Recognize states of matter

Supplied materials

• For younger learners, an adult may read each direction aloud; pointing, drawing and spoken explanations count as responses.
• Paper, drawing space or a browser document.
• Reference card A: keeps its own shape in this record. Reference card B: flows and takes container shape.
• Assessment case 1: Which physical state is described? Supplied case: A stone holds its shape.
• Assessment case 2: Which physical state is described? Supplied case: Water flows between cups.
• Assessment case 3: Which physical state is described? Supplied case: Air fills a balloon’s space.
• Assessment case 4: Which composition category says multiple substances are combined? Supplied case: Sand and stones are combined.
• Assessment case 5: Which physical state is described? Supplied case: Juice takes the cup’s shape.
• Assessment case 6: Which physical state is described? Supplied case: Air occupies a room.

Learn the idea

Solids keep a shape under ordinary conditions. Liquids flow and take a container’s shape while keeping volume approximately fixed. Gases spread through available space.

Solid means keeps its own shape in this record. Liquid means flows and takes container shape. Gas means spreads through available space. Mixture means two or more substances together.

For solid, look for the clue “keeps its own shape in this record.” For liquid, look for “flows and takes container shape.” More than one process can happen in a real situation. Answer about the one described in this question.

1. Read or listen to the four science words and what each means. Say how the first two differ.
2. Choose two of the short cases. Point to the clue that helps you choose a science word for each one. You may draw or say your answer.
3. Answer each practice question. Say which clue helped you, then check the explanation.
4. Use the extra task to make two examples that show different science words. Draw or say what makes each one fit.

Check your reasoning

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Take it further

Create one new case showing solid and one showing liquid. Expected: the first explicitly shows “keeps its own shape in this record”; the second explicitly shows “flows and takes container shape.” Explain the distinction by drawing, speaking or writing. A label without a matching feature is incomplete.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.