Primary 4 Science Matter Quiz

Primary 4 Science Quiz - Matter (Answer Key)

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. (4)

• Reasoning: Solids, liquids, and gases are the three states of matter. Energy (such as light, heat, or sound) is not matter because it does not have mass or occupy space.

2. (3)

• Reasoning: Ice is a solid. Solids have a definite shape and a definite volume. Oxygen is a gas, water is a liquid, and steam is a gas.

3. (1)

• Reasoning: Volume of stone = Final volume - Initial volume. $75 \text{ ml} - 50 \text{ ml} = 25 \text{ ml}$.

4. (2)

• Reasoning: Inflating a balloon means filling it with air. Since the balloon expands, it shows that the air inside occupies space.

5. (3)

• Reasoning: Liquids do not have a definite shape; they take the shape of the container they are in. However, they have a definite volume (the amount of liquid stays the same).

6. (3)

• Reasoning: Gases have no definite shape and no definite volume. They expand to fill the container. Because there is a lot of empty space between gas particles, they can be compressed easily.

7. (2)

• Reasoning: A sponge contains many holes filled with air. When squeezed, the air escapes, allowing the sponge material to move closer together. However, the solid material of the sponge itself still occupies space and has mass. It does not disappear.

8. (4)

• Reasoning: Smoke consists of tiny solid particles and gases suspended in the air. It has mass and occupies space. Light, sound, and heat are forms of energy, not matter.

9. (1)

• Reasoning: The scale tips towards Ball Y, meaning Ball Y is heavier. Since both balls are made of the same rubber, the extra weight comes from the air inside Ball Y. This proves that air has mass.

10. (2)

• Reasoning: In solids, particles are packed closely together in a regular pattern. They cannot move freely but vibrate in fixed positions.

Section B: Open-Ended Questions

11. (a) Liquid

• Reasoning: Substance B has no definite shape (takes shape of container) but has a definite volume. This describes a liquid.

(b) Air / Oxygen / Carbon Dioxide (Any common gas)

• Reasoning: Substance C has no definite shape, no definite volume, and can be compressed. This describes a gas. Air is the most common gas in a classroom.

(c) The particles in a solid are packed very closely together with little to no space between them. Therefore, they cannot be pushed closer together.

• Marking Note: Must mention "particles are closely packed" or "no space between particles."

12. (a) 15 ml

• Reasoning: $55 \text{ ml} - 40 \text{ ml} = 15 \text{ ml}$.

(b) 5 ml

• Reasoning: Total volume of 3 marbles is 15 ml. Volume of one marble = $15 \text{ ml} / 3 = 5 \text{ ml}$.

(c) If the marbles are not fully submerged, the water level will not rise by the full volume of the marbles, leading to an incorrect measurement.

• Reasoning: The displacement method only measures the volume of the part of the object that is under the water.

13. (a) The volume of the air decreases.

• Reasoning: Pushing the plunger reduces the space available for the air.

(b) Air is a gas and can be compressed because there is space between its particles. Water is a liquid and cannot be compressed because its particles are already close together with little space between them.

• Marking Note: 1 mark for stating air/gas can be compressed, 1 mark for stating water/liquid cannot be compressed due to particle arrangement.

14. (a) Box Z

• Reasoning: Box Z shows particles far apart and scattered, which is characteristic of a gas.

(b) The particles can slide past one another.

• Reasoning: Box Y represents a liquid. Liquid particles are close but not fixed, allowing them to flow.

(c) Melting

• Reasoning: Changing from a solid (Box X) to a liquid (Box Y) by heating is called melting.

15. (a) No, the student is incorrect.

• Reasoning: Matter is defined by having mass and occupying space, not by being visible. Many forms of matter, like air, are invisible but still exist.

(b) Push an inverted empty glass into a basin of water. The water will not enter the glass completely because the air inside occupies space.

• Alternative Answer: Inflate a balloon. The balloon expands, showing that the air inside occupies space.
• Marking Note: Must describe a valid method showing air occupying space.

16. (a) The stones occupy space. When added to the full glass, they displace the water, causing it to overflow.

• Reasoning: Matter occupies space. Two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time.

(b) No, less water would overflow (or none, depending on sponge absorption).

• Reasoning: Sponges are porous and contain air. When placed in water, the sponge absorbs water into its holes, and the air escapes. The solid material of the sponge occupies less space than the stone of the same size, or the water fills the voids within the sponge rather than overflowing.
• Note for P4: Accept "Sponges have air inside which escapes, so they take up less effective space than solid stones" or "Sponges absorb water." The key concept is that stones are solid/non-porous while sponges are porous.

17. (a)

• Solids: Book, Desk
• Liquids: Milk, Juice
• Gases: Oxygen, Helium

(b) They take the shape of their container.

• Alternative Answer: They have a definite volume.

18. A liquid takes the shape of the container it is in, so it has no definite shape. However, the amount of liquid (volume) remains the same regardless of the container, so it has a definite volume.

• Marking Note: 1 mark for explaining shape aspect, 1 mark for explaining volume aspect.

19. (a) No.

• Reasoning: The balloon is tied, so no air can enter or escape. The amount of matter (air) remains constant.

(b) When air is cooled, the particles move slower and come closer together. This causes the air to contract (take up less space), making the balloon smaller.

• Marking Note: Must mention "particles move slower" or "particles come closer together" and "contract/take up less space."

20. (a) No.

• Reasoning: A shadow is an absence of light. It does not have mass.

(b) No, a shadow is not matter.

• Reasoning: Matter must have mass and occupy space. A shadow has neither mass nor volume; it is just a dark area where light is blocked.