Introduction to Matter

All things consist of some form of matter or another...even you and me!

Everything is made up of matter. Matter can either be a gas, a liquid, or a solid.

Matter that is a gas is like the air we breathe. It is often invisible and spreads out to fill whatever contains it as much as possible. Gas moves far and wide, and loves to fill up spaces.

Liquid takes the form of whatever container it is in, such as water in a glass. Pour the same water from a glass to a bowl and see how the same liquid changes shape to fit its container. Unlike gas, it only fills from the bottom of the container and doesn’t spread out like gas does. Liquids are a bit shy and wish to please; they will change to fit the container that holds them.

A solid does not change its form on its own...it must be convinced to change. Notice a book or a block: these are solid and do not change unless something works on them, like a page is torn out or a block that is chipped. Solids are more stubborn matter than a liquid or a gas.

Now go for a walk. Observe everything. Remember as much as you can of the things you see, feel, smell, or hear on your walk.

When you return, make a list of all the things that your senses perceived. What did you see? Hear? Feel (for example, the cold/warm air)? What about smell? Identify as many things from your walk as possible and write them down in your notebook.

Click the arrow to use your notes and perform an experiment.