Grade 5 Science
What this domain tests
The Georgia Milestones Grade 5 Science domain is a cumulative test of Grade 5 science. It samples physical science (physical and chemical changes, closed circuits, conductors and insulators, electromagnets), life science (classification, inherited and acquired traits, plant and animal cells, helpful and harmful microorganisms), and Earth science (constructive and destructive processes that change Earth’s surface). Items usually present a classroom or outdoor scenario and ask for the best explanation, so connect observations to the science concept.
Core rules and concepts
- Physical change: the substance keeps its identity; shape, size, or state may change. Dissolving salt in water and melting ice are physical because the material can be recovered or is still the same substance.
- Chemical change: a new substance forms. Evidence can include a new color, gas bubbles, a solid precipitate, a temperature change, or light. Rusting and burning are chemical.
- Electricity and magnetism: a closed circuit provides a complete path for current. Conductors allow current to flow; insulators resist it. An electromagnet is a temporary magnet made by current in a coil around an iron core.
- Earth’s surface: constructive processes build up land, such as deposition and volcanic eruptions. Destructive processes wear land down or move it, such as weathering and erosion.
- Living things: classification groups organisms by shared characteristics. Inherited traits come from parents; acquired traits are learned or gained during life.
- Cells: plant and animal cells share a cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Plant cells also have a cell wall and chloroplasts.
- Microorganisms: some are helpful, such as bacteria that make yogurt; some cause disease or spoil food.
Worked example
A student leaves an iron nail outdoors. After rain, the nail is covered with reddish-brown flakes that crumble off. Is this a physical change or a chemical change? The flakes are rust, a new substance, not just iron in a different shape or state. The color change, crumbling, and difficulty reversing the change are evidence of a chemical change. Melted iron would still be iron, so melting is physical.
Traps that cost marks
- Calling every color change chemical; mixing paints can change appearance without a new substance.
- Confusing weathering (breaking rock in place) with erosion (moving the pieces).
- Labeling a learned behavior as inherited; a dog begging is learned, while a bird building a nest is inherited.
- Assuming a circuit is complete when only one wire touches the battery; current needs a full closed path.
- Giving animal cells chloroplasts or cell walls; those belong to plant cells.