Earth & Space - Materials from Earth - Model of Matter - G22 - ES-C2.1

ISE 5-14 Curriculum Support Materials Overview advice

Group 22 exemplar Earth & Space - Model of Matter (Word)

Learning outcomes

Solids have a fixed shape and volume (size)
Liquids have a fixed volume but can change shape
Gases can change their shape and their volume

1. The feature you are looking for here is that they have a definite shape and size which, although they may be possible to change, the item cannot change by itself - it needs outside forces to act on it. It is difficult to find things which solids have in common since solid materials display a remarkable range of properties e.g. compare fabric, plasticine and steel - all solids but with very different properties.

Sheet C3 (G) could be used to help the children classify into solid, liquid or gas.

2. Try to point out the change in levels seen when the same amount of water is poured into containers of different shapes and sizes.

3. Some children will not have realised that there is air everywhere around us. Ask them first what is in the jar - some may say ‘nothing’.

Ask the children to predict what will happen when you put the jar into the water upside down. They may be surprised when the water does not enter the jar. Taking this one stage further you can transfer the air underwater to a second jar. Fill the second jar up with water and hold upside down with the mouth of the jar underwater and slightly over the mouth of the first jar. Allow the air to escape in large bursts from the first to the second.

4. You could use pegs to attach the balloons to the coat hanger. Remember to show the children that the balloons balance before inflating one of them.

Solids, Liquids and Gases

All things are made up of very, very small particles called molecules which are in turn made of groups of atoms.

In solid things the molecules bond tightly to each other - like a group of children holding each other tightly around their waists to form a ‘block’. In a liquid the bonds are not so strong and the molecules have a degree of movement - like a group of children holding hands in a chain. In gases the molecules are free to roam about and move around very fast- like a class of children let loose in the playground ! This could be made into a game in the gym. -

When the teacher shouts ‘GAS’ the children are free to run about the gym. When the teacher shouts ‘LIQUID’ the children have to hold hands in groups of say 4 or 6 then when the teacher shouts ‘SOLID’ the children have to get into groups of, say 8, and become a solid mass. Children could be ‘out’ if they cannot get into a group or if their solid is not very solid when tested by the teacher.