New
New
Year 4

Comparing and grouping solids, liquids and gases

I can compare and group materials according to whether they are in solid, liquid or gas state.

New
New
Year 4

Comparing and grouping solids, liquids and gases

I can compare and group materials according to whether they are in solid, liquid or gas state.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Solids, liquids and gases have different properties
  2. We can observe and classify materials as solid, liquid or gas state
  3. Some objects are made from different materials, so can have properties of more than one state
  4. Some materials are difficult to classify because they appear to have properties of both solids and liquids

Common misconception

Some solids can be poured and take the shape of their containers and therefore are liquids. A material is not the same material after it has been crushed.

Teaching slides and investigation will help children consider the difference between one solid particle of a material and a pile of particles which behaves together like a liquid.

Keywords

  • 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 its container

  • Gas - A gas can flow, has no fixed volume and takes the shape of the whole of its container

  • Classify - To classify is to sort objects into groups

  • Venn diagram - A Venn diagram is a way of displaying how you group items. It is made up of overlapping circles

Use real life examples of solids, like sand and sugar, to help children consider confusing materials which appear to have properties of both solids and liquids.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Digestive biscuits, saucers, spoons, hand lenses, different shaped small containers.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
The three common states of are solid, liquid and gas.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: matter
Q2.
Identify which of the following are liquid at room temperature.
An image in a quiz
brick
Correct answer: water
Correct answer: oil
sugar
Q3.
Which state or states of matter have a fixed volume?
Correct answer: solid
Correct answer: liquid
gas
Q4.
Which state or states of matter takes the shape of the whole of its container?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: gas
solid
liquid
Q5.
Which state or states of matter have a fixed shape, except when a force is applied to them?
liquid
Correct answer: solid
gas
Q6.
Which state or states of matter is often invisible to the human eye?
An image in a quiz
solid
liquid
Correct answer: gas

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following can exist as different states of matter?
properties
Correct answer: materials
observations
Q2.
Solids, liquids and gases have different .
Correct Answer: properties, properties.
Q3.
We can ________ and classify materials as solid, liquid or gas.
An image in a quiz
measure
Correct answer: observe
question
predict
Q4.
If you classify materials, you ...
decide which is your favourite.
take photos of them.
put them on display.
Correct answer: sort them into groups.
Q5.
Which of the following materials can appear to have properties of both solids and liquids?
wood
Correct answer: sugar
Correct answer: sand
paper
Q6.
Which of the following is a type of diagram that can be used to group solids, liquids and gases?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: Venn
photograph
bar graph
scattergraph

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