Thermal Contraction Quiz: What Happens When Things Cool?

1. What happens to the kinetic energy of particles when a substance cools down?

It increases

It decreases

It stays the same

It turns into potential energy

Cooling is the removal of thermal energy, which causes particles to slow down (lose kinetic energy).

Explanation

Cooling is the removal of thermal energy, which causes particles to slow down (lose kinetic energy).

2. Why do power lines sag in the summer but look tight and straight in the winter?

Gravity is stronger in winter

Birds sit on them in summer

The metal contracts in the cold

The poles grow taller

In winter, cooling and contraction cause the metal wires to shorten and tighten between the poles.

Explanation

In winter, cooling and contraction cause the metal wires to shorten and tighten between the poles.

3. The temperature at which all particle motion theoretically stops is called ______ Zero.

At Absolute Zero (0 Kelvin), particles have no kinetic energy left to lose.

Explanation

At Absolute Zero (0 Kelvin), particles have no kinetic energy left to lose.

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4. Which state of matter usually shows the most dramatic contraction when cooled?

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Plasma

Gas particles are far apart; cooling them allows them to come much closer together compared to solids or liquids.

Explanation

Gas particles are far apart; cooling them allows them to come much closer together compared to solids or liquids.

5. When a substance contracts, the individual atoms get smaller.

True

False

The atoms or molecules stay the same size; only the space between them decreases.

Explanation

The atoms or molecules stay the same size; only the space between them decreases.

6. When a liquid loses enough energy to become a solid, the process is called ______.

Freezing occurs when particles slow down enough for attractive forces to lock them into a fixed position.

Explanation

Freezing occurs when particles slow down enough for attractive forces to lock them into a fixed position.

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7. What happens to the pressure inside a rigid, sealed container of gas when it is cooled?

It increases

It stays the same

It decreases

It disappears

Slower particles hit the walls of the container less often and with less force, lowering the pressure.

Explanation

Slower particles hit the walls of the container less often and with less force, lowering the pressure.

8. Heat always moves from a warmer object to a cooler object.

True

False

Thermal energy transfer (heat) naturally flows "downhill" from high temperature to low temperature.

Explanation

Thermal energy transfer (heat) naturally flows "downhill" from high temperature to low temperature.

9. Why does a "bimetallic strip" bend when it cools? (Select all that apply)

It is made of two different metals

One metal contracts faster than the other

The metals melt

The strip loses mass

Because the two metals contract at different rates, the strip is forced to curve toward the side that shrinks more.

Explanation

Because the two metals contract at different rates, the strip is forced to curve toward the side that shrinks more.

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10. In this thermal effects practice test, what is the primary reason bridges have "expansion joints"?

To make the bridge look better

To allow for expansion and contraction

To reduce the weight of the bridge

To provide grip for tires

Bridges need space to expand in summer and contract in winter without cracking the concrete or steel.

Explanation

Bridges need space to expand in summer and contract in winter without cracking the concrete or steel.

11. Which of these is a liquid that behaves "weirdly" by expanding instead of contracting just before it freezes?

Mercury

Alcohol

Water

Cooking oil

Water is unique; it contracts as it cools until 4∘C, then starts to expand as it forms a crystal lattice.

Explanation

Water is unique; it contracts as it cools until 4∘C, then starts to expand as it forms a crystal lattice.

12. A thermometer works because the liquid inside contracts when it touches something cold.

True

False

As the liquid in the bulb cools, it contracts and the level in the tube drops.

Explanation

As the liquid in the bulb cools, it contracts and the level in the tube drops.

13. Why does a basketball feel "flat" if it is left outside on a very cold night?

The air leaked out

The cold air particles stopped moving

The air inside contracted

The rubber got thicker

The air particles inside lost kinetic energy and moved closer together, taking up less space inside the ball.

Explanation

The air particles inside lost kinetic energy and moved closer together, taking up less space inside the ball.

14. Thermal contraction causes the volume of most substances to decrease.

True

False

As particles slow down, they take up less space, causing the overall object or substance to shrink.

Explanation

As particles slow down, they take up less space, causing the overall object or substance to shrink.

15. Which of the following are examples of contraction by cooling? (Select all that apply)

A balloon shrinking in a freezer

A bridge joint opening up in winter

Pavement cracking in the cold

Water boiling on a stove

Balloons, bridges, and roads all shrink when they lose heat. Boiling is a result of heating, not cooling.

Explanation

Balloons, bridges, and roads all shrink when they lose heat. Boiling is a result of heating, not cooling.

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16. In a physics cooling quiz, how does density change during thermal contraction?

Density decreases

Density increases

Density stays the same

Density becomes zero

Since the mass stays the same but the volume gets smaller, the particles become more tightly packed (denser).

Explanation

Since the mass stays the same but the volume gets smaller, the particles become more tightly packed (denser).

17. Thermal energy is the ______ of all the kinetic energy of the particles in an object.

While temperature is the average, thermal energy is the sum total of all particle motion.

Explanation

While temperature is the average, thermal energy is the sum total of all particle motion.

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18. What is the term for the transfer of heat through direct contact between particles?

Radiation

Convection

Conduction

Insulating

Conduction is when fast-moving particles collide with slower-moving ones, passing on kinetic energy.

Explanation

Conduction is when fast-moving particles collide with slower-moving ones, passing on kinetic energy.

19. When a gas turns into a liquid due to cooling, it is called ______.

As gas particles lose energy, they slow down and clump together into droplets.

Explanation

As gas particles lose energy, they slow down and clump together into droplets.

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20. Most solids contract more than liquids when cooled by the same amount.

True

False

Liquids generally show more contraction than solids because their particles have more freedom to move closer together.

Explanation

Liquids generally show more contraction than solids because their particles have more freedom to move closer together.

The Big Shrink: The Thermal Contraction Quiz

1. What happens to the kinetic energy of particles when a substance cools down?

2. Why do power lines sag in the summer but look tight and straight in the winter?

3. The temperature at which all particle motion theoretically stops is called ______ Zero.

4. Which state of matter usually shows the most dramatic contraction when cooled?

5. When a substance contracts, the individual atoms get smaller.

6. When a liquid loses enough energy to become a solid, the process is called ______.

7. What happens to the pressure inside a rigid, sealed container of gas when it is cooled?

8. Heat always moves from a warmer object to a cooler object.

9. Why does a "bimetallic strip" bend when it cools? (Select all that apply)

10. In this thermal effects practice test, what is the primary reason bridges have "expansion joints"?

11. Which of these is a liquid that behaves "weirdly" by expanding instead of contracting just before it freezes?

12. A thermometer works because the liquid inside contracts when it touches something cold.

13. Why does a basketball feel "flat" if it is left outside on a very cold night?

14. Thermal contraction causes the volume of most substances to decrease.

15. Which of the following are examples of contraction by cooling? (Select all that apply)

16. In a physics cooling quiz, how does density change during thermal contraction?

17. Thermal energy is the ______ of all the kinetic energy of the particles in an object.

18. What is the term for the transfer of heat through direct contact between particles?

19. When a gas turns into a liquid due to cooling, it is called ______.

20. Most solids contract more than liquids when cooled by the same amount.