Science Assessment ~ Items ~ RG069003

A person hits a musical instrument called a triangle. When it is hit, the triangle starts to vibrate, and a sound is produced. After a while, the vibration and sound stop.

How does the energy of the triangle change and why?

The energy of the triangle decreases the entire time. Some energy is destroyed as the person hits the triangle, and some energy is transferred away from the triangle by sound.
The energy of the triangle increases the entire time. Energy is transferred to the triangle as the person hits the triangle, and no energy is transferred away from the triangle by sound.
The energy of the triangle increases when it is hit, and then the energy decreases. Energy is transferred from the person to the triangle as the person hits it, and then energy is transferred away from the triangle by sound after the person stops hitting it.
The energy of the triangle does not change during this process. Energy is not transferred to the triangle when the person hits it, and energy is not transferred away from the triangle by sound.

Details
Performance
NGSS

Topic
Correct Answer: C
Misconceptions

Distribution of Responses

Chart showing distrubtion of responses for Item 069003

Scale Score for Item Difficulty (200[Easy]-800[Difficult]): 465

Students Responding Correctly

Group	Correct	Total	Percent
Overall	2889	4796	60%
Grades
4–5	462	933	50%
6–8	1128	1964	57%
9–12	1299	1899	68%
Gender
Male	1312	2232	59%
Female	1505	2431	62%
Primary Language
English	2620	4281	61%
Other	188	358	53%

View data table

Disciplinary Core Ideas: PS3.B Energy is present whenever there are moving objects, sound, light, or heat. When objects collide, energy can be transferred from one object to another, thereby changing their motion. In such collisions, some energy is typically also transferred to the surrounding air; as a result, the air gets heated and sound is produced.
PS4.A Sound can make matter vibrate, and vibrating matter can make sound.

Science Assessment

Item RG069003: Energy is transferred from a person to a triangle as the person hits it, and then energy is transferred away from the triangle by sound after the person stops hitting it.