STATES OF MATTER
BY ANDREA SNELL
STATES OF MATTER
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Matter exists in three states
1. solids
2. liquids
3. gases
gas
liquid
solid
• In all three states of matter, the atoms or molecules
are constantly moving.
• Solids are your desk, backpack and pencils. They
are firm and stable. The molecules are grouped
together in an organized manner.
• Liquids are water, oil, and sodas. Liquids take the
shape of the container they are in. The molecules
are close together but move around.
• Gases are air, steam, and helium. They fill the
container they are in. The molecules are spaced far
apart.
Let’s take a closer look at each state of
matter
SOLIDS
• Has a definite shape
and volume.
• Solids are usually
hard, because their
molecules have
been packed
together.
• Solids can be hard,
soft, big or small like
grains of sand.
• Solids hold their
shape.
1. Solids don't change shape easily.
Think of a piece of paper, you can change its shape
by crumpling it, but it doesn't change its shape by
itself. You have to use your energy to make the shape
change.
If you put a solid in a container it won't change its
shape... No matter how much you move or slide it
around. Think of an ice cube inside a cup. The cube
is solid and it stays the same shape.
2. Solid particles don't move around.
3. Solid particles are in an aligned array.
Look at the pictures. Notice the circles
(particles) are lined up in tight rows. They are
so tight they can't move, they just wiggle.
LIQUIDS
• Liquids have no
shape.
• It has a definite mass.
• It has a definite
volume.
• Assumes the shape of
the part of the
container which it
occupies.
• Particles can
move/slide past one
another.
1. Liquids take the shape of their container. For example, a
glass of milk. If you pour milk into a glass it will take the shape of
the glass. If you pour the milk into a bowl, it takes the shape of
the bowl.
2. Liquids have surface tension. The particles hold on to each
other, like holding hands with a friend. The skin or surface of a
glass filled with water holds together because the particles hold
one to each other. That is called surface tension.
3. Liquids move around. The particles in liquids are farther apart
than those of solids, so they can move around more. That's why
liquids take the shape of their container.
• Gases have no shape either.
• Air is a gas, and like air most
gases are invisible.
GASES
• You cannot see most gases, but
you can feel them if you spin
around fast. You can feel air
move against you. When you
feel wind against your face you
are feeling a gas.
• Gas does not always take up
the same amount of space, nor
does it weigh the same all the
time.
1. Gas is invisible. That means you can't see it. The particles
are so far apart they are invisible, but they are still there! Think
about oxygen. You can't see it, but you know it's there
because you breath it.
2. Gas particles move around freely. They are spread out and
move fast, like when you are running on the playground at
recess.
Sometimes you can turn a liquid into a gas:
Click the link below to find out.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/
materials/solids_liquids/play/
REVIEW QUESTIONS
• 1. Think about a can of soda. All three states of
matter are there.
What part is solid matter?
What part is liquid matter?
What part is gas matter?
• 2. The molecules in which state of matter spread out
until they fill the container no matter how big this
container is?
REVIEW CONTINUED
• 3. What about you? All three states of matter are a
part of you.
What part is solid matter?
What part is liquid matter?
What part is gas matter?
• 4. True or false? Solids do not take the shape of the
container they are in
MORE REVIEW
• 5. A football only has two parts of matter. What are
the two parts?
• 6. When a solid changes to a liquid it is called what?
• 7. True or false? The particles of a gas are packed
tightly together.
• 8. When solids reach their melting points they
become what?
WORKS CITED
• http://www.ducksters.com/science/molecules.php
• http://schools.bcsd.com/fremont/5th_sci__matter_prope
rties_of_matter.htm
• http://www.uvm.edu/~inquiryb/webquest/sp03/Barksdal
e/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/9_10/
gases_whatnext.shtml
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/sol
ids_liquids/play/