Properties of solids, liquids and gases
I can describe simple properties of solids, liquids and gases.
Students may be asked to recall some facts, events or process in an accurate way.
Keywords
States of matter
The three common states of matter are solid, liquid and gas.
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 of its container.
Gas
A gas can flow, has no fixed volume and takes the shape of the whole of its container.
Properties
The properties of a material or substance are its qualities or things it can do.
Changes in state
a physical change where a substance (solid, liquid, or gas) turns into another state (e.g., ice melting to water) by gaining or losing energy (heat)
Examples of changes in state
Solids have many different appearances and properties.
Solids have a fixed shape but some solids can change shape when a force is applied.
Solids have a fixed volume – they always take up the same amount of space.
A liquid is something that can be poured easily and takes the shape of the bottom of its container.
Even when liquids change their shape, they always take up the same amount of space (volume).
This means that liquids have a fixed volume.
Gases can flow, even though we can not usually see them.
They will spread out to fill the container they are in and take the shape of the whole container(volume).
If the container is not sealed, gases can escape and spread out, so they don’t have a fixed shape or volume.
Check Your Learning
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The properties of solids, liquids and gases
Look at the statements below. Decide whether they apply to materials in the solid, liquid or gas state.
Some might apply to more than one state.
Fills any sealed container that they are in
Gas (The air)
Cannot be poured
Solid (The ice)
Can be poured easily
Liquid (The water)