The Matter Webquest
Explore physical science.
The Matter unit.
Matter matters. But what is matter? It's everything. And anything. Anything that has mass and takes up space, that is.
What is matter made of? What are its properties? How can I see it? How can I prove it's there? We'll explore these questions, along with changes in matter.
This unit includes several activities to complete. Each part of the unit will be graded, so give your best effort. When writing, always write in complete sentences or some credit will be lost.
Print your checklist and use it daily. Watch your due dates. Above all - THINK! Make sure it makes sense and you understand it before you turn it in. No "do overs" on activities.
The Matter Unit: Unit Overview
These are the required elements to this unit.
Physical Science
S5P1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to explain the differences between a physical change and a chemical change.
a. Plan and carry out investigations of physical changes by manipulating, separating and mixing dry and liquid materials.
b. Construct an argument based on observations to support a claim that the physical changes in the state of water are due to temperature changes, which cause small particles that cannot be seen to move differently.
c. Plan and carry out an investigation to determine if a chemical change occurred based on observable evidence (color, gas, temperature change, odor, new substance produced).
Mini-lessons will be covered in class each day by Mr. Brazile.You need to know the answers to these questions.
1. How can you demonstrate that the mass of an object is equal to the sum of its parts by manipulating and measuring different objects?
2. What are some things that are too small to be seen without magnification?
3. What is the difference between a physical change and a chemical change?
4. What causes changes in the states of water?
5. What type of change are changes in states of water?
6. What changes can give evidence of a chemical reaction?
7. What are some examples of physical change?
8. What are some examples of chemical change?
The Matter Unit: Activities
- Watch this video. Pause to take notes during presentation.
- Examine this website.
- Complete the accompanying graphic organizer for the presentation and website in steps 2 and 3.
- Watch the Physical Properties of Matter Video .
- Watch the Physical and Chemical Changes Video.
- Complete the Physical and Chemical Changes graphic organizer.
- Watch the Mixtures and Solutions Video.
- Complete the Mixtures and Solutions graphic organizer.
- Watch the video below on matter, I want you to understand what causes the states of matter to change.
- Once you watch the video, write a detailed paragraph using your own words explaining what causes states of matter to change from one state to another.
- Watch this video for an explanation of the exercise.
Sugar Crystals on a String
Sugar crystals on a string can be fun to watch grow and delicious to eat. When liquidsevaporate into gases, they can leave material behind. That material can be very tasty, as shown by this science project for kids on states of matter. But note that this project requires adult supervision! (Do this at home with your parents or at school with your teacher.)
What You'll Need:
- Pan
- Water
- Sugar
- Measuring spoon
- String
- Pencil
- Glass
- Scissors
- Button
Step 1: Fill a small pan with warm water.
Step 2: Add one tablespoon of sugar, and stir until it dissolves.
Step 3: Continue adding sugar, one tablespoon at a time, letting each tablespoonful dissolve completely before adding the next. When no more sugar will dissolve in the water, allow the saturated solution to cool.
Step 4: Tie a string to the middle of a pencil, and set the pencil across the rim of a glass. Cut the string so that it just touches the bottom of the glass. Tie a button onto the bottom of the string.
Step 5: Pour the cooled sugar water into the glass. Rest the pencil across the rim of the glass so that the string and button are in the solution.
Step 6: Allow the glass to sit in a warm place without being disturbed for several days so that the water evaporates. As the water evaporates, it will leave sugarcrystals on the string.
You've just made rock candy.
Homemade Water Purifier
Try this homemade water purifier to see how suspended matter can be filtered from water. You may be surprised by how this science project for kids on states of matter works.
What You'll Need:
- Eight-inch-tall cardboard box
- Two bowls
- Water
- Dirt
- Wool yarn
Step 1: Set an eight-inch-tall cardboard box on a table. Set a bowl of clean water on top ofthe box.
Step 2: Gently drop a small handful of dirt into the water. Much of the dirt will remainsuspended in the water, and the water in the bowl will be discolored.
Step 3: Set an empty bowl on the table right next to the cardboard box.
Step 4: Twist together several one-foot strands of wool yarn to make a rope.
Step 5: Put one end of this rope, or wick, into the bottom of the bowl of dirty water. Placethe other end of the wick in the empty bowl. After a while, drops of clear water will drip offof the free end of the wick into the empty bowl.
What Happened? The material in your rope absorbs water and draws it from the bowl. It leaves the dirtbehind, however, so the water that drips into the second bowl is clean.
- Create a Matter presentation.
- Follow the rubric.
