Basic 1 · Science · Materials
Solids, Liquids and Gases
In this topic you will learn that things can be solid, liquid or gas.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name the three states: solid, liquid and gas
- Give examples of each state
- Sort things into solids, liquids and gases
What you already know
- Grouping materials
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Diversity of matter
- Sub-strand
- Materials
- Indicator
- B1.1.2.2.1 – Identify and classify materials as solid liquid or gas
Introduction
A stone keeps its shape. Water flows and takes the shape of the cup. Air fills a balloon. Stone, water and air are different kinds of matter.
1. Solids
A solid keeps its own shape. You can hold it.
Examples: stone, book, chair, spoon.
2. Liquids
A liquid flows. It takes the shape of its container.
Examples: water, milk, oil, juice.
3. Gases
A gas spreads out to fill any space. We often cannot see it.
Examples: air, steam, the gas in a balloon.
| Solid | Liquid | Gas |
|---|---|---|
| stone | water | air |
| book | milk | steam |
| chair | oil | gas in a balloon |
Remember: Solids keep their shape. Liquids flow. Gases spread out.
New words
- solid
- Something that keeps its shape.
- liquid
- Something that flows, like water.
- gas
- Something that spreads out to fill a space, like air.
- container
- Something that holds things, like a cup.
Summary
- Things can be solid, liquid or gas.
- A stone is solid. Water is liquid. Air is gas.
- Liquids take the shape of their container.
Class activity: Three Kinds of Matter
- Look at the stone, the cup of water and the balloon.
- Pour the water into a different cup. Does its shape change?
- Press the balloon. What is inside?
- Sort pictures into solid, liquid and gas.
You need: Stone, Cup of water, Inflated balloon
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a liquid?
- A. Stone
- B. Water
- C. Book
- D. Air
Show answer
Answer: WaterWater flows.2. What is inside a blown balloon?
- A. Water
- B. Sand
- C. Air
- D. Milk
Show answer
Answer: AirWe blow air into a balloon.3. A stone keeps its shape.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueStones are solids.4. Milk is a gas.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseMilk is a liquid.5. Air is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: gasAir spreads out to fill space.6. Name one solid, one liquid and one gas.
Show answer
Answer: E.g. stone, water, air.Solids keep shape, liquids flow, gases spread.
Homework
- Find two solids and two liquids in your kitchen. Write their names.