Praxis 5005 Physical Science

Content category III of the Elementary Education: Science Subtest (5005): about 18–19 of the 55 questions (33%). The topics ETS lists, how they are tested and practice questions with explanations.

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55 questions on the real 60-minute clock, weighted like the ETS test, with a score by content category and an explanation for every answer.

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What ETS lists

  • Physical and chemical properties and the structure of matter (states, mixtures and solutions, atoms)
  • Forces and motion (types of motion, laws of motion, forces and equilibrium)
  • Energy (forms, transfer and conservation, simple machines)
  • Interactions of energy and matter (electricity, magnetism, sound)
  • Science as inquiry, resources and research, and the unifying processes of science

From the ETS Elementary Education: Science Subtest (5005) Study Companion, content category III.

Line drawing of a horseshoe magnet, a pulley, a beaker and a light bulb

How Physical Science is tested

Properties and states of matter, physical versus chemical changes, atoms and the periodic table, mixtures and solutions, forces and Newton’s laws, speed and density calculations, energy forms and transfer, simple machines, circuits, magnets, light and sound.

Start the free Physical Science drill

Praxis 5005 Physical Science practice questions

Answer each question, then open the explanation.

Question 1

A battery-powered fan begins to spin when switched on. Which energy transformation occurs in the fan’s motor?

  1. A.Kinetic energy of the blades becomes chemical energy stored in the battery.
  2. B.Electrical energy becomes kinetic energy of the rotating blades.
  3. C.Electrical energy becomes only thermal energy with no mechanical output.
  4. D.Gravitational potential energy of the stationary fan becomes blade motion.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B: Electrical energy becomes kinetic energy of the rotating blades.

The motor converts electrical energy into the kinetic energy of rotating parts, with some energy also transferred as heat and sound. The observed rotation rules out an explanation involving only heating.

Question 2

In a sealed container, 12 g of one reactant combines completely with 18 g of another reactant. There are no other materials in the container and nothing enters or leaves. What is the total mass of the products?

  1. A.6 g
  2. B.12 g
  3. C.18 g
  4. D.30 g
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D: 30 g

Mass is conserved in the sealed system, so the product mass is 12 + 18 = 30 g. Counting only one reactant leaves out matter that also becomes part of the products.

Question 3

A 2 kg object is lifted 3 m. Use a gravitational field strength of 10 N/kg. What is the increase in its gravitational potential energy?

  1. A.6 J
  2. B.20 J
  3. C.60 J
  4. D.180 J
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C: 60 J

The increase is mass × gravitational field strength × height: 2 × 10 × 3 = 60 J. The 20 J choice gives the numerical value of weight, which is a force rather than energy.

Question 4

Equal small masses of sugar dissolve completely in equal volumes of warm and cool water, but the warm sample dissolves faster. What does this observation establish?

  1. A.Sugar undergoes a chemical reaction only in warm water.
  2. B.The rate of dissolving differs under the two temperature conditions.
  3. C.The cool water contains no moving particles.
  4. D.The maximum amount that can dissolve is the same at both temperatures.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B: The rate of dissolving differs under the two temperature conditions.

The observation compares dissolving rates, since the time to dissolve differs. It does not measure maximum solubility because neither sample is shown to be saturated.

Take the full test under the real clock

Take a full timed Praxis 5005 practice test

55 questions on the real 60-minute clock, weighted like the ETS test, with a score by content category and an explanation for every answer.

Or start the free Physical Science drill

Common questions

How many Physical Science questions are on the Praxis 5005?

ETS lists about 18–19 of the 55 questions in Physical Science, about 33% of the test.

What does Physical Science cover on the Praxis 5005?

Physical and chemical properties and the structure of matter (states, mixtures and solutions, atoms); Forces and motion (types of motion, laws of motion, forces and equilibrium); Energy (forms, transfer and conservation, simple machines); Interactions of energy and matter (electricity, magnetism, sound); Science as inquiry, resources and research, and the unifying processes of science.

How should I study Physical Science for the Praxis 5005?

Properties and states of matter, physical versus chemical changes, atoms and the periodic table, mixtures and solutions, forces and Newton’s laws, speed and density calculations, energy forms and transfer, simple machines, circuits, magnets, light and sound.

Praxis is a registered trademark of ETS. Original independent practice questions written to the published ETS Study Companions; not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS.