1. Big Question: What happens to matter under different conditions? Goal: To explain how particles move from one state of matter to another.

2. What are the 3 states of matter?

3. Background: Zod, an alien life-form, has arrived recently on Earth from the planet Ecneics. One of the first things Zod noticed upon his arrival was that materials (matter) seemed to exist in different forms. He wants you to explain the difference among solids, liquids and gases. Zod is, of course, rather sharp (like you), and so he poses some very difficult questions.

4. Part 1: Salt, Water, and Nail 1. Look at the test tubes of salt, water, and a nail. You explain to Zod that the nail is a solid and the water is a liquid. Please write an explanation of how you would describe the differences between the two states on page 3 your science notebook.

5. Part 1: Salt, Water, and Nail 2. “Okay,” Zod says. “So liquids flow and take the shape of their container, while solids don’t.” Look at the tube of salt. “Salt is a liquid because it flows and takes the shape of its container, right?” asks Zod. Now you have a problem. What do you say to Zod to convince him that salt is not a liquid, but a solid? Use your senses to make observations and write your response on page 3 of your science notebook.

6. Part 2: Syringe, Water, & Gas 1. Look at the syringes of water and gas. Show Zod that the gas is easily compressed, that is, squeezed into a smaller space. But the water cannot be compressed easily. You explain to Zod that this is an important difference between liquids and gases. Gases can be compressed noticeably, but liquids cannot. “Okay,” says Zod. “This sponge is a gas because it is easily compressed.” Is he right? What do you say to Zod now? Use your senses to make observations that will help you determine why the sponge is not a gas. Write your response on page 3 of your science notebook.

7. Part 3: Vanilla, Water, & Salt 1. Add a couple drops of vanilla to the empty test tube. There are also 2 test tubes filled with water or salt. Zod looks at the three test tubes. “So how do you know that there is a gas in the tube without salt or water?” he asks. Write your explanation on page 3 or 4 of your science notebook.

8. CONCLUSIONS: SOLIDLIQUIDGAS Based on your experiences with Zod, take a moment and write down the different characteristics of a solid, liquid and gas. Make this chart in page 4 of your science notebook: