Here are some science questions to help you test your general science knowledge. They will also show you which of the Florida, Utah, and NGSS science standards each question is testing.
The questions are chosen randomly, so this quest will be different each time.
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While this spoon appears to have a broken handle, it is just the result of how the water affects the light. This is an example of:
-
Refraction
Yes! Refraction bends light as it moves from one substance to another. As the light passes from the water to the air, its path is changed, making it appear that the spoon is broken. -
Reflection
No. While some light is reflected from the glass, it is not responsible for the bending of the light. -
Absorption
No. The water and glass are both clear, telling us that very little of the light is being absorbed. Absorption does not bend the light. -
Diffusion
No. Diffusion is the scattering of light as it is reflected in many different directions. Diffusion would make the image cloudy and blurry.
Click to see which state standards this question tests, and which of my videos, experiments, and other resources support that topic.
Florida
SC.3.P.10.3 Demonstrate that light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object or travels from one medium to another.
Why is Foam White? | video, checked |
Microscopes: Growing Crystals | video, free, learnalong, Updated |
Sunglass Science: Birefringence | video, free, Updated |
Sunglass Science: Polarized Light | video, free, Updated |
Mirage | video, free, ClosedCaptions, Updated |
Pinhole Eyeglasses | video, checked |
Why Wet Things Turn Dark | video, checked |
Growing Crystals Under the Microscope | video, free, learnalong, checked |
Changing the Speed of Light | video |
A Long Lens | text page |
Review Light-1 | practice |
Review Light-2 | practice |
Review Light-3 | practice |
Review Light-4 | practice |
Review Light-5 | practice |
SC.3.P.10.4 Demonstrate that light can be reflected, refracted, and absorbed.
Why is Foam White? | video, checked |
Onion Crystals | video |
Microscopes: Growing Crystals | video, free, learnalong, Updated |
Sunglass Science: Birefringence | video, free, Updated |
Sunglass Science: Polarized Light | video, free, Updated |
Mirage | video, free, ClosedCaptions, Updated |
Pinhole Eyeglasses | video, checked |
Looking for Rainbows | video |
Why Wet Things Turn Dark | video, checked |
Growing Crystals Under the Microscope | video, free, learnalong, checked |
Changing the Speed of Light | video |
A Long Lens | text page |
Sunlight, Energy, and Crayons | text page, free |
Review Light-5 | practice |
Review Light-1 | practice |
Review Light-2 | practice |
Review Light-3 | practice |
Review Light-4 | practice |
SC.7.P.10.2 Observe and explain that light can be reflected, refracted, and/or absorbed.
Changing the Speed of Light | video |
Onion Crystals | video |
Why is Foam White? | video, checked |
Microscopes: Growing Crystals | video, free, learnalong, Updated |
Sunglass Science: Birefringence | video, free, Updated |
Sunglass Science: Polarized Light | video, free, Updated |
Mirage | video, free, ClosedCaptions, Updated |
Pinhole Eyeglasses | video, checked |
Why Wet Things Turn Dark | video, checked |
Growing Crystals Under the Microscope | video, free, learnalong, checked |
Finding Fat in Foods | video, ClosedCaptions, checked |
A Long Lens | text page |
Sunlight, Energy, and Crayons | text page, free |
Review Light-3 | practice |
Review Light-4 | practice |
Review Light-5 | practice |
Review Light-1 | practice |
Review Light-2 | practice |
Utah
UT.8.IV.1.b Compare the transfer of energy (i.e., sound, light, earthquake waves, heat) through various mediums.
Doppler Effect | video, checked |
Solar Power | video, checked |
Sunglass Science: Birefringence | video, free, Updated |
Sunglass Science: Polarized Light | video, free, Updated |
Noisy String | video, checked |
Mirage | video, free, ClosedCaptions, Updated |
About Microwaves | video, checked |
Microwave Chocolate | video, checked |
Spoon Bells | video, checked |
The Singing Glass | video, checked |
Why Wet Things Turn Dark | video, checked |
The Science of Pizza | video, checked |
Heating a Balloon | video, ClosedCaptions, checked |
Changing the Speed of Light | video |
Comparing How Sound Moves Through Liquids and Gases | text page |
Review Light-2 | practice |
Review Light-4 | practice |
Review Light-5 | practice |
Review Light-1 | practice |
NGSS
1-PS4-3 Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.
Changing the Speed of Light | video |
Why is Foam White? | video, checked |
Onion Crystals | video |
Microscopes: Growing Crystals | video, free, learnalong, Updated |
Sunglass Science: Birefringence | video, free, Updated |
Sunglass Science: Polarized Light | video, free, Updated |
Mirage | video, free, ClosedCaptions, Updated |
A Color You Can't See | video, free, checked |
Pinhole Eyeglasses | video, checked |
Why Wet Things Turn Dark | video, checked |
Growing Crystals Under the Microscope | video, free, learnalong, checked |
Sunprints | video |
A Long Lens | text page |
Review Light-4 | practice |
Review Light-5 | practice |
Review Light-1 | practice |
Review Light-2 | practice |
Review Light-3 | practice |
MS-PS4-2 Develop and use a model to describe that waves are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through various materials.
Finding Fat in Foods | video, ClosedCaptions, checked |
Changing the Speed of Light | video |
Why is Foam White? | video, checked |
Sunglass Science: Birefringence | video, free, Updated |
Sunglass Science: Polarized Light | video, free, Updated |
Mirage | video, free, ClosedCaptions, Updated |
About Microwaves | video, checked |
Microwave Chocolate | video, checked |
Why Wet Things Turn Dark | video, checked |
Onion Crystals | video |
Sunprints | video |
A Long Lens | text page |
Sunlight, Energy, and Crayons | text page, free |
Review Light-1 | practice |
Review Light-2 | practice |
Review Light-4 | practice |
Review Light-5 | practice |

After I rubbed this ballon against my hair, it stuck to the side of my head. Why?
-
The balloon stuck because I don't have enough hair.
No. While much of my hair is gone, I still have enough to do this experiment. -
The balloon stuck because the balloon had the same charge as my hair.
No. Two things with the same electrostatic charge will repel, pushing apart. -
The balloon stuck because the balloon had a different charge from my hair.
Yes. When I rubbed the balloon against my hair, electrons moved from my hair to the balloon. The extra electrons gave the balloon a negative charge, and the missing electrons left my hair with a positive charge. Opposite charges attract, so the balloon stuck to my hair. -
The balloon stuck because my hair was magnetized.
No. Rubbing a balloon against something does not magnetize it. Even if it was magnetized, a magnet would not attract the rubber balloon.
Click to see which state standards this question tests, and which of my videos, experiments, and other resources support that topic.
Florida
SC.5.P.10.3 Investigate and explain that an electrically-charged object can attract an uncharged object and can either attract or repel another charged object without any contact between the objects.
>>> Teacher Page: Electrostatic Charges
Electrostatic Charges | video |
The Leyden Jar | video, checked |
Versorium | video, checked |
Electrostatics and Water | video, ClosedCaptions, checked |
Challenge: Paper, Coin, Cup, part 2 | video |
Sorting Salt and Pepper | video, checked |
Electricity | video, free, Updated |
Making Water Wiggle | video |
Challenge: Paper, Coin, Cup, part 1 | video |
Review Energy-6 | quest |
Review Energy-7 | quest |
Review Energy-8 | quest |
SC.6.P.13.1 Investigate and describe types of forces including contact forces and forces acting at a distance, such as electrical, magnetic, and gravitational.
Making a Compass | video, checked |
Torque | video |
Versorium | video, checked |
Water in a Glass, part 2 | video, checked |
Water in a Glass, part 3 | video, checked |
Water in a Glass, part 1 | video, checked |
Challenge: Paper, Coin, Cup, part 2 | video |
Light a Bulb with a Balloon | video, checked |
Crushed Can | video, checked |
Electricity | video, free, Updated |
The Compass and Magnetic Fields | video, ClosedCaptions, checked |
Challenge: Paper, Coin, Cup, part 1 | video |
Review Energy-6 | quest |
Review Energy-7 | quest |
Review Energy-8 | quest |
Utah
UT.5.IV.1.c Describe the behavior of objects charged with static electricity in attracting or repelling without touching.
Electrostatic Charges | video |
The Leyden Jar | video, checked |
Versorium | video, checked |
Electrostatics and Water | video, ClosedCaptions, checked |
Challenge: Paper, Coin, Cup, part 2 | video |
Sorting Salt and Pepper | video, checked |
Making Water Wiggle | video |
Challenge: Paper, Coin, Cup, part 1 | video |
Review Energy-6 | quest |
Review Energy-7 | quest |
NGSS
MS-PS3-2 Develop a model to describe that when the arrangement of objects interacting at a distance changes, different amounts of potential energy are stored in the system.
Challenge: Paper, Coin, Cup, part 1 | video |
The Leyden Jar | video, checked |
Versorium | video, checked |
Water in a Glass, part 2 | video, checked |
Water in a Glass, part 3 | video, checked |
Water in a Glass, part 1 | video, checked |
Electrostatics and Water | video, ClosedCaptions, checked |
Challenge: Paper, Coin, Cup, part 2 | video |
Sorting Salt and Pepper | video, checked |
Making Water Wiggle | video |
Measuring Kinetic and Potential Energy | video, checked |
Review Energy-6 | quest |
Review Energy-7 | quest |
Review Energy-8 | quest |

The rattle on a Rattlesnake is an adaptation that:
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attracts a mate.
No. Snakes do not hear airborne sounds, so another snake would not hear the rattle. -
attracts mice and other prey animals.
No. Like other animals, mice would be frightened away by the rattle. -
warns predators to stay away.
Yes! The sound of a Rattlesnake's rattle is a warning that the snake will bite to defend itself. -
helps the snake hide.
No. There is nothing about the rattle that would serve as camouflage or help the snake hide.
Click to see which state standards this question tests, and which of my videos, experiments, and other resources support that topic.
Florida
SC.5.L.17.1 Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to survive in different environments such as life cycles variations, animal behaviors and physical characteristics.
Nature Watching | video, checked |
Calling a Woodpecker | video, checked |
Selective Smelling | video, checked |
Seed Search | video, ClosedCaptions, checked |
Flowers | video, ClosedCaptions |
Onion Crystals | video |
A Walk in the Park | video, checked |
Review Plants-1 | practice |
Review Adaptation-2 | practice |
Review Adaptation-3 | practice |
Review Adaptation-4 | practice |
Review Adaptation-5 | practice |
Review Adaptation-6 | practice |
Utah
UT.4.V.4.d Compare the structure and behavior of Utah amphibians and reptiles.
Nature Watching | video, checked |
A Walk in the Park | video, checked |
Review Adaptation-2 | practice |
UT.7.IV.2.a Predict why certain traits (e.g., structure of teeth, body structure, coloration) are more likely to offer an advantage for survival of an organism.
Onion Crystals | video |
Selective Smelling | video, checked |
Who Evolved on First? | text page, free, checked |
Thoughts on an Exoskeleton | text page, free |
Review Adaptation-1 | practice |
Review Adaptation-2 | practice |
Review Adaptation-5 | practice |
Review Adaptation-6 | practice |
NGSS

Which of the following is a difference between a meteor and a comet?
-
Meteors are mostly made up of ice.
No. Meteors are made up of rock or iron, Comets are mostly made up of ice. -
Only comets have a visible tail.
No. A meteor is a meteoroid that has entered our atmosphere. As it burns, it also produces a tail. -
Meteors seem to move faster because they are closer.
Yes. Meteors are entering our atmosphere, so they are much closer to us that a distant comet. That makes them seem to move much faster. -
Comets are smaller than meteors.
No. Meteors are small, often the size of a grain of sand. Comets are much larger.
Click to see which state standards this question tests, and which of my videos, experiments, and other resources support that topic.
Florida
SC.5.E.5.3 Distinguish among the following objects of the Solar System – Sun, planets, moons, asteroids, comets – and identify Earth’s position in it.
>>> Teacher Page: Our Solar System
Global Science | video, ClosedCaptions |
Planets and Pennies | video, ClosedCaptions |
Making a Scale Model of the Solar System | video, ClosedCaptions |
How Far is That Planet? | text page |
Review Space-3 | practice |
SC.8.E.5.3 Distinguish the hierarchical relationships between planets and other astronomical bodies relative to solar system, galaxy, and universe, including distance, size, and composition.
Planets and Pennies | video, ClosedCaptions |
Making a Scale Model of the Solar System | video, ClosedCaptions |
How Far is That Planet? | text page |
Review Space-3 | practice |
Review Space-2 | practice |
Review Space-10 | practice |
Utah
UT.6.III.1.d Describe the characteristics of comets, asteroids, and meteors.
Review Space-3 | practice |
NGSS
MS-ESS1-3 Analyze and interpret data to determine scale properties of objects in the solar system.
Global Science | video, ClosedCaptions |
Planets and Pennies | video, ClosedCaptions |
Making a Scale Model of the Solar System | video, ClosedCaptions |
How Far is That Planet? | text page |
Review Space-3 | practice |
Review Space-2 | practice |
Review Space-4 | practice |
Which of the following is a vertebrate?




-
A: crab
No. Crabs have an exoskeleton. They are arthropods, which are invertebrates. -
B: starfish
No. Starfish do not have a vertebral column or a notochord. They are echinoderms, which are invertebrates. -
C: fly
No. Flies have an exoskeleton. They are insects, which are invertebrates. -
D: tadpole
Yes! Tadpoles are amphibians. They have an internal skeleton, which includes a vertebral column. They are vertebrates.
Click to see which state standards this question tests, and which of my videos, experiments, and other resources support that topic.
Florida
SC.3.L.15.1 Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live births and those which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics and behaviors.
A Walk in the Park | video, checked |
Scientific Names | video, ClosedCaptions |
Feathers | video, checked |
Review Classify-2 | practice |
Review Classify-1 | practice |
Review Classify-3 | practice |
SC.6.L.15.1 Analyze and describe how and why organisms are classified according to shared characteristics with emphasis on the Linnaean system combined with the concept of Domains.
Scientific Names | video, ClosedCaptions |
Review Classify-1 | practice |
Review Classify-3 | practice |
Review Classify-2 | practice |
Utah
UT.4.V.3.b Use a simple classification system to classify unfamiliar Utah plants or animals (e.g., fish/amphibians/reptile/bird/mammal, invertebrate/vertebrate, tree/shrub/grass, deciduous/conifers).
Scientific Names | video, ClosedCaptions |
A Walk in the Park | video, checked |
Review Classify-2 | practice |
Review Classify-1 | practice |
Review Classify-3 | practice |
UT.7.V.2.c Generalize rules for classification.
Scientific Names | video, ClosedCaptions |
Review Classify-1 | practice |
Review Classify-3 | practice |
Review Classify-2 | practice |
NGSS
The questions are chosen randomly, so this quest will be different each time.