Exploring the States of Matter
(possibly a two class period lesson)
Objective: Students will make a mixture called Oobleck to investigate and explain how a
new material has properties that are different from the original materials used to create it.
They will also observe how weight will affect the state of matter the mixture will be in.
Standards: 6.3.18 Investigate and describe when a new material, such as concrete, is
made by two or more materials, it has properties that are different from the original
materials.
6.3.19 Investigate that materials may be composed of parts that are too small to
be seen without magnification.
6.2.5 Organize information in simple tables and graphs and identify
relationships they reveal.
*This lesson is very adaptable to other grade level standards.
Materials: For each group of students
-tub or pan
- at least 3 different sized balls
-measuring cup
(Ping pong, golf ball, marble)
-yardstick, ruler, or tape measure
-paper towels
-corn starch
-water
-spoons
-green food coloring (optional)
*Note: You may want to have the cornstarch already pre-measured for the students so it
will save time.
Oobleck Recipe
1. Add 4 cups of corn starch to a tub or pan.
2. Add 3 or 4 drops of food coloring to 2 cups of water.
3. Slowly pour and stir in 2 cups of water with cornstarch.
Procedure:
Prior to the activity:
-Students should already understand that matter exists in three distinct states: liquid,
solid, and gas. Also, understanding the molecular structure of each of these is a plus. A
good activity to do is the Modeling Matter lesson found on the PIE website.
-Students should be familiar with measuring tools and how to weigh different objects
with a scale.
Part 1
Engagement Activity:
Critical Question: Is it possible for something to be both a liquid and a solid? (Have
students make a hypothesis)
Ask students, (without being too gross) “What is slime?” “Would you like to create your
own slimy substance?”
Possible fun ideas:
-Show video clip of the movie Ghostbusters where the men get “slimed.”
-Talk about the game show on Nickelodeon where you get “slimed.”
Exploring Activity: (This can get messy so be prepared)
1. Observe and classify the different properties of cornstarch and do the same with
the water. What will happen when they are mixed? Will the properties change?
2. Make the Oobleck.
3. Spread it, splash it, squeeze it, shape it.
Explain:
Questions for the students to answer:
-Record initial observations about its texture, shape, color, and odor.
-What happens when you poke it?
-Can you roll it into a “slime ball?”
- What state of matter do you consider this? Does this change your initial hypothesis?
-Why does this behave this way?
Part 2
Critical Question: How much weight changes a slimy liquid to a slimy solid?
Engage:
-Show the students the different balls they will use in the experiment.
-Write the words SINK, FLOAT, THUD, and BOUNCE for the whole class to see.
-Discuss which of these words are used for liquids and which ones are used for solids.
-Make a hypothesis for each of the balls stating whether the Oobleck will act more as a
liquid or more as a solid when dropped into the mixture.
Exploring Activity:
1. Pass out Data Table Worksheet (attached to the end of this lesson).
2. Weigh each of the balls and record the data on the worksheet.
3. Using your measuring device, drop the ping pong ball from various heights.
Does the ping pong ball SINK, FLOAT, THUD, or BOUNCE? Record your
findings on the chart.
4. Repeat this using all the different balls. Look for patterns in your observations.
5. With this data, you can pinpoint the height and weight when the balls first
“changed” the slime to a solid (or made a thud).
Elaboration:
-Are there any practical uses for a substance like this?
-Does exposure to air, sunlight, or heat change the Oobleck’s properties?
-Drop other different shaped objects into the Oobleck to see if it will react differently.
-Time how long the slime stays a solid after force is applied.
-Compare and perform experiments using a substance called Glurch (mix one part water
with equal amount of glue.)
-Make a model to demonstrate what Oobleck’s molecular structure is like.
*dry beans in a bowl
*a mushy pillow
*wet sand
Data Table
Ball
Weight
(g)
____cm
____cm
__cm