ASPECt
Energy: Forms, Transformation, Transfer, and Conservation
Energy is released when fuel is burned. Energy is also released when food is used as fuel in animals.
Item RG015003: Burning more wood in a campfire will release more energy.
Two girls are sitting by a campfire. The air is getting cool, and the fire is not making them warm enough.
They could have an adult remove some wood from the fire or add more dry wood to the fire. Which should they do to feel warmer?
- They should add more wood to the fire. Burning more wood will release more energy, which will make them warmer.
- They should remove some wood from the fire. Burning less wood will release more energy, which will make them warmer.
- They should add more wood to the fire. Burning more wood will make them warmer but will not release more energy.
- Adding wood or taking wood away is not going to make them feel warmer. All campfires release the same amount of energy.
- Distribution of Responses
- Scale Score for Item Difficulty
(200[Easy]-800[Difficult]) - 447
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 895 | 1276 | 70% |
| Grades | |||
| 4–5 | 225 | 301 | 75% |
| 6–8 | 441 | 626 | 70% |
| 9–12 | 229 | 349 | 66% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 415 | 584 | 71% |
| Female | 459 | 660 | 70% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 794 | 1117 | 71% |
| Other | 82 | 129 | 64% |
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
- PS3.B Light also transfers energy from place to place.
- NRC Framework
- PS3.D Food and fuel also release energy when they are digested or burned.