Middle School Physical Science : Understand how changes in thermal energy affect particle motion, temperature, and state change
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Middle School Physical Science
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Understand How Changes In Thermal Energy Affect Particle Motion, Temperature, And State Change
The image shows the particles of a substance in its three states. The kinetic energy of the particles increases as:
the substance changes from a liquid to a gas
both as it changes from a solid to a liquid and when it changes from a liquid to a gas
none of these
the substance changes from a solid to a liquid
both as it changes from a solid to a liquid and when it changes from a liquid to a gas
The answer is "both as it changes from a solid to a liquid and when it changes from a liquid to a gas." As the temperature of a substance increases, so does the kinetic energy of particles increases.
Example Question #2 : Understand How Changes In Thermal Energy Affect Particle Motion, Temperature, And State Change
In order to change a substance from a solid to a liquid, you would have to:
do nothing
add thermal energy
let it sit over night
remove thermal energy
add thermal energy
The answer is "add thermal energy" because the state change from a solid to a liquid requires heat.
Example Question #3 : Understand How Changes In Thermal Energy Affect Particle Motion, Temperature, And State Change
In order to change a gas into a liquid, you would have to:
add thermal energy
let time pass
remove thermal energy
do nothing
remove thermal energy
The answer is "remove thermal energy." In order to change a gas to a liquid, you would have to cool it down, thus removing thermal energy.
Example Question #4 : Understand How Changes In Thermal Energy Affect Particle Motion, Temperature, And State Change
The constant motion of particles in substances gives them their kinetic energy. We measure this kinetic energy as:
energetic potential
temperature
PH
speed
temperature
The answer is "temperature." Temperature is by definition, the measure of the kinetic energy of a substance.
Example Question #5 : Understand How Changes In Thermal Energy Affect Particle Motion, Temperature, And State Change
An increase in volume due to heating is called:
thermal contraction
thermal reduction
thermal expansion
thermal rotation
thermal expansion
The answer is thermal expansion. Thermal expansion happens when substances are heated and the particles speed up and take up more space.
Example Question #2 : Understand How Changes In Thermal Energy Affect Particle Motion, Temperature, And State Change
The particles in the image on the far left most likely:
belong to a liquid that is not moving in a container
belong to a solid and are not moving at all
belong to a solid and are vibrating in place
belong to a gas that is fit very tightly in a container
belong to a solid and are vibrating in place
The answer is "belong to a solid and are vibrating in place." The image shows that the particles are 'stuck together' in a solid configuration. These particles do have kinetic energy so they are vibrating and not completely lacking movement.
Example Question #6 : Understand How Changes In Thermal Energy Affect Particle Motion, Temperature, And State Change
Removing thermal energy from a substance will:
reduce the kinetic energy of the particles
lower the temperature
change its state
all of these
all of these
The answer is all of the these because removing thermal energy will change a substance's state, temperature, and particle motion.
Example Question #7 : Understand How Changes In Thermal Energy Affect Particle Motion, Temperature, And State Change
The process of adding thermal energy to a solid and transforming it directly to a gas without first turning it to a liquid is called:
deposition
melting
condensation
sublimation
sublimation
The answer is sublimation. Sublimation is the process of adding thermal energy to a sold and transforming it directly to a gas without first turning it to a liquid.
Example Question #8 : Understand How Changes In Thermal Energy Affect Particle Motion, Temperature, And State Change
Cooling causes particles in substances to:
speed up
stop moving completely
all of these
slow down
slow down
The answer is "slow down." When a substance cools it loses its thermal energy which causes the particles to slow down.
Example Question #9 : Understand How Changes In Thermal Energy Affect Particle Motion, Temperature, And State Change
The particles in a gas:
move around each other easily
all choices are correct
move very quickly
are far apart
all choices are correct
The answer is "all choices are correct" because the particles in a gas share all of these characteristics.
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