Teacher’s Guide to Solid, Liquid or Gas?
Solid, Liquid or Gas? is a fun activity for students to learn about the
states of matter, and to also learn that sometimes it is hard to classify
something as a solid liquid or gas. Through this activity, students will learn
that sometimes things can have properties similar to more than one state of
matter.
The water that you drink is a liquid and it can be poured. When you
boil water the steam that comes out is a gas and it can spread out in large
spaces. If you put water in the freezer and make ice, it is a solid and it will
stay the same shape unless it melts.
This activity also brings in the idea of viscosity which can be defined
as how fast or slow a liquid flows. The viscosity of the liquid can be
changed when you add pressure to it like when they roll one of the mixtures
between their hands.
The mixture of glue, water and borax powder is what is known as a
suspension. Glue is what is known as a polymer which tends to be dense,
strong, and flexible. Examples are plastic bottles, Styrofoam, and chewing
gum. When the glue is mixed with the borax, the polymers, which are solid,
are suspended in the water making the mixture act like a solid and a liquid.
Materials: (enough for a group of 2 students)
¼ cup of cornstarch in container labeled #1
5 tsp (25mL) water for goo #1 in container labeled #2 (food coloring
optional)
3 bowls
3 spoons
4 oz. bottle of glue in a container labeled #3
1tsp borax powder in container labeled #6
½ cup water in a container labeled # 4 (food coloring optional)
1-cup water for goo #2 in a container labeled #5
Quart size container
Place all the materials in their respective containers. The two goos made can
be messy so you may want to cover the desks or tables with a trash bag.
*** Cleanup can be easy if things are cleaned with warm water.
Solid, Liquid or Gas?
Key Words: solids, liquids, gases, viscosity, polymers
There are three states of matter. They are called solids liquids and
gases. The water that you drink is a liquid and it can be poured. When you
boil water the steam that comes out is a gas and it can spread out in large
spaces. If you put water in the freezer and make ice, it is a solid and it will
stay the same shape unless it melts. Sometimes, you can’t tell when
something is a solid, liquid or a gas.
Directions:
One partner mix #1 and # 2 in a bowl. When it becomes hard to mix
each partner scoop out a handful and quickly move it between your hands.
Stop rolling it back and forth and hold your hand over the bowl.
What happens when you move it back and forth quickly?
What happens when you stop?
Is it a solid, liquid, or a gas?
The mixture you made is cornstarch and water. How fast or slow a
liquid flows is called its viscosity. The viscosity of the liquid can be changed
when you add pressure to it like when you roll it between your hands.
One partner mix #3 and #4 in one bowl while the other partner mixes
#5 and # 6 in the other bowl. Pour the bowl that contains #5 and #6 into the
large container. Pour in #3 and #4. When there is a blob, take it out and
knead it like clay. Break it into two pieces.
What happens if you rip it apart fast?
What happens if you pull it apart slowly?
What happens if you drop it on the table?
Is it a solid, liquid or gas?
The mixture you made is glue, water and borax powder. Glue is what
is known as a polymer. Polymers tend to be dense, strong, and flexible.
Examples are plastic bottles, styrofoam, and chewing gum. When the glue is
mixed with the borax, the polymers, which are solid, are suspended in the
water making the mixture act like a solid and a liquid.
Can you think of anything else that is hard to tell whether it is a solid, liquid,
or a gas?