What's the Matter?

This week 2nd Grade has been learning about 3 states of matter:

1. Solids
2. Liquids
3. Gases

We read a book about the states; we brainstormed examples of each state of matter; we discussed their shapes and sizes. Then, today we made pictures out of Cheerios to show how the molecules look. Check out our project:

our "jars" to fill

our "molecules"

Look at the differences!

The solid molecules are packed tightly together. That is why solids keep their shape.
The liquid molecules are further apart, so they have more space to move. They move slowly, but that is why liquids change their shape to take the shape of their containers.
The gas molecules are the farthest apart and have a lot of space to move around. That is why gases fill the room (or their container).

Here are some examples of the states of matter:

*Solids: block, brick, desk, Cheerios, pencil, carpet
*Liquids: oil, water, milk, juice
*Gases: bubbles, air in a balloon, hydrogen, oxygen

Next week we'll discuss how states of matter can change and also the physical properties of matter.