States of Matter

States of Matter

What are solids?

Matter can be a solid, liquid or a gas. Solid, liquid and gas are three states or phases of matter. You probably have some idea of what we mean by solid, liquid and gas. You probably already know that a baseball is a solid, water is a liquid and air is a gas.

Sometimes, it is difficult to tell if matter is a solid, liquid or a gas.

All solids have certain properties. The properties that are the same for all solids help us to decide whether something is a solid. In addition, they help us make rules that define solids as a group.

Solids are like all matter. They take up space. They have mass.

A solid takes up a definite amount of space. It does not keep chaning the amount of space it takes up.

A solid also has a definite shape. It does not keep changing its shape. When a solid is in a continer, it does nto change is shape and it does not take the shape of the container.

Solids come in many colors, masses, shapes and hardnesses. These properties help us tell one solid from another.

Multiple Choice

A solid is the only form of matter.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Every solid has mass.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

A solid take up a definite amount of space.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

A solid shapes itself like its container.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Every solid has the same mass.

• true

• false

What are liquids?

Water is probably the thing you know best. For living things, it is the most important liquid. Living things could not survive without water.

There are many other kinds of liquids. All liquids have certain properties taht are the same.

A liquid is like all other matter. Every liquid has mass, but liquids can have different masses.

All liquids take up space. They take up a definite amount of space. We can measure how much space a liquid takes up.

Liquids have no definite shape. they flow and spread out to take the shape of their continers. If a liquid is not moving, it will appear flat on top.

Solids have a definite shape. Liquids do not have a definite shape. this in an important difference between liquids and solids.

Liquids come in different colors and masses. These properties help us tell one liquid from another.

Multiple Choice

A liquid is matter becasue it

• is hard

• has mass and takes up space

• has its own shape

• has living things that could not survive without it

Multiple Choice

The most common liquid on Earth is

• mercury

• chicken soup

• water

• oxygen

Multiple Choice

All liquids

• are clear

• have a smell

• flow

• heavy

Multiple Choice

A liquid has a definite shape only when it is

• water

• being poured

• in a container

• heavier than water

Multiple Choice

"Definite" means

• definition

• fine

• does not change- exact

• changes

What are gases?

Can you see air? Why not? You cannot see air becasue it is a mixture of gases. Most gases are invisible. Like all matter, gases have mass and take up space.

Even though it takes up space, a gas does not take up a definite amout of space. A gas is always moving. It will spread out in all directions to fill its container. A gas will even spread upward. In this way, gases are different form liquids and solids.

A gas has not definite shape. It takes the shape of its container.

Many gases have odors. Some gases even have color. Some gases are poisonous. Chlorine gas has all three of these characeristics. Its green, has an odor and is poisonous.

Living things need several gases to stay alive. Two very important gases for living things are oxygen and carbon dioxide. Most living things need oxygen. Plants need carbon dioxide as well as oxygen. Without these two gases there would be no life.

Multiple Choice

All gases are invisible.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

All gases have mass.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

A gas has a definite shape.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

A gas will only fill part of a container.

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

Every gas has an odor.

• true

• false