Science questions, unit 12
Nama / NameKelas / ClassTarikh / Date
Stability and strength
43 marks. Use Practice to check each answer as you go, or Exam to answer everything first. Ask a grown-up to help you mark the written answers.
Section A: objective questions
12 marksChoose the best answer for each question.
1
Question 1
What is meant by the stability of an object or structure?
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B
Stability is the ability to remain stable, or to return to its original position. The other options describe strength.
2
Question 2
Which two factors affect the stability of an object?
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C
Height and base area affect stability. Type of material and shape affect strength.
3
Question 3
Which pair of factors affects the strength of a structure?
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A
Strength depends on the type of material and the shape of the structure.
4
Question 4
A giraffe spreads its front legs apart when it drinks water. Why does this make the giraffe more stable?
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D
Spreading the legs increases the base area and lowers the height. Both increase stability.
5
Question 5
A block is 12 cm long, 5 cm wide and 20 cm high. It stands on its 12 cm × 5 cm face. What is the base area?
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D
Base area = length × width = 12 cm × 5 cm = 60 cm².
6
Question 6
Four towers are made from the same blocks. Which tower is the most stable?
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A
The most stable tower is the shortest with the biggest base area.
7
Question 7
Diagram 1 shows a bridge and a roof frame. Both are built from poles that form triangles. What is this shape called?
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C
A series of poles that form triangles is a truss. It can withstand heavy loads.
8
Question 8
A stadium roof is built in the shape of half a sphere without pillars. Which shape is this?
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B
A hemispherical shape is a dome. It is strong and needs no pillars.
9
Question 9
A builder needs a material that is strong, not flammable and does not rust or rot. Which material is best?
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C
Concrete has these properties. Wood can burn and rot, and plastic is light but not as strong.
10
Question 10
Pupils test paper, plastic and steel straws by hanging weights on each. What is the responding variable?
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D
The type of straw is manipulated, and the length and distance are kept constant. The mass held is what we measure.
11
Question 11
Which is not a reason why strong and stable structures are important?
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A
Strong and stable structures are safe, save maintenance cost and last long. Being heavier is not a reason.
12
Question 12
A tall vase on a table is knocked over easily. Which change makes the vase the most stable?
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B
A lower height and a bigger base area both increase stability.
Section B: structured questions
31 marksAnswer all questions. Circle the answer or write it in the space.
13
Question 13
Diagram 2 shows the structures made by Adam and Raju.
[1 mark]
(a)Whose structure is more stable?
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Adam's
[1 mark]
(b)Calculate the base area of Raju's structure. Show your working.
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Tick each point you got.
[2 marks]
(c)Give two reasons for your answer in (a).
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14
Question 14
Choose the building material that matches each description.
[1 mark]
(a)A light material that is easy to shape.
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Plastic
[1 mark]
(b)A strong, hard material that is easy to cut to size.
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Wood
[1 mark]
(c)A strong and durable metal.
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Steel
15
Question 15
Siti stacks paper cups on a piece of cardboard. She moves the cardboard to and fro and records the time taken for a cup to fall. She repeats this with stacks of 2, 4 and 6 layers.
[1 mark]
(a)State the manipulated variable.
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Tick each point you got.
[1 mark]
(b)State the responding variable.
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[1 mark]
(c)State one constant variable.
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[2 marks]
(d)The 6-layer stack falls first. What conclusion can Siti make?
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Tick each point you got.
16
Question 16
A group of pupils tilts a wooden board slowly with two blocks on it. Block A is tall and narrow. Block B is short and wide.
[1 mark]
(a)Which block falls first?
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Block A
[1 mark]
(b)Give an inference for your answer in (a).
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[1 mark]
(c)Suggest one way to make block A more stable.
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[1 mark]
(d)What conclusion can you make from this activity?
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17
Question 17
Four beams A, B, C and D are made from the same size of manila card. Each beam has a different shape. Weights are added until the beam bends. Table 1 shows the results (practice numbers, not from the book).
| Beam | Shape | Weight held (g) |
|---|---|---|
| A | Folded with four 3 cm lines | 300 |
| B | Triangular | 700 |
| C | Cylindrical | 900 |
| D | Cuboid | 500 |
[1 mark]
(a)Which beam is the strongest?
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C
It held the most weight, 900 g.
[1 mark]
(b)How many grams more can beam B hold than beam D?
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[1 mark]
(c)State one constant variable in this experiment.
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[2 marks]
(d)What is the relationship between the shape of a structure and its strength?
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18
Question 18
Diagram 3 shows a wooden bridge and a steel bridge built in 2010. Pictures are taken again in 2021.
[1 mark]
(a)Which bridge can still be used in 2021?
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Steel bridge
[1 mark]
(b)Explain why this bridge is still usable.
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Tick each point you got.
[2 marks]
(c)State two reasons why strong and stable structures are important.
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Any 2 points
Tick each point you got.
19
Question 19
Hafiz wants to place a tall bookshelf in his room. His younger brother may climb on it.
[1 mark]
(a)State one change to the bookshelf so that it is less likely to topple.
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Any 1 points
Tick each point you got.
[2 marks]
(b)Hafiz puts heavy books on the bottom shelf and light things on the top shelf. Explain why this helps.
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Tick each point you got.
20
Question 20
Your class wants to build a bridge for a model village from recycled straws and cardboard. It must be strong and stable.
[2 marks]
(a)Suggest one shape you would use for the bridge frame and give a reason.
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Tick each point you got.
[1 mark]
(b)Describe one way you would test that your bridge is strong.
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Tick each point you got.