Name __________________________ Date _________________ Mod ___

Unit 2: Chemistry
Lesson 1: States of Matter

I CAN
Describe the characteristics of a solid.
Describe the characteristics of a liquid.
Describe the characteristics of a gas.

Materials (per group)

uninflated balloon
antacid tablet
1-liter plastic bottle
water

Procedure

Activity 1: Balloon Baffle

1. Read the directions for the Discover Activity on p. 45 of the Prentice Hall Science
Explorer: Chemical Building Blocks.
2. Identify the state of matter of each of the objects in the materials list.

Materials State of Matter

3. Conduct the Discovery Activity as directed by your teacher.

4. Sketch the results of the Activity.

5. Identify the state of matter of the substance that inflated the balloon. Use prior
knowledge to support your response.
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Name __________________________ Date _________________ Mod ___

Materials: (per group)

wood cube
aluminum cube
1 graduated cylinder, 100 mL
2 beaker, 100 mL
1 flask, 100 mL
colored water
2 balloons, 1 large and 1 small

Activity 2: Investigating Solids

6. Compare the wood cube and the aluminum cube.

7. Place each cube in separate, empty beakers.

8. Describe any changes you observe to the shape of the aluminum and wood cubes.

9. Discuss the following questions with your lab group.

Did the shape of the cubes change when placed inside the beaker?
Did the volume of the cube change when placed inside the beaker?

Activity 2 Investigating Liquids

10. Read Procedure 1 and highlight the action words.

Procedure 1
A. Observe the three containers: the graduated cylinder, the beaker, and the flask.

B. Sketch and describe the shape of each.

C. Pour 100 mL of colored water into each container.

D. Sketch and describe the shape of the water in the container in Chart 1, Shape of a
Liquid.

11. Complete the investigation.

Name __________________________ Date _________________ Mod ___

Chart 1
Shape of a Liquid
Sketch of empty container Sketch of water and
container

Graduated cylinder

Beaker

Flask

12. Discuss the following questions with your lab group.

Did the shape of the liquids change when placed in the different containers?
Did the volume of the liquids change when placed in the different containers?

Activity 4 Investigating Gases

1. Read Procedure 2 and highlight the action words.

Procedure 2
A. Sketch the balloon on Chart 2 before inflating it.
B. Inflate the balloon three-fourths full with a breath.
C. Tie the end of the balloon.
D. Sketch the inflated balloon in Chart 2.
E. Squeeze the balloon with two fingers. Be careful to avoid popping the balloon.
F. Sketch the balloon after squeezing in Chart 2.
G. Discard the balloon as directed by the teacher.

Chart 2
Shape of Balloon
Before Inflation After Inflation After Squeezing

13. Discuss the following questions with your lab group.

Name __________________________ Date _________________ Mod ___

Did the shape of the balloon change as you squeezed it?

Did the volume of the balloon change as you squeezed it?

Activity 5: Molecules in Motion

Lets go deeper! Now that you have observed some of the properties of solids, liquids, and
gases, lets take a closer look at their molecular arrangement.

14. Read pages 45-48 in Prentice Hall Science Explorer: Chemical Building Blocks.
15. Complete Student Resource Sheet 1, States of Matter Graphic Organizer.
16. Explain how the motion and arrangement of molecules in a solid, liquid, or gas influence
its ability to take the shape of a container.
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Name __________________________ Date _________________ Mod ___

STUDENT RESOURCE SHEET 1

STATES OF MATTER GRAPHIC ORGANIZER

DEFINITE SHAPE DEFINITE VOLUME DIAGRAM OF MOLECULAR THREE EXAMPLES

OR INDEFINITE OR INDEFINITE MOVEMENT (AT ROOM
SHAPE? VOLUME? TEMPERATURE)
Draw at least 8 particles
(circles).
STATE OF
MATTER
Write an X in the particles
so you can see the
differences in the space
between the particles.

SOLID

LIQUID

GAS