5th Grade Science : Physical Science

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for 5th Grade Science

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Example Questions

Example Question #4 : Energy From Animals' Food

Plants make up most of Earth's organic material. What would happen to plants if there were no Sun?

Possible Answers:

They would just use photosynthesis to keep making their food.

They would get their energy from the water they absorb.

They would begin to eat consumers to get nutrients.

They would die because they would have no source of energy.

Correct answer:

They would die because they would have no source of energy.

Explanation:

Producers rely on the Sun to make the food needed to survive. Through photosynthesis, plants convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into oxygen, sugar, and carbohydrates. Without the Sun, plants would be missing an essential "ingredient" to create their nutrients and would not survive.

Example Question #1 : Energy From Animals' Food

For plants to live and grow, they need an energy source.  Which best describes how plants get the energy they need to live and grow?

Possible Answers:

They get energy from consuming water.

They get energy from consuming the soil.

They get energy from absorbing solar energy.

They get energy by breaking down organisms.

Correct answer:

They get energy from absorbing solar energy.

Explanation:

Plants' nutritional energy comes from the Sun. Plants use chlorophyll to photosynthesize the Sun's energy into plant energy. Through the photosynthesis process, producers, such as grass, absorb the Sun's light energy to produce food (stored sugar and starches). Photosynthesis is how plants convert the Sun's energy into their energy.

Example Question #5 : Model How Energy In Animals' Food Originated From The Sun

A meadow is an ecosystem where snakes and rabbits live. In which order does energy flow through this meadow ecosystem?

Possible Answers:

Grass → Rabbit → Snake → Sun

Grass → Snake → Rabbit → Sun

Sun → Grass → Rabbit → Snake

Sun → Grass → Snake → Rabbit

Correct answer:

Sun → Grass → Rabbit → Snake

Explanation:

The energy in the meadow starts with the Sun. The Sun then provides energy to the grass through the process of photosynthesis. The rabbit eats the grass, and the rabbit absorbs its energy. Finally, the snake eats the rabbit, and it absorbs the rabbit's energy. Energy travels from the Sun and moves through the ecosystem with each consumer along the chain.

Example Question #1 : Model The Energy In Animals' Food

Arcticmarinefoodweb large

Which of the following organisms from the food web receives energy from the sun?

Possible Answers:

lobsters

fish

polar bears

phytoplankton

Correct answer:

phytoplankton

Explanation:

 Through the photosynthesis process, producers, such as grass, absorb the sun's light energy to produce food (stored sugar and starches). Consumers cannot make their own food, so they have to consume other organisms. The food of almost any kind of animal can be traced back to plants and the sun. Organisms are related in food webs in which some animals eat plants for food and other animals eat the animals that eat plants. Some organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, break down dead organisms (both plants or plant parts and animals) and therefore operate as “decomposers.” Decomposition eventually restores (recycles) some materials back to the soil. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their particular needs are met.

Example Question #2 : Model The Energy In Animals' Food

Screen shot 2020 07 01 at 11.04.24 am

Which of the organisms from the image receives the LEAST energy from their food?

Possible Answers:

producer

the sun

consumer 1

consumer 2

Correct answer:

consumer 2

Explanation:

The answer is "consumer 2" because energy is lost as heat as it moves up the food chain.

Through the photosynthesis process, producers, such as grass, absorb the sun's light energy to produce food (stored sugar and starches). Consumers cannot make their own food, so they have to consume other organisms. The food of almost any kind of animal can be traced back to plants and the sun. Organisms are related in food webs in which some animals eat plants for food and other animals eat the animals that eat plants. Some organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, break down dead organisms (both plants or plant parts and animals) and therefore operate as “decomposers.” Decomposition eventually restores (recycles) some materials back to the soil. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their particular needs are met. 

Example Question #3 : Model The Energy In Animals' Food

Screen shot 2020 07 01 at 11.04.24 am

Which of the organisms from the image receives the MOST energy from their food?

Possible Answers:

consumer 1

producer

consumer 2

the sun

Correct answer:

producer

Explanation:

The answer is "producer" because energy is lost as heat as it moves up the food chain.

Through the photosynthesis process, producers, such as grass, absorb the sun's light energy to produce food (stored sugar and starches). Consumers cannot make their own food, so they have to consume other organisms. The food of almost any kind of animal can be traced back to plants and the sun. Organisms are related in food webs in which some animals eat plants for food and other animals eat the animals that eat plants. Some organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, break down dead organisms (both plants or plant parts and animals) and therefore operate as “decomposers.” Decomposition eventually restores (recycles) some materials back to the soil. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their particular needs are met.

Example Question #4 : Model The Energy In Animals' Food

Foodweb

What do the arrows most likely represent in this image?

Possible Answers:

the arrows points to an organisms prey

the arrows point to an organisms food source

the arrows point in the direction of energy flow

the arrows point to what an organism eats

Correct answer:

the arrows point in the direction of energy flow

Explanation:

The answer is "the arrows point in the direction of energy flow." 

Through the photosynthesis process, producers, such as grass, absorb the sun's light energy to produce food (stored sugar and starches). Consumers cannot make their own food, so they have to consume other organisms. The food of almost any kind of animal can be traced back to plants and the sun. Organisms are related in food webs in which some animals eat plants for food and other animals eat the animals that eat plants. Some organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, break down dead organisms (both plants or plant parts and animals) and therefore operate as “decomposers.” Decomposition eventually restores (recycles) some materials back to the soil. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their particular needs are met.

Example Question #5 : Model The Energy In Animals' Food

Screen shot 2020 07 01 at 11.25.29 am

What belongs in the blank on the food chain above?

Possible Answers:

autotroph

consumer

heterotroph

all of these

none of these

Correct answer:

autotroph

Explanation:

The answer is "autotroph" because producers are also called autotrophs.

Through the photosynthesis process, producers, such as grass, absorb the sun's light energy to produce food (stored sugar and starches). Consumers cannot make their own food, so they have to consume other organisms. The food of almost any kind of animal can be traced back to plants and the sun. Organisms are related in food webs in which some animals eat plants for food and other animals eat the animals that eat plants. Some organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, break down dead organisms (both plants or plant parts and animals) and therefore operate as “decomposers.” Decomposition eventually restores (recycles) some materials back to the soil. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their particular needs are met.

Example Question #6 : Model The Energy In Animals' Food

A meadow is an ecosystem where snakes and rabbits live. In which order does energy flow through this meadow ecosystem?

Possible Answers:

Grass → Snake → Rabbit → Sun

Grass → Rabbit → Snake → Sun

Sun → Grass → Snake → Rabbit

Sun → Grass → Rabbit → Snake

Correct answer:

Sun → Grass → Rabbit → Snake

Explanation:

The energy in the meadow starts with the Sun. The Sun then provides energy to the grass through the process of photosynthesis. The rabbit eats the grass, and the rabbit absorbs its energy. Finally, the snake eats the rabbit, and it absorbs the rabbit's energy. Energy travels from the Sun and moves through the ecosystem with each consumer along the chain.

Example Question #7 : Model The Energy In Animals' Food

Which of the following statements are correct?

Possible Answers:

Animals make their energy.

Energy flows from producers to consumers.

Animals' energy is passed to plants.

Some food chains only have predators.

Correct answer:

Energy flows from producers to consumers.

Explanation:

Energy flows from the producers to consumers. An example of a food chain where this is happening: 

grass → grasshopper → frog → rabbit → hawk

The grass is the producer because it produces its food and nutrients through photosynthesis. The grasshopper, frog, rabbit, and hawk are consumers because they get their energy by consuming other animals or plants. They cannot make their food as plants can.

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