Science Assessment ~ Items ~ NG025003

A student is holding a cold piece of metal in her hand. While she is holding the piece of metal, her hand gets colder. Does the piece of metal get warmer? Why or why not?

Yes, the piece of metal will get warmer because some thermal energy is transferred from the metal to the student’s hand.
Yes, the piece of metal will get warmer because some thermal energy is transferred from the student’s hand to the metal.
No, the piece of metal will stay at the same temperature because an equal amount of thermal energy is exchanged between the student’s hand and the metal.
No, the piece of metal will stay at the same temperature because thermal energy is not transferred between the student’s hand and the metal.

Details
Performance
NGSS

Topic: Weather and Climate II: Seasonal Differences
Correct Answer: B

Distribution of Responses

Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item CL025003

Students Responding Correctly

Group	Correct	Total	Percent
Overall	896	1554	58%
Grades
6–8	529	990	53%
9–12	367	558	66%
Gender
Male	414	741	56%
Female	471	786	60%
Primary Language
English	825	1407	59%
Other	49	105	47%

View data table

Disciplinary Core Ideas: PS3.B Energy is spontaneously transferred out of hotter regions or objects and into colder ones.

Science Assessment

Item NG025003: While a student holds a cold piece of metal in her hand, the metal will get warmer because thermal energy is transferred from the student's hand to the metal.