4th Grade States of Matter

Introduction

Hello there scientists! Today, you will be taken through a variety of steps that you will complete to help you understand the basic concept of matter. This will be an introduction to an actual hands-on experiment that we will be completing as a class in the classroom. Be sure to have fun learning and be prepared to put all that knowledge into our in-class experiment.

To begin, here's a short video to spark up your curiosity about matter. Watch closely!!

Task
  • Your first step will be to view a video explaining what the three states of matter are and their characteristics.
  • You will then view and complete two interactive activities.
  • Once you have completed the activity, you will complete an online practice quiz to ensure your understanding of the material.
  • After you have completed this WebQuest, you will be given a paper quiz on the content that you have learned today.
Process

Below is a link to a video explaining the three states of matter and their characteristics. To watch the video, you will highlight the link by double clicking it then pressing CTRL and C together on ypur keyboard. You will then open up a new tab and the area to put in the website, you will right click on your mouse and choose paste. 

Follow the above instructions to get to the follwong links. 

For this activity, you will answer the questions provided to you. Choose the answer that you believe is correct. The more you answer correctly, the closer you are to ONE MILLION DOLLARS. 

For this activity, you will match the items to the correct category by dragging the item to the word.

 

 

Evaluation

Now, let's go ahead and put to the test how much you have learned today by taking an interactive quiz online. If you feel you aren't ready yet, go back to the previous page to view the video again. I know you can do it!

In the next page, there will be  short review on what was taught today.

Once you are done, you will be given a worksheet to farmally assess ypur understanding on the states of matter.

Conclusion


Let's go over some of the things that you were taught today.States of Matter

Gases, liquids and solids are all made up of microscopic particles, but the behaviors of these particles differ in the three phases. The following figure illustrates the microscopic differences.

Microscopic view of a gas Microscopic view of a liquid. Microscopic view of a solid.
Microscopic view of a gas. Microscopic view of a liquid. Microscopic view of a solid.

Note that:

  • Particles in a:
    • gas are well separated with no regular arrangement.
    • liquid are close together with no regular arrangement.
    • solid are tightly packed, usually in a regular pattern.
  • Particles in a:
    • gas vibrate and move freely at high speeds.
    • liquid vibrate, move about, and slide past each other.
    • solid vibrate (jiggle) but generally do not move from place to place.

Liquids and solids are often referred to as condensed phases because the particles are very close together.

The following table summarizes properties of gases, liquids, and solids and identifies the microscopic behavior responsible for each property.

Some Characteristics of Gases, Liquids and Solids and the Microscopic Explanation for the Behavior
gas liquid solid
assumes the shape and volume of its container  particles can move past one another assumes the shape of the part of the container which it occupies  particles can move/slide past one another retains a fixed volume and shape  rigid - particles locked into place
compressible  lots of free space between particles not easily compressible  little free space between particles not easily compressible  little free space between particles
flows easily  particles can move past one another flows easily  particles can move/slide past one another does not flow easily  rigid - particles cannot move/slide past one another

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Credits

Resources used:

Teacher Page

Topic: The Three States of Matter

Standards: 

  • SC.3.P.8.3 Compare materials and objects according to properties such as size, shape, color, texture and hardness.
  • LAFS.3.RI.3.7 Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why and how key events occur)
  • ELD.K12.ELL.SC.1 English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Science.

Accomodations:

  • Teacher will pair up a native speaking student with an ESOL student to provide assistance where needed.
  • ELLs will also have a graphic organizer to complete during WebQuest.

Graphic Organizer

Quiz

Created by Marjorie Augustin