Science Assessment ~ Topics ~ Energy: Forms, Transformation, Transfer, and Conservation ~ Item RG084002 ~ Student Performance

Two classes put plants in clay pots. The pots and plants are exactly the same, and they each have the same amount of dirt and water. One class hangs its pot outside the window on the first floor of the school. The other class hangs its pot outside the window on the second floor of the school.

Does the clay pot that is hanging outside the second floor window have more energy than the clay pot that is hanging outside the first floor window? Why or why not?

Yes, the pot that is hanging outside the second floor window has more energy because it is higher above the ground.
Yes, the pot that is hanging outside the second floor window has more energy because it is more likely to fall.
No, both pots have the same amount of energy because they are exactly the same.
No, both pots have no energy because they are not moving.

Distribution of responses
Answer Choice		Overall	Grades			Gender		Primary Language
		n = 5034	4–5 n = 2058	6–8 n = 1612	9–12 n = 1364	Male n = 2378	Female n = 2536	English n = 4467	Other n = 416
A.	Yes, the pot that is hanging outside the second floor window has more energy because it is higher above the ground.	40%	42%	38%	38%	41%	39%	40%	40%
B.	Yes, the pot that is hanging outside the second floor window has more energy because it is more likely to fall.	11%	10%	13%	10%	12%	11%	11%	12%
C.	No, both pots have the same amount of energy because they are exactly the same.	34%	34%	33%	34%	33%	35%	34%	31%
D.	No, both pots have no energy because they are not moving.	15%	13%	16%	18%	14%	16%	15%	16%

Science Assessment

Item RG084002: A pot that is hanging outside the second floor window has more energy then a pot hanging outside the first floor window because it is higher above the ground.