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Science Quiz - Particles and Energy (Questions)

Particles are always moving. In KS2 Science, pupils learn how energy affects particles, causing changes in speed, state, and the way materials behave.

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Fascinating Fact:

When particles lose heat energy, they move more slowly and can change state, like water freezing into ice.

In KS2 Science, pupils explore how particles behave differently in solids, liquids, and gases. Energy changes, such as heating or cooling, affect their speed and cause materials to change state.

Key Terms

Particle: A tiny unit that makes up all matter, too small to see with the eye.
Energy: The ability to cause change, such as heating, moving, or lighting something.
State of Matter: The form matter takes — solid, liquid, or gas — depending on particle arrangement and energy.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What are particles in KS2 Science?

Particles are tiny pieces that make up everything around us. They are too small to see but scientists use models to explain how they behave.

How does heat energy affect particles?

When particles gain heat, they move faster and spread out. When they lose heat, they slow down and can form solids, like water turning into ice.

Why do materials change state?

Materials change state because heating or cooling alters the energy of their particles. This makes solids melt, liquids evaporate, or gases condense.

Try These Related Quizzes

1.

What are light particles known as?

[ ]	Molecules
[ ]	Electrons
[ ]	Photons
[ ]	Neutrons

2.

A vibrating object causes air particles to vibrate. These air particles cause other air particles to vibrate, which cause more air particles to vibrate. What is this movement of energy called?

[ ]	Sound waves
[ ]	Gravity
[ ]	Force
[ ]	Tidal waves

3.

Particles in which state of matter are tightly packed?

[ ]	Solid
[ ]	Liquid
[ ]	Gas
[ ]	All of the above

4.

Which of the following is true of the particles of a liquid?

[ ]	The particles of a liquid do not move
[ ]	They move very fast, much faster than the particles of a gas
[ ]	They are more tightly-packed than the particles of a solid
[ ]	They are not as tightly packed as a solid's particles, but do not move as freely as those of a gas

5.

Which state of matter has particles which move very fast?

[ ]	Solid
[ ]	Liquid
[ ]	Gas
[ ]	Solids and liquids

6.

Sound waves can cause which of these to vibrate?

[ ]	Particles of a solid
[ ]	Particles of a liquid
[ ]	Particles of a gas
[ ]	All of the above

7.

What takes place when particles gain enough energy to escape the surface of a liquid?

[ ]	Condensation
[ ]	Evaporation
[ ]	Freezing
[ ]	Melting

8.

Increasing the temperature causes particles to gain what?

[ ]	Speed
[ ]	Energy
[ ]	Mass
[ ]	Speed and energy

9.

Lowering the temperature of a substance causes its particles to do what?

[ ]	Speed up
[ ]	Maintain the same speed
[ ]	Slow down
[ ]	Stop moving

10.

Sound waves travel fastest through which material?

[ ]	Solids
[ ]	Liquids
[ ]	Gases
[ ]	Sound waves don't change their speed

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - States of matter

Science Quiz - Particles and Energy (Answers)

1.

What are light particles known as?

[ ]	Molecules
[ ]	Electrons
[x]	Photons
[ ]	Neutrons

The clue is in the name! 'Photo' means 'related to light'

2.

A vibrating object causes air particles to vibrate. These air particles cause other air particles to vibrate, which cause more air particles to vibrate. What is this movement of energy called?

[x]	Sound waves
[ ]	Gravity
[ ]	Force
[ ]	Tidal waves

Sound is a vibration in the air

3.

Particles in which state of matter are tightly packed?

[x]	Solid
[ ]	Liquid
[ ]	Gas
[ ]	All of the above

When a substance is solid, its particles do not move around much. Because their particles are so tightly packed, solids keep their shape unless forced to change (i.e. by cutting or squashing)

4.

Which of the following is true of the particles of a liquid?

[ ]	The particles of a liquid do not move
[ ]	They move very fast, much faster than the particles of a gas
[ ]	They are more tightly-packed than the particles of a solid
[x]	They are not as tightly packed as a solid's particles, but do not move as freely as those of a gas

Liquids are halfway between a solid and a gas

5.

Which state of matter has particles which move very fast?

[ ]	Solid
[ ]	Liquid
[x]	Gas
[ ]	Solids and liquids

The particles in gases move much faster than those in a liquid and those of a solid hardly move at all

6.

Sound waves can cause which of these to vibrate?

[ ]	Particles of a solid
[ ]	Particles of a liquid
[ ]	Particles of a gas
[x]	All of the above

This is why sound can pass through almost any material

7.

What takes place when particles gain enough energy to escape the surface of a liquid?

[ ]	Condensation
[x]	Evaporation
[ ]	Freezing
[ ]	Melting

If you heat a liquid up you are giving it energy and it might evaporate

8.

Increasing the temperature causes particles to gain what?

[ ]	Speed
[ ]	Energy
[ ]	Mass
[x]	Speed and energy

The energy speeds up the particles so they are gaining both speed and energy

9.

Lowering the temperature of a substance causes its particles to do what?

[ ]	Speed up
[ ]	Maintain the same speed
[x]	Slow down
[ ]	Stop moving

Lowering the temperature reduces the amount of energy

10.

Sound waves travel fastest through which material?

[x]	Solids
[ ]	Liquids
[ ]	Gases
[ ]	Sound waves don't change their speed

Vibrations can be passed along more quickly when particles are closer together, as they are in a solid