Physical Science Quizzes for Second Graders: Test Your Knowledge

Question 1

A ball is rolling on the playground. What force will make it stop rolling?

Accepted Answer

Air resistance pushing against the ball

Answer

Gravity pulling the ball down

Answer

A child pushing the ball

Question 2

When a magnet is placed near a pile of objects, which one will be pulled towards the magnet?

Accepted Answer

Iron nail

Answer

Plastic spoon

Answer

Aluminum can

Answer

Copper wire

Question 3

A car is moving at a steady speed. Which of Newton's laws of motion explains this situation best?

Accepted Answer

Newton's First Law

Answer

Newton's Second Law

Answer

Newton's Third Law

Question 4

Why is it harder to ride a bike on a sandy path than on a smooth road?

Accepted Answer

Friction is greater on a sandy path.

Answer

The wheels of the bike are smaller on a sandy path.

Answer

The bike is heavier on a sandy path.

Question 5

Imagine a closed container with a certain amount of energy. If this energy is moved around within the container, what happens to the total amount of energy?

Accepted Answer

The total amount of energy stays the same.

Answer

The total amount of energy gets smaller.

Answer

The total amount of energy gets bigger.

Answer

The total amount of energy becomes zero.

Question 6

When a child pushes a skateboard with their foot, what makes the skateboard move forward?

Accepted Answer

The child's foot pushing against the ground

Answer

The child's weight on the skateboard

Answer

The wind blowing against the skateboard

Answer

The skateboard's wheels rolling on the ground

Question 7

When you turn on a flashlight, what happens to the energy in the battery?

Accepted Answer

The battery's energy changes into light and a little heat.

Answer

The battery's energy changes into only light.

Answer

The battery's heat energy changes into light.

Answer

The battery's light energy changes into heat.

Question 8

Imagine a toy car rolling down a smooth slope. What will happen if we add a rough cloth to the slope? How will it affect the car's movement and the transfer of energy?

Accepted Answer

The car will roll slower, and less energy will be transferred to it.

Answer

The car will roll faster, and more energy will be transferred to it.

Answer

The car's movement will not be affected, but more energy will be transferred to it.

Answer

The car's movement will not be affected, and the same amount of energy will be transferred to it.

Question 9

When you use a stronger magnet to pick up paper clips, what happens to the number of paper clips it can hold?

Accepted Answer

The magnet will hold more paper clips.

Answer

The magnet will hold fewer paper clips.

Answer

The magnet will hold the same number of paper clips.

Answer

The magnet will not be able to hold any paper clips.

Question 10

If you push a box with twice as much force, what will happen to its speed?

Accepted Answer

The box will move twice as fast.

Answer

The box will slow down.

Answer

The box will not move.

Answer

The box will move three times as fast.

Question 11

Imagine a closed box that doesn't let heat escape. We add heat to the box. If nothing inside the box is moving, what will happen to the heat?

Accepted Answer

The box will get warmer.

Answer

The box will move.

Answer

The heat will disappear.

Question 12

A ball is held above the ground. What happens to the ball's potential energy as it falls, and what type of energy does it gain?

Accepted Answer

Potential energy turns into kinetic energy.

Answer

Kinetic energy turns into potential energy.

Answer

Both potential and kinetic energy increase.

Answer

Both potential and kinetic energy decrease.

Question 13

A skydiver jumps out of an airplane and falls towards the ground. After falling for a while, the skydiver's speed stops increasing. What is the main reason for this?

Accepted Answer

The air resistance acting on the skydiver increases as they fall.

Answer

The force of gravity acting on the skydiver decreases as they fall.

Question 14

You're playing with a ball and give it a push. What will happen to the ball if you let go?

Accepted Answer

The ball will keep rolling, but it will slow down and eventually stop.

Answer

The ball will keep rolling forever.

Answer

The ball will stop rolling right away.

Question 15

When you throw a ball straight up, what will happen to it?

Accepted Answer

It will go up and then come back down.

Answer

It will keep going up forever.

Answer

It will go up and then stop in the air.

Answer

It will go up and then change direction and go sideways.

Question 16

How can you turn a paperclip into a magnet?

Accepted Answer

Rub it on a magnet in the same direction many times.

Answer

Hold it close to a magnet for a while.

Answer

Drop it on the ground.

Answer

Heat it up with a lighter.

Question 17

When you throw a ball forward, what path will it follow and why?

Accepted Answer

It will go in a curved path because of gravity.

Answer

It will go straight up and down.

Answer

It will go straight forward until it hits something.

Answer

It will go in a circle.

Question 18

Which of these helps a refrigerator save energy?

Accepted Answer

Keeping it full of food

Answer

Keeping it empty

Answer

Keeping the door open

Answer

Setting it to the coldest setting

Question 19

When you turn on a flashlight, what kind of energy change occurs?

Accepted Answer

Chemical energy to light energy

Answer

Mechanical energy to light energy

Answer

Thermal energy to light energy

Question 20

When we add more coils to an electromagnet, what happens to its strength?

Accepted Answer

It gets stronger.

Answer

It gets weaker.

Answer

It stays the same.

Question 21

When you drop a ball, it bounces back up. But why doesn't it bounce back to the same height it started from?

Accepted Answer

Some of the ball's energy is lost as heat and sound when it hits the ground.

Answer

The ball is too heavy.

Answer

The air is pushing against the ball.

Question 22

Imagine you have a bouncy ball. As you hold it higher above the ground, what happens to its potential energy? And what happens to its potential energy when you let go and it bounces?

Accepted Answer

As you raise the ball, its potential energy increases. When you let go, this stored energy changes into movement energy, making the ball bounce.

Answer

The ball's potential energy stays the same as you raise it and disappears when you let go.

Answer

As you raise the ball, its potential energy decreases, and when you let go, it stays the same.

Answer

As you raise the ball, its potential energy decreases, and when you let go, it changes into light energy.

Question 23

Which force brings a ball thrown into the air back down to the ground?

Accepted Answer

Gravity

Answer

Friction

Answer

Magnetism

Answer

Electricity

Question 24

Newton's First Law of Motion states that an object in motion will stay in motion unless it is stopped by something. What is the name of this force?

Accepted Answer

Inertia

Answer

Force

Answer

Energy

Answer

Motion

Question 25

When you push on a lever to lift a heavy object, what type of force are you using?

Accepted Answer

Push

Answer

Pull

Answer

Electrical

Answer

Gravitational

Question 26

Which of these sources of energy can we use again and again?

Accepted Answer

Sunlight

Answer

Gasoline

Answer

Natural gas

Answer

Coal

Question 27

If you push a ball with twice as much force, what will happen to its speed?

Accepted Answer

It will double.

Answer

It will halve.

Answer

It will stay the same.

Answer

It will change direction.

Question 28

Which of these materials allows electricity to flow through it easily?

Accepted Answer

Metal

Answer

Plastic

Answer

Wood

Answer

Rubber

Question 29

What causes the sound of a drum to be louder?

Accepted Answer

The drum is hit harder.

Answer

The drum is hit softer.

Answer

The drum is moved further away.

Answer

The drum is moved closer.

Question 30

Which of these is a simple tool that makes work easier?

Accepted Answer

Hammer

Answer

Car

Answer

Computer

Answer

Desk

Question 31

Which of these actions is a force?

Accepted Answer

Kicking a ball

Answer

Melting ice cream

Answer

Reading a book

Answer

Watching TV

Question 32

What happens when a ball rolls down a hill?

Accepted Answer

It speeds up.

Answer

It slows down.

Answer

It changes direction.

Answer

Nothing happens.

Question 33

What is the name of the energy an object has when it is high up or can move?

Accepted Answer

Potential energy

Answer

Kinetic energy

Answer

Electrical energy

Answer

Thermal energy

Question 34

Which of these materials can electricity flow through?

Accepted Answer

Metal

Answer

Plastic

Answer

Wood

Answer

Rubber

Question 35

When you give something a push or pull, what happens?

Accepted Answer

It will start to move.

Answer

It will stop moving.

Answer

It will change direction.

Answer

It will break apart.

Question 36

What is the name of the unit we use to measure force?

Accepted Answer

Newton

Answer

Kilogram

Answer

Meter

Answer

Second

Question 37

Which of the following is NOT a type of force?

Accepted Answer

Hop

Answer

Push

Answer

Pull

Answer

Gravity

Question 38

Which of the following has the most energy?

Accepted Answer

A flying bird

Answer

A rolling ball

Answer

A resting cat

Answer

A notebook on a table

Question 39

What is magnetism?

Accepted Answer

The ability to attract metal objects

Answer

The force that keeps us on the ground

Answer

The energy that flows through electrical wires

Answer

The reason why things fall down

Question 40

What do you call the force that pulls objects towards the ground?

Accepted Answer

Gravity

Answer

Magnetism

Answer

Electricity

Answer

Friction

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a way to change an object's motion?

Accepted Answer

Smile at it

Answer

Push it

Answer

Pull it

Answer

Kick it

Question 42

What is the difference between a push and a pull?

Accepted Answer

A push moves an object away from you, while a pull moves an object towards you.

Answer

A push moves an object up, while a pull moves an object down.

Answer

A push moves an object left, while a pull moves an object right.

Answer

There is no difference between a push and a pull.

Question 43

Which of these objects is less dense than water and will float?

Accepted Answer

A piece of wood

Answer

A rock

Answer

A ball

Question 44

What is the name of the force that pulls objects toward each other?

Accepted Answer

Gravity

Answer

Friction

Answer

Magnetism

Question 45

Which of these materials allows electricity to pass through it easily?

Accepted Answer

Metal

Answer

Plastic

Answer

Rubber

Question 46

What kind of energy do you use when you turn on a light?

Accepted Answer

Electrical energy

Answer

Heat energy

Answer

Sound energy

Question 47

If you push an object with a force, what will happen to its speed?

Accepted Answer

It will increase

Answer

It will decrease

Answer

It will not change

Question 48

Which of these is an example of a magnetic force?

Accepted Answer

A magnet picking up a paperclip

Answer

A ball rolling on the floor

Answer

A balloon floating in the air

Question 49

What is the unit we use to measure force?

Accepted Answer

Newton

Answer

Kilogram

Answer

Meter

Question 50

Which of these is a simple machine?

Accepted Answer

A pulley

Answer

A book

Answer

A computer

Question 51

What is the main difference between a conductor and an insulator?

Accepted Answer

Conductors allow electricity to flow through them, while insulators do not.

Answer

Conductors do not allow electricity to flow through them, while insulators do.

Question 52

Which of these is a renewable source of energy?

Accepted Answer

Solar power

Answer

Fossil fuels

Answer

Natural gas

Question 53

What happens when you push an object?

Accepted Answer

It moves in the direction you pushed it.

Answer

It stops moving.

Answer

It changes shape.

Answer

Nothing happens.

Question 54

What is magnetism?

Accepted Answer

A force that attracts or repels certain materials.

Answer

A way to make objects float.

Answer

A type of energy.

Answer

A form of motion.

Question 55

What kind of object is most likely to be attracted to a magnet?

Accepted Answer

Metal

Answer

Plastic

Answer

Wood

Answer

Rubber

Question 56

How does a simple machine, like a lever, make lifting things easier?

Accepted Answer

It reduces the amount of force needed.

Answer

It changes the direction of the force.

Answer

It increases the amount of force.

Answer

It makes the object move faster.

Question 57

Which of these is NOT a form of energy?

Accepted Answer

Gravity

Answer

Heat

Answer

Sound

Answer

Light

Question 58

What is the main difference between a solid and a liquid?

Accepted Answer

Solids have a definite shape and liquids do not.

Answer

Liquids have a definite shape and solids do not.

Answer

Solids are always harder than liquids.

Answer

Liquids are always wetter than solids.

Question 59

Which of these is a clean form of energy?

Accepted Answer

Solar energy

Answer

Coal

Answer

Natural gas

Answer

Nuclear energy

Question 60

What does a magnet do?

Accepted Answer

Attracts or repels certain materials.

Answer

Creates electricity.

Answer

Makes objects spin.

Answer

Changes the color of objects.

Question 61

How does Newton's third law of motion help a person move forward when they walk?

Accepted Answer

The person pushes backward on the ground, and the ground pushes the person forward.

Answer

The person pulls forward on the ground, and the ground pulls the person backward.

Answer

The person's muscles push their body forward, and the air pushes the person backward.

Answer

The person's feet push the air backward, and the air pushes the person forward.

Question 62

How do mirrors and lenses help us see objects?

Accepted Answer

By changing the direction of light

Answer

By making objects brighter

Answer

By making objects larger

Question 63

When an object's motion increases, what happens to its energy?

Accepted Answer

It increases

Answer

It decreases

Answer

It stays the same

Answer

I don't know

Question 64

Which of these materials is magnetic?

Accepted Answer

Metal

Answer

Wood

Answer

Plastic

Answer

Rubber