Property of Matter - Flexibility
- Science content
- Science inquiry and process
- Resources and materials
- Pedagogical ideas
- Activity sequence
- Lessons and activities detail
Flexibility of matter as a result of attractive forces.
Properties of matter - Attractive forces in matter - Adhesion and Cohesion
Science content - what science says (enduring understanding, big ideas, generalizations)
One property of matter is the attractive forces in matter - Adhesive force, acts to hold two separate bodies together (or to stick one body to another). Cohesive force, acts to hold together like or unlike atoms, ions, or molecules in a single body. However, both forces result from the same basic properties of matter. Properties such as, surface tension in liquids (cohesion), and capillary action (combination of adhesion and cohesion). Hardness of a diamond results from a strong cohesive forces between the carbon atoms of which it is made. Friction between two solid bodies depends in part upon adhesion.
Supporting ideas from unpacking the big idea (facts, concepts, generalizations)
Science inquiry and processes - how science knows
Use of evidence and reasoning to understand interactions in our world.
Supporting ideas from unpacking the big idea
- observations of pencil and plastic bag with water;
- feeling finger as it pushes through the plastic bag;
- point of pencil is sharp and would start a very small hole.
- Connection of these ideas into cause and effect sequence.
Resources and materials
Plastic bag, water, pencil, balloon, pin, oil
Focus questions - What makes some things stick together or not?
Exploration - plastic bag - Demonstration and questioning.
Discovery, application, extension -
Value claims -
- Plastic and pencil spearing
- balloon piercing.
Lesson and activity details
Ask what will happen when you stick the pencil in the plastic bag.