Middle School Physical Science : Compare and contrast matter and energy

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Middle School Physical Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Compare And Contrast Matter And Energy

Which of these is the best definition of matter?

Possible Answers:

matter is energy squared

matter does work

matter is time divided by distance

matter has mass and takes up space

Correct answer:

matter has mass and takes up space

Explanation:

The correct answer is "matter has mass and takes up space."

Matter is anything that has a mass and volume. Matter is made of small particles called atoms. Desks, chairs, people, plants, animals, rocks, water, the Earth, and anything else you can touch are made of atoms, and thus are considered matter. Some examples of things that are not matter are thoughts, ideas, heat, light, sound, and anything else that is not made of atoms.

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy exists as light, heat, and motion. It does not take up space or have mass. It is not made of atoms, but there is energy stored in the bonds between atoms and it requires energy to break them apart. We have classified many kinds of energy even though they are all technically light, heat, and motion. 

Potential energy is stored energy. This can be paired with another description of energy. For example, "chemical potential" or "gravitational potential" energy are valid types of energy.

Kinetic energy is motion energy. Also known as mechanical energy, this can also be a description of other types of energy. Sound, and temperature, are technically types of kinetic energy because they describe the motion of particles.

Nuclear energy is the energy stored within the nucleus of an atom.

Thermal energy is energy released or absorbed as heat.

Electric energy is energy from moving electrons.

Solar energy is energy from photons, or radiation from the sun.

Radiation is energy that moves in wave forms. 

 

Example Question #1 : Compare And Contrast Matter And Energy

Which of these is NOT an example of matter?

Possible Answers:

chemicals

water

atoms

electricity

Correct answer:

electricity

Explanation:

The answer is "electricity". Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. Electricity is a form of energy and has no mass. The other objects all take up space and have mass, therefore they are matter.

Matter is anything that has a mass and volume. Matter is made of small particles called atoms. Desks, chairs, people, plants, animals, rocks, water, the Earth, and anything else you can touch are made of atoms, and thus are considered matter. Some examples of things that are not matter are thoughts, ideas, heat, light, sound, and anything else that is not made of atoms.

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy exists as light, heat, and motion. It does not take up space or have mass. It is not made of atoms, but there is energy stored in the bonds between atoms and it requires energy to break them apart. We have classified many kinds of energy even though they are all technically light, heat, and motion. 

Potential energy is stored energy. This can be paired with another description of energy. For example, "chemical potential" or "gravitational potential" energy are valid types of energy.

Kinetic energy is motion energy. Also known as mechanical energy, this can also be a description of other types of energy. Sound, and temperature, are technically types of kinetic energy because they describe the motion of particles.

Nuclear energy is the energy stored within the nucleus of an atom.

Thermal energy is energy released or absorbed as heat.

Electric energy is energy from moving electrons.

Solar energy is energy from photons, or radiation from the sun.

Radiation is energy that moves in wave forms. 

Example Question #1 : Compare And Contrast Matter And Energy

Which of these is the best definition of energy?

Possible Answers:

Energy is work and matter.

Energy is light, heat, or motion.

Energy has mass and volume.

Energy is what happens.

Correct answer:

Energy is light, heat, or motion.

Explanation:

The answer is "Energy is light heat or motion."

Matter is anything that has a mass and volume. Matter is made of small particles called atoms. Desks, chairs, people, plants, animals, rocks, water, the Earth, and anything else you can touch are made of atoms, and thus are considered matter. Some examples of things that are not matter are thoughts, ideas, heat, light, sound, and anything else that is not made of atoms.

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy exists as light, heat, and motion. It does not take up space or have mass. It is not made of atoms, but there is energy stored in the bonds between atoms and it requires energy to break them apart. We have classified many kinds of energy even though they are all technically light, heat, and motion. 

Potential energy is stored energy. This can be paired with another description of energy. For example, "chemical potential" or "gravitational potential" energy are valid types of energy.

Kinetic energy is motion energy. Also known as mechanical energy, this can also be a description of other types of energy. Sound, and temperature, are technically types of kinetic energy because they describe the motion of particles.

Nuclear energy is the energy stored within the nucleus of an atom.

Thermal energy is energy released or absorbed as heat.

Electric energy is energy from moving electrons.

Solar energy is energy from photons, or radiation from the sun.

Radiation is energy that moves in wave forms. 

Example Question #1 : Compare And Contrast Matter And Energy

True or false: All matter has energy.

Possible Answers:

true

false

Correct answer:

true

Explanation:

The answer is "true." All matter has energy stored within the bonds of its atoms. Even non-moving objects have particles in motion at an atomic level.

Matter is anything that has a mass and volume. Matter is made of small particles called atoms. Desks, chairs, people, plants, animals, rocks, water, the Earth, and anything else you can touch are made of atoms, and thus are considered matter. Some examples of things that are not matter are thoughts, ideas, heat, light, sound, and anything else that is not made of atoms.

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy exists as light, heat, and motion. It does not take up space or have mass. It is not made of atoms, but there is energy stored in the bonds between atoms and it requires energy to break them apart. We have classified many kinds of energy even though they are all technically light, heat, and motion. 

Potential energy is stored energy. This can be paired with another description of energy. For example, "chemical potential" or "gravitational potential" energy are valid types of energy.

Kinetic energy is motion energy. Also known as mechanical energy, this can also be a description of other types of energy. Sound, and temperature, are technically types of kinetic energy because they describe the motion of particles.

Nuclear energy is the energy stored within the nucleus of an atom.

Thermal energy is energy released or absorbed as heat.

Electric energy is energy from moving electrons.

Solar energy is energy from photons, or radiation from the sun.

Radiation is energy that moves in wave forms. 

Example Question #1 : Compare And Contrast Matter And Energy

Which of these is true about BOTH matter and energy?

Possible Answers:

Both matter and energy take up space.

Both matter and energy have mass.

Both matter and energy take many different forms, and undergo cycles of transformation.

Both matter and energy can be seen but cannot be touched.

Correct answer:

Both matter and energy take many different forms, and undergo cycles of transformation.

Explanation:

The answer is "both matter and energy take many different forms, and undergo cycles of transformation."

Matter is anything that has a mass and volume. Matter is made of small particles called atoms. Desks, chairs, people, plants, animals, rocks, water, the Earth, and anything else you can touch are made of atoms, and thus are considered matter. Some examples of things that are not matter are thoughts, ideas, heat, light, sound, and anything else that is not made of atoms.

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy exists as light, heat, and motion. It does not take up space or have mass. It is not made of atoms, but there is energy stored in the bonds between atoms and it requires energy to break them apart. We have classified many kinds of energy even though they are all technically light, heat, and motion. 

Potential energy is stored energy. This can be paired with another description of energy. For example, "chemical potential" or "gravitational potential" energy are valid types of energy.

Kinetic energy is motion energy. Also known as mechanical energy, this can also be a description of other types of energy. Sound, and temperature, are technically types of kinetic energy because they describe the motion of particles.

Nuclear energy is the energy stored within the nucleus of an atom.

Thermal energy is energy released or absorbed as heat.

Electric energy is energy from moving electrons.

Solar energy is energy from photons, or radiation from the sun.

Radiation is energy that moves in wave forms.

Example Question #4 : Compare And Contrast Matter And Energy

Matter is made of:

Possible Answers:

small particles called atoms

electricity

energy

kinetics

Correct answer:

small particles called atoms

Explanation:

The answer is "small particles called atoms."

Matter is anything that has a mass and volume. Matter is made of small particles called atoms. Desks, chairs, people, plants, animals, rocks, water, the Earth, and anything else you can touch are made of atoms, and thus are considered matter. Some examples of things that are not matter are thoughts, ideas, heat, light, sound, and anything else that is not made of atoms.

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy exists as light, heat, and motion. It does not take up space or have mass. It is not made of atoms, but there is energy stored in the bonds between atoms and it requires energy to break them apart. We have classified many kinds of energy even though they are all technically light, heat, and motion. 

Potential energy is stored energy. This can be paired with another description of energy. For example, "chemical potential" or "gravitational potential" energy are valid types of energy.

Kinetic energy is motion energy. Also known as mechanical energy, this can also be a description of other types of energy. Sound, and temperature, are technically types of kinetic energy because they describe the motion of particles.

Nuclear energy is the energy stored within the nucleus of an atom.

Thermal energy is energy released or absorbed as heat.

Electric energy is energy from moving electrons.

Solar energy is energy from photons, or radiation from the sun.

Radiation is energy that moves in wave forms. 

Example Question #1 : Compare And Contrast Matter And Energy

The ability of a ball to roll down a hill after being positioned very high up is an example of:

Possible Answers:

the ball is matter and the rolling is energy

all of these

gravitational energy pulling the ball down the hill

potential energy when the ball is on the hill and kinetic energy when it is rolling

Correct answer:

all of these

Explanation:

The answer is "all of these."

Matter is anything that has a mass and volume. Matter is made of small particles called atoms. Desks, chairs, people, plants, animals, rocks, water, the Earth, and anything else you can touch are made of atoms, and thus are considered matter. Some examples of things that are not matter are thoughts, ideas, heat, light, sound, and anything else that is not made of atoms.

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy exists as light, heat, and motion. It does not take up space or have mass. It is not made of atoms, but there is energy stored in the bonds between atoms and it requires energy to break them apart. We have classified many kinds of energy even though they are all technically light, heat, and motion. 

Potential energy is stored energy. This can be paired with another description of energy. For example, "chemical potential" or "gravitational potential" energy are valid types of energy.

Kinetic energy is motion energy. Also known as mechanical energy, this can also be a description of other types of energy. Sound, and temperature, are technically types of kinetic energy because they describe the motion of particles.

Nuclear energy is the energy stored within the nucleus of an atom.

Thermal energy is energy released or absorbed as heat.

Electric energy is energy from moving electrons.

Solar energy is energy from photons, or radiation from the sun.

Radiation is energy that moves in wave forms. 

Example Question #1 : Compare And Contrast Matter And Energy

Which of these contains ONLY examples of energy?

Possible Answers:

a chemical, motion, the sun's rays, photons, movement

gravity, heat, lightning, nuclear energy, an atom

mechanical energy, motion, kinetic energy, machines

fire, sound, chemical reactions, light, movement

Correct answer:

fire, sound, chemical reactions, light, movement

Explanation:

The answer is "fire, sound, chemical reactions, light, movement." The other answers contained these examples of matter: machines, an atom, a chemical.

Matter is anything that has a mass and volume. Matter is made of small particles called atoms. Desks, chairs, people, plants, animals, rocks, water, the Earth, and anything else you can touch are made of atoms, and thus are considered matter. Some examples of things that are not matter are thoughts, ideas, heat, light, sound, and anything else that is not made of atoms.

Energy is the ability to do work. Energy exists as light, heat, and motion. It does not take up space or have mass. It is not made of atoms, but there is energy stored in the bonds between atoms and it requires energy to break them apart. We have classified many kinds of energy even though they are all technically light, heat, and motion. 

Potential energy is stored energy. This can be paired with another description of energy. For example, "chemical potential" or "gravitational potential" energy are valid types of energy.

Kinetic energy is motion energy. Also known as mechanical energy, this can also be a description of other types of energy. Sound, and temperature, are technically types of kinetic energy because they describe the motion of particles.

Nuclear energy is the energy stored within the nucleus of an atom.

Thermal energy is energy released or absorbed as heat.

Electric energy is energy from moving electrons.

Solar energy is energy from photons, or radiation from the sun.

Radiation is energy that moves in wave forms. 

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