Exploring Matter and Properties

Properties of Matter

Science Camp

What is Matter?

• Matter is anything that has weight and takes up space. Everything you can see and touch is made up of matter. Matter exists in three main forms: solids, liquids, and gases.

There are 6 Properties of Matter:

Mass, Physical State (solid, liquid, gas), Conductivity, Magnetism, Relative Density, and Solubility.

#1. Physical State

Solids, liquids, and gases.

Solids

• Solids are materials that have a defined shape and volume that stays the same.

• Rocks are a good example of a solid – they have a rigid shape that isn’t easily changed.

Liquids

• Liquids are a type of matter that changes shape depending on the shape of its container.

• For example, when you pour milk into a cup, it takes up the cup’s inner shape.

Gases

• Matter that spreads out to take up all the space available in the container is called a gas.

• For example, air is a gas. So is helium, which is put inside birthday party balloons.

#2. Mass

It is the amount of matter or substance that makes up an object. It is measured in units called kilograms, which can be abbreviated kg.

#3. Magnetism

It is the ability of a material to be attracted by a magnet. Only certain materials are attracted to magnets, like iron, nickel, and cobalt.

#4. Conductivity

Conductivity is how easily something can move through a substance.

Electrical conductivity refers to how easily an electrical current flows through a substance.

Thermal conductivity refers to how easily heat moves through a substance. Low thermal conductivity is called an insulator.

#5. Solubility

It is the ability to dissolve into (become a part of) another substance.

Something that dissolves, like the sugar in our example, is called a solute. The substance that it dissolves into, like the tea, is called the solvent. When a solute dissolves into the solvent, the end product is called a solution.

#6. Relative Density

An object’s density depends on how closely the tiny particles are packed together. Objects with a high density have particles that are more tightly packed than objects with a low density.

How something floats or sinks is related to its density.

Video on the Properties of Matter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8a2Ys8a6r4&ab_channel=GenerationGenius

Multiple Choice

When one substance dissolves into another.

• Volume

• Mixture

• Density

• Solution

Multiple Choice

When two or more substances are put together.

• Volume

• Density

• Mixture

• Mass

Multiple Choice

_____ determines whether an object will sink or float in water.

• Mass

• Weight

• Density

• Volume

Multiple Choice

Steam is an example of what state of matter?

• Solid
• Liquid
• Gas
• Thermo

Multiple Choice

What state of matter is ice in? 

• Solid
• Liquid
• Gas
• Thermo

Multiple Choice

The amount of matter in an object is a measure of the object's ________________.

• volume

• density

• mass

• solubility