser light enters the clear glass block.
Part B
Identify the process that would occur if a mirror were put in the place of the clear glass block.
Part C
Describe the path of the laser light as it moves through the air towards the clear glass block.
Part D
Describe what most likely would occur to the light as it shines on a black object.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
28. In 1989, an earthquake occurred in the San Francisco area before Game 3 of the Baseball World Series. A man
who was in a blimp, a flying air ship, was broadcasting the game for television. The man reported that he felt the
earthquake while he was in the air, fifty meters above the ground.
Part A
Explain why the waves produced by earthquakes are mechanical waves.
Part B
Explain why the man felt the earthquake while in the blimp.
Part C
Explain how an earthquake wave changes as the wave moves from the ground to water.
Part D
Explain why waves behave differently in liquids, gases and solids.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
29. A class of students is observing a magnet at the bottom of a metal container filled with water. The students are
measuring the difference between the actual location of the magnet and the apparent location of the magnet. The
magnet appears to be 7.5 centimeters (cm) from where the magnet actually is.
Part A
Identify the process that causes the magnet to appear at a different location in the container than the actual location.
Part B
Explain how water causes a change in the behavior of a light wave.
Part C
What would happen to the apparent location of the magnet if it was put in a container of oil?
Part D
Describe another process that causes light waves to make objects appear to be in a different location.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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30. A student investigates sound in air and in a vacuum. The student uses a timer that rings and a Bell jar, a device
that is able to remove most of the air in a container. The student sets the timer for one minute and listens for the
sound. Then, the student sets the timer and places it in the Bell jar. The air is pumped out and the student listens for
the sound of the timer again.
Part A
Describe the most likely hypothesis for this investigation.
Part B
Explain how the timer and the Bell jar help the student investigate sound.
Part C
Predict what will happen when the timer rings before and after the timer is placed in the Bell jar. Explain your
answer.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
31. Monorails, like the one shown below, are used for transportation in many places.
A student placed his ear up to the support beam when the monorail was in the distance and kept it there until the
monorail had passed overhead. He also observed the movement of the water and touched the support beam with his
hand as the monorail went by.
Part A
Why did the student hear a change in loudness of sound as the monorail approached the support beam?
Part B
Describe what the student probably observed in the water as the monorail approached and passed over the water.
Part C
Describe the evidence of waves transmitting through air, water, and a solid.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
32. Two students are playing identical drums. One student strikes Drum 1 rapidly. The other student strikes Drum 2
slower than the first student. The sound waves from each drum are shown below.
Part A
Which characteristics of waves are different for the sound waves produced by the drum that is hit slowly compared to
the drum that is hit rapidly? Explain your answer.
Part B
When a student strikes the drum with greater force, what part of the wave produced increases? How does it affect
sound?
Part C
What type of wave was produced by the drums? Explain two wave properties shown in the diagram for this type of
wave.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
33. Two types of electrical circuits are used in machines and in homes. A diagram of each type of circuit is shown
below.
Part A
Identify the Type 1 Circuit. Explain what occurs if one bulb does not light.
Part B
Identify the Type 2 Circuit. Explain what occurs if one bulb does not light.
Part C
Explain an advantage and a disadvantage of using Type 2 circuits in homes.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
34. Some students draw circuit diagrams to demonstrate the movement of energy in each circuit. The students label
each part of the circuits.
Part A
The battery in Circuit 1 is new, and the circuit is complete, but the bulbs will not light. Identify the type of circuit and
explain possible reasons when neither bulb will light in this circuit.
Part B
Bulb 1 is removed from Circuit 2. Identify the type of circuit and explain how this will affect the second bulb.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
35. Most strands of holiday lights have many light bulbs in a circuit.
Part A
Identify the two types of circuits shown by the two strands. Explain the difference between the two circuits.
Part B
Explain which strand of lights will be best to use if saving energy is important.
Part C
Explain the results if Strand 2 has a broken light bulb.
Part D
Which strand will provide the brightest lights? Why?
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
36. Wind farms have windmills that turn turbines. This type of energy generation is becoming popular.
Part A
Describe the type of energy that the windmills produce after the wind begins to turn the windmill blades.
Part B
What type of energy is the end-product of the wind turbines, which is then transferred to homes and businesses as a
power source?
Part C
Compare how the windmills generate electricity with how coal generates electricity.
Part D
Discuss two other types of energy generation found in nature that do not use fossil fuels.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
37. A student examines two different types of magnets. A diagram of each is shown below.
Part A
Identify the two types of magnets the student examines, and explain why a bar magnet is called a permanent magnet.
Part B
Compare the two types of magnets and discuss one similarity.
Part C
Think about how the electromagnet is constructed and describe how to make it a stronger magnet.
Part D
One type of magnet shows an "S" for one end and an "N" on the other end. Explain why only one end will be
attracted to the point of the nail in the other type of magnet.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
38. A student is given two rock samples. Each sample has a mass of 5 grams (g), and appears very similar. The
student is asked to determine which sample is gold and which is iron pyrite. Iron pyrite is sometimes called fool's
gold. The results of the investigation are shown in the table below.
Part A
Describe how the density of the two rocks can be determined.
Part B
Explain why the density of the samples is different from each other.
Part C
The student performed only physical tests on the samples. Identify one other physical test that might have helped to
identify the samples.
Part D
Describe a tool the student could use to determine which sample is composed of atoms of all one kind, and which is
composed of atoms of different kinds.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
39. Lucy collected the following information about the element hydrogen.
Part A
Describe the movement of particles of hydrogen at
Part B
Distinguish between the physical and chemical properties of hydrogen.
Part C
Explain why the melting point of hydrogen is a physical property.
Part D
Explain the difference between an atom of hydrogen and a molecule of hydrogen.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
40. Some students in a science class made a list of properties for copper, as shown below.
Properties of Copper
®Electrical conductivity: Excellent
®Magnetism: Nonmagnetic
®Melting point:
®Boiling point:
®Atomic mass: 63.5
®Density: 8.96 g/cm 3
Part A
Identify the properties on the list as physical properties or chemical properties.
Part B
Copper nails can be quickly separated from nails made of iron. What property of copper helps with this? Is the
property a physical or a chemical property of copper? Explain your answer.
Part C
Copper wire is a good choice for wiring houses. What property of copper helps it be a good choice for wiring? Is it a
physical or a chemical property of copper? Explain your answer.
Part D
Identify the temperature that gaseous copper would become a liquid state. Explain your answer.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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36
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
41. Some students on a field study are asked to identify an unknown mineral by its physical properties. The dark
mineral reflects light like a mirror, has a density of 5.3 g/mL, can be scratched with a diamond file, and makes a
reddish streak on the porcelain streak plate.
The students look for a similar mineral in their field book and find this:
Part A
Determine whether or not hematite could be the unknown mineral. Explain your answer.
Part B
Is being magnetic a physical or chemical property of hematite? Explain your answer.
Part C
Identify another physical property not listed that the students could use to identify this mineral.
Part D
The students combine hematite with another substance to determine if there will be a chemical change. The students
make observations. How will the students know if there has been a chemical change?
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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37
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
42. A class of students makes two solutions for an investigation. One solution contains 5 grams (g) of sodium
carbonate (NaHCO 3 ) dissolved in 50 milliliters (mL) of water and is stirred until clear. The other solution contains
10 g of magnesium sulfate (MgSO 4 ) in 100 mL of water and is stirred until clear. When the two solutions are
combined, a white solid substance forms. It cannot be dissolved. The new solid is magnesium carbonate (MgCO 3 ).
Part A
Explain the difference between a pure substance and a mixture.
Part B
Identify the type of change that occurred in this investigation when the solid substance formed.
Part C
Explain whether or not this change can be reversed by physical means.
Part D
Describe what occurred in terms of the Law of Conservation of Mass.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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38
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
43. During an investigation, Karen pours vinegar into one cup and pours water into another cup. She observes that
both cups have clear liquids in them. She adds 1 gram (g) of baking soda, which is a white powder, to both cups. She
observes that many bubbles form on the surface of the vinegar. After a minute, bubbles stop forming. A clear liquid is
in the cup. She observes that the baking soda disappears in the water, but there are not any bubbles.
Part A
Describe the physical properties of the three substances used in the investigation that were observed by Karen.
Part B
Identify the chemical change in the investigation. Explain your answer.
Part C
Explain if the process that occurred in the cup of water with baking soda can be reversed by physical means.
Part D
Describe an indicator of a chemical change and an indicator of a physical change in matter.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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39
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
44. A group of elements, called the rare earth elements, are very important in our modern world. These elements are
used in everything from lasers to cell phones and other electronic equipment.
Rare earth elements share several important characteristics. They are silver, silver-white, or gray metals with a high
luster, but tarnish easily. Rare earth elements also have high electrical conductivity.
Part A
Identify a property that enables rare earth elements to be used in electronics.
Part B
Is the property you identified in Part A a physical or chemical property? Explain your answer.
Part C
Explain why the rare earth elements are grouped together on the Periodic Table of the Elements.
Part D
Explain how knowledge of the Periodic Table of the Elements assists scientists and researchers.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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40
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
45. A student investigated the change of mass when a candle burns. The student determined the mass of the candle
before it burned and after the candle stopped burning. The mass of the candle and melted wax was less than the
original mass of the unburned candle.
Part A
Identify one physical property of the candle that was important in this investigation.
Part B
Describe the type of change that occurred as the candle wax melted. Explain your answer.
Part C
Describe the type of change that occurred as the candle burned. Explain your answer.
Part D
Explain how the Law of Conservation of Matter applies to this investigation.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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41
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
46. Students perform an experiment with different sized balls. The students roll the balls down a playground slide all
at the same time. The balls seem to reach the ground at the same time. The students did not follow any specific
procedures, nor did they record measurements.
Part A
Is this an experiment that could be accurately replicated by another group of students? Support your answer.
Part B
Describe the transformation of the potential energy to kinetic energy of the balls during the experiment.
Part C
Compare the total energy at the beginning of the experiment with the total energy at the end of the experiment.
Part D
Explain what the students could have done differently if they wanted to use this activity as a science fair project.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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42
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
47. An archery student studies the physics of bows and arrows. The student pulls back on the bowstring and the bow
bends in a curved shape. When the student releases the bowstring, the arrow flies forward.
Part A
Identify the type of energy added to the bow and bowstring when the student pulls back on the bowstring. Explain
your answer.
Part B
Describe the transfer of energy from the bow to the arrow.
Part C
Describe the effect of two forces acting on the arrow after the arrow is released.
Part D
Explain what happens to the energy in the arrow when the arrow strikes the target. Use the Law of Conservation in
your explanation.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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43
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
48. Students in a science class investigate how heat is conducted through various materials: copper, glass, and
ceramic. They use a small surface thermometer and measure the temperature of each surface. The first results are
shown below.
Next the students shine a heat lamp on the materials for five minutes. At the end of the five minute period, they
measure the surface temperature again. The next results are shown below.
Part A
Explain which of these materials is the best conductor.
Part B
Explain which of these materials is the poorest conductor.
Part C
Describe a beneficial use of copper based on the characteristic demonstrated in this investigation.
Part D
Describe the movement of particles in a solid when it is heated.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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44
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
49. John hurt his leg playing soccer. John tried several methods of heat therapy to relieve his pain. The methods are
described below.
®Infrared heat therapy: infrared electromagnetic rays were aimed at John's injury to heat the tissue.
®Heating pad: John applied a warm heating pad directly to the injured part of his leg.
®Hot tub: John sat in a hot tub in which the warm water was in direct contact with his skin.
Part A
Which of the methods used transferred heat to John's injury by conduction? Explain how the process occurs.
Part B
Which of the methods used transferred heat to John's injury by radiation? Explain how the process occurs.
Part C
Describe one example of heat transfer by radiation that occurs in nature.
Part D
The water in the hot tub is heated near the bottom of the tub. Describe the heat transfer in the water of the hot tub.
What is this type of heat transfer called?
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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45
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
50. The energy generated by the sun travels through space to Earth. The sun's energy evaporates water in oceans. This
heated air rises and moves toward the cooler North and South Poles. The air at the poles cools and sinks, as shown in
the diagram.
Part A
Describe the type of heat transfer that occurs when sunlight travels to Earth. Explain your answer.
Part B
Explain how heat is transferred within the atmosphere and name this type of transfer.
Part C
Heat from Earth's surface is transferred to the air that is just above Earth's surface. Identify and explain this heat
transfer and the type of energy transfer this leads to.
Part D
Identify the type of energy transfer that occurs in both the atmosphere and in the ocean. Describe the characteristics
of the atmosphere and ocean that allow this type of heat transfer.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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46
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
51. In a science class, a group of students work with a battery-operated car. The students record the time needed for
the car to either travel 100 centimeters or to stop on each of three different surfaces. All other conditions in the
investigation were kept constant.
®Trial 1: tile
®Trial 2: wood
®Trial 3: carpet
The students construct the graph shown below.
Part A
Which trial(s) shows constant velocity of the car for the total trial? What is happening to the acceleration of the car
while it is at constant velocity? Explain your answer.
Part B
Explain how the different surfaces most likely affected the distance and speed at which the car traveled.
Part C
Describe the shape of the graph from 8–10 seconds during Trial 3. Propose a hypothesis that explains why the car's
movement changed this way.
Part D
Describe one way that the students could change the investigation so that they would have more confidence in their
results.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
47
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
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52. Some students investigate forces in three scenarios:
Scenario 1: A baseball is placed on a desk.
Scenario 2: A pencil is rolled to the edge of a desk and it falls to the floor.
Scenario 3: Students push on the wall of the room and the wall does not move.
Part A
Explain which scenario(s) has unbalanced forces. Identify the forces acting on the object.
Part B
Explain which scenario(s) has balanced forces. Identify the forces acting on the object.
Part C
Explain how it can be determined that balanced forces are acting on these objects.
Part D
Explain when the pencil had the greatest potential energy and when it had the greatest kinetic energy.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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48
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
53. Students place the end of a wooden board on some books so that the board can be used as an inclined plane. The
students release a ball at the top of the inclined plane and measure the time for the ball to reach the bottom of the
ramp. The students perform three trials. The students then cover the board with a cloth and follow the same procedure
as before. The data are graphed below.
Part A
Describe two forces acting on the ball during the investigation.
Part B
Explain why the ball takes more time to roll down the ramp with a cloth surface.
Part C
Explain why the students repeated the investigation three times.
Part D
Explain how the ball's energy changes as the ball moves down the ramp.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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49
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
54. During an investigation, a student sets a timer to ring in one minute. After the timer rings, the student sets the
timer again and puts the timer in a clear Bell jar as shown below. Next, the student uses a vacuum pump to create a
vacuum in the jar.
Part A
Identify the type of wave produced by the timer's ring.
Part B
Explain the result of the investigation when the timer rings in the Bell jar and why this occurs.
Part C
Identify the type of wave that allows students to see the timer in the Bell jar. Explain your answer.
Part D
Describe another location that would have the same result as the timer in the Bell jar.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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50
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
55. A student notices the ocean waves coming into shore and moving past a jetty barrier made of rocks. The student
wonders if light waves behave like the ocean waves when there is a barrier. The student investigates and constructs
two models. Model 1 represents the ocean waves and a jetty barrier and Model 2 represents light waves moving
through a tiny slit in a barrier.
Part A
Identify the type of waves in both Model 1 and Model 2.
Part B
Identify the process that causes the waves in Model 2 to move in a semi-circle pattern on the other side of the barrier.
Part C
Explain the difference in how the types of waves in Part A transfer energy.
Part D
Describe how the ocean waves would behave if there was an opening in the middle of the rock jetty. Explain your
answer.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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51
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
56. Students fill a small clear plastic container with water. The students aim a flashlight at the water at a
angle.
Part A
Explain what happens when the light from the flashlight enters the water.
Part B
Describe a change the students could make to the set-up that would change the result of the investigation.
Part C
Describe a way in which the students could prevent the light from entering the water.
Part D
Describe an example of diffraction.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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57. In an investigation, a white light from a flashlight was pointed at a rock. A shadow formed behind the rock. Next,
the white light was pointed at a glass prism. The light leaving the prism was separated into many colors.
Part A
Explain the difference between absorption and refraction of light.
Part B
Identify the type of wave produced by light.
Part C
Explain what happens to light waves when there is not a medium to move through.
Part D
Explain how light entering a plastic prism would behave differently than the light entering the glass prism.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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52
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
58. Below is a diagram of sound waves.
Part A
Identify the type of wave that is produced by sound. Explain your answer.
Part B
Describe how the diagram of the sound wave shown above would change if the pitch became higher.
Part C
Describe what part of the wave changes when the force used to produce the sound increases.
Part D
Explain how the behavior of sound waves in water and air are different.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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53
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
59. Cell phones depend on both mechanical and electromagnetic waves to be useful.
Part A
Describe the difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves.
Part B
Describe an environment in which the sound of a ringing cell phone could not be transmitted, and explain why the
ringing wouldn't be heard.
Part C
Explain what happens to the pitch of a cell phone ring when the amplitude of the sound wave increases.
Part D
Explain the relationship between pitch and frequency.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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54
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
60. The students design a protective container for a raw egg that will prevent the egg from breaking when it reaches
the ground. The students use a milk carton made of paper, glue, and other materials to make the container. The
container and egg will be dropped from a window ledge on the second floor of the school building.
Part A
Name the unbalanced force that moves the egg to the ground when it is dropped from the window.
Part B
Describe another unbalanced force acting on the egg as it moves down to the ground.
Part C
Give the name of the form of energy in the egg sitting on the window ledge and the form of the energy as the egg
moves to the ground. Explain the relationship between these two forms of energy.
Part D
Explain the relationship between velocity and acceleration of the dropping egg.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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55
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
61. The relationship of Earth, the moon, and the sun affects the tides on Earth. The gravitational force on the waters
of Earth is much stronger from the moon than the gravitational force from the sun.
Part A
Explain why the gravitational force from the moon is greater on Earth than the gravitational force from the sun.
Part B
Describe how the gravitational force of an object could be increased.
Part C
Describe the alignment of Earth, the moon and the sun that produces the largest gravitational force upon Earth's
water.
Part D
Explain the forces that keep the moon orbiting Earth instead of the sun.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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56
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
62. Students work together to construct a circuit that can have a maximum of three light bulbs and can be changed
from a complete to an incomplete circuit. One type of circuit is shown here.
Part A
Identify the circuit shown as either a series circuit or a parallel circuit and either a closed or open circuit. Explain your
answers.
Part B
Describe an advantage of a series circuit.
Part C
Describe an advantage of a parallel circuit.
Part D
Explain the Law of Conservation of Energy and describe the energy transformations in the circuit shown above.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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57
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
63. Students construct two different circuits during an investigation. A battery provides the energy for each circuit.
When the students connect the wires to each end of the batteries they observe that the bulbs release light and that the
battery becomes warm. A diagram of each circuit is shown below.
Part A
Consider Circuit 1. Compare the amount and form of energy in the battery before it is connected to the circuit to the
forms and amount of energy in the completed circuit.
Part B
Identify Circuit 1 and Circuit 2 as series or parallel and explain how they are different.
Part C
The students remove Bulb 2 from Circuit 1. Describe what most likely happens and why.
Part D
The students remove Bulb 2 from Circuit 2. Compare what happens to Circuit 2 with what happens when Bulb 2 is
removed from Circuit 1. Explain your answer.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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58
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
64. Students investigate building an electromagnet. The students use copper wire, an iron nail, several paper clips,
four batteries, and a battery holder in their investigation. The holder has in and out connectors for the wire. A student
places the four batteries in the holder and plugs one end of the wire into the holder. Then, the student wraps the wire
eight times around the nail and then plugs the other end of the wire into the holder. Then the students test the strength
of the electromagnet by counting the number of paper clips the electromagnetic nail attracts. The electromagnetic nail
picks up three paper clips.
Part A
Describe why the electromagnet does not attract any paper clips when the wires are not connected to the batteries.
Part B
The students place one end of a bar magnet next to the working electromagnet and observe what happens. They then
place the opposite end of a bar magnet next to the electromagnet and observe what happens. Describe what the
students most likely observed.
Part C
Describe the type of circuit that is formed when the electromagnet is assembled. Explain your answer.
Part D
Describe one way to change the design of the electromagnet that might increase the number of paper clips the magnet
can pick up, without increasing the number of batteries.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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65. Compare the molecules of a substance in its solid state to the molecules of the same substance in its gaseous state.
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59
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
66. A student places a ball at the top of an inclined plane and releases it. The ball keeps rolling along the floor after it
reaches the bottom of the inclined plane.
What is the relationship between the kind of energy the ball has at the top of the inclined plane before it is released,
and the kind of energy the ball has when it rolls along the floor?
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67. A student compares an infrared lamp and a mercury vapor lamp. The infrared lamp gives off a dark red light. The
mercury vapor lamp gives off a blue light. The student notices that the part of a desk lit by the mercury vapor lamp is
much warmer than the part of the desk lit by the infrared lamp.
Explain the most likely reason the desk becomes warm. Which light carried the most energy?
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68. A student describes his recent trip to Africa, and makes the following statement: "I traveled with a native hunting
tribe for nearly a month. They did not bring along any supplies, because the hunters see the heat of the prey as
infrared radiation. So even in the dark, there was always fresh meat."
Do you take his claim seriously? Explain your answer.
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69. How does the force of gravity on a man change when he is in an airplane 12.2 kilometers above Earth?
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70. A student rubs an inflated rubber balloon on another student's head. The balloon is released, but it clings to the
second student's hair. This is caused by one of the major forces acting in nature.
Identify the force that holds the balloon to the student's hair.
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60
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
71. Which is the best description of a molecule?
A. A molecule contains two or more atoms.
B. A molecule is made up of protons and neutrons.
C. A molecule is smaller than an atom of hydrogen.
D. A molecule contains a nucleus with protons and electrons.
72. Students rolled a glass marble and a baseball down an inclined plane, as shown below, and made observations.
What inference can the students make about the relationship between the potential and kinetic energy as the objects
rolled down the inclined plane?
A. As the kinetic energy decreases, the potential energy decreases.
B. As the potential energy decreases, the kinetic energy increases.
C. When the kinetic energy remained the same, the potential energy increased.
D. When the potential energy remained the same, the kinetic energy increased.
61
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
73. Electromagnetic and mechanical waves both transfer energy.
How is an electromagnetic wave different from a mechanical wave?
A. An electromagnetic wave has frequency.
B. An electromagnetic wave is made of atoms.
C. An electromagnetic wave can travel in a vacuum.
D. An electromagnetic wave has a definite wavelength.
74. Scientists have found evidence that Earth's magnetic field, which extends to Earth's magnetic poles, has reversed
many times throughout geological time.
Which change would most likely be caused by a reversal of Earth's magnetic field?
A. speed of rotation
B. speed of revolution
C. position of the poles
D. position of the continents
62
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
Simple machines lessen the work needed to perform a task and increase efficiency. The factors of distance and force
are always involved. Simple machines may transfer force from one place to another. They can change a force's
direction, change the magnitude of the applied force, or increase the distance that the force is applied. They can also
increase speed or intensity.
Examples of simple machines are all around us. Inclined planes help movers load their trucks without lifting. Simple
machines were used by ancient Egyptians to move giant boulders. A catapult has been used in warfare for centuries.
Wheels and axles have helped ancient peoples, American pioneers, and are still used today.
63
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
75. A man attempts to move a large boulder. The boulder is too heavy for him to lift by himself. The man then uses a
metal pipe and a smaller rock to help move the boulder.
Part A
Identify the simple machine the man is using.
Part B
Explain how this simple machine will help get the boulder off the ground.
Part C
Identify the function of the smaller rock.
Part D
Identify the force the man is trying to overcome.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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64
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
76. Scientists hypothesize that, in ancient Egypt, heavy blocks of stone in the pyramids were pushed into position by
moving the blocks of stone over logs to roll them up ramps around the pyramid.
Part A
Identify two simple machines that might have helped the Egyptians build the pyramids.
Part B
Explain how the simple machines made moving the large blocks of stone easier.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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65
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
77. A house painter needs to move a bucket of paint to the top of a ladder safely and with little energy. The painter
uses a simple machine to lift the bucket of paint.
Part A
Identify the simple machine most likely used by the house painter.
Part B
The house painter decides to use several of the same simple machines together in a system. Explain how using several
simple machines of the same kind would better help the painter move a five-gallon bucket of paint to the top of the
ladder than using just one.
Part C
Explain the potential energy changes for the bucket of paint as the bucket is moved from the ground to the top of the
ladder.
Part D
Describe the type of energy used to pull the bucket of paint to the top of the ladder and whether the type of simple
machines would change the type of energy used.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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66
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
78. Two students are given the task to move two boxes of printer paper from the classroom floor to the top of a table.
The students are not able to lift the boxes, but are able to make a simple machine that will help get the task done. The
materials listed below are available for the students to use.
®wooden doorstop
®1 piece of wood (30 centimeters wide and 1.5 meters long)
®2 pulleys
®7 meters of rope
®books
Part A
Describe how to make a simple machine using the piece of wood with the books as a fulcrum.
Part B
Describe how the students could use only the piece of wood leaning against a table as a simple machine. Be sure to
give the name of the simple machine.
Part C
Describe the advantage of using a single pulley to lift the boxes of printer paper.
Part D
Describe how the forces on the box change from balanced to unbalanced as it is moved up the piece of wood in Part
B.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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67
8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
You probably easily remember the opening lyrics to your favorite song or a hilarious joke your friend told. These
auditory experiences begin as simple waves of sound carried through the air.
Your ear is shaped like a funnel to collect sound waves. When the sound waves enter the ear canal, they hit the
eardrum. The eardrum vibrates, sending sound waves through the middle ear. The small bones (ossicles) in the
middle ear vibrate and conduct the sound wave to a sensory nerve that sends a signal to the auditory nerve. This
signal is received by the brain, and we hear!
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
79. In an investigation of sound waves, two students use a stopwatch with an alarm to observe sound at different
locations around the room. Student 1 rings the alarm close to Student 2, at a distance, and with the sound behind
Student 2. Student 1 then stands several feet away and rings the alarm while rotating the stopwatch in a circle
overhead. Student 2 listens for the sound.
Part A
Why did Student 1 use the alarm on the stopwatch in different places in the room for Student 2 to hear?
Part B
Explain the difference in the sound Student 2 heard when the alarm was close and at a distance.
Part C
Explain what Student 2 heard when the alarm that was rotated over Student 1's head was closest to Student 2.
Part D
What can the students infer about sound from this investigation?
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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80. A music company is building a new recording studio next to a conference room that hosts many large business
meetings. Currently, there is a space between the wall of the recording studio and the wall of the conference room.
Which solution would best reduce the interruption of sound waves created in one room by the sound waves created in
the other room?
A. Fill the space between the two walls with a soft solid medium.
B. Fill the space between the two walls with water-filled insulation.
C. Remove the space between the walls of the two rooms, allowing less air between them
D. Add a meter of space between the walls of the two rooms, allowing more air between them.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
Humans experience different types of waves through the senses. Waves in water and sound waves from a radio are
examples of waves experienced through different senses.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
81. A musician prepares for a concert by replacing the strings on the guitar so that the strings produce a certain sound.
The guitarist tightens one of the strings on the guitar to produce a different sound.
Part A
Explain how the strings on the guitar are able to produce sound.
Part B
The new strings are tighter than the old strings because they are slightly shorter. What part of the sound wave is
affected by the length of the old strings?
Part C
Describe the change to the amplitude of the wave before the guitar string was tightened compared to the wave
produced after the string is tightened if the same amount of force is used on the string before and after tightening.
Part D
If the guitarist strums the string that has been tightened harder than the other strings, describe the change in the pitch.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
82. At a sporting event, fans in one section stand up and wave their hands in the air and then sit down. Other sections
follow, and soon the wave moves all around the stadium, back to the fans who started the motion.
How is the stadium wave similar to a mechanical wave?
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
A cyclist uses energy to slowly pedal to the top of a hill. She stops to rest briefly at the top of the hill before moving
very quickly down the hill.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
83. Examine the diagram shown in the passage.
Part A
At which of the labeled positions does the cyclist have the most potential energy? Explain your answer.
Part B
At which of the labeled positions does the cyclist have the most kinetic energy? Explain your answer.
Part C
Compare the total energy of the cyclist at Position 2 with the total energy of the cyclist at Position 3. Explain your
answer.
Part D
Describe a position on the diagram where the cyclist has more kinetic energy than she has at any of the labeled
positions. Explain your answer.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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Heat energy transfer is important to many life processes. It is a necessary part of chemical reactions. Heat energy can
be transferred in three different ways: conduction, convection and radiation. More than one type of heat transfer can
exist when heating an object. All three types of heat transfer are shown in the diagram.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
84. Students are studying conduction and convection. The students perform an investigation using the following
procedure:
®Fill a beaker with cold water.
®Use a ring stand to hold the beaker and to hold a thermometer just above the beaker.
®Record the starting temperature shown on the thermometer above the beaker as
®Using proper safety procedures, light a Bunsen burner about 30 centimeters below the bottom of the beaker.
®Place a second thermometer touching the bottom of the beaker.
®Heat the water to
for 10 minutes.
After ten minutes, the students note that the thermometer above the beaker reads
Part A
Which of the two thermometers measured conduction heat and which measured convection heat? Explain.
Part B
Why was the temperature on the thermometer above the beaker lower than the temperature on the thermometer in the
beaker?
Part C
Why was the temperature on the thermometer above the beaker lower than the temperature on the thermometer in the
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
beaker?
Part D
Explain how heat is transferred through a liquid.
Be sure to complete ALL parts of the task.
Answer with complete sentences, and use correct punctuation and grammar.
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
Answer Key
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71. A) A molecule contains two or more atoms.
72. B) As the potential energy decreases, the kinetic energy increases.
73. C) An electromagnetic wave can travel in a vacuum.
74. C) position of the poles
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8th Grade Physical Science - Formative Items (8thGradePS-FormativeItems)
79.
80. A) Fill the space between the two walls with a soft solid medium.
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80