Physics

What are some names of U.S. space missions?

What are the states of matter?

What are the two forms of energy?

What is Newton's first law of motion?

What is Newton's second law?

What is Newton's third law?

What simple machine is a bar that pivots on a fulcrum?

Hint: A seesaw is an example

What simple machine has a wheel attached to a rod?

Hint: A doorknob and a bicycle wheel are examples

What simple machine uses a wheel with a rope or chain to lift loads?

Hint: A flagpole uses one to raise and lower the flag

What simple machine is a flat surface set at an angle (a ramp)?

Hint: A ramp and a hill are examples

What simple machine is like two inclined planes back to back, used to split things?

Hint: An axe and a knife blade are examples

What simple machine is an inclined plane wrapped around a cylinder?

Hint: A jar lid and a drill bit are examples

Name the main types of energy.

Hint: Energy comes in many forms but is always conserved

What type of energy does a moving object have?

Hint: A rolling ball has this type of energy

What type of energy is stored due to an object's position or condition?

Hint: A ball held high has gravitational potential energy

What type of energy is related to the temperature of an object?

Hint: The faster particles move, the more of this energy they have

What type of energy is stored in the bonds between atoms?

Hint: Food and batteries store this type of energy

What are the four states of matter?

Hint: The first three are most common on Earth; the fourth is found in stars

In which state of matter are particles packed tightly and vibrate in place?

Hint: It has a definite shape and volume

In which state of matter do particles slide past each other?

Hint: It has a definite volume but takes the shape of its container

In which state of matter do particles move freely and fill their container?

Hint: It has no definite shape or volume

What is the fourth state of matter found in stars and lightning?

Hint: It's a superheated gas where electrons separate from atoms

What is the phase change from solid to liquid called?

Hint: Ice turning to water

What is the phase change from liquid to solid called?

Hint: Water turning to ice

What is the phase change from liquid to gas called?

Hint: Water turning to steam

What is the phase change from gas to liquid called?

Hint: Water droplets forming on a cold glass

What is the phase change from solid directly to gas called?

Hint: Dry ice does this — it skips the liquid phase

What force pulls objects toward each other and keeps us on Earth?

Hint: Newton discovered it when an apple fell on his head (legend says)

What force opposes motion between two surfaces in contact?

Hint: Rubbing your hands together produces heat because of this force

What is the formula for speed?

Hint: If you travel 60 miles in 1 hour, your speed is 60 mph

What type of energy flows through wires and powers devices?

Hint: It results from the movement of electrons

What type of energy is produced by vibrations traveling through matter?

Hint: It cannot travel through a vacuum (empty space)

What type of energy travels in waves and can move through empty space?

Hint: It comes from the Sun and from lightbulbs

What law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed?

Hint: Energy changes form but the total amount stays the same

A book sits on a table and stays still. Which of Newton's laws explains why it does not move?

Hint: Inertia keeps still things still and moving things moving

When you jump, your feet push down on the ground. What does the ground do?

Hint: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

In a Class 1 lever, where is the fulcrum located?

Hint: A seesaw is a Class 1 lever — the pivot is in the middle

What is Newton's First Law of Motion?

Hint: Also called the Law of Inertia — objects resist changes to their state of motion

What is Newton's Second Law of Motion, expressed as a formula?

Hint: A heavier object requires more force to accelerate at the same rate as a lighter one

What is Newton's Third Law of Motion?

Hint: A rocket launches because the exhaust pushes down and the rocket pushes up equally

What is gravity?

Hint: It keeps planets in orbit and makes objects fall to Earth

What is friction?

Hint: It is why tires grip the road and why your hands get warm when rubbed together

What are the six types of simple machines?

Hint: All complex machines are combinations of these six basic types

What happens when light passes from air into glass or water?

Hint: A straw in a glass of water appears bent because of this property

What does sound need in order to travel?

Hint: Sound cannot travel in the vacuum of outer space — there is no medium

What is the rule about magnetic poles?

Hint: North attracts South; North repels North — just like electric charges

What kind of circuit lets electric current flow?

Hint: The path must be complete

Why does a bulb turn off when a switch opens the circuit?

Hint: Open means not complete

Which material is usually a good electrical conductor?

Hint: Many wires are made from it

Why is plastic often placed around electrical wires?

Hint: It helps keep current from leaving the wire

What does a battery provide in a simple circuit?

Hint: It is the energy source

What happens when light bounces off a mirror?

Hint: Reflect means bounce back

A straw looks bent in a glass of water. Which light behavior explains this?

Hint: Light bends when it moves between air and water

What can a prism separate white light into?

Hint: Think rainbow colors

Why does an opaque object make a shadow?

Hint: Opaque means light does not pass through

What must an object do to make sound?

Hint: Feel a speaker or guitar string

Why can sound travel through air?

Hint: Sound travels as vibrations through matter

A faster vibration usually makes which kind of pitch?

Hint: Fast vibrations mean high frequency

Which form of energy is related to heat?

Hint: Therm means heat

A lamp changes electrical energy mostly into which useful form?

Hint: What does a lamp give off?

Which surface usually creates more friction for a sliding box?

Hint: Rough surfaces resist motion more

Bicycle brakes slow a wheel mostly by using what force?

Hint: Brake pads rub against the wheel rim or disc

A wheelbarrow helps lift and move a load. Which simple machine is most obvious in its handles and load point?

Hint: The handles move around a pivot near the wheel

An astronaut weighs less on the Moon than on Earth. What best explains the change?

Hint: Weight depends on gravity

A dropped ball falls toward Earth. Which force best explains this?

Hint: It pulls objects toward Earth's center

What force gives objects weight on Earth?

Hint: It pulls objects toward Earth's center

What simple machine is a ramp?

Hint: It is a flat surface set at an angle

A flashlight beam hits a mirror and bounces back. What is this called?

Hint: Re- means back

A straw looks bent in a glass of water because light changes direction. What is this called?

Hint: Light bends as it moves between materials

Which material lets most light pass through clearly?

Hint: A clear window is transparent

A shadow forms when an object does what to light?

Hint: Light cannot pass through the object

Friction usually does what to a moving object?

Hint: Friction opposes motion

Which surface usually creates more friction for a sliding block?

Hint: Rough surfaces grip more

An object at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted on by what?

Hint: Newton's first law

A push or pull that can change motion is called what?

Hint: Push or pull

If a circuit has a break in it, what kind of circuit is it?

Hint: The path is open, so current cannot flow

Which material would be best for a wire that needs to carry electric current?

Hint: Wires are often made from it

Which material is usually an electrical insulator?

Hint: It is often used around wires

What must a circuit have for a bulb to light?

Hint: Current needs a complete loop

Energy of motion is called what?

Hint: Kinesis means movement

A stretched bow stores what kind of energy?

Hint: Stored energy

Heat is most closely related to which form of energy?

Hint: Thermo means heat

A lamp changes electrical energy mostly into light and what other form?

Hint: Lamps can become warm

Sound begins when matter does what?

Hint: Feel your throat while humming

Sound needs what kind of medium to travel?

Hint: Sound needs a medium

High pitch usually comes from what kind of vibration?

Hint: Frequency is how fast the vibration repeats

A louder sound usually has what kind of wave amplitude?

Hint: Amplitude is wave height

A doorknob is an example of which simple machine?

Hint: It turns around a central axle

A knife blade is an example of which simple machine?

Hint: It splits or cuts

Which simple machine can help lift a flag up a pole?

Hint: A rope runs over a wheel

What force helps keep the Moon in orbit around Earth?

Hint: It pulls objects toward each other

Objects with more mass usually have what kind of gravitational pull?

Hint: Mass matters for gravity