Science Assessment ~ Topics ~ Energy: Forms, Transformation, Transfer, and Conservation ~ Item RG068003 ~ Student Performance

In outer space, there is no air, only empty space between the stars and planets. Can energy be transferred by light and sound in outer space? Why?

Energy can be transferred by light and by sound in outer space because light and sound can both travel without air carrying them.
Energy can be transferred by light in outer space because light can travel without air carrying it, but energy cannot be transferred by sound because sound requires a medium such as air to carry it.
Energy can be transferred by sound in outer space because sound can travel without air carrying it, but energy cannot be transferred by light because light requires a medium such as air to carry it.
Energy cannot be transferred by light or sound in outer space because both light and sound require a medium such as air to carry them.

Distribution of responses
Answer Choice		Overall	Grades			Gender		Primary Language
		n = 6231	4–5 n = 486	6–8 n = 3050	9–12 n = 2695	Male n = 2844	Female n = 3203	English n = 5506	Other n = 533
A.	Energy can be transferred by light and by sound in outer space because light and sound can both travel without air carrying them.	29%	36%	29%	27%	26%	32%	29%	29%
B.	Energy can be transferred by light in outer space because light can travel without air carrying it, but energy cannot be transferred by sound because sound requires a medium such as air to carry it.	40%	29%	37%	46%	44%	37%	41%	37%
C.	Energy can be transferred by sound in outer space because sound can travel without air carrying it, but energy cannot be transferred by light because light requires a medium such as air to carry it.	14%	13%	14%	13%	14%	14%	13%	18%
D.	Energy cannot be transferred by light or sound in outer space because both light and sound require a medium such as air to carry them.	17%	22%	20%	14%	16%	18%	17%	16%

Science Assessment