OSU Thermal Energy Quiz Assessment
OSU Thermal Energy Quiz
Science Assessment • Grade 3
Name:
Date:
12
12
Diagram Key:
Boxes are objects. Circles are molecules. Numbers show energy.
Part 1: Concepts
1. Thermal energy is energy that comes from ____________________________.
2. A ____________________________ is a tool used to measure temperature.
3. Molecules that move faster have ___________________ kinetic energy.
4. Lin has a pot of hot soup and a bowl of cold soup. What is the difference between their molecules?
a. The molecules in the hot soup are moving faster.
b. The molecules in the cold soup are moving faster.
c. The molecules in the hot soup are larger.
5. True or False: Heat energy moves from a cooler object to a warmer object.
TRUE FALSE
6. When hot water shoots out of a geyser, the ground gets warmer. What happens to the molecules in the ground?
a. The energy of the molecules increases.
b. The energy of the molecules decreases.
c. The molecules stop moving.
7. True or False: When an object cools down, its molecules start to move slower.
TRUE FALSE
8. Joseph puts a hot piece of toast on a cool plate. Which statement is true?
a. The plate gains energy and the toast loses energy.
b. The plate loses energy and the toast gains energy.
c. Both gain energy at the same time.
Top Pipe
80
80
80
Bottom Pipe
20
20
20
9. These two pipes are touching. What will happen to the energy after a while?
a. Kinetic energy moves from Top → Bottom.
b. Kinetic energy moves from Bottom → Top.
c. No energy will move.
10. ____________________________ is the transfer of thermal energy between objects.
Part 2: Short Answer
Food Dish
10
10
10
10
Options
A
30
30
B
10
10
C
50
50
11. Which dish (A, B, or C) will make the Food Dish the warmest? Explain how energy moves.
Top Book
5
5
5
Bottom Book
15
15
15
12. The Bottom Book is warmer than the Top Book.
What happens to the temperature of the Top Book after they have been touching? Why?
Great work! You finished the quiz.
OSU Thermal Energy Answer Key
ANSWER KEY
OSU Thermal Energy Quiz • Grade 3
Teacher Resource
Science Curriculum 2026
Part 1: Concepts & Definitions
Question 1
Answer: Heat (or The Sun / Fire / Thermal energy)
Question 2
Answer: Thermometer
Question 3
Answer: More (or Kinetic)
Question 4: a. The molecules in the hot soup are moving faster.
Question 5: FALSE (Heat moves from hotter to cooler).
Question 6: a. The energy of the molecules in the ground increases.
Question 7: TRUE (Molecules slow down as they cool).
Question 8: a. The plate gains energy and the toast loses energy.
Question 9: a. Kinetic energy will move from Top Pipe (80) to Bottom Pipe (20).
Question 10
Answer: Heat (or Heat Transfer / Conduction)
Part 2: Short Answer Grading Guide
Question 11: Chef Dish
Target Answer: Choice C
Full Credit Explanation: Students should state that Dish C has the highest energy (50). Heat energy moves from warmer objects to cooler objects. Since Dish C is the warmest, it will give the Food Dish the most energy and make it the warmest.
Question 12: Stacking Books
Target Answer: Temperature Increases / Gets Warmer
Full Credit Explanation: The Top Book will get warmer. This happens because the Bottom Book is warmer and has more energy (15). That energy moves to the Top Book (5) when they touch.
Teacher Resource • Confidential • OSU Science Curriculum
