Assessment item-review infographic

Energy Transformations and Circuits

Science · Grade 5 · English

Items6

PurposeStandard Alignment Review

Draft for content-expert review and revision.

Item plan

Item	Standard	Evidence of learning	Format	Correct response
1	5.8(B)	Identify that a continuous path connecting both terminals of an energy source to a device is required for a functioning circuit.	Multiple choice	C
2	5.8(B)	Identify two fundamental requirements for a functioning electrical circuit.	Multiselect	B, D
3	5.8(B)	Identify the location in a circuit diagram where electrical energy is transformed into motion energy.	Hot spot	Location 4
4	5.8(B)	Match household devices to the primary type of energy they transform electrical energy into.	Drag and drop	Heater: Thermal, Motor: Motion, Lamp: Light, Buzzer: Sound
5	5.8(B)	Identify why an open circuit is not functioning, and explain the energy transformations that occur when it is closed.	Multipart	Part A: B, Part B: A
6	5.8(B)	Identify the energy transformations described in a real-world scenario with a functioning circuit.	Multiple choice	D

Item 1

Multiple choice

A teacher provides students with a battery, a buzzer, and two uninsulated copper wires. Which of these describes the correct way to connect the items to produce sound?

Select ONE correct answer.

A
Connect both wires to the positive end of the battery and attach the other ends to the buzzer.
B
Wrap both wires around the buzzer without touching the battery.
C
Connect one wire to the positive end of the battery, one to the negative end, and attach the other ends to the buzzer.
D
Connect one wire from the positive end of the battery directly to the negative end, and place the buzzer next to them.

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Standard

5.8(B) · demonstrate and explain that electrical energy in a complete circuit can be transformed into motion, light, sound, or thermal energy and identify the requirements for a functioning electrical circuit.

Evidence of learning

Students must recognize that a functioning electrical circuit requires a complete, continuous conductive path connecting the positive and negative terminals of the power source to the device.

Correct response

Response rationales
Response	Status	Reasoning and evidence
A	Distractor	Connecting both wires to the positive end does not create a difference in electrical potential across the buzzer. Energy cannot flow because there is no path returning to the negative terminal.
B	Distractor	A functioning circuit requires a source of electrical energy. Wrapping wires around the buzzer without a battery will not provide the energy needed to produce sound.
C	Correct	This establishes a complete circuit. Energy flows from one terminal of the battery, through the conductor, into the buzzer where it is transformed into sound, and back to the other terminal.
D	Distractor	Connecting the positive terminal directly to the negative terminal creates a short circuit. The electrical energy will bypass the buzzer entirely, so no sound will be produced.

Item 2

Multiselect

What are TWO requirements for any functioning electrical circuit to work?

Select TWO correct answers.

A device that creates motion, such as a motor
✓
A continuous path of a conductor, such as a metal wire
A switch to turn the power on and off
✓
A source of electrical energy, such as a battery
An insulator, such as plastic tape, wrapped around the device

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Review required

Standard

Evidence of learning

Students must differentiate between essential requirements for a circuit (a source and a conductive path) and optional components or non-essential features (switches, motors, insulators).

Correct response

B, D

Response rationales
Response	Status	Reasoning and evidence
A	Distractor	While some circuits power motors, a motor is not a requirement for all circuits. Circuits can also power light bulbs, heaters, or buzzers.
B	Correct	Electrical energy requires a continuous, unbroken path made of a conductive material to travel from the source to the device and back again.
C	Distractor	A switch is a helpful tool to easily open or close a circuit, but a circuit can function perfectly without one as long as the path is continuous.
D	Correct	A source of electrical energy, such as a battery, wall outlet, or solar panel, is required to supply the energy that travels through the circuit.
E	Distractor	Insulators are used for safety to prevent electrical energy from leaving the intended path, but they are not required to make the circuit function.

Item 3

Hot spot

A student built the circuit shown below.

Select the location in the circuit where electrical energy is transformed into motion.

Select ONE location on the image. (Adapted for static review below).

Location 1
Location 2
Location 3
✓
Location 4

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Review required

Standard

5.8(B) · demonstrate and explain that electrical energy in a complete circuit can be transformed into motion, light, sound, or thermal energy...

Evidence of learning

Students must identify the functional roles of circuit components and locate the device (the motor) responsible for a specific energy transformation (motion).

Correct response

Location 4

Response rationales
Response	Status	Reasoning and evidence
Location 1	Distractor	This location points to the battery, which is the source of the electrical energy, not the device that transforms it into motion.
Location 2	Distractor	This location points to a wire, which provides the conductive path for energy to travel. It does not create motion.
Location 3	Distractor	This location points to the switch, which controls the flow of energy by opening or closing the circuit. It does not create motion.
Location 4	Correct	This location points to the motor. When the circuit is closed, the motor receives electrical energy and transforms it into the motion energy required to spin.

Item 4

Drag and drop

Match each electrical device to the primary type of energy it produces when connected to a functioning circuit.

Move the correct energy type to each box. Each energy type will be used once.

Light energy Motion energy Sound energy Thermal energy

Electrical Device	Energy Transformation
Electric heater	[Thermal energy]
Electric motor	[Motion energy]
LED lamp	[Light energy]
Electronic buzzer	[Sound energy]

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Standard

5.8(B) · demonstrate and explain that electrical energy in a complete circuit can be transformed into motion, light, sound, or thermal energy...

Evidence of learning

Students must classify common circuit loads based on their primary energy output, demonstrating an understanding of the four transformation types listed in the standard.

Correct response

Heater = Thermal, Motor = Motion, Lamp = Light, Buzzer = Sound

Response rationales
Response	Status	Reasoning and evidence
Electric heater	Correct	An electric heater is designed specifically to transform electrical energy into thermal energy (heat).
Electric motor	Correct	An electric motor spins or drives mechanical parts, transforming electrical energy into motion energy.
LED lamp	Correct	An LED lamp is designed to illuminate an area, transforming electrical energy primarily into light energy.
Electronic buzzer	Correct	A buzzer vibrates to create noise, transforming electrical energy into sound energy.

Item 5

Multipart

A student sets up the circuit shown below using a battery, a switch, and a light bulb.

Part A
Why is the light bulb NOT producing light?

Select ONE correct answer.

A
The battery is connected backward.
B
The circuit does not have a complete path.
C
The bulb is producing thermal energy instead.
D
The wire is made of an insulating material.

Part B
If the circuit is changed so that it functions correctly, which energy transformation will occur?

Select ONE correct answer.

A
Electrical energy is transformed into light energy and thermal energy.
B
Light energy is transformed into electrical energy.
C
Thermal energy is transformed into motion energy.
D
Motion energy is transformed into light energy.

Writer review

Review required

Standard

Evidence of learning

Students must analyze an open circuit diagram to determine why it is non-functioning, and then identify the correct energy transformation that will occur once the requirement (a closed loop) is met.

Correct response

Part A: B
Part B: A

Response rationales: Part A
Response	Status	Reasoning and evidence
A	Distractor	The diagram does not indicate the battery is backwards, and standard light bulbs work regardless of which direction the current flows.
B	Correct	The diagram clearly shows an open switch. An open switch breaks the continuous conductive path required for electrical energy to flow through the circuit.
C	Distractor	If the bulb were receiving energy to produce thermal energy, the circuit would be complete and it would likely be producing light as well. The open circuit prevents any transformation.
D	Distractor	The diagram shows standard circuit wires. While an insulator would stop current, the visible open switch is the immediate and intended cause of the failure.

Response rationales: Part B
Response	Status	Reasoning and evidence
A	Correct	When the switch is closed, the circuit is complete. The battery provides electrical energy, which the light bulb transforms into light energy (and some thermal energy).
B	Distractor	This describes a solar panel, which takes in light and produces electricity. A battery-powered circuit does the reverse.
C	Distractor	This describes a heat engine. An electrical circuit with a light bulb does not start with thermal energy, nor does it produce motion.
D	Distractor	A light bulb does not receive motion energy to operate, nor does the circuit have a generator receiving motion energy. It operates on electrical energy.

Item 6

Multiple choice

A student connects a battery to a small device using copper wires. The device begins to vibrate and play a song. Which of the following describes the energy transformation taking place?

Select ONE correct answer.

A
Sound energy is transformed into electrical energy.
B
Motion energy is transformed into light energy and sound energy.
C
Thermal energy is transformed into electrical energy.
D
Electrical energy is transformed into sound energy and motion energy.

Writer review

Review required

Standard

5.8(B) · demonstrate and explain that electrical energy in a complete circuit can be transformed into motion, light, sound, or thermal energy...

Evidence of learning

Students must read a practical scenario, identify the energy source, and recognize the specific resulting outputs to define the complete transformation.

Correct response

Response rationales
Response	Status	Reasoning and evidence
A	Distractor	This describes a microphone, which takes in sound to create an electrical signal. The scenario describes a device using electricity to create sound.
B	Distractor	The device is powered by a battery (electrical energy), not by physical motion. Also, no light energy is mentioned in the scenario.
C	Distractor	The energy source is a battery, not heat. Furthermore, the outputs are sound and motion, not electricity.
D	Correct	The battery provides electrical energy to the device. The device transforms this energy into motion (vibrating) and sound (playing a song).