Science: Grade 4 (2023)

Sam collects toy trains. Several of his trains operate using invisible forces such as gravity, magnetism, and electricity.

Sam invites his new friend, Ben, over to play with his magnetic train set. As Sam starts to create a train, Ben asks him how he knows how to put the cars together so they will stay together when the train is pulled. Sam says it is all about invisible forces! Ben decides to investigate. He begins by taking two train pieces with magnets on both ends and arranges them in different patterns to see if they will connect. His observations are recorded in the chart below.

1

Based on Ben’s observations of engine combinations, what one question could most likely be answered?

1

Ben notices that when he tries to pull his train fast, the engine separates from the cars. He thought about the forces acting on his train.

Which one of the statements best explains what Ben observed?

Ben wants to build a different train that will stay together. As he places an engine on the track near some other train cars, he notices that the engine and cars come together without his help. He wants to know if the same thing would happen with each of his engines.
He conducts another investigation and records his findings. The following diagram shows the relationship between the strength of the magnetic force (shown on the force meter) and the distance between the engine and the car (shown by the double-arrowhead distance lines).

1

Which one of these statements best summarizes the relationship shown in this model?

Sam asks if changing the magnet would help keep the train cars together. He gathers several different magnets and conducts the following investigation.

He hangs a paper clip from a piece of string. Next, he holds each of the different magnets in the same spot and observes the paper clip.

1

What one thing is Sam most likely trying to measure with this investigation?

Ben wants to use an engine to back a three-car train onto the parking area as he finishes playing with it. Sam challenges him to keep the engine from touching the cars but still back them into the parking area.

4

Based on Ben’s observations of engine combinations, what one question could most likely be answered?

Ben notices that when he tries to pull his train fast, the engine separates from the cars. He thought about the forces acting on his train.

Which one of the statements best explains what Ben observed?

Which one of these statements best summarizes the relationship shown in this model?

What one thing is Sam most likely trying to measure with this investigation?

Sam created a table to collect data for an experiment using his train as shown below. He was pulling the train over the hill portion of the track.

What experimental question was Sam trying to answer?

Which one reason best explains why adding the hill caused this change?

Which one of these factors is least likely to affect the chance of the train coming apart as it travels over the hill?

Explain how Ben could use magnetic forces to move the train cars into the train parking area without touching them.

Science: Grade 4 (2023)

Based on Ben’s observations of engine combinations, what one question could most likely be answered?

Ben notices that when he tries to pull his train fast, the engine separates from the cars. He thought about the forces acting on his train.Which one of the statements best explains what Ben observed?

Which one of these statements best summarizes the relationship shown in this model?

What one thing is Sam most likely trying to measure with this investigation?

Sam created a table to collect data for an experiment using his train as shown below. He was pulling the train over the hill portion of the track.What experimental question was Sam trying to answer?

Which one reason best explains why adding the hill caused this change?

Which one of these factors is least likely to affect the chance of the train coming apart as it travels over the hill?

Explain how Ben could use magnetic forces to move the train cars into the train parking area without touching them.

Ben notices that when he tries to pull his train fast, the engine separates from the cars. He thought about the forces acting on his train.

Which one of the statements best explains what Ben observed?

Sam created a table to collect data for an experiment using his train as shown below. He was pulling the train over the hill portion of the track.

What experimental question was Sam trying to answer?