Unit: Physical Science - Properties of Matter
Grade Levels: 4-6
Connection To Curriculum: Science
Teacher Prep Time: 2 hours
Lesson Time Needed: 4 hours
Keywords: density, mass, atoms, molecules, heat, spaceflight, weight, solutions, rockets, pressure, gas
Activity 1: Atoms and Molecules in Motion
Floor space for student simulation masking tape
Copies of student text: "Atoms and Molecules in Motion: States of Matter"
Student copies of: "Diagramming Atoms and Molecules in Motion" handout
An overhead transparency of: "Diagramming Atoms and Molecules in Motion" handout
Activity 2: Liquid Rainbow
Four large containers (e.g., pitchers or milk jugs)
Food coloring (four colors)
Transparent drinking straws
Pickling salt (preferred)
Five vials or test tubes per student group (four for solutions and one for waste)
Activity 3: Potato Float
Three tall beakers
Objects with varying densities
Activity 4: 3-2-1 Pop
Plastic 35-mm film canister
Effervescing antacid tablet
This lesson explores the states of matter and their properties.
• Simulate the movement of atoms and molecules in solids, liquids and gases.
• Demonstrate the properties of liquids including density and buoyancy.
• Investigate how the density of a solid behaves in varying densities of liquids.
• Construct a rocket powered by pressurized gas created from a chemical reaction between a solid and a liquid.
States of Matter Lesson
[111KB PDF file]
Lesson Activities and Sequence
Heat As The Agent of Change: Atoms and Molecules in Motion
Students study heat and its effects on spaceflight. (Module from Genesis mission education)
Keywords: matter, heat, spaceflight
Students use salt and food colorings to generate different density water and to create a density rainbow.
Keywords: density, matter, atoms, molecules, mass
Students will float an object in varying density solutions.
Keywords: matter, mass, weight, density, solutions
Students construct a rocket powered by the pressure generated from an effervescing antacid tablet.
Keywords: matter, rockets, pressure, gas
Science and Technology
• Abilities of technological design.
• Understanding science and technology.
• Position and movement of objects.
• Properties and changes in properties of matter.
• Transfer of energy.