Physical Boot Camp
5.5D
Identify changes that can occur in the physical
properties of the ingredients of solutions such
as dissolving salt in water or adding lemon juice
to water.
STAAR 2013 #40; RC1; Supporting
1. A worker built a sidewalk and pressed some large salt particles
into the concrete while it was still wet. When the concrete was dry,
the worker washed the sidewalk with the water. The picture below
shoes the sidewalk after it was washed:
What most likely happened to the salt?
F. It evaporated into a gas
G. It turned into concrete
H. It dissolved in the water
J. It turned into a solid
STAAR 2013 #40; RC1; Supporting
1. A worker built a sidewalk and pressed some large salt particles
into the concrete while it was still wet. When the concrete was dry,
the worker washed the sidewalk with the water. The picture below
shoes the sidewalk after it was washed:
What most likely happened to the salt?
F. It evaporated into a gas
G. It turned into concrete
H. It dissolved in the water
J. It turned into a solid
2004 TAKS Information Booklet, #10
2. A student places a sugar cube in a beaker of
water. What change will occur?
A
B
C
D
The sugar cube will not change.
More water will be formed.
The sugar cube will become smaller.
The water will form crystals.
2004 TAKS Information Booklet, #10
2. A student places a sugar cube in a beaker of
water. What change will occur?
A
B
C
D
The sugar cube will not change.
More water will be formed.
The sugar cube will become smaller.
The water will form crystals.
3.
3.
TAKS Study Guide, #34
4. River water is a solution because it —
A
B
C
D
is a liquid, which has no definite shape
contains dissolved minerals and salts
carries sand, clay, and other sediment
is a compound made up of two elements
TAKS Study Guide, #34
4. River water is a solution because it —
A
B
C
D
is a liquid, which has no definite shape
contains dissolved minerals and salts
carries sand, clay, and other sediment
is a compound made up of two elements
5.
5.
6.
6.
2006—#27 (86%)
7. A teaspoon of clean, dry sand is added to a cup of
warm saltwater. What is most likely to happen after
the mixture is stirred and then placed on a table for
five minutes?
A
B
C
D
The amount of water will increase.
The salt will float to the top.
The sand will settle to the bottom.
The cup will heat up.
2006—#27 (86%)
7. A teaspoon of clean, dry sand is added to a cup of
warm saltwater. What is most likely to happen after
the mixture is stirred and then placed on a table for
five minutes?
A
B
C
D
The amount of water will increase.
The salt will float to the top.
The sand will settle to the bottom.
The cup will heat up.
2009—#9 (89%)
8. Which process will separate the sugar from
mixture of sugar and water?
A
B
C
D
Stirring the mixture
Evaporating the water
Adding more water
Adding more sugar
2009—#9 (89%)
8. Which process will separate the sugar from
mixture of sugar and water?
A
B
C
D
Stirring the mixture
Evaporating the water
Adding more water
Adding more sugar
2010—#1
9. Which of the following is the best evidence
that sugar has dissolved in water?
A
B
C
D
The sugar seems to disappear in the water.
The water temperature increases.
Some sugar turns into crystals.
Some bubbles form in the water.
2010—#1
9. Which of the following is the best evidence
that sugar has dissolved in water?
A
B
C
D
The sugar seems to disappear in the water.
The water temperature increases.
Some sugar turns into crystals.
Some bubbles form in the water.
10.
10.
11. If purple drink mix is added to water, what
change will occur to the water?
A
B
C
D
The drink mix will cause the water to freeze.
The water will totally disappear.
The drink mix will heat the water.
The water will change color.
11. If purple drink mix is added to water, what
change will occur to the water?
A
B
C
D
The drink mix will cause the water to freeze.
The water will totally disappear.
The drink mix will heat the water.
The water will change color.
12. A science class mixed a white powder and
a clear liquid together in a test tube. The
mixture foamed up and flowed over the top
of the test tube. What are the two substances
MOST likely to be?
A
B
C
D
salt and water
Salt and vinegar
Baking soda and water
Baking soda and vinegar
12. A science class mixed a white powder and
a clear liquid together in a test tube. The
mixture foamed up and flowed over the top
of the test tube. What are the two substances
MOST likely to be?
A
B
C
D
salt and water
Salt and vinegar
Baking soda and water
Baking soda and vinegar
13.
13.
14. When sugar seems to disappear in
water, it really—
A
B
C
D
dissolves
condenses
evaporates
precipitates
14. When sugar seems to disappear in
water, it really—
A
B
C
D
dissolves
condenses
evaporates
precipitates
15. A tablespoon of sugar is poured into a
beaker of warm water and stirred briefly.
What change will occur?
A
B
C
D
The sugar will soak up the water.
The water will change colors.
The sugar will sink to the bottom.
The sugar will dissolve in the water.
15. A tablespoon of sugar is poured into a
beaker of warm water and stirred briefly.
What change will occur?
A
B
C
D
The sugar will soak up the water.
The water will change colors.
The sugar will sink to the bottom.
The sugar will dissolve in the water.
16. Which of the following is the best
example of the process of dissolving?
A
B
C
D
Mixing chocolate powder in a glass of milk
Pouring sand into a beaker of warm water
Shaking a bottle of Italian salad dressing
Pouring milk into a cup of hot coffee
16. Which of the following is the best
example of the process of dissolving?
A
B
C
D
Mixing chocolate powder in a glass of milk
Pouring sand into a beaker of warm water
Shaking a bottle of Italian salad dressing
Pouring milk into a cup of hot coffee
17. What happens to sugar particles as they dissolve in
water?
A The hot water changes the sugar into a new kind of water.
B The sugar particles melt very quickly in the hot water.
C The sugar particles spread out and fill in spaces in the
water.
D The sugar particles are changed into a different kind of
matter.
17. What happens to sugar particles as they dissolve in
water?
A The hot water changes the sugar into a new kind of water.
B The sugar particles melt very quickly in the hot water.
C The sugar particles spread out and fill in spaces in the
water.
D The sugar particles are changed into a different kind of
matter.
18. Which mixture below is also a solution?
A
B
C
D
Water and hot chocolate mix
Soil and rocks
Trail mix
Tossed salad (no dressing)
18. Which mixture below is also a solution?
A
B
C
D
Water and hot chocolate mix
Soil and rocks
Trail mix
Tossed salad (no dressing)
19. What property of chocolate powder does
not change when it dissolves in milk?
A
B
C
D
Shape
Size
Texture
Taste
19. What property of chocolate powder does
not change when it dissolves in milk?
A
B
C
D
Shape
Size
Texture
Taste
20. When one teaspoon of sugar is mixed into 40
mL of very hot water, what will probably happen to
the sugar?
A The sugar will dissolve into the water.
B The sugar will float on top of the water.
C The sugar will float away with the steam from
the water.
D The sugar and the water will settle into layers.
20. When one teaspoon of sugar is mixed into 40
mL of very hot water, what will probably happen to
the sugar?
A The sugar will dissolve into the water.
B The sugar will float on top of the water.
C The sugar will float away with the steam from
the water.
D The sugar and the water will settle into layers.
21.
21.
22. A suspension is a special kind of mixture. In a
suspension, particles of a solid are suspended in a
liquid and will not dissolve. The particles are large
enough to be seen and the suspension appears
cloudy. If the particles settle to the bottom, shaking
and stirring will suspend the particles again. Which
of the following is a suspension?
A
B
C
D
Kool-Aid® mixed with water
Spices in vinegar and oil (salad dressing)
Chocolate powder stirred into a glass of milk
Milk stirred into a cup of hot coffee
22. A suspension is a special kind of mixture. In a
suspension, particles of a solid are suspended in a
liquid and will not dissolve. The particles are large
enough to be seen and the suspension appears
cloudy. If the particles settle to the bottom, shaking
and stirring will suspend the particles again. Which
of the following is a suspension?
A
B
C
D
Kool-Aid® mixed with water
Spices in vinegar and oil (salad dressing)
Chocolate powder stirred into a glass of milk
Milk stirred into a cup of hot coffee
23. When the ingredients for a chocolate cake
are being mixed, the cake batter is like a thick,
brown soup. Which physical property of the
cake is the SAME after the batter is baked?
A
B
C
D
Color
Size
Shape
Texture
23. When the ingredients for a chocolate cake
are being mixed, the cake batter is like a thick,
brown soup. Which physical property of the
cake is the SAME after the batter is baked?
A
B
C
D
Color
Size
Shape
Texture
24. Large deposits of salt are often found in deserts.
For this salt to be usable, it must be separated from
sand. If an engineer were designing a process to
separate salt from sand, which of these differences
would be the MOST useful?
A Salt and sand are different colors.
B Salt dissolves in water, but sand does not.
C Grains of sand are harder than grains of salt.
D Grains of salt and grains of sand have different
shapes.
24. Large deposits of salt are often found in deserts.
For this salt to be usable, it must be separated from
sand. If an engineer were designing a process to
separate salt from sand, which of these differences
would be the MOST useful?
A Salt and sand are different colors.
B Salt dissolves in water, but sand does not.
C Grains of sand are harder than grains of salt.
D Grains of salt and grains of sand have different
shapes.
25. What process results from the spreading of
sugar particles throughout water?
A
B
C
D
Mixing
Melting
Dissolving
Distributing
25. What process results from the spreading of
sugar particles throughout water?
A
B
C
D
Mixing
Melting
Dissolving
Distributing
26.
26.
27. Which property of a solution below is the
same as the properties of its ingredients?
A
B
C
D
Sugar water tastes sweet.
Saltwater tastes salty.
Sugar water is a liquid.
Air is a gas.
27. Which property of a solution below is the
same as the properties of its ingredients?
A
B
C
D
Sugar water tastes sweet.
Saltwater tastes salty.
Sugar water is a liquid.
Air is a gas.
28. Which property of a sugar cube does not
change when it dissolves?
A
B
C
D
Color
Taste
Shape
Texture
28. Which property of a sugar cube does not
change when it dissolves?
A
B
C
D
Color
Taste
Shape
Texture
29. A student places a cube of sugar in a cup of hot
tea and stirs the tea with a spoon. What change
will occur?
A
B
C
D
The tea will change temperature and get hotter.
The sugar cube will dissolve and get smaller.
The sugar cube and the tea will not change.
The tea will dissolve in the sugar cube.
29. A student places a cube of sugar in a cup of hot
tea and stirs the tea with a spoon. What change
will occur?
A
B
C
D
The tea will change temperature and get hotter.
The sugar cube will dissolve and get smaller.
The sugar cube and the tea will not change.
The tea will dissolve in the sugar cube.
30.
30.
31.
31.
32.
32.
33. A student mixed together 100 mL of warm
water, 10 mL of salt, and 10 mL of paper clips in
a large beaker. He left the beaker sitting on the
table for next to a window for 2 weeks. What
was left in the beaker after the two weeks?
A
B
C
D
Only the salt
Some water and the salt
The salt and the paper clips
Some water and the paper clips
33. A student mixed together 100 mL of warm
water, 10 mL of salt, and 10 mL of paper clips in
a large beaker. He left the beaker sitting on the
table for next to a window for 2 weeks. What
was left in the beaker after the two weeks?
A
B
C
D
Only the salt
Some water and the salt
The salt and the paper clips
Some water and the paper clips
34. When 5 grams of salt is added to 100 mL of
water, which of the following changes will
occur?
A
B
C
D
The salt will float.
The water will crystallize.
The salt will dissolve.
The water will freeze.
34. When 5 grams of salt is added to 100 mL of
water, which of the following changes will
occur?
A
B
C
D
The salt will float.
The water will crystallize.
The salt will dissolve.
The water will freeze.
35. Which statement BEST describes what happens if
Jonathan stirs a spoonful of sand and a spoonful of
sugar into a tall glass of warm water?
A The sugar will dissolve, but the sand will not.
B Some of the sand and some of the sugar will
dissolve.
C All of the sand and all of the sugar will dissolve.
D None of the sugar and none of the sand will
dissolve.
35. Which statement BEST describes what happens if
Jonathan stirs a spoonful of sand and a spoonful of
sugar into a tall glass of warm water?
A The sugar will dissolve, but the sand will not.
B Some of the sand and some of the sugar will
dissolve.
C All of the sand and all of the sugar will dissolve.
D None of the sugar and none of the sand will
dissolve.
M.S. ?’s
36. Which statement about solutions is correct?
A. All solutions contain more than two
substances.
B. A solution can only be created from liquids.
C. All mixtures are solutions.
D. All solutions are mixtures.
36. Which statement about solutions is correct?
A. All solutions contain more than two
substances. (2 or more)
B. A solution can only be created from liquids.
C. All mixtures are solutions.
D. All solutions are mixtures.
37. Students were preparing an experiment to
determine the differences between a mixture
and a solution. Before the experiment started,
one student said, “I think the chicken broth is a
solution.” This statement was an example of—
A. a conclusion
B. an observation
C. an inference
D. a hypothesis
37. Students were preparing an experiment to
determine the differences between a mixture
and a solution. Before the experiment started,
one student said, “I think the chicken broth is a
solution.” This statement was an example of—
A. a conclusion
B. an observation
C. an inference
D. a hypothesis
38. Salt crystals + water = solution. What
happened to the salt and water?
A. They combined physically to form a special
mixture.
B. The salt and water evaporated.
C. The salt and water separated, forming layers.
D. The salt melted the water.
38. Salt crystals + water = solution. What
happened to the salt and water?
A. They combined physically to form a special
mixture.
B. The salt and water evaporated.
C. The salt and water separated, forming layers.
D. The salt melted the water.
39. A student dissolves 20 grams of salt in a pan of
200 milliliters of water. The student places the pan
over a hot stove. How much salt is left after all the
water evaporates?
A. There is no salt left because it evaporated with the
water.
B. 20 grams of salt is left after all the water
evaporates.
C. 10 grams of salt evaporates, leaving 10 grams in
the pan.
D. Neither the salt nor the water evaporates.
39. A student dissolves 20 grams of salt in a pan of
200 milliliters of water. The student places the pan
over a hot stove. How much salt is left after all the
water evaporates?
A. There is no salt left because it evaporated with the
water.
B. 20 grams of salt is left after all the water
evaporates.
C. 10 grams of salt evaporates, leaving 10 grams in
the pan.
D. Neither the salt nor the water evaporates.
40. A student makes a drink stirring lemon juice
and sugar into a glass of water. Why is this
drink considered a solution?
A. The lemon juice and sugar change the taste of
the water.
B. The water changes the color.
C. The lemon juice and sugar dissolve in the
water.
D. The student stirs the mixture.
40. A student makes a drink stirring lemon juice
and sugar into a glass of water. Why is this
drink considered a solution?
A. The lemon juice and sugar change the taste of
the water.
B. The water changes the color.
C. The lemon juice and sugar dissolve in the
water.
D. The student stirs the mixture.
41. A beaker contains a mixture of salt, sand,
gravel, and iron fillings. Which substance is
soluble in water?
A. salt
B. sand
C. iron fillings
D. gravel
41. A beaker contains a mixture of salt, sand,
gravel, and iron fillings. Which substance is
soluble in water?
A. salt
B. sand
C. iron fillings
D. gravel
42. What causes sugar to dissolve faster in hot water
than in cold water?
A. Cold water takes up less space than hot water.
B. Cold water has faster moving particles than hot
water.
C. Hot water has faster moving particles than cold
water.
D. Hot water takes up more space than cold water.
42. What causes sugar to dissolve faster in hot water
than in cold water?
A. Cold water takes up less space than hot water.
B. Cold water has faster moving particles than hot
water.
C. Hot water has faster moving particles than cold
water.
D. Hot water takes up more space than cold water.
43. Which of the following has the greatest
effect on the ability of a substance to dissolve
in water?
A. color
B. volume
C. buoyancy
D. solubility
43. Which of the following has the greatest
effect on the ability of a substance to dissolve
in water?
A. color
B. volume
C. buoyancy
D. solubility
44. Students are classifying substances. Which
of the following substances is a solution?
A. sand and water
B. sugar and water
C. spaghetti and meatballs
D. soil and water
44. Students are classifying substances. Which
of the following substances is a solution?
A. sand and water
B. sugar and water
C. spaghetti and meatballs
D. soil and water
45. During an experiment in class, several students
made statements about solutions. Which statement
made is NOT true?
A. When sugar dissolves in water, the sugar is evenly
distributed throughout the solution.
B. Solutions can be classified as mixtures.
C. Heating the water first causes salt to dissolve
quicker.
D. When salt is dissolved in water, parts of the
solution taste saltier than others.
45. During an experiment in class, several students
made statements about solutions. Which statement
made is NOT true?
A. When sugar dissolves in water, the sugar is evenly
distributed throughout the solution.
B. Solutions can be classified as mixtures.
C. Heating the water first causes salt to dissolve
quicker.
D. When salt is dissolved in water, parts of the
solution taste saltier than others.
46. Students experimented with different substances to
determine which were soluble. The ingredients included lemon
juice, sand, salt, and sugar. After repeated tests of each
substance, the students concluded all of the following have the
ability to dissolve EXCEPT—
A. lemon juice
B. sand
C. salt
D. sugar
46. Students experimented with different substances to
determine which were soluble. The ingredients included lemon
juice, sand, salt, and sugar. After repeated tests of each
substance, the students concluded all of the following have the
ability to dissolve EXCEPT—
A. lemon juice
B. sand
C. salt
D. sugar
47. Which of the following pieces of equipment should be used
to separate saltwater?
A. hot plate
B. magnet
C. pan balance
D. filter
47. Which of the following pieces of equipment should be used
to separate saltwater?
A. hot plate (to evaporate)
B. magnet
C. pan balance
D. filter
48. Based on the information in the table, which substances
could be sugar?
A. 1 & 2
B. 2 & 4
C. 1 & 3
D. 2 & 3
Substance
Physical Properties
Soluble?
1
Solid, sweet, grainy
Yes
2
Solid, grainy, mineral
No
3
Solid, white, grainy
Yes
4
Liquid, sour, colorless
Yes
48. Based on the information in the table, which substances
could be sugar?
A. 1 & 2
B. 2 & 4
C. 1 & 3
D. 2 & 3
Substance
Physical Properties
Soluble?
1
Solid, sweet, grainy
Yes
2
Solid, grainy, mineral
No
3
Solid, white, grainy
Yes
4
Liquid, sour, colorless
Yes
49. What is one advantage of using repeated investigations to
determine the solubility of lemon juice, sand, salt, and sugar?
A. To decrease the reliability of results.
B. To increase the reliability of results.
C. To organize collection of data.
D. To formulate testable hypotheses.
49. What is one advantage of using repeated investigations to
determine the solubility of lemon juice, sand, salt, and sugar?
A. To decrease the reliability of results.
B. To increase the reliability of results.
C. To organize collection of data.
D. To formulate testable hypotheses.
50. After creating a solution of sugar water, students were
instructed to clean their work areas and dispose of all materials
properly. Which student made the best choice in disposing of a
solution?
A. Student A threw the solution in the trash can.
B. Student B drank the solution.
C. Student C poured the solution down the drain and rinsed the
sink.
D. Student D left the solution and materials on the table.
50. After creating a solution of sugar water, students were
instructed to clean their work areas and dispose of all materials
properly. Which student made the best choice in disposing of a
solution?
A. Student A threw the solution in the trash can.
B. Student B drank the solution.
C. Student C poured the solution down the drain and rinsed the
sink.
D. Student D left the solution and materials on the table.
51. In science class, students are combining materials to create
solutions. In one experiment students add 250 milliliters of hot
water to 25 milliliters sugar and record the time it takes the
sugar to dissolve. Then, they add 250 milliliters room
temperature water to 25 milliliters sugar and record the time it
takes to dissolve. What is the variable in this experiment?
A. the amount of sugar used
B. the amount of water used
C. the temperature of the water
D. the time of day the students are performing the experiment
51. In science class, students are combining materials to create
solutions. In one experiment students add 250 milliliters of hot
water to 25 milliliters sugar and record the time it takes the
sugar to dissolve. Then, they add 250 milliliters room
temperature water to 25 milliliters sugar and record the time it
takes to dissolve. What is the variable in this experiment?
A. the amount of sugar used
B. the amount of water used
C. the temperature of the water
D. the time of day the students are performing the experiment
52. Students are mixing an unknown solution. The teacher
told them to follow lab safety rules. The following practices
should be observed EXCEPT—
A. tasting the solution
B. wafting the air to smell the solution
C. mixing the ingredients as directed by the teacher
D. wearing protective equipment
52. Students are mixing an unknown solution. The teacher
told them to follow lab safety rules. The following practices
should be observed EXCEPT—
A. tasting the solution
B. wafting the air to smell the solution
C. mixing the ingredients as directed by the teacher
D. wearing protective equipment
53. In an experiment, sand and sugar are mixed together in equal parts:
Hypothesis: The sand cannot be separated from the sugar.
Procedure: Pour mixture into a beaker. Add water to dissolve sugar. Filter
mixture to remove sand. Evaporate the remaining liquid. Observe the
remaining substance using a microscope.
Observation: The substance observed under the microscope is sugar.
Which conclusion can be made based on the information from the
experiment?
A. The hypothesis was proven correct because the sugar was not visible under
the microscope.
B. The hypothesis was proven incorrect because the sand and sugar mixture
was separated by filter and evaporation.
C. They hypothesis was proven correct because the sand and sugar mixture
could not be separated.
D. The hypothesis was proven incorrect because the sugar was dissolved in
the water.
53. In an experiment, sand and sugar are mixed together in equal parts:
Hypothesis: The sand cannot be separated from the sugar.
Procedure: Pour mixture into a beaker. Add water to dissolve sugar. Filter
mixture to remove sand. Evaporate the remaining liquid. Observe the
remaining substance using a microscope.
Observation: The substance observed under the microscope is sugar.
Which conclusion can be made based on the information from the
experiment?
A. The hypothesis was proven correct because the sugar was not visible under
the microscope.
B. The hypothesis was proven incorrect because the sand and sugar mixture
was separated by filter and evaporation.
C. They hypothesis was proven correct because the sand and sugar mixture
could not be separated.
D. The hypothesis was proven incorrect because the sugar was dissolved in
the water.