Chemistry: States of Matter
| Grade Level: | 2-3, 5, 8 |
| Where Taught: | Laboratory |
| # Students: | Up to 30, plus one observer |
| Time needed for presentation: | 45-60 |
| Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) | |
| Chemistry: States of Matter Enrichment Activities | |
We will need ten minutes between sessions to cleanup and prepare for the next session.
The States of Matter module focuses on the properties of the three states of matter – gas, liquid, and solid. A series of demonstrations are performed in order to reinforce and illustrate these concepts. The level of the discussion is tailored to the age and background of each class.
In one demonstration dry ice is used to illustrate the change between a solid and a gas without passing through the liquid state; a process known as sublimation. In another demonstration a non-Newtonian substance known as an obleck is used as an example of a substance which has both the properties of a solid and a liquid. Students are allowed to play with the obleck to observe both properties. Various liquids layered in clear beakers are used to illustrate the property of density. A demonstration of the change in properties of substances at extremely low temperatures using liquid Nitrogen is always a hit, and is usually done at the conclusion of the module. Unfortunately, no one but the Bio-Bus staff may handle the liquid Nitrogen.
