Properties of Matter The student knows that matter has physical properties and can identify matter as liquid, solids, and gases

Matter Made of particles and exists in one of three main states: solid, liquid, or gas

Matter Can be changed from one state to another and back by heating or cooling

So what is a solid? Solids are usually hard because their particles have been packed together. Solids also can hold their own shape.

A rock will always look like a rock unless something happens to it. The same goes for a diamond. Even when you grind up a solid into a powder, you will see little tiny pieces of that solid under a microscope.

What is a liquid? Water is a liquid. Your blood is a liquid. Liquids are an in-between state of matter. They can be found in between the solid and gas states.

Liquids will move and fill up any container.

LOOKING FOR A GAS? Gas is everywhere. Gases can fill a container of any size or shape. Think about a balloon. No matter what shape you make the balloon it will be evenly filled with the gas particles.

Gas The particles in a gas move around the most and are least tightly packed.

Test your thinking!

A form of matter that has its own shape and volume.

What is a solid?

A form of matter that has its own volume but does not have a shape of its own.

What is a liquid?

A form of matter that has no shape or volume of its own.

What is a gas?

An ice cube is water in the form of a solid. Heat makes the ice melt. Start with ice Cause (What makes it happen?) Add Heat Effect (What happens?)

Matter Mystery Water was scarce in the desert, and he trusted no one. He was horrified to realize that he’d left his drink where it could be stolen. But when he found his glass, it had more water than before. How did it get there?