Physical Boot Camp
5.5A Part 1
Classify matter based on physical properties including:
mass, magnetism, physical state (solid, liquid and gas),
relative density (sinking and floating), solubility in water,
and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy or
electric energy.
STAAR 2013 #2; RC 1; Readiness
1. Which of these is the best conductor of
electricity?
F. Glass rod
G. Cotton string
H. Plastic tubing
J. Copper penny
STAAR 2013 #2; RC 1; Readiness
1. Which of these is the best conductor of
electricity?
F. Glass rod
G. Cotton string
H. Plastic tubing
J. Copper penny
STAAR 2013 #10; RC 1; Readiness
2. A teacher mixes a white powder into a beaker of
water. The powder cannot be seen in the water.
The teacher then heats the mixture until the water
evaporates and the powder can be seen again.
Which property of the powder is the teacher
demonstrating?
F. Solubility
G. Density
H. Conductivity
J. Mass
STAAR 2013 #10; RC 1; Readiness
2. A teacher mixes a white powder into a beaker of
water. The powder cannot be seen in the water.
The teacher then heats the mixture until the water
evaporates and the powder can be seen again.
Which property of the powder is the teacher
demonstrating?
F. Solubility
G. Density
H. Conductivity
J. Mass
STAAR 2013 #26; RC 1; Readiness
3. A teacher sets up an experiment using five jars filled with water and a
thermometer in each. The teacher keeps one jar unwrapped as the control. The
other four jars are wrapped with equal thickness of four different materials. The jars
are each filled with equal amount of water that is 92ºC. Students observe and record
the water temperature in each jar after 10 minutes. The results are shown in the
table below.
Mater Wrapping Jar
Water Temperature (ºC)
No wrapping (control)
84
Newspaper
87
Construction paper
87
Paper towel
85
Cotton towel
90
Which property of the materials wrapping the jars are the students most likely
investigating?
F. State of matter
G. Thermal energy insulation
H. Thermal energy production
J. Ability to conduct electricity
STAAR 2013 #26; RC 1; Readiness
3. A teacher sets up an experiment using five jars filled with water and a
thermometer in each. The teacher keeps one jar unwrapped as the control. The
other four jars are wrapped with equal thickness of four different materials. The jars
are each filled with equal amount of water that is 92ºC. Students observe and record
the water temperature in each jar after 10 minutes. The results are shown in the
table below.
Mater Wrapping Jar
Water Temperature (ºC)
No wrapping (control)
84
Newspaper
87
Construction paper
87
Paper towel
85
Cotton towel
90
Which property of the materials wrapping the jars are the students most likely
investigating?
F. State of matter
G. Thermal energy insulation
H. Thermal energy production
J. Ability to conduct electricity
STAAR 2013 #33; RC 1; Readiness
4. A student reads the label on a bottle of salad dressing down
below.
Ingredients:
Oil, Vinegar, Spices
Directions: Shake well before
using. Refrigerate after
opening.
Why would the student shake the salad dressing well before using it?
A. Vinegar and oil have different densities.
B. Vinegar and oil easily form a solution.
C. Vinegar and oil both contain water.
D. Vinegar and oil are both liquids
STAAR 2013 #33; RC 1; Readiness
4. A student reads the label on a bottle of salad dressing down
below.
Ingredients:
Oil, Vinegar, Spices
Directions: Shake well before
using. Refrigerate after
opening.
Why would the student shake the salad dressing well before using it?
A. Vinegar and oil have different densities.
B. Vinegar and oil easily form a solution.
C. Vinegar and oil both contain water.
D. Vinegar and oil are both liquids
5.
5.
2003—#34 (80%)
6. Which of these is a good conductor of
electricity?
F
G
H
J
Glass
Metal
Rubber
Plastic
2003—#34 (80%)
6. Which of these is a good conductor of
electricity?
F
G
H
J
Glass
Metal
Rubber
Plastic
2003—#38 (82%)
7. Which of the following can be attracted
to a magnet?
F
G
H
J
Gold ring
Glass marble
Iron needle
Wool sock
2003—#38 (82%)
7. Which of the following can be attracted
to a magnet?
F
G
H
J
Gold ring
Glass marble
Iron needle
Wool sock
2004—#6 (80%)
8. Matter can undergo changes. When
water boils, a —
F
G
H
J
liquid becomes a solid
solid becomes a liquid
liquid becomes a gas
gas becomes a solid
2004—#6 (80%)
8. Matter can undergo changes. When
water boils, a —
F
G
H
J
liquid becomes a solid
solid becomes a liquid
liquid becomes a gas
gas becomes a solid
9.
9.
10. Which of the following kinds of matter will
most likely conduct electricity the best?
A
B
C
D
Rubber
Metal
Fabric
Glass
10. Which of the following kinds of matter will
most likely conduct electricity the best?
A
B
C
D
Rubber
Metal
Fabric
Glass
11. Some types of matter can conduct electrical
energy. What other type of energy can be
conducted by some types of matter?
A
B
C
D
Kinetic energy
Heat energy
Potential energy
Gas energy
11. Some types of matter can conduct electrical
energy. What other type of energy can be
conducted by some types of matter?
A
B
C
D
Kinetic energy
Heat energy
Potential energy
Gas energy
12.
12.
13.
13.
14. Which of the following items does not
belong with the others?
A
B
C
D
A piece of paper
A metal paperclip
A rusty tin can
An iron horseshoe
14. Which of the following items does not
belong with the others?
A
B
C
D
A piece of paper
A metal paperclip
A rusty tin can
An iron horseshoe
15. A small ice cube was left lying on a table
in a warm room for one hour. What state of
matter would the ice cube be at the end of
the hour?
A
B
C
D
Gas
Liquid
Solid
Unknown
15. A small ice cube was left lying on a table
in a warm room for one hour. What state of
matter would the ice cube be at the end of
the hour?
A
B
C
D
Gas
Liquid
Solid
Unknown
16. Which of the following is a form of water
in its gaseous state?
A
B
C
D
Sleet
Rain
Vapor
Clouds
16. Which of the following is a form of water
in its gaseous state?
A
B
C
D
Sleet
Rain
Vapor
Clouds
17. Which of the following is the best
definition of matter?
A
B
C
D
Anything that you can see and has color
Anything that you can smell or feel
Anything found on the earth
Anything that takes up space and has mass
17. Which of the following is the best
definition of matter?
A
B
C
D
Anything that you can see and has color
Anything that you can smell or feel
Anything found on the earth
Anything that takes up space and has mass
18. In the illustration above, the light from the flashlight
shining on the balance has no mass. What conclusion
can be drawn from this demonstration?
A
B
C
D
Light takes up space.
Light is not matter.
Light has volume.
Light has mass.
18. In the illustration above, the light from the flashlight
shining on the balance has no mass. What conclusion
can be drawn from this demonstration?
A
B
C
D
Light takes up space.
Light is not matter.
Light has volume.
Light has mass.
19. Matter has a fixed volume, but changes its
shape to fit its container, it is a .
A
B
C
D
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Plasma
19. Matter has a fixed volume, but changes its
shape to fit its container, it is a .
A
B
C
D
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Plasma
20. A student exhaled and a small cloud was
formed. This is an example of matter changing
from a gas to a—
A
B
C
D
Gas
Liquid
Solid
Plasma
20. A student exhaled and a small cloud was
formed. This is an example of matter changing
from a gas to a—
A
B
C
D
Gas
Liquid
Solid
Plasma
21. What process occurs when decreased heat
causes a gas to change into a liquid?
A
B
C
D
Condensation
Evaporation
Boiling
Melting
21. What process occurs when decreased heat
causes a gas to change into a liquid?
A
B
C
D
Condensation
Evaporation
Boiling
Melting
22. What process occurs when a liquid
changes to a gas?
A
B
C
D
Condensation
Freezing
Evaporation
Melting
22. What process occurs when a liquid
changes to a gas?
A
B
C
D
Condensation
Freezing
Evaporation
Melting
23. Which of the following is a form of water
in its solid state?
A
B
C
D
Fog
Rain
Hail
Clouds
23. Which of the following is a form of water
in its solid state?
A
B
C
D
Fog
Rain
Hail
Clouds
24. What state of matter is oxygen in the air?
A
B
C
D
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Plasma
24. What state of matter is oxygen in the air?
A
B
C
D
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Plasma
25. A student broke a piece off of a rock.
What property of the rock changed?
A
B
C
D
The rock’s mass
The rock’s color
The rock’s roughness
The rock’s smell
25. A student broke a piece off of a rock.
What property of the rock changed?
A
B
C
D
The rock’s mass
The rock’s color
The rock’s roughness
The rock’s smell
26. Which of the following objects would be
attracted to a magnet?
A
B
C
D
A plastic jar lid
A copper penny
A glass marble
A large paper clip
26. Which of the following objects would be
attracted to a magnet?
A
B
C
D
A plastic jar lid
A copper penny
A glass marble
A large paper clip
27. A student investigated an unknown piece of
matter. He found out that the matter was
attracted to a magnet and also conducted
electricity very well. What kind of matter is this
unknown piece likely to be?
A
B
C
D
Glass
Plastic
Wood
Metal
27. A student investigated an unknown piece of
matter. He found out that the matter was
attracted to a magnet and also conducted
electricity very well. What kind of matter is this
unknown piece likely to be?
A
B
C
D
Glass
Plastic
Wood
Metal
28. Wood is to solid as air is to—
A
B
C
D
solid
liquid
gas
plasma
28. Wood is to solid as air is to—
A
B
C
D
solid
liquid
gas
plasma
29. Which of the following is an example of
a gas?
A
B
C
D
A wooden block
The odor of perfume
A cube of ice
An ice chest
29. Which of the following is an example of
a gas?
A
B
C
D
A wooden block
The odor of perfume
A cube of ice
An ice chest
30. A student noticed that the metal parts of a wagon left out
in the sun become much hotter than its rubber tires. Which
of the following is the best explanation for this observation?
A The tires are under the wagon and do not receive as much
heat.
B Metal is a conductor of heat while rubber is an insulator of
heat.
C Rubber is heavier than metal and does not conduct heat as
well.
D The shiny metal on the wagon reflects the sun’s heat
better.
30. A student noticed that the metal parts of a wagon left out
in the sun become much hotter than its rubber tires. Which
of the following is the best explanation for this observation?
A The tires are under the wagon and do not receive as much
heat.
B Metal is a conductor of heat while rubber is an insulator of
heat.
C Rubber is heavier than metal and does not conduct heat as
well.
D The shiny metal on the wagon reflects the sun’s heat
better.
31. A substance is transparent and has no
definite shape or volume. Which of the
following might the substance be?
A
B
C
D
The water in a bathtub
The soda in a glass
The air in a balloon
The glass in a window
31. A substance is transparent and has no
definite shape or volume. Which of the
following might the substance be?
A
B
C
D
The water in a bathtub
The soda in a glass
The air in a balloon
The glass in a window
32. A student poured some cola into a glass of ice.
Which of the following is true about the matter
found in the glass?
A The cola is the solid, the ice is the liquid, and the
bubbles are the gas.
B The bubbles are the solids, the cola is the liquid
and the ice is the gas.
C The ice is the solid, the bubbles are the liquid, and
the cola is the gas.
D The ice is the solid, the cola is the liquid, and the
bubbles are the gas.
32. A student poured some cola into a glass of ice.
Which of the following is true about the matter
found in the glass?
A The cola is the solid, the ice is the liquid, and the
bubbles are the gas.
B The bubbles are the solids, the cola is the liquid
and the ice is the gas.
C The ice is the solid, the bubbles are the liquid, and
the cola is the gas.
D The ice is the solid, the cola is the liquid, and the
bubbles are the gas.
33. Which of the following objects would be
the best conductor of heat?
A
B
C
D
A metal spoon
A plastic jar
A wooden pencil
A paper box
33. Which of the following objects would be
the best conductor of heat?
A
B
C
D
A metal spoon
A plastic jar
A wooden pencil
A paper box
34. Which of the following objects would be
best for insulating materials against heat?
A
B
C
D
A brown paper bag
A red ice chest
A large glass bowl
A white wooden spoon
34. Which of the following objects would be
best for insulating materials against heat?
A
B
C
D
A brown paper bag
A red ice chest
A large glass bowl
A white wooden spoon
35. Water is to liquid as helium is to—
A
B
C
D
solid
liquid
gas
plasma
35. Water is to liquid as helium is to—
A
B
C
D
solid
liquid
gas
plasma
36. Some students were using a hot plate to conduct an
investigation. They noticed that a glass beaker placed on the
hot plate became very hot and the water inside the beaker
began to boil. What causes the water to get hot and boil?
A The white color of the hot plate conducts heat very well.
B The air around the hot plate conducts heat to the contents of
the beaker.
C The glass beaker conducts heat from the hot plate to the
water.
D The plastic switch on the hot plate conducts heat to the
water in the beaker.
36. Some students were using a hot plate to conduct an
investigation. They noticed that a glass beaker placed on the
hot plate became very hot and the water inside the beaker
began to boil. What causes the water to get hot and boil?
A The white color of the hot plate conducts heat very well.
B The air around the hot plate conducts heat to the contents of
the beaker.
C The glass beaker conducts heat from the hot plate to the
water.
D The plastic switch on the hot plate conducts heat to the
water in the beaker.
37. Some students were given a plastic bag
containing the following objects: a penny, a
marble, a stick of gum, a Popsicle stick, a
marshmallow, and a piece of string. Which of
the following is NOT a valid property for
separating the items into two groups?
A
B
C
D
Type of material
Mass of object
Age of material
Ability to conduct electricity
37. Some students were given a plastic bag
containing the following objects: a penny, a
marble, a stick of gum, a Popsicle stick, a
marshmallow, and a piece of string. Which of
the following is NOT a valid property for
separating the items into two groups?
A
B
C
D
Type of material
Mass of object
Age of material
Ability to conduct electricity
38. Which of the following properties is not
dependent on the size of the sample?
A
B
C
D
Mass
Weight
Volume
Physical state
38. Which of the following properties is not
dependent on the size of the sample?
A
B
C
D
Mass
Weight
Volume
Physical state
39.
39.
40.
Aluminum Foil
40.
Aluminum Foil
41. Which of the following is a good example of
an insulator?
A
B
C
D
A metal marshmallow roasting stick
Bare feet on a hot sidewalk
Rubber coating on a piece of wire
A large cast-iron skillet
41. Which of the following is a good example of
an insulator?
A
B
C
D
A metal marshmallow roasting stick
Bare feet on a hot sidewalk
Rubber coating on a piece of wire
A large cast-iron skillet
42. Matter is often classified based on its physical
properties. Which list of physical properties
correctly identifies a penny?
A Liquid, conducts heat well, does not conduct
electricity, is magnetic
B Solid, conducts heat and electricity well, is not
magnetic, is a type of metal
C Liquid, is a type of metal, conducts heat and
electricity well, is magnetic
D Solid, conducts heat well, does not conduct
electricity, is not magnetic
42. Matter is often classified based on its physical
properties. Which list of physical properties
correctly identifies a penny?
A Liquid, conducts heat well, does not conduct
electricity, is magnetic
B Solid, conducts heat and electricity well, is not
magnetic, is a type of metal
C Liquid, is a type of metal, conducts heat and
electricity well, is magnetic
D Solid, conducts heat well, does not conduct
electricity, is not magnetic
43. Baking soda and vinegar were mixed
together in a clear test tube. The mixture
foamed up creating carbon dioxide. What
state of matter is carbon dioxide?
A
B
C
D
Gas
Liquid
Solid
Plasma
43. Baking soda and vinegar were mixed
together in a clear test tube. The mixture
foamed up creating carbon dioxide. What
state of matter is carbon dioxide?
A
B
C
D
Gas
Liquid
Solid
Plasma
44. Solids, liquids and gasses have different
properties. Which of the following types of
matter will change to match the shape of
their container?
A
B
C
D
Gases only
Liquids and gases
Solids and liquids
Solids only
44. Solids, liquids and gasses have different
properties. Which of the following types of
matter will change to match the shape of
their container?
A
B
C
D
Gases only
Liquids and gases
Solids and liquids
Solids only
45. Which set of objects below will be
attracted to a magnet?
A
B
C
D
Paper bag, strip of cloth, glass bead
Rubber ball, plastic toy, brass pin
Piece of wood, dirt, copper penny
Iron nail, metal paper clip, steel safety pin
45. Which set of objects below will be
attracted to a magnet?
A
B
C
D
Paper bag, strip of cloth, glass bead
Rubber ball, plastic toy, brass pin
Piece of wood, dirt, copper penny
Iron nail, metal paper clip, steel safety pin
46. Which of the following is a solid?
A
B
C
D
Gasoline
Corn starch
Helium
Oxygen
46. Which of the following is a solid?
A
B
C
D
Gasoline
Corn starch
Helium
Oxygen
47. Matter is classified by its physical
properties. Which of the following is NOT a
physical property of matter?
A
B
C
D
Force
Taste
Color
State
47. Matter is classified by its physical
properties. Which of the following is NOT a
physical property of matter?
A
B
C
D
Force
Taste
Color
State
48. The following are all characteristics of a
liquid EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
a liquid has a definite volume
a liquid takes the shape of its container
a liquid has a definite shape
a liquid can usually be poured
48. The following are all characteristics of a
liquid EXCEPT—
A
B
C
D
a liquid has a definite volume
a liquid takes the shape of its container
a liquid has a definite shape
a liquid can usually be poured
49. When food is cooked in a glass pan in an
oven, the food and the pan both become
very hot. What property of matter does
the hot pan illustrate?
A
B
C
D
Conduction
Insulation
Transportation
Sensation
49. When food is cooked in a glass pan in an
oven, the food and the pan both become
very hot. What property of matter does
the hot pan illustrate?
A
B
C
D
Conduction
Insulation
Transportation
Sensation
50. In many hotels, the walls between the
rooms contain sound-proofing materials so
that hotel guests can sleep better at night.
What property of matter does sound-proofing
illustrate?
A
B
C
D
Conduction
Insulation
Transportation
Sensation
50. In many hotels, the walls between the
rooms contain sound-proofing materials so
that hotel guests can sleep better at night.
What property of matter does sound-proofing
illustrate?
A
B
C
D
Conduction
Insulation
Transportation
Sensation
51. What happens to the particles in a liquid
when it is heated? The particles—
A
B
C
D
move slower
stop moving
move faster
move in a circle
51. What happens to the particles in a liquid
when it is heated? The particles—
A
B
C
D
move slower
stop moving
move faster
move in a circle
52. Which of the following is an example of heat
transfer by conduction?
A A whole metal spoon getting hot when one end is
in hot soup
B The inside of a car in the sun getting very hot
C A tar road getting hotter in the sun than a
concrete sidewalk
D A fireplace fire heating a room on a cold day
52. Which of the following is an example of heat
transfer by conduction?
A A whole metal spoon getting hot when one end is
in hot soup
B The inside of a car in the sun getting very hot
C A tar road getting hotter in the sun than a
concrete sidewalk
D A fireplace fire heating a room on a cold day
53. Which of the following is a property of
CO2 gas?
A
B
C
D
It feels like a rock.
It smells like a lemon.
It is colorless.
It is hard.
53. Which of the following is a property of
CO2 gas?
A
B
C
D
It feels like a rock.
It smells like a lemon.
It is colorless.
It is hard.
54. A metal spoon was left in a pot of boiling soup.
A cook burned a finger by touching the spoon. Why
did the finger get burned?
A The metal spoon chemically reacted with the
cook’s hand.
B The metal spoon conducted electricity to the
cook’s hand.
C The metal spoon conducted heat to the cook’s
hand.
D The metal spoon insulated the cook’s hand.
54. A metal spoon was left in a pot of boiling soup.
A cook burned a finger by touching the spoon. Why
did the finger get burned?
A The metal spoon chemically reacted with the
cook’s hand.
B The metal spoon conducted electricity to the
cook’s hand.
C The metal spoon conducted heat to the cook’s
hand.
D The metal spoon insulated the cook’s hand.
55. A class placed a metal spoon and a
wooden spoon into a glass of hot water. They
waited five minutes and touched the spoon
handles. What MOST LIKELY happened to the
spoon handles?
A
B
C
D
The wooden spoon became hotter.
The metal spoon changed color.
The wooden spoon changed shape.
The metal spoon became hotter.
55. A class placed a metal spoon and a
wooden spoon into a glass of hot water. They
waited five minutes and touched the spoon
handles. What MOST LIKELY happened to the
spoon handles?
A
B
C
D
The wooden spoon became hotter.
The metal spoon changed color.
The wooden spoon changed shape.
The metal spoon became hotter.
56.
56.
57. A question on the fifth grade
homework assignment asked students to
explain why air is matter. Which of the
following statements correctly answers the
question?
A
B
C
D
Air is invisible.
Air is needed for breathing.
Air takes up space and has mass.
Air takes the shape of its container.
57. A question on the fifth grade
homework assignment asked students to
explain why air is matter. Which of the
following statements correctly answers the
question?
A
B
C
D
Air is invisible.
Air is needed for breathing.
Air takes up space and has mass.
Air takes the shape of its container.
58.
58.
59. A student made toast for breakfast and the
bread got stuck in the toaster. What is most
important for the student to do before using a metal
fork to pull the bread out of the toaster?
A
B
C
D
Wash her hands.
Turn the toaster upside down.
Unplug the toaster from the outlet.
Wait for the toast to get cooler.
59. A student made toast for breakfast and the
bread got stuck in the toaster. What is most
important for the student to do before using a metal
fork to pull the bread out of the toaster?
A
B
C
D
Wash her hands.
Turn the toaster upside down.
Unplug the toaster from the outlet.
Wait for the toast to get cooler.
60. Which object below will be attracted to a
magnet?
A
B
C
D
Plastic ruler
Aluminum foil
Copper penny
Iron nail
60. Which object below will be attracted to a
magnet?
A
B
C
D
Plastic ruler
Aluminum foil
Copper penny
Iron nail