Properties of Matter

Essential Questions What is a physical property? What are the three states of matter? Can you identify characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases?

How would you describe these rocks?

Physical Properties All of the characteristics you used to describe the rocks (smooth, multicolored, heavy, etc) are called physical properties. A physical property is something you can observe or measure (shape, texture, color, size, etc).

Think About It Another Way.. How would you describe a pencil? Yellow Long Thin, Has 6 sides You use it to write The tip breaks easily These descriptions have something in common- they all describe the pencil itself.

States of Matter Another physical property of matter is the state that it’s in. Solid Liquid Gas

With your partner, think of 5 solids… In a solid, particles are packed tightly together. Because they are so tight, they vibrate instead of always moving. Solids have an exact shape and volume. Desks, chairs, bowling balls, pencils, etc. are all examples of solids. With your partner, think of 5 solids…

With your partner, think of 5 liquids… Liquids change shape and can be poured. Liquids take the shape of the container they are in. Particles move but much slower than gases. Orange juice, milk, water, soda, etc. are all examples of liquids. With your partner, think of 5 liquids…

Gases Gases have no definite shape or volume. Particles are far apart and move rapidly. Particles actually move the fastest in a gaseous form. Oxygen, helium, nitrogen, etc. are all examples of gases. Air is actually a mixture of several gases, not a gas itself.

Let’s Review Which physical property can be the same for both a large marble and a small one? A.) color B.) mass C.) volume D.) weight A.

Let’s Review Two clear bags each contain a different unknown object. What physical properties could you use to tell the objects apart? You could have included answers such as color, texture, mass, volume, density, shape, state of matter (solid, liquid, gas) etc.

Let’s Review Which state of matter do the particles move the fastest? A.) Solid B.) Liquid C.) Gas C.

Let’s Review In which state of matter are the particles most organized? A.) Solid B.) Liquid C.) Gas A.

What state of matter does NOT take the shape of its container? Let’s Review What state of matter does NOT take the shape of its container? Gas

Let’s Review You have a red box and a black box that are exactly the same size. The red box is heavier than the black one. What does this tell you about the physical properties of the boxes? Write your answer on your own, then confer with a partner

States of Matter- Check This Out: Here you will find how particles are arranged in solids, liquids, and gases.

Let’s Experiment PROBLEM: When water and cornstarch are combined, does it form a liquid or a solid?

HYPOTHESIS: When water and cornstarch are added, they will form a _________________. (liquid, solid)

MATERIALS: *1 clear plastic cup *1 craft stick *1/4 cup corn starch *food coloring (optional) *1/8 cup water *measuring cups

PROCEDURES: Measure 1/4 cup (level) of corn starch into the plastic cup. Measure 1/8 cup (level) of water into the paper cup. Stir quickly until the mixture is smooth. If mixture is still lumpy, add more water until it is smooth (Caution: you don’t want the mixture to be soupy!)