1. Which of the following units would most accurately describe velocity?

1

• 1. Which of the following units would most
  accurately describe velocity?
• Hours, south
• Meters per second, south
• Meters per second
• Meters, south

2

• 1. Which of the following units would most
  accurately describe velocity?
• Hours, south
• Meters per second, south Velocity is speed
  (meter/sec) with a direction!
• Meters per second
• Meters, south

3
The boulder would have the greatest kinetic
energy at which of the positions on the waterfall?
A position 1 B position 2 C position 3 D
position 4
B
4
The boulder would have the greatest kinetic
energy at which of the positions on the waterfall?
A position 1 (greatest potential energy due to
position B position 2 (greatest kinetic energy
or energy of motion ) C position 3 (no kinetic
energy) D position 4 (no kinetic energy)
2
5
A yo-yo can demonstrate both potential and
kinetic energy. When does a yo-yo have it
greatest potential energy?
A In the hand before the yo-yo is
releasedB At the bottom of the stringC When
the yo-yo is fallingD When the yo-yo is
climbing the string
6
A yo-yo can demonstrate both potential and
kinetic energy. When does a yo-yo have it
greatest potential energy?
A In the hand before the yo-yo is
released (potential energy is highest,
kinetic is lowest)B At the bottom of the
string (lowest potential energy, highest
kinetic energy)C When the yo-yo is falling
(potential energy is being converted into
kinetic energy)D When the yo-yo is climbing
the string (kinetic energy being
converted into potential energy)
7

• 4. Which of the following is an example of a
  wave?
• a. erosion
• b. an earthquake
• c. a volcano
• d. a glacier

8
B is correct

• a. Erosion is the movement of earth material.
  Waves are moving energy.
• b. An earthquake is energy moving through the
  earths crust in the form of a seismic wave.
• c. A volcano is the pushing up of the earths
  surface by hot magma and/or gases.
• d. A glacier is a moving mountain of ice and
  soil.
• Waves are moving energy. Choices a, c, and d are
  moving
• Matter that require energy, but the seismic wave
  in the
• earthquake is energy.

9

• 5. Windmill farms are becoming a popular method
  of generating electricity for some communities.
  What form of energy in wind is used to turn the
  giant blades of the windmill?
• Chemical
• Mechanical
• Electrical
• Thermal

10

• 5. Windmill farms are becoming a popular method
  of generating electricity for some communities.
  What form of energy in wind is used to turn the
  giant blades of the windmill?
• Chemical (stored in the bonds of molecules)
• Mechanical (wind - movement of air molecules)
• Electrical (flow of electrons)
• Thermal (heat caused by the kinetic
  energy of molecules)

11

• In a nuclear reactor, the energy used to turn
  water into steam is in what form?
• A. Chemical
• B. Nuclear
• C. Electrical
• D. Thermal

12
The correct answer is D, thermal energy. The
nucleus of the uranium atom contains nuclear
energy, but this is converted into thermal energy
when the nucleus is split. The thermal energy is
then used to heat the water to the boiling point.
13
7. Which of the following can be used to
transform chemical energy into heat energy?

• melting a candle
• B. lighting a match
• C. solar panels
• D. light bulb

Answer B
14
7. Which of the following can be used to
transform chemical energy into heat energy?

• melting a candle (heat to kinetic)
• B. lighting a match (chemical to heat)
• C. solar panels (light to heat)
• D. light bulb (electricity to light)

Answer B
15
When the human heart contracts, it pumps blood to
other parts of the body. When the heart
contracts, the blood moves because the--

1. Pressure to the heart increases
2. Temperature of the blood increases
3. Density of the blood increases
4. Size of the heart increases

16
Answer

• The correct answer is A
• This item about a beating heart demonstrates the
• relationship between biological processes, force,
  and
• motion. When the heart contracts, the increases
• pressure forces the blood to other parts of the
  body.

Grade 8 TAKS Science Information Booklet, p. 37
17
As a lima bean seedling starts to grow into the
soil the root tip is able to push through the
soil because it acts as a --

1. Wheel
2. Pulley
3. Gear
4. Wedge

18
Answer

• The answer is D
• The item shows how a seedling root acts as a
• simple machine (a wedge). Because of its wedge
• shape, the root tip needs less force to push
• through the soil.

Grade 8 TAKS Science Information Booklet, p. 37
19
Which force causes the water to move downstream?

1. Gravitational
2. Chemical
3. Electrical
4. Solar

20
The correct answer is A

• Gravitational force causes the water to move
• downstream. There is more potential energy at
• the top of the mountain than at the bottom. In
• streams that are flowing very fast, there is a
• dramatic change (decrease) in the height of the
• mountain from point A to point B (i.e. there is a
• bigger drop). The gravitational force is a non-
• contact force.

21
11. Which of the following describes the motion
of the runner?
A The runner is moving at a constant rate B The
runner is moving slower at the end C The runner
is speeding up D The runners speed was a
constant 4 m/s
22
11. Which of the following describes the motion
of the runner?
A The runner is moving at a constant rate
(incorrect - distance changes faster than time
constant change is represented by a straight
line) B The runner is moving slower at the end
(incorrect - runner is getting faster) C The
runner is speeding up (runner is accelerating,
velocity is changing because speed is changing) D
The runners speed was a constant 4 m/s
(incorrect speed is changing)