How can matter be described? Chapter 1, Lesson 2

Objective for lesson: I will know how to compare and contrast solids, liquids, and gases by using their basic properties.

Vision it!! Lighter than air Pointed nose Smooth surface Colorful Lighter than air Pointed nose Smooth surface Four properties are shown of the blimp. Which one do you think allows the blimp to float in the air?

Properties of Matter Every solid, liquid, and gas has its own set of physical properties. The physical properties can be observed, described, and measured without changing the material. Some properties can be measured with tools, such as: rulers, thermometers, and balances. The different types of properties are: color, mass, volume, temperature, and texture.

Color Many liquids and solids have color. Some gases do too. Color is a physical property of matter Color is very useful because you can determine the color of matter just by looking at it. The color helps you determine the kind of matter you are looking at or the state/condition of that particular piece of matter. The glass cylinder to the right contains a column of liquid. What can you learn from looking at the colors?

mass The amount of matter in a solid, liquid, or gas is called mass. Mass is measured using a balance, often using units of grams (g) or kilograms (Kg). To find the mass of a solid, you place the object on 1 side of the balance. On the other side, you place objects of known mass, such as gram cubes. When the 2 sides balance each other, you know the mass of the object because it is the same as the known mass.

Mass Look at the balance that has water (middle balance). Count the cubes. What is the mass of the water inside the container? Does the mass of an object change when the object is moved to a different position? Why or why not?

Mass vs. weight Mass and weight are NOT the same thing! An object’s weight is a measure of the force of gravity on the object. An object’s mass is the amount of matter than makes up an object. For example, your weight on Earth would be different if you were on the planet, Mars, but your mass would be the same.

volume The amount of space an object takes up is its volume. Volume is measured in milliliters (mL). To find the volume of a liquid: Pour the liquid into a grandated cylinder and read the volume off the scale (at the surface) To find the volume of a solid: put liquid in a graduated cylinder and let the solid sink into the liquid, the solid takes up space. The change in the height of the liquid tells you the volume of the solid To find the volume of a gas: Use an upside down graduated cylinder filled with water and partially submerged – if you blow air through a straw, the bubbles will push some water out – the volume of water pushed out is the volume of the gas

Volume demonstrations:

Questions about volume: How can you show that air has volume? Could you measure the volume of a small box of marbles by placing it in a measuring cup of water? Why or why not?

Temperature The temperature of an object is a measure of how fast its particles are moving. The higher the temperature, the faster the particles move. Look at the sink to the left. The cold water handle will lower the temperature of the water. It is circled. What might eventually happen if the temperature of water continues to get warmer?

Texture When you touch a solid object, you can feel if it is hard, smooth, lumpy, grooved, spongy, or rough. This surface structure that you can feel by touching a material is its texture. You can also feel the texture of a liquid by rubbing a drop between your fingers. Shampoo will feel soapy, oil will feel oily, others could feel slimy, sticky, or thick.

Texture example

Texture How would the texture of the stone change if it were cracked and scratched in several places?