Science Unit
Matter
Vocabulary Students need to know the meaning of
each word.
matter – anything that takes up space and has mass
physical properties – anything you can observe
about an object using your senses
Three states of matter:
solid – a form of matter that takes up a specific
amount of space and has a definite shape
liquid – a form of matter that has volume that stays
the same, but can change its shape
gas – a form of matter that does not have a definite
shape or a definite volume
evaporation – the process by which a liquid changes
into a gas
Small particles that make up matter:
atom – the basic building block of matter.
molecule – the smallest particle of a substance that
keeps its physical properties. It is made up of atoms.
Ways to measure matter:
volume – the amount of space that matter takes up
mass – the amount of matter in an object
physical change – a change to matter in which no
new kinds of matter are formed
Important Information Students need to know:
1. Objects are made of materials that can be
described by their physical properties.
2. There are three states of matter: solid, liquid,
and gas.
3. Matter can be measured. The amount of matter
is an object is its mass, and the amount of space
the matter takes up is its volume.
4. Matter is made of parts that are too small to be
seen without magnification. Atoms are the
smallest particles. Molecules are made up of
atoms.
5. The physical properties of matter stay the same
when the shape or size of the matter is changed.
This is called a physical change. Example:
When you cut a sheet of paper in half with
scissors, each smaller piece is still paper. The
matter did not change.
Skills Students should be able to:
1. Name the three states of matter and describe
each state.
2. Name examples of physical properties of matter
(size, shape, color, texture, temperature, and
smell are examples) and be able to describe an
object by telling about its physical properties.
3. Name examples of physical changes, such as
molding a piece of clay into a new shape or
changing the temperature of an object (melting
an ice cube to get liquid water).