Author: Amanda McGarrigle

Science
States of matter —Solids, liquids and gases

Background Information
In this unit, children will learn about the different states of matter and the effects these have on our everyday life. All matter is made up of particles which have energy and move. The more energy they have the more movement there is. Solids have a definite shape that remains unless a force is acted upon it, the particles are close together. A liquid has no fixed shape, the molecules have more energy and move more that those in a solid, but remain in close contact. Gases have no fixed shape and will always spread out, they have lots of energy and move around in a random way hitting other particles.

Key scientist
Alfred Barnhard Nobel (1833-1896)
Royal Society of Chemistry

In this unit the children will…
Work scientifically to find results to different experiments.
Compare and group materials together, according to whether they are solids, liquids or gases.
Observe that some materials change state when they are heated or cooled, and measure or research the temperature at which this happens in degrees Celsius (°C).
Research the temperature at which materials change state.
Draw simple conclusions and use some scientific language.

By the end of this unit….
All children can:
Define solids.
Define liquids.
Define gases.
Find examples of solids, liguids and gases in everyday life.
Participate in experiments.
Write up conclusions form experiments.
Most children will:
Explain the scientific components of solids.
Explain the scientific components of liquids.
Explain the scientific components of gases.
Write up and explain results to an experiment.
Some children will:
Use scientific evidence to support their findings.
Describe and explain the importance of the states of matter.

Key Vocabulary
States of matter - Solid, liquid and gas
Examples of gases (at room temperature and pressure) – Oxygen, hydrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, methane
Examples of liquids (at room temperature and pressure) – Water, milk, juice, petrol, oil
Examples of solids (at room temperature and pressure) –Wood, rocks, metal, plastic, glass, wool, leather, etc
Processes – Melting, condensation, evaporation, solidifying, freezing
Water cycle
Water vapour
Steam
Heating
Cooling