lesson image
States of Matter


Matter is defined as the basic structural component of the universe. Matter usually has mass and volume.

  • Mass is a quantity of matter cohering together so as to make one body.
  • Volume is a three-dimensional measure of space that comprises a length, a width and a height.

Matter is made up of the same subatomic particles that make up the atom:

  • Positive protons
  • Neutral (not negative or positive) neutrons
  • Negative electrons

Matter can exist in different states, including commonly:

  • Solid: That can be picked up or held, having a definite volume and shape, such as ice.
  • Liquid: A substance that is flowing, keeps no shape, but has a definite volume, such as water.
  • Gas: Matter keeping no shape or definite volume, such as steam.
  • Plasma: A state of matter consisting of partially ionized, often superheated gas.

Most matter we deal with every day is made up of atoms. Both atoms and matter make up many things around us - people, our houses, our cars, the air we breathe, and the rocks and minerals we'll study this year.

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read the lesson.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
  • Study the rock and mineral of the week.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

Matter, made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons, is the basic structural component of the universe. States of matter include solid, liquid, gas, and plasma.

Vocabulary

Matter: The basic structural component of the universe. Matter usually has mass and volume.
Solid: That can be picked up or held, having a definite volume and shape, such as ice.
Liquid: A substance that is flowing, keeps no shape, but has a definite volume, such as water.
Gas: Matter keeping no shape or definite volume, such as steam.
Plasma: A state of matter consisting of partially ionized, often superheated gas.

Rock or Mineral of the Week

Overview

  • Native iron, or telluric iron, is a gray, lustrous metal.
  • Iron is usually found as an ore in combination with other rocks and minerals, such as hematite (Fe2O3) or magnetite (Fe3O4).
  • Iron was assigned it periodic table symbol 'Fe' for the Latin word for iron - ferrum.

Physical Characteristics

  • Color: Gray
  • Hardness: 4.5
  • Luster: Metallic
  • Cleavage: Imperfect/Fair
  • Streak: Gray
  • Tenacity: Ductile and malleable (pure iron)

Location (of the Iron Ore Magnetite):

  • Canada, the United States, Sweden, Brazil, Australia

Interesting Facts

  • Iron is used to make steel and stainless steel for items such as buildings, bridges, cooking and household accessories, cutlery, grills, sinks, and faucets.
  • Due to its abundant presence in the Earth's core, iron is the most common element on Earth.
  • Iron is rarely found in its metallic form on the crust of the Earth. However, iron is found in meteorites that have landed from outer space.
  • Iron is also found on stars and rocky planets such as Mercury, Venus, and Mars.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

  • After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Can You Find It?

Find the following elements on the periodic table:

  • Iron (Fe)
  • Mercury (Hg)
  • Gold (Au)
  • Lithium (Li)
  • Carbon (C)
  • Group 17 Elements
  • Period 2 Elements
  • In which group and period is Iron (Fe)?

Activity 3: Map the Lesson

  • The iron ore of magnetite is currently found in Canada, the United States, Sweden, Brazil, and Australia.
  • Zoom in to find these countries on the map of the world.

Activity 4: Complete a Notebook Entry   

Complete page 5 in 'Fifth Grade Science Rocks and Minerals Notebook Pages.'

Review

Question 1

Which three subatomic particles make up matter?
1 / 3

Answer 1

Protons, neutrons, and electrons make up matter.
1 / 3

Question 2

What are the four states of matter?
2 / 3

Answer 2

Solid, liquid, gas, and plasma are the four states of matter.
2 / 3

Question 3

Describe something about iron (Fe).
3 / 3

Answer 3

Iron (Fe) is a gray metal used to make steel. It is the most common element of Earth, due to its abundance in the core of the Earth.
3 / 3

  1. Which three subatomic particles make up matter? Protons, neutrons, and electrons make up matter.
  2. What are the four states of matter? Solid, liquid, gas, and plasma are the four states of matter.
  3. Describe something about iron (Fe). Iron (Fe) is a gray metal used to make steel. It is the most common element of Earth, due to its abundance in the core of the Earth.

References

  1. 'Iron.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron. n.p.
  2. 'Telluric iron.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telluric_iron. n.p.
  3. 'Matter.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matter. n.p.
  4. 'State of matter.' Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_matter. n.p.
  5. Cited Physical Properties. Geology.com. geology.com/rocks. n.p.