2nd Grade Science : Classification of Materials

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 2nd Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Physical Science

What are the observable properties that we can use to describe materials?

Possible Answers:

Color, width, texture, and volume

Length, width, and height

Color, texture, hardness, and flexibility

Temperature, weight, density, and volume

Correct answer:

Color, texture, hardness, and flexibility

Explanation:

Observable properties are characteristics or things about materials or objects that we can describe using our five senses. Color, texture, hardness, and flexibility are all things we can determine with our senses.

Example Question #1 : Investigate Materials And Observable Properties

What does the word observable mean?

Possible Answers:

To go unnoticed

To be noticed

To serve someone

To be served

Correct answer:

To be noticed

Explanation:

The term observable means to be noticed or perceived. If something is noticeable, I can touch it, taste it, see it, hear it, or feel it. We can observe the properties of a material and use it to determine what it is or how to classify it.

Example Question #3 : Physical Science

What is another term for materials? Example: I can observe the properties of different materials in the classroom.

Possible Answers:

Matter

Chairs

Desks

Blankets

Correct answer:

Matter

Explanation:

Another term for materials is matter. Matter is what things are made of. All materials, objects, and living things are made of matter.

Example Question #1 : Investigate Materials And Observable Properties

Which object matches the list of observable properties below?

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 3.33.47 pm

Possible Answers:

A banana

An apple

A ping pong ball

A basketball

Correct answer:

A banana

Explanation:

The observable properties listed give us a clue to what the mystery object is. We know the object needs to be yellow, soft, smooth, and it should not bounce. An apple is typically not yellow, a ping pong ball IS bouncy, and basketballs are generally bouncy and orange, so they are not a match. That leaves a banana which meets all the observable properties.

Example Question #1 : Investigate Materials And Observable Properties

What is Janice describing with the observable properties data table below?

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 4.10.40 pm

Possible Answers:

Straw Hat, Hat, Woman'S Hat, Summer Hat

Cube, Six, Gambling, Play, Lucky Dice

Butterfly, Insect, Wings, Nature, Animal

Zebra, Wild Animal, Africa, Stripes

Correct answer:

Cube, Six, Gambling, Play, Lucky Dice

Explanation:

The object that Janice is describing is a die or pair of dice. They are bouncy, hard, smooth, and black and white. The other choices are black and white but don't meet the other observable properties.

Example Question #3 : Investigate Materials And Observable Properties

JR has a sunflower and a rose and wants to investigate their observable properties. Which data table matches the properties of the two objects?

Sunflower, Field, Yellow, Agriculture

Bloom, Roses, Love, Romance, Blossom

Possible Answers:

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 4.27.31 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 4.26.23 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 4.26.23 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 4.25.50 pm

Correct answer:

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 4.25.50 pm

Explanation:

Observable properties are characteristics of an object, person, or material. We use our five senses to make these observations. From the pictures, we can see what the two flowers look like and use this information to help match the correct data table.

Example Question #4 : Investigate Materials And Observable Properties

Cheryl has a ping pong ball and a basketball and wants to investigate their observable properties. Which data table matches the properties of the two objects?

Table Tennis, Ping-Pong Ball, Games

Basketball, Play, Meadow, Grass, Green

Possible Answers:

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 3.22.07 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 3.23.10 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 3.21.16 pm

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 3.22.43 pm

Correct answer:

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 3.21.16 pm

Explanation:

The data table that matches the ping pong ball and basketball need to have observable properties that would describe those objects. Observable properties can be found by using your five senses. A ping pong ball is white, small, round, bouncy, hard, strong, and smooth. A basketball is orange, round, bouncy, hard, strong, and rough.

Example Question #2 : Investigate Materials And Observable Properties

I can investigate materials and use observable properties to describe, classify, and categorize them.

Possible Answers:

True

False

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

This is a true statement. We can use our five senses to observe things like the color, texture, taste, smell, and hardness of objects. This information allows us to describe objects, classify them, and categorize them.

Example Question #5 : Investigate Materials And Observable Properties

Observable properties include measurements like height, weight, temperature, and the volume of an object.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

This is a false statement. The properties listed in the question do help scientists understand materials, and those characteristics describe them well, but they are not observable. Observable properties are things we can use our five senses to determine, the measurable properties in the question need a tool like a thermometer or a ruler to determine.

Example Question #3 : Investigate Materials And Observable Properties

Diana found a flower in her backyard and wants to investigate what it is. What flower is Diana describing with the observable properties data table below?

Screen shot 2020 06 02 at 4.41.58 pm

Possible Answers:

Daisy

Daisies, White, Flower, Summer, Flowers

Lilac

Lilac, Olive Crop, Purple, Bloom, Tree, Spring, Garden

Lily

Lily, Flowers, Early, Flower, Garden

Cactus

Cactus, Green, Flower, Prickly, Color

Correct answer:

Lilac

Lilac, Olive Crop, Purple, Bloom, Tree, Spring, Garden

Explanation:

The flower that Diana likely found in her backyard is a lilac. The flower she describes using observable properties matches the image of the flower. They are both purple and green, soft, smooth, and would not bounce. Observable properties can be identified using our five senses and what Diana described appears to be lilacs.

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