Teaching Resource
Science Experiment – States of Matter
A science experiment that investigates how a substance’s state of matter can be changed.
Matter makes up all substances in the physical universe. Substances can exist in three states of matter: solid, liquid, or gas. The state of a substance can be changed by changing its temperature. Turning a liquid into a solid is called freezing. So, if a liquid is put in a freezer, will that always make it a solid? Let’s investigate!
This Chemical Sciences experiment allows students to investigate changing states of matter.
Students follow the scientific method to conduct the experiment, then complete the worksheets provided.
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States of Matter Vocabulary
| solid | matter | States of matter |
| plasma | gas | liquid |
| temperature | heat | energy |
| condensation | melting | freezing |
| chemical symbol | kinetic energy | vapourisation |
| physical change | chemical change | sublimation |
| melting point | chemical property | element |
| boiling point | physical properties | atom |
| mass | mixture | nucleus |
| property | molecule | solution |
| volume | freezing point | vapour |
NSW Curriculum alignment
- ST3-1WS-S
Plans and conducts scientific investigations to answer testable questions, and collects and summarises data to communicate conclusions
- ST3-2DP-T
Plans and uses materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need or opportunity
- ST3-3DP-T
Defines problems, and designs, modifies and follows algorithms to develop solutions
- ST3-6MW-S
Explains the effect of heat on the properties and behaviour of materials
- ST3-11DI-T
Explains how digital systems represent data, connect together to form networks and transmit data
Victorian Curriculum alignment
- VCSSU073
Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to inform personal and community decisions and to solve problems that directly affect people’s lives
- VCSIS082
With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be based on previous experiences or general ru...
- VCSIS083
With guidance, plan appropriate investigation types to answer questions or solve problems and use equipment, technologies and materials safely, identifying potential risks
- VCSIS084
Decide which variables should be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests and accurately observe, measure and record data
- VCSSU076
Solids, liquids and gases behave in different ways and have observable properties that help to classify them
- VCSIS085
Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to record, represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data
- VCSIS086
Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations
- VCSIS087
Suggest improvements to the methods used to investigate a question or solve a problem
- VCSIS088
Communicate ideas and processes using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and to identify simple cause-and-effect relationships
Australian Curriculum alignment
- ACSSU077
Solids, liquids and gases have different observable properties and behave in different waysElaborationsrecognising that substances exist in different states depending on the temperature (Skills: Numer...
- ACSHE081
Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena and reflects historical and cultural contributionsElaborationsdeveloping an un...
- ACSIS093
Communicate ideas, explanations and processes using scientific representations in a variety of ways, including multi-modal textsElaborationsdiscussing how models represent scientific ideas and constru...
- ACSIS091
Reflect on and suggest improvements to scientific investigationsElaborationsworking collaboratively to identify where methods could be improved, including where testing was not fair and practices coul...
- ACSIS218
Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanationsElaborationssharing ideas as to whether observations match predictions, and discussing possible reasons for predictions bein...
- ACSIS231
With guidance, pose clarifying questions and make predictions about scientific investigationsElaborationsexploring the range of questions that can be asked about a problem or phenomena and with guidan...
- ACSIS090
Construct and use a range of representations, including tables and graphs, to represent and describe observations, patterns or relationships in data using digital technologies as appropriateElaboratio...
- ACSIS087
Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital technologies as appropriateElaborationsdiscussing in groups how investigation...
- ACSIS086
Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment and materials safely and identifying potential risksElaborationsexperiencing a...
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