Content Benchmark P.8.A.6
Students know matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms. E/S
Matter, matter everywhere.
There's matter in your hair.
Matter in the air.
There's even matter in a pear!
There's liquid matter, solid matter, and matter that's a gas.
Even you are matter, because you have volume and mass!
Poem by: Steve Tomecek, at http://teacher.scholastic.com/dirt/matter/whatmat.htm
Within the realm of what we know exists - there is a lot of “stuff,” from stars and planets to oceans, wind and microscopic beings. The way that we know this stuff exists is that we can experience it; it all has a mass and takes up some space or has “volume.” All things that have these physical characteristics of mass and volume are considered “matter.” So, what is matter made of? In spite of the many forms that matter may take, at its most basic level, all matter is composed of tiny particles called atoms.
History of Composition of Matter
The earliest humans were curious about the various materials that they found around them— materials used to hunt for food, make clothing and medicines, and the myriad other manifestations of matter that made up their physical environment.
The ancient Greek philosophers and scientists Empedocles and Democritus, who lived around
400 B.C., proposed one of the first documented theories that attempted to describe the things around us. Empedocles argued that all matter was composed of four elements: fire, air, water, and earth. He further theorized that the ratio of these four elements determined the properties of the matter.
Figure 1 : Early humans believed every material was made of differing proportions of Fire, Air, Water and Earth
(From http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=49&l=&c3 )
Early scientists also imagined that there might be a point at which you could no longer cut a material in half any further. After much debate and experimentation, they agreed that indeed, an object could not be cut in half again and again indefinitely. They reasoned that sooner or later the object would become so small that it could not be divided again. This raised the question of the existence of a smallest indivisible unit. They called this indivisible particle an “Atom.” (Atom is the Greek word meaning “not to be cut” or “indivisible”).
For a very detailed explanation of the evolution of the idea of atoms as the building blocks of matter, see http://library.thinkquest.org/13394/angielsk/ancient.html

Atoms and the Differentiation of Matter
If all matter is, at its most basic level, made of the same things—atoms—then what accounts for the seemingly infinite forms of matter we know to exist? Much of the differentiation comes from the fact that we know of approximately 118 different types of atoms, called elements, which interact and combine to create millions of different compounds, all of which are used to make different forms of matter. These different atoms are made of differing amounts of protons, neutrons and electrons whose proportions determine their physical and chemical characteristics.
For more information on the structure of atoms, see TIPS Benchmark P.8.A.7.
For more information on the arrangement of elements in the periodic table, see
TIPS benchmark P.8.A.2
.
For more information on the formation of compounds and how atoms interact to form different substances, see TIPS benchmark P.8.A.4
.
Atoms and the Properties of Matter
Physical properties of matter vary based on the density of the atoms which make them up, as well as other characteristics (see Figure 3 below)). Density is a relation of the mass of a substance (how many atoms are present) to the volume which the mass occupies.
Some properties of matter:

 taste
 melting
 boiling
 color point point density
 luster
 hardness
 mass
 volume
 length
 shape
 reactivity
Figure 2 : Some examples of more specific distinguishing properties of matter
(From http://www.dmturner.org/Teacher/Library/5thText/ChemPart1.htm#property )
A B
Figure 3 : Box A represents a greater density of atoms than Box B
(From: http://www.edinformatics.com/math_science/density.htm
)

The spacing of atoms and the ease with which they can move past each other affects the “state” or form in which the matter appears. For example, in some substances the atoms are spaced far apart so they can easily move past each other and collide infrequently, in which case the substance would then be a gas. If the atoms are compressed so closely that they can only vibrate slightly, the substance will appear as a solid. Matter is able to be transformed into different states by the addition or removal of energy. All of the matter that we experience in the universe is in one of five states: they are solid, liquid, gas, plasma or a newly discovered state, a Bose-
Einstein condensate.
For more information on the states of matter, see TIPS Benchmark P.8.A.1
.
For more information on physical changes in matter, see TIPS Benchmark P.8.C.3
.
To view the motion of atoms in the solid, liquid and gaseous states, visit this website: http://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/atoms/states.html
Atoms and Classification of Matter
Scientists have come up with methods of describing and differentiating between the wide varieties of matter in our universe. Because different substances are made of different combinations and types of atoms, they have distinct properties. Scientists have created systems to describe and measure properties of matter. Matter is usually classified generally into different classes of substances and mixtures, and then further, more specifically, classified from there (see
Figure 5).
Matter
Anything with mass and volume.
Substance
Matter with constant composition
Mixture
Matter with variable composition
Element
Substance made up of only one type of atom
Examples - gold, silver, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen
Compound
Two or more elements that are chemically combined
Heterogeneous Mixture
Mixtures that are made up of more than one phase
Examples - water, carbon dioxide, sodium bicarbonate, carbon monoxide
Examples - sand, soil, chicken soup, pizza, chocolate chip cookies.
Homogeneous Mixtures
Also called solutions.
Mixtures that are made up of only one phase
Examples - salt water, pure air, metal alloys, seltzer water.
Figure 4 : General Levels of Classification of Matter
(From: http://www.fordhamprep.org/gcurran/sho/sho/lessons/lesson14.htm
)

Content Benchmark P.8.A.6
Students know matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms. E/S
Common misconceptions associated with this benchmark
1. Students incorrectly believe that atoms can be seen with an optical microscope.
Atoms cannot be seen with an optical microscope. The extent of an atom’s small size is often not well understood. For example, there are about one million atoms across the width of human hair, but many students guess a number in the hundreds or thousands. With atoms being so small, it is not possible to see them optically.
Atoms however, have been “seen,” or more precisely, imaged using electron and atomic force microscopes. Electron microscopes use accelerated electrons instead of light to get increased resolution over optical microscopes. However, even electron microscopes can only see the largest atoms (e.g., uranium). Atomic force microscopes can image even smaller atoms by using nanotechnology. In essences, very small probes move over the atomic structure, providing a
“pressure map,” in which the shape, size, and other properties can be inferred.
To learn more about the size and scale that can be measured by different types of microscopes, go to http://invsee.asu.edu/Modules/size&scale/unit3/unit3.htm
2. Students incorrectly believe that particles possess the same properties as the materials they compose.
For example, atoms of copper are "orange and shiny," gas molecules are transparent, and solid molecules are hard. All atoms contain the same three parts, protons, neutrons and electrons, only in different proportions. The properties of matter are determined by the interactions of the atoms with each other and the environment (e.g., how far apart the atoms are, what they are bonded to, and how they interact with light).
To learn more about this misconception, as well as other chemistry misconceptions, go to http://www.daisley.net/hellevator/misconceptions/misconceptions.pdf
.
3. Students incorrectly believe that atoms have characteristics of living things.
Many students still directly relate movement to life. The fact that atoms have circulating electrons and a vibrating nature may lead students to believe that they are living entities. Also, when learning about cells, students learn about a cellular eukaryotic nucleus. When they hear that atoms also contain nuclei, they can become further entrenched in their misconception. The movement in atomic particles is contributed to electrostatic forces, not life.
Please see http://educ.queensu.ca/~science/main/concept/chem/c07/C07CDTL1.htm
for more on this, as well as other related misconceptions.

Content Benchmark P.8.A.6
Students know matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms. E/S
Sample Test Questions

Content Benchmark P.8.A.6
Students know matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms. E/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions

Content Benchmark P.8.A.6
Students know matter is made up of tiny particles called atoms. E/S
Intervention Strategies and Resources
The following is a list of intervention strategies and resources that will facilitate student understanding of this benchmark.
1.
Mystery: Structure of the Atom - A Case for Indirect Evidence
Because we can’t “see” atoms, students may wonder how we know matter is made of these particles. This website provides four activities which use everyday items to illustrate how scientists can use indirect evidence to figure out the properties of substances to small to see by how they interact with other substances.
The access the lab information visit http://www.iit.edu/~smile/ch9211.html
2.
What is Matter? Worksheets
On this website Jefferson Labs provides worksheets along with their answer keys which can be used to provide reinforcement when studying the parts of atoms, the building blocks of matter.
To access these worksheets, go to http://education.jlab.org/beamsactivity/6thgrade/whatismatter/stu01.l.html
3.
Describing Matter Vocabulary Activities
Hosted by Quia, the website provides a medium for educators to create and share educational games, quizzes, and activities, this application provides three different mediums for practicing vocabulary related to matter. Students can test their knowledge of matter related vocabulary and continue to familiarize themselves with terminology through flashcards, a matching game, concentration game and a word search.
This application can be found at http://www.quia.com/jg/504943.html
.
4.
Particle Nature of Matter Activity
Need some ideas for activities that address the particle nature of matter? The following website provides student handouts and teacher keys for many activities which can be used to access and reinforce student understanding of the particulate nature of matter. These activities address molecular motion, density, states of matter, phase changes, and they address misconceptions about the spacing of particles in different states of matter.
To download this activity, go to http://www.doe.state.la.us/lde/uploads/4249.pdf

5.
Harcourt School States of Matter Simulation
On this website, Harcourt provides a wonderful interactive simulation on how temperature affects the spacing and movement of particles when a substance moves between a solid, liquid and gaseous state. The students can witness at the atomic level what is happening to the atoms.
To view the simulation visit http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/states_of_matter/
6.
Ask Grandpa – Interactive trip following the discovery of the composition of matter
The Ask Grandpa website provides a historical tour of experimental research on the topic of matter and atom discovery. The information is presented by cartoon images of the scientists and the information regarding their discoveries is simple and straight to the point.
For this interactive tour go to http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/CURR/SCIENCE/sciber00/7th/matter/sciber/timeline.htm
7.
Vision Learning – Dalton’s Playhouse
This is another website which helps students understand the history and happenstance behind the discovery of the atom. In this virtual tour of the scientist’s laboratories, students are able to take part in the experiments that led to the discovery of the atom. After each experiment, students are asked a series of questions to check their understanding. After completing the virtual labs successfully, the students can even print a certificate.
Visit Dalton’s Playhouse at http://web.visionlearning.com/dalton_playhouse/ad_loader.html
8.
How Big is an Atom?
This website provides a very simple, but powerful activity which gives students a better idea as to how small atoms really are. The students are asked the following question. If they are given an atom of gold for every second since the big bang, would they be rich? You’ll have to look at the website to find out…
To find the answer, visit http://www.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/Goodies/size_atoms/index.html