Original Project
Atoms, Molecules, and States of Matter
Item AM051005: When a sealed plastic bottle filled with air is placed in the refrigerator, the bottle becomees dented because molecules of air inside the bottle get closer together.
You drink all of the water from a plastic bottle. You put the cap on the bottle and tighten it. Then you put the bottle in the refrigerator. An hour later, you notice that the bottle is dented. Why is the bottle dented after being cooled in the refrigerator?
- All the molecules of air went out of the bottle.
- Heat molecules inside the bottle were destroyed.
- The molecules of air inside the bottle broke down.
- The molecules of air inside the bottle got closer together.
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2960 | 5456 | 54% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 1881 | 3784 | 50% |
| 9–12 | 1073 | 1661 | 65% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 1462 | 2658 | 55% |
| Female | 1464 | 2731 | 54% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 2672 | 4834 | 55% |
| Other | 235 | 533 | 44% |
- Notes
- NGSS does not address thermal expansion or contraction of matter.