Physical Science Study Guide
Students need to be able to:
* explain that matter has different states and that each state has distinct physical
properties
* compare ways the temperature of an object can be changed
* describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made and
use those properties to separate or sort a group of objects
* identify “what is” a physical change and “what is not” given different examples
* support their choices by identifying the different characteristics needed for a
physical change to occur
* identify “what is” a chemical change and “what is not” given different examples
* support their choices by identifying the different characteristics needed for a
chemical change to occur
Notes
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.
Matter can be solid, liquid, or gas.
Solids
Definite shape
Definite space
Particles are close
together in rows
Liquids
No definite shape
Definite space
Particles slightly apart;
not in rows
Gas
No definite shape
No definite space
Particles are far apart
Change of state occurs when matter changes from one state to another.
Changes of state are:
1. freezing- heat energy is removed from a liquid and changes to a solid;
particles slow down and get closer together.
2. melting- adding heat energy to a solid and changes to a liquid; particles
speed up
3. evaporation/boiling- heat energy is added to liquid and changes to a gas;
particles speed up.
4. condensation- heat energy is removed from a gas into a liquid; particles
slow down and clump together.
Temperature is a measure of how warm something is.
Thermal energy is a type of energy caused by heat.
A property is a characteristic or feature of matter that can be observed or
measured. Properties help us to identify and classify matter.
Mass is the amount of matter in an object; is usually measured with a scale.
Volume is the amount of space an object takes up; is measured by length x width x
height.
Density is a measure of the concentration of matter in a material. Material that is
more tightly packed together is denser (heavier) than material that is more loosely
(lighter) packed together.
Physical property is a feature of material that you can observe with your senses.
Examples are smell, touch, size, texture, hardness, taste, …
Physical change is changing the size and shape of an object in which a new
substance is not formed. This change can be observed.
Chemical change occurs when one or more substances are changed into entirely
new substances. You can observe that a chemical change has occurred when a
material changes color, has an unusual smell, changes textures, changes
temperature without being heated or cooled, and/or bubbles form.