Matter

Matter is anything that takes up space and has weight.

Properties describe matter by the way it looks, feels or by what is does. Sand, milk, and air all have properties.

There are three states of matter: The state of matter is the group of matter with the same properties. In science there are three categories that we group matter into depending on their properties. There are three states of matter: solid liquid gas

Solids A solid has a size and shape of its own.

Liquids A liquid takes the shape of its container. A liquid can flow like a river or be poured like milk into a cup.

Gases A gas can change shape and size. Examples of gases are the air that we breathe, helium in a balloon, steam from a hot drink.

How can matter be changed? Matter can be changed in many ways. Ice in your soda melts, paper rips, pencils break. Where does the ice in a drink go when it melts? What does it become?

Review A property describes how an object looks, feels, or does. All objects take up space. All objects have weight. Matter is anything that takes up space and has weight. The three states of matter are solids, liquids, and gases. Matter can be changed.