Changing states of matter

General

In this lesson, students will learn about the processes that happen when matter changes states. They will be presented with several scenarios of changing states of matter and explain them.

Standards

NGSS:
MS-PS1-1
MS-PS1-5

Learning objective

Students will be able to describe the movement of energy when matter changes states.

Introduction

Students will work in pairs to answer the following questions:
- How are liquids and gases similar?
- How are they different?
- Describe how the molecules in liquids and gases move differently.

They will discuss what happens to a glass of iced water that sits out in the warm sun. Students will think of a way matter changes states in their lives.

Instruction

Define change of state. Use the diagram of low energy to high energy (and vice versa) in the lesson to show students how a substance changes states. Next, discuss the definitions of melting, freezing, evaporation, and condensation. Students will look at three different scenarios and determine which type of state change is happening. They will also discuss sublimation and deposition.

Introduce the concepts of freezing and boiling point of water. Students will be presented with a scenario and think of what happens to a pot of water on a hot stove.

Quiz

Students will respond to ten multiple-choice questions.

Closing

Students will recall what they learned in the lesson and name more "real-life" applications of state changes in their daily lives. They will complete an exit slip.

About Gynzy

Gynzy is an online teaching platform for interactive whiteboards and displays in schools.

With a focus on elementary education, Gynzy’s Whiteboard, digital tools, and activities make it easy for teachers to save time building lessons, increase student engagement, and make classroom management more efficient.