Multiple-Choice Items:

1. Which object is a good insulator?

A	Copper wire
B	Silver fork
C	Metal paper clip
D	Rubber eraser

2. How do you know when the needle of a compass is pointing north?

A	The compass heats up.
B	The needle begins to vibrate.
C	The colored end points to the north.
D	The compass clicks when it is ready.

3. How can you change a paper clip into a magnet?

A	Rub it against another paper clip.
B	Touch it with a permanent magnet.
C	Heat it and then freeze it.
D	Touch the end of it to a battery.

4. How does an electric motor operate?

A	Uses wind energy to generate electricity
B	Uses magnetic force to create motion
C	Uses solar energy to generate electricity
D	Uses electrical energy to create magnetic force

5. Which part(s) of the circuit below is the source of the electrical current?

 

Source: www.eia.doe.gov/energyexplained/images/battery2_small.jpg

 

A	Both of the wires
B	The battery
C	The light bulb
D	One of the wires

6. What happens if you increase the resistance in an electrical circuit?

A	The voltage increases.
B	The voltage decreases.
C	The current increases.
D	The current decreases.

7. If a toaster produces 12 ohms of resistance in a 120-volt circuit, what is the amount of current in the circuit? Use the Ohm’s law equation to solve the problem.

A	0.1 amps
B	10 amps
C	132 amps
D	1440 amps

8. How do we transform the energy stored in coal into electrical energy?

A	We burn the coal and use the heat energy.
B	We break the coal into smaller pieces.
C	We use the magnetic force of the coal.
D	We make batteries out of the coal.

9. Where do we get natural gas?

A	From the ocean tides
B	From the wind
C	From the remains of dead organisms
D	From water moving through a dam

10. Which is a renewable energy source?

A	Petroleum
B	Coal
C	Natural gas
D	Solar

 

 

 

Multiple-Choice Answer Key:

1. D	2. C	3. B	4. B	5. B
6. D	7. B	8. A	9. C	10. D

 

 

 

Short-answer Items:

11. Explain why the wires in a home are covered with plastic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12. Write each of the sources of energy from the box in the chart under its corresponding column, either Renewable Resources or Nonrenewable Resources. Under the chart, define “renewable” and “nonrenewable” in your own words.

coal

natural gas

petroleum

hydropower

solar

wind

 

Renewable Resources	Nonrenewable Resources

Definitions:

Renewable resource = _____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Nonrenewable resource = __________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

 

 

Short-answer key and Scoring Rubrics:

11. Explain why the wires in a home are covered with plastic.

Points	Description
2	The student explains that plastic is an insulator. describes insulators as materials that do not conduct electricity. explains that electricity flows through wires in the home, and the plastic protects us from getting shocked.
1	The student explains that plastic is an insulator. does not describe what insulators are. explains that plastic protects us.
0	The student demonstrates lack of understanding or does not attempt to complete the assessment.

 

 

 

12. Write each of the sources of energy from the box in the chart under its corresponding column, either Renewable Resources or Nonrenewable Resources. Under the chart, define “renewable” and “nonrenewable” in your own words.

Renewable	Nonrenewable
Solar	Petroleum
Wind	Coal
Hydropower	Natural gas

Definitions:

Renewable resource = A natural resource is a renewable resource if it is replaced by natural processes at a rate comparable to or faster than its rate of consumption by humans.

Nonrenewable resource = A nonrenewable resource is a natural resource which cannot be produced, grown, generated, or used on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate.

 

Points	Description
2	The student: correctly identifies all of the renewable and nonrenewable resources (see above). writes a clear and appropriate definition for “renewable” AND “nonrenewable.”
1	The student: correctly identifies most of the renewable and nonrenewable resources. writes a clear and appropriate definition for “renewable” OR “nonrenewable.”
0	The student demonstrates lack of understanding or does not attempt to complete the assessment.

 

 

 

Performance Assessment:

This performance assessment has three parts:

Part 1. Build an electrical circuit.

Part 2. Explain the relationships between current, voltage, and resistance in the circuit.

Part 3. Relate the use of conductors and insulators in the circuit.

Give each student a copy of the Performance Assessment Worksheet (S-6-6_Performance Assessment Worksheet and KEY.docx).

 

Part 1: Build an Electrical Circuit

Materials:

• Performance Assessment Worksheet (S-6-6_Performance Assessment Worksheet and KEY.docx)
  • small light bulb
  • C- or D-cell battery
  • two six-inch insulated copper wires with 1/2 inch of the ends stripped

Provide students with the above materials. Have them build a circuit to make the light bulb light up. Give them 5 minutes to do so successfully. Then have them draw a sketch of the circuit on the worksheet.

 

Part 2: Explain the Relationships between Current, Voltage, and Resistance

Have students answer questions 1–3 on the worksheet.

 

Part 3: Relate the Use of Conductors and Insulators in the Circuit

Have students answer questions 4–5 on the worksheet to describe how insulators and conductors work in circuits.

 

 

Performance Assessment Scoring Rubric:

Points	Description
5	The student completes all five of the requirements: Successfully builds a simple electrical circuit (the light bulb lights up). Correctly draws a sketch of the electrical circuit. Relates the concepts of current, resistance, and voltage to the design of the circuit. Describes the relationship between current, resistance, and voltage in a circuit. Describes the use of conductors and insulators in the circuit.
4	The student completes four of the requirements.
3	The student completes three of the requirements.
2	The student completes two of the requirements.
1	The student completes one of the requirements.
0	The student demonstrates lack of understanding or does not attempt to complete the assessment.