Changes in Matter
5th Grade
Physical Science
GPS Standards
Physical Science
S5P1. Students will verify that an object is the sum of its parts.
a.
Demonstrate that the mass of an object is equal to the sum of its parts by
manipulating and measuring different objects made of various parts.
b. Investigate how common items have parts that are too small to be seen without
magnification.
S5P2. Students will explain the difference between a physical change and a
chemical change.
a.
Investigate physical changes by separating mixtures and manipulating (cutting,
tearing, folding) paper to demonstrate examples of physical change.
b. Recognize that the changes in state of water (water vapor/steam, liquid, ice) are due
to temperature differences and are examples of physical change.
c. Investigate the properties of a substance before, during, and after a chemical
reaction to find evidence of change.
CRCT Content Descriptors:
Domain: Physical Science
Domain Description
Physical Science refers to explaining that objects are made of parts and the mass of an object is
the sum of its parts. This domain also refers to comparing and contrasting physical and chemical
changes, and describing the relationship between electricity and magnetism.
Standards Associated with Domain
S5P1 S5P2 S5P3
Associated Concepts, Skills, and Abilities
• Demonstrate understanding that the mass of an object is equal to the sum of its parts by
manipulating and measuring different objects made of various parts
• Determine that common items have parts that are too small to be seen without magnification
• Identify examples of physical change, such as:
○ separating mixtures
○ manipulating paper (cutting, tearing, and folding)
• Explain that temperature differences can cause a physical change/change of state in water, such
as:
○ water vapor/steam
○ liquid
○ ice
• Investigate the properties of a substance before, during, and after a chemical reaction to find
evidence of change
Parts of Matter
Unit Activator
Basic Properties of Matter
What do your bed, the water in the ocean, and the air in this classroom all have in
common? Not much, really. In fact, they have only one thing in common—they
are all examples of matter. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.
Sunlight is not matter. A lighted room does not have more mass than a dark
room. An idea is also not made of matter. Your brain does not take up more
space when you think hard
What is matter made of? How does it come together to make the things you see
and touch?
Like matter, these blocks
can be put together to form
objects of many shapes and
sizes. Each object has
mass and takes up space.
Parts of Matter
Unit Activator
Basic Properties of Matter
The ball at the right has more mass than the ball on
the left. Where does the extra mass come from?
Air is something around you everywhere. You need it to
breathe. You know it is matter. The 2 soccer balls in the
picture show that you can squeeze different amounts of
it into a container.
The fact that you can squeeze more and more air into a container gives a hint as to what
matter is made of. It hints at the size of the particles of matter. You can’t see the
particles. With an air pump you can pack more and more of them into the same space.
So they must be very small.
Other properties of matter also provide hints. Substances have properties such as
solubility, mass, and hardness. For example, you know that metal knives are heavier
and harder than plastic ones. So, some particles must be heavier or hold together more
tightly. These differences are due to the fact that the tiny particles that make up each
substance are different.
Parts of Matter
Unit Activator
Particles of Matter
Different kinds of matter are made up of different kinds of particles. These
particles can be broken down – BUT only so far! If you continue to divide
something smaller and smaller, you end up with an atom. An atom is the smallest
possible particle of a substance.
A molecule is made up of 2 or more
atoms joined together. Atoms and
molecules are very, very small. In
fact, they are so small that you cannot
see them. Even with a regular
microscope you couldn’t see an atom
or a molecule. Why? Because single
atoms and molecules are too small to
reflect light! So, there’s no way you
can see an atom or a molecule at all
unless you use a special microscope.
Parts of Matter
Unit Activator
Particles of Matter
The word atom comes from a word that means “cannot be divided.” Think about a tank
of oxygen. You can divide all of the oxygen inside into smaller and smaller parts. But
when you get to an oxygen atom, you have to stop. If you break it up further, it won’t be
oxygen anymore.
Let’s Zoom In On Matter
1. How small can
something get? Start
with a bag of charcoal
briquets. It is about a
half meter long, and it
has a fair amount of
mass.
4. If you break the chunks
further, you end up with
dust. A dust grain is very
tiny. It’s so small that you
can barely see it. Look at it
under a microscope. You’ll
see that even it can be
broken into smaller pieces.
2. It’s easy to break down the
contents of the bag into smaller
parts. This is one briquet. It is
about 5 cm square, and it has a
small mass.
3. Can you break the
briquets into smaller pieces?
Yes. Each chunk is smaller
in size and has a smaller
mass than the whole
briquet.
5. This diagram shows
the atoms that make up
the dust grain. This is
as far as you can go and
still have charcoal.
Parts of Matter
Unit Activator
Elements
You just read that if you were to break all the oxygen inside a tank into smaller and
smaller parts, you would end up with an oxygen atom. What if you did the same thing
with a drop of water? Would you end up with a single water atom?
No, because there is no such thing as an atom of water. The smallest possible particle
of water is a molecule made up of two different kinds of atoms—two hydrogen atoms
and one oxygen atom.
Hydrogen and oxygen are elements. An
element is a substance that is made up
of just one kind of atom. A sample of
oxygen is made up of many billions of
oxygen atoms only. But a sample of
water is made up of billions of oxygen
atoms and hydrogen atoms joined
together. So, water is NOT an element.
Parts of Matter
Unit Activator
Elements
Scientists have identified 116 elements. Some of them are familiar to you. For example, iron is an element. Useful items such as
horseshoes can be made from iron. Gold is another element. People make jewelry from gold.
Parts of Matter
Unit Activator
Elements
Here are more elements that you may be familiar with.
Remember the atoms in
charcoal? They were carbon
atoms. Carbon is also the
element that makes up the
point of a pencil.
You’ve already read that oxygen is
an element. It is one of several
elements that people must have in
order to live.
Have you ever seen mercury
in a thermometer? As you
can see, mercury is a shiny,
silver-colored element.
Another shiny, silver-colored
element is silver. Silver is
somewhat rare. Many people
call forks and spoons
“silverware.” However, only
fancy, expensive silverware is
really made of silver.
Gold is an element and a
metal. It can be drawn out into
thin wire and it is used in
jewelry, coins, and electronics.
Parts of Matter
Lesson 1
All matter is made of small parts. Sometimes you
need to magnify an object to see its parts. To
magnify means to use a tool to make things look
larger. Mass is the total amount of matter in an
object. The mass of an object equals the total mass
of its parts.
Parts of Matter
EQ:
What is matter made of?
Vocabulary:
Magnify
Mass
Balance
Parts of Matter
Magnifying Objects
You can see the different parts of some objects. For example, a
book has a cover, pages, and glue to hold everything together.
Some objects may not seem to be made of parts. A page in the
book may look like a single object, but it is really made of small
parts.
Parts of Matter
Magnifying Objects
A magnifying glass is useful for taking a closer look at objects.
You can see that sugar and salt, for example, are made of small
crystals that look like blocks. You may see that a rock is made
of tiny pieces. Dirt may have tiny sticks and rock in it. You can
see that a smooth surface such as the top of a desk has small
bumps and holes.
granite
sugar
salt
dirt
Parts of Matter
Magnifying Objects
You can use a microscope to see smaller parts. You can see that
a leaf is divided into small blocks called cells. If you look at pond
water, you can see tiny living things that are much too small to see
with just your eyes. Scientists use stronger microscopes to see
parts of matter that are even smaller, such as atoms and
molecules.
Pond Water
Leaf
Parts of Matter
The Mass of an Object and Its Parts
A balance is a tool that measures the mass of an object. You can
describe an objects mass using grams (g) or kilograms (kg). A
dollar bill has a mass of about a gram. A liter of milk has a mass
of about a kilogram.
= 1 gram
= 1 kilogram
Parts of Matter
The Mass of an Object and Its Parts
The mass of an object equals the total mass of its parts. This is true for all types of
matter.
Suppose you use a balance to measure the mass of a wooden block. You find that its
mass is 25 g. If you make a stack of 5 blocks, the mass of the stack is 25 grams
multiplied by 5, or 125 g.
25 grams
25 grams
25 grams
25 grams
25 grams
25 grams
5 g x 25 g = 125 g
The total mass of the parts equals the mass of the entire object.
Parts of Matter
The Mass of an Object and Its Parts
If you mix 100 g of oil and 200 g of vinegar, the total oil and vinegar mixture has a
mass of 300 g.
300 g
200 g
Vinegar
100 g + 200 g = 300 g
100 g
Oil
The total mass of the parts equals the mass of the entire object.
Parts of Matter
The Mass of an Object and Its Parts
400 g
200 g
200 g
400 g = 200 g + 200 g
Suppose you have a ball of clay that has a mass of 400 g. If you split it into 2 equal
parts, each part will have a mass of 200 g.
The total mass of the parts equals the mass of the entire object.
Parts of Matter
The Mass of an Object and Its Parts
Sometimes it may seem that mass is lost, but it isn’t. This happens when matter
changes to a different form. For example, if you set a bowl of water outside on a
hot day, the mass of the water will be less and less. The missing water is not lost.
It is the mass of the water that evaporates into the air.
Before
After
Parts of Matter
The Mass of an Object and Its Parts
Discussion Question
When a log burns, it forms ashes and releases gases into the air. Describe a
simple way that a scientist could use a balance to figure out what the mass of
the gases must be.
Answer:
The scientist can measure the mass of the log before it burns and then
measure the mass of the ashes. The mass of the gases is the mass of
the log minus the mass of the ashes.
Physical Changes in Matter
Lesson 2
A physical property is a feature of matter that you can
recognize with your senses. A physical change is a change
in matter in which the type of matter stays the same. Only
physical properties change during a physical change.
A physical change is a change that does not result in a new substance.
Physical Changes in Matter
EQ:
What are physical changes in matter?
Vocabulary:
Physical
Property
State of
Matter
Physical
Change
Vibrate
Texture
Dissolve
Mixture
Filter
Physical Changes in Matter
Changes in Physical Properties
Breaking glass into
pieces is a physical
change. The pieces
are a different size,
but they are still
glass.
Physical Changes in Matter
You change the shape of modeling clay if you push and pull on it. You
can change its color by mixing different colors. The ball of clay may
have a rough texture. Texture is the feel of a surface. You can make
it smooth by pushing on it. The shape, color, or texture of the clay
changes, but it is still clay. You know a physical change takes place if
the type of matter is not changed.
Physical Changes in Matter
Changes in Physical Properties
Some Physical Properties Some Physical Changes
Shape
Color
Smell
Mass
Weight
Length
Volume
Texture
Temperature
Hardness
State of Matter
Cutting
Bending
Tearing
Breaking
Melting
Dissolving
Magnetizing
Boiling
Warming
Cooling
Freezing
Evaporating
Separating
Physical Changes in Matter
Changes in Physical Properties
Sometimes it is hard to tell that
the type of matter is not changed.
Mixing chocolate powder into
milk is a physical change. The
powder is still chocolate and the
milk is still milk after they mix.
If you stir salt into water, the
salt will dissolve, or break
apart, in the water. The two
types of matter are still salt
and water.
Physical Changes in Matter
Changes in State
The state of matter is the form that matter has. Three states of matter solid, liquid,
and gas.
This glass
appears empty
but it is filled with
gas. Air is gas.
An iPod is a solid. It has a
fixed shape.
The milk in this
glass is a liquid. It
changes shape.
Think about spilled
milk and why we cry
over it. It flows
everywhere if it is
not contained.
Physical Changes in Matter
Can you find the three states of matter in this photo?
Study this picture. It contains all three states of matter. What
represents each state in the photo? Discuss with your closest
neighbor.
Physical Changes in Matter
Changes in State
Matter is made of tiny particles that are always moving. In a solid, the particles
can only vibrate, or move back and forth quickly. They cannot move from their
fixed location. The particles in a liquid move enough to slide past each other. In
a gas, the particles are free to move around freely.
Physical Changes in Matter
Solids, Liquids, and Gases OH MY!!!
Physical Changes in Matter
Changes in State
Matter can change state if you raise or lower its
temperature. When the temperature increases,
matter has more energy. The extra energy causes
the particles to move more. When the particles in a
solid have energy, the solid can change to a liquid. If
the temperature keeps rising, the particles will reach
a point when the liquid can change to gas. The table
on the next slide explains the points at which matter
can change state.
Physical Changes in Matter
Changes in State
Change of State
Name
Temperature for Water
Solid
Liquid
Melt
Freeze
0°C
Boil
Condense
100°C
Liquid
Solid
Liquid
Gas
Gas
Liquid
A change in state is a physical change. When ice melts or when liquid boils, the type of
matter doesn’t change. Solid water, liquid water, and water vapor (water in its gas form)
are all the same type of matter.
Physical Changes in Matter
Separating Mixtures
A mixture is two or more kinds of
matter that are mixed but not joined.
You can see the parts of some
mixtures. A salad is a mixture, but you
can see the tomatoes, carrots, and
lettuce. Other mixtures, such as salt
mixed in water, look like they are made
of just one type of matter. You can
separate some mixtures just by taking
out the parts. If you don’t like
tomatoes, you can take them out of the
salad. Other mixtures can be
separated in other ways.
Physical Changes in Matter
Separating Mixtures
A filter is a paper or other type of screen with small holes in it. The pictures show
types of filters that help to separate some mixtures.
Large particles, such as pebbles
are stopped by the filter, but small
particles such as sand are not.
Physical Changes in Matter
Separating Mixtures
If you mix sugar in water,
the sugar dissolves. To
separate them, you can
boil the mixture. The
water will change to
water vapor, leaving the
sugar behind.
Floating is another way to
separate some mixtures.
Salt and pepper make a
solid mixture. To separate
the mixture, put it in a
glass of water. The salt
falls to the bottom of the
glass, but the pepper
floats. You can remove
the floating pepper.
Iron filings are small bits of
iron that are attracted to a
magnet. If you mix iron
filings with sulfur, you make
a solid mixture. You can
remove the filings by
dragging a magnet through
the mixture.
Physical Changes in Matter
Remember…
During a physical change…
Although some properties (like shape, phase, etc.) of the material change, the material
itself is the same before and after the change. A physical change can be “undone.”
Physical Changes in Matter
Separating Mixtures
Discussion Question:
Describe how you can
separate a mixture of sand,
pebbles, and sugar.
Answer:
You can pour the mixture through a filter to remove the pebbles.
You can then pour the remaining mixture into water, dissolve the
sugar, and pour off the sugar and water mixture to leave the sand.
You can then evaporate the water to leave the sugar.
Chemical Changes in Matter
Lesson 2
A chemical change is a change that forms a new type of
matter. A chemical property is a feature of matter that can
cause a chemical change. You can look for clues to find out
if a chemical change has occurred.
Chemical Changes in Matter
EQ:
What are chemical changes in matter?
Vocabulary:
Chemical Change
Physical Change
Chemical Changes in Matter
Changes in Type of Matter
Unlike physical changes, a different type of matter forms during a chemical
change. The pictures below show some examples:
As the log burns, it forms
ashes and releases
oxygen. The apple turns
brown in the air. Part of
the metal spoon and part
of the metal in the
tricycle change to a
brown coating. In each
case, you can tell a
chemical change takes
place. The physical
properties change, and
the type of matter also
changes.
Chemical Changes in Matter
Evidence of Chemical Changes
Clues tell you that a chemical change takes place. The table below lists some
of these clues:
Changing color (food rots, metal
rusts or tarnishes)
Having an unusual smell
Changing texture
Becoming more or less
acidic
(acid rain deteriorates)
Getting hot or cold without being
heated or cooled
Bubbles forming because a gas is
given off
(red and green liquid cause
dry ice to erupt)
Chemical Changes in Matter
Evidence of Chemical Changes
Remember that the
previous slide was only
clues. Those clues do
not always mean that a
chemical change took
place. Some of those
clues occur during a
physical change. For
example, bubbles form
when water boils, but
this is not a chemical
change. Modeling clay
changes color if you mix
2 colors of clay. This
does not form a new
type of matter.
Chemical Changes in Matter
Evidence of Chemical Changes
It may be hard to tell a chemical change from a physical change. Mixing salt in
water is a physical change. A new type of matter does not form. Cooking an
egg is a chemical change because the cooked egg is not the same as it was
before. Chewing a cracker is a chemical change. The saliva in your mouth
breaks down the cracker.
Chemical Changes in Matter
Evidence of Chemical Changes
Discussion Question:
You go on vacation and forget you have a bowl of fruit on the table. When
you get back, the fruit has begun to rot. What are some clues that a chemical
change has occurred?
Answer:
The fruit has probably begun to change color, smell bad, and change
texture.