Comparing and grouping solids, liquids and gases | Science

Starter quiz

The three common states of ______ are solid, liquid and gas.
- 'matter' ✓
Identify which of the following are liquid at room temperature.
- brick
- water ✓
- oil ✓
- sugar
Which state or states of matter have a fixed volume?
- solid ✓
- liquid ✓
- gas
Which state or states of matter takes the shape of the whole of its container?
- gas ✓
- solid
- liquid
Which state or states of matter have a fixed shape, except when a force is applied to them?
- liquid
- solid ✓
- gas
Which state or states of matter is often invisible to the human eye?
- solid
- liquid
- gas ✓

Exit quiz

Which of the following can exist as different states of matter?
- properties
- materials ✓
- observations
Solids, liquids and gases have different ______.
- 'properties' ✓
We can ________ and classify materials as solid, liquid or gas.
- measure
- observe ✓
- question
- predict
If you classify materials, you ...
- decide which is your favourite.
- take photos of them.
- put them on display.
- sort them into groups. ✓
Which of the following materials can appear to have properties of both solids and liquids?
- wood
- sugar ✓
- sand ✓
- paper
Which of the following is a type of diagram that can be used to group solids, liquids and gases?
- Venn ✓
- photograph
- bar graph
- scattergraph

Worksheet

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Presentation

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

Solids, liquids and gases have different properties
We can observe and classify materials as solid, liquid or gas state
Some objects are made from different materials, so can have properties of more than one state
Some materials are difficult to classify because they appear to have properties of both solids and liquids

Common misconception

Some solids can be poured and take the shape of their containers and therefore are liquids. A material is not the same material after it has been crushed.

Teaching slides and investigation will help children consider the difference between one solid particle of a material and a pile of particles which behaves together like a liquid.

Keywords

Solid - A solid has a fixed shape and volume but some solids can change shape when a force is applied.
Liquid - A liquid can flow, has a fixed volume and takes the shape of the bottom its container
Gas - A gas can flow, has no fixed volume and takes the shape of the whole of its container
Classify - To classify is to sort objects into groups
Venn diagram - A Venn diagram is a way of displaying how you group items. It is made up of overlapping circles