Physical Science (Grade 8) Midterm — Full-Course Review

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Science Grade 8 30 multiple choice + 2 written

Free printable Physical Science midterm (Grade 8): 30 multiple-choice questions plus 2 written responses covering Matter & Its Properties, Atoms & the Periodic Table, Chemical Reactions, Forces & Motion, Energy, Waves, Electricity & Magnetism. Answer key included — customize it in the Midterm Maker.

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Directions: Read each question carefully and choose the best answer. Answer the written response in complete sentences.

Covers: Matter & Its Properties · Atoms & the Periodic Table · Chemical Reactions · Forces & Motion · Energy · Waves, Electricity & Magnetism

Part 1: Multiple Choice

A metal cube has a volume of 5 cm³ and a density of 4 g/cm³. What is its mass?
1. A. 20 g
2. B. 0.8 g
3. C. 1.25 g
4. D. 9 g
In which state of matter do particles move fastest and spread farthest apart?
1. A. Gas
2. B. Liquid
3. C. Solid
4. D. Frozen solid
A rock has a mass of 60 g and a volume of 20 cm³. What is its density?
1. A. 0.33 g/cm³
2. B. 3 g/cm³
3. C. 80 g/cm³
4. D. 1200 g/cm³
Which of these is a physical change?
1. A. Ice melting
2. B. Iron rusting
3. C. Wood burning
4. D. A cake baking
At sea level, at what temperature does pure water boil?
1. A. 0°C
2. B. 100°C
3. C. 32°C
4. D. 212°C
Elements in the same group react in similar ways because they have the same number of what?
1. A. Neutrons
2. B. Protons
3. C. Total electrons
4. D. Valence electrons
Which particle in an atom has no electric charge?
1. A. Neutron
2. B. Proton
3. C. Electron
4. D. Ion
A sodium atom has atomic number 11 and mass number 23. How many neutrons does it have?
1. A. 12
2. B. 11
3. C. 23
4. D. 34
What element does the symbol Na represent?
1. A. Nitrogen
2. B. Nickel
3. C. Sodium
4. D. Neon
What are the vertical columns of the periodic table called?
1. A. Periods
2. B. Series
3. C. Rows
4. D. Groups
How many hydrogen atoms are shown in 2H₂O?
1. A. 2
2. B. 6
3. C. 4
4. D. 3
A solution has a pH of 2. How is it best described?
1. A. Neutral
2. B. Strongly basic
3. C. Weakly basic
4. D. Strongly acidic
Increasing the temperature of reactants usually has what effect on reaction rate?
1. A. It slows down the reaction
2. B. It has no effect
3. C. It stops the reaction
4. D. It speeds up the reaction
Which coefficients balance the equation ___ H₂ + ___ O₂ → ___ H₂O?
1. A. 2, 1, 2
2. B. 2, 2, 1
3. C. 1, 2, 2
4. D. 1, 1, 1
Which observation is the best evidence that a chemical reaction occurred?
1. A. An ice cube melts
2. B. Gas bubbles form when baking soda and vinegar mix
3. C. Sugar dissolves in water
4. D. A glass cup breaks
A swimmer pushes water backward and moves forward. Which law does this show?
1. A. Newton's second law
2. B. Newton's first law
3. C. Newton's third law
4. D. The law of conservation of mass
Two teams pull on a rope with equal force in opposite directions. What happens to the rope?
1. A. It moves with twice the force
2. B. It speeds up toward one team
3. C. It accelerates straight upward
4. D. It does not accelerate because the net force is zero
Which statement describes Newton's first law of motion?
1. A. An object keeps its motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it
2. B. Force equals mass times acceleration
3. C. Heavier objects always fall faster
4. D. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
How is velocity different from speed?
1. A. Velocity is measured in newtons
2. B. Velocity ignores distance
3. C. Velocity includes direction
4. D. Velocity is always faster
What net force is needed to accelerate a 10 kg cart at 2 m/s²?
1. A. 5 N
2. B. 8 N
3. C. 12 N
4. D. 20 N
What energy change happens in a solar panel?
1. A. Chemical energy to light energy
2. B. Thermal energy to chemical energy
3. C. Electrical energy to light energy
4. D. Light energy to electrical energy
What does the law of conservation of energy state?
1. A. Energy is used up when work is done
2. B. Energy is created by machines
3. C. Energy disappears as heat
4. D. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only changed in form
Which is a renewable energy resource?
1. A. Natural gas
2. B. Oil
3. C. Wind
4. D. Coal
The energy of a moving object is called what?
1. A. Chemical energy
2. B. Kinetic energy
3. C. Nuclear energy
4. D. Potential energy
At which point does a roller coaster car have the most gravitational potential energy?
1. A. Halfway down the first hill
2. B. At the lowest point of the track
3. C. While moving fastest at the bottom
4. D. At the top of the highest hill
Why can't sound travel through the near-vacuum of outer space?
1. A. Sound only travels during the day
2. B. Starlight blocks sound waves
3. C. Sound needs matter to travel through
4. D. Space is too cold for sound
What is the highest point of a transverse wave called?
1. A. Crest
2. B. Trough
3. C. Frequency
4. D. Wavelength
In a simple series circuit with three bulbs, what happens if one bulb burns out?
1. A. The other bulbs flicker on and off
2. B. Only that bulb goes out
3. C. All the bulbs go out
4. D. The other bulbs get brighter
A generator converts which form of energy into electrical energy?
1. A. Nuclear energy
2. B. Mechanical energy
3. C. Light energy
4. D. Chemical energy
A wave has a frequency of 5 Hz and a wavelength of 2 m. What is its speed?
1. A. 2.5 m/s
2. B. 7 m/s
3. C. 0.4 m/s
4. D. 10 m/s

Part 2: Written Response

A student burns a piece of paper and says mass was destroyed because the ash weighs less. Explain why the student is wrong using the law of conservation of mass.
Compare a series circuit and a parallel circuit. Explain which type is used in homes and why.

Answer Key — Physical Science (Grade 8) Midterm — Full-Course Review

A — 20 g Mass = density × volume = 4 × 5 = 20 g.
A — Gas Gas particles have the most energy and fill any container.
B — 3 g/cm³ Density = mass ÷ volume = 60 ÷ 20 = 3 g/cm³.
A — Ice melting Melting changes state but not the substance's identity.
B — 100°C Water boils at 100°C (212°F) at sea level.
D — Valence electrons Valence electrons determine how an element bonds.
A — Neutron Neutrons are neutral particles in the nucleus.
A — 12 Neutrons = mass number − atomic number = 23 − 11 = 12.
C — Sodium Na comes from natrium, the Latin name for sodium.
D — Groups Columns are groups (families); rows are periods.
C — 4 Each H₂O has 2 hydrogen atoms; 2 × 2 = 4.
D — Strongly acidic pH below 7 is acidic; 2 is strongly acidic.
D — It speeds up the reaction Faster particles collide more often and with more energy.
A — 2, 1, 2 2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O gives 4 H and 2 O on each side.
B — Gas bubbles form when baking soda and vinegar mix Formation of a new gas signals a new substance.
C — Newton's third law The water pushes back on the swimmer with an equal, opposite force.
D — It does not accelerate because the net force is zero Balanced forces cause no change in motion.
A — An object keeps its motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it The first law is the law of inertia.
C — Velocity includes direction Velocity is speed in a given direction.
D — 20 N F = m × a = 10 × 2 = 20 N.
D — Light energy to electrical energy Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity.
D — Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only changed in form Total energy stays constant; it changes form.
C — Wind Wind is replenished naturally; fossil fuels are not.
B — Kinetic energy Kinetic energy is energy of motion.
D — At the top of the highest hill Potential energy is greatest where height is greatest.
C — Sound needs matter to travel through Sound is a mechanical wave that needs a medium.
A — Crest The crest is the top; the trough is the bottom.
C — All the bulbs go out A series circuit has one path; a break stops all current.
B — Mechanical energy Spinning a coil in a magnetic field induces electric current.
D — 10 m/s Speed = frequency × wavelength = 5 × 2 = 10 m/s.

Written Response — Look-Fors

Mass is conserved; gases (carbon dioxide, water vapor) escaped to the air; a closed system would show equal mass; atoms are rearranged, not destroyed.
Series: one path, one break stops all; parallel: multiple paths, devices work independently; homes use parallel so each outlet/device operates separately and receives full voltage.

Physical Science (Grade 8) Midterm — Full-Course Review

Part 1: Multiple Choice

Part 2: Written Response

Written Response — Look-Fors

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