Properties of Matter
VocabularyAtoms and molecules are all composed of matter. Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. If you are new to the idea of mass, it is the amount of stuff in an object and is different than weight, but closely related.
Mass is a measure of how much matter is in an object. Mass is commonly measured by how much something weighs. But weight can change depending on where you are (such as on the moon) while the mass stays the same. Mass is usually measured in grams. Weight is the downward force caused by gravity on an object. NotesThere are many properties of matter... size, shape, texture, mass, color, magnetism and the ability to sink or float are just a few.
There are three states of matter that we will learn about in 4th grade. They are solids, liquids and gases. What makes a state of matter? It's about the physical state of the molecules and atoms. Think about solids. They are often hard and brittle. Liquids are fluid, can move around a little, and fill up containers. Gases are always around you, but the molecules of a gas are much farther apart than the molecules in a liquid. If a gas has an odor, you’ll be able to smell it before you can see it. |