Particles in solids, liquids, and gases

Particles in solids, liquids, and gases

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about particle nature of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

a)  In the spaces below draw a diagram to show how the particles are arranged in a solid, a liquid, and a gas.

Solid

Liquid

Gas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    

 

b)  Describe the differences in the arrangement and movement of the particles in the solid, liquid, and gas states.
 
Solid State:
 
 
 
 
 
Liquid State:
 
 
 
 
 
Gas State:
 
 
 
 
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Knowledge, Material World
Keywords: 
structure of matter, particle nature of matter, solid, liquid, gas, diagrams
Description of task: 
Students draw diagrams to show the particle arrangement in a solid, liquid, and a gas. Students then describe the differences in arrangement and movement of the particles for each of these states.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
This resource provides opportunities to discuss how scientists use symbols and models to represent science ideas.
 
Capability: Use evidence
This resource provides opportunities to discuss using their developing science understandings and text information to make inferences about the particle theory of matter.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations, Use evidence
Answers/responses: 
   Y9 (05/1997) Y10 (05/1997)
a)  
Solid Liquid Gas
moderate moderate
b) i)
 
 
ii)
 
 
iii)		 Solid State:
Particles are very close together
and/or move very slowly/vibrate.
Liquid State:
Particles are close together and/or
they do move around.
Gas State:
Particles have big gaps between them
and/or are always moving around.		 moderate
 
 
moderate
 
 
moderate		 moderate
 
 
moderate
 
 
moderate